TRYMBPIETM 93: Revival of All Things (14)

Chi Qingzhou was inquiring about the details of Wan Ying Temple in the ward. Chi Qingning lowered his head and trotted to the end of the corridor and called the police. 

He explained the situation of his assistant and answered the police’s specific questions. The tears in his eyes finally fell.

He sighed and responded, “If something really happens to Xiao Ma, I’ll never forgive myself for the rest of my life.”

His manager hesitated before coming forward and comforting him with a few words.

“It might not necessarily end badly. Although Xiao Ma didn’t return to his hometown, he might just want to slack off, right?”

Chi Qingning choked up as he replied, “You don’t understand Chi Qingzhou. He’s not someone who acts without reason. If he said something, he definitely…”

Chi Qingning couldn’t continue.

He hadn’t ignored the look that Chi Qingzhou had thrown at him just moments ago, and that ominous feeling made it impossible to stay calm.

If… if Xiao Ma really was in trouble, he would never forgive himself.

His manager hurriedly said, “Qingning, this has nothing to do with you! Xiao Ma has always been impulsive. Even if something happens to him, it’s because he wasn’t thinking clearly. Don’t blame yourself.”

Chi Qingning rebutted, “How does this not have anything to do with me? Isn’t he my assistant? If something happened to him, whether or not it was his own decision, ultimately it’s because of me, isn’t it? How can I just say this has nothing to do with me?”

Chi Qingning wasn’t a saint, but he at least had some basic moral standards.

No matter how many mistakes Xiao Ma made, how reckless or irritable he was, or how heartless he was towards his uncle’s family, Xiao Ma had always been sincere with him.

He hadn’t sunk to the point of enjoying others’ sacrifices while complaining about the mess they left when they died.

His manager, a man of many connections, was always able to bend and stretch, and had a place in the industry. However, he was also extremely profit-driven and often cut corners.

Many of Chi Qingning’s underhanded tactics for dealing with competitors had been learned from this manager.

This manager was a true egoist, willing to do anything to protect himself, and would avoid responsibility at all costs.

If something really happened to Ma Xiaoyang, this manager would be the first to wash his hands of it.

Chi Qingning found this thought frustrating and didn’t want to engage with him any further.

But his manager, still worried that Ma Xiaoyang might be in trouble, desperately tried to clear his and Chi Qingning’s names.

Of course, his concern wasn’t about Chi Qingning—he only cared because Chi Qingning was his most profitable artist.

The manager almost pleaded with him, “Qingning, you heard me on the phone. Xiao Ma is not a good guy. He even tried to trick his cousin into gambling. How old is she?”

“If he could deceive his cousin, it’s obvious he must’ve been involved in gambling before. And what good ending do gamblers ever have? He’s probably just hiding to escape debt.”

Chi Qingning was frustrated and snapped, “That has nothing to do with me! Anyway, the police are involved now, so just wait for their investigation.”

The manager clicked his tongue and shot him a look, then changed the subject, not pressing any further.

Chi Qingning was not interested in hearing him out; after all, he didn’t know anything. If there really was a problem, it wouldn’t fall on him.

…

Chi Qingning made the report and walked back to the hospital room, feeling down.

The door was open, and before entering, he quickly noticed that He Fan’s forehead was covered in sweat.

He guessed that Chi Qingzhou had probably asked something that had scared He Fan.

Chi Qingzhou waved at him, and Chi Qingning walked over, patiently repeating the details of the call.

Chi Qingzhou thought for a moment and said, “This will likely be handled by professionals. You just need to wait for the results. From tonight onward, you’d better not go home.”

He raised his eyes, his pupils clouded as if veiled by mist.

“I remember you have your own place, right?”

Chi Qingning nodded quickly. “I have a small apartment.”

Chi Qingzhou nodded. “Then go stay at your apartment. It’s best not to go home until this matter is resolved.”

He paused for a moment and added with a light tone, “It’s better not to even visit for the night.”

Chi Qingning didn’t ask why and simply agreed. “Okay, Second Brother, I understand.”

Chi Qingzhou smiled. “You’re a good boy. I’ll ask Qi Qi to look after you. You’ll take good care of Qi Qi, right?”

Qi Qi?

The dog that bit Brother Wen that day?

Chi Qingning’s mouth twitched, but he still readily agreed.

“Don’t worry, Second Brother, I’ll make sure Qi Qi is well taken care of.”

Chi Qingzhou added a few words about Wu Qi’s preferences, specifically reminding him, “Qi Qi is a girl, so be polite.”

…What? Qi Qi was actually a female dog?

Chi Qingning’s forehead was nearly covered in sweat. He gave an awkward laugh and promised to take care of her.

Chi Qingzhou was satisfied.

He sat for a while before taking his leave.

He Fan had already realized the extraordinary nature of Chi Qingzhou and, seeing this, was quite reluctant to part.

Chi Qingning didn’t mock him, and even offered him a few words of comfort.

He softened considerably in his expression.

His beloved was still so thoughtful, even though he and Chi Qingzhou hadn’t been on good terms in the past, yet for his sake, he was willing to endure such a great injustice…

He couldn’t help but grab Chi Qingning’s hand, seriously saying, “Ningning, no matter how capable Chi Qingzhou is, I guarantee, you will always be the number one at Yade. Don’t worry, the resources at Yade will always be prioritized for you. As long as I’m here, no one will ever surpass you!”

Chi Qingning: “…??”

What are you talking about?

If you want to die, don’t drag me into it!

He stared at the sudden outburst from He Fan, immediately pulling his hand back, standing up in a rush, and loudly rebutting.

“Brother Fan, what are you saying?! How could you disrespect my second brother like this? Resources and rankings, I don’t care about any of that. If my second brother is more suited, then of course, he should get it!”

“Brother Fan, you’re not a kid anymore, how can you be so emotional?”

Chi Qingning paused for a moment, controlling his somewhat distorted expression and, with great effort, forced out a lie.

“Moreover, my second brother is so tolerant, generous, and kind, and his abilities are so strong. I should learn from him. Please, never speak like that again!”

He Fan: “…??”

Chi Qingning’s manager: “??”

Secretary Li: “…”

He Fan hesitated for a few seconds before lowering his voice and asking, “Ningning, are you alright?”

Chi Qingning shot him a sharp glance. “What kind of question is that? I’m perfectly clear-headed! Don’t ever say things like that again, or we can’t be friends anymore!”

He Fan: “…”

He fell silent for a moment before reluctantly agreeing.

Chi Qingning sighed with relief, finally showing a hint of a smile on his face.

…

After visiting Yi Shangxiao and He Fan, Chi Qingzhou returned to the company with Guan Xihua.

When Yu Jianqing and Fu He saw them enter the lounge, they hurriedly ran to the door, peering inside.

Guan Xihua had already heard from Du Huan about yesterday’s events, and his mind was still in a muddle.

He wanted to blame Du Huan and Chi Qingzhou for causing trouble, but he also knew that many people in the industry believed in these matters.

What happened in Mr. He hospital room today also made him question his worldview, leaving him unsure of how to handle the situation.

So, when he saw the two other artists under him at the door, he instinctively sneered.

“What are you two doing here, wandering around?”

Yu Jianqing and Fu He exchanged a glance, gently pushing each other forward into the lounge, cautiously saying, “Well, Brother Guan, we just wanted to ask if junior brother could introduce us to a few reliable masters.”

Guan Xihua couldn’t hold back and rolled his eyes at them, standing up abruptly from the couch. He snapped at Chi Qingzhou and Du Huan, “Look at the mess you two have caused! Fine, you explain things to them; I’m going to arrange a performance class for Qingzhou.”

He paused, glaring at Chi Qingzhou, “It’s 9:30 now, class starts around 10, remember to go to the performance room on time!”

Chi Qingzhou obediently nodded, “Alright, Brother Guan.”

Guan Xihua felt a little calmer and, without further words, gestured toward Yu Jianqing and Fu He and stormed out of the lounge.

Yu Jianqing and Fu He didn’t even care about the awkwardness, eagerly looking at Chi Qingzhou.

Du Huan scratched his head and quietly asked, “Brother Chi, what do you think about this?”

Chi Qingzhou smiled, “I know a bit about cultivation. I’ll come with you tonight.”

Yu Jianqing and Fu He were confused. “Huh? You know about cultivation? Really?”

When did he learn that?

They hesitated as they looked at Chi Qingzhou’s delicate wrist, remembering his exaggerated strength, unsure whether they should believe it. “We know you’re pretty amazing, but this time it seems like we’re dealing with something that isn’t human… Can you really handle it?”

Facing their skepticism, Chi Qingzhou wasn’t angry.

He looked at them sincerely, “I do know cultivation. Don’t believe me? Just watch.”

Before the word “watch” had fully left his mouth, the shadow beneath his feet started to sway and expand.

Irregular, elongated tendrils reached from the ground to the wall, forming a massive, sharp chain.

Thick ghostly energy filled the small lounge, and the crystal chandelier above flickered twice, like a candle flame in the wind, trembling and almost extinguishing.

Du Huan: “…”

Yu Jianqing and Fu He: “…”

What is this?!

Did they get so scared last night that they’re having some wild hallucination?

The three of them felt a chill run down their spines, staring blankly at the undulating shadow, their mouths open but unable to say anything.

Chi Qingzhou’s shadow seemed quite friendly, waving its tendrils, happily greeting the three of them.

Chi Qingzhou smiled, narrowing his eyes, and seriously asked them, “I told you I know, right? Look, I really do know.”

Du Huan: “…”

Yu Jianqing and Fu He: “…”

What a unique way to prove it.

Is this the legendary “sincerity is a killer move”?

But who would want to see such a move?!