Who Wants to Be the Affectionate Cannon Fodder?! [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 10

Xu Ze’an and Xie Zhizhang were done.

After the basketball game that afternoon, anyone with eyes could see the signs. Busybody students had already rearranged the events into a sensational, dog-blood drama of a “shura field,” where an Alpha and a Beta fought over an Omega.

By the time Yu Lin and Xie Zhizhang returned to class, a group of people who had just heard the story were busy gossiping.

“Xu Ze’an actually held back that temper of his? He didn’t get into a massive brawl with Lin Zhou on the spot?”

“It’s just an Omega. Xu Ze’an only needs to hook a finger and people will throw themselves at him; why make things look ugly for Xie Zhizhang? It’s really weird, though: how did both of them end up falling for Xie Zhizhang? I think he’s just average.”

“What do you know, being a Beta? He looks timid on the surface, but who knows how he uses pheromones to seduce people behind their backs? He has no power or money at home, so he has to rely on these little tricks to climb the social ladder. I heard Xu Ze’an gave him a lot of money before!”

“I can’t even learn that. Remember that person who transferred out last semester? Wasn’t it because they bullied him a few times and someone whispered in the right ear to get them kicked out?”

“It’s so good to be an Omega. Just sell your body and you can live worry-free.”

The conversation grew more and more offensive. Several girls sitting nearby overheard the foul language, their faces twisting in disgust.

Yu Lin stood at the classroom door, expressionless, watching the enthusiastic group. The candy in his mouth made sharp “crack-crack” sounds as he chewed.

He didn’t really care what they said about him; he mainly wanted to see what Xie Zhizhang would do.

After all, “learning to fight back” was something Xie Zhizhang had said himself.

In the past, Xie Zhizhang would never have had a direct conflict with them. He had been taught from a young age to protect himself by not causing trouble. Even if others were mocking or pointing fingers, he wouldn’t speak up.

Because he couldn’t afford to offend anyone here.

He had intended to do what he usually did: pretend not to hear and walk straight to his seat. But before he could move, he caught a glimpse of Yu Lin’s face and instinctively felt that such an action would disappoint him.

Yu Lin seemed to sense his hesitation and said nonchalantly, “Bullying the weak and fearing the strong is human nature. If it were me, I’d fight back even if things got worse later.”

“If once isn’t enough, then twice.”

Xie Zhizhang nodded. In the next second, he raised his voice, though his tone remained steady: “A bunch of idiots.”

Spoken in that specific voice, the insult carried a heavy sense of mockery.

The Alpha who had been talking about him selling his body sprang up, glaring: “What the fuck did you say?”

Xie Zhizhang briefly averted his gaze, but the feeling of Yu Lin’s warm hand against his trembling back instantly soothed his rising anxiety.

He imagined the scene where Yu Lin had suddenly snapped and kicked Xu Ze’an in the warehouse. Gathering his courage, he kicked a desk. His tone remained flat: “I said you’re an idiot. Since you’re so envious, you can go out and sell your own body right now.”

However, the momentum of pulling his leg back caused him to wobble. Luckily, Yu Lin grabbed his clothes from behind to help him steady himself, or he might have fallen flat on his back.

The man was trapped between two desks and couldn’t move easily. He shoved a desk aside, about to explode, when he saw Yu Lin peek out from behind Xie Zhizhang.

Yu Lin scanned him with a look of disdain and said, “You’re too ugly. I doubt anyone would want to buy you anyway.”

The man’s face darkened. He knew he couldn’t win against Lin Zhou, but with so many eyes on him, he couldn’t lose face. He spat a hollow threat at Xie Zhizhang: “You just fucking wait.”

Then he pushed over a desk and stormed out.

Xie Zhizhang’s palms were soaked. His heart was pounding violently as if it were about to leap out of his chest. But he felt a sense of relief he had never known before.

He sat down, supporting himself on his chair, the courage from the argument quickly fading into a weak, trembling voice: “I…”

Yu Lin: “Hmm?”

Xie Zhizhang gripped the chair, his moist, red eyes looking at Yu Lin piteously: “I actually feel a bit good.”

Yu Lin: “Mm. It’ll feel even better the more you do it.”

“But that kick just now was terrible; it was like stepping on cotton. No running tonight: I’m taking you to jump stairs instead.”

Xie Zhizhang: “!”

Xu Ze’an stood outside the window with a dark expression, watching the irritating scene unfold.

He had thought that for a “quail” like Xie Zhizhang, saying words of rejection that day had already exhausted all his courage, let alone having the guts to fight back.

What kind of spell had Lin Zhou cast on him? Only a few days had passed, yet it felt like Xie Zhizhang was a different person: he had even learned to swear and kick.

He used to be so submissive; he would blush just from being asked to speak louder. Xu Ze’an remembered the first time he had teased Xie Zhizhang on the rooftop by showing him a “movie.”

As soon as the ambiguous moans and sighs came from the phone, Xie Zhizhang immediately turned into a cooked shrimp. With flushed cheeks and startled eyes, his hands had nervously clutched the edge of his shirt.

Xu Ze’an had felt a malicious impulse. He proudly put an arm around the boy’s shoulder, leaning into his face, his hot breath fanning against the fragile gland on the back of Xie Zhizhang’s neck: “What’s the panic? You’ve never seen this before?”

Xie Zhizhang lowered his eyes, his voice still trembling: “No.”

“Really never?” Xu Ze’an chuckled. “I’ll tell you, even though the Omega in there is better looking than you, their skin isn’t as white as yours, and their legs aren’t as straight.”

“Stop it.” Xie Zhizhang’s face had been crimson with embarrassment. He ducked his head and turned away, not wanting to look at the erotic images on the phone. Amused by his rabbit-like behavior, Xu Ze’an had grabbed his chin and forced a kiss onto his cheek.

But just now, the “rabbit” Xie Zhizhang had actually retorted to the gossip of others and nearly kicked over a desk.

Xu Ze’an knew he shouldn’t be angry over such an ordinary Omega, but he just couldn’t swallow his pride.

Yesterday, his father had returned and spoken to him about the newly promoted “Little Boss Lin” of Lin Pharmaceuticals. His father had praised him incessantly and mentioned that his younger brother was at the same school, telling Xu Ze’an to associate with him more. Xu Ze’an didn’t even have to think to know he was talking about Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou, Lin Zhou: it was always Lin Zhou. Xu Ze’an was frustrated. If it wasn’t for Lin Zhou, Xie Zhizhang would never have left him. The provocation during PE today had started for that reason, but he hadn’t expected to have underestimated him.

He watched Xie Zhizhang sitting next to the hateful Lin Zhou. His thin back was held straight, and his slender wrist moved across a cheap notebook. When his hand got tired, he gave it a light shake, making his prominent knuckles even more visible.

Lin Zhou was lying on the desk, asleep, with a half-finished set of copied notes beneath him. After writing for a while and seeing no signs of him waking, Xie Zhizhang lightly poked his arm with the end of his pen and leaned in to whisper something. The response he got was a coquettish “I’m so tired, let’s talk later.”

Then, Xu Ze’an saw Xie Zhizhang skillfully reach into Lin Zhou’s drawer and pull out a lollipop: the kind that cost one yuan at a supermarket, which Xu Ze’an wouldn’t even look at if it were given to him.

Xie Zhizhang unwrapped it and held it to Lin Zhou’s lips. The latter habitually opened his mouth to take it, then reluctantly sat up under Xie Zhizhang’s prodding. Rubbing his blurry eyes, he slowly picked up his pen.

Even Xu Ze’an had never received such treatment! What right did Lin Zhou have?

He punched the window frame in frustration, the sudden noise drawing everyone’s attention. Ignoring the gazes—curious, questioning, or mocking—Xu Ze’an squeezed a sentence through his teeth: “Xie Zhizhang, come out.”

To his surprise, Xie Zhizhang didn’t move. He looked toward him with a normal expression, as if looking at an unfamiliar classmate.

“Xie Zhizhang, come out. I have something to say to you,” Xu Ze’an repeated, suppressing his inner agitation.

This time, Xie Zhizhang finally moved, but instead of standing up, he looked at Lin Zhou beside him. Only after seemingly receiving a nod did he slowly walk out of the classroom.

Xu Ze’an watched it all coldly. When Xie Zhizhang finally stood before him, the first thing he said was: “You really are obedient in front of him.”

Xie Zhizhang didn’t refute the statement. He just frowned imperceptibly and said, “Let’s talk somewhere else so we don’t bother others.”

The setting sun fell on Xie Zhizhang’s back, highlighting the curve of his slim waist and giving his fair skin a soft, creamy texture.

Xu Ze’an followed him into the stairwell and suddenly noticed that Xie Zhizhang’s hair had been cut shorter: it no longer obscured those downturned, puppy-like eyes.

Xu Ze’an’s anger faded slightly. He cleared his throat and asked, “Haven’t you had enough? It’s been several days; shouldn’t that be enough?”

Hearing this, Xie Zhizhang gave a small smirk. He still stumbled slightly when he spoke, but it was clear he was doing his best to overcome his timidity: “I’m not throwing a tantrum. You’ve misunderstood, Xu Ze’an.”

“Then why the hell did you leave? Wasn’t it good staying with me? How did I mistreat you? Didn’t you say you didn’t want the money I offered before?” Xu Ze’an spoke in a rapid fire, giving Xie Zhizhang no chance to speak. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him: “You’re not going to tell me you actually fell for that Beta, are you, Xie Zhizhang? You’re crazy, I…”

Xie Zhizhang said calmly, “It has nothing to do with anyone else. It’s just that I don’t want to.”

“What do you mean?”

Xie Zhizhang lowered his head again, staring at a faint scar on his wrist: a mark left from when a classmate had shoved him against a window in his first year.

After a long pause, he prepared himself mentally and finally said: “I’m very grateful to you for ending those painful days. But for me, you are actually no different from them.”

“They hated my weak and cowardly nature, so they bullied me. You found my weak and cowardly nature novel, so you controlled me. But I am not an object or a toy. I can cry, I can laugh, and I can feel pain. I am a person.”

Xie Zhizhang’s eyes were already a bit red, but his tone grew unexpectedly calmer: “Let me go, Xu Ze’an. I just want to live a normal life. Is that too much to ask?”