RIACMET chapter 182

 

As soon as Jiang Nian got back in bed, he wrapped himself tightly in the blanket and rolled around restlessly.

“It’s over. It’s over…”

“My social life is over…”

He had imagined all kinds of awkward scenarios about meeting his partner’s parents, but he had never imagined this level of utter social death.

“…”

Cheng Jing sat beside him and gently tugged on the blanket.

“It’s fine. Our mom isn’t a stranger.”

Jiang Nian covered his face, his eyes brimming with tears.

“Do you think Auntie thinks I’m not serious now?”

“Niannian, can you stop calling her that? We’re going to be a family. My parents asked me yesterday to talk to you—they were worried you’d back out.”

Cheng Jing patted his head gently. His voice was soft and clingy, and he looked serious yet affectionate.

Jiang Nian couldn’t bear his spoiled expression. The situation was embarrassing, but now that the elders had stepped in, he had no reason to keep pretending.

“Okay… Then, do you think our mom thinks I’m not taking things seriously?”

His lifelong reputation as a well-behaved, calm, cheerful young man was at stake! —was gone in one slap!

His toes curled in secondhand embarrassment. If only he could dig a hole and crawl in it.

Cheng Jing chuckled softly.

“It’s normal for couples to be affectionate. She’s been there before—she understands.”

Honestly, it was partially his fault for not warning him. He’d planned to go into the room after his phone call to check on him, but the guy had woken up on his own.

But maybe this wasn’t a bad thing. It could help reassure his mom that their relationship is real.

After all, she used to suspect that their rekindled romance was just Cheng Jing trying to “get revenge” for being dumped and that he’d leave Jiang Nian again once he was satisfied.

All because she’d read too many trashy novels.

Jiang Nian’s hair was a mess. He clutched his chest and dramatically sighed under the covers.

“Brother Jing, I’m just as nervous as when I invited you to spend the night for the first time.”

Looking back, after setting a date to beat up a guy who had been hitting on his boyfriend, he went straight to his boyfriend’s school to pick him up and take him to a hotel. Who else would do that?

“You…”

Cheng Jing’s expression twisted into a series of unreadable shapes before he finally covered his face with his hand.

“If Mom weren’t here right now, I’d show you what that ‘first time’ felt like all over again.”

Jiang Nian immediately scooted away.

“Nope, you’re not as good as you were back then…”

“Jiang Nian!”

Cheng Jing nearly lost it and wanted to bite his face. But in the end, he held back.

“Go wash up, brush your teeth, and change your clothes. If you don’t, she’s going to come in and feed you herself. I’m leaving now.”

With that, he walked out of the room.

He was so flustered that he accidentally revealed his dark history. Damn brat!

He had wanted to take it slow and prepare everything step by step. But someone had other plans. He waited at the school gates that weekend, chewing gum like a gangster and saying nonchalantly,

“Brother Jing, let’s get a room today. If we don’t, I’ll feel like a widow. If someone else takes you, I’ll cry.”

His attitude basically screamed:

“You’re coming with me today, no excuses.”

How could Cheng Jing resist?

Of course, he was secretly overjoyed. Later, however, he found out that Jiang Nian had gotten into a fight at school that same day and was still upset.

So, their first time together wasn’t exactly smooth. They were both nervous and inexperienced. But it didn’t matter. They were happy anyway.

That weekend, they stayed in a hotel together for the first time, an experience that left Jiang Nian with a soft spot for that particular place.

After that, he’d book the same place every time the mood struck and conditions allowed. Eventually, he became a VIP member.

The hotel later became a five-star establishment. The hotel’s customer service even contacted him to inform him that his VIP card was being upgraded, too.

Eventually, he took over hotel security and reserved the same room long term.

He paid extra so the room would remain untouched. Nothing inside changed, and it wasn’t open to other guests.

The original room number was 1314, which means “forever and ever” in Chinese. It was the room they’d picked for their first time because it had a couple’s theme.

It was later rebranded as a VIP-only room, but he still remembered everything he’d done to preserve it.

“Oh…”

Well, if you can’t avoid it, you might as well face it head-on.

Jiang Nian shrugged, got out of bed, and headed to the bathroom. Teasing his boyfriend was honestly the best way to ease his nerves.

Let’s be real; everything Cheng Jing said was true.

Back then, they were in college and just starting out. Cheng Jing acted like he didn’t care, and their whole relationship depended on Jiang Nian taking the initiative.

He’d almost thought Cheng Jing was just a pretty face and nothing else.

But once they got “familiar”… well. He realized the big bad wolf had just been pretending.

They were a match made in heaven!

After showering and changing into casual clothes, Jiang Nian took a few deep breaths and opened the door.

Cheng Jing burst into laughter the moment he saw Jiang Nian acting proper and cautious.

“You look so nervous! Don’t worry. Mom already went home. She said we’ll have dinner with the family tonight.”

Still groggy from just waking up, Jiang Nian’s brain wasn’t functioning properly. He was afraid of saying something stupid in front of the elders.

It’s not like he had that many dark secrets—just that he wasn’t very good the first time. But still, it was kind of a big deal!

Thankfully, Cheng Jing’s mom understood how shy and awkward Jiang Nian was feeling. After finishing up in the kitchen, she left early to give him some space.

“There’s still plenty of time,” she said. “The family can get to know each other better slowly.”

Hearing this, Jiang Nian instantly relaxed. He threw himself into Cheng Jing’s arms and whispered,

“Brother Jing, please give me a few more days. I’m really not ready yet.”

Cheng Jing’s family was too important. He didn’t want to take it lightly.

Cheng Jing gently stroked his back.

“You don’t need to prepare. I already did. Besides, it’s not like you don’t know them.”

Jiang Nian was still anxious.

“But we’ve only met through video calls…”

“It’s the same. As long as we’re happy, they’ll be happy. Come on, let’s eat something. You’ll feel better if you’re not hungry.”

Cheng Jing pulled him over to the dining table, repeating what his mom had told him:

“You’ve been out cold for over a day. Eat some porridge first, and then you can have dumplings and other things.”

Jiang Nian casually said,

“Let’s eat together, Brother Jing.”

“I already ate. You eat. I’ll sit with you.”

Cheng Jing pushed a small dish of pickled vegetables toward Jiang Nian and scooped a bowl of dumplings.

“Thanks, Brother Jing.”

Jiang Nian lowered his head and took a bite.

“It’s delicious. Our mom’s cooking is amazing.”

Cheng Jing teased him immediately.

“What about my cooking skills?”

Ah, the classic “If your mom and I both fell into the water” test. So childish.

Jiang Nian grinned and replied without hesitation.

“Both are great. Mom’s food is full of motherly love. Yours is full of true love.”

“Mm.”

Cheng Jing nodded, very pleased. He was so good with words that they made your heart flutter.

To help Jiang Nian relax, Cheng Jing started telling stories about his family, trying to make things feel more familiar.

Jiang Nian understood—but meeting the parents was still a big deal. No matter how relaxed you seemed, it was impossible not to feel nervous.

Now that he had already “exposed” parts of his true self, it would be even harder to maintain the facade in front of the elder. He feels embarrassed about being seen through.