The Villains All Fell in Love with Me After Rebirth : Chapter 91 - Decide
Chapter 91: Decide
Ji Ling had no choice but to follow Ning Yu back. The three of them arrived at a teahouse and sat down.
The whole way, Ning Yu kept holding Ji Ling’s hand. The warmth and strength of his palm helped ease much of Ji Ling’s nervousness. He curiously observed the middle-aged man before him.
Ning Zhen was also sizing Ji Ling up thoughtfully.
Yesterday, he had received some concerning news—someone had anxiously told him that Ning Yue was secretly dating a freshman. Though Ning Yue had never been in a relationship before and seemed uninterested in romance, dating itself wasn’t a big deal. What worried Ning Zhen was that this student was an innocent young man.
It was said that Ning Yue had gone to great lengths to pursue the boy, even bribing his own daughter, Ning Kehan, just to get him. This didn’t seem like an ordinary romantic relationship. Ning Zhen feared that if Ning Yue was playing around recklessly, it could lead to trouble. After some deliberation, he decided to come and see for himself.
Ning Yue was the youngest child of their father, born when the man was already in his fifties. He had been doted on excessively from a young age. His older siblings indulged him, shaping his arrogant personality with a touch of rebellion and aloofness. Fortunately, the Ning family, a prestigious lineage with a century of history, upheld strict discipline. Ning Yue had always maintained a sense of propriety and never acted recklessly outside.
For over twenty years, he had been reliable—never abusing his power nor entangling himself in messy affairs involving money or relationships. Unlike Yu Wensen, whose recent scandal had exploded, Ning Yue had never engaged in such behavior.
Overall, he had always been trustworthy.
But now, someone had told him that Ning Yue was toying with a young man—an innocent, well-behaved student. Ning Zhen couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Before coming, he had already investigated Ji Ling. Seeing him in person now only reaffirmed his belief that the boy was pure-hearted. This whole situation was undoubtedly orchestrated by Ning Yue. If he didn’t intend to give Ji Ling a future, he had no business getting involved with someone like him and playing with his emotions.
Ning Zhen furrowed his brows, set down his teacup, and asked in a measured tone, “When did you two get together?”
Ning Yu’s eyes darkened slightly, deep in thought. From the moment Ning Zhen appeared, he had sensed that something was off. Clearly, his brother had come specifically because of Ji Ling. Who had spread this news?
It didn’t take him long to make an educated guess. A faint smirk appeared on his lips. So, Wen Yan was really unwilling to let this go, huh? But he should know that this method wouldn’t stop him. At most, it was just an attempt to cause some trouble…
Well, for Wen Yan, this was already considered merciful. He probably didn’t want Ji Ling to be upset.
Ning Yu answered casually, “Two weeks ago.”
Ning Zhen was slightly surprised. Ning Yue was calm and composed, showing no signs of guilt or evasion. If he were just playing around, would he be able to face him with such confidence? Could it be that he was serious about this?
Ning Zhen found it hard to believe and became even more concerned.
If Ning Yu was serious, then the issue was even bigger. Their family had never encountered something like this before. Their father was a traditional man, and he would likely struggle to accept Ning Yue being with another man…
“I originally planned to tell you all later…” Ning Yu looked at Ning Zhen with a relaxed smile. “I only just won over Xiao Ling, and I wasn’t sure if he was ready to meet you all yet. That’s why I hadn’t mentioned it.”
Ning Zhen showed a look of surprise, glancing between Ji Ling and Ning Yu.
Ning Yu’s words were full of protection for Ji Ling.
Ning Zhen’s expression grew serious, and he asked in a deep voice, “Are you serious about this?”
If Ning Yu was truly committed to this relationship, then it wasn’t his place to interfere too much. However… had he considered what lay ahead? Had he thought about the challenges he would face?
Ning Yu glanced at Ji Ling beside him and saw the nervous anticipation in his eyes. He gently squeezed Ji Ling’s hand, offering him a reassuring smile before turning back to Ning Zhen. “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I’m serious about him. And I will protect him. As for Father… I will speak to him myself. You don’t need to worry.”
From the moment he fell in love with this boy, from the moment he arrived in this world, from the day they reunited…
He had already prepared himself for any obstacles they might face. And he had the confidence and ability to protect the person he loved—there was no doubt about that.
It was fine that Ning Zhen had come today. This would simply resolve the issue sooner rather than later. If it weren’t for Ji Ling’s comfort, he could have pushed things forward much faster instead of taking his time.
The Ning family was never the real obstacle—Ji Ling’s feelings were.
Ning Zhen studied Ning Yu’s gaze and remained silent for a long moment. His younger brother had always been an enigma, but now, he seemed even more unreadable—deep and unfathomable. It made one instinctively trust his words…
He was convinced of Ning Yu’s sincerity. But love was a two-way street, and there was one more thing he needed to confirm.
He smiled kindly at Ji Ling. “And do you like him?”
Ji Ling thought, Here it comes!
So these were Ning Yu’s family members. Even though he was incredibly nervous—even though, at the beginning, he had thought about slipping away quietly—he now understood… If Ning Yu could openly express his feelings in front of his family without hesitation, how could he shrink back now? That would be far too heartbreaking.
He couldn’t do that.
Ji Ling met Ning Zhen’s gaze and answered seriously, “I like him.”
Ning Zhen held his gaze for a moment before breaking into a small smile. “I see.” He then turned to Ning Yu, smirking slightly. “Seems like my visit today was unnecessary. If you ever plan to bring him home… let me know in advance. I’ll go back early to help you out.”
So you don’t get beaten up.
Ning Yu chuckled, nodding. “Thank you.”
Ning Zhen didn’t say anything more. He simply shook his head with a laugh and stood up to leave.
Ji Ling watched as Ning Zhen left and finally let out a breath of relief. This older brother gave off too much pressure. He turned to Ning Yu with concern and asked, “Is this really okay?”
Seeing the genuine concern in the young man's eyes, Ning Yu felt warmth spread through his heart, a deep fondness welling up within him. He leaned in closer and teased with a smile, “That should be my question to you. Are you okay with this?”
After all, you just admitted in front of my family that you like me.
Ji Ling's face flushed red. Earlier, he'd only been focused on being brave, but now, embarrassment finally set in.
Ning Yu chuckled at his flustered expression, his voice low and slow. “Don't worry. My family has never been a problem, and I won't let anyone hurt you.”
Ji Ling was momentarily stunned, then he smiled.
He never doubted that. Given Ning Yu's cunning and ability, handling something like this was nothing to him.
Instead of worrying about these things, what concerned Ji Ling more was that, compared to himself, Ning Yu seemed to be the one putting in more effort in their relationship—more direct, more decisive. Meanwhile, he still hadn't fully prepared himself to face the judgment of others… hesitant, hesitant, and hesitant again.
On the way back, Ji Ling felt a little down, weighed down by guilt.
Ning Yu didn't say anything or ask him about it. He simply drove him back to school and walked with him at a leisurely pace.
Rushing would only backfire. Since he already had the upper hand, he wouldn’t ruin this hard-earned situation with impatience. He had always been able to endure, to strategize, to disguise.
If he wanted his beloved little cat to willingly step into the trap he had woven, he couldn't scare him away.
They walked a step apart. When they were still a short distance from Ji Ling’s dormitory, Ning Yu stopped and smiled at him. “Go on up.”
Ji Ling glanced at him. Ning Yu was always so considerate, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, never putting him in a difficult position.
But what about himself? He had been taking advantage of Ning Yu’s indulgence, retreating out of fear again and again. When would he find the courage to step forward?
He could do it, couldn’t he?
Instead of always letting the other person bear everything, always enduring.
Ji Ling suddenly made up his mind. He grabbed Ning Yu's hand, looked him in the eye, and mustered his courage to say each word carefully. “You are my boyfriend, not some secret lover.”
You deserve to be with me openly, and I am tired of hiding. I want to be with you, openly and sincerely.
I want to take this relationship seriously.
Ning Yu gazed at Ji Ling, finally showing a hint of surprise in his eyes. But after a moment, he simply shook his head with a soft laugh. “Before making any decisions, you should think them through. I don’t need you to rush into any promises, because… you’re still not mature enough.”
You’re just an inexperienced child. This fragile sprout of love that we've only just nurtured—I need to protect it carefully, rather than expose it too soon to gossip and scrutiny, to the darker sides of this world…
I am selfish like this. I am afraid that one day, you will regret this and leave me because of it.
The one who lacks confidence… is actually me.
Ji Ling froze for a second, then suddenly bristled like a cat with its fur standing on end. He glared at Ning Yu, his brows furrowed in anger. “You're the immature one! You’re the kid!”
I am being serious about this!
Do you really see me as someone who is too timid to withstand the slightest storm? Do you not believe that I can be brave enough to face anything?
I will prove to you that you’ve underestimated me!
Ning Yu watched Ji Ling’s fiery reaction, those beautiful eyes filled with indignation. For a fleeting moment, he seemed to see that once-proud, arrogant noble boy from long ago. Ah, back then, he also got mad just like this. He really hasn’t changed at all…
Just when I think you're a timid child, you always manage to surprise me with unexpected courage.
A faint smile appeared in Ning Yu's eyes. He said, “Alright, alright. You’re a mature adult now.”
Ji Ling: “…”
Now I’m even angrier. How do I beat up an adult, huh? :)
But then again, this guy is actually older than me. Even though his body in this world is only twenty-four, he’s probably lived over two hundred and forty years. Thinking about it that way, he really is a shameless old man!
Just with an overly deceptive appearance!
Ji Ling widened his eyes and glared at Ning Yu. Ning Yu, helpless yet indulgent, looked back at him…
As they stood off, a shocked voice suddenly interrupted them. “You—what are you two doing?!”
Wang Yixin had just returned from outside. As he passed by, he vaguely heard Ji Ling’s voice. Curious, he walked over—only to be utterly stunned by what he saw. Behind the tree, Ji Ling was tightly holding Ning Yu’s hand. They stood very close together, the atmosphere intimate beyond words…
Wang Yixin’s mind raced through a hundred different scenarios of how brothers could interact, but none of them looked like this!
He stood frozen in place, as if he had just stumbled upon some earth-shattering secret!
Ji Ling was also caught off guard. But after a brief silence, he seemed to finally make up his mind. Instead of letting go, he held Ning Yu’s hand even tighter. He looked directly at Wang Yixin and said firmly, “Have you never seen a couple before?”
Wang Yixin: “…”
He looked at Ji Ling, then at Ning Yu, his mind a chaotic mess. After a long pause, he stammered, “D-Dating?”
Ning Yu finally sighed. He gently tightened his grip on Ji Ling’s hand, steadying the slight tremor he felt in the boy’s palm. Then he turned to Wang Yixin and smiled calmly. “That’s right. I’m Ji Ling’s boyfriend.”
Wang Yixin: “…Sorry to interrupt.”
I must be dreaming. I haven’t woken up yet. He turned and walked off in a daze…
Ning Yu glanced sideways at Ji Ling, his gaze filled with warmth, indulgence, and helplessness as he said slowly, “Even if you want to back out now, it's too late.”
Although Ji Ling had mustered all his courage to say those words earlier, his heart was now pounding with nerves. But there was no way he would admit defeat in front of Ning Yu—he had to see this act through to the end, even if he had to kneel while doing it! He raised his chin and said, “Who's backing out? I never go back on my word!”
Ning Yu gazed into Ji Ling’s eyes, and after a moment, a soft chuckle escaped his throat. He lowered his head and gently pressed a kiss to Ji Ling’s forehead. “Alright.”
Remember what you said today.
Because I won’t give you a chance to take it back.
………………
Ji Ling left Ning Yu with his head held high, feeling like he was exuding an air of dominance. But the moment he reached the dormitory entrance, his courage wavered, and he hesitated for a long time, not daring to push the door open…
Just as he was hesitating, Zheng Lin walked over and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong? Forgot your key?”
Then he reached out and twisted the doorknob—only to find the door wasn’t locked. He and Wang Yixin, who was inside, stared at each other. “…”
Ji Ling: “…”
Left with no choice, Ji Ling braced himself and stepped inside. He met Wang Yixin’s gaze in silence. Wang Yixin was also extremely nervous—he had just stumbled upon a shocking secret today. Would he have to be silenced for knowing too much…?
Zheng Lin, completely oblivious, looked at Wang Yixin in his daze and laughed. “What’s up with you? Did you get possessed or something? Have you lost your mind?”
Wang Yixin: “…”
But Ji Ling decided to just rip the band-aid off. Sooner or later, they would find out anyway. Rather than letting Wang Yixin overthink things, it was better to be direct. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “If you have any questions, you can ask them now.”
Wang Yixin eyed him cautiously. “For real?”
Zheng Lin: “?” What the hell are these two talking about? Some kind of secret code?
Wang Yixin couldn’t hold back anymore. With Ji Ling’s confirmation, he blurted out excitedly, “Are you really dating Brother Ning?!”
Zheng Lin looked back and forth between Wang Yixin and Ji Ling, utterly shocked. WTF?! What nonsense was this? Ji Ling and Brother Ning were dating? No way, he must have misheard…
And then he saw Ji Ling nod.
Zheng Lin’s expression turned to one of sheer horror. So Ji Ling was actually… into men?! He liked guys?! Thinking about how they had been living together, casually draping their arms over each other… Could it be that his… his purity had been at risk this whole time?!
He immediately crossed his arms over his chest and took a step back in fear. “I’m straight—don’t come near me!”
Ji Ling: “…Relax, I’m not interested in you.”
Zheng Lin, still wary, asked, “Really?”
Ji Ling snapped, “Go look in a mirror. Do you think you can compare to even Ning Yu’s little toe?”
Zheng Lin: “…Now that you put it that way, I actually feel relieved.”
Ji Ling: “…”
Wang Yixin quickly nudged Zheng Lin, signaling him to watch what he said and not go too far. Then he turned to Ji Ling with a sheepish smile. “He, uh… he didn’t mean anything bad by that…”
Ji Ling chuckled indifferently. He had been through too much to be easily rattled. In the interstellar world, he had faced all sorts of situations. It was only because he had returned to his own world, where he had loved ones and friends, that he had hesitated so much. But sooner or later, he had to face it. This wasn’t something he could just avoid forever.
What, was he really going to stay in a secret relationship with Ning Yu for life?
At that moment, Zheng Lin suddenly burst into laughter again and shot Ji Ling a fawning look. “Wait, so you’re really dating Brother Ning? Can you get him to take us to a KPL match?”
As long as my virtue is safe, we’re still bros!
Ji Ling was momentarily taken aback, surprised by Zheng Lin’s reaction. Weren’t you just panicking and acting like the world was ending a second ago…? Don’t you think I’m abnormal or anything…?
Wang Yixin shoved Zheng Lin aside, rolling his eyes. This shameless bastard. Then he grinned at Ji Ling and said, “Ignore him. We’re not the kind of roommates who’d just exploit you for favors. We fully support your right to love whoever you want. But hey, Brother Ning did snatch away our dorm’s prized beauty… A few meals would be a fair trade, right?”
Ji Ling: “…”
After a long silence, he finally smiled. “Of course, that’s only fair.”
………………
The past few days, the biggest news at the Academy of Fine Arts was that their department heartthrob was taken!
But that wasn’t even the biggest shock—the real bombshell was that the department heartthrob was dating the department flower’s older brother! The heavens weep! Handsome men were pairing up with each other! Countless girls were heartbroken, crying over their lost crushes. Fans of both Ji Ling and Ning Yu were devastated—suddenly, they had lost two idols at once…
Life was tough. Ji Ling’s fans and Ning Yu’s fans could only comfort each other by shipping their idols as a CP to get through the heartbreak.
Of course, there were also some sour and snide remarks, but as long as they didn’t say it to his face, Ji Ling couldn’t care less.
Meanwhile, Ning Kehan faced a horde of gossip-hungry classmates with an expression of ancient wisdom. Hah, you people have no idea. I was in the know from the very start! I told you all not to bother hoping! And now you’re disappointed, huh?
But she had to admit, her uncle had been pretty decisive—he had secured Ji Ling for himself so quickly.
Thinking about how she now had to address Ji Ling as ‘uncle,’ Ning Kehan felt a bit suffocated. She even began to doubt whether helping Ning Yu had been the right decision. But after another wave of financial incentives from Ning Yu, she quickly realized that life wasn’t just about the present struggles—there were poetry and distant dreams to chase! As long as she had money, why should she worry about finding fresh young men?
Ji Ling continued living his usual life. Other than the occasional curious glances and whispers, nothing much had changed.
So what was there to be so afraid of?
There really was no need for all that hesitation.
Many things seem daunting until you take that first step—then you realize they’re not such a big deal after all.
If there was one thing still weighing on his mind, though, it was Wen Yan. Even though Wen Yan had always acted like just an ordinary senior, Ji Ling couldn’t help but feel an indescribable guilt whenever he faced him.
One day, they ran into each other at the library again.
Ji Ling figured Wen Yan must have already heard the news. He hesitated, his lips parting slightly, thinking that perhaps he should tell Wen Yan in person—out of respect. But after a long silence, he found himself at a loss for words.
Wen Yan gazed at Ji Ling.
The boy thought he had only just found out, but in reality, he had known long before anyone else did. Before the world had caught on, he had already known. You’re kind. You don’t want to hurt me. You don’t want me to be sad. But I feel the same way… I don’t want you to be sad either.
From the moment I decided to stay by your side like this, I had already prepared myself to accept everything.
He just hadn't expected to lose so quickly.
So completely.
A faint, elusive pain spread through his chest, yet his face held a calm and gentle smile as he took the initiative to speak. “If you're about to tell me that you're with Ning Yu, I already know.”
Ji Ling looked up in surprise, not expecting Wen Yan to bring it up first.
Lowering his eyes to hide the bitterness and lingering attachment within them, Wen Yan smiled flawlessly. “I hope you can be happy.”
Even if that happiness doesn't come from me.
Ji Ling stared at him, meeting his warm gaze, and suddenly, a weight lifted from his heart. The last traces of worry and unease disappeared. Wen Yan had truly let go of the past, hadn't he...?
He smiled. “Thank you, Senior Yu.”
………………
Ji Ling and Ning Yu began dating openly. Except for his family, nearly everyone at school already knew. Fortunately, in this day and age, any kind of gossip flares up quickly but dies down just as fast. Before long, people stopped discussing it.
Ji Ling no longer had to sneak around whenever he met up with Ning Yu, and Ning Yu started appearing much more frequently.
Dating actually felt pretty nice.
Ning Yu often treated their dorm mates to meals, played games with them, took them to watch matches, and joined them on outings and parties. Rather than feeling awkward about Ji Ling and Ning Yu’s relationship, his roommates admired him even more—after all, Ji Ling had actually managed to win over Brother Ning! Since Brother Ning was now their dorm’s ‘son-in-law,’ wasn’t it only natural to rely on him for some perks?
Come to think of it, the benefits definitely outweighed the downsides!
Ji Ling couldn't help but sigh. Shameless people certainly had their advantages.
Before long, Christmas Eve arrived.
Ning Yu was already waiting outside early. The weather had turned chilly, and he stood there in a long black trench coat, tall and imposing. His handsome face carried a warm smile, like a spring breeze. When he saw Ji Ling, he smiled from afar.
Ji Ling quickly walked over, and Ning Yu naturally took Ji Ling’s cold hands into his own, rubbing them gently for warmth. “Let's go.”
The streets were packed with people, everyone coming out to celebrate. No matter where they went, there were long lines. But Ning Yu had made reservations in advance, so they didn’t have to worry about not getting a meal.
Amid the crowd, aside from a few passersby who glanced their way, most people didn’t pay them much attention.
They had dinner first, then watched a romantic movie fitting for the occasion. Finally, they ended the night with a walk along the lake. By then, the streets had quieted down, and the crowds had thinned. The square was littered with ribbons and decorations left behind from earlier festivities—merchants never wasted an opportunity to cash in on couples at this time of year.
They strolled leisurely, and when they grew tired, they sat down by a flowerbed. Ji Ling rubbed his hands together, and Ning Yu chuckled. “Cold? I’ll go get you some milk tea.”
Ji Ling nodded. “Okay.”
Ning Yu gently kissed his forehead, ruffled his hair, and then left.
Ji Ling sat there alone, absentmindedly gazing at the lake. Time really did fly…
After a while, feeling bored, he reached for his phone, but just as he glanced sideways, his movement froze. Standing nearby, Jing Sui was watching him.
Ji Ling had no idea how long he had been there.
Jing Sui curled his lips in mockery. This old Earth holiday was supposed to be about family reunions, but it had long since become a day for couples. In this world, he had no one to reunite with. This dull, irritating holiday... If not for a friend dragging him to an opening ceremony earlier, he wouldn’t have come out at all.
Perhaps due to his irritation, he had refused a ride home and decided to walk alone.
Everywhere, there was a joyous atmosphere—ignorant and blissful humans, unaware that an anomaly existed among them. And he had no intention of revealing himself as one.
The last thing he had expected was to run into the boy like this.
This world really was too small.
If this had been his world—the vast universe—chancing upon someone would have been nearly impossible. But here, encounters happened so easily.
He had run into the one person he wanted to see, yet had no reason to seek out.
And then he witnessed an absurd sight he had never imagined.
Ji Ling and Ning Yu were together.
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