Xiao Cheng saw that he couldn’t avoid the topic any longer, so he simply closed his eyes, refusing to look at Luo Jingshu’s expression at this moment.
“What am I supposed to say?”
Luo Jingshu didn’t even give him a choice!
That day, after He An mentioned meeting the parents, Xiao Cheng had only told Jiang Zihe about it. But he trusted that Jiang Zihe wouldn’t have leaked anything.
Even though Jiang Zihe had Luo Jingshu’s contact information, Xiao Cheng had made it very clear that he wasn’t ready to suddenly bring him home to meet his parents.
Jiang Zihe, knowing that he was unwilling, would never have told Luo Jingshu about it.
So the only possibility was that Luo Jingshu had looked through his phone while he was asleep.
“Tell me, why do you think it’s too soon?”
God knows how disappointed and uneasy Luo Jingshu had felt when he saw those messages.
Ever since they got back together, Xiao Cheng’s attitude toward him had clearly changed. He wasn’t as warm as before. Luo Jingshu understood why—he knew the terrible things he had done in the past—so he didn’t blame Xiao Cheng.
He was just scared.
Scared that Xiao Cheng hadn’t truly forgiven him.
Even more scared that Xiao Cheng didn’t love him as much anymore.
Lately, he had been overthinking everything. Seeing those messages last night only intensified his insecurities.
When he was younger and not yet strong enough, he constantly doubted himself. He wondered if he wasn’t good enough, if that was why his adoptive father cursed him and his biological parents abandoned him.
Later, he came to understand that some things were never his fault.
It had been a long time since Luo Jingshu had fallen into self-doubt, but last night, after Xiao Cheng fell asleep, he couldn’t stop overthinking.
Deep down, he knew he wasn’t a good person.
No matter how obedient and well-behaved he appeared on the surface, he was, at his core, possessive and controlling.
Xiao Cheng might not realize this, but Luo Jingshu had entertained the idea of locking him up countless times.
Wouldn’t it be better if he could just hide Xiao Cheng away?
Lock him in a place only he knew about, make the world believe he was gone, isolate him completely from everyone else.
Then, Xiao Cheng would finally belong to him alone.
Luo Jingshu couldn’t control these thoughts.
He had even planned out how he would do it.
At his most desperate moment, he had even picked out a place.
But there was still that one sliver of hope.
He wanted Xiao Cheng’s love.
If he really locked him away, he would only possess his body.
But he would never be able to obtain Xiao Cheng’s heart.
Luo Jingshu wasn’t willing to settle for that.
His survival depended on Xiao Cheng’s love.
If Xiao Cheng stopped loving him, then he would cease to exist.
But he couldn’t bring himself to say any of this out loud. Luo Jingshu had always been reserved, keeping most things buried deep inside.
Xiao Cheng still hadn’t noticed the subtle shift in his tone and was still trying to find the right words.
He wanted to say: “Even though I’ve decided to forgive you, your probation period isn’t over yet, so it’s still too soon to meet my parents.”
But that sounded like something a sulking little girl would say.
Besides, they had already done everything there was to do.
Saying this now seemed a little pointless.
But that was genuinely how he felt.
After thinking for a while, Xiao Cheng finally said, “Did you forget? You’re still a senior in high school.”
Luo Jingshu hadn’t even taken his college entrance exams yet. Wouldn’t this still count as puppy love?
Luo Jingshu fell silent for a moment before saying, “Why didn’t you remember I was a high school student last night?”
Xiao Cheng’s face instantly turned red, and he was left speechless.
Just look at yourself! Do you look like a high school student?
You beast.
Xiao Cheng didn’t even want to move. Every inch of his body was sore, as if he had been beaten up all night.
He felt like he had suffered a huge loss. The pleasure was fleeting, but the aftermath was brutal.
Meanwhile, Luo Jingshu was still full of energy.
Was there really that much of a difference between the gong and shou?
Xiao Cheng started to doubt life itself.
But Luo Jingshu wouldn’t let him escape the conversation. “Then after my college entrance exams, will you take me to meet your parents?”
He was desperate to get a definite answer from Xiao Cheng.
Xiao Cheng finally noticed the hint of insecurity in his voice.
It wasn’t about meeting his parents.
Luo Jingshu was afraid that Xiao Cheng wasn’t willing to let him in.
Xiao Cheng struggled against his aching arms, lifting a hand to gesture for Luo Jingshu to come closer.
Luo Jingshu pursed his lips, gazing deeply at him before obediently leaning in.
The next second, Xiao Cheng smacked him on the back of the head.
The motion pulled at his sore muscles, making him wince in pain, but at least he had let out some of his frustration.
“What the hell is going on in your head?”
After scolding him, Xiao Cheng figured he should explain himself a little.
From Luo Jingshu’s perspective, it might really seem like he was just using him and then refusing to take responsibility.
“I never said I didn’t want you to meet my parents.”
“I just think it’s too soon. We’ve only been back together for a few days.”
“I need to put you through a trial period first.”
As he spoke, his cheeks turned an even darker shade of red, and his voice softened.
“Even jobs have probation periods. Shouldn’t I assess you first?”
Luo Jingshu didn’t respond.
He just stared at him with those bright, expectant eyes.
Just like a little puppy waiting to be fed.
This silly dog.
Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but smile and sighed in relief, saying, “After your college entrance exam…”
Before he could finish, Luo Jingshu grabbed his fingers and pinned Xiao Cheng onto the bed. “We agreed that after I finish my exams, you’d take me to meet your parents.”
He hadn’t even finished speaking yet—why was he in such a rush?
Xiao Cheng wanted to roll his eyes again, but seeing Luo Jingshu looking as excited as if he had just received an imperial decree, his eyes filled with anticipation and joy, Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but smile along with him.
In this lifetime, he was truly done for with this person.
Even though he had once truly hated Luo Jingshu, in the end, he was still willing to give him a chance—and give himself a chance as well.
–
After that night, Xiao Cheng had to rest for several days. It wasn’t until the last day of the New Year holiday that Luo Jingshu clung to him and messed around again.
This time, Xiao Cheng was the one who bought the umbrella—one box, three pieces.
He had been quite pleased with himself after buying them. The last time had left him with a bit of a psychological shadow; surely, it wouldn’t be as bad this time, right?
Xiao Cheng never expected that while the quantity had gone down, the quality had gone up.
It had already been long before, but this time, Luo Jingshu was even more determined to bully him. By the end, Xiao Cheng was on the verge of breaking down. “If you have some kind of problem, go to the hospital and get checked!”
Too long was also an issue!
Annoyed, Luo Jingshu bit down hard on his shoulder, leaving a large tooth mark.
The next day, Xiao Cheng went to City A with Bai Yiheng.
There was still some time before his school started, so he would be working as Bai Yiheng’s assistant at the company for a while.
When Luo Jingshu first heard about it, he absolutely refused to accept it.
Before they got back together, when Xiao Cheng was staying at Bai Yiheng’s house, he had no right to interfere. But things were different now—he was Xiao Cheng’s boyfriend.
How could he just stand by and watch his Brother Cheng walk into the tiger’s mouth?
Xiao Cheng didn’t see the problem. “Mr. Bai isn’t that kind of person.”
Luo Jingshu was so angry he wanted to pry open Xiao Cheng’s head and look inside. Normally, he was a smart person—why was he so oblivious when it came to recognizing a tea master?
Bai Yiheng had practically spelled it out that they weren’t suitable for each other, repeatedly telling Xiao Cheng that Luo Jingshu was too young and immature.
He was only a few months younger than Brother Cheng. This was the perfect age difference.
As for Bai Yiheng, that old man—he was way past his prime and still trying to prey on someone younger? Disgusting, shameless!
Luo Jingshu didn’t know whether he should be relieved that Xiao Cheng was so oblivious and hadn’t noticed Bai Yiheng’s feelings, or angry that Xiao Cheng was too naive, treating a wolf in sheep’s clothing as a good person.
“How about I go with you?” Luo Jingshu suggested.
Xiao Cheng immediately shook his head. “You need to go back to school and study!”
He knew that Luo Jingshu had applied for an exemption and didn’t have to return to school, but Xiao Cheng had a more traditional mindset—he still believed that school provided the best environment for preparing for exams.
Besides, if Luo Jingshu really went with him, would he even be able to work?
This guy had nothing but inappropriate thoughts running through his head all day. If he came along, Xiao Cheng feared he’d be bedridden every day—not to mention working, even leaving the house would be a challenge.
For the sake of his own well-being, Xiao Cheng firmly refused Luo Jingshu’s proposal.
Luo Jingshu had no choice but to give in.
He listened to Xiao Cheng and returned to school—after all, it was only a few months.
But even though Luo Jingshu wasn’t physically there, his messages never stopped.
Bai Yiheng was driving while Xiao Cheng sat in the passenger seat, staring at his phone, fingers moving quickly across the screen.
Luo Jingshu was being annoying, insisting on knowing whether he was sitting in the front seat or the back.
[Xiao Cheng: Passenger seat.]
Luo Jingshu immediately bombarded him with multiple messages, as if he wanted to crawl through the phone and interrogate Xiao Cheng in person.
Xiao Cheng waited for him to finish ranting before explaining: [The boss is driving. Do I dare sit in the back?]
Luo Jingshu responded instantly: [Didn’t you say Mr. Bai is a good person? He wouldn’t mind.]
Xiao Cheng was speechless.
Technically, that was true, but he had to have some awareness of the situation.
At that moment, Bai Yiheng glanced over at him. “Chatting with your boyfriend?”
Xiao Cheng had just been discussing Bai Yiheng with Luo Jingshu, and now the man himself was speaking—it felt like getting caught gossiping. He suddenly felt a little guilty.
“Yeah.”
Bai Yiheng chuckled. “Young people have so much energy.”
Xiao Cheng immediately recalled the soreness in his waist and suddenly felt like he wasn’t all that energetic after all.
Bai Yiheng didn’t press the matter and instead asked, “Have you seen Jiang Ying recently?”
Jiang Ying?
Xiao Cheng was momentarily stunned before remembering that Bai Yiheng was aware of what had happened before.
“I saw him once.”
It was just at the hospital, where he unilaterally caught sight of Jiang Ying.
Bai Yiheng hummed in acknowledgment. “Be careful when you go back to school.”
He knew that Xiao Cheng was in the same dorm as Jiang Ying’s younger brother.
Xiao Cheng nodded. After hesitating for a moment, he added, “Mr. Bai, Jiang Ying is a terrible person, but his younger brother is a good guy.”
Bai Yiheng immediately understood—Xiao Cheng had a good relationship with Jiang Zihe.
“What are you planning to do?” he asked.
Xiao Cheng’s expression grew more serious as he spoke in a low voice about his thoughts.
His stance remained unchanged—Jiang Ying was a despicable person, and Xiao Cheng felt no guilt about the consequences he would face. But Jiang Zihe was different.
He wanted to bring Jiang Ying down and have Jiang Zihe take his place.
Bai Yiheng listened intently and finally asked, “You haven’t told Jiang Zihe about any of this, have you?”
“Aren’t you worried he’ll hate you when the time comes?”
Of course, Xiao Cheng was worried. He had already prepared for the worst.
Jiang Zihe was the best friend he had made since gaining clarity in his life.
If it weren’t absolutely necessary, Xiao Cheng didn’t want to ruin their friendship.
But reality was cruel—they were standing on opposite sides.
“If he hates me, then so be it.”
There was no way he could let Jiang Ying go.
Xiao Cheng admitted to being selfish, but he had no reason to forgive someone who had harmed him.
If no one had come to save him that day, he didn’t even want to imagine what kind of fate he would have faced.
What Jiang Ying had done enraged him even more than what the twins had done to him.
Because deep down, Xiao Cheng knew—the twins would never truly hurt him.
But Jiang Ying would.
If he had gotten hold of any compromising photos, he would have used them to crush the Xiao family, perhaps even destroying both Xiao Cheng and his entire family.
Xiao Cheng never doubted that Jiang Ying was capable of that.
Whether in the original novel or in his past life, Jiang Ying had done countless evil deeds—he was a villain through and through.
Bai Yiheng glanced at him. He had wanted to warn him about Jiang Zihe, but in the end, he kept his thoughts to himself.
Xiao Cheng saw Jiang Zihe as a friend. Even knowing they might become enemies in the future, he refused to think badly of him.
But Jiang Zihe was still Jiang Ying’s brother. If it came down to choosing between his friend and his own brother, the answer seemed obvious.
Bai Yiheng didn’t trust Jiang Zihe at all.
But for now, he wouldn’t say anything—it would only make Xiao Cheng upset.
He’d let Xiao Yu keep an eye on things. If necessary, Luo Jingshu could watch over Xiao Cheng.
Nothing should go wrong.
