Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Jiang Cheng froze, opened his eyes, and shot him a cautious glance: “You’re not gonna hit me?”

Shang Zenian sneered: “You really think I’m that violent?”

“...” But didn’t those other guys who confessed to you end up in the hospital?

And he’d deceived feelings and body—even though they didn’t go all the way, they’d kissed and hugged—that’s pretty intimate. Wouldn’t he get it even worse?

He knew that when Shang Zenian said this, it probably meant this thing was over, and from now on, they’d go their separate ways, with no further connection.

Jiang Cheng should have been happy he got off scot-free.

But his conscience wouldn’t let him just brush it aside.

After thinking it over, he spoke: “Then… can I make it up to you? I’ll agree to whatever you want—I’ll even be your servant.”

He owed Shang Zenian that much. He’d agree to anything he asked.

If Shang still just wanted him to stay out of his sight, then from now on, he’d take a huge detour every time he saw him, making sure he never got in his way.

Shang Zenian gave him a long look. “You sure?”

Jiang Cheng nodded firmly.

“Alright then. Let me think about what I want. You can head back first.”

Jiang Cheng didn’t dare stick around to annoy him, so he got out fast.

Over the next few days, Shang Zenian didn’t come looking for him, and Jiang Cheng’s life slowly got back to normal.

He’d originally planned to rent a place near campus and move his grandma in with him, but after considering it for a while, she still didn’t want to come, saying she wouldn’t be used to the unfamiliar place, Yanjing.

Jiang Cheng couldn’t push her. After all, she’d lived there for ages, knew all the neighbors, and could go visit and chit-chat. Forcing her to move probably wasn’t a good idea.

Besides, she was only in her sixties and still healthy. Jiang Cheng had a camera installed at home so he could check on her every day. If anything came up, he could ask He Jun’s parents to help—and it’d be fast.

Jiang Cheng had over 200,000 yuan. He wanted to give her a hundred thousand, but she flat-out refused. So he had the pork seller in their neighborhood deliver meat to her every day, and occasionally asked him to buy chicken, duck, or fish for the old lady, so she wouldn’t pinch pennies.

But money was never enough. Jiang Cheng also wanted to get her a better place—one that wasn’t so damp and dark. So after he got settled, he started looking for a side job.

He Jun thought he’d drop out or take a leave of absence soon, but when Jiang Cheng told him he wasn’t dropping out, He Jun immediately started fishing for gossip, asking if the girl had forgiven him.

He Jun and the others were already at the military training base for boot camp and couldn’t come to find him, so they kept pestering him on WeChat.

Evil Big Orange: Not forgiven, but she won’t let me drop out.

After hesitating, Jiang Cheng changed “he” to “she.”

This matter with Shang Zenian was too disreputable; the fewer people who knew, the better.

He Jun: So she didn’t ask for anything in return?

Evil Big Orange: No, she’s pretty well off, not interested in my pocket change.

He Jun: ......

He Jun: So she’s a rich older woman? Dude, you really outdid yourself—quietly pulled off something huge.

He Jun: So what now? She trying to get back together?

Evil Big Orange: No way. I lied to her. She hates me now.

He Jun: What did you lie about? Pretending to be a rich kid?

Evil Big Orange: Yeah, something like that.

If he changed “rich young master” to “rich young lady,” it would be about right.

He Jun: ......

He Jun: I don’t even know what to say. I’ll just pray to Buddha, the Jade Emperor, and God that your sugar mama leaves you in one piece.

Jiang Cheng: “......”

Just as he was chatting with He Jun, his phone suddenly buzzed with a voice call. Caller: Shang Zenian.

Had he finally decided what he wanted as compensation?

Jiang Cheng hesitated and picked up, first hearing the noise on the other end. Shang Zenian sounded like he was out somewhere.

“Sister-in-law…”, the voice on the other end wasn’t Shang Zenian’s. “Uh, no, Jiang Cheng, right? I’m Lu Xiyuan, a friend of Bro Shang’s. Remember me?”

Jiang Cheng’s toes curled up a little as he quietly murmured, “Mm.”

“Uh, Bro Shang’s been drinking a lot… you know why… So, can you come to Balu Road and get him?”

Jiang Cheng checked the time: 10 PM. Dorm curfew was at 11:30. He could make it.

“Okay, send me the location.”

Lu Xiyuan quickly sent him the address. It wasn’t far, so he unlocked a shared bike outside the school gate and rode over.

They were drinking at a bar. It was Jiang Cheng’s first time in a place like that, and he felt like a little bunny who’d fallen into a wolf den. He was good-looking and innocent-looking, and since he was alone, a young lady immediately came over to hit on him.

She was heavily made up, wearing a slip dress with an impressive figure, and under the flashing bar lights, she was both stunning and alluring. Jiang Cheng didn’t dare to look at her much, simply saying, “I’m looking for someone,” before quickly running off.

He found Shang Zenian and Lu Xiyuan in a booth. There was another unfamiliar man next to Shang Zenian, dressed… uh, rather flashy, with makeup on. He was hitting on Shang Zenian.

As soon as Jiang Cheng saw him, a word popped into his mind: gay.

The man was wearing a top that left his shoulders bare, revealing a lot of skin. He was flirting with Shang Zenian, constantly winking, and trying to rub against him.

Shang Zenian was clearly drunk, leaning his head on his hand. Just as Jiang Cheng thought he was about to be taken advantage of by this man, Shang Zenian raised his dark eyes and coldly said to him, “Get lost!”

His appearance was intimidating enough, and with that fierce look, it was even more frightening. The man trembled in fear, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but after seeing the muscles on Shang Zenian’s forearm, he slunk away.

Jiang Cheng also felt like running.

But Lu Xiyuan had already spotted him, stood up, and waved: “Over here.”

Jiang Cheng had no choice but to go over.

Lu Xiyuan looked at him several times, his expression complicated and somewhat admiring. Honestly, being able to fool Shang Zenian like this and not get beaten to death—this Jiang Cheng was definitely the first person under heaven and earth.

He was about to say something when he caught sight of Shang Zenian picking up a wine bottle from the table and pouring it into his mouth. He quickly went over and snatched it away.

"Aiyo, Brother Shang, my brother, you shouldn't drink anymore. We have training tomorrow. Hey, Jiang Cheng, please take him back. If he keeps drinking, he'll get alcohol poisoning."

Jiang Cheng was at a loss: "How... how do I take him back?"

Lu Xiyuan was also taken aback, then said, "Just tell him to go back with you and see if he does."

Jiang Cheng had no choice but to steel himself and approach: "Shang Zenian, you've had too much. Let me take you home, okay?"

Shang Zenian looked up at Jiang Cheng through half-lidded eyes. Just when Jiang Cheng thought he would yell at him like he did with that guy earlier, Shang Zenian raised his hand: "I'm dizzy. Help me."

Both Jiang Cheng and Lu Xiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Cheng quickly helped him up. Shang Zenian was not light; he completely enveloped him, nearly making Jiang Cheng unable to stand up. Shang Zenian seemed to realize the difference in their body types and, once steady, only leaned on him without putting his full weight on him.

"Brother Shang drove himself here. I've called a designated driver for him. Do you know which floor his place is on?" Lu Xiyuan asked.

"Yeah, I know."

"Alright, add me on WeChat. I'll send you the license plate number. Let me know if anything comes up." Lu Xiyuan pulled out his QR code for Jiang Cheng to scan.

Jiang Cheng took out his phone to scan it. During this process, Shang Zenian grew very impatient. As soon as Jiang Cheng scanned the code, Shang Zenian grabbed him by the shoulder and forcibly turned him around, not allowing him to keep blabbering with Lu Xiyuan.

Lu Xiyuan watched them walk away and sighed.

Just moments ago, Shang Zenian had been cold-faced and unwilling to go home, insisting on drinking more. But as soon as Jiang Cheng arrived, he obediently followed him.

Such a twisted fate.

Jiang Cheng had no experience taking care of a drunken person. Fortunately, Shang Zenian wasn't the type to throw a drunken fit. He didn't cause any trouble or make a scene the whole way. When the car stopped in his underground parking lot, Jiang Cheng supported him as he staggered out and then helped him upstairs.

On the 29th floor, Jiang Cheng took his hand, intending to use his fingerprint to open the door like last time.

But Shang Zenian didn't cooperate. He pulled his hand away, with his drunken, bleary eyes, and fumbled with the electronic lock, entering the password several times before finally getting it right.

Just as Jiang Cheng thought he would use the password to open the door, the electronic lock emitted a mechanical female voice: "Please input your fingerprint."

Shang Zenian pointed at the fingerprint scanner flashing red light and said, "Place your finger here."

"... " This clearly meant he was giving Jiang Cheng permission to open the door.

But this was Shang Zenian's home. Why would he register his fingerprint?

"No need, right?" Jiang Cheng refused. "You can just open it yourself."

Shang Zenian clicked his tongue in irritation, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Put your finger on it."

Jiang Cheng had no choice but to place his finger on the scanner.

Only when the mechanical female voice said "Fingerprint registration successful" did Shang Zenian seem satisfied. Then he used his own fingerprint to open the door.

The living room had automatic sensors. As soon as the door opened, the lights turned on, the air conditioner started, and the open windows slowly closed by themselves—no manual effort needed.

Used to it, Jiang Cheng asked, "Which one is your bedroom?"

Shang Zenian pointed to the door beside the room that had been prepared for Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng helped him walk over, opened the bedroom door, and helped him to the bed.

Shang Zenian obediently lay down on the bed. Just as Jiang Cheng was about to straighten up, Shang Zenian gave a tight squeeze around his waist and yanked him. Caught off guard, Jiang Cheng was pulled off balance and fell onto the bed, sitting, his upper body forced to lie on top of Shang Zenian.

Their eyes met, both of them slightly stunned.

As Jiang Cheng tried to get up again, Shang Zenian raised his hand and rubbed his thumb over Jiang Cheng's lips.

Then, before Jiang Cheng could react, Shang Zenian pressed his head down and kissed him forcefully.

His hot breath reeking of alcohol enveloped him. Jiang Cheng's eyes flew wide open. After a moment, he struggled with his arms and legs, but he was no match for Shang Zenian, who held his neck firmly and used his tongue to pry open his mouth, pushing inside.

The familiar person, the familiar kiss. Jiang Cheng's struggles gradually weakened.

After all, it wasn't like they hadn't kissed before. If Shang Zenian wasn't bothered by it, then he wouldn't be either.

Once he'd had enough kissing, he'd naturally let him go.

But Shang Zenian kissed more fiercely than ever before. His tongue kept stirring in Jiang Cheng's mouth, licking his gums, cutting off his breath. One hand firmly gripped Jiang Cheng's neck, while the other slid down his back, lifted his shirt, and reached inside.

Jiang Cheng, dazed from the kiss, stiffened and struggled again.

Shang Zenian didn't give him a chance to escape. He held him, pressing Jiang Cheng's body even closer. Jiang Cheng went from sitting on the bed to being held in his arms. He felt something pressing against his waist and suddenly froze entirely.

He wasn't even dressed as a woman this time, so why would Shang Zenian...

He must be really drunk, mistaking him for Chen Yin. Seeing Shang Zenian's hand growing more audacious, moving from his back to his front, Jiang Cheng feared that if he didn't find the softness he was expecting, the drunk might get mad. He struggled harder but to no avail. Left with no choice, he bit down on Shang Zenian's tongue as he kissed passionately.

Shang Zenian winced in pain and pulled his tongue back. Jiang Cheng seized the opportunity to break free from his grip and bolted.

Shang Zenian tried to get up and grab him, but he had drunk too much. As soon as he stood up, he felt dizzy and slumped back onto the bed, watching helplessly as Jiang Cheng escaped from under his nose.

Dazed for a moment, Shang Zenian collapsed onto the bed and licked his bitten tongue.

What a cold-hearted little bastard.

Shang Zenian was indeed very drunk. After Jiang Cheng ran off, the alcohol hit him hard, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.

But what he didn't know was that fifteen minutes later, the electronic lock on his door clicked as it unlocked. Then the door opened a crack, and Jiang Cheng cautiously poked his head in. Seeing no one in the living room, he tiptoed inside.

The door to Shang Zenian's bedroom was open. He was already asleep on the bed, still wearing his shoes. Jiang Cheng first helped him take off his shoes, lifted his legs onto the bed, and covered him with the thin blanket. Then he tiptoed out, opened the fridge, found some honey, made a cup of honey water, added two slices of lemon, and placed it by the bedside.

After doing all this, he turned off the light and quietly left.

The next morning, as soon as Jiang Cheng finished his first class, he received a WeChat message from Shang Zenian.

Shang Zenian: Sorry about last night. I drank too much. Did I scare you?

Seems he hadn't blacked out.

Jiang Cheng pressed his lips together and replied.

Evil Big Orange: It's fine. I know you mistook me for Chen Yin.

Shang Zenian: So because I mistook you for Chen Yin, it's okay to kiss you? Is that it?

Shang Zenian: Then what if I said I can't forget her? What do you think I should do about it?

Jiang Cheng was at a loss for words.

Just as he was struggling with how to respond, his phone vibrated again, and another message appeared in the chat.

Shang Zenian: Come over to my place after class this evening.