I Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Only to be Desired by the Dragon King - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: First Encounter — Feng Xiuyan Abruptly Turns Away, His Earlobes Reddening Uncontrollably…

The mountain path had clearly been meticulously maintained.

Before arriving, Shen Youqing had worried that the climb would be treacherous, but to his surprise, the ground beneath his feet consisted of smooth, level bluestone slabs. Looking at the winding stone steps, he couldn’t help but let a small smile tug at the corners of his mouth.

Since this mountain was so close to the manor, and the Shen family was famous for its deep pockets, paving such a road was likely a trivial expense.

“That cheap grandfather of his was actually reliable for once,” he muttered.

He hiked up the stone path slowly. Even with the steps saving him effort, it took him a full thirty minutes of carrying two empty buckets before he finally caught sight of the spring. The spring was hidden within a dense bamboo grove; crystal-clear water gurgled from a rocky crevice, gathering into a shimmering, emerald-green pool.

Shen Youqing set the buckets down, knelt by the pool, and scooped up a handful of water to splash on his face. The spring water was icy, making him shiver, yet sweat continued to pour down his forehead. Even though it was late autumn and the mountain breeze carried a chill, he had managed to work up a serious sweat.

Once both buckets were filled, Shen Youqing realized he had made a grave mistake.

He tried to lift the handles, but the crushing weight nearly sent him stumbling. Half the water sloshed out, soaking his pant legs.

“Sigh…” He clutched his waist and groaned, his damp hair sticking to his skin. “I overestimated myself. I should have brought a carrying pole. With the original owner’s thin arms and legs, these two buckets are probably going to stay in the mountains to feed the wild monkeys.”

Resting against an old bamboo stalk, Shen Youqing looked at the full buckets in despair. Just as he was debating whether to carry one down first and come back for the other, he heard a slight movement behind him.

He whipped his head around. In the center of the emerald pool, a large ripple splashed outward, sending waves toward the shore and drenching the nearby wildflowers. In a flash, he caught a glimpse of a dark shadow darting through the water—so fast it felt like an illusion. By the time he looked closely, the surface had settled into fading ripples.

“Eh?” Shen Youqing frowned and shuffled closer to the pool, peering into the depths.

The water was transparent, revealing rounded pebbles and swaying weeds, but the shadow was gone. He blinked stubbornly, searching the crevices of the large bluestone rocks. Soon, his sharp eyes spotted a few small fish hiding in the cracks. Their bodies were covered in black scales that shimmered with a faint, dark-green luster under the sunlight. Their color blended perfectly with the submerged stones, which was why he hadn’t noticed them at first.

“Aha! So it was just you guys.” Shen Youqing relaxed and poked the water’s surface with his finger. “Scared me. I thought it was some big monster.”

The little fish seemed startled; they flicked their tails and retreated deeper into the crevices, peeking out with tiny, round, wary eyes. Seeing their defensive posture, Shen Youqing laughed.

“I thought Little White was timid enough, but you guys are even more afraid of people.”

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and a mischievous glint appeared in his beautiful eyes.

…

When Shen Youqing finally began his descent carrying one bucket of spring water, a small black fish was now swimming inside the swaying contents.

But after only fifteen minutes of walking, he couldn’t take it anymore. He set the bucket on a step, hiked up his robe, and slumped down right there.

“I’m done. Need a break.” He propped his hands on his knees, gasping for air.

The sun was at its peak. Between the climb, the water-hauling, and the descent, his clothes were soaked and clinging to his back. Whenever the autumn wind blew, he broke out in goosebumps. Looking down at the seemingly endless white steps, his throat felt like it was parching.

Back at the manor, in the pond of Shen Youqing’s courtyard.

Feng Xiuyan was swimming irritably back and forth, his silvery-white tail churning the water into restless ripples. His gaze kept darting toward the courtyard gate, his small fish eyes hiding an anxiety he hadn’t even realized he possessed.

It had been half an hour since the youth left. How could fetching a bucket of water take so long?

Another fifteen minutes passed, and the gate remained empty. The Dragon King, usually as steady as a mountain, was now like a surface disturbed by a stone—he couldn’t calm down.

Could that kid have had an accident?

The moment the thought appeared, it tangled around his heart like vines. Feng Xiuyan slapped his tail against the water and stopped abruptly.

No, he had to go look. After all, Shen Youqing had gone through this trouble just to change his water. Furthermore, the boy was a candidate for his future partner—whether he chose him or not, he couldn’t let the boy die under his nose.

Without further hesitation, his tail fin struck the water. He leaped from the pond like a silver arrow. In a flash of light, a black robe covered his body, and the dragon jade at his waist chimed. Feng Xiuyan strode toward the back mountain.

…

On the stone steps at the end of the path, Shen Youqing was rubbing his aching arms when he heard steady footsteps behind him. He looked back in confusion.

Through the backlight, a tall, slender figure approached. The cloud-and-water patterns on the black robe shimmered with gold under the sun, and the dragon jade at the waist reflected a light so piercing it was hard to look at.

“You are…” Shen Youqing was stunned. This face was too handsome to be mortal.

The newcomer said nothing. His gaze first landed on the boy’s soaked collar, then swept over the half-full bucket, and finally fixed on the small black fish blowing bubbles inside.

Feng Xiuyan’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, his misty blue eyes turning icy.

What is this? he thought. He had rushed up the mountain worried the kid had fallen or been bitten by a snake, only to find him playing with some random stray fish? To think he had been tossing and turning by the pond, even breaking the rules to come find him personally.

The kid was doing just fine—out here “flirting” with a new pet.

“Just a passerby,” Feng Xiuyan spoke, his voice as cold as unthawed mountain ice. He glanced at Shen Youqing. “And why is the Young Master here?”

Is this wild fish so good? More important than changing my water? Hmph.

“I came up to get spring water.” Shen Youqing pointed at the bucket, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Do you live nearby too?”

Aside from the Shen manor, the nearest villa was five miles away. If this man lived in the manor, how had he never seen him?

“Mhm,” Feng Xiuyan grunted a response, his tone unreadable.

“What a coincidence!” Shen Youqing’s eyes lit up as if he’d found a pillow just as he was getting sleepy. “I live in the manor at the foot of the hill. You live there too?” He prodded, already forming a little plan.

Feng Xiuyan glanced at him. More than just “living there”—I live in the same courtyard as you. He didn’t speak, simply giving a noncommittal nod.

This delighted Shen Youqing. His exhaustion vanished. He leaned in, smiling brightly. “That’s great! If you’re free later, come visit! I live in the main courtyard. I’ve even got a Phoenix Ling fish there.”

He watched Feng Xiuyan’s reaction closely. Seeing how much Yuan Yajun and the others cared about “Little White,” he figured these fish were like giant pandas—national treasures!

“If you want to see it, I can take you. It’s just… I have to get this spring water back first…”

The implication was clear: Want to see the fish? Then help me carry this bucket.

Feng Xiuyan’s brow twitched. This kid… hasn’t recognized me? Fine, that was for the best. It saved trouble. But looking at the dull, black wild fish in the bucket, a wave of annoyance rose in his chest.

“Since the Young Master has the leisure to play with wild fish, I imagine the Phoenix Ling in your yard is quite ordinary. No need to see it.” He turned to leave.

“Wait!” Shen Youqing panicked. He lunged forward and grabbed the man’s sleeve, terrified of losing his free labor. “This little black fish can’t compare to the one in my yard! Little White is unique in my heart—no fish can match him!”

Feng Xiuyan, caught by the sleeve, instinctively tried to pull away, but the boy held on even tighter. He was about to use a bit of force to break free when he heard the boy’s urgent praise.

“Little White is that Phoenix Ling, and he’s seriously beautiful!” Shen Youqing’s grip tightened, his eyes shining like stars. “You haven’t seen him—his silver scales sparkle in the sun. It’s stunning!”

He got more excited as he spoke. “And he’s so smart! Even though he’s a bit arrogant and ignores me when I talk to him, I feel like he understands everything… He’s literally the fish of my dreams!”

Shen Youqing didn’t realize how ridiculous he sounded, gesturing wildly. “It’s a pity he’s just a fish. Otherwise… otherwise, I’d definitely fall in love with him! Think about it—beautiful, smart, and with a bit of a temper. Who wouldn’t love that?”

His voice trailed off into a mumble of stray thoughts.

Feng Xiuyan froze completely.

He stared, his misty blue eyes wide with shock, confusion, and a hint of a panic he couldn’t name.

What did this kid just say?

He looked down at his sleeve. The boy’s fingertips were white from the pressure, and a sweaty warmth seeped through the fabric, making his skin tingle. When he looked up, he met Shen Youqing’s sun-flushed face and honest, sparkling eyes.

Those vivid praises hooked into his heart. And what shook him most was the claim that, if he weren’t a fish, the boy would fall in love with him.

Cough.

Feng Xiuyan abruptly turned his head away, his earlobes reddening uncontrollably.

How many times have we met? This kid is so blunt with his affections; has he no shame?

Yet, somehow, the previous annoyance vanished like a mist in the wind. The irritation of having his sleeve pulled transformed into an indescribable flutter in his chest.

His Adam’s apple bobbed before he found his voice, which carried a hint of raspiness: “Let’s go.”

Before Shen Youqing could react, Feng Xiuyan reached down and snatched up the bucket. The heavy weight made him frown. This skinny kid had been lugging this halfway down the mountain?

Tsk. Next time, I’ll let those new servants handle the water change…

Shen Youqing stood there, watching the black-clad figure walk steadily down the path. The tall silhouette against the green bamboo looked incredibly sharp. He curled his lips into a devious smile and called out, “There’s another bucket further up! I’ll go back for it, you go ahead—”

“Wait here,” Feng Xiuyan cut him off without looking back.

Shen Youqing watched him turn; his wide sleeves carved a sharp arc in the air as he bounded up the steep steps like a gust of wind, vanishing into the bamboo grove in seconds.

Shen Youqing rubbed his nose, feeling a tiny bit guilty. Did I just trick a nice person into being my porter?

“He’s actually a pretty good guy,” he whispered, grinning as he watched the spot where the man disappeared.

In less than fifteen minutes, the figure returned. He carried the second bucket with such stability that the water looked frozen, showing barely a ripple. He didn’t even look winded; his clothes were pristine.

Shen Youqing stared at the man’s other empty hand. Is he too strong, or am I just a weakling?

Feng Xiuyan stepped up, easily picked up the first bucket with his other hand, and said casually, “Move.”

“Ah! Coming!” Shen Youqing snapped out of it and hurried after him, his smile impossible to hide.

Wow, this guy is a beast. Two buckets, one in each hand, and he’s not even breathing hard! I bet he has six-pack abs under that robe…

Feng Xiuyan felt the boy’s blatant gaze of admiration from behind. He didn’t say anything, but he quickened his pace, the corner of his mouth twitching into a very faint, almost invisible curve.