I Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Only to be Desired by the Dragon King - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Meeting Wen Shubai — But as an outsider, Shen Youqing didn’t know…

Shen Youqing had been back in the capital from the suburban manor for several days, and the initial awkwardness of his arrival had long since faded. Compared to the quiet of the manor, the bustling energy of the capital suited his personality much better.

Particularly this street—Fanghua Avenue—which was filled from morning to night with the aroma of food, the cries of street vendors, laughter, and the tinkling of silver bells from jewelry shops. It made his heart feel warm.

Right now, he was standing in the middle of the street, holding a candied hawthorn stick covered in frosting in his left hand and a freshly made large oil cake in his right. As he bit into the golden crust, steam rose out, and crispy crumbs fell onto his lapel. He brushed them off casually, savoring the oily fragrance that was far more satisfying than the bland dishes at the manor.

“Young Master, please slow down,” the servant behind him pleaded, his arms draped with paper parcels of all sizes.

“Ooh, what’s that?” Shen Youqing ignored the servant, his eyes caught by a sugar-painting stall.

He watched the old master scoop melted sugar with a bronze spoon. With a flick of the wrist, shiny golden threads fell onto a bluestone slab, forming a butterfly in seconds and drawing gasps of wonder from the surrounding children.

He squeezed his way to the front, pointing with his candied hawthorns: “Master, I want a little fish! Can you do that?”

“Certainly, Young Master. Just a moment.” The old man smiled, scooping more sugar.

Shen Youqing remembered the oil cake in his hand. He looked around and saw his servant watching longingly, so he held the cake out to him. “I’ve only taken one bite and it’s still hot. If you don’t mind…”

The servant’s eyes lit up. He took it with both hands, overwhelmed. “Thank you, Young Master!” He took a huge, crunchy bite, mumbling, “So good!”

Seeing him satisfied, Shen Youqing smiled and turned back to watch the sugar fish take shape. Soon, a lifelike sugar fish on a bamboo skewer was handed to him. It was still warm, the translucent sugar glowing in the light.

He held the sugar painting, his finger brushing the short tail of the fish. Suddenly, his heart felt a strange void. The craftsmanship was great, but the tail wasn’t as long as Little White’s; it was short, a common little fish like Little Black.

His excitement vanished. He stood frozen, his smile fading as he muttered: “I wonder how Little White, Little Black, and the duckling are doing… I wonder if that guy Feng Xiuyan checks on them often…”

As soon as he thought of Feng Xiuyan, his mood soured. He huffed: “Even if he does, he’s probably just tossing in some hay. He doesn’t actually care!”

“Young Master? Is the sugar painting not good?” the servant asked softly.

Shen Youqing snapped out of it and bit the tail of the sugar fish. “It’s nothing… let’s keep moving.”

…

Walking along with his half-eaten sugar fish, he spotted an antique-looking bookstore at a corner.

“Whoa, a bookstore!” His eyes lit up. At the manor, he only had those boring, ancient texts in classical Chinese that he couldn’t understand. He wanted to see if there was anything actually readable.

He stepped inside. The shopkeeper behind the counter looked up from his ledger. “What can I get for you, Young Master?”

“Do you have any storybooks or picture books?” Shen Youqing asked tentatively.

“Yes, yes! A new batch arrived today, right there in the corner.”

Shen Youqing hurried over. He found plenty of picture books with illustrated covers. He squatted down, picking several that looked interesting, and even found a title called The Overbearing Imperial Uncle Falls for Me.

Wait, people in ancient times read this stuff too? He tucked a few into his arms. Then he spotted one called The Dragon King’s Only Love. He chuckled and pulled that one out as well. Soon, he had a thick stack and waddled back to the counter.

“Shopkeeper, I’ll take all of these!” He piled them on the table. After paying, he refused his servant’s help. “No, no, I’ll carry these myself!”

He clutched the bundle of books tied with hemp rope and stepped out of the shop. Just as he crossed the threshold, his eyes met a figure stepping out of the teahouse across the street.

Moon-white robes, a jade belt, and a folding fan in hand—it was Wen Shubai, whom he hadn’t seen since leaving the manor!

“Brother Wen!” Shen Youqing’s eyes sparkled. He waved his free hand high, a wide grin on his face.

Wen Shubai, who had been talking to several scholars, turned around. He froze for a moment, then smiled, nodding warmly in greeting. His friends looked over with curiosity. They were all dressed as literati, and though they looked at Shen Youqing with interest, there was no disdain.

Only then did Shen Youqing feel a bit self-conscious. He was clutching a stack of “trashy” novels and picture books, his clothes stained with sugar and cake crumbs. Compared to these pristine gentlemen, he looked a bit… messy.

He tightened his grip on the books and gave a shy smile, revealing a hint of his canine teeth. The scholars were polite; they nodded back, and one teased Wen Shubai: “Shubai, this young man looks quite clever and cute. Is this the ‘interesting’ Young Master Shen you mentioned?”

Wen Shubai smiled, said his goodbyes, and the scholars departed in different directions. He then walked across the street toward Shen Youqing. As he approached, Shen Youqing could smell a faint scent of ink on him, similar to the bookstore.

“Did I interrupt your gathering? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have shouted…” Shen Youqing scratched his head, sticking his tongue out playfully.

“My friends were just discussing poetry; we were finished,” Wen Shubai replied. Seeing the high stack of books in the boy’s arms, he naturally reached out. “Let me help you with those.”

“No need, I—” Before Shen Youqing could finish, Wen Shubai had already taken the stack from his arms. His fingertips brushed against Shen Youqing’s, and he took the weight effortlessly.

“Thanks… I didn’t realize you were so strong,” Shen Youqing said sheepishly.

“Where are you headed? More shopping, or back home?”

“Home, definitely,” Shen Youqing said, pointing to the snacks the servant was carrying. “I’ve got too much stuff. Better to drop it off.”

“I’ll walk with you. My home is also on Gumo Street,” Wen Shubai said naturally.

“What a coincidence! It’ll be so easy to visit then!”

They walked side by side. Wen Shubai walked on the outside, occasionally shielding Shen Youqing from passing carriages. Shen Youqing felt bad and tried to take the books back several times, but Wen Shubai gently dodged him. “We’re almost there. Just a few more steps.”

“I really owe you today. My arms would have fallen off without your help,” Shen Youqing laughed. “How about I treat you to dinner tomorrow?”

Wen Shubai looked at him. The boy’s eyes were bright, his voice full of genuine gratitude. But then Wen Shubai remembered he had to go to the Dragon King’s Palace tomorrow for the final selection. A trace of complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

“Tomorrow… I have a prior engagement. I’m afraid I can’t make it.”

“Oh, I see.” Shen Youqing’s smile dimmed for a split second before returning. “That’s fine! Whenever you’re free. We live close by, so there’ll be plenty of chances.”

They reached the gates of the Shen Manor. Shen Youqing took the books back, grinning. “I’m going in then! When you have time, come find me, we’ll go eat braised pork trotters!”

“Alright,” Wen Shubai agreed. He watched Shen Youqing disappear behind the gates.

He stood at the mouth of the alley as the wind carried the scent of locust flowers. His confusion deepened. It wasn’t just him; Yuan Yajun and Li Beicheng had noticed it too. The Dragon King’s favoritism toward Shen Youqing at the manor was far too obvious.

But as an outsider, Shen Youqing didn’t know the truth. But what about the Dragon King? Did he really not know what he wanted?