After Becoming a Cannon-Fodder Lackey, I Swore to Protect the Young Lady to the Death - Chapter 32

The night was silent, save for the moonlight spilling like water across the window sill.

Li Gangjiao and Lu Jiaoyue lay entwined on the massive, soft bed. As their breathing synchronized and their bodies finally relaxed into sleep, Li Gangjiao reached out to stroke Lu Jiaoyue’s silky hair, savoring her warmth. In this tranquil stillness, time seemed to halt, leaving only the intertwined rhythm of two hearts.

Li Gangjiao held Lu Jiaoyue like an octopus, listening to her steady breaths. She pressed a hand to Lu Jiaoyue’s forehead, and once she confirmed the fever had broken, she leaned in to steal a quiet kiss.

It had to be said: Lu Jiaoyue’s beauty was a constant shock to Li Gangjiao’s system. She looked like a piece of meticulously carved jade; every time Li Gangjiao looked at her, she was struck anew. And now that this woman was officially her girlfriend, there was absolutely no reason not to appreciate the view.

******

When the first rays of morning sun filtered into the room, Li Gangjiao was already awake. Lu Jiaoyue, however, remained deep in her dreams. Apparently annoyed by the itchy brightness of the sun, she pulled a pillow over her head in her sleep, leaving only her long, smooth hair exposed. Her oversized nightgown had ridden up to her chest, revealing faint, dark bruises on her waist where she had been gripped the night before.

Li Gangjiao stared at the marks in shock. She held her hand up to the bruises and realized they were a perfect match for her own palm size.

Li Gangjiao: No way… I didn’t even use that much force…

Then again, Lu Jiaoyue’s skin wasn’t just pale; it was incredibly fine and delicate—the kind of skin that spoke of a life of pampered luxury.

Sensing Li Gangjiao’s touch, the still-exhausted Lu Jiaoyue’s lashes fluttered. She peeked out from under the pillow and murmured in a raspy, sleep-heavy voice, “Stop it… let me sleep a bit longer…”

“Oh. Okay.”

Li Gangjiao obediently withdrew her hand, though she didn’t go back to sleep. She simply stayed there, staring intently at Lu Jiaoyue’s face.

*****

By the time Lu Jiaoyue woke up for the second time, she was alone in the vast room.

After a quick wash, she glanced at the array of cosmetics on her vanity. Since she had business to attend to today, she applied a simple, elegant layer of light makeup. By the time she stepped out of the room, she was once again the Lu family’s Eldest Miss—perfect down to the last strand of hair.

Downstairs, gold-brown toast sat crisp on the table alongside rich jam and perfectly fried eggs with tender, runny yolks. A steaming glass of milk sat nearby, but Lu Jiaoyue walked past it and picked up a glass of fermented bean milk instead.

Su Momo and Li Gangjiao were eating and chatting animatedly. When Su Momo saw Lu Jiaoyue, her brow furrowed with anxiety. “Shen Nanshu’s leg…” she started.

“Eat first,” Lu Jiaoyue interrupted. The douzhi was proving as difficult to swallow as ever, so she reached over and took a sip of Li Gangjiao’s hot milk to wash it down. “Once we’re done, we’ll take you to see him.”

“Okay.”

*****

At the City A Private Hospital:

The sunlight streamed through the clean hospital windows, illuminating Shen Nanshu’s pale face. His eyes, bright as stars yet clouded with worry, remained fixed on the world outside. Below him, the city was a blur of life—bustling streets, crowded sidewalks, and towering skyscrapers.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his leg, as if a thousand fine needles were piercing his skin at once. The sensation was so sudden and violent it caught him completely off guard. He frowned and reached down to touch the area, finding it swollen and hot. Every slight touch sent a fresh jolt of agony through him, making him hiss through his teeth.

He must have aggravated the injury when he fell during his rehabilitation session yesterday.

Su Momo took a deep breath and gently pushed open the heavy door. As the hinge gave a soft creak, her heart began to race. She gripped the handle, her palms slightly damp, and looked up with a mix of nerves and longing at the figure sitting in the room.

Li Gangjiao: “Are we going in?”

“Let’s give them some time alone.”

Lu Jiaoyue took Li Gangjiao’s hand and led her away.

“Where are we going then?”

“Home. To try on clothes.”

“Wait, what about them?”

“I’ve arranged for Su Momo to stay as his primary caregiver. There are doctors and bodyguards on site…” The sun was scorching outside, and Lu Jiaoyue was glad she’d remembered to apply sunscreen.

Li Gangjiao had assumed they were heading to a high-end boutique, but the car drove all the way back to the villa.

“I thought we were trying on clothes?” Li Gangjiao asked as the smart gates swung open.

“We are,” Lu Jiaoyue nodded.

The villa seemed to have “new guests.” Five women in impeccable uniforms stood in the living room, surrounded by racks of clothing. Three of them were models with tall, lithe figures and long legs. Their builds were almost identical to Lu Jiaoyue’s.

The clothes on the racks looked staggeringly expensive. The materials and designs radiated luxury; they were covered in intricate beadwork and embroidery, with every detail showcasing master-level craftsmanship and a unique aesthetic.

“Miss Lu, since your last purchase at our store exceeded five million, we’ve set aside these ten pieces specifically for you. They’re from the latest seasonal collection and haven’t even hit the boutiques yet,” the shortest of the women said with a professional smile.

“Wait, you can buy clothes that aren’t even in the stores yet?” Li Gangjiao whispered, staring at the “Rich Woman” beside her in shock.

“Try them all on,” Lu Jiaoyue commanded the models. She leaned in and whispered into Li Gangjiao’s ear, “When you’re the villainous supporting lead, your ‘Wealth Stat’ has to be maxed out.”

“Since Miss Lu is our Super Elite member, priority service is a given!” one of the models added enthusiastically.

“Come on. To the dressing room,” Lu Jiaoyue said, tossing her car keys onto the coffee table.

Li Gangjiao: Wait, there’s a dressing room on the first floor? I thought all her clothes were just in her bedroom closet… hold on, why is this room so HUGE?!

The space was brilliantly lit and incredibly spacious. The floor was covered in a rug so soft it felt like walking on a cloud. The walls were painted in elegant tones that complemented the crystal chandelier overhead, creating an atmosphere of warm, quiet opulence. The wooden wardrobes and drawers were perfectly aligned, giving off a faint, natural scent of timber.

The racks were packed with everything from ornate evening gowns to comfortable loungewear. One section held rows of colorful shirts and skirts, while the floor was cluttered with piles of shoes, bags, and accessories waiting to be organized. Li Gangjiao’s head was spinning.

Lu Jiaoyue sat on the sofa, waiting quietly, completely unaware of the existential shock Li Gangjiao was experiencing.

Li Gangjiao: Honestly, I thought the high-rollers at the casino were rich. Turns out I was being way too conservative…

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