The Cannon Fodder Roles I Play All Become White Moonlights [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 22.2

For the past few days, the cultural troupe had been hosting a dance teacher from the capital to teach a new routine. Several of the younger girls in the troupe had been working hard to impress the teacher and secure the lead role in the dance drama. When they saw Su Qingmeng arrive, they recalled the events of the previous night and their expressions soured.

The dance teacher was also displeased with Su Qingmeng’s tardiness. However, after a few days with the troupe, she was already familiar with Su Qingmeng’s habits and didn’t bother to reprimand her. Still, as Su Qingmeng followed along with the practice, the teacher couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times. Among all the troupe members, Su Qingmeng’s looks and figure naturally stood out, as if she were born to be the lead, effortlessly drawing attention.

Although Su Qingmeng had arrived late, her movements were precise and graceful. Her long limbs extended elegantly, and the arch of her feet was perfect, as if she were made for ballet.

The dance teacher watched her intently and finally pulled Su Qingmeng aside, asking her to perform a solo piece.

Su Qingmeng wasn’t intimidated at all. She picked up the movements quickly and flawlessly replicated them after just two practice runs.

“Excellent! Excellent!” The dance teacher immediately forgot about her tardiness, clapping enthusiastically with praise, and decided on the spot, “Su Qingmeng, you’ll be the lead dancer.”

“Teacher, we don’t accept her as the lead!” someone immediately protested from below. Once someone started, more voices of opposition joined in.

“What’s all this shouting? What’s all this shouting?” The troupe leader’s voice suddenly echoed in the dance studio. It turned out he had brought Jiang Lingfeng along for a visit.

Even amidst the crowd of young women, Jiang Lingfeng spotted Su Qingmeng at once.

The young woman was so fair she seemed to glow, standing out brilliantly among the others. Especially with her short sleeves tucked into her pants, her waist looked half the size of those around her. He suddenly recalled her words: “My waist is one chi six cun.”

Jiang Lingfeng paused for a moment before quickly averting his gaze. His expression must have been overly stern, as the troupe leader’s face also darkened. He immediately criticized the troupe’s girls and expressed strong support for Su Qingmeng as the lead dancer.

When seeing Jiang Lingfeng out, the troupe leader even asked if he was satisfied with the cultural troupe, seemingly hinting at something.

Jiang Lingfeng pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth. He understood the leader’s implication but still nodded. He reasoned to himself that he hadn’t given Su Qingmeng any special privileges, he had merely upheld what she rightfully deserved, as the dance teacher had chosen her for the lead position.

Returning to the military base, he discussed with Political Commissar Li Jianhua Zhang Fenglian’s arrogant behavior outside and noted her use of the term “bastard” when insulting Yang Dongming.

Upon hearing Jiang Lingfeng’s account, Li Jianhua frowned. “This Chen Dayong is getting more and more out of line. If this continues, it will definitely lead to disciplinary issues. I’ll have a serious talk with him.”

Hesitating for a moment, he said to Jiang Lingfeng, “I know you’ve always followed Old Yang, and now that he’s sacrificed, it’s natural for you to want to take extra care of his family. But Lingfeng, you’ve only been a division commander for a few days, and many people are watching you closely. Getting too close to Comrade Su might not look good.”

Jiang Lingfeng replied sternly, “What’s not good about it? Our old leader sacrificed his life. Whether I’m a division commander or not, it’s my duty to take care of his family.”

Li Jianhua seemed to want to say more but held back. If Su Qingmeng had been Old Yang’s original spouse, he wouldn’t have said anything. But Su Qingmeng was young and beautiful, and Jiang Lingfeng was a single man in his prime. Too much contact between them could lead to trouble.

He glanced at Jiang Lingfeng’s upright expression and thought perhaps he was overthinking it.

After Jiang Lingfeng left Li Jianhua’s office, Xiao Zhang, who had been following him, hesitated but eventually shared the rumors circulating on the island. There had been whispers even when Old Yang was alive, though they were confined to a small circle. After Old Yang’s death, with no one to fear, the rumors had grown more rampant.

“They say Dongming doesn’t look anything like the old commander and isn’t his child at all. Otherwise, why would the old commander have ignored his mother and son for so many years on the island? Even after they were brought here, when Dongming was bullied, the old commander never stepped in.”

“Outrageous!” Jiang Lingfeng’s brows furrowed, his face turning cold. “Come with me to pick up Dongming.”

When Su Qingmeng returned home, she spotted Jiang Lingfeng’s jeep parked right at the entrance.

She raised an eyebrow, not narcissistic enough to assume Jiang Lingfeng was there for her. As she entered the house, she deliberately made some noise. Sure enough, Jiang Lingfeng and Yang Dongming, who had been talking, immediately fell silent upon seeing her.

Jiang Lingfeng stood up and patted Yang Dongming’s shoulder. “If you need anything, just come to your Uncle Jiang.”

Yang Dongming’s eyes were slightly red, after all, a boy his age still yearned for care and affection.

Su Qingmeng leaned against the doorframe and smiled at Jiang Lingfeng. “It’s already this late, Division Commander Jiang, why not stay for dinner?”

Yang Dongming instinctively asked, “Who’s going to cook?”

Su Qingmeng blinked at him, then turned to Jiang Lingfeng. “Division Commander Jiang, you’ve been on your own for so many years, you must know how to cook, right? I’m not very good at it. Why don’t you stay and help? It’ll be a chance for me to learn.”

She beamed, seemingly delighted at having found someone to handle dinner.

The previously melancholic teenager was instantly speechless. All his sorrow and gratitude toward Su Qingmeng vanished in an instant. He stormed forward angrily. “Su Qingmeng, how can you say something like that? Come on, you’re coming to the kitchen with me.”

Yang Dongming paused, then turned back awkwardly to Jiang Lingfeng. “Uncle Jiang, don’t mind her. She doesn’t mean any harm, she just has no sense of boundaries. You’re a guest, so please, just sit back and relax.”

Jiang Lingfeng glanced at the tall, handsome young man, then at his young and beautiful stepmother. His gaze eventually settled on their hands, tangled and pulling at each other. It suddenly occurred to him that the two were close in age, unrelated by blood, and living under the same roof.

He pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth. The refusal he had intended to voice took a different turn. “I’ll help out.”

Jiang Lingfeng stepped forward, intending to separate Yang Dongming and Su Qingmeng, but she grabbed his hand instead.

Su Qingmeng held onto Yang Dongming with one hand and Jiang Lingfeng with the other, her smile sweet and innocent. It reminded Jiang Lingfeng of Old Yang’s description of her as “naively ignorant.” Unfortunately, Old Yang was no longer around to protect her, even her colleagues in the cultural troupe ostracized her.

He was older than both Su Qingmeng and Yang Dongming. He ought to look after them and keep an eye on them, lest they make any mistakes.

As Su Qingmeng had anticipated, Jiang Lingfeng did know how to cook. His cooking wasn’t particularly outstanding, but he was efficient. With him around, Yang Dongming hardly had a chance to help, let alone Su Qingmeng.

Yang Dongming at least felt a bit embarrassed and helped set the table, while Su Qingmeng simply stood by, playing the part of a perfect vase.

When the three of them sat down to eat, Su Qingmeng began to nitpick. “Hmm… I don’t think it’s as tasty as what our Xiao Ming makes.”

A blush spread across Yang Dongming’s fair face. He tried to cover it up by pretending to be stern. “Stop being so picky and just eat!”

He forcefully placed a large piece of meat into Su Qingmeng’s bowl.

Seemingly confident that he wouldn’t lose his temper in front of Jiang Lingfeng, Su Qingmeng pushed her luck. “I want a fried egg too.”

There were exactly three fried eggs, one for each person, placed over their rice.

Yang Dongming gritted his teeth, convinced that Su Qingmeng was doing it on purpose. She definitely knew he liked fried eggs, she just had to compete with him for it.

“I don’t like eating eggs, you can have them.” Jiang Lingfeng watched the back-and-forth between the two, his brows unconsciously furrowing repeatedly. Before Yang Dongming could act, he picked up his own fried egg and placed it in Su Qingmeng’s bowl.

Yang Dongming froze for a moment, staring at the two fried eggs in Su Qingmeng’s bowl before suddenly feeling uncomfortable again. With a cold expression, he said, “I don’t like them either, you have them.”

Su Qingmeng didn’t mind having more and ate them all without any qualms. After finishing, she looked at Jiang Lingfeng with eager eyes: “Commander Jiang, will you come to our house for dinner again tomorrow?”

“Su Qingmeng!” Yang Dongming abruptly stood up, calling her by her full name.

Jiang Lingfeng glanced at the agitated Yang Dongming, then at Su Qingmeng who was grinning carefreely. With a stern face, he said, “Dongming, Sister-in-law is your elder. You can’t address her like that.”

“Hear that? Hurry up and call me Mom.” Su Qingmeng bared her teeth playfully at Yang Dongming.

“Call her Auntie Su,” Jiang Lingfeng said helplessly, glancing at Su Qingmeng before making a quick decision. “The rations I receive alone are more than I can finish. Starting tomorrow, I’ll join your family for meals.”