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nEditor: SimoB

nShi Yiyi was livid, but Shi Qing added fuel to the fire by kindly passing her all the shredded paper. His fox demon like face, which was more beautiful than a girl’s, was really asking for a knuckle sandwich.

n“Eat up, dear cousin. No need to thank me~”

nWhen Shi Yiyi didn’t move, the young Marquis smiled sweetly, “Do you think that this is too plain? Why don’t I cut out some flowers for you?”

nShi Yiyi threw her hands up. Her hatred only intensified when she realized that everyone was staring at her.

nShe gritted her teeth, pushed Shi Qing away and stormed off.

nShi Qing yelled after her wickedly, “Don’t worry, if you don’t have time now I’ll put it aside in the break room for you! There’s enough to last you a few days!”

nThe young Marquis waited until he heard Shi Yiyi slam the door on her way out before dropping the papers in his hands. Looking back at the people who were staring at him, his rude demeanor returned.

n“What are you all looking at? Don’t you have anything better to do?!”

nThe group of onlookers lowered their heads and pretended to be busy. Only Tan Mingyi, who was captivated by the research, ignored Shi Qing’s aloof appearance and approached him joyfully.

n“Shi-ge, are you free right now? I wanted to talk to you some more. Did you eat dinner yet? Are you hungry now? I haven’t eaten much either, so let’s go to dinner together and talk while we eat.”

nThen he casually reached for Shi Qing’s hand. As soon as he touched Shi Qing’s arm, the arrogant look on the young Marquis’s face that said, “I’m very proud but I’m a nobleman so I should maintain my noble bearing”, changed.

n“Hiss–”

nHe covered his arm warily and took several steps backwards, his face suddenly growing vicious again.

n“Who told you you could touch me!?”

nThe look of excitement on Tan Mingyi’s face morphed into confusion. He stammered out an explanation at the person who lashed out at him.

n“Sorry Shi-ge, I didn’t do it on purpose.”

n“What use are the police if saying sorry was enough?!”

nThe young Marquis’ fierce attitude succeeded in making Tan Mingyi’s originally bubbly mood fizzle out.

nHe looked somewhat downcast. “I’m sorry Shi-ge. I won’t do it again.”

nFrom the side, Qin Yunsheng could clearly see that all eyes in the room were gathering on Shi Qing again.

nTheir attitudes towards Shi Qing had changed because of the confrontation, but now they seemed to have reverted to their usual expressions of disgust.

nOne person spoke up for Tan Mingyi, “Professor Shi, Xiao Tan just touched you slightly. He won’t do it again, so why hold it against him?”

nApparently he thought that Shi Qing just didn’t like to be touched.

nShi Qing chuckled and didn’t even bother looking at the guy, much less correcting his assumption. He just lifted his chin proudly, turned around and strode towards the door.

nAs the young Marquis passed by Qin Yunsheng, perhaps because the pain in his arm reminded him of the recent incident, he glared viciously at the officer who was ordered to protect him. As if he didn’t learn his lesson, he purposefully hit him with his left arm.

nEven though Qin Yunsheng quickly relaxed the muscles on his side upon realizing Shi Qing’s intentions, the tender and delicate Marquis still felt like he had hit an iron plate.

n“Ah!”

nHe yowled in pain, but quickly cut himself off after remembering he was in public. He settled for glaring at the other person.

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nNow both of the young Marquis’ arms were out of commission.

nBut he happened to be eager to hold grudges even if he was afraid of pain, so he could only dangle both arms away from his body and viciously kick Qin Yunsheng’s shoes.

n“Wu…”

nThe kick was off from his target, and Shi Qing even stubbed his toe. Qin Yunsheng just watched as the corners of Shi Qing’s eyes reddened within a second.

nShi Qing subconsciously bent down to check the injury, but when he was halfway there he remembered where he was.

nSo the Marquis with a pretty face made a concerted effort to stand up straight with his red-rimmed eyes and nose.

nEven though he knew that Shi Qing was the one who came looking for trouble with him, Qin Yunsheng couldn’t be angry at him after looking at this pitiful person who could injure himself so easily.

nHe even thought that this kind of Shi Qing was a bit cute.

nDing! Qin Yunsheng’s animosity value: 92

/100

nThe young Marquis finally realized that he couldn’t do anything to Qin Yunsheng.

nHis red-rimmed eyes glared at the officer fiercely as he cursed, “Don’t you have eyes?! Get out of the way!”

nThe door was large enough that he could pass through even with five Qin Yunsheng in the way.

nBut the soldier saw how he was on the verge of tears and obeyed silently. He then watched as Shi Qing limped out unnaturally and slammed the door shut.

n–Bang!

nThe young Marquis left in exactly the same manner as he arrived.

nAs soon as he left, conversations filled the previously quiet room

nTheir department was mostly filled with young people, all of whom occasionally enjoyed a bit of gossip.

nImmediately, someone leaned closer to Tan Mingyi, “Xiao Tan, is it true that Shi Qing didn’t steal your results?”

nThis was Shi Qing they were talking about!

nWho at the Institute didn’t know that Shi Qing was a good-for-nothing aristocrat? He didn’t come when everyone did experiments, but he insisted on putting his name on the published articles.

nAlthough he was a professor, his credentials were questionable. There was even a rumour that he hadn’t attended a single day of class when he was studying here.

nIf he wasn’t a Marquis, maybe he wouldn’t have been able to graduate at all.

nBefore, when Shi Qing announced the chip, many people were suspicious. Everyone was certain after Tan Mingyi showed his chip data that Shi Qing had plagiarized from him.

nBut now, somehow, the tables had turned?

nTan Mingyi answered with conviction, “His thought process is very similar to mine, but the chips we ended up developing are completely different. Professor Shi’s computer chips are more suitable for use in the military, something I have no experience in. And Professor Shi was able to answer all the questions I asked just now. Although we haven’t talked much before, I can tell that Professor Shi’s level of knowledge is definitely above mine.”

nHuh?

nHis colleagues weren’t sure if they could believe that.

nThe only reason they didn’t outright reject the idea of Shi Qing developing his own chip was because they had also heard the conversation between him and Tan Mingyi.

nSomeone spoke up. “Even if it’s true, Xiao Tan, you shouldn’t think of befriending Professor Shi. He’s always had a weird temper. Didn’t you see how much he overreacted when you just touched him a little?”

nHearing that, Tan Mingyi seemed hesitant. Then Qin Yunsheng suddenly opened his mouth.

nThe soldier’s voice was attention-catching and resounding.

n“Professor Shi didn’t overreact, he has an injury on his arm.”

n“An injury?”

nTan Mingyi’s eyes lit up, “Yes, yes! Didn’t Professor Shi ask me to hold the documents for him just now because one of his hands was indisposed?”

nWhen he said that, the people who had one ear on the lookout for drama also remembered.

n“He really did seem to have an injury. I mean he didn’t use his right hand at all.”

n“What Xiao Tan just ran into was also Professor Shi’s right hand, right?”

n“Still,” some people grumbled, “if he’s injured, why can’t he just say something like a normal person? How is anyone supposed to know if he stays silent?”

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nAs Qin Yunsheng listened to them speak, the disdainful face of that arrogant young Marquis appeared before his eyes again.

nHe opened his mouth, “Professor Shi is very introverted. He won’t tell if you don’t ask. Moreover, he didn’t even want to clear his name during yesterday’s debacle. I had to provoke him before he was even willing to come over.”

nThinking about it this way, Qin Yunsheng’s mind began to compile a theory automatically.

nSo Shi Qing was actually someone who was truly capable but too lazy to show it. Why hadn’t he noticed this before?

nJust like how he missed Shi Qing’s habit of silently enduring pain and difficulties.

nThe man couldn’t help but begin to wonder if his previous opinion of Shi Qing was too superficial.

nThe people here thought that Shi Qing was a haughty young master who would throw a temper tantrum after a slight touch to the arm.

nBut what they didn’t expect was that Shi Qing was injured, and that he wouldn’t reveal his injury even when he was touched by Tan Mingyi. Instead, he left to treat his injury on his own.

nThen what about before?

nDidn’t something similar happen then?

nThinking about the young Marquis who angrily tried to stomp on him and ended up stubbing his own toe, his originally cold and stern eyes softened a little.

n“I’ll be going first.”

nHe felt like he should puzzle out this mystery himself.

n***

nWhen Qin Yunsheng returned, Shi Qing was lying on the bed watching TV.

nHe seemed very relaxed and comfortable.

nBut his arms were still at an unnatural angle, and the grapes placed next to him hadn’t been touched.

nThe man stood by the door looking at Shi Qing before knocking lightly.

n“Come in.” The young nobleman’s lazy voice sounded out.

nQin Yunsheng walked in with his first aid kit, as rigidly as ever.

nAs soon as Professor Shi saw him, his previously carefree expression immediately soured.

nIn Qin Yunsheng’s eyes, Shi Qing scrambled to sit up and watched him warily. He growled viciously, “What are you doing here?! What else are you going to do to me?!!”

n“Professor Shi, let me help you treat your wounds.”

nHe had always felt that Shi Qing was not worthy of the title of ‘Professor’ and insisted on calling the other man ‘Mister’.

nBut the title of ‘Professor’ rolled off his tongue easily now.

nQin Yunsheng placed the first aid kit on the table but didn’t immediately approach the bed. He opened the box and took out the disinfectant to show Shi Qing that it was harmless.

nHowever, the young Marquis, who had been injured on him several times, had finally learned his lesson and refused to move.

n“Who said I wanted you to take care of it for me?! I have plenty of servants who can do it! I don’t need you!”

nQin Yunsheng gave no reaction to Shi Qing’s malicious tone, remaining calm.

n“I was the one who misunderstood you before. My apologies.”

nThe young Marquis snorted, but he didn’t say any more scathing words.

nOnly then did the slender and upright officer bring the disinfectant and cotton swabs to the bed. His eyes stayed on the ball that Shi Qing had curled into as he approached.

n“Please give me your arm.”

nShi Qing’s face wasn’t that angry anymore, it was just filled with his usual arrogance. “Who are you to tell me what to do? Your attitude is acceptable now, but don’t think I forgot how coldly you treated me before!”

nAfter having personally witnessed Shi Qing endure pain to save face, his current unforgiving appearance was not too annoying.

nQin Yunsheng used the old tried and true method.

n“I’m just trying to make amends but, if Professor Shi is afraid… then let’s forget it.”

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