When the Cannon Fodder Meets the Love-Brained Female Supporting Character - Episode 40

After Jiang Nan led her away from the crowd, she pinched Xiao Ran’s cheek in anger. But when she saw the faint redness at the corners of Xiao Ran’s eyes and the sudden tears that slipped down like a pitiful, abandoned little animal the fire in her heart extinguished.

Still, she couldn’t let it go. “You should’ve waited for me under the willow tree. Why did you run into the crowd?”

Xiao Ran, still confused, stammered, “I—I just saw you walking ahead, Sister Jiang.”

“When was I ahead of you? The moment I saw you step into the crowd, I was chasing after you the whole time. Luckily, I caught up.” Jiang Nan’s voice was icy. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?”

Her face was stern, her tone furious.

Not ahead?

Xiao Ran was bewildered. But seeing Jiang Nan’s anger, she pushed all other thoughts aside. “I won’t do it again, Sister Jiang. Please don’t be mad.”

Suddenly, Xiao Ran spotted Yu Qian and the woman who bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Nan even dressed in identical clothes. They had turned back.

This time, Xiao Ran saw the woman’s face clearly.

It was completely different from Jiang Nan’s.

In an instant, Xiao Ran understood. She glanced at Jiang Nan, who had also realized and was now looking at her with an amused smirk.

Xiao Ran guiltily lowered her head.

Jiang Nan sighed in exasperation. After Yu Qian and the other woman left, she said, “You couldn’t even recognize me?”

“Her clothes…”

“She’s a newcomer Yu Qian brought from the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion. Her luggage got lost along the way, and since her figure is similar to mine, I lent her one of my outfits.”

“Oh.” Xiao Ran nodded obediently.

Jiang Nan noticed the lingering dampness at the corners of Xiao Ran’s eyes, and her heart softened instantly. After all, it was only because Xiao Ran cared so much about her. She had mistaken the woman with Yu Qian for Jiang Nan and must have been upset by the perceived neglect.

With a sigh, Jiang Nan wiped away her tears and said, “It’s my fault for not telling you in advance. My little wardrobe steward. From now on, if I lend my clothes to someone else, I’ll ask for your permission first. How’s that?”

Xiao Ran froze. Once the meaning sank in, she stomped her foot in embarrassment.

Little wardrobe steward…

Her ears and neck burning red, Xiao Ran turned away. “What kind of title is that?”

“I made it up on the spot.” Jiang Nan chuckled. “So, someone won’t just recognize clothes and not the person.”

Xiao Ran was both flustered and indignant, but she couldn’t argue. She had indeed made that embarrassing mistake.

The fireworks that night were even grander than during the Mask Festival.

The entire sky was filled with bursts of color, fireworks blooming everywhere like dazzling, jubilant flowers, celebrating the arrival of the new year.

Jiang Nan had bought a bundle of fireworks too. As the clock struck midnight, she and Xiao Ran lit them together.

After ringing in the new year with Jiang Nan, Xiao Ran felt at peace and threw herself into embroidery to earn money. She had become a renowned seamstress, her stitches vivid and lifelike, with countless orders piling up.

One day, after finishing her commissions and earning a hefty sum, she couldn’t wait to find Jiang Nan. Coincidentally, Yue Xue and a few friends came to visit.

“If you keep holed up in your house, you’ll make yourself sick!”

“Don’t any of you need to earn money?” Xiao Ran asked, puzzled.

The young ladies exchanged glances and laughed.

“Money is just for necessities. What’s the point of hoarding so much?”

Yue Xue linked arms with the girl beside her and grinned. “Come on, let’s go to Hebao Tower and see if there’s anything new.”

Xiao Ran shook her head: “I won’t go. I’m heading to Cangfang Tower to find Sister Jiang.”

Yue Xue was puzzled: “You’re going to see Manager Jiang? But I thought you two weren’t close.”

“We’re very close now,” Xiao Ran replied.

Yue Xue shook her head and earnestly advised her: “You should stay away from Jiang Nan. Don’t you know what people in Yangcheng are saying about her?”

Xiao Ran paused her actions and frowned: “What are they saying?”

“They say she’s fickle. On one hand, she’s involved with Jiang Huai, and on the other, she keeps a whole group of girls at Cangfang Tower running around for her. Oh, and there’s also a bunch of half-naked strong men in that tower. If you get too close to her, you’ll just become another one of them.”

“Stop talking nonsense,” Xiao Ran snapped, her voice sharp.

“It’s not me, it’s what people are saying. I’m just repeating it. I’m only looking out for you.” Yue Xue was startled by Xiao Ran’s harsh tone. She had never spoken to her like this before but she stood her ground.

“Unnecessary.” Xiao Ran’s face tightened as she lowered her head and quickened her pace.

“Jiang Nan isn’t what you think she is.”

“No matter what she’s like, I like her.”

“You may like her, but does she like you back? Look at your shabby, run-down courtyard. She’s made so much money. Has she ever spent a single coin on you?” Perhaps irritated by Xiao Ran’s defiance, Yue Xue’s words grew increasingly cutting.

Just as Xiao Ran was about to respond, a horse galloped toward them from the distance.

The rider looked familiar likely one of the errand boys from Cangfang Tower.

Dismounting, he handed Xiao Ran a deed and a key, saying, “This is the deed for House No. 3 on Huan Street. My manager asked me to give it to you so you can move in first.”

Xiao Ran immediately caught the word “first.” Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes brightening as she nodded.

Yue Xue suddenly shrieked, her voice shrill: “House No. 3 on Huan Street?”

She turned to the young man on horseback, disbelief in her voice: “You can’t be serious. House No. 3 on Huan Street?”

The young man looked impatient: “How could I misremember something so simple? Don’t joke around, miss.”

As he moved to hand over the deed, Yue Xue blocked his path.

“You can’t give that to her. That’s the ancestral home of the Yue family.”

The young man sighed: “Even if it is, do you have the money to buy it back?”

Yue Xue’s expression darkened: “No.”

“Then why stop me from giving it to Miss Xiao? Do you expect me to hand it over to you for free?”

“No…” Yue Xue hesitated.

The young man dismounted and took a few steps forward. “Step aside, miss, or I won’t be polite.”

Originally, he had planned to deliver the deed and leave, but now he changed his mind. He would escort Xiao Ran to Huan Street.

He had once been taken in by Fang Rui at Cangfang Tower, where he had lived and worked ever since. The manager had treated him well, and Fang Rui often praised Jiang Nan in front of him.

Without Manager Jiang, he wouldn’t be where he was today.

And if the manager cared for someone, he would ensure their safety.

________________________________________

Jiang Huai had been on the road for less than two days when Jiang Yumin’s birthday arrived.

Jiang Nan sat idly by the lake in the Jiang residence, watching the bustling crowd around her. As usual, Jiang Yumin was surrounded by a flock of young ladies.

Such a smug young mistress.

Suddenly, Xiao Ran appeared in the estate and quietly pulled her away.

Hand in hand, they dashed through several streets, heading straight for the city gates.

They arrived in a cave, where Xiao Ran first lit a circle of candles, then lifted a red cloth in the center to reveal an array of gifts she had prepared, ranging from small to large.

The gifts varied from hairpins, love knots, and sachets to jade collectibles and self-defense items.

Xiao Ran looked at her, beaming with joy, and said, “Sister, happy birthday.”

Jiangnan was surprised. She had no idea how Xiao Ran had learned about her birthday.

Softly, she replied, “Thank you.”

Xiao Ran slowly approached, and right in front of Jiangnan, she shyly let one side of her garment slip, revealing a delicate shoulder. “Sister, this is a cave, surrounded by wedding candles, and it’s almost evening. Doesn’t that make it a perfect wedding night?”