I Eat My Own Jealousy chapter 28

Chapter 28

Early the next day, Tuan Tuan woke up needing to pee. He rubbed his little paws against his eyes and realized he was the only one in bed; Dad was nowhere to be found.

He jumped out of bed and went to the bathroom, but Dad wasn’t there. The bedroom door was partially open. He ran out and sniffed the air for Dad’s scent. He first went to the room diagonally across with its door also partially open, but there was still no sign of Dad. Finally, he rushed to the room opposite that was tightly shut and started scratching at the door.

Zong Ming yawned as he emerged from his room and saw Tuan Tuan scratching at Zong Ye’s door. He walked over and picked up Tuan Tuan, lazily asking, “Why are you scratching your dad’s door so early? Where’s Jian Ning?”

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“Gzaktbv, yzaktbv, R’zz srld kv. Kwpv esd’v ckvl xu nzsvblp; uswa vllvb yal ps pbyar, vblu xktbv awkd vblx.” Hsdt Ykdt blzrzlppzu alynble swv yde srldle vbl essa. Tl pyo vos rlsrzl sd vbl cle, pzllrkdt kd lynb svbla’p yaxp, yde oyp xsxldvyakzu pvwddle.

Tso eke bkp szela casvbla lde wr blal, yde Kkyd Lkdt vss? Ebu olal vblu pzllrkdt vstlvbla sd vbl cle?

Mwyd Mwyd pvawttzle kd Hsdt Ykdt’p yaxp, oydvkdt vs tlv vs bkp eye yde vbl ckt obkvl oszq. Hsdt Ykdt pdyrrle cynj vs alyzkvu yde iwknjzu blze vbl zkvvzl qlzzso cynj, obkprlakdt, “Fbb, esd’v oyjl vblx wr.” Mbld bl tldvzu nzsple vbl essa.

Zong Ming was carrying Tuan Tuan downstairs when he noticed the door to the adjacent medical room was open. He went in and saw two pieces of clothing casually tossed on the floor. He picked them up and realized they were his; they were the ones he had lent to Jian Ning yesterday.

What had happened for Jian Ning to leave his clothes here? Zong Ming was puzzled.

When Jian Ning woke up, Zong Ye was still asleep. He reached out and moved Zong Ye’s arm from around him, then got up and leaned against the headboard. He wanted to wait for Zong Ye to wake up and ask him about his crazy behavior last night.

After waiting for a while with no sign of Zong Ye waking up and noticing his face was abnormally red, Jian Ning couldn’t help but touch his cheek with his fingertip. It was slightly warm.

“Hey,” Jian Ning gently pushed him, but Zong Ye’s eyes remained closed, his lips tightly pursed, showing no signs of waking up.

Jian Ning quickly got out of bed to call for help, but as soon as he opened the door, Butler Abel was standing at the doorway. Jian Ning hurriedly said, “Butler Grandpa, his forehead is burning up, and he won’t wake up.”

Butler Abel glanced at the bed and handed him the clothes he held, saying, “Young Master Jian Ning, please go back to your room and change. I’ll take a look at Young Master Zong Ye.”

Realizing his attire was inappropriate, Jian Ning blushed slightly, thanked him, and then took the clothes to his room across the hall.

After changing and freshening up, when he came out, Doctor Wilson had already arrived.

“Master Jian Ning, please have breakfast downstairs.” Butler Abel led him downstairs.

Jian Ning sat at the dining table and asked, “Is he okay?”

Butler Abel smiled and replied, “With Dr. Wilson here, Young Master Zong Ye will be fine. Thank you for your concern, Master Jian Ning.”

Who cared about him? But what exactly happened last night? Jian Ning was full of worries as she lowered her head to start eating breakfast.

After finishing breakfast, Butler Abel had someone take Jian Ning to the academy. Once he saw the hovercar leave, he turned and went back upstairs.

Upon reaching the upper floor, he saw Dr. Wilson coming out of Zong Ye’s room. Butler Abel hurriedly asked, “How is Young Master Zong Ye?”

Dr. Wilson said, “The Marshal’s mental energy has experienced turbulence, causing some minor issues with his bodily functions. The Marshal has always been robust, so these minor problems won’t pose much of a hindrance. A couple of days’ rest at home will suffice.”

“However…” Dr. Wilson frowned, “how did the Marshal’s psychic energy suddenly become turbulent? What happened?”

“I don’t know either.” Butler Abe was also puzzled. “I find it quite strange as well. During this time, Young Master Zong Ye has been avoiding Young Master Jian Ning due to the matter with his second personality. Yet, this morning, it was Young Master Jian Ning who came out of Young Master Zong Ye’s room, wearing his clothes.”

“I know the reason.” Zong Ming leaned against the doorframe of the medical room, crossing his arms. He gestured to them with a beckoning finger. “Come in and take a look.”

The medical room was equipped with surveillance, and Zong Ming found the playback from last night, fast-forwarding until he spotted Zong Ye entering the room from outside. After entering the medical compartment, Jian Ning also came in shortly after. He turned to leave, seemingly noticing something amiss. He paused, approached the medical compartment, looked down, and even knocked on it. Just as he turned to leave, the medical compartment suddenly opened, and Zong Ye sat up from inside.

Then came the scene where Zong Ye coerced Jian Ning to remove his clothes and put on his own. Finally, he kicked away the clothes Jian Ning had taken off before pulling him out.

Zong Ming couldn’t help but curl his lips at the sight. What kind of madness had come over his older brother?

Dr. Wilson rewound the video to the part where Jian Ning bent down. He enlarged the view of the medical compartment, and it was evident that the psychic fluid inside the compartment was boiling with unrest. Zong Ye’s brow was furrowed, as if struggling with something.

“This is a conflict between his two personalities. The second personality wants to emerge, while the dominant personality resists,” Dr. Wilson explained, dragging the video to the segment where Zong Ye had Jian Ning change clothes. “And this display of possessiveness doesn’t seem to belong to either of the personalities in isolation. It’s more like the dominant personality acting with added emotions from the second personality.”

Possessiveness… Zong Ming looked at his clothes that had been kicked aside, feeling somewhat speechless. Over a piece of clothing? This level of possessiveness was truly extraordinary.

Dr. Wilson had been treating Zong Ye for so many years, yet this was the first time he had witnessed the fusion of two personalities. He marveled, “Love is truly miraculous. It seems Marshal’s recovery is within reach.”

Butler Abel was overjoyed and, after seeing Dr. Wilson off, went to report the good news to Zong Yue.

Zong Ye opened his eyes to find Zong Ming sitting in a rocking chair by the window, casually flipping through a magazine.

“Hey, awake? Do you remember what happened last night?” Hearing movement, Zong Ming turned his head and grinned, squinting.

Zong Ye furrowed his brows for a moment. Memories of last night flooded back—how he had coerced Jian Ning to change into his clothes and spent the night cuddling with him.

How could he have done such a thing? Zong Ye’s face darkened as he said, “Summon Dr. Wilson.”

“Dr. Wilson has already been here.” Seeing Zong Ye’s expression darken, Zong Ming understood that he remembered everything that happened last night. He recounted what Dr. Wilson had told him.

“Dr. Wilson said that the emotions of the second personality include possessiveness, but it wasn’t as intense as your actions last night. That intense possessiveness likely stemmed more from your dominant personality,” Zong Ming said as he got up from the rocking chair and patted Zong Ye’s shoulder. “Admit it, deep down, you’ve already developed feelings for Jian Ning.”

With that said, he left and closed the door behind him.

Zong Ye remained silent for a moment, his face darkened further. He couldn’t accept Zong Ming’s explanation. Everything that happened last night was due to the presence of the second personality. He was determined not to allow the second personality to resurface again.

Due to Zong Ye’s strange behavior last night, Jian Ning found himself distracted during his classes. By the time he finished his classes and was preparing to pick up Tuan Tuan, he received an unfamiliar communication stating that Tuan Tuan had already been brought to the school gates.

Jian Ning hurried to the school gates, where Zong Ye’s aide opened the hover car door for him. From the back seat, he handed over Tuan Tuan to Jian Ning and said, “Marshal says, to not waste your time, he will arrange dedicated personnel to pick up and drop off Young Master from now on.”

… So, he didn’t need to go to the villa anymore? Jian Ning held Tuan Tuan in his arms and walked into the campus, growing angrier as he thought about it. What was wrong with that guy? He held him like a treasure at night, but in the daytime, he treated him like a stranger. And now he didn’t even want him to come to the villa to meet him. Was he really that repulsed?

He spat inwardly. If he had the guts, he should never bother seeing him at night either. If he was repulsed, well, he was repulsed too. If he didn’t want to meet, he didn’t want to meet either. Let’s see who would reach out to whom like a little puppy.

Jian Ning vowed in his heart, his anger seething, and stormed back to his dormitory.

For two consecutive days, Jian Ning didn’t go to the villa, leaving Butler Abel in a state of distress. Young Master had decided not to see Young Master Jian Ning anymore. What could be done now? He didn’t dare to defy Young Master’s orders and invite Young Master Jian Ning over. Moreover, Jian Ning had his temper, and even if he did invite him, she might not come.

He had no choice but to once again turn to Zong Yue for help.

Terry noticed that Jian Ning had been in a bad mood for the past two days. On this day, as Jian Ning was picking up Tuan Tuan from the school gate, Terry rushed into the dorm excitedly, saying, “Ning, Jenny managed to get three tickets to Zoe Bar. It’s for tonight. Let’s go together.”

“Zoe Bar?” Jian Ning was puzzled. “Is that a place for drinking?”

Terry explained, “It’s not just for drinking. I heard they also have many interesting and captivating performances inside. And not everyone can enter Zoe Bar; you need tickets. Jenny’s aunt got these three tickets. She originally planned to go with her friends, but suddenly the company had a business trip, and the tickets are time-limited. When Jenny heard about it, she got them.”

“Since we don’t have classes tomorrow, let’s go have fun together in the evening,” Terry said joyfully.

Jian Ning also wanted to relax and change his mood, so he readily agreed.

The tickets were for 8 o’clock in the evening. After having dinner, Jian Ning put Tuan Tuan in his bag and headed out with the little one.

The three of them boarded Jenny’s flying vehicle and arrived at the entrance of Zoe Bar exactly at 8 o’clock.

Located in the commercial district, Zoe Bar was bustling with people and vibrant lights as night fell. Presenting their tickets to the security at the bar entrance, the three were allowed inside.

The bar was already filled with a considerable number of people. Just as they entered, an elegantly dressed female server approached them, guiding them to an empty spot and asking with a smile, “Is this your first time here? What kind of performance would you like to see?”

Jian Ning, Terry, and Jenny exchanged glances. Terry cleared his throat and asked, “What’s the most popular performance here?”

The female server assessed them, recognizing they were all females, and replied with a smile, “The most popular performance is our boss’s show. You’re in luck because today happens to be the day our boss is performing. You’ll get to see it on stage very soon.”

Jian Ning looked toward the stage. The surrounding seats were already filled with people, mostly females. It seemed that the bar’s owner was likely male and very popular.

Their seating wasn’t the best, a bit far from the stage. Terry inquired and found out that closer seats required payment. Regular seats were already taken, leaving only a few VIP spots.

“Let’s just sit here. As long as we can see,” Jian Ning didn’t mind and said.

Terry and Jenny agreed, and the three of them got the bar’s menu to order some food and drinks. When they saw the prices, they couldn’t help but be surprised; it was much more expensive than outside.

“Let’s order three drinks. The prices here are way too high,” Terry whispered.

Jenny nodded. Although her family’s conditions were decent, the consumption level here exceeded her expectations.

“Country bumpkins without money shouldn’t try to act like others here,” came a mocking voice from behind. It sounded familiar. Jian Ning turned her head and saw Allen and his two cronies.

His mocking tone was rather loud, and his two cronies joined in with laughter, drawing the attention of the people around.

Terry’s face turned red as he retorted, “What business is it of yours that we’re here?”

“You’re an eyesore. If you don’t have money, just stay in the academy honestly. What’s the point of coming out?” Allen stared maliciously at Jian Ning. Even if his psychic power had risen to Grade B, he was still just a country bumpkin from a rural planet, a pauper.

“Let’s go. Don’t sit with these country bumpkins. We’re going to the VIP seats,” Allen vented and strutted toward the VIP seats near the stage with his lackeys.

Being ridiculed as country bumpkins in public, Jenny was quite angry. “Allen has gone too far.”

Jian Ning, who had been silent until now, suddenly stood up and said, “Let’s go to the VIP seats too.”

Terry was taken aback and hurriedly tugged at him, whispering, “Ning, VIP seats are expensive. We can’t afford them.”

Though he was also angry, it wasn’t worth spending money just to show off their frustration.

“It’s alright. Let’s go,” Jian Ning said, walking toward the VIP seats with Tuan Tuan in his bag. Jenny got up to follow behind. It didn’t matter; he could ask her family for more money if needed. She couldn’t swallow this indignation.

Terry stomped his foot, reluctantly getting up to catch up. Oh well, let’s just grit our teeth and be frugal for the remaining few months.

The three of them arrived at the stage side. Allen and his lackeys were already seated in the VIP section. Seeing them, Allen jeered, “What are you doing here? If you’re broke, just go back early. Don’t disturb others here.”

Jian Ning ignored him, called a server, and requested three VIP seats.

Their seats were right next to Allen’s. He sneered at them, “Putting on airs with borrowed plumes.”

Soon, the performance began. The lights inside the bar suddenly dimmed, and the area around the stage grew quiet. Lights on the stage illuminated, and a man walked out, starting his performance.

This man had outstanding looks and physique. He had his upper body bare, displaying his impressive abs and chest muscles. His dance was passionate and exuberant, occasionally singing and winking flirtatiously at the audience, causing screams from the crowd. It was like fans on Earth attending an idol’s concert.

There were no professions like star idols here, so encountering someone with high looks and singing and dancing skills like this guy was indeed thrilling for these people.

Jian Ning, having seen plenty of idols back on Earth, was somewhat disinterested. The man on stage noticed this and raised an eyebrow in surprise, moving closer to him to perform.

Annoyed, Allen clenched his teeth and pressed a button on the side of his seat.

There was a button next to the VIP seats, and Jian Ning didn’t know what it was for. He just saw Allen press it, and a green light lit up. Then, the man in front of him regretfully gestured toward Allen and started performing in front of him.

Terry called a server over to ask and learned that this button was used to pay more. Pressing it would cost an additional five hundred star coins, and the performer on stage would come perform exclusively for the person who pressed the button.

“Country bumpkin, trying to compete with me,” Allen gloated, looking at them with pride. These poor folks wouldn’t have that much money to compete with him.

Jian Ning remained silent, pressing the button beside him as well.

The bar’s rule was that guests on VIP seats could press the button. On top of the opponent’s payment, whoever paid an additional five hundred star coins would have the performer come to them.

The man returned to Jian Ning, irritating Allen, who pressed the button again.

Jian Ning’s eyes didn’t even blink as he followed suit and pressed again.

They continued this back-and-forth. Terry watched on, anxious and scared, pulling at Jian Ning’s sleeve and asking in a low voice, “Ning, are you intentionally raising the price to trick him?”

It must be that, they didn’t have this much money. Jian Ning must be deliberately provoking Allen, increasing the price, and then giving up, all to trick him.

Jian Ning neither confirmed nor denied, maintaining his composure and continuing to press. Suddenly, Allen stopped and smirked, saying, “I know you’re trying to jack up the price and trick me. Do you think I’m an idiot? I won’t compete with you anymore. It’s already five thousand star coins. Let’s see how you come up with that.”

Terry was about to faint on the side. This was so much star currency, more than all of his living expenses combined.

With a smug expression, Allen beckoned a server over, saying, “Bring me three cups of Misty Fruit juice.”

Misty Fruit was a very expensive fruit, costing two hundred star coins per cup. Regular folks couldn’t afford it. He didn’t mind indulging in luxury today, enjoying Jian Ning’s embarrassment.

As the server was about to leave, Jian Ning stopped him and said, “How many cups of Misty Fruit juice do you have?”

Due to its high price and perishable nature, fresh Misty Fruit wasn’t kept in stock. As a result, only three cups were left.

Jian Ning said, “I’ll take those three cups. I’m willing to pay double the price.”

The server hesitated and looked at their boss, the man who had just finished performing and was now eagerly looking at Jian Ning. The man nodded at the server.

“Of course, sir,” the server acknowledged and left.

Allen was furious. Did Jian Ning have any bottom line? He didn’t have money yet he was acting so arrogant. Did he realize that he couldn’t pay and was resorting to desperate measures?

Terry felt like crying. He held onto Jian Ning and whispered, “Ning, what are you doing?”

Jenny’s expression turned grim as well. She whispered, “Jian Ning, we don’t have that much money on us.”

Jian Ning winked at them, saying, “Don’t you find it liberating to spend money without a care?”

Terry was about to lose his mind. He knew that spending money like this felt liberating, but the problem was they didn’t have that much money.

“Don’t worry, it’s on me,” Jian Ning reassured, patting their shoulders.

What “it’s on me”? Where are you going to get that much money? Terry knew about Jian Ning’s family situation and felt hopeless. He could already imagine how they would fail to pay this much money when leaving, facing the grim reality of the bar withholding them.

From then on, regardless of what expensive drink Allen wanted, Jian Ning would buy it at double the price, forcing Allen to settle for three cups of the most basic beverage. Jian Ning had to stop himself from buying more due to the quantity, feeling regretful.

“It’s getting late. Let’s go back,” Jian Ning said, checking the time; it was almost 10 o’clock. Tuan Tuan had eaten a few snacks from his bag and was almost falling asleep.

He called over a server to settle the bill. Allen had been waiting for this moment all night, eager to see this. He looked at Jian Ning with excitement, ready to witness the bar detaining him, ideally giving him a good beating.

Jian Ning remained composed and handed the crystal card to the server.

The server swiftly processed the payment, handed back the card, and smiled, saying, “Sir, how do you plan to take the juices with you?”

Jian Ning asked, “Can I take the fruits with me directly?”

The server nodded with a smile, “Of course, please wait a moment. I’ll pack them for you.”

Terry and Jenny were dumbfounded on the side. The bill from earlier was nearly ten thousand star coins. How could Jian Ning come up with this much money?

Allen’s face turned pale and ugly. Could it be that Jian Ning had hidden his family’s wealth? Was he actually very rich?

“I’ll go to the restroom for a moment.” Tuan Tuan woke up and squirmed in the bag, Jian Ning lifted the bag and headed towards the restroom.

Holding Tuan Tuan, Jian Ning went to a separate space to urinate, then came out to wash his hands. Terry followed, looking puzzled, and asked, “Ning, where did you get so much money from?”

Jian Ning didn’t want to hide it from him either and said, “Tuan Tuan’s father gave it to me.”

It was the first time Terry heard him mention Tuan Tuan’s father and asked, “And where is he? Why hasn’t he come to see Tuan Tuan?”

“Because he’s a heartless man,” Jian Ning shook the water droplets off his hand, snorted coldly, “He gave me a large sum of money, so he doesn’t want me or Tuan Tuan anymore.”

Terry didn’t know whether to sympathize with him or envy him. After all, considering the way Jian Ning was spending money today, that large sum of money wasn’t ordinary.

“At first, I was a bit sad, but now I understand,” Jian Ning dried his hands, picked up Tuan Tuan from the bag again, “The feeling of spending money is so joyful, and when you spend money, there’s a man performing just for you. That bar owner was really nice just now. Let’s come see his performance again next time, and sit in the VIP seats.”

As they spoke, the two of them went out. After a while, Zong Ming came out from the back compartment.

Zong Ming had originally gone downstairs to smoke, but unexpectedly saw Jian Ning and witnessed the lively scene. He returned to the private room, sat down next to Zong Ye, and tapped his arm, saying, “Do you know who I saw downstairs?”

Zong Ye turned his wine glass in his hand, lacking interest as he asked, “Who?”

“Jian Ning,” Zong Ming chuckled lightly, “Do you know what he’s doing here?”

Zong Ye furrowed his brow, “Why is he here?”

Zong Ming, with a meaningful and somewhat gleeful tone, said, “He’s spending your money and cozying up to other men.”

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