When the Cannon Fodder Meets the Love-Brained Female Supporting Character - Episode 13

Jiang Yumin narrowed her eyes at the sight of her, a smirk curling at the corners of her lips.

She had always adored women who appeared delicate and fragile. They were the most fun to torment.

Xiao Ran was exactly that type.

Jiang Yumin could hardly wait to see her struggle in silence, forced to play along with the charade, or perhaps finally drop the act and reveal her true colors.

If it were the latter, she could immediately summon Jiang Huai to witness the spectacle, and then enjoy the sight of Xiao Ran’s face turning an ugly shade of purple. Furious yet forced to swallow it all down at the sight of Jiang Huai.

How delightful it would be to see such an expression on such a beautiful face!

Jiang Yumin could barely contain her glee at the thought.

Suppressing her odd expression, she greeted Xiao Ran with a bright smile.

“Miss Xiao, I’ve been waiting for you,” Jiang Yumin said warmly.

Xiao Ran bowed slightly in response.

Jiang Yumin dismissed the maids at her side and leaned in to whisper, “My brother is in the backyard. Shall we go together?”

Xiao Ran nodded calmly.

Jiang Yumin shot her a sharp glance, frowning slightly but saying nothing as she led the way.

Xiao Ran’s composure was not to her liking. She was eager to see how the girl would react later.

After all, it wasn’t as if no woman had ever tried to feign indifference before.

Twisting and turning through the paths, Jiang Yumin brought Xiao Ran to a pavilion in the middle of a lake, surrounded by dense woods. A breeze rustled the leaves, creating a serene and picturesque scene.

“Here we are,” Jiang Yumin said slyly. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. I haven’t told anyone else. My brother will be here soon.”

Even at the mention of Jiang Huai’s imminent arrival, Xiao Ran remained expressionless. She simply took a seat and gazed blankly at the lake.

Jiang Yumin assumed Xiao Ran had come because of the mention of Jiang Huai in her letter. But Xiao Ran knew her presence here was merely to avoid offending the Jiang family.

Neither Jiang Huai nor Jiang Yumin were people she could afford to provoke.

The two engaged in idle chatter, and time passed quickly—one quarter-hour, two, three, four…

At one point, maids brought out chess sets both Chinese and Go. Jiang Yumin explained that her brother was busy and would take some time to arrive.

Every quarter-hour, she offered another excuse, each one growing increasingly half-hearted. Xiao Ran merely smiled faintly, showing no signs of irritation.

Frustrated by the lack of reaction, Jiang Yumin never one for patience began to grow more openly disdainful.

“Truthfully, my brother doesn’t care for overly quiet women. He finds them dull. You’d do better to be livelier.”

Xiao Ran lowered her eyes. “I’ve been this way since childhood…”

Jiang Yumin signaled to a maid with a glance.

The maid stepped forward and announced, “The Second Young Master says he’s feeling tired today and won’t be coming.”

Jiang Yumin laughed lightly, feigning amusement. “Tired? What a flimsy excuse. He just doesn’t think the person waiting is worth the trip.”

She expected her barb to strike deep, but Xiao Ran merely stared blankly at a lone goose in the distant sky, completely unfazed.

Unnoticed, the wind had grown stronger, stirring ripples across the lake and sending fallen leaves drifting aimlessly.

In the sky not far away, colorful kites quietly rose one by one, vibrant and dazzling against the horizon.

Amidst the riot of flamboyant colors, there was a pure green kite, painted so thickly that its eyes were barely visible.

Jiang Yumin cracked melon seeds between her teeth, laughing so hard she could barely catch her breath.

“Hahahaha, whose kite is so sloppily made?”

Xiao Ran stared at the pure green kite and, inexplicably, a certain person came to mind.

She resolutely pushed the image away.

She didn’t know why she had thought of that person. After all, the one she least got along with was Jiang Nan.

Jiang Yumin stood up, brushing the melon seed shells from her hands, and said to Xiao Ran, “Come on, my elder brother practices calligraphy every afternoon in the high pavilion. If you fly your kite there, he’s bound to notice you.”

Xiao Ran had initially intended to take her leave, but at the mention of kite-flying, she agreed. Perhaps, in her usual solitude, she longed to partake in the liveliness.

Since Xiao Ran had been invited to the kite festival, she had naturally prepared a kite of her own.

She was meticulous in everything she did, and kite-making was no exception.

The kite in her hand was exquisitely beautiful, adorned with a lifelike wild goose, each feather painstakingly painted.

Imitating the others, Xiao Ran tugged at the kite, took a few running steps, and sent it soaring into the sky.

This season was perfect for kite-flying, so it took little effort to send it high above.

Her kite stood out uniquely in the sky.

Jiang Yumin raised an eyebrow, her earlier gloom dissipating by half. She sat to the side, squinting at the girl who was now running lightly, her hair slightly disheveled in just the right way, her lips pressed into a delicate red, her large, bright eyes glistening. Jiang Yumin snorted with laughter.

Xiao Ran had put so much effort into preparing her kite and was putting on such an affectedly delicate act. Clearly, she was trying to catch Jiang Huai’s attention.

If she spent the whole afternoon flying her kite only to find out Jiang Huai wasn’t even here, wouldn’t that be the perfect expression to see on her face?

Jiang Yumin was looking forward to it.

The moment Xiao Ran arrived, Jiang Nan had spotted her. She was in a corner of the courtyard, diligently flying her kite.

Jiang Nan’s gaze lingered briefly before she looked away.

Jiang Yumin wandered around for a while, only to return and find Xiao Ran still earnestly flying her kite. She immediately regretted her decision. If she had known, she would have invited more people today.

This girl was too dull.

In previous years, she had witnessed far more entertaining scenes. People pushing others into the water to humiliate them, deliberately belittling others, or dancing gracefully while flying kites.

Now that was truly spectacular, worthy of applause!

Jiang Yumin rolled her eyes and prepared to leave. “Later, I’ll find some excuse to send her home. How boring!”

Suddenly, her maid excitedly whispered, “Third Miss, look! Cousin Jiang Nan is heading over!”

Both of them immediately turned their gazes.

Sure enough, Jiang Nan was walking toward Xiao Ran with an unfriendly expression.

Jiang Yumin sat back down with keen interest.

She had long heard that Jiang Nan also harbored romantic feelings for Jiang Huai.

Jiang Nan hailed from the Niecheng Jiang family, the original branch of the Yangcheng Jiang family, with even deeper roots, back when Jiang Nan’s parents were still alive!

Jiang Yumin didn’t dare to provoke Jiang Nan, but if Jiang Nan was going to pick a fight with Xiao Ran, she wouldn’t mind watching from the sidelines.

This was going to be so entertaining!

Xiao Ran hadn’t noticed Jiang Nan’s approach. She was staring blankly at the wild goose kite at the end of the string.

Though it soared high above the blue sky and white clouds, and just a little further would be boundless freedom, an invisible string still tethered it firmly in place.

“Perhaps some people’s fates are like kites, with the other end of the string tightly gripped in someone’s hand, leaving them without hope in this lifetime.” Xiao Ran’s voice was so soft as she spoke these words that they scattered with the wind.

A slender, pale hand reached over, waved, and severed the string in her grasp.

The melancholy of spring and the sorrow of autumn came to an abrupt halt.

Jiang Nan touched the ring on her finger. A ring she had specially commissioned to conceal a tiny blade no larger than a fingernail.

“The string, isn’t it broken now?” she said with a light laugh.

Before Xiao Ran could react, she clutched the severed string, staring blankly as a sudden gust of wind carried the kite rapidly into the distance, soon leaving only a tiny black speck in the sky.

The corners of her eyes reddened slightly, growing moist.

She hadn’t expected that Jiang Nan’s single action, her single sentence, would unleash such a flood of emotion within her.

Yes, wasn’t it broken now?

Xiao Ran turned her head to look at Jiang Nan, who provocatively arched an eyebrow. “What? Did I make you cry already?”

To emphasize her haughty demeanor, Jiang Nan crossed her arms, tilting her eyes upward as she looked down at Xiao Ran, the very picture of a spoiled young mistress.

Xiao Ran composed herself.

Of course, Jiang Nan had cut the kite string just to bully her.

Two figures, one in orange and one in green, stood by the lakeside, their sleeves fluttering in the breeze. Those who witnessed the scene harbored their own thoughts.

When Jiang Yumin saw Jiang Nan snap Xiao Ran’s kite string, her eyes widened in shock. And when she noticed Jiang Nan say something that made Xiao Ran’s eyes redden with emotion, she even slapped the table in excitement, nearly scattering the melon seeds in her hand.

“Tsk, tsk,” she said to the maid beside her. “My cousin truly has a masterful touch.”

The person she had spent so long trying to provoke without success had been reduced to tears by Jiang Nan in just a few words—how impressive!

The cheerful footsteps of the maids and guards nearby slowed as they exchanged bewildered glances at the scene.

“What happened?”

“It seems the young mistress cut Miss Xiao’s kite string. Miss Xiao is very upset.”

“I know why isn’t the kite supposed to symbolize good wishes? The higher it flies, the better one’s fortune next year. Cutting it is like cursing her, no wonder she’s so upset.”

But they didn’t know different things held different meanings for different people.

Xiao Ran dabbed the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and smiled faintly at Jiang Nan. “I wasn’t crying because of you, Sister Jiang. I just thought of something sad.”

As she spoke, her gaze drifted to the green kite in Jiang Nan’s hand, her eyes bright as she added softly, “Sister Jiang’s kite is quite fascinating. At first glance, it appears to be just a plain green kite, but once it reaches the sky, its thinness makes it blend with the blue, turning it a shade of cyan. And you’ve steeped it in tea; if you get close, you can even catch a faint tea fragrance. When it soars, it’s like tea leaves floating in a cup.”

A strange tingling sensation flickered in Jiang Nan’s heart.

Her idea of dyeing the kite had been nothing more than a passing whim, something done on a whim. Yet Xiao Ran had analyzed it so earnestly, so meticulously and everything she said was correct.

Jiang Nan looked at the girl before her and found she couldn’t bring herself to say anything hurtful again.

________________________________________

After flying the kites, Jiang Nan, seeing the sun still bright, decided to stroll through the streets.

Yangcheng was not large, but its landscape was exquisite, and its people were mostly simple and cheerful.

She wandered aimlessly, weaving through the crowds and shops like a passing glance.

The girls clustered around the trinket stalls, trying on each piece one by one, their laughter tinkling like little bells. Nearby, steam rose from the bustling dumpling and wonton stalls, thick smoke swirling into the sky before dispersing in the wind. Every face was brimming with smiles and vitality.

The warmth of the lively scene bathed Jiangnan like gentle sunlight, making her feel utterly at ease.

She loved this kind of bustling, everyday charm.

Jiangnan stayed and ordered a bowl of Qianli Xiang wontons. The wrappers were thin, the filling generous, and the broth rich. With the first bite, the hot, savory juices burst in her mouth like a symphony of flavors. A sip of the soup carried the fragrance of scallions and meat down her throat, leaving an endless aftertaste.

After finishing the wontons, she got up to browse the trinket stalls favored by the young girls.

There were hairpins, earrings, and all kinds of dazzling hair ornaments truly beautiful.

Among the many pieces, Jiangnan’s eyes immediately caught a magnolia hairpin, its pristine petals like jade, elegant and refined.

She picked it up and examined it closely.

Two delicate pink-white pearls dangled from it, adding a touch of youthful playfulness to the magnolia design.

This hairpin would suit someone perfectly.

Jiangnan decided to buy it.

A’Tuo, carrying her purchases, smiled and said, “Does the young miss like such delicate things? I recall her usual attire doesn’t quite match this hairpin.”

“I bought it because it’s beautiful,” Jiangnan replied, tucking the magnolia hairpin into her sleeve. “It’s not like I’m short on silver.”

A’Tuo nodded. “As the young miss says.”

They wandered to a slightly quieter area, where a few small family courtyards stood. The middle one was particularly well-kept, with neatly arranged flowers and trimmed trees. Peering through the fence, the inside was spotless. A cat lounged lazily on a wooden chair, basking in the sun; a scene straight out of pastoral poetry.

Suddenly, A’Tuo remarked, “I passed by the second young master’s room earlier and overheard that Miss Xiao lives near Beiwangzi. Could it be one of these courtyards?”

Jiangnan shook her head. “Unlikely. She’s a daughter of the Xiao family—why would she live here?”

A’Tuo thought for a moment. “Ah, right.”

When A’Tuo wasn’t looking, Jiangnan slipped the magnolia hairpin into a gap in the wooden gate of the fence.

“Let’s go back,” she said.

The next day.

Jiangnan received word and hurried to the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion. Fang Rui greeted her and gestured inside. “Boss, the owner of Wancong Restaurant is here, asking for you.”

Wancong Restaurant the largest establishment in the southern district, just a stone’s throw from the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion.

As soon as the words were spoken, a woman stepped out gracefully.

She was middle-aged, her hair pulled back in a no-nonsense style.

Upon seeing Jiangnan, she raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by her youth. But as seasoned businesswomen, both were adept at controlling their expressions. Soon, a warm smile spread across the woman’s face.

She cleared her throat and introduced herself, “I’m Wan Yue, owner of Wancong Teahouse. You must be Jiangnan, the proprietor here?”

Jiangnan studied her in return and nodded slowly. “A pleasure to finally meet you, Boss Wan. I am indeed Jiangnan.”

She added, “There’s an empty VIP room upstairs. Would Boss Wan honor me with a chat?”

Wan Yue’s smile deepened. “I was just thinking the same.”

Once upstairs, Jiangnan instructed the kitchen to bring up a pot of their finest tea.

Wan Yue sat across from Jiang Nan, taking a moment to admire the elegant decor of the private room before lifting the heavy curtains to reveal an unobstructed view of the lake outside. The water shimmered with ripples, and a flock of white pigeons skimmed low over the surface. It was the perfect setting for gathering a few friends to enjoy tea and idle conversation.

“Boss Jiang truly has refined taste,” Wan Yue praised. “No wonder you’ve become a threat to so many teahouses in Yangcheng.”

She raised her cup slightly with a smile. “Of course… what I admire most is your methods, Boss Jiang. Haha, no need to deny it. I’ve been keeping a close eye on things these past few days.”

As the tea arrived, Wan Yue slowly lowered the curtain and took a sip.

Jiang Nan knew she was about to reveal the purpose of her visit.

“The scenery here is truly beautiful. It must have drawn quite a few customers to Hidden Fragrance Teahouse, no?” Wan Yue remarked.

Jiang Nan didn’t deny it. She had chosen this location as the flagship store precisely because the view was among the finest in Yangcheng.

Wan Yue lowered her voice slightly. “But you do know this isn’t actually the best spot, right? Do you know where the most beautiful place is?”

Jiang Nan seemed lost in thought, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her teacup as she replied, “Nanning Residential District.”

Wan Yue smiled. “I knew you’d have noticed.”

“In that case, would you be interested in…” Wan Yue fixed her gaze on the young woman’s face, searching for even the slightest reaction. But to her disappointment, Jiang Nan’s expression remained unreadable. She decided to be more direct. “Acquiring it?”

Only then did Jiang Nan lift her eyes to meet hers. “Haven’t you already tried that, Boss Wan?”