When the Cannon Fodder Meets the Love-Brained Female Supporting Character - Episode 21

Jiang Nan had arrived early in the morning.

She didn’t like fruit wine and had originally planned to sleep until the sun was high in the sky before getting up to dig it out, or simply send someone else to do it.

But for some reason, before dawn, Jiang Nan had woken up. No matter how hard she tried to force herself back to sleep, it was futile. Her heart felt weighed down by a thousand worries.

Jiang Nan closed her eyes briefly, then got up, dressed, and went out, dark circles under her eyes.

Could it be that she actually wanted to drink?

Jiang Nan waited in a distant pavilion until Xiao Ran had finished burying the items and left. A few minutes later, she rushed out in a frenzy to dig up the wine.

Once she was done, she could hurry back to sleep!

As it turned out, when one isn’t fully awake, the mind is muddled.

.

This scene happened to be witnessed by Xiao Ran.

So, it was her.

A thousand thoughts swirled in Xiao Ran’s heart, her sleeves twisted into knots. Just as Jiang Nan seemed about to turn around, Xiao Ran’s heart pounded like a drum. Fortunately, Jiang Nan only brushed off some ants from her clothes before continuing to fill in the soil.

Xiao Ran fled the scene in a panic.

On her way back, Xiao Ran pondered many things. Previously inexplicable events gradually pieced together in her mind.

So, she had been helping her all along. At the auction, it was Jiang Nan who had bought her mother’s keepsake and given it to her. And the “official” who retrieved her mother’s hairpin box from her father was also Jiang Nan.

But why had she kept it a secret?

Xiao Ran had thought Jiang Nan despised her.

No, upon closer reflection, aside from verbal threats and scares, Jiang Nan had never actually harmed her.

She…

At this thought, Xiao Ran stopped, unconsciously staring at a small white flower blooming by the roadside.

She crouched down and touched it, masking the overwhelming emotions surging within her. The shocking revelation had completely shattered her peace of mind, filling her head with memories of Jiang Nan’s past actions.

Not only did Jiang Nan not despise her, but she had also been secretly helping her all along.

Passersby cast puzzled glances her way.

A person tensely stroking a roadside flower did look rather odd.

Xiao Ran felt she had lost control of her actions and thoughts at that moment.

She took a deep breath, composed her expression, and headed home.

After much deliberation, Xiao Ran concluded that Jiang Nan must have had her reasons for keeping it a secret. Perhaps she shouldn’t let Jiang Nan know that she had discovered the truth.

Xiao Ran sat in the courtyard, lost in thought until the sun began to set.

The emotions she had long suppressed in her heart burst forth like a volcanic eruption.

She was truly grateful.

.

Time passed, and the next day arrived the Dragon Boat Festival.

At the Jiang residence, a flower-viewing banquet was held.

The Jiang family had brought out thousands of potted flowers, arranged around the lake, where blooming lotuses floated on the water. Blue, green, and white butterflies flitted among the blossoms.

The air was thick with the fragrance of flowers.

And the cool breeze carried the scent of the lake.

Yu Qian arrived, and several young ladies gathered around to ask about her experiences in the capital. She answered each one politely yet distantly, exuding the demeanor of a refined noblewoman from the capital.

Xiao Ran was also there.

Once she spotted Jiang Nan, her gaze never left her. She lingered around Jiang Nan intentionally or unintentionally.

Many from the Xiao family had come, some familiar sisters and others she didn’t recognize.

They chatted and laughed together, a lively scene.

Xiao Ran had no intention of joining them. Instead, she leaned against a vermilion pillar on the corridor, idly tossing fish food into the lake, occasionally glancing at Jiang Nan, who sat beside Jiang Xueping.

Jiang Nan ate pastries and smiled as she conversed with those around her.

She didn’t spare Xiao Ran a single glance.

Is the pastry as good as the ones she makes?

Xiao Ran was in a sour mood. She turned to watch the plump, big-headed fish circling in the lake, begging for food, and in frustration, tossed all the fish feed in her hand into the water. Then she sat on the bench, staring blankly at Jiang Nan.

Finally, Jiang Nan noticed her gaze and cast a cold glance her way.

She looked at her!

Xiao Ran’s eyes curved into crescents as she hurriedly offered a smile.

Jiang Nan: “…”

Jiang Nan was a little surprised. Today, she had been summoned early by Jiang Xueping to keep her company, leaving her no time to pay attention to Xiao Ran. Yet, Xiao Ran hadn’t gone looking for Jiang Huai and had obediently stayed within her line of sight the entire time.

Good. At least she wouldn’t have to search for her everywhere.

But why was she staring at her like that?

Jiang Nan felt her face grow warm under the scrutiny, her responses to Jiang Xueping becoming absentminded. Eventually, when she failed to catch Jiang Xueping’s words yet again, she shot Xiao Ran another cold look.

…Xiao Ran didn’t seem to notice her displeasure and instead smiled at her.

Jiang Xueping naturally saw Jiang Nan’s glare at Xiao Ran and chuckled lightly. “You and the Second Miss Xiao still don’t get along, do you?”

Jiang Nan nodded in agreement, taking a sip of tea to soothe her throat.

“Well, it’s understandable. The first time you came to the estate, you ran into her bringing food for Huai’er. Naturally, your impression of her wouldn’t be good.” Jiang Xueping also took a sip of tea and sighed. “The half-day roasted tea you brought is truly delicious. No wonder your business thrives in Yangcheng. But for a woman, marriage is still the proper path. Have you considered…”

As Jiang Nan listened, her attention gradually drifted.

Behind Xiao Ran, two maids sweeping the grounds were whispering to each other, their eyes darting toward Xiao Ran before they covered their mouths and giggled.

Jiang Nan was still puzzled when Xiao Ran turned around.

The hem of her snow-white ruqun was dotted with faint traces of crimson, stark against the plain fabric.

Jiang Nan’s chest tightened.

Xiao Ran herself remained oblivious, patting the cold bench before sitting down.

Just then, dark clouds blotted out the sun, and a light drizzle began to fall. The young ladies all retreated to another pavilion, admiring the rain tapping against the lotus flowers, the misty scenery like something out of a painting.

Jiang Nan sighed inwardly and walked toward Xiao Ran.

When Xiao Ran saw her approaching, her eyes brightened, but she was too shy to meet her gaze, lowering her head until only the pink tips of her ears were visible.

“Why are you here again?” Jiang Nan’s voice was icy.

Before Xiao Ran could reply, Jiang Nan gently pinched her chin, tilting her face upward. “When I speak to you, remember to lift your head and look at me. Is this how the Xiao family raised you?”

Jiang Nan’s lowered eyelids carried an air of impatience.

But when Xiao Ran met those peach-blossom eyes, cold on the surface yet seemingly filled with deep emotion. She could no longer hear anything. A tingling sensation spread from her fingertips through her entire body.

Those jade-like fingers were still holding her chin.

She wanted her to stay just a little longer.

Suddenly, Xiao Ran recalled Jiang Nan at the temple, holding the divination sticks.

Her body trembled slightly with joy, and though she tried to suppress it, a trace of it escaped, curling at the corners of her lips.

Jiang Nan watched as Xiao Ran’s fair, delicate face flushed crimson, her eyes bright and alluring.

A faint smile played on her lips, but her body was trembling ever so slightly.

Jiang Nan quickly let go.

Oh no. She had scared her silly.

Xiao Ran tilted her head up and nodded obediently, “Sister likes it this way. From now on, I’ll always look up when talking to you.”

Jiang Nan: …Something felt off.

There was an indescribable strangeness, but the words themselves seemed harmless nothing to criticize.

Jiang Nan glanced at the weather. The dark cloud that had loomed over the Jiang residence earlier had vanished without a trace, and the rain had stopped.

She picked up the tea a passing maid had brought, originally intending to splash it on Xiao Ran and then naturally send her off to change clothes. But when it came down to it, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

In the end, though her gesture was grand, only a few drops landed on Xiao Ran.

The onlookers were stunned.

The two maids who had been whispering earlier couldn’t help but gape.

Jiang Nan said haughtily, “If your clothes are dirty, go home and change. Don’t linger in the Jiang residence and embarrass yourself.”

Xiao Ran looked at the few droplets that would dry in minutes, her expression slightly dejected. “Alright, I’ll go then.”

Sister Jiang didn’t like her hovering around.

But today, she had come for two reasons: first, the invitation had been delivered to her doorstep, so she had to make an appearance. Second, she wanted to take the chance to see Jiang Nan.

She had seen her and even spoken to her, that was enough.

“Wait.” Jiang Nan took off her cloak and handed it to her, saying loftily, “Cover the stains before you leave. I won’t have people saying the Jiang family is harsh.”

“Thank you, Sister Jiang.” Xiao Ran quickly hugged the cloak, her mood instantly brightening.

She draped it over herself, warmth enveloping her, then left. She became the first to depart the flower-viewing banquet.

Jiang Nan glared at the two maids who had mocked Xiao Ran earlier.

“What are you staring at? Do you want to leave the residence too?”

The maids looked aggrieved. “We didn’t…”

“Both of you, go sweep the fallen leaves at the back gate!”

Jiang Huai had been delayed by other women and arrived much later.

By the time he got there, Xiao Ran had already been gone for a while.

A dark fury twisted Jiang Huai’s brows.

He had wanted to confront Xiao Ran! Lately, every time he went looking for her, she was nowhere to be found, infuriating him. He thought today, when she was sure to attend, he’d finally see her yet she was gone again.

Jiang Nan returned to sit beside Jiang Xueping.

Jiang Xueping disapproved. “You shouldn’t have treated Xiao Ran like that. With so many people here today, it’ll reflect poorly if word gets out.”

Jiang Huai, now aware that Jiang Nan had driven Xiao Ran away again, sulked. “Cousin, was that really necessary?”

Meanwhile, Jiang Yumin looked at her with admiration. “Cousin, you’re amazing! You always manage to chase her off! No matter how I provoked her last time, she stayed expressionless. Teach me how!”

Jiang Xueping coughed and shot Jiang Yumin a look. “Nonsense! You girls are getting more unruly by the day!”

Jiang Yumin obediently shut her mouth.

________________________________________

Evening.

Jiang Qi rushed back just to slap Jiang Huai.

When he returned to the Jiang residence, Jiang Huai was still entangled with a young woman. Enraged, Jiang Qi gave him another slap.

“Look at you! What kind of disgraceful behavior is this?” Jiang Qi brandished a cane, pointing at him. “Even in Qu City, I heard about your scandalous reputation! And the valuable information I spent a fortune to get for you. So you could buy that bronze mask. You blew all the money on jewelry for some woman instead. You’re unbelievable!”

Jiang Huai retorted defiantly, “I was set up!”

“Others set a trap, and you’re the only one who fell for it, huh?” Jiang Qi sneered, wielding a whip without mercy as he struck him. The screams were incessant.

Jiang Huai’s cries drew Jiang Xueping and Aunt Zhao to the scene: “Auntie, save me! Mother, save me!!”

Jiang Xueping stepped forward with a gentle smile to mediate.

“Brother, Huai lost his birth mother at a young age and is still naive. Please forgive him just this once.”

Jiang Qi threw down the rod in frustration.

“You don’t know what he’s done.”

Closing his eyes briefly, Jiang Qi muttered, “It’s time to find you a wife to keep you in line.”

________________________________________

When Xiao Ran returned home, she noticed her undergarments were stained with large patches of crimson from the snow.

After changing, she hugged Jiang Nan’s cloak and sighed.

She had helped her yet again.

Xiao Ran carefully folded the cloak.

Running her fingers over the soft, velvety fabric, the smooth texture left her momentarily dazed.

Lowering her lashes, a faint, unreadable ripple flickered in her eyes.

I don’t want to return it… What should I do?

…

But then, what excuse could she use to see her next time?

________________________________________

Jiang Nan had been visiting the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion frequently lately. Today happened to coincide with Fang Rui’s birthday, so she spent the entire day there.

“Are you really not going home today?” Jiang Nan flipped through the account book, twirling a brush in her right hand.

Fang Rui dodged the ink splatters from the brush with difficulty, pouting as she replied, “I’m not going back!”

“That house has no place for me.” Resentment laced her voice. “All they care about is money. They even tried to sell me off to some old man from another village as his wife!”

Though Fang Rui appeared calm and indifferent, her lowered gaze at her calloused hands betrayed a hint of complex emotion.

“Ever since I was little, they’ve talked about trading me for silver. I worked hard my whole life, I did everything. I wanted to prove I could do men’s work and women’s work alike! But even though I could handle anything, they still didn’t want me.”

Fang Rui had never spoken about her family before this was the first time. To others, she had always been the cheerful, brave, and optimistic girl who came to the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion rain or shine. Even when Jiang Nan offered her days off, she refused, saying she felt happier and freer here.

Jiang Nan stopped twirling the brush and listened intently.

At times like this, the best thing she could do was be a silent audience.

“But…” Fang Rui suddenly brightened. “Luckily, Boss Jiang gave me work! Once I started bringing money home, they shut their mouths and even chased that old man away. To me, you’re not just a boss, you’re my leader! From now on, you can count on me for anything!”

She thumped her chest proudly.

Jiang Nan solemnly patted her shoulder.

After a pause, she said, “How about this? I’ll raise your monthly pay by five taels of silver.”

Fang Rui quickly shook her head. “No, Boss, don’t give me more out of pity. Ten taels a month is more than enough. I can even save plenty!”

“It’s not pity.” Jiang Nan smiled. “I just bought a 300-acre tea plantation, and I’ll need you to help oversee it.”

Most of the plantation would be used to grow Bantianyao tea, so they wouldn’t have to harvest from cliffs next year.

“Really? That’s amazing!” Fang Rui beamed, giving a thumbs-up. “Boss, you’re the best! This is the best birthday gift I’ve gotten today.”

She skipped away, full of energy.

After leaving for a while, she came running back excitedly, exclaiming, “Lady Xiao is here again!”

Jiang Nan followed her to the window and looked down to see Xiao Ran approaching the teahouse.

Fang Rui chuckled and went downstairs, returning shortly with Xiao Ran in tow.

Xiao Ran had learned about Jiang Nan’s establishment, the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion, during the Dragon Boat Festival the day before. So today, she came straight here and, sure enough, found Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan hadn’t expected her role as the owner of Hidden Fragrance Pavilion to remain hidden from Xiao Ran for long. After the initial surprise, she quickly regained her composure.

“What are you doing bringing a guest up here?” Jiang Nan asked coolly.

Fang Rui, being thick-skinned, didn’t notice anything amiss in Jiang Nan’s tone.

She replied, “Miss Xiao said she had something to discuss with you. Since you helped her before, and she’s helped us, I thought it was fate and brought her up.”

“I’ve said it before,” Jiang Nan’s expression remained unchanged. “I’d help anyone. If I didn’t, wouldn’t that tarnish my reputation?”

Xiao Ran stood there and smiled faintly.

Then she handed a box of pastries to Fang Rui, saying softly, “I heard downstairs that today is Miss Fang Rui’s birthday. These pastries are my gift to you—I hope you don’t mind them.”

“Of course not, of course not!” Fang Rui accepted the pastries, genuinely feeling like this was the happiest day of her life.

She waved them in front of Jiang Nan, boasting, “A beauty gave these to me! Too bad Boss isn’t celebrating a birthday today.”

Her joy was written all over her face.

Jiang Nan’s gaze swept over the pastry box, shooting Fang Rui a sharp look. One so pointed she didn’t even realize it herself.

For some reason, she felt inexplicably irritated.

Every time she had gotten pastries from Xiao Ran before, it had been through some scheme or outright theft. The only time Xiao Ran had willingly given her any was to stall her.

Jiang Nan sighed inwardly though, admittedly, this was the consequence of the persona she had crafted for herself.

Suddenly, her hands were filled with something.

Jiang Nan looked down to find a pair of intricately carved walnuts.

The walnuts had a strong wooden texture, with fine, delicate patterns and a smooth, translucent feel. Puzzled, Jiang Nan raised her head.

“I carved these myself. For you, Sister.”

Xiao Ran’s eyes curved downward, her red, delicate lips pressed together softly as she smiled quietly at Jiang Nan, not making a sound. It was like a scene from a southern ink painting unfolding before them.

Xiao Ran was indeed a beauty.

Her nose and lips were petite, her face no larger than a palm, and her eyes glistened with a hint of unspoken emotion when she looked at someone.

Under Jiang Nan’s gaze, Xiao Ran’s face flushed crimson, and she lowered her head silently.

Her fingers clenched in her sleeves, nails digging into her palms.

Would Sister like her gift?

Fang Rui, completely oblivious to the atmosphere between them, pouted with a hint of jealousy. “Boss always gets the better, more thoughtful gifts!”

Xiao Ran blushed even harder at her teasing.

Fang Rui’s envy dissipated quickly, and she soon turned her attention to the walnuts. “Tsk, tsk, look at this craftsmanship way better than anything you’d find outside! Boss, your old pair is practically worn out. This is perfect timing for a replacement.”

Xiao Ran watched nervously, afraid Jiang Nan might refuse.

After a moment’s thought, she added, “Last time, Sister helped me out of a difficult situation, so…”

“I’ll take them,” Jiang Nan said, her eyes drifting toward the window. “But don’t think this means I’ll let you into the Jiang residence.”

Xiao Ran tried to respond but accidentally tripped over the leg of the table, stumbling forward. She let out a startled cry as she nearly collided with the sharp corner.

Jiang Nan’s heart clenched, and she swiftly reached out to catch her by the waist.

The warmth of their touch, the softness against her palm. Jiang Nan’s mind wandered inappropriately. How could her waist be so slender, so easily encircled by a single arm?

Once Xiao Ran steadied herself, Jiang Nan shook her sleeves twice, as if brushing off something distasteful.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ran couldn’t stop replaying what had just happened.

Did Jiang Nan just measure her waist with her arm?

“Understood,” Xiao Ran murmured shyly, her voice barely audible. “I won’t go in, then.”

If she could just catch a glimpse of Jiang Nan outside the Jiang residence, she’d be content never stepping foot inside again.

And her things would finally end up in Jiang Nan’s hands!

Fang Rui finally noticed.

Jiang Nan clearly disliked Xiao Ran.

It seemed there was some unresolved tension between them.

But…

Fang Rui watched Xiao Ran’s bashful smile and found it baffling. How could someone as sharp as Xiao Ran not realize Jiang Nan despised her?

Jiang Nan studied her flustered expression—the soft, fair face tinged with a lovely blush.

Suddenly, she felt the urge to tease her.

Would pinching her cheek feel like kneading dough?

Stop it! What was she thinking?

Jiang Nan’s thoughts were in turmoil.

Even Fang Rui, usually oblivious, sensed something amiss.

She eyed the two with blatant curiosity, thoroughly ruining the moment. Then it struck her, Xiao Ran hadn’t ordered anything yet.

True to her hospitable nature, Fang Rui offered Xiao Ran tea and cheerfully went to prepare it.

Just then, as Jiang Nan turned to leave, a yellowed slip of paper fluttered from her sleeve.

Both Xiao Ran and Jiang Nan reached for it.

To be precise, Xiao Ran’s hand landed on the paper, while Jiang Nan’s hand landed atop hers.

Xiao Ran’s fingers were soft and unresisting. She lifted her gaze, eyes wide and dewy like a rabbit’s, lips slightly parted, rosy and glistening. Everything about her seemed to whisper, Take me as you please.