Time-Travel: The Tragic Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character Makes a Comeback
CHAPTER 41: The 1970s Naive Supporting Girl (41)
Lu Tingxiao froze for a moment, then spoke seriously. “Comrade Song, don’t joke about these things.”
Song Susu’s face was fair and delicate, her curved brows carrying a hint of charm. She rested her chin in her hands and looked at him.
“I’m not joking. I’m serious. Lu Tingxiao, you’re handsome, tall, upright, and so capable. Of course a girl would like you. Or… do you not like me?”
Lu Tingxiao felt an unexpected heat rise to his face. His gaze lingered on her features for a few seconds before looking away.
“Don’t dodge the question. I’m asking why you’ve changed so much.”
There was no avoiding it, so Song Susu met his stare head-on. Her beautiful eyes were steady, unwavering.
“Comrade Lu, you soldiers should understand this better than anyone: a person’s potential can always be unleashed.”
“When my parents were alive, I was a cheerful and quiet girl. But after they passed, I was just a minor taking care of my little brother, living under someone else’s roof. I was looked down on, bullied by relatives, and I grew weak and insecure. I felt like I had no one to rely on.”
“Later, I went to the countryside to escape, thinking I’d found good friends. But even there, I was exploited and bullied by an entire family.”
Ye Susu empathized with Song Susu's plight, her eyes reddening as she clenched her fists, speaking with a resounding voice.
“But a string will snap if pulled too tight. It’s the quiet, honest people who become the most dangerous when they finally explode. I hated my own weakness. I hated that they bullied me. I wanted everyone who hurt me to pay. That is why I am who I am today.”
Lu Tingxiao’s dark eyes flickered as he looked at the girl in front of him. Her fair skin made her tear-streaked eyes even redder, and she bit her lower lip lightly.
Looking into her eyes, he could almost see the sorrow she carried.
He pressed his lips together, hesitating. From what he had found in his investigation, Song Susu had lost both parents and, as a minor, had been raising her younger brother while living under other people’s roof. Life had been far from easy.
Her past was fully traceable. She had never disappeared or gone off the grid, and those closest to her never doubted her. There was no way someone could have replaced her or assumed her identity.
The last trace of doubt in Lu Tingxiao’s mind faded. He spoke with genuine apology, “I’m sorry for bringing up something unpleasant. You’re doing really well now, and I believe your days will only get better from here.”
Song Susu felt a weight lift off her chest. She brushed the tears from the corner of her eye and nodded. “Yes, everything is finally moving in the right direction.”
Seeing her calmer, Lu Tingxiao glanced at his watch and said politely, “Comrade Song, it’s getting late. The people I was waiting for probably won’t show, and you should head home too.”
His brow furrowed slightly as he thought of the unreliable family she had met earlier. He added with a note of caution, “You’ve just started university. You’re still young, so don’t let your mind dwell on these things. In time, you’ll meet someone even better.”
Song Susu raised an eyebrow and let out a soft sigh. “I think you’re more than fine, Comrade Lu. But since you don’t seem to like me, there’s no need for you to worry about my love life.”
Honestly, compared to boys her age at school, this man was reliable. If she ever dated him, she wouldn’t have to worry about domestic violence or cheating. And he could retire after getting injured, so they wouldn’t be separated by distance. Responsible, dependable, and considerate—this could easily be the start of a truly happy match.
Lu Tingxiao froze for a moment. He didn’t say he disliked her, just that jumping into a relationship felt too casual.
“We’re… not really a good match. I’m older than you.”
Song Susu gave him a look that said, I knew it, and continued, “Fine then. We can’t exactly call it a deep friendship, but at least we’re familiar enough to be friends.”
Lu Tingxiao nodded without thinking. “Of course. You can consider me an elder. If you and your brother ever run into problems you can’t solve, you can come to me.”
He had already given her his address last time. Meeting like this was fate, and the siblings had it tough enough. Better they didn’t wander into trouble or get scammed.
Song Susu let out a soft laugh, her expression bright and cheerful. “Alright then. Thanks for your time today, Senior Lu. I’ll be going now. Hope we meet again.”
She stood up quickly and left her seat.
The coffee shop staff handed her the packaged cakes and desserts, and after a polite thank you, she walked out without looking back.
Seeing her finally go, Lu Tingxiao let out a quiet sigh of relief. His gaze lingered on her retreating figure, and he noticed she seemed a little taller than before.
There was no denying it. The girl was smart, beautiful, and had her own mind.
Right now, her way of thinking was still a bit childish. Maybe by the time she graduated, she would grow more mature and steady, like a blooming red rose, and she would meet plenty of suitable peers to choose from.
As for him, there was a full six-year gap between them. His personality was naturally reserved, and his work was with the military. Anyone not in a similar line of work would struggle to keep up.
With her ambitious nature, after college she would probably dedicate herself to building the country and remain local to take care of her younger brother. That would inevitably mean a long-distance relationship. Add the age difference, and there would be a generational gap. No matter how he looked at it, it was not a promising match.
Lu Tingxiao rubbed his temples, feeling a bit ridiculous. Why was he thinking about this? They were two people who were never meant to be.
Time passed quickly, and the new year arrived.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Tingxiao, who was on holiday, was suddenly assigned a mission. During the operation, he was seriously injured while covering for his teammates.
He remained unconscious in the military hospital for three days before waking up.
Even when he opened his eyes, his left leg could not move. The injury might affect his ability to walk in the future, and because it was near the hip, it could also impact his reproductive function.
The whole Lu family came to see him, from eldest to youngest. Grandmother Lu’s eyes were swollen from crying. He was the family’s only grandson. Her heart ached with both worry and regret. If only she had stopped him that day, this tragedy would never have happened right after the New Year.
Mother Lu immediately reached out to her contacts for specialists, but after thorough checks, everyone gave similar reports to the military hospital. Even with the best care, his walk would likely be permanently impaired, requiring a cane or wheelchair, and the chance of regaining reproductive function was less than ten percent.
Father Lu, also a soldier who knew how unpredictable life on the battlefield could be, arranged for his son’s transfer while struggling with his own grief.
He knew his son’s temperament well. Not being able to return to the battlefield would be even harder for him than staying in the military.
Compared to the Lu family’s grief, Lu Tingxiao was quiet when he woke up. His entire body was wrapped in bandages, everything except his right hand—arms, legs, and head all covered.
He had heard what the doctors said. Unless a miracle happened, this was how his life would be from now on.
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