The Cannon Fodder’s Survival Guide at the Noble Academy - Chapter 7

◎ Flexibly making use of things is also a kind of talent ◎

His hands trembled as he typed a messy paragraph, then deleted it. Word by word, he carefully typed:

[Young Master Pei (kneels), it was only because I was too afraid. I… I actually wanted to add you, but… I was worried the people around you would dislike me, so I didn’t dare.]

[The moment I saw your message! I didn’t even dare to hesitate a single second, I immediately accepted!]

[Pei Chengrui: So it’s still my fault then? That I was deliberately making things difficult for you?]

! Green tea man! An Tang took a deep breath and typed:

[How could that be! Young Master Pei bought me a smart robot, fed me, and even got me a doctor. I respect you more than words can say. Before, I didn’t dare presumptuously add you—it was me being overly suspicious, it’s my fault. I let down your expectations.]

[For Young Master Pei to take me in, that’s the greatest honor of my life, a blessing from my past life! From now on, if you point east, I would never dare go west.] As if!

[Pei Chengrui: You’re actually pretty good at talking. How come your classmates all say you don’t like to talk?]

[Naturally, one only shows respect to those worthy of it. For Young Master Pei—you could never have enough of all the respect in the world.]

Pei Chengrui actually laughed out loud. The stuffy anger in his chest vanished completely. Lazily, he typed:

[There’s a basketball game Saturday afternoon. Don’t forget to come.]

An Tang’s face twisted with anger, his lips twitching as he rolled his eyes:

[Of course! What would Young Master Pei like to eat or drink?]

[Pei Chengrui: Whatever.]

[Transfer: 10,000]

An Tang instantly sat up straight, counting the zeros one by one. He hurriedly deleted all the impolite words in the chat box. Secret joy bubbled up inside him—this was enough money to buy skirts for a whole year!

[Thank you, Young Master, but there’s no need to be so polite. This is what I should do anyway.]

[Pei Chengrui: Just take it. I don’t have the habit of eating for free.]

After a few token refusals, An Tang finally pocketed the money with peace of mind, smiling with crescent eyes that sparkled brightly.

With money, naturally everything was easier.

[Young Master! I’ll make sure you’re satisfied!]

With that matter settled, An Tang sat at his desk, staring at his exam paper for a few seconds. Slowly, he pressed down the smile tugging at his lips.

Then he remembered—Pei Chengrui’s reminder. He hadn’t finished editing the photos yet! There were still two people he hadn’t sent to.

Halfway through photoshopping, his hand slowed. He frowned, wondering what the point of all this was.

So tiring. After all, even when he sent them, nobody really responded. Maybe… maybe he should stop?

A wave of fatigue washed over him, startling him enough to pat his own cheeks—lightly, of course.

“You forgot what happens to you in the end?! Compared to broken arms and legs, isn’t living as a lapdog—with food and drink provided—much better?!”

Startled by his own thoughts, An Tang quickly spoke the words aloud, exorcising them.

After glancing around nervously, he let out a deep breath. Scary. Who was trying to tempt him? Who wanted him ruined, whispering at him to give up? Truly, people’s hearts were unpredictable.

Clutching his pounding chest, he thought—if not for his firm will, he might really have been led astray! Ordinary people spend ten days, half a month just chasing someone. He already had the “high-tech future book”—how could he quit now?

Slapping his cheeks, he drove away messy thoughts. His head cleared, his gaze shone bright again.

But… if things went on like this, he really had no idea when he’d succeed. And meeting in person carried the risk of his disguise being exposed. Besides… he had social anxiety. If not for Pei Chengrui being his target, he wouldn’t step into a gymnasium to watch basketball if his life depended on it.

Forget it. He made up his mind—he’d proceed on both lines at once.

Picking up his phone, he quickly sent the photos to Pei Chengrui.

When it came to Ji Suyong, he hesitated. He didn’t have spare photos left. He didn’t dare send the same one to two people—that was too risky. But editing a new batch was troublesome.

Besides… Ji Suyong didn’t seem like someone who cared about romance.

Still, flipping through the book’s index, there wasn’t much about him. What was clear was that he was from a complicated family, lacking love. For that kind of person… maybe care and concern would work.

Drafting it in his head, An Tang typed into the chat:

[Big brother, why didn’t you come to school again today? Where are you? Are you doing okay?]

[When I can’t see you, I’m always thinking of you~]

[Big brother, without you, they all bully me. Today I went to see Hua Hua and Little Gray, they’re both so well-behaved. Hua Hua had kittens—I wanted to give you one. A kitten can keep you happy in my place.]

…

One by one, he typed dozens of messages. And suddenly realized—it sounded familiar.

Of course! Wasn’t this exactly what that little kid had been saying this morning?

Forget it. Flexibly reusing lines was a kind of talent too!

Rubbing his sore neck, he looked at the screen full of green bubbles, satisfied.

The next day, the sun was bright.

All morning, he was a diligent little sugar cube, catching up on everything he missed yesterday. In between, he snuck a message to Pei Chengrui.

[Boss! Can I eat with you again today? I don’t think I’ll make it to the cafeteria in time (cry cry) (please please)]

No reply after a few minutes. An Tang pouted and put his focus back on class.

Class itself went smoothly today. No whispers, no stares. He relaxed. Yes, that was how it should be. He didn’t want to be part of the whirlpool. He was afraid of becoming a target—if someone made random reports, would his scholarship still be safe?

During break, he checked his phone.

Originally he wanted to see if Pei Chengrui had replied. But instead—

His eyes lit up. Fingers clenched tight, he hunched over, shielding the screen from classmates.

[Fu Jiyu: Don’t send me things like this again.]

Tch. Strong man.

[Pei Chengrui: Not bad body, but the skirt’s too long. Can’t see your legs.]

!?

An Tang scrolled up, confirming—he had sent a short pleated skirt!

His fists clenched and unclenched. From the heart, he typed back angrily:

[Big brother (shy), don’t pleated skirts look good?]

Instant reply:

[Maybe. Try this one.]

The image loaded slowly. Curious, An Tang tapped—

—and his whole face went crimson.

This… this this this… pervert!

[Big brother (bashful), that skirt doesn’t even cover my butt.]

[Pei Chengrui: Why cover it?]

Why… why… cover…?

His face burned like fire, his mind short-circuiting. Spring water shimmered in his eyes. He slapped his cheek with one hand to cool down while typing with the other:

[Big brother, I only like you. I don’t do that kind of thing. I just want to show you my prettiest side.]

[Pei Chengrui: And sending me all these ambiguous things is liking me?]

[Mm.] Liking your money, power, wealth.

[Pei Chengrui: Ha. I thought you were just begging to be f*cked.]

An Tang’s eyes went wide.

[Big brother! Not talking to you! I’m going to hate you for one whole second!!]

He threw his phone into his desk with a loud thunk, cheeks red with anger and shame. This man! So shameless!

He had imagined this outcome—but not this fast!

How were they supposed to chat happily like this?!

He only wanted to trick him a little, never to actually deliver. His whole being was fake—he couldn’t show himself!

But… did Pei Chengrui really like this kind of thing? If he really did…

An Tang twisted his fingers, deep in thought.

He had to succeed. No matter what method it took—he had to succeed. That was the baseline—living, and having a good future.

When he picked his phone back up, he touched it with only two fingertips, expression full of disdain. He saw Pei Chengrui had sent more photos.

His old phone couldn’t load them properly, so he tapped one by one.

The more he saw, the redder he got. What the hell were these?!

[Pei Chengrui: I like this style. Your clothes are too ordinary. The stuff on the forums about my preferences is all fake.]

[Oh, give me your address. I don’t let others pay on my behalf.]

An Tang closed his eyes, steeling himself:

[No. I like you, big brother. How can I make you spend money while I’m pursuing you? If you like it, then I’ll try it myself.]

Then he frowned. How did the other know it came from the forum? Did he guess “she” was a student at Mo’erxi Academy? That couldn’t be allowed.

Quickly, he added:

[What forum? I just guessed from your usual outfits.]

Pei Chengrui chuckled and typed:

[Alright then. I’ll be waiting to see.]

An Tang had just typed “I’ll work hard” when another message popped up:

[Don’t photoshop anymore. I like the original.]

His face went pale. Gritting his teeth, he replied:

[Big brother, I didn’t photoshop.]

[Even the walls are crooked, and you still say you didn’t edit?]

Before An Tang could argue, a photo came through.

Ever since he started chatting, his brows hadn’t relaxed once. Now he muttered again about his crappy phone number account—the photos wouldn’t even load properly.

When it finally filled the screen—

He froze.

It was an unedited picture of him.

Panicked, he downloaded it, compared it with the original. Nearly identical.

[Pei Chengrui: The natural look is better.]

An Tang stayed silent for a long time before typing:

[Big brother, you’re so bad.]

He threw his phone back into the desk.

By noon, he still hadn’t recovered.

So… all his little tricks had been this obvious?

Didn’t that make him a clown? Everyone already knew his real appearance, while he’d been busy sending high-photoshopped pictures. No wonder no one replied before—they’d just been laughing at his poor acting!

Head drooping, he was so depressed he didn’t even want lunch.

The classroom was empty now.

Then came footsteps. He figured it was just a classmate who forgot their lunch card, so he didn’t turn his head.

Suddenly, a warm hand wrapped around his waist.

He jolted upright, ready to stand—only to be pulled tighter.

At the same time, a splash of pink entered his vision.

Startled eyes widened—Pei Chengrui’s smiling gaze looked down at him. He ruffled An Tang’s hair, making his cowlick stick up. Laughing, he said:

“Why so scared? Didn’t you say you wanted to eat with me?”