I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 33

"What did she say?"

That if he were a few years older, he could be her father?

Xiao Junzhan withdrew his hand, lowering his eyes, deep in thought. After a long pause, he raised his head and said seriously, "Your father is eleven years older than me. I cannot be your father."

"..." Who asked him to calculate this? Wei Hanzhang turned her gaze away, staring at the back of her hand where he had just held it, inexplicably annoyed. "If you keep touching me like this, I won't come again."

Xiao Junzhan was taken aback. Already agitated, her words only heightened his frustration. Normally decisive in his actions, he found himself uncharacteristically hesitant for the first time. Why bother coaxing? If not, he could just...

Seeing his hesitation, Wei Hanzhang assumed he recognized his mistake. In a softer voice, she added, "It's already inappropriate for us to be alone together. If you keep touching me, how could I ever dare return?"

Xiao Junzhan looked at her quietly, his expression softening. After a long silence, he asked, "Do you really mind the age difference so much?"

"..." This again?

Knowing that she still needed his help to save her maternal family, Wei Hanzhang forced a dry laugh and reluctantly said, "Not exactly, but I do mind your improper behavior."

"That day, I saw him holding your hand too," Xiao Junzhan turned his head away, avoiding her gaze, and said softly, "Did you find him improper?"

"..." Wei Hanzhang was stunned for a moment.

Was he talking about Gu Yunran?

Was he... jealous?

Seeing her silence, Xiao Junzhan turned his face back toward her. "Ranran, don't bring up the engagement. You and him are no longer betrothed."

Wei Hanzhang, irritated by his questioning, raised her voice and retorted, "Then what do you want? To compete with Gu Yunran in everything? He and I grew up together. Holding hands is nothing. When we were young, I even..."

Her words trailed off as she saw the cold expression on his face.

Xiao Junzhan's gaze turned icy. "Even what?"

"We even..." Wei Hanzhang suddenly felt flustered. She took a small step back before finishing, "We even fought once."

The room was silent except for the sound of the wind brushing against the window frame, and their breathing.

Xiao Junzhan was quiet for a long time before he softly replied, "That doesn't matter. Ranran, you're a sensible girl, aren't you?"

Wei Hanzhang understood the deeper meaning behind his words, her eyelashes trembled, and she remained silent.

For the first time, this fearless girl felt a pang of uncertainty under his gentle words. She regretted agreeing to his request so easily. Coming here today felt like walking straight into the lion's den.

His presence was overwhelming!

All that calmness and propriety—what a facade.

...

As the morning passed and the sun rose high, a voice came from outside: "Master, should I arrange for lunch?"

Xiao Junzhan answered in a low voice, "Arrange it."

Hearing this, Wei Hanzhang let out a silent sigh of relief. She circled the desk and excused herself, "I need to return home for lunch."

"You can dine here," Xiao Junzhan said. "There's no need to worry about anything."