The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 32.1

The “prisoner” was pinned against the wall, his gun nearly slipping from his grasp. The man’s kiss was rough, stealing his breath away, and a large hand cupped his backside, kneading freely.

“Mmm!”

Fang Chen struggled hard, finally pushing the man off. His beautiful eyes glared fiercely.
Either shoot me, or don’t do anything else.

Xis almost laughed.

He gave the soft flesh in his hand another squeeze and drawled, “You’re already in my hands, and you’re still trying to bargain with me?”

Fang Chen choked on his words.

Unhappy, he kicked Xis in the leg, paused, then couldn’t resist asking, “How did you even know I was here?”

The man didn’t move in again. Instead, he buried his face in the crook of Fang Chen’s neck, breathing in deeply. He didn’t look like a wolf at that moment more like a large dog nuzzling its favorite toy.

“I ran into Joey at the respawn point. He told me you headed this way.”

Fang Chen was speechless.
That traitor!

Still, it was a game after all, and they didn’t linger long. Fang Chen refused to team up with Xis, his little backpack slung defiantly over his shoulder.
We have to follow the game rules! Next time we meet, I won’t go easy on you! You’d better be ready.

Xis raised an eyebrow, amused.

He watched his little lamb march off, clutching his gun awkwardly as he walked. Every few steps, Fang Chen would turn his head cautiously to check the area, then keep trudging forward, determined and adorable. The sight made Xis chuckle softly before following him at an unhurried pace.

Partway through, Fang Chen ran into Joey again, fresh from the respawn point. Furious, he opened fire without hesitation. His aim was terrible, but even so, Joey ended up dodging in a panic.

“What are you doing, Chen? Oh no! We’re on the same team! Don’t do this!”

You know we’re teammates? Fang Chen shouted, still pointing his gun. Then why did you tell Xis where I was?

Joey threw up his hands. “I can’t beat him! What was I supposed to do?”

That only made Fang Chen shoot two more times.

Joey scrambled to the side, raising his gun in protest. I’m fighting back, okay? You.

He stopped mid-sentence. From behind Fang Chen, Xis was strolling toward them, calm and expressionless, his eyes faintly cold.

Joey swore under his breath, turned around, and bolted.

When you think you’re facing a harmless little lamb, you forget there’s a fierce wolf right behind it.

Borrowing the wolf’s might!

After scaring Joey off with a few shots, Fang Chen puffed his chest proudly, wiped his nose, and slung his gun over his shoulder, strutting forward with satisfaction.

Behind him, Xis sighed with a helpless smile and followed, his gaze soft and indulgent.

By sunset, after four hours of gameplay, the match finally ended.

When the results came out, Fang Chen had captured the most flags in first place.

He was overjoyed, spinning in front of Xis in delight. The man reached out, laughing as he steadied him by the shoulders.
Alright, enough spinning. Aren’t you tired?

Of course he was. After running around all afternoon, his legs felt like jelly.

But the excitement of his first real combat-style game made his cheeks glow red with energy, and in Xis’s eyes, he looked like a sweet little strawberry cake, something soft and irresistible.

Helping him remove his gear, Xis couldn’t resist pinching his cheek.
“Everyone’s going to grab a bite together. You want to come? Or we can eat alone.”

Fang Chen thought for a second. “Let’s go with everyone.”

Xis smiled. “Alright.”

As they headed out, Joey caught Xis while Fang Chen was returning his flags.
So? You’ve made progress, right?

Of all the things to bring up.

Xis shot him a dark look. “Do you have too much free time?”

“Come on,” Joey said, raising his hands. “I’m just being a good friend!”

He studied Xis’s expression, then made a dramatic face.
No way you still haven’t gotten together yet? You two already act like.”

He shut his mouth quickly under Xis’s glare.

Clearing his throat, Joey changed tactics. “Let me help you. Think of it as payback for all the Chinese takeout you’ve cooked me lately. Not bad, by the way, though the presentation could use work.”

He added proudly, “In matters of love, I’m an expert.”

Xis waved him off lazily. “Forget it. I’ll do things his way. As long as he’s happy, that’s enough.”

Joey looked like he wanted to argue, but Fang Chen came bouncing back just then, and he had no choice but to shut up.

Xis twisted open a bottle of sports drink and handed it to Fang Chen. “Drink a little more, you sweated a lot.”

Fang Chen pouted. “It tastes bad.”

Even so, he obediently took it and drank half the bottle in one go.

“Good boy,” Xis said softly.

Joey, watching from the side, was speechless.

Not dating? Really?
If this wasn’t dating, what was it? Foreplay?

The restaurant Joey picked was run by a friend. The private room was big enough for all of them, and he’d even made special arrangements.

Xis said you like cake,” Joey told Fang Chen.  My friend makes a great one I asked him to prepare some just for you.

“Thanks,” Fang Chen said, smiling. “Then we’re even.”

Joey laughed. “Ah, you’re too cute. No wonder Xis is completely smitten.”

Flustered, Fang Chen glanced at Xis, only to meet his amused gaze. Their eyes met for a few seconds before he quickly looked away, face burning.

The last time he’d dined with Xis’s friends was at the farm, when he’d felt awkward and out of place. This time, he was far more at ease.

Xis helped him take off his jacket and pulled out a chair before sitting down beside him.

The smooth, natural way he did it made Joey’s jaw drop.

He’d always known Xis had a cold, proud streak he’d never seen him pull out a chair for anyone.

Joey had always thought Xis liked Fang Chen, but watching him now, he realized it wasn’t just like.

He loved him.

Xis cut Fang Chen’s steak and placed the plate in front of him. The table buzzed with laughter, but Xis only replied occasionally, his attention mostly fixed on Fang Chen. He would lean close, start small conversations, and make sure the boy didn’t feel bored.

“Have your exam dates been set?” he asked casually.

Fang Chen’s expression dimmed.
Yeah, right after Christmas.

Hmm… The school’s probably organizing something, but I don’t want to go. Not really my thing.

Then don’t,” Xis said naturally. “I’ll pick you up. Let’s spend Christmas together.”

That caught Fang Chen’s interest. He thought for a moment, then asked curiously, “Will you make roast chicken?”

Xis chuckled. Only if you want it.

The two of them kept talking quietly, their heads close together. From time to time, Xis leaned in to whisper something in his ear, making Fang Chen’s face turn pink.

Halfway through the meal, Fang Chen began feeling full probably from too much energy drink earlier. He tugged lightly at Xis’s sleeve. “I need to use the bathroom.”

I’ll go with you.

The restaurant was large and maze-like, and after a brief hesitation, Fang Chen nodded.

Joey saw them leave and decided to follow. Time to help my boy out, he thought determinedly.

After finishing up, Fang Chen washed his hands at the sink. Xis came out of the stall and stood beside him.

Thinking he’d tease him a little, Fang Chen flicked water toward him but before a single drop landed, Xis caught his wrist and leaned close.
“Baby, kiss me.

Fang Chen froze.

He couldn’t help blurting out, “Don’t you think we’ve been kissing too often lately?”

And hadn’t he said before that kisses needed prior approval?

Yet Xis always skipped straight to action!

I don’t think so, the man murmured, already moving closer. I want to kiss you every day.

“Someone might come in,” Fang Chen protested, pushing at him.

“No one will,” Xis whispered against his ear, his breath hot.

Fang Chen was about to say more, but Xis kissed him before he could, deep and consuming. Fang Chen tilted his head back helplessly, his lips parted as if even his tongue was being claimed.

Then, suddenly footsteps at the door.

Fang Chen jerked back in panic, eyes wide. When he turned, he froze. Joey was standing right there.

Xis’s cold stare could have frozen water. Joey instinctively turned to leave, then stopped, swallowed hard, and braced himself.

He’ll thank me later, he told himself.

Clearing his throat loudly, Joey said in an exaggerated tone, “Wow! You two sure are close!”

Fang Chen’s face turned crimson.

He took back everything he’d said earlier. He and Joey were definitely not friends again.

Neither of them replied.

Joey awkwardly rubbed his nose. “Uh.. So, I never asked Are you two dating?”

Fang Chen’s face flamed even redder. He mumbled, “No.”

“What?” Joey asked, eyes widening. “You’re not dating, but you’re kissing?”

Fang Chen blinked and nodded earnestly. “You’re right. I shouldn’t kiss Xis anymore.”

The room fell silent.

Joey was stunned. What kind of logic is that?!

And Xis . Xis’s expression darkened instantly, eyes sharp enough to kill.

Joey broke into a cold sweat. “Wait, no, that’s not what I meant—hold on, let me explain!”

“So, I saw you two kissing, I asked if you were dating, you said no, but you were already kissing like that, so I think that means you—”

He looked hopefully at Fang Chen, waiting for him to fill in the blank.

Fang Chen nodded solemnly. “You’re right. Since we’re not dating, we shouldn’t kiss. So we won’t anymore.”

The world collapsed.

Joey nearly dropped to his knees. “No, no, that’s not what I meant—”

Fang Chen calmly dried his hands. “We’ve been gone too long. Let’s go back.”

He walked out naturally, leaving Joey speechless. Xis followed, his face thunderous. As he passed Joey, he said coldly, “Training field. Tomorrow morning.”

Joey swallowed hard.

When they were gone, he shakily took out his phone.
Yeah, tomorrow morning. I’ll need the best medical team you can find waiting outside the training field. What did I do? …If I survive tomorrow, I’ll tell you.

Xis caught up with Fang Chen, taking his hand. “Don’t listen to Joey. He’s drunk.”

Fang Chen shook him off with a snort. I think he made sense. From now on, I’m issuing a no-kiss rule. No kissing anytime, anywhere.

Xis clenched his jaw, visibly pained. Baby, can we talk about this.”

No negotiation, Fang Chen said firmly, walking ahead.

Xis exhaled a long breath, seriously considering punching Joey right then and there, but in the end, he just followed his little lamb back to the room.

Even with the no-kiss rule, Fang Chen still went home with Xis that night.

He was already half-asleep in the car, and by the time they parked, he was out cold.

Xis didn’t wake him. Moving quietly, he picked him up and carried him inside.

The boy slept deeply, face buried against his chest, small movements here and there like a sleepy kitten trying to get comfortable.

His soft lips were just inches away.

Xis’s throat tightened. If he kissed him now, the baby wouldn’t even know.

Fang Chen’s lips parted slightly in his sleep, a faint sweetness lingering in the air between them.

So close. So tempting. So hard to resist.

Xis leaned in, inch by inch, drawn by that quiet pull.

Then, suddenly, his phone rang.

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