Cannon Fodder O Pretending to be A Will Lose Their Vest Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Will Completely Become a Plaything – Dark Side / Since You’re Already Pretending…

The drizzle was still drifting. Shen Shiyue kept his head lowered, staring at the tips of his water-soaked shoes.

Jiang Chenyan opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His heart felt as though it were stuffed with water-logged cotton—heavy and stifling. All his questions and concerns were stuck in his throat.

He wanted to ask Shen Shiyue: What exactly did you go through?

…

Shen Shiyue never imagined that the person holding the umbrella for him would be Jiang Chenyan.

If it had been a stranger, it would have been fine; at least there wouldn’t be this emotional turbulence. But right now, bitterness was like a soaked sponge, slowly seeping through his heart, wrapped in an unshakeable astringency. Tonight was an accident. He had enraged his parents, and in his state of total wretchedness, he just happened to fall into Jiang Chenyan’s sight.

“Let’s go.” Jiang Chenyan’s voice was very soft. He kept the umbrella tilted toward him, then reached out a hand. That hand had well-defined knuckles and a few thin calluses on the joints. Shen Shiyue stared at it for a long time. This pair of hands was different from when they first met; those rough traces were all ground out by Jiang Chenyan’s day-after-day training.

Shen Shiyue placed his hand upon it, feeling only a surge of sourness welling up toward his eyes.

Jiang Chenyan pulled him up. He didn’t press for answers, simply accompanying Shen Shiyue as they walked slowly. The road was very quiet, with only the soft splashing of soles stepping through puddles and the occasional sound of rain dripping from the edge of the umbrella.

He knew that when Shen Shiyue wanted to speak about certain things, he would naturally open his mouth.

The drizzle fell on the umbrella’s surface, creating fine, crackling sounds. Neither of them spoke much.

Back in the school dormitory, the warmth from the daytime still lingered inside.

As soon as Jiang Chenyan put down the umbrella, he went to get the first-aid kit. The metal latch gave a soft click as it opened. He bent down to take out the supplies, settled Shen Shiyue into a seat, and then half-knelt beside him.

When the cotton swab dipped in medicine approached the wound, Shen Shiyue suddenly spoke, “I’ll do it myself.”

He was about to pull his hand back, but Jiang Chenyan lightly pressed down on his wrist with his other hand. The force wasn’t heavy. “Let me.”

With his well-defined fingers holding the bandage and the cotton swab touching the wound, Shen Shiyue didn’t make a sound. This small wound was nothing, however…

Jiang Chenyan’s breath was too close. It fell upon his arm, making his heart tremble with an itch.

Jiang Chenyan deliberately avoided the reddest part of the wound, slowly applying the ointment from the edges inward. Occasionally, he looked up to check Shen Shiyue’s expression. Seeing that he wasn’t frowning, he continued his movements.

When finally tying the knot, he purposely placed it on the outer side of the arm. “I’m afraid it would rub against you while you sleep.”

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Shen Shiyue’s throat suddenly felt dry. “Jiang Chenyan, I’m fine.”

Jiang Chenyan glanced up at him once, then quickly lowered his head to finish treating the wound, his tone carrying a deliberate coldness: “If you’re fine, then why didn’t you know to hide from the rain instead of sitting on the steps?”

“I was thinking about something, so I didn’t notice.” Shen Shiyue felt a bit helpless and said softly, “I’m sorry for making you worry.”

Jiang Chenyan’s movements lagged for a beat. Only after a few seconds did he say stiffly: “I wasn’t worried about you.”

Hearing this, the corners of Shen Shiyue’s mouth curled up. “Really not worried about me?”

Jiang Chenyan fell silent. His head dipped even lower, and even his breathing became light and slow. His hands moved even more sluggishly as he wrapped the bandage. He didn’t respond, yet he didn’t deny it again either.

“Who hurt you?” Jiang Chenyan’s fingertips paused on the edge of the first-aid kit, his voice deepening. “Am I allowed to ask that?”

Shen Shiyue froze. He lowered his eyes and remained silent for a while. Only after a long time did he answer in a low voice: “A family elder.”

Jiang Chenyan’s brows furrowed. There were words suppressed in his throat that remained unspoken. An elder? He recalled the original text where the aunt and uncle frantically squeezed Shen Shiyue dry; his heart felt as if it were blocked by a mass of smoldering fire.

He didn’t press further, simply stuffing the used cotton swabs and medicine back into the kit.

While he was tidying up, Shen Shiyue’s voice fell from above: “What have you been doing these past two days while I was away?”

Jiang Chenyan’s movements came to a sharp halt. His fingertips gripped the handle of the medical kit tightly. Hacking the school surveillance, discovering the recommendation quota… should he tell Shen Shiyue?

Reasonably speaking, he should. This was his friend and one of the rare people he trusted.

Jiang Chenyan’s fingertips stroked the edge of the kit. After a moment of thought, he chose only to say the key point: “The school has recommendation quotas. One can graduate early and enter the Alliance.”

“What?” Shen Shiyue’s throat tightened. “How do you know? Where did you get this information?”

Jiang Chenyan avoided his gaze and told a lie: “I got it by fishing for information.”

As for whose words he fished, it went without saying.

Hacking into the school network’s surveillance was a serious violation of school discipline that could lead to an expulsion warning. He knew the gravity of the situation; there were some things he couldn’t tell anyone.

Shen Shiyue’s expression darkened instantly, his brows knitting tighter: “So, what are your thoughts?”

“Naturally, I want to get that quota.” Jiang Chenyan said these words without the slightest hesitation.

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Shen Shiyue’s brow furrowed abruptly. The aura around him turned cold in an instant, showing displeasure mixed with a hint of panic he hadn’t even noticed himself: “Jiang Chenyan, do you know? The Alliance is very dangerous. You, an Omega, cannot go there. It’s not as simple as you think.”

As his words fell, he took another half-step forward, closing the distance between him and Jiang Chenyan. He lowered his voice, “Listen to me, let’s just get through these few years obediently…”

“This is a good opportunity.” Jiang Chenyan interrupted Shen Shiyue. He didn’t understand why Shen Shiyue was suddenly saying these things. Regardless of the danger, he could shoulder it himself.

“I have to enter the Alliance sooner or later, Shen Shiyue. You don’t need to worry about me. Besides, what about me is worth your worry? You should also know my capabilities.”

“What if your Omega identity is discovered?” Shen Shiyue’s voice sank. His pitch-black pupils glinted with coldness.

Jiang Chenyan didn’t back down an inch: “I won’t let them find out.”

“Don’t be so stubborn. I’m not lying to you; it’s far darker in there than you imagine.”

Shen Shiyue kept trying to persuade him until Jiang Chenyan’s patience finally ran out. “So, are you going to stop me?”

Shen Shiyue froze. His fingertips curled instinctively. Would he stop him?

The answer surfaced almost immediately. He had been steeped in the circles of prestigious families since childhood; his father was an Alliance Commander, and he had long since seen much of the darkness hidden beneath the rules. The previous auction was just the tip of the iceberg. With someone like Jiang Chenyan—clean yet possessing a headstrong nature—if he truly entered the Alliance, he would only be chewed up by those complex factions until not even his bones remained. Furthermore, he was an Omega. Once this layer of identity was exposed, the consequences were unthinkable.

At that time, he would completely become a plaything, eaten clean by a pack of bastards.

“Just tell me: will you, or won’t you?” Jiang Chenyan’s voice was very cold.

He had his own path to walk. The thoughts hidden behind his desire to enter the Alliance, the reasons why he had to charge in… sometimes Shen Shiyue might not necessarily understand, nor was it possible for him to.

“Shen Shiyue, it’s because I truly consider you a friend that I told you about the recommendation quota.”

He spoke word by word, “You can do nothing, but do not obstruct me. This is my choice. No matter what happens in the future, I won’t regret it.”

“Since I have to enter the Alliance sooner or later anyway, it’s better to go and fight for it earlier.”

Shen Shiyue stood in place, suddenly feeling a strong sense of powerlessness. An Omega like Jiang Chenyan was too clear-headed and too stubborn; he was simply impossible to control.

Yet, that tenacity in him—the kind that wouldn’t turn back even after hitting a wall—was too dazzling. He was like a piece of jade that carried its own light, accidentally causing so many people to covet him, wanting to possess him and firmly grip this special quality in the palms of their hands.

Shen Shiyue suddenly let out a soft laugh, with a hint of self-mockery. “I won’t stop you.”

Even if he tried, it would be useless.

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His mind suddenly cleared. He had worked so hard for so long to finally get Jiang Chenyan to lower his guard and trust him. How could he allow this trust to be shattered by an obstruction? Therefore, he could not stop Jiang Chenyan.

Since Jiang Chenyan insisted on walking this path, he would no longer try to persuade him.

Rather than standing in place and worrying, it was better to become his sturdiest shield. If he encountered storms in the Alliance in the future, he would block those overt attacks and hidden arrows for him, protecting him so he could walk the path he wanted to.

Shen Shiyue had long known that Jiang Chenyan was someone who responded to softness, not force. This could be seen clearly from Mu Sian and Xie Huaijin; the more they pressured him or tried to suppress him, the heavier the irritability and disgust in his heart grew, and it would only push him further away.

He admitted he had indeed harbored dark thoughts—wanting to lock Jiang Chenyan up, circling him in a world where only he could see him, shielding him from everyone’s covetous eyes, and making him his Omega alone.

But at the thought that Jiang Chenyan would show a disgusted expression because of it and withdraw that rare trust, those thoughts were suppressed.

He had pretended for so long and acted for so long. Since he had already reached this step, he would have to keep acting for a lifetime.

“I was only advising you just now. But if this is your choice, I will support you.”

Jiang Chenyan nodded. “Mhm.”

He hadn’t expected Shen Shiyue to give in so quickly. Or rather, it seemed Shen Shiyue understood him very well.

Jiang Chenyan leaned against the back of the chair, his fingertips rubbing his brow. He felt a heaviness throughout his body. He was too lazy to think further about the complications regarding the Alliance or Shen Shiyue’s attitude. He was too tired; his brain simply wouldn’t turn.

While he was zoning out, the system suddenly popped up.

[The plot has collapsed to the point it’s unwatchable. Host is awesome.]

Jiang Chenyan didn’t even lift his eyelids, responding perfunctorily: “You only just realized?”

[Well… I’ve been secretly observing.] The system’s voice weakened. [Mhm, if things go according to Host’s current thoughts, the mission should be completed very soon.]

Jiang Chenyan’s lips twitched. “If no accidents happen, indeed it can be.” It was just that no one could say for sure whether an “accident” would come.

He let out a yawn and flopped onto the bed. “Sleepy, so sleepy. Going to bed.”

Shen Shiyue had been caught in the rain, and his body still carried a damp chill. He turned and went into the bathroom.

When he came out, his upper body was completely bare. His lower half was only wrapped in a towel, barely covering below his waistline. Droplets of water slid down his neck into his collarbone, then further down over his firm chest muscles. There wasn’t a trace of extra fat on his waist or abdomen, and his mermaid line was faintly visible along the edge of the towel.

Jiang Chenyan hadn’t fallen asleep at all. Hearing the noise, he cracked open his eyes and stole a glance at Shen Shiyue. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, water droplets clinging to a firm chest—any normal person would turn red in the face seeing this.

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However, drowsiness surged up like a tide. Jiang Chenyan didn’t even have the energy to look for another second. His eyelids drooped, and he lay back down, with only one thought left in his heart: A beautiful view is a beautiful view, but sleeping is more important right now. He had no mind to appreciate it in detail.

Shen Shiyue walked to the bedside, looking at how Jiang Chenyan was wrapped in the quilt with shallow breathing.

Clearly, he had just been peeking at him with open eyes a moment ago, yet now he was already fast asleep.

It was a bit helpless. It wasn’t every day he tried to seduce him.

…

Early the next morning, just as Jiang Chenyan finished washing up, he received a notification from home. It was the birthday of a Jiang family elder, and everyone was required to attend.

Jiang Chenyan’s brows furrowed. It was a bit annoying. Those superficial social engagements weren’t something he liked to begin with, let alone having to face a whole house of elders. Just thinking about it felt exhausting.

The most disgusting part was Jiang Xuanshen. Originally, he could have slipped away and not gone, but the man had specifically sent a message, explicitly mentioning his name.

Jiang Chenyan searched for information, flipping through page after page of photos of the Jiang family elders in his gallery. How can there be so many people? Just remembering the names and seniority was enough to give him a headache.

Shen Shiyue knew he was going to the Jiang family home today. Before leaving, he asked: “Can you handle it?”

“Easy.” Jiang Chenyan’s fingertips were still repeatedly swiping through the photos, though he had already run through the social protocols in his mind.

He packed a few simple things and headed out. He originally intended to just take any shuttle there.

But as soon as he stepped out of the school gates, he was intercepted by several figures. “Little Young Master.”

Jiang Chenyan: “…”

What a foreign form of address.

The Jiang family had actually sent people to pick him up.

When invited onto the shuttle, Jiang Chenyan’s steps suddenly froze. A person was currently sitting on the leather seat inside the cabin. That person leaned against the backrest, the collar of his black shirt fastened tightly without a single gap.

He turned his head to look over, his gaze cold and devoid of any emotion. It was Jiang Xuanshen.

“I came to pick you up today.”

Jiang Chenyan was stunned for a moment. He hadn’t expected Jiang Xuanshen to specifically come for him, and the irritability in his heart increased.

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He hesitated for half a second before giving a low call of “Dage,” then walked straight to the seat furthest from him, deliberately maintaining distance.

Jiang Xuanshen’s expression darkened instantly, his brows knitting together. “Jiang Chenyan, are you sincerely trying to make me unhappy?”

Jiang Chenyan didn’t say a word.

Wasn’t it obvious? That was exactly what he meant.

“At the banquet today, you are to follow me the whole time. It’s time someone taught you a few things.” Jiang Xuanshen’s voice held no fluctuations, but his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Chenyan’s face, deliberately paying extra attention to his expression.

In the Jiang family, being able to follow him to learn about social events and touch the core affairs of the family was an opportunity others couldn’t even beg for. Jiang Xuanshen waited for Jiang Chenyan to show an expression of joy or excitement.

This younger brother had indeed changed, but he was still a child at heart; he surely craved recognition from the family elders.

At the thought that Jiang Chenyan would show an ecstatic expression, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and his mood felt inexplicably pleasant.

However, Jiang Chenyan merely lifted his eyes. His face held not a single ripple; he neither refused nor accepted. His tone was as flat as if he were talking about something trivial: “Understood.”

Jiang Xuanshen was angered into a laugh by Jiang Chenyan’s indifferent manner. “What? You’ve been at school for a few days and now your wings are hard?”

Jiang Chenyan slowly lifted his eyelids. “They aren’t exactly hard.”

The bodyguards inside the shuttle had long since tensed up. Hearing Jiang Xuanshen’s heated words, they all quietly exchanged glances. Based on past situations, the Little Young Master should be bowing his head in submission or even apologizing by now.

But in the next second, Jiang Chenyan spoke coldly, “We’ve already taken flight.”

His wings were already full.

The cabin full of bodyguards instantly looked at each other. What did they just hear?

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