No Pampering the Vicious Cannon Fodder! [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 18

Xin Rong instantly lost his appetite.

 

He hadn’t expected that he would actually push Jing Yue to this point, forcing the man to tear open the scars of his disability with his own hands and use an almost self-torturing method to persuade Xin Rong to turn back to the shore.

 

This only proved that Xin Rong’s harassment and bullying of him during this period had reached a point that would incense both gods and men.

 

Yet even so, Jing Yue had still made him a bowl of such delicious noodles.

 

A strong sense of guilt weighed down on Xin Rong, making it impossible for him to lift his head.

 

Across from him, Jing Yue watched his pale complexion and shifting gaze, and the heart hanging in his chest began to sink bit by bit.

 

As expected.

 

He’s going to give up, after all.

 

That was only normal.

 

One couldn’t expect him to truly accept a cripple.

 

Jing Yue held his breath as if awaiting a death sentence, his voice so weak it was almost a murmur: “Then now, what do you plan to do?”

 

The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he wasn’t prepared for the answer at all.

 

He raised his palm and rubbed his face hard, trying to force himself to stay awake. As his fingertips accidentally brushed the corner of his mouth, he suddenly remembered that not long ago, he had kissed Xin Rong.

 

The youth’s lips were soft and warm, carrying a fresh scent of green grass. At that time, he had kissed urgently and bitten hard; Xin Rong had been stiff and helpless throughout, completely defenseless even when his tongue poked inside, so submissive it made one’s heart palpitate.

 

But now, he was afraid these gentle lips would speak a cold and decisive answer.

 

Xin Rong lowered his head, his eyelashes trembling slightly, the struggle on his face clearly visible.

 

“I know it troubles you very much,” he bit his lower lip, painfully closing both eyes, “but… I can’t give up.”

 

He had to take revenge, he had to complete the mission.

 

Even now, he still didn’t know who the person named “Fusang” was. But every time he thought of that name, the hatred in his heart almost burned through his chest.

 

How could he easily let go of such hatred?

 

Xin Rong was entirely immersed in the tug-of-war between hatred and conscience, completely failing to notice that when Jing Yue heard this sentence, his pupils suddenly lit up and he looked up in disbelief.

 

Like a traveler who had been stranded in the desert for many days finally seeing an oasis, his first reaction was not wild joy, but suspicion.

 

“What did you say?” Jing Yue’s voice trembled.

 

Xin Rong lowered his eyelashes and whispered: “I know it will be hard for you to understand when I say this. But I can’t control it either, I just… I must do this.”

 

He wanted so much to tell Jing Yue about the existence of the system.

 

But he couldn’t.

 

050 had warned him that once the protagonist perceived the existence of the system, not only would the mission fail, but he would also be directly obliterated.

 

When that time came, not only would he be unable to take revenge, he wouldn’t even be able to leave this world alive.

 

He couldn’t afford such a risk.

 

Jing Yue felt his heart accelerate, like a war drum thumping in his chest.

 

“…Have you really thought it through?”

 

Although Xin Rong’s words were a bit chaotic, he was incredibly certain that he understood.

 

Xin Rong knew about his disability, and knew what being with him implied.

 

Yet even so, he still couldn’t control that impulse in his heart.

 

So, Xin Rong’s feelings for him had already run this deep?

 

The surprise came so abruptly that it pushed his entire being into a surging heatwave; his excitement was hard to calm, and his chest heaved violently.

 

Just then, Xin Rong slowly looked up, his dark eyes brimming with a sorrow so thick it wouldn’t dissolve.

 

At that moment, Jing Yue became even more convinced of his judgment. Only a person trapped by love would show such an expression.

 

“Will you give me a little more time, okay?” Xin Rong looked at him seriously. “Actually… it won’t take long, very soon, just a few months.”

 

He was recalling the plot in his head. If everything went smoothly, he only had one last task left—before the Military Academy’s All-Citizen Selection Exam, find a way to steal the recommendation letter written to Jing Yue by Imperial Marshal Shi Yuan.

 

“Or, just until the Military Academy Selection Exam.” Xin Rong’s tone was almost pleading, “Before then, just bear with me for a bit longer.”

 

He couldn’t speak the truth, so he could only try his best to drop hints: “During this time… just cooperate with me. When the selection exam is over, I promise, you will understand everything then.”

 

Thinking back on it later, if Jing Yue had even a shred of reason left, even if he had spent just a few more seconds thinking, he would have realized Xin Rong’s words were full of loopholes and suspicious points.

 

But at this moment, he had no time to look into it deeply, let alone the spare energy to analyze it.

 

In his heart and in his ears, only one voice echoed repeatedly.

 

Xin Rong knew he was a cripple, knew what it meant, yet he didn’t care.

 

That one point alone was enough for Jing Yue.

 

So, he nodded.

 

Xin Rong froze for a moment, his eyes suddenly widening as joy overflowed: “Really?”

 

What did this mean?

 

It meant that from now on, no matter how he bullied Jing Yue, Jing Yue would cooperate with him and wouldn’t resist; he could complete the mission without any obstacles!

 

This was undoubtedly an order of pardon!

 

Xin Rong completely breathed a sigh of relief. A smile bloomed between his brows, pure and dazzling, so brilliant it could almost melt the night.

 

Jing Yue stared at him blankly, his heart feeling as if it had been struck by something, vibrating intensely.

 

So… just by getting permission to continue liking him, Xin Rong could be this happy?

 

A sour warmth spread from his heart, seeping into his limbs and bones, and finally welled up silently into his eyes.

 

He hurried to shift his gaze, pretending to be nonchalant as he cleared the empty plate from the table and took it into the kitchen.

 

It was already late at night. Xin Rong’s apartment had two bedrooms, so he suggested Jing Yue stay the night in the empty room.

 

Back in his room, lying on the bed, Xin Rong’s heart finally settled down, and he flipped the switch for 050.

 

Before departing for the desolate mountain, he had specifically placed a small bottle of alcohol on the table, certain that 050 wouldn’t be able to resist sneaking a drink. While the fellow was drunk and malfunctioning, Xin Rong had turned off his power.

 

The rebooted 050 was still dazed and groggy. Xin Rong poked it several times before it finally woke up.

 

The moment the data stream surged into its brain, 050 shuddered all over and looked at Xin Rong in disbelief—

 

The host actually went to the wooden hut where Jing Yue was imprisoned?!

 

“Host!! What on earth did you do!!” 050 was so angry its fur stood on end, its black wings flapping wildly: “It’s over, it’s over! If my supervisor finds out I was away from my post, my performance points for this month will be gone!!”

 

It didn’t even know how Xin Rong had discovered it had a switch, nor did it expect this usually submissive and harmless host to be so cunning behind its back, even calculating against its own head!

 

“Don’t worry,” Xin Rong leaned against the headboard, his legs crossed, nonchalantly fiddling with the little fleece balls on his pajamas, “Everything is fine, nothing went wrong.”

 

050 had a face full of disbelief.

 

Xin Rong smiled mysteriously: “I just settled things with the protagonist.”

 

“…Settled what?” 050 stared at him suspiciously.

 

“Before the Military Academy Selection Exam, I can bully him however I want, and he will cooperate with me.”

 

“…” 050 almost died on the spot, “Host, you didn’t tell him about the system, did you? I’ve warned you so many times, that is a huge taboo!!”

 

“Don’t be anxious,” Xin Rong said unhurriedly, “I’m not stupid, how could I tell him explicitly? However, he should have understood my hints. At least he knows my bullying has a hidden difficulty behind it.”

 

050 was skeptical: “…And then he agreed to let you bully him as you please.”

 

Xin Rong tilted his head slightly, lost in thought: “I guess so.”

 

050’s whole ball was about to crack: Would someone really agree to such an absurd thing?

 

But seeing Xin Rong’s look of having the victory in hand, it couldn’t say much more.

 

While 050 was still throwing a fit on the spot, Xin Rong had already begun calculating his next move.

 

He didn’t have many tasks left in this world, and the next few months were a gap period. The only remaining task was the All-Citizen Selection Exam.

 

But that didn’t mean he could sit back and relax.

 

According to the original plot, the reason Xin Rong could successfully steal Jing Yue’s invitation was by bribing Jing Yue’s landlord.

 

However, after the plotline had been mysteriously disrupted, Jing Yue not only hadn’t lost his job at the arena but hadn’t even moved houses.

 

This meant that for the task of stealing the invitation, he would have to find a way himself.

 

Fortunately, just now, he had come up with an excellent idea.

 

At eight o’clock in the morning, Xin Rong knocked on Jing Yue’s door right on time.

 

He wasn’t sure if Jing Yue was up, so he knocked very lightly, but the door opened almost in the blink of an eye.

 

“Morning!” Xin Rong greeted with a beaming smile.

 

The youth before him was dyed with a soft glow by the morning light, his skin like jade, his snowy-white collarbones slightly protruding, shamelessly swaying in front of Jing Yue’s eyes.

 

Jing Yue’s throat felt a wave of dryness as he replied in a low voice: “…Morning.”

 

Xin Rong stood at the doorway peeking in, casually glancing at the crack of the door, but he couldn’t help but knit his brows.

 

Ever since Xin Rong moved in, the room next door had been empty, and the bed hadn’t even been made. Last night he had offhandedly reminded Jing Yue that there were beddings in the cabinet, so he hadn’t bothered further.

 

But now, the bed was still completely empty.

 

A wave of confusion rose in Xin Rong’s heart, and he couldn’t help but ask: “Don’t you use a blanket when you sleep?”

 

Jing Yue looked back, rubbed his nose, and brushed it off casually: “It’s not cold.”

 

Xin Rong’s brows furrowed even tighter.

 

He remembered that Jing Yue didn’t have a bed in the arena’s lounge either. He had asked once back then, only to be vaguely fooled by this fellow.

 

Now, he still maintained this attitude.

 

Could it be… this person doesn’t sleep at all?

 

But obviously now was not the time to look into these things. Xin Rong could only temporarily suppress the doubt in his heart and get to the point: “I made breakfast for you, come and try it.”

 

Saying that, he grabbed Jing Yue’s sleeve and almost forcibly pressed him into a seat at the table.

 

A plate of noodles sat on the table.

 

Jing Yue looked at that creation—with its eerie color and rugged shape—for a good while, a hint of a half-smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

 

“You made this?”

 

Xin Rong tilted his chin up, his face full of pride: “How about it, am I amazing?”

 

Theoretically, this was supposed to be the tomato and egg noodles Jing Yue made for him yesterday. But no matter how one looked at it, it didn’t seem like a product of the same world.

 

But Jing Yue still nodded.

 

“Then hurry and try it.” Xin Rong propped up his chin, staring at him with bright eyes, his face full of expectation.

 

Jing Yue picked up a forkful. The moment it entered his mouth, his expression changed instantly. He only felt as if his tongue were suffering through torture.

 

He stole a glance at Xin Rong. Seeing the boy looking at him expectantly, he suppressed the urge to spit it out and swallowed it, his tone indifferent: “Very good.”

 

“Then eat more!”

 

While Jing Yue had his head down eating the noodles, Xin Rong felt the timing was right. His expression turned solemn: “Hey, didn’t you say yesterday that for the coming period, no matter what I want to do, you will agree to it?”

 

Jing Yue: “…”

 

He remembered clearly that he had said no such thing.

 

This was clearly a case of shifting concepts.

 

But he didn’t call him out, only arching a brow: “What about it?”

 

“I have a request right now.”

 

“What?”

 

Xin Rong’s eyes darted around, his face full of mystery: “You agree first, then I’ll tell you!”

 

Jing Yue was both annoyed and amused by his rascal behavior: “There is no such logic.”

 

Xin Rong pouted and feigned grievance, his face darkening: “I don’t care, you’ve already eaten my noodles. Agreeing to one tiny request isn’t too much, right?”

 

Jing Yue stared at him with a complex gaze. Finally, he let out a sigh: “Say it then.”

 

Xin Rong leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling like stars.

 

“Move in and live with me, okay?”