Chapter 61: Reunited Again

The rain lasted all night.

Raindrops as big as beans pattered incessantly, as if shattering everything. The deafening thunder rumbled on and on, as if it were right next to them.

Lu Zhengfei didn’t call Chen Qianqing again. He stood alone in the rain, like a clay figurine. Some precious things were all washed away by the rain into the mud, never to return.

After the rain stopped, Chen Qianqing received a text from Han Huaiyun. It contained only two words: “Thank you.”

Chen Qianqing got up again and walked to the window. Beneath the window, there was no one left. The lonely figure from yesterday seemed to have been just an illusion.

Fate, so laughable, had finally returned to its predetermined course.

Lu Zhengfei coming to find Chen Qianqing seemed to have been just a passing episode.

From then on, there was no news of Lu Zhengfei.

When Chen Qianqing asked Wang Wulin about Lu Zhengfei, Wang Wulin straightforwardly replied that after Lu Zhengfei went back, his father beat him severely. It was said that he ended up in the emergency room, and if his mother hadn’t intervened, he might not have survived.

Upon hearing this, Chen Qianqing said nothing. He didn’t even show any extra emotion, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Wang Wulin was slightly surprised at this reaction and said, “Chen Qianqing, I thought you had feelings for Lu Zhengfei.” If he didn’t care, given what he knew of Chen Qianqing, he wouldn’t have even asked.

Chen Qianqing replied, “I do have feelings, but not the kind he wants.”

Wang Wulin, being a smart man, didn’t press further and changed the subject casually.

Did Chen Qianqing have feelings for Lu Zhengfei? What kind of feelings were they? Even Chen Qianqing himself probably couldn’t answer that clearly.

When Lu Zhengfei stood outside in the rain, humbly pleading, only the real Chen Qianqing had the right to go down and give him a forgiving hug. But he wasn’t the real Chen Qianqing, so all he could do was hang up the phone and lie in bed, listening to the faint, sorrowful voice of Lu Zhengfei echoing in his ears. Lu Zhengfei said, “Qianqing, can you come down and see me?”

No, Chen Qianqing thought. Lu Zhengfei… I want to treat you well, but I can’t, so… I’m sorry.

—

Living alone was leisurely. Chen Qianqing had almost never had such an experience. He cooked for himself, worked alone, and occasionally went to bars to sit for a while. Most of the time, he spent it reading all kinds of books.

Just like that, he lived a retired life, quietly waiting for Lu Zhengfei’s day of rebirth.

Three years is neither long nor short, but it’s enough to change a person.

After three years of transformation, when Lu Zhengfei met Chen Qianqing again, he imprisoned him. He had finally understood that some things must never be brought to light—at least not until he was strong enough.

In this lifetime, because of the butterfly effect that was Chen Qianqing, Lu Zhengfei had once fled midway. What consequences would that bring? Chen Qianqing didn’t know. All he could do now was wait.

—

On Chen Qianqing’s 27th birthday, the inevitable finally arrived.

On November 27, Chen Qianqing bought groceries and prepared to ride his bike home. He parked it downstairs and carried the small cake and groceries he’d bought from the market upstairs.

Chen Qianqing lived on the third floor. As he walked past the second floor and looked up at the door of the room he rented on the third floor, he saw a familiar yet strange face.

The man was wearing a black V-neck sweater with a gray coat. He smiled at him and said, “Baby, long time no see.”

For a moment, Chen Qianqing’s body stiffened, but he quickly recovered and replied, “Yes, long time no see.”

The long-awaited reunion seemed harmonious on the surface.

But the expressionless bodyguards standing behind Lu Zhengfei told Chen Qianqing the real story. No one understood better than him what Lu Zhengfei was truly thinking at that moment.

Lu Zhengfei was slimmer than three years ago, his skin darker. He looked energetic, but the innocence in his eyes was gone. He said, “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Chen Qianqing placed the groceries on the floor, took out his keys, and opened the door. “Come in.”

Lu Zhengfei walked straight in.

The bodyguards outside the door remained standing. Chen Qianqing glanced at them and casually closed the door.

The apartment Chen Qianqing rented was small, with two bedrooms and a living room. It was very simple. Judging by the food and clothing, while he wasn’t impoverished, he definitely wasn’t wealthy either.

Lu Zhengfei walked around the apartment, then turned to look at Chen Qianqing, who was pouring tea for him. He said, “I thought you’d be trembling with fear.”

Chen Qianqing poured hot water into the cup and said calmly, “Sorry to disappoint you.”

Lu Zhengfei said, “Baby, how come you can’t bear to spend the millions you have?”

In Lu Zhengfei’s eyes, the millions Han Huaiyun gave to Chen Qianqing were money Chen Qianqing had earned by betraying him—or at least, that’s what Lu Zhengfei thought back then.

Chen Qianqing didn’t respond. “What I bought might not be enough for two people.” He had only gotten some ribs and a handful of bok choy.

Lu Zhengfei walked over, bent down, grabbed Chen Qianqing’s chin, and slowly lifted it. His eyes were indifferent, devoid of the fervent affection they held four years ago. He said, “It’s fine. I’ll just eat you.”

Chen Qianqing suddenly felt as though something was slipping out of his control.

Lu Zhengfei lowered his head and bit Chen Qianqing’s lips. Unlike the passionate feelings of the past, Chen Qianqing could sense malice in Lu Zhengfei’s kiss. He bit down on Chen Qianqing’s lower lip, gnawing at it bit by bit until the surface skin broke and fresh blood seeped out.

Through it all, Chen Qianqing didn’t move.

Lu Zhengfei suddenly found Chen Qianqing’s lack of reaction utterly boring. He let go of Chen Qianqing and brushed his cheek lightly. “Weren’t you going to cook?”

Expressionless, Chen Qianqing took out a napkin, wiped away the blood from his lips, stood up, and walked to the kitchen, not forgetting to grab an apron on the way.

Lu Zhengfei watched as Chen Qianqing walked away, his face equally devoid of expression. At that moment, their expressions were eerily similar, as if they were the same person.

Chen Qianqing cleaned the ribs, put them in a pot to stew with tomatoes, stir-fried the bok choy, and cracked two eggs to steam them.

The leftover rice from yesterday wasn’t much—enough for one person. After hesitating, Chen Qianqing decided to rinse some new rice and put it in the rice cooker.

When everything was ready, there seemed to be nothing else to do. Chen Qianqing thought for a moment, then took a few green onions from the basket, cleaned them, chopped them into bits, and placed them in a small bowl for later.

While Chen Qianqing was doing all of this, Lu Zhengfei stood silently behind him, watching. He said nothing, and Chen Qianqing pretended he didn’t exist.

It wasn’t until all the dishes were served at the table that Lu Zhengfei spoke. “You’ve been living alone for four years?”

Chen Qianqing’s lips burned with pain. He was serving the rice when he heard Lu Zhengfei’s question and responded with a faint “Mm.”

Lu Zhengfei continued, “Wasn’t your dream to marry a wife and have kids? It’s been four years. By now, the kid could already be running errands.”

Chen Qianqing exhaled deeply. He and Lu Zhengfei were indeed alike. Four years ago, he had worried about the same thing—that the original Chen Qianqing would marry, have kids, and cleanly forget about him. That fear had even kept him from looking for Chen Qianqing. But now… it seemed something was different.

When someone’s life trajectory changes, does their personality change too? Chen Qianqing didn’t know. He could only observe to find the answer.

He handed the bowl of rice to Lu Zhengfei, picked up a pair of chopsticks for himself, and began eating.

Lu Zhengfei sat down as well, picked up a piece of rib, and chewed slowly.

It was quiet—quieter than Chen Qianqing expected. Across from him, Lu Zhengfei calmly ate, his silence unsettling. Chen Qianqing wasn’t naive enough to think Lu Zhengfei wasn’t angry. He had expected a storm of fury but realized he had guessed wrong.

This was one of the rare mistakes he had made since being reborn.

Chen Qianqing didn’t yet know how powerful a butterfly’s wings could be, but his instincts vaguely warned him of impending trouble.

Lu Zhengfei ate his rice calmly, finishing the entire bowl, even drinking a bowl of hot soup. When Chen Qianqing finally set his bowl down, Lu Zhengfei spoke: “Baby, are you ready?”

The hairs on Chen Qianqing’s back stood on end.

Lu Zhengfei nodded. “Then I’ll begin.” The next moment, he stood, grabbed Chen Qianqing, and forcefully dragged him to the sofa in the living room.

Chen Qianqing’s physical condition was no match for Lu Zhengfei. Insomnia had left him mentally and physically weakened. Though they were both adults, Chen Qianqing was powerless to resist Lu Zhengfei.

Lu Zhengfei used his scarf to tightly bind Chen Qianqing’s hands. Looking down at him from above, his face was expressionless. He said, “Baby, did you know? I missed you so much I could die.”

Chen Qianqing gasped heavily, his dizziness leaving him unable even to turn his head. He could only lie there as Lu Zhengfei stripped him, piece by piece, until he was completely bare.

In November, the weather turned colder, and Chen Qianqing soon felt the chill. He pressed his lips together and remained silent.

Lu Zhengfei said, “Baby, have you considered begging for mercy?”

Chen Qianqing replied coldly, “If I beg, will you let me go?”

Lu Zhengfei chuckled lightly. “Of course not… That year, when I begged you, you didn’t bother to come down and see me either.”

In this world, it seems everything must be repaid eventually.

Lu Zhengfei kissed Chen Qianqing’s fair skin, satisfied. “I’m very glad you haven’t been with anyone else over these years… Otherwise…”

Chen Qianqing let out a mocking laugh.

Lu Zhengfei pressed his thumb against the wound on Chen Qianqing’s lips and continued, “Otherwise… I’m afraid I’ll completely… destroy you.”