Vicious Cannon Fodder? No, It's The Beautiful Wife! - Chapter 5

Half an hour later, Yuan Su met Qu Zhilan—face cold as water—and saw a box of underwear. His hands shook when he took it. He felt very grateful: “Thank you… sorry for the trouble.” Then he poured tea for Qu Zhilan and offered it: “Here’s your tea.”

Qu Zhilan replied: “Thank you.”
Yuan Su blushed deep pink, his earlobes reddening almost like they’d bleed. After Qu took the tea, Yuan Su quietly slipped back into his room, looking like he fled in shame.

Hearing the door lock, Qu Zhilan got up and dumped the tea. He stared at the stains in the sink, expression unreadable. He didn’t even mask his feelings—could he really have killed Qin Zhao?

Qin Zhao had died so suddenly, it shocked everyone. His last mission was to take a bl00d sample from a fierce mutant beast for the research center. Everyone was injured, but Qin Zhao plunged his blade into the monster’s skull and won the fight.

He wiped bl00d off his face and shouted: “Hurry! The bats drawn away by sound waves will be back soon!”

Qu Zhilan also got news from his teammate at the sound-wave device, and heard wind and shrieks echoing between broken buildings.

“Run!” After finishing the sample, he jumped into the vehicle and heard a loud “thud” before closing the door.

Qu turned instinctively and saw Qin Zhao, who had been observing, reel unsteadily, his water bottle rolling away. Then his body dropped like a log.

Before anyone could react, monsters closed in. Mutant bats were returning to the nest and other beasts—packs of wild dogs—rushed in. Everyone boarded the vehicle in panic.

Qu rolled down the window, ready to jump out, but his team held him back:
“Don’t be rash! Those bats carry poison—one bite and you die!”
“Qin Zhao is still out there!”
“Be calm—you’d only be dead weight out there!”

Veins popped on Qu’s hand as he gripped the glass, staring at Qin Zhao’s fallen body through the window.

Before reaching the base, they realized they couldn’t bring back Qin Zhao’s body. They had to investigate his death. It felt like a bone stuck in everyone’s throat…

—

Yuan Su couldn’t tell whether he felt shame or disgust. He wasn’t anti-gay—he was gay himself. But he was homophobic, so he avoided same-s3x contact. In high school, he commuted; in college, he rented off-campus. Now, in this world, he had asked a newly met man to buy underwear for him—and Qu complied!

Million and million and million… Yuan Su repeated in his head to calm himself. Compared to past awkwardness, now he only felt lost and embarrassed.

After changing clothes, the system suddenly spoke: [It remembers how slim your waist is.]
Yuan Su paused, “What?”
System: [You wear it well.]
Yuan Su thought weird things and snapped: “You’re so improper.”
The system took a moment, then joked: [I’m only stating facts. You added the color.]
[You’re vulgar.]

Yuan Su dropped his head and didn’t answer. From under his dark hair, his eyes looked tinted—soft, alluring.

Yuan Su cleared his throat and changed the topic: “What should I do next?” Qu Zhilan was outside, and Yuan Su didn’t want to be alone with him—since he’d spiked Qu’s future partner—and Qu still didn’t trust him. Now the system suggested he seduce Qu… and he actually tried!

What kind of crazy beginning was this?! Yuan Su felt his small meltdown—but the system noticed and asked: [What are you worried about?]

Yuan Su answered weakly: “I’m homophobic… I can’t seduce him.” He’d always been the one being seduced—not doing the pleasing. He was awkward.

The system hesitated but replied: [You don’t need to be so nervous—Qu is a straight man.]

Yuan Su felt relieved: “Really?”
The system checked the original story: [Before he realized his feelings for Qin Zhao, he was straight.]

Yuan Su sighed and didn’t delay. He opened the door. As soon as it swung shut, a black tentacle grabbed the nightgown and underwear from the bed…

Yuan Su opened the door and nodded politely: “Sorry to keep you waiting. Let me invite you to dinner.” He was used to being admired, but inviting someone—making friendly talk—wasn’t his strong suit. If Qu declined, he’d remember that forever and silently curse him.

Qu Zhilan looked at Yuan Su’s forced calm and realized he seemed afraid. Maybe because Qu was too fierce yesterday? He lowered his gaze, grinding his back tooth unconsciously, throat burning. He didn’t refuse. His eyes lightly swept Yuan Su, then he stood and walked to the door: “Let’s go.”

So smooth? Yuan Su hurried after him, but stayed alert—what if Qu was tricking him or taking him somewhere remote to threaten him?

Lost in thought, Yuan Su frowned. His features were undeniably delicate—rare pre-apocalypse beauty. Red lips, soft eyes, but his catlike amber gaze softened his fierceness. In this world, such beauty was precious but fragile—without protection, prey to predators.

On the street, people watched Yuan Su. Curious, hateful, greedy eyes…

“What? Already got a new man? Pity…”
“Isn’t that Qu Zhilan? That quick?”
“He’s into your type?”
“Pretty wife, haha!”

Rage rose in Yuan Su’s chest. Qu subtly moved closer. Yuan Su was oblivious, his mind blank. Only when he realized he walked nearly side by side with Qu did he look up—just in time to meet his gaze.

No words. No panicked glance like before. Just calm eye contact.

Qu looked away smoothly, gaze dropping. “You look like you didn’t sleep well last night.”

Yuan Su did indeed sleep poorly—he dreamt about Qin Zhao. He touched the dark circles under his eyes and admitted: “I dreamed of… Qin Zhao.”

Unexpected answer. Qu’s eyebrow lifted. Usually harsh, he looked a bit more alive now. Yuan Su realized Qu might be around his age.

Qu asked: “You miss him?”

Yuan Su hesitated—he didn’t want to seem forward as a young widower, but if he didn’t admit it, Qu might withdraw.

So he quietly met Qu’s eyes and said: “A bit.” He then licked his lips like a small animal cleaning itself—natural, not intentionally seductive, but it looked like an invitation. Hesitant, awkward—but effective.

Qu’s mind spun, heart pounding. He tried to calm his breathing, but couldn’t. A faint, familiar scent filled his nose again. His cold eyes glowed with emotion. His voice carried emotional weight: “Maybe he’s not dead.”

Cold sweat formed on Yuan Su’s forehead. Amber eyes widened, but he played dumb: “W-what?” No one had checked Qin Zhao’s body closely—just assumed. Plus, he’d prepared the water cup—people thought it was poison.

But no one was that stupid. A quick test would reveal poison.

Qu looked away from Yuan Su’s shocked face. “It’s nothing.”

They soon entered the base’s communal dining hall. After the apocalypse, food was scarce; there were few private restaurants. Each zone had a canteen where food was exchanged with points. It was past noon and very busy, with long lines at every counter.

“Go upstairs,” Qu said. The second-floor cost more but was less crowded. Yuan Su didn’t refuse—he was very aware of all the stares on him: curious, hateful, greedy. He was used to being watched, but this blatant malice made him uncomfortable.

Qu noticed his downcast mood. His dark, star-like eyes scanned the crowd as he stood on the stairs. The ill-intentioned watchers immediately quieted and looked away.

Yuan Su didn’t notice, but the system did.

At the upstairs canteen, Qu asked: “Do you have any dietary restrictions?”

Yuan Su answered: “I don’t eat cilantro. I don’t like fish.” (He looked like a cat that doesn’t eat fish.)

Qu’s dark eyes curved slightly, smile fleeting. He ordered a few dishes. As the food was about to arrive, Yuan Su realized something was odd—it wasn’t his treat. Qu seemed like the host.

Yuan Su wondered if it was him being too sensitive—Qu giving so much attention? Straight men didn’t usually do that…

He asked the system: “Do straight men really act like this?” He felt something off.

The system replied: [Maybe he’s just well-mannered?]

Yuan Su: “…” Fine.

It was lunchtime, and Yuan Su was starving. The food was decent but expensive in today’s market. As he asked the system about his reputation, a familiar, gentle voice interrupted.

“Fancy meeting you here.” Yuan Su looked up and met a warm, affectionate gaze. Chu Wenhe locked eyes with him then glanced at cold, statue-like Qu Zhilan, then back to Yuan Su with regret and warmth: “You refused me for him?”