Cannon Fodder's Time Has Come 7

Kim Taehyung

(hesitantly) What about Minho? Should we take him to the hospital?

Taehyung’s voice carried the polite concern of a man accustomed to playing the good Samaritan. It was a performance he perfected effortlessly, knowing Jungkook would not suspect his motives.

Jeon Jungkook

(smirking faintly) His skin’s tough—he won’t die.

The car slowly left, leaving Minho’s confused and lonely figure. He still had not stopped hating Jungkook, but the hatred for his father was suddenly stronger. At that moment, he secretly swore, sooner or later one day he’d destroy his father, destroy Mr jeon. As for Jungkook, letting him lose his pride was enough.

Taehyung kept his eyes on the road, but his peripheral vision never left Jeon Jungkook. His thoughts about the young heir were conflicted—part contempt, part pity, and a thread of something he couldn’t quite name. Jungkook was cruel, yes, but behind that cruelty lay wounds too deep to ignore.

Kim Taehyung

Jungkook-ah, I know what happened to your mom was terrible…

Taehyung hesitated, searching for the right words but finding none.

Kim Taehyung

…but Minho didn’t cause any of it. Can’t you treat him better? As they say, leave a line of kindness in case you cross paths again in the future. He’s still your brother, no matter how much you two clash. Fighting like this—it’s just sad.

Taehyung’s tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of worry as he glanced at Jungkook. He had initially thought of dealing with the eldest son in his own way—teaching him a lesson, so to speak. But after everything he’d seen, that plan felt pointless. Jungkook’s pain was too real, his hatred too justified.

Jungkook didn’t immediately respond. His gaze stayed fixed out the window, his reflection in the glass unreadable.

Taehyung exhaled softly, his thoughts shifting. Despite his considerable resources, he had never managed to uncover the full truth behind the tragedy at the Jeon household. Jeon Wooseok’s cover-up had been flawless. The bodies were quietly retrieved and buried, the scandal buried with them. Minho’s mother’s death, painted as a tragic suicide, had fooled everyone.

At her funeral, Jeon Wooseok had played his part to perfection, crying as if his grief would split him in two. Few had doubted his sincerity, and even fewer questioned the official story. Minho, too young and sheltered, had no idea of the truth, while the rest of the world quickly moved on.

Only Jungkook, armed with information pulled from places no one else could access, knew the whole story. The truth that had torn his world apart and left scars that no amount of time could heal.

Jeon Jungkook

(Coldly) Pitiful? Minho is pitiful?

Jeon Jungkook

[He finally turned his head, his tone sharp enough to cut. His lips curled into a humorless smile.]

Jeon Jungkook

Don’t make me laugh, Taehyung.

Kim Taehyung fell silent for a moment before responding, his voice even.

Kim Taehyung

You always pick on Minho, Jungkook. Aren’t you afraid he’ll hate you? He’s still Jeon Wooseok’s son, just like you. He has every right to claim his place in the family.

Kim Taehyung

He’s still Jeon Wooseok’s son, just like you. He has every right to claim his place in the family. Sure, he’s being kept down now, but what if things change? What if he turns the tables? Wouldn’t it be smarter to have him as an ally instead of an enemy?

Normally, Taehyung would never bring up such matters so directly. But after everything he’d seen, he felt compelled to say it. Jungkook was the legitimate heir of the Jeon family, the most qualified to inherit the Jeon Group, yet it was painfully clear that Wooseok didn’t share that sentiment. Even as an outsider, Taehyung could see the blatant favoritism Wooseok showed toward Jeon Hyunwoo, drowning the youngest son in unconditional love and support.

Hyunwoo, for his part, had long believed that the Jeon Group was his birthright. And Jungkook, despite being the elder brother, was treated as little more than a convenient pawn—a tool Hyunwoo could use and discard. Minho, though largely ignored, had his own quiet strength, and even if Jungkook reached out to him now, it was unlikely to change his fate. Minho’s world had been shaped by too much bitterness and neglect.

Taehyung’s gaze lingered briefly on Jungkook, his heart tugged by an unexpected wave of sympathy. Out of the three brothers, Jungkook was, in many ways, the most pitiable. Minho had his quiet resolve, Hyunwoo had their father’s overwhelming support, but Jungkook... Jungkook stood alone, burdened by expectations and trapped in a web of betrayals.

Jeon Jungkook

(smirks) So now I’m the one who needs to play nice? Spare me your lectures, Taehyung. Allies? Enemies? They’re all the same to me.

Jungkook didn’t care about the complex thoughts brewing in Taehyung’s mind, and even if he did, he wouldn’t bother addressing them. After chuckling softly, he waved dismissively.

Jeon Jungkook

I have no interest in the Jeon Group. Whether Minho hates me or not, it changes nothing.

Kim Taehyung

*Blinked in surprise, his brows furrowing.* You don’t want the Jeon Group? Young master Jungkook, what are you talking about?

Jeon Jungkook

The literal meaning.

Jungkook replied flatly, his gaze shifting toward the window. He had no intention of elaborating further, leaving Taehyung to ponder his cryptic words in silence.

TBC