Unconventional [Rebirth] - Chapter 56

Since it was the peak of summer break, Jiang Rui’s parents felt that a child who had just finished the grueling college entrance exams deserved to relax. Coupled with Jiang Rui’s newfound fame as the top-scoring scholar (Zhuangyuan), his parents were beaming with joy every day. Even the customers at their shop seemed influenced by the happy atmosphere, finding the environment exceptionally pleasant—though this was largely due to the many spiritual floral arrangements Jiang Rui had placed throughout the store.

Even though his mother’s health was no longer in danger thanks to his treatments, Jiang Rui remained unstinting with anything that could offer her even the slightest benefit.

His mother now wanted to give him money to go traveling. While Jiang Rui felt it wasn’t strictly necessary, he had to admit that her plan provided him with a convenient cover for his activities.

It was only early July, the very start of the holidays. Most students were busy researching universities and applying online, but Jiang Rui wasn’t worried. Aside from his stellar grades, he had already received a direct admission offer from the medical school.

“Life-Binding Artifact” was a phrase that rolled off the tongue easily, but the actual crafting process was grueling. Even the records held by Miao Xuan were sparse on the subject, forcing Jiang Rui to spend days scouring the ancient library within his spiritual space, though his findings remained limited.

The bond he wished to forge with Rong Jingtang was not a simple partnership. Most cultivation unions (Dao-lü) existed for physical needs or shared power, but they did not always encompass true emotional depth. He knew this couldn’t be rushed—at least not yet.

Since the Life-Binding Artifact required more time, and he had few defensive treasures on hand, Jiang Rui spent seven days and nights in seclusion. Using his own heart’s blood as a catalyst, he crafted a protective artifact for Rong Jingtang.

Upon emerging, he planned to find a way to give it to him. While he was still debating what excuse to use to get Rong Jingtang to wear the “anklet,” an opportunity fell right into his lap.

Wang Chenghui had somehow managed to get in touch with Rong Jingtang and invited him to Huidu. For reasons unknown, Rong Jingtang had actually agreed to go. Jiang Rui calculated the timing; this was roughly when he was supposed to meet Ye Wenbin in his past life. He wondered what would change now that Rong Jingtang—a variable he could never quite predict—was involved.

On the appointed day, after making his final preparations, Jiang Rui emerged from his space. Rong Jingtang’s car was already waiting downstairs. Though their relationship hadn’t progressed to the next level, Jiang Rui felt a warmth in his heart at Rong Jingtang’s considerateness. Having lived two lives, aside from the familial love of his parents, he had never experienced such attentiveness from another. It was a novel feeling, and a pleasant one.

Jiang Rui leaned down to see Rong Jingtang sitting in the car with a stoic expression, leafing through documents. He lowered his gaze and smiled. In front of this man, he found it impossible to keep secrets. With a slight sigh and a curve to his lips, he pulled out the anklet—set with five pieces of top-grade spiritual jade—and spoke under Rong Jingtang’s steady gaze.

“I made this while I had some free time these past few days…”

Rong Jingtang’s mouth parted slightly. Watching Jiang Rui struggle to maintain a calm facade, he simply extended his hand. “Put it on me.”

“It’s… it’s an anklet.” Rong Jingtang’s wrists were thin, a consequence of his spiritual root affecting his constitution.

Rong Jingtang raised an eyebrow. For a fleeting second, Jiang Rui caught a trace of playfulness in his expression. Then, Rong Jingtang checked his watch and pressed a button to close the curtains on the soundproof partition.

The interior plunged into darkness as the heavy curtains blocked every sliver of outside light. Then, a dim, warm yellow light flickered on. Under this glow, Rong Jingtang’s features looked…

Jiang Rui swallowed hard.

The playful glint in the “Master’s” eyes deepened. To Jiang Rui’s utter astonishment, Rong Jingtang slowly kicked off his white leather shoes and… rested his foot directly on Jiang Rui’s lap.

The man looked quite comfortable, as if simply being near Jiang Rui made him feel refreshed. “Put it on,” he repeated.

Jiang Rui: “…”

The car came to a stop, but the driver made no move to open the door. Outside, Jiang Rui could hear the sound of disorganized footsteps; they had arrived.

Wait… did he time this perfectly?

Jiang Rui glared at him, but under Rong Jingtang’s smug (though barely visible) expression, he gritted his teeth and fastened the anklet onto the man’s leg.

The crowd outside had clearly been waiting for a while. When the door finally opened and they saw Jiang Rui’s slightly flustered state, their thoughts immediately veered in one direction. When Rong Jingtang stepped out and walked closely ahead of Jiang Rui, those suspicions were confirmed.

So that’s it. We sent him all those beauties and he refused them all because he prefers boys?

The onlookers began to scrutinize Jiang Rui from head to toe, not missing a single hair. Their final consensus? Finding someone with this boy’s unique temperament and looks would be a near-impossible task.

An attendant led the way, bowing so low that Jiang Rui admired his dedication. Intentionally or not, Jiang Rui found himself walking just behind Rong Jingtang’s right shoulder. The other guests—men Jiang Rui remembered from his past life but couldn’t quite name—followed a step further behind.

Jiang Rui smiled coldly to himself. He knew Wang Chenghui must have exhausted every resource to secure this dinner with Rong Jingtang. His motives were transparent, but he was barking up the wrong tree. Furthermore, for Wang Chenghui not to be at the door to personally welcome Rong Jingtang was a slight—yet there was no sign of him yet.

The entire Huidu club seemed to have been cleared out for the event, leaving the halls echoing and empty. However, Jiang Rui caught a faint sound of commotion from within.

His expression shifted for a moment before he regained his composure. Even if he were a ghost, he would recognize that voice.

Ye Wenbin.

Jiang Rui’s eyes narrowed as he spotted a youth standing defiantly amidst a group of burly men. In his past life, Jiang Rui had felt nothing but admiration and love for this boy. But now…

As they drew closer, they saw Wang Chenghui sitting at the head of the table, casually chatting with a youth by his side. Upon seeing Rong Jingtang, Wang Chenghui feigned surprise and stood up, quickly approaching them.

“Honored guest! Mr. Rong, you’ve arrived so early!”

Rong Jingtang didn’t answer. Sui Ming stepped forward, intercepting Wang Chenghui’s outstretched hand with a polite but icy tone. “Mr. Wang, my Master is always punctual.”

Technically, it wasn’t yet the appointed time, but it was close. Rong Jingtang said nothing as he followed the now-recovered Wang Chenghui toward a gambling table. Wang Chenghui waved a hand, signaling his men to take Ye Wenbin away.

Jiang Rui was just wondering why Rong Jingtang was being so agreeable today when he noticed the man was walking with slightly heavier, more audible steps than usual. He went silent.

My Lord, how old are you exactly? (He realized Rong Jingtang was showing off the sound of his new anklet).

At the gambling table, Wang Chenghui acted as he always did—patient and unruffled—but his words were laced with news about the Jinlin region. The political landscape of Jinlin was about to change. Since Old Master Wei had survived his crisis, the balance of power had shifted, and the Wei family now reigned supreme. Xiao Lunan, having saved two lives in that family, was safe.

But Wang Chenghui, who had just begun to expand his influence in Jinlin, was likely to suffer heavy losses in this reshuffle. Jiang Rui still didn’t fully understand Wang Chenghui’s reach, or how he had managed to secure this meeting with Rong Jingtang.

The two men sat on opposite sides of the table. At Rong Jingtang’s gesture, Jiang Rui was also given a chair. He sat there comfortably, unfazed by the circle of men standing guard around them. However, the ambiguous, suggestive looks coming from Wang Chenghui’s direction made him uneasy.

He realized with a mental smirk that Wang Chenghui likely viewed him as Rong Jingtang’s “pet.”

“Mr. Rong, since you’re here, it would be a shame not to have a game,” Wang Chenghui said, ordering his men to bring out the chips.

Rong Jingtang tilted his head, his eyes half-closed as if weary. “I am not proficient in these matters. Jiang Rui, however, enjoys tinkering with such things.”

Wang Chenghui was stunned. Seeing Jiang Rui stand up to give Rong Jingtang “face,” he laughed and slapped his forehead. “Playing against this child would be like me bullying a toddler. Huaiqing, you do it.”

A youth by Wang Chenghui’s side stepped forward. He looked exactly as Jiang Rui remembered him, though there was an added touch of… coquettishness?

Jiang Rui frowned, cursing Wang Chenghui in his head. This boy, Huaiqing, was clearly underage. It seemed their relationship was exactly like the one Jiang Rui had with Ye Wenbin in his past life—only the roles were reversed.

Rong Jingtang gave a non-committal nod, maintaining his slumped posture and staring beneath the table. Jiang Rui’s eyes followed his gaze… and his eye twitched.

The “Great Master” had his legs crossed and, thinking no one could see him, was shamelessly admiring the jade anklet on his own foot.

My Lord… have you no concern for your image at all?!