The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 20

Fang Chen diligently wiped the tables, but ten minutes later, he was still on the same one, seemingly intent on polishing it to a shine.

Jemin’s words still echoed in his mind, circling endlessly.

Xis isn’t interested in him!!!

No, that can’t be right.

Fang Chen thought it over.

Xis seemed to really like holding him, and he even took the initiative to hold his hand.

But Xis had never explicitly said he liked him.

Fang Chen flung the rag in frustration.

Damn it!!!

Is he just… teasing me?! 

After getting Fang Chen to agree to come over to the apartment to study, Xis had, for the first time, been so impatient. He’d barely waited until evening before calling, asking if Fang Chen would come over tomorrow.

His voice was soft and gentle.  I’ll come pick you up. I bought a lot of ingredients. Maybe you like sweets? I can bake a cake for you.

In contrast, Fang Chen’s reply was cool and distant. I’m busy the next two days. Maybe another time.

After hanging up, Xis was uncharacteristically unsettled.

Was Fang Chen upset?

Had he done something to annoy him?

For the first time, the usually indifferent Xis seriously reflected on someone else’s feelings.

Was it because of Halloween?

Should he not have worn the same costume? Or had he overdone something?

He furrowed his brow, replaying the day’s events bit by bit.

Had he been wrong to hold Fang Chen’s hand?

A wave of irritation rose in Xis’s chest. Every time he saw Fang Chen, he had to exercise all his self-restraint— nd yet it clearly wasn’t enough.

He still couldn’t help wanting to be closer, touching Fang Chen’s soft palm, wishing he could put it to his mouth, taste it, bite it. Seeing those soft, red lips made him want to press his own against them, to kiss him hard.

It felt like if Fang Chen merely looked at him, all his proud self-control would crumble instantly.

Every calm glance between Xis and Fang Chen was hiding a storm of desire.

But he feared upsetting Fang Chen, feared making him uncomfortable, so he held back again and again, restraining himself.

Yet somehow, he had gone too far, and his little lamb was upset.

Xis smoked two cigarettes before picking up his phone again. Logging into his Twitter account, he hesitated, then sent Fang Chen a photo.

It was one he had taken earlier, deliberately meant for Fang Chen to see, but had been held back because of his own jealousy.

In the photo, Xis wore a white shirt, sleeves casually rolled up, two buttons undone at the chest. Everything that could be seen was.

Guaranteed to catch Fang Chen’s attention.

Xis’s expression was dark, his stomach twisting with jealousy, as he sent the photo.

Half an hour passed with no reply.

Xis fidgeted.

Saoirse: Hello, are you busy?

Fang Chen picked up his phone and glanced at the message with mild disinterest.

Look at this. Foreign men were so open, casually sending provocative photos. Clearly, they wanted to sleep with him.

But Xis…

Not a single word.

Fang Chen suddenly lifted his head, realization dawning.

Could it be… he’d been overthinking?

Xis probably didn’t mean anything else.

He just wanted to be friends.

At first, Fang Chen had felt something off when Xis had invited him backstage at the boxing match, draped his jacket over him, taken him to dinner, and casually invited him to the farm. Later, Xis cooked Chinese food at home, invited him out for Halloween.

Fang Chen was a bit slow, a bit dense, but not completely clueless. He had a faint feeling that Xis liked him.

But if it really was just friendship.

Fang Chen went quiet, lost in thought.

Do guys hug each other so casually? Or the kind of hugs Xis gave him, supporting his butt with large hands each time…

And holding hands, fingers interlaced, palms pressed together…

Would that happen between just friends?

Fang Chen pondered.

He didn’t understand.

Until another message arrived.

Fang Chen hesitated, then grabbed his phone. Might as well ask, just in case.

Hey! Can I ask you something?

Saoirse replied almost instantly.

Of course, go ahead!

Do you have any good friends?

Good friends?

Xis frowned.

Why would Fang Chen ask this out of nowhere?

He replied cautiously, [I have a few friends I often eat and drink with.

Do you hold hands with them? Do you hug them?

Xis squinted.

He suddenly realized Fang Chen must have noticed something.

Hugs, holding hands things he only did with Fang Chen.

So Fang Chen was upset.

Had he realized Xis’s feelings?

Xis’s gaze darkened, unconsciously tightening his grip on the phone until his knuckles turned pale and bluish.

In other words…

Fang Chen didn’t like him.

That thought sparked a restless heat in Xis’s chest. He lowered his brows, stormy gray-blue eyes like an impending tempest, lips pressed thin.

Not liking him… so what?

He didn’t want his little lamb to be troubled; he wanted him happy, free but all of that was premised on one thing.

That Fang Chen had to be his.

Still, Xis knew he couldn’t rush things. As Fang Chen had said, people there were more reserved, not likely to speak of love freely.

So he had to restrain himself. Be patient.

Exhaling heavily, Xis finally replied:

Yes, we do. We do that often.

Fang Chen’s eyes went wide and dark.

As expected!

Xis considered him a brother.

He really had read too much into it!

Fang Chen clenched his fists, his inner lamb stomping and kicking in anger.

So maddening!

He doesn’t like me, yet still hugs, touches, and holds hands with me?!

What’s with foreigners?

Do they get a free pass for touching and hugging?!

Why?!

Hugged me, touched me, held my hand!

And they call it just friendship??

He hadn’t agreed yet!

Fang Chen bolted upright, grabbed his phone, and sent Xis a message.

“I’ll come down tomorrow. Are you free? I want to study at your apartment.”

The screen lit up.

He stared at the message for several minutes before Xis finally replied.

Okay, I’ll come pick you up.

The man tossed his phone aside, closed his eyes, and leaned back in the chair, irritated.

Just as he thought.

He needed to be sure there were no other motives before coming to see him.

Damn little lamb.

He mustn’t let those words slip.

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

The next morning, Fang Chen got up bright and early.

First, he fussed over his messy hair.

Thick and fluffy, his hair resembled a little puffball if left untamed.

He had found a tutorial online, carefully blow-dried and combed it until it was smooth. Then he rifled through his closet for an outfit.

Finally, he settled on something uniform-like: a white shirt and black shorts. The shorts were a bit short, and he hesitated, but eventually bit the bullet and put them on.

No pain, no gain.

By the time he was ready, it was already late. Fang Chen hurriedly slung his backpack over his shoulders and ran downstairs.

Xis, however, had been there for some time.

When it came to Fang Chen, he was very patient.

Fang Chen already suspected that Xis had ulterior motives.

So today, Xis had to restrain himself.

He had to disguise it better, be more careful.

That was the plan, at least. But the moment he saw Fang Chen stepping out of the dorm, all pretense and restraint crumbled to dust.

The boy carried a backpack, dressed in that crisp uniform. His white shirt was tucked neatly into his shorts, the waist impossibly narrow, begging to be pinched. Beneath the black shorts, his long, pale legs stretched straight, teasingly exposed. Just one glance made Xis’s teeth itch—he wanted to bite those smooth, delicate legs.

His chest heaved violently, his throat automatically swallowing.

In just a few seconds, Fang Chen was standing right in front of him.

Today, his hair was perfectly combed, black strands soft and obedient, framing a bright, cheerful face. “Xis, have you been waiting long?”

The man was still staring, lost in thought, seemingly oblivious to Fang Chen’s words.

Fang Chen blinked, tiptoed closer. “What’s wrong?”

The boy’s flawless face was right in front of him, eyes like dark almonds, so black and shiny, his faint scent drifting with each breath.

Xis didn’t answer; he asked, “Did you put on perfume?”

Huh?

Fang Chen froze, then lowered his head obediently to sniff himself. “No… I didn’t. I just showered before coming out it must be the body wash.”

The little lamb smelled so sweet.

Xis said nothing more, finally tearing his gaze away and opening the car door. “Give me your backpack.”

Inside the car, the scent seemed even stronger, teasing his senses.

Xis was breaking into a thin sweat, feeling like he might explode.

Before meeting Fang Chen, he rarely ever indulged his desires. He saw such things as a waste of time better to throw a few punches in the boxing ring.

But now, after years of restraint, he realized how easily suppressed feelings could rebound.

Every breath from the boy acted like fuel to his fire, effortlessly stirring desire.

At this rate… he might not make it to the apartment.

He pressed the window button, letting the cold wind in, barely easing the heat inside.

Fang Chen was a little confused.

Was the scent really that strong? He couldn’t smell anything.

Glancing at Xis, he saw a face as cold as ice, jaw so tight it looked carved.

Ridiculous!

How could someone so disdainful even invite him here?!

Mini Scene

Forced to exercise every day, Fang Chen felt like his back was about to break.

He returned to the dorm, closed the windows, and snuggled under the blanket.

I’ll sleep here won’t be disturbed.

Not even half an hour had passed before someone knocked.

Groggy, Fang Chen got up, thinking it was his roommate without a key, rubbing his eyes to open the door.

But standing there was… Xis.

The man pushed the door open, strode inside, and said leisurely, Your roommate moved to a single room. I’ll stay here instead.

Fang Chen froze for two seconds and tried to run, only to be scooped up effortlessly by Xis, hoisted onto his shoulder.

New environment… more excitement, hmm, baby?

If you want, I can continue translating the next part where Fang Chen gets fully kidnapped  to Xis’s apartment, keeping the same immersive and smooth style.