He is Too Stingy, This Sand Sculpture Cannon Fodder

Lin Mingxu is serious.

Seriously.

Shu You was dumbfounded.

For no reason, his whole body started burning, and it kept rising to the top of his head.

Then a sentence popped into his mind.

A straight ball, most deadly.

And it’s not just once or twice.

Shu You was not unaware. He just deliberately ignored them before.

He stood motionless, his mind in a mess. The man behind him took a step back, let go of him, and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Shu You.”

Shu You opened his mouth but couldn’t speak.

Lin Mingxu didn’t pay attention and said softly, “Go upstairs and take a look.”

He naturally took the young man’s hand and led him upstairs.

There was dust everywhere, and the air in the room that had been closed for several months was a bit stale and oppressive.

Shu You hadn’t recovered yet. He was led by Lin Mingxu to the second floor, the third floor, and after a turn, they arrived at the fourth floor.

“This is my room.”

The fourth floor was all Lin Mingxu’s stuff.

On the left was the bedroom, on the right was the study, and there was also a separate fitness room, as well as the necessary bathroom and shower.

It had probably been several years since he last came back, so Lin Mingxu’s room was unusually tidy, with most things put away.

“My parents used to say that when I came back, they would redecorate the house.”

Lin Mingxu let go of his hand again and walked to the window, pulled back the curtains, opened the window, and fresh air immediately rushed in, rustling the window screens. His words were calm and gentle, as if he was talking about the past and the future.

“But they had an accident before they could decide.”

Lin Mingxu stood by the window, looked outside, and said casually as he had many times before, “So I decided to renovate the whole house.”

He turned slightly, turned his head to look at Shu You, and there was a smile on his lips.

“Shu You.”

The man whispered, “What style do you like?”

“I…” Shu You heard his own dry voice, “I like the minimalist style of Syria, where there’s no one.”

Lin Mingxu raised an eyebrow. “How do you mix Syria with minimalist style?”

Shu You replied, “Then just minimalist style.”

Lin Mingxu sighed, “Well, we’ll call a renovation company for a proposal later.”

There’s still some dust in the house, so we’ll have to hire a housekeeping service before we can move in.

Lin Mingxu closed the doors and windows again, locked the door. The two of them returned to the car, and the man started the car and drove to the company.

Shu You was absent-minded throughout the journey.

Who is he? Where is he? What is he doing?

The two of them arrived at the company, and Shu You was in a daze, not even noticing the torn edge of the paper cup he bit into.

Lin Mingxu naturally noticed that something was wrong with him. He furrowed his brow slightly and was about to say something when Shu You’s phone rang.

Shu You’s spirit trembled, he quickly picked up his phone, rushed outside, and ran into the corridor as if escaping. “Brother Wu.”

“Shu You.”

“Brother Wu.”

“Shu You.”

Wu Youzhe quickly covered the phone, “Where are you? Is your boyfriend with you?”

“Yes, yes, yes, I’m at my boyfriend’s company.”

Shu You felt uncomfortable mentioning Lin Mingxu now, so he quickly lowered his voice and said, “Keep your voice down, don’t let him hear.”

Wu Youzhe “…”

Why are you suddenly being secretive?

He asked cautiously, “How’s your boyfriend’s business going?”

“It’s going pretty well,” Shu You replied. “I think success is not far away.” They’re even able to reclaim their own house.

Wu Youzhe asked cautiously again, “So how are you two doing now?”

“Well…”

Shu You hesitated, then worriedly said, “Let’s meet in person to talk about it.”

Half an hour later, Wu Youzhe huffed and puffed his way to the café downstairs. Shu You sat across from him with a serious expression. As soon as he sat down, he opened his mouth and asked, “Brother Wu, I have a question for you.”

“What is it?” Wu Youzhe asked carefully.

“Why are you and your wife getting a divorce?”

Wu Youzhe “…”

He was so scared that he almost dropped his phone. Stammering, he asked, “A-Are you having relationship problems?”

“Yes,” Shu You’s voice was filled with sorrow. “He wants me to move into his house.”

Wu Youzhe “…”

“And he wants to hang a photo of us together on his house’s wall.”

Wu Youzhe “…”

“We even sleep in separate beds, and he’s not happy about it.”

Shu You firmly concluded, “There’s definitely something wrong with him.”

Wu Youzhe “…”

The person he felt was not right was not Lin Mingxu.

Wu Youzhe thought seriously for a moment, then cautiously said, “Shu You, listen…”

“Brother Wu.”

Shu You suddenly looked at him intently. “You’re my agent. Will you help me, right?”

“Of course,” Wu Youzhe replied.

He couldn’t help but ask, “If you don’t mind, can you wait a moment and listen to why my wife and I are getting a divorce?”

Shu You hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Well…”

He was so serious, and Wu Youzhe was not used to it. After considering for a moment, he sighed and said, “Actually, it’s all my fault.”

Shu You called the waiter to order drinks and chose a large cup of black sugar taro paste.

“When I started my business, I had grand ambitions, and I left all the family matters to her. She took care of everything, even when our child was sick.”

The milk tea arrived, and Shu You inserted a straw and took a sip, his eyes brightening.

“At that time, I thought all these things were temporary, something I could endure. I thought that once I succeeded in my business, I could make it up to my family.”

“But…”

Shu You nodded again. “Indeed.”

Wu Youzhe wiped his face. “Hey, I understand why she wants a divorce, but I want a chance to save our marriage.”

“Maybe that’s life, sometimes you neither get what you want nor keep what you have.”

“That’s true,” Shu You agreed deeply. “Life is like taking a shower.”

Wu Youzhe: What?

“If you turn the wrong way, it becomes scorching hot.”

Wu Youzhe “…”

Dmn, that actually makes sense.

“So, Shu You…”

Wu Youzhe couldn’t help but advise earnestly, “Look, you and Lin Mingxu are doing well, right? He’s almost successful in his business, and he treats you so well.”

Shu You “…”

“Although you don’t have children or family issues, he has been nothing but good to you and hasn’t neglected you because of his business.”

Shu You “…”

“And where else can you find such an outstanding man like Lin Mingxu? You can’t just accompany him through the hardships of entrepreneurship and enjoy the joy of success, only to let someone else reap the benefits.”

Shu You couldn’t help but find his words surprisingly reasonable.

If he didn’t know he was just a cannon fodder, he would have been tempted.

But wait a minute.

He was just a cannon fodder, how could he be together with the protagonist?

Wasn’t the original host…

Even if he used every means possible, desperately tried, and even sacrificed himself to finally have a chance to develop further with the protagonist, the plot would still twist and prevent him from getting what he wanted.

Shu You, Shu You, you can’t go down the same path as the original host.

Thinking of the original host’s fate, Shu You shivered and suddenly found the milk tea in his hand no longer sweet.

He quickly asked Wu Youzhe, “When is that talk show?”

“It’s in a few days.”

Wu Youzhe said, “The program team has been in contact with me. As soon as the contract is signed, you’ll go over. Make sure you’re well-prepared, at least for a week.”

“A week?”

Shu You blinked his eyes, “Wasn’t it supposed to be at least one week?”

“One week is for the final episode.” Wu Youzhe had confidence in Shu You, “I feel like you can at least make it to the second round, but the third round is unlikely.”

Shu You couldn’t help but ask, “Is the third round particularly difficult?”

“No.”

Wu Youzhe cleared his throat, “The third round has a predetermined list, and even if you qualify, they won’t choose you.”

“Oh,” Shu You replied.

They chatted a bit more about the talk show, and then Wu Youzhe left for something. Shu You sat alone in his seat, drinking the milk tea sip by sip.

The large cup was really big.

The milk tea forcefully invaded his throat, only to be forcefully pushed back.

Shu You decided to go to the restroom at Lin Mingxu’s company.

He didn’t forget to buy another cup of black sugar taro milk tea, put it directly in a takeout bag, and hummed a song as he went back.

Lin Mingxu was in his office.

Shu You knocked on the door, threw the milk tea takeout bag into the trash can, inserted the straw into the milk tea, and placed it on Lin Mingxu’s desk.

Lin Mingxu looked at the milk tea, then at Shu You, then back at the milk tea, raising an eyebrow and asking, “Buy one, get one free at the milk tea shop?”

The use of the word “again” was quite apt.

“No.”

Shu You covered his chest and protested, “I thought it tasted good, so I bought it specifically for you.”

He pouted and came closer, making a funny face. “I shared it with you out of kindness, and you say this to me?”

“Is that so?”

Lin Mingxu neither confirmed nor denied it, he took a sip of the milk tea.

Shu You immediately asked, “Is it good? Is it good? Is it good?”

“It’s not bad.”

Lin Mingxu’s deep gaze stared at him, and a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. He seemed to imply something as he said, “It’s quite sweet.”

Shu You’s face turned red all of a sudden. No, this is bad, Lin Mingxu has evolved.

He felt powerless to resist.

He regret

ted buying this cup of milk tea out of habit. Whenever there was something delicious or fun, he would share it without thinking.

He felt restless sitting there, so he quickly picked up his phone and pretended to be engrossed in a game. Tang Le came in not long after, “CEOt Lin, I’ve found the three best-rated renovation companies as you requested. Take a look.”

Lin Mingxu gestured, “Shu You.”

Shu You raised his head in confusion, “What’s up?”

Lin Mingxu beckoned to him, “Go and check the quotes and past projects of each company, see which one you like.”

Tang Le had prepared the information in the morning when he came, as instructed by Lin Mingxu.

Thick stacks of promotional brochures were also brought over and placed on the small coffee table in the office, in front of him.

Sitting on the sofa, Shu You suddenly felt his throat dry, feeling uneasy as he shifted uncomfortably.

“Mr. Shu, take your time to look through them. Let me know when you’ve made a decision,” Tang Le said with a smile. “I’ll arrange for them to come for on-site measurements.”

Shu You reluctantly responded, “Okay.”

Fortunately, Tang Le was also busy and left after putting down the materials.

Lin Mingxu continued working, while Shu You looked at the thick promotional materials absentmindedly, flipping through them.

Looking at the beautiful and cozy homes on the colorful pages, Shu You swallowed his saliva and stuttered, “Lin Mingxu…”

Lin Mingxu glanced over at him.

“Um…”

Shu You became even more stuttered, “Can I, uh, maybe wait until after I finish the variety show to decide?”

Once he found an excuse, his words flowed more smoothly, “I’ll be gone for many days this time, and I haven’t been in the mood for anything else recently. Besides, our lease on the current apartment hasn’t expired yet, and we can’t start renovating in the winter anyway.”

The contract and rent were both for six months.

Moreover, it was currently snowing outside, clearly indicating that no one would be renovating in such weather.

“Not necessarily.”

However, Lin Mingxu said, “It’s just a small renovation, not touching the water and electricity or the bathroom. We won’t be using tiles or cement, so the weather won’t have much of an impact.”

“Oh,” Shu You replied.

He could feel the man’s gaze on him, but he didn’t have the courage to look up and meet his eyes. But the next moment, Lin Mingxu suddenly got up and walked over.

“If you’re busy…”

The man approached, taking a few steps and standing in front of him, casting a shadow as if to enclose Shu You in his own domain. He lightly said, “You can do it after you come back.”

Shu You forced a dry smile, “Y-yes, I don’t have the time or energy to focus on the renovation right now.”

Lin Mingxu stared at him, his silent presence filling the room. Shu You had no choice but to raise his head and look back. He tried to widen his eyes, attempting to show that he had no other intentions and was solely focused on his career.

For a long time, Shu You’s eyelids were twitching, and finally, the man shifted his gaze away, looking down at the brochures on the coffee table, frozen in place.

“Take your time to look at it when you’re free.”

“Okay.”

Shu You unintentionally raised his voice, and as if to cover it up, he quickly added, “Actually, I have another consideration.”

He lowered his head shyly, “Renovations cost a lot of money, right?”

Although Lin Mingxu had taken back the house and the company was thriving, the main antagonist hadn’t been defeated yet, and everything was still uncertain.

Blinking his eyes, Shu You couldn’t help but say, “The company must also have expenses. How about we don’t renovate for now and decide later?”

This statement sounded very much like something Shu You would say.

Lin Mingxu looked at him again and only saw a clear sincerity in the young man’s bright and dark eyes.

Just like many times before.

He couldn’t help but reach out, lightly ruffling Shu You’s hair, then quietly withdrew his hand, resting it on his shoulder.

The warmth covered Shu You’s shoulder, quickly spreading. He stiffened slightly, and only then did he hear Lin Mingxu ask, “Shu You.”

“How long will you be gone for the variety show?”

Shu You pursed his lips, lowering his head, “About a week, I’m not sure.”

“Okay.”

Lin Mingxu paused and suddenly whispered, “Shu You.”

“If you’re gone for seven or eight days, will you miss me?”

Without hesitation, Shu You replied, “Of course.”

“Then…”

The man’s voice became even deeper, like a melodious tune of a musical instrument, but with a subtle hint of seductive charm, teasing at the heart. His handsome face exuded gentleness and tenderness, his deep black eyes gazing at the young man, reflecting his own figure.

Only looking at him.

Only focusing on him.

Only him.

Shu You was slightly stunned, listening to the man’s soft murmurs, like a gentle spring rain seeping into his heart.

“Can you kiss me, please?”