RIACMET chapter 143

 

Dinner was almost over, and the important matters had been discussed. What remained required Cheng Jing and Jiang Nian to meet with Minister Wang.

What followed was more of a casual chat.

Li Shuhui, who had managed the store for the past few days, told Jiang Nian that, thanks to their fair prices, business was booming. Daily revenue averaged 6,000 points, and the highest day exceeded 8,000 points.

Some customers had even paid with items like gold, silver, jewelry, and collectibles.

The shelves were practically bare. Items nearing expiration had sold out completely. She bought more items from vendors near the base gate at low prices to restock.

Before leaving, Jiang Nian transferred a large number of points to Li Shuhui’s card so she could purchase supplies at low prices within the base.

They all understood that they should stock up as much as possible now so that the shop wouldn’t run out of goods if supplies became scarce in the future.

Even Li Sheng, Yang Kai, and Zhou Li had joined in, quietly helping out.

Though they were officially part of the base, they weren’t hoarding for personal gain. Whenever new survivors entered the base, they reminded each other, and anyone with time could check things out at the gate.

“We’re gonna be rich soon.”

Li Shuhui’s words made Jiang Nian smile with genuine happiness. His friend was sincere and positive, so he was generous and would never leave anyone behind as long as he had the means.

His little dream of running a post-apocalyptic grocery store was a small obsession he had carried over from his previous life. He couldn’t quite explain it; perhaps it was his way of healing.

Besides, buying and selling supplies helped more people survive.

This way, he could benefit while doing good for others, and he wouldn’t have to deal with the awkwardness of providing free aid and receiving no gratitude in return.

He had carefully selected every item sold. Although many of the items were supplies that could not be reproduced in the short term, he had stockpiled enough for the team’s long-term use. The rest could be sold for points.

These points could then be exchanged for resources and assets that the base didn’t already have, enabling it to grow.

Even when the point system was eventually abolished, those assets would remain useful. No matter how the world changed, they wouldn’t have to worry.

If the world returned to normal, the things they traded for with points and supplies could provide them with a comfortable life.

As for the farming project, he had received occasional messages from the construction crew while he’d been away these past few days and had stayed in frequent contact. The work would be finished in a few more days. Soon, fruits and vegetables would be available in their apocalyptic grocery store.

Everything was falling into place.

If he hadn’t been reborn, Jiang Nian never would have thought this far ahead. Like most ordinary people, he would have just opened his eyes each day and gone through it as it came, unsure if he could survive the apocalypse.

“…”

Knowing the team must be tired from the trip, Uncle Li urged Cheng Jing and the others to rest after dinner.

Yang Kai and Zhou Li also left—they needed proper rest before doing anything else.

Everyone returned to their dorms. As soon as Jiang Nian entered his room and turned on the light, he went straight to the small vegetable garden on his balcony.

Even though he had been away for several days, the seedlings were growing well. Thanks to the automatic drip irrigation system, the seedlings hadn’t lacked water, and the soil was still in good condition.

In a scorched and yellowed world, this little patch of green was incredibly healing, not to mention the wonderful sense of accomplishment it provided.

Crunch, crunch…

Jiang Nian plucked a few soft, long leaves, rinsed them in clean water, and stuffed them into his mouth.

One piece after another—produce you grow yourself always tastes amazing!

While he was crouched there, Cheng Jing came in to check on the house. When he saw Jiang Nian squatting in front of the “tiny garden,” chewing on a piece of lettuce with his cheeks puffed out, one hand holding a small bunch and the other digging around to straighten some crooked seedlings, he looked just like a little pet.

Cheng Jing stood there quietly, watching. Niannian’s hair had grown a bit longer, with strands falling across his forehead and the sides of his face. They caught the light and shadows in the room, giving his profile a soft, gentle look.

Looks like I’ll need to cut his hair tomorrow.

Just as he was thinking that, Jiang Nian turned to him and asked,

“Brother Jing, want a bite?”

“Sure.”

Cheng Jing walked over and crouched down beside Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian fed him a leaf, then tossed another one into his own mouth.

The two of them squatted on the balcony, eating a handful of lettuce, before heading back to the living room.

“Ahh…”

Jiang Nian sprawled out on the floor in front of the sofa and stretched out his limbs. His body was grimy, so he didn’t want to lie on the couch, but he wanted to rest for a bit.

Even though this trip hadn’t been dangerous and the safety level was high, he still felt tense being away from home. He was nowhere near as relaxed as he was in the dorm.

Seeing him look like a lazy cat, Cheng Jing said nothing. He ran a bath, turned on the air conditioner in the bedroom, and then came over to call Jiang Nian.

“Niannian, go take a bath. It’ll feel nicer to lie down afterward.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Nian grabbed his hand and sat up, blinking.

“Do you want to bathe alone or together?”

Cheng Jing pinched his cheek.

“You go first. I put a packet of medicine in the water to soothe your muscles and nerves. Soak for a while, and I’ll join you later.”

This guy had been sleeping outdoors for days, so he was probably tired and not in the mood to fool around in the bathroom.

“Alright,”

Jiang Nian nodded, then added with a slightly awkward expression:

“Brother Jing, I’m kind of tired today, so I won’t, you know, for now.”

It’d be embarrassing if he didn’t perform well the first time, and he had to save face. He’d let Brother Jing experience him properly in a few days, after he’d had a good rest and was in top shape.

“Hmm?”

Cheng Jing was stunned for a moment before realizing what Jiang Nian meant. He smiled and nodded.

“Then we’ll wait another day. Go bathe and get some rest.”

There was plenty of time—no rush.

“Okay.”

Jiang Nian walked into the bathroom, his ears red and his face flushed.

He just wanted his first time with his boyfriend to be as good as possible. Brother Jing wouldn’t think he wasn’t good enough, would he?

“…”

Jiang Nian was almost asleep in the tub when Cheng Jing came in. After showering, he lifted Jiang Nian out of the tub, wrapped him in a bath towel, and carried him back to the bedroom.

Cheng Jing’s upper body was bare, his hair tousled. Jiang Nian’s restless hands fumbled all over him. It had been days since he’d gotten to touch him properly—he had to make up for it.

Cheng Jing could tolerate this little rascal’s playful teasing, but if someone took advantage of him, they’d be the one getting burned.

“Brother Jing, I’m greedy for you.”

Jiang Nian felt useless. He had originally planned to rest for a few days, regain his strength, and then take the lead in conquering his boyfriend. But just a few touches of Brother Jing’s abs, and his dirty thoughts came rushing in.

“Not tired anymore?”

Cheng Jing’s fingers played with his hair, brushing the back of his neck and deliberately teasing his ears until they turned translucently red.

“Being tired and being greedy aren’t the same thing…”

Jiang Nian lifted his head and answered without hesitation.

Whatever. He was young and full of energy—of course he was restless! Besides, his boyfriend was so handsome! As a certified face-con[mfn]”face-con” is short for “face complex” or “face fetish”, and it usually refers to someone who is strongly attracted to good-looking faces[/mfn], there was no way he’d let himself down!

“Alright.”

Cheng Jing couldn’t help but smile. He liked how honest this little rascal was.

He set aside the hairdryer, cupped Jiang Nian’s flushed cheeks in his hands, and lowered his head to kiss him.

Their breaths intertwined, deepening from gentle affection into a slow-burning intensity.

“…”