I Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Only to be Desired by the Dragon King - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Dragon Form — When a pair of misty blue dragon pupils looked at Shen Youqing…

As the porridge bowl reached its bottom, Shen Youqing suddenly remembered his primary objective. He dropped his bamboo chopsticks with a clatter, his eyes shining like fallen stars. “Right! When are we going to see Little Black and the duckling?”

Feng Xiuyan picked up a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth, his tone gentle. “We can go anytime. If you’re in a hurry, can we set off as soon as you finish your porridge?”

“Absolutely!” Shen Youqing’s eyes grew even brighter, his legs swinging unconsciously under the table. “I bought some lotus crisp from Yipinzhai yesterday. I’ll bring it along for them to taste!”

Feng Xiuyan replied with a smile, “They will certainly be happy to see you. Before I came here, the two little fellows were clamoring to see their ‘Daddy’.”

“Really? Heehee.” Shen Youqing’s eyes curved into crescent moons. “I want to see them soon too! I wonder what the little duckling looks like now?”

He hadn’t expected that the chubby kid he saw in the Dragon Palace yesterday was actually Little Black! The boy had healthy wheat-colored skin, fleshy little hands holding a soup bowl, a pouty red mouth, and a tiny bun atop his head. His milky voice was truly adorable.

Yesterday, Shen Youqing had been too preoccupied with feeling “tricked” to think clearly. Now that he knew the boy was Little Black, his heart felt soft just thinking about him. He couldn’t help but imagine the duckling’s human form—surely he would be just as cute?

Shen Youqing was so busy daydreaming about the adorable duo that he failed to notice the Shen family members across from him had been excessively quiet for quite some time.

The Shen family was currently in a state of utter shock.

What did they just hear?! Two little fellows? Daddy??

When did our Qingqing have children with the Dragon King?! And two of them?!

…Who gave birth to them??

Because he was eager to go to the Dragon Palace, Shen Youqing finished his breakfast in record time. He downed the last of his porridge in one gulp and urged, “Let’s go, let’s go! I’m done.”

Seeing his impatient manner, Feng Xiuyan’s eyes curved with indulgence and helplessness. He rose and politely bid farewell to the Shen family.

Shen Youqing also addressed his elders, “Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I’m heading out with him for a bit. Please enjoy your meal.”

Shen Mother’s eyes held a trace of hesitation. She couldn’t resist asking, “Qingqing, are you… coming back for dinner tonight?”

“Yeah.” Shen Youqing didn’t catch the underlying concern in her tone. He leaned in mysteriously. “By the way, Mom and Dad, let me tell you something.”

He chuckled twice, dragging out the suspense. “You’re going to be grandparents! Happy?”

The dining hall fell silent for half a beat.

Shen Father, who was about to stand up, froze. He had to brace his hands on the table edge to keep from sliding off; his chair legs emitted a sharp creak against the floor. Shen Mother’s gaze darted back and forth between Shen Youqing and Feng Xiuyan. Her lips trembled, but all she managed to squeeze out was: “Qingqing, you… you are…”

Even Old Master Shen stopped stroking his beard, his eyes wide with astonishment.

Feng Xiuyan had long expected this “oops” moment. He gave the smug Shen Youqing a helpless look before speaking warmly to the elders. “Please do not misunderstand. Those two children are small pets we raised at the villa.”

He looked at Shen Youqing, a shallow smile rippling in his eyes. “Qingqing and I treat them like our own. Now that they have transformed, they call Qingqing ‘Daddy’.”

Only then did Shen Youqing realize the misunderstanding. He was nearly laughed to tears by their imagination. He pointed to himself and then to Feng Xiuyan, caught between laughter and exasperation. “Where did your mind go? I’m a man, and he’s a man. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t give birth!”

“Cough.” Feng Xiuyan was suddenly choked by his words, his shoulders trembling slightly from a cough.

Shen Youqing looked at him weirdly. “What’s with you?”

“Nothing… just a dry throat.” Feng Xiuyan’s gaze drifted, not daring to look him in the eye.

Actually, he hadn’t told Qingqing. If he truly wanted to… his dragon tribe could have children that belonged to them.

Does Qingqing actually want a child of our own?

The more Feng Xiuyan thought about it, the hotter his ears became. His neck and ears turned a faint red. His mind was already a mess of wildly tangential thoughts.

Shen Youqing’s explanation allowed the Shen family to breathe a collective sigh of relief, though they remained a bit embarrassed. They laughed awkwardly. “It was just our imagination.”

“Alright, we’re off then.” Shen Youqing patted the dazed Feng Xiuyan. “Let’s go.”

Feng Xiuyan snapped out of it, suppressed his chaotic thoughts, and followed him out. Watching the two leave side-by-side, Shen Mother and Shen Father exchanged a look, both seeing a smile in the other’s eyes. Despite the blunder, seeing the Dragon King’s devotion to Qingqing truly put their hearts at ease.

…

As soon as they stepped over the threshold, Shen Youqing leaned toward Feng Xiuyan, poking his arm and whispering a complaint. “What were my parents thinking? How can they imagine so much? Men can’t possibly give birth…”

His voice trailed off. He scratched the back of his head, a look of hesitation crossing his face as he turned to Feng Xiuyan. “Wait, they can’t, right?”

He had almost forgotten that he didn’t travel to a standard ancient society—this was an ancient society with a touch of fantasy!!

Feng Xiuyan’s drifting thoughts paused. He opened his mouth, wanting to say, If you want to… but Shen Youqing cut him off.

“How could that be possible? No matter how fantasy it gets, it can’t make a man have a baby…”

“…” Feng Xiuyan sighed internally.

“What’s up with you? You look like your soul has left your body.” Shen Youqing poked his forearm again, his tone curious.

He hadn’t noticed earlier, but seeing Feng Xiuyan’s downcast eyes and quiet demeanor, he realized something was off. Ever since that coughing fit in the room, the man had been distracted, even walking a half-beat slower.

“It’s nothing,” Feng Xiuyan said softly, finally pulling his gaze back from his thoughts.

“Oh.” Though a bit puzzled, Shen Youqing didn’t press him. He turned to leave but suddenly smacked his forehead. “Right! I have to go to my room to get the lotus crisp! I was so busy talking I almost forgot to bring them!”

He sprinted toward his courtyard, his robes fluttering in the wind. Feng Xiuyan watched his joyful back, his lips curving into a helpless smile. As his gaze landed on the top of Shen Youqing’s head, a complex softness filled his eyes. Those unspoken words… Perhaps it wouldn’t be too late to tell him slowly in the future.

…

Feng Xiuyan followed Shen Youqing to his door. He saw the boy standing on his tiptoes in front of a bookshelf. His heels were lifted so high they were almost vertical, his arm stretched straight as he barely touched the corner of a silk-wrapped box. No matter how he strained, he couldn’t reach it.

The box was stuck in a gap at the very top. It wobbled with his efforts but refused to fall.

“Are you kidding me?” Shen Youqing muttered, his cheeks puffing out. He tried jumping, but he was still a hair’s breadth short.

He glared at the box. Before he transmigrated, he was at least 180cm tall and could reach the top shelf easily. This body, while not short, felt like a midget in front of this bookshelf! He took a breath, comforting himself: It’s fine, the original owner is still young, I’m still growing!

“Allow me.” Feng Xiuyan stepped forward, tall as a pine. His sleeve slid down his forearm as he effortlessly hooked the box.

As he turned to hand it over, he found the boy wasn’t looking at the box. Instead, Shen Youqing was staring up at him with a look of indignant pouting, like a grumpy kitten.

“What is it?” Feng Xiuyan paused, the box held in mid-air.

“Why are you so tall!” Shen Youqing poked Feng Xiuyan’s arm and then stood on his tiptoes again, trying to measure himself against the man. Even at full stretch, the top of his head barely reached Feng Xiuyan’s jaw.

He let his heels drop in defeat, his shoulders slumping. “Figures. Good looks and height to boot—Heaven really wasn’t being fair with the distribution.”

Suddenly, his eyes lit up with excitement. “Hey! You’re a dragon, right? Does that mean you can turn into a very, very long dragon form?”

“Mhm.” Feng Xiuyan looked at his sparkling eyes and answered warmly.

“Whoa, I want to see!!” Shen Youqing almost jumped. His annoyance over height was instantly forgotten. “I’ve never seen a real dragon before!”

Feng Xiuyan was amused by his reaction. “You want to see that much?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Shen Youqing nodded like a woodpecker. “So much!”

“As you wish,” Feng Xiuyan said indulgently. “Once we are out of the city and reach the shore, I will transform for you, alright?”

“Really?!” Shen Youqing took the box into his arms and sprinted for the door. “Then let’s hurry!”

Feng Xiuyan shook his head and followed quickly. The boy’s mind was always so straightforward and vibrant; a small thing could make him so happy.

…

They left the city, Shen Youqing leading the way with the box in his arms. He walked as if in the wind, frequently turning back to ask, “Are we there yet?”

Feng Xiuyan followed behind, smiling. “Almost.”

Sure enough, the salty, humid sea breeze soon hit their faces. The distant horizon shimmered in the sunlight, and waves rolled onto the sand in white foam. Shen Youqing ran to the beach, standing near the surf and shouting back, “Feng Xiuyan! Look! The sea!”

Feng Xiuyan walked to his side, his fingers brushing a stray droplet of water from the boy’s hair. “Don’t be in such a hurry. Step back a bit.”

Shen Youqing obeyed, backing up several paces. He clutched the box and stared, his breathing growing shallow.

A pale blue spiritual light began to radiate from Feng Xiuyan. It grew brighter until a semi-transparent dragon tail shadow materialized behind him, its scales shimmering like glazed glass in the sun.

In the next second, the light erupted. Accompanied by a low, resonant dragon roar, a slender, majestic dragon body unfurled from the brilliance. Silver-white scales overlapped, glistening like crushed snow. His horns were towering and elegant, the color of warm jade. Long whiskers drifted and swayed with the sea breeze.

When those misty blue dragon pupils looked at Shen Youqing, they were full of tenderness, lacking even a hint of intimidation.