Shi Yiyi's face had turned completely pale.
Coincidentally, Shi Qing, with a face more beautiful than a girl's, kindly handed over the torn pieces of paper to her. His face carried a smirk:
"Cousin, have some. No need to be polite."
Seeing Shi Yiyi unmoved, the young marquis grinned even wider. "Do you find it a bit dull like this? How about I cut you a flower while we discuss?"
With hatred in her eyes, Shi Yiyi angrily pushed his hand away. Her anger reached its peak when she looked up and realized everyone was watching her.
She clenched her teeth, infuriated, and pushed Shi Qing aside before running off.
Shi Qing mischievously called after her, "No worries, you're busy now, but I'll bring it to your resting room later. There's plenty for you to eat for days."
Only after seeing Shi Yiyi slam the door did the young marquis casually let the pieces of paper fall from his hand. He turned to the onlookers, his expression returning to its previous arrogance. He said impolitely, "What are you all staring at? Nothing to do?"
Everyone hurriedly lowered their heads, pretending to be busy. Only Tan Mingyi, who was deeply engrossed in his research, ignored Shi Qing's cold attitude and words. He happily approached him.
"Shi Ge, do you have some free time now? I wanted to discuss something with you. You didn't join us for dinner tonight, right? Are you hungry now? I haven't eaten much either. How about we grab a meal together and chat?"
As he spoke, he casually reached for Shi Qing's hand, but as soon as he touched Shi Qing's right arm, the young marquis' expression, which had been filled with a sense of superiority, changed abruptly.
"Hiss—"
He cautiously covered his right arm, taking several steps back with a fierce look on his face. "Who allowed you to touch me!"
Tan Mingyi's excited expression gradually turned puzzled as he looked at the pained young marquis, who seemed to be blaming him, stuttering as he explained, "I-I didn't mean to, Shi Ge."
"What's the use of saying sorry? Should I call the police?" The young marquis's fierce attitude successfully made Tan Mingyi, who had been in high spirits, feel like he had been doused with cold water.
He looked a bit dejected. "I'm sorry, Shi Ge, I won't do it again next time."
Qin Yunsheng, standing nearby, could clearly see that everyone's attention had once again shifted to Shi Qing. The change in attitude towards him, which had improved when he spoke earlier, seemed to have reverted to the previous dislike.
Another person stood up for Tan Mingyi, saying, "Professor Shi, Xiao Tan just accidentally touched you. He won't do it again. Don't blame him."
Apparently, they thought Shi Qing simply didn't like being touched by others.
"Tsk." Shi Qing didn't even look at the person who spoke up for Tan Mingyi. He didn't bother to explain anything and arrogantly raised his chin, turning to walk towards the door with large strides.
As he passed by Qin Yunsheng, perhaps the pain in his arm reminded him of past grievances. The young marquis glared fiercely at the officer tasked with protecting him and intentionally bumped into him with his left arm.
Even though Qin Yunsheng had quickly relaxed the muscles in his right side upon sensing Shi Qing's intention, the young marquis, with his tender disposition, still collided with what felt like a solid metal plate.
"Ah!" He instinctively let out a low, pained cry, but then quickly realized that he was outside and calling out would be embarrassing. He immediately closed his mouth and glared at Qin Yunsheng again.
Now, both of the young marquis's arms were in pain. However, being both pain-averse and vengeful, he had no way to retaliate. He could only awkwardly stand there, his arms hanging unnaturally by his sides, and kicked at Qin Yunsheng's shoes with irritation.
"Ugh..." This kick didn't go well either. It seemed like he had hit his toe, and Shi Qing's eyes welled up in tears in an instant.
Perhaps it hurt a lot, but Shi Qing instinctively bent over to check the injury, only to remember where he was. So, with his beautiful face flushed at the eyes and nose, he bit his lip and straightened up again.
Even though he knew that he had come to pick a fight for no reason, Qin Yunsheng couldn't muster any anger when he saw Shi Qing in this state. In fact, he found Shi Qing in this condition somewhat cute.
[Ding! Qin Yunsheng's Rejection Level: 92/100]
The young marquis finally realized that he couldn't do anything to Qin Yunsheng. Red-eyed and irritated, he gave a fierce glare at the officer, who had moved aside without a word, and then angrily cursed, "Do you not have eyes? Move!"
Although the door was quite large, even five Qin Yunshengs could easily pass through it. But when the soldiers saw him on the verge of tears, they obediently moved aside and watched as Shi Qing limped away in a huff.
Bang!
The way the young marquis left was just as dramatic as his entrance. As soon as he was gone, the previously quiet room buzzed with conversation.
This area was mostly populated by young people, and they occasionally enjoyed some gossip. When someone approached Tan Mingyi, they asked, "Xiao Tan, did Shi Qing really not steal your research for that chip?"
After all, this was Shi Qing they were talking about. Everyone in their institute knew that he was a pampered aristocrat. He rarely showed up for experiments, and whenever the results were to be published, his name would inevitably be included.
Despite being a professor, he had too much influence, and it was rumored that he hardly attended classes during his time in school. If he hadn't been a nobleman, graduating might have been a challenge.
When Shi Qing had announced the chip earlier, many had harbored doubts. However, when Tan Mingyi had presented his own chip data, everyone had immediately concluded that Shi Qing had stolen Tan Mingyi's research.
Now, it seemed like the tables had turned.
Tan Mingyi answered very confidently, "His approach is very similar to mine, but the chips we developed in the end are completely different. Professor Shi's chip is more suitable for military applications, and I couldn't have made it."
"Moreover, when I asked Professor Shi questions just now, he could answer them. Although we haven't interacted before, I can tell that Professor Shi's expertise is definitely superior to mine."
Is that true or not?
These people were somewhat skeptical.
Their skepticism stemmed from the fact that they weren't entirely convinced, and they had also overheard the conversation between Shi Qing and Tan Mingyi earlier.
However, someone spoke up:
"Even if it's true, Xiao Tan, you shouldn't try to befriend Professor Shi just because he does have the expertise. He's always had a quirky temperament. Didn't you see how he reacted so strongly when you barely touched him earlier?"
Tan Mingyi was hesitating, but suddenly, Qin Yunsheng spoke up.
The soldier's voice was magnetic, firm, and commanding:
"Professor Shi didn't do it on purpose; he has an injury on his arm."
"An injury?"
Tan Mingyi's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes, Professor Shi asked me to hold his materials earlier, saying his hand wasn't convenient."
As he said this, even those who had been busy with their own business earlier began to recall.
"It seems like he really has an injury; he hasn't been using his right hand all along."
"The hand that Xiao Tan touched earlier was Professor Shi's right hand, right?"
Some still couldn't let it go: "If he has an injury, he should have said so. Being silent like this, how would anyone know?"
Qin Yunsheng listened to their conversation and couldn't help but see the proud and disdainful expression of the young Marquis in front of him in his mind.
He couldn't hold back and spoke, "Professor Shi is like that. If you don't ask, he won't say."
"Besides, after what happened yesterday, he didn't even think about explaining himself. I had to use provocation to get him to come over."
Thinking like this, Qin Yunsheng began to doubt involuntarily.
Could it be that Shi Qing was actually someone with real abilities but just too lazy to show them? How did he not notice before?
It was as if he hadn't noticed that Shi Qing was injured and in trouble, but had kept his mouth shut tightly.
The man couldn't help but suspect that perhaps his previous view of Shi Qing had been biased.
Now, so many people believed that Shi Qing was clean, just because he had reacted poorly to being touched lightly on the arm.
But they hadn't considered that Shi Qing's arm was actually injured. He had been touched lightly by Tan Mingyi and hadn't shown it, but had left with the injury on his own.
So what about before?
Had similar things happened before?
Thinking about how the young Marquis had angrily tried to step on him but ended up hurting his own toes, the stern gaze of the military officer softened slightly.
"I'm leaving."
He felt that he should investigate thoroughly first.
When Qin Yunsheng entered the room, Shi Qing was lying on the bed watching TV.
He looked very comfortable, but his two arms were hanging unnaturally, and there were grapes on the side that he hadn't touched.
Standing by the door, Qin Yunsheng knocked lightly.
"Come in."
The lazy voice of the young Marquis came from inside.
Qin Yunsheng entered with a first aid kit, his expression as resolute as ever.
Seeing that it was him, the young nobleman, who had initially looked indifferent, immediately had a sullen expression on his face.
In Qin Yunsheng's eyes, Shi Qing had not lived up to the title of professor, and he had persistently called him "Mister" instead.
But now, he had started calling him "Professor" on his own initiative.
Qin Yunsheng placed the first aid kit on the table and didn't immediately approach the bedside. He opened the kit, took out the medicinal alcohol, and showed it to Shi Qing from a distance to reassure him that it was harmless.
However, the young Marquis, who had been injured several times by him, had learned his lesson and was not moved at all.
"Who asked you to help me? If I want someone to treat my injuries, it's simple. Why do I need you?"
Shi Qing's tone was resentful, but Qin Yunsheng remained calm and said, "I just want to make amends. If Professor Shi is unwilling, then forget it."
This move was indeed foolproof.
The young Marquis fell for it instantly.
"I'm not afraid? Am I supposed to be afraid of you, a baron?"
He was indignant and moved to Qin Yunsheng's side, ready to roll up his sleeves.
But apparently, he had forgotten that his other hand was still injured, and his attempt to pull up his sleeve failed.
"Ah..."
He groaned softly, his beautiful face contorted in pain.
"I'll help you."
Qin Yunsheng reached out and gently supported Shi Qing's arm, while his other hand slowly rolled up his sleeve.
"Ah... be gentle, it hurts."
Even though Qin Yunsheng's movements were gentle and soft, the young Marquis couldn't help but cry out in pain.
Qin Yunsheng could feel that the soft arm he was holding was instinctively trying to retreat from his touch, but he held it firmly, not allowing it to escape as Shi Qing wished.
His eyes darkened, and he felt an inexplicable sensation, as if someone was lightly brushing feathers across his heart, tickling it.
Maybe it was because of the pain, but the nobleman's voice, which had been haughty and reprimanding, now carried a hint of coquetry:
"I've grown up, and I've never had such a serious injury. It's all your fault... ah... be gentle."
"I'm sorry."
The military officer apologized sincerely, and it sounded very sincere.
Even though he saw the so-called "serious injury" on the other party, it was just a red patch on his arm, without even a scratch.
Even though all these injuries were caused by the other party's attempts to attack him, and yet he hadn't fought back, Shi Qing had injured himself.
Qin Yunsheng didn't get angry at all; he even found it a bit funny.
It was as if he had been walking down the street minding his own business, and suddenly a turtle crawled slowly towards him, wanting to attack him with great momentum.
He didn't even dodge, but the turtle ended up flipping itself over, lying on its back with its limbs in the air, looking pitiful, and struggling to turn in circles on the ground.
Qin Yunsheng thought this way and couldn't help but curl his lips with a faint smile.
The young Marquis noticed this smile and glared at him, as if he had caught some great handle:
"Why are you laughing? Are you enjoying my misfortune?"
"No."
Qin Yunsheng's smile remained unchanged as he glanced at Shi Qing.
"Professor Shi, I'm going to apply some medicinal alcohol to your wound. It might be a bit cold, so bear with it."
Shi Qing responded with a cold snort, "Do you take me for a three-year-old? Applying some medicinal alcohol doesn't require any endurance."
As he spoke, Qin Yunsheng held Shi Qing's fair arm with one hand and, with the other, took a cotton swab dipped in medicinal alcohol and gently applied it.
"It's so cold!"
Shi Qing's soft skin immediately tensed, and he instinctively pulled back. Qin Yunsheng paused his hand and looked at the delicate Marquis whose upper body was leaning backward, showing signs of discomfort.
"Medicinal alcohol feels like that. Please bear with it."
Shi Qing fell silent, his eyes were slightly red, and his pretty face was filled with a sense of grievance. He bit his lip and looked distressed.
This expression and action could easily make someone think he was suffering from torture. Qin Yunsheng, who had been critical of Shi Qing's seemingly malicious intentions before, couldn't help but smile.
Clearly, he was still a child at heart. He might be indulgent and pampered, but based on how he had endured accusations without revealing his identity, Qin Yunsheng realized that Shi Qing was not a scheming person.
Even though he was sitting there, Qin Yunsheng, a stern military officer, couldn't help but reflect on himself. He was a few years older than Shi Qing and had joined the military at an early age, relying on his own efforts to make a living, which had made him rough around the edges.
Shi Qing, on the other hand, had been carefully raised in a sheltered environment. He was delicate, and any slight discomfort could unsettle him. Why did Qin Yunsheng view him as a weed grown in the wild, when in fact, he was just an exquisite flower?
Lost in thought, Qin Yunsheng asked, "Do you want me to apply some to your foot as well?"
Perhaps thinking that the medicinal alcohol was somewhat effective, the proud Marquis raised his chin arrogantly, carefully moved his injured foot to his front, and blew on it gently, trying to speed up the drying process.
His eyes still had a hint of redness, and in his current curled-up position on the bed, he looked pitiful.
Qin Yunsheng observed him and couldn't help but smile at himself. It was as if he were looking at a child.
Although Shi Qing had his moments of arrogance and had been spoiled, he had never revealed any malicious intentions, even when falsely accused. He was not a bad person.
Even when he was sitting there, the military officer, who was taller and had a more rugged build, couldn't help but reflect on himself.
He was a few years older than Shi Qing and had joined the military at a young age, relying on his own efforts to make a living. It was natural for him to have a rough demeanor.
Shi Qing, on the other hand, had been raised in a sheltered environment, like a delicate flower that couldn't withstand the cold or the heat.
Qin Yunsheng wondered why he had viewed Shi Qing as if he were a weed, when in reality, he was a beautiful and sensitive flower.
Lost in thought, Qin Yunsheng asked, "Do you want me to apply some to your foot as well?"
Perhaps because he felt that the medicinal alcohol was somewhat effective, the proud Marquis raised his chin arrogantly, carefully moved his injured foot to the front, and blew on it gently to expedite the drying process.
"Sure, just be careful. If you dare to hurt me, I'll definitely complain to my father."
To Qin Yunsheng, this sounded similar to "I'll see you after school at the gate," so he pretended not to hear it and extended his hand to hold Shi Qing's delicate ankle in his palm.
Upon closer inspection, Qin Yunsheng finally understood why Shi Qing appeared slightly shorter than his actual height. His frame was just too delicate. Despite not being physically frail, he looked fragile.
The injured area turned out to be the big toe. At first glance, the toenail was neatly trimmed, completely different from its owner, and it remained perfectly still, with a slight hint of redness at the tip.
Qin Yunsheng picked up another cotton swab, dabbed it with some medicinal alcohol, and gently applied it.
"Ouch!"
Shi Qing cried out again. At this moment, his beautiful and fair instep arched slightly due to the pain, displaying a perfect and attractive curve.
Qin Yunsheng paused instinctively, lifting his gaze to look at the young Marquis who was filled with pain and misery.
"Endure a little more; I haven't applied it to the side yet," he said as he continued with the cotton swab, swiftly and gently gliding it along the side of the foot.
In just a second, he withdrew his hand. The young Marquis cautiously shifted his foot, lowered his head, puffed his fair cheeks, and blew on it repeatedly, attempting to alleviate the pain quickly, just as he had done with his arm earlier.
Surprisingly, Qin Yunsheng found him quite cute.
The military officer quickly pushed aside his thoughts, efficiently packed away the medicinal alcohol and cotton swabs, and placed them back in the medical kit.
"This medicinal alcohol is effective. Apply it a few times daily, and in a few days, you should be fine."
Shi Qing insisted firmly, "You should be the one to apply it to me."
That was Qin Yunsheng's plan all along, considering that although it wasn't his primary responsibility, Shi Qing had been injured because of him.
"I will apply it to you at regular intervals."
The young Marquis snorted coldly, "You're being sensible."
"My arm still hurts when I move it. During these days, you are responsible for my daily life and meals," Shi Qing demanded.
Qin Yunsheng could tell that Shi Qing was using this opportunity to make him do some chores as a way of getting back at him. He found this form of retaliation rather childish.
Although he didn't feel any anger, he had no intention of giving in to Shi Qing's demands.
"Sorry, Professor Shi, these tasks are not my responsibility."
Shi Qing challenged, "Fine, if you don't want to, I'll call for someone else, and you won't have to be responsible."
Qin Yunsheng's eyes turned serious as he gazed at Shi Qing. The young Marquis raised his eyebrows defiantly.
The military officer, with a neutral expression, returned to Shi Qing's side.
"Where would you like me to apply the medicine?"
Shi Qing replied, "First, you sit down."
Qin Yunsheng complied, lowering his eyes as he watched Shi Qing struggle to sit up straight. He moved closer to examine Shi Qing's body carefully.
He had been injured in the arm earlier, so he skipped that area. His waist had also been injured, so he skipped that too.
Finally, his gaze settled on the area over Qin Yunsheng's heart.
"Here," Shi Qing pointed.
Qin Yunsheng looked at his own well-built physique, then at Shi Qing, whose injury had miraculously stopped hurting and now looked eager and excited, with his fair and tender palms outstretched.
He sighed silently, feeling like he could already predict the outcome.
Smack!
"Ah!"
A melodramatic cry of pain rang out once again. The young Marquis blushed, his eyes watery, as he clutched his hand in anger.
He accused indignantly, "Are you made of steel? Why are you so tough everywhere? Can you even withstand bullets?"
Qin Yunsheng sighed in resignation once more. He had realized that he wasn't exceptionally strong; it was just that Shi Qing was exceptionally delicate.
Watching Shi Qing, who was now sulking and pouting while nursing his injured hand, Qin Yunsheng couldn't help but shake his head in exasperation.
In fact, he had just realized that it wasn't that he was too strong; it was that Shi Qing was too fragile.
Looking at Shi Qing, who was now sulking and pouting while nursing his injured hand, Qin Yunsheng couldn't help but shake his head in exasperation.
In fact, he had just realized that it wasn't that he was too strong; it was that Shi Qing was too fragile.
The military officer, with a resigned expression, moved closer to him, gently cradling Shi Qing's hand and gazing at the rapidly reddening palm. He extended his hand and began massaging it slowly.
"Alright, until you're fully healed, I'll take care of you."
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