I Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Only to be Desired by the Dragon King - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Dragon King’s Partiality — “Next time, don’t go. Let others do it…”

“We’re here, we’re here!” Shen Youqing pointed to the large wooden gate ahead, trotting forward with light steps to push it open. “This is the courtyard where I live. Come in, rest a bit, and have some tea.”

Feng Xiuyan, carrying the two buckets, stepped steadily over the threshold and placed the buckets gently on the bluestone platform under the veranda. “No need.”

“Then… aren’t you going to see the fish?” Shen Youqing was a bit puzzled. Didn’t this man help him carry water specifically to see Little White? Why stop now?

“I have things to do. Perhaps next time.” Feng Xiuyan’s tone remained indifferent as he turned to leave.

“Oh, alright then.” Shen Youqing scratched his head, a sincere smile blooming on his face. “Thank you so much for today. If you hadn’t helped, I’d probably still be stuck on the mountain.”

Feng Xiuyan’s steps paused at the doorway. He looked back at the boy.

The stray hairs on the youth’s forehead were still damp, clinging to his brow. His nose was smudged with sweat, and his clothes, though partially dried during the walk back, were still disheveled.

Feng Xiuyan remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly: “Next time, don’t go. Let the others do it.”

With that, before Shen Youqing could respond, the black-clad figure vanished outside the gate.

“…Huh?” Shen Youqing stood frozen, scratching the back of his head.

Let others do it? Does he mean the servants? But his “cheap grandfather” had specifically instructed him that changing Little White’s water and feeding him were tasks he must do personally—something about showing “sincerity.”

Shen Youqing stared at the empty doorway, rubbing his chin for a long time, unable to fathom the man’s meaning. However, the doubt didn’t linger long. Three days later, he would understand exactly what those words meant.

…

Shen Youqing didn’t ponder for long before getting back to work; Little White was still waiting for his water change. He dragged over another empty bucket, knelt by the pond, and rolled up his sleeves to test the water.

“This water does feel a bit warm,” he murmured, picking up a wooden ladle. “A change of mountain spring water will be perfect. Nice and cool.”

At the bottom of the pond, Feng Xiuyan had already transformed back into Little White, swimming lazily beneath the water weeds. Watching the boy’s clumsy movements, his heart was no longer troubled. If this kid likes to keep busy, let him be. As long as he doesn’t mess with me.

Shen Youqing’s movements were far from graceful. The moment the ladle hit the water, it sent up a spray that soaked the stone platform and half of his trouser legs. He didn’t care, focusing on carrying the filled buckets to the flowerbeds at the corner of the yard to dump them.

Two birds with one stone—changing the water and watering the flowers, he thought.

After several trips, the pond level had dropped significantly. He then hauled the two buckets of fresh mountain spring water over to the pond. By the time he was finished, Shen Youqing was drenched in sweat. His clothes clung to his back, outlining his thin frame. He sat on the bluestone, panting, his face flushed and his hair a mess—looking very much like a bedraggled puppy that had fallen into a lake.

“Whew…” He slumped down, looking at the little white fish. “Little White, it’s not easy being your caretaker. Look at me, I’m exhausted…”

Feng Xiuyan watched him for a while: Quite the apt description…

“Ah, right!” Shen Youqing slapped his forehead as if remembering something vital. He went to the bucket containing the small black fish, which looked much livelier now. “Let’s get you to a bigger place.”

He tilted the bucket, and the spring water, along with the little black fish, splashed into the pond. The black fish darted away immediately, happily circling the pond as if it were the mountain pool.

Shen Youqing crouched at the edge, watching the contrast between the black and white fish. He rested his chin on his hand and muttered, “Looking at them together, Little White is still prettier. Common fish really can’t compete with the National Treasure tier.”

National Treasure Little White (Feng Xiuyan): At least you have good taste.

“Little White,” Shen Youqing poked the water’s surface, his voice sounding like he was fishing for a compliment. “I found a friend for you. His name is Little Black. Now you won’t be a lonely old fish.”

Lonely Old Fish (Feng Xiuyan): …Am I supposed to thank you?

After pouring the rest of the water in and seeing the pond turn crystal clear, Shen Youqing stood up and dusted his hands. His clothes were sticky and smelled of sweat—completely uncomfortable.

“Gotta clean myself up first,” he muttered, heading out to tell the servants to prepare hot water.

Once the bath was ready in the side room, he specifically instructed the servants to deliver dinner directly to his courtyard. After dismissing them, he soaked in the warm water, feeling every toe relax.

Coming out of the bath, he faced a dilemma: the bathtub was full of water. Scooping it out would take seven or eight trips. And where should he dump it? Not the flowerbeds again—he didn’t want to drown them.

“Whatever, I’ll leave it for now and ask the servants when they bring food.” As he dried his hair and walked toward his bedroom, his eyes caught the snacks Yuan Yajun and the others had brought that morning.

“Let’s try that Lotus Crisp.” He sat down at the round table.

Feng Xiuyan: !! Oh no!

…

Shen Youqing sat down. Two boxes of pastries were stacked neatly on the table. He took the top one. Even before opening it, a sweet fragrance of lotus and pastry wafted through the cracks.

“Mm, smells good.” He tapped the gold-leafed box.

But when he lifted the lid, his excitement faded. Inside sat only three lonely lotus-shaped pastries. He frowned. Who sends only three pastries? Usually, people send an even number, like four or six…

His intuition told him something was wrong. He opened the second box. This one looked more “normal”—it held five pastries. Four were lined up at the bottom, with one perched on top.

“Holy crap, no way?” Shen Youqing’s eyes widened. He tapped the mostly empty box. “Did Sister Yuan eat two herself? Isn’t it a bit rude to send leftovers as a gift?”

Feng Xiuyan, in the pond: This kid really isn’t very bright…

“Sigh, forget it. I’ll have some fruit.” He pushed the pastries aside and reached for the bulging cloth bag under the table. “Doesn’t smell like durian, what a pity…”

As he pulled, he realized the weight was off. “Wait? This feels lighter than this morning.” He crouched down to check the bag. He had handled this bag himself; he knew how much it weighed. Now, it was significantly lighter. Combined with the missing pastries…

Shen Youqing’s brows knitted into a knot. No noble lady like Yuan Yajun would ever be so impolite.

This meant… someone had stolen some!

“Damn! Have I been robbed?!”

Just then, a servant entered with a food box. Seeing Shen Youqing rummaging by the table, he bowed. “Young Master, shall I set dinner here?”

Shen Youqing stood up quickly. “Was anyone in my courtyard while I was away today?”

The servant blinked, thought for a second, and shook his head. “No one, Young Master. I’ve been waiting outside the gate; I didn’t see anyone enter or leave.”

Shen Youqing frowned. “Are there… wild monkeys on this mountain?”

“Yes,” the servant nodded. “There are monkey troops in the back forest, but they rarely come down the mountain.”

“Do they come into the manor to steal food?”

“Rarely. I’ve only seen them steal vegetables from the fields outside. I haven’t heard of them breaking into the manor.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m certain. Everything in the manor is guarded; nothing has ever gone missing.”

Shen Youqing’s frown deepened. “Alright then. Oh, one more thing—where should I dump my bathwater?”

“There’s a drainage ditch behind the courtyard specifically for wastewater. It flows into the fields to irrigate the crops,” the servant replied quickly.

“I see. Good. I’ll do it after dinner…”

“Young Master, you must be joking!” The servant waved his hands in panic. “How could we let you do that? I will handle it for you immediately.”

Shen Youqing felt a bit embarrassed. “Is that okay? I hate to keep troubling you…”

“It is my duty,” the servant said firmly, heading toward the side room.

“Well, thank you very much then.” Shen Youqing gave a bright, refreshing smile.

“Y-you’re welcome.” The servant was dazzled by the smile, his cheeks flushing as he lowered his head. “Please enjoy your meal, Young Master. I shall take my leave.”

As he walked out, the servant muttered to himself: That’s the first time I’ve spoken so much with the Young Master. People said he was cold and hard to get along with, but he’s not only handsome, he’s so kind and has no ego at all.

Inside the room, Shen Youqing didn’t notice the servant’s thoughts. He opened the food box, and the aroma of a home-cooked meal hit him. He rubbed his stomach. Eat first, think later.

In the pond, Feng Xiuyan had heard the entire conversation. Watching the servant leave with a spring in his step, an inexplicable flare of anger rose in his chest.