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nIn order to protect himself, Jing Yuanqi had studied Chinese kickboxing. Due to his continued dedication to training, none of these bodyguards were a match for him.

n“You!”

nSeveral bodyguards made a collaborative effort to catch Jing Yuanqi, but the youth weaved through their attempts effortlessly. He plopped himself down beside Shi Qing.

n“Shi-laoshi, it’s fine if you don’t want to talk to other people, but how could you keep me away as well?”

nThe film emperor put down his book. There was a chilling light in his eyes, “Get away from me.”

nJing Yuanqi was stunned.

nThis was the first time that Shi Qing used such a strong tone with him.

nIn the past, Shi Qing would never talk like this even when he drove Jing Yuanqi away.

nThe young man knew the weaknesses of his prey like the back of his hand. He skillfully raised the brightness of his sunny smile and moved about a millimeter away from the film emperor.

nHe had the face to tease him, “This is far enough right?”

nShi Qing’s eyebrows tightened even more. His petal-like lips pursed slightly like he was very dissatisfied.

nJing Yuanqi could sense that something wasn’t right.

nWhat happened?

nWhy was Shi Qing suddenly so intolerant towards him?

nWas it because of Cui Yunqing’s eyebrows? Was Shi Qing refusing him because of that little fool?

nCui Yunqing, who was currently chatting with other people outside the circle of bodyguards suddenly felt a chill on his neck. He ducked his head subconsciously. Turning around, he saw Jing Yuanqi staring at him from within the circle.

nCui Yunqing immediately forgot about the strange feeling just now and waved happily at Jing Yuanqi.

nJing Yuanqi: Hehe. Fool.

nHow could Shi Qing’s attitude towards him change because of him?

nThen what was this about?

nWhile he was thinking, those girls walked over.

nThe first step to having a conversation with famous people was, of course, to say hello. The girls tried to ignore the bodyguards as best they could. They were bubbly as they asked for a round of introductions.

nAfter that, it was time to bring out the icebreakers.

nFor the purpose of enhancing the livestream, the props department carried over a box of darts.

n“These are the signature darts of the ‘Ancient Fog Monster’. Every one of these is coated in deadly poison. Be careful everyone!”

nThat was just a joke.

nThe Ancient Fog Monster was an ominous villain from ‘God’s Arrival’. He always carried poison-laced darts on him. Anyone hit by one of them would survive for three days at most.

nThis was obviously an attempt to pander to the fans of the novel.

nAs the referee, AA Rabbit explained the rules: “It’s very simple. I’m going to put a dart on the ground. The participants will throw their darts one by one. It must be able to stand on its own and be as close to my dart as possible. The nearest dart will be the winner and the farthest one will be the loser. After that, the winner can ask the loser a question or dare the loser to do something of their choosing.”

n“Okay, now that we’re all clear on the rules, who wants to go first?”

nCui Yunqing was eager to volunteer, but Jing Yuanqi was a step ahead.

nCui Yunqing: “Jing-ge, you want to try it first?”

nJing Yuanqi pulled Shi Qing out by his arm: “No, Shi-laoshi will go first.”

nCui Yunqing: “???”

nHe shrunk back once he glanced at the frowning Shi-laoshi.

nHe didn’t seem too thrilled no matter how you looked at it.

nShi Qing didn’t speak. He accepted one of the darts, held it gently in his hand and immediately tossed it out.

nThe comments stopped for about two seconds. The dart couldn’t have landed further away from AA Rabbit’s if he tried.

nSoon after:

nHahahahahahahahaha!!!

nOMG!!! Why did he throw the dart like a handkerchief?! Is he being serious right now ah!

nEven I can tell that he wasn’t using any strength. He didn’t even grasp the dart very tightly.

nHow did someone like this become a film emperor?!

nA mocking curtain of comments swept across the screen. The film emperor couldn’t see it of course. Seeing the vast distance between the two darts, he only quietly moved aside.

nJing Yuanqi looked at Shi Qing’s lightly drooping eyelashes. His silence seemed to contain a trace of disappointment. For some reason, Jing Yuanqi’s mind was a mess.

nHe could admit that he was hoping Shi Qing would miss by a significant margin when he pushed the man out, but he didn’t expect that Shi Qing would just toss it with so little strength.

nIt was caught on stream, so he’s definitely feeling embarrassed.

nJing Yuanqi never intended for Shi Qing to lose face.

nThe young man carefully avoided the lens of the camera and tugged on Shi Qing’s arm: “Shi-laoshi……”

nShi Qing reached out and gently removed his hand. “I’m not angry.”

nJing Yuanqi carefully glanced at the frigid film emperor: “You held back just now?”

n“En.”

nJing Yuanqi didn’t ask him why. He purred softly like a feline, “Then I’ll win later okay? If I win, it’ll be just the two of us.”

nThe film emperor finally raised his eyes. Inky black irises pierces into him: “You have this much confidence in yourself?”

n“Of course.”

nJing Yuanqi has never felt the need to boast about his strength and fighting capabilities before.

nBut when he looked at Shi Qing, he couldn’t help but strut around like an arrogant leopard, showing off all of his accomplishments.

nJing Yuanqi really could back up his words.

nHe waited until everyone else had a chance to throw their darts.

nAfter confirming his target, he took the dart and threw it out.

n–Ding!

nThis dart landed right next to the dart AA Rabbit placed so far away. A crisp sound rang out.

n“Wah!!!”

nCui Yunqing was the first to jump out: “You’re so cool Jing-ge!!! You’re the best!!!”

nThe room was filled with cheers.

nEven the commenters lauded this newcomer with all kinds of praises. He could maintain his accuracy from so far away.

nTherefore, the next part of the game was Jing Yuanqi vs Shi Qing.

nThe youth has been waiting impatiently for this.

n“Truth or dare? What’s the name of the person you like?”

nShi Qing paused for a second, “Dare.”

nJing Yuanqi was disappointed.

nIf they were playing in private, he would ask Shi Qing to do it with him at least once on the bed, on the wall, on the ground and on the treadmill.

nUnfortunately, they were being livestreamed.

nThe young man’s smile reached all the way to his eyes, which were glittering mischievously like he was a malicious trickster: “Then I want Shi-laoshi to cut me a slice of watermelon and personally feed it to me.”

nObviously, this was Jing Yuanqi’s alternative scheme to receive affection.

nWithin five minutes, a crew member came back with a watermelon and a knife. He was laughing and yelling from afar: “The watermelon’s here!”

nMaybe the ground was uneven or something, but when he was nearby the staff member suddenly slipped. His entire body fell forward.

n“Ah!!!”

nThe man tumbled to the ground. The watermelon and knife flew out of his hands.

nThe viewers of the stream could only watch with horror as the knife flew straight towards Girl C.

nGirl C didn’t even have time to scream before she was shoved down with great force by a man.

nIt took less than a second for all this to happen.

nWhen everyone returned to their senses, Shi Qing was lying on the ground. He was holding the girl who almost got stabbed in his arms.

n“Shi Qing!”

n“Shi-ge!!!”

n“Shi-laoshi–”

nThe people on the scene responded. Jing Yuanqi was the first to rush over. He almost instinctively arrived at Shi Qing’s side as he pushed the girl in his arms away. His long hands patted Shi Qing up and down.

n“Are you alright? Did you get hurt anywhere? ”

nGirl C didn’t have time to react before she was pushed away. She was still in a state of confusion. It was only when her friends helped her out that the wheels in her head began to turn again. When she thought back to how close the knife was to her face in the last second, her heart seemed to drop into her stomach.

n“Shi-laoshi, Shi-laoshi, are you okay?”

nShe remembered how Shi Qing saved her just now. But she had the nerve to complain about him being a tryhard earlier. Girl C was overwhelmed with guilt. She hobbled forward on her jelly-like legs towards Shi Qing who was still on the ground.

n“I’m fine.”

nShi Qing sat up with Jing Yuanqi’s support. He glanced down at his body: “Everything’s okay. I’m not hurt.”

nHis expression was normal and his eyebrows were relaxed, so the others believed him and hurried to help him up.

n“Thank goodness you’re okay. It was so scary just now.”

n“Shi-laoshi, let’s get you off the floor.”

nThe stream audience saw everything that happened.

nFuck, that wasn’t a skit right? I thought Shi Qing was a selfish bastard at first glance.

nWhatever that was, it was driven by pure instinct.

nIf it wasn’t for Shi Qing, that girl’s face would’ve probably been ruined.

nDid anyone record that? I want to rewatch it.

nThe System was very happy after reviewing the comments: Host! Host! They’ve completely changed their opinion of you!

nThe Host is so powerful!! Here, flowers for you!

nShi Qing: Save your praises for later. It’s not over yet.

nIn full view of the camera, the film emperor stood up and dusted himself off as if nothing had happened. Then he turned to say a few words to the others.

nFuck me sideways–

nOMG ah!! There’s so much blood!!!

nFuck that’s a dart, right?? It’s in him??

nThey could see the dart that was being used as a target in the game was embedded in Shi Qing’s back. The wound was bleeding freely.

nIt must have stabbed Shi Qing when he threw himself over Girl C to protect her.

nThe comments exploded as a large portion of the white shirt was slowly dyed red by fresh blood.

nThe crew blew up too.

n“Why is there so much blood?? Someone quickly call for an ambulance!”

n“Are you feeling alright Shi-laoshi? Shi-laoshi? How are you doing?”

n“Why didn’t you tell us you were injured?”

nAmong the multitude of people speaking at once, Jing Yuanqi remained silent.

nHe stared dully at Shi Qing’s ashen face. His usually cold demeanour was cracking as he felt around his own back in a daze. When he saw the blood on his hand, the expression on his face became even more lost.

nThe eyes that were as cold as ice revealed a fragility that Jing Yuanqi had never seen before.

nIt was impossible to tell if the film emperor was sad, but Jing Yuanqi felt that the other person was close to tears.

nHe lowered his head away from the cameras. “I’m sorry but please stop filming,” he said hoarsely.

nJing Yuanqi’s heart ached to see this side of Shi Qing, even if he didn’t know why Shi Qing was so vulnerable right now.

nThe young man coaxed with a soft voice he has never used before: “Shi Qing. It’s alright. They won’t film you anymore.”

nJing Yuanqi gathered the film emperor in front of him and sheltered him from the cameras.

nBut they continued to follow him.

nShi Qing’s voice was too quiet. Everyone was too occupied by his injury to notice his pleads.

nSo the film emperor murmured in his hoarse voice again and again while avoiding the cameras. He was almost begging: “Don’t film me, don’t film me……”

nHe stared as Shi Qing, who was so skittish around him before, willingly hid himself in his arms. Complicated emotions filled Jing Yuanqi’s heart.

nHeartache and annoyance dominated the rest.

nThe young man stalked over to AA Rabbit to grab her phone and end the broadcast: “Stop filming!”

nAA Rabbit was stunned.

nWhen she was about to ask why, her eyes coincidentally met the youth’s.

nThey were sharp and bitterly cold like a knife left outside in winter. There was a promise of wrath hidden within.

nShe shivered and did not dare to speak again.

n***

nShi Qing was escorted onto the ambulance.

nSince the entire event was being livestreamed, it inevitably spread all over the internet.

nThe short video of him reflexively saving a girl he didn’t know also began to spread online.

nI didn’t expect that from someone like him. Shi Qing’s always seemed so gloomy and miserly, but he’s actually a pretty cool dude! I stand corrected!

nBut doesn’t anyone else find it strange that he didn’t react at all to being stabbed? Was this really not planned?

nIt was a livestream. Why don’t you try something in front of that many stars and see how well that goes.

nI used to have a very negative impression of Shi Qing. But what happened has totally changed my view on him. He unconsciously turned so that his body would hit the ground instead of the girl. If it wasn’t for him, the girl would definitely have been injured by that dart instead.

nWhen Shi Qing’s fan base increased dramatically because of this incident, a post appeared quietly. It soon made it onto the HOT list.

nFormer worker in the entertainment industry. I’m here to say what I know about Shi Qing

nPoster ID: Long time out of circle

nLong time out of circle: I’ve been in the circle for long enough to see all kinds of stars. Shi Qing, however, remains unique.

nMany people know that his family was influential. When he first started out, he didn’t take bodyguards everywhere like he does now. Instead, he asked whoever was his assistant to stay by his side 24

/7. They were dismissed if they left for even a second.

nWe didn’t understand why yet, so we thought he was being so harsh to deliberately torment the people around him. Someone even gave him the nickname ‘Loose Hand’, because no assistant could last more than a month under him. Anyways, Shi Qing left a ‘wonderful’ image in our minds.

nHe acted so gloomy and distant everyday. He gave short answers and liked to do everything alone. He hid himself away even during times when actors usually got together, like mealtimes and when putting on makeup. He gave others the impression that he was really difficult to get along with.

nI’m not interested in boring you, so I’ll cut straight to the chase. At that time, due to various circumstances aligning, I found out something. Shi Qing was very numb to pain. An example that I remember very clearly was when he sat down on a random chair after filming a particularly demanding scene. Who knows, maybe he was too tired to make it back to his dressing room. I was resting nearby at the time. It was only when he left that I found a nail sticking out of that chair.

nIt wasn’t very long, but it was definitely enough to draw blood. If a normal person like us sat on it, there’s no doubt we would jump up immediately. But Shi Qing sat there for ten frickin minutes until he recovered enough to get up.

nI paid special attention to that nail and wiped it down with some toilet paper. There was blood on it.

nI didn’t know why he couldn’t feel any pain then. After a period of close observation, I found that he really couldn’t feel the pain that ordinary people could feel. He didn’t hurt even if he bled. I saw with my own eyes that there were many times where he only reacted to wounds when he noticed he was bleeding.

nLater, when I went home to do a bit of research, I found a condition that seemed to fit his symptoms. It’s called congenital insensitivity to pain or CIP for short. People with this condition can’t feel pain. You might think that’s a good thing since you won’t feel toothaches or headaches or other kinds of discomfort.

nBut it’s not. CIP is a terrifying condition because pain is our body’s warning system. For example, you might take your temperature if you have a headache and find out that you’re feverish. You can then quickly take some medicine for it. Or maybe you get stabbed by a nail, so you go get a tetanus shot.

nHow are people with CIP supposed to find out if something is wrong? They can’t feel headaches so they don’t know that they have a fever, which can lead to more severe complications like pneumonia.

nIf they were injured by rusty nails, they wouldn’t know because they don’t feel any pain. As a result, they might get tetanus and die.

nIt says online that it is very difficult for people with CIP to live past 25. I don’t know how Shi Qing’s survived for so long, but it couldn’t have been easy for him.

nIn order to protect himself, he has to eat alone, rest alone, and even get his makeup done separately from everyone else. He can’t get close to others, because a careless action on their part can result in injury for him. Anyways, Shi Qing has been by himself for as long as I’ve been in the crew.

nPeople in the industry say that he’s gloomy and aloof. So let me ask you this: if you could die through no fault of your own by interacting with others, would you?

nLater on he started taking his bodyguards everywhere in public. People thought that he was overbearing and laughed at him for not being able to read the atmosphere, but I could see that he just wanted to continue living.

nThat’s all I have to say. I’ve already retired from the circle, but I saw in the news today that there were several commenters saying that it was all a publicity stunt. That’s why I made this post.

nThis is a throwaway account that will be deleted soon, so don’t bother messaging me.

nA new wave of discussion occurred among the netizens upon reading this post. Jing Yuanqi also read through it.

nHe froze for a long time.

nHe didn’t want to believe it, but it brought all the pieces together.

nShi Qing liked to eat devil’s peppers.

nIt’s common knowledge that the sensation of heat didn’t come from taste, but from pain.

nHe was able to eat the normally intolerable devil’s peppers with a straight face because he lacked the ability to feel pain.

nHe was always alone.

nAlone in the dressing room. Alone while eating. Alone when sleeping.

nWhen he heard there was going to be a livestream, his first reaction was to call his bodyguards over.

nHe didn’t call them just to ensure his safety.

nIt was to have someone to remind him when he got hurt.

nThe reason why he didn’t say anything on set was because no one cared if he was hurt or not.

nThere was only one reason for his actions.

nShi Qing didn’t want to let others know he couldn’t feel pain.

nNow that everyone knew he was ill, what mood was Shi Qing in?

nAt this moment, all thoughts seemed to fade away from Jing Yuanqi’s mind.

nThe young man arrived at the hospital almost as fast as he could.

nGao Zhi was on guard outside the ward. He weakly smiled with tired eyes as he saw him: “Jing-ge.”

nJing Yuanqi didn’t have time to rest. He gasped for breath as he asked, “Is Shi Qing doing okay?”

nGao Zhi shook his head.

n“Shi-ge hasn’t been in a good mood since he found out about that post. He said he wanted to be alone for a while, but he’s been stewing in there for more than three hours already.”

n“Jing-ge, I don’t think Shi-ge wanted to let others know at all. Even someone like me who follows him around all the time didn’t know about this. Shi-ge obviously intended to hide it.”

nHe sighed: “But given his personality that makes sense. Shi-ge has always been very independent. There’s no way he wanted others to know that he was ill.”

nJing Yuanqi took a deep breath. At the thought of Shi Qing wearing that fragile expression in the ward, his heart throbbed painfully.

nHe was past the point of caring about why he was in a bad mood.

nA person that valued appearances as much as Shi Qing was forced to show the soft meat hidden under his shell in public……

nThe young man put a hand over his heart. His face was clouded.

nThe poster who exposed Shi Qing better hope he didn’t find him!

nDing! Jing Yuanqi’s animosity value: 49!

nCongratulations Host! Congratulations! The Host is skilled in both literature and martial arts. May you rule over the Jianghu for thousands of years!!

nIn the ward, the pain-insensitive Shi Qing listened to the cheers of the System. He raised an eyebrow.

nHe turned on the computer and navigated to the forum account.

nNext to the ID Long time out of circle–

n–He clicked to sign out.

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