The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 26

By the time rehearsal was almost over, Fang Chen slipped out from backstage behind Xis.

He pulled his jacket collar up high, head ducked down, wishing he could just turn invisible maybe become a little mushroom hiding in the dark.

Unfortunately, no matter how small he tried to make himself, there was still a tall, eye-catching Xis walking right in front of him. So much for going unnoticed.

Onstage, Chen Fang’s movements froze. His gaze darkened slightly as it landed on Fang Chen. The entire rehearsal hall seemed to go quiet in that instant.

Move, legs! Move!

So embarrassing!

With his head buried low, the little lamb bolted toward the door so fast his legs were almost a blur. He only stopped when he’d made it out of the hall just in time to be pulled into a strong embrace.

What are you doing.!

Fang Chen nearly exploded. He had never met anyone like this man one second claiming he wanted to pursue him, the next turning into a wolf the moment he got close, kissing him like he wanted to devour him whole.

Fang Chen tried pushing him away several times, but Xis only caught his wrists, raising them above his head so he couldn’t even struggle.

Minus points! He’s losing points!

Hold me,  Xis murmured, easily lifting Fang Chen by the waist. His head dipped into the boy’s neck, inhaling deeply. His voice came out low and rough.
You really said I can court you now, didn’t you? Baby, tell me again. Please.

Put me down. Fang Chen kicked at him furiously.

“There’s no one around,” Xis coaxed. “Just a moment longer.”

At first he only breathed against Fang Chen’s skin but that quickly turned into a trail of hot, damp kisses, each one making the boy shiver and squirm.

Xis… put me down.

Sensing Fang Chen was distraught, Xis reluctantly obeyed.

Fang Chen’s face was bright red, his lips swollen and soft from the rough kisses. His whole neck felt sticky and damp where Xis had touched him.

Pervert! he fumed silently. Total maniac!

I’m going back to my dorm, he said stiffly.

“I’ll walk you.

No need.Fang Chen snapped, still not looking up. It’s close. I can walk.

Then can I pick you up tomorrow?

Fang Chen hesitated. I might have another rehearsal.

Alright, Xis said easily. I’ll message you later, then. Will you reply?

What kind of message? Fang Chen asked warily. “You can say it now.

Can I? Xis smiled faintly. I was just going to say your lips are soft. Your tongue too.”

That’s enough. Fang Chen’s eyes went wide. He nearly lunged to cover Xis’s mouth. 

“How can you say things like that!”

Xis only took the opportunity to lick Fang Chen’s palm.

The little lamb froze in shock, eyes round as saucers.

You told me to say it, Xis replied with a straight face.

When he should be reserved, he’s bold; when he should be bold, he’s teasing!

Fang Chen clenched his jaw, too angry to speak, and stormed off with quick, furious steps.

Xis didn’t follow. He just stood there, watching the boy’s retreating figure, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

A moment later, Joey appeared from the side. Seeing Xis smiling to himself was… honestly kind of scary.
What are you thinking about?

Xis turned his head calmly.

Joey grinned. So… how’s it going? Any progress?

I’ve started courting him,” Xis said, tone almost cheerful.

Joey blinked.  You’re only starting now? Then what were you doing before?

Xis’s face cooled instantly. “You talk too much.”

Hit a nerve, huh? Joey muttered.

 

Fang Chen stomped all the way back to the dorm.

His roommates were still experimenting with new “dark cuisine,” and the smell of something burnt filled the air the moment he stepped inside.

“Chen! You’re back!”

He waved vaguely and disappeared into his room, head still ducked low. No way was he letting anyone see his face like this.

Only after closing the door did he breathe again. Touching his lips, he winced they still stung.

Looking in the mirror confirmed his fears.
Good grief… how is it this swollen?

That wolf! He really did eat me alive!

Just then, his phone buzzed. Of course it was Xis.

Fang Chen nearly deleted the man’s contact on the spot, but curiosity won out.

Two photos.

Baby, which shirt looks better?

Fang Chen inhaled sharply.

In the pictures, Xis wore two different T-shirts black and white but both were clearly a size too small, stretched tight over his chest and arms.

Seriously? Fang Chen fumed silently. If you’re going to show off, just don’t wear one at all!

He didn’t dare reply that, of course. After a long hesitation, he quietly saved the photos and pretended not to see the message.

He tossed the phone aside and went for a shower, foam piling up over his head as he replayed everything that had happened.

What was I thinking? Saying all that nonsense? Crying, even… Ugh, so embarrassing!

But still.

Xis confessed to me.

The little lamb rubbed his hair in frustration. What a surreal day.

After a quick shower, he came out to the sound of his phone ringing again. Without looking, he slid to answer.

“Baby.”

That deep, smooth voice sent a jolt straight down his spine.

“Didn’t you promise to reply to my messages?”

“When did I?” Fang Chen froze mid-sentence.

It wasn’t a voice call it was video.

On the screen, Xis was shirtless, sweat sliding down the lines of his muscles under warm light.

Fang Chen swallowed. “W-What are you doing?”

Working out.

At the gym? he asked, glancing at the background. How come I don’t see anyone else?

“At home. The second floor’s a gym.” Xis frowned slightly. Why hope to see someone else? Forget it, Fang Chen muttered. He really didn’t understand rich people.

Xis’s gaze shifted toward the camera. “You’re not wearing clothes either?”

“Excuse me!?” Fang Chen quickly held the phone farther away. “I just got out of the shower—this is a towel! Don’t get ideas!”

Xis’s lips curved faintly. “Don’t worry. I only show myself to you.”

Fang Chen almost dropped the phone.

I’m hanging up.

I want to hear your voice,  Xis said softly. “And see you.”

His low voice through the speaker made Fang Chen’s ears tingle. He bit his lip.

What’s gotten into him lately? Did someone flip a switch?

Before confessing, Xis had been all quiet and composed. Now, after just one day, he was a smooth-talking menace.

Fang Chen didn’t know how to respond. Face flushed, he could only manage a muffled,

 “…Oh.”

Don’t hang up, okay? Baby, I miss you.

Fang Chen felt like he was about to combust spontaneously. “Don’t… don’t call me that.”

“Why not? Don’t you like it?”

It’s not that. He trailed off, too embarrassed to continue.

Then send me a picture,  Xis said.

What for? Fang Chen asked immediately, on guard.

I sent you mine, Xis said calmly. Two of them. Fair’s fair.

Fair, my foot, Fang Chen muttered under his breath. “I didn’t ask you to.”

Xis chuckled. “Did you like them?”

Fang Chen paused, thinking back to those photos. “They were… big.”

Xis raised an eyebrow. “I meant the shirts.”

Fang Chen froze, then turned scarlet. “That’s what I meant! Too small!”

Oh my god, kill me now!

Xis chuckled as he watched the boy’s ears turn bright red. So unbearably cute.

“Just one photo,” he coaxed. “Please?”

Completely flustered, Fang Chen finally gave in just to end the call. “Fine!”

Once he hung up, he buried his face in his blanket.

How can one person be so exhausting?!

But Xis kept messaging, asking if he’d sent the picture yet. With no choice, Fang Chen threw on pajamas, snapped a quick selfie, and sent it off.

Then he tossed his phone aside and dove back under the covers.

How can someone change this fast after confessing? He’s like a whole different person!

Unbelievable. Total fraud.

And whatever Xis planned to do with that photo, Fang Chen refused to think about it.

Just kill me already, he groaned inwardly.

 

In a room filled only with shades of black, white, and gray, Xis picked up his glass of water and took a long drink.

When his phone lit up, he glanced down and smiled faintly.

Fang Chen had sent the photo.

He stared at it for a long time the boy in pale blue pajamas, hair still damp, cheeks soft and flushed, eyes bright and dark against his fair skin.

Xis exhaled slowly, eyes darkening with desire.

Baby… he thought. I want to kiss you, bite you, and hold you.

An hour later, Fang Chen’s phone finally buzzed again.

[Baby’s so cute.]

Five simple words.

Fang Chen stared at the screen.

Five words. Took him a whole hour to type? Or… was he doing something else that whole time?

His face turned scarlet.

Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it!

Would you like me to keep translating the next chapter (27) in this same natural style with softened explicit moments?

He quickly shut the chat window and pretended he hadn’t seen anything.

Flopping onto the bed, Fang Chen randomly picked a movie to play, hoping to distract himself.

But he’d barely gotten through the opening scene when his roommate knocked on the door.

Fang Chen jumped up to open it, poking his messy head through the crack.
“What’s up?”

I made lemon pie. Want to try some?”

His roommate was holding a plate, and whatever was on it was dark and lumpy, hard to even identify.

The guy could actually cook pretty well, but he had this habit of experimenting with new recipes… usually with questionable results.

Fang Chen let out a couple of awkward laughs. “I’m not really hungry right now.”

The roommate didn’t push it and instead asked, “Are you going to the club event tomorrow?”

Fang Chen blinked. “What event?”

“Some clubs are setting up booths on campus.” He handed over a flyer. “We’re short one server. Come help out if you’re free. The hourly pay’s better than your pizza shop job.”

Fang Chen was about to refuse, but at that last part, he snatched the flyer right away. I’m free. Totally free.”

Who in their right mind would turn down extra money?

The roommate snapped his fingers. “Great, it’s settled! I’ll wake you up in the morning.”

“Okay!”

After he left, Fang Chen thought for a moment, then messaged Xis to explain that he’d be working at the event tomorrow, so they couldn’t hang out.

The reply came almost instantly:
[Then can I come see you there?]

For once, he actually asked first, unlike today, when he’d just shown up out of nowhere.

[But I’ll be working.]
[I won’t bother you.]

Fang Chen rolled on his bed, hugging his phone, cheeks puffed like a hamster as he hammered out his reply.

[Fine! You can come.]

 

The next morning, his roommate yanked him out of bed before he was even fully awake.

When they got to their club’s booth, the roommate tossed him a folded outfit. “Uniform. Go change.

Fang Chen froze. “We have uniforms?”

“Of course! There’s a ranking system between clubs if we want to win, we have to stand out. Go on, I’ll start grinding the coffee beans.”

Fang Chen carried the outfit to the changing area, opened it, and went completely stiff.

It was… a butler uniform.

No wonder the pay was higher! There was always a catch.

Classic black-and-white British style, complete with a tiny apron tied at the waist.

Fang Chen was mortified, dressing in a hurry without daring to look at himself in the mirror.

When he came out, the booth was already set up. It was a small outdoor café stand with a few umbrellas and flower vases on the tables, surprisingly charming.

His roommate handed him a menu pad. “You just take orders and serve. Easy enough.”

“Got it!”

Then Fang Chen suddenly remembered. Oh no!

Xis was coming!

He hadn’t thought much of it last night, but now… dressed like this? Way too embarrassing!

He hurriedly pulled out his phone and texted:
[I’m really busy today, don’t come.]

He barely had time to send it before customers started arriving, so he stuffed his phone away and got to work.

At first, he fumbled a bit, but soon got into rhythm. After all, he’d worked at the pizza place

a similar kind of job, really.

He was serving a coffee when he noticed another person taking a seat out of the corner of his eye. He grabbed his menu pad and walked over.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

The man sat lazily in his chair, raising a brow. His sharp gaze swept over Fang Chen, lingering at his slim waist, wrapped in a small white apron, something he could easily span with his hands.

Xis’s expression darkened slightly. He didn’t like it.

He didn’t like that his little lamb was dressed like this out in public, being looked at by who knows how many people.

“So this is why you didn’t want me to come?” His low voice carried a trace of teasing.

Fang Chen froze, then jerked his head up only to meet those piercing eyes.

“Why are you here?” he whispered, glancing around nervously. “Didn’t I tell you not to come?”

“And why not?” Xis looked at him, voice soft but heavy. “You didn’t want me to see you dressed like this?”

Fang Chen choked.

He lingered too long, worried his roommate would notice, so he quickly tapped the menu. “Do you want to order something?”

“One flat white,” Xis said casually.

“Okay. Please wait a moment, sir.”

Fang Chen tucked the menu pad under his arm and turned to go but Xis caught his hand, his voice low. “You can’t spare me a few words?”

The boy’s hand was small and soft, perfect for being held.

Xis hadn’t slept a wink last night. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Fang Chen’s tear-streaked face from before. It drove him insane.

He’d even been sleeping with that shirt the boy had worn, holding it close just to catch the fading scent.

Now that the wall between them had been broken, his restraint was unraveling fast. He wanted more.

His voice roughened. “Baby, just talk to me a little.”

Fang Chen bit his lip and yanked his hand free. “No time. I’m working a proper job! Not here to chat!”

Xis let out a low laugh.
“Alright. I’ll wait till you’re done, then.”

Fang Chen turned and hurried off, but he could still feel the man’s gaze trailing after him, burning hot enough to leave marks.

After hours of serving drinks and running around, the event finally began to wind down. Fang Chen sighed with relief. “Wow, that was busy.”

He’d thought these club stalls were just for show never expected this kind of turnout.

His roommate grinned. “All thanks to you! Everyone came to see how cute you look.”

Fang Chen nearly collapsed.

He hid behind the counter, sneaking glances toward Xis through the row of glasses. The man hadn’t approached again just sat there quietly, sometimes on his phone, sometimes… watching him.

When they started packing up, his roommate noticed where he was looking and followed his gaze. “Xis Bolton came all the way here for coffee? Don’t tell me he’s here for you.”

Fang Chen’s eyes widened. “Don’t talk nonsense!”

The roommate shrugged. “Kidding. Anyway, I’m heading out. Just clean up the glasses when you’re done.”

“Got it, see you.”

The last customers left, and soon it was just Xis and Fang Chen under the umbrella.

The man had put away his phone, sitting up straighter now, eyes calm and unreadable as they landed on him.

Fang Chen shuffled over, dragging his feet. “Sir, we’re closing.”

Xis gave a faint hum but didn’t move.

“Come on, time to go!” Fang Chen puffed out his cheeks.

Xis’s lips quirked upward as he stood, towering over him. “You look adorable in that, you know.”

For some reason, every time Xis spoke in that low, velvety tone, Fang Chen’s ears went hot.

The man stepped closer, his gaze intense. “Little butler, hm? Why didn’t you want me to come? Didn’t want me to see?”

Fang Chen instinctively backed away until his back hit the wall. Xis leaned in, their noses almost brushing.

“You know this outfit’s dangerous, don’t you?”

“Dangerous?” Fang Chen blinked. “How can clothes be ”

Before he could finish, Xis tilted his head and kissed him.

“Mm” Fang Chen let out a startled sound, trying to pull away, but the kiss was deep and relentless. His fingers clenched in the man’s shirt, trembling not quite fighting back, not quite yielding.

When Xis finally let him breathe, the boy was dazed, lips red and swollen, chest rising and falling as he gasped for air like a startled kitten.

Xis brushed his thumb against those lips, eyes glinting with amusement.

 Baby, he murmured, a smile ghosting his mouth, “show me your tongue.