After Becoming a Cannon-Fodder Lackey, I Swore to Protect the Young Lady to the Death - Chapter 28

The barbecue grill was set up right in the center of the garden. A picnic mat was spread out on the grass, and the garden swing nearby was cluttered with seasoning bottles and several neatly wrapped bouquets.

On the mat, alongside various snacks, were several comfortable cushions. Su Momo picked a pink one for herself, handed a clean white one to Lu Jiaoyue, gave a bright yellow one to Auntie Liu, and finally tossed a blue one to Li Gangjiao.

“I put extra cumin on these—anyone want spicy? I think the ones Auntie is grilling are all spicy!” Su Momo said, holding beef skewers in one hand and lamb in the other, talking even as she stuffed her face.

“Jiaoyue, these few are non-spicy. I added salad dressing, take them while they’re hot!” Auntie Liu handed several over.

Auntie Liu had originally come to prepare a “fat-loss” meal, but the menu had pivoted into a full-blown “fat-gain” feast. The vegetables meant for a light salad were now all sizzling on metal skewers.

Stars began to hang from the branches of the clouds. No sliver of sunlight remained to spill onto the land, lending the earth a touch of tranquility that made the lively noise in the garden feel even more vibrant.

“I feel like the food from lunch hasn’t even digested yet, and now we’re eating again. I honestly can’t take another bite…” After hitting her 30th skewer, Su Momo picked one up, put it down, picked it back up, and finally, with a heavy heart, set it aside.

Back at the villa, the housekeepers’ cooking had actually been excellent, but because Su Momo had been trapped for so long, everything had tasted like ash to her. She had always believed that freedom was the seasoning of life; you could technically live without it, but once it was gone, nothing tasted quite right.

“Try mine, this one is incredible! The meat is just slightly charred, but it’s still tender!” Li Gangjiao looked at the bland skewers in Lu Jiaoyue’s hand, then at Lu Jiaoyue’s slow, elegant chewing. She offered a beef skewer she had just taken a bite of. Is it for the sake of her figure again?

“No, thank you,” Lu Jiaoyue shook her head. She had already indulged during lunch; if she kept going tonight, it would be far too much.

The rejected skewer returned to Li Gangjiao’s hand, and within a minute, it had vanished into her mouth. She glanced at the flowers by the wall, then went back to her feast.

Lu Jiaoyue picked up her cocktail—an Iceland. The pale blue liquid looked refreshing against the green mint leaves, with ice cubes creating unique layers in the glass. Just as she was about to take a sip, a white petal caught the wind and drifted onto the surface of the drink.

She leaned in for a soft sniff. Beneath the light fragrance of mint was a softer, richer scent. Lu Jiaoyue smiled and murmured, “So it’s gardenia…” She looked toward the blooming gardenia bushes and took a sip, half-convinced the cocktail itself tasted like the flowers.

A joyous atmosphere permeated the garden, forming a perfect evening tableau of a picnic.

******

“How can you still be eating?”

Su Momo, who couldn’t manage another bite or sip, watched in shock as Li Gangjiao continued to demolish skewers at an undiminished speed.

“Maybe I just have a bigger appetite. Besides, I didn’t drink anything while you guys were having soda; I saved all the room in my stomach for meat!” Finishing the last skewer, Li Gangjiao finally took a small sip of her drink.

“I’m seriously too full to move. I’m going back to sleep…” Su Momo struggled to her feet, her waddling silhouette a testament to just how much she had overeaten.

Auntie Liu, who had finished long ago, diligently packed up the seasoning boxes and took the dishes back to the kitchen to wash. Once she confirmed her work was done, she hurried home; her granddaughter was waiting for a bedtime story.

Eventually, only Li Gangjiao and Lu Jiaoyue were left in the garden, sitting on the swing—one digesting, the other watching the moon.

“Jiao Jiao, stop looking at the moon for a second,” Li Gangjiao whispered softly in Lu Jiaoyue’s ear.

“What is it?” Lu Jiaoyue looked at her, confused.

“Close your eyes.”

Even though she didn’t understand the reason, Lu Jiaoyue instinctively trusted her. She shut her eyes.

“Cover your ears.”

Even more confused, Lu Jiaoyue complied.

Bang—!

Crack—!

The sound of gunfire!!

Lu Jiaoyue snapped her eyes open and stared at Li Gangjiao in horror.

Li Gangjiao’s eyes held a cold, detached calmness she had never seen before. She was still in a firing stance, her movements devoid of any panic. Realizing Lu Jiaoyue was watching, Li Gangjiao immediately broke into a sunny smile. “Someone was spying on us. He’d been watching us for a long time.”

With panic flooding her gaze, Lu Jiaoyue looked toward where the gun was pointed. There was nothing there.

“He’s already down. He probably fell over the side,” Li Gangjiao explained.

“You’re going to go to jail for this!!” Lu Jiaoyue was frantic with anger and fear, her eyes filling with tears. Her nerves were pulled taut like a string about to snap.

In her rage, Lu Jiaoyue slapped the hand holding the gun. Li Gangjiao quickly lowered the weapon, terrified of upsetting her further. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. He kept watching us… I was afraid he was a threat to you.”

Li Gangjiao gripped Lu Jiaoyue’s hand, looking like a pathetic, kicked puppy staring at its angry owner. Crap. I messed up again! Jiao Jiao is furious! Behind her, that invisible tail wagged frantically in an attempt to appease, her eyes full of regret and helplessness.

“…”

Lu Jiaoyue began to cry.

Tears filled her bright eyes and rolled down her pale cheeks. She lowered her lashes and sobbed quietly.

“Jiao Jiao, I didn’t want to make you mad. Please don’t cry, okay? I’m begging you… don’t cry…” Panicked, Li Gangjiao pulled her into an embrace, patting her back to help her breathe, terrified she might cry herself into a faint. She apologized incessantly. “I didn’t know you’d be this upset! I’m so sorry! Can you please stop crying? You can punish me however you want!”

“No matter what, you shouldn’t have fired that gun!!” Lu Jiaoyue shoved her back and shouted through her tears. Li Gangjiao flinched at the volume.

“Jiao Jiao? Where are you going?” Seeing Lu Jiaoyue stand up to leave, Li Gangjiao grabbed her hand, her voice frantic.

“Let go! I’m going to get a shovel!” Lu Jiaoyue shot her a fierce glare, wrenched her hand away, and stomped off.

Realizing just how much she had screwed up, Li Gangjiao stood there, clutching the hem of her shirt with one hand and the handgun with the other.

Man… I should have waited until Jiao Jiao left to take the shot! Did I really scare her that much? How am I supposed to apologize for this?

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