The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 24.1

Fang Chen didn’t seem to notice the strange tone in the man’s voice. Tilting his head slightly, he thought for a moment before replying, Dice? Poker? Either’s fine.

Xis let out a cold laugh. Well, look at that. Didn’t know you knew so many games.

The little lamb blinked, confused. What’s wrong? Are you mad?

His voice was icy. 

“No.”

Fang Chen nodded. That’s good. Can we switch seats? I think I can see better from your side.

Rage was simmering in Xis’s chest, but he couldn’t bring himself to actually get angry at Fang Chen. He forced his voice to stay even, though it sounded frozen solid.

 “No.”

Fang Chen pouted but didn’t insist.

Xis kept his expression stiff, picked up his glass, and downed half of it in one go. The chill of the alcohol slid down his throat, but it only made the fire in his chest burn hotter.

Joey’s eyes darted around, trying to read the mood. After a moment of hesitation, he gestured for someone to bring over the roulette wheel.

Chen! Spin the wheel! Wanna play?

Fang Chen’s attention was instantly caught. He glanced at the wheel and nodded eagerly. “Sure!”

There were quite a few people at their table mostly the same ones from the ranch last time, all club members, so Fang Chen wasn’t feeling too self-conscious.

He mumbled under his breath,

 “What if I land on ‘drink’?”

Xis glanced at him. I’ll drink for you.

Fang Chen leaned a little closer, his voice soft, like he was whispering a secret. 

Won’t you get drunk though?

The bar was dim and noisy, yet every word he said fell clearly into Xis’s ears like a feather brushing the tip of his heart, weightless but unbearably ticklish.

The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His voice dropped lower. 

“No.”

Just like that, he was soothed.

All it took was Fang Chen leaning close and speaking softly to him.
like a fluffy little lamb bleating twice, and the fierce wolf would lower his head and wag his tail at him.

Almost unconsciously, Xis leaned closer too. For some reason, the little lamb smelled sweeter tonight soft, warm, intoxicatingly sweet. His breathing deepened, but the next second Fang Chen straightened up again, cheerfully raising his hand. “I’ll spin first!”

Close, then far again always keeping him just out of reach.

Xis gripped his glass so tightly that his knuckles went white. He felt like he was reaching a breaking point. Glancing toward the fighting pit downstairs, where the crowd was roaring, he actually felt the sudden urge to go down there and hit something just to vent.

Have a glass of whiskey,  The wheel stopped, and Fang Chen immediately turned to him, eyes shining.

Xis raised a brow coolly.

The little lamb, eager to please, carefully added ice and a lemon wedge, poured a full glass, and held it up over his head.

 “Big King, please!”

His phrasing was clumsy, but endearing.

Xis’s lips twitched faintly. He took the glass and emptied it in one gulp.

But whether it was Fang Chen’s bad luck or Xis’s worse, the next few spins all landed on “drink.”

One glass after another disappeared down Xis’s throat, his face calm and unchanging—as if the alcohol just evaporated inside him. Yet his gaze toward Fang Chen grew darker, heavier, more molten with every round.

After several rounds, Fang Chen started to hesitate. He leaned closer, scrutinizing him. “You’re sure you’re not drunk?”

Xis narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, leaning in so close that his lips nearly brushed Fang Chen’s ear.

“No. I don’t get drunk.”

What a liar.

Fang Chen clenched his teeth, but the warmth of his breath against his ear sent a shiver all over his body, tingling and electric.

Can’t he just talk without getting so close?

The little lamb grumbled in his heart, conveniently forgetting how he’d just been whispering in Xis’s ear a moment ago.

The lamb could tease the wolf but the wolf wasn’t allowed to tease back.

Another round started, but before Fang Chen could reach for the wheel, Xis pressed a hand down on it.

“This round’s mine,” he said evenly.

The wheel spun. For some reason, Fang Chen suddenly felt uneasy like something was about to slip out of his control.

He held his breath, eyes fixed on the pointer.

Hug him.

A harmless one just a random hug.

Still, every eye at the table immediately turned toward Xis.

After all, it was Xis. No one had ever seen him do anything remotely intimate.

But the man’s expression stayed calm. He leaned lazily against the sofa, eyes sharp and cool, settling on Fang Chen.

Fang Chen tried to pretend he hadn’t noticed but Xis’s gaze was heavy, almost tangible, pinning him in place.

 Fang Chen, the man said, his pronunciation now perfectly natural, his tone smooth. “Come here. Hug me.”

Fang Chen swallowed, nervous.

They’d hugged before, but doing it in front of everyone was… embarrassing.

Before he could finish, Xis stood up and pulled him straight into his arms.

Fang Chen froze, still half-sitting, utterly dumbfounded.

Eh??

Then, in front of everyone, Xis sat back down, holding Fang Chen on his lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world. His arm wrapped around the boy’s waist, chin resting easily atop Fang Chen’s soft black hair.

Fang Chen’s head was spinning. He barely registered what had just happened. One second he was sitting on the couch, the next he was in Xis’s lap.

He struggled instinctively, but the arm around his waist was like iron. He couldn’t move at all.

Be good, Xis murmured.

The words, spoken low against the noise of the bar, were strangely gentle.

Fang Chen stiffened and stopped moving.

Satisfied, Xis’s lips curved faintly.

Finally, with the boy in his arms, the restless energy in him eased.

He lowered his head slightly. If it weren’t for the crowd around them, he might’ve buried his face in the crook of Fang Chen’s neck like a sated wolf scenting and licking the lamb he’d finally caught.

Fang Chen muttered under his breath, “How long do I have to stay like this? Everyone’s staring at me.”

Hearing that, Xis lifted his gaze, sweeping the room with a cool glance. Instantly, every pair of eyes darted away.

Fang Chen: 

Unbelievable.

Why was he always the one turned into a human-sized plush toy by Xis?

The little lamb gave up struggling and became a decorative lamb instead.

Even sitting down, Xi’s tall frame exuded authority, making Fang Chen look even smaller like a soft doll sitting in his lap. And yet, strangely, they looked. harmonious.

The tension that had been boiling all night finally ebbed away. Xis was in a remarkably good mood. He asked softly, Still want to play? 

Fang Chen gritted his teeth. “Play!”

Xis hummed in response but made no move to release him.

How am I supposed to play like this? Fang Chen protested.

Why not? His tone was lazy, teasing.  We made the rules. We should respect them.

He sounded so self-assured that Fang Chen almost choked on his words.

Just as he was about to retort, loud voices rose from the staircase. Curious, he craned his neck to look. The match downstairs had ended, and sure enough the blue-haired boxer he’d casually complimented earlier had actually won. The champion was now walking excitedly toward them.

The arm around Fang Chen’s waist tightened.

He frowned, shifting uncomfortably.

Above him came a low, cold chuckle. “Don’t rush.”

The boxer Bady walked straight toward them, his gaze fixed on Fang Chen sitting in Xis’s lap.

Xis’s face darkened.

When Bady stopped in front of them, he looked thrilled. Hey! Xis, remember me? The inter-school match we talked about then.

Xis raised a brow slightly.

I’ve been wanting to fight you ever since,” Bady said, grinning. “Maybe next time we can meet in the ring.

A gesture of mutual respect between fighters.

Xis nodded once. “Sure.”

Still buzzing with excitement, Bady rubbed his hands and then his eyes fell on Fang Chen.

Black hair, dark eyes, delicate features like a porcelain doll.

The pose between the two was far too intimate. Xis’s arm was wrapped possessively around Fang Chen’s waist, holding him close as if he belonged there.

“Uh, and this is?

Fang Chen’s dazed brain finally remembered Jemin’s earlier warning. He quickly slipped out of Xis’s grip, smiling brightly at Bady. “Hi! I’m Chen. I saw your match it was amazing!”

Bady looked flattered. “Oh! Thanks.

When Fang Chen complimented someone, it was always genuine his eyes sparkled, warm and sincere. It made Bady flush and rub the back of his neck awkwardly.

Then Xis suddenly stood up, his tone flat. “It’s late. We should go.”

Fang Chen blinked. “But we just got here.”

Joey quickly jumped in,  Yeah! It’s still early, the dance floor’s not even open yet. We can go dancing in a bit.

That only made Xis’s expression darker. The thought of the little lamb squeezed into a crowded dance floor full of strangers made his bl00d boil.

It’s already late. You have class tomorrow, he said coldly to Fang Chen.

The lamb instantly bristled.

Class, class, class! Even in a bar, he had to bring up school?

Traditional education wins again.

I don’t want to. I’m going dancing, Fang Chen huffed. “Go home if you want.

Fang Chen.

He turned his head away, pretending not to hear.

Bady was utterly confused about their relationship?

Joey tried to smooth things over. “Come on, Xis, just a little longer. Just for a bit.”

But Xis didn’t even look at him. His eyes stayed locked on Fang Chen, frustrated, helpless, but ultimately… yielding.

Finally, he exhaled. I’ll go with you.

Before Fang Chen could reply, Joey clapped his hands.  Perfect! Everyone’s going! Let’s all go have some fun.

It was midnight the liveliest time in the bar.

Disco lights flashed, the bass pounded, and the dance floor was packed.

Fang Chen took two steps left bumping straight into Xis’s chest. Two steps right blocked again.

He looked up, annoyed.  Why do you keep standing next to me?

Xis looked down at him calmly.  So no one else bumps into you.

He had no idea just how much attention the boy drew.

From the moment Fang Chen had stepped onto the dance floor, eyes had followed him everywhere. He was like a sprite born from the night impossible not to notice.

The more people stared, the darker Xis’s mood grew.

Fang Chen tilted his head back.  And what if someone does bump into me?

The boy looked up at him, wide-eyed and curious, like a clueless little creature. Xis pressed his lips together, about to answer.

But Fang Chen had already turned away, swaying to the rhythm again, as if he’d only asked in passing.

He wasn’t much of a dancer just waving his arms and shifting his steps but to Xis, every move was unbearably cute.

Then someone nearby whistled at Fang Chen.

“Hey, wanna dance together?”

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