I Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Only to be Desired by the Dragon King - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Beauty Misleads the Dragon

Feng Xiuyan rolled his eyes in the water. This…

Feng Xiuyan flicked his tail and retreated half a foot, his bead-like eyes filled with the absurd.

This fish food was made from deep-sea pearl powder mixed with spiritual rice from the Kunlun Mountains and brewed with water from the Jade Pool. A common aquatic creature could gain a hundred years of cultivation just by smelling it, and this human actually wanted to taste it?

This wasn’t just “edible” for humans; it was someone treating a Dragon’s cultivation rations like a casual snack.

Feng Xiuyan sneered in his heart. How could a mortal’s stomach endure something so saturated with spiritual energy? One bite would likely cause his meridians to swell with pain; in more severe cases, the spiritual energy would run rampant, potentially causing him to explode and die.

However, hunger surged over Shen Youqing like a tide. His vision darkened in waves, and his eyes had unknowingly rimmed with red. He was oblivious to his own state, staring intensely at the water while muttering, “If you don’t come out, I… I’m really going to eat it myself.”

Deep within the weeds, Feng Xiuyan was determined to ignore the boy regardless of what he said or did. But when he peered through the swaying grass and saw those reddened eyes, the defensive wall in his heart suddenly cracked.

That hint of red felt like a branding iron, making his heart flutter with an inexplicable panic.

He had warned himself not to be misled by this face, not to indulge the boy’s laziness and negligence. Yet at this moment, all principles and warnings were tossed to the winds.

Feng Xiuyan felt a “buzz” in his brain. As if possessed, he flicked his tail and swam out from the layers of water plants. His silver-white body shimmered in the sunlight as he circled the surface in front of Shen Youqing.

He wanted to say, “There’s no need for this,” but he could only blow tiny bubbles. He had forgotten he was still in fish form and couldn’t speak at all.

Shen Youqing was just about to give up and go to the dining hall. The fish didn’t look stupid; it would eventually forage when it got hungry enough. Maybe it would come out once he left.

Just as he started to stand, he caught the familiar white shadow swimming toward him. His eyes instantly lit up.

“Little White, you finally came out!” His voice went up an octave. He quickly scooped a spoonful of fish food and scattered it into the water, his tone so gentle it could practically melt. “Eat your ‘num-nums,’ okay? You have to eat a lot to grow big.”

That “num-nums” (饭饭) was so childish and soft, it felt like a feather brushing against Feng Xiuyan’s heart.

Feng Xiuyan felt his ear tips grow inexplicably hot. If he were in human form now, even the back of his neck would be flushed red. He swished his tail, pretending not to hear the cloying nickname, but obediently opened his mouth and swallowed a few grains that drifted by.

Forget it, Feng Xiuyan sighed internally. The kid is so worried his eyes are red. I’ll eat a little for appearances. He didn’t want the little guy to actually burst into tears; he wasn’t in the mood to soothe a crying child.

On the surface, seeing the fish finally eat, Shen Youqing broke into a radiant smile. “Yes, yes, just like that. Eat up!”

At the bottom of the pond, Feng Xiuyan slowly swallowed the spiritual food while listening to the boy’s incessant babbling. Truth be told, he wasn’t hungry at all. Between the two lotus crisps and the sweet fruit from this morning, he felt quite full—so much so that he felt a heavy weight in his belly as he swam.

Yet, for some reason, looking at the boy squatting by the pond with sparkling eyes glued to him, Feng Xiuyan’s tail moved closer to the surface. Even the spiritual food seemed to taste significantly better.

Seeing the fish eating happily, Shen Youqing’s stomach let out an exceptionally loud growl. He laughed sheepishly and grumbled to the fish, “See? It’s throwing a tantrum again.”

Feng Xiuyan circled in the water, staring at the boy’s ravenous expression. A ridiculous thought popped into his head: If I transformed into human form right now, should I just grab him and throw him into the dining hall?

He flicked his tail, trying to shake off the inappropriate thought. But Shen Youqing scattered another spoonful of food, his gaze following the fish’s movements with a hint of pleading. “Eat more! I can go eat in peace once you’re finished.”

Feng Xiuyan paused, then opened his mouth to swallow a few more grains. Though he was stuffed, he found that the spiritual food wasn’t so hard to swallow after all. Perhaps it was because the boy’s bright eyes were so focused, or perhaps because that red rim around his eyes was too glaring.

For the first time, Feng Xiuyan felt that being watched while eating wasn’t such an unbearable thing.

…

The moment Shen Youqing stepped over the threshold of the dining hall, he heard someone call his name and realized the others were there. The new faces from this morning were present, except for the “tough guy” Third Prince.

“How did I forget about them…” he whispered, scratching his head. He hesitated for a moment but steeled himself and walked in.

The seat by the left window was empty. He pulled out the chair and sat down, rubbing his hands on his knees with an awkward smile. “Hehe, morning.”

“Pfft.”

Opposite him, Su Yao covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes curving into crescents. “It’s not morning anymore; it’s time for lunch!”

“Alright, stop teasing him,” Yuan Yajun spoke softly and gently. “Since everyone is here, let’s begin.”

As she spoke, the guests picked up their chopsticks. Shen Youqing picked his up with a dejected face. Why is my life so hard? I thought I could eat my fill in peace after serving Little White, but here they are waiting for me.

He picked up a piece of glistening Dongpo pork. The fatty-but-not-greasy aroma exploded on his tongue, making his stomach roar even louder. Had he known, he would have let the servants bring the food to his room. At least then he could eat comfortably.

“Little Youqing,” Yuan Yajun’s voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. “How is the Dra—cough, I mean, how is Fengling? Does he need anything?”

Shen Youqing looked up, confused. Why are these people always asking about my fish? However, his attention was quickly diverted by the guilt of having almost forgotten to feed Little White. He felt lucky the Third Prince wasn’t there; who knows what that guy would do if he knew? He had specifically warned him this morning…

He replied vaguely, “He’s… he’s fine. He shouldn’t need anything.”

“Oh, that’s good then…”

Yuan Yajun nodded. She looked as if she had more to say, her lips trembling slightly, but she ultimately lowered her head and continued eating slowly.

Shen Youqing noticed a detail: when Yuan Yajun asked about the fish, the other two people at the table instinctively stopped their chopsticks, their gazes drifting toward him. They were clearly eavesdropping. Once the conversation ended, they resumed eating as if nothing had happened.

His heart skipped a beat. His chopsticks hovered mid-air.

These people… They all seem exceptionally concerned about Little White? Is that fish not just a common pet? Is it some precious, endangered national treasure species?!

As he was pondering, Su Yao used the serving chopsticks to put a piece of sweet and sour rib in his bowl, smiling broadly. “Shen Youqing, you should eat more. Looking after Fengling must be hard work.”

Shen Youqing was stunned by the sudden warmth. “It’s… it’s okay. Thanks.”

He buried his face in his bowl, feeling that this meal was getting weirder by the second. It felt as if countless eyes were watching his back, making even the ribs taste less savory.

…

After lunch, Shen Youqing went straight back to his courtyard. He wasn’t close with Yuan Yajun and the others; staying with them felt awkward. He was much more comfortable in his own space.

As he entered his yard, his feet instinctively turned toward the pond. He kept wondering if Little White had eaten enough or was waiting for him. As he got closer, he saw that familiar white shadow swaying its tail.

The corners of Shen Youqing’s mouth curled up—a smile of genuine happiness he didn’t even notice himself.

“Little White, I’m back!” He squatted by the pond and tapped the water. “Did you miss me?”

“…” Feng Xiuyan slowly turned his head and swam away half a foot.

He sighed in his heart. Beauty misleads the Dragon. To think he, the dignified Dragon King, would resort to “stealing” snacks for a child—the entire Dragon Race would laugh their heads off if they knew.

Fortunately, he was the only dragon left.

“Eh? Little White, what’s wrong?” Seeing the fish swimming slowly instead of its usual spirited self, Shen Youqing frowned. “You were fine just a moment ago. We were only apart for a little while, why do you look so sickly now?”

Feng Xiuyan rolled his eyes in the water. Who do you think is responsible for this? His stomach felt like it was filled with a lead stone, making it hard even to breathe. If this continued, he might actually throw up. How did he end up in this state…

Feng Xiuyan sank to the bottom, looking up at the boy’s worried face. This child absolutely cannot be my future partner. He’s already exhausting a dragon like this; if we married, I’d be worked to death.

It seemed choosing a partner required more careful consideration. He couldn’t let that face bewitch his mind any further.

On the surface, Shen Youqing continued to mutter, “Is the food not to your taste? Or is the water too stuffy? How about I change it for you?”

Feng Xiuyan didn’t bother responding, merely blowing a small bubble.

Shen Youqing beamed. “Are you greeting me? Don’t worry, I’ll go get the spring water right now. Guaranteed cool and clean!”

It was supposed to be changed tomorrow anyway; doing it today meant one less chore for tomorrow. He turned and ran toward the storage room like a gust of wind.

At the bottom of the pond, Feng Xiuyan swished his tail helplessly.

Fine, change it. At least it will give me a moment of peace.