The Cannon Fodder Roles I Play All Become White Moonlights [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 22.1

The middle-aged woman was Zhang Fenglian, the wife of the commander of the Third Regiment. On Nanjiang Island, the First Division consisted of three regiments, and Chen Dayong, the commander of the Third Regiment, was the oldest among the three regiment commanders, two years older than Old Yang. Back when Old Yang was the division commander, Chen Dayong had already harbored some resentment. After Old Yang’s death, Chen Dayong believed that, based on seniority, he should have been promoted. To his surprise, the position of division commander ultimately went to Jiang Lingfeng.

Both Chen Dayong and Zhang Fenglian were filled with discontent. Today, as soon as Zhang Fenglian heard that Old Yang’s son, Yang Dongming, had hit her son, Chen Yuejin, she was seething with anger and had nowhere to vent it. She thought this was the perfect opportunity to teach Yang Dongming a lesson. If she couldn’t deal with Jiang Lingfeng, couldn’t she at least handle a parentless brat?

But Zhang Fenglian never expected that she would be struck by Su Qingmeng. The slap left her stunned for a long moment before she could react.

Known in her village for her shrewish temper, she lunged at Su Qingmeng to retaliate. However, her bulky frame made her movements far slower than the nimble Su Qingmeng, who quickly retreated two steps and hid behind Jiang Lingfeng.

Zhang Fenglian’s thick palm was about to land on Jiang Lingfeng.

But Jiang Lingfeng was the man who had taken first place in the military’s combat competition. Without even blinking, he restrained Zhang Fenglian with a swift move. Just as she was about to let out a pained wail, Su Qingmeng proved faster not only in action but also in words.

Peeking out from behind Jiang Lingfeng, Su Qingmeng shouted, “Well, well, Zhang Fenglian, you even dare to hit Division Commander Jiang! Do you have no respect for the law? Does your husband Chen Dayong have no regard for military discipline? Has your family long held a grudge against Division Commander Jiang?”

“…” Jiang Lingfeng caught a clear glimpse of Su Qingmeng’s smug expression from the corner of his eye, a classic case of a bully basking in borrowed authority.

As if sensing his gaze, Su Qingmeng looked up at him and curved her eyes, looking even more like a cunning little fox who had just pulled off a scheme. Strangely, Jiang Lingfeng found her rather endearing in that moment.

Quietly averting his eyes, Jiang Lingfeng released Zhang Fenglian and said sternly, “Comrade Zhang, this is a school. What kind of example are you setting with all this commotion?”

He then swept a cold gaze over the teachers who had been restraining Yang Dongming. They awkwardly let go and stammered, “Division Commander Jiang, we were just worried that Yang Dongming might act impulsively in his youth.”

Su Qingmeng immediately retorted with sarcasm, “Oh, so you were worried our Dongming might act impulsively, so you held him down and let Zhang Fenglian hit him? Why didn’t we see you react when Zhang Fenglian was the one acting impulsively? As teachers, not only did you fail to protect a student, but you also allowed an outsider to bully him. Even though Old Yang is dead, our Dongming is the child of a martyr. Yet Chen Dayong colluded with the schoolteachers to oppress him. Since Division Commander Jiang is here and witnessed everything, I’ll go report this to the political commissar later. Division Commander Jiang, you can testify for me!”

“…” The teachers exchanged uneasy glances. Even the homeroom teacher, who had been about to speak, kept silent. This was the affiliated high school of the Nanjiang Island garrison, under military management. Even in an ordinary high school, they wouldn’t dare bear the accusation of bullying the child of a martyr.

Even if Zhang Fenglian was deeply dissatisfied with Jiang Lingfeng, she didn’t dare to confront him openly. Hearing Su Qingmeng repeatedly mention Chen Dayong, she grew anxious: “Su Qingmeng! Why do you keep dragging our Old Chen into this?”

“Aren’t you Chen Dayong’s family? Or is Chen Yuejin, who hit our Dongming, not Chen Dayong’s son?” Su Qingmeng snorted coldly and was about to point at Chen Yuejin, who had been standing behind Zhang Fenglian, when she caught sight of his bruised and swollen face.

She glanced at the pitiful-looking Chen Yuejin, then at Yang Dongming, who had no injuries aside from the slap from Zhang Fenglian, and quietly withdrew her finger. Tugging at Jiang Lingfeng’s sleeve, her eyes reddened as she pleaded, “Commander Jiang, you must stand up for us, mother and child. With Old Yang gone, we orphans and widows have such a hard life!”

She drew out the word “hard” with an exaggerated, theatrical tone.

“…” Jiang Lingfeng was amused and couldn’t help but cough lightly to suppress the laughter in his eyes. His expression remained stern and authoritative. “Don’t worry. Old Yang was our former commander, and we would never allow anyone to bully the family of a martyr. Who is the homeroom teacher? Please explain the situation.”

“C-Commander Jiang, it’s me…” The homeroom teacher, surnamed Zhou, was around Jiang Lingfeng’s age. She was the wife of the battalion commander of the First Battalion, Third Regiment and usually had a good relationship with Zhang Fenglian.

But now, under Jiang Lingfeng’s intense gaze, the kind of intimidating aura unique to soldiers who had seen battle, she grew flustered after just one stern look and stumbled over her words: “Well… it’s… it’s just that Yang Dongming and Chen Yuejin… had a bit of an argument… and then… they started fighting…”

“It was him who started!” Chen Yuejin tried to speak.

“Our Dongming has always been civilized, polite, and well-behaved. It must have been you, Chen Yuejin, who provoked him. Tell me, what did you say to insult our Dongming?” Su Qingmeng cut off Chen Yuejin’s words, stepping out from behind Jiang Lingfeng to shield Yang Dongming.

Yang Dongming had been stunned since she rushed out. Now, as she stood in front of him, despite being so much shorter and having been his stepmother for only a few days, he felt an unexpected lump in his throat at her fierce protectiveness.

He had been fifteen when Old Yang brought him to the island, so he had never been close to his father. Old Yang, always acting as the impartial commander, would make him back down whenever conflicts arose. This was the first time someone had stood up for him so wholeheartedly.

His heart felt as if it were steeped in warm water, both aching and comforted.

Chen Yuejin stammered, unable to speak. With Jiang Lingfeng present, he knew better than to repeat the insult he had hurled at Yang Dongming.

Jiang Lingfeng understood the situation at a glance and said directly, “Let’s have Principal Lin come over.”

Principal Lin, who had been waiting outside the door after hearing of Jiang Lingfeng’s arrival, finally mustered the courage to enter when summoned. With a forced smile, he said, “Commander Jiang…”

“Let’s skip the pleasantries,” Jiang Lingfeng cut straight to the point. “I believe Teacher Zhou’s connection with the Third Regiment creates a conflict of interest. She is not suitable to handle this matter or to continue as the homeroom teacher for Yang Dongming and Chen Yuejin. What do you think, Principal Lin?”

Principal Lin nodded repeatedly in agreement, while Teacher Zhou and Zhang Fenglian turned pale but dared not say anything more.

Jiang Lingfeng glanced at Chen Yuejin, who had been beaten to a pulp, and said, “You are all children of military families. You should be cautious in your words and actions. As for how to handle this matter, it’s the school’s responsibility. I won’t overstep my authority.”

He looked at Principal Lin, who in turn looked at Teacher Zhou. But then, remembering that Teacher Zhou was no longer their homeroom teacher, he cleared his throat and said, “Chen Yuejin and Yang Dongming, you two go back and write self-criticisms.”

Su Qingmeng seemed dissatisfied with this decision and snorted heavily. When Jiang Lingfeng looked at her, she puffed out her cheeks, looking unhappy, like a cat with its fur bristling. Jiang Lingfeng couldn’t help but feel like laughing again.

However, with so many people present, he maintained his composure, nodded solemnly, bid farewell to the principal, and left the school with Su Qingmeng.

“Sister-in-law, I’ll take you to the cultural troupe,” Jiang Lingfeng said as he got into the car, turning to Su Qingmeng in the back seat.

To his surprise, Su Qingmeng replied, “I need to go to the hospital first.”

Seeing the confusion in his eyes, she spread her right hand in front of him. Her fair, delicate palm was flushed red, and she pouted at him. “Who knew Zhang Fenglian’s face would be so thick? When I slapped her, I twisted my little finger…”

“Cough!” This time, Jiang Lingfeng couldn’t hold back. He covered his mouth with his hand to hide his rising smile and instructed the driver, “Xiao Zhang, let’s head to the hospital.”

“You’re laughing at me!” Su Qingmeng caught the amusement in his eyes and exclaimed indignantly.

Jiang Lingfeng glanced at her through the rearview mirror. Her peach-blossom eyes, now tinged with anger, sparkled like a galaxy. He couldn’t help but chuckle again but quickly suppressed his smile. “No, I’m not.”

Su Qingmeng went to the hospital to get some ointment and then insisted that Jiang Lingfeng accompany her to the cultural troupe. Her reasoning was that if she arrived at the troupe at this hour, she would surely become the subject of gossip, and she wanted Jiang Lingfeng to explain the situation to the troupe leader on her behalf.

This time, Jiang Lingfeng didn’t refuse. He accompanied her to the cultural troupe.

The troupe leader was extremely enthusiastic upon seeing him and insisted on giving him a tour to inspect the troupe’s work.

Jiang Lingfeng had little interest in the arts, but out of consideration for Su Qingmeng, he followed the troupe leader around for a look.

Su Qingmeng paid them no mind. She changed into the troupe’s standard short-sleeved top and shorts and headed to the dance studio.