Vicious Cannon Fodder? No, He’s a Darling Wife! - Chapter 6

How on earth did he run into Chu Wenhe here?

Yuan Su cursed his rotten luck. Feeling the weight of the man’s gaze, his neck and shoulders stiffened instinctively, and he swallowed his food with a dry throat.

He forced a stiff smile. “Colonel Chu, you must be joking.”

Chu Wenhe probably hadn’t had the chance to check the weapons warehouse the original owner of this body had mentioned yet. Yuan Su couldn’t help but ask the system internally: “Did I give him the right address?”

System 341: [Of course. You were trying to hook up with him, remember?]

Yuan Su: “…”

He felt his scalp go numb, especially since Qu Zhilan was sitting right across from him. Qu Zhilan, who already suspected him of betraying the Guild, was currently fixing him with a cold, piercing stare, scrutinizing him without any pretense of politeness.

If Yuan Su wasn’t careful, their slightly improved relationship would plummet back to zero.

The young man pursed his lips, his mind racing. Above all, he couldn’t let Qu Zhilan find out that Chu Wenhe was actually on “good terms” with him. He wanted to chase Chu Wenhe away as quickly as possible the more they talked, the more likely he’d slip up.

How does this guy pop up out of nowhere like a ghost?

Yuan Su’s internal frustration seeped into his tone, making his voice sound muffled and annoyed. “Colonel, please don’t say things that could lead to such misunderstandings.”

He gripped his utensils tighter, lacking any desire to be polite or invite the man to join them for a meal. He simply looked up with watery eyes, hoping Chu Wenhe would take the hint and leave.

Yuan Su vividly remembered that this guy wanted to turn him into a kept man. He had zero patience for anyone who had designs on his backside!

Although Yuan Su didn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve, Chu Wenhe was keen enough to catch the young man’s evasion and discomfort.

He noticed the pale, slender fingertips curled in tension and the slight inward hunch of those delicate shoulders. Though Yuan Su appeared calm, his tea-colored eyes were trembling like a cup of black tea stirred into ripples by a silver spoon.

His eyes seemed shrouded in a fragrant mist, and the fluttering of his lashes felt like a sign of weakness—or perhaps, a plea.

What is he begging for?

Chu Wenhe didn’t think he was imagining it. Why didn’t Yuan Su ever look at Qu Zhilan with that kind of expression?

The man remained impassive on the surface, but internally, he chewed over that single look repeatedly, a strange sweetness lingering on his tongue.

The relationship between the Military and the Guild was delicate. In this base, the survivors trusted Qin Zhao’s Wild Hunt Guild far more than they trusted the government’s military forces.

Qin Zhao hadn’t been dead long; if Yuan Su appeared too close to the military, the Guild would likely mistreat him.

As Chu Wenhe realized this, his first instinct wasn’t worry or pity. Instead… it was a malicious desire to see Yuan Su in trouble.

It would be best if this little creature, who was so desperate to distance himself, was bullied until he was a complete mess—until he had no choice but to reach out and beg Chu Wenhe for protection.

Should I expose him?

Yuan Su felt like he was sitting on needles under the man’s heavy, burning gaze. He unconsciously bit his lip.

“Is he going to mess with me on purpose?” Yuan Su asked the system, sensing danger.

341: [There’s a good chance.]

Yuan Su: “…”

Just as Chu Wenhe was about to speak, he felt a faint tugging at his hem. He paused almost imperceptibly, glancing down to see a fair hand clutching his clothes, the fingertips trembling.

This submissive show of weakness hit exactly the right spot, stirring the dark desires buried deep in the man’s bones. A low chuckle escaped his throat.

Chu Wenhe reached out, his broad palm landing on the young man’s shoulder. He felt the person beneath his hand give a violent shiver.

This sensitive reaction pleased him immensely.

As if acting on its own, his hand squeezed the shoulder a few times. Only one thought remained in his mind: His frame is so small.

Yuan Su felt a tickle of discomfort. He hated the feeling of a man’s tall, powerful body looming over his back. He struggled slightly, a hint of anger surfacing in his eyes.

Chu Wenhe noticed but thought the young man’s glass-like eyes were as beautiful as a kitten’s.

However, the pleasure didn’t last long. A cold, piercing gaze stabbed into him like an ice pick. Chu Wenhe naturally let go, saying, “Just a joke. Don’t take it to heart.”

“Seeing you always reminds me of Qin Zhao; it’s such a tragedy. He was responsible for the base’s logistics and foraging a hero in everyone’s eyes.”

“He sacrificed himself for the base. As his partner, the military has an obligation to ensure your safety.”

Chu Wenhe took off his hat, an elegant curve to his lips. His aggressive features softened slightly with the smile, his tone becoming gentle. “I was simply worried you were being bullied.”

He emphasized the word “bullied” with extra weight.

Having said his piece, he turned his gaze toward Qu Zhilan. Seeing the other man’s icy expression and murderous eyes, his smile widened.

Not bothered in the least, Chu Wenhe let out a pointed scoff. “But it seems you two get along quite well. I suppose I’m overstepping.”

“If you run into trouble, come find me. I’ll do everything in my power to help.” With that, Chu Wenhe strode toward the stairs, casting one last enigmatic glance back over his shoulder.

Watching his retreating back, Yuan Su grumbled under his breath, “Why is he glaring at me?”

341: […He was throwing you a wink, you dense brat.]

Once the man finally disappeared, Yuan Su’s shoulders slumped in relief. He didn’t care if that was a wink or an eyelid twitch.

“Sad to see him go?”

A voice as clear and piercing as an icy river made Yuan Su jump. He snapped back to reality, meeting a pair of dark, upturned phoenix eyes.

Qu Zhilan spoke in a flat, toneless voice. “Your eyes were practically glued to him.”

Yuan Su was horrified. He shook his head vigorously, crying out “Injustice!” in his heart.

But Qu Zhilan’s eyes were filled with naked suspicion and some dark emotion Yuan Su couldn’t quite decipher.

“You’ve got it all wrong.”

The young man used his chopsticks to poke at the sauce-covered rice in his bowl, complaining aggrievedly, “I was just scared…”

His head drooped, his pearly, beautiful face looking listless. He looked every bit the pitiful creature who wanted nothing more than to curl into someone’s arms for comfort.

The aggressive words in Qu Zhilan’s throat were swallowed back down. When he spoke again, his voice was a bit hoarse. “Is that how he always harasses you?”

“Huh?” Yuan Su didn’t quite follow.

Qu Zhilan had seen Yuan Su’s resistance and fearful shrinking earlier. He sneered, “What a shameless old man.”

Old… old man?

Chu Wenhe was only about twenty-eight, wasn’t he? Compared to Qu Zhilan, he was older, sure. If the apocalypse hadn’t happened, Qu Zhilan would probably still be in university right now.

341 chimed in: [College boy vibes, huh?]

Yuan Su: “…Me too, technically.”

Qu Zhilan noticed Yuan Su was dazing off again. The boy always seemed to be drifting, his eyes wandering to some random corner. The necklace Qin Zhao used to wear slipped out from Yuan Su’s collar, a constant reminder of his status.

Yuan Su was Qin Zhao’s lover. He was his brother’s partner.

The young man seemed a bit dim-witted. It was hard to imagine how someone like him survived in a wolf den like this base. He was like a plump, delicious rabbit—naively charming and tempting to prey upon.

Qu Zhilan hadn’t paid him much attention before, always assuming Yuan Su was shallow and hypocritical. Now, it seemed the boy was just trying to survive the apocalypse, grabbing whatever resources he could…

There was nothing wrong with that. He shouldn’t be so prejudiced.

Qu Zhilan toyed with the steak knife in his hand, his other hand clenching into a fist on the table. His eyes darkened. “You really draw people in, don’t you?”

Yuan Su looked up, startled.

Realizing what he’d just said, Qu Zhilan’s expression stiffened, but he didn’t elaborate.

Yuan Su waited for the rest of the sentence. Draw people in how? Do you like me or find me annoying? Be specific!

Qu Zhilan’s expression was always cold, his tone devoid of ups and downs. Everything he said sounded like a lecture or a taunt.

Yuan Su automatically categorized it as the latter. He leaned back against his chair, a hint of irritation in his voice. “Mind your own business!”

Dark eyes swept over the pale, flushed face. Because he was angry, Yuan Su’s little canine tooth was worrying his soft lip again, making the color even more vivid.

The knife was placed back on the table with a clack. The man’s voice dropped an octave. “Fine.”

Yuan Su couldn’t keep up with Qu Zhilan’s train of thought. “What?”

At that moment, Qu Zhilan glanced at his communicator and stood up. “Brother Qin died unexpectedly. As his brother, I do have an obligation to look after you.”

Yuan Su sensed the conversation was heading in a strange direction. He swallowed and looked up at him. “What ‘obligation’ do you have?”

Qu Zhilan looked down, staring into those clear amber eyes that reflected the dining hall lights. He countered with a question: “What do you call your older brother’s wife?”

Yuan Su: “Sister-in-law.”

He answered quickly and naturally. His voice was inherently pleasant, and because he was confused, it sounded particularly soft.

“Correct.”

Qu Zhilan nodded. His gaze slid from the young man’s beautiful face down to his slender neck, pausing for a few seconds on the necklace.

Yuan Su’s face felt hot under the scrutiny. Noticing where Qu Zhilan was looking, his hands trembled as he tucked the pendant back inside his collar.

His chest felt a chill.

“Sister-in-law,” Qu Zhilan said.

When the server arrived, Qu Zhilan reached out first with his ID card and paid with his points. He turned to go downstairs, leaving behind a final sentence: “I have matters to attend to. If you need anything, you can contact me anytime.”

It wasn’t until the man was far away that Yuan Su finally processed it, his voice shaking with embarrassment: “Did… did he just call me ‘Sister-in-law’?”

341: [He certainly wasn’t calling me that.]

Yuan Su was silent for a long moment. “Is this… are we doing the ‘forbidden brother-in-law’ trope?”

341 stayed silent for a long time before finally gritting out: [Are you actually homophobic?]

Yuan Su couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. Before leaving the cafeteria, he packed a dinner to take home.

He hesitated between going back to his own place or back to Qin Zhao’s. He’d slept at Qin Zhao’s the night before and had nightmares, but if he moved out now, would it look like he wasn’t “devoted” enough?

Ultimately, Yuan Su took the food to Qin Zhao’s house. After that, he rarely went out. A “weak little white flower” like him was better off staying indoors rather than looking for trouble on the streets.

Besides, the original owner had some shady friends who would often come to borrow money. To save face, the original owner never asked for it back. Yuan Su hated people who didn’t repay debts!

Seeing that Yuan Su had been holed up at home for several days, Qu Zhilan assumed he was depressed over his husband’s death, so he introduced him to an easy job.

Yuan Su forced a smile and thanked him half-heartedly he really didn’t want to work.

Two days later, Qu Zhilan left the base for a mission. Yuan Su prepared to maintain his “white flower” persona. Despite being wealthy, he decided to go to work to show off his “resilience.”

The more pure and harmless he seemed in the beginning, the smoother it would be later when he had to steal the vaccine and frame others…

After coordinating with the managers of the livestock and plantation areas responsible for food production, Yuan Su tidied up and hopped into bed to chat with Qu Zhilan, who was far outside the base.

The communicator wasn’t as good as a smartphone, but it was more than enough for texting.

Yuan Su: [I’m reporting for work tomorrow. Thank you for the job recommendation.]

The signal outside the base was unstable, but the reply came quickly.

Qu Zhilan: [It’s nothing.]

Yuan Su: [Is the mission going well?]

Qu Zhilan: [We found over seventy survivors. We’re escorting them to the nearest Base 06.]

It seemed the mission was winding down. Yuan Su rolled over in bed, his oversized collar slipping down against the sheets, exposing his deep collarbones bathed in the lamplight. As he moved, his shirt rode up his waist, revealing a patch of snowy, soft skin.

Unaware, the young man swung his long, fair legs in the air. He didn’t notice the eyes watching him from the shadows…

Yuan Su propped his face up on one hand and asked: [When are you coming back?]

Qu Zhilan: [In two or three days.]

Seeing Yuan Su typing “Okay,” 341 intervened before he could send it. [Flirt! You have to flirt! You need to raise Qu Zhilan’s favorability!]

Yuan Su thought about it and edited a sentence [I’ll wait for you to come back.]

Before he could hit send, the communicator screen suddenly went black.

Stunned, he sat up straight. He tapped the screen and tried the power button several times. “Is it broken?”

After fumbling with it for a long time to no avail, Yuan Su gave up, turned off the light, and went to sleep…

Deep in the night, the pale moonlight spilled into the room, draping over the young man like a thin veil. It illuminated his fair legs peeking out from under the thin blanket, making them glow like polished jade.

Yet, that flawless white skin was being slowly entwined and wrapped by layers of pitch-black tentacles a sight both eerie and erotic.

With a force fueled by losing control, the tentacles squeezed the soft flesh of his thighs, leaving marks. Sensing something, the young man struggled in his sleep but couldn’t break free, his brows furrowing in distress.

His expression was lovely and pitiable, completely unaware and defenseless.

If anyone could see the scene in the master bedroom, they would surely scream in terror.

Beside the young man’s bed stood a colossal entity, rustling and twitching in the darkness. The moonlight faintly revealed half of a face that was handsome to the point of being demonic, but the other half was dark, distorted, and entirely inhuman…

The sleeping Yuan Su was being stared at intently by this semi-human monster.

“I’ll wait for you to come back.”

My wife… who exactly are you waiting for…

Shouldn’t it be me…?

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