IMPGS Chapter 68

Xiao Cheng encountered Luo Jingshu downstairs.

Luo Jingshu had clearly been there for a while, looking at his phone and not immediately noticing Xiao Cheng.

“Luo Jingshu,” Xiao Cheng called.

Luo Jingshu immediately looked up, slipped his phone into his pocket, and walked briskly toward Xiao Cheng.

“Brother Cheng,” Luo Jingshu greeted him, a smile creeping onto his face. He looked in good spirits, though his eyes were slightly red for some reason.

Xiao Cheng had been worried that Luo Jingshu wouldn’t wake up early, especially after the excitement the night before. He assumed Luo Jingshu might have trouble sleeping.

Surprisingly, he was up even earlier than Xiao Cheng and had already sent him messages early in the morning.

“Mm, let’s go,” Xiao Cheng replied, his expression neutral, with no trace of a smile.

Luo Jingshu was used to Xiao Cheng’s cold demeanor, and considering that Xiao Cheng had been even colder when they had met before, today’s tone already seemed warm to him.

“Brother Cheng, this is for you.” Luo Jingshu handed Xiao Cheng a bag.

Xiao Cheng didn’t take it immediately but frowned and looked at it. “What is this?”

Luo Jingshu grinned at him, the rare sunlight of the day shining brightly on his face, his eyes seeming to glisten, though they were a bit red.

“I bought you a cup of milk tea.”

Xiao Cheng hesitated, unsure whether to accept it, but after a long moment of looking at the bag, he still didn’t move.

Seeing this, Luo Jingshu simply took the milk tea out of the bag, inserted a straw, and handed it to Xiao Cheng. “Try it, it’s a new product from their shop.”

Xiao Cheng could smell the sweet aroma, and with a sigh, he took it. There was no reason to hold a grudge against the innocent milk tea because of Luo Jingshu.

The fragrant tea mixed with the thick milk sweetness, followed by a hint of cool taro paste. Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but squint his eyes in satisfaction, and his mood lightened slightly.

Luo Jingshu didn’t speak, but he gave a quiet smile, tossing the empty bag into the trash. “Let’s go, Brother Cheng.”

He still had another bag in his hand, though Xiao Cheng wasn’t very curious. His gaze lingered on it for a moment, almost without thinking.

Noticing this, Luo Jingshu casually explained, “It’s a necklace.”

Xiao Cheng’s eyes involuntarily returned to the bag. He extended his hand. “Give it to me.”

The necklace was originally his. The last time, Luo Jingshu had taken it under false pretenses, pretending he had lost his memory. Now, it was time to return it.

Luo Jingshu extended his hand, brushing against Xiao Cheng’s fingertips. Their skin lightly touched before quickly separating.

Xiao Cheng recoiled his hand, almost spilling the milk tea. “What are you doing?”

Luo Jingshu, smiling like a cunning fox, responded, “I’ll give it to you. I’m just holding onto it for now.”

Xiao Cheng cursed silently. He already knew what kind of person Luo Jingshu was and should have been more cautious around him.

Suddenly, the memory of last night’s video flashed through Xiao Cheng’s mind. His gaze subconsciously moved to Luo Jingshu’s neck, where he could almost see the black collar from the video.

When had Luo Jingshu bought that kind of thing?

He must have some strange preferences.

Luo Jingshu noticed Xiao Cheng’s expression and, reading his thoughts from his subtle movements, realized what he was thinking.

“Brother Cheng,” Luo Jingshu suddenly spoke up when they stepped into the elevator.

Xiao Cheng made sure to keep a two-step distance from him, holding the cup to warm his fingers.

“Speak.”

“Did you like the collar from last night?” Luo Jingshu asked casually, knowing that Xiao Cheng was avoiding him. He didn’t approach him, nor did he change his serious tone, despite the suggestive content of his words.

Xiao Cheng had already prepared himself and calmly swallowed the milk tea before replying, “Isn’t that something you like?”

He had never said that he liked treating people like dogs or enjoyed seeing Luo Jingshu wearing a collar.

“Yes, I like it.” Luo Jingshu readily agreed, but immediately added, “That’s why I hope Brother Cheng will like it too.”

Preferably, he wanted Xiao Cheng to join in the play.

Luo Jingshu’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he casually glanced at Xiao Cheng’s neck. Compared to wearing it on his own, he would prefer someday to place it on Xiao Cheng, not in a degrading way, but as a form of fun.

If Xiao Cheng didn’t like leather collars, he could buy something else.

Like a rabbit collar, perhaps, something Xiao Cheng would like.

The thought excited Luo Jingshu, making his heart race and his body burn with anticipation.

Just like how Xiao Cheng loved his face, Luo Jingshu had long desired Xiao Cheng’s looks and physique.

Even when he didn’t fully understand his own feelings, he had always admitted to himself that he was attracted to Xiao Cheng’s appearance and body.

Every inch of this person seemed tailored to Luo Jingshu’s aesthetic, and even the simplest gestures from Xiao Cheng made him react.

He would always feel heartflutters for Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng felt a sudden chill down his spine. He glanced at Luo Jingshu’s expression, noticing that he was looking downward. His eyes were only slightly lowered, but his focus seemed intent on something in front of them.

Xiao Cheng furrowed his brow, sensing something off about Luo Jingshu’s mood.

Was it just his imagination?

Xiao Cheng couldn’t shake the feeling that Luo Jingshu had some ulterior motive just now.

“I don’t like that,” Xiao Cheng cleared his throat, forcing himself to forget about the photos and videos from last night. He probably didn’t even realize his ears were flushed red, revealing his true thoughts.

“Don’t send me weird things like that at night again.”

Luo Jingshu caught a few key points from his words.

“Can I send them during the day, then?”

It seemed that Xiao Cheng only cared about the timing, not about the fact that Luo Jingshu had sent him those flirtatious videos. This meant that Xiao Cheng didn’t completely dislike what Luo Jingshu had sent him.

Luo Jingshu was excellent at taking advantage of any opening. The moment Xiao Cheng softened, he would immediately seize the opportunity to gain the most from the situation.

“Don’t send them to me.”

Xiao Cheng realized the flaw in his own words and finally noticed how red his ears were.

Could it be that Luo Jingshu was actually influencing him?

Xiao Cheng maintained a cold expression, trying to look displeased. He handed the half-finished milk tea to Luo Jingshu. “Let’s skip this topic.”

He could never match Luo Jingshu’s shamelessness. The man seemed to have no concept of shame, and his words were becoming bolder by the day.

Luo Jingshu’s smile widened, but he didn’t laugh out loud, giving Xiao Cheng the last bit of dignity.

He obediently took the milk tea, holding it in one hand while carrying the bag in the other, silently following Xiao Cheng.

The two of them walked upstairs without saying a word.

After they left, not far away, a car window slowly rolled down.

“Good thing we followed them!” Xiao Yixi gritted his teeth.

The two brothers had been sitting in the car, clearly watching Xiao Cheng and Luo Jingshu’s interaction. If it hadn’t been for Xiao Yinan holding him back, Xiao Yixi probably would have charged over right then.

“Brother Cheng even told me that his ex was someone he wouldn’t get back together with.”

“I haven’t heard of any couple that’s broken up but still acts so close.” Xiao Yixi’s eyes were red with anger, and his hatred for Luo Jingshu reached its peak.

He had been on guard against so many things, but never thought the most harmless ex-boyfriend would be the one he should fear the most.

“If I’d known he was this kind of person, I shouldn’t have let him get close to Brother Cheng in the mall.” Xiao Yixi punched Xiao Yinan’s shoulder, complaining, “You should’ve warned me earlier.”

It was Xiao Yinan who had spotted Luo Jingshu first that day, though he hadn’t known he was Xiao Cheng’s ex. He’d had a slight suspicion but hadn’t paid much attention to it, nor had he told Xiao Yixi.

Who could have expected this?

Xiao Yinan pursed his lips. “Even if we had stopped him back then, what could we have done? Delete his contact info from Brother Cheng’s phone?”

“Or tie Brother Cheng up and not let him go out?”

When Xiao Yixi heard this, his eyes brightened a bit, as if the idea intrigued him.

If he could, he really would want to tie Xiao Cheng up or lock him in a room, not letting him interact with anyone.

After all, Brother Cheng was just too popular.

“What should we do now, follow them?” Xiao Yixi was eager to act, his hand already on the car handle.

Xiao Yinan closed his eyes and didn’t try to stop him. He just asked, “Can you get in?”

Xiao Yixi suddenly lost strength and slumped back in his seat. “Are we just going to wait here?”

“Unless you have a better plan,” Xiao Yinan opened his eyes and glanced out the window. “Let’s wait and see.”

Xiao Yixi muttered, “Who knows what they’re doing up there?”

He couldn’t calm down without seeing Xiao Cheng with his own eyes.

In public, these two were already so affectionate, even interlocking their pinkies.

What if once they got into the room, things escalated further…?

Xiao Yixi was frustrated with his thoughts and wanted to immediately call Xiao Cheng and ask him what he was doing.

“Alright, stop overthinking.” Xiao Yinan was calmer than him. “Brother Cheng probably won’t do anything with him.”

Though he also acknowledged that the actions between those two earlier were somewhat suggestive, Xiao Cheng had made it clear he was rejecting the advances.

When Luo Jingshu reached out to touch him, Xiao Cheng had clearly recoiled.

Xiao Yinan believed Xiao Cheng hadn’t lied to them. With Xiao Cheng’s character, he probably wouldn’t do anything further with his ex before getting back together. If anything were to happen, it would be after they reconciled.

So, it definitely wouldn’t be today.

…But Xiao Yinan still couldn’t understand why they were meeting at the apartment.

“Let’s hope so,” Xiao Yixi sighed, still worried.

–

Xiao Cheng didn’t know that two little wolves were waiting for him downstairs. After he and Luo Jingshu exited the elevator, they changed their shoes at the entrance before heading into the living room.

It had been a while since he’d been there, and the place felt empty and cold.

The curtains in the living room were still open, and sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, adding warmth to the room.

Luo Jingshu had only visited a few times, and his mood was different each time. Even someone as calm as him couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.

At least today, he didn’t have to worry about Xiao Cheng kicking him out.

“Brother Cheng, besides the necklace, did you find anything else here?”

When Luo Jingshu asked him last time, Xiao Cheng refused to say anything. Luo Jingshu guessed that it probably wasn’t something good.

He shouldn’t have asked in the first place. If Xiao Cheng really wanted to tell him, he would have brought it up himself. By pushing him to answer, Luo Jingshu might just annoy him.

Luo Jingshu knew well that asking would bring consequences, but he still did it, as part of his attempt to test how patient Xiao Cheng was with him now.

There wasn’t really anything that couldn’t be said. The reason Xiao Cheng didn’t tell him was simply because he couldn’t bring himself to.

Showing the silly things he did when he had a crush on someone to the person he once had feelings for—anyone would find that embarrassing.

If they had already gotten together, it could have been a sweet memory or a sign of love. But now they were broken up, and not even in a peaceful way.

Looking at these things again would only make Xiao Cheng feel awkward.

“Nothing much, just a photo.” He deliberately left out the ticket’s existence.

“A photo?” Luo Jingshu seemed to have guessed something and asked, “Is it my photo?”

Apart from that, he couldn’t think of anything else that could serve as evidence of their past entanglement from their previous life.

“Yeah.” Xiao Cheng replied vaguely, “The photo also has a date on it.”

Luo Jingshu understood.

“Anything else besides the photo?”

Xiao Cheng was getting annoyed by the question. “Are you doubting me?”

His tone carried a hint of impatience. Perhaps Xiao Cheng didn’t even realize that there was a subtle sense of being spoiled in his words.

At first, it sounded like he was complaining about Luo Jingshu being too nosy, but his tone actually implied an underlying intimacy.

It was as if the authority of a master had been challenged, and he couldn’t help but scold his little dog.

“I’m not.” Luo Jingshu quickly apologized, trying to soothe Xiao Cheng, “I’m not doubting you, Brother Cheng. I just want to know more.”

“There’s nothing special.” Xiao Cheng hesitated for a moment, then quietly added, “There’s also a plane ticket.”

As the two carefully searched the apartment, Luo Jingshu froze upon hearing this and then turned to look at Xiao Cheng. “A plane ticket? To where?”

Xiao Cheng was still rummaging under the sofa, holding a cushion in his arms, kneeling on the carpet with his head down. “Rome.”

The words were soft, and his tone was somewhat vague, but Luo Jingshu heard it clearly.

His hand suddenly froze, not moving for a long time.

A plane ticket to Rome?

Luo Jingshu’s mind immediately recalled the two tickets that Xiao Cheng had torn up before—those were supposed to be a surprise Xiao Cheng had prepared for him, saying he wanted to take the person he loved back to Rome to fulfill a promise.

So, in the previous life, had Xiao Cheng also done this?

But he had never mentioned it to him.

Luo Jingshu suddenly remembered Xiao Cheng saying he had also seen a photo of him, and an audacious guess flashed through his mind.

Could it be that in the previous life, Xiao Cheng had taken his photo to Rome?

Luo Jingshu’s breath caught, and he could hardly breathe.

He stared intently at Xiao Cheng’s figure, who was still facing away from him, rummaging through something on the sofa. Luo Jingshu couldn’t see his expression right now.

“You never told me about this.”

Luo Jingshu swallowed hard, his throat moving as he spoke, his voice trembling slightly.

Xiao Cheng, still facing away from Luo Jingshu, wore a rather unpleasant expression. “You never agreed to my confession.”

He had wanted to take his boyfriend back to Rome to fulfill a promise, but Luo Jingshu had never agreed to be his boyfriend in the previous life.

The only thing he could take was a photo of Luo Jingshu.

Luo Jingshu tightened his grip on what he was holding. He didn’t know how to respond to Xiao Cheng’s words, but Xiao Cheng wasn’t wrong.

Xiao Cheng waited for a long time without hearing a response and turned around to look at him. He immediately saw Luo Jingshu’s reddened eyes.

It seemed like this person was about to cry again.

Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but think, how could anyone be this emotional?

“Don’t overthink it.” Xiao Cheng was more open-minded than Luo Jingshu. “In the previous life, I didn’t take that step. It’s normal that you didn’t accept my confession.”

If it had been him, he probably wouldn’t have agreed either.

“But you didn’t do it on purpose.” Luo Jingshu looked at him steadily. “There was something holding you back.”

When Xiao Cheng heard this, he couldn’t help but lower his gaze, hiding the unnatural expression in his eyes. 

Of course, Xiao Cheng knew what that was, but he couldn’t tell Luo Jingshu.

Luo Jingshu continued, “I suspect that thing is what caused us to be reborn.”

The original plot?

Xiao Cheng looked up at Luo Jingshu again. “Why do you think that?”

Luo Jingshu met Xiao Cheng’s gaze. “It’s not that I want to think this way, Brother Cheng.”

“It’s just that I can’t think of any other reason.”

But he believed that Xiao Cheng definitely understood.

Xiao Cheng must have known something but hadn’t told him.

It was like in the previous life, even though he had always been unwilling to save him, he never gave up on liking him.

Xiao Cheng’s behavior was too strange. His understanding and disdain for Jiang Ying, and his attitude toward certain things—these all left Luo Jingshu confused back then.

Now, thinking back, maybe Xiao Cheng had already known something back then.

Perhaps he had always known something was restricting his actions. He had struggled against it, but still couldn’t escape its control.

Sometimes, Luo Jingshu would try to connect the things Xiao Cheng had said, as if he had known all along what would happen in the future.

He said Jiang Ying was not a good person, but at the time, Jiang Ying had a good public image. Some things were known only to him and Jiang Ying—no one else could have known.

…How did Xiao Cheng know?

In the previous life, Luo Jingshu had thought Xiao Cheng might have learned through some channels.

But after being reborn, he had a new guess.

Could it be that, before this life, Brother Cheng had already been reborn once?

Was the Xiao Cheng he faced in the previous life already the reborn version?

After thinking it through, it seemed like this was the only possibility.

After all, transmigration was so unfathomable that Luo Jingshu never imagined the world he was in was just a novel.

Everything he had suffered—the despair of childhood abuse and the struggle against fate as an adult—was all arranged by the author.

Even in the original plot, his painful experiences were summed up in just a few lines, quickly passed over by the author.

The entire novel only shows his humility and appeasement. He was just the cheap shou in others’ words.

Luo Jingshu only knew that, although he had resented, sought revenge, and suffered, he saw hope in the end.

There was always someone who loved him in this world.

Xiao Cheng was a gift from heaven to him.

Xiao Cheng loved him in the previous life, and they reborn together. It was destined that they would be inseparable.

They would fall in love sooner or later.

Although they missed each other in their previous lives, fortunately, Luo Jingshu realized it was not too late.

He still had a chance.

Although Luo Jingshu suspected that Xiao Cheng might still be hiding something, he didn’t press further.

Everyone had their secrets.

Xiao Cheng would tell him eventually.

Luo Jingshu thought about this as he quickly searched through the things in the living room.

The two of them searched the living room but found nothing special.

Luo Jingshu asked, “Brother Cheng, where did you find the ticket and the photo?”

“In my room.”

Xiao Cheng glanced at him, and the two of them walked toward the bedroom.

If it weren’t for the necklace and the safe found in the apartment, Xiao Cheng wouldn’t have thought there was anything special about it.

He had stayed here for a few days before, sleeping well every night and never dreaming of things from his previous life.

Maybe there was nothing wrong with this place.

But it was still hard to explain where these things came from, and Xiao Cheng had also been unconscious here before his rebirth.

Once he remembered this, he told Luo Jingshu about his fainting.

Luo Jingshu frowned when he heard this. “After being reborn, you never came back to check?”

Xiao Cheng glanced at him. “I didn’t know I was reborn.”

“And after that, nothing special happened?” Luo Jingshu continued to ask.

He himself didn’t have any special experiences because, after his reborn, he still remembered his previous life and knew clearly that he had been reborn.

But Xiao Cheng had forgotten everything.

“I…” Xiao Cheng paused.

They had arrived at the wardrobe, and Xiao Cheng placed his hand on the wardrobe handle. His voice was softer than before. “I always have the same dream.”

“What’s in the dream?” Luo Jingshu didn’t rush him to open the wardrobe, instead keeping his eyes fixed on Xiao Cheng, sensing something important in his expression.

His intuition told him that this dream was significant for Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng turned to look at him, and their gazes locked, each able to read the other’s emotions.

“I dream that I alone rush into a big fire.”

Luo Jingshu suddenly stopped breathing, his back stiffened, and his hands clenched into fists. He stood there, motionless, staring at Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng licked his lips, wanting to avoid his gaze but ultimately didn’t look away. He softly continued, “To save my beloved.”

Those words hit like a sharp dagger, leaving Luo Jingshu completely unhinged.

He suddenly grabbed Xiao Cheng’s wrist and pinned him against the wardrobe door, his facial muscles taut, his teeth clenched, unable to say a word, just gasping for breath.

Xiao Cheng struggled a few times but couldn’t break free from Luo Jingshu’s grip.

He had never been able to escape Luo Jingshu’s hands, and now was no different. Moreover, his resistance was weak, and he gave up after a few failed attempts.

“Let go,” Xiao Cheng’s voice was light, tinged with the sound of his breath.

Luo Jingshu didn’t answer, just stared at Xiao Cheng, breathing heavily like a wolf pup ready to pounce and tear at Xiao Cheng’s neck.

The one going crazy was him, yet he was the one with reddened eyes, tears pooling in them as he stubbornly looked at Xiao Cheng.

“Luo Jingshu.” Xiao Cheng rested his head against the wardrobe, looking up at Luo Jingshu. “Let go first.”

“I won’t.” Luo Jingshu finally spoke, his voice much hoarser, his trembled tone betraying the suppressed cry, his eyes red, causing a heart-wrenching sight.

“Why did you save me?”

Luo Jingshu tightened his grip on Xiao Cheng’s wrist, knowing that this person didn’t remember the previous life. Yet his voice was choked as he questioned, “Why did you save me?!”

He shouted and cried, tears streaming down his face.

“I’m just a bastard, garbage! I’m useless, I wanted to die myself! What does it have to do with you?”

When he had set himself on fire to die, he did so decisively, suffocating to death without any pain, only relief and joy in escaping this world.

He thought he was the only one who died.

Why did Xiao Cheng save him?

Xiao Cheng had a bright future, a loving family and friends who cared for him. He shouldn’t have died with him.

Luo Jingshu had always thought Xiao Cheng only found out about his death after he passed away.

After realizing his feelings, Luo Jingshu had often thought that maybe after he died, Brother Cheng would mourn him but eventually move on.

He was afraid that the Xiao Cheng from the previous life would fall in love with someone else after his death, but he also hoped that Xiao Cheng would find someone who loved him and live a happy life.

He never expected the truth to be so cruel.

Luo Jingshu’s heart ached, and he had never regretted anything more than he did right now. He would rather Xiao Cheng had never loved him.

Xiao Cheng furrowed his brows. “What are you angry about? It’s all in the past.”

If he hadn’t died with Luo Jingshu, maybe they wouldn’t have been reborn together.

The events of the previous life were over. He had done what he did; he couldn’t go back on it now.

Luo Jingshu’s eyes were bloodshot as he shook his head at Xiao Cheng, his voice hoarse and indistinguishable. “It’s not the same…”

Xiao Cheng’s eyes grew misty as he blinked, and he seemed to become a little emotional.

“There’s nothing different.”

Xiao Cheng gave a slight smile, his red eyes tinged with helplessness. He gently wiped away the tears at the corner of Luo Jingshu’s eye, his fingers wet with moisture.

“Alright, stop crying.”