**Date: October 10, 2015
Location: Shanghai Concert Hall
Event: Film Festival Ceremony**
Lin Kecong, a prominent movie star aged 25, emerged from his sleek Ferrari sports car, standing tall at 1.79 meters. Dressed in leather pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and a stylish leather jacket, he shielded his eyes with sunglasses as he stepped out.
The crowd erupted in excitement. "Wow! It's Lin Kecong! He's my idol! So handsome!" his fans exclaimed passionately.
Despite the cheers, Kecong felt overwhelmed by the large crowd. His assistant and close friend, Chen Ming, quickly steadied him.
"Kecong! Are you alright? You were clutching your stomach in the car! Is your gastric issue flaring up again? You seem to have a fever! Should we skip the ceremony?" Chen Ming asked, concern etched on his face.
Kecong shook his head, determination in his eyes. "I… I'm fine. This ceremony is very important," he reassured.
"Alright, but please let me know if anything feels off. If you need to use the restroom, take me with you," Chen Ming insisted.
Kecong nodded in agreement and made his way toward the stage.
"Good evening, Lin Kecong! I hear you're nominated for Best Actor! Do you feel confident about winning?" the presenter inquired.
"Let fate decide. Just being nominated is a blessing. Thank you, everyone," Kecong replied graciously.
**Scene Transition: Jia Hao's Condominium**
In the living room, Jia Hao switched on the television and was startled to see Kecong on screen.
"Kecong!? Has he lost so much weight?" he wondered aloud.
"Dear, are you talking to yourself?" Yi Ling chimed in.
"I just saw a close friend on TV. I'm heading to work soon; it's my first day at the hospital," Jia Hao explained.
**Scene Transition: Film Festival Ceremony**
As Kecong sat down, unease washed over him, and his stomach pain intensified.
"Kecong, are you okay? You look pale," Xiao Cong remarked with concern.
"I… I'm fine," Kecong responded softly.
"And the award for Best Actor goes to Lin Kecong for his role in 'My Miserable Life,'" Yuan Hua announced.
Chen Ming grasped Kecong's hand excitedly. "Kecong! You won! Yuan Hua just announced it's you!"
Though ecstatic, Kecong felt feverish, struggling to focus amidst the noise and pain. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and approached the stage.
"I can't believe I won! I'm trembling and sweating!" Kecong joked, eliciting laughter from the audience.
"Years ago, during school, I would have laughed at this moment. I never expected to receive such encouragement. I'm deeply grateful to Director Jin for allowing me to star in this incredible project. It's a challenging role because it reflects my own life," Kecong said, his smile giving way to tears.
Yuan Hua, standing beside him, handed him a tissue and embraced him.
"Since I was six, I've lived in darkness. Only my mother cared for me. My father was a drunkard and gambler; he would beat me with his belt when he lost money. These scenes in the film mirror my reality," Kecong revealed, tears streaming down his face.
Suddenly, he rolled up his sleeve to reveal a large scar, shocking the audience into murmurs.
"The story was penned by my PR manager, Chen Ming, who is also my former teacher and dear friend. I am gay, and I even own a gay bar," Kecong stated calmly.
Chen Ming and Xiao Cong exchanged astonished glances.
"Why is he saying all this? Is he losing it?" Xiao Cong whispered to Chen Ming.
"It seems something is seriously wrong. He looks frailer than ever and is hiding something from us," Chen Ming replied, his worry deepening.
**Scene Transition: Hospital – Doctor's Restroom**
Jia Hao and Cheng Jie watched the awards show, with Cheng Jie moved to tears.
"Hey, bro, why are you crying? You used to be the toughest guy in school!" Jia Hao teased, laughing.
"People change. If I were gay, I'd fall for Kecong. He's incredibly brave," Cheng Jie replied.
"Are you out of your mind? He's mine! I returned to Shanghai for him!" Jia Hao exclaimed.
"Stop with the nonsense! Kecong has endured so much! You probably don't even know what he went through while you were away at Harvard!" Cheng Jie retorted angrily.
"I'm Kecong's personal doctor, and he also has a psychologist. Look at his smile—it's a mask. He can't even speak properly after that traumatic incident," Cheng Jie added.
"You're his doctor? What's wrong with him?" Jia Hao asked urgently.
"He's been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer," Cheng Jie revealed.
Jia Hao grabbed Cheng Jie's shirt in disbelief. "What!? Are you serious!?"
"Please, let it go! He's not the Kecong you once knew! If your parents see him again, it could be disastrous! Do you want him to end up in jail and get tortured by those monsters again?" Cheng Jie replied angrily.
"What happened to him?!" Jia Hao demanded, panic rising in his voice.
"This is his story to tell. I promised him I wouldn't share details with anyone. You can ask either Chen Ming or Kecong directly. He needs support; luckily, Chen Ming has been by his side since that incident. Without them, I fear he wouldn't have survived," Cheng Jie said sadly.
In a fit of frustration, Jia Hao confronted Cheng Jie, demanding to know what transpired eight years ago.
"Alright! Here's what you need to know. The day after you left the hospital, Kecong was taken to the police station. His father accused him of rape. Because Kecong is gay, the police believed his father's lies. In court, his father presented manipulated videos portraying himself as the victim, leading Kecong to silently endure the consequences. After being imprisoned, he was placed in a cell with violent offenders, leading to nights filled with horror," Cheng Jie explained, his voice trailing off as a nurse rushed in.
"Doctor Cheng! Lin Kecong has been admitted to the hospital! He's vomiting blood and clutching his stomach in agony!" Tammy exclaimed.
"Quick! Take him to the operating room! I'll be right there!" Cheng Jie ordered.
Jia Hao and Cheng Jie hurried to the operating theater.
**Outside the Operating Theater**
"I'm going in with you," Jia Hao insisted.
"Stay outside. It's your first day on the job, and I don't want Kecong's condition to distract you," Cheng Jie replied as he entered the room.
In a corner, Xiao Cong and Chen Ming spotted Jia Hao. Chen Ming angrily confronted him from behind.
"Ming Ge! Calm down; this is a hospital!" Xiao Cong urged.
"Let me go! I have to confront this jerk!" Chen Ming fired back.
"Why did you return to Shanghai? Leave! Kecong has suffered enough because of you!" Chen Ming shouted angrily.
"Ming Ge, can we talk in the garden for a moment?" Jia Hao suggested.
"Fine, let's go," Chen Ming relented.
**Setting: Hospital Garden – Late Night**
Chen Ming pushed Jia Hao to the ground and slapped him hard, drawing blood from his lip. Jia Hao remained unresponsive, sitting there quietly. Chen Ming yanked at his shirt.
"Why aren't you fighting back? Do you feel guilty for what your mother did to Kecong eight years ago? This minor injury is nothing compared to what he endured alone! He tried to take his own life three times because of that horrific event! I would rather he had died than suffer this way! Cheng Jie and I rescued him from despair, yet he's still hiding so much from us. His life has been one of relentless suffering," Chen Ming lamented, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"What did my mother do to Kecong? I truly don't know. She promised to let him go if I studied in England," Jia Hao replied, confusion on his face.
"Promised! Hah! She even used a videotape to threaten Kecong, forcing him to leave you forever! After hearing what happened to him, no one would dare approach him again. Thanks to her, he now fears crowds and trembles during conversations! The day after you departed for England, your mother paid his father to assault him and drugged him! They filmed it, editing your face into the footage to accuse him of raping you! That poor boy was framed and ended up in prison for six months, where he was raped repeatedly by eight brutal men! His mouth was injured, and he suffered severe trauma that left him unable to walk or talk for months! During that time, he attempted to take his own life multiple times. Cheng Jie and his brother, Cheng Kang, assisted him, but he still appears deeply troubled, reluctant to speak or smile. Even in his sleep, he calls out your name," Chen Ming exclaimed, rage boiling over.
Jia Hao slammed his fists against the floor until they bled, tears streaming down his face. "Wang Pei Pei! I am your son! Why have you done this to me?" he cried out in agony.
Xiao Cong rushed up to the garden in a frenzy. "Ming Ge! Doctor Cheng wants to see us right away!" he shouted.
The three hurried down to Cheng Jie's office.
**Setting: Cheng Jie's Office**
Cheng Jie displayed Kecong's stomach X-ray on the screen, shocking everyone present.
"Why is there such a large mass in Kecong's stomach?" Chen Ming gasped in disbelief.
"It seems he hasn't disclosed his condition to any of you. His stomach cancer has reached stage four. He insists on avoiding treatment, claiming he wants to wait until Jia Hao returns to see him looking handsome. He still loves you deeply, but time is running out," Cheng Jie explained somberly.
"He may only have six months to live if he refuses treatment. Perhaps that is enough for him. He has expressed a desire to leave this world before his father is released from prison," Cheng Jie added.
"I… I want to see Kecong," Jia Hao stated firmly.
"Allow him to go," Chen Ming agreed.
**In Kecong's Ward**
Kecong lay dreaming, lost in memories of the past.
**Flashback: June 6, 1996, Shanghai – Urban Area, Lin Plantation Farm, Evening**
**End of Chapter One**