I’ve Got this Cannon Fodder’s Back

153: Extra: Real World 153: Extra: Real World Three days after Gu Yuan received his new human body and was sent to General Daina for special training, Lu Deng started to feel restless.

Most generals had a common trait of never letting up when it came to training.

Intense training sessions were coupled with poor food and little sleep.

Not to mention the occasional surprise drills and emergency assemblies, where one had to be constantly alert against ambushes in the dormitory.

After a month, anyone would feel like they’d shed a layer of skin.

Lu Deng, having been brought out of the apocalypse, was long accustomed to life-or-death struggles and quickly adapted to training.

But Gu Yuan, who hadn’t come from such a dire background, might not be able to adjust to such a harsh environment right away.

For days, the exceptional system intern found it hard to eat or sleep at home, clutching the firefly grass plush Gu Yuan had given him, worrying endlessly about whether Gu Yuan was hungry or injured in the barracks.

Without the automatic repair and calibration functions of the system world, Lu Deng developed two noticeable dark circles in just a few days.

“Still haven’t adjusted to the time difference?” Seeing his son dozing off at the table, Lu Zhuo placed plates with fried eggs and ham before him, patted his shoulder, and lightly touched his forehead.

“There’s no more exams; just relax these days.

If there’s anywhere you want to go, feel free to explore, and you can take a break from missions until you’ve rested enough.” Lu Deng, who’d always respected his strict father, quickly sat up straight and dutifully finished his breakfast cleanly, yet his mind kept thinking about his lover’s welfare.

Su Shi, with a hint of amusement in his eyes, bit into his egg and handed him a smart brain.

“Your system is already installed in this brain.

It’s the latest model with the ability to transform.

It has fewer functions here in the outside world, but it can still come in handy at times.

Remember to keep it with you.

You never know when it might be useful.” Though he had two fathers, Su Shi had mostly raised Lu Deng, and their relationship was much closer.

Noticing the subtle, meaningful look in his eyes, Lu Deng was momentarily taken aback, but his eyes quickly brightened.

He took the smart brain eagerly.

“Dad, I—” “Go, have fun.” Su Shi smiled, cutting him off and giving him a wink.

Watching his suddenly energized son dash back to his room, he calmly resumed his breakfast.

Seeing the father and son’s secret exchange, Lu Zhuo raised an eyebrow, about to speak when Su Shi swiftly grabbed a perfectly cooked slice of bacon and stuffed it into his mouth.

“Next time you go to the office, remember to get Zhiguang a three-month leave.

He probably won’t be taking on any missions soon…” Lu Deng hurried back to his room.

The smart brain was pendant-shaped, designed as a protective charm hanging from a thin red cord around his neck.

It looked nearly identical to his old one.

Lying on the firefly grass pillow, Lu Deng took a deep breath to steady himself, opened his smart brain, and waited for the boot-up.

As soon as it finished, the familiar mechanical voice chimed excitedly in his mind, “Host!

Host!

I’ve tracked down the target’s coordinates!

Are we going to rescue him now?” Though the mission to rescue cannon fodder had long been completed, the system still hadn’t dropped the habit of calling Gu Yuan the “target.” Lu Deng was about to correct it, but then realized that their mission hadn’t really changed much, so he hesitated and nodded, opening the virtual screen.

“How is the situation there?

Are the defenses tight?

I was thinking of heading over to check…” The system, now brought to the real world and sporting an excellent, high-tech body, was thrilled.

With its enthusiasm at a peak, it promptly mapped the base’s defenses, marking them out in detail.

Transforming into a mechanical grasshopper, it hopped onto his shoulder.

“The defenses are light.

You can definitely get in, Host!” … The system world had some very unique aesthetics.

Not wanting to dampen its enthusiasm, Lu Deng gently patted the two mechanical antennae beside his face and praised its appearance.

Packing his things, he left a note for his two fathers, swung his backpack over his shoulder, jumped out the window, and landed gracefully in the lush garden below.

By the time Gu Yuan returned to the dormitory, the sky had already turned completely dark.

After a day of training, his entire body was sore, and all he wanted was to collapse on the bed and rest.

Gu Yuan turned on the light and was about to remove his training clothes when he noticed a slight change in the room’s layout.

The recent surprise drills had made all trainees wary of even the slightest changes.

Hesitating, Gu Yuan took a few steps forward, still on alert, when a shadow suddenly sprang from beneath his blanket and leaped toward him.

Gu Yuan’s eyes sharpened, and he instinctively prepared to counter, but the moment he sensed the familiar presence, he softened his stance, catching Lu Deng in his arms and holding him close.

Lu Deng wrapped his arms around him, his dark eyes sparkling like stardust as he peppered Gu Yuan’s face with little pecks like a woodpecker.

Gu Yuan wanted to speak, to ask him how he’d come alone.

Was he being looked after?

How did he manage to sneak into the dorm?

But the words stopped on his lips, replaced by a smile that he couldn’t hold back.

His joy danced across his face, his gaze tender as he embraced the person in his arms securely.

He couldn’t help but feeling happy.

The two had been apart for three whole days.

Even though they’d finally passed the Refining Space exams, they were separated and unable to meet, making sleep elusive for both of them.

Even knowing how strict his uncle’s military rules were, just seeing his lover amidst the rigorous training was enough to make his heart overflow with joy.

Nestled in the warm, familiar embrace, Lu Deng felt a sweet warmth blooming in his chest, unwilling to let go.

He tightened his arms, snuggling against Gu Yuan’s cheek, his smile lighting up.

When he took on a body with remarkable strength for training, Gu Yuan’s stamina had already increased significantly compared to when within the system world.

Right now, he didn’t feel tired at all.

He lifted Lu Deng effortlessly, kissed his forehead, and strode over to the military cot, gently laying him down.

Lu Deng obediently let him set him down, lying back on the bed and looking up at him, his bright eyes brimming with gentle light, his brows soft and relaxed.

Gu Yuan wrapped an arm around him, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking down at him with a smile, bending to kiss his pale lips lightly.

“How come you come here alone?” Blushing, Lu Deng bit his lip and held his hand, glancing aside as he whispered, “I… I heard that I could take some leave…” So he had hurriedly requested leave, packed his things, and snuck out to the military base to find him.

He has been a model employee of the system for a few years.

This was probably the boldest thing Lu Deng had ever done.

Gu Yuan chuckled, not asking more.

He hugged Lu Deng and kissed him softly, his voice warm and gentle.

“I’m fine here.

Uncle Daina is strict but fair.

He hasn’t given me any extra trouble…” The soft, low voice in his ear made Lu Deng’s eyes droop sleepily.

But remembering his purpose, he stifled a yawn, reaching out to lift his lover’s shirt.

“Wait, Zhiguang…” With bruises and soreness on his body and worried that Lu Deng might be tired from his journey, Gu Yuan started to speak, but Lu Zhiguang had already carefully lifted his shirt, pressing him down onto the bed.

“I brought ointment for your bruises.

It’s not as good as the medicines in the system world, but I’ll apply it every day for you…” That meant they’d be together every day.

Gu Yuan felt a surge of joy.

Trying to remain composed for the patrolling soldiers outside, he couldn’t help but let a smile creep onto his face.

The cool ointment was carefully applied to his back and waist, spread gently with warm hands.

The sensation was both soothing and invigorating, sending a thrilling warmth through his body.

Gu Yuan drew in a breath, his voice turning husky.

“Zhiguang…” The mix of emotions, intensified by three days of separation, swelled within him.

The tender movements of the hands on his back, massaging out the pain, filled him with a rush of indescribable joy.

He closed his eyes as a wave of heat spread through his body, far beyond his control.

“Hold on, it’s almost done.” Lu Deng responded earnestly, methodically applying the precious ointment to spots until feeling satisfied.

Finally, he let out a contented sigh, smiling as he straightened up.

“All right, don’t lie down immediately; let it dry a bit…” Before he finished speaking, he found himself nestled in the strong arms holding him.

Having fulfilled his mission to care for his lover, Lu Deng blinked up at him, his gaze soft and slightly bewildered.

There was no sign of his resolve in the system world, where he’d been determined to buy a soundproof house.

Seeing his usually compliant lover looking so unguarded, Gu Yuan took a steadying breath, settling him onto the pillow.

He gently brushed aside the strands of hair on his forehead.

“Don’t worry, I won’t lie down.” The mechanical grasshopper hopped over and helped to lock the door.

Gu Yuan gave it a polite nod, then met Lu Deng’s soft gaze, catching a glint of starlight within the warm, gentle waves in his eyes.

… Late that night, General Daina stood outside the door for a long time.

For the first time, he didn’t barge in but quietly turned away.

The next day, a delivery robot arrived at the heavily fortified military base with a bottle of the highest-grade healing ointment for General Daina.