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nOvernight, everyone seemed to have heard about Shi Qing.

nWhy he hired bodyguards.

nWhy he never looked like he belonged.

nWhy he was friendless in the entertainment circle.

nThe points that used to stain his reputation black were washed white in just one night. Now he was regarded widely with sympathy.

nHe doesn’t have a choice but to live like that ah. Who wants to be looked down upon by the public all the time?

nI thought CIP was a pretty good deal when I heard the name. I mean who wants to feel pain? But after that poster explained the science behind it, I got goosebumps all over. If I didn’t feel pain, I won’t even know if I cut half my head off.

nHis gloomy indifference was also explained away.

nAfter all, who had the right to ask a terminally ill patient to face life with a smile?

nDuring their discussion, one question was often brought up: “Where is Shi Qing now? Is he alright?”

nSince the cogs were set into motion, Shi Qing never appeared in the public.

nEven if the fans try their best to show support, the ‘down but not out’ film emperor still remained reclusive.

nFinally, the official Weibo account of his company issued a response.

nTheir statement confirmed that Shi Qing did have a rare condition that caused him to not feel pain, but he kept it under wraps because he didn’t want others to think that he was different. Shi Qing was in recovery now. They asked that everyone respected his privacy and did not discuss this anymore.

nThe official message led to another heated discussion online.

nBut every time someone minimized Shi Qing’s plight by saying things like, ‘oh he can’t feel pain, boohoo’, his fans would come out in droves to defend him.

nSome of them were longtime fans, others had their heartstrings tugged because of this incident.

n“Shi Qing doesn’t want others to talk about him, so you guys should drop it.”

n“If that hadn’t happened during the livestream, he would’ve taken this secret to his grave.”

n“He’s pitiful enough already. He’s worked so hard to hide his condition, but now the entire country knows thanks to that livestream. I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now.”

n“Yeah. I used to think that he was gloomy since he didn’t like to talk. But because of what happened I started watching compilations made by his fans. If found that every time the other actors did activities to promote their project; although he didn’t participate, his eyes were filled with admiration.”

n“My sister was the same when she had a fever last month. She couldn’t play outside so she just squeezed herself by the window to pitifully watch the other children. My sister could go out and play with them when she was feeling better, but Shi Qing will have to live with his condition for the rest of his life.”

nMany fans were busy filling holes in their brains.

nTheir idol must be hiding in his room now with red-rimmed eyes filled with unspoken sorrow.

nIt must be a pitiful sight.

nThis was almost what Jing Yuanqi was thinking as well. After all, ever since that post came out, Shi Qing has locked himself in the ward. Doctors and nurses alike weren’t allowed to enter, let alone him.

nHe only said he wanted to calm down by himself.

nShi Qing was calm.

nBut Jing Yuanqi’s heart was threatening to go on a rampage.

nAccording to Jing Yuanqi’s former temperament, he would’ve just picked the lock and went in. There was no way he would miss this golden opportunity to cement his own standing in Shi Qing’s heart while he was vulnerable.

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nBut he could only sit on the bench in the hospital’s corridor.

nBecause he didn’t know how to comfort Shi Qing.

nWhen Jing Yuanqi realized the reason he didn’t go in directly, he couldn’t accept it at first.

nHe has always considered himself a playboy, and he naturally knew the implications of his hesitance.

n–He really fell in love with Shi Qing.

nHe was just looking for a distraction to end his boredom at first.

nBut he ended up playing himself.

nA fire seemed to be burning in Jing Yuanqi’s heart. He wanted to burn all the people who caused Shi Qing to be unhappy to cinders. He wanted to burn himself who thought like this to ashes as well.

nJing Yuanqi felt he shouldn’t be like this.

nHe just wanted to stir things up and add some fun to his monotonous life.

nHe never thought he would genuinely end up pining after someone.

nJing Yuanqi has believed since he was young that losing sight of the forest to tie himself down to a tree was the dumbest way to live.

nHe’s only ever teased one tree named Shi Qing.

nA thought suddenly rose in Jing Yuanqi’s heart at this moment.

nDoes Shi Qing like him?

nAlthough he’s been telling himself that he was special to Shi Qing–

n–Shi Qing never responded.

nJing Yuanqi consulted a doctor after the incident.

nThis condition weakened the patient’s perception of pain. However, since Shi Qing still liked to eat devil’s peppers, he was completely different from those patients who could barely live to 25. It was likely he could still feel some pain.

nMaybe severe pain registered weakly to him, so he liked to eat devil’s peppers. Because for him, the insane heat of those peppers was just enough for him to feel something.

nHe shared his devil’s peppers to express goodwill towards Jing Yuanqi.

nHowever, when Jing Yuanqi implicitly mentioned how Shi Qing only responded verbally to his harassment, the doctor (who understood his meaning) politely referred Jing Yuanqi to a psychiatrist.

nSo Jing Yuanqi set off again to see a psychiatrist.

nPsychiatrist: “According to the personality and illness that Mr. Jing has mentioned, it is very likely that Mr. Shi is afraid of being close with others. An unintended action on their part could result in injury for Mr. Shi.”

n“He has never been close with others and he is slow to react to stimuli. Even though it seems like he keeps people away, he wishes for someone to reach out to him. But most people would not be comfortable with approaching Mr. Shi because of his indifferent demeanour.”

n“That is where you come in Mr. Jing. You said that Mr. Shi used devil’s pepper to show his fondness for you, but he rejected you when you came closer. This is because Mr. Shi has already gotten used to being cold to others after so long, so he couldn’t adjust his attitude immediately.”

n“But at the same time he also yearns for companionship and interaction with others, which is why he did not reject physical contact with you like you mentioned. Your touch provides him with comfort.”

nAfter the doctor’s analysis, he added: “Of course, most of the problems in your relationship is caused by Mr. Jing’s……um……”

nWhen he thought of the money Jing Yuanqi was paying him, he didn’t have the face to be shameless enough to say such derogatory words out loud.

nHe continued with more neutral terms: “……because of Mr. Jing’s persistent behavior. Someone like Mr. Shi has no way to deal with someone as stubborn as you.”

nJing Yuanqi understood what he was trying to imply. He asked the question he’s been dying to know the answer to: “We’ve been together like this for nearly ten days, so does he feel anything for me?”

n“Which of your characteristics would be attractive to Mr. Shi? In my opinion, Mr. Shi is a very proud and self-reliant man. Even if he is eager for human contact, not just anyone will do. As for feelings…… that’s up to Mr. Jing to find out.”

nAfter answering his questions, the psychiatrist reminded him in a courteous manner that anyone who enjoyed harassing their crush was likely to be (mentally) ill.

nAfter euphemistically expressing his thoughts, he recommended that Jing Yuanqi came to him for professional treatment in the future.

nJing Yuanqi didn’t even bother to pretend he cared. He stared the other person down until he signed a confidentiality agreement before rushing back to the hospital.

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nIn the present.

nHe sat in the corridor with his mind in disarray.

nAccording to the doctor’s words, Shi Qing acquiesced to his actions because he was sick.

nHe was also sick because of how he treated Shi Qing.

nBull**.

nJing Yuanqi crumpled up the doctor’s words and threw them out of his head.

nEven if his mind was sick, he had no interest in changing.

nGao Zhi was wheezing as he ran over, “Jing-ge, I’ve bought the wine you wanted.”

nThe young man scrubbed at his face. When he stood up again, the familiar sunshine smile was firmly secured, “Give it to me.”

nGao Zhi handed it over.

nThen he stared from where he stood in the corridor as Jing Yuanqi pulled out a length of metal wire and skillfully picked the lock on the door.

nAs soon as he entered, the young man dove straight onto the only occupied bed.

nGao Zhi: “……”

nIt might just be him, but the atmosphere between Shi-ge and Jing Yuanqi was strange.

nIt’s like Jing Yuanqi would give anything to live in Shi-ge’s room.

nHe put his hand over his eyes and closed the door behind him.

nIn the room, Shi Qing just finished watching a TV drama. Then he laid down and pretended to sleep for a while. As expected, less than ten minutes later someone embraced him from behind.

nJing Yuanqi hugged him and the quilt together. Because of how close they were, his hot breath could spray on his earlobe as he spoke.

n“Shi-laoshi.”

nShi Qing could hear that Jing Yuanqi hadn’t slept well in quite some time. His voice was hoarse and carried a trace of fatigue: “I heard that intimacy is a good way to relieve stress……”

nAs he spoke, the young man slowly extended his hand gently into the quilt. His words ended off with a purr.

n“I’ll go get a white coat. How about we play doctor?”

nShi Qing: En, he’s as flirty as ever.

nHe moved his shoulders, “Don’t press me down.”

n“How cold.”

nJing Yuanqi stood up obediently and picked up the bag on the bed. He shrugged: “Fine then. I actually came to have a drink with Shi-laoshi.”

nShi Qing: “I don’t drink.”

n“Come on, one bottle can’t hurt.”

nThe young man came closer to the film emperor. His peach blossom eyes crinkled at him from above: “Has Shi-laoshi ever drank with anyone?”

nThe indifference on the film emperor’s face seemed to become more gloomy. He shifted, and his flower-like lips opened and closed: “No.”

nJing Yuanqi opened two bottles of wine and handed one to Shi Qing. His eyes were charming like a seductive spirit.

n“Then I’ll be taking Shi-laoshi’s first time?”

nThe film emperor looked at the bottle of wine in front of him. His eyes flashed but he took it in the end.

nIt’s not hard to get a person feeling low tipsy.

nEven if his appearance was still the same as always, he became more malleable.

nAfter drinking all the wine he bought, Jing Yuanqi was satisfied to see Shi Qing lying on the bed in a daze.

nHis bright black eyes that were always with indifference and rejection, now seem to be wavering and watery. They were glancing at the ceiling with some confusion. His ruddy lips open and closed slightly, as if he was silently calling out.

nJing Yuanqi slowly lowered his head.

n“Shi-laoshi, are you calling for me?”

nA flash of disorientation passed through the film emperor’s expression, but that normally aloof face soon became somewhat excited.

nHe murmured something as he took the initiative to hug Jing Yuanqi for the first time.

nHis little clam was caught in his net, but the youth was in no hurry to eat.

nHe lowered his voice, “Shi-laoshi, do you like me?”

nThe film emperor languidly blinked at the person above him. His brows twisted a fraction with doubts. He reached out and pinched the soft flesh of Jing Yuanqi’s cheeks.

n“Why aren’t you smiling?”

nJing Yuanqi raises his eyebrows and placed a radiant smile on his face. There was laughter and pride in his words as he poked at Shi Qing’s cute, white and tender earlobes: “You really like my smile so much?”

nThe film emperor replied obediently, “I like it.”

nSo the youth became more and more smug.

nWhile he was occupied thinking about how great he was, the drunk film emperor who was much more proactive than before got up and held him down.

nA bruising kiss landed on his lips.

nTong, look at what I just fished up.

nYou can go read your mantras now.

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