I Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Only to be Desired by the Dragon King - Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Gu Li Goes Offline — Gu Li stared deathly at the direction where Feng Xiuyan disappeared…

The night was deep when Feng Xiuyan sent Shen Youqing back to the Shen residence.

The lanterns in front of the gate glowed with a warm light. Feng Xiuyan helped him pull his outer robe tighter. “Regarding Gu Li’s matter, I must return to the East Sea to handle it. I will come to find you as soon as I am finished.”

Shen Youqing nodded in agreement, but his fingertips unconsciously rubbed the hem of his clothes. Even though they had been stuck together all afternoon, seeing him about to leave made his heart feel inexplicably empty.

Feng Xiuyan saw his response, reached out to rub the top of his head, and turned to transform into a streak of light to depart.

“Wait!” Shen Youqing suddenly called out. Looking into Feng Xiuyan’s gentle eyes, his heart rate suddenly accelerated.

He took a deep breath, suddenly stood on his tiptoes, and planted a quick kiss on the man’s smooth cheek—his lips retracted as soon as they touched the warm skin, as if he had been burned.

“I—I’m just afraid the Gu will act up again tonight! Maybe a kiss in advance will stabilize it! Saves you from having to run back and forth at night.” He scrambled for an excuse, his ears red enough to bleed. After dropping a quick “I’m going now, goodnight,” he turned and ran into the manor.

Feng Xiuyan stood frozen on the spot, his fingertips instinctively touching the cheek that had been kissed. The temperature there felt as if it were branded into his skin. He watched Shen Youqing frantically retreating back until the figure vanished behind the gate, then he let out a low laugh. The tenderness in his eyes was overflowing—Qingqing is so cute.

The laughter subsided as silver radiance surrounded him, and he transformed into a stream of light, vanishing into the night sky.

…

The Small Interrogators

Shen Youqing leaned against the door to steady his heartbeat for a long while before walking into the inner courtyard. Just as he stepped over the threshold, two small figures rushed over with a “thud-thud-thud,” hitting his legs so hard his knees buckled.

“Daddy!” Little Black stood with his hands on his hips, his round face full of an “accusatory” posture. Beside him, Little Fu grabbed the hem of his robe, repeating softly, “Daddy is back.”

Shen Youqing bent down to pick up Little Fu, smiling as he pinched his nose. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“Hmph, we waited for you for a long time.” Little Black puffed out his cheeks and pulled out a bare hawthorn stick from behind his back. “Grandma bought this for you today at the market! But you came back too late, so Brother and I couldn’t help it and split yours too…” His voice got smaller and smaller.

“Oh?” Shen Youqing teased. “You said you bought it for me, but you really just wanted an extra stick, right?”

“No way!” Little Black jumped up and down. “But the hawthorns were so sweet… we just couldn’t help it.”

Shen Youqing laughed at his little gluttons. “Eat it if you like. I’ve never fought you for food, have I?” He carried Little Fu toward the inner rooms. “Where are Grandpa and Grandma?”

“We missed Daddy,” Little Fu suddenly hugged his neck, burying his face in Shen Youqing’s shoulder. “Brother said Daddy definitely forgot about us.”

“Hey now,” Shen Youqing snorted, poking Little Black’s forehead. “Now you miss me? You didn’t say that this morning when you ran off to play.”

Little Black blushed, then put his hands on his hips to counter-attack: “Hmph! It’s Daddy who has a husband and forgot us! Playing with Father until so late, you definitely threw us to the back of your mind!”

“Mhm! Back of your mind!” Little Fu puffed his cheeks and nodded solemnly.

Shen Youqing was choked by the sudden “interrogation,” then laughed. He set Little Fu down and put his hands on his own hips. “Oh? So it’s my fault now? Fine, see if I don’t use my Tickle-Attack!”

The courtyard was filled with the laughter of the two little ones until late into the night.

…

The Cold Hall of the East Sea

Three days passed in a flash. Deep in the East Sea Dragon Palace, the hall built of cold crystal radiated a bone-chilling frost.

Feng Xiuyan sat upon his dragon throne, his gaze like a blade tempered in ice, falling directly on the man bowing below.

“This King knows everything. You released Chu Heng half a month ago. What was your intent?” Feng Xiuyan’s voice was low and icy.

Gu Li kept his back straight, his eyes hiding a turbulent mix of emotions. “Since Your Majesty already knows, why ask?” He looked up, his face pale with suppressed pain. “I have followed Your Majesty for a thousand years. Have you truly never noticed my feelings?”

Feng Xiuyan gazed at him, his voice devoid of warmth. “Put away those thoughts. Between us, there has only ever been the bond of ruler and subject. Never anything more.”

“Ruler and subject?” Gu Li laughed self-mockingly. He pointed outside the hall. “Because of that human named Shen Youqing? What did he give you that would make you discard a subject of a thousand years like old shoes?”

The surrounding ministers began to whisper, some pleading for mercy for Gu Li’s long service.

“Silence!” Feng Xiuyan slammed the armrest of his throne. Dragon aura swept through the room like a storm. “Chu Heng did not harm him this time. But if anything had happened to Qingqing, do you think your ancestors’ merit could save your life? He is my chosen mate. None of you have the right to question him!”

Gu Li collapsed onto the floor, his voice thick with resentment. “Your Majesty! I am just… unwilling! I waited for a thousand years, why does a human boy get your favor the moment he appears?!”

Feng Xiuyan’s last trace of warmth vanished. He turned to the guards. “Take Gu Li away. Throw him into the Cold Water Prison. No one is to visit him without my command.”

…

The “Shattered” Image

“Your Highness! I do not accept this!” Gu Li struggled as the guards grabbed him. “For one human, you would throw away my thousand years of service?”

But before his complaint could finish, the dragon jade at Feng Xiuyan’s waist suddenly glowed with a soft light. Then, a clear but trembling teenage voice leaked out:

“Feng Xiuyan… I feel so uncomfortable… come and help me with the Gu…”

The voice was soft, sticky, and carried a slight gasp—the boy was clearly at his limit.

The Dragon King, who had been as cold as frost a second ago, felt his dragon aura instantly dissolve. Panic and heartache filled his eyes. He grabbed the jade, his voice turning incredibly soft and trembling, a completely different person from the majestic ruler of a moment ago.

“Qingqing, be good. Just endure a little longer, I’m coming right now!”

Before the words even faded, his black robes fluttered as he transformed into a silver rainbow, bursting through the roof of the hall, leaving only a faint scent of ambergris.

The hall fell into a deathly silence. The ministers were frozen in place, their faces full of disbelief.

Did… did our King just get possessed? a young guard whispered. That voice had been so soft it could have been honey. It was gentler than the most submissive mermaid in the East Sea!

Gu Li stared at the direction Feng Xiuyan had vanished, his nails digging into his palms until they bled. “Shen Youqing…” he hissed through his teeth. “Why is it always you?”