RIACMET chapter 33

 

“…”

Jiang Nian rubbed his left shoulder, which was still sore from being yanked earlier. He sat down by the bed and started giving orders. He pulled open his collar and checked himself over. Tsk—even through his thick clothes, the purple marks from those fingers were visible. If his clothes had been any thinner, he definitely would have been hurt.

If Cheng Jing had really wanted to break up, wouldn’t he have gone full widower mode right then and there?

Cheng Jing noticed what he’d done and apologized again, guilt written all over his face.

“I’ll rub some medicated wine on it for you later. I’m sorry. I didn’t control my emotions well. I won’t do it again.”

His temper had flared, and he’d definitely left a mark on Jiang Nian’s shoulder with that subconscious strength.

Was this…considered domestic violence?

No — that wasn’t what he’d meant at all.

“Tsk…”

Jiang Nian always felt that having a better-looking boyfriend meant more than just better food. Just looking at his face could calm him down, even when he was angry or arguing.

If the other person showed that guilty look again, he’d feel like there was no point in being mad anymore.

Why stay mad? Brother Jing didn’t do it on purpose. He was just scared of being dumped again. Let it go.

…

As night fell, Cheng Jing went to the command room again and shared his thoughts based on Jiang Nian’s findings.

Zhou Li agreed and worked out more deployment plans with the others. Afterward, Zhou Li invited Cheng Jing to stay for dinner.

Once two simple dishes were served, Zhou Li opened a bottle of baijiu[mfn]Baijiu (白酒), meaning “white liquor” or “clear liquor,” is a strong Chinese distilled spirit, usually 35% to 60% alcohol. Made mainly from fermented sorghum or other grains, it has a bold, often pungent flavor. Baijiu is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and is popular at celebrations and business events.[/mfn]. Despite the age difference, they both had straightforward personalities and got along easily.

After a few drinks, conversation flowed more freely—that’s what drinking did for men.

As the night went on, Cheng Jing took out his phone and sent Jiang Nian a message telling him to eat without him.

He waited a bit—no reply. He wondered if he was busy or ignoring him on purpose.

Zhou Li glanced at the ring on Cheng Jing’s finger and took the chance to ask,

“You and Jiang Nian are a couple, huh?”

He said it like it was a given. Cheng Jing might act like a captain in front of everyone, but when he was with Jiang Nian, you could tell—whether he realized it or not—that he was holding back. Their interactions seemed ordinary on the surface, but there was an undeniable closeness between them.

“Yeah.”

Cheng Jing didn’t deny it, idly rubbing the ring on his finger with his thumb.

“Engaged.”

It was the first time anyone had stated it so bluntly since they arrived.

Zhou Li raised his eyebrows.

“He’s really protective of what’s his. Is that why you won’t let him join the rescue teams?”

A man’s instinct to guard what belongs to him is part of his nature. However, Zhou Li didn’t see Jiang Nian as a soft, delicate type. The guy seemed obedient on the surface, but he kept his claws hidden well. Zhou Li had a good eye for people.

“He’s different from us.”

Cheng Jing didn’t say much. Jiang Nian preferred to stay low-key, and deep down, he didn’t want to get involved too soon either.

Jiang Nian had suffered enough in his past life. It made sense for him to rest easy now, if he could.

Zhou Li nodded thoughtfully.

“He is different. Don’t mind me. I was just curious. Didn’t mean anything by it.”

Although Jiang Nian wasn’t part of the rescue team or a powered user, it was clear that he wasn’t an ordinary guy, especially since someone like Cheng Jing valued him so much. Zhou Li suspected that many of Cheng Jing’s ideas and suggestions had actually come from Jiang Nian.

Of course, Zhou Li wouldn’t risk offending either of them. There was no point in stirring up trouble and making Cheng Jing angry.

“Mn.”

Cheng Jing could tell that Zhou Li was thinking about something else, but he didn’t care. As long as they didn’t outright admit anything, no one’s curiosity mattered.

It wasn’t until almost eleven that Cheng Jing left. When he arrived at the tenth floor, he knocked for quite a while, but Jiang Nian didn’t come to the door as he usually did. With no other option, he used his key to let himself in.

Only the nightlight was on. The heater hummed softly, and the electric blanket on the bed, modified with extra wiring, was already in use.

Jiang Nian was curled up inside, buried under the thick covers, with only the top of his hair showing.

“Niannian?”

Cheng Jing called softly, but the bundle under the blanket didn’t move. He looked fast asleep.

After showering, brushing his teeth, and using his powers to warm up, Cheng Jing crawled into bed. It turned out, however, that the man under the covers wasn’t asleep at all, he was playing Tetris on a handheld console, the screen glowing softly. He was completely absorbed and didn’t even spare Cheng Jing a glance.

Cheng Jing knew someone was still upset about what had happened earlier, even though they said they had made up.

“Why are you ignoring me?”

Cheng Jing snatched the console and set it on the nightstand, displeased. He turned over and pinned Jiang Nian beneath him.

“I didn’t hear you.”

Jiang Nian didn’t think twice before making an excuse, but his expression clearly said: I totally did it on purpose.

“You little liar!”

Cheng Jing lowered his head and bit his neck. His big hands tugged at Jiang Nian’s clothes to check his shoulder. The medicated wine had done its job—the marks were almost gone.

“Get off! That hurts.”

Jiang Nian muttered, tugging at his pajamas.

But Cheng Jing caught his hands, leaned down, and kissed him.

“I’ll be careful not to touch your shoulder…”

“Not tonight.”

Jiang Nian turned his head away.

“But I want to.”

Now it was Cheng Jing’s turn to play tricks. The moment he spoke, the faint scent of alcohol on his breath enveloped him.

What followed was long and firm and quickly melted away the last of Jiang Nian’s irritation.

By the end, Jiang Nian had to admit that Cheng Jing had truly mastered the most effective way to communicate with and soothe a partner.

…

The next morning dawned peacefully. The command center mustered every hand they could and launched a thorough search of Jiaheyuan.

Jiaheyuan has 15 buildings, one of which is 23 stories high. Each floor has two elevators and four staircases.

The official rescue team joined with other powered users to form twenty temporary investigation teams.

Except for Cheng Jing’s team of nine, the others had ten members each.

Each team was assigned to one building, while five teams scoured the wider community for other leads.

The search began at 7:00 a.m.

Since the West District resettlement site command center was in their community, people from other areas often came here. Cheng Jing’s group was familiar with many Jiaheyuan residents.

Some stuck in his memory — like those whose loved ones had gone out and never returned.

For example, there was an elderly couple in Unit 501 of Building 13 who had aged visibly in just a few days since losing their children.

Their eyes misted over as they inquired about their son and daughter. They coughed hard and trembled despite the warm clothes they wore.

Jiang Nian doubted they would last long.

There was also the woman and her daughter from Unit 1805—the same woman who’d come to the command center days ago, begging for help in finding her husband.

There were originally three people in the family. The man who could manipulate metal left and never returned. The mother and daughter lived with the few supplies allocated to them and looked exhausted.

Though each floor had four units, most buildings avoided the number four, so what should have been 1804 was labeled 1805.

Cheng Jing’s team had just finished checking the four apartments on the 17th floor. They were about to head upstairs when they saw the woman from apartment 1805 coming down the stairs with her daughter. The little girl was bundled up, and only her eyes were showing. They seemed to be heading downstairs.