The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 11

In a few days, it would be Mid-Semester Break a short vacation when most students went on trips nearby to unwind.

But Fang Chen had originally planned to work.
Holiday shifts are paid double, after all.

Then again…

It was an American farm they were talking about.
Something he’d only ever seen online.

Seeing Fang Chen’s hesitation, Xis spoke casually, as if reading his thoughts.
We could stay there for two days. Maybe you’d like the cabins? At night, we could have a barbecue, and during the day you could try picking fruit or milking cows.

Fang Chen licked his lips, waging an internal battle. I was actually planning to work during the break.

You haven’t had the chance to go anywhere since you came here, have you?

Xis interrupted smoothly, voice calm and persuasive. It’s just two or three days. It won’t take too much of your time.

And besides, you helped me catch that ticket scammer. I still owe you a proper thank you. Let me take you somewhere fun. Don’t refuse me again.

That did it. Fang Chen was completely defeated.

He blinked, eyes brightening. “Then… alright!”

He had earned quite a bit lately, he could afford to indulge a little.

Thinking that, he tilted his head up, his tone already laced with the excitement of an upcoming trip. What should I bring?

Nothing,” Xis said simply. “I’ll take care of it.”

After dinner, it was Xis who drove Fang Chen home. Fang Chen had initially refused.

You don’t need to send me. I’m not afraid of the dark. You just finished your match, so you should rest.

Before he could finish, the man’s jacket was once again draped over his shoulders.

Under the oversized coat, Fang Chen poked his head out, bewildered. The sleeves hung far past his hands as Xis tugged him gently toward the door.

If he insisted on sending him.

Well, fine then.

Fang Chen gave in easily.

Luckily, the restaurant wasn’t far from the dorms. Fang Chen, sitting in the passenger seat, was half asleep when the car stopped.

He opened his eyes drowsily and mumbled,  We’re here already? That was fast. 

His voice was soft, nasal from sleep, sounding unconsciously sweet like he was being coy without realizing it.

But since he had spoken in Chinese, Xis didn’t understand a word.

Still, a strange restlessness stirred in him. He wanted to understand what Fang Chen said his murmurs, his quiet complaints, his every little thought.

He wanted control. He wanted to know everything about him.

In the dim light of the car, Xis did what he’d been wanting to do for a long time.

He reached out and gently smoothed down the messy tuft of hair on Fang Chen’s head.

Fang Chen’s eyes widened instantly, sleep vanishing in a flash.

The sudden touch startled him. He thought for a moment that Xis was about to.

Go to bed early once you’re back,” the man said quietly, looking him in the eyes. 

Get some rest.

You should be saying that to yourself,  Fang Chen muttered. “You’re the one who just finished a match.

Alright, Xis chuckled softly. “I’ll sleep early too.”

What was that supposed to be?
Who started this awkward exchange anyway?

Fang Chen’s toes curled in his shoes.

He pursed his lips and whispered, “I’m going now. Bye.”

When he stepped out of the car, he walked slowly at first but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Xis was still watching him, his gaze lingering on his back, almost tangible.

Caught between the urge to turn around and not turn around, Fang Chen finally chose the latter burying his head and dashing straight into the apartment building.

The door swung open. His roommate was eating fried chicken and watching videos. Hearing the commotion, he turned his head and froze.
“Whose jacket are you wearing?”

“What?”

Fang Chen looked down at himself.

He’d actually worn Xis’s jacket home!

And he hadn’t even noticed!

So that was why Xis had been watching him earlier he must have wanted to tell him that!

Panicking, Fang Chen ran to the window and peeked outside, but the street below was empty. Xis’s car was long gone.

He sighed and quickly sent a message:
“I forgot to return your jacket.”

The reply came almost instantly:
“It’s fine. Keep it on.”

“It’s way too big! 0.o It looks weird.”

No. It looks cute.

Fang Chen jerked back like he’d been burned and tossed his phone aside in a fluster.

Just then, a loud cheer came from his roommate’s video:
“Let’s welcome today’s fighter Xis!”

Fang Chen’s eyelid twitched. What are you watching?

Today’s match! Xis’s fight was crazy. Wanna join?

No, I’m good. I’m going to bed.

*******************

Fang Chen picked his phone back up and quietly slipped into his room.

Maybe because he hadn’t replied, a few minutes later another message came in from Xis:

 “Sweet dreams.”

Even though Xis had told him not to bring anything, the day before their trip Fang Chen still packed a big bag.

Mosquito repellent, sunscreen, two sets of clothes and, of course, Xis’s jacket, freshly washed and neatly folded inside.

Finally, he happily took a photo of his “explosive” luggage pile and, for once, logged into Twitter to post it.

That night, lying in bed, Fang Chen was too excited to sleep. The feeling reminded him of when his school used to organize spring outings back home.

Except, back then, he never got to go.

When he’d gone to school the next day, he found out the orphanage hadn’t paid his trip fee. He had waved cheerfully, pretending it didn’t matter, saying he’d stay home and study instead.

 But as soon as everyone left, he’d squatted down and cried quietly.

Left behind again.

That memory made his chest ache faintly. He tossed and turned, unable to calm down, then finally sat up, tempted to send Xis a message.

“Tomorrow, will you—”

He deleted it.

“Where are we meeting up—”

No, too late for that.

After several rounds of typing and erasing, Fang Chen gave up and just stared at the ceiling in a daze.

Then suddenly, his phone buzzed. He flinched, panicking for a second, thinking maybe he’d sent something by mistake.

But he hadn’t.

It was Xis.

[Go to bed early. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.]

Fang Chen stared at the message for a few long seconds before replying.

[Okay!!! Good night!]

People aren’t always left behind forever.

A new notification popped up on Twitter.

Saoirse: Have fun.

After a night of restless thoughts, Fang Chen ended up oversleeping. He rushed through washing up, skipped breakfast entirely, grabbed his bag, and sprinted downstairs.

Xis was already waiting by the car. He reached out naturally to take Fang Chen’s bag, his gaze lingering for a second on the boy’s messy hair before his lips curved faintly.

Fang Chen noticed and groaned, clutching his head. “I woke up too early, didn’t have time to fix my hair.

“No need,” Xis said calmly. “It looks cute.”

He opened the car door for him.

That word again cute. The second time Xis had said it. Fang Chen still felt awkward, a little self-conscious.

People had called him cutie or baby  before, but it never made him react like this. Maybe because Xis was usually so polite, so proper so when he crossed that line, even slightly, Fang Chen’s instincts went on high alert.

Before he could overthink it, a paper bag was handed to him.

“Huh?”

You didn’t eat breakfast, right?  Xis said.  The chef at home made this. It’s pretty good.

Chef at home.
What a rare phrase.

Fang Chen thanked him softly and peeked into the bag. Inside was a still-warm sandwich with crispy bread, a runny egg yolk, and a slice of marinated beef patty. One bite and the taste nearly brought tears to his eyes.

The cup of chilled orange juice beside it was thick and fresh definitely hand-squeezed.

You eat like this every day? That’s too nice,  Fang Chen sighed, genuinely amazed.

Xis drove with one hand on the wheel and passed him a small container with the other. Summer break’s coming soon. If you’d like, you can stay with me for a while. The chef also knows how to cook some Chinese dishes.

Seeing Fang Chen’s wide-eyed surprise, he added casually, The villa’s big. Joey comes over often too.

Okay then.

Guess he still didn’t fully understand how foreigners thought.

Fang Chen shook his head quickly. Thanks for inviting me, but no, I’ll probably stay at school to keep working through the summer.

Xis didn’t push. He just tilted his chin toward the box. “Open it. Try one.”

Inside were rows of plump blueberries, each perfectly round. Fang Chen picked one up and popped it into his mouth it burst sweetly.

These are from the farm,  Xis said. They delivered them yesterday. If you like them, you can pick some to take home later.

Fang Chen’s face lit up. He held one up to the light before tossing it into his mouth.

 “They’re delicious!”

“I’m glad you like them.”

Xis glanced over at him, gaze deep and unreadable. Then, as Fang Chen turned his head toward him, he looked away.

“Want some fresh air?” he asked.

“Huh?”

Today, Xis had brought a convertible. Once they hit the highway, he lowered the roof, and the wind immediately rushed in from all directions.

It messed up Fang Chen’s already messy hair even more but he didn’t care.

His eyes were sparkling, darting everywhere as if he couldn’t take in enough of the view.  Can I stand up?  he shouted over the wind.

Xis smiled.  Of course.

The boy stood, arms outstretched, embracing the wind.

The highway stretched endlessly ahead, lined with palm trees. The sky above was an impossible blue like someone had poured a bucket of pure paint across the world.

This feels like I’m in a movie!” Fang Chen laughed.  Like an American road film.

Xis looked up at him.

From his lower angle, he could see the whorl of Fang Chen’s hair first, then those bright, round eyes, and finally the soft curve of his lips full and flushed, almost too kissable.

But as his gaze moved higher, it caught on the strip of exposed skin at Fang Chen’s waist where the wind had lifted his shirt, then up to the boy’s slender neck.

After a moment, Xis smiled too. 

“Yeah,” he said quietly. It does feel like a movie.

Only clearly, not the same kind Fang Chen had in mind.