The Cannon Fodder Stole the Male Lead’s Script GL - Chapter 59

After leaving Jiang Yun’s house, Zhan Rao still thought they would share a tender farewell. She had not expected that her parents had already arrived. It had been less than half an hour. How had her parents, who normally needed fifty minutes to make the drive, gotten here so fast?

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie,” Jiang Yun greeted politely.

As soon as Zhan Rao’s parents stepped out of the car, they saw the girls standing at the security gate. Behind them loomed the luxurious community known as Jiangpan Yuwan. On the way there, they had wondered if the GPS had sent them to the wrong address. Only when they saw their daughter with Jiang Yun did they finally understand just how wealthy Jiang Yun’s family was. The villa must be worth at least hundreds of millions, and yet it was Jiang Yun’s private residence.

A family like this was far beyond the reach of ordinary working-class people like them. Zhan Rao’s mother’s expression grew even more serious.

“I’m really sorry, Jiang Yun,” she said, forcing a smile. “Zhan Rao has bothered you long enough. I told her to come straight home after school, but she ran over here instead.” As she spoke, she pulled her daughter behind her protectively.

Jiang Yun could clearly feel the polite distance in her tone. The woman had used to call her affectionately by name. Now she called her “Jiang Yun” with a formality that signaled disapproval. Jiang Yun responded just as politely, “It’s no trouble at all. I was the one who invited Zhan Rao. I should apologize for troubling you both to come and pick her up. I didn’t think it through.”

“No, no, it’s our daughter’s fault for intruding. You’ve already done enough. It’s getting late, so we’ll head back now. If there’s anything you don’t understand while studying, just call her.”

“Understood. Thank you, Auntie. I won’t keep you then. Please drive safe.”

“Of course.”

Zhan Rao’s mother smiled and led her daughter away. Zhan Rao turned back reluctantly and made a silly face at Jiang Yun, who smiled fondly in return.

Once they were in the car and Zhan Rao had buckled up, she could not help complaining. “Mom, why were you so cold all of a sudden? Did Jiang Yun offend you somehow?”

Her father was driving while her mother sat in the front passenger seat. At her daughter’s words, she turned around and gave her a hard stare. “Was I angry at Jiang Yun? I was angry at you.”

“Me? What did I do?”

Her mother rolled her eyes and did not say more. She only muttered, “From now on, don’t just go to Jiang Yun’s house whenever you like. And don’t accept any gifts from her. If she wants to visit our home, she’s welcome anytime. But you shouldn’t go to hers.”

Zhan Rao was completely confused. “Why not?”

“No reason. Just do as I say.”

“Mom, you’re being so strange. You’re not making any sense. Why can Jiang Yun come to our house, but I can’t go to hers? Friends are supposed to take turns visiting each other. That’s how equal relationships work.”

“Equal?” Her mother scoffed. “Do you think there’s any equality between the two of you? Can you really say you’re on the same level? Don’t think I don’t know what’s going through your head. I’m disappointed in you, Zhan Rao. When we get home, you’d better think about what you’ve done.”

Zhan Rao was stunned. What was even happening?

Her mother’s accusations were so far off base that Zhan Rao’s temper flared. Since her mom would not talk to her properly, she stopped trying to explain.

During the ride, her phone kept buzzing. It was Jiang Yun messaging to ask what had happened but Zhan Rao had no idea either.

Zhan Rao: I don’t know. My mom’s lost it and told me to reflect. Reflect on what exactly?

When Jiang Yun saw the message, she paused. Zhan Rao’s mother usually seemed reasonable. What had gone wrong today?

Could it be… she had sensed something unusual between her and Zhan Rao?

Jiang Yun frowned. She still had no idea how to approach her own parents about this. If the two of them wanted to be together in the long run, they would eventually need the approval of both families. That meant Zhan Rao’s parents and her own parents.

Honestly speaking, her parents in the capital might be even harder to win over than Zhan Rao’s.

—

After getting home and showering, Zhan Rao and her mother remained locked in a cold war. Every exchange was full of tension and sarcasm.

Her mother kept muttering things like “You’re old enough to know better” and “All those years of raising you were wasted.” Finally, Zhan Rao snapped. She stormed to her mother’s room and shouted, “Feng Sulian, you better explain yourself. What’s with all the passive-aggressive nonsense today?”

Her mother fired back just as angrily. “Don’t act like you don’t know.”

“You still have to say it. What did I do to deserve this treatment?”

“I’m too ashamed to say it.”

Zhan Rao was speechless.

Her father had just finished showering. Hearing them shouting again, he quickly threw on some clothes and came out.

“Enough, stop fighting.” He stepped between them and held Zhan Rao back. “Your grandmother’s been unwell lately, and your mom is worried. Just cut her some slack.”

“Why should I? I’m worried about Grandma too, but that doesn’t mean she gets to take it out on me. She keeps stabbing me with her words. What did I ever do to her?”

Her father did not know how to respond. He looked at his angry wife lying on the bed, then at his normally sweet daughter, now on the verge of exploding.

He decided it was time to talk things through.

He pulled Zhan Rao into the study.

“Don’t be mad at your mom. She just wants the best for you. She’s afraid you’ll head down the wrong path.”

“What wrong path?” Zhan Rao exploded.

Although she could handle rumors and gossip from outsiders, it hurt deeply to know that her own parents thought that way.

Seeing she was about to lose it, her father tried to calm her. “Take it easy and let me explain.”

Zhan Rao pressed her lips together, holding in her anger. “Fine. Go ahead. Tell me what’s going on with Madam Feng.”

Her father scratched his head, clearly unsure how to begin. He started cautiously. “Your mother and I always knew Jiang Yun’s family was well-off, but we did not realize just how wealthy they were until today. That villa in Jiangpan Yuwan is in the richest part of town.”

Zhan Rao frowned. Everyone at school knew Jiang Yun’s family was rich. That wasn’t news.

But she let him continue.

“So?”

Her father hesitated. “Our family is ordinary. We’re not on the same level.”

“I know that.”

“You’ve never had many close friends growing up. You’ve visited classmates’ homes, but rarely stayed overnight. Most of the time, they had to beg you before you agreed. But now you want to stay at Jiang Yun’s house for an entire week. You spend all your time with her. You even wore matching clothes to a birthday party. You brought her home. When you got hurt, you told her but not us. She paid your hospital bill. The phone, the little things on your desk…”

Her father sighed. “Honestly, it feels like you treat Jiang Yun very differently from other classmates. In the past, you were always passive with people. Now you’re taking initiative. Too much initiative.”

Zhan Rao sensed something was off.

She clenched her hands and looked straight into her father’s eyes. Did her parents suspect the truth?

In her mind, she prepared herself. If they knew, she would tell them everything. And if they refused to accept it, she would leave. She had a scholarship. She would not starve. She could tutor other students to earn a living.

“Emmm… So what you’re saying is…”

Her father looked distressed. “We think you’ve changed.”

Zhan Rao swallowed hard. “Changed how?”

Her father’s tone grew heavy. “Your values have changed. You’re no longer the pure, kind girl we raised.”

“What?”

He patted her head solemnly. “I know you’re still young. Sometimes wealth can be tempting. It’s our fault too, for not giving you a life of luxury. I want you to understand that life is not about money and what truly matters is happiness.

Zhan Rao stared at him like he had grown another head. “Dad, do you even hear yourself?”

“I do. I just want my daughter to resist temptation. To stay true to herself. Make friends for the right reasons. Not because of what someone has. We know it is normal for young people to be drawn to nice things, but I do not want that to become what defines you. You need to change.”

He tried to keep lecturing, but Zhan Rao raised her hand.

“Dad, you and Mom don’t actually think I’m only close to Jiang Yun because she’s rich, do you?”

Zhan Rao’s mother, who had been eavesdropping behind the door, burst in. “Isn’t it true? Why else would you want to stay at her house for a whole week? Why else would you tell her when you got hurt, but not us? Why else would you take her phone? Her dresses?”

Zhan Rao was silent.

So this was how they saw her?

“In your eyes, that’s the kind of person I am?”

Her parents said nothing.

She let out a bitter laugh. “Yes, I admit it. I am greedy. But not for her money or her background. I am greedy for her as a person. Mom, let me ask you. Isn’t Jiang Yun beautiful? Doesn’t she match our family’s love for good looks? Didn’t you want to get to know her better the moment you saw her?”

Her mother glanced at her father and nodded.

“She’s graceful and polite, never petty.”

Another nod.

“She’s observant and caring. She took great care of me in the hospital.”

Still nodding.

“She was modest and respectful when she visited. She made you both feel appreciated and happy.”

There was no denying that.

“Exactly. You both like her. I like her too. I’ve never met a classmate like her before. I wanted to be her friend not because of money but because of who she is. I believe she feels the same way. What you did tonight, that’s what really insulted our friendship.”

Her parents had nothing to say.

“Really?”

Zhan Rao rolled her eyes. “Do you think I’m lying? Don’t worry about it anymore. I’m going back to help Jiang Yun study. She has given me expensive gifts, and I have sincerely helped her with school in return. My gifts to her are just as precious.”

With that, she returned to her room.

Her parents sat in silence.

After a while, her father chuckled and tapped his wife’s nose. “You really overthought it. Our daughter wouldn’t lower herself over money. She’s proud, honest, and true. I don’t even know who she takes after.”

Feng Sulian stared at the hallway. “Whoever it is, it’s not us.”

If their daughter truly was like that, then they had nothing to fear. Not even power or wealth could take her away from them.

—

“Where were you? Why did it take so long to message me back?”

As soon as Zhan Rao entered her room, her phone buzzed. Jiang Yun sounded a little annoyed.

“I was arguing with my mom.”

“What? Because you wanted to stay with me?”

But Zhan Rao laughed. “Do you know why she was so mad and forced me to come home?”

Jiang Yun frowned. “Don’t tell me… because of us?”

“I thought so too. But it turns out she was angry because you’re too rich.”

“…What?”

“She thinks I’ve never been so attached to a classmate before. Now that I’m always with you, she thinks I’m after your money. That I’m materialistic and trying to gain something from you.”

Jiang Yun could not help laughing. “You’re not Li Yue.”

“Exactly. So what kind of logic is that? And really, with you here, why would I want your money? I want you.”

“Oh? Is that what you told her?”

“Of course. I told her directly I wanted you.” Zhan Rao sounded smug.

Jiang Yun rested her chin on her palm and smiled. “So my little Zhan Rao wants to be with me that badly? Coming out to your parents already?”

“Shut up. What are you even saying?”

“It’s alright. Your feelings are clear. Now I just need to move faster and let your parents know mine too. Then I can bring you home.”

Zhan Rao blushed. “Enough. Go study. I’m hanging up.”

Jiang Yun laughed as her face turned bright red.