It seemed as though overnight, the entire internet had learned about Shi Qing's situation.
Why did he hire a group of bodyguards?
Why did he appear so aloof?
And why did he have no friends in the entertainment industry?
All those previous controversies had suddenly turned into reasons for everyone to sympathize with Shi Qing.
"He didn't want this either, who would willingly endure being criticized by so many people every day?"
"When I first heard the name 'painless illness,' I thought it sounded great—no pain, what's not to like? But that day, after I saw that post explaining it, I thought about it more and felt a chill. If you can't feel pain, maybe you wouldn't even know if half your head was cut off."
His previous gloom and aloofness had now become accepted and understood. After all, who could expect someone with a terminal illness to be cheerful every day?
While discussing all this, people were also asking, "Where is Shi Qing? Is he okay?"
Since this incident began to spread, Shi Qing hadn't shown himself again. Even though his fans called out for him with all their might, the "resolute in adversity" movie emperor remained silent.
Finally, his company's official Weibo account stepped in.
They confirmed that Shi Qing indeed suffered from a rare painless illness but had kept it a secret to avoid being treated differently. Currently, he was recuperating, and they requested that everyone refrain from discussing the matter further.
After the official statement, there was a flurry of discussions on the internet once again. But every time someone mentioned, "Hey, did you know that Shi Qing has a painless illness, he can't feel pain," his fans would spontaneously defend him.
Some of these fans had been loyal supporters for years, while others had become fans out of sympathy and empathy since this news broke.
"Shi Qing doesn't want others to talk about it; you shouldn't bring it up."
"If it weren't for that accidental livestream, he would never have revealed it voluntarily."
"He's been through so much; he's been hiding it all along, and now the whole country knows. It must be heartbreaking for him."
"Yeah, I used to think he was quiet and aloof, but because of this, I watched videos edited by his fans, and every time they played games during promotions, even though he didn't participate, you could see envy in his eyes when he watched from the side."
"Just like my little sister, she had a fever and couldn't play outside last month. She sadly watched the kids playing from the window. When she got better, she could join them, but Shi Qing may never fully recover in this lifetime."
In the imagination of countless fans, their beloved idol must be hiding in his room right now, with red-rimmed eyes and a heavy heart, making people feel sympathy for him.
Jing Yuanqi was probably thinking the same. After all, since that post went viral, Shi Qing had locked himself in the hospital room, and even doctors and nurses couldn't get in.
He only wanted to be alone.
Shi Qing was keeping to himself, but Jing Yuanqi was feeling restless.
In the past, Jing Yuanqi would have simply broken into the room and taken advantage of Shi Qing's vulnerability for his own gain.
But now, he was sitting on a bench in the hospital corridor, unable to figure out how to comfort Shi Qing.
Jing Yuanqi realized why he hadn't gone inside immediately; it was because he was wrestling with his own feelings.
Someone who had always seen life as a game, he naturally understood what it meant when he started having these thoughts.
He had genuinely fallen for Shi Qing.
Initially, he had only wanted to have some fun because he was bored. But somewhere along the way, he had taken it seriously.
Now, there was a raging fire in Jing Yuanqi's heart. He wanted to protect Shi Qing from anyone who made him sad, but at the same time, he wanted to rid himself of the thoughts that had brought this situation upon him.
Jing Yuanqi believed he shouldn't feel this way.
He had always adhered to the belief that giving up an entire forest to tie oneself to a single tree was the most foolish thing one could do.
Although he had only ever toyed with Shi Qing, at this moment, a thought emerged deep within Jing Yuanqi's mind.
Did Shi Qing like him?
Even though Jing Yuanqi had told Shi Qing that he was special to him, Shi Qing had never responded.
After this incident, Jing Yuanqi consulted with doctors.
This illness weakened the patient's ability to perceive pain, but since Shi Qing enjoyed eating Devil's Pepper, he was not like those patients who couldn't live past twenty-five without feeling any pain. It was highly likely that intense pain could still register faintly with him, and that's why he liked eating Devil's Pepper, because it provided a level of pain he could perceive.
His sharing of Devil's Pepper was a subtle way to communicate with Jing Yuanqi.
Later, when Jing Yuanqi confessed to having "harassed" (the doctor's interpretation) Shi Qing and, while verbally expressing rejection, rarely physically avoided Jing Yuanqi, the doctor politely suggested that Jing Yuanqi should consider seeing a therapist.
Jing Yuanqi then visited a therapist.
The therapist said, "Based on what you've told me about Shi Mr. Shi's personality and illness, it's very likely that he avoids contact with others because he's afraid of being accidentally hurt, as even a minor gesture from someone else could cause significant pain to him."
"He's not used to interacting with people and can't change now. However, he does crave companionship and human contact. That's why he doesn't reject physical contact with you; it's a way for him to find comfort."
The doctor finished his analysis and added, "Of course, the way you two are getting along is mainly due to Mr. Jing's... well..."
Thinking of the compensation Jing Yuanqi had provided, he refrained from using derogatory terms like "shameless" and instead chose a more positive word, "Because of Mr. Jing's persistence, someone like Mr. Shi, with his personality, has no choice but to go along with you as long as you're relentless."
Jing Yuanqi understood, and he asked the question that mattered most to him, "We've been in this arrangement for almost ten days now. Do you think he might have feelings for me?"
"There must be something unique about you that attracts Mr. Shi. His personality analysis suggests that he's rather proud, and even though he craves human contact, he won't just let anyone in. As for his feelings... well, that's something you'll have to experience for yourself."
After answering his question, the therapist delicately pointed out that engaging in physical and verbal harassment, even towards someone you like, was a sign of illness (a psychological disorder).
After this subtle suggestion, the therapist professionally offered to address Jing Yuanqi's problematic behavior.
Ignoring the therapist, Jing Yuanqi signed a confidentiality agreement and rushed to the hospital.
And now, here he was.
He sat in the corridor, his mind in turmoil.
According to the doctor, Shi Qing had allowed him to get physical because of his illness. But Jing Yuanqi's actions were driven by his own desires. It was all nonsense.
Jing Yuanqi rubbed his temples, trying to clear his mind of the therapist's words. Even if it was an illness, he didn't want to change.
"Gao Zhi!" Jing Yuanqi gasped for breath, "I bought the wine you wanted."
He wiped his face, and when he stood up, a familiar, sunny smile graced his face. "Give it to me."
Gao Zhi obediently handed it over.
Then, he stood in the hallway, watching as Jing Yuanqi skillfully picked the lock with a piece of wire.
As soon as he entered the room, Jing Yuanqi went straight to Shi Qing, hugging him tightly.
Gao Zhi remarked to himself, "Something's definitely off between Shi-ge and Jing Yuanqi." After all, Jing Yuanqi seemed like he wanted to move in with Shi Qing.
He covered his eyes and closed the door.
Inside the room, Shi Qing had just finished watching a TV series. He had calculated the time and decided it was time to lie down. However, he had barely been lying down for ten minutes when someone embraced him from behind.
Jing Yuanqi, separated by the blanket, held Shi Qing close. Due to the proximity, his warm breath reached Shi Qing's ear as he spoke.
"Shi Laoshi."
Shi Qing heard the exhaustion in Jing Yuanqi's voice, as if he hadn't rested in a long time. Jing Yuanqi's voice was husky and carried a hint of weariness. "I heard that intimate activities can relieve stress..."
Saying this, Jing Yuanqi slowly extended his hand, slipping it gently under the blanket and adding a suggestive tone to his voice, "Shall I go get a lab coat? How about playing doctor and patient?"
Shi Qing: "Hmm, the same old lewd scent."
Shi Qing shrugged his shoulder. "Don't press down on me."
"You're really cold-hearted."
Jing Yuanqi compliantly sat up, reached for the bag on the bed, and raised an eyebrow. "Alright, actually, I came here to have a drink with Shi Laoshi."
Shi Qing replied, "I don't drink."
"Come on."
Jing Yuanqi leaned in closer to Shi Qing, his flirtatious eyes narrowing. "Has anyone ever had a drink with Shi Laoshi?"
The usually cold and aloof expression on Shi Qing's face seemed to soften, and he moved his body slightly. "No."
Jing Yuanqi opened two bottles of wine and handed one to Shi Qing, his eyes gleaming mischievously as if trying to seduce someone.
"Doesn't that mean I'll be the first one to have a drink with Shi Laoshi?"
Shi Qing looked at the bottle in front of him, and his eyes flickered for a moment. Eventually, he took it.
Getting a drunk person even drunker wasn't a difficult task, especially when they were as reluctant to refuse as Shi Qing.
After finishing both bottles, Jing Yuanqi looked satisfied as he watched the tipsy Shi Qing lying on the bed. His usual cold, aloof expression seemed to have lost its edge.
He climbed onto the bed and kissed him deeply.
"He's caught in the net," Gao Zhi thought to himself. "You can go read the Tao Te Ching now."
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