The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 16

It wasn’t until dinner that Fang Chen finally came out of his cabin.

They were heading back tomorrow. He had just finished packing his bag when he realized he still hadn’t returned Xis’s jacket.

So he carried the bag to the dining hall and handed it to him. “I already washed it.”

Xis lowered his gaze. Maybe it was just Fang Chen’s imagination, but the man almost looked… a little disappointed.

He casually set the bag aside and said mildly,  Uncle Boer’s seafood chowder is one of his specialties. You should have more.

Fang Chen picked up his bowl and gave a small, obedient “okay.”

Joey’s eyes darted between the two of them before he deliberately cleared his throat. 

Chen, did you have fun these past few days?

Fang Chen swallowed a mouthful of soup and nodded quickly. “Of course! I had a great time!”

Then next time, we should all come out again.” Joey bumped Xis’s shoulder meaningfully. “Right, Xis?”

Xis lifted his eyes. He glanced at Fang Chen, who looked visibly tense, then curved his lips slightly. Instead of answering Joey, he ladled another bowl of soup for the boy and asked, 

Your break’s coming up, right? Will you have a heavy class load?

The change in topic felt like a lifeline. Fang Chen secretly exhaled and jumped at it. 

Yeah, there’ll be a lot.

If you run into trouble, you can ask me,  Xis said evenly. My undergrad was in economics too. You didn’t think I only knew how to throw punches, did you?

Fang Chen froze. How did you.

Last time I drove you home, I saw the book you were carrying.

The answer slipped out so naturally that Fang Chen didn’t question it.

Xis really was a skilled hunter he offered the boy a way out while quietly tightening the circle around him.

Fang Chen’s life was simple. Aside from classes and part-time work, he barely had friends probably just that coworker at the pizza shop. Xis doubted there was anyone else he’d turn to for help.

So he added casually, “I’m free anytime.”

Fang Chen blinked, his dark eyes bright and clear, and just that small gesture made Xis’s heart stir restlessly.

“Okay… thank you.”

Xis’s gaze deepened, but he smiled politely. “You’re welcome.”

The next morning, they left early because Xis had training at the club. Fang Chen could barely keep his eyes open, trailing behind him like a sleepy little tail, his head bobbing like a chick pecking rice. Xis had to slow down every few steps, worried the boy might just collapse and fall asleep right there.

Carrying him again was out of the question if he did, the little lamb would probably leap away from him like he’d touched fire.

Once they finally got in the car, Fang Chen dropped into the seat and fell asleep instantly, head tilted to one side, completely defenseless.

Xis turned his head to look at him.

Asleep, he was quiet and soft long lashes casting faint shadows over his cheeks, lips slightly parted. The gap was small, but Xis could almost imagine what it would be like to taste him there.

If he kissed him now, what would the little lamb do? Would he jolt awake, eyes wide in shock, kicking and struggling with all his might? Those fragile, futile movements. Xis could already picture them.

He wouldn’t get away. He’d just have to open his mouth and let himself be kissed breathless until even his whimpers were swallowed whole.

Poor little lamb.

He’d be eaten clean.

Xis ran his tongue lightly over his lips, then drew his gaze back to the road, expression calm once more.

Beside him, Fang Chen slept soundly, blissfully unaware of the danger sitting inches away. He only stirred when the pressure in his bladder became unbearable, groaning softly as he woke.

He rubbed his eyes, voice still drowsy and soft. “Xis, I need to pee.”

If it weren’t for the wrong timing, Xis thought dryly, he wouldn’t have minded helping. Holding the boy close, feeling that small, warm body in his arms, spreading his legs just enough.

He stopped that thought abruptly and said evenly, There’s a gas station ahead. You can use the restroom there.

Fang Chen yawned and nodded.

A few minutes later, the car pulled over.

Fang Chen climbed out, but Xis got out too.

He blinked at him in confusion. “Why are you getting out?”

Xis looked at him. “To use the restroom.”

“Right.”

The gas station’s restroom was simple no stalls, just a few urinals against the wall. 

Fang Chen hesitated for a long time before convincing himself that it was fine. They were both men  it wasn’t a big deal.

He finally steeled himself, unzipped his pants only to realize Xis was already standing beside him, doing the same.

He glanced over out of instinct and froze.

Oh. My. God.

What the hell?!

Were foreigners… born like this?!

Was that normal?.

That was… enormous. Terrifyingly enormous.

He had gone to school, shared bathrooms with other guys, even seen a fair share of comparisons but this was on an entirely different level!

While Fang Chen stood there, stunned, Xis glanced sideways at him and raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you going to pee?”

I can’t even move my hands, okay?!

Xis said calmly, “This highway leads straight to the city. The next restroom’s quite a distance.”

That was a threat. A blatant, shameless threat!

Fang Chen wanted to storm off in protest, but his bladder disagreed. Worse, the sound of Xis relieving himself right next to him made it impossible to hold it any longer.

Forget it. Whatever. I can’t take it anymore!

He gritted his teeth and unzipped.

When he finally finished, he sighed in relief only to catch Xis’s eyes on him. The man was looking down lazily, and the corner of his mouth curved. “Cute.”

Fang Chen’s face went scarlet.

Cute?. That was not the word for that! Who even described it like that?!

Back in the car, he was still fuming, cheeks puffed as he muttered under his breath,  

It’s a genetic thing, okay? My size is perfectly normal where I’m from.

Xis nodded calmly. “I understand.”

Understand what?!

He was seething.

Watching the boy’s puffed cheeks, Xis couldn’t resist reaching over to poke one gently. His voice softened. Alright, I was wrong.

Then, after a pause, he added thoughtfully, as if recalling something, Mm… you’re right. It’s long. And beautiful.

Fang Chen’s eyes went wide and red with outrage. “Shut up!”

After returning from the farm, Fang Chen’s schedule got much busier. Classes piled up, and he barely had time to work at the pizza shop anymore.

But Xis he still called him every single day.

Is this conversation helpful so far?

At first, Fang Chen felt awkward talking to him on the phone he never knew what to say. But after a while, he got used to it.

Sometimes, they would both be busy with their own things but wouldn’t hang up. They just kept the call going, the quiet line filled only with the occasional sound of movement.

While Xis trained, Fang Chen would have his dictionary open, struggling through the translation exercises his professor had assigned. When he ran into something he couldn’t figure out, he’d just ask aloud, and the man would explain it to him over the phone.

After working out, Xis’s voice would sound low and rough, carrying a faint rasp through the receiver.

Fang Chen couldn’t help wondering what was he doing right now? Lifting weights? Hitting the sandbag?

When Xis finished explaining, he asked, “Got it?”

Fang Chen had zoned out halfway through and hadn’t heard much at all. Embarrassed, he admitted softly, I… not really.

A quiet laugh came through the phone. The sound tickled Fang Chen’s ears, making him feel warm and uneasy.

Don’t laugh,” he muttered. “I’m just slow.”

Of course not,  Xis replied gently. I was thinking would you like to review together sometime? It’d probably be easier if I helped you in person.

The offer caught Fang Chen off guard. His instinctive reaction was to refuse. “It’s okay. I’ve been pretty busy lately.

Xis didn’t push. He simply went back to explaining the lesson, patiently going over it two more times until Fang Chen finally understood.

After hanging up, Fang Chen hugged his book and flopped onto his bed with a sigh.

Wasn’t he getting a little too close to Xis lately?

Do normal friends even call each other every day?

He rolled back and forth on the bed, overthinking, then couldn’t stand it anymore and called Jamin for advice.

Jamin was in the middle of a date with his new boyfriend.

What? Calling every day? Why do something so meaningless?

Fang Chen pouted, defensive. It’s not meaningless. He said I could ask him about schoolwork, so it’s just studying.

Okay, sure. You’re studying, Jamin said, his breath uneven. “But what about him? From what you said, he’s already in grad school. Why would he waste time tutoring you?

Because we’re friends,  Fang Chen mumbled.

Are you sure that’s what he thinks? Jamin groaned softly, then hissed, Ah.easy, not there.

Fang Chen froze. Jamin! Where are you right now?

In bed, obviously! Hey don’t pinch there!

Fang Chen’s screen went black as he hung up the call.

He groaned twice, then covered his face with a book.

Someone just come and roast him already.

He’d make a perfect spicy lamb skewer.

Thanks to Jamin’s brilliant “advice,” Fang Chen barely slept that night. By the time he finally rolled out of bed the next morning, it was already close to noon.

The fridge was completely empty, so he threw on a jacket and trudged to the nearest Walmart.

As soon as he stepped through the door, he was greeted by tall stacks of pumpkin decorations.

That’s when it hit him Halloween was next week.

No wonder his roommate had carried home two pumpkins yesterday. Fang Chen thought he was planning to make pumpkin soup.

He considered buying one too, just for decoration, but after seeing the price, he decided two pumpkin-flavored candies would do just fine.

He was about to push his cart forward when someone suddenly pressed a hand against it. Fang Chen looked up and there stood Xis, dressed in a black trench coat, smiling down at him.

What a coincidence.

They hadn’t seen each other since returning from the farm. Their only contact lately had been through phone calls almost like online friends.

But because of what Jamin had said yesterday, Fang Chen suddenly felt awkward and looked away.

 “Yeah… coincidence.”

Xis stepped closer without breaking his calm. “Buying groceries? Planning to cook? I’ve actually been learning a few Chinese dishes these past two days. Maybe you can help me taste-test them?”

What?

Chinese food?

Fang Chen’s throat moved as he swallowed.

Well… I guess I could try a little.

After their first time, Fang Chen lay limp on the bed, legs soft as noodles.

Xis, satisfied like a wolf after a feast, pulled him into his arms.

Fang Chen, fuming, punched him. 

Unfortunately, years of boxing had trained Xis’s reflexes well his muscles automatically tensed on impact. Fang Chen’s punch landed as if he’d hit a rock. His knuckles went red and started to sting.

Now he was hurt and humiliated. He clutched his hand, dove under the blanket, and cried out of frustration.

For three whole days afterward, he refused to let Xis touch him.

Since then, Xis had learned one thing for certain.

When Fang Chen hits him, he can’t dodge or tense up. He has to relax completely.

Let the little lamb hit to his heart’s content.