Chapter 47: Too Restrained
Time rewound to the moment Jiang Rong received the little boy’s phone call.
The boy’s voice sounded somewhat hesitant, as if he didn’t often make phone calls, or perhaps didn’t often talk to him.
Jiang Rong asked, “Who are you?”
The little boy replied, “Brother Rong, I’m Little Gua. Last New Year, it was thanks to you that I was saved. Are you not coming back this year for the New Year?”
Jiang Rong followed his words and asked, “I saved you?”
The little boy nodded. “Yes. Thanks to your help, I’ve been adopted by a good family again. But I want to be like you, Brother—I’ll study hard and get into a good university by my own efforts!”
Jiang Rong didn’t know what the original “Jiang Rong” had done, but hearing the boy say this, it must have been something truly wonderful. He had found resumes on “Jiang Rong’s” computer that were filled out for scholarship applications, and from those he knew which orphanage “Jiang Rong” had originally come from.
It wasn’t local—about a three-hour drive from the capital, not close at all.
Last year, when “Jiang Rong” had just started university, it was also the first year after he turned eighteen and left the orphanage. He might have gone back to the orphanage for the New Year. But Jiang Rong himself had never lived in an orphanage, nor did he know anyone there.
Though they shared the same name, the two of them had lived completely different lives.
Just as Jiang Rong was hesitating over how to respond to the little boy, who clearly held the original “Jiang Rong” in great admiration, the voice on the other end changed. A woman’s voice came through—gentle and kind.
“Rongrong, are you coming back for the New Year this year?”
Hearing that voice, the image of a gentle mother in Jiang Rong’s imagination suddenly became concrete. Perhaps because he himself was now a gestational parent, he was more easily moved—his nose began to sting. In his memories, his own mother had never spoken to him so gently.
Even though the woman’s voice was warm, Jiang Rong’s emotions only flickered for a moment. After all, she was a stranger to him. The person they were looking for was “Jiang Rong,” not him—he was Jiang Rong from another world.
“I’m really sorry,” Jiang Rong said. “I won’t be able to come back this year.” From the side, he heard the little boy call the gentle woman “Director Mom.”
Director Mom replied, “It’s alright if you can’t come back. Just make sure you’re doing well over there. If you need any help, be sure to tell me right away.”
At that moment, Jiang Rong made a decision. “Thank you.”
“Take good care of your health too,” Director Mom continued. “It’s getting cold—remember to wear more clothes and don’t try to save money.”
Even though he knew her concern wasn’t really meant for him, Jiang Rong was still inexplicably moved, his eyes growing moist.
He quickly wiped away his tears. “Okay.”
Director Mom chatted with him at length. “The website you made for Little Sun was really good—open and transparent. Information about the adopted children and adoptive families is all recorded there. There will be regular follow-ups and supervision, and contact numbers for reporting issues from various departments. That way, no one will dare bully the children again. Thanks to this website, a lot of kind-hearted people have donated recently, and the children are living much better than before.”
It must have been something “Jiang Rong” did. So his choice of major really had meaning—it had helped many people. Jiang Rong hadn’t expected the original “Jiang Rong” to be such an outstanding person.
Director Mom spoke for quite a while, and only reluctantly hung up when a baby started crying nonstop.
Before ending the call, Jiang Rong said, “I wish you a Happy New Year.”
“And I wish you a Happy New Year too,” Director Mom replied.
After hanging up, Jiang Rong re-organized his emotions—he had been getting emotional far too easily lately. Being a gestational parent was really hard.
He replayed the conversation with the orphanage child and Director Mom in his mind. It seemed that “Jiang Rong” had done something truly remarkable.
He searched online for “Little Sun Home,” and sure enough, found a piece of social news related to it.
It turned out that a couple who were video bloggers had adopted Little Gua from Little Sun Home. At first, everyone thought it was a good thing—at least someone was paying attention to the children in the orphanage. But in reality, the couple had fabricated a persona for Little Gua, forcing him to film videos spreading rumors that he was treated badly at Little Sun Home. They made him pose while cooking and doing laundry, and even forced him to say he learned those things at the orphanage. When “Jiang Rong” came across these videos, he immediately reported the two malicious bloggers and used various news outlets to follow up, protecting the child. In the end, under media pressure, the couple was arrested for child abuse, and Little Gua was successfully rescued. Ironically, the couple still got what they wanted—massive “traffic” and attention.
The ending was naturally a happy one, but one could easily imagine how difficult the process had been.
Jiang Rong suddenly admired the original “Jiang Rong’s” courage—standing alone against darkness to save a child’s future. He was really cool.
Since he was living here under “Jiang Rong’s” identity, he wanted to do something too.
Just then, someone sent a message in their five-person dorm group chat.
Ding Yan: Holidays are so boring. Big brother’s treating everyone to go have some fun—any takers? Overseas travel is fine too!
Yao Shule: I’ve been playing mahjong with my seventh aunt and eighth aunt for days already. [Dead.jpg]
Li Yizhou: Traveling with my mom—one temple a day. Tomorrow I can perform on-site enlightenment.
Ding Yan: Sigh.
Yao Shule: Sigh.
Li Yizhou: Sigh.
Jiang Rong: I want to buy some New Year supplies for the kids at the orphanage. Do you have any suggestions? I don’t know where to buy things.
Yao Shule: [Transferred ¥1000 to Jiang Rong] Winnings from mahjong these past few days. Rongrong, help me buy some.
Li Yizhou: [Transferred ¥1000 to Jiang Rong] Allowance from my mom.
Ding Yan: I’ll take you to buy them!
Jiang Rong: On behalf of the kids, thank you all for your generosity. @DingYan, wait for me downstairs.
Ding Yan: OK, on my way.
Because of that previous drink, Jiang Rong had some resistance toward Ding Yan. But later, after hearing from He Siming that Ding Yan had taken a knife for him, he felt this guy wasn’t beyond saving. Recently, Ding Yan had indeed changed—he spoke more politely and stopped going to bars.
The two met downstairs. Seeing Jiang Rong dressed even more extravagantly than a typical rich second-generation heir, Ding Yan thought to himself: the He family really knows how to take care of people.
“What are you planning to buy?” Ding Yan asked.
“Just some New Year gifts—things suitable for kids, like toys, books, stationery,” Jiang Rong replied.
Back in his freshman year, he had done volunteer work and knew what children in orphanages needed. From Director Mom’s words, he’d also gotten inspiration—hoping the children could access more knowledge, support themselves after entering society, and live well.
The website Jiang Rong had made for “Little Sun Home” listed the number of children and their ages clearly, making it easy for him to categorize what to buy.
He was doing this partly out of genuine goodwill, and partly to accumulate blessings for his future baby, hoping the child would grow up healthy.
Ding Yan had never done such meticulous work. He took Jiang Rong to a stationery store, and while Jiang Rong was still selecting items, Ding Yan had already told the shop owner to bring out entire boxes of supplies—exercise books, pencils, watercolor pens, crayons, sketchbooks—anything they could take, they took.
Throughout the process, Ding Yan handled all the lifting. Jiang Rong didn’t have to exert any effort at all.
When Jiang Rong went to pay, Ding Yan rushed ahead and paid first.
“I’ll get it!” Ding Yan said boldly.
“Alright,” Jiang Rong agreed.
He planned to transfer Yao Shule’s and Li Yizhou’s donations to Little Sun Home’s account. There were also disabled children at the orphanage who needed funds even more. Including the ten thousand Ding Yan had previously transferred to him, he would send it all together.
After that, Ding Yan took Jiang Rong to the largest bookstore nearby. Jiang Rong thought about what books to buy.
Little Gua was at elementary school age. There were probably many kids in the orphanage in elementary or middle school. He could pick some books for them, plus some high school practice materials, plenty of extracurricular books—world classics, for example—and some reference books too, like dictionaries and encyclopedias.
While he was choosing books, Ding Yan’s phone rang.
“Old He!” Ding Yan answered, feeling both touched and surprised—Old He was actually taking the initiative to contact him.
But less than a second later, he realized He Siming on the video call wasn’t smiling at all.
“Is Jiang Rong with you?” He Siming asked. “Give the phone to him.”
Ding Yan: “…” Couldn’t you show a little concern for me?
He Siming was frantic on the other end. He hadn’t found anyone at home, and no one answered the phone. Only after checking the group chat did he realize Jiang Rong had gone out with Ding Yan.
Jiang Rong happened to be standing nearby. When Ding Yan handed him the phone and he saw He Siming on the screen, the scene felt oddly familiar.
Previously, when his phone had run out of battery, He Siming had also asked Ding Yan to look for him in the dorm.
Oh no. He’d been in such a hurry to go out that he forgot to report to He Siming. His phone was in his bag, on silent.
“I’m really sorry,” Jiang Rong apologized sincerely. “I forgot to tell you. Please don’t be angry, okay? I thought you’d come back later.” Apologizing first was definitely the right move.
Sure enough, hearing his soft apology, He Siming couldn’t get angry. It was true—he hadn’t told Jiang Rong when he’d be back either.
“I’m not angry. I was just worried about you,” He Siming’s voice softened instantly. “Where are you now?”
“At Xinhua Bookstore, buying books for the kids,” Jiang Rong replied. “I don’t really know what to choose. Can you come help pick?”
“Okay,” He Siming said. “There should be a tea area in the bookstore. Sit and wait for me—don’t tire yourself.”
Jiang Rong rubbed his waist. “Got it.”
He handed the phone back to Ding Yan.
Ding Yan clicked his tongue. “Why does Old He check up on you like that?”
Jiang Rong couldn’t help laughing. He hadn’t expected Ding Yan to think that way. He’d even wondered if Ding Yan had noticed their relationship and whether he could just say it outright—but now, never mind. Ding Yan hadn’t noticed; better to let things take their natural course.
“It’s not checking up,” Jiang Rong said with a smile. “I forgot to tell him I went out. He was worried.”
Ding Yan felt like he’d just swallowed a lemon. Whenever Old He faced anyone other than Jiang Rong, he always wore that aloof, couldn’t-care-less expression.
Jiang Rong’s waist was indeed a bit sore, so he went to sit in the tea area and ordered fruit tea and pastries.
Only then did he realize he hadn’t eaten lunch yet. He quickly ate some snacks.
When He Siming found them, Jiang Rong guiltily looked away. He suspected He Siming had noticed he hadn’t eaten lunch.
“Feeling guilty about something?” He Siming asked.
Jiang Rong immediately shook his head. “No.”
He Siming chuckled and placed an insulated bag on the table. “Eat.”
He opened it—inside were fragrant, reheated sandwiches, clearly something He Siming had made as fast as possible after getting home.
“Thanks, He-god,” Jiang Rong said with a smile.
Ding Yan sprang up from the sofa. “What about mine?”
He Siming pointed at the pastries on the table. For once, he spoke to Ding Yan with relative kindness. “Jiang Rong can’t eat just anything. Eat whatever you want—I’ll pay.”
Ding Yan was actually eyeing Jiang Rong’s sandwich—it looked delicious. But then he remembered Jiang Rong’s illness.
Showing some concern, he asked, “Jiang Rong, when are you having surgery?”
Jiang Rong, chewing his sandwich, licked the sauce that had gotten on the corner of his lips and shook his head. “Not sure yet.”
That simple lick made He Siming stiffen. He calmly took a tissue and wiped Jiang Rong’s mouth. If they weren’t in public, he would’ve already tasted the sauce himself.
With a composed expression, he said, “My uncle said we’ll go for an examination tomorrow.”
Ding Yan’s eyes were full of sympathy. “What kind of illness is it, anyway? It sounds so troublesome.”
He Siming smoothly changed the subject. “What have you bought so far?”
Ding Yan, not exactly sharp, didn’t catch the topic change. “A lot—big stationery gift packs. Now we’re picking books.”
“Then after choosing the books, I’ll select some New Year gifts to send over,” He Siming said.
“What kind of gifts?” Jiang Rong asked.
“Kids need nutrition—meat, eggs, milk, that sort of thing,” He Siming replied.
Jiang Rong finished his sandwich. “Okay.”
After resting a bit, they continued picking books.
Passing by the parenting section, He Siming quickly grabbed a few. If Ding Yan had been more observant, he would’ve noticed the titles: The Baby Sleep Bible, Parenting Encyclopedia, You Are Your Child’s Best Toy.
Referring to the information on the website, Jiang Rong quickly selected appropriate books. All the books, along with the stationery, were packed and shipped out the same day.
As for the New Year gifts, He Siming told Jiang Rong he’d arrange for local delivery—it wasn’t cost-effective to buy and ship from here, and local stores could provide fresher meat, eggs, and milk. Jiang Rong praised him for being more thoughtful than himself.
After dinner together, the three went their separate ways.
Back home, Jiang Rong hugged a pillow and leaned against the sofa, in high spirits. He was happy to have done something meaningful for “Jiang Rong,” and felt more at ease continuing to live here under his identity. He even had a hypothesis—perhaps when he came here, Jiang Rong had gone to his world instead?
The original “Jiang Rong” seemed stronger than him—he would probably live well. At least, in Jiang Rong’s original world, money wasn’t an issue.
That night, Jiang Rong surprisingly didn’t fall asleep early. He was clearly a bit overstimulated.
He Siming placed a book on the bedside table and leaned down to kiss the corner of his lips. “So happy.”
“Yeah,” Jiang Rong said cheerfully. “I feel like I did something meaningful.”
“Tomorrow you’ll have an examination and blood drawn. Go to sleep,” He Siming reminded him.
Only then did Jiang Rong remember the check-up. “Why so suddenly? It hasn’t even been a month yet.”
He Siming told him about having his pheromones tested, including the normal data from other people—there was nothing to hide.
“So my uncle hopes you can do a test too.”
Jiang Rong, already overstimulated, sat straight up in bed. “I—I need to do one too?”
“Yes,” He Siming said. “My uncle doesn’t believe supplementing pheromones during pregnancy is effective. He even scolded me.”
Jiang Rong grew nervous. “Is checking my pheromones for the baby? Could your increased pheromone levels be induced by mine?”
“It’s just a hypothesis,” He Siming said. “But if you really need pheromones throughout pregnancy, that’s not a solution either. We need to check. What if one day I’m not home and can’t supplement you—what would you do?” Sensing Jiang Rong’s unease, he pulled him into his arms. “I’m just worried about this. We need a solution. I can’t be at ease otherwise.”
He Siming’s voice was steady. Through the vibration of his chest, Jiang Rong could feel his concern.
Muffled against him, Jiang Rong said, “But I don’t want to be treated like a lab rat.”
After all, he really wasn’t from this world.
“What are you afraid of?” He Siming said. “My uncle said my high pheromone levels are just an atavistic trait—not a big deal.”
Jiang Rong froze. “Huh? Just atavism?” That was a direction he hadn’t considered. It could be explained like that?
“What did you think it was?” He Siming asked.
“I thought I’d be studied like an alien.”
He Siming laughed. “No way. I did the tests first, and my uncle didn’t even treat me like a lab rat.”
That reassurance worked. He Siming had gone first—if Jiang Rong’s values were abnormal, it wouldn’t seem so jarring with He Siming in front.
Thinking of how He Siming had done those vague, uncertain tests just for him, Jiang Rong felt half guilty, half happy. Someone was willing to do so much for him.
He liked He Siming a little more today.
Even so, Jiang Rong still couldn’t fall asleep.
Seeing him tossing and turning for half an hour, He Siming asked, “Still can’t sleep?”
“Yeah. Did I disturb you?” Jiang Rong asked.
“Did you have a habit as a kid of holding something while sleeping?” He Siming asked.
“I did,” Jiang Rong replied. “I liked holding a cactus plush.” Later, his mother thought it was inelegant and forced him to change the habit—a painful process.
He Siming took his hand and pressed it downward. “Then hold this—it’s the same.”
Jiang Rong: “…” But—but this isn’t a toy!
Heat rushed through his body, but that bit of melancholy vanished completely, replaced by the warm sensation in his hand.
He Siming kissed him and pulled him closer. “Feeling sleepy yet?”
In a small voice, face buried against He Siming’s chest, Jiang Rong said, “A little… yeah.”
He Siming let out a deep breath. “Good. Then sleep.”
The next day.
Xu Mingzhuo personally took them to the department for examinations. Jiang Rong went inside for bloodwork, while the two waited outside.
Seeing He Siming leaning against the wall, clearly sleep-deprived, Xu Mingzhuo looked at him disapprovingly. “Didn’t I tell you to restrain yourself yesterday?”
He Siming: “…I was very restrained.”
Just too restrained.
