I’ve Got this Cannon Fodder’s Back

152: 151 152: 151 Gu Yuan’s steps froze in place.

Surrounded by uncle, uncle, and uncles… all tall, imposing, and at least A-level in strength.

Many of them carrying personal weapons, all watching him with an exceptionally friendly gaze.

Gu Yuan: … Gu Yuan took a deep breath, steadying his wavering hairline, and carefully retreated a step.

… “So these are the kids who supposedly escaped from hell?” The young man in the lead, carrying a massive ultra-particle cannon, delivered his line, then scanned Gu Yuan dismissively from head to toe.

“Too skinny, and not very tall…” “Be careful.

I heard they’re pretty formidable and took down several teams by themselves.” The other man in soldier uniform beside him dutifully added, then turned to explain, “They’re just kids right now, haven’t grown up yet.

Probably once they’re older, they’ll bulk up a bit.” “I’ve seen him in his adult form.

He’s solid enough and can still pick up Xiao Deng.

He just has a bad waist; other than that, he’s fine.” Mu Jinchu, who had just returned from an assignment in another world and was still jet-lagged, yawned, exhausted, and reported drowsily, “He’s a good guy.

More importantly, Xiao Deng likes him…” “If his waist isn’t good, won’t that become a problem?

Xiao Deng is so healthy, they won’t be able to try many positions…” “Don’t talk like that in front of the kids.

Bad waist or not, it might be the world setting.

Once they’re out, we can get him a stronger body.” “Or we can send him to Daina for two years of intense training.

He’ll be up to Xiao Deng’s level, then.” “Or we could test him out right now to see if he’s tough enough.

If he’s too weak, Daina will refuse to train him anyway.” “Alright!

Come on!

There’s no day like today, and it’s rare that we’re all here…” With the lead actor breaking his character, the rest threw away their lines, enthusiastically discussing the matter.

Cold sweat broke out down Gu Yuan’s back.

Just as he prepared to retreat, a familiar coolness settled on his hand, and Lu Deng’s hand gently clasped his own.

“Zhiguang, let’s…” Relieved by Lu Deng’s presence, Gu Yuan turned to speak, but Lu Deng suddenly tightened his grip and leaped up to the tree canopy with him.

A barrage of attacks rained down behind them.

Though non-lethal, the attacks were perfectly controlled and aimed squarely at his rear.

Knowing now that these were family members, Gu Yuan didn’t dare retaliate at all, but he worried about Lu Zhiguang getting hurt, so he wrapped him protectively in his arms and dodged to hide on a treetop, avoiding a blast from an ultra-particle cannon that targeted his feet.

“Uncle!” Lu Deng finally poked his head out from his lover’s embrace, calling out anxiously, reaching his arm forward.

“Wait!

Don’t be like this …” “Alright, don’t worry, they’ll be careful.” A tall figure appeared beside him, quickly hoisting Lu Deng over his shoulder and patting him reassuringly on the back.

“Initially, it was just us two worried about you, but then somehow, your uncles heard about it too…” Hearing his voice, Lu Deng paused, obediently quieting down before speaking softly, “Father, I…” He had hidden his relationship across numerous worlds, never daring to tell his family.

His plan had been to pass the trial with Gu Yuan and then return home together to meet his family.

He hadn’t expected that before they could even leave, they’d be firmly cornered by his relatives.

Having always been a model system intern, Lu Deng had never done anything so bold.

He opened his mouth to explain but found himself blushing before he could say a word, his face growing hotter by the moment.

“It’s alright, you’re an adult now.

It’s not a puppy love.” Having guessed what he was going to say, his father adjusted his position on his shoulder and gave him an approving pat.

“You took a mission and found a partner.

It didn’t bring shame to the family.

Do you want us to pay the bride price?

Your Dad and I have already prepared part of it…” Lu Deng: !

Bride price was the last thing he wanted his father to think about.

If his dad found out, there’d probably be one more person coming to beat up Gu Yuan.

Lu Deng couldn’t lie but also couldn’t bear to see his lover suffer more.

Stuck between his feelings, he shrank into a tight little ball on his father’s shoulder, unwilling to respond.

Meanwhile, Gu Yuan, who had lost track of him mid-run, stopped in bewilderment, only to be immediately pinned to the ground by his uncles with no mercy.

They still had three days until the examination to be successfully completed.

According to the Refining Space’s requirements, these three days should involve “continuous raids by various forces.” To ensure that NPCs wouldn’t attack their beloved nephew and his alleged easy-to-beat partner from the original system, the uncles devised a plan, chasing Gu Yuan through the forest for three days, making sure he encountered every unusual plant in the bloodthirsty forest before finally feeling satisfied enough to corner him at the gates of Infinity City.

By then, Gu Yuan’s clothes were in tatters, with leaves from the bloodthirsty vines covering him haphazardly.

Still, he couldn’t figure out where his lover had been taken.

The number of pursuers had steadily increased.

From the initial uncles, he now faced twelve eager older brothers, a group of sword-wielding immortals, and even an old deity yelling, “You worthless Junior, return my Apprentice-grandchild!” The main system continued dropping lightning strikes on him.

After three days of running, Gu Yuan’s stamina and will were spent.

Gasping for breath, he crouched on the ground, his hair singed by the overuse of his powers, occasionally sparking with static.

A sympathetic, bloodthirsty vine appeared, offering him a cup of water with its leaves and patting him on the back.

Gu Yuan chuckled, thanking it warmly.

He was about to drink when the final bolt of lightning struck, singeing the last intact strand of his hair.

… As the thunder faded, the notification announcing his successful completion of the Refining Space trial sounded.

Gu Yuan stood, dazed, as all the illusions around him faded, replaced by an endless staircase.

He stood at the top step, with a grand, heavy door before him.

The people surrounding him returned to their refined attire, watching him with smiles.

Some draped arms over each other as they observed the scene.

Many were still struggling on their staircases below, looking up at him with barely concealed envy.

Standing in his tattered state, Gu Yuan reflexively looked at his hands.

“Go on.

This means you’ve passed the trial.” Mu Jinchu, whom he knew well, smiled as he stepped forward, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Remember to pick a decent body for yourself.

Daina’s training is intense.

You’ll need a few more months of training if you want to match Zhiguang’s combat level.” “Uncle…” Gu Yuan called urgently, finally voicing his concern, “I can’t leave yet.

I haven’t found Zhiguang.

I need to find him…” Though the bloodthirsty vines had been helping him along, and he could feel that his lover was safe, he worried that Lu Zhiguang might be taken home by his very strict, no-dating family and grounded.

If they locked Lu Zhiguang up and drove him to the exit of the Refining Space, once he left, the two might never meet again… The more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed.

Gu Yuan was so worried that he was about to abandon the trial and secretly go back to look for him.

Mu Jinchu, surprised that he didn’t know what had happened with Lu Deng, raised an eyebrow.

He was about to speak when someone approached him from behind.

“Qing Guang?

You too…” Mu Jinchu’s surprise was cut off as the newcomer placed a hand on his shoulder, stopped him, and looked at Gu Yuan.

“I came to see him.

I heard you were searching for a partner… how did that go?” Mu Jinchu: … After all these years, his old friend hadn’t lost that habit of cutting straight to the point.

Mu Jinchu took a deep breath, ready to respond, but Gu Yuan’s face lit up, and he quickly stepped forward to bow.

“Sir!” He recognized this man—it was the remarkable stranger he and Lu Zhiguang had met during a Mid-Autumn Festival in an ancient world when Lu Zhiguang had used the alias “Chengru.” Gu Yuan had already guessed that this person was the master of the Refining Space.

Glancing behind him, he spotted the boy carrying the zither and felt a surge of reassurance.

He bowed deeply.

“I am grateful for your kindness, Sir… I have a request.” “I can help, but rules are rules… If you return to find him, re-entering here will be next to impossible.” Having anticipated his request, the man raised an eyebrow, watching him thoughtfully with a faint smile.

“Think it over carefully.

Entering the Refining Space is a privilege countless systems have only dreamed of.

You can leave now and return later.

There’s no need to be hasty…” “Zhiguang and I agreed to stay together and not leave each other behind.” Gu Yuan’s smile was calm, though his aura hinted at a carefree confidence usually suppressed before his elders.

“If I can only be with him in the system world… then there’s no reason for me to leave.” His expression remained steady, barely sparing the door behind him a glance as he started down the steps.

The door silently disappeared behind him.

… The descent was far harder than expected.

After only a dozen steps, sweat beaded on Gu Yuan’s forehead.

The surrounding landscape faded, replaced by a vast, unfamiliar cosmos.

All around, a glittering river of stars flowed, each twinkling in the near-total darkness of space.

The universe was absolutely silent, with only the starlight piercing the blackness.

There was no wind, no warmth from light.

Initial nerves faded quickly, replaced by a deep sense of lonely uncertainty.

Gu Yuan didn’t know where he was headed, but he kept moving, one step at a time, lightly touching the calming charm at his neck and pressing it briefly to his lips.

“Zhiguang…” Sound couldn’t travel in space, so his voice vanished as soon as it left his lips.

Gu Yuan fell silent, gripping the charm tightly.

He was lost in thought about the future when suddenly, a crisp bell rang beside him.

The sound was clear, echoing impossibly through the quiet space.

He had reached the last step.

Gu Yuan’s eyes lit up, and he walked forward, greeting the familiar figure he had longed to see.

The youth, flanked by two family members, stood looking at him.

Since he hadn’t passed through the Refining Space’s gate, he was still in his pale, slender form.

His eyes were red, but his dark eyes sparkled brightly.

Gu Yuan looked back, a smile slowly spreading.

He opened his arms, and Lu Zhiguang ran toward him.

Gu Yuan stood still, eyes shining.

He watched his young lover approach, gradually losing his boyishness, growing gentle and composed.

The tender green tips of young leaves lengthened, becoming a tall, graceful bamboo forest.

As the Refining Space’s special effects faded, all the moments he had missed seemed to play in fast-forward, vivid and clear before him.

Gu Yuan took a step forward and caught him firmly in his embrace.

Warm chest against warm chest, hearts beating in sync.

Lu Deng looked up, eyes shimmering, his brow relaxed into a smile as he tilted his head to meet his lips.

A soft, cool touch met his, charged with an undeniable warmth and intensity.

Gu Yuan held his breath, smiling as he returned the kiss, pulling him close.

“What number did you count to?” “I’ve only counted to 42.” Lu Deng rubbed his eyes and beamed at him, squeezing his hand tightly.

“I knew you’d come, so I stopped counting.” Gu Yuan laughed softly and hugged him tightly.

Just as he prepared to help him find his way out, he noticed two figures nearby.

As their gaze met, one of them approached, casually pushing open a door that had been hidden in the darkness.

“If you go through here, your trial is complete.” Anyone with a script is family.

Having just kissed Lu Deng in front of them, Gu Yuan felt a twinge of anxiety, hesitantly glancing sideways.

He waited for Lu Zhiguang’s signal, but the newcomer merely smiled and extended a hand.

“My name is Su Shi, and I’m Zhiguang’s legal guardian.

Would you like to come over for a visit after you step through?” In the distant sky, stars flickered brightly, spreading a brilliant silver light.