Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Jiang Nian didn’t say anything, just listened quietly as Cheng Jing spoke. His heart pounded wildly, overwhelmed with indescribable joy. His throat tightened with emotion, and the warmth rising in his chest made his eyes burn.

“There’s no one else between us. So, I still don’t agree to breaking up.”

Cheng Jing said again, pulling Jiang Nian tightly into his arms.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me most.”

It wasn’t some serious misunderstanding, and they still had feelings for each other. Now that he’d come back to Jiang Nian, there was no point in playing games or humiliating someone already at their lowest.

That whole “love-hate” dynamic doesn’t work—how could you truly cherish someone if you were willing to hurt them?

“…”

Jiang Nian finally gave in, hugging him back.

“Brother Jing… I was wrong… Sniff…”

Maybe it was because he had died full of regret in his past life that the universe gave him a do-over.

Cheng Jing gently patted his back.

“You didn’t do anything wrong either, Jiang Nian. Let’s start over.”

No room for argument in those words. Jiang Nian nuzzled against his shoulder and nodded.

“Yeah, thank you, Brother Jing.”

The phone chose the worst moment to ring. Cheng Jing let go and stepped out to answer it.

Jiang Nian took a deep breath, pulling himself together as sadness gave way to happiness. He turned on the light, washed his face, and was smiling through his tears—like a wild emotional ride finally ending.

A short while later, having pulled himself together, Jiang Nian walked out of the bathroom just as Cheng Jing hung up the phone. He got right to the point.

“So, Brother Jing… can I borrow some money?”

Since they were back together, maybe he could get a bit more this time.

Cheng Jing looked at him with a knowing smirk.

“Nope. My money is for taking care of my significant other.”

He’d held onto that belief ever since they got together—he couldn’t let down someone who had chased him so hard.

“Huh?”

Jiang Nian blinked in surprise, then shamelessly leaned closer.

“Well, isn’t that a coincidence? Your significant other is seriously broke right now.”

Who needed pride anyway? It was easier to lose it than to hold on. Nothing beat having this man close. After two years apart, his “ex” had only gotten more charming.

Cheng Jing had the urge to push him down and kiss him breathless, but he held back. He couldn’t stay tonight, and moving too fast so soon after reconciling would be inappropriate.

Instead, he pulled a bank card from his wallet and teasingly handed it over.

"This is my personal card. Sometimes missions require advance funding, and the special allocation from headquarters hasn't come through yet, so there's just over 900,000 in it. This should cover you for now. The password is still the same as before—our birthdays, yours first, then mine."

Back when they were together, their bank card passwords were set up this way, and he never changed it.

"Thanks, Jing. I haven’t changed my bank card password either."

Jiang Nian looked like a kid in a candy store as he took the card and planted a kiss on it.

Cheng Jing thought for a moment and added,

"Actually, I think there’s no need to rent a new place since school starts in half a month. After that, my apartment won’t be within the safehouse coverage area anymore, so you can move in then. Until then, just stay here."

Jiang Nian pressed the card against his chin.

"But I’ve already paid the rent. I’ll just rent it for a month—if I don’t renew, I can get a refund. But yeah, I’ll definitely stay here these next few days."

Originally, he had planned to crash in a cheap motel for a while. After all, it felt wrong to let an ex-boyfriend pay for a five-star hotel after they broke up.

But now things were different. Since they were still together, he had no qualms about letting his boyfriend take care of him. Mostly because he was too broke to afford pride—just right for being kept.

Cheng Jing nodded.

"Fine. I’m going on a work trip tomorrow, so you're on your own."

Jiang Nian held the card carefully.

"Um… Jing… I might go through a lot of this money…"

"..."

Cheng Jing gave him a long, searching look before asking,

"Nothing shady, right?"

As long as it wasn’t illegal, spending money on things was normal.

Jiang Nian frantically waved his hands.

"No, no, nothing shady! Trust me, babe! And you'll get your money's worth. I’ll explain when you get back."

Tomorrow was the 16th. A week later would be the 23rd or 24th. By then, he should have most things ready—enough to explain at least a little.

According to post-collapse stats from his previous timeline, the first batch of people who awakened their abilities did so before the toxic rain. But back then, mainstream media didn’t report it, treating it as clickbait weird news.

Once Cheng Jing returned from his trip, he could use dreams and those old news reports as a way to warn him.

Cheng Jing gave him a long, searching look. He knew Jiang Nian’s behavior was a bit odd, but he didn’t push it, choosing to trust instead.

"Alright. If you need more money, just tell me."

For regular expenses, 900,000 was more than enough. But if he was buying something expensive—like luxury goods—then it might not stretch far.

Some people spent hundreds of thousands or even millions on mistresses. He was just providing for his man—no big deal. After two years apart, Jiang Nian had suffered enough. Consider this Cheng was making it up to him.

Jiang Nian bobbed his head excitedly.

"It should be enough… should be enough… Thanks, honey!"

900,000 worth of gear was plenty for personal prepping. After all, anything more might be more than they could haul when the time came.

Unless we can find a way to convince Cheng Jing when the time comes, and team up for something bigger!

After chatting a bit more, Jiang Nian took the chance to ask:

"Brother Jing, is the place you're living in now that same place we used to rent?"

Cheng Jing grasped his hand and admitted frankly:

"Yeah. I originally wanted to buy it, but the landlord wouldn't sell."

"Oh~"

Jiang Nian was feeling great, so he volunteered:

"I went there looking for a place too, and asked the property management about renting that apartment, but they said it was already taken."

They shared a knowing smile after speaking, both understanding what the other meant without needing to say it aloud.

Ah, the feeling of being in love was back. It had to be said—those love chemicals were one of the most healing things around.

They sat quietly for a moment before Cheng Jing drew him into his arms as they watched TV together, occasionally discussing some news topics, just like when they were together before.

But Jiang Nian was getting antsy. He glanced at the clock—it was almost eleven—and bit his thumb, trying to sound casual as he asked:

"Brother Jing, are you staying tonight? I’ve been having nightmares lately and want you to stay with me."

Was this how rekindled romance was supposed to feel? So... calm?

He'd always been quiet and reserved to begin with, but after the military he’d gotten even more composed, making Jiang Nian feel like they were from different generations.

The earlier rule about not sleeping together was out the window. No need for subtlety—he wanted to sleep with Cheng Jing, right now.

"..."

After hesitating for a while, Cheng Jing still shook his head:

"No. The mission’s pretty much done, but I can’t really relax until Yang Kai is gone. Don’t overthink it. If it gets really bad, we could take something..."

Poor sleep really wears you out mentally, and once you’re drained like that, it’s hard to recover.

"Alright then, forget the meds..."

Jiang Nian let out a small sigh, then suddenly turned and sat on Cheng Jing's lap, placing his hands on his shoulders and leaning their foreheads together again as he asked:

"So when are you leaving? If you're not in a rush, how about calming down your restless boyfriend? Maybe I won’t have nightmares tonight."

Back when they were together, he’d always been the shameless one anyway, so he didn’t feel embarrassed now. With a boyfriend this handsome, only an idiot wouldn’t go for it.