Chapter 188

Chapter 188

"..."

A whirlwind of frustration, panic, guilt, and self-blame flashed across Cheng Jing’s face. Under Jiang Nian’s faintly wounded look, he steeled himself and admitted:

"Yeah... I was faking it. I just wanted you to sweet-talk me a bit. Come on, I’m the dumped one here. A couple more calls, and I’d have caved."

That was his reasoning:

The dumpee’s gotta keep some pride. If he’d immediately caved and started comforting the other person the moment the phone rang, I’d have looked desperate.

"..."

Jiang Nian’s chest tightened. He pressed his lips together and asked,

"What if I hadn’t called back after you hung up...? What would you have done?"

If he hadn’t been reborn, he wouldn’t have had the nerve to persist like that.

"I would’ve gone to find you myself."

Cheng Jing answered without hesitation, then added with a smile,

"Push too far, and you pay for it."

He needed to see some effort first—then he’d meet him halfway. But if that hadn’t worked out, he would’ve swallowed his pride and gone after him anyway. All that counted was getting him back.

"..."

Jiang Nian imagined the scene: this man pretending to be cold and distant in their texts, refusing to even send a photo, while at the same time nervously and excitedly dressing up to see him.

Playing hard to get on the phone, but sweating bullets for his callback...

It should’ve been funny, but his laugh caught in his throat, heart squeezing. He straightened up and pulled the man in front of him into a tight hug.

"Damn, I should’ve just sprinted and tackled you at the station!"

That way, he wouldn’t have had to struggle so hard—faking smiles, cracking jokes while dying inside despite the grief of his mother’s death and his own tragic rebirth, too scared to dump his baggage on his "ex."

Cheng Jing brushed the messy hair off his forehead and said softly,

"I would’ve caught you. Even mid-act, I’d have grabbed you."

Back then, neither of them had been sure of the other’s true feelings. His cold shoulder? Pure dumped-guy pride. But if Jiang Nian had thrown himself into his arms, it would’ve been different...

Luckily, they’d straightened things out fast. He hadn’t said anything hurtful, no crazy stunts, and hadn't hesitated to spend on him.

Otherwise, looking back now, he’d be kicking himself.

"..."

One more buried hatchet. Cheng Jing had initially worried Jiang Nian might be upset. But seeing that he didn’t hold it against him at all, he finally relaxed.

Back then, they’d both been doing their best—no blame either way. He just wished he’d played it different.

After soaking up each other’s heat a little longer, they grabbed their stuff and finally got moving.

His folks and kid brother were in the next building over, same third-floor deal, just a bigger floor plan.

As they walked, they discussed some details about their families.

Jiang Nian suddenly remembered a small matter:

"Speaking of which, Xiaolei shares the same name as Bro Zhao."

Cheng Jing nodded:

"Yeah, my dad's surname is Cheng, and my mom's surname is Lei. Originally, he was named Cheng Lei, but a fortune-teller said his birth chart wasn't auspicious, so it was changed to the character 'Lei,' meaning 'pile of stones.'"

"Oh... there are such superstitions? So your name must have a story too?"

Jiang Nian was a bit surprised.

Cheng Jing shrugged:

"Sort of. My mom said that among all the homophonic characters, 'Jing' (meaning '境') was the most fitting for me. Who knows? In any case, they decided on it."

Then he casually added:

"Speaking of which, Tang Ji and Tang Yi's names are also similar, and they actually have some connection."

Jiang Nian perked up:

"That coincidental? What's the story? Their names sound like brothers, haha..."

With so many lives lost, survivors gathered from all over, so the chances of running into familiar faces were indeed much higher.

And with so many people clustered together, sharing surnames or even full names wasn’t strange at all.

Back in high school, he’d seen three students in the same grade with identical names but in different classes—even the teachers found it amusing.

"Tang Yi was an abandoned child, raised on government welfare and the kindness of strangers..."

Walking side by side down the stairs, Cheng Jing thought for a moment before answering:

"He once mentioned his original name was Tang Yao—'Yao' (meaning 'to die young'). The villagers gave him that name, and as a kid, everyone called him 'Yao'er.' It wasn’t until after elementary school that it was changed. A benefactor who paid for his schooling suggested the change in a letter and gave him the name 'Yi' (meaning 'perseverance')."

"Was the benefactor Tang Ji’s parents?"

Jiang Nian asked curiously. Though he knew most of Brother Jing’s teammates, who basically lived at the company, had unusual backgrounds, hearing about Tang Yi’s past name still tugged at his heartstrings.

A wanted child wouldn’t just be given a name like 'Yao.' To grow up with no one to rely on, called 'Yao'er'—what a cruel thing to grow up with. It’s remarkable Tang Yi still developed such a cheerful disposition.

Even after starting work, Tang Yi still made time to volunteer at children's homes and orphanages. Along with his teammates, he also sponsored kids' education in impoverished areas.

Cheng Jing replied uncertainly:

"Like how we sponsor others, Tang Yi never met his sponsors. They corresponded through a third-party platform. He only knew they shared the same surname and knew nothing else about them."

"However, when naming him, the sponsor revealed their own children’s names to encourage him—a daughter named Tang Miao and a son named Tang Ji. It stuck with him."

"Oh..."

Jiang Nian nodded in understanding:

"Then it's probably them. Tang Ji’s parents are business owners—philanthropy comes with wealth. Plus, too many names line up. The odds are against it being a coincidence."

Cheng Jing smiled:

"Yeah, so after Tang Yi learned Tang Ji's name and a bit about him, he was pretty sure it was them."

"..."

While chatting, they soon reached the dormitory building where their parents lived. Climbing the stairs, Jiang Nian’s nerves returned.

Outside the door, Cheng Jing stood in front while Jiang Nian, holding some items, waited behind. After steeling himself for a while, Jiang Nian poked Cheng Jing’s back with his finger:

"Okay, Brother Jing, go ahead and knock."

Cheng Jing smiled silently and had just raised his hand when the door swung open.

A guy who looked and carried himself just like Cheng Jing appeared, grinning widely as he greeted them like old friends:

"Brother, Brother Nian, I heard some noise at the door and guessed it was you. Come on in..."

Back in Qingyun City, they had greeted each other over video calls. Plus, Cheng Lei was the same age as Jiang Nian, with an outgoing and cheerful personality. His casual vibe cut through Jiang Nian’s nerves.

Inside the living room, Cheng’s parents were already waiting. Seeing them enter, they stood up to greet them.

Cheng Jing pulled Jiang Nian forward and introduced him earnestly:

"Nian Nian, meet Dad and Mom."

Then, turning to his parents with a smile, he added:

"Dad, Mom, this is Jiang Nian."

"Dad... Mom."

Jiang Nian echoed him, fumbling slightly through the greetings.

"Ah, no need to be formal among family..."

Mom Cheng beamed, taking the items from Jiang Nian’s hands and waving them to the couch. Jiang Nian simply nodded obediently in thanks, copying Cheng Jing’s every move.

His parents were warm chatterboxes, while Cheng Lei played host, pouring tea. With Cheng Jing nudging him along, Jiang Nian’s nervousness didn’t last long.

With loving parents and a harmonious sibling dynamic, he wasn’t the type to dwell. Soon, he actively joined the conversation, easing into the family’s easy rhythm.