The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 17

When it came to food especially Chinese food Fang Chen could abandon all pride. Just for a good meal, he ended up following Xis home like a guilty puppy with his tail between his legs.

Xis, quite pleased with the prey he’d managed to “catch,” bought a few bags of groceries and led the boy back to a nearby apartment.

The apartment was a large, modern flat close to campus, though Xis didn’t stay there often. Thanks to a regular cleaning service, everything inside was spotless so clean it looked like a brand-new home.

The moment Fang Chen stepped inside, a pang of regret hit him. What was he thinking? How could he have followed someone home just because of food?

He was about to back out when Xis casually said,
How about spicy poached fish, sweet and sour pork, garlic shrimp, blanched greens, and a tomato and egg soup? Sound okay?

The retreating foot paused midstep and came right back down.

“Yes,” Fang Chen said politely,  but… where should I change my shoes?

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Xis’s lips. He opened the shoe cabinet beside the door inside were neatly arranged pairs of black and gray house slippers, all in the same size. Except, off to the side, was a smaller pair of white ones with a cartoon lamb pattern.

His gaze lingered on those for a couple of seconds before he picked out a neutral gray pair instead.

Fang Chen slipped them on; they were clearly too big, his round toes peeking out a little at the front 

soft pink against the dark slippers.

Even his toes were pink.

Too cute for his own good.

Xis quickly looked away, his tone smooth and composed. 

Would you like something to drink? Milk, maybe?

Milk? Again? He wasn’t a child. But… wasn’t milk supposed to help you grow taller?

Fang Chen peered toward the kitchen. “Alright. Could you add some sugar?”

“Of course.”

In no time, Xis handed him a warm glass of milk. Sit here and relax. If you’re bored, you can watch something or play a game.

Fang Chen took the glass and nodded obediently. Okay. Do you need help in the kitchen?

“No,” Xis said as he handed him a tablet and game controller. 

You just stay here and wait for me.

After making sure the little lamb could keep himself occupied, he headed to the kitchen.

Fang Chen sipped his milk, waited until Xis disappeared from view, then jumped up and began exploring the apartment, curiosity sparking in his dark eyes.

Everything seemed oversized as if the furniture had been built to match Xis’s tall frame. From Fang Chen’s perspective, it felt like stepping into a giant’s home.

He wandered around until his gaze landed on a red boxing glove displayed on the top shelf of a cabinet. It looked beautiful in the light.

He remembered that during the last match he watched, Xis had worn black gloves.

Did he own several pairs?

Lost in thought, he didn’t notice when Xis came out of the kitchen and stopped behind him.

The man’s eyes fell on the crown of Fang Chen’s head his hair formed a perfect little swirl. How could someone’s head even look this round? It was unfairly cute.

After a pause, Xis said in a low voice,  That was the pair I used in my first match.

The sudden voice behind him startled Fang Chen. He spun around too quickly and nearly bumped straight into Xis’s chest.

The man caught his shoulders, steadying him, and smiled.  Want to take a closer look?”

Fang Chen’s eyes lit up. “Really? I can? 

“Why not?”

Xis tilted his chin slightly toward the shelf. “Go ahead.”

Fang Chen reached up only to realize he couldn’t even brush the edge of it.

…Awkward.

He tried jumping, but even then, his fingers missed by a good few inches.

Why was this shelf so high?

Xis drawled lazily,  What’s wrong? Can’t reach it?

Definitely doing it on purpose.

Fang Chen gritted his teeth in silent frustration. He just wanted to grab the thing himself, not look like an idiot.

But before he could do anything else, a strong arm wrapped around his waist, lifting him clean off the ground. Startled, he let out a quiet gasp.

You can’t reach it, so I’ll help,  Xis murmured, his deep voice brushing against Fang Chen’s ear. His breath was warm too warm.

Fang Chen’s ears turned pink. Awkwardly biting his lip, he reached out and grabbed the glove.

This time, Xis didn’t tease him further. As soon as the glove was in his hands, he gently set the boy back down.

Fang Chen clenched his tiny fists secretly.

Just wait he’d drink a lot more milk and grow taller someday.

Unaware of the little lamb’s inner determination, Xis asked, Do you want to try them on?

“Huh? Me?” Fang Chen blinked, surprised.

“Mm,” Xis said with a faint smile.  Give me your hands.

Fang Chen obediently held them out, and Xis slipped the gloves over them. The oversized red gloves nearly swallowed his thin wrists. The sight was both funny and endearing.

Fang Chen, however, seemed thrilled. He even threw a few playful punches at the air.

Watching him, Xis’s eyes softened with amusement. “Try hitting me.”

“…What?”

Before he could overthink it, Fang Chen did as told and swung lightly.

His tiny fist landed on Xis’s chest with a soft thud. Xis barely moved, while Fang Chen stumbled back several steps, his face flushing red.

How embarrassing.

He puffed up his cheeks, looking ready to explode.

Xis chuckled quietly, then reached out and took his wrist. I’ll teach you properly next time. For now, let’s eat.

Fang Chen muttered under his breath but removed the gloves and handed them back.

For Xis, that pair of gloves carried meaning it symbolized the start of his boxing journey. He almost wanted to give them to Fang Chen, but he knew the boy wouldn’t accept.

Still, he couldn’t help imagining a custom white pair made just for him a perfect match to his own black gloves.

While Xis was lost in thought, Fang Chen had already bounced toward the kitchen.

 “Wow, it smells amazing.”

He wasn’t lying. The dishes looked delicious, each one gleaming with color and aroma.

Fang Chen, on the other hand, could barely handle instant noodles without disaster, so seeing Xis’s cooking was both envy-inducing and impressive.

At the table sat two bowls of rice and a pair of chopsticks each. Xis wasn’t used to using chopsticks yet, but he still managed to pick up a piece of meat and place it in Fang Chen’s bowl. “Try it.”

Fang Chen took a big bite and his whole face lit up. “It’s so good!”

It had been a long time since he’d had proper Chinese food, and for a moment, happiness seemed to bubble all through him.

Halfway through his meal, Fang Chen finally remembered to ask, “Why did you decide to learn Chinese cooking?”

Not that he wanted to overthink it but as far as he knew, he was the only one around who ate Chinese food.

The realization made him a little self-conscious. He glanced at Xis several times before quickly looking away.

Xis caught the look and raised an eyebrow. “What do you think?”

Fang Chen froze and said nothing.

Seeing his expression, Xis couldn’t help but smile. He ladled some soup into Fang Chen’s bowl and said casually, When I have free time, I like to try different things. I even learned some French dishes. I’ll cook them for you next time.

Fang Chen sipped his soup, then said slowly, I’d rather not… Chinese food tastes better.

Xis looked at him for a few seconds, then suddenly switched languages.

All right, then I’ll make Chinese food, he said in Mandarin.

Fang Chen didn’t even realize it at first. He took another bite before freezing mid-chew, then quickly looked up.

His cheeks puffed, eyes wide. “You.”

If you won’t teach me, I can only learn by myself,  Xis replied calmly.

 “Does it sound strange?”

“No!” Fang Chen blurted out. It sounds really good.

Then curiosity got the better of him. Do you know how to say anything else?

“A little,” Xis said, his voice low. But I’ll save it for next time.

Not the right setting.

If he said those particular phrases now, Fang Chen would probably turn red from head to toe, lips trembling with outrage, eyes wide and glistening.
Cute as that would be, Xis decided not to push his luck.

After making sure the little lamb was well fed, Fang Chen leaned back, nearly patting his full stomach. It had been a long time since he’d felt this satisfied.

You can come over anytime,  Xis told him.  You can study here, ask me questions directly, and I’ll cook whatever you like.

It was a tempting offer.

Fang Chen hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.

 You’re busy. I shouldn’t bother you all the time.

Xis pressed his lips together.

He wanted to tell him.
It’s not a bother.
It’s a reward.

Every second he spent with the little lamb felt like a joy he’d never experienced before.

The man lowered his gaze and didn’t insist. Instead, he said, I saw you bought pumpkin candy today. Do you like sweets? I have other flavors here take some with you.

And so Fang Chen left with a full belly and a bag full of candy.

Back at the dorm, his roommate was carving pumpkins.

He was focused, carefully scooping out the seeds.

Hearing Fang Chen come in, he waved him over. “Come on, help me! Once we dry these, we can use them to decorate the dorm for Halloween.”

Sure!. Fang Chen said immediately, washing his hands and joining in.

As they worked, his roommate asked,  Did you go out for dinner today?

“Yeah,” Fang Chen answered casually. “At a friend’s place.

Is that the friend you talk to on the phone every day?

Fang Chen’s hand slipped, almost turning his pumpkin’s eye into a crossed one.

“Uh… yeah.”

His roommate raised an eyebrow. “Are you two dating?”

Fang Chen nearly choked, snapping his head up. What are you talking about?

“Wait, you’re not?”

“Of course not!” Fang Chen ducked his head again, mumbling so softly it was almost inaudible, “Not yet.”

His roommate didn’t catch that last part and just shrugged. If you’re that close, you should invite him out for Halloween.

Fang Chen finally finished carving his pumpkin. It wasn’t nearly as nice as his roommate’s, but it had a goofy kind of charm.

Smiling, he took a picture and sent it to Xis out of habit.

Only after sending it did he realize maybe he shouldn’t have.

He’d really gotten used to this, hadn’t he?
Telling Xis every little thing, almost without thinking.

He pouted and debated recalling the message, but before he could, Xis had already replied.