The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 27

When they walked away from the coffee stall, Fang Chen’s lips just recovered from swelling that morning were puffy again.

Ugh!

Poor little lamb.

The man beside him, however, looked completely satisfied. His entire body radiated contentment as he curved his lips into a pleasant smile and reached for Fang Chen’s hand—only to have it smacked away.

“How dare you!”

Fang Chen looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then stopped and glared at him fiercely. “Do you even know what pursuing someone means?”

Xis paused mid-step, his tone smooth and indulgent. “Of course I know, baby. It means I have to work hard to make you like me.”

In reality, though, his head was full of the image of Fang Chen’s lips  soft, red, opening and closing so temptingly he wanted to kiss them again.

“You don’t know at all!” Fang Chen huffed. “We’re not even dating yet, so stop trying to kiss and hug me all the time!”

Xis’s ears caught that key phrase immediately. He leaned closer, trying to slip an arm around Fang Chen’s waist. “Just one kiss, baby.”

Fang Chen took two quick steps back and pressed a hand firmly to his chest.

“No hugging.” His tone was sharp. “And no kissing either.”

Xis frowned slightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed.

“You’re still in the evaluation phase,” Fang Chen declared, face serious. “Before we’re officially dating, you need to cut down on physical contact.” After a pause, he added solemnly, “And if you don’t behave, I’ll deduct points.”

Xis blinked, then asked, “So… how many points do I have right now?”

“Half,” Fang Chen said, chin tilted proudly. “Fifty. You would’ve scored higher, but my mouth still hurts from your kiss, so I’m docking points.”

Xis almost laughed.

What a strict little lamb.

“Okay,” he raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’ll listen to you.”

Satisfied, Fang Chen snorted. “I need to go to the supermarket. You ”

“I’ll come with you,” Xis interrupted quickly. “I won’t do anything else, I’ll just carry your bags.”

Fang Chen thought about it and nodded. “Fine. I’ll give you that chance.”

Xis’s car was parked nearby. Fang Chen got in and, distracted by replying to Jemmy’s messages, forgot to tell him which supermarket to go to. When he finally looked up, the car had already stopped right in front of a massive, high-end store.

He froze. “Why are we here?”

This was the luxury supermarket in the rich district. Rumor had it that a single smoothie cost twenty dollars.

Xis said calmly, “You were busy texting and never told me where to go.”

Fang Chen cleared his throat guiltily, then quickly regained his composure.

Please! Xis was the one chasing him!

“You should’ve asked me!” Fang Chen retorted, pinning all the blame on him. He clutched his seatbelt stubbornly. “I’m not going in. I want to go to the one near the dorms.”

“I was actually planning to invite you over to my place,” Xis said after a pause. “My villa’s nearby. I even have a parrot that can speak Chinese.”

“!!!”

Fang Chen’s eyes widened. “Can it do backflips too?”

Xis was silent for a moment. “Not yet. But I can teach it.”

No one in their right mind would believe that a foreign parrot could speak Chinese—but somehow Fang Chen followed him out of the car anyway, mostly because Xis suggested trying on those two T-shirts in person and asking him to help choose.

Just two colors black or white.

To Fang Chen, both looked equally boring… though, in his mind, everything somehow turned yellow.

As he followed Xis, he muttered under his breath, “Who are you even dressing up for?”

He glanced over Xis again. The man rarely wore anything tight-fitting usually wore dress shirts or suits. From the outside, he always looked like a cold, elegant gentleman. It was hard to imagine that under those clothes was a body that looked like it had been sculpted.

Xis’s lips quirked almost imperceptibly. “For you, of course, baby. I’m trying to please you.”

Fang Chen’s cheeks flushed, and he turned his head away. “I didn’t ask you to.”

Xis didn’t tease him further. He only reached out quietly and took Fang Chen’s hand.

The supermarket wasn’t crowded. Xis pushed the cart while Fang Chen walked beside him, staring wide-eyed at the outrageous prices.

He didn’t dare pick up anything.

Xis, however, had his eyes glued to Fang Chen instead. Anything the little lamb looked at for more than five seconds went straight into the cart.

As if the entire supermarket belonged to him.

Fang Chen hesitated. “Wait… is this your supermarket?”

Xis glanced at him. “No.”

Fang Chen exhaled in relief only to hear him add, “I just own a few shares.”

Xis chuckled, grabbed a bag of chips, and asked, “Which flavor do you like?”

Fang Chen sighed weakly. “Whatever.”

“Alright.” Xis calmly tossed every flavor into the cart.

“What are you doing?!” Fang Chen tried to stop him. “Don’t you have to pay for this stuff?”

“You can take the rest back to your dorm and share with your friends.”

When Fang Chen reached to pull some out, Xis dodged and easily pulled him into his arms instead.

“I have too much money, baby,” he murmured. “I need your help to spend it.”

What a terrifying request.

Fang Chen swallowed hard. “You can’t bribe me with money!”

Xis laughed softly, leaning close to his ear. “Then tell me how do I seduce you, baby?”

Fang Chen’s ears tingled. He pushed at him, wriggling free. “Let’s just go. I need to get back to the dorm tonight.”

By the time they left the supermarket, they were carrying three large bags. Fang Chen tried to take one, but Xis refused.

“Don’t look down on me! I’m stronger than I look.”

Xis lowered his eyes, his voice laced with meaning. “Oh? You’ve got stamina?”

The little lamb completely missed the innuendo, puffing out his chest. “Of course. I can do a hundred sit-ups in one go!”

Xis’s gaze darkened as it drifted to Fang Chen’s slim waist. He paused, then said nothing.

They entered the villa area rows of standalone houses with private gardens.

“So the apartment near campus… You don’t live there often? This is your real home?” Fang Chen asked curiously.

“Technically, it’s just another property,” Xis replied. “I’ve been here since I turned eighteen. Got used to it.”

“Where did you live before that?”

“At my family’s estate in the countryside, with my parents. But they’ve been traveling the world since last year. Probably won’t come back for at least ten years.”

“Wow…” Fang Chen murmured.

The moment they stepped into the villa, a loud voice startled him.

“Welcome! Welcome!”

The parrot in the cage flapped its wings enthusiastically.

Fang Chen walked over, fascinated. Hey there. Can you say anything else in Chinese?

The parrot fluttered again. “Like you! Like you!”

Fang Chen burst out laughing.

He turned back to Xis between chuckles. “You taught it that?”

“I hired a Chinese tutor,” Xis replied casually, setting the grocery bags down.

“Oh, you study together?” Fang Chen teased. “Who’s learning faster—you or the parrot?”

Xis arched a brow.

Then, without warning, he turned around, lifted Fang Chen by the waist, and set him on the kitchen island. Before Fang Chen could hop down, Xis braced his hands on either side, effectively caging him in.

Fang Chen glared, trying to sound fierce. “What are you doing? I’ll deduct points!”

“I know more than the parrot,” Xis murmured. “There are things it can’t say things I want to whisper only to you.”

Fang Chen’s face flushed red, remembering those indecent phrases he’d heard before.

“You’re impossible! I don’t want to hear it!”

He tried to squirm away, but Xis wouldn’t budge. Damn it he wasn’t allowed to kiss the little lamb, yet how was he supposed to resist?

Xis’s gaze locked on his lips, his throat moving as he swallowed. “Baby, can you tell me when I’ll be allowed to kiss you again?”

What do you need an appointment for that now?!” Fang Chen kicked at his leg. “Depends on my mood.

Xis’s gray-blue eyes darkened like a stormy sea, waves of heat rising beneath the surface.

Fang Chen felt uneasy under that gaze, certain that if he didn’t push him away soon, he’d be kissed senseless again. “I’m just here to see the parrot,” he muttered, flustered. “I need to go back to the dorm.”

Xis clearly had no intention of letting him leave. “Didn’t you say you wanted to see me change shirts?”

Oh God.

Foreigners were too direct!

Even if he had been curious, couldn’t he just keep it to himself?.

“No one said that!” Fang Chen turned his head away.

“But I want you to see.” Xis lowered his head, nuzzling into Fang Chen’s neck like a big dog, and even brushed his tongue against his skin.

“Xis!” Fang Chen pushed at his head. “Points off! Points off!”

“That’s not fair,” Xis said calmly. “I didn’t even do anything, and you’re already deducting points.”

He said that, but still lifted Fang Chen easily and started upstairs.

Fang Chen instinctively clung to his neck, worried about falling. Not that he needed to—Xis always carried him as if he weighed nothing, light and secure, like holding a large plush toy.

As they went, Xis casually introduced the rooms. “Kitchen, dining room, and game room all on the first floor. The second floor’s the gym. Master bedroom’s on the third. There’s a theater downstairs; if you like, I can add a snack bar.”

“Stop, stop!” Fang Chen interrupted. “Why are you telling me all this? I’m not moving in!”

You will, Xis thought silently. Sooner or later, his little lamb would end up in his den.

But all he said aloud was, “Just saying.”

Yeah, right, Fang Chen thought suspiciously.

Xis carried him straight to the walk-in closet, set him down on a chair, and, though his hands itched to steal a kiss restrained himself. “Baby, watch me change, okay?”

“I’m not.”

Before he could finish, Xis had already pulled off his shirt.

Right in front of him.

Fang Chen swallowed the rest of his words along with a mouthful of saliva.

He had to be doing this on purpose. The dim light cast deep shadows across the man’s chest, the contours perfectly sculpted. Yet Xis didn’t rush to put another shirt on.

“Baby, want to touch?” he asked lowly.

Fang Chen stretched out a hand. “I’m not touching.”

So firm.

His pale fingers poked twice experimentally. When he looked up at Xis, a mischievous idea sparked. His fingertips traced along the ridges of his chest, down the defined lines of his abs, following the sharp curve of his waist…

He could feel the muscles tighten under his touch. Fang Chen smirked slightly, then quickly withdrew his hand and looked up with feigned innocence. “You should get dressed. You’ll catch a cold.”

Xis narrowed his eyes, staring at him in silence.

Fang Chen cleared his throat awkwardly. “Seriously, I should go it’s getting late ah!”

Xis bent down suddenly and bit his finger.

Fang Chen gasped, startled.

The man didn’t actually bite hard just held his fingertip between his teeth, dragging slightly, his sharp gaze never leaving Fang Chen’s face.

The boy froze, afraid to even pull his hand back.

He opened his mouth to say “Points off,” but Xis let go first, smiling faintly. “Another deduction?”

Fang Chen was speechless.

“Baby, I think your scoring system’s flawed,” Xis said, voice low. “Have I ever earned any points?”

That made Fang Chen bristle. “Do you honestly think you deserve any?”

“My kisses didn’t feel good?”

“Shut up!” Fang Chen snapped.

But Xis remained perfectly calm. “You should give me feedback, baby. Tell me what to improve.” His tone was maddeningly serious. “Was it my tongue? Should I go deeper? Or was I too rough when I sucked your lips? I’m sorry you know I can’t help it.”

“Stop talking!” Fang Chen covered his ears.

How could he say things like that with a straight face?!

Xis thought for a second, then switched to Chinese. “Baby, your tongue is very soft.”

Enough, enough, enough!

Fang Chen groaned. “Speak English, Xis! Please! I get secondhand embarrassment in my native language!”

Xis pulled him into his arms again still shirtless his bare chest pressed hot against Fang Chen’s body, making the little lamb feel faint from the heat.

This was… too much.

He couldn’t handle this level of intensity.

“Can I kiss you now?” Xis whispered.

Fang Chen’s head spun. He managed one last bit of resistance. “N-no…”

“Alright then.” Xis’s voice softened. “Then you kiss me. Just here.”

“Here”…?

All Fang Chen could see was Xis’s broad chest right in front of his face, the faint veins visible under taut skin, almost brushing his lips.

K-kiss that?!

The little lamb froze.

But Xis’s voice came again, low and coaxing, right by his ear.

“Baby… just one kiss. Just a little touch with your lips.”

And Fang Chen, without realizing it leaned closer.

He leaned closer and pressed a gentle kiss to the man’s chest. The skin there was burning hot so hot it felt like it might set him on fire too.

Where exactly had he kissed?
Why was his heartbeat so loud?

Oh because it was his own.

Xis lowered his gaze, eyes dark and intense enough to strip him bare.

His voice was hoarse. “Baby, bite.”

Fang Chen’s mind went blank. His body moved before he could think, following Xis’s words instinctively. The “bite” turned out softer than intended more wet than painful, leaving no mark but glistening saliva.

It didn’t hurt. It only sent a tingling current down Xis’s entire body. His muscles tensed, veins stood out along his temple, and his breathing deepened.

Fang Chen had only bitten him once.
Yet the reaction it caused was unmistakable.

Still dazed, the little lamb blinked in confusion—until he felt something pressing against him. His eyes widened, and his foggy head cleared in an instant.

“You!” he stammered, pushing frantically against the man.

Xis was breathing hard too, visibly struggling for restraint. He stepped back a few paces, releasing Fang Chen and exhaling slowly. “Fang Chen.”

Fang Chen’s face was burning, his gaze darting anywhere but at the man before him. “You should… take care of that,” he muttered in embarrassment.

Xis’s eyes narrowed slightly, and after a long second, he reached downward.

Fang Chen froze. “Not here!” he blurted, horrified.

Xis gave him a look half half-amused, half dangerous then turned and headed into the bathroom.

Even with the door shut, Fang Chen could hear faint sounds from inside. His palms grew slick with sweat, his chest rising and falling as he tried to calm down.

Just before leaving, Xis had given him a look a look Fang Chen had never seen before. It was the kind of gaze a predator gave to the trembling prey it had cornered. Possessive. Unrestrained. Dangerous.

He licked his dry lips, realizing belatedly that maybe he’d gone too far.

He hesitated, pacing in place, torn between pride and concern. In the end, he clenched his fists and tiptoed toward the frosted glass door of the bathroom. The blurry figure moving inside was enough to make his heart race wildly.

He swallowed, then knocked softly. “Xis? Are you… okay? Do you… Want help?”

His voice was so faint it was almost a whisper half-hoping Xis wouldn’t hear him, so he could make a clean escape.

One second. Two seconds. No response.

Fang Chen silently cheered inside and started to turn away.

When the door suddenly opened.

A strong arm reached out, grabbed him by the wrist, and pulled him inside.

The door slammed shut with a loud bang.

Steam filled the air, thick and hot, making it hard to breathe. Fang Chen found himself pinned against the glass, feet barely touching the floor. The heat around them was overwhelming, the closeness dizzying.

Regret hit him hard. Big mistake. Huge mistake.

He tried to smile weakly. “You’re… uh, showering, right? Then I’ll just.”

Xis cut him off with a low, rough voice. “Fang Chen. Can I kiss you now?”

He wasn’t calling him “baby” anymore.

Hearing his full name spoken like that made Fang Chen’s stomach twist. “K-kiss me then,” he stammered. Maybe if he agreed, Xis would let him go after.

The kiss that followed was fierce possessive and breath-stealing. Teeth clashed, lips burned, the air between them heavy with heat and frustration. By the time Xis finally let him go, Fang Chen’s lips were swollen, his eyes glassy with tears.

“I… I’m leaving…” he whispered, trembling.

Xis gave a quiet laugh. He had walked in here on his own. Did he really think he could walk out just as easily?

“Didn’t you say you wanted to help?” Xis murmured, his voice thick with desire.

Fang Chen shook his head violently, eyes brimming. “Xis, I was wrong…”

After a moment, Xis exhaled, releasing him only to take Fang Chen’s hand and murmur lowly, “Then start.”

Fang Chen’s face turned scarlet. He hesitated, but Xis’s patience was gone. He gave a light, sharp smack that made Fang Chen flinch and his eyes redden.

“Your choice,” Xis said simply.

Hands or… otherwise.

The poor little lamb, on the verge of tears, finally gave in.

The intimate scene is summarized: Xis’s self-control gives way, and Fang Chen, overwhelmed and flustered, ends up helping him. The tension is charged, a mix of embarrassment and helpless attraction, leaving both breathless by the end.

When Fang Chen finally emerged from the shower later, his eyes were still red. The sky outside had already turned dark.

Xis had returned to normal or at least, was pretending to. His voice was calm again. “You can stay here tonight. If you’d rather not share my room, the guest room’s available.”

Fang Chen bit back his frustration.
As if I’d ever sleep in the same bed again!

His hand still ached from earlier.

“I’ll take the guest room!” he snapped. “And don’t you dare try anything weird! You were way out of line today I’m docking your points!”

Xis frowned slightly. You offered to help. Why blame me? Oh unless you mean I took too long? That’s not on me. Your hands are too soft. I couldn’t help it.

You!” Fang Chen’s face burned. “You’ve changed! You used to be reserved after you confessed!

Xis smiled faintly, leaning close enough to brush his lips against Fang Chen’s ear.

I never changed,” he said quietly. “I was pretending the whole time.

Author’s Note: Small Theater

Fang Chen liked to lean in Xis’s arms when playing a game it was warmer and more comfortable than any pillow, especially in winter.

But he didn’t dare do it often.

Because eight times out of ten, it ended badly. Usually, he’d be stuck in bed for two days afterward.

One day, he gathered his courage. “Can I tie you up? That way I can lean on you without worrying.”

Xis chuckled, his eyes glinting. “Whatever you say, baby.”

With a belt, Fang Chen tied Xis’s hands behind him and happily used him as a backrest, snuggling and shifting around until perfectly comfortable. He was quite pleased with his clever idea.Until he realized too late that Xis had somehow slipped free.

A strong arm suddenly wrapped around his waist from behind.

“My turn, baby.”

In the end, that same belt wound up fastened around Fang Chen’s own wrists instead.