RIACMET chapter 181

 

Originally, Cheng Jing didn’t want Jiang Nian to get his hands dirty when dealing with the Chen Yue family. He planned to ask Yang Kai, who was already gathering intel, to handle it. He thought it would be a good opportunity for Yang Kai to join the team.

He didn’t expect things to turn out this way.

“Hmm…”

Jiang Nian let out a sleepy hum as he lay there, unconscious.

As Cheng Jing approached, he noticed the superpower energy surrounding Jiang Nian gradually dissipating. Finally, it faded away.

Jiang Nian opened his eyes, but his gaze was unfocused and vacant. He looked like someone sleepwalking.

“Niannian…”

Cheng Jing bent down and called out gently. Seeing that Jiang Nian seemed awake, Cheng Jing leaned over and softly kissed his cheek and lips.

“So sweet…”

Pa!

His sentence was abruptly cut off by the crisp sound of a slap.

Unknowingly, Jiang Nian had raised his hand and slapped Cheng Jing in the face. Then, he immediately closed his eyes again.

“…”

Cheng Jing froze. He could tell that Jiang Nian was unconscious. Still, he didn’t continue playing the role of a scoundrel.

Adult reflexes were no joke—his cheek stung, and a faint red mark had already formed.

With no one else around, Cheng Jing quietly took out a mirror and looked at his reflection.

Yep, clear handprint. There was no hiding it.

If Niannian found out, he’d definitely be heartbroken.

“…”

Cheng Jing picked Niannian up and carried him back down to the plane.

When his teammates saw him come down with a clear handprint on his face, they immediately exchanged meaningful looks and smirks.

The usually calm and collected big brother always lost his cool around Jiang Nian.

No one dared to ask what had happened. Instead, someone quietly went off to find Huang Qian. After the tense night, they needed some juicy gossip to relax.

After all, no matter what, Brother Cheng would never do anything shady to his big sister.

Taking her “duty as the gossip representative” very seriously, Huang Qian chased after the plane and sized up Cheng Jing.

“Brother, tell me—did you get slapped after sneaking in a kiss?”

She glanced over at Jiang Nian, who was still asleep. The guy had combat skills. Had he subconsciously knocked Cheng Jing out cold after being kissed by this gangster?

“…”

Cheng Jing gently sat Jiang Nian down, leaning him against the seat. After carefully adjusting his position, he shot a glare at the woman mocking him.

“No one would think you were stupid if you just kept your mouth shut.”

Huang Qian burst out laughing again.

“It’s only been 24 hours, and you’re already that thirsty? Poor little Niannian…”

Cheng Jing flushed with anger and embarrassment.

“Get out! Can’t a man accidentally slap his own boyfriend?!”

Niannian was just confused and drowsy. He didn’t know what he was doing. If he had been awake, he never would have slapped him!

“Ehhh—”

“Hahahaha…”

Huang Qian laughed until she was out of breath.

“Brother, you really are unbeatable. If you want to kill me with laughter, just say the word, and I’ll leave you my inheritance.”

She made getting slapped by your boyfriend sound refreshing and elegant.

Honestly? We all might suck, but Brother Cheng has the highest pain tolerance.

“Huang Qian!”

Cheng Jing could barely hold back a laugh. This woman…

“Fine, fine! You win, okay?! Love is meant for smart people like you who’ve lost their minds!”

Grinning, Huang Qian hopped off the plane and walked back toward Lu Ningzhou before Cheng Jing lost his temper.

Lu Ningzhou leaned over and whispered,

“Did Big Bro really get slapped by Brother Nian?”

Everyone on the team perked up their ears subtly.

Huang Qian nodded seriously.

“Of course. He tried to take advantage of someone who was half-conscious and failed—he deserved it.”

The others, including Uncle Li, smiled knowingly.

After everyone left, Lu Ningzhou nudged his girlfriend and whispered,
“But sometimes, I really want to kiss you while you’re asleep, too.”

That’s just how it was when you really liked someone. You couldn’t help but want to be close to them in every way possible.

“…”

Huang Qian gave him a sharp look, then covered his mouth with her hand. After a long pause, she whispered,

“Then kiss me if you want.”

Lu Ningzhou chuckled.

“You kiss me if you want.”

“…”

When Jiang Nian finally woke up, it was the next day.

He opened his eyes to see the familiar ceiling and feel the cool air from the AC. He also felt a surprisingly comfortable body. He lay there blankly for a while before finally coming to his senses.

Then, like a movie on replay, his mind started cycling through everything that had happened before he passed out.

He remembered the collapse and reformation of his crystal core, how his superpower had gone out of control, and how Liao Yu and Li Liang had forced the door open before he blacked out.

Aside from everything else, the fact that his powers had gone completely out of control was a huge problem.

Brother Cheng and the others were already worried enough. They probably thought that dealing with the Chen Yue family had gone smoothly. Who would have guessed that something like this would happen in the end?

Well, no use overthinking it. They just had to face whatever came next. He couldn’t make things harder for Brother Cheng.

Stretching, he grabbed his phone from the bedside table.

A whole day and night had passed. It was almost noon.

He had really slept for a long time!

His body felt light and refreshed, and his clothes had been changed. Obviously, Brother Cheng had returned. Who else would dare to change his clothes?

“Brother Cheng!”

Jiang Nian called out, hopping out of bed barefoot and rushing toward the door.

Cheng Jing was sitting on the couch talking on the phone. The second he saw Jiang Nian, his serious expression softened. He waved and patted the seat beside him.

Without saying a word, Jiang Nian walked over, sat down in his lap, and wrapped his arms tightly around Cheng Jing’s neck.

After everything that had happened, the moment he landed in that familiar embrace, all his lingering emotions settled. His heart calmed down completely.

Cheng Jing’s expression shifted slightly. He hung up the call, patted Jiang Nian’s waist, and whispered,

“Sit still and behave for now…”

Jiang Nian shook his head and shamelessly clung to him.

“No, I want hugs. I haven’t seen you in two days. I missed you so much.”

Then, like a spoiled child, he started whining:

“You’ve changed! You ignored me when you came back. You don’t care anymore…”

It had only been one day, but it felt like forever. He just wanted to close his eyes and take a nap in Cheng Jing’s arms.

Or maybe something more.

But Cheng Jing’s reaction today felt kind of cold.

“I didn’t ignore you,” Cheng Jing chuckled. He stopped pulling Jiang Nian away and held him closer instead. Smiling faintly, he said,

“Niannian, my mom is here.”

The moment Jiang Nian heard that word—mom—he froze, having been snuggling like a clingy kitten until then.

“…Oh. She’s here…”

He nodded reflexively, then suddenly realized—

“Wait…WHAT?!”

Cheng Jing couldn’t hold it in anymore. His shoulders shook with laughter.

“She made dumplings and brought them over for you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Nian heard footsteps from the kitchen.

His entire face turned red. His whole body went stiff. He didn’t dare look back or move away from Cheng Jing.

Just as he was panicking about where to hide, a warm, gentle voice called out from behind him.

“Niannian, wake up. The dumplings just finished steaming. I’ll make some dipping sauce. Wash your face and come eat.”

After speaking, the woman gave her grinning son a meaningful look before returning to the kitchen.

Ah, youth! So daring and passionate! Ever since his eldest son joined the military and ended his relationship, his personality had grown dull. Now, he’s clearly recovered and has someone to care for. As a mother, what more could she ask for?

The kitchen door closed again.

Cheng Jing had followed through on his promise and carried the barefoot, flustered Jiang Nian back to the room.