Cannon Fodder O Pretending to be A Will Lose Their Vest Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Lesson – Brother, Should I Teach You a Lesson?

All sound vanished from the shuttle instantly, leaving a silence that was somewhat terrifying.

Jiang Xuanshen’s face was covered in frost. The gloom accumulating between his brows was nearly overflowing. His thin lips parted slightly, “Jiang Chenyan.”

As he spoke, his fingers unconsciously stroked his cuff. His voice was so cold it held not a shred of warmth, and it carried a bone-chilling frost as it hung in the air.

Jiang Chenyan pulled his coat tighter. His fingertips touched the chill of the fabric and the low pressure permeating the air, yet he merely lifted his eyes. “Mhm.”

The bodyguards on the side felt their hearts tighten. They all drew in a sharp breath in unison and instinctively lowered their heads, not even daring to cast a stray glance, for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Attending a military academy really made a difference; the Little Young Master’s courage had grown significantly.

Jiang Xuanshen’s Adam’s apple bobbed. The coldness in his tone sank a bit deeper, as if he were suppressing something: “So, should I teach you a lesson?” He stared at Jiang Chenyan, saying word by word, “What exactly have you been learning at school? To dare talk back to an elder like this?”

Jiang Chenyan didn’t back down in the slightest. His voice remained calm. ” I’m already grown. You have no right to teach me.”

“I am your Dage. You tell me if I have the right?”

Jiang Xuanshen rose. His height of nearly one hundred and ninety centimeters was extremely oppressive. As he took a half-step forward, that pressure instantly enveloped Jiang Chenyan.

Jiang Chenyan finally furrowed his brows, and his voice turned cold.

“I don’t care who you are. Have you ever treated me like your brother? You keep calling yourself my Dage, but have you ever fulfilled a single responsibility of an older brother? Besides PUA, what else do you know how to do?”

Jiang Chenyan hadn’t forgotten.

This elder brother in name had, without a word, tricked him back to the Jiang family and forced him to do another pheromone level test, nearly causing his long-hidden Omega identity to be exposed to his parents.

Did he hope that much for him to drop out? Did he hope that much that he couldn’t stay at school? Had Jiang Xuanshen never thought about what he would have to face once his Omega identity was exposed?

What kind of virtue the Jiang family possessed, Jiang Xuanshen knew better than anyone. If his identity truly couldn’t be hidden, they would likely ignore his wishes entirely and immediately pack him up to be sent off for a marriage alliance, trading his life for the family’s interests.

To put it bluntly, Jiang Xuanshen was a selfish person.

Probably from the moment he differentiated into an SS+ rank, Jiang Xuanshen couldn’t sit still. It was nothing more than being afraid his position would be shaken, afraid the halo of “Eldest Brother” would be snatched away, and afraid that his, an SS+ existence, would threaten his status in the Jiang family and the social circle.

Jiang Chenyan stared coldly at the person who had suddenly stood up from the seat. His elder brother’s eyes were filled with ice; it seemed he was about to be angered to death.

“What, am I wrong?”

Jiang Chenyan let out a soft, mocking laugh, his tone full of sarcasm. But before the sound of his laughter could fade, Jiang Xuanshen’s hand suddenly shot out, firmly grabbing his collar and hoisting him up from the seat. The force was so great it nearly crushed his bones.

Under the pull of his collar, Jiang Chenyan was forced to meet Jiang Xuanshen’s gaze. The stinging pain at his neck became increasingly clear, and even swallowing carried a sense of bitterness. He gritted his teeth, his voice tightening: “Jiang Xuanshen, let go of me.”

Jiang Xuanshen’s rationality had long been burned away by anger. He never imagined that the younger brother who used to always follow behind him with eyes full of admiration would now say such heart-piercing words.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xuanshen’s eyes grew colder, the gloom within them nearly swallowing Jiang Chenyan whole. Staring at Jiang Chenyan’s face, the fire in his heart burned even more fiercely.

If only this mouth could stay closed forever.

Jiang Chenyan swung his arm, throwing a punch toward Jiang Xuanshen’s cheek. The movement was fast and urgent.

Jiang Xuanshen was quick, reaching out to catch his wrist. He gritted his teeth and said, “What you learned at the military academy was how to get physical? To show no respect for your elder brother?”

The hand gripping Jiang Chenyan’s collar didn’t loosen. His other hand swung up with momentum and stopped a few centimeters in front of Jiang Chenyan’s face. His fingertips were pale from the exertion, and his breathing was heavy.

Yet Jiang Chenyan didn’t dodge. He looked straight up at him, his face without a hint of panic. His gaze was extremely cold, calm to the point of being indifferent.

Jiang Xuanshen’s breathing suddenly hitched. His raised hand felt as if it were nailed in place.

That ruthlessness in his heart suddenly felt like a popped balloon, most of it leaking away. He simply couldn’t bring himself to land this slap.

“Get out.” Jiang Xuanshen’s voice was still wrapped in unspent rage. He threw Jiang Chenyan back into the seat with force. “When we get off the shuttle, don’t follow me.”

Jiang Chenyan’s back hit the backrest, but he didn’t make a sound. Nor did he look at Jiang Xuanshen. He merely lifted his eyes to look out the window. The clouds outside the shuttle swept past rapidly. He narrowed his eyes slightly, appreciating the scenery as if the dispute just now and the cold treatment at this moment had nothing to do with him.

The bodyguards were completely dumbfounded. They looked at each other, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Jiang Xuanshen was truly angered this time. He didn’t say another word to Jiang Chenyan the whole way, and the low pressure around him was so thick it wouldn’t dissipate. It wasn’t until the shuttle landed steadily and the hatch opened that he stepped straight out, not giving even a single glance to Jiang Chenyan behind him.

Jiang Chenyan tidied his slightly messy collar. Just as he prepared to follow him off the craft, a bodyguard beside him couldn’t help but take a step forward. “Little Young Master, why bother? It’s a rare occasion that the Eldest Young Master came to pick you up personally…”

“Because he picked me up once, I should be deeply grateful?” Jiang Chenyan curled his lips into a light, mocking smile. Without another glance at the bodyguard, he turned and stepped off the shuttle.

The bodyguard fell silent.

Jiang Chenyan followed the leading servant into the Jiang family villa. Warm yellow lights and the sound of voices rushed over him. Many people had already gathered in the living room; between the elegant clothes and shadows, it was all unfamiliar faces.

Jiang Chenyan stood in a corner, watching the chatting crowd before him, not having even the slightest thought of stepping forward to join the conversation.

His gaze swept through the crowd and quickly found the grandfather whose birthday was today. The elderly man was surrounded by several elders, talking with a smile on his face.

He straightened his lapels and walked over slowly, stopping at the appropriate moment. “Grandfather, happy birthday.” There was no excess warmth, only the etiquette a junior should show.

As soon as the old man saw Jiang Chenyan, his eyes paused. He quickly remembered the matter of Jiang Chenyan differentiating into an SS+ rank; after all, such a high pheromone level was rare in the entire Interstellar. It was just that the scattered rumors on the Guangwang lately were a bit jarring—something about an SS+ Omega and an SS+ Alpha sharing the same face.

But having lived for more than half his life, he was long past being bothered by these entanglements and twists. He just looked at Jiang Chenyan; in all these years of the family, this was the first time such a high level had appeared. It wasn’t easy.

Grandfather took Jiang Chenyan’s hand and gave a few casual instructions. Jiang Chenyan listened patiently and handed over the pre-prepared gift with both hands.

The two hadn’t chatted for long before a figure approached.

Jiang Chenyan lifted his eyes and knew what was coming. If he wasn’t mistaken, this person was his Sange, Jiang Qingye.

The other had a good appearance, a high nose bridge, and an excellent physique, perfectly inheriting their parents’ good genes.

He said with a smile, “I was just saying I hadn’t seen Chenyan yet.”

Jiang Qingye had a very sweet mouth. As soon as he came over, he surrounded Grandfather with auspicious words, making the old man laugh until his eyes were squinted.

Jiang Chenyan stood to the side, becoming a background piece.

Once Jiang Qingye’s chat with Grandfather reached a stopping point, he barely curled his lips to say a few polite words like “Long time no see, Sange,” before finding an excuse to leave.

He had intended to just stay for a while and then leave, but he hadn’t expected a bunch of people to surround him for conversation.

His fingers tightened slightly around his wine glass. He had just finished dealing with a group of people who came up to curry favor, and now he had to deal with another bunch…

In the past, these people wouldn’t even give him a second glance, yet now they were sticking to him eagerly.

Jiang Qingye walked over at some point. “After the differentiation results came out, everyone’s attitude toward you has indeed changed.”

Jiang Chenyan lowered his head and took a sip of wine, the cold liquid sliding down his throat. “Indeed.” After saying that, he felt like leaving. He knew in his heart that Jiang Qingye was nothing more than a passerby character with little screen time in the book; there was no need for much involvement.

Jiang Qingye clearly hadn’t expected him to admit it so directly. He was stunned for a moment before laughing: “It seems you really are different. Is it because of these months at the military academy?”

“We brothers haven’t seen each other in a long time. Shall we have a few drinks together when you have time?”

Jiang Chenyan curled his lips into a slight arc. “Sure.”

…

Socializing was a form of torture.

Jiang Chenyan’s fingers holding the wine glass were a bit stiff. He had just been pulled by Mother and Father Jiang to deal with several waves of toasts from relatives and friends, and his stomach was already churning with the alcohol.

He finally found an opportunity to slip away from the villa.

As he passed the main hall, he vaguely heard servants whispering that a mysterious VIP guest would be arriving tonight, and even the Jiang family elders were specifically waiting for him.

Jiang Chenyan had no interest in this; no matter how big the guest, it had nothing to do with him.

He walked straight toward the backyard garden. The cold night wind rushed over him, instantly dissipating some of the dry heat brought by the alcohol.

Several servants were scattered in the garden, busy with their chores, moving very quietly.

Jiang Chenyan didn’t go elsewhere, heading straight to the pond. He leaned over to look at the glowing Interstellar plants in the water, his fingertips occasionally touching the cold surface, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

Until a scolding voice came from not far away, breaking that peace.

A servant had accidentally bumped into and broken a branch of an expensive potted plant and was being scolded in a low voice by the steward.

Jiang Chenyan instinctively looked up. When his gaze fell on that servant, he was suddenly stunned. That face was inexplicably familiar.

He furrowed his brows and thought back for a moment, suddenly remembering who the other was. He seemed to be named Bai Ning.

Jiang Chenyan couldn’t help but support his forehead, mentally cursing his own muddle-headedness. How could he have forgotten this? When he met Bai Ning in the bar before, he had specifically given the other his business card, saying that if he didn’t want to stay in that kind of place anymore, he should contact him.

Later, a series of events had crowded in—going to the auction, being kidnapped by Luo De—and he was so busy he had completely put this matter out of his mind.

Looking at Bai Ning, who was hanging his head while being scolded not far away, Jiang Chenyan felt it was strange. Why had he come to the Jiang family? Was there such a plot point in the text?

Jiang Chenyan’s temples throbbed. This was the “vicious male supporting character” who could cause quite a stir in the original work. According to the normal plot, he should have already been noticed by Xie Huaijin and taken to his side to be possessed.

But the strange thing was here: if Bai Ning were being watched by Xie Huaijin, would he still be a servant at the Jiang house?

As lowly as Xie Huaijin could be, he was generous. Reasonably speaking, he wouldn’t mistreat the people around him, let alone allow them to do low-level labor.

“System, what’s going on?”

The system turned on: [You’re asking me? The plot has long since collapsed beyond recognition. I’m not clear on what the current direction is either.]

It seemed asking the system was useless; he could only piece together the clues himself.

Bai Ning was Shen Shiyue’s substitute, but now the relationship between Xie Huaijin and Shen Shiyue was poor to the extreme, and they fought whenever they met.

So… things were troublesome.

He furrowed his brows and walked toward Bai Ning’s side.

The steward saw him and approached with a smile: “Why has the Young Master come out? The wind is strong; do you want to head back inside?”

“I’ll have a chat with him. You go on and be busy.”

The steward didn’t dare ask more and quickly nodded before leaving.

Bai Ning’s body clearly trembled once before he slowly lifted his head. When he saw Jiang Chenyan’s face clearly, his eyes snapped wide open. He was stunned for several seconds before reacting: “You are… the gentleman who helped me in the bar before?”

He quickly lowered his head. “Thank you so much for then.”

Jiang Chenyan looked at his cautious manner and got straight to the point: “Since you remember, why didn’t you contact me? I gave you my contact information.”

Bai Ning’s face turned red instantly. He awkwardly gripped the corner of his clothes: “I’m sorry… the situation was so urgent that day, I accidentally lost the business card. But someone helped me later and even helped me find this job. Although it’s a bit tiring, I’ve finally been able to settle down and no longer have to worry about being bullied.”

Jiang Chenyan caught the key point. His heart sank as he pressed: “Who helped you?”

Bai Ning smiled and said, “It was Mr. Xie. He is a very good person.”

Jiang Chenyan’s gaze grew cold. “Mr. Xie? Is his full name Xie Huaijin?”

“Huh, how did you know?”

Jiang Chenyan’s brows furrowed. What was Xie Huaijin’s intention? Why arrange for Bai Ning to be at the Jiang house?

Also, why did Xie Huaijin help Bai Ning? The reason that he simply looked like Shen Shiyue was no longer valid…

Was there some kind of motive?

While he was mulling it over, he heard Bai Ning speak softly, “Mr. Xie really is a good person. Not only did he help me find work, but he also checks in on me… I like him very much.”

No, it wasn’t liking; it was love. He had already fallen in love with Mr. Xie.

Jiang Chenyan felt as if he had been fed a mouthful of sh*t. “What is there to like about him?”

“Don’t say that…” Bai Ning frowned. “Mr. Xie really is a very good person.”

Lifting his eyes, his face suddenly turned bright red, and then it became redder and redder.

Jiang Chenyan: “?”

Why was he turning red for no reason?

Just as he was thinking, Bai Ning’s face had already turned as red as an apple. He called out softly: “Mr. Xie.”

Jiang Chenyan’s heart suddenly sank. Just as he was about to turn around, he heard a low laugh from behind him.

In the next second, a shadow completely enveloped him, bringing a familiar sense of pressure. That voice fell right next to his ear, “Jiang Chenyan.”

Jiang Chenyan turned around. When he lifted his eyes, the newcomer’s figure already occupied most of his vision. He was very tall, and the cut of his custom suit perfectly fitted his frame. The collar was slightly open, showing a chain worth a fortune. He looked a bit showy and flamboyant, not like he was here for a banquet, but more like he was at a bar looking for fun.

“Xie Huaijin.”

Xie Huaijin’s gaze lingered on Jiang Chenyan’s face for two seconds before he slowly responded: “Mhm, it’s me.”

Jiang Chenyan: “Scram.”

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