The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 12

The drive to the farm took four hours. At first, Syth deliberately slowed down so Fang Chen could enjoy the scenery along the way. But it didn’t take long before the initial excitement wore off soon enough, Fang Chen was yawning, and not long after that, his head tilted to the side as he drifted off to sleep.

If he hadn’t been driving, Syth would have turned Fang Chen’s head so he could rest it on his shoulder.

By the time Fang Chen woke up, they had already arrived. Feeling guilty for having slept the whole way, he scratched his messy hair and gave Syth a sheepish smile.
You must be exhausted, driving for so long.

Syth glanced at the faint crease on Fang Chen’s cheek left from sleeping and said meaningfully,
“I’m not tired.”

He seemed to have some kind of obsession with the boy’s soft black hair. He reached out and brushed it twice, the fringe long enough to tickle Fang Chen’s eyelashes, making him blink a few extra times.

A sudden knock on the window startled Fang Chen. He turned sharply and found Joey’s big face peering in from outside.

They were here.

Syth’s hand froze midair. His gaze turned cold as he shot Joey a look sharp enough to make the man flinch and immediately retreat. By then, Fang Chen had already opened the car door and stepped out.

“You guys got here early?”

Joey scratched the back of his head, sneaking a glance at Syth’s darkened expression before laughing awkwardly.

“Just now, actually.”

Fang Chen looked ahead at the farm spread out in a lush green expanse. At the gate stood a middle-aged man in a straw hat, waving cheerfully.
“Good afternoon! Lunch is ready for you!”

 This is Uncle Boer, Joey explained. He manages the farm for Syth and makes the best roast chicken you’ll ever taste.

Uncle Boer chuckled.  Don’t worry! The roast chicken’s already done.

Fang Chen grew a little flustered. Thank you for the trouble.

Not at all, the man replied warmly. “I’m glad you all came.”

Syth came up behind him, carrying Fang Chen’s bag in one hand. His other hand reached out to ruffle Fang Chen’s hair gently.
“Relax,” he murmured, voice low.  You’re here to have fun, not to be nervous.

Fang Chen looked up at him and nodded, a little stiffly.

The farm was fenced with wooden railings, and bundles of some kind of dried grass or root hung along them. Uncle Boer explained they were natural insect repellents.
We’ve placed some in your rooms as well.

That’s really thoughtful of you, Fang Chen said, smiling with his eyes curved like crescents.

Uncle Boer shrugged. It was Syth who called ahead and asked me to prepare them.

Fang Chen blinked, but before he could say anything, Joey jumped in dramatically.
How come you didn’t prepare them last time we came? I woke up in the middle of the night and found a spider the size of my palm next to my pillow. I nearly passed out.

Fang Chen shivered at the thought. Sure, the farm’s environment was great, but maybe a little too great.

Syth shot Joey a frosty look.  If you want, I can make you pass out right now.

Joey immediately shut up.

Uncle Boer led them to a row of small wooden cabins where they’d be staying. The cabins looked clean and inviting, each with a little fenced yard out front perfect for sitting and having afternoon tea.

Fang Chen’s eyes lit up. This was amazing.

Just then, Syth leaned down close to his ear and whispered,
Pick the second room on the left. There’s a surprise.

“Huh?”

Before Fang Chen could ask, Syth straightened up calmly, leaving him standing there confused.

A surprise? What kind of surprise?

Also, did he have to whisper right next to his ear like that? The warm breath brushing against it made it itch.

Feeling a little flustered, Fang Chen rubbed at his ear. He didn’t quite believe Syth, but when it came time to choose a room, he still picked the one Syth mentioned.

Coincidentally or maybe not, Syth’s room was right next door.

Holding the key in his hand, Fang Chen licked his lips, feeling oddly guilty.
Why did it feel like he was cheating somehow?

Everyone was tired from the trip, so they agreed to rest for a while before coming out for lunch. Fang Chen stood at his door, hesitating.

What kind of surprise could it be? Hopefully not something like lifting the blanket to find a cockroach wearing pigtails waving at him.

“Don’t trust me?”

A deep voice suddenly came from behind him.

Fang Chen turned Syth had come up without a sound, looking down at him with a tilt of his chin.
“Open it.”

Why did he sound so insistent about it?

Fang Chen pouted but obediently turned the key and pushed the door open.

Inside, the room was cozy. A soft blue rug covered the floor, the windowsills were lined with small pots of white and blue flowers, and a wind chime made of dried fruit shells hung by the window, giving the room a faint, earthy fragrance.

Fang Chen looked around, his satisfaction growing with every glance.
Thank you, he said, turning back to Syth. “I love it.”

He thought this was the surprise, the room specially decorated for him.

But Syth tilted his head. “Look over there.”

“Where?”

Fang Chen followed his gaze toward a corner where something small was curled up on a soft cushion.

As he walked closer, the “something” lifted its head. Fang Chen’s eyes widened.
This..

“A lamb,” Syth said with a faint smile. “Just a month old.”

“Oh my god… It’s beautiful.”

The little lamb had been washed clean and wore a ribbon around its neck, looking like a gift right out of a storybook.

Fang Chen crouched beside it and stroked its head gently. Its warmth and soft wool made his heart melt.
Is it… for me to raise?  He asked nervously.  I don’t really know how to take care of a lamb.

When he looked up, his round eyes shimmered under the light, even cuter than the little lamb beside him.

Of course not,  Syth replied with a small smirk.  It’s just for you to play with. Boer will have someone take it back later.

Fang Chen let out a small sigh of relief but also a hint of regret. The lamb was too adorable to part with.

There’s a milk bottle beside you, Syth said. “You can feed it.

Sure enough, there was a bottle on the cabinet, still warm when Fang Chen picked it up.

The moment the lamb saw it, its eyes brightened. It nuzzled eagerly against Fang Chen’s arms, making him laugh.
So greedy.

He held it close and fed it from he bottle. The little creature latched on and drank noisily, its tiny ears twitching with each gulp.

Fang Chen’s eyes curved again. “It’s so well-behaved.”

Syth folded his arms, watching the scene intently. His tongue flicked briefly across his lips before he said lazily,
“Not as well-behaved as you.”

Fang Chen froze, his head snapping up, eyes wide.

Syth only smiled. “You didn’t resist when I tied you up. Didn’t scream, didn’t struggle. Did everything I told you to.”

Fang Chen’s face flushed red. You still have the nerve to bring that up? I thought you were some chainsaw-wielding psycho about to kill me! I was terrified when you dragged me into that factory.

Really?  Syth teased. Funny, I remember you sleeping quite soundly that night.

Fang Chen’s ears turned red as he averted his gaze, muttering under his breath.

Syth didn’t tease him any further. Instead, he stood up and said casually, “I’ll head back to my room first. Once you’re done getting ready, you can go straight to the dining hall.”

“Okay.”

After Syth left, Fang Chen lightly poked the little lamb’s head.
You need to be careful, alright? Stay far away from that bad guy.

The lamb kept drinking its milk, completely ignoring him.

In a way, Fang Chen and the lamb were pretty similar both would eat and then fall asleep. Before long, the lamb’s little head drooped, and it was fast asleep on the cushion.

Fang Chen smiled and petted its soft ear one more time before heading off to take a shower and change clothes.

By the time he finally finished getting ready and stepped outside, he was surprised to see Syth waiting for him in the yard. Fang Chen quickened his steps.
You didn’t go to the restaurant?

“Thought you might get lost.”

Syth’s gaze landed on him and lingered.

Usually, Fang Chen wore loose, oversized clothes for comfort. But today, he had on a pink denim jumpsuit that made his skin look even fairer.

Noticing Syth’s eyes on him, Fang Chen glanced down awkwardly.
“Does it look bad?”

He hadn’t bought any new clothes since arriving in this world; this outfit was something he’d found in the original owner’s luggage. Since it was a trip, he wanted to dress up a little, maybe take a few pictures.

“Of course not,” Syth said.

This time, instead of calling him cute, he used a word Fang Chen preferred.
“You look cool.”

Fang Chen’s lips curved into a bright smile, obviously pleased.

Come on,  Syth said.  Let’s go eat. You must be hungry.

Fang Chen wasn’t, really. Between the breakfast Syth had fed him in the car and all that napping, he hadn’t exactly burned any calories.

Still, he didn’t want to make a fuss, so he obediently followed Syth to the restaurant.

The weather was perfect. Uncle Boer had set everything up on the outdoor wooden tables grilled chicken, skewers of roasted meat, grilled fish, and more.

When they arrived, the others were already seated. Joey was animatedly talking while waving a soda can.
I’m serious! You guys don’t know? There’s this farm in California that’s open to tourists because it’s so scenic but the owner’s actually a murderer! He killed his wife and hid her in the basement. Every tourist who visited afterward mysteriously disappeared, and actually he was the one who.

 A crumpled paper ball hit Joey square on the head.

He rubbed it, glaring in irritation only to look up and exclaim,  Oh my God, Syth! You’re finally here. Sit down! I saved the biggest drumstick for you.

Syth gave him a frigid look.

 Sounds like you’d rather sleep in the basement than in the cabin tonight.

Joey froze.

Then, noticing Fang Chen’s pale face, he quickly shrank back in his seat, muttering under his breath.

Alright, alright.

He’d just managed to scare Syth’s little lamb.