Chapter 32

Chapter 32

"..."

Jiang Nian gave it some serious thought before replying:

"After today's major incident, the killer will probably lie low temporarily. Tomorrow, we should mobilize all available personnel to conduct house-to-house inquiries among residents and see if we can spot anything unusual..."

Cheng Jing nodded:

"That’s exactly what I was thinking. I’ll head to the command post later. For the next few days, you should stay indoors."

Jiang Nian pouted in frustration:

"Brother Jing, bringing me along would improve efficiency. What if the suspect is a mental-type superpower wielder? My cleansing power adds an extra layer of protection."

He wasn’t just being paranoid—those caught completely off guard and unable to fight back were often victims of psychic attacks. Under mind control, they wouldn't even know how they died.

Cheng Jing shook his head:

"Listen to me! Zhou Rongbin is a mental-type superpower user. I’ll bring him instead."

Too dangerous. He couldn’t let this guy take unnecessary risks.

"We'll see if I listen or not!"

Jiang Nian's contrarian nature kicked in immediately. Annoyed, he stood up and stormed back to his room, throwing open drawers and rummaging through his things for new outdoor gear.

"Nian Nian..."

Cheng Jing followed close behind and grabbed his arm.

"..."

Jiang Nian ran his tongue over a fang, his expression calm as he stared back at Cheng Jing:

"Cheng Jing, I’m not a minor, not a woman, not an elderly person—I’m a strapping 21-year-old, tall, with long legs, abs, and superpowers. I’m a beast in combat! Physically, I’m far stronger than most people my age. I really don’t need your coddling."

he added pointedly.

"I just don’t want you putting yourself in harm’s way. I can handle these things. There’s no such thing as being too protective."

Cheng Jing’s expression turned pleading. He really didn’t want to argue about this.

Jiang Nian shook his head:

"Let me put it this way—this is only the beginning of the end times. As time goes on, incidents like this will become the norm, and way worse shit’s coming down the pipeline. What then? Are you going to bubble-wrap me at home forever?"

Cheng Jing’s eyes lit up:

"Yeah, what’s wrong with that? If you’re safe, I can do my job properly out there."

That was exactly the future he was striving for.

"You—"

Jiang Nian was so pissed at his logic he barked a laugh:

"Right now, the situation’s special, and we’re joined at the hip 24/7. You think it’s fine because you can keep tabs on me anytime. But after the extreme cold passes, that’s when the main event starts—hordes of undead, all kinds of disasters, and man-made horrors. If I can’t keep up with you all, I’ll be nothing but an anchor around your neck! Dead weight holding you back!"

"I've got this!"

Cheng Jing cut him off.

Jiang Nian, however, snapped back furiously:

"Well I fucking do!"

Then he stormed around the room, muttering to himself as a reminder:

No fighting! Domestic violence is unacceptable! His damn face’s too good-looking to ruin! Still wanna cuddle later... No fighting!

"…"

Cheng Jing was taken aback by his sudden outburst. He could tell Jiang Nian was genuinely angry and stayed quiet for a moment.

After some time, Jiang Nian finally regained enough composure to speak in a calmer, more patient but firm tone:

"Brother Jing, I already died once—I know weak people in the apocalypse don’t even have the right to choose death! It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just want to make the most of this second chance. If you really want to protect me, then we’re on the same page."

Sometimes Cheng Jing’s stubbornness annoyed him. They were so compatible in every way—why can't we fight together?

"Nian Nian..."

Cheng Jing tried to soothe him, but Jiang Nian waved him off with a childish, "La-la-la not listening! La-la-la not listening! La-la-la not listening! If you keep insisting on treating me like a helpless baby, we… will break up."

He'd be damned before being useless again! He’d rather die!

"Jiang Nian!"

Cheng Jing suddenly dug his fingers into his shoulders and yanked him close:

"Don’t start that shit again! We can argue all you want, but don’t you dare say ‘break up’!"

That word was his trigger. Just like last time when Jiang Nian dumped him out of nowhere!

"Fuck—"

Jiang Nian winced in pain, lifting his gaze with red-rimmed eyes:

"Are you kidding me? Don’t you realize how strong your powers came in? Break my arm and you won’t need to bring me out anymore?"

Top-tier damage dealer here—miles ahead of other Supers and regular folks across the board—and no fucking clue how hard he’s squeezing!

Any harder and that shoulder’s gonna pop out!

If it were anyone else, they’d have thrown hands already. Goddamn that hurts!

"I… sorry… I didn’t mean to…"

Cheng Jing immediately loosened his grip, rubbing at the spot apologetically.

Concern made him lose control. Logically, he knew Jiang Nian had powers and experience from his past life—even if he lacked training, there was no need for constant babying. But whenever something happened, his first instinct was always to tuck him away somewhere safe.

It had become a knee-jerk reaction.

And “break up” was the biggest trigger in his mind.

"God, this is so frustrating..."

Jiang Nian angrily pinched him, then dropped his head against Cheng Jing’s chest, his voice softening.

"I don’t want an apology. You’re not wrong, and neither am I. But if we keep doing things just your way, it’ll blow up in our faces... I couldn’t live without you."

This is ridiculous—why are we even fighting over nothing?

"It won’t. Quit saying stuff like that."

Cheng Jing had cooled off too, but his chest stayed tight.

Jiang Nian continued,

"Forget the whole 'live and die together' melodrama—I just want us to face whatever comes together. I’ve got experience from my past life, and we work well as a team... But how you handle things makes me feel worthless."

I can handle being a freeloader long-term, but not a deadweight—no way.

Any relationship where one person’s way stronger than the other’ll crash and burn from the strain.

Cheng Jing gave his back a pat and nodded.

"...Yeah, I get it."

"Three strikes and you’re out—you gotta promise me you won’t sulk over this kind of thing again... We’re being total morons—even kids don’t bicker this badly!"

Jiang Nian released him and went back to rummaging through their stuff. Seriously, two grown-ass men shouldn’t be this extra.

"Fine, but you have to promise me something too—no matter how much we argue, you’re never allowed to say ‘break up.’"

Cheng Jing stood nearby, no longer stopping him, and sincerely admitted his mistake.

Jiang Nian looked up.

"I didn’t mean break up—I was just making a point."

His shoulder still ached—was what he said really that bad?

"Not even as a point—no! I’ll cave on anything else, but this? You’re doing it my way."

Cheng Jing wouldn’t budge on this.

"Alright, alright..."

Jiang Nian raised his hands in surrender.

"My bad, *hubby~*"

Butter him up—go all in!

"Mm."

Cheng Jing’s lip quirked just a little as he stepped forward to help him search.