Lu Zhengfei noticed something was wrong with Chen Qianqing and quickly followed the advice of the attending physician to find a psychologist for him.
Chen Qianqing was smart, and when he saw a stranger walking into his hospital room, he could guess the person's identity.
Lu Zhengfei was possessive and rarely allowed Chen Qianqing to interact with others unless necessary. If it weren't for Chen Qianqing's broken leg and his softening attitude, Lu Zhengfei would never have agreed to his request to attend school.
The psychologist was young and appeared very kind. He asked Chen Qianqing ordinary questions that wouldn't cause any aversion.
Chen Qianqing answered the psychologist's questions absentmindedly, clearly lost in his thoughts. It wasn't his distraction that worried people, but the contrast between his current state and his previous self.
If he was a flourishing sunflower before his leg was broken, he now resembled a mushroom growing in a corner - silent, indifferent, seemingly uninterested in anything around him.
His beautiful face held an expression of indifference. He answered when spoken to, but his whole being seemed to be wandering in another realm.
After asking a few more questions, the psychologist stood up and left.
Chen Qianqing watched the psychologist's figure, his face void of any expression.
"It's not looking good," the psychologist told Lu Zhengfei who was waiting outside the door. "Mild depression and other symptoms, further diagnosis is needed."
Lu Zhengfei remained expressionless. "Is it severe? Does he have suicidal tendencies?"
"No..." The psychologist hesitated, but ultimately voiced his observations. "His will to live is surprisingly strong, which is quite peculiar for someone with depression..." Typically, patients with depression exhibit a desire for self-harm, but this person showed a strong longing for life.
This answer seemed to align with Lu Zhengfei's wishes. He acknowledged with a nod and remained silent.
After a brief silence, the psychologist said, "Well, Mr. Lu, I'll take my leave now. If there are any other developments, please give me a call."
Lu Zhengfei nodded.
Once the psychologist left, Lu Zhengfei found a place to smoke. He didn't have a strong addiction to cigarettes, but ever since he had been with Chen Qianqing, he had been smoking half a pack a day, especially since Chen Qianqing broke his leg and always wore a cold expression.
Lu Zhengfei knew that Chen Qianqing didn't like him. He was well aware that everything he did for Chen Qianqing might never earn his forgiveness, but he didn't care.
He was willing to give Chen Qianqing everything he wanted, except for his freedom.
Chen Qianqing had no idea what Lu Zhengfei was thinking. Their relationship had lasted too long, to the point where he almost forgot what he had been thinking back then.
Why did he foolishly believe that breaking his leg would make his lover stay?
Now that Chen Qianqing's leg was broken, he had nothing to do but lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, or read the novels brought by the kindhearted nurses.
When Lu Zhengfei entered the hospital room, he saw Chen Qianqing holding a book and reading.
With his hair uncut for several months, Chen Qianqing's hair had grown a bit longer. He lowered his head slightly, looking at the book in his hands, his whole being as still as a statue.
"Chen Qianqing," Lu Zhengfei said, "Your mother called."
Chen Qianqing's body stiffened. Lu Zhengfei's words reminded him that at least for now, Chen Qianqing's parents were still alive and hadn't been involved in a serious accident due to Lu Zhengfei. This incident was also a significant reason for the complete rupture between him and the original Chen Qianqing. Chen Qianqing couldn't forgive him, and they had both taken irreversible steps towards the abyss.
Chen Qianqing raised his head and looked at his younger self. "Can I call her back?"
Lu Zhengfei looked at Chen Qianqing with a smirk and said, "If you kiss me, I'll let you make the phone call."
Chen Qianqing: "..." Looking at Lu Zhengfei's expression, he really wanted to slap him.
Seeing Chen Qianqing furrow his brows slightly, Lu Zhengfei didn't say anything either. The smile on his face faded a bit.
If it were the real Chen Qianqing, he would probably have slapped him twice. But the current Chen Qianqing restrained himself. He knew his own character, so he quieted down for a moment before closing his eyes and leaning in, lightly kissing the corner of Lu Zhengfei's lips. To be honest, kissing himself felt terrible.
Lu Zhengfei didn't actually expect Chen Qianqing to passionately kiss him, but when he saw Chen Qianqing closing his eyes and giving him a gentle peck on the corner of his lips, Lu Zhengfei didn't dodge either. He looked at Chen Qianqing, who resembled a pitiful little dog being bullied, as he touched his lips, a very light kiss that immediately pulled away.
Lu Zhengfei really wanted to grab the back of Chen Qianqing's head and deepen the kiss, but his peripheral vision caught sight of Chen Qianqing's still-casted leg, so he suppressed the impulse.
No need to rush, he had plenty of time with Chen Qianqing.
After the kiss, Lu Zhengfei returned Chen Qianqing's phone to him. The screen displayed several missed calls, all from Chen Qianqing's parents.
Chen Qianqing took the phone and pressed the callback button.
"Qianqing." Chen Qianqing's mother's voice came through the phone. Chen Qianqing's palms began to sweat as he held the phone, wanting to call her "mom," but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
"Qianqing? Why aren't you speaking?" Chen's mother sounded even more worried. Chen Qianqing had been out of contact for several days, and if it weren't for Lu Zhengfei giving her a call, she would almost have reported him missing.
Chen's mother's voice was filled with urgency, and it was evident that she was very concerned about her son.
"Mom." Eventually, Chen Qianqing managed to utter that word, though as he did, he felt a sharp pain in his heart. His trembling lips almost started shedding tears.
He felt sorry for the person on the other end of the phone, and he felt sorry for himself as well. Only by making them happy in this lifetime could he redeem himself.
"Qianqing? What's wrong? Tell Mom." Chen's mother sounded even more anxious.
"I'm fine, Mom." Chen Qianqing said softly, "It's just a minor car accident, and my leg is broken."
"You got into a car accident??" Chen's mother became even more worried. "Is it serious? Where are you injured? I'll come over tomorrow to take care of you. Which hospital are you in?"
A string of questions conveyed her current state of mind.
Chen Qianqing adjusted his emotions and said gently, "Mom, please don't worry. It's just a fractured leg, nothing serious. Don't come over, my friend is taking care of me."
"How can I not come?!" Chen's mother said, "I have to come and see you! Which hospital are you in?"
Chen Qianqing knew he couldn't stop his mother, so he gave her the hospital address. After hearing it, Chen's mother gave him more instructions before reluctantly hanging up the phone.
"I'm your friend?" Lu Zhengfei, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke.
Chen Qianqing lowered his head, set the phone aside, and emotionlessly said, "I used to consider you a friend."
Lu Zhengfei smiled at his words. "And now?"
Chen Qianqing raised his gaze and looked at him. "You don't really want to know my answer." At this moment, Chen Qianqing only regarded Lu Zhengfei as an enemy, the type of enemy he despised the most.
Lu Zhengfei had enough self-awareness not to ask any further questions. The smile on his face faded significantly. He said, "Chen Qianqing, are you afraid of your mother finding out something?"
Chen Qianqing couldn't help but understand what Lu Zhengfei was thinking. He said, "Lu Zhengfei, you don't want my mother to find out."
Because Chen's mother and father were the best leverage against Chen Qianqing, just like how they used to threaten him in the past, saying what would happen if Chen Qianqing didn't listen. In reality, if he hadn't gone mad, he wouldn't have done those things.
"I said I would do it, didn't I? I broke your legs," said Lu Zhengfei.
Chen Qianqing: "..." He actually forgot about this incident.
Seeing Chen Qianqing's unpleasant expression, Lu Zhengfei smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't let her find out." She found out, it's not beneficial for me.
Only then did Chen Qianqing feel relieved and asked, "Can you bring me some books to read?"
Lu Zhengfei asked, "What do you want to read?"
Chen Qianqing replied, "Anything is fine, finance, history, whatever you like." Sitting in the hospital was unbearable, and there was still some time before being discharged, so he might as well read some books.
Lu Zhengfei readily agreed to this request and said, "Sure, I'll bring them to you tomorrow."
Chen Qianqing nodded.
At lunchtime, Lu Zhengfei's subordinates brought two lunch boxes.
During Chen Qianqing's hospitalization, Lu Zhengfei almost accompanied him every day, even eating meals in his hospital room. Chen Qianqing was initially not used to it, but later, he didn't mind.
Today, they had stewed crucian carp soup. The soup was milky white, and the fish meat was tender. Unfortunately, Chen Qianqing didn't really like eating fish now, and could even say he disliked it.
But the real Chen Qianqing's favorite was crucian carp. He could eat several of them alone, whether they were braised, steamed, or in soup, he liked them very much.
Seeing Chen Qianqing silent as he held the lunch box, Lu Zhengfei asked, "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"
Chen Qianqing smiled calmly, picked up his chopsticks, and said, "Why would I? I love fish the most." In this world, there was only one Lu Zhengfei, and only one Chen Qianqing. From the moment he woke up in this body, he was no longer himself, but someone else, so he also liked eating fish.
The meal was eaten in silence. After finishing his meal, Chen Qianqing read for a while before taking a nap.
Lu Zhengfei was originally typing on the keyboard, but when he saw Chen Qianqing start to sleep, he stopped his movements. He had been facing away from Chen Qianqing, but now he turned around and stared at the person behind him.
Chen Qianqing had long eyelashes, and his sleeping face was beautiful. His complexion had improved a little compared to when he first arrived at the hospital, but it could still be described as pale.
Lu Zhengfei really wanted to reach out and touch Chen Qianqing's face, but seeing his peaceful sleeping expression, he restrained himself. He didn't need to rush. He still had a very long time with Chen Qianqing.