The Cannon Fodder Roles I Play All Become White Moonlights [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 27.1

Jiang Lingfeng gazed into the distance with a profound intensity, as if weighing a momentous decision.

Li Jianhua felt a flicker of apprehension and nervously urged, “Jiang Lingfeng, don’t act impulsively. Forced affection never yields sweetness.”

Jiang Lingfeng snapped back to reality and turned to Li Jianhua, his expression as stoic as ever. He replied calmly, “When have you ever seen me act impulsively?”

Li Jianhua stroked his chin thoughtfully. The man had been steady since childhood and had indeed never acted rashly, he always moved deliberately, quietly laying his plans step by step.

At his core, Jiang Lingfeng was tenacious. Once he set his sights on a goal, he never wavered. The flexibility he displayed was merely a means to adjust his strategies and achieve his objectives.

Watching Jiang Lingfeng’s receding figure, Li Jianhua shook his head helplessly. He decided to take things one step at a time. If those two really ended up together, he wasn’t sure whether to worry more about Jiang Lingfeng being manipulated or about Su Qingmeng’s delicate temperament clashing with Jiang Lingfeng’s rigid demeanour,

So, how on earth had someone like Su Qingmeng ever taken a liking to Old Yang in the first place?

Instead of approaching Su Qingmeng directly, Jiang Lingfeng first sought out Yang Dongming. The teenager pursed his lips and remained silent, his expression as stubborn as ever.

The two stood in silence for a long while before Jiang Lingfeng finally spoke. “Let’s take a walk along the shore and talk as we go.”

Yang Dongming offered no objection.

The setting sun cast a crimson glow across the distant sea, where blue and red intertwined beneath a sky of shifting, dramatic clouds.

The sea was calm, and from Nanjiang Island, one could gaze northward and see the mainland in the distance, creating the illusion that it was within easy reach. In reality, the journey by boat from Nanjiang Island to the mainland took three to four hours, including a stretch through open waters often plagued by treacherous waves.

Jiang Lingfeng looked toward the distant mainland with unwavering determination. Yang Dongming stood behind him, trying to emulate his gaze, though his own eyes lacked the depth of Jiang Lingfeng’s.

“Do you like Su Qingmeng?” Jiang Lingfeng’s blunt question caught Yang Dongming off guard, and he instinctively denied it. “N-No, I don’t.”

Jiang Lingfeng shifted his gaze to the flustered teenager but didn’t press the issue. “I’ve submitted a request to adopt you, and it’s been approved. Your household registration will be transferred to me. Of course, you’re old enough now, there’s no need to change how you address me. You can still call me Uncle Jiang.”

Yang Dongming was stunned. He studied Jiang Lingfeng’s face, trying to discern his intentions, but Jiang Lingfeng’s expression was as unreadable as the calm sea before them.

“I’ll be eighteen soon. I don’t need to be adopted. Besides…” He paused, using Su Qingmeng as a shield. “Besides, I’m not without a guardian.”

“Su Qingmeng is only four years older than you, and her temperament isn’t suited to taking care of you,” Jiang Lingfeng stated.

Yang Dongming immediately retorted, “I don’t need to be taken care of! I can take care of others!” He was fully capable of looking after both Su Qingmeng and himself. Once he came of age…

He trailed off, concealing his plans for adulthood.

However, Jiang Lingfeng, having once served as the commander of a security detail for high-ranking officials, was skilled in observation. He saw through Yang Dongming’s intentions in an instant.

He didn’t reveal the full truth, calmly saying to Yang Dongming, “Taking you in isn’t just for your sake, it’s also for Su Qingmeng. You’re almost an adult, but she’s still young and shouldn’t be tied down by the Yang family forever.”

Yang Dongming froze in place, lowering his gaze so Jiang Lingfeng wouldn’t see the flicker of emotion in his eyes.

Jiang Lingfeng continued, “When your father was alive, he told me he didn’t want you stuck on this island your whole life. He wanted you to see the world. He had planned to apply for you to attend university in the capital. What are your own thoughts?”

“I…” Yang Dongming had once dreamed of becoming a chef to support his mother when they lived in the countryside. After moving to the island, with more educational opportunities, he aspired to become a doctor—to help people like his mother escape the torment of illness. Even in an era where grades weren’t paramount, he studied harder than anyone. But now, going to the capital meant leaving…

He pressed his lips tightly together.

“Of course, if you stay on the island after high school, with your father’s reputation, you could find work or join the military. But,” Jiang Lingfeng shifted his tone, “Dongming, are you truly content with that? A real man should stand tall and make something of himself, for society and for his family. When you see other military children surpassing you, will you be satisfied? When the girl you admire chooses someone else because you’re ordinary, will you be satisfied?”

Yang Dongming snapped his gaze toward Jiang Lingfeng. Of course he wasn’t satisfied, especially in that moment, he thought of someone like Su Qingmeng, a delicate girl who would be unhappy with anything less than the best and wouldn’t even glance at a man who fell short.

“Uncle Jiang, I understand.” Yang Dongming’s mind cleared instantly. “Can I think about which university to choose?”

Jiang Lingfeng glanced at the bright-eyed young man and nodded. His goal had been achieved. “Go home and pack tonight. Move to my place tomorrow. Your Aunt Su can return home too staying at someone else’s house isn’t a long-term solution.”

Yang Dongming wanted to say that Su Qingmeng living alone wasn’t appropriate but considering the Jiang and Yang homes were close by, much better than her daily trips to the Qiao residence, he kept silent.

Jiang Lingfeng pretended not to notice the young man’s calculations. “Let’s go. We’ll pick up your Aunt Su from the Qiao family now.”

Su Qingmeng had already finished work. Before coming to find Yang Dongming, Jiang Lingfeng had arranged for Xiao Zhang to take her to the Qiao residence. If Yang Dongming had refused, he would have let her stay there a while longer.

When Jiang Lingfeng and Yang Dongming arrived at the Qiao home, it was dinnertime. Both men naturally rolled up their sleeves and headed for the kitchen, only to pause at the doorway and exchange a look.

Yang Dongming spoke first, “Uncle Jiang, I’ll handle it. She… prefers my cooking.”

A hint of pride flashed in the young man’s eyes.

Jiang Lingfeng’s gaze darkened slightly, but he remained composed. “Fine. I’ll help so we can finish faster.”

“You’re just in time, help me bring out the dishes,” Qiao Jihong said as she emerged from the kitchen, spotting them and immediately putting them to work.

Her health had improved significantly, and today she was eager to show off her cooking skills for her “princess.”

The two men fell into silence, and the atmosphere grew even more stifling as they sat down to eat together.

It was the first time they had seen Su Qingmeng eat with such sheer satisfaction. She resembled a cat that had been fed dried salted fish for ages before finally tasting fresh fish, her peach blossom eyes curved into shimmering crescents, and she couldn’t stop praising, “Jihong, your cooking is absolutely delicious.”

At that moment, Su Qingmeng finally understood why, in the original storyline, Qiao Jihong had managed to win over two men with her culinary skills. The food truly was exceptional, comparable to the five-star chefs from her own world, yet carrying a comforting, homely touch that those chefs often lacked.

As Su Qingmeng grew more and more effusive in her praise, she seemed on the verge of declaring she’d never leave Qiao Jihong’s home. In contrast, the two men found their meal increasingly flavourless. The dishes Su Qingmeng raved about tasted merely ordinary to them, especially when they recalled how they had cooked for her for so long without ever eliciting such a reaction. The food in their mouths grew even more bland.

In an attempt to assert his usefulness, Yang Dongming took the initiative to wash the dishes after the meal.

Jiang Lingfeng remained seated, casually listening to the conversation between the two women before speaking up. “I came today for two reasons. First, to thank Comrade Qiao for letting my sister-in-law stay with you for so long. Second, to take her back home.”

Qiao Jihong was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Su Qingmeng to return home so soon. Turning to Su Qingmeng, she grasped her hand and pleaded, “Qingmeng, don’t go! I’ll cook delicious meals for you every day!”

Feeding her “master” was something she excelled at.

Su Qingmeng’s expression turned conflicted. Her eyes betrayed how strongly she was tempted. Jiang Lingfeng cleared his throat lightly and said, “Sister-in-law, it wouldn’t be appropriate for you to stay any longer.”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Jihong doesn’t mind having me,” Su Qingmeng pouted, clearly reluctant to leave. Qiao Jihong’s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly in agreement.

Jiang Lingfeng didn’t seem surprised. His expression remained unchanged as he asked Su Qingmeng, “I heard you prefer practicing dance at home. Coincidentally, the military recently provided division-level officers with record players—the kind that can play vinyl records. I have no use for mine and was planning to give it to you. But if you intend to keep staying at the Qiao residence, then forget it. The record player is quite bulky and not easy to move around.”

Qiao Jihong listened in stunned silence. It wasn’t until Su Qingmeng immediately agreed to return home that she realized what was happening: Jiang Lingfeng was openly competing with her for Su Qingmeng’s favor, using both threats and incentives. Men really were no good!

In the end, Su Qingmeng did not stay at the Qiao residence. Aside from her desire for Jiang Lingfeng’s record player, she had also received a long-awaited system task: [Host, please expel Yang Dongming from the Yang household within one month.]

For the sake of completing the mission, she had no choice but to return to the Yang home for the time being. Before leaving, she quietly pulled Qiao Jihong aside and whispered, “If you’re free, come visit me at my place sometime. We can have meals together, of course, with me providing the ingredients and you doing the cooking.”

Qiao Jihong whispered back, “Next time, I’ll make braised pork for you.”

Jiang Lingfeng, standing right beside Su Qingmeng, heard every word of their exchange. Still, a man of his age would never stoop to jealousy over a young girl.

Jiang Lingfeng escorted Su Qingmeng and Yang Dongming back to the Yang residence. As they entered, he cast a meaningful glance at Yang Dongming.

Yang Dongming remained silent; no matter what, he couldn’t bring himself to call Su Qingmeng “aunt.” He felt that if he did, it would mean severing certain things between them once and for all.

Jiang Lingfeng didn’t press him this time. After all, Yang Dongming wouldn’t be living with Su Qingmeng anymore.

He remained composed, as always, calmly lighting an oil lamp before saying to Su Qingmeng, “As I mentioned before, I want to apply for university admission for Dongming. The military unit has two recommendation spots, so to be safe, I’ve transferred Dongming’s household registration to mine.”

Su Qingmeng tilted her head and looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

Jiang Lingfeng went on, “It’s not convenient for him to live with you anymore, so starting tomorrow, he’ll move in with me.”

Su Qingmeng blinked, surprised at how accommodating Jiang Lingfeng was, it felt like he had handed her a pillow just as she was about to doze off.

Yang Dongming had been closely observing Su Qingmeng, but to his disappointment, she showed no reluctance about his moving out.