Xiao Cheng adjusted his jacket and gave Luo Jingshu a shove.
“If you don’t want to hide, fine, but stay away from me.”
Luo Jingshu obediently stepped back and casually picked up Xiao Cheng’s jacket from the side.
The thick-down jacket still held its owner’s warmth. Luo Jingshu’s expression was somewhat subtle but quickly masked any unnecessary emotion before Xiao Cheng looked his way.
Xiao Cheng, focused on opening the door, glanced at the jacket in Luo Jingshu’s hands without finding anything odd about it.
He seemed to forget how suggestive it was that the jacket he had been wearing was now in the hands of his ex-boyfriend, especially after the two of them had spent more than ten minutes together in the confined fitting room.
Xiao Cheng twisted the doorknob and realized Luo Jingshu hadn’t locked the door when he entered. That meant Xiao Yinan could have opened the door and walked in at any moment if he wanted to.
For some reason, Xiao Cheng felt oddly relieved.
Despite his sharp tongue and mischievous streak, Xiao Yinan was quite polite. Even though the knocking had become increasingly urgent, indicating his patience was wearing thin, he never considered barging in.
Xiao Cheng opened the door, and the moment Xiao Yinan saw him, he visibly relaxed.
“Brother Cheng.”
Xiao Cheng cleared his throat. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
He was about to explain, but Xiao Yinan’s expression suddenly turned cold and visibly unpleasant.
“Brother Cheng, who is he?” Xiao Yinan asked, staring intently at Luo Jingshu’s face.
Xiao Cheng thought he detected a faint gritting of teeth in his tone.
“Just a friend. We happened to run into each other,” Xiao Cheng replied without looking back, his tone calm.
The explanation was full of holes—what kind of “friend” was worth spending so long together in a fitting room?
Xiao Yinan scrutinized Luo Jingshu with sharp eyes, his gaze as cutting as a blade.
His eyes moved down inch by inch, landing on the jacket in Luo Jingshu’s hands. It was Xiao Cheng’s jacket, which he had been wearing that day.
Earlier, when he tried to help Xiao Cheng put it on, Xiao Cheng avoided him like he was dodging a plague.
Now, he wasn’t avoiding it?
Xiao Yinan’s face grew so stiff it could hardly display any expression.
He had clearly seen Xiao Cheng enter the fitting room earlier, alone. When had this random guy snuck in?
The unexpected situation even made the usually composed Xiao Yinan lose his cool. His words came out laced with sarcasm.
“Brother Cheng’s friend? What’s his name? Can I get introduced?” he asked, his tone light but laced with a cold sneer.
If Xiao Yinan’s reaction were placed on Xiao Yixi, it wouldn’t seem out of place at all.
Xiao Cheng suddenly thought, ‘They really are twins.’
Luo Jingshu, facing Xiao Yinan’s hostility, didn’t panic. Instead, he smiled slightly, lowering his gaze to Xiao Cheng. “Brother Cheng, do you need me to explain?”
His reddened eyes and hoarse voice, tinged with a faint nasal tone, sounded as though something had just happened.
Xiao Yinan couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander. He didn’t mean to think that way, but considering the two had been inside for over ten minutes, he couldn’t control the storm of thoughts racing through his mind.
The more he looked at Luo Jingshu, the more he thought he looked like a scheming vixen who took advantage of the situation to seduce Brother Cheng.
Xiao Cheng, already frustrated, shot Luo Jingshu an annoyed glance. “Don’t bother me.”
Luo Jingshu glanced at Xiao Yinan with an almost imperceptible smirk, his lips curving slightly. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Xiao Cheng frowned and snatched his jacket back from Luo Jingshu, his movements full of impatience. “Just leave already.”
Although Xiao Cheng’s attitude toward Luo Jingshu was cold, the familiarity and faintly ambiguous undertones in their exchange only made Xiao Yinan’s fists tighten.
He was about to speak when a voice called out from afar.
“Brother, did you find Brother Cheng? What’s taking so long?”
It was Xiao Yixi.
Xiao Cheng felt a headache coming on again. He suddenly regretted not forcing Luo Jingshu out the moment he had entered the fitting room.
He shouldn’t have wasted time asking those questions. What couldn’t have been said over the phone?
He should have known Luo Jingshu wouldn’t know much about his history as a “simp.”
If he knew, Xiao Cheng wouldn’t have flown to Rome alone five years later.
Xiao Cheng recalled the photos and plane tickets in the safe. Those items constantly reminded him that five years later, he had become a complete and utter simp—one who ended up with nothing.
Why did he have to fall for the same person in two lifetimes?
Xiao Cheng shot Luo Jingshu a glare. “Get lost!”
Luo Jingshu misunderstood his intention. “You don’t want them to see me?”
His expression grew colder as he stood firm and locked eyes with Xiao Yixi, who was walking toward them.
Xiao Yixi’s expression was first one of confusion, then cooled noticeably as he caught sight of his brother’s livid face. His gaze toward Luo Jingshu became openly hostile.
“Brother Cheng, who is this?”
Xiao Yixi still believed in what Xiao Cheng had just said.
He scrutinized Luo Jingshu’s face. While he didn’t think Brother Cheng would be interested in someone like him, he could clearly sense his brother’s dislike for this person.
This was probably the unique telepathic connection between twins.
“He’s someone I know,” Xiao Cheng replied, his face stiff.
Just moments ago, he had referred to him as a friend, but now he was calling him just someone he knew.
Luo Jingshu gently tapped his cheek with his tongue, his expression also not looking too good.
The group exchanged glances, each face showing signs of discomfort, making Xiao Ziyue, who was standing nearby, hesitate to approach.
She held Bai Ling’s hand. “Ling Ling, how about we go explore the other side for a bit?”
Is the person next to my brother Luo Jingshu?
Xiao Ziyue hadn’t seen Luo Jingshu’s face until after her brother and Luo Jingshu had broken up.
She thought to herself, since the twins were curious about who Xiao Cheng’s ex-boyfriend was, here he was.
“Uncle Bai,” Lingling called.
Xiao Ziyue turned her head and saw Bai Yiheng standing beside Bai Ling, one hand resting on Bai Ling’s small hand and the other in his coat pocket, quietly observing the scene not far away.
Xiao Ziyue found it hard to describe the expression on Bai Yiheng’s face. He was still smiling, but there was no warmth in his eyes. It seemed as though nothing concerned him, yet his gaze was fixed on the scene ahead.
Suddenly, a word appeared in Xiao Ziyue’s mind: battlefield!
She silently glanced at her brother, who was vaguely surrounded by a few people, and then added in her thoughts: the center of attention.
Her brother was right in the middle of this battlefield, adored by everyone, yet no one could have him.
Xiao Ziyue startled herself with her imagination and shivered.
“Uncle Bai, should we…?”
Should they go over?
Bai Yiheng turned to her, still smiling gently. “They probably need to talk. Let’s go to the other side.”
That was exactly what Xiao Ziyue wanted.
She took out her phone and sent her brother a message, then grabbed Bai Ling’s hand and followed Bai Yiheng away.
Meanwhile, the situation on this side had shifted.
Xiao Yixi had hooked his arm around Xiao Cheng’s, something he liked to do with Xiao Cheng. This gesture didn’t seem out of place.
For some reason, Xiao Cheng didn’t push him away and allowed the boy to hold his arm.
“Brother Cheng, this jacket looks really good on you,” Xiao Yixi said intimately, leaning against Xiao Cheng’s shoulder, his tone overly sweet.
While speaking, he shot a provocative glance at Luo Jingshu.
Luo Jingshu’s expression remained indifferent, but his gaze stayed fixed on Xiao Cheng, unwilling to move his eyes for even a second.
Xiao Cheng suddenly remembered that he was here to buy clothes.
He had planned to ask Xiao Ziyue for help, but who could have expected this scene to unfold as soon as he stepped out, leaving him feeling extremely uncomfortable.
“Well, let’s buy it. I’ll change out of it,” he said.
Just as he was about to push Xiao Yixi away, Xiao Yinan suddenly grabbed the jacket from his hand. “Brother Cheng, I’ll hold onto it for you.”
Xiao Cheng didn’t let go. “No, I still need to change later.”
Xiao Yinan reluctantly released his grip.
Xiao Yixi, still hanging onto Xiao Cheng, almost kissed his chin.
“No need to change it. This jacket looks perfect, just wear it out,” he said, clearly satisfied with the way it looked on Xiao Cheng.
Xiao Cheng’s jacket was similar in style to the one Xiao Yixi and Xiao Yinan were wearing.
Xiao Yixi could still convince himself that they were wearing a couple outfits.
Luo Jingshu was stung by their intimate gestures, his eyes stinging, and his previously tearful eyes reddened again. His gaze lowered, looking rather pitiful.
Xiao Yixi cursed inwardly, ‘little green tea.’
What was he trying to play here?!
“Brother Cheng, I ran into Ziyue over there, and she seemed to be looking for you. Should we just leave now?” Xiao Yixi blocked Xiao Cheng’s view, preventing him from looking at Luo Jingshu.
Xiao Cheng gave a brief response. “Mm,” and, noticing Xiao Yixi’s regretful expression, unzipped his jacket. “I’ll change it, and then we can go.”
As he was about to remove the jacket, Luo Jingshu, who had been silent for a while, suddenly placed his hand on Xiao Cheng’s waist, gently pushing him. “Go inside to change.”
Xiao Cheng pushed his hand away. “No need. I’m not…”
There’s no reason to go inside. He wasn’t undressed inside the jacket.
The reason he entered the fitting room earlier was just to escape the overly enthusiastic Xiao Yinan.
For the first time, Luo Jingshu was firm in his refusal, his tone resolute: “Go inside.”
Xiao Yixi was about to say something, but Xiao Yinan suddenly realized what was going on and advised Xiao Cheng, “Just go inside, Brother Cheng. We’ll wait outside for you.”
Xiao Yixi frowned, looking from his brother to Xiao Cheng, and then suddenly understood.
Suppressing his anger, he gritted his teeth. “Brother Cheng, hurry up and go.”
Xiao Cheng was at a loss for words, and simply gave up on explaining, taking his jacket into the fitting room and closing the door, cutting off the trio’s gaze.
Once Xiao Cheng entered, Xiao Yixi could no longer contain his jealousy and anger. “What did you see in the fitting room?”
Otherwise, why did he have to go in to change? Clearly, it was to keep them from looking.
Luo Jingshu was taller than him and spoke with a slightly lowered gaze, which added an air of aloofness.
“Why should I tell you?” he replied.
His opponent was too weak. Although Luo Jingshu didn’t think they could win the “beauty,” he had an extreme aversion to anyone coveting Xiao Cheng.
His possessiveness over Xiao Cheng had reached an unhealthy level.
Xiao Yixi probably would never know how much restraint Luo Jingshu had to use to keep from kicking him away from Xiao Cheng.
Xiao Yixi’s dislike for Luo Jingshu had begun the moment they first met and had now reached its peak.
“Stop clinging to Brother Cheng. You don’t deserve him,” he warned Luo Jingshu.
Luo Jingshu silently sneered, not responding, his gaze fixed on the fitting room door.
Xiao Yixi wouldn’t be afraid of him if he truly wanted to argue.
But Luo Jingshu deliberately adopted a nonchalant attitude, as if Xiao Yixi wasn’t worthy, which immediately ignited Xiao Yixi’s anger.
He was the type to act impulsively when upset, and when his emotions flared, he wouldn’t hold back.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have shouted about wanting to be Xiao Cheng’s bride right in front of the Xiao family downstairs.
Like a little madman.
At a crucial moment, it was Xiao Yinan who grabbed his younger brother’s hand. “Forget it, Brother Cheng will be out soon.”
They couldn’t let Brother Cheng see him in this state.
Xiao Yixi thought for a moment and agreed, realizing that this might be what Luo Jingshu had wanted.
His anger subsided quickly.
Luo Jingshu’s eyes held a hint of regret.
Such a pity.
When Xiao Cheng emerged from the fitting room, the three of them were still standing near the door.
Xiao Yinan furrowed his brow, Xiao Yixi’s face was ice-cold, and only Luo Jingshu had a calm expression.
“Why haven’t you left?” Xiao Cheng asked, addressing Luo Jingshu.
Luo Jingshu pressed his lips together and glanced at the twins beside him, faintly asking, “I was wondering if I could find a time to visit your apartment again. Is that okay?”
He paused, then continued, “I’d like to confirm some suspicions.”
Xiao Cheng looked at him with suspicion. “Didn’t you say the necklace was normal?”
Luo Jingshu maintained his composure, “Yes, but I have some new thoughts.”
This time, he looked directly at the twins. “Is that okay?”
It was an obvious move to keep them at bay.
Xiao Yixi’s face flushed red from anger. He wished he had recorded the smug look from earlier to show Xiao Cheng.
He was pretending to be innocent and pitiful in front of Brother Cheng but was showing his true colors behind his back.
Did this little green tea really trick Brother Cheng?
Xiao Cheng understood that this wasn’t something he wanted a third party to know, and after a few seconds of hesitation, he agreed. “Fine.”
“I’ll let you know.”
The twins, hearing this, almost wanted to shake him awake.
In their eyes, Xiao Cheng seemed like a foolish, straight man charmed by a fox spirit.
Luo Jingshu’s lips curled into a small smile. “Then I’ll leave now.”
He gave Xiao Cheng a lingering look, his voice soft and husky. “Brother Cheng, happy New Year.”
He had even prepared a New Year’s gift for Xiao Cheng, but it seemed Xiao Cheng wouldn’t want it.
Xiao Cheng replied coldly, “Mm, you too. Happy New Year.”
He said it without looking at Luo Jingshu again.
Luo Jingshu sighed softly, turning to leave, his figure quickly disappearing.
As soon as he left, Xiao Yixi couldn’t hold it back anymore.
“Brother Cheng, who is he?!”
“Why is he going to your house?”
“What exactly are you two planning to do? What is it that you don’t want us to know?”
He spoke without any pauses, firing off questions like a machine gun, and Xiao Cheng didn’t know which one to answer first.
“We’re not doing anything, just need to talk about a few things,” Xiao Cheng said as he walked towards the cashier. “It’s just a conversation, don’t overthink it.”
Is he the one overthinking?
Xiao Yixi, holding back his anger, closely followed Xiao Cheng. “Why does it have to be just the two of you alone, and in your house?”
“Can’t it be explained over the phone?”
It really couldn’t.
Xiao Cheng thought, the important thing isn’t what they’re discussing, but the location. The problem likely lies in that apartment.
Maybe it’s where the reason for his and Luo Jingshu’s rebirth is hidden.
Luo Jingshu might have discovered something in the necklace, but just didn’t tell him.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t share any of this with the twins.
Xiao Cheng handed over his bank card, and after the transaction, he took the bag and walked out.
“Brother Cheng!” Xiao Yixi followed him around, like a worried puppy.
Xiao Cheng simply handed the bag to him. Xiao Yixi instinctively took it.
Xiao Yinan was calmer, but his expression was still somewhat complicated.
After Xiao Yixi finished speaking, he asked Xiao Cheng, “Brother Cheng, is he really just an ordinary friend?”
Xiao Cheng’s steps suddenly halted, and the twins quickly stopped as well, standing one on each side of him. Their two exquisitely beautiful faces caught the attention of many passersby.
“Not exactly,” Xiao Cheng cleared his throat under their gaze, his voice softening.
“He’s also my ex-boyfriend.”
