The Infatuated Cannon Fodder Quits Chapter 64

Having finished his piece and coincidentally throwing away his single status, Xie Ruan was ready to leave.

It was already past nine, well beyond his usual curfew. If he stayed out any longer, it would start to look bad.

But Bo Jin wasn’t about to let him go.

“Have you eaten?”

“There’s a 7-Eleven by the subway. I’ll just grab a quick sandwich.” Xie Ruan brushed it off casually. He’d always lived a bit rough, never bothered much about skipping meals.

“Just bread?” Bo Jin stood up and flicked his finger lightly against Xie Ruan’s forehead, disapproving. “Careful, you’ll stunt your growth.”

That was too much for Xie Ruan. “Are you kidding me?” he scoffed, looking indignant. “I’m plenty grown.”

Bo Jin looked at him for a few seconds, then suddenly started laughing.

Xie Ruan felt inexplicably self-conscious, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.

He hadn’t even said anything. What was this guy laughing at?

“What’s so ‘grown’ about it?” Bo Jin leaned forward a bit, gaze sweeping slowly over Xie Ruan from head to toe. “How can I be sure unless I check?”

Innocent as he was, Xie Ruan didn’t catch the meaning at first. But when he met Bo Jin’s amused eyes—

Xie Ruan’s face flushed, and like a startled cat, he sprang a few paces back. “Get lost! Don’t even think about it!”

“Not even allowed to think about it…” Bo Jin clicked his tongue, shaking his head with a sigh. “I guess I really am the henpecked one here.”

Annoyed, Xie Ruan retorted, “You’re the wife!”

After years of fighting experience, Brother Xie was convinced there was no way “wife” would apply to him.

“Oh?” Bo Jin raised an eyebrow, ever the gentleman. “Then what are you?”

Determined to assert his dominance, Xie Ruan didn’t even think before blurting, “Husband!”

Bo Jin, who had only intended to tease, hadn’t expected this delightful surprise.

He had to respond; it would be a waste not to seize this chance.

“Yes, I’m here.” 

D*mn! This guy was a real opportunist!

Xie Ruan cursed him silently, completely unable to handle Bo Jin’s endless teasing. He turned his head, blushing, hoping not to give him another opening.

Bo Jin couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Wait here.” He pressed Xie Ruan onto the sofa, adjusted his messy collar, and casually stole a small advantage before saying, “I’ll go make some wontons in the kitchen.”

Those endless recipe books weren’t for nothing; Bo Jin’s cooking skills were excellent.

On top of that, he had a peculiar pickiness, convinced that outside food was unclean. During his school years, he had no choice but to eat out, but on breaks, he cooked all his own meals.

There wasn’t time for anything fancy now, so Bo Jin kept it simple. Luckily, he’d pre-made a batch of wontons and kept them frozen, ready to cook in a pinch.

Bo Jin and the word “cooking” didn’t seem like they belonged together.

Xie Ruan looked at him entering the kitchen in a daze, and even more dazed as he watched him bring a pot of wontons to a boil. The whole scene felt surreal.

Was this really happening?

Bo Jin was actually cooking…for him…

It wasn’t until the steaming bowl of wontons was placed in front of him that Xie Ruan snapped back to reality.

“Did you buy these as a semi-prepared meal?” he asked, sounding slightly dazed.

“No.” Bo Jin sat beside him. “I made them myself. Cabbage and pork filling—I remember you like that kind of dumpling.”

He handed Xie Ruan a spoon. “Try it. I didn’t add too much oil, so it’s not greasy.”

Discovering his boyfriend’s domestic side left Xie Ruan at a loss for words. What could he do? He started eating.

Before taking the first bite, Xie Ruan thought, Even if it’s not good, I’ll eat it without complaint. After all, Bo Jin had made it for him, so even if it tasted awful, he’d swallow it down with a smile.

But as he took his first bite, all those thoughts disappeared.

Nothing could prepare him for how delicious it was.

The wontons had thin wrappers, plump fillings, and a savory broth with a touch of pepper, absolutely perfect.

Without exaggeration, he could confidently say it was the best wonton he’d ever eaten in his life.

Bo Jin didn’t need to ask if Xie Ruan liked it; his expression said it all.

Seeing his boyfriend’s happy profile as they finished their bowl, Bo Jin felt a quiet satisfaction.

“Full?” 

“Mm.” Xie Ruan had plenty of praise on the tip of his tongue but couldn’t bring himself to say it. Frustrated, he wished he could smack himself for being so dense.

After hesitating a moment, he decided to get up and do the dishes.

Bo Jin noticed Xie Ruan had left half the broth in his bowl and raised an eyebrow. “Not going to drink it?”

“Mm.” Xie Ruan nodded.

His mother, a southerner, had always insisted on soup with every meal. But he took after his father, who didn’t care for soup and often got scolded for it.

Bo Jin nodded. “Hand it over, then.”

“No need.” Xie Ruan shrank back, refusing.

Bo Jin had cooked, and he hadn’t even helped. Having Bo Jin do the dishes too just felt wrong.

Without further ado, Bo Jin grabbed the bowl when Xie Ruan wasn’t looking. To his astonishment, Bo Jin downed the rest of the broth, not even leaving a scrap of green onion or cilantro.

Xie Ruan stammered, “Why…why did you do that?”

Letting my boyfriend eat my leftovers… I’m not ready for that yet!

“Hm?” Bo Jin looked down at the empty bowl in his hands, leaned close to Xie Ruan’s ear, and whispered, “Didn’t you see? I was just taking advantage of my boyfriend.”

Instantly, a blush crept up Xie Ruan’s face once again.

Bo Jin chuckled, sneaking a kiss at the corner of his mouth. “No wasting food.” With that, he stacked the bowls together and walked back to the kitchen.

No wasting food…

Those words made Xie Ruan pause, instantly reminded of the little details he’d noticed when he used to eat with Bo Jin.

He never left anything on his plate, not even the ginger and garlic in his dishes. He’d been teased by He Mingjie, who said Bo Jin was the king of clean plates—his dishes barely needed washing afterward.

Before, Xie Ruan had found this habit amusing. But ever since he learned that Bo Jin had gone hungry for six months as a child, a heaviness had settled in his heart.

It felt like a thick, damp towel was pressed against his chest, stifling him.

Memories may fade, but scars remain.

Xie Ruan looked at Bo Jin’s strong figure and pressed his lips together.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Bo Jin grabbed a paper towel from the kitchen, wiped his hands, and approached him. “Can’t bear to leave? Then stay tonight. It’s a long night, perfect for doing things we enjoy.”

There he goes, being a pervert again.

Any sadness Xie Ruan had felt vanished. He lifted his foot and kicked him. “Get lost.”

He bent down, picked up his phone from the coffee table, and, seeing it was already nine-thirty, looked up at Bo Jin. “I’m heading out.”

“Okay.” Realizing Xie Ruan wasn’t staying, Bo Jin didn’t want to delay him any longer and grabbed his jacket from the sofa. “I’ll walk you.”

“No need.” Xie Ruan changed his shoes at the door. “It’s only a few steps; I don’t need an escort.”

Bo Jin ignored him. “I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?” Xie Ruan turned back, puzzled by Bo Jin’s sudden seriousness, which felt out of character.

Bo Jin locked the door and walked with him toward the elevator, explaining, “I’ll be away tomorrow. There’s a problem with the project I’ve been working on, and I also have to attend the company’s annual meeting, so I won’t be able to help you study these next few days.”

Xie Ruan relaxed, having thought it was something serious. “Alright, go ahead. I’ll study on my own, and if I don’t understand something, I’ll save it for when you’re back.”

Bo Jin smiled. “Sounds good.”

After seeing Xie Ruan off, Bo Jin finally checked his buzzing phone, only to see the group chat had over 99 unread messages.

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: Holy cr*p! He actually did it!

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: Man, he’s got some nerve!

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: @He Mingjie @Pan Yu, get over here!

[He Mingjie]: Why are you freaking out at this hour?

[Vice Monitor – Pan Yu]: ?

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: What else? Bo Jin and little Xie! They’re official!

[He Mingjie]: Holy cr*p!!!

[Vice Monitor – Pan Yu]: ???

[Vice Monitor – Pan Yu]: @Bo

[He Mingjie]: Is this for real? Since when? Why didn’t I know?

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: It’s true! Why would I lie? I’m not that bored.

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: Wait, I’m still chatting with him. I’ll screenshot it for you guys.

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: [image][image][image]

[He Mingjie]: !!! No wonder… all that flaunting is practically spilling out of the screen [eye-roll].jpg

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: Right… It’s been so long since I’ve even recognized the word “no longer single.”

[Vice Monitor – Pan Yu]: …Is there a chance

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: What’s up, Old Pan?

[Vice Monitor – Pan Yu]: …that it’s an automated reply

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: …

[He Mingjie]: …

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: D*mn it! Bo Jin, I swear! @Bo, come out! If you’re brave enough to set an auto-reply, be brave enough to show yourself!

[Bo]: Yes, we’re together. So what?

[Bo]: Your stupidity is none of my business.

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: …Get out here. I’m going to come over and challenge you in person.

[Bo]: Come if you want to get beaten. I’m busy reconnecting with Xie Ruan and have no time for you.

[After repeatedly turning down the school beauty, Sun Haoxiang]: …

[He Mingjie]: …

[Vice Monitor – Pan Yu]: …

There was a brief silence in the group chat, then Sun Haoxiang’s endless ranting resumed.

Bo Jin chuckled and exited the group chat, opening his conversation with Xie Ruan. Just as he was about to ask if he got home safely, a new message from Xie Ruan popped up.

[Your Bro Xie]: Home.

[Bo]: Good, get some rest.

He thought for a moment and added another message.

[Bo]: Don’t forget to keep studying while I’m gone. I’ll check when I’m back.

As if I haven’t already reformed! Xie Ruan thought with a huff, grabbing his phone while rummaging for fresh pajamas.

[Your Bro Xie]: Who do you think I am? Just wait and see. I’m going to crush you next semester.

[Bo]: Crush me?

[Your Bro Xie]: Exactly!

He waited a few seconds, but Bo Jin didn’t reply.

Scared, are you?

Xie Ruan smirked in satisfaction. His progress this semester had been visible, and beating Bo Jin was within reach.

After waiting a bit longer with still no reply, Xie Ruan put down his phone to get ready for a shower.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed.

Xie Ruan picked up his phone, stumbled, and face-planted into his bed.

On the glowing screen, Bo Jin’s latest message was clear.

[Bo]: Shared link – “Shocking! Three Ride Techniques That Make Your Partner Want More. Tens of Thousands Are Shouting ‘I’m Ruined! I’m Ruined!’”