The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 8

It took all of Fang Chen’s willpower to tear his eyes away from the screen only to find Jamin squinting at him with a teasing expression.

Fang Chen felt a wave of guilt for no apparent reason. He cleared his throat, pretending nothing was wrong.

 “What’s up?”

You should look in the mirror,  Jamin said bluntly. “Your face is as red as an apple.

 Foreigners really didn’t hold back, huh.

Fang Chen instinctively touched his cheek.  No way… I was just thinking about something else.

Jamin gave a soft snort.  Did I say what you were thinking about?

Seeing Fang Chen’s flustered look, he patted him on the shoulder and added,  Relax. Seath’s got a great body no shame in appreciating it.

It’s not like that,  Fang Chen protested, a bit too fast. He gritted his teeth and said deliberately,

 I like the skinny, lanky type.

Jamin’s eyes widened. 

“Seriously? Then your taste is awful.”

Fang Chen pretended not to hear, grabbed the mop, and hurried off to work to avoid further interrogation.

The next day.

Fang Chen and Jamin were already waiting in the café when Chuck finally walked in.

Right in front of him, the two men greeted each other with a kiss.

Even though Fang Chen had been in this world for a while now, he still couldn’t help but glance away awkwardly.

When they finally sat down, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Jamin enthusiastically made the introductions, and Chuck wasted no time pulling a thick stack of tickets from his bag and placing them on the table.

Since you’re Jamin’s friend, I’ll sell them to you for a thousand each, Chuck said generously.

Fang Chen smiled but didn’t answer right away. He picked up one of the tickets, pretending to study it with interest. Then, as if by accident, he tilted it slightly toward the light.

Just as he suspected, the corner of the ticket looked off.

A few seconds later, he set it down and spoke in a pleasantly surprised tone.

 “That’s great! Thanks so much, Chuck.”

But how did you manage to get so many? That’s impressive.

Chuck shrugged casually. 

It’s easy. I’m a member of the club, so I’ve got some inside connections.

Wow, that’s really cool. Fang Chen kept his smile in place, not pressing further. He paid without hesitation.

After tucking the tickets safely into his bag, he stood up. “I’ll get going now, don’t want to intrude on your date. Jamin, you can stay out a bit longer. I’ll cover your shift today.”

“Oh, babe, you’re the best!”

Jamin blew him several exaggerated kisses.

Fang Chen laughed and waved it off, but once he stepped out of the café, his smile slowly faded.

He wasn’t going to sell those tickets yet.

If possible, he wanted Seath to take a look after all, Seath didn’t know the other people from the club personally.

But… would that be meddling?

He and Seath weren’t that close yet. Still, Seath had transferred him ten grand. For that kind of money, maybe he could meddle just a little.

Fang Chen argued with himself for a while, then finally decided against calling. He went back to the shop, hugging his bag tight.

Growing up in an orphanage had taught him one rule for survival, never cross the line.

Especially not with people who lived in a different world from his.

Fang Chen worked his own shift and then covered Jamin’s as well. By the end of the night, he was exhausted and dizzy from running around. Just as he was about to clock out, his boss stopped him.

Chen, there’s a last-minute order. Can you deliver it?

Fang Chen groaned. “I was just about to go home…”

“There’s overtime pay.”

“I’m on it!” Fang Chen straightened instantly.

He grabbed the pizza, hopped on his little scooter, and checked the address on his phone. His brow furrowed.

Most of his deliveries were on campus, sometimes to the nearby apartments but this one was downtown.

Following the GPS took forever. The route twisted and turned until even Fang Chen was confused.

Finally, he parked his scooter and looked up at the row of shops in front of him.

Which one was A09?

He searched for a bit, and when he couldn’t find it, he decided to ask someone before the customer complained.

But as soon as he turned his head, he froze.

That silhouette… looked familiar.

Fang Chen ducked behind a pillar.

Hey, Seth, how much did you make this time?  Someone asked.

“Just a bit of pocket money…”

When the two men went inside, Fang Chen cautiously peeked out.

Seth?

Wasn’t his name Chuck?

Fang Chen swallowed hard, his pulse racing. Trembling, he pulled out his phone and dialed Seath.

The man answered quickly. “Fang Chen?”

“The guy selling fake tickets did you find him yet?”

“No…” Seath started, but Fang Chen interrupted him.

“I think I just did. There are two of them at least two.” His words tumbled out in a rush.

Seath’s tone dropped low.  Send me your location. Don’t move. Don’t engage. I’ll be there soon.

When the call ended, Fang Chen crouched by the shop entrance. Afraid of drawing attention, he shifted to a corner and waited.

Thankfully, it wasn’t long before he heard the growl of an engine.

He looked up, blinking in surprise.

Seath was on a motorcycle.

Not like his own beat-up delivery scooter this one was all black, tall, and sleek, almost half his height.

That thing must cost a fortune.

Before he could admire it further, Seath was already striding over. He grabbed Fang Chen by the arm and pulled him up, frowning as he looked him over. “Are you hurt?”

Fang Chen obediently shook his head and pointed toward the shop.  They’re still inside. I’ve been keeping watch. The one with the black cap and the eagle tattoo on his shoulder that’s him.

“Stay here,” Seath said in a low voice.

Still waiting…? Fang Chen’s legs were already going numb.

Then Seath added, “I’ll be quick.”

Fang Chen tilted his head up and nodded, though he didn’t quite believe it. How quickly could it be? He was going in there to catch people.

He stayed put like a mushroom by the door.

Barely two minutes later, a commotion erupted inside.

Curiosity got the better of him. He crept to the doorway and peeked in.

It was a bar, though not a crowded one. Everyone inside was standing back, staring in shock at the man throwing punches in the middle of the room.

Seath hadn’t planned on fighting.

He just wanted to tie them up and wait for the cops.

But not everyone was as cooperative as Fang Chen, who would practically offer his wrists if told to.

Unwilling to waste time, Seath ended it fast. One swift kick sent a man flying into a shelf of liquor bottles, which shattered with a crash.

Whoa.

Fang Chen’s eyes went wide.

It was like watching an action movie.

Seath grabbed a decorative rope off the wall, tied the men together with practiced ease, then looked up toward the doorway.

Across the mess of broken glass and scattered bottles, their eyes met.

By the time the police arrived, the place was surrounded by curious onlookers.

Between catching ticket scammers and Seath Bolton punching people, it was obvious which headline would make the bigger splash. Joey was furious, he’d already called Seath ten times.

Seath didn’t answer a single one.

“I can really sit on this?” Fang Chen asked uncertainly.

“Of course.”

“It’s so big…”

Without effort, Seath lifted him and set him on the motorcycle.

You can even take it for a spin.

“Me?” Fang Chen waved his hands quickly. No way! I can only handle my little delivery bike.

Wait delivery!

The pizza!

Panicking, Fang Chen dug out his phone. Sure enough, there were several missed calls from his boss. He called back, endured a round of scolding, and was rewarded with a deduction in pay.

Forget it.

He consoled himself easily.

He’d just count the pizza as his own midnight snack he hadn’t eaten anyway.

With that thought, he looked up.  It’s getting late. I should head home.

Seath stood beside his bike, arms crossed, and gave a quiet “Mm.”

Fang Chen felt a little awkward.

Seath had been the one to lift him onto the motorcycle earlier, so how was he supposed to get down now? The bike was way too tall for him; if he jumped, he’d probably twist his ankle.

After all, he was a fragile college student, the kind who saw stars after standing up too fast.

But asking Seath to help him down again? That would be even more embarrassing.

Luckily, Seath broke the silence first.

 “I haven’t eaten yet.”

Fang Chen blinked. 

Wait, was he eyeing his late-night snack again?

Let’s go have dinner,  Seath said simply. My treat. As thanks for helping today and for the fried chicken last time.

Fang Chen shook his head.  It was nothing, really. I’m not hungry.

I know a good Chinese place.

“Let’s go!” Fang Chen scooted back on the seat and looked at him seriously. We should head out right now.

Seath seemed to smile faintly before swinging a leg over the bike. As he started it up, he leaned slightly closer and said quietly, “Hold on tight.”

The roar of the engine exploded like thunder.

Whoa. Riding this motorcycle was nothing like his tiny delivery scooter. In an instant, they shot forward like a streak of lightning.

The wind whipped Fang Chen’s hair into a chaotic mess, making him look like a scruffy puppy.

But he couldn’t stop grinning. Instead of holding on like Seath told him to, he spread his arms wide and let the wind crash against his chest.

It was the most alive he’d felt since falling into this strange world.

So cool!

Catching ticket scammers was cool. Watching Seath fight was cool.
But riding this bike, this was the coolest thing ever!

He took a deep breath.
Ah, the smell of freedom.

Wait.

Something was off.

This didn’t smell like freedom.
It smelled like… barbecue.

o.O

“You want to eat that?” Seath called back over his shoulder.

Fang Chen nodded eagerly.

It was a little roadside barbecue stall by the park entrance, the air thick with smoky aroma that made his stomach growl.

Just one whiff made his whole body relax. One bite would probably send his soul to heaven.

It was the taste of home.

Seath didn’t object, so their fancy Chinese dinner turned into a street-side skewer feast.

This is Chinese food, Fang Chen said with mock seriousness, waving a metal skewer in the air. “You know acupuncture, right? That’s basically what we’re doing here.

He poked at the grill with sparks flying everywhere.

Energetic acupuncture, indeed.

Life was hot, spicy, and just the right amount of messy.

The tables and chairs were plastic and rickety, typical of roadside stalls. They fit Fang Chen just fine, but Seath looked almost comically out of place sitting there.

His long legs barely fit under the table; his trousers folded into neat creases as he bent them. He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled his sleeves up casually, revealing strong, tanned forearms.

Fang Chen had only ever seen Seath’s physique in pictures and every time he’d met him in person, the man was dressed impeccably, always buttoned up to the throat.

This was the first time he’d seen even a bit of skin. Just forearms, but still… his gaze slipped before he could stop it.

Seath cracked open a soda, fingers hooking under the tab. A light flex, and veins traced beautifully down his arm as muscles shifted beneath the skin.

Suddenly, the grilled meat didn’t seem so appetizing anymore.

A soda can appeared in front of him. Fang Chen blinked back to attention and looked up straight into Seath’s dark eyes.

Without a word, Seath lifted his own can slightly.

“Thirsty?”

After watching a few tutorials online, Fang Chen decided to give Seath a taste of traditional Chinese massage and, of course, he had to brag first.
This is an ancient martial art from my country.

Seath played along, nodding and leaning over to kiss him. “Thank you, baby.”

Fang Chen pushed his face away and ordered, “Lie down. On your stomach.”

He followed the video instructions carefully kneading and pressing, but Seath’s muscles were as solid as stone. After a while, his own hands hurt more than Seath’s back.

Frustrated, Fang Chen stood up and kicked him. “Forget it! I’m done!”

Seath soothed him quickly.  Baby, step on me instead. No need to massage, just walking on my back feels amazing.

And so, Fang Chen’s demonstration became a literal foot massage.

Seath ended up loving it so much that after every match, he’d ask Fang Chen to walk barefoot on his back to help him relax.

During an interview later, he even bragged about it:
My partner is very thoughtful. He gives me home spa treatments all the time.

When Fang Chen found out, he was so mortified that Seath had to personally call the media and have the entire interview retracted.