Under Xiao Cheng’s watchful gaze, Luo Jingshu swallowed nervously. Xiao Cheng’s expression remained unreadable, making it impossible to gauge his current mood.
Luo Jingshu had once promised never to lie to Xiao Cheng again.
“Brother Cheng, I can explain.”
Xiao Cheng leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, a posture of patient defiance. “Go on.”
Feeling guilty, Luo Jingshu tried his best to appear endearing, flashing a placating smile and softening his tone. He resembled a wronged little wife or perhaps a puppy caught misbehaving, looking up at Xiao Cheng with a pitiful expression, hoping to earn his forgiveness.
“To be honest, I did intentionally keep it from you,” he admitted.
Luo Jingshu was acutely aware of the power of his appearance. He had studied his own expressions meticulously, knowing exactly how to make himself look most innocent and pitiful from the right angle.
Unfortunately, Xiao Cheng had long seen through his “pure and harmless” façade. He no longer trusted Luo Jingshu’s outward demeanor. Most of the time, Xiao Cheng chose to let things slide because he didn’t want to argue over minor issues.
But now, realizing Luo Jingshu had deliberately kept the truth from him, Xiao Cheng ground his teeth in frustration. How many sleepless nights had he spent worrying while Luo Jingshu calmly watched him struggle?
Grinding his teeth, Xiao Cheng’s face darkened, promising himself that if Luo Jingshu didn’t have a valid reason, he’d make him regret it.
Sensing the brewing storm, Luo Jingshu knelt by Xiao Cheng’s side, resting a hand on his knee. Looking up with an imploring expression, he murmured, “Brother Cheng, don’t be mad. Let me explain.”
Xiao Cheng glanced down at the hand on his knee. Luo Jingshu’s fingers were stealthily inching toward his own, attempting to hook them together.
“Speak.”
He wanted to see what excuse Luo Jingshu would concoct this time.
Luo Jingshu pressed his lips together in mock grievance, his tone laced with a hint of pitiful vulnerability. “I was afraid that if you knew the truth, your guard against the twins might drop.”
No one would willingly create opportunities for their rivals, let alone someone like Luo Jingshu, who held grudges and could stew in jealousy for days.
He wanted the phrase “blood relations” to be a constant reminder in Xiao Cheng’s mind, forever solidifying a boundary with the twins. There was no way he would willingly dismantle that safeguard.
Only an idiot would do that.
Xiao Cheng understood Luo Jingshu’s jealousy perfectly. However, remembering the things he had said to Luo Jingshu when this issue came up, he couldn’t help but cringe internally.
And the one responsible for all this awkwardness was none other than Luo Jingshu. Naturally, he’d have to face Xiao Cheng’s ire.
Luo Jingshu finally succeeded in intertwining their fingers. Seeing that Xiao Cheng didn’t pull away, he felt a flicker of hope.
It meant Brother Cheng wasn’t truly angry.
Luo Jingshu gained a surge of confidence.
“I was worried that without the blood relation as a boundary, you might actually consider the twins’ pursuit.”
While Xiao Cheng’s taste shouldn’t be that bad, Luo Jingshu wasn’t one to leave things to chance.
He never gambled with possibilities. What he wanted was absolute certainty.
“Brother Cheng, it was wrong of me. I intentionally kept it from you because I was too scared.”
He held Xiao Cheng’s hand tightly, pressing his cheek against the back of it. His voice softened as he murmured, “I was so afraid of losing you.”
The days after their breakup were a nightmare Luo Jingshu never wanted to relive.
Feeling the warmth of Luo Jingshu’s cheek against his hand, Xiao Cheng’s face flushed faintly. Despite the more intimate things they had done, he still found himself blushing at these small gestures of affection.
“You promised not to lie to me again,” Xiao Cheng said, struggling to suppress the urge to pinch Luo Jingshu’s cheek. “Yet you spout nonsense.”
“I won’t lie to you again,” Luo Jingshu quickly assured him. “When it comes to matters of principle, I’ll never deceive you.”
Xiao Cheng snorted. So now there was a caveat—matters of principle.
Meaning for everything else, Luo Jingshu could still keep secrets.
Xiao Cheng initially wanted to scold him further, but after a moment of thought, he realized he wasn’t entirely forthcoming either. Even the closest couples couldn’t share everything.
Luo Jingshu’s promise was enough.
“Fine, I’ll let it slide this time.” Xiao Cheng gave in and, unable to resist any longer, pinched Luo Jingshu’s cheek with two fingers. “But if you lie to me again, I’ll dump you.”
Luo Jingshu stiffened and instinctively grabbed Xiao Cheng’s hand. His voice turned urgent. “I won’t lie to you!”
His pale eyes reddened slightly, and a hint of desperation seeped into his voice. “Please, don’t leave me.”
Xiao Cheng immediately regretted his words.
He knew Luo Jingshu’s insecurities and how much he feared abandonment. He had deliberately used that fear against him.
Xiao Cheng felt a pang of guilt, releasing Luo Jingshu’s cheek and instead rubbing it gently. His voice softened. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have scared you like that.”
“My well-trained puppy,” he added with a light chuckle, “I’d never abandon you.”
It wasn’t easy for him to turn Luo Jingshu from a cold-hearted scumbag into an obedient and sensible little puppy. To let go now would only benefit someone else, wouldn’t it?
Luo Jingshu breathed a sigh of relief. “Brother Cheng, don’t scare me like that. I’ll take it seriously.”
His eyes were brimming with mist, and his voice carried a faint nasal tone. It sounded like he was whining, perhaps even complaining, his tone filled with grievance.
He truly looked like a wronged puppy.
Xiao Cheng reached out to ruffle Luo Jingshu’s hair. The strands were soft and smooth, a particularly satisfying texture under his hand.
“Alright, I won’t scare you.”
The atmosphere between them turned light and ambiguous once again.
Luo Jingshu came clean about when he first discovered that the twins weren’t his uncle’s biological children.
He was even more detailed than He An, explaining how the twins had been adopted.
After Xiao Cheng quietly listened to the entire story, he suddenly asked, “Did I tell you all this in the previous life?”
Luo Jingshu faltered, his voice catching slightly. He looked up at Xiao Cheng’s puzzled expression, his gaze starting to wander.
Xiao Cheng squinted, sensing something off from his reaction.
“It wasn’t me who told you?”
That made sense. Even if he liked Luo Jingshu, there was no way he would disclose such a deep family secret to him.
If they were a couple in their previous life, it might have made sense. But they weren’t, so how could he have shared such things with someone who wasn’t even his boyfriend?
Luo Jingshu hadn’t expected Xiao Cheng to be so perceptive. He had deliberately left the source of his information vague, focusing instead on what he knew about the matter.
He thought Xiao Cheng wouldn’t notice such small details.
“You didn’t tell me; I found out on my own.”
After a moment of silence, Luo Jingshu explained in a low voice.
Xiao Cheng detected a hidden meaning in his words. Hooking a finger under Luo Jingshu’s chin, he teased him playfully, like a rogue teasing an innocent maiden. “Didn’t you reject my confession?”
“Why are you so concerned about my family’s affairs?”
In their last life, their only connection had been Xiao Cheng’s pursuit of Luo Jingshu.
Other than that, Xiao Cheng couldn’t think of any reason why Luo Jingshu would care about his family.
Didn’t Luo Jingshu say he didn’t like him?
Then why was he so invested in someone he supposedly didn’t like?
For once, Luo Jingshu’s face turned red. “Brother Cheng…”
Feeling embarrassed under Xiao Cheng’s teasing gaze, Luo Jingshu let out a sigh when he saw the hidden anticipation in Xiao Cheng’s eyes.
There wasn’t much to hide. Brother Cheng had long since seen through his stubbornness. Even if he didn’t admit it, Brother Cheng would likely figure it out.
“It’s not that I didn’t like you,” Luo Jingshu said softly but with a rare firmness.
“I liked you, in both this life and the last.
“I just wasn’t willing to admit it back then.”
The reason why he refused to admit it was something they both knew without saying.
Xiao Cheng had always believed that his feelings in the last life were one-sided. Now, realizing that perhaps they had simply missed their chance, he felt both excited and a little melancholic.
In their last life, there might have been many opportunities to clear things up. Maybe if they had waited just a little longer, they could have connected their hearts.
But unfortunately, life offered no “what-ifs,” and time never waited.
By the time Xiao Cheng could say everything clearly, Luo Jingshu had already lost hope in the world.
“I couldn’t recognize my own feelings and didn’t want to believe you truly liked me,” Luo Jingshu said, gripping Xiao Cheng’s hand tightly, his voice choking up. “I did so many stupid things, but fortunately, Heaven gave me a second chance.”
When he was reborn, he resented it.
Hadn’t he suffered enough in his last life? Why did Heaven give him another chance to suffer again?
When Xiao Cheng picked him up by the poolside, Luo Jingshu had even thought of jumping into the pool and letting himself sink to the bottom.
Living held no attraction for him anymore.
Now, he was simply grateful that he had hesitated back then.
Heaven didn’t rebirth him to torment him again but to help him recognize his feelings and feel the warmth of love.
Xiao Cheng stroked Luo Jingshu’s hair. “You’re amazing, Jingshu. Even without me, there would still be others who love you in this world.”
“Don’t give up on your life so easily.”
Luo Jingshu smiled at Xiao Cheng. “Thank goodness I have Brother Cheng.”
He avoided answering Xiao Cheng’s words directly. If Brother Cheng truly left him, he wouldn’t find another reason to live.
Xiao Cheng faintly sensed his thoughts, falling silent.
He knew this wasn’t something he could change with a few words. Luo Jingshu’s mindset wouldn’t shift overnight.
Not wanting to linger on the topic, Xiao Cheng adjusted his mood and smiled again.
“Things will get better.”
With those words, he concluded their conversation.
He still had to visit the twins in the hospital. As much as he didn’t want to, it was his responsibility to check on them after hitting them.
Luo Jingshu wanted nothing more than to stick to Xiao Cheng’s side 24/7. Hearing Xiao Cheng’s plan, he immediately insisted on tagging along.
Unable to resist, and feeling tender-hearted after their earlier conversation, Xiao Cheng gave in when Luo Jingshu acted a little spoiled.
“You can wait for me in the lounge.”
That was the biggest concession Xiao Cheng could make. He couldn’t really let Luo Jingshu meet the twins.
Luo Jingshu nodded fervently. “I promise I won’t cause any trouble.”
After tidying up, the two headed to the hospital. Xiao Cheng had already texted He An to confirm the twins’ room number.
Just as they arrived at the hospital’s entrance and Xiao Cheng was about to open the car door, he spotted someone exiting the building.
The man was tall, wearing a black mask, and walked briskly toward the exit before getting into a car.
“Huh?”
Xiao Cheng frowned, staring intently at the person.
“What’s wrong?”
Luo Jingshu held Xiao Cheng’s hand and followed his gaze.
“I think that person looks like Jiang Ying.”
Even with the mask obscuring his face, the figure and gait were strikingly similar to Jiang Ying.
Xiao Cheng wanted to look more closely, but Luo Jingshu answered casually, “Yep, it’s him.”
Even if Jiang Ying turned to ash, Luo Jingshu would recognize him.
Xiao Cheng glanced at Luo Jingshu, feeling as though he wasn’t surprised.
“Jiang Ying seems to be in a hurry. Is he sick?”
It wasn’t strange for him to be at the hospital, but his behavior was odd.
He looked as if he didn’t want anyone to know he was there, his hurried steps and cautious glances suggesting he was trying to stay hidden.
Luo Jingshu chuckled softly, leaning in to whisper something into Xiao Cheng’s ear.
Xiao Cheng’s expression shifted from puzzled to shocked, his face filled with disbelief as if his worldview had been shattered.
It took a long time—and even a wave from Luo Jingshu in front of his eyes—before Xiao Cheng snapped out of it.
He looked at Luo Jingshu, swallowing hard, his voice low. “You’re saying he… he…”
Xiao Cheng couldn’t even finish the sentence.
Who would’ve thought that the original story’s protagonist scumbag gong, active every day of the year, could turn into… impotent?!
And it was Luo Jingshu’s doing!
Xiao Cheng was so shocked he began questioning reality.
They are both protagonists, why is there such a big difference?
Why was Luo Jingshu so formidable?!
Suddenly, Xiao Cheng realized that everyone who crossed Luo Jingshu seemed to meet a bad end.
The twins were still in the hospital. Jiang Ying had gone from a scumbag to impotent.
Then he thought about how many times he’d punched and kicked Luo Jingshu in the past.
His lower body felt a chill.
Xiao Cheng instinctively stepped back, “You…”
His emotions were complicated, and he didn’t know what to say.
Luo Jingshu keenly noticed Xiao Cheng’s panic, and he couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.
“Brother Cheng.”
He cornered Xiao Cheng against the car door, watching as Xiao Cheng stared at him nervously.
“How could I ever use such methods on you?”
Luo Jingshu truly didn’t know what Xiao Cheng was thinking. No matter how angry he was at Xiao Cheng, he would never use those despicable means against him.
“If I were upset with you, I would just…”
He trailed off, and Xiao Cheng instinctively asked, “Just what?”
Luo Jingshu’s expression was calm. “Fuck you until you can’t walk.”
Xiao Cheng froze. He knew from personal experience that Luo Jingshu wasn’t joking.
Oh no, why did that feel even scarier?
