The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 30

The situation with Chen Fang finally came to a temporary end. Until the day of the showcase performance, Fang Chen never saw him again. Zhou Lili managed to pull in a last-minute stand-in, and although things were far from perfect, the rehearsals turned out better than expected at least good enough to go on stage with some confidence.

But when it was time to get ready backstage, Fang Chen’s nerves went into overdrive. He was only playing a supporting role, yet the thought of standing on stage before so many people made his hands and feet go numb.

Useless, absolutely useless!

He scolded himself silently, then forced himself to take a few deep breaths to calm down.

Just as he closed his eyes to steady his thoughts, someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder. Fang Chen opened his eyes quickly and froze in surprise when he saw who it was.

“Xis? What are you doing here?”

The man was supposed to have training tonight. Fang Chen hadn’t expected him to make it.

“I told you I’d come watch,” Xis said simply.

There was no one else in the backstage area at the moment. Xis lifted Fang Chen and set him down on the prop table, leaning close to press a light kiss to the corner of his lips. “Nervous?”

Fang Chen sniffled softly, “A little.”

The man’s expression turned serious. “I heard that exchanging saliva helps relieve anxiety. Want to test it out?”

“Eh?”

Was that even true? Did science back that up?

Xis tilted his head, their noses almost brushing. His tone was gentle and teasing. “Baby, I don’t mean anything else by it. I just want to help you relax, don’t take it the wrong way.”

Yeah right, who would believe that!

Fang Chen complained inwardly, but he still couldn’t resist the pull. His lips parted slightly, and Xis immediately closed the distance.

Their mouths met, soft and deep, and Fang Chen instinctively looped his arms around the man’s neck. Maybe there was something to what Xis said, because his nerves melted away completely. In that moment, all his senses narrowed down to the dizzying taste of Xis’s kiss.

It went on for a long while before they finally broke apart.

Fang Chen’s whole face was flushed, his breathing uneven, his lips swollen and red as if he’d just applied lip gloss.

“So clumsy,” Xis murmured lowly. “After all the times we’ve kissed, you still don’t know how to breathe.”

“Mm…”

Fang Chen pushed weakly at him. “Go already, the others will be back soon.”

Xis raised a brow in faint annoyance. “Can’t I even be seen with you? What does it matter if they notice?”

“Just go!” Fang Chen hissed under his breath. He didn’t want anyone gossiping.

Xis clicked his tongue. “Use me and toss me aside, huh? You little brat.”

Still, he ruffled Fang Chen’s hair before leaving. “Come find me after it’s over.”

The little lamb nodded quickly, just to make him leave. “Okay!”

No sooner had Xis stepped out than Zhou Lili came in carrying food. “Hungry? Eat something first. They added two more acts before ours, so it’ll be a while yet.”

Fang Chen lowered his head and mumbled, “Mm-hmm.”

Zhou Lili arched a brow. “I saw Xis Bolton outside just now. Did he come backstage?”

Fang Chen shook his head far too fast. “Didn’t see him.”

But when he looked up, Zhou Lili caught sight of his slightly flushed lips and made a long, knowing “Oh~.”

Fang Chen immediately ducked his head again.

She nudged his shoulder. “What’s wrong with dating? It’s normal, don’t be shy.”

I’m We’re not,” Fang Chen stammered.

Not dating yet, huh? Then what would it look like if you were?

Zhou Lili only clicked her tongue twice and didn’t press further. She pushed a burger toward him. “Poor thing, eat up. You’re too thin.”

Fang Chen:

About an hour later, it was finally their turn to go on stage.

Fang Chen was at the end of the line. As soon as he stepped onto the stage and saw the packed audience below, his breath caught. His hands and feet didn’t seem to belong to him, and his mind went completely blank.

He bit his lip hard and then, suddenly, his gaze locked onto someone sitting in the front row.

Xis.

Even among the crowd, he stood out effortlessly. Since this was the end-of-year showcase, all students wore uniforms, but the graduate division’s uniform looked more mature, almost like a tailored suit.

Xis sat with an easy, lazy posture, one hand resting against his temple, gray-blue eyes fixed unblinkingly on Fang Chen.

They looked at each other.

And just like that, Fang Chen’s heartbeat steadied. He closed his eyes briefly and exhaled.

The nervousness was gone.

The performance went smoothly in the end. Playing the servant on the side, Fang Chen watched Juliet leap into the coffin and couldn’t help but tear up a little.

Luckily, he was standing in a corner and could secretly wipe his eyes.

When it was all over, he quickly changed clothes backstage and rushed out with his bag.

There were far more people than usual because of the event. After winding through the crowd, he finally spotted Xis.

But Fang Chen hesitated when he saw the man surrounded by several people, both men and women wearing the same graduate uniforms. They were chatting and laughing, and Fang Chen didn’t recognize any of them.

He stood off to the side, debating whether to go over, deciding in the end to wait quietly.

But Xis must have felt his gaze, because he turned and looked straight in Fang Chen’s direction.

For a split second, Fang Chen panicked. His mind blanked, and he instinctively tried to duck behind a nearby tree.

Too late Xis had already seen him.

The man frowned slightly, cut off his classmates mid-conversation, and strode over.

Everyone else looked at one another, confused.

He pulled Fang Chen gently out from behind the tree and looked down at him. “Why are you hiding?”

I wasn’t,” Fang Chen said, a little flustered.  You looked busy, so I was just waiting.

“It was nothing, just small talk.”

“Were you crying just now?” Xis asked suddenly.

Fang Chen blinked, realizing he meant the scene on stage.

“How did you know?”

“I was watching you the whole time. Of course, I knew. Little crybaby, you tear up so easily?”

As he spoke, he reached up to fix Fang Chen’s collar, which had gotten bent while changing. His voice softened. “Hungry? Let’s go eat.”

Fang Chen nodded, glancing nervously at the group still watching from a distance.

Xis didn’t say anything more. He just took Fang Chen’s hand and walked him over.

The others quickly smiled and waved. “Hi!”

Fang Chen returned the smile, eyes curved. “Hi, I’m Fang Chen. Uh… I’m Xis’s.”

Before he could finish the word friend, Xis interrupted calmly, “My romantic interest.”

The whole group went silent.

Fang Chen wanted to crawl into the ground. He laughed weakly, about to say something to ease the awkwardness, but Xis was quicker.

“We’re going on a date now, bye.”

And with that, he simply tugged Fang Chen away.

“Hey,” Fang Chen hissed. “Why would you say that?”

“What? Did I say anything wrong?” Xis’s tone was even. “If I weren’t worried you’d get angry, I would’ve kissed you right there.”

This terrifying foreigner!

Fang Chen fell silent.

Xis knew how easily the boy retreated into his shell and couldn’t help feeling helplessly fond. He dropped the teasing and asked, “What do you want to eat?”

That question brightened Fang Chen immediately.

“Jemmy recommended this tavern,” he said, scrolling on his phone and showing a picture. “Here! He said their spaghetti with meat sauce is amazing.”

“Tavern?” Xis raised a brow. “You can drink?”

“I won’t drink, I’ll just eat.”

“Alright then,” Xis agreed without hesitation.

The tavern was down in a dim basement, not the kind of place Xis would usually go to, but he didn’t complain. He kept a steady hand at Fang Chen’s back as they descended the stairs, making sure he didn’t slip.

Fang Chen, however, looked delighted. He loved the street-style atmosphere, pulling Xis to sit with him in an empty corner booth.

“Bet you’ve never eaten somewhere like this before, huh?” he teased.

Xis hadn’t. He wiped their glasses once more before setting them down. “When I first started boxing, I fought in underground matches for half a year.”

Fang Chen froze.

“It was chaos there,” Xis continued calmly. “They bet on fighters like they were animals. You only got to stay if you kept winning.”

He spoke lightly, as though those bloody memories didn’t mean much anymore.

Fang Chen was astonished. “But why would you go to a place like that?”

Xis gave a faint smile. “When I first learned boxing, I was too young, too restless. They kept postponing my official matches, so I went looking for my own.”

The little lamb shivered. “That’s scary.”

“It was,” Xis said quietly, studying him.

If the younger him had met this gentle little lamb, he probably would’ve frightened him to death. The underground rings had no rules. Fighters walked out soaked in bl00d, and he’d simply wipe the corner of his mouth, unfazed.

A beast like that would have terrified someone as soft as Fang Chen.

But back then, Xis wasn’t as patient as he was now. If he wanted something, he’d take it by force.

Maybe he would’ve locked the little lamb away.

He lowered his eyes and smiled faintly. “Funny enough, that old ring isn’t far from here. Want to take a look after dinner?”

Fang Chen’s eyes lit up. “Yes!”

Jemmy’s recommendation was spot-on. The tavern was noisy, but the food was delicious, and Fang Chen ate with obvious enjoyment. He even packed a portion to take back for his roommates.

Xis barely touched his plate, though. Fang Chen pinched his arm playfully. “You don’t eat anything how did you even grow this big?”

Xis chuckled, scooping him up and bouncing him slightly. “By eating little lambs.”

Fang Chen kicked at him in mock anger.

The street outside was rougher than the city center, lined with flickering lights and drunk stragglers. A few glanced at Fang Chen, intrigued by the rare sight of such a pretty Asian boy, but one cold look from Xis sent them hurrying off.

Fang Chen peeked out from behind him, then quickly ducked his head again.

“Are you tired?” Xis asked quietly.

They’d walked since cars couldn’t get through this narrow road.

Fang Chen shook his head. “Not tired.”

Without another word, Xis bent down and lifted him. “If you are, I’ll carry you.”

“What?”

But Fang Chen didn’t resist for long. Since Xis was willing, he might as well enjoy it. Resting his head on the man’s shoulder, he nuzzled lazily like a cat.

Xis’s steps faltered. “Don’t tease me.”

“Huh?”

Fang Chen snorted softly. “Can’t you have some self-control? I thought you were good at that.”

“You’re right,” Xis said evenly. “With everything else, I am. Just not with you. The moment you breathe near me, I want you.”

Oh my god!

Fang Chen buried his face in embarrassment. “Shut up.”

Xis only laughed, tightening his hold, one broad hand supporting him securely.

By the time they turned the next corner, they’d reached their destination.

He set Fang Chen down and took his hand again, leading him toward an old underground entrance that looked almost abandoned.

It was dark and worn, and Fang Chen instinctively pressed closer to him.

After a narrow passage, the space suddenly opened up. Music thudded faintly beneath the roar of a crowd.

A heavy iron door loomed before them.