Media and reporters: ...
Lin Qiong's words silenced the previously noisy surroundings.
-
"Hahaha, I'm her sister."
"Hahaha, making him confess, outing himself."
"Instantly innocent, I've decided to be a fan of this handsome guy!"
"Such a good-looking guy only likes guys, let us break free from gender stereotypes."
-
The previously aggressive reporters had somewhat unpleasant expressions, not expecting Lin Qiong to answer this way. Then, he sarcastically retorted, "Are you trying to absolve yourself by saying that?"
"Can't you understand human language?" A voice with impatience came from the side, and Qin Wei Chu, who had just stepped down from the stage, walked back on stage again.
The reporter was stunned.
Qin Wei Chu's bad temper was well-known in the industry, but due to the other party's fame and strong background, even if someone didn't like him, they couldn't do anything to him. After all, he had a formidable backer.
Naturally, no one dared to provoke Qin Wei Chu. The reporter, holding the microphone, stuttered, "I just raised questions about Lin Qiong's response."
Qin Wei Chu scowled, "There's just a woman in the photo. Can't you understand that he likes men?"
"If you can't comprehend language, I suggest you change your profession."
The reporter instantly fell silent.
-
"Wow, Wei Chu is so handsome, helping the junior out of trouble."
"Oh my god, so entertaining, too entertaining."
"In the future, if anyone says Wei Chu has no compassion, I'll be the first to disagree!"
"Why does Qin Wei Chu speak so harshly, a bit too disdainful."
"If I had a big brother like General Qin, I would be even more arrogant than him."
-
After stepping down from the stage, Lin Qiong walked to Qin Wei Chu's side, "Thank you for helping me just now."
Lin Qiong looked up at him, a white and tender little face smiling brightly. Qin Wei Chu glanced at him and couldn't help but blush a bit, then turned his head away, "It's nothing..."
Lin Qiong expressed gratitude to him, and Qin Wei Chu, despite his slightly bad temper, was quite enthusiastic.
Just as Qin Wei Chu was about to find some topics to chat with people, the next moment he heard the other person say, "You're really a good person."
Ding! He was called a good person.
----
After the event, Lin Qiong got into the car. Wang Cheng took out his phone and had Lin Qiong log in to his own Weibo account to post a clarification. Then he asked, "Back to the hotel?"
Lin Qiong shook his head, "Go buy a new phone."
It was now two o'clock in the afternoon, and it had been six hours since his phone had been submerged in water, losing contact with Fu Xingyun.
Lin Qiong quickly bought a new phone, inserted the SIM card, and dialed Fu Xingyun's number.
The phone rang once and was immediately answered.
"Xingyun."
The familiar and vibrant voice came through, and the lingering frustration in Fu Xingyun's expression momentarily eased. However, he still questioned, "Why didn't you answer my call this morning?"
Lin Qiong touched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I drank too much last night and accidentally soaked my phone in water."
Upon hearing this, Fu Xingyun seemed to recall something. "You didn't receive my message either?"
Curious, Lin Qiong asked, "What message did you send me?"
Looking at the slightly diminished rain and snow outside, Fu Xingyun responded evasively, "Are you outside?"
Lin Qiong nodded, "Yes, I finished work and am buying a new phone."
"Go back to the hotel."
Puzzled, Lin Qiong asked, "Why?"
Fu Xingyun remained silent for a while before speaking, "Aren't you aware?"
"Aware about what?"
"I saw the news this morning."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qiong's heart skipped a beat. Although he remained composed when he heard about the rumored relationship earlier, Fu Xingyun's mention of it now made him instantly nervous.
Stammering, Lin Qiong asked, "You... you saw it too?"
Fu Xingyun's voice was deep, "Yes."
"Stop overthinking, listen to my explanation."
Fu Xingyun glanced at the messy living room and scattered books, calmly saying, "I'm not overthinking, explain yourself."
"I went out for drinks with a friend yesterday."
Fu Xingyun frowned, going out for drinks in the middle of the night wasn't something a decent person would do. "Don't associate with such people in the future."
"That person was Ji Yao."
"..."
"She had a breakup yesterday and came out to drink with me. She drank too much, so I took her back to the hotel. Who knew we would be misunderstood and caught by paparazzi." Lin Qiong explained, tentatively adding in a low voice, "You didn't misunderstand, did you?"
Fu Xingyun looked at the antique vase shattered in the corner of the room. "No."
Lin Qiong was touched for a moment. When facing the aggressive questioning from reporters earlier, he felt upset. He had explained the situation, but they continued to press. "Xingyun, do you believe me?"
"Yeah." Fu Xingyun kept his response succinct; if Lin Qiong said so, he believed him.
However, Fu Xingyun also knew deep down that even if this incident was true, he couldn't say anything to Lin Qiong.
Holding the phone, Lin Qiong's voice softened, "Xingyun, you're really good. I love you even more now."
Fu Xingyun, hearing these words, involuntarily closed his eyes. Clearly, those words had a profound effect on him.
He then softly asked, "When will you be back?"
Lin Qiong calculated, "In about half a month. How's the rehabilitation situation? Did the doctor say anything?"
Fu Xingyun remained silent for a while before calmly saying, "No."
Lin Qiong felt a bit uncomfortable hearing this. Fu Xingyun had been in rehabilitation for seven or eight months, and there seemed to be no improvement.
After talking on the phone for almost an hour, Lin Qiong finally hung up. Wang Cheng couldn't help but comment, "Who was it? You talked for so long."
Putting the newly bought phone in his pocket, Lin Qiong replied, "My husband."
Looking at Lin Qiong, who had fallen so far, Wang Cheng said, "One day, you will regret this."
Lin Qiong asked, "Why would I regret it?"
Wang Cheng said seriously, "If you become famous later on, your husband might become your biggest scandal."
Lin Qiong was surprised, then shyly said, "It is not embarrassing to be with my husband."
Wang Cheng, frustrated, said, "Aren't you afraid of someone digging into your past, and finding out that you're kept by an old man?!"
Lin Qiong shook his head, "I'm not being kept. We have a legitimate relationship. If they try to expose me, I'll sue them for spreading rumors."
Wang Cheng took a deep breath. He didn't understand why Lin Qiong could be so optimistic in the entertainment industry's turbulent waters.
Although he hadn't seen Lin Qiong's so-called husband, the idea of an older man manipulating the twenty-something Lin Qiong into marriage, along with some questionable and controlling habits, indicated a shady character. Perhaps things were even worse at home. Wang Cheng clenched his fist, realizing that, despite not being particularly close to Lin Qiong, he found him to be a decent person. If he ever encountered this deceitful old pervert, he would give him a good punch!
----
On the other hand, after Fu Xingyun and Lin Qiong finished their call, Fu Xingyun received a call from his secretary.
"Boss, Mr. Lin and Miss Ji went out for drinks last night."
Fu Xingyun responded briefly.
Lin Qiong had already informed Fu Xingyun of his return date a week ago.
Fu Xingyun timed it well to have the doctor and nurse come over.
"You should help me with rehabilitation every day, like two months ago."
The nurse couldn't understand, "But Mr. Fu, aren't your legs..."
The doctor pulled him aside. "Okay, Mr. Fu."
The nurse was confused, wondering why the doctor didn't let him continue.
"Why would I let you continue? If you did, we wouldn't have needed to come," the doctor said as they walked away.
The nurse: ???
The nurse touched the back of his neck, and then seemed to understand something. "Mr. Fu doesn't want Mr. Lin to know he can stand up, does he?"
The doctor maintained a serious expression. "What are you talking about? Mr. Fu hasn't stood up at all."
Nurse: "Didn't Mr. Fu stand up two months ago..."
Doctor: "He hasn't stood up."
Nurse: ...
Very well, the confidentiality measures were quite successful.
However, the nurse didn't quite approve of silencing with money. "Teacher, is it really okay to do this?"
The doctor glanced at him. "You're still too young."
"But what if one day Mr. Lin finds out that Mr. Fu has been lying to him all along?"
"Why are you worrying about such things?" the doctor asked.
The nurse was puzzled. "Aren't you worried, Teacher?"
The doctor shook his head. "You should be more concerned about paying your rent."
----
A few days after Fu Xingyun instructed the doctor, Lin Qiong indeed returned home with a suitcase. He had a bag hanging around his neck, and his clothes were a bit messy from the journey. Sitting in the wheelchair, Fu Xingyun's eyes sparkled as he saw Lin Qiong coming. "Xingyun!"
For a moment, it looked like a country person coming to the city.
After placing the luggage, Lin Qiong gracefully ran to Fu Xingyun's side. Then, he took off a bag hanging around his neck, revealing a large apple inside.
With a sincere expression, Lin Qiong offered the apple to Fu Xingyun as if presenting a precious gift. "A gift for you."
Fu Xingyun glanced at it and, upon taking it out, realized that the nearly palm-sized apple was shaped like a heart.
Lin Qiong said, "The shopkeeper said it's a genetic mutation, so I bought it."
Fu Xingyun's lips curled slightly as he held back a smile.
When Lin Qiong went upstairs to change, the doctor and nurse coincidentally arrived.
Fu Xingyun warned with a serious tone, "You should know what to say and what not to say."
The doctor and nurse nodded quickly.
As Lin Qiong came down after changing into casual clothes, he saw the group discussing something. Eager to join in, he approached.
The doctor said, "Although Mr. Fu still can't stand up, there has been a slight improvement."
He then extended a pinkie finger to demonstrate the extent of this improvement.
Lin Qiong: ...
"If convenient, Mr. Lin can try supporting Mr. Fu to stand during leisure time."
Lin Qiong listened attentively, holding a small notepad in his hand.
After dinner, Lin Qiong didn't forget his mission. "Xingyun, let's stand for a while to aid digestion."
Before anyone could speak, Lin Qiong approached and carefully helped Fu Xingyun stand. He placed Fu Xingyun's hand on his shoulder, and Fu Xingyun's chest lightly leaned against his chest.
Fu Xingyun and Lin Qiong were very close, and Fu Xingyun, looking at the mole on Lin Qiong's neck, swallowed slightly. Then, following Lin Qiong's movements, he slightly bent over, getting close enough that his lips could touch Lin Qiong's face.
Putting effort into supporting Fu Xingyun, Lin Qiong said, "Let's stand like this every day from now on."
Taking advantage of the intimacy of this moment, Fu Xingyun agreed, "Okay."
----
Later in the evening, when Fu Xingyun walked out of the bathroom, he looked down at the "Love Manual" on the bed.
The doctor's previous request to Lin Qiong was actually Fu Xingyun's own suggestion. He wanted to be more intimate with Lin Qiong. If they stood like this every day, he could still pretend to be paralyzed.
Now, sitting on the bed, Fu Xingyun looked down at the "Love Manual." He felt a moment of shame for his despicable thoughts.
Fu Xingyun! You're shameless!