RIACMET chapter 271

 

His acting was full of flaws. Cheng Jing fell silent, pressing his lips together to stifle a laugh. Even though he knew he was faking it, he still walked over. As soon as he crouched down, the man pretended to be upset and tried to lean against him.

“If only you were my boyfriend! You could help me.”

“Do you do this often?”

Cheng Jing asked. The man was clearly very practiced. Did he do this with other people too? Was he one of those flirty types from the start?

Jiang Nian didn’t catch the deeper meaning of the question and blinked.

“I can’t just back down when someone’s picking a fight, right?”

Cheng Jing cleared his throat softly to cover it up.

“I meant, you always used to ask your boyfriend to stand up for you.”

Jiang Nian suddenly understood and immediately denied it, pulling a serious, overly righteous face.

“No, before I met you, I didn’t need a boyfriend. I could open bottle caps with one hand and uproot a weeping willow.”

That was a truth witnessed by heaven and earth.

“…”

Even though he was clearly talking nonsense, Cheng Jing’s heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, he believed him.

Worried that Cheng Jing wouldn’t believe him, Jiang Nian gently tugged on the corner of his shirt with one hand and raised the other as if to swear an oath.

“It’s true. You can ask anyone. Many people chase after me, but I prefer to take the initiative. I fell for you at first sight and chased you down with determination. It’s a shame you’re so handsome but still not good enough for me, you know?”

After saying that, he looked at Cheng Jing with eyes like hooks.

After hearing all that shameless talk, Cheng Jing’s head buzzed, so he suddenly changed the topic.

“Where does it hurt?”

“It hurts all over. I’ve got four injuries. Didn’t you see how pitiful I looked earlier?”

Cheng Jing wanted to say, “I saw you beating others up pretty hard,” but when he noticed him leaning in, he asked,

“Should I take you back to your dorm, or should I go get medicine?”

Jiang Nian immediately seized the opportunity.

“Take me back to the dorm. I have medicine there.”

Cheng Jing nodded.

“Okay.”

As he turned around, someone with obvious ulterior motives stopped him.

“See? You’re being so nice to me. This is a rare opportunity. Let’s be clear about it.”

Cheng Jing’s heart raced. He pretended to stay calm and asked,

“About what?”

Jiang Nian leaned closer.

“I’ve thought it through. Since you rejected me just because of my age, I’ll get in line first. You wait for me to enter college, and then we’ll be together.”

As a second option, he’d secure his spot first. There’s no reason to let go of a fish that has already taken the bait.

“…”

Cheng Jing didn’t respond. He leaned back slightly to create a bit of distance and calm his pounding heart.

Jiang Nian, relentless, continued speaking.

“I’m serious. Just wait for me, okay? Look at the situation now. Give me a chance, Brother Jing. Let me be your potential boyfriend.”

This cold, innocent guy was boring, and he didn’t seem like the type to flirt. Which meant that, once he fell, he’d fall hard—and he’d have to be won over.

“Potential boyfriend?”

Cheng Jing repeated expressionlessly, but he was already halfway convinced in his heart. The fact that he even used the word “potential” showed that he was serious.

Jiang Nian nodded like a chick pecking rice.

“Yeah, we’re more like friends than lovers. But you’re not allowed to date anyone else before trying me, and neither am I. Let’s make a deal.”

“…”

Cheng Jing went quiet for a while before replying.

“Let me think about it. I’ll take you back to the dorm now.”

If you push forward too fast, you’re bound to mess up. It’s better to take a breather first.

Jiang Nian was thrilled.

“All right, give me your answer before the tournament ends. Don’t just disappear on me. Also, from now on, I’m going to call you Brother Jing. It’s a privilege reserved for your potential boyfriend—only I get to use it.”

Cheng Jing turned around, smiling.

“You block me every day. How could I possibly run?”

Jiang Nian leaned against him and grinned.

“It makes sense. There is no one I can’t block at Affiliated No. 1 Middle School.”

Cheng Jing carried him out of the alley on his back.

“Do you often block other people?”

Jiang Nian brought his face close to Cheng Jing’s ear.

“Don’t get the wrong idea, Brother Jing. I block others to settle scores, but I’m blocking you out of love. You have no idea how much I like you. Just chatting with you makes me giddy all night. Let’s chat on the phone after we get back to the dorm.”

Even though most of the conversation was him talking nonsense, he was still ecstatic. From his looks to his cold and aloof attitude, Brother Jing had already taken root in his heart.

Cheng Jing tilted his head.

“I’m not misunderstanding. I was just asking… Be careful when you fight, and try not to if you can help it.”

Jiang Nian smiled.

“I only fight when people pick on me. Brother Jing, if I get bullied, will you help me?”

Cheng Jing nodded.

“Sure, if you want me to.”

There was no doubt about it, but he was willing to bet that this guy would never actually ask for help.

Once he got that affirmative answer, Jiang Nian wasted no time buttering him up.

“Brother Jing, you’re so good to me. I finally have a boyfriend who will protect me. No one’s going to mess with me now. I’m happy. I’ll behave and try not to get into fights. I won’t make you worry.”

With his boyfriend backing him up, he felt more confident going into fights. It was a great feeling.

“Hmmm.”

Cheng Jing replied vaguely, his ears burning. Even though their relationship wasn’t official, he didn’t correct him. He honestly wondered how this guy could spout so much nonsense with a straight face.

Of all the people who had pursued him, Jiang Nian was the only one shameless enough to make his heart flutter. No matter how cheesy the love talk was, it sounded classy and beautiful coming from his lips.

Even though they had only known each other for less than two days, this chatterbox acted like they had been in love for years.

…

After exchanging contact information, and after Cheng Jing agreed to consider it seriously, they entered a phase of undefined tension, led by Jiang Nian.

Since Cheng Jing hadn’t explicitly agreed, Jiang Nian kept chasing him. He acted pitifully, behaved well, and sweet-talked him endlessly.

Whether through text or in person, he said outrageous things with the most harmless expression.

When Cheng Jing told him to stop, he pouted and said,

“I can’t control these fists of mine. I get mad when I see someone causing trouble. How about you control me?”

When Cheng Jing messaged him, “What’s your plan if we start dating?” he shamelessly replied with three texts in a row:

[Then you’ll have a boyfriend who’s obedient, handsome, and considerate. You’ll be ahead at the starting line of your second life and the envy of everyone.]

]To be honest, Brother Jing, I want to sleep with you—the kind of sleep where all your clothes are off. Will you give me a chance? I might not know anything now, but I can learn.]

[I’m willing to give you everything, but you can’t tell anyone. If you do, you have to marry me. I know you’re the responsible type.]

He was willing to say and do anything, and he always found a way to take advantage of every opportunity.

Cheng Jing enjoyed it, indulging himself by rereading the chat logs over and over. Each time, Jiang Nian pushed the boundary further, becoming bolder and more direct. This tacit understanding between them developed naturally.

By the last day of the five-day tournament, Jiang Nian confronted him in the dorm.

“Brother Jing, give me a definite answer.”

Cheng Jing nodded.

“All right. I’ll wait for you.”

Jiang Nian beamed with satisfaction and said,

“Make sure you tell me which university you’re applying to. I’ll come find you. Even if we’re not at the same school, I’ll stay close.”

Cheng Jing answered right away.

“Qingyun City.”

Jiang Nian saluted.

“Got it. Wait for me. Now, come here and hug me.”

Cheng Jing tightened the straps on his backpack and stood still, politely allowing Jiang Nian to hug him.

For most of the time afterward, they were in a long-distance relationship. Occasional meetups on weekends and holidays weren’t anything special.

Cheng Jing would usually ask Jiang Nian about school, his studies, whether he was getting into fights, and if he was eating and sleeping well.

Jiang Nian answered honestly and never found it boring. This kind of caring supervision felt a bit like a “generation gap,” but it was completely different from his mother’s nagging—it felt fresh and reassuring.

They gave each other full emotional support, encouraged each other academically, shared life’s ups and downs, and got through the toughest phase of higher education together happily.

On the day Cheng Jing received his university admission letter, he reached out to Jiang Nian first. He handed Jiang Nian a stack of study materials he’d compiled and told him to work hard and stay out of fights.

Jiang Nian agreed with a smile, his eyes glued to Cheng Jing’s.

On the day he left for school, Cheng Jing hugged the person who came to see him off at the station.

“Niannian, I’ll wait for you in Qingyun City.”

“It’s so weird to hear you call me that, Brother Jing.”

Jiang Nian smiled brightly and seized the opportunity to quickly kiss his cheek.

“Just wait. I’ll study hard, get into my dream school, and then I’ll come to you.”

With that, he stepped back, flushed, waved, and vanished into the crowd.

Cheng Jing got into the car with his heart racing. During the entire ride to Qingyun City, he couldn’t stop thinking about that brief, warm kiss and the bold, brilliant, tender smile.

Not even the scenery along the famous internet route could catch his eye.

When they arrived at night, Cheng Jing took the initiative and sent a message using the nickname:

“Niannian, I’m here. You should sleep early. I’ll call you once I’m settled.”

From that moment on, the way they addressed each other never changed. Their gentle love and enduring affection were deeply rooted in their souls.