“Ah, what are you doing?”
The people around were shocked and panicked when they saw Xu Qiao pull away the girl who was performing CPR. Upon closer inspection, they realized that Xu Qiao was not a member of the Hundred Ghosts crew and had appeared out of nowhere
“Xu Qiao?” Xu Siyi, wearing a white Daoist robe, looked at Xu Qiao and paused in surprise.
“Saving a life.” Xu Qiao crouched down to quickly assess the situation. The unconscious young man showed no signs of awareness, unresponsive to calls. His face and lips were bluish, with no breathing, pulse, or heartbeat.
Opening the eyelids revealed dilated pupils, no response to light, and, combined with other symptoms, indicated cardiac arrest for at least a minute.
The golden four minutes for rescuing sudden death were crucial. Every minute delayed reduced the success rate by 10%.
Xu Qiao dared not delay. He kneeled, palms aligned, fingers interlocked, exerting the upper body’s strength to press down vertically on the young man’s sternum.
In that pressing moment, those around felt an inexplicable chest pain, their brows twitching.
The young man’s chest sank about five or six centimeters under Xu Qiao’s pressing, sinking and rebounding, sinking and rebounding…
“No, he won’t break his ribs, will he?” a female actress whispered, echoing the concerns of the crew.
“No, it shouldn’t happen, right? Xu Qiao is quite sturdy…”
The Hundred Ghosts crew held their breath, afraid to disturb again. Seeing Xu Qiao’s chest compressions on the heart were significantly more professional than the earlier girl’s attempt, combined with his calm and methodical demeanor, the nervous tension eased slightly.
Two minutes after CPR, Xu Qiao checked Ying Yuan’s carotid artery. Still, there was no pulse.
Watching Xu Qiao continue the resuscitation, Director Hu Zhenghua paced back and forth, clasping his hands together, constantly praying.
Ying Yuan was the lead actor in Hundred Ghosts and also his junior. If something happened to Ying Yuan, Hu Zhenghua didn’t know how to explain it to his father.
Additionally, if the lead actor encountered trouble on the set, the pressure from public opinion would significantly impact the Hundred Ghosts crew.
After pressing for another five minutes, Ying Yuan showed no signs of waking up. Beads of sweat emerged on Xu Qiao’s forehead and nose.
Sweat trickled down, hanging on his eyelashes, quivering. Xu Qiao seemed oblivious.
Xu Siyi crouched silently beside him, wiping the sweat from his face.
Xu Qiao didn’t spare him a glance. He focused intently on performing CPR.
Hu Zhenghua noticed that nearly ten minutes had passed since Xu Qiao took over the CPR, and the person still hadn’t awakened. He couldn’t help but wipe his sweat and whispered, “Why hasn’t the ambulance arrived yet?”
“Director, there’s traffic on the road. It might take another five or six minutes…”
Xu Qiao, on the side, also felt a bit anxious when, at that moment, Si Cheng finally returned with the AED.
“Brother Xu Qiao, I’ve got the AED!” Si Cheng, holding the AED, came in panting.
Finally, it arrived. Xu Qiao breathed a sigh of relief, taking the Automated External Defibrillator.
After ten minutes of continuous chest compressions, Xu Qiao’s hand reaching for the AED trembled uncontrollably.
Opening Ying Yuan’s clothes, checking for any metal items like necklaces, Xu Qiao attached the electrode pads.
Pressing the switch, a voice prompt sounded.
“Please do not touch the patient. Initiating automatic analysis of the patient’s heart rhythm.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
The screen quickly displayed the words “Shock Advised.”
“Uifjrf vb cba jqqgbjmt atf qjalfca. Pclaljalcu jeabwjalm mtjgulcu.”
“Rbk vfolygliijaf. Uifjrf qgfrr atf bgjcuf vlrmtjguf yeaabc.”
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Mlnf wlceafr ijafg, We Hljb rabqqfv, ofia Tlcu Tejc’r cfmx, jcv olcjiis vfafmafv j ojlca qeirf. Dgfjatlcu jirb yfujc ab gfmbnfg.
“Tlcu Tejc wbnfv!” rbwfbcf fzmijlwfv klat pbs.
Hu Zhenghua, who had been holding his breath, suddenly let out a sigh, eyes slightly moist.
At this moment, the blaring ambulance finally arrived. Emergency personnel rushed in, examined Ying Yuan, lifted him onto a stretcher, and Hu Zhenghua followed onto the ambulance.
When Xu Qiao got up from the ground, he staggered for a moment. Si Cheng was about to reach out to help when Xu Siyi already embraced him.
Si Cheng’s hand paused for a moment, slowly retracting and adjusting his clothes.
“Are you okay?” Xu Siyi asked.
With a faint scent wafting into his nostrils, Xu Qiao nodded.
He was fine, just a bit drained.
Coupled with the earlier celebratory drink, the alcohol fumes rose, making him slightly dizzy.
The Hundred Ghosts crew gathered around, those with water brought water, and those with towels wiped away sweat.
“Xu Qiao, thank you for your hard work.”
“Yeah, if you hadn’t come, we really wouldn’t know what to do.”
Xu Qiao, recalling when he first joined the Chatting About prod, asked, “Did he shoot overnight last night?”
Everyone looked at each other. “Almost all night. Ying Yuan only had about two or three hours of sleep in the rest area around dawn. Today, shooting started in the morning and went on until just now.”
No wonder. It was sudden cardiac arrest caused by overworking.
Xu Qiao: “Everyone should also pay attention to rest.”
In this industry, irregular schedules were common. It wasn’t just the Hundred Ghosts crew.
Listening to Xu Qiao’s words and thinking of Ying Yuan being taken away in the ambulance, everyone fell silent for a moment, their hearts heavy.
Watching Xu Qiao’s trembling hands, Xu Siyi said, “Ying Yuan should be okay now. Let me take you back.”
“I’ll take Brother Xu Qiao.” Si Cheng glanced at Xu Siyi. “You’re probably busy.”
Sharp lines in Xu Siyi’s eyes landed on Si Cheng’s somewhat childish face, and he smirked. “Not busy. Since the director is gone, today’s scenes won’t be shot anymore.”
He glanced at Jiang Wen and others outside, then shifted his gaze to Si Cheng. “And you, being the male lead in Chatting About, leaving the wrap-up party early isn’t a good move.”
Onlookers observed the two, one a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, the other a beloved nation’s little brother. Their eyes silently questioned: What’s going on with these two? Why is there an inexplicable sense of tension?
Xu Qiao furrowed his brow. “I can go back by myself. No need for an escort.”
After saying that, he exchanged greetings with everyone and walked out. Si Cheng went around Xu Siyi, following him.
Jiang Wen and others waited outside the Hundred Ghosts set. Seeing Xu Qiao and Si Cheng coming out, Jiang Wen asked, “Xu Qiao, is everything okay? I saw the ambulance taking someone away.”
“Should be fine now.” Xu Qiao smiled apologetically. “Director, I might need to head back early.”
Jiang Wen waved his hand. “Go ahead, take a good rest. We’ll have dinner together next time.”
Xu Qiao nodded and looked at Si Cheng. “I’m leaving.”
Si Cheng opened his mouth, as if he had something to say. After a moment, he lowered his lashes, murmuring an acknowledgment.
With hands in his pockets, Xu Qiao walked towards the exit of the film and television city.
Occasionally, a couple of dry leaves drifted down from the trees lining the walkway, twirling in the cold wind. Chilled to the neck, Xu Qiao lowered his head, tucking his chin into his collar.
He walked very slowly, and upon closer inspection, his steps seemed unsteady. Feeling the pain in his knees, Xu Qiao stopped and bent down to massage them.
Suddenly, the sound of a honking horn came from behind. Xu Qiao turned around and saw Xu Siyi’s car parked beside him.
It seemed like Xu Siyi had hurriedly removed makeup and changed clothes. The makeup wasn’t completely removed, and glue from the wig still clung to his face.
Xu Siyi lowered the car window and gestured to the passenger seat. “Get in, I’ll give you a ride.”
Since a car was available, refusing would seem a bit pretentious.
Besides, it was cold, and he didn’t feel like walking. Without much thought, Xu Qiao opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat.
After giving the address, Xu Siyi drove without further conversation.
The car’s speakers played a melody with intense beats.
A glimpse from the corner of his eye showed Xu Qiao leaning his head against the car window, his eyes half-closed with a mist of moisture. Xu Siyi tapped the steering wheel with his fingers, reaching to change the song to a soothing piano piece.
The music flowing through the car had a good hypnotic effect. Already feeling a bit drowsy, Xu Qiao quickly fell asleep, his head against the window, lightly thudding with each movement of the car, producing a soft tapping sound.
Xu Siyi began to drive even more slowly, drawing some dissatisfaction from drivers behind him in the ongoing traffic jam.
Ignoring the incessant honking behind him, Xu Siyi remained unfazed, driving smoothly and steadily.
When Xu Qiao gradually opened his eyes in a daze, they had already reached their destination.
He looked to the side and saw Xu Siyi, with one elbow on the steering wheel, chin rested on his hand, his captivating gaze that could enchant countless girls fixed on him. His eyes were deep and crystal clear.
Xu Qiao had no idea how long he had maintained that posture.
Rubbing his eyes, Xu Qiao asked, “When did we arrive?”
“An hour ago.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
Sunlight danced on Xu Siyi’s high and straight nose bridge, casting a warm glow. The clean and sharp lines of his jaw, supporting his chin, exuded a casual charm. The scent of masculine pheromones had a hint of dominance in the enclosed car.
He didn’t answer Xu Qiao’s question, but a faint smile played on the corner of his mouth.
Seeing himself reflected in Xu Siyi’s eyes bathed in sunlight, Xu Qiao slightly averted his gaze, feeling a bit uneasy. “Stop resting your chin on your hand.”
Xu Siyi raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“It makes your jaw crooked.”
A momentary stiffness crept onto Xu Siyi’s face. He retracted his hand, sitting upright in the driver’s seat. “Get out of the car.”
Xu Qiao acknowledged with a sound. Just as he opened the car door to step out, he noticed Xu Siyi also exiting from the other side.
Why are you getting out too?
Seeing Xu Qiao furrowing his brows slightly, Xu Siyi closed the car door, locked it with the car keys in hand, and suggested, “You’re not inviting me to come up and sit for a while?”
Xu Qiao turned and headed upstairs. “I don’t mind. But aren’t you afraid of paparazzi?”
With a long stride, Xu Siyi caught up with him in two steps. “We’re both men, what does it matter?”
Xu Qiao remained noncommittal.
Back home, Xu Qiao fetched a pair of new slippers for him.
Pouring a glass of water for Xu Siyi, Xu Qiao sat on the sofa and turned on the TV, which hadn’t been used in a while.
Xu Siyi leaned against the wall and asked, “Where’s the first aid kit?”
Not sure why he needed a first aid kit, Xu Qiao pointed to the storage cabinet in the living room. “Over there.”
Xu Siyi retrieved the first aid kit, walked over to Xu Qiao, his gaze sweeping over him. With a steady voice, he said, “Take off your pants.”
Xu Qiao: “……?” What did he say?
“Applying medicine for you. Your knees seem injured.”
When Xu Qiao performed chest compressions for Ying Yuan, his knees pressed firmly against the ground. Others might not have noticed, but when Xu Qiao stood up, he knew his knees must be injured.
Winter pants were thick, and rolling up the trouser legs was definitely not an option.
It could only be to taken off.
However, it was impossible to take off your pants in front of others. Xu Qiao went back to his room, changed into a robe, and sat back on the sofa.
Xu Siyi opened the first aid kit, lifted Xu Qiao’s robe to his thighs, and frowned sharply when he saw the injury on his knees.
On Xu Qiao’s two legs, the knees were covered in large patches of bruising, with a few bloodstains in between. Contrasted with the delicate and fair skin on the inner thighs, the injuries looked even more alarming.
Kneeling on the ground for over ten minutes doing chest compressions, and the knees ended up like this — ever heard of the Princess and the Pea?
Frowning, Xu Siyi knelt on one knee, dipped a medical cotton swab in iodine, and carefully applied it to the wound.
“Does it hurt?”
Xu Qiao shook his head slowly. Seeing Xu Siyi lowering his head, gaze fixed on the wound, Xu Qiao spoke again, “Not at all.”
Xu Siyi didn’t ask further and continued applying the medicine.
Xu Qiao stared at the swirl of hair on top of his head, somewhat lost in thought.
After a while, Xu Qiao shifted his gaze away, noticing the window without drawn curtains, and furrowed his brow slightly.
***
【Thanks to Aryiale!】
I’ll be cheering for you little brother, but it looks like you dont have much chance XD
Thanks for the chapter!
Thank you for the chapter. <3
Oh shit, ‘window without close curtain’
Were they spotted by a paparazzi?!
😱😱😱
Thx for the chappy
Oh the neitzens will have field day though it does feel like a set up
Normally AEDs first say “Stay Calm”.
This has always amused me.
Oh realistic CPR. Nice. Yeah, people tend to glorifying CPR as “something cool to do in fiction like movie” but in reality it might or will break your rib. That is why there is DNR because you know, when you already so old and dying you don’t want to add broken rib to your already long list of things that gives you pain.
Sorry for rambling I am just happy seeing author done their research.
I love Xu Qiao so much, he is the best!
Thank you for the chapter!
Thank you for the update ☺️
A teacher who was once a nurse and taught my class CPR told us that she and three of her friends once performed CPR for over four hours, each doing it for half an hour, and they broke 8 or 13 ribs. The guy didn’t survive, but they did their duty, if they had stopped before the hospital or such proclaimed the guy dead, they might have gotten charged for not helping.
Also, compared to hurting your knees, i feel like one is more likely to hurt their hands… but whatever, I’ve never done it so I don’t know what could happen.
Thank you for the chapter!
Sus 😳
woooo thank you for the chapter!!
Paparazzi!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING AWESOME!!!