IMPGS Chapter 79

Xiao Yinan’s gaze was focused and intense, making Xiao Cheng feel like he couldn’t ignore it.

Xiao Cheng instinctively wanted to lick his lips again. Just as his lips parted, he suddenly remembered the warning Luo Jingshu had given him in the car.

He didn’t understand what was wrong with Luo Jingshu, who insisted on making him promise not to lick his lips in front of others again, or else there would be punishment.

Xiao Cheng sneered at this. He didn’t think Luo Jingshu had the guts to do anything to him. But then again, the mark on his lips was clearly left by Luo Jingshu.

If Luo Jingshu’s so-called punishment involved that, Xiao Cheng would indeed find it unbearable.

The wound on his lip no longer hurt, but it was still clearly visible, a reminder to everyone of how intense the kiss had been with a certain someone.

Xiao Cheng felt embarrassed and couldn’t bear for others to see it.

If Luo Jingshu had bitten him somewhere else, Xiao Cheng could easily tell others it was an accident, but the mark was on his lip corner—he couldn’t have bitten there himself.

He couldn’t lie about it either.

As this thought crossed his mind, Xiao Cheng felt a strong sense of frustration rise in him. If Luo Jingshu were in front of him right now, Xiao Cheng would have kicked him twice to release some of the pent-up anger.

But right now, standing in front of him was Xiao Yinan.

Xiao Cheng took a deep breath, scrutinizing Xiao Yinan’s outfit to make sure he wasn’t carrying anything suspicious, before finally relaxing.

“Brother Cheng, may I come in?” Xiao Yinan adjusted his collar and flashed a smile at Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Yinan was more composed and calm compared to Xiao Yixi, who was always more lively. While the two looked identical, their personalities were vastly different.

Xiao Cheng didn’t feel as much defense toward Xiao Yinan as he did toward Xiao Yixi, but he was still wary.

The twins were full of tricks, and even if Xiao Yinan appeared harmless, his intentions might be just as scheming as his brother’s—he was just better at controlling his actions.

Xiao Cheng hesitated. “It’s a bit late, is there something that can’t wait until tomorrow?”

The events from last time had left him with some psychological trauma, so Xiao Cheng wasn’t keen on letting either of the twins into his room.

These two brothers were crafty, who knew what they might do?

Xiao Yinan lowered his gaze, his innocent face showing no signs of malice.

With the same face as his brother, Xiao Yinan seemed much more harmless, while Xiao Yixi was bright and lively, giving off a more prickly vibe.

However, after seeing Luo Jingshu’s fake pitiful act so many times, Xiao Cheng had gotten better at identifying false innocence. At least for now, he wasn’t completely buying Xiao Yinan’s façade.

“I just want to talk to you, Brother Cheng. Since we’re leaving in two days, I’m worried we won’t get another chance to speak.”

He looked up at Xiao Cheng, saying, “Brother Cheng, I know you’re worried I might force you, but you can rest assured.”

He slowly raised both hands and shook them in front of Xiao Cheng. “I’m not carrying anything.”

Xiao Cheng’s suspicion was only heightened by these words.

He had initially only been worried about what the twins might do in his room, and if anyone found out, it would be a nightmare to explain. But Xiao Yinan’s words gave him a new concern.

He was confident that he could handle the twins physically, but what if they had some other means at their disposal?

“Or what were you planning to bring?” Xiao Cheng narrowed his eyes, focusing on Xiao Yinan’s hands.

Xiao Yinan hadn’t expected his words to deepen Xiao Cheng’s suspicion, so he lowered his arms and patted down his clothes. “That’s not what I meant. I just want you to relax.”

“Look, if we really got into a fight, I’d be no match for you. There’s no way I could force you.”

Xiao Cheng had had some drinks at dinner, and though he wasn’t drunk, he was starting to feel light-headed. It wasn’t to the point where he couldn’t think, but he did feel uncomfortable.

He really wanted to return to his bed, get under the covers, and sleep. He’d be full of energy again tomorrow morning.

So he was eager to get Xiao Yinan to leave.

“We’ll have more time later. I also have something to say to you, but it’s really late today. Can we do this another time?” Xiao Cheng said, yawning to show that he was really tired.

Xiao Yinan stared at him for a few seconds before suddenly stepping forward, his arms widening as though he was going to hug Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng was startled and immediately raised one hand to block himself, trying to push Xiao Yinan away, while his other hand released the doorknob, stepping back two paces.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yinan’s move was a feint. Taking advantage of Xiao Cheng’s moment of hesitation, he quickly slipped through the gap and kicked the door shut behind him.

Xiao Cheng cursed himself for being so slow and not clear-headed at the moment. If he had been more alert, he wouldn’t have let Xiao Yinan get away with it so easily.

But now that Xiao Yinan had entered, there was no turning back.

Xiao Cheng let out a deep breath, giving up resistance, and said, “Say it then.”

He wanted to see what Xiao Yinan was going to say.

After entering the room, Xiao Yinan quickly scanned the layout of Xiao Cheng’s room. This was his first time being in Xiao Cheng’s bedroom.

Xiao Yinan was more observant than Xiao Yixi. He noticed a bag on Xiao Cheng’s desk, the same one that Luo Jingshu had been holding earlier today. He wondered what was inside.

Apart from that, there didn’t seem to be anything unusual in the room. All the items appeared to belong to Xiao Cheng, and Xiao Yinan didn’t find anything related to Luo Jingshu.

Xiao Yinan’s thoughts only lasted a few seconds, but to Xiao Cheng, it seemed like he had been frozen in place for a moment.

“Why aren’t you speaking?”

Xiao Yinan withdrew his wandering thoughts and asked, “Did Luo Jingshu bite your lip?”

It seemed like the wound wasn’t there earlier in the afternoon.

So it must have happened when Xiao Cheng took Luo Jingshu to the class reunion.

“A dog bit it,” Xiao Cheng replied, feeling even worse after speaking. “Is that all you wanted to ask?”

Xiao Yinan didn’t speak but continued to stare at Xiao Cheng’s expression, observing his every move.

“Brother Cheng, do you know how lively your expression is when you talk about Luo Jingshu?”

Xiao Yinan could even tell from Xiao Cheng’s tone what events were related to Luo Jingshu.

It wasn’t just that Xiao Yinan was observant; even Xiao Cheng hadn’t realized that every time he mentioned Luo Jingshu, though he spoke with disdain, there was clearly a smile in his eyes.

It didn’t look like he was talking about an ex-boyfriend who had caused him trouble.

Xiao Cheng was stunned by the comment.

“I…” He didn’t know how to respond.

Was it obvious when he mentioned Luo Jingshu?

At that moment, Xiao Cheng didn’t feel surprised but embarrassed.

He didn’t spend much time with Xiao Yinan, so if he even noticed, then Luo Jingshu must have seen it too.

Luo Jingshu must be so smug about it.

Xiao Cheng felt like he had been taken advantage of.

He knew he would forgive Luo Jingshu eventually, but he couldn’t just let him think it would be that easy.

There was a saying that the more easily something is gained, the less it is cherished. What if Luo Jingshu thought of him as someone easy to appease and stopped caring about his feelings in the future?

Xiao Cheng’s thoughts wandered again.

Xiao Yinan felt a sense of helplessness rise inside him.

Here we go again.

Xiao Cheng’s expression, full of both frustration and shyness, seemed to indicate that he was thinking about Luo Jingshu again.

Even though Xiao Yinan was standing right in front of him, Xiao Cheng completely ignored his presence, lost in thoughts of someone else.

Suddenly, Xiao Yinan felt lost. He didn’t know if his persistence had been right. Perhaps, to Xiao Cheng, his feelings seemed ridiculous.

Unlike Xiao Yixi, who was more determined, Xiao Yinan had always thought he still had a chance since Xiao Cheng had broken up with Luo Jingshu.

But now, seeing Xiao Cheng’s expression, Xiao Yinan began to doubt his own thoughts.

Did Xiao Cheng really not like Luo Jingshu anymore?

Probably not.

Xiao Yinan closed his eyes, his body tense, trying to suppress the emotions that were surging inside him.

“Are you planning to get back together with him?”

Xiao Cheng snapped out of his thoughts, caught off guard by Xiao Yinan’s question, and for a moment, he was led astray.

But when he regained his composure, he responded quickly with calmness, “Whether I get back together with him or not, that’s none of your business.”

Xiao Yinan took a few steps forward, but this time Xiao Cheng didn’t retreat. Instead, he placed a hand on Xiao Yinan’s shoulder. “Don’t get too close.”

Suddenly, Xiao Yinan smiled, but his eyes held no warmth, only sarcasm.

“Brother Cheng, just give me a straight answer. No matter what we do, will you never agree to be with us?”

Up until now, Xiao Cheng had been trying to keep the twins’ emotions in check, not wanting to say anything too definitive.

But just now, he realized that neither of the twins was right for him.

The more he didn’t outright reject them, the more they would cling to him.

Xiao Cheng decided to make things clear to the twins, and for the concerns he had before, Luo Jingshu would help him handle them.

After all, that little dog had already agreed.

“Call Xiao Yixi over as well.”

When Xiao Yinan heard this, his heart sank.

Just a moment ago, he had harbored a small, unrealistic hope that Xiao Cheng might give them another chance.

Xiao Cheng’s words, however, shattered all his hopes.

Xiao Cheng truly wouldn’t indulge them anymore.

Xiao Yinan’s shoulders slumped, and he felt the sting of rejection. It didn’t feel good, especially since he had always considered Xiao Cheng his own. Who would have thought that this person would slip away in the end?

Although Xiao Cheng didn’t say it outright, Xiao Yinan understood his meaning.

“He’s at the door,” Xiao Yinan said dejectedly, as though he had no strength left to speak.

Xiao Cheng frowned, his gaze falling on the closed door. “Are you sure?”

He had clearly seen that Xiao Yinan had come alone, and when the door had closed, he hadn’t seen Xiao Yixi in the hallway.

But they were twins, and Xiao Yinan surely knew his brother well. It was possible that after Xiao Yinan closed the door, Xiao Yixi had come out from another room.

Without thinking too much, Xiao Cheng walked over and quickly opened the door.

He opened it so fast that the person outside didn’t have time to react. That person stumbled forward, nearly falling.

After steadying himself, Xiao Yixi looked up and awkwardly smiled at Xiao Cheng. “Brother Cheng, good evening.”

Xiao Cheng felt a headache coming on.

“What are you doing here?” He rubbed his temples.

Xiao Yixi puffed out his chest, trying to act confident. “I came to see you!”

As if he hadn’t been eavesdropping just a moment ago.

Xiao Cheng let out a deep sigh, deciding not to dwell on the small details.

He should have expected it. With Xiao Yixi’s personality, nothing he did would surprise anyone.

“Perfect timing. Close the door, I have something to say.”

Xiao Yixi obediently closed the door. He glanced at Xiao Cheng’s expression, then quickly averted his gaze, looking at his silent older brother.

When his eyes met Xiao Yinan’s dejected look, Xiao Yixi suddenly felt a sense of unease.

Something seemed off.

His smile slowly faded.