Title: Cannon Fodder Rebellion

CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2: A Glimpse of Power

The next day dawned with a sense of urgency that Xia Lin had never felt before. The sun peeked through the curtains of her small chamber, illuminating the worn wooden floor and the modest furnishings. She could hardly focus on her chores; thoughts of the conversation with Xu Luanyo consumed her mind.

After breakfast, she hurried to the kitchen, where the other servants gathered, exchanging hushed whispers. Xia Lin could feel the tension in the air, an undercurrent of frustration and despair that resonated with her newfound abilities. As she worked alongside her fellow servants, she focused on their thoughts, trying to understand their fears and hopes.

*“If only we could escape this life…”* one of the older maids mused, her eyes downcast. *“The Xu family will never let us go.”*

*“It’s hopeless,”* another servant thought despondently. *“We’re just tools for them to use.”*

Xia Lin’s heart ached for her companions. She realized that she could no longer be a passive observer in their struggles; she had to take action. With each passing moment, the weight of their collective discontent pressed upon her, igniting a fire within her that refused to be extinguished.

During a brief moment of quiet, she sought out Xu Luanyo in the garden, where they had last spoken. The air was thick with anticipation, and she felt the stirrings of something greater brewing between them. As she approached, she saw him deep in thought, his brow furrowed as he examined the flowers.

“Xia Lin,” he said, turning to her. “I’m glad you came.”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said,” she replied, her voice steady. “The rebellion. We need to gather more support.”

Xu Luanyo nodded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “I’ve been hearing murmurs of discontent among the stable hands and the groundskeepers. If we can unite them, our chances of success will increase.”

Xia Lin felt a surge of determination. “I can help. I can hear their thoughts—I can sense their feelings. It’s like I’m connected to them in a way I never understood before.”

His eyes widened in surprise. “You can hear their thoughts?”

“Yes,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s overwhelming, but I think it’s a gift. If we can harness it, we can inspire them to rise up.”

“Then we must act quickly,” Xu Luanyo said, his expression turning serious. “Tonight, we’ll hold a meeting in the old barn. We’ll invite those who are willing to listen.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting shadows across the estate, Xia Lin felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. This was a turning point, and she was ready to embrace it. That evening, they gathered a small group of trusted servants under the cover of darkness, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns.

Xia Lin stood at the forefront, her heart pounding in her chest. “Thank you all for coming,” she said, her voice steady despite the weight of their gazes. “We are here because we deserve more than this life of servitude. We deserve a voice.”

The murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. She could feel their hope and fear intertwining, and it only fueled her resolve.

“We can make a change,” Xu Luanyo added, stepping forward. “Together, we can rise against the oppression that binds us.”

As the meeting continued, Xia Lin focused on the thoughts swirling around her. She heard their fears, but also their dreams of freedom. With each shared story, she felt more empowered, her connection to them growing stronger.

One of the stable hands, a burly man named Jian, stepped forward. “But what can we do? They have power and wealth. We are just servants!”

Xia Lin took a deep breath, channeling the energy of those around her. “We may be seen as insignificant, but we are stronger together. We know the estate better than they do. We can use that to our advantage.”

The group buzzed with newfound energy, and she could feel the shift in their collective mindset. They wanted change; they just needed someone to lead them.

As the meeting drew to a close, Xu Luanyo turned to her, a look of admiration in his eyes. “You have a gift, Xia Lin. Your ability to connect with them is powerful. Together, we can ignite a fire that can’t be extinguished.”

Xia Lin smiled, her heart swelling with determination. “Then let’s start a revolution.”

Under the cover of night, the seeds of rebellion began to take root, and Xia Lin felt a sense of purpose that she had never known before. With Xu Luanyo by her side, she was ready to fight for a future where they could all be free.