Zhou Huainan's Canary

I am Zhou Huainan's canary.

This phrase came from the bullet comments that suddenly appeared before my eyes one day.

【So she's the canary, not even considered for the main wife position.】

【She'll probably be disposed of by the male protagonist later.】

I couldn't understand what these floating words meant.

Until that day, I saw Shen Yu with another woman.

They were entangled in a hotel room, displaying their affection for each other.

【Here it comes, here it comes! The main couple's reunion!】

【Tears, tears! So touching, so romantic!】

I was stunned, watching as the female lead, Luo Yunchu, kissed Shen Yu's lips.

The bullet comments became even more excited:

【Kiss, kiss! The male lead is so skilled!】

【I'm dying from the sweetness!】

I didn't cry or make a scene. I just quietly closed the door and left.

Shen Yu and I had been dating for three years. He was perfect in every way - excellent academic performance, good looks, and from a prestigious family. Most importantly, he was completely devoted to me.

But now, seeing him with another woman, I surprisingly didn't feel much heartache.

Instead, I kept wondering what "bullet comments" and "main couple" meant.

1

The next day, Shen Yu returned, smelling of alcohol and a woman's perfume.

He nervously explained: "Sui Sui, it's not what you think. Yesterday was the company's annual party, I drank too much and don't remember anything."

I nodded, indicating I believed him.

Shen Yu relaxed and hugged me: "Sui Sui, you're the best to me."

But the bullet comments appeared again:

【The male lead is lying! He wasn't drunk at all!】

【He was very sober last night, he and the female lead went to the hotel together voluntarily!】

【Our Sui Sui is so innocent, actually believing this lie.】

I looked at Shen Yu's handsome face and suddenly felt a chill.

Why could I see these bullet comments? And what did they mean by "main couple"?

I decided to test Shen Yu.

I intentionally brought up Luo Yunchu: "I heard Luo Yunchu is back from abroad. Didn't you study abroad together before?"

Shen Yu's body stiffened slightly: "Yes, we were classmates."

"Did you... used to like her?"

Shen Yu immediately denied it: "No, I've only ever liked you."

But the bullet comments betrayed him:

【Liar! You had a huge crush on the female lead back then!】

【You even confessed to her but got rejected!】

【It's all because of the female lead that you studied abroad!】

I looked at Shen Yu's sincere eyes and suddenly felt ridiculous.

This man, whom I had considered my perfect boyfriend, was lying to me.

And he was lying so confidently.

2

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I kept thinking about those bullet comments and their meaning.

Suddenly, a thought struck me - what if I was actually a character in a novel?

And these bullet comments were like the comments from readers?

This idea terrified me.

If I was really a character in a story, then what was my role?

According to the bullet comments, Shen Yu and Luo Yunchu were the "main couple."

So what was I?

The supporting character? The villain?

Or just a tool for their development?

The more I thought about it, the more scared I became.

I decided I needed to know the truth.

3

The next day, I went to find Luo Yunchu.

She was a beautiful woman, with an elegant and gentle appearance.

When she saw me, she smiled faintly: "You're Sui Sui, right? I've heard Shen Yu mention you."

I nodded and directly asked: "Did you sleep with Shen Yu?"

Luo Yunchu's smile stiffened.

I continued: "I don't blame you. I just want to know the truth."

Luo Yunchu looked at me, her eyes showing a hint of pity: "Sui Sui, some things are better left unknown."

But I insisted: "Tell me, please."

Finally, Luo Yunchu sighed: "Yes. But it's not what you think. Shen Yu and I... we were childhood sweethearts."

She told me about their past, how they had been in love since high school, but due to family opposition, they went abroad separately.

Last year, Luo Yunchu returned to the country and reached out to Shen Yu.

The old feelings reignited, and they ended up together.

"But Shen Yu told me he had broken up with you," Luo Yunchu said. "He said you two weren't suitable for each other."

I laughed bitterly.

So Shen Yu had been two-timing us all along.

And I had been kept in the dark the entire time.

4

I returned home and found Shen Yu waiting for me.

He was cooking dinner, wearing an apron, looking like the perfect boyfriend.

"Sui Sui, you're back," he smiled warmly. "Dinner will be ready soon. Your favorite braised pork ribs."

I looked at this scene and felt my heart ache.

This man who claimed to love me so much had been deceiving me all along.

What had I done wrong to deserve this?

Shen Yu noticed something was off with me: "Sui Sui, what's wrong? You don't look well."

I looked at him and suddenly felt tired of this lie.

I decided to tell him everything.

"Shen Yu, I can see bullet comments," I said directly.

Shen Yu froze: "What... what bullet comments?"

"Like the ones that appear when watching videos," I explained. "They float in the air, and they tell me things... like how you and Luo Yunchu were together yesterday."

Shen Yu's face turned pale.

He looked at me in horror: "Sui Sui, what are you talking about? Are you feeling alright?"

I shook my head: "I'm perfectly sane. And I know everything now."

"Shen Yu, we're over."

5

Shen Yu couldn't accept this reality.

He knelt before me, crying: "Sui Sui, please forgive me. I was wrong, I really was wrong."

"It's just a moment of confusion. I still love you, only you!"

But the bullet comments showed his true thoughts:

【The female lead is waiting for me at the hotel.】

【I need to quickly resolve this and go to her.】

【This supporting character is so annoying, why won't she just accept it?】

I looked at Shen Yu's "sincere" performance and felt nothing but disgust.

This man was even better at acting than I thought.

I stood up: "Shen Yu, don't bother. I've already made my decision."

I started packing my things, planning to move out that same day.

Shen Yu panicked: "Sui Sui, where are you going? You can't leave me!"

I ignored him and continued packing.

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm: "Sui Sui, please don't go. I promise I won't see Luo Yunchu anymore. I'll break it off with her completely!"

But the bullet comments revealed his true thoughts:

【Just temporarily placate her. Once she calms down, I can slowly win her back.】

【The female lead understands, she won't blame me.】

I shook off his hand: "Shen Yu, it's over between us. There's no possibility of reconciliation."

As I walked out the door, Shen Yu's desperate cries followed me.

But I didn't look back.

6

After moving out, I stayed at a hotel.

I needed time to sort out my thoughts.

If I was really a character in a story, then what was my role?

And what was the purpose of my existence?

Just to be a stepping stone for the main couple?

This realization made me feel both angry and helpless.

I decided I wouldn't let fate control me.

I would find my own path, my own happiness.

The next day, I received a call from an unknown number.

It was Luo Yunchu.

"Sui Sui, we need to talk," she said.

I agreed to meet her.

We met at a coffee shop.

Luo Yunchu looked anxious: "Sui Sui, you need to stay away from Shen Yu."

I laughed: "Why? Are you afraid I'll take him back?"

Luo Yunchu shook her head: "It's not like that. Shen Yu... he's not the person you think he is."

She told me that Shen Yu had been monitoring her movements, controlling her life, and even threatening her.

"He's obsessed," Luo Yunchu said with fear in her eyes. "He says he can't live without me."

I listened in shock.

This wasn't the Shen Yu I knew.

The Shen Yu I knew was gentle, considerate, always respectful of my choices.

But according to Luo Yunchu, he had another side - a dark, possessive side.

7

I didn't know who to believe.

Luo Yunchu or the Shen Yu I knew?

I decided to observe for myself.

I secretly followed Shen Yu.

He went to a bar and got drunk, then started making a scene.

I watched from a distance as he smashed glasses, shouted Luo Yunchu's name, and even got into a fight with other customers.

This wasn't the Shen Yu I knew at all.

The bullet comments appeared again:

【The male lead is so scary when he's drunk!】

【This is the dark side of his personality - possessive and violent!】

【The female lead is in trouble!】

I realized that Luo Yunchu had been telling the truth.

Shen Yu wasn't the perfect boyfriend I thought he was.

He had a dark side, a possessive and violent side.

8

I decided I needed to warn Luo Yunchu.

But when I found her, she was with Shen Yu.

They were arguing, and Shen Yu was grabbing her arm, looking angry.

"Luo Yunchu, you can't leave me," Shen Yu said in a low voice. "You belong to me."

Luo Yunchu looked scared: "Shen Yu, let go of me. This isn't love, this is obsession."

But Shen Yu refused to let go: "I don't care what you call it. You're not leaving me."

I watched this scene, not knowing what to do.

Should I intervene?

But then I thought - this wasn't my problem anymore.

I had already broken up with Shen Yu.

This was between him and Luo Yunchu.

I turned to leave, but Shen Yu saw me.

"Sui Sui?" he called out.

Luo Yunchu looked relieved to see me: "Sui Sui, help me!"

Shen Yu's expression became complicated: "Sui Sui, what are you doing here?"

I looked at him coldly: "I was just passing by."

But Shen Yu didn't believe me: "You were following me, weren't you? You still care about me!"

I shook my head: "You're overthinking it. I have no reason to follow you."

Shen Yu's expression became distorted: "No, you still care about me. You still love me!"

He suddenly reached out to grab me: "Sui Sui, come back to me. I'll treat you well, I promise!"

I dodged his hand: "Shen Yu, let go of me. We're over."

But Shen Yu refused to let go: "No, we're not over. We can never be over!"

9

The situation was getting out of control.

Shen Yu was becoming increasingly agitated, and both Luo Yunchu and I were scared.

I tried to reason with him: "Shen Yu, calm down. This isn't the solution."

But Shen Yu wouldn't listen: "I won't calm down! You're trying to leave me, both of you!"

Suddenly, police sirens sounded in the distance.

Shen Yu panicked: "Did someone call the police?"

Luo Yunchu took the opportunity to break free: "Yes, I called them. Shen Yu, you need help."

Shen Yu looked desperate: "No, no, no! This can't be happening!"

When the police arrived, Shen Yu was arrested.

Luo Yunchu and I gave our statements.

After everything was settled, Luo Yunchu thanked me: "Sui Sui, thank you for your help."

I shook my head: "I didn't do much."

Luo Yunchu looked at me: "What will you do now?"

I thought for a moment: "I don't know. But I think I need some time to myself."

Luo Yunchu nodded: "I understand. Take care of yourself."

10

After the incident with Shen Yu, I decided to take a trip.

I needed to get away from everything and clear my mind.

I went to a small town by the sea.

There, I met a man named Zhou Huainan.

He was a local artist, with a gentle personality and a warm smile.

Unlike Shen Yu, Zhou Huainan was simple and straightforward.

He didn't have any ulterior motives or hidden agendas.

He was just a normal person living a simple life.

We started talking, and I found myself opening up to him.

I told him about my past, about Shen Yu, about everything.

Zhou Huainan listened patiently, offering comfort when needed.

He didn't judge me or try to take advantage of my vulnerability.

He was just there for me.

11

As I spent more time with Zhou Huainan, I began to develop feelings for him.

But I was scared.

Scared of getting hurt again.

Scared of repeating the same mistakes.

Zhou Huainan seemed to sense my hesitation.

One day, he took me to the beach at sunset.

"Sui Sui, I know you've been hurt before," he said gently. "But not all men are the same."

I looked at him, not knowing what to say.

Zhou Huainan continued: "I'm not asking for anything. I just want you to know that I care about you, and I'll be here for you, no matter what."

I felt tears welling up in my eyes.

This was the kind of sincerity I had been looking for.

Not the possessive, controlling kind of "love" that Shen Yu had shown me.

But genuine, selfless care.

"Zhou Huainan, thank you," I said softly.

He smiled: "No need to thank me. I'm just being honest."

12

As we watched the sunset together, I felt a sense of peace I hadn't felt in a long time.

For the first time in months, I wasn't thinking about Shen Yu or the bullet comments.

I was just enjoying the moment, enjoying the company of this wonderful man beside me.

The bullet comments appeared again:

【Wow, is this the male lead's rival?】

【He seems much better than the male lead!】

【Maybe Sui Sui will finally find happiness!】

I smiled to myself.

Maybe this was my chance to escape my predetermined fate.

Maybe this was my chance to find my own happiness.

I turned to Zhou Huainan and said: "Zhou Huainan, I think I'm ready to move on."

He looked at me, his eyes full of warmth: "I'm glad to hear that."

"And Sui Sui," he added softly, "I'll be here to support you, every step of the way."

I nodded, feeling a sense of hope for the future.

For the first time, I felt like I was in control of my own destiny.

And I knew that no matter what happened next, I would be okay.

13

As my time in the seaside town came to an end, I had to make a decision.

Should I stay with Zhou Huainan, or return to my old life?

I thought about it long and hard.

On one hand, Zhou Huainan represented a new beginning, a chance to escape my past.

On the other hand, I had responsibilities and commitments back home.

I talked to Zhou Huainan about my dilemma.

He listened patiently, then said: "Sui Sui, whatever you decide, I'll support you."

I appreciated his understanding, but I still felt conflicted.

That night, I had a dream.

In the dream, I saw myself as a character in a book, with the author controlling my every move.

I tried to break free, but the author held me captive.

Then, Zhou Huainan appeared in the dream.

He reached out his hand and said: "Sui Sui, you don't have to be controlled by anyone. You have the power to write your own story."

When I woke up, I knew what I had to do.

14

I decided to stay.

I called my family and friends, explaining my decision.

Some were supportive, others were confused.

But I knew this was what I wanted.

Zhou Huainan was overjoyed when I told him.

"Sui Sui, are you sure?" he asked, wanting to confirm my decision.

I nodded firmly: "Yes, I'm sure."

He hugged me tightly: "I'm so happy. I promise I'll make you happy."

I smiled: "I know you will."

The bullet comments appeared one last time:

【Good for Sui Sui! She's finally breaking free!】

【This is the beginning of her own story!】

【No longer just a supporting character!】

I looked at Zhou Huainan and felt a sense of peace.

For the first time, I felt like I was in control of my own destiny.

And I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, I would face them with Zhou Huainan by my side.

15

Epilogue: One Year Later

One year has passed since I made the decision to stay with Zhou Huainan.

Looking back, I can say with certainty that it was the best decision I ever made.

Zhou Huainan and I now live together in a small cottage by the sea.

He continues his art, and I've found work as a writer.

We're happy, truly happy.

The bullet comments have stopped appearing.

Maybe because I've finally broken free from my predetermined fate.

Or maybe because I've finally become the protagonist of my own story.

Occasionally, I wonder what happened to Shen Yu and Luo Yunchu.

Last I heard, Shen Yu had received treatment and was doing better.

Luo Yunchu had moved on and was living her own life.

I wish them both well, but I have no desire to reconnect.

My life with Zhou Huainan is simple, but it's filled with love and happiness.

And that's all I could ever ask for.

As I sit on the porch, watching the sunset with Zhou Huainan by my side, I feel a sense of contentment.

This is my life now.

My own life.

My own story.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

---

The End