When the Cannon Fodder Meets the Love-Brained Female Supporting Character - Episode 22

Jiang Nan’s heart pounded wildly, yet her expression remained unchanged.

Outside the window, fragmented sunlight filtered through, scattering over the strands of their hair. An ambiguous, hazy atmosphere lingered in the air, slowly swirling around them.

The restless throbbing in her heart left Xiao Ran feeling weak all over.

Neither of them spoke, simply gazing at each other in silence.

Time seemed to pass both excruciatingly slow and impossibly fast.

Fang Rui came upstairs and asked curiously, “You two…?”

Jiang Nan snapped back to reality, withdrawing her hand and tucking the paper into her sleeve. “I’ll head back to the estate for today.”

The lingering warmth on the back of her hand remained, leaving Xiao Ran with a hollow sense of loss.

When Jiang Nan returned to the estate, a white pigeon circling above the eaves found its landing spot, swooping down directly onto her shoulder.

Jiang Nan stroked the pigeon’s wings and removed the letter tied to its leg.

It was a letter from Qin Wan.

It was clear she had been in high spirits while writing it. Scribbling and doodling all over the page.

The gist of it was that her trading business had taken her back to her hometown, where she had finally held her head high with pride, while her younger brother paled in comparison.

“When my parents saw the quantity of goods I brought, their eyes nearly popped out. I’ve never seen them like that before! My mother knitted me clothes and cooked a whole table of dishes for me. At night, she came to sleep beside me, hugging me as we talked. She told me they were wrong before, that they had misjudged me.”

“My father even took me hunting. Who would’ve thought he’d be so attentive? He taught me step by step, telling me that if I ever run out of food while traveling, I should hunt so I don’t go hungry. And oh! The way this old man introduced me to his comrades, puffing up like a peacock, was so annoying! Who was it that once told me to stay home and tend to my husband and children? Still seeing my brother’s dejected face made it all worth it!”

“I’ll be staying here for half a month, and in two months, I’ll return to Yang City. Since this place is close, I can write to you more often in the future.”

Her words brimmed with happiness and triumph. It seemed she was well on her way to fulfilling her dreams in this lifetime.

Jiang Nan was happy for her.

________________________________________

Over the next few days, Jiang Nan stayed in the estate, organizing account books and refraining from going out.

The numbers from the past month weren’t as impressive as before.

Clearly, the business in Yang City had plateaued. There was no more room for growth.

Jiang Nan began considering expansion.

The nearest city to Yang City was Qu City. Unlike this small county, Qu City was the provincial capital, and it certainly wouldn’t lack teahouses.

She planned to visit and scout the location when she had time.

After finalizing her plans, Jiang Nan decided to take a day off.

“I heard something else today. The bandits outside the city have been running rampant. Miss Yu was traveling alone when they kidnapped her. Young Master Jiang Huai was beside himself with worry and left early this morning.”

A’Tuo spoke while trimming the branches of a flower.

Jiang Nan, who had been lounging in a hammock, basking in the sun and playing with walnuts, flipped down at her words.

“What did you say?”

A’Tuo froze. She rarely saw Jiang Nan like this—frowning, her expression dark.

Stammering, she repeated herself.

A’Tuo wondered if she had misspoken and lowered her head in reflection. When she looked up again, Jiang Nan was already gone.

Jiang Nan was beyond irritated.

Why had the plot advanced ahead of schedule again?

Jiang Huai didn’t have enough men to rescue Yu Qianqian, so he planned to find someone equally beautiful. Xiao Ran to use as bait to distract the bandits.

In the original plot, Xiao Ran couldn’t withstand Jiang Huai’s desperate pleas and his assurances of her safety. She went to distract the bandits, successfully allowing Jiang Huai to flank them and rescue Yu Qianqian. However, she incurred the bandits’ wrath. By the time Jiang Huai arrived belatedly with reinforcements, her hands had been slashed, her body covered in minor wounds. She fell gravely ill upon returning home and never fully recovered.

“Pah! What trashy plot,” Jiang Nan spat in disdain.

She divided her shadow guards into two teams. One to search the outskirts for Yu Qianqian, the other to intercept Jiang Huai. She herself intended to assess the situation firsthand.

The sky was overcast, drizzling lightly, with thick clouds looming so low they seemed ready to descend upon the earth.

Midway, a group suddenly blocked their path, offering horse-washing services to Jiang Nan’s coachman. When he refused, they insisted their service was the best, claiming they could even make the mane shine. Some even attempted to lead the horses away.

Jiang Nan found their chatter unbearably noisy. Casually, she picked up a worthless piece of colored glass and hurled it out of the carriage.

The crisp sound of shattering silenced them instantly.

“Much better,” Jiang Nan remarked coolly. “We have urgent matters. Don’t block the road.”

The leader of the horse-washers forced a smile. “Of course, of course.” They stepped aside to let the carriage pass.

A-Jiu opened his mouth to speak but, glancing outside at the shattered glass now reduced to irrecoverable fragments, thought better of it and stayed silent.

Meanwhile, Jiang Huai arrived outside Xiao Ran’s courtyard.

Xiao Ran sat on a stone bench, gazing at the horizon, cradling a cat and softly humming a Jiangnan folk tune.

Jiang Huai’s arrival shattered the tranquility.

“Xiao Ran, I need to speak with you,” he blurted out urgently.

His face bore the exhaustion of a hurried journey and an air of grave solemnity.

Startled by his demeanor, Xiao Ran carefully set the cat down and slowly approached to open the gate.

“Young Master Jiang, what—”

“Only you can save her now,” Jiang Huai breathed heavily.

Save her? Save who? Jiang Nan?

Xiao Ran watched him nervously.

“Yu Qian,” Jiang Huai clarified.

He recounted what had happened to Yu Qian: “Those men have seen everyone around me. Apart from Yu Qian, you’re the only one left.”

Suddenly understanding his implication, Xiao Ran shook her head and retreated several steps.

“Listen to me!” Jiang Huai tried to grab her arm. “If you could just take her place—”

“No!” Xiao Ran moved to shut the gate.

“I can save both of you safely! Just lure them away!” Jiang Huai pleaded. “Trust me, please! Otherwise, Yu Qian won’t stand a chance! You’re her only hope!!”

His words weighed heavily on Xiao Ran. She hesitated.

She had met Miss Yu before, graceful and kind. To leave her in the hands of those villains, not knowing what horrors she might endure.

A black burlap sack suddenly descended over Jiang Huai’s head.

He crashed to the ground, dragged painfully across the gravel as several black-clad figures hauled him away right before Xiao Ran’s eyes.

Blind and bewildered, Jiang Huai struggled.

Soon, someone with formidable strength pinned his arms, rendering him immobile.

Finally, Jiang Huai realized he had been kidnapped.

He twisted his body, his shouts muffled through the burlap sack: “Do you even know who I am? How dare you kidnap me! If my father finds out, he won’t spare any of you!”

Jiang Huai thrashed around for a long time, but no one answered him.

Panicked, he regretted not bringing his guards when he left home: “I’m the young master of the Jiang family. Whatever you want, money or anything else I can give it to you. Just let me go.”

Still, silence.

The quiet made Jiang Huai feel like a fish on a chopping block, waiting for the knife to fall at any moment.

His tone softened further, tinged with pleading: “I’m in a hurry to save someone. Could you let me go first, brothers? I’ll give you as much silver as you want. I have very valuable things on me.”

Jiang Nan arrived just in time to hear those words.

She lowered her voice and said, “You say you’re going to save someone? What does dragging a young girl into it have to do with that?”

Though she had disguised her voice, he still recognized that his kidnapper was a woman.

Jiang Huai relaxed slightly and countered with a threat of his own: “What’s wrong with bringing her along to help? You’d better let me go. I have dozens of guards trailing me. If they find me, none of you will get off easy!”

“Bringing a defenseless girl along to save someone?” Jiang Nan’s eyes flashed with anger. “I think you’re the one looking for death!”

Jiang Huai’s temper flared: “Go ahead, kill me if you dare!”

Jiang Nan drew a sword from one of the hidden guards behind her and pressed the cold blade against his neck, the edge biting into his skin. One more inch, and it would draw blood. Jiang Huai instantly fell silent.

She scoffed. “Did you really think I wouldn’t dare kill you?”

Jiang Huai shrank into himself like a quail.

Pathetic man.

Jiang Nan sheathed the sword, then kicked him twice and pointed at the cowering figure on the ground. “Beat him up.”

At her command, the hidden guards rushed forward, raining blows on Jiang Huai.

At first, he gritted his teeth and refused to make a sound, but soon he was yelping in pain.

After the time it took to burn a stick of incense, Jiang Huai couldn’t take it anymore and passed out. He was then bundled up and dumped at the back gate of the Jiang residence.

________________________________________

Xiao Ran was still standing at the entrance, lost in thought. When she saw Jiang Nan’s figure, the corners of her lips curled up.

She had already guessed,it must have been Jiang Nan.

“Where’s Jiang Huai?” Jiang Nan asked knowingly.

Xiao Ran played along. “He was taken away by some people. I didn’t recognize them.”

“What did he come to you for?”

“He said some things.”

Jiang Nan snorted. “Didn’t I tell you not to believe Jiang Huai’s sweet talk?”

Xiao Ran hesitated. “But…”

The strong don’t seek help from the weak.

Jiang Nan asked, “What exactly do you think you could help him with?”

He wanted to build his reputation and win the beauty’s heart, yet he wasn’t willing to lift a finger himself.

Jiang Nan said, “With all those guards he has, why would he need a girl’s help? His guards haven’t even left the estate yet. Are you doubting his capabilities?”

Since when did such good fortune exist in this world?

Jiang Nan added, “He’s trying to make a name for himself. Don’t get in his way.”

Xiao Ran wasn’t a foolish girl. She grasped the meaning with just a hint.

“I understand.”

Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. “Thank you, sister.”

“What are you thanking me for?” Jiang Nan said disdainfully. “I said all that to make you see things clearly.”

Xiao Ran continued to gaze at her with a bright smile. “Mm, I know.”

Jiang Nan declared, “From now on, if Jiang Huai looks for you, don’t go out to meet him. And you’re not allowed to come to the Jiang residence either.”

Xiao Ran had been around long enough to understand Jiang Nan’s intention was to keep her away from the Jiang family.

She nodded, “After my sister’s stern criticism and reprimands, I’ve already decided not to go to the Jiang residence.”

“That’s good,” Jiang Nan muttered in response.

By the time she finished everything, Yu Qianqian had also been rescued.

Jiang Nan stopped by to check on her, though she was still visibly shaken. Seeing that she was unharmed, Jiang Nan didn’t linger.

After returning home, she went to see Jiang Huai.

She admitted; she went to gloat.

Jiang Huai lay on the bed, groaning in pain, his body covered in dark bruises that were horrifying to behold.

A crowd had gathered around his room. Jiang Xueping, Aunt Zhao, Jiang Qi, and a few maids kneeling on the floor, not daring to make a sound.

Jiang Xueping glanced at Jiang Nan and said gently, “Nan, you’re here too.”

Jiang Nan nodded, her eyes flickering with a trace of concern as she looked at Jiang Huai.

“How is Cousin doing?”

“His life is out of danger. But who knows who kidnapped Huai’er and hurt him so badly?” Jiang Xueping coughed twice, her anger palpable.

“Indeed, it’s too cruel. At least his vital areas weren’t injured,” Jiang Nan sighed, covering her face to hide the smirk threatening to break through.

“Aunt Jiang, you should take care of yourself too. I’ve brought some premium ginseng for you and Cousin.”

A’Tuo stepped forward with bowed head, presenting the items on a tray.

Jiang Xueping looked at the ginseng, which was three or four times larger than usual, and smiled faintly. “Nan, you’re so thoughtful.”

June.

The silk trees were in bloom. Pink fluffy blossoms dotted the lush green leaves like delicate pink fans, or like dandelions growing on the branches.

From a distance, the sight was dreamily beautiful.

Jiang Nan fanned herself, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at the silk flowers. Slowly, a figure in pink approached, standing quietly beneath the tree, blending perfectly with the blossoms.

Why was she here again?

Jiang Nan closed the window and lowered her head to the account books, but as she read, an inexplicable irritation crept in.

Before long, fine silver threads of rain began to drift down outside.

She closed her eyes briefly, shut the ledger, and picked up an umbrella before heading downstairs.

Jiang Nan woodenly handed the umbrella to Xiao Ran. “Take it and go home. Don’t stand here blocking our business.”

Xiao Ran smiled faintly and handed her a food box. “Today’s pastries.”

Jiang Nan frowned. “I won’t eat them!”

Xiao Ran nodded obediently. “I know. I brought them for the pigeons at your sister’s place.”

Jiang Nan stiffly accepted the box. “Fine.”

Though her expression was reluctant, a small part of her was pleased.

Lately, for some reason, she had been craving these treats. The pastries from other shops were nothing like Xiao Ran’s coarse in texture, like eating rough grain. Xiao Ran’s creations, however, were delicate and soft, reminiscent of the flavors from her hometown.

Jiang Nan had assumed Xiao Ran was just acting on a whim, bringing her food on a temporary impulse.

But on the second and third days, she was still there.

If it were just to return the umbrella and clothes, that would be one thing.

But what excuses was she making now?

Bringing food for the stray cats, the stray dogs, even the newborn mice by the wall…

It was getting ridiculous!

Jiang Nan was annoyed. Most importantly, some of Jiang Huai’s so-called “brothers from the martial world” had spotted Xiao Ran constantly visiting the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion and reported it to Jiang Huai.

She wasn’t like the others in the Jiang family. But Jiang Nan was still a Jiang by name, and nothing good would come of Xiao Ran associating with her. Xiao Ran should live her own life.

On the fourth day, Jiang Nan refused the snacks she had brought and hardened his heart, knocking her food box to the ground.

The box was hexagonal with rounded corners. When it hit the floor, its layers scattered apart, and cracks appeared along the edges.

Xiao Ran’s ever-smiling expression also developed a faint crack.

From Jiang Nan’s perspective, she stood there dumbly staring at the fallen food box, her eyes downcast, a trace of sorrow flickering in her gaze.

Jiang Nan slowly exhaled and asked her, “Now you should finally understand…”

Don’t come again.

But Xiao Ran was only thinking about how the food box she had just bought yesterday could break so easily. It wasn’t very sturdy at all.

Xiao Ran looked up and said, “Sister, I understand. Next time, I’ll bring a better one.”