PEU Chapter 2

Day 2 of Provoking

Jiang Cheng tumbled into bed and fell asleep as soon as he got home. After waking up, he finally sorted out the disorderly information in his mind.

He had crossed over into the novel he had confiscated when he was an instructor.

The original owner was a standard cannon fodder. Even with his background as the lost child of a wealthy family, his final outcome was still depression and suicide.

Jiang Cheng didn’t only confiscate the novel, but he also finished reading it. There was a character in it that was excessively similar to himself. On top of having the same name and surname, they were both separated from their biological parents at birth. Another similarity was that they were left with a necklace.

The difference was that Jiang Cheng spent his childhood in an orphanage. At the age of 16, he went to serve in the military, then at 19, he began carrying out missions. His military achievements were quite impressive, and he became the Chief Inspector of Jianghan Special Zone at 27. Furthermore, he also held various unbreakable records in cross-country hiking, rock-climbing, wingsuit flying, and BASE jumping.

Unlike the Jiang Cheng in the novel, who was determined to return to his wealthy family yet was suspected of harboring ulterior motives; who kept on insisting that the male lead was his fiancé, yet was ridiculed by the crowd for having a wild imagination and for continuously meddling in the CP of the protagonist and the male lead. Later, he managed to obtain a spot on the same variety show as the male lead with great efforts– but was exposed for pestering the latter and received an innumerable amount of abuse, and was thus forced to leave the circle.

When his adoptive parents were on the way to contact his biological family, they were too hasty on the road and met with an accident. Three months dragged by, but they remained without cure and eventually passed away. It was the last straw for the original owner, and he completely collapsed.

Jiang Cheng pinched the bridge of his nose and looked at the time. It was half past nine in the morning. There were three missed calls on his phone– two from the original owner’s little sister, and one from the agent, Wang Chen.

Wang Chen could be ignored first, but Jiang Cheng’s brows furrowed when he saw the two missed calls from the little sister.

A week had already passed since the car accident, and the original owner’s savings had also been used up to pay for his adoptive parents’ medical expenses. The situation just barely began to stabilize.

When Jiang Cheng suddenly received a call from the younger sister, he didn’t think too much about it and called back.

“Ge, why didn’t you answer the phone just now!” A girl’s voice came from the other end of the phone.

Rong Juan was the biological daughter of the adoptive parents. She was four years younger than Jiang Cheng, and was born after Jiang Cheng was picked up at the age of two.

“Sorry, I felt unwell last night and slept heavily, so I didn’t hear it.” Jiang Cheng answered in a perfunctory manner, then asked, “How are mom and dad at the hospital?”

“I didn’t receive any news from the hospital.”

Jiang Cheng fumbled to find his glasses and put them on. After hearing those words, he asked, “Then what did you call me for?”

Rong Juan, “Ge, I don’t have enough living expenses this month. Give me some more– my friends and I are going to Disneyland and plan to stay there for one night. It won’t be cheap!”

Jiang Cheng was dumbfounded at her words. Her biological parents were still in hospital yet she went out to have fun?

“Mom and dad are in a stable condition. Even if I go to the hospital, I won’t be of any use. Besides, don’t I still have you, ge?” Rong Juan answered naturally.

Jiang Cheng took advantage of the time Rong Juan was speaking to check his balance– really not bad. There was only 138 yuan in his bank card. In addition to the 800 yuan salary he had earned yesterday, the total amount in his account was less than one thousand.

“I don’t have money,” Jiang Cheng said.

“How can you not have money? Aren’t you a big star?” Rong Juan was unhappy. “Is it because you feel that you can stop caring about me now that mom and dad are in the hospital? When you gave me money and treated me well before, was it only for our parents to see!”

Jiang Cheng, “…”

Where did this unreasonable little girl come from?

Jiang Cheng had read the novel, but it had no mention of a little sister. It seemed that there was still a big limitation to the content.

“Hello? Where are you? Say something!” Rong Juan shouted.

Jiang Cheng said in a perfunctory manner, “If you insist on thinking this way, I can’t do anything about it.”

Rong Juan, “…” What a scumbag quote!

Rong Juan hung up resolutely.

Jiang Cheng touched the tip of his nose. This little girl sure has a bad temper.

Jiang Cheng stretched and got up to wash his face.

The mirror was shiny. This was the first time Jiang Cheng was looking at the appearance of his current body–

This face was very similar to his own. It was almost exactly the same. Only the hair length changed. This hair was longer compared to his original crew cut, and the tuft on the top of his head could even be tied into a small ponytail.

The original owner’s hair was also dyed, making his skin appear especially pale. Moreover, since the latter hadn’t rested well lately, he looked listless and gave off an air of illness.

Jiang Cheng patted his face and his cheeks became rosy. He then grabbed two handfuls of hair and conveniently pulled them into a small ponytail, finally appearing a bit lively. If he didn’t tie it up, the hair would cover his eyes.

He decided to go out for a haircut later.

Jiang Cheng went to the kitchen to look for something to eat. Good god! The refrigerator was completely empty other than a wrinkled apple. It was unsurprising that he felt like he had been starving for many days yesterday.

He washed the apple and took a bite. It was crispy. Only a few bites later, he heard a knock on the door.

“Who is it–” He put on his slippers and went to open the door.

Sunlight spilled into the house as soon as the door was opened. Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly. A small and short old lady stood there with her back faintly bent over, looking at him with a long face.

“Pay the rent,” The old lady looked at Jiang Cheng and said in a firm tone. “One week has already passed but you still haven’t paid me, how long will it take?”

Jiang Cheng choked at those words. He didn’t expect that the first thing he would hear when he opened the door was someone asking him to hand over money.

As an artist, he still had to pay his own rent? Shouldn’t the agent take care of everything?

“Five thousand for this month, and fifteen thousand for the three months of mortgage,” The old lady added.

Jiang Cheng had a headache when he thought of his savings that didn’t exceed a thousand. After much persuasion, he barely managed to convince the old lady that he wasn’t purposefully dragging out the rent payment.

He explained that there was an unexpected situation at home and was eventually given an additional one month time limit. He only had to pay the five thousand monthly rent first while the mortgage payment could be put off for another time.

After sending the old lady away, he was just about to close the door when he saw another unexpected visitor outside.

Jiang Cheng raised his brows slightly as he looked at the young man who was walking towards him with large strides. The latter was wearing a black baseball cap, a pair of black sunglasses, and a black mask. If he didn’t look like he knew Jiang Cheng, Jiang Cheng’s occupational DNA would’ve made him make a move.

“Go in and talk,” That person said arrogantly, then walked in as if it was his own home.

Jiang Cheng paused and had to hold back his temper– this was an ordinary citizen, the same class that he had sworn to protect in his previous life. It might also be a friend of this body, so he couldn’t just do as he pleased and forcefully toss this person out.

Jiang Cheng closed the front door.

“I didn’t dare believe it when Chen-ge said you still live in this lousy place.” Since he was finally indoors, the man took off his mask and sunglasses as he spoke.

It was Jiang Xinghao.

Jiang Cheng had hardly seen the other party without makeup since the talent competition.

–Always wearing heavy makeup. Including for occasions like attending events, it was also his personal style. It was extremely distinctive. With the excellent craftsmanship of the makeup artist and stylist, he was beautiful enough to overwhelm other male stars.

But at this time, he didn’t put on any makeup and appeared rather dull. Jiang Cheng almost couldn’t match it to the face in his memory.

But Jiang Cheng relied on his outstanding professional skill to recognize the other party.

This was the novel’s main shou and the original owner’s childhood friend, as well as the son of god. Due to an unexpected turn of events, he was mistakenly recognized and brought back to the wealthy family. He even met the main gong in the same variety show and attracted his attention, gaining the love the original owner could only wish for. He was simply a winner in life.

Jiang Cheng stood there and took a quick glance at Jiang Xinghao, but didn’t have much to say.

Jiang Xinghao sneered. This man was still so simple and inarticulate. Since childhood, he was honest to the point of not saying a word. As long as Jiang Xinghao called out “Gege, help me”, the other party would always yield and do what he wanted.

Just like for their debut stage, when he asked Jiang Cheng to let him borrow the wrist chain that he would always wear for a while and the latter also agreed.

That wrist chain was the necklace that Jiang Cheng had worn since childhood, and it was also the only thing left by his biological parents. Later, when he couldn’t wear it around his neck anymore, he designed a plan to convert it into a bracelet.

During normal stage performances, Jiang Cheng would specially take it off and store it well for fear that he would lose it due to his large movements.

But he only had to open his mouth to ask, and Jiang Cheng really let him borrow it? The corner of Jiang Xinghao’s mouth lifted as he thought.

“You can’t even pay the rent now? It seems that the company really doesn’t want to take you into consideration. Then why don’t you become my assistant? It just so happens that I need a life assistant,” Jiang Xinghao said, sarcasm seeping through his words.

“I think you aren’t fit to appear on the stage and screen in your current state. You might as well consider withdrawing from the circle.”

“Oh, right, do you like God Jian? I happen to be on a variety show with him this time. I will kindly help you ask for his autograph. You’ve been my friend since we were young, so I will definitely help you with this small favor.”

“Ah, and I’ll be moving to Biyun soon. A wealthy madam feels that she and I surely have some fate, perhaps she wants me to recognize her as my godmother… She strongly wishes that I go over there nowadays. That place is a high-end residential area, and not everyone can enter as they please. It might not be so convenient for you to look for me next time. You will have to make an appointment with me in advance.”

Jiang Xinghao proudly showed off.

But Jiang Cheng didn’t give a single reaction. There was no resentment, jealousy, or envy, like what Jiang Xinghao had expected. He was indifferent like an outsider, and it made Jiang Xinghao’s boastful self gradually appear laughable.

Jiang Xinghao’s face sank, and he couldn’t help but take a step closer to Jiang Cheng. However, he didn’t expect that Jiang Cheng would suddenly raise his hand.

‘Click’. There was the sound of the mobile phone’s camera, and Jiang Xinghao was so frightened that he hurriedly used his hands to block his face. He asked in a flustered and exasperated tone, “What are you doing?!”

“I’m just comparing,” Jiang Cheng said. The photo was taken quickly and steadily, without a single blur.

He lowered his head to look at the picture of the face without makeup and called out, “Your appearance looks different from what I just found on Baidu. Ah, it turns out that makeup has such a big ability now…”

Jiang Xinghao didn’t expect that Jiang Cheng, who had been like a mute all this time, would humiliate him like this. “You!”

Anyone could see that Jiang Cheng had a memorable face with deep facial features. It was impossible to forget after seeing it once. So, when he stood by Jiang Cheng’s side, Jiang Xinghao suddenly appeared extremely dull.

For this reason, Jiang Xinghao would wear heavy makeup half of the time. It was as if this was the only way he would definitely not lose to Jiang Cheng.

Fortunately, later, Jiang Cheng became even more taciturn. And when his adoptive parents got into a car accident, he collapsed completely. This was what gave Jiang Xinghao the opportunity to go solo and make a name for himself.

But Jiang Xinghao didn’t expect that even a rabbit would bite people when it was anxious.

“What else did you come here to talk to me about?” Jiang Cheng interrupted him.

Jiang Xinghao clenched his fists, took two deep breaths, then mentioned the purpose of his visit this time. “That bracelet you let me borrow before, I’m willing to pay 300,000 yuan to buy it from you.”

Jiang Cheng’s brows furrowed. That bracelet belonged to the original owner, and he wasn’t in a position to deal with it. Even if he was, it was the only memento he had of his biological parents.

“Not selling,” He refused resolutely.

“Your parents are still in the hospital, waiting for you to help them. From what I know, isn’t their condition considered bad? Don’t they have to rely on patient monitors and oxygen machines? Will your few savings be enough to pay for the medical expenses?” Jiang Xinghao sneered.

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes and suddenly seemed to understand– where the original owner in the novel got the money to support his adoptive parents in the hospital for three months, why the original body wanted the wealthy family to recognize him but every path led to a rejection, as well as why Jiang Xinghao managed to mistakenly replace him…

Jiang Cheng didn’t know whether his guess was correct or not, but when he thought of such a possibility… he looked in the direction of the man who seemed agitated and strong disgust and resentment emerged in his heart.

He pressed his chest. This feeling came out fiercely and inexplicably, as if it was what the original body’s soul had left behind.

Jiang Cheng lowered his eyes and coldly said, “Not selling.”

Jiang Xinghao hadn’t expected Jiang Cheng to be this strong-willed. In his original memory, Jiang Cheng was a simple and inarticulate person without any thoughts of his own. As long as he encountered this kind of hopeless situation, he would definitely not raise any objection and give his bracelet in exchange for money.

Jiang Xinghao was dazed for a second. Not only was he vomiting blood from anger due to Jiang Cheng, but even his whole plan was also disrupted!

His chest rose and fell violently several times. The expression in his eyes was very fierce, and his words were equally as aggressive: “Ah, then you just stay until you rot and stink in this rental house!”

When he was done speaking, he was just about to leave when he heard Jiang Cheng’s phone ringing. He subconsciously pricked up his ears to listen. With a heart filled with malice, he even expected that it would be the hospital calling to give a notice of critical illness.

Jiang Cheng looked at the caller ID– it was Wang Chen:

“Yes, Jiang Cheng! Director Liu said that he made arrangements for a permanent variety show for you. It’s called 《Hi, Wilderness》, and it so happens that Xinghao is also on it. You can hype up the enthusiasm of reunion after going solo…”

Wang Chen’s voice wasn’t small. Jiang Xinghao, who had already reached the front door, heard it crystal clear. His face suddenly turned livid, and he slammed the door with a loud ‘bang’ after he walked out.

“Oh,” Jiang Cheng answered. He took a quick glance at the door and suddenly said to Wang Chen, “If Jiang Xinghao breaks my door, help me contact him for compensation.”

Wang Chen, “…What?”

“The literal meaning,” Jiang Cheng replied.

Thinking of the variety show Wang Chen had mentioned, he asked, “About the variety show you said, can I get money from it? Can I get a portion of it first? Can I get hold of 20,000?”

Wang Chen, “…It’s possible to get a deposit of 30% at present. The approximate amount after tax should be around 100,000.”

Jiang Cheng: !!!

It was the first time that the hard-working former chief instructor with no savings had seen so much money!

His heart was moved!