The call connected quickly. Before he could speak, Cheng Jing asked,
“Where are you?”
“I rented a house, and I’m going to the hotel to pick up my things,” Jiang Nian replied honestly. Then he asked,
“Um, Cheng Jing, could you lend me some money?”
Cheng Jing gritted his teeth.
“You want me to lend you money? Why didn’t you let me kneel for you?”
Jiang Nian quickly changed the subject.
“Brother, I was rude! I’m sorry. I was too noisy just now…”
They used the name “Brother Jing” when they were dating—it was clingy and ambiguous. He thought he should change what he said because it really was over, but the other person was already used to it. Ugh, what a guy.
Cheng Jing then asked,
“How much do you want to borrow? What do you want to do with the money?”
Jiang Nian thought for a moment and answered.
“Tens of thousands isn’t too little, and a hundred thousand isn’t too much. The more, the better. I’ll pay you back. I promise you won’t suffer a loss or get scammed by lending it.”
“How will you pay me back?”
Cheng Jing was amused by his tone, as if he were a liar.
A sour feeling flashed through his heart. Jiang Nian said indifferently,
“I probably won’t be able to promise you that. I’m afraid your boyfriend will beat me up. But I’ll thank you in another way. You’ll know when the time comes. It’ll definitely be worth it.”
No one had ever asked to borrow money like this before. He really didn’t know how to ask, so he made an excuse, saying he wasn’t thick-skinned enough.
After a while, Cheng Jing replied,
“I have the money, but we have to talk in person. I’ll wait for you at the hotel later in the same room.”
He’s disobedient and runs around everywhere, yet he still borrows money from him. He doesn’t feel burdened by new or old debts at all. What a heartless little bastard!
“Alright, thanks, Brother Jing~”
Jiang Nian nodded. Based on his knowledge of Cheng Jing, he knew he could borrow some money from him.
In a good mood, he took a taxi back to the hotel. The woman at the front desk informed Jiang Nian that Cheng Jing had already returned his belongings to the room. There was a hint of gossip and ambiguity in her expression as she said this.
Jiang Nian thanked her and walked toward the elevator, thinking about what he would say to borrow more money.
The door to the room opened. Cheng Jing was on the phone. Jiang Nian entered without disturbing him. He went to the bathroom to look for some clothes. He was exhausted after a busy day.
While he was in the middle of his bath, Cheng Jing knocked on the door.
“Have you eaten yet?”
Blowing bubbles in the bathtub, Jiang Nian lazily replied,
“Not yet. Today, I want to eat something spicy. Thanks, Brother Jing.”
I need to borrow money later, so I have to act nice. My ex-boyfriend, who has a fatherly nature, will be deceived by this.
“…”
Cheng Jing walked away. When he came out of the bathroom, room service had just arrived. There was a mix of meat and vegetables, half mild and half spicy, as well as cold dishes, fruit, and drinks.
Though the portions were small, the full table looked impressive. Dinner like this for two people was excessive.
Cheng Jing greeted Jiang Nian and began eating.
Jiang Nian thanked him and started eating. They say that everything is easier to talk about at the dinner table with some alcohol, but Jiang Nian couldn’t talk at all without it. He asked quietly,
“Brother Jing, can I order a bottle of liquor?”
Cheng Jing refused without looking up.
“No.”
Just as Jiang Nian was about to argue, Cheng Jing put down his chopsticks, looked at him, and said,
“Don’t you remember how bad your drinking habits are? Don’t think about getting drunk when we have something serious to talk about.”
After two years of no discipline, that little bastard was still addicted to alcohol? He wants to drink even before he’s tasted a few bites of food! No wonder he’s so skinny.
“…”
Jiang Nian was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head like an ostrich. He didn’t have much experience drinking, and he only went crazy a few times, all of which were in front of Cheng Jing.
At that time, they were in the passionate phase of their relationship. He would go drinking with his classmates and come back to bother Cheng Jing. When he went crazy, Cheng Jing got mad. When Cheng Jing went crazy, Jiang Nian couldn’t get out of bed the next day.
Never mind, there’s no need to drink this wine.
Cheng Jing looked at the person almost burying his face in the bowl. His ears were red, and a charming emotion flashed across his face as he said,
“I’ll let you drink after we settle our business.”
It’s okay to go crazy in front of him; just don’t do it in front of others.
Jiang Nian held the bowl and shook his head.
“No, no. I don’t want to drink. I was just kidding, don’t take it seriously.”
It’d be embarrassing to hug someone else’s boyfriend if he really drank.
After dinner, the waiter packed up and left. Cheng Jing was already sitting on the sofa watching TV. The news was broadcasting the headlines. The whole place was peaceful and quiet.
Jiang Nian grabbed a pillow and sat beside the calm man. After thinking for a moment, he whispered,
“Hey, Brother Jing, what do you think about lending me some money?”
He needed money now!
Cheng Jing turned his gaze to him and asked,
“How much do you want to borrow? What do you need it for?”
“Rent, buying things… If it’s convenient for you, the more the better.”
Jiang Nian answered truthfully. The things he had bought were worth over a hundred million.
Cheng Jing pursed his lips.
“I thought it was because of my aunt. You needed money to pay off your debts.”
Since the guy said that, he felt obligated to lend him the money. He wasn’t stingy; he just wanted to be clear.
“I sold my house just to pay off my mother’s debts. That’s why I don’t have any money.”
Jiang Nian rested his chin on the pillow and lowered his gaze. He had considered using this excuse to borrow money from Cheng Jing, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He didn’t want to deceive Cheng Jing by using his mother as an excuse.
Cheng Jing wanted to ask why Jiang Nian didn’t come see him when he was in trouble, but it seemed unnecessary to blame him now. He could only sigh and ask,
“You said your aunt has been sick for two years. Was she sick while we were still together?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Nian hugged the pillow in his arms.
“I wanted to tell you, but you said you were going to join the military, so I didn’t mention it. I was in a very chaotic mood then… I didn’t want to tell you because it would affect you, and I didn’t really want you to join the military. That’s all.”
His mother’s illness and his boyfriend’s departure were a double blow. He didn’t know how to handle his emotions at the time.
Cheng Jing was very angry.
“You hid something so important just because I told you first? You think you can affect me by not telling me anything? You make decisions on your own!”
Knowing the truth only made him angrier. He thought that anyone who broke up with someone without changing their mind was sick. You’re still childish even though you’re in college!
“I’m sorry.”
Jiang Nian apologized sincerely and looked at him.
“That was indeed my intention. If you hadn’t gone into the military, I would have told you. Then, you would have accompanied me through it. But if you left, the comfort from being thousands of miles away would be shared consumption. I definitely had a lot of negative emotions, and sometimes I couldn’t stand it…”
“So, instead of that, it’s better to just break up. I can go to school and work to take care of my mother, and you can focus on your future. I think that’s best for everyone. Look, you’re doing well now…”
He didn’t think he was great; it was just his mood at the time. An excess of powerlessness pondering would also overcome an individual.
“…”
Cheng Jing stared at him sharply for a long time, then finally lowered his gaze and fell silent. His anger slowly faded with his words. Yes, that was true.