Chapter 23 Life and Death (Three in One)
The air was filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant. This was a scent Chen Yuanchuan was used to, but now it was nauseating.
Xi Qing lay quietly on the hospital bed. After a night of treatment, his condition was finally under control. He closed his eyes, his face was as pale as the bed sheet, and his chest rose and fell weakly.
Chen Yuanchuan sat by the bed to accompany her. His eyes were red from not sleeping all night, and there was blue stubble on his chin. He stared blankly at Xi Qing who was still sleeping.
The doctor's words repeatedly echoed in his ears. Chen Yuanchuan couldn't believe it. Last night, after sending Xi Qing to the most prestigious local hospital, the doctor passed the examination and told him a shocking news -
"This patient has reached the late stage of lung cancer. Now we can only relieve his pain." The doctor said softly.
What? Lung cancer…late stage? Chen Yuanchuan repeated this in his mind, his legs suddenly losing strength and he took two steps back, as if his whole body was resisting.
After taking Xi Qing's pulse, Chen Yuanchuan thought he was mentally prepared, but when the established facts were laid out before him, it was still like a heavy blow that broke his heart and nearly caused him to collapse.
…
Xi Qing's long eyelashes trembled slightly. Before he opened his eyes, his nose was filled with the smell of disinfectant. As he gradually regained consciousness, he felt as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest all the time, making it difficult for him to breathe.
After realizing his current situation, Xi Qing was left with a sense of inexplicable irritation. He had originally programmed the person in the small world to be the one with the most similar data. He had never imagined this person would be so unique: the protagonist's "future brother-in-law," and not long for death.
Xi Qing had devised numerous countermeasures, ultimately taking a different approach, drawing on the melodramatic novels he'd studied, and orchestrating that unexpected event. However, time was always too tight, and having previously seen Chen Yuanchuan refuse, he had also considered leaving the world.
He opened his eyes, and a sluggish feeling like a scrapped machine swept over his body. He turned his head with difficulty and immediately met Chen Yuanchuan's gaze. In Xi Qing's short human life, he had never seen such a complex emotion -
A hint of joy appeared in his tired eyes, but the underlying tone was bleak and sad.
"You're awake." His voice was dry and low. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly stood up, bursting out with long-suppressed anger.
"Aren't you Xi Qing the director of the hospital? Aren't you worth hundreds of billions? Why don't you treat your illness?" Chen Yuanchuan seemed to be scolding, but two lines of tears burst out of his eyes.
Facing Chen Yuanchuan's tears, Xi Qing felt like he was back in his AI body. Otherwise, why would he feel the overload and lag? He planned to return to his body and check his code for errors.
After Chen Yuanchuan finished venting, Xi Qing raised the corners of his mouth, looking a little weak, as if comforting and relieved, and then he began to explain.
"When I felt unwell, I went for a checkup right away. The result was a variant lung cancer, which has a very low cure rate. Do you remember the cancer research project I once opened? But it was ultimately useless..."
His tone was like a candle flickering in the wind, fragile yet with a touch of calmness.
Chen Yuanchuan wiped his tears with his palms. The scene of Xi Qing inviting him to participate in the clinical trial flashed through his mind. It turned out that he had been preparing for it all along. He continued to ask, "When did you get the examination?"
Xi Qing paused for a few seconds, then slowly raised his eyelids and spoke word by word, "Last year, May 22nd."
This date! Chen Yuanchuan's heart suddenly jumped, and his pupils constricted. He would never forget this day——
May 22nd of last year was the day he was kidnapped, and also the day his fate intersected with Xi Qing's. The reason why Xi Qing was so drunk at the time finally became clear.
"I'm sorry for keeping it a secret from you," Xi Qing said in a hoarse voice. "At first, I just wanted to make it up to you as much as I could in my lifetime, but as we got along, I gradually became attracted to your vitality and kindness. I'm selfish. I owe you so much..."
Chen Yuanchuan's eyelashes were still stained with moisture. He supported himself on the edge of the bed, bent down, and used his lips to block Xi Qing's unfinished words. Then he sat back on the stool, his eyes filled with deep affection.
"No need to say more, I don't regret falling in love with you."
Chen Yuanchuan had seen many critically ill patients, who often cherished their remaining days more than healthy people. However, facing the life-or-death test he had experienced before, Xi Qing had defended him without hesitation. How could Chen Yuanchuan not feel this genuine friendship?
It was rare to hear Chen Yuanchuan being so straightforward. Xi Qing smiled faintly, his eyes wandering over the testing equipment on the bedside, revealing a bit of gloom.
Seeing this, Chen Yuanchuan interlocked his fingers with Xi Qing's hand, which was receiving an IV drip. His palms were warm and dry, conveying his firm determination. "I will make you healthy again, Xi Qing. Believe me."
Chen Yuanchuan was not talking nonsense. When the doctor was trying to stabilize Xi Qing's condition, he slipped into a secluded stairwell and placed his last hope on the magical system of traditional Chinese medicine.
He quickly slid the virtual light screen, flipped through a series of acupuncture treatments, and searched the three-layer prescription library, but did not find any mention of lung cancer.
At that time, Chen Yuanchuan was almost in despair. His eyes inadvertently fell on the corner of the system backpack, where a lottery ticket was lying quietly - that was the reward Chen Yuanchuan got for completing the limited-time task for the first time and saving Li Mengting.
Since then, no new lottery tickets have appeared even when the limited-time task was triggered. After being left alone for a long time, I forgot about it until now.
Staring at the words "Click to Win the Prize," Chen Yuanchuan's fingertips trembled. He was timid. This opportunity was like a hanging thread, tugging at his nerves. If he wasn't careful, he would be doomed.
If he won a worthless prize like in the first few rounds, his hopes would be shattered and he couldn't predict what he would do.
At this critical moment, a drop of cold sweat dripped from Chen Yuanchuan's dark temples, and all the pressure was concentrated on this index finger.
Finally, Chen Yuanchuan took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and gently tapped. As his finger fell, the lottery disk began to spin, and soon an afterimage flew out.
His heartbeat was like thunder. He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, carving crescent-shaped marks. Although Chen Yuanchuan was dazzled by the scene, he still forced himself to stare.
Chen Yuanchuan, a lifelong skeptic, acted like a devout believer, praying for protection from the gods and Buddhas, hoping this draw would reverse his fate.
The lottery wheel's rotation gradually slowed down, and the pointer moved across each pattern: pills, medical books, medicinal herbs... Finally, the lottery wheel stopped, and what appeared before him was—
A scale???
Chen Yuanchuan felt a sweet, fishy taste in his throat, and he nearly vomited blood in grief and anger. He simply wanted to save his lover's life. What use was a scale for measuring herbs?!
When the ancient scale materialized, Chen Yuanchuan was enraged. He picked it up and threw it to the ground. With a clang, a few words of instructions appeared on the screen.
Benevolent Balance: When the system reaches the maximum level, you will get an opportunity for an equal exchange. (The exchange items are not limited, concrete or abstract)
Abstract? His mind returned to the question: What if I want Xi Qing's health? Chen Yuanchuan analyzed each word, finding a ray of hope in his despair.
When he saw the scale on the ground, his face turned pale. He quickly picked it up and checked it from different angles. Fortunately, it was produced by the system and was not that fragile. Chen Yuanchuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Yuanchuan quickly realized something and froze, his rising spirits plummeting back to their lowest point. After his internship at Chunzhi was officially confirmed, he'd been working from dawn to dusk, and it took a year and a half before he finally reached level three in the Traditional Chinese Medicine system. How much longer would it take? How much longer could Xi Qing hold out?
However, no matter what, Chen Yuanchuan made a vow that he would never give up even if there was only a glimmer of hope.
Xi Qing, wait for me.
Seeing that Xi Qing's condition was under control, the next morning, Chen Yuanchuan accompanied Xi Qing on a plane back to Chunzhi for recuperation.
After hearing that Xi Qian had learned the news, Chen Yuanchuan rushed to visit and cried about Xi Qing concealing his illness. Tears streamed down his face, and he didn't care about his image at all.
It turned out that Xi Qian didn't know that Xi Qing was sick, which made Chen Yuanchuan feel despicable.
However, this happened half a month ago. Chen Yuanchuan secretly resigned from Chunzhi's position and set up a stall on the street to see patients all day. He urgently needed to treat patients through traditional Chinese medicine and increase his experience points.
Even if it means taking the risk of practicing medicine without a license.
At first, it was free, but passers-by were deterred by the fear that it was a scam. Later, Chen Yuanchuan was advised by others to charge a low fee, and only then did some elderly people who had been frugal for many years dare to patronize it.
Chen Yuanchuan spent almost 24 hours at this stall. He had no time to see Xi Qing, nor did he dare to see her. Ever since he told Xi Qing that he would be away for a while, Xi Qing's disappointed expression broke his heart.
Chen Yuanchuan had no way to explain it. After all, the Chinese medicine system was something beyond common sense. How could Xi Qing believe it? He would just think it was an excuse that was too lazy to even give a perfunctory answer.
In his free time, Chen Yuanchuan would take out his new mobile phone and look at it over and over again, at the only photo he and Xi Qing took in his bedroom.
Because he wanted to see Xi Qing's face clearly, Chen Yuanchuan even replaced his phone, which had a broken screen for several years, with a new one. Every time he finished watching, his tired body would be inspired to keep going.
During his medical consultations, Chen Yuanchuan would sometimes shudder when his cell phone rang. He hoped Xi Qing would ask about his condition, but he also dreaded hearing bad news.
At the same time, Chen Yuanchuan didn't dare to call Xi Qing, fearing that Xi Qing would question him or that Xi Qing would be indifferent. During these ten days, Chen Yuanchuan was exhausted both physically and mentally, and was in a state of panic all day long.
However, the fact is that Xi Qing did not make a single phone call. Chen Yuanchuan asked his former colleagues and found out that Xi Qing was still in a stable and sober state.
So Xi Qing doesn't like me anymore? Chen Yuanchuan's whole body turned cold when he thought that Xi Qing might become a stranger to him.
But it doesn’t matter. As long as Xi Qing can survive, everything is acceptable. I am willing to pursue Xi Qing again.
"Chen Yuanchuan?! Why are you here?"
Xi Qian had been searching for a famous doctor recently, and her best friend told her about a very effective Chinese medicine practitioner who had a stall at the intersection of Changqing Street. Xi Qian had originally had little regard for such quacks, but her best friend's assurance still touched her slightly.
There really is no cure for my brother's illness, so why not try my luck? What if? Xi Qian thought so, and according to the location sent by her bestie, she came here, and unexpectedly saw someone she didn't expect. She opened her mouth in astonishment.
If Xi Qian had not had a good impression of Chen Yuanchuan, she would almost not dare to recognize that this skinny man was Chen Yuanchuan.
His stall was packed with people, most of them middle-aged and elderly, and he was taking the pulse of an old lady.
Didn't Chen Yuanchuan study clinical medicine? Why was he practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine? Xi Qian was puzzled.
Hearing someone calling his name, Chen Yuanchuan instinctively looked up. Seeing the person in front of him, a feeling of being in another world came over him. He searched for a trace of Xi Qing in Xi Qian's eyebrows and eyes.
Xi Qian didn't know that Chen Yuanchuan was looking at her brother through her. She only felt that Chen Yuanchuan's eyes were filled with a hint of tenderness, and Xi Qian's heart softened. After so much time, Xi Qian's love and hate for Chen Yuanchuan dissipated with time, and only the care and concern of an acquaintance remained.
When they heard the pretty girl calling Chen Yuanchuan's name, they thought they were a couple. The old people themselves came here for treatment for minor illnesses, so they covered their mouths and smiled secretly, walking away a few steps, leaving the "young couple" some space to spend time together.
Chen Yuanchuan's eyes flashed, and he called out Xi Qian's name with both his full name and surname.
Xi Qian walked through the crowd and approached him, and suddenly remembered, didn’t Chen Yuanchuan work at Chunzhi before?
She had been accompanying Xi Qing recently and had never seen him in the hospital. Perhaps Xi Qing had deliberately dismissed him. However, as a medical student at a prestigious university, he shouldn't have fallen to the level of a quack.
Xi Qian put his hands behind his back and asked calmly, "What are you doing?"
"To give back to society." Chen Yuanchuan pretended to be nonchalant, but his face, which was even more haggard than Xi Qian's, revealed his embarrassment.
Xi Qian hesitated to speak, wondering whether he should ask Chen Yuanchuan if he had the ability to treat Xi Qing.
After all, they were once classmates, so she knew his strengths and weaknesses. However, her best friend's words sounded so magical that it was impossible to guarantee that Chen Yuanchuan really had profound attainments in traditional Chinese medicine, but she just didn't know it.
What Xi Qian didn't know was that Chen Yuanchuan was also extremely conflicted. He kept asking about Xi Qing's situation, but he was also worried that things would get out of control.
But I really miss Xi Qing, and even want to sneak into Xi Qing's ward in the middle of the night just to see him. However, if Xi Qing wakes up, how can he explain his "desertion"?
“My brother…”
"Xi Qing..."
Xi Qian widened her beautiful eyes and said, "How do you know I want to ask this?" Her expression was extremely surprised.
"You want to ask... ?" Oh, my former colleague from Chunzhi told me. If you want me to save him, I'm sorry, I can't cure lung cancer." Chen Yuanchuan lowered his eyes, hiding his complicated emotions.
After a pause, Chen Yuanchuan suppressed his barely perceptible tremor and asked, "How is your brother, Xi Qing, doing these days?" His tone was flat, like a humanitarian greeting.
"His physiological indicators have been deteriorating... Fortunately, he said he's not in much pain." Xi Qian's eyes reddened again as he spoke. He took a deep breath and suppressed his tears. "Thank you for your concern."
Xi Qian's crying voice infected Chen Yuanchuan's emotions. His nose felt sore and he could almost imagine his gentle comforting face.
"Xi Qian, you must let your brother persevere. Miracles will always happen." Chen Yuanchuan encouraged Xi Qian while also encouraging himself.
Xi Qian nodded and promised solemnly: "I will."
Watching Xi Qian's back gradually disappear, Chen Yuanchuan prayed silently in his heart—
Xi Qing, hold on, you'll reach the maximum level soon...
In the luxurious ward at Chunzhi Hospital, Xi Qing, pale as a bee, leaned against the headboard, watching a melodramatic TV series on his computer, feeling quite at ease. During this time, the small world continued to release energy, and although the amount was small, Xi Qing was happy to have some free time.
When Xi Qing saw the hero and heroine go through numerous hardships and finally get together and kiss passionately, Chen Yuanchuan's emotional face suddenly appeared in his mind, and a dark light flashed in his eyes.
They say AI lacks emotions, but humans are no different. Especially for a stud like Chen Yuanchuan, who can divide love into so many parts, how much genuine love can he really have?
What Chen Yuanchuan said that day was all lies. He has disappeared since returning to G City. Can I only say that I am lucky he didn't abandon me in H Province? Xi Qing snorted coldly.
Xi Qing believed that the leaked original energy was just a momentary emotional turmoil in Chen Yuanchuan. It didn't matter. Once Chen Yuanchuan's emotions stabilized, Xi Qing would leave the small world.
Although it is essentially a cold AI, Xi Qing has not yet realized that he is also a little angry at the moment.
In the afternoon, Xi Qian came to Xi Qing's ward. Sitting in a chair, he peeled an apple with his fingers on a knife. The apple peel fell off in long strips. From time to time, he glanced at Xi Qing and asked casually, "Brother, do you still remember Chen Yuanchuan?"
Xi Qian felt that Chen Yuanchuan was quite pitiful. At that time, she was worried about damaging Chen Yuanchuan's reputation, so she didn't ask him why he didn't go to another hospital.
Through the reactions of her best friend and those at the scene, Xi Qian guessed that Chen Yuanchuan was indeed talented in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but he could only charge a meager consultation fee. As a former friend, Xi Qian wanted to help him if she had the ability.
Xi Qing frowned slightly, puzzled by why Xi Qian mentioned Chen Yuanchuan. They were obviously not supposed to see each other again. Could it be that Chen Yuanchuan wanted to rekindle their old relationship?
However, it was unbelievable that they dared to provoke the Xi family. Thinking of this, Xi Qing felt inexplicably unhappy.
On the surface, Xi Qing's expression remained normal, and he replied calmly, "I remember. What's wrong?"
"Was he fired by you? I saw him setting up a stall on the street to see patients." Xi Qian stopped peeling an apple and said carefully.
Xi Qing smiled, a rare expression of his own. He had thought Chen Yuanchuan was just avoiding him, but he hadn't expected him to be so decisive. Chun Zhi said he wouldn't do it, so he didn't.
As for the second half of the sentence, the prop "Benevolent Scales" never appeared in the original novel, so Xi Qing naturally could not associate it in this direction.
Whether people like it or not, time always moves forward relentlessly, and another month has passed.
Intensive care unit.
Xi Qing's face was as pale as paper. There were many testing instruments on his body, and the infusion tubes were like a spider web, maintaining Xi Qing's only remaining life.
To Xi Qing's surprise, the leakage of the origin of the world has never stopped. Does Chen Yuanchuan hate him so much?
But everything is over. This is the first time Xi Qing died as a human being. He felt a little curious. After his death, would he travel to the legendary paradise?
Xi Qing scanned the source code of this world. Well, there wasn't one. That death would signal the end of this mission, even if it was only a temporary improvement.
Xi Qing's consciousness drifted in a coma, as if he were in the void. He quietly experienced the mysterious feeling of his consciousness being torn away from his body.
"drop--"
The ECG monitor issued a shrill warning, echoing throughout the intensive care unit. Medical staff rushed to either side of his bed, and someone shouted urgently, "Prepare the AED!"
…
At the same time, Chen Yuanchuan's reputation spread rapidly in every corner of the city.
He didn't want to waste time on the road and insisted on treating patients only at his stall. This quirk made the rich more convinced, and they regarded him as a hidden miracle doctor who was not interested in fame and fortune.
Word spread quickly, and luxury cars often stopped in front of the stall. During these fifty days, through a series of twists and turns, Chen Yuanchuan had accumulated a fortune of several million and became a small wealthy man.
During this time, Chen's mother always thought that Chen Yuanchuan was working overtime during the spring. Seeing her son becoming thinner and thinner, Chen's mother was very worried.
In order to divert Chen's mother's attention, Chen Yuanchuan arranged a nationwide tour for her and her best friend and covered all the expenses.
Chen's mother, who had spent her entire life in City G, was deeply moved by her son's filial piety and proudly agreed to the trip. She sent Chen Yuanchuan photos every day, sharing the unique local cuisine and architecture.
As night fell, Chen Yuanchuan finished treating his last patient, his Traditional Chinese Medicine system finally reaching maximum level. He immediately packed up his stall and headed home, pushing open the bedroom door, his excitement barely contained.
He took out the scales of benevolence and wrote on a piece of paper with great anticipation: "Xi Qing, may you be healthy for a hundred years," and then placed it on one end of the scales.
The virtual screen displays coldly: "The price you can pay is not enough."
Chen Yuanchuan's heart tightened, and he crossed out "hundred years" and changed it to "ninety years."
"Eighty years" and "seventy years", and finally "one year", are still not feasible.
Chen Yuanchuan became increasingly anxious and had to settle for the next best thing. He changed the note and wrote solemnly: "Cure Xi Qing's lung cancer."
The screen lit up instantly, displaying: "Tradeable, please pay: 'Traditional Chinese Medicine System', please click OK."
What? Chen Yuanchuan hadn't expected that the Traditional Chinese Medicine system could be traded? If he lost this golden finger, he would surely be forgotten by everyone.
This thought only flashed through his mind for a moment, and then, without hesitation, Chen Yuanchuan clicked "Confirm." He was only secretly glad that he had made full use of the system and made a lot of money in the past month.
In an instant, the other end of the benevolent balance emitted a dazzling fluorescent green and flew away into the distance, as brilliant as a meteor.
Afterwards, the scales slowly disappeared, and Chen Yuanchuan once again summoned the system in the ancestral jade pendant, but as expected, there was no response.
He couldn't help feeling a sense of loss, but then he was overjoyed.
Xi Qing is fine.
After reaching this conclusion, Chen Yuanchuan smiled and couldn't wait to run to see Xi Qing.
…
The originally flat electrocardiogram on the monitor began to show slight fluctuations.
Plop, plop, plop...
The heart that had been still began to beat again, and the electric waves on the display screen gradually became stronger.
When the people present saw this scene, they relaxed a little and checked Xi Qing's physiological indicators.
The moment his heartbeat returned, Xi Qing regained consciousness. Feeling the continuous influx of vitality, he was suddenly surprised.
Was there a bug in the Heavenly Dao? Otherwise, it was impossible to explain why an outsider like him would be favored by Him.
How absurd! Xi Qing was still puzzled, but no matter what, he didn't have to die, and the mission could continue.
After examination, the doctors were shocked to find that the cancer cells in Xi Qing's body died rapidly, as if he had suffered a catastrophe. It was a miracle.
They looked at each other, puzzled. After Xi Qing agreed, they drew a tube of his blood for biochemical analysis.
Chen Yuanchuan walked out of the bathroom, his body covered in water. He picked up a towel and dried his wet hair, then returned to the bedroom and found a decent shirt and pants to change into.
When he pulled up the waistband of his pants, Chen Yuanchuan suddenly found that it was very loose. His fingers slid across the thin waist, and his heart sank.
He looked up at the mirror on the wardrobe and saw that he had lost so much weight, his cheeks were sunken and there were dark circles under his eyes.
So ugly. Chen Yuanchuan always paid attention to his appearance, but seeing this image, he couldn't help but feel disgusted with himself. How could he have the nerve to appear in front of Xi Qing like this?
He hesitated, sat by the bed, his heart beating fast. After thinking for a long time, he finally decided to call an old colleague to inquire about Xi Qing's condition.
When the old colleagues heard the purpose of Chen Yuanchuan's visit, they were surprised at his well-informedness and told him that Dean Xi was indeed out of danger.
Hearing this, Chen Yuanchuan almost choked up, feeling relieved, and his long-tensed nerves finally relaxed.
Let's wait a little longer. Now that Xi Qinghui has recovered, Chen Yuanchuan will start to repair their relationship, so it is important to restore his appearance. His heart is filled with countless beautiful fantasies about their future reunion.
Chen Yuanchuan resumed his normal routine and prepared various medicinal dishes at home. After a week, he had finally recovered his health and was ready to meet Xi Qing with joy.
"You are the most beautiful cloud in my heart..."
A melodious ringtone rang out, and a light appeared in Chen Yuanchuan's eyes. He picked up the phone to check, and the caller ID showed - Xu Yingran.
Chen Yuanchuan's eyes dimmed, he suppressed a slight melancholy, and answered the phone.
"Yingran, what are you doing?"
"It's been a long time since we've gotten together. Let's go out for a drink."
Indeed, he had been busy gaining experience points recently and had neglected his best friend. Chen Yuanchuan's heart moved and he accepted his invitation.
Chen Yuanchuan was unwilling to admit that there was another secret reason for agreeing to Xu Yingran, which was the matter of meeting Xi Qing. He gradually felt a little homesick and resisted facing Xi Qing's emotional changes.
"Okay, where to?"
"A new bar recently opened in the city center, called Jun Ye. I heard it's very grand and there are a lot of beautiful women." Xu Yingran smiled obscenely.
Ever since being turned gay by Xi Qing, Chen Yuanchuan has only been thinking about Xi Qing. After all, any other beauty compared to Xi Qing can only become a mediocre woman.
Instead of looking at beautiful women, I might as well kiss Xi Qing a few more times. Chen Yuanchuan thought to himself, then looked at the air beside him and smiled bitterly.
"Hey, Chuanzi, why is there no sound over here?"
Hearing the voice from the other side, Chen Yuanchuan came back to his senses and agreed on a time with him.
The sky was as dark as ink, and Chen Yuanchuan took a taxi to Junye.
As soon as I got off the car, I saw a building with a strong sense of design in front of me. The gray glass was like a huge gem, reflecting the glow of the city and forming an irregular geometric polyhedron.
At the entrance, handsome men and beautiful women are dressed in bright clothes, like a fashion blockbuster, sending out ambiguous signals.
Not seeing Xu Yingran, Chen Yuanchuan decided to go in first. He stepped into the bar, where colorful neon lights danced in the darkness, telling stories of the night.
Chen Yuanchuan found a quiet spot to sit down, feeling a wave of emotion. It had been so long since he'd seen anyone his own age. The vibrant crowd around him, some drinking, playing finger-guessing games, others dancing and having fun, the whole place buzzing with activity, igniting Chen Yuanchuan's dormant energy.
Just as he was lost in thought, a faint scent of jasmine wafted across his face. Turning his head slightly, Chen Yuanchuan saw a beautiful woman approaching him. Her makeup was gorgeous, and her every smile and frown revealed a charming and alluring charm.
"Handsome guy, want to drink with me?"
In the past, Chen Yuanchuan would have greeted her with a smile, but now his heart was already occupied by Xi Qing, and he didn't want to do anything that would cause misunderstanding. He smiled politely, "Sorry, I'm allergic to alcohol."
Qin Siyue almost rolled her eyes. "You're allergic to alcohol and you're still coming to the bar, are you kidding me?" But she also heard Chen Yuanchuan's refusal, and with a click of her tongue, she turned and left.
Chen Yuanchuan was bored, holding his chin and following Qin Siyue's movements. He saw her looking around, and then her eyes lit up. She walked past the bar, approached a man, talked to him for a few words, covered her mouth and chuckled, then sat down.
In the dim neon light, Chen Yuanchuan could only catch sight of the back of the man's head. But he had already deeply engraved the man's outline in his mind.
Jealousy flared in his heart, and his expression turned grim. He stood up without hesitation, like an enraged lion, pushing through the crowd and walking towards the familiar figure.
Xi Qing was discharged from the hospital after recovering. He was wearing a casual suit and sitting leisurely with his legs crossed in the middle of the room surrounded by beauties. He seemed to be in a world of flowers and had a calm smile on his face. He seemed to be very comfortable.
Chen Yuanchuan was so angry that he almost exploded. He stood in front of him and said, "Xi Qing, why are you doing this!" He signaled to the beauties around him, including Qin Siyue.
Hearing this, Xi Qing suddenly looked up, his eyes were like bright stars, and then in an instant, the light in his eyes was completely extinguished.
"Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?" He asked indifferently, as if he regarded Chen Yuanchuan as a passerby.
Xi Qing was only briefly confused about his own resurrection, but he quickly deduced the reason: Heaven would not help outsiders, but would comply with the requests of the Son of Heaven, and then the truth would be revealed.
"You--" Chen Yuanchuan's chest heaved, and a strong sense of betrayal surged in his heart.
Seeing Chen Yuanchuan speechless, Xi Qing's eyes wandered, as if he was tired of looking at Chen Yuanchuan, and whispered: "What qualifications do you have to say that to me?"
Chen Yuanchuan forgot his anger for a moment, his pupils constricted, and his heart seemed to clench. Xi Qing was indeed angry...
Chen Yuanchuan stammered, "I'm doing this for a reason."
Xi Qing seemed very patient and raised his eyelids slightly: "What's the reason?"
"I don't want to lie to you, but I really don't know how to put it." Chen Yuanchuan's words were weak. The teasing looks from the people around him were like sharp blades, piercing his back. "Can we go out and talk for a while?" he pleaded.
There was only silence in response to Chen Yuanchuan. Xi Qing picked up the wine glass, tilted his head back and took a sip, then turned around and chatted and laughed with the beautiful woman beside him, as if putting Chen Yuanchuan invisibly.
Witnessing this scene, the Pandora's box of dark emotions in Chen Yuanchuan's heart was quietly opened, casting a gray shadow over his soul.
No, Xi Qing is mine! Chen Yuanchuan forced himself to ignore the astonished expressions around him, rushed forward, and sat on Xi Qing's legs without hesitation, facing him.
"I left for a reason, Xi Qing. I love you. Please forgive me, and... don't abandon me." Chen Yuanchuan put his hand on Xi Qing's shoulder, his voice hoarse, as if he was praying to a god.
Xi Qing was slightly startled, his gaze fixed on her. He stroked Chen Yuanchuan's thin face with his hand, and his tone was a little broken: "Really?"
Chen Yuanchuan nodded, his heart agitated. He quietly moved closer and gently pressed his lips against hers.
As long as Xi Qing can continue to love herself, nothing else matters.
Chen Yuanchuan vented the pain and love deep in his heart on Xi Qing's lips. When he smelled a unique scent from Xi Qing, his eyes gradually became hot, as if he was dreaming.
Xi Qing neither resisted nor complied, but just looked at Chen Yuanchuan quietly, as if observing his next reaction.
Feeling the other person's wooden indifference, Chen Yuanchuan couldn't help but turn his head away, his eyes gleaming with tears, and a humble desire emerged in his heart, "Xi Qing, can you hug me?"
The atmosphere was stagnant for a moment. Just as Chen Yuanchuan's expression gradually became gloomy, Xi Qing suddenly put his arms around Chen Yuanchuan's waist, holding him tightly against her. His eyes were dark, and he pinched the back of Chen Yuanchuan's neck with one hand, blocking his lips tightly. With a strong sense of aggression, he pressed forward step by step, as if declaring some kind of sovereignty.
The men and women passing by let out bursts of exclamations, and a few frivolous whistles from unknown sources pushed the hot atmosphere to a climax.
The two of them were like a long drought finally ending in a downpour, their passion intensifying. As their lips and tongues clashed, they both felt a burning lack of oxygen. Warmth, blood, and the scent of hormones intertwined, staining Chen Yuanchuan's lips with a crimson blush.
After the kiss, Chen Yuanchuan pulled Xi Qing's shoulders away, breathing heavily. It was his first time doing something so radical in public, and he couldn't help but blush. The young people around him were all joking and enjoying the show.
Suddenly, Chen Yuanchuan caught a glimpse of Xu Yingran standing not far away, dumbfounded, as if his brain had frozen.
Chen Yuanchuan: “!!!”
His entire face flushed red, as if he could boil an egg in a split second. He was still sitting on Xi Qing's lap, and it was too late.
Chen Yuanchuan slowly stepped away from Xi Qing's legs, sat uncomfortably beside him, and waved to Xu Yingran. He felt extremely embarrassed and wanted to die.
After the beauties around them knew that they were gay, they dispersed after watching the fun, looking for new prey, leaving Xi Qing and Chen Yuanchuan sitting on the leather sofa.
Xu Yingran was still in a daze, his mind a mess. He instinctively took a few steps forward, trying to understand the scene before him.
Chen Yuanchuan cleared his throat and said calmly, "Xi Qing is my boyfriend."
After he finished speaking, Chen Yuanchuan glanced sideways and saw that Xi Qing did not refute him. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that this hurdle was finally passed.
Xu Yingran almost fainted. The scene before him completely overturned his three views. What the hell was this!
My best friend is gay without my knowledge, and he's even hooking up with my ex-girlfriend's brother? No wonder the atmosphere between them at the food stall was so weird last year...
Chen Yuanchuan couldn't stand his best friend acting like an idiot, so he kicked him lightly. Xu Yingran suddenly came back to his senses and stammered, "Um, okay, okay, I wish you two will be together forever and grow old together." After saying that, he felt dumbfounded.
When Chen Yuanchuan heard these eight words, his heart moved. He turned his head and looked at Xi Qing, his eyes full of tenderness.
Xu Yingran watched, his heart pounding with shock. He'd expected Chen Yuanchuan to laugh at his tongue, but his first reaction was to flirt with his boyfriend. Ugh!
But Xi Qing is worth a lot of money, so Chen Yuanchuan won't be bullied by him. Xu Yingran looked suspicious, suppressed his embarrassment, and sat down to chat with them.
Chen Yuanchuan sat across from Xu Yingran, chatting with his usual demeanor. However, his occasional glances with Xi Qing made Xu Yingran feel like a high-wattage light bulb.
Xu Yingran: “…”
Forget it, I'm not a wicked mother-in-law, why do I have to come over and disturb them? After Chen Yuanchuan and Xi Qing looked at each other affectionately again, Xu Yingran felt very uncomfortable and offered to leave first. He wanted to stay away from this couple who were showing off their love.
Although he did not discriminate against homosexuals, he could not stand the fact that Chen Yuanchuan, with whom he had grown up as friends and had talked about beauties and watched Ivy, was being so clingy in front of another man.
Soon after Xu Yingran left, the two of them lost interest in going to the bar. Xi Qing said she wanted to have a midnight snack made by Chen Yuanchuan, so she hired a designated driver and went to a supermarket near Xi Qing's residence.
When selecting ingredients, Chen Yuanchuan inserted his hand between Xi Qing's fingers as if nothing had happened, which was in stark contrast to before.
Xi Qing easily noticed this change, slightly raised the corners of his lips, and clasped the other person's hand with his fingertips.
After returning to Xi Qing's residence with some food, Chen Yuanchuan noticed that there was still only one person around, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Chen Yuanchuan was wearing an apron and stirring the soup base for noodles. He felt an unprecedented peace in his heart. At this moment, he suddenly felt a warm breath. Xi Qing walked quietly behind him and put her arms around Chen Yuanchuan's waist.
"Yuanchuan, do you need help?" Xi Qing asked, resting his chin on Chen Yuanchuan's shoulder.
Chen Yuanchuan's cheeks flushed slightly, he glanced sideways, and whispered, "No, it's very simple."
"Well, I'm hungry, so I need to satisfy my craving first."
Xi Qing smiled wickedly, leaned over and kissed Chen Yuanchuan on the cheek, then turned around and went back to the living room.
Chen Yuanchuan shook his head helplessly, but his heart was filled with sweetness.
When the noodles were finally cooked, Chen Yuanchuan carefully put them into a bowl. When he took it out, he happened to see Xi Qing leaning against the kitchen door with a carefree smile on his lips.
"Are you looking forward to it so much?" Chen Yuanchuan raised his eyebrows.
Xi Qing's expression changed rapidly, and he pretended to be aggrieved, "It's been a long time since I've eaten what you cooked."
Chen Yuanchuan's heart beat wildly. He coughed lightly and handed the bowl of noodles to Xi Qing.
The two sat on opposite sides of the dining table. Xi Qing picked up the chopsticks, picked up the chewy noodles, put them into his mouth and chewed them, with a satisfied expression on his face.
"That's too exaggerated." Chen Yuanchuan said this on the surface, but in fact, his lover's affirmation made him complacent. His eyes were curved like crescents and he couldn't hide his smile.
In the early morning, because Chen's mother was still traveling out of town, Chen Yuanchuan was able to stay overnight at Xi Qing's house, and the two fell asleep in each other's arms.
Xi Qing suddenly woke up, opened his eyes and found that Chen Yuanchuan was sleeping very restlessly, mumbling intermittently.
"Xi Qing... I didn't leave you on purpose... I have my own reasons... Don't... don't leave me..."
I don’t know what kind of nightmare Chen Yuanchuan had. As he spoke, his voice began to choke up. Crystal tears slid down from the corners of Chen Yuanchuan’s closed eyes like shooting stars, spreading a dark color on the pillow.
Xi Qing's eyes were clear at this, but his actions didn't match. He pulled a hand out from under the covers, gently wiped the tears from Chen Yuanchuan's face, and then patted his back repeatedly.
Chen Yuanchuan seemed to feel Xi Qing's comfort in his sleep. After a while, his brows relaxed and he calmed down.
The next day, Xi Qing discussed Chunzhi's reinstatement with Chen Yuanchuan. Since the crisis was resolved, Chen Yuanchuan agreed without hesitation.
He felt that his life seemed to be back on track. Now he had wealth and love. Could he be happier than this?
However, just half a month later, when Chen Yuanchuan got home from get off work, he received an unexpected letter:
Inside was a court summons, and the printed content was roughly: Reporting Chen Yuanchuan for practicing medicine without a license, which caused the plaintiff's condition to worsen.
It was a bolt from the blue, and Chen Yuanchuan's fingers trembled.
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The author has something to say: I am very grateful for the support of the little angels, which has enabled me to persevere. I am lucky to have met you~ (making a heart shape with both hands towards my head)
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