Chapter 37: Can a Gloomy Extra Be Locked in a Dark Room? [3]

Chapter 37: Will a Gloomy Cannon Fodder Get Thrown in the Doghouse? "3"

Ye Luochen: "Mu-ge? I'm really sorry. I was too impulsive today and accidentally made your friend so angry."

Ye Luochen: "Sad puppy .jpg"

Ye Luochen: "But I really didn't mean it. I just wanted to be friends with you. I didn't expect Uncle Ji to say those things about me."

Ye Luochen: "Mu-ge, why aren't you replying? Is Uncle Ji still mad at me?"

Ye Luochen: "Mu-ge, I was wrong. I shouldn't have made him angry. Please don't ignore me, okay?"

Ye Luochen: "Crying puppy .jpg"

Mu Jin watched as Ye Luochen's messages came in one after another, thought for a moment before replying:

"I'm not mad. I'm eating. Ji Fengyan is only one year older than me, so don't call him 'uncle.'"

Mu Jin didn't understand why Ye Luochen called him "bro" but kept calling Ji Fengyan "uncle" every time.

But Ye Luochen was originally supposed to fall for Ji Fengyan at first sight, and now the two had no feelings for each other and had even gotten into a fight.

The whole "bro/uncle" thing didn't seem particularly important anymore.

Ye Luochen: "Ah, really? But your friend looks like he's thirty, while you look about my age. I thought you were only nineteen too."

Mu Jin: "He's just twenty-five."

Mu Jin felt a little exasperated and noticed that the person beside him had been staring at him the whole time.

He automatically turned his head to glance at Ji Fengyan, and Ye Luochen's latest message popped into his head.

He had no idea where Ye Luochen got the idea that Ji Fengyan looked like a thirty-year-old man. As far as he could tell, Ji Fengyan didn't look it at all.

Ji Fengyan wasn't one to snoop into others' privacy, but when he noticed that the person messaging was Ye Luochen, he couldn't help but sneak a few extra looks.

And once he looked, he couldn't stop.

What the hell was that guy saying?!

What did he mean, saying he looked almost thirty?!

Ji Fengyan didn't want to lose his temper in front of Mu Jin, so he simply looked away and said calmly:

"Didn't you say he was just an ordinary customer? How'd he get your contact info?"

Mu Jin was confused: "Because he wanted to order flowers from me. Recently, quite a few people have been buying my flowers, and some customers make reservations in advance, so I added their contact info."

Ji Fengyan's tone carried a hint of bitterness he himself barely noticed: "Oh, that's nice then."

Just as Ji Fengyan pulled out his phone, ready to ask Mu Jin to put him at the top of his contacts—

He suddenly realized he didn't even have Mu Jin's contact info!

Ji Fengyan: "..."

Seeing Ji Fengyan pull out his phone and then just stare at it without moving, Mu Jin got curious:

"What's wrong? Do you want his contact info too?"

"If you need it, I can share it with you. Actually, he's a pretty nice person. Maybe you two could be friends."

Mu Jin tried to get the original story back on track, hoping to make Ye Luochen fall for Ji Fengyan again.

But all he got in response was Ji Fengyan's silence, along with those deep, slightly hurt eyes.

Mu Jin had a feeling Ji Fengyan wasn't in a good state, but by then, some of the food had already been served.

His attention was completely on the hotpot, so he let go of the idea of sharing Ye Luochen's contact info.

Mu Jin's eyes sparkled as he stared at the bubbling red-oil hotpot and started swishing meat in the pot.

"Ah, let's just eat first. We can talk about everything later."

Ji Fengyan watched Mu Jin eating happily and, without a word, began cooking meat for him.

An hour later, Ji Fengyan had a whole new respect for Mu Jin's appetite.

But he seriously did the math, and with his current wealth, if he wanted to support Mu Jin for a lifetime, it would be entirely feasible.

Wait... support Mu Jin for life?

Ji Fengyan paused mid-action. Had he really started thinking like that?

Mu Jin noticed Ji Fengyan had stopped moving and immediately brought his own bowl over to Ji Fengyan's chopsticks.

Ji Fengyan automatically loosened his grip, and the freshly cooked beef slices fell right into Mu Jin's bowl.

Mu Jin smiled happily: "Hehe, thanks~"

Ji Fengyan watched Mu Jin eat his meat and chuckled softly, shaking his head helplessly. He then continued cooking and made sure to place the meat into Mu Jin's bowl.

Mu Jin ate to his heart's content and couldn't help but say to 648: [Xiao Liu, I think I finally understand why the male lead in this world is everyone's crush.]

648 was curious: "Why? Wait... Host, don't tell me you've fallen for him too?"

[I don't like him, but—he clearly dislikes me, yet he's still willing to cook meat for me without showing any impatience.]

Mu Jin said thoughtfully: [He has such a good temper and is such a nice person. No wonder so many people like him!]

648: "...?"

He didn't remember the plot ever describing the male lead as having a good temper.

He only remembered that although the male lead in this world was a heartthrob, he didn't have a romantic partner.

Especially when dealing with those who harassed him excessively, he would handle them quickly and firmly.

Like the original "Mu Jin," for example.

But looking at it now, Ji Fengyan's attitude toward his host did seem a bit strange.

648 felt a little confused, but seeing how happily Mu Jin was eating, he didn't want to say anything.

After all, Mu Jin's role in this world was to play a villainous cannon fodder obsessed with Ji Fengyan.

Now that Mu Jin was warming up to Ji Fengyan, it was good for their mission.

So before logging off, 648—the system—only said vaguely, "Mm, whatever makes you happy."

"Host, it's killing me that I can only look at this hotpot and not eat it. I'm logging off first."

Mu Jin: [Mm.]

Ji Fengyan watched Mu Jin with his cheeks stuffed full, unable to suppress the smile tugging at his lips. This was the first time he had ever experienced the joy of feeding someone.

"Take your time eating."

Ji Fengyan poured Mu Jin a glass of warm water, his tone gentle.

The frustration from earlier about not having Mu Jin's contact info had mostly faded.

After a satisfying hotpot meal, they drove back to the Ji residence. On the way, Ji Fengyan noticed that Mu Jin didn't seem interested in talking to him, so he finally spoke up:

"By the way, A Jin, I don't think I have your contact info yet. I'll be back in the country for a long stretch this time, so we'll be seeing each other often. Why don't we add each other?"

Mu Jin blinked in confusion. "Huh? I haven't added you yet?"

Ji Fengyan opened his add-friend page and said calmly, "Mm."

Mu Jin paused. He realized he had Ji Fengyan's contact info but had never actually added him.

That contact info had been found by 648—it was Ji Fengyan's private number, which he was supposed to use to send those harassing texts and photos later.

Since Ji Fengyan had already offered to add him, Mu Jin couldn't really say no.

Then he watched helplessly as Ji Fengyan, right after adding him, pinned him to the top of his chat list.

Mu Jin: "???"

Wait, something about this didn't feel right.

Shouldn't Ji Fengyan hate his guts, and only put up with him at first because of his mom?

He not only added him first, but he also pinned him?

Mu Jin opened his mouth, then closed it.

Ji Fengyan, now with his contact info secured, was in a great mood. He asked, "What's wrong?"

Mu Jin shook his head. "Nothing."

Forget it—it was just a pin, and the original story didn't go into that much detail. It probably wouldn't have much impact.

When the car pulled into the Ji estate, Mu Jin immediately spotted Auntie Ji standing outside waiting for them.

His eyes lit up. "Auntie Ji!"

Auntie Ji happily exclaimed, holding Mu Jin's hand and checking him out from head to toe.

"Oh my, you're finally back! That kid said he was taking you out for hotpot—I thought he wasn't going to bring you home at all."

Ji Fengyan, who hadn't been home in years, muttered, "...Mom, can you at least look at me?"

Auntie Ji barely glanced at him. "What's there to see? We literally video-called last night."

"Your dad's still at work. Your room's ready—go rest if you're tired."

With that, Auntie Ji took Mu Jin's hand and led him inside with a warm smile.

"A Jin, I tried some new dishes today and made that sweet and sour ribs and spicy chicken you said you liked yesterday. I saved them all for you—come try them!"

"I'll bake you some desserts later too. It's getting late—why not stay the night? I'll have someone get a room ready."

Ji Fengyan frowned slightly and quickly followed. "Mom, he just ate hotpot. Don't feed him too much—his stomach can't take it."

Even though he already knew Mu Jin's appetite was larger than average, he still shouldn't be eating nonstop.

Mu Jin, who had just said yes, immediately frowned at Ji Fengyan's comment.

"Ji Fengyan, I told you at the hotpot place that I'd still eat Auntie's cooking when we got home."

Mu Jin said firmly, "I know my own body better than you do, so trust me."

Auntie Ji had been surprised at first, but now she was used to it.

Seeing Ji Fengyan speechless, she chuckled and said:

"Alright, A Jin, don't mind him. Let's go eat first."

Auntie Ji took a few steps, then stopped as if remembering something.

"Oh, right, Uncle Wen's son will be coming over later. We're still working on two projects with the Wen family, so since you're back, you two can have a good talk."

Mu Jin's ears perked up, and he quickly recalled the corresponding character from the plot.

Wen Yihe—a major supporting male character in this world.

He admired Ji Fengyan, but it wasn't romantic—more like appreciation.

The two were kindred spirits who hit it off right away.

Ji Fengyan's quick rise after coming back was largely thanks to Wen Yihe's help.

Ji Fengyan just glanced at Mu Jin and gave a vague reply, clearly not bothered by it.

He'd known his mom felt sorry for Mu Jin, but he hadn't realized they were this close.

Then again, if his mom didn't like Mu Jin this much, she wouldn't have repeatedly urged him to bring the boy home for a meal.

Watching the two of them get along so harmoniously, a smile crept into Ji Fengyan's eyes.

Clearly, he had long forgotten his earlier confusion about why his mom liked Mu Jin.

Now, all he could think about was that if the two of them got along this well, it would save him a lot of trouble when he and Mu Jin eventually got married.

Unaware that Ji Fengyan was already thinking about marrying him, Mu Jin was completely focused on anticipating the new dishes Auntie Ji had prepared today.