Chapter 2: The Bet
After the door closed, Jiang Xu loosened up his stiff muscles. He turned his gaze toward the corner, his eyes settling on the bathroom door.
To confirm the theory in his mind, he walked in without hesitation and came face-to-face with himself in the mirror.
The person in the mirror had the same black hair and clean, delicate features as him. Dark pupils stared back. Even though it looked exactly like him, he recognized at a glance that this body did not belong to him.
Because the charming tear mole was gone.
He reached out and smoothed the hair at his temples; it was significantly longer than his own neat haircut.
Combined with the information that man had unintentionally revealed, Jiang Xu confirmed his suspicion.
He had transmigratedâ Transmigrated into a strange world.
Jiang Xu stood quietly before the mirror, emotions swirling in his eyes.
How did he transmigrate? What about his previous body? Was it still alive? Could he go back? How could he go back? What exactly was the situation here? And why was there a man kneeling naked before him???
There was too much he wanted to know, but no one could answer his questions.
However, having mingled in the world of fame and fortune since he was young, he quickly suppressed these strange, alien emotions.
He brushed the hair off his forehead with his hand, slicking it back. He looked much more spirited now.
After thinking for a moment, he returned to the bedroom.
Earlier, all his attention had been on that “insect,” but now he finally had the time to properly observe his surroundings.
The bedroom decor was actually quite nice. The light-colored bed canopy seemed to come from the same workshop as the curtains. Even under the dim yellow light, he could see the reflection of silver threads woven into the fabric.
The brown wooden furniture didn’t look out of place.
With that pile of messy “toys” on the floor, it added an unspeakable atmosphere to the room.
Jiang Xu walked to the window and pulled back the thin curtains to look outside. Only then did he realize his room was on the second floor. Looking out from the house, he could see that each household had its own small yard. Was this a villa district?
The high-hanging incandescent streetlights on both sides of the road shone through the glass into the room, thoroughly dispelling the previously eerie atmosphere.
Ding-ding~~ Ding-ding~~
A sudden, sharp vibration interrupted Jiang Xu’s thoughts. He looked down and discovered he was wearing something resembling a smartwatch on his wrist.
He raised his hand, his eyes filled with surprise.
3D projection? Holographic imaging? Such high tech? Since when had this kind of sci-fi stuff been successfully developed?
A tiny person was being holographically projected from the center of the watch face. Thatâs right! It was the kind of 3D projection floating in the air. Below the little figure were three square icons and a green and red button.
Although he had never used it, he knew what to press.
Jiang Xuâs slender fingertip tapped the green button, and the person in the projection came to life.
The person was sitting steadily on a sofa. Seeing the call connect, he turned and gave Jiang Xu a smile.
Then he spoke, a clear yet slightly raspy voice transmitting from the wrist: “Young Master Jiang, you’ve been back for half the day. Why hasn’t there been any news?”
The person on the other side didn’t notice the abnormality on his face. Seeing that Jiang Xu didn’t speak, he continued to ask, “Is that Junci of yours really something? Did you have a good time?”
Clearly, he knew this person, and they were quite close…
This tone of voice was very similar to those men in gay barsâboastful and curious.
Jiang Xu gave him a neutral look, ignoring the playful expression on the other side, and said calmly, “It was alright. Just so-so.”
He lowered his eyes slightly. Junci? What did that mean? And how was it different from Xiongzhu?
“For real?” Bernd curled his lips and glanced sideways at the Cichong kneeling at his feet, giving him a casual kick. “Tsk, Cichong really are lowly.”
Jiang Xu frowned at the man on the screen, not understanding why he would come to such a conclusion.
But Cichong? What was that?
“By the way, what was the name of that Junci of yours?” Bernd asked seemingly at random, not really expecting Jiang Xu to answer. He looked down at his side. “Lan, what was your subordinate’s name again?”
Lan knelt upright, his face devoid of much expression as he respectfully replied, “Fei Walker.”
“Right, right.” Bernd, reminded, recalled the appearance and build of that Junci.
He had seen him a few times behind Lan. That waist, those legs, that buttâthey were indeed excellent. It was just that his birth was a bit too lowly, otherwise…
“I say, Jiang Xu, how did this bug catch your grandfather’s eye? Other than his looks and body, he has nothing.”
He couldn’t understand why, with a family background like the Jiangs, they would force the only Xiongchong in the family to marry such a Cichong?
Was the old man possessed?
Even if he was just a Cishi, that bug was still punching way above his weight.
As he spoke, he didn’t notice the flash of shock in Jiang Xu’s eyes.
Bug???
Jiang Xu subconsciously wanted to look at his surroundings. Where was there a bug?
But in an instant, he realized the man was talking about that Junci.
Bug? Cichong? Junci? Xiongzhu? What was all this nonsense?
Bernd realized he had been rattling on for quite a while, yet Jiang Xu was just staring at him in silence.
He couldn’t help but grumble inwardly: Stone-faced. Even on his wedding night, heâs still stone-faced. He really doesn’t know how to enjoy himself.
Bernd thought back to the time he had encountered that Junci at the Military Department.
Although Cichong were lowly, he had to admit that one was truly good-lookingâthe face and body were a perfect match.
He just wondered what it looked like under that military uniform. It really was a bargain for a Xiongchong like Jiang Xu.
Of course, he only dared to think it.
However, given how much the other man hated Cichong, maybe that Cichong really would end up in his bed to play with one day.
“Why are you so quiet today? Worn out?”
His tone was thick with a decadent, suggestive air.
Jiang Xu followed his lead with a simple “Mm.”
He really disliked the man’s tone and mannerisms; they were very uncomfortable. One might even say disgusting.
Where exactly did the original owner find such a friend?
Bernd gave a lewd chuckle. “Seems like you really put in some effort today. Well? Did he beg for mercy?”
“…” Jiang Xu.
“Don’t forget our bet. No backing out.”
“…” Jiang Xu lowered his eyes slightly and said coldly, “I haven’t forgotten. Don’t spoil my fun. I’m hanging up.”
“Alright, as long as you haven’t…” Before Bernd could finish, the call was disconnected.
He looked at the communicator and scoffed, his expression full of disdain.
He hooked Lan’s chin with his hand like he was playing with a pet, a sneering smile on his lips. He seemed to have thought of something, his expression one of absolute certainty.
Jiang Xu had seen all kinds of people, but someone this annoying was a first.
He digested the information provided for a moment and quickly connected it to why the original owner had returned today.
Butâa headache soon followed: What was that bet?
Right now, he was completely in the dark.
Although he didn’t care for melodramatic novels, he had caught glimpses of them when his grandmother watched dramas at home.
However, was he transmigrating or possessing? Didn’t other people come with a system to explain things? Why hadn’t one appeared after all this time!
He sighed helplessly. Heâd have to fake it for now. There were too many questions; he didn’t even know which one to find the answer to first.
Soft footsteps came from outside, very faint. Luckily, the surroundings were quiet enough; otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have noticed.
The footsteps stopped at his door, then everything went silent.
His gaze darkened as he looked toward the door. Who else was in this house? Who was living here? He had no idea.
Minutes passed, yet there was still no movement outside.
Jiang Xu didn’t hesitate anymore. He walked toward the door. When it opened, his eyes visibly paused for a second. He looked down at the person kneeling straight as a board outside.
Does this Junci have a problem? Does he love kneeling that much?
He swept his gaze over Fei and saw that he was already dressed, a faint scent of medicinal herbs wafting from him.
It seemed the wounds on his body had been treated.
Jiang Xu took two steps forward and closed the bedroom door behind him.
He quietly scanned the layout of the house. After looking around, he located the stairs and turned to walk over. “Follow me.”
Fei’s gaze quietly landed on Jiang Xu, an unidentifiable emotion flashing by. “Yes.”
He stood up nimbly, as if those whip marks didn’t exist at all.
Jiang Xu walked in front, sensitively catching the scrutinizing gaze from behind.
His steps were steady as he walked down the stairs at a leisurely pace, showing not a hint of worry on his face.
Translator’s Note:
- Cishi (éäž): A “Female Attendant” or concubine. Lower status than a “Female Sovereign” (legal wife).
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