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nEditor: Casey

nQin Yunsheng opened his mouth: “You guys have misunderstood Shi Qing. He isn’t acting like this for the sake of being lazy.”

nThe guys: “……”

nWell what other reason could there be?!

nOne of them said, “Qin-ge, you don’t owe us an explanation. Professor Shi is smart enough to contribute more than us despite his laziness.”

nThe officer’s eyebrows knitted. “All of you should think carefully about this. Shi Qing isn’t doing anything right now, so who’s troubleshooting the system for the artificial nerves?”

nThe guys: “…Us, ah.”

nQin Yunsheng: “I don’t understand the technical details, but I know that anyone who troubleshoots the project can put the experience on their resume. Isn’t this a golden opportunity to easily improve your professional standing?”

nThe guys: “That’s right.”

nQin Yunsheng: “If Shi Qing didn’t slack off and did everything, would a genius like him need your help? He could’ve finished by himself.”

nThis statement was 100% concocted by the officer based on his unshakeable faith in the young Marquis.

nBut the other people present didn’t notice anything wrong.

nYeah, since Professor Shi could develop artificial nerves by himself, of course he could troubleshoot on his own too.

nThat made perfect sense!

nQin Yunsheng’s dark eyes narrowed in satisfaction as he watched realization dawn on the group. He continued to whitewash Shi Qing.

n“Do you really believe that Shi Qing is just being lazy? He did this solely to give you guys the opportunity to participate in the project.”

n“But he’s never been the type to take credit for his good deeds. Even if he’s helping you and thinking on your behalf he would remain silent.”

nThe more he spoke about it, the officer started to believe in his own version of events.

nAfter all, Shi Qing obviously liked to be praised, but he also acted sketchy and irritable when doing good deeds.

nQin Yunsheng’s gaze softened even more.

nHow could there be such a cute person in this world?

nHe’s never met anyone so fiercely against admitting to doing good.

nHis complete disregard for what others thought of him was both pitiful and adorable.

nUnbeknownst to him, while trying to fool others, the officer ended up fooling himself as well.

nHe spoke softly with pity, “He doesn’t ask for gratitude, but to say he’s lazy is too much. If he didn’t put on this charade, would any of you be able to participate? Would your name go down in historical records as someone involved in artificial nerves?”

n“If I am to be the boyfriend of such a wonderful person, shouldn’t I work towards becoming someone worthy of him?”

nThe group of people gradually went from being utterly lost, to I see…, to sudden realization, and finally stopped at I want to crawl into a hole and die.

nThat’s right!

nProfessor Shi was obviously doing this for their sake!

nOtherwise, why would he hand over the project he single-handedly completed to unrelated people like them?

nDespite the professor’s kind intentions and great sacrifice, they mistook it for him being lazy.

nHow tragic!

nHow ungrateful!

n“Qin-ge, thank you so much! If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have known how good Professor Shi is to us.”

n“Yeah, I thought that Professor Shi was just being lazy&#k2026; I really should go apologize to him sometime.”

n“Now that I think about it, Professor Shi’s acted like this before. I thought he was an aloof slacker back then, but it must’ve been because those projects were child’s play to him, right? If he participated, there would’ve been nothing left for the rest of us to do.”

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nSomeone else then said, “I once went to school with a genius who left his entire exam blank. When the teacher asked him why, he said the content was too simple and a waste of time.”

n“Yes, geniuses are like that. The smarter they are, the more they hate to be one.”

n“Professor Shi must have thought our projects were too simple for him.”

nThe more the group spoke about this, the more they believed in their version of events.

nWhat used to be laziness and aloofness changed in an instant to a genius’ pity for them.

nRecent events could also be seen in a new light. Shi Qing told no one about creating his computer chip. If it wasn’t for the plagiarism dispute with Tan Mingyi, they might still believe the professor to be trash that got in through connections.

nWhat used to be proof of him being unqualified and abusing his power changed in an instant to a genius’ indifferent attitude towards the world.

nQin Yunsheng nodded his head slightly as he listened.

nYes, Shi Qing was this kind of person.

nIf he didn’t provoke him back then, Shi Qing wouldn’t have even bothered to clarify.

nPreviously, Qin Yunsheng thought that Shi Qing ignored Tan Mingyi because he was a haughty noble that couldn’t be bothered with commoners.

nBut now, it was clearly because he was a genius that he couldn’t be bothered with commoners.

nHow could there be such a cute person in this world?

nSo proud and intelligent.

nAnd yet, such a cute person was actually in love with someone like Qin Yunsheng.

nThe officer’s eyes were overflowing with tender feelings. His heart practically melted after recalling how the usually cold little Marquis acted spoiled only with him, how Shi Qing napped in his arms like a sweet little prince.

nShi Qing was such a cute, caring, and friendly person.

nQin Yunsheng vowed to renew his efforts so that he could take care of the little Marquis in every way.

n***

nMeanwhile, Shi Qing was snacking on sunflower seeds. He came to the office to watch TV when he didn’t see Qin Yunsheng after waking up.

nHis comely features somehow made snacking seem as elegant as fine dining.

nThe System suddenly popped up with a notification. Ding! Qin Yunsheng’s animosity value: 0

/100

nIt was stunned.

nThis was the first time it has ever seen a target’s animosity value drop to zero on its own.

nShi Qing continued munching and watching TV without a care in the world.

nAs he ate, Shi Yiyi came in.

nAfter confirming that Shi Qing was the only person in the office, she didn’t bother to conceal her glee. She sauntered over to the young Marquis and tauntingly waved her phone.

n“You seem to be rather free right now. Let’s see if you’ll still be in the mood to watch TV after Uncle calls you later.”

nThe young Marquis picked up his steamed milk pudding without sparing her a glance. He continued to watch TV.

nHe seemed very comfortable.

nHis naked contempt succeeded in provoking Shi Yiyi.

n“Fine! You might not care now, but you’ll be singing a different tune after Uncle punishes you!”

nShe angrily sat down in her seat. Then Shi Qing’s phone rang.

nThe young Marquis answered it without hesitation: “Father.”

nShi Yiyi straightened up at this delightful turn of events. She strained in Shi Qing’s direction, as if hoping to eavesdrop on their conversation.

nShi Qing shot her a look and turned on the speakerphone.

nFather Shi’s distant yet steady voice came out. “I heard from your cousin that you have a boyfriend?”

nShi Qing replied honestly, “Yes, he’s the officer in charge of protecting me.”

nFather Shi paused as if recalling something.

n“So it’s him. He’s a good kid. Are your feelings towards him serious?”

nShi Qing: “100%.”

nFather Shi: “Okay, got it.”

nAnother man’s respectful voice came faintly from the phone: “Duke-daren, there is a document that needs your attention…”

nFather Shi responded to him, “Good, put it here.”

nThen he said to his son, “Since you’re serious, try to get along with him. Let me know in advance if you plan on getting married in the future and I’ll make time to attend the wedding.”

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n“I’m busy right now. I’ll talk to you next time.”

nThe call ended there.

nShi Yiyi: “……”

nShe was stunned.

nFather Shi always used the same tone with her, but she thought it was just because she was his niece.

nHe’s still this focused on work after his son suddenly came out of the closet?!!

nThe young Marquis placed his phone down and tilted his chin proudly at Shi Yiyi.

n“Looks like my ‘punishment’ is over. Let me check the time… Ah, it’s time for work. I’ll go pick up a milk tea from the lounge then.”

nShi Qing swaggered out.

nShi Yiyi looked at his smug back and almost flipped her table in a rage.

nShi Qing didn’t come back for a while.

nThis was very common for Professor Shi. He used to be like this before he made the computer chip. There was no finding him once he left.

nThe scientists gradually returned to their workplace. Only Shi Qing was nowhere to be seen. He was probably slacking off somewhere again.

nFresh from exercising, the officer came to have a look around the room. He left again when he noticed that the young Marquis wasn’t there.

nObviously, he was off to find his little boyfriend.

nShi Yiyi, who was still steaming mad, decided to use provocation herself.

nHer first target was the busy Colleague 1. She casually said, “Shi Qing’s behaviour really is too much. I can’t believe he’s slacking off at a time like this when everyone else is running themselves ragged. Isn’t it unfair that he gets all the credit for your hard work?”

nColleague 1: “Don’t say that Yiyi! Professor Shi was the one who created these artificial nerves in the first place. He’s also kind enough to let us participate and put our names down as contributors to this project.”

nShi Yiyi: “???”

nShe grit her teeth and moved on to another person.

nDeliberately sighing, she said, “All of you must be exhausted these days. Shi Qing’s gone too far! How can he stand by so idly after seeing how much work you guys have? I even saw him watching TV earlier! And he’s not back yet from his little excursion. How disgraceful.”

nColleague 2: “You don’t understand. Professor Shi is doing this for our sakes.”

nShi Yiyi: …Huh?!!

nHuh?!!!

nHe’s arriving late, leaving early, and fooling around for their sakes?!!

nColleague 3: “Yes, Professor Shi is too good to us.”

nColleague 4: “I’ve never met someone as kind as Professor Shi.”

nColleague 5: “Yiyi, I know you don’t get along with Professor Shi, but you shouldn’t lie about him. How can you say such things about such a good person? We usually get along so I’ll let it go this time, but I’m really going to be angry if you slander Professor Shi again.”

nShi Yiyi: “……”

nShe slandered Shi Qing?

nShe! Slandered! Shi Qing?!!!

nAre these people insane?!!

nDoes Shi Qing need her to slander him?!!

nIsn’t what she said the truth right before everyone’s eyes?!!!

nColleague 6: “In any case, Professor Shi is a good person. Don’t say such things about him.”

nHer other colleagues: “Yes, he’s a good person.”

nShi Yiyi: “………………”

nThere was only one explanation in her mind.

nEither she was crazy…

n…Or the whole world was.

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