The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 19
Fang Chen shot Xis an indignant glare.
Who wants to bite him?!
Rigid.
He might even knock out his teeth.
The little lamb looked like he was on the verge of being genuinely annoyed.
Seeing the boy’s reaction, Xis eased up and let go. Under the streetlight, a few red finger marks remained on Fang Chen’s soft, pale cheeks.
He hadn’t even pressed hard.
How could the skin be this delicate?
Xis forced himself to look away and slipped the few candies he’d just caught into Fang Chen’s coat pocket.
Fang Chen let out a soft hum, like he was only just barely satisfied, and turned his head.
“I’m hungry.”
Xis took his hand again. “Mm, let’s go to the restaurant.”
They walked along the main square. Ahead, fireworks exploded in the night sky. Crowds of people or maybe more accurately, ghosts, lined the streets, taking pictures.
Fang Chen stopped and tilted his head back to watch. The fireworks reflected in his eyes, making them sparkle like tiny stars.
Xis also stopped, but his gaze wasn’t on the fireworks it was on the boy.
The boy’s eyes widened in delight, his cheeks puffing out slightly when his mouth opened in surprise. His makeup didn’t make him scary at all; somehow, he looked even cuter than usual.
Fang Chen lingered, then couldn’t resist pulling out his phone. Xis, can you take a couple of pictures of me?
“Sure.”
Xis stepped back and held up his phone. In the night, with neon lights flickering around them and fireworks blooming overhead, the boy in his vampire costume smiled sweetly at the camera, eyes crinkling, flashing a peace sign.
Xis clicked the shutter again and again, until Fang Chen’s poses were stiff from holding them. Finally, he asked, “Done?”
He paused, then casually handed the phone to Fang Chen. “Done.”
Fang Chen opened the gallery and froze. So many pictures? One would have been enough.
He looked up at Xis and hesitated. Do you want to… take one together?
Xis didn’t reply but moved decisively, standing beside him. Quietly, he asked, Do you want to pose a certain way?
Fang Chen blinked.
Don’t worry, just look natural.
Fang Chen raised the phone, a smile forming, but it faded in less than two seconds.
So awkward. The frame only caught his face and the man’s chest beside him.
He tried to lift the phone higher, but the next second, Xis took it. “I’ll take it.”
The man aimed the phone at the two of them.
He paused, then stayed silent…
The frame still only captured his face, with Fang Chen’s head just barely visible.
He held back a smile… couldn’t laugh, or the little lamb would get angry.
In the end, he couldn’t help it and let out two chuckles.
Fang Chen’s eyes went wide. “Are you laughing at me?”
Xis’s expression snapped into seriousness. “No.”
Then what are you laughing at?
The boy looked a little stern.
Xis paused, then said, “I was thinking about something happy.”
Seeing Fang Chen’s flustered, puffed-up face, the man smoothly changed the subject.
Shall we ask someone to take our picture?
Fang Chen grunted twice, glared at him, then turned with a smile to flag down a passerby.
A blonde woman eagerly took their phone and even guided their poses.
Hey! Show some enthusiasm! Otherwise, you should just kiss.
Fang Chen’s ears turned bright red, his head bobbing like a rattle.
Xis looked down at him for a moment, unable to resist a small curve of his lips.
The shutter clicked.
After the picture was taken, Fang Chen thanked her, glanced at the phone, and froze slightly.
It… actually looked really good.
Against a backdrop of fireworks, one tall, one delicate, the two vampires looked surprisingly harmonious. Fang Chen smiled at the camera while Xis’s gaze was fixed on him, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Fang Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He licked his lips, and when he glanced up, Xis was still watching him.
Feeling a little awkward, he turned off his phone and said, “Let’s go. Time to eat.”
Xis murmured, “Mm,” then added, “Send me a copy of the photo.”
Fang Chen quickened his pace, pretending not to hear.
Xis persisted, repeating the request.
Finally, Fang Chen sighed softly, “I’ll send it when we get back.”
Xis naturally held his hand, low and gentle. “Good.”
Today, everywhere was full of costumes, even the restaurant. Thankfully, Xis had reserved a private room, letting Fang Chen feel a bit more at ease.
As soon as they sat, Fang Chen eagerly announced, “I’ll pay today!”
Xis raised an eyebrow. “Hmm? Why?”
“To thank you for taking me to the farm before… and for making me Chinese food last time.”
Fang Chen spoke earnestly, matter-of-fact.
Xis’s brow twitched slightly. He didn’t like how meticulously Fang Chen tallied things—but said nothing, handing over the menu. “See what you want.”
Fang Chen skimmed the prices and immediately fidgeted.
So expensive! Eighty dollars for a salad?! Might as well slice him open!
The little lamb’s eyes went wide in despair.
Looking through the menu, the bottles of red wine at the end made him want to cry.
He finally mumbled, “I’m dieting. Just a salad is fine.”
Closing the menu, he pushed it to Xis, looking magnanimous. “You pick. Order what you like.”
Xis raised an eyebrow but said nothing, confidently ordering several dishes—even dessert.
Fang Chen’s mind raced with calculations.
How much is this going to cost?!
Finally, Xis closed the menu politely. “Do you want some wine?”
Fang Chen shook his head vigorously. “No.”
No way he dared drink. Last time he got drunk, he… fondled Xis’s chest.
This time, who knows what might happen?
Xis stifled a laugh and ordered just two sparkling waters.
While waiting, Xis asked about Fang Chen’s studies, casually mentioning he had no competitions and wasn’t too busy.
“You can come over to study. I’ve learned a few new dishes.”
This was already the third time he’d dangled the bait.
Fang Chen peeled the candy Xis had given him and popped one in his mouth. The sweet strawberry flavor spread in his mouth. Resting his chin on his hand, he deliberately looked down, voice soft: “Okay.”
Xis was momentarily stunned, almost thinking he’d misheard.
He looked at Fang Chen again, pretending to be casual. The boy’s cheek puffed slightly with the candy, and Xis’s teeth itched to bite him.
He mimicked Fang Chen’s tone, “Okay.”
The little lamb glared. “Don’t copy me.”
Too adorable.
Xis stared at him intently.
If he were really a vampire, he wouldn’t bite him—he’d just hold him close and let the boy bite him instead.
Under Xi’s dark gaze, Fang Chen quietly wrapped himself tighter in his robe.
Did Xis really get into character?
Why did he look like he wanted to devour him?
Fortunately, the waiter arrived with the food.
Xis had ordered a lot a tables full. Fang Chen’s eyes went wide, but in front of him sat only a green salad.
Xis cut his steak calmly. You don’t really need to diet. In fact, you’re too skinny; you should gain a bit.
Nonsense!
Fang Chen chewed the greens in frustration.
Doesn’t he want to eat meat?!
Hmph!
He didn’t believe Xis could finish all that food alone.
Once the steak was cut, Xis glanced at the puffed-up boy, stifled a smile, and pushed the plate toward him.
Fang Chen blinked, “Hm?”
Help me eat some. I think I ordered too much. Wasting food isn’t a good habit.
So the green salad was replaced with steak, and the dishes Fang Chen liked were moved to his side including dessert.
Full and satisfied, the little lamb licked his lips contentedly.
Just as Xis led him to the door, he suddenly remembered, “Wait! I haven’t paid!”
No need. If you really want to pay, you can just transfer the money to me.
Xis held Fang Chen’s hand again, soft and warm, gently squeezing.
“What do you mean?”
This restaurant is under my name. If you want to pay, just give it to me.
Fang Chen was dumbfounded, letting himself be led away.
Again by Xis?!
The farm, now the restaurant both his?.
The little lamb gritted his teeth in frustration. “Don’t even mention that you own all of New York.”
“That’s not quite true.”
Xis found his pout amusing, coaxing, “Next time… you’ll treat me.”
Fang Chen glared. “There won’t be a next time!”
Fine, next time I’ll treat you.
If you want, I can continue polishing and translating Chapter 20 next, keeping the same natural and immersive style.
By the time Fang Chen returned to the dorm, it was already past midnight.
His eyes were so heavy with sleep that he could barely keep them open. After removing his makeup, he collapsed into bed and immediately fell asleep.
Maybe it was because of the Halloween costume, but Fang Chen had a night full of muddled dreams.
In the dim halls of an ancient castle, he lay on his back in a bed, a ribbon covering his eyes, his wrists held above his head. He could feel himself trembling, the ribbon damp with his tears.
Yet clearly, the figure before him showed no trace of mercy.
Hot, relentless kisses rained down on his neck, chin, and all the way down.
Fang Chen sobbed quietly, yet followed his body’s instincts, instinctively arching his chest slightly.
Until finally, the man tilted his head, his lips brushing the side of Fang Chen’s neck.
Through his sobs, Fang Chen whispered, “No… don’t bite me.”
Don’t drink his bl00d.
The man seemed to chuckle, his deep, calm voice sounding in his ear:
“I want to kiss you.”
Fang Chen suddenly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling for a moment before springing upright. He threw back the covers and peeked around, his face flaming red. Quickly, he jumped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom, pressing his legs together as he ran.
The sky had fallen.
How could he dream something like that?
His eyes had been covered the whole time, so he never saw the man’s face. But at the end, when that voice whispered in his ear… it sounded just like Xis.
Standing under the shower, letting the water drench him like a soaked puppy, the boy looked down at his limp body and gently touched his small stomach, sighing softly.
How dare he.
With such a tiny belly, didn’t he know his limits?!
After the shower, changing into fresh clothes and trying to shake off all the wild thoughts, Fang Chen decided to head to the pizza shop since he had no classes that day.
Coincidentally, Jemin was there too.
Fang Chen had been buried in classes lately and hadn’t seen Jemin for a while. As soon as they met, they happily huddled in the kitchen, whispering and teasing each other.
“How’ve you been?”
“Great! Look at my new boyfriend how’s the butt, huh?”
Seeing Fang Chen fidget, Jemin laughed. “You’re still like this. Honestly, you really should try having a boyfriend.”
Fang Chen didn’t respond, inwardly disagreeing with Jemin.
Try? How could it be “try”?
Having a boyfriend was serious, formal, a proper thing!
No, no, no!
He wasn’t planning to have a boyfriend!
By the way, want some gossip?
Jemin nudged Fang Chen’s shoulder, lowering his voice. “Someone caught photos of Xi on a date during Halloween.”
Fang Chen nearly choked, coughing, “Wh—who?”
Xis! Look at the pictures. He was cosplaying a vampire so handsome.
Fang Chen’s heart jumped into his throat.
He watched Jemin pull up the photos, quietly relieved.
Thankfully, since they were under the streetlights, Fang Chen’s face wasn’t clear in the pictures.
Like a movie star. Jemin exclaimed, pointing at the “little vampire” next to Xis. “Look, they’re in a couple of costumes, but… that figure, doesn’t it look just like you?”
He gave Fang Chen a suspicious look.
Fang Chen swallowed hard.
Jemin was the first friend he made after entering the story world, and he didn’t want to lie to him.
After hesitating, he muttered softly, “That’s… me.”
“Oh, it’s you” Jemin paused, then suddenly raised his voice. “What?! It’s you???”
“How do you two know each other?!”
A bit complicated, Fang Chen said carefully. Anyway… we’re still friends. Not what you think.
Jemin squinted. Don’t lie. You went on a Halloween date together. How can that be ‘just friends’?
He raised his chin like an interrogator. “Did you sleep together?”
Fang Chen panicked, shaking his head.
Jemin nodded knowingly. “Judging by how fast you moved, it doesn’t seem like it.”
Jemin had that talent.
No matter the topic, he could turn anything into a discussion about s3x.
Fang Chen’s ears heated up. He lowered his head to tie his apron. “I’m not telling you. I’m going to wipe tables.”
Jemin grabbed him. “Don’t run. So, did he confess?”
Fang Chen regretted telling him anything.
“No! I already said it’s not what you think!”
Jemin snorted. “Not what I think?”
Fang Chen shut his mouth tight.
Jemin stroked his chin. “That’s not how it works here. Emotions don’t linger if you like someone, you say it. If you’re interested, you sleep together.”
“Unless…”
Fang Chen froze, ears pricked. “Unless what?”
Jemin shrugged. “Unless he doesn’t like your type. No interest.”
Fang Chen froze, his previously bright eyes dimming.
Could it be… that way?
Author’s note: Small side scene
The man knew exactly how to use his advantages.
When Fang Chen pushed him away, crying, saying no, the man’s large hand scooped him up again, coaxing, “Baby, bite my chest. Tonight, you can sleep holding on, okay?”
In reality, Fang Chen couldn’t even close his mouth, saliva spilling, only able to mutter a few broken syllables let alone bite.
Translator note: If you want, I can continue translating the next chapter with the same natural, immersive tone.