The Cannon Fodder Who Fell in Love at Art School - Chapter 9

Fang Chen swallowed hard, quickly averted his gaze, and lifted his soda bottle, gulping down more than half of it in one go.

When he noticed that Seath seemed about to speak, Fang Chen hurriedly jumped in first, afraid the man would say something he wouldn’t know how to respond to.

The people we caught today were the ones selling fake tickets, right? Are they part of a gang?

Seath nodded.

In truth, those men were probably just small fry working under the so-called “Oil Rat.” But if they followed this lead, it might finally bring them to that slippery bastard himself.

You helped me a lot today,” Seath said seriously, his dark eyes fixed on Fang Chen. How should I thank you?

Fang Chen immediately shook his head. “No need. You already transferred me a bunch of money last time.”

But… I have a friend who got scammed and bought a lot of fake tickets.

Jemin had been one of the victims. The thought made Fang Chen feel guilty if only he had noticed sooner.

Seath nodded.  The club will handle it. Your friend won’t lose any money.

Fang Chen exhaled in relief and smiled brightly. “Thanks, Seath.”

Seath stared at that smile for several seconds before slowly looking away. “Try not to come back to your dorm too late these days. There were a few fights near the school recently. I don’t want you getting caught up in anything.”

Fang Chen glanced at their height and build differences.

Fair point.

He wasn’t exactly built for safety.

He nodded obediently. “Got it.”

But it’s late now, too, Seath said casually, his tone calm as ever. “You’ll be fine as long as you’re with me.

“Huh?”

Fang Chen blinked, then nodded again. “Yeah, true. You’re strong, and you fight really well.”

He’d seen it himself one kick could send a man flying.

“Do I scare you?”

Fang Chen shook his head quickly. “Of course not. Okay, maybe I’m not that brave… but your fists aren’t aimed at me, right?

Seath’s lips curved. “Never will be.”

The boy grinned and raised his soda. “Cheers!”

It was rare for Fang Chen and Jemin’s schedules to line up, so the two of them went to the cafeteria together after class.

Fang Chen bit into a crispy pork cutlet with satisfying crunches, while Jemin sat across from him poking gloomily at his salad.

You on a diet or something? Fang Chen asked.

Jemin sighed. “No appetite.”

Fang Chen sipped his Coke and spoke around the straw. The club hasn’t refunded your money yet?

“They did,” Jemin said, sounding miserable. It’s just… It’s not every day you find someone who’s that good in bed, and he turns out to be a scammer.

“Ah.” So that was the issue.

Fang Chen could only offer awkward comfort. Don’t dwell on it. You’ll meet someone even better.

Jemin sighed deeply again.

But less than two minutes later, his energy returned. Hey, did you see it? The video of Seath fighting?

Oh, come on. Couldn’t he wait until Fang Chen wasn’t drinking something?

Fang Chen choked mid-sip, coughing so hard his eyes watered. “What?”

You don’t know? Everyone’s talking about it. There are posts online saying Seath has violent tendencies.

Fang Chen’s expression darkened.  That’s ridiculous. He was fighting scammers. Why are people acting like he’s the villain?

Jemin shrugged. That’s the internet for you.

“But you’re defending him pretty hard,” he added with a teasing look.

Fang Chen’s gaze darted away. I’m not defending him. I just believe in justice.

Sure thing, little justice angel.  Jemin clasped his hands together in mock pleading. Can you help this heartbroken soul out? There’s a club activity tomorrow night can you go in my place? I’ll change the name in the system, and you’ll get the credits.

Club activity, in this case, was just code for mandatory volunteer work to earn credits.

Fang Chen’s expression flattened. “What’d you get assigned?”

“Beach cleanup! So meaningful, right?”

You mean picking up trash!” Fang Chen snapped. “You’ve got terrible luck.”

Still, after enough begging, Fang Chen reluctantly agreed and went to the beach that evening in Jemin’s place.

The timing was perfect. The sun was setting, painting the entire beach in a soft golden hue. The sea shimmered with red light, and the rows of coconut trees swayed gently, it looked like a high-definition wallpaper come to life.

“So beautiful.”

The sudden Chinese startled Fang Chen. He turned to see a guy wearing glasses smiling at him…I’m Chen Fang. We’ve met before in class, remember? Fang Chen.

Fang Chen didn’t really remember him but nodded politely.

You don’t seem to join the international students’ events much. You missed the last few dinners too.

I’ve been busy working, Fang Chen said vaguely. “No time.”

Chen Fang fell silent for a moment. Most people studying abroad came from comfortable families, but he’d seen a few cases where things went wrong like when parents cut off financial support.

“Are you from S City or B City?” he asked.

Fang Chen didn’t want to talk about anything related to “home.” After all, this wasn’t really his home country. So he just raised the garbage bag in his hand. “I should get back to picking up trash. There’s a lot to do.”

But Chen Fang didn’t seem to catch the hint. He followed anyway. I’m assigned to the same activity today. Let’s work together.

“One more round!”

Why isn’t Seath drinking with us?

Joey glanced toward the man sitting outside the tent and shrugged. “You go convince him.”

The guy who’d suggested it immediately went quiet.

But before anyone could say another word, Seath, who had been lounging lazily in his chair, suddenly stood up and started walking away.

Hey! Seath! Where are you going?

The man ignored him completely, striding purposefully toward a figure up ahead.

Fang Chen was about ready to lose his mind.

Chen Fang had zero sense of boundaries. No matter how much Fang Chen tried to look unapproachable or keep quiet, the guy just wouldn’t take the hint and leave.

Damn it.

If he’d known, he never would’ve agreed to cover for Jemin.

Fang Chen was full of regret now and only wanted to finish cleaning up and go home.

“Fang Chen.”

He froze. That deep voice calling his name made his head snap up, only to see Seath standing right in front of him, looking down with calm, sharp eyes.

What are you doing here?  Seath asked.

Fang Chen blinked dumbly, then lifted the garbage bag in his hand. “Volunteer work.”

Without even glancing at Chen Fang, Seath reached out and took the bag from Fang Chen. I’ll do it.

“N-no, it’s fine!” Fang Chen tried to grab it back, but Seath held the bag easily in one hand and rested the other on Fang Chen’s head, stopping him from moving closer.

Under his palm, Fang Chen flailed like a trapped little bird arms swinging, trying to reach but Seath was too tall, too strong.

The height difference was brutal.

I’ll do it, Seath repeated, then seemed to realize his tone was too stiff. He softened slightly. 

Go take a break.

When Fang Chen saw the man actually bend down to pick up trash with the bag in hand, he was momentarily stunned. At that exact moment, Chen Fang tugged at his sleeve in disbelief. Oh my god, is that Seath? Am I seeing this right? What’s going on between you two?

Fang Chen’s tone instantly turned cold. “None of your business.”

They had only met a few hours ago, and this guy already had no sense of boundaries.

Not wanting to waste another word on him, Fang Chen jogged toward Seath.

“Give me the bag,” he said.

He walked beside Seath, watching the man stab at a crushed soda can with a trash picker before tossing it neatly into the bag.

You can go talk with your friend,” Seath said evenly. “I’ll help you with this.”

That made no sense to Fang Chen. “He’s not my friend.”

Seath’s movements paused briefly.  No? You’re from the same country, and you two seemed to be chatting quite happily.

Fang Chen’s eyes widened.

Excuse me where exactly did that look like “chatting happily”?

“No!” His tone sharpened a little. “I don’t even know him.”

He was starting to feel annoyed.

What was with today?

First some random guy came up to bother him, and now Seath was saying weird things like this.

He planted his hands on his hips, glaring up at the man.  The bag. Give it to me.

Seath’s thin lips pressed together. After two seconds of silence, he set the bag down.

Fang Chen grabbed it and stormed off, dragging it behind him.

The recycling bag was big easy for Seath to carry, but in Fang Chen’s small hands, it dragged along the sand like a long tail trailing behind him.

Seath caught up in a few steps. “You’re angry?”

Fang Chen pursed his lips, refusing to answer.

I didn’t mean anything by it, Seath said quietly.  Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.

Hearing that, Fang Chen felt a twinge of guilt. Maybe he had overreacted a little.

It’s fine,  he mumbled.

I’ll help you, Seath said.  Two people will finish faster.

“…Alright.”

God, am I blind? Someone gasped from behind them.

Is Seath actually picking up trash?

And who’s that cute one beside him?

Damn it, you stepped on my foot! Move I can’t see.

Fang Chen pretended not to hear any of it. He jogged over to a plastic bottle, stomped on it with a small “crunch,” and watched as Seath neatly speared it with the trash picker and tossed it into the bag.

You came to the beach to hang out? Fang Chen asked.

Seath nodded slightly.  There’s a match coming up. The club wanted to have dinner together to relax before it.

Fang Chen tilted his head up at him. “Do you ever get nervous?

Not really.

He’d fought in so many matches that boxing no longer made him tense it calmed him. Whether he was throwing punches or taking them, it was all the same release.

But when facing Fang Chen, he changed his answer. “A little.”

Don’t be!” Fang Chen said quickly. I heard you’re really good you’ll definitely win. 

Then he paused, realizing how that might sound. “But it’s okay if you don’t. I mean, not that I think you’ll lose, I just mean uh.

The more he talked, the worse it got. His brain short-circuited, and his already limited vocabulary completely failed him.

Seath looked at him, eyes dark and steady, the corners softening as he spoke. “I know. Don’t worry. Of course I’ll win.

Fang Chen.

“Hmm?”

You’ll come watch my match, right?

“Of course.”

Fang Chen smiled, his eyes curving, and raised a small fist toward him.

Seath hesitated, then lifted his own hand.

Their fists met one big, one small.

I’ll be there to cheer for you,  Fang Chen said earnestly. “Good luck in advance!”