When the Cannon Fodder Meets the Love-Brained Female Supporting Character - Episode 25

After returning to her aunt’s house, Xiao Ran resumed practicing her embroidery.

Xiao Wan stayed by her side, occasionally offering advice.

Xiao Ran possessed rare patience and meticulousness, and she was willing to put in the hard work. She learned quickly, and the originally planned two-week deadline could now be shortened by a few more days.

While Xiao Wan idly paced around the room, her sharp eyes caught sight of a neatly folded stack of thin velvet clothing in an open bundle on the floor.

Curious, she picked it up to examine it.

“It’s already mid-June, why are you still carrying a cloak like this? I’ve never seen you wear it before…”

Xiao Ran looked up and saw that Xiao Wan was holding the cloak Jiang Nan had given her that day. Flustered, she quickly took it back from Xiao Wan’s hands and folded it carefully.

With a bashful expression, she said, “Auntie, this belongs to someone else.”

“Someone else’s? Then why are you carrying it around?” Xiao Wan asked in surprise.

“I…” Xiao Ran couldn’t answer properly and blurted out, “I just think it looks really nice.”

Xiao Wan didn’t understand. What was so special about a cloak?

The next day, after finishing her embroidery, Xiao Ran prepared to step outside for some fresh air. Just as she opened the side gate of the courtyard, a large black object suddenly fell from the sky—no, from the wall.

It was a man dressed in luxurious robes, nearly crashing right onto her.

She stared at the human-shaped crater on the ground.

Thankfully, she had dodged quickly otherwise…

The man slowly got up, offering an awkward smile. “Sorry about that, I was just climbing over.”

“Selling myself to bury my father! Selling myself to bury my father! Please, kind souls, have pity on me!”

Not far away, a handsome young man was weeping while pushing a cart, loudly hawking his plight. On the cart lay the lifeless body of a middle-aged man.

Xiao Ran glanced around. There was almost no one else nearby. Her face paled, and her hair stood on end. With a loud smack, she slammed the side gate shut and even pulled the iron chain to lock it securely.

These people were all too strange. It was as if they were targeting her.

Xiao Wan happened to be looking for her and, seeing her seal off the side gate, asked in confusion, “What are you doing?”

Xiao Ran’s expression was grave. “Auntie, I’m going to focus hard on my embroidery from now on. I won’t step outside this gate even half a step.”

Xiao Wan covered her mouth and laughed. “Silly child, it’s good to work hard, but there’s no need to lock the gate.”

Meanwhile, the system currently in another world had no idea that its efforts had backfired, inadvertently shortening the time before Xiao Ran’s return to Yangcheng even further.

Night fell.

Xiao Wan opened the window to check on Xiao Ran’s progress.

A beautifully completed embroidery piece lay to the side.

Xiao Ran, however, was hugging the cloak she had taken out earlier, burying half her face in it as she slept soundly.

Xiao Wan froze for a moment before silently closing the window.

________________________________________

At the Wanchun Teahouse.

Wan Shou brought tea to a man sitting before him, his smile tinged with flattery.

“Cousin, you said the Cangfang Teahouse is about to face disaster, is that true?”

Wan Jie sipped his tea and nodded, humming through his nose. “You know most of Yangcheng’s tea comes from the south, right?”

Wan Shou gave a dry laugh. “Anyone who runs a teahouse knows that. For example, the common Tieguanyin and green tea that regular folks drink, they’re all from the south.”

“Exactly,” Wan Jie said with a smirk. “Your cousin here just got word. The merchant convoy bringing tea from the south this time isn’t the same one as in previous years.”

“It’s not the Yunli Merchant Group anymore?” Wan Shou gasped.

Wan Jie grinned smugly. “I have people in the current convoy. When the time comes, I’ll have my friend remove Zangfang Teahouse from the supply list. Without their green tea, they’ll naturally go out of business sooner or later.”

Wan Shou clapped his hands in admiration: “Excellent! Truly brilliant! Almost everyone in Yangcheng loves green tea. Without it, they’re bound to lose a lot of customers! Cousin! The news you’ve brought is truly wonderful!”

Their scheme was also overheard in its entirety by the hidden guards on the roof tiles.

The guards reported this to Jiangnan.

After listening, Jiangnan dismissed them.

She had thought there was some earth-shattering conspiracy against her.

Turns out, it was just this.

Jiangnan paid little mind to Wan Jie, but Wan Jie was genuinely determined to provoke her.

Sometimes, he disguised himself as a passerby, standing at the entrance, telling potential customers of Cangfang Tower that the establishment was on the verge of collapse and advising them to visit less often.

Some ignored him and tried to enter.

He would stealthily grab them, pull them into an alley, and whisper: “Let me tell you, Cangfang Tower has offended some powerful figures. Soon, many tea supplies will be cut off. You’d be better off switching to another teahouse. Wanchun Tower is quite good, for example.”

Each time he successfully turned someone away, he would strut around near Cangfang Tower in high spirits, flaunting his victory.

Meanwhile, Wanchun Tower conveniently lowered their tea prices.

A significant number of customers began flocking to Wanchun Tower.

Fang Rui, furious, went to Jiangnan to complain.

“Boss, look at how he’s sabotaging our business!”

Jiangnan glanced out the window. Wan Jie was lingering like a ghost at the foot of Cangfang Tower, accosting every approaching customer with shouts that the tower was doomed and Wanchun Tower had slashed its prices.

He never stepped inside likely aware he’d get beaten if he did.

By evening, Wan Jie, brimming with smug satisfaction, prepared to head home. Humming a tune, he walked through a dimly lit alley. Just a little further, and he’d reach the Wan residence.

Suddenly, the alley grew darker.

His cheerful steps faltered. Puzzled, he looked up, his expression gradually stiffening.

At the end of the alley stood three figures, each holding a sword, staring coldly at Wan Jie.

Wan Jie recognized Jiangnan in the center. Though his heart quivered, he still blustered: “M-Mistress Jiang, what’s the meaning of this?”

Jiangnan replied flatly: “Blocking you.”

Wan Jie swallowed hard: “Aren’t you… aren’t you afraid of the authorities?”

Jiangnan’s voice turned icy: “As you’ve said, Cangfang Tower is about to collapse. I’ve got nothing left to lose. Might as well take you down with me.”

Wan Jie’s eyes widened. “You’re insane!” he shrieked.

The sharp screech of Jiangnan’s sword scraping against the ground sent chills down his spine. The sound grew closer, as if the blade would swing at him any second.

With a terrified yelp, Wan Jie turned and bolted.

After running for a while, the alley’s exit came into view. He heaved a sigh of relief.

If he could just make it to the main road and take a detour, surely they wouldn’t dare attack him in broad daylight.

But just as he neared the alley’s mouth, a frigid voice whispered in his ear: “Where do you think you’re going?”

It was A-Jiu, who had been lying in wait in the shadows.

Wan Jie’s heart nearly stopped from the shock.

Another metallic screech, sparks from a sword danced before his eyes. Wan Jie spun to flee again, only to remember Jiangnan and the others were blocking the other end. He froze, despair washing over him.

A glimmer of hope sparked as he noticed the alley wall.

Yes! He could climb over!

Swiftly, he scrambled up, nearly reaching the top. When a sinister voice hissed beside him: “This path’s closed. Prepare to die!”

Wan Jie let out a loud scream, tumbled off the wall, closed his eyes, and completely passed out.

Upon closer inspection, the color of his pants was slowly darkening…

Fang Rui and Jiang Nan emerged from the darkness, their faces full of disdain. “So easily scared. He actually wet himself.”

Jiang Nan returned to the courtyard under the stars and moonlight. After washing up, just as she was about to lie down in bed, a fleeting image of a beautiful figure flashed through her mind.

She took out a cloth doll from the drawer, staring at its smiling face, lost in thought.

She wondered how Xiao Ran was doing now.

Had she met her destined person?

For many days after that, Wan Jie was never seen again.

Rumors said that after that night, he developed a high fever that lasted three days and nights. He recuperated at the Wan residence for some time, and as soon as he was slightly better, he hurried back to Qu City without delay.

________________________________________

Jiang Residence.

Jiang Huai was so furious that he smashed tables and shattered glass. Whatever was expensive, he destroyed it. The maidservants beside him kept their heads bowed, handing him the items that would make the loudest crashes when broken.

He grabbed them and hurled them to the ground.

“Why?!” Jiang Huai’s chest heaved violently with rage. “Why can’t I find any trace of the person who’s opposing me? Why can’t I uncover even a single clue?”

He had been secretly investigating. Who was the one competing with him for the bronze mask? And who was the one who beat him up, preventing him from rescuing Yu Qian in time?

When he woke up afterward, he heard that Yu Qian had already been saved.

This incident drove an irreparable wedge between him and Yu Qian. She refused to believe he had intended to save her, no matter what.

Jiang Huai had originally hoped to use this opportunity to reconcile with her. But now, Yu Qian wouldn’t even acknowledge him, refused to see him, and even declared she would never meet him again.

Lately, nothing had gone his way!

All because of that person.

Filled with hatred, Jiang Huai picked up a bronze mirror, ready to smash it.

“You fool!” Jiang Qi, having heard the commotion, rushed over. Seeing the mess on the floor, he scolded, “What other stupid things are you planning to do?”

Jiang Huai set down the mirror and slumped onto a stool. “Father, I can’t find that person. It’s driving me mad.”

Jiang Qi pointed a finger at his nose and berated him, “Isn’t this your own fault? Back then, you gave up the mask for a woman!”

After a long silence, Jiang Huai looked up. “Father, have you ever considered that even if I hadn’t wasted those four hundred taels of silver, I still wouldn’t have been able to outbid him?”

Before, he had never entertained this possibility.

But after being beaten half to death and dumped outside his own residence, and after exhausting all his resources without uncovering even a shred of information about that person, he realized even with those four hundred taels, that person would have crushed him effortlessly.

The thought left Jiang Huai feeling utterly defeated.

Jiang Qi was momentarily speechless. Then he struck Jiang Huai’s back with a cane. “You fool! How dare you talk back?! You won’t even take responsibility for your own mistakes?!”

The cane struck hard, sending Jiang Huai scrambling across the floor in pain. “Father, I was wrong! I was wrong!”

Once Jiang Qi had calmed down, he took a seat in the main chair. “From now on, you’re not to interfere in this matter. I’ll handle the investigation. The imperial exams are in six months. Starting today, you’re to focus solely on your studies. In half a year, you must bring honor to our family with a prestigious rank. As for me, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I’ll be promoted in six months as well. Then, we’ll move out of Yang City together and relocate to the capital.”

Jiang Huai’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Really, Father? We’re moving to the capital?”

“If you want to go to the capital, then study hard. Otherwise, I’ll leave you behind in Yang City!” Jiang Qi glared at him.

________________________________________

Time passed swiftly.

Xiao Ran devoted herself day and night to mastering embroidery. At first, her hands fumbled with the intricate patterns, but gradually, she grew adept.

With just four or five days left before the half-month deadline, her excitement grew.

Only one final embroidery piece remained to complete all the tasks her aunt had assigned!

But then, as she was halfway through the last piece, her eagerness got the better of her. She accidentally pricked her finger; a deep, long wound. Large drops of blood fell onto the embroidery, blooming like scattered plum blossoms.

The pain in her finger made it impossible to hold the needle.

Xiao Wan advised her, “Rest for a couple of days. There’s no need to rush.”

Xiao Ran refused. “I want to go back as soon as possible.”

She had promised Jiang Nan it would only take half a month.

Since her finger hurt too much to continue, she cut a strip of cloth and wrapped it tightly around the wound, squeezing until her finger turned numb. Strangely, the dull pressure eased the pain.

And so, within three days, she finished the embroidery. When she finally unwrapped the cloth, the wound had scabbed over, but her finger was swollen and purple.

It didn’t matter.

She would see Jiang Nan soon.

Xiao Ran was still overjoyed. She gazed at the final piece again and again. A design she had conceived herself.

A white moon hung in the sky, beneath which cherry blossoms drifted in the wind.

It reminded her of Jiang Nan.

Early the next morning, when the dew was heavy and dawn had just begun to break, Xiao Ran bid her aunt farewell and set off back to Yang City.

By mid-afternoon, she had arrived.

The moment she stepped out of the carriage, she couldn’t wait to find Jiang Nan.

Meanwhile, outside the Jiang residence, Jiang Nan happened to run into Yu Qian, who had just returned from running errands. Yu Qian reported on her tasks, then casually asked,

“What does Manager Jiang usually enjoy?”

Jiang Nan replied, “Money.”

Yu Qian laughed. “No other hobbies?”

“Playing with walnuts,” Jiang Nan mused after a pause.

Yu Qian smiled again. “Then I’ll look for a nice pair in the market someday—”

Jiang Nan showed her the walnuts in her hand. “No need. I already have a pair. None in the market could compare to these.”

They were the very walnuts Xiao Ran had given her.

Yu Qian sighed in disappointment before shifting to other small talk.

Then, a slender figure suddenly appeared in Jiang Nan’s peripheral vision.

Xiao Ran had returned.

The calm surface of Jiang Nan’s heart rippled instantly. Unconsciously, the corners of her lips lifted slightly.

It seemed the system had failed.

If it had succeeded, Xiao Ran wouldn’t have returned right on time.

Xiao Ran watched the tender smile on Jiang Nan’s face as she spoke with Yu Qian, and an inexplicable ache settled in her chest.

She ignored the discomfort, her gaze unwavering as it rested on Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan grew restless, hastening to wrap up her conversation with Yu Qian.

Once they finished, Xiao Ran mustered her courage, her cheeks flushed as she stepped forward. “Sister Jiang, I embroidered something for you. I’d like you to have it.”

Jiang Nan glanced at her blushing face, about to respond when she suddenly remembered. Today, Jiang Huai was also home on leave. If the two met, trouble was inevitable.

She couldn’t understand Xiao Ran’s actions.

Was she genuinely trying to give her a gift, or was this just another ploy to get closer to Jiang Huai?

Jiang Nan didn’t take the embroidery, leaving only a faint remark.

“You shouldn’t have come here.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

After some distance, Xiao Ran didn’t follow. She didn’t chase after her, didn’t insist on lingering for a few more words as she always had before.

Jiang Nan’s eyelid twitched, and an inexplicable unease churned in his heart. He turned to look at Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran stood rooted to the spot, head bowed, clutching the embroidered cloth tightly in her hand. The rims of her eyes and the tip of her nose were faintly red, and her long, thick lashes were laden with tears that fell one by one. She wiped at them with her hand, but it only seemed to make them flow more freely.

She cried with restraint and sorrow, yet not a single sound escaped her like a kitten, quietly enduring the pain.

An ache, dense and lingering, welled up in Jiang Nan’s chest.