Chapter 42.1

It was only for a few seconds but Rong Jing somehow realized that his body was falling; and yet, in front of him was a road, undamaged and intact, washed by the rain, carrying shallow puddles that reflected the dazzling red sunset. Everything looked so vibrant and undeniably real.

His body, however, felt like it was being sucked into the ground. The surroundings seemingly looked like it was covered with special effects.

Rong Jing simply closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. Without hesitation, his hand reached upward, narrowly gripping the edge of the manhole. Veins visibly appeared on his arm, straining with force. If it weren’t for the years he spent at Shaolin Temple, where an old master would suddenly wake them up in the middle of the night to do reflex training, this incident might have left him disabled.

The surrounding onlookers gasped at the thrilling spectacle. Only then did Rong Jing fully grasp the true nature of the scene before him.

In reality, the potted plant was actually a warning sign. There was actually a manhole on the seemingly empty road. To anyone watching him, he appeared to be walking normally, deliberately ignoring the sign, seeking his own demise.

He became certain now that the traffic light incident before ¹From chapter 22 wasn’t a hallucination. There really was something like a greater force that wanted to kill him. Moreover, It has grown even more vicious than the first time it tried to finish him off.

Before the people around him could even come forward to help, Rong Jing, while contemplating, did a simple move to pull himself up. It wasn’t anything special, simple but full of power.

Amidst the commotion, he slowly climbed out of the manhole, performing the pull-up with a grace that made him, an Alpha, appear irresistibly compelling.

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“Wait a minute, young man, why are you giving me this much?!”

He ran off without looking back. Only when he saw Rong Jing climbing out did he seem to snap back to reality, stopping his tracks. He crouched down, his gaze serious, and his expression solemn. Even the crowd watching from the side knew that the Omega was in a bad mood.

Gu Xi carefully examined Rong Jing’s whole body with his eyes, “Are you hurt?”

His tone was so flat, no emotion could be picked up on it.

“No, good thing I have quick reflexes.”

“Didn’t you hear me calling you just now? Didn’t you see the warning sign ahead?”

“I got so absorbed in my own thoughts that I didn’t notice.” No one would believe what really happened to him. Even if someone did, there was no way they would be able to help him, and could increase the danger level of his current situation. After Rong Jing’s mind recovered, he looked back at the manhole with disappointment. “Too bad I lost the milk tea.”

Too bad? Even losing the chance to see a shooting star wouldn’t be too bad in exchange for your life. Don’t you think your life is more important than a mere cup of milk tea?

Gu Xi’s expression changed instantly. He became so angry, his eyes seemed clouded with a dense fog. However, with Rong Jing having just escaped a dicey situation, now wearing an innocent look on his face, how could he have the heart to scold him?

Gu Xi, you think you’re in a position to say anything to him? You really think you’re something now just because of the few days you’ve spent with him.

Gu Xi abruptly turned around and walked towards the car on the roadside. Gu Xi got into the car, and Rong Jing came over right after.

When Rong Jing saw Zhou You was going to make a call, he quickly took his phone away, “Don’t tell Zhou Xiang and my brother about this.”

“But…”

“I’m fine, it was just a minor accident. All good now, right?” Seeing Zhou You hesitating, Rong Jing had to use his trump card. “I’m the one who gives you your monthly salary. I trust you know which words to spill and which to keep sealed.”

Rong Jing typically exuded a calm demeanor, like an easygoing individual without a care in the world. But when he got serious, it demanded everyone’s attention.

Gu Xi remained silent, avoiding Rong Jing’s gaze, tightly gripping the other hand that refused to cease trembling.

Even when confronted by those influential and imposing figures, he had never felt such intense fear. Rong Jing’s earlier claim of not noticing the sign was merely just a front to assure him.

Beneath the deceptively calm surface of the raging waters, what surged seemed to be an unfathomable vortex. 

He was hiding something.

“Gu Xi.” There seems to be a little brat here.

Gu Xi completely ignored him, showing only the back of his head for Rong Jing. Yet, even this sulky version of him seemed to carry a different kind of energy. Rong Jing’s tense nerves finally relaxed when he saw this lively Gu Xi.

He lied!

Gu Xi slowly recalled everything that had just happened, piecing together the whole incident.

He knew Rong Jing heard the voices of the people around him. There was a young woman next to him shouting at her boyfriend to do something, and he saw Rong Jing glance and smile at them.

Then he saw Rong Jing pick up the sign, took a couple of steps, and instantly fell down the manhole.

Therefore, in Rong Jing’s eyes, there was still a road to walk on!

It only looked as if he was intentionally seeking death. There were plenty of witnesses. It was only natural for them to assume that what happened was a suicde attempt. Yet, no one would be able to explain why he did that.

Rong Jing seamlessly connected this incident to the recent traffic lights illusion. Though the illusion hadn’t occurred for a long time afterward, Rong Jing, though not overly concerned, remained vigilant. He wouldn’t drive himself, and when he saw traffic lights, he would first observe the actions of those around him before moving.

Rong Jing’s alertness allowed him to survive a little longer. Of course, it might be that fate had been waiting for Rong Jing to put down his defenses.

Not long ago, after the sky had just experienced a tumultuous change, he had met with Wu Hanqi and his nephew. Then, he bought a necklace and a cup of milk tea. It was the most relaxed his mind had been.

If there was a perfect time to eliminate this cannon fodder, it was now.

A slight chill spread from the depths of Rong Jing’s heart. He didn’t know when the next time would be, or if he could evade it again.

*pa*

A very light sound.

Rong Jing felt a soft weight on his shoulder. Gu Xi, at some point, had fallen asleep and leaned against him. Beneath the soft strands of hair, his usually bright and indifferent eyes were closed. He looked like an obedient child.

Rong Jing, who had been earnestly analyzing the incident just a moment ago, softened a bit under this weight, softly calling his name. There was no response, perhaps he had fallen asleep out of irritation.

Of course he knew that Gu Xi was worried, but the matter was so complicated that he couldn’t even make sense of it himself.

Rong Jing slowly adjusted his posture to make Gu Xi more comfortable while sleeping. He gestured to Zhou You through the rearview mirror, signaling him to drive more slowly.

After a quiet moment, Rong Jing slowly spoke, “I made you worry.”

Gu Xi’s lowered gaze slowly lifted, clear and rational. 

What should I do to keep you safe?

Gu Xi silently analyzed his inner thoughts but it seemed like Rong Jing hadn’t thought about anything at all.