Vicious Cannon Fodder? No, It's The Beautiful Wife! - Chapter 3

“I know you’re not asleep, honey…”

System 341 was very reliable. It gave Yuan Su some helpful suggestions to complete the mission. For example: [Why not flirt with Qu Zhilan?]

Yuan Su: “…?”

The system always felt that the way the protagonist Shou looked at Yuan Su in this world… wasn’t exactly innocent. Qu Zhilan’s last words before he left were awkward, and it was unclear whether they were meant as comfort or explanation. There was a certain vague intimacy in his tone.

Qu Zhilan said, “Everyone in the guild doesn’t hate you. Don’t overthink it.”

His face and tone weren’t soft—actually a bit stiff—but his deep eyes kept drifting toward Yuan Su’s face, as if observing his reaction while trying to avoid Yuan Su’s gaze.

341: Strange.

Yuan Su paused only for a moment before understanding what the system meant. As long as Qu Zhilan developed feelings for him, wouldn’t that naturally lead to a love triangle between the Gong and Shou protagonists?

He’d be playing the villain cannon fodder—no training required!

Since he was supposed to be a hated villain, destined to be disliked by everyone, if he tangled with the protagonist, it would not only help the story develop and complete the task, but also keep him safe from being chased by gay admirers.

Such a sense of security!

“Okay,” Yuan Su agreed happily despite his mild homophobia. 341 was such a mature and reliable system!

Seeing Yuan Su agree so quickly, 341 felt complicated inside—truly a seasoned flirt who had seen many men.

Qu Zhilan didn’t insist on taking the key, and Yuan Su believed it was thanks to his excellent performance. That look of deep longing and affection for his “late husband” had even moved himself!

“It’s a bit late now. I’ll go find him tomorrow.”

Looking out the window at the darkening sky, Yuan Su searched the fridge and threw together a simple meal.

After going out today, he had sweated a bit. Being someone who loved cleanliness, Yuan Su had to take a shower before bed.

But when he went to the master bedroom and opened the wardrobe, he froze.

“Where are my clothes?”

[This is Qin Zhao’s house. You’re living apart now.]

Yuan Su poked at the clothes that were clearly one size larger than his, “Then why did you direct me to his place?”

341 sounded disappointed: [Shouldn’t you be looking around for anything valuable in his house?]

Yuan Su had a sudden realization, “I’ll look after I shower.”

The wardrobe only had Qin Zhao’s clothes. Yuan Su picked a soft shirt and headed into the bathroom.

The bathroom door closed. The sound of rushing water began.

In the corner of the living room where Yuan Su couldn’t see, the window quietly opened. A thick black shadow, like mist, flowed inside, slowly gathering into a strange form that “stood” silently in the room.

A huge, inhuman, deep-blue and purplish eye glowed like a jewel within the fog—beautiful and creepy. It stared blankly in the direction of the bathroom.

Like a giant black python, “he” slowly slithered toward the bathroom. Clothes were left outside the door—shirt, pants, and then underwear…

“He” still remembered the milky-white skin glimpsed through the cold glass. That kind of skin must feel warm to the touch, maybe even tremble gently under affection.

A tendril formed from the black mist. It grabbed only the white underwear, curling around it—not out of lust, but pure curiosity. As if this wasn’t shameful at all.

After a while, the water stopped.

The bathroom door opened, steam flooding out. Pale fingers clutching the door looked as soft and juicy as ripe peaches. Wet and pink—enough to stir shameful thoughts.

The steamy air made Yuan Su dizzy after his bath. His cheeks were flushed, eyes slightly unfocused.

The hot water had turned his pale skin pink and soft, making him look like a hibiscus flower swaying in rain. His long lashes were damp, amber eyes glistening with moisture. Everything about him seemed unbelievably tender.

His black hair clung to his neck, dripping down onto his shirt collar. His delicate collarbones shimmered with water, and the scent of his skin filled the air.

So fragrant.

Gulp.

Yuan Su tilted his head and drank some water, licking his wet lips. Still feeling hot, he grabbed a towel to dry his hair while walking to the fridge, bent down to grab a popsicle, and kicked the door closed with his foot.

Cold air brushed his pale-pink foot, but Yuan Su didn’t look down—assuming it was just from the fridge.

But actually, a thin strand of black mist had wound around his ankle like a shackle. Though faint, it stood out starkly against his snowy skin.

“Where’s my underwear?” Yuan Su flipped through the pile of clothes by the bathroom but couldn’t find it. He could wear Qin Zhao’s shirt and pants, but the underwear… was too big.

He never found it and gave up. At least there was no one else at home, so walking around bare was fine.

He didn’t forget the system’s earlier reminder. Wandering around the house, he eventually found a jewelry box in the master bedroom’s drawer. Inside was a necklace.

The pendant was a pitch-black crystal with a hint of blue. It had no obvious cuts or polish and looked rough, but the color was unique.

Yuan Su held it under the light and asked, “What is this?”

341: [Can’t say, but it’s important.]

Yuan Su nodded. He didn’t overthink it and simply put the necklace on, then crawled into bed.

—

“Remember to bring water.”

“Be careful out there.”

“I’ll wait for you to come back.”

…

Yuan Su dreamed about how he met his husband—and why he “killed” him.

After the apocalypse, civilization collapsed. Human nature twisted under pressure. Society became violent, strength above all.

Before joining the base, his husband Qin Zhao was already a leader in a shelter. He took in many survivors and built his own force.

To survive better, Qin Zhao brought his people to the base and formed a guild. He had remarkable leadership and combat skills. Even without the base’s protection, he had organized hundreds of people and always brought back supplies after missions.

He had saved many during small outbreaks by bringing back medicine and vaccines. Over time, Qin Zhao became highly respected.

Though cold on the surface and known for slaying mutated beasts, deep down, Qin Zhao was gentle and meticulous.

That’s what Yuan Su liked. He thought Qin Zhao must be a soft-hearted, honest man.

When someone tried to ambush Qin Zhao during a mission, Yuan Su jumped in to take the hit. He was wounded and saved.

When Qin Zhao came to check on him, Yuan Su used his weakness and Qin Zhao’s guilt to confess his feelings.

Qin Zhao didn’t agree, but Yuan Su didn’t give up. Later, when Qin Zhao was drunk and asleep, he took off his clothes and climbed into his arms.

The next morning, Qin Zhao looked confused and shocked. Yuan Su pitifully said, “It’s okay,” pretending to be strong as tears welled up.

Then came that sentence: “I’ll take responsibility.”

Mission accomplished.

Yuan Su didn’t care about love—he just wanted to live better in this harsh world.

After marriage, Qin Zhao treated him with respect, but Yuan Su wanted more—more points, more food, and luxurious things in this resource-starved time.

Their values clashed. Yuan Su often got upset. Qin Zhao responded by moving to an apartment near the guild.

Yuan Su thought this quiet separation was fine. Sometimes he’d go look for Qin Zhao. He wasn’t afraid of being cheated on. After all, Qin Zhao was too naïve to divorce him.

Gentle, soft-hearted, and easy to trick.

But this belief shattered when Yuan Su accidentally saw his husband swallow a bloody rabbit whole!

Only one ceiling light was on. Qin Zhao stood by the sink, holding a skinned rabbit—shoving it into his mouth whole!

His neck stretched in a horrifying arc as bones and muscles popped audibly in the dark. Bl00d dripped from his mouth, flowing down his collarbone. His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed.

His face was beautiful, eyes half-closed, like a lazy, satisfied serpent.

Under the cold light, his sharp features looked demonic—handsome and terrifying.

Yuan Su collapsed to the ground, covering his mouth. His heart pounded in terror.

My husband… isn’t human!

Then what is he?

Infected? Will he eat me too?

But he never hurt anyone in the base…

Yuan Su was dazed. When he came to, it was the morning of Qin Zhao’s mission. He was holding a cup of water laced with poison.

Standing beside the armored vehicle, he nervously said, “Take the water with you.”

Qin Zhao didn’t suspect anything. He took the cup, gently gripped Yuan Su’s neck, and kissed his forehead.

“Wait for me.”

His deep voice was soft, but Yuan Su tensed like a frightened animal. His bl00d froze.

Lowering his head, he didn’t see the teasing glint in Qin Zhao’s blue eyes.

It took Yuan Su a while before he forced out a dry sentence: “I’ll wait.”

After that, he couldn’t sleep. He regretted poisoning him, yet feared the monster husband wouldn’t die.

Half a month later, word came that Qin Zhao had died.

Yuan Su finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Just when he thought he could finally sleep…

In the dark and silence, he heard strange rustling sounds.

Like a snake slithering…

Like something dragging a corpse…

It came closer…

He couldn’t think. The sounds grew louder, more real.

But—but he was the only one in the house!

Yuan Su froze, curled up in bed.

Until a tentacle lifted the blanket and gently wrapped around his waist. Cold and smooth like a snake.

“Didn’t you say you’d wait for me?”

A familiar but eerie voice whispered at his ear—

“Why did you poison me?”

Hot breath brushed his cheek.

“Did you want me dead so you could be with another man?”

The tone was gentle and affectionate, but Yuan Su trembled like a leaf, eyes filled with tears…

“I know you’re not asleep, honey.”