Chapter 181

Chapter 181

Originally, Cheng Jing didn’t want to get his hands dirty dealing with Chen Yue’s family. He had planned to let Yang Kai, who was scouting for info, handle it as part of his entry assessment. But it didn’t go as planned.

“Mmm…”

A drowsy murmur escaped Jiang Nian in his sleep.

Just as Cheng Jing leaned closer, he noticed the superpower aura around him gradually fading until it disappeared moments later.

Jiang Nian opened his eyes, but his gaze was glazed and spacey, almost like someone sleepwalking.

“Nian Nian…”

Cheng Jing leaned in and murmured softly. Seeing that he seemed to be waking up, he kissed his cheek and lips.

“That’s my—”

*Slap!*

The word was cut off by the sound of a slap. Jiang Nian had instinctively raised his hand, smacking him square on his boyfriend’s handsome face before closing his eyes again.

“……”

Cheng Jing froze for a moment, figuring he was still out of it, and decided not to press further.

Still, the unconscious strength of an adult was nothing to scoff at—his face stung with a burning pain.

With no one else around, Cheng Jing pulled out a mirror and checked. *Shit, there’s already a red mark.*

If Nian Nian found out, he’d freak.

“……”

Cheng Jing carried Jiang Nian back to the ground and headed straight for the plane. His eagle-eyed teammates quickly noticed the red mark on his right cheek—clearly a handprint—and traded shit-eating grins.

Their usually unshakable leader had all sorts of wild shit when it came to Jiang Nian.

No one dared to ask, but the nosy rich kid couldn’t resist seeking out Huang Qian. After all, everyone had been tense all night—some juicy drama would lighten the mood.

No matter what, Cheng wouldn’t lay a hand on the big sister.

Eager for the scoop, Huang Qian immediately boarded the plane, eyeing Cheng Jing like a hawk.

“So, big bro, did you pull some shady shit and catch a slap?”

She glanced at the still-unconscious Jiang Nian. *Damn, he packs a punch. Did he wake up only to get kissed unconscious again by this creep?*

“……”

Cheng Jing settled Jiang Nian into a seat, adjusting him into a half-reclined position before glaring at the woman who had exposed his embarrassment.

“Zip it and no one’ll think you’re mute.”

Huang Qian continued teasing him with a shit-eating grin.

“You were apart for under a day. Were you really that hard up? My poor Nian Nian…”

Cheng Jing turned red with rage—

"Back off! What if I just accidentally smacked into his hand?"

Nian Nian was just half-asleep and wanted to touch him but couldn't control his strength. If he were awake, Nian Nian would never dream of hitting his face.

Huang Qian snorted, "Pfft—"

"HAHAHAHA..."

Huang Qian let out an unrestrained laugh:

"Dude, you're unbelievable, hahaha... Just say it outright if you want to laugh me to death and inherit my credits..."

To describe getting slapped by his wife so elegantly—we're all faking it, but he's the champion faker!

"Huang Qian!"

Cheng Jing's expression nearly lost his composure from her laughter. He was truly amused yet annoyed by this woman.

"OK, OK! Bro, you win! I always say, romance is best left to hopeless romantics like you!"

Huang Qian threw in the towel and slipped off the plane before the boss could explode, returning to Lu Ningzhou's side.

Lu Ningzhou whispered:

"Wife, did our boss get slapped by Brother Nian?"

The teammates all strained to listen in unison.

Huang Qian nodded:

"Yep. Tried to take advantage and it served him right."

Including Uncle Li, everyone shared a knowing look.

After the crowd dispersed, Lu Ningzhou rubbed his nose bridge and whispered to his girl:

"But... sometimes when you're asleep, I also want to steal a kiss..."

That's how it goes when you truly like someone—you can't help but find ways to get closer.

"..."

Huang Qian glared at him, pressing a hand to her lips to suppress her rising smile. After a moment, she muttered under her breath:

"Whatever, kiss me or don't."

Lu Ningzhou grinned like an idiot:

"Kiss."

"..."

When Jiang Nian woke up, it was already the next day. Opening his eyes to the familiar ceiling and the chill of the AC, he zoned out for a long while before snapping out of it.

Then, his mind automatically replayed the events before his superpower breakthrough and fainting:

He felt his core shatter and reform, knew his superpower was leaking uncontrollably, and before passing out, he saw Liao Yu and Li Liang push open the door and rush in...

Leaving aside everything else, his conspicuous power surge alone was a major headache.

Brother Jing and his teammates had already gone through enough trouble for him. They thought handling Chen Yue's family this time went smoothly and everything was fine, but who’d have guessed things would take such a turn in the end...

Ah well, what’s done is done. No point making Brother Jing’s life harder.

Stretching lazily, he grabbed his phone from the bedside—damn, a full day and night had flown by, and it was already nearing noon the next day.

He’d really crashed for that long?!

His body felt clean and comfortable, and both his inner and outer clothes had been changed. No prizes for guessing—Brother Jing had been back. Otherwise, who else would’ve changed him?

"Brother Jing!"

Jiang Nian called out while already jumping barefoot off the bed, yanking the door open in two strides.

Cheng Jing was sitting on the sofa making a call. His originally stern expression immediately softened when he saw him, waving him over and patting the spot beside him in invitation.

Without hesitation, Jiang Nian walked straight over and planted himself in his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around his neck. After going through such a big ordeal, his frayed nerves finally settled—he felt grounded now.

Cheng Jing’s expression shifted slightly. Ending the call, he lightly patted Jiang Nian’s waist and whispered,

"At least sit like a normal person first..."

Jiang Nian shook his head, digging in like a limpet.

"No, I want a hug! Two whole days without you—I missed you so much."

Then he added playfully,

"Since when are you like this? You’ve only been gone a day, and now you’re neglecting me."

Even though it wasn’t even a real separation, it might as well have been years. He just wanted to stay like this, cuddled up, maybe even close his eyes and sleep a little longer.

Or… get up to something!

But Brother Jing’s reaction today was way too damn chill...

"I’m not neglecting you."

Cheng Jing chuckled, aborting his half-hearted attempt to dislodge him from his lap. Suppressing a laugh, he glanced behind Jiang Nian and said,

"Nian Nian, Mom’s here."

With Mom playing chaperone, he wasn’t about to push his luck. Otherwise… *cough*.

"Oh, big deal, she’s here..."

Jiang Nian nodded instinctively, then froze mid-motion.

"Wait… what?"

Cheng Jing held back his laughter, enunciating each word clearly:

"Mom. She made dumplings. Brought them over for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Nian heard footsteps approaching from the kitchen. His face instantly burned red, his whole body locking up like a statue. He didn’t dare turn around, let alone muster the will to detach himself from Cheng Jing’s lap.

Just as he wished he could sink through the floorboards, a gentle, kindly middle-aged voice came from behind him:

"Nian Nian, you’re awake? Dumplings just came off the steamer. I’ll mix the dipping sauce—go wash your face and come eat."

Then, with a meaningful glance at her son, grinning like the cat that got the cream, she set the dumplings on the table and turned back to the kitchen.

Ah, young love—no shame, no filter. Her precious son had grown so gloomy after that messy military breakup, but now, with someone to keep him in check, this mama didn’t have to fret as much.

The kitchen door closed again. Following instructions, Cheng Jing hoisted the shoeless menace and hauled him off to their room.