Chapter 79 Chapter 79 You Can'T Escape~
Chapter 79 You Can'T Escape~
Xiaocheng, a character from the original novel, had a highly polarized reputation.
Some readers believed that Xiaocheng, having done so many hateful things early on, deserved to die, and her later whitewashing simply proved the author was out of their mind. After all, the original author ruined the entire work for money, so it was only natural to write something terrible at the end.
But there were also some readers who were purely Su Tao supporters. It's undeniable that 'All Cannon Fodder Female Villains Eliminated, All Male Gods in My Embrace' was a terrible work, and the author ruined the entire book for money. Yet, in terms of plot cohesion, the author's writing skill was still evident. However, from Su Tao's perspective, she was loved by many early on, felt confused and pained in the middle, and was successively betrayed later on. If this novel is viewed as Su Tao's tragic life, rather than the author compromising for money, then one's empathy and affection for Su Tao would only deepen.
Although the character Xiaocheng died early in the story, she frequently appeared in Su Tao's memories, serving as Su Tao's emotional support and alleviating her pain again and again after she was betrayed.
——If I were to die like this, how could I face Xiaocheng in the underworld?
——I caused her death, and Brother Chi Song's death. I should bear all her burdens and live on, spending my entire life regretting, repaying, and accomplishing everything she wanted to do.
Precisely because of these descriptions, Su Tao's independent thinking and Xiaocheng's redemption in the final moments of her life seemed much more normal. Even though she was merely a cannon fodder villain, the name 'Chi Xiaocheng' ran through the entire four million characters of the text, alongside Su Tao.
Su Tao's final despair was only due to a dream she had while on her last breath. It was an inner demon that had plagued her for years. Xiaocheng, who was already dead, appeared in the dream, apologizing to her, forgiving her, and confessing her feelings to her.
——Taotao, you're not unloved. You still have me, you know. If I could do it all over again, I would definitely, absolutely let love surround you. I would never let anyone bully you again!
The dream ended.
Su Tao felt that even if she couldn't receive forgiveness, perhaps by dying she could still repay the wrongs she had committed to Xiaocheng in the underworld. Her dripping tears wet the photo she clutched even in her sleep. Su Tao hugged the photo tightly to her chest.
"I'm sorry."
It was unclear whether it was Su Tao apologizing to Xiaocheng, or the novel's author apologizing to the vast number of readers.
With this final sentence as the ending, Su Tao committed suicide. The novel concluded. There were no extra chapters, no after-stories, nor a second part released to milk the IP. The author left all suspense as an open ending, allowing readers to discuss it freely.
Chi Xiaocheng replayed the plot she currently knew in her mind and brought the topic back to the present. "System, that's why I said Su Tao won't collapse that easily. As long as she still has me in her heart, she will eventually stand up again after her confusion."
A playful smile touched Chi Xiaocheng's lips. "Taotao still needs to cure my yandere tendencies and return to how things were before. How could she just collapse like this? But I'm not actually yandere, so there's nothing to cure. What a difficult problem to solve."
Chi Xiaocheng looked at the sleeping Su Tao, already understanding why Su Tao was like this. "She's currently just avoiding the issue. My method of self-harm to frame Ye Liang and thereby bind her to my side was too extreme. It shattered her perception of me, making her afraid. She's worried I'll use the same methods to harm others around her, forcing her to make choices again and again, or even harm myself to achieve that. She's afraid to make choices and dares not accept the fact that I am yandere. Even though I, as Dr. Cheng, have been guiding her, she still hasn't changed her mind about wanting to cure me. But this won't do."
Chi Xiaocheng watched the surveillance footage on her phone. Su Tao was sleeping soundly, clutching the large panda. After letting go of all her burdens and choosing to escape, she slept very peacefully, even without the sachet by her side.
Without realizing it, Chi Xiaocheng's gaze softened, becoming a little infatuated as she looked at Su Tao. "Taotao can't be afraid of me. If she's afraid of me, how can she like me? If she can't take the first step, there will never be any progress. Even if she's forced, she must actively accept me!" This was Chi Xiaocheng's most crucial objective!
The date that morning had already shown initial results. After a day, she had been confident she could make Su Tao fall into her gentle embrace, to develop the idea that 'although Xiaocheng is a little yandere, being by her side is truly happy and fulfilling.' And because of this goal, during this time, Chi Xiaocheng constantly put pressure on Su Tao. Once she was gradually overwhelmed, she would naturally discover that Xiaocheng's embrace was the only place to relieve stress and find comfort. Through this, she would come to like her, to long for her. Just like in the dark room. All the food and water tasted of the orange juice she detested. Only her lips offered a sweetness distinct from everything else. Then, she would desperately crave it, get used to it, enjoy it, and... like it.
But Ye Liang's appearance disrupted all of Chi Xiaocheng's plans and preparations! The soft approach was no longer viable.
"Taotao, if you keep avoiding me like this, when will you finally like me? And when can we finally be together? The pressure isn't enough."
Chi Xiaocheng lay in the hospital bed, slowly waiting for time to pass. After dealing with the doctor, she then dealt with Dongfang Yang and her brother, who had taken time out of their busy schedules to visit her.
From noon until late night, Su Tao, who had slept for a full ten hours, slowly woke up. Long periods of excessive sleep do not make one a hundred times more energetic; instead, they make one feel more tired and listless in a short time. Such was Su Tao's case; she felt muddle-headed and had a dull ache in her chest. After a while of recovering, even though she still felt tired, the struggle and pain from before falling asleep were gone.
Su Tao looked at the large panda plush pillow still in her arms and said with a smile, "Oh, panda, you're even softer than Xiaocheng." Saying this, she nuzzled the panda's belly with her face.
But after saying this, Su Tao couldn't help but freeze again.
Xiaocheng...
She's still at the hospital. Memories flooded in like a tide. Self-harm, seduction, Ye Liang's betrayal, choice. Scene after scene flashed by, causing Su Tao's expression to turn pained once more. But when she looked up again, her expression held a hint of withdrawal.
Perhaps, I should just let things be?
The moment this thought arose, her phone rang in the living room outside. A bad premonition arose in Su Tao's heart. She walked out and looked at the caller ID. She let out a soft sigh of relief. The call was from Chi Xiaocheng's mother. She really didn't want to face Chi Xiaocheng right now, and even less wanted to think about Chi Xiaocheng's yandere tendencies. This matter seemed to have been hidden deep in her heart.
Facing Auntie Chi, Su Tao showed a relaxed smile. "Hello, Auntie, good evening."
The call connected. Chi Xiaocheng, at the hospital, listened to the voice coming from the phone, a smile curving her lips. Her voice mimicry ability activated. Mimicking her mother's aged and anxious voice, a slow voice sounded in Su Tao's ear. "That's great, Taotao, your phone connected. Um, Taotao, is Xiaocheng not with you? I can't get through to her phone at all."
"Xiaocheng... where is she?"
The old, gentle voice in her ear once again evoked beautiful childhood memories. But that beautiful memory now felt like a burden. Is Xiaocheng not with you? As her older sister, didn't you take good care of her? I entrusted her to you, that's why I let her come to Jiuzhou City to study with you. Or rather, Taotao, you... don't want her anymore?
A suffocating sensation, like being submerged in water, returned. It was as if she heard Chi Xiaocheng's voice, full of affection, in her ear: "Taotao, you can't escape, you know."
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