Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"......"

Cheng Jing’s expression turned cold again. Did this guy come here not to sleep with him or reconcile, but just to use him as a tool?

Did he think he could get away with acting so recklessly just because Cheng Jing would indulge him?

"You're just too upset about your mother's passing. A change of scenery might help. Take some time to unwind and adjust. Don’t worry about the money—just stay here comfortably."

Taking a few deep breaths to suppress his wandering thoughts, Cheng Jing spoke stiffly, trying to comfort him before adding,

"My place isn’t available for you right now."

"......"

Jiang Nian stiffened, his expression freezing. Just as he was about to ask something, his phone buzzed abruptly.

Cheng Jing pulled out his phone, glanced at it, and couldn’t help but frown. Turning to the downcast man, he said,

"I have something urgent to handle. You should rest first."

With that, he answered the call and left.

"Ugh..."

Jiang Nian slumped onto the sofa in frustration. With less than two weeks until the apocalypse, his plan had failed—he could only latch onto this lifeline halfway.

Cheng Jing said his place wasn’t suitable, and judging by his expression, there was probably someone else there.

But as far as he knew, Cheng Jing’s family lived in a city up north because his younger brother was attending a military academy there. His parents had moved to be with his brother, so it couldn’t be family.

The likelihood of friends or subordinates was also low. The most likely explanation was a lover.

Shaped by his dying memories from his past life and his own assumptions, he’d assumed Cheng Jing, having just left the military while juggling studies and business, was single...

But what if he wasn’t?

He’d shown up here shamelessly, relying on their past relationship to cling to Cheng Jing, but why should Cheng Jing accept him?

How could he still think he deserved someone so good?

As expected, even after rebirth, his brain was completely useless—utterly stupid!

A sour ache spread through his chest, but Jiang Nian didn’t feel resentful. He calmly accepted the reality of being unwanted. After lying on the sofa and thinking for a long time, he texted Cheng Jing:

"Sorry, Brother Jing, I was too abrupt earlier. Here’s an idea—I won’t bother you, but could you help me find an apartment near where you live? A two- or three-bedroom on a mid-to-high floor would be fine. If anything comes up, just watch my back a little. I don’t mind higher rent."

If he couldn’t move in and cling to him directly, then being neighbors was the next best thing. Cheng Jing wouldn’t just leave him to die, right?

Probably busy, Cheng Jing didn’t reply even after Jiang Nian woke up from a nap.

It was already evening. Staring at the chat page, pushed by his desperation to secure this lifeline, Jiang Nian sent two more messages:

"Brother Jing, what neighborhood do you live in? If you’re swamped, I can hunt for a place myself."

"Brother Jing, hey, are you done with work yet? My treat for dinner~"

But whether he played it straight or laid on the charm, Cheng Jing left him on read.

Jiang Nian felt a pang of sadness when he picked up the service QR code in the guest room to order food, so he added a portion of pickled fish for himself.

Right now, he felt bitter, worthless, and completely out of place.

The pickled fish tasted great, but the more he ate, the more his heart ached. Tears welled up in his eyes, and to avoid wasting it, he ate two bowls of rice through his tears, finishing the fish.

It wasn’t until the room service staff cleared away the dishes that Cheng Jing finally replied with a message:

*"No need. Eat by yourself."*

Jiang Nian read it several times, typing and deleting multiple responses before giving up. Clearly, Cheng Jing had deliberately ignored his earlier messages. As an adult, pressing for answers would be rude.

Fine, he’d just find an apartment himself—somewhere in the same city would do. As he thought it over, he already had a place in mind.

His eyes suddenly blurred with tears. Jiang Nian didn’t know why his tears were so uncontrollable, coming and going without warning. But remembering how Cheng Jing had held his broken body in his last life, screaming in despair, made his heart ache unbearably.

If only he’d been reborn sooner…

Meanwhile, in an office of a commercial high-rise, Cheng Jing leaned back in his chair, reviewing a document with a stern expression.

His assistant, Huang Qian, sat patiently in front of his desk, dressed in a sleek black professional suit, her hair neatly pinned up, her bright eyes and delicate makeup making her the quintessential urban professional.

After about ten minutes, Cheng Jing closed the file and looked up.

*"All the criminals involved in smuggling and fencing stolen goods have been arrested. The authorities have closed the case, so our security assignment is over. When is Yang Kai returning?"*

Huang Qian shot him a strange glance before answering,

*"I gave him two choices—the day after tomorrow or five days later. He picked the latter, but it’s up to you. After all, you’ll need to accompany him back to North City to report this mission to the boss at headquarters."*

Cheng Jing glanced at his phone and decided,

*"Let’s get it over with."*

If it weren’t necessary, he wouldn’t even go. Jiang Nian’s sudden visit left him uneasy—something wasn’t right, a gut feeling he couldn’t shake.

Working with the authorities was always a hassle. Even though they were the ones who had sought his team’s help, the red tape was exhausting—yet impossible to refuse.

Huang Qian shrugged.

*"You’ll have to tell Yang Kai yourself. The guy wants extra time with you..."*

Yang Kai wasn’t just an undercover agent—rumor had it he was also a rich kid with connections.

Cheng Jing narrowed his eyes at her.

*"Assistant Huang, I’ve noticed you’ve been speaking rather sarcastically lately."*

Huang Qian had been his college classmate—tougher than most guys back then. After passing the headquarters’ assessment in North City, she became his assistant. Though she looked fragile, she was as sharp as she looked—her competence matched her appearance, surpassing most men.

This time, he had personally collaborated with the authorities. Yang Kai, as their undercover agent, had infiltrated an overseas smuggling ring under the guise of their security operations—pretending to be Cheng Jing’s lover in the process.

It hadn’t been a big deal, but recently, Huang Qian had been talking nonsense out of nowhere.

She shrugged innocently.

*"Sarcastic? I’m just concerned—it’s been two years since your partner died. Thinking of moving on?"*

Cheng Jing gritted his teeth. *"Get lost!"*

Back when Jiang Nian dumped him, he changed his social media status to "widower," making himself the butt of jokes in his close friend group—especially this bitch, who laughed the loudest.

"Don’t be so harsh..."

The woman said, leaning in with a gossipy grin:

"Mainly because Yang Kai won’t stop asking about you lately. So I was wondering… after months of living in each other’s pockets, did you two actually develop real feelings?"

Cheng Jing glared at her:

"Spreading rumors is that easy, huh? You know made-up crap about official personnel could get you a one-way ticket to unemployment, right?"

What absolute nonsense! Veterans are the worst offenders when it comes to unprofessional behavior!

"But I can tell Yang Kai’s really into you—no way that's an act. A woman’s intuition is never wrong."

Huang Qian straightened up, her tone dead serious, just like those cult leaders brainwashing their followers.

Cheng Jing waved her off dismissively:

"Get out of here. After this mission wraps up, there’s a month of paid leave. Go find someone to date—your hormones are going haywire."

Huang Qian didn’t move, staring at him intently before switching to a serious expression:

"If Yang Kai really does like you, how do you plan to handle it? Mess it up and it could affect our future collaborations with the authorities."

Cheng Jing shot back without missing a beat:

"Kill him."

"…"

The quick-thinking assistant wisely stood up:

"My bad. All hail true love."

With that, she swayed out with exaggerated flair.