The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 31
There was no one more unreasonable than Xis.
The soft white fabric was caught between his teeth, and the boy’s eyes were red like a rabbit’s. With his mouth sealed, all he could make were helpless, muffled sounds.
When Xis finally looked down, what he saw only made his breath grow heavier, as if the wildness inside him had finally been unleashed.
He let go reluctantly, his breath hot and rough, like a wolf that had just tasted fresh bl00d.
There was no way he would let his prey escape easily. His gaze locked on Fang Chen, biting back a surge of possessiveness. This person was his — this fragile, teary-eyed lamb who looked up at him with such innocent confusion.
Someone like that deserved to be completely devoured by him.
Fang Chen couldn’t hold it in anymore. He let go, the fabric slipping from his lips, a faint shine of saliva still on them.
“Xis, please”
Before he could finish, a large, heated palm came up to cradle his neck, thumb tracing lightly over his pulse. It felt almost like an excuse to punish him.
“You shouldn’t have let go without permission,” Xis murmured.
Fang Chen froze. The man’s grip wasn’t tight, but his breath still caught as if the air had vanished around him.
The next second, Xis kissed him roughly.
Like a lamb caught in the hands of a predator, Fang Chen trembled under the force of it. The man’s hand still rested against his neck, and though he didn’t press harder, the mere touch made the boy’s pulse race.
The kiss was too deep, too fierce. Fang Chen’s lips stung, and his breath came in ragged bursts. He could barely hold back the tears that prickled in the corners of his eyes.
Whatever restraint or gentleness Xis had once shown was gone. The façade of calm civility he always wore had been torn apart, leaving only the raw, fierce instinct beneath.
This was the real him a fighter who had walked out of the arena, bl00d-stained and violent, yet when facing the one he loved, he struggled to hide the claws that could never fully disappear.
Fang Chen felt like a bowstring pulled too tight, ready to snap at any moment.
Fortunately, Xis let him go before that happened.
The boy gasped for air, his lips wet and trembling. Every time he was released, he’d pant in tiny, desperate breaths, almost sticking his tongue out just to catch more air.
The man’s hand followed the curve of his neck up to his chin, thumb brushing over his lips. His voice was low and satisfied.
“Good boy. You’re so good.”
A heartbeat later, that “good boy” kicked him hard in the leg.
“Liar! Bastard! You bully!”
The little lamb was furious, kicking again and again, but Xis didn’t dodge — he only soothed softly, “I was wrong, baby. I’m sorry. You know I can’t help it.”
Can’t help it. Can’t help it!
Classic scumbag excuse!
It took a long time for Fang Chen’s temper to fade. When he finally calmed down, Xis leaned closer and kissed his cheek.
“Let’s go home, hmm?”
Fang Chen pouted but nodded.
He hopped down from the counter, only to hiss when pain shot through his chest.
“Ow!”
The bite marks stung sharply now that the clothes brushed against them. Fang Chen’s eyes watered. “It’s your fault!”
“Let me see.”
Xis lifted his shirt, and sure enough, the spot was swollen and red painfully pitiful, yet somehow… far too tempting.
His teeth ached with the urge to bite again, but he forced himself to look away. If he went too far now, his little lamb might really cry.
He ended up asking someone to bring over bandages. When he carefully stuck one on each side, perfectly even, Fang Chen’s face flushed crimson.
So humiliating.
His poor chest… He couldn’t even wear clothes properly now.
Beast in human skin!
And now he wasn’t even pretending anymore.
“You’re getting points deducted,” Fang Chen grumbled, lips still swollen. “I’m docking your score!”
“I was wrong, baby. Please, just one more chance.”
That night, still fuming, Fang Chen insisted on going back to his dorm. He thought his roommate would be asleep, but the lights were still on and the guy was on the couch, watching a soccer match with a bag of chips. The moment he saw Fang Chen, his eyes lit up.
Fang Chen froze under the stare, his heart racing. Could it be obvious…?
“You,” the roommate began.
Fang Chen’s heart jumped to his throat.
You were amazing today! That outfit was so cute!” He grinned, waving his phone. I took a few pictures for you.
Fang Chen exhaled in relief and smiled. “Thanks!”
He wasn’t sleepy anymore, so he joined his roommate on the couch to watch the game. Twice, his phone buzzed with messages from Xis, but he ignored them.
His roommate glanced at him curiously. “You seeing someone? That guy you always talk to on the phone?”
Fang Chen hesitated. “We’re… not really dating yet.”
“Uh-huh. Sounds like flirting to me.”
Fang Chen’s ears turned pink.
Flirting? No!
He’s not flirting he’s playing with me!
And he just finished playing today, too!
“By the way,” his roommate said, lowering his voice, “I’ve noticed something. There’s this luxury car that keeps parking under our dorm. I’ve seen it several times late at night. Always gone by morning. Think some rich guy moved in?”
Fang Chen’s eyelid twitched.
No way.
Right?
He got up under the pretense of getting water, then casually walked to the window.
Under the streetlamp, a black car gleamed faintly.
It was Xis’s car.
Fang Chen froze.
He hadn’t gone home?
Had he been doing this every night?
His heart skipped a beat. The cup in his hand trembled slightly. His roommate’s voice pulled him back.
“What are you staring at?”
“Nothing,” Fang Chen muttered, setting the cup down. Then, almost without thinking, he grabbed his jacket. “I’ve got something to do. Don’t wait up for me tonight!”
He ran down the stairs and across the quiet street toward the car.
Inside, Xis was looking at his phone, frowning slightly at the lack of reply. Maybe he’d really made him angry this time. He was just considering calling when the car window was tapped.
He turned, and there was that familiar face.
For a rare moment, Xis froze, then hurriedly got out of the car.
“Baby, what are you?”
Before he could finish, Fang Chen threw himself into his arms.
Instinctively, Xis held him tight.
“What’s wrong, baby? Did something happen?”
The boy’s voice was muffled. “Why are you still here?”
Xis paused.
“How long have you been doing this? Staying here all night? Every time I go back to the dorm… have you been waiting downstairs?”
His throat tightened. “Did that make you upset? I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean every time, just sometimes.”
“Why do you stay?” Fang Chen asked softly, looking up at him.
Xis bent down, resting his forehead against his.
“Because I miss you.”
And he did painfully so. Sometimes, after training, even when he was exhausted, he’d lie in bed and still see Fang Chen’s face. Eventually, he’d just grab his keys and drive here. He couldn’t see him, but being close felt like the only way to breathe.
Fang Chen blinked, then whispered, “It still hurts. You must’ve bitten me too hard.”
His tone was soft, almost teasing.
Xis’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Then what should I do?”
His mind whispered Let me make it better, but the words stayed unsaid.
“Put medicine on it,” Fang Chen muttered.
“Okay. I’ll buy some. It’s chilly at night, so.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
The boy cut him off, slipping out of his arms and running to the passenger side. “Hurry up, let’s go! The sooner I treat it, the sooner I can sleep.”
Xis blinked then smiled and followed him into the car.
It was the first time Fang Chen had taken the initiative to go home with him. His cheeks burned, and he kept his face turned toward the window the whole ride.
When the car stopped, he looked up. “We’re here already?”
“I’m buying the medicine,” Xis replied.
Fang Chen froze. He’d only said that as an excuse! Couldn’t he tell?!
Before he could protest, the man was already out of the car. Fang Chen debated running but gave up, knowing Xis, he really might stay out all night if he did.
A few minutes later, Xis came back with a small bag medicine and a slice of strawberry cake. The last one from the shop.
Immediately distracted, Fang Chen accepted it. “It’s not healthy to eat sweets this late,” he mumbled while already opening the box and taking a bite.
“Once in a while won’t hurt.”
Xis watched him, eyes darkening slightly as he stared at the cream on his lips.
When Fang Chen finally noticed, he swallowed and said quickly, “You got the medicine, right? Maybe you can drop me off at the dorm now?”
Xis’s tone was calm but amused. “It’s late. Let’s not disturb your roommate.”
He started the car again, the headlights cutting through the night.
By the time they got home, Fang Chen was barely keeping his eyes open. He made for the bedroom, but Xis stopped him gently.
“Hold on, baby. Let me put the medicine on for you.”
“What?!”
Why was this still happening?!
“No need! I can do it myself.”
But when he tried to grab the tube, Xis simply lifted it out of reach. “I’ll do it. You’ll mess it up.”
“Fine! You do it!” Fang Chen huffed. “Right here not the bedroom!”
Xis chuckled. “All right. Whatever you say.”
He remembered that. The little lamb liked the living room.
He carefully peeled away the bandage, revealing the still-red mark. Under his gaze, the boy trembled slightly, feeling like he might combust on the spot.
Finally, Xis squeezed a little ointment on his fingers and rubbed it in gently. The cool sensation made Fang Chen shiver.
“Don’t move,” Xis murmured. “If I don’t do it right, you’ll have to wear bandages again tomorrow.”
“It’s all your fault,” Fang Chen muttered through clenched teeth.
“I know,” Xis said softly. “It’s all my fault.”
When it was done, Fang Chen immediately stepped back, keeping a cautious distance. “I’m going to bed. For real this time!”
Xis chuckled.
“Goodnight, baby.”
When the door closed, he glanced down at his fingers, rubbing them together as if still feeling the warmth of his skin. Then he looked up, eyes fixed on the closed door, his breath growing heavier.
The next morning, Fang Chen woke late. The pain had faded a little, though the mark still glowed faintly red. Muttering curses about Xis, he got dressed and stepped out.
Breakfast was already laid out.
He sat down with a stony face, not even glancing at Xis.
“Since you don’t have class today,” Xis said gently, “do you want to go out?”
No. Fang Chen snapped.
“Am I really that bad at this?” Xis sighed softly, his tone suddenly tender. “I’m the one pursuing you, yet I haven’t even taken you on a proper date. We should go hear a concert, watch a movie, or chase the sunset down a highway. You deserve all of that.”
His calm, elegant voice made Fang Chen’s anger melt away.
After a pause, the boy asked quietly, “Then… where are we going?”
Xis smiled. “Airsoft. Interested?”
Live-action CS? Fang Chen’s eyes lit up instantly. “Yes!”
Good. Finish breakfast, then we’ll go.