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Li Xiangfu was singing a song about lifelong friendship, but Li Xichun was deeply concerned.
Given that Cangyang lacked an airport, rushing there now would be futile. Li Xichun pondered for a while and called Li Anqing, saying, “My little brother was deceived by Qin Jin and went to Cangyang. Where are you currently located?”
“Lin Hai,” came Li Anqing’s response.
Li Xichun’s eyes brightened. “I can only recall that from Lin Hai to Cangyang, it’s a one-day train journey.”
“I’ll go and check.” Li Anqing’s tone remained unemotional, but just before ending the call, he added, “Don’t be overly anxious. Someone worth hundreds of billions won’t go to such lengths to take revenge for his half-brother and involve himself.”
Whether there would be any retaliation was another matter entirely.
After hearing the busy tone on the other end, Li Xichun rubbed his temples.
Li Xichun had a throbbing headache and hadn’t touched her phone all afternoon. She hadn’t even checked Moments, but many people enjoyed checking it.
Liu Yu had just finished his report to Li Xiangfu and was in a good mood, playing with his phone. When he saw someone’s Moments post a few minutes ago, he was stunned. His hands slipped, and he even ended up getting hit on the forehead by his phone, making his forehead turn red.
Ignoring the pain, he quickly sat up and felt invigorated.
“What’s going on?”
So, Li Xiangfu was currently with Qin Jin?
This was not a simple conflict between the two, and a mere smile couldn’t resolve it.
Was it possible that Qin Jin had intentionally approached Li Xiangfu to exert psychological pressure on the Li family? Or perhaps both parties were driven by profit and planning some major collaboration?
Liu Yu was so excited that he couldn’t wait to take a screenshot and share this juicy gossip with his friends.
In the afternoon, nothing particularly shocking happened.
Li Xiangfu gradually began to feel a bit tired and lay down on his bunk, trying to pass the time with sleep. However, not long after, they reached the transfer station, and the train unexpectedly halted for twenty minutes. The sudden silence and stillness disrupted his slumber.
The contestants were almost all in the same wagon, and the other passengers on the train were mostly traveling short distances for leisure.
As they moved further toward the back of the train, the cabin grew quieter.
The train was ultimately delayed by an hour, only arriving in Cangyang on the afternoon of the third day.
Cangyang was indeed a tourist province, and tourists with suitcases could be seen everywhere, searching for accommodations.
The hotel had been booked before departure, and the judges mentioned that they could take a taxi to explore the nearby attractions in the evening and depart together the following day. The details of where to go and what the competition questions would entail will be disclosed later.
“It’s a bit too mysterious, like the college entrance exam,” one contestant commented.
Mo Yijing had been selected to participate in the gathering event for the second time. She mentioned, “In previous years, there have been cases of ghostwriting where people would ask others to draw possible competition questions in advance and then follow suit.”
Zhou Panbai disagreed, saying, “It’s a skill-based competition, and it’s highly unlikely that someone would succeed by copying.”
Mo Yijing shook her head, explaining, “There are always exceptions. One player was quite skilled but lacked imagination. The event venue at that time was the Mother and Child Temple, and the finished piece he submitted cleverly created an atmosphere. The trees intertwined, and from a distance, the silhouette resembled a mother holding her child.”
You Fang was curious and asked, “How was this discovered?”
“The prizes were distributed unevenly after the event, and there were accomplices who reported it.”
“That’s… not a very peaceful ending,” someone commented.
Li Xiangfu’s room was on the second floor, and most of the players were on this floor.
Just after he had set down his luggage, someone knocked on his door.
“You Fang?” Li Xiangfu was a bit surprised to see him.
You Fang was very enthusiastic. “Shall we go to a restaurant together? It’s on me.”
Li Xiangfu asked, “Just the two of us?”
“No, let’s invite the others,” You Fang replied with a smile. “Forget about the judges; I don’t feel comfortable around them.”
Li Xiangfu didn’t really want to go, but You Fang was an overly enthusiastic person. You Fang reasoned, “You get ready; I’ll call the others.”
Then he knocked on the door across from Li Xiangfu’s.
Zhou Panbai and Mo Yijing readily agreed. After inviting everyone one by one, when they descended to the hotel’s entrance, You Fang saw Li Xiangfu, who was still standing at his door, and said, “Aren’t you coming?”
Li Xiangfu shook his head. “I’m feeling a bit queasy. I’ll take a nap.”
You Fang didn’t insist. “What would you like to eat? I can bring you something.”
“It’s alright. I’ll nap for a while, and if I get hungry later, I can eat whatever I want.”
The group headed towards Xiongxing Street, a well-known local snack street near the hotel.
Zhou Panbai couldn’t help but speculate, “He stayed back on purpose. Could it be that he wanted to have a private conversation with Qin Jin?”
The others were momentarily taken aback. You Fang was the first to react and defuse the situation. “What could he possibly have to say? He’s dealing with motion sickness.”
Zhou Panbai didn’t plan to act like a model citizen and purposely kicked pebbles along the roadside, remarking, “In any case, they seem to know each other.” He was seated across from Li Xiangfu on the train, so his words carried some credibility. This made a few people somewhat concerned.
In today’s society, it’s all too common to see both open and hidden agendas involving back doors.
Unbeknownst to Li Xiangfu, he played an unspoken role in the minds of various individuals. He had intended to practice sketching with some random sketches, setting up his drawing board and effortlessly sketching a few smooth lines. Just as he was getting into it, there was another knock on the door.
Although he had no intention of getting up, he patiently arranged his drawing materials to determine the placement of facial features. However, the person knocking on the door seemed to lack restraint.
Li Xiangfu set aside his pen and saw a close-up face with visible wrinkles through the peephole. The proximity was such that even the texture of the cheeks was apparent.
When he opened the door, his attitude was quite cold. “Is there something you need?”
Judge Fang smiled broadly. “I noticed in the work you submitted in your resume that although your painting skills are impressive, something is still missing.”
In a mentor-like tone, he continued, “Under my guidance, I guarantee that you’ll achieve great heights in tomorrow’s competition.”
The phrase “soaring into the sky overnight” was a not-so-subtle hint.
Li Xiangfu responded, “I appreciate the offer, but I’d like to get some rest.”
After speaking, Li Xiangfu closed the door firmly, almost hitting Judge Fang’s nose in the process.
With a pale face, Judge Fang regained his composure and muttered to the threshold, “You’ll regret this sooner or later.” He was secretly fuming and vowed that Li Xiangfu would never find a place in this circle as long as he was around.
After this inexplicable disturbance, Li Xiangfu’s mood for painting was disrupted, and he began to browse the internet for information about the relevant judges. This particular judge had an artist father, and whether due to his father’s influence or his own talent, he had experienced a smooth journey in the art world. He was even recognized as the most promising new artist of the year.
Li Xiangfu reviewed his published works and carefully compared them with his father’s paintings, nearly laughing aloud.
Despite making an effort to change his style, certain brushstrokes were difficult to conceal. Most likely, these paintings were the work of the same hand.
Li Xiangfu observed that the judge’s last published work was from three years ago, around the time when his father passed away. After confirming that his judgment was accurate, Li Xiangfu began to have reservations about this individual.
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.
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You Fang couldn’t hold back his curiosity. “Where are we going?”
As they neared the destination, the judges dropped the pretense and said, “Tianxi Ancient Village.”
Cangyang had plenty of tourist attractions, but Tianxi Ancient Village was so obscure that few had ever heard of it. Some of the contestants had never even encountered its name.
Mo Yijing seemed to have some knowledge. “The residential buildings there are quite unique.”
Zhou Panbai had already searched the internet on his phone and pursed his lips. “Indeed, they are.”
Everyone was engrossed in their smartphones. During this time, Li Xiangfu’s expression subtly changed.
After descending a steep slope, the bus finally came to a halt, swaying precariously. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, having endured a nerve-wracking ride.
Despite its seemingly ancient name, Tianxi Ancient Village was more modern than expected. Aside from its architecture, it resembled an ordinary small town. This region experienced frequent heavy rains and lightning, with lightning rods adorning nearly every rooftop.
The village’s structures were of a bucket-type design, featuring patterns of Thor wielding his hammer carved into the walls. These buildings ranged from two to three stories in height.
The enthusiastic host received them, smiling so broadly that his mustache quivered. He even proactively sought out some individuals to help carry their luggage.
You Fang remarked, “This is the legendary simplicity of rural customs, something scarcely seen in big cities.”
Li Xiangfu took a moment to think and then approached the judges. “What’s the daily cost here?”
“Full board and lodging costs three hundred per person per day,” the judge responded. “The expenses will be reimbursed by the event organizers.”
You Fang, who had considered praising the place, was moved when he heard about the reimbursement and silently strolled to the side to admire the scenery.
They were assigned to stay in different households. After unpacking their belongings, they convened at the village chief’s residence.
The competition consisted of two stages: creating artworks at a designated location and freeform creation.
The first stage was the freeform creation phase, where pairs would compete against each other. Only the winners would advance to the finals. Simply making it to the finals guaranteed at least a third-place finish.
“Drawing lots is a relatively fair method among the unfair ones,” Judge Fang said with a smile, brandishing a bamboo tube. “Everyone is okay with drawing lots, right?” It was a rhetorical question, and his hands were already trembling.
The bamboo tube was opened and placed on the table.
You Fang asked, “Should we draw the lots ourselves or…”
Judge Fang replied, “Each judge will draw a group of contestants.”
Li Xiangfu noticed a slight curve in Zhou Panbai’s lips as he spoke.
Judge Zhao was about to step forward, but Judge Fang held him back. “I’ll go first.” Judge Zhao seemed to understand his intentions and stepped aside without protest.
Judge Fang seemingly picked two bamboo sticks at random and revealed the red names at the bottom. “Zhou Panbai…” Everyone’s tension increased instinctively. Judge Fang glanced around and ultimately selected another name. “Li Xiangfu.”
The first pair of PK contestants was determined.
The judges conducted a series of draws, and the official list of matchups was soon revealed:
– You Fang versus Mo Yijing.
– Xia Ju versus Yu Bin.
– Chu Yang versus Lin Yanshu.
In general, the style-collecting event resembled more of a leisurely trip. The free creation session was extended until 9 p.m. During this time, contestants are required to submit their mobile phones. To ensure they could seek help in case of an emergency, the judging panel provided them with identical basic phones that couldn’t access the internet but could make calls.
Since there were no restrictions on the subject matter, the competitors quickly began searching for inspiration once their matchups were established.
Li Xiangfu didn’t wander too far. He stood beneath a large tree, gently running his fingers over the tree’s bark, lost in thought.
“Are you concerned about the competition?” A voice came from behind.
Li Xiangfu turned around to find Mo Yijing smiling at him.
“I have confidence in my abilities,” Li Xiangfu responded casually.
Mo Yijing added with a hint of subtlety, “But your opponent is Zhou Panbai.”
If one paid close attention, one could detect the underlying meaning in Mo Yijing’s words.
“He has misled everyone into thinking that you have an improper relationship with the sponsors. In truth, neither he nor the judges are clear on the matter.” Mo Yijing unexpectedly approached Li Xiangfu to share this information, and Li Xiangfu found it rather unexpected.
‘I just can’t stand his self-righteousness,’ Mo Yijing added internally, ‘I’m accustomed to your appearance and demeanor.’
Li Xiangfu was not naive, and he couldn’t help but notice that his pairing with Zhou Panbai wasn’t a mere coincidence. Zhou Panbai was a weak contestant, the only one among the participants with no previous award-winning experience. Even if the judges gave him low scores, it wouldn’t easily raise suspicion.
“It doesn’t matter,” Li Xiangfu replied calmly, “He chose the wrong opponent.”
Mo Yijing offered a reminder, “Sometimes, strength alone isn’t enough.”
Li Xiangfu was aware of this. Although he had a quarrel with Judge Fang, the other judges wouldn’t interfere too much unless the final decision was involved. After retweeting a few Weibo posts about the game, Li Xiangfu’s utility was already exhausted.
While they conversed, Zhou Panbai and Judge Fang found a secluded spot, avoiding each other’s gaze while sporting fake smiles.
Judge Fang appeared displeased for not taking advantage of the situation. Zhou Panbai sensually whispered into his ear to console him, “Tonight.” Sometimes, a shirt can be a vessel of sensuality, and Zhou Panbai always preferred to wear white shirts. They were usually quite wrinkled, and he deliberately left the top three buttons open to reveal his delicate collarbone.
Normally, Judge Fang would have felt a pang in his lower abdomen and a desire to pounce on the person in front of him. However, as he gazed at the creamy muscles before him, his mind couldn’t help but conjure the image of Li Xiangfu.
Both were wearing shirts, and the other’s buttons were always done meticulously, with little skin showing on his wrists. However, any slight movement could fuel endless fantasies.
But that wasn’t the case!
He swallowed hard, feeling a sense of reluctance. If he could have an intimate encounter with someone like this, even if it meant offending the other judges and damaging his reputation, he would do whatever it took to ensure that person won the top prize.
Unaware that he was being compared in such a manner and even disliked, Zhou Panbai ran his fingers along Judge Fang’s spine.
Feeling a tingling sensation, Judge Fang decided to placate the charming figure in front of him. “At best, your skill can secure a second-place finish. After completing this stepping stone, I’ll introduce you to a master painter who will help build your reputation and push you to the top.”
Zhou Panbai’s eyes lit up with excitement, not minding the other’s hands on him.
With visions of a brighter future, Zhou Panbai’s inner pride knew no bounds. He resented Li Xiangfu for a simple reason: he had a large following on social media and his good looks. He was clearly a masked figure but chose not to reveal his identity, always maintaining an air of aloofness.
It had taken considerable effort for him to stand out from the crowd and catch the attention of this older individual. Yet Li Xiangfu could effortlessly seize the judges’ attention with a mere wave of his hand.
Pondering this, Zhou Panbai closed his eyes tightly, and when he reopened them, a wicked smile curled his lips. After tomorrow, everything he found displeasing would be eradicated.
…
Li Xiangfu wasn’t one to sit idly by and await his fate. He roamed around and eventually spotted Qin Jin at a vantage point overlooking the landscape. He approached and said straightforwardly, “I need a fair battleground.”
Qin Jin appeared to respond to the wind’s whispers in front of him, clapping his hands and smiling. “I thought you’d handle this matter on your own.”
Li Xiangfu remained silent.
After the gust of wind had passed, Qin Jin spoke again, “I’ll remind Fang Yuanjian.”
His reminder wasn’t just a few words; it was practically a death sentence for the other party.
“Is there anything else?” Qin Jin inquired.
Li Xiangfu replied with utmost seriousness, “There is no need for Mr. Qin to go out of his way; I will handle it.”
Qin Jin raised an eyebrow.
Li Xiangfu’s eyes held a gentle smile, yet the depths of his pupils were cold. “Treat others as they treat you.”
Qin Jin could discern the multiple layers of meaning in his words. ‘Others’ didn’t just refer to Fang Yuanjian but to Zhou Panbai and several other judges who turned a blind eye.
He finally turned to face Li Xiangfu with an intrigued expression. He probably hadn’t anticipated that the other person had a penchant for retribution.
“What do you intend to do?”
Li Xiangfu’s smile grew more pronounced. “Paint.”
Since they were here to compete, it was only right to follow the competition’s rules.
Within a quarter of an hour, Qin Jin observed Li Xiangfu rush back and return breathless with a drawing board in his arms.
Li Xiangfu stood on tiptoes and scanned his surroundings to ensure no one was approaching. He rubbed his hands together and said, “Can you be my model for a while?” The air fell silent for a moment.
Qin Jin realized that he could never quite keep up with the other’s train of thought.
Li Xiangfu clarified, “It’s not about being fully unclothed, only the upper body needs to be exposed.”
Zhou Panbai had tried to slander him, so this guess was correct. What remained uncertain was how Judge Fang would react upon seeing Qin Jin posing as a model. In fact, Li Xiangfu wondered what he might think and how he’d feel when Qin Jin’s portrayal of him as a model came to light.
A person with impure intentions would probably jump to the conclusion that he and Qin Jin had an improper relationship. If this came to the attention of his ‘lover,’ it might create discord. Just thinking about these nuances was likely to terrify that fool.
As for the judges who were aware but chose not to act, they’d likely be left feeling despondent.
Li Xiangfu smiled slightly and continued, “Once the results of the first round are announced, Mr. Qin can step in at the right time to firmly emphasize the fairness of the competition. This will convey the message that those willing to model for me are merely paying their dues. It not only establishes your noble image but also ensures that the subsequent scores are genuine.”
Slowly eroding the psychological defenses was the most agonizing part.
Qin Jin couldn’t help but chuckle. “And then?”
“After the gathering is concluded, I’ll casually reveal my identity as a second-generation wealthy individual on the way back. This will further exacerbate Judge Fang’s anxiety.” Li Xiangfu responded with a gentle tone, devoid of any personal animosity. Yet, in just a few words, he effortlessly predicted Judge Fang’s dismal fate.
Qin Jin didn’t hesitate for a moment and even gave a high-five in approval. “Then, just do as you’ve said.”
…
Li Xiangfu was struggling to find the right place to start his artwork.
The scenery around him was distinctive, but it didn’t quite match the vision in his mind. He didn’t want to create a simple sketch; he was searching for something more profound.
For some inexplicable reason, a vague outline had formed in his thoughts—a sense of desolation and loneliness. Yet, each time he attempted to capture it, his inspiration slipped through his fingers.
For a creator, there’s nothing more agonizing than experiencing this kind of creative block.
Seeing the furrow on Li Xiangfu’s brow, Qin Jin suddenly spoke up, “If you’re looking for more unique scenery, I know a place.”
Li Xiangfu didn’t have high expectations, but he decided to follow Qin Jin nonetheless.
They walked quite a distance, gradually leaving any signs of civilization behind. This desolate place seemed devoid of hidden dangers.
Walking alongside Qin Jin, Li Xiangfu felt relatively safe, and his mind started to be drawn into the scenery.
“Is that a snow-covered mountain?” Li Xiangfu asked.
Qin Jin stopped and replied, “It would take several days and nights to reach the snow-covered mountains. Let’s explore around here and return before dark.” Li Xiangfu couldn’t help but take a few steps forward.
He felt as though something was pulling him forward as if a voice from somewhere was calling to him. But at the last moment, reason prevailed.
Li Xiangfu stopped himself and wondered if his former adventurous spirit was reawakening. He now considered himself like a caged beast, seeking excitement before losing his memory. Subconsciously, he didn’t want that beast to escape its cage.
After regaining his composure, he began to take in the surroundings and soon noticed some intriguing details.
In the distance were snow-capped mountains, making the nearby world appear even more obscure, like people swaying in the wind. Nearby, there was a broken tree, its trunk split in two, one half blackened and broken, as if a lightning bolt had struck it from the sky, instantly taking the life of an ancient tree.
The weather was clear and without clouds, eliminating any risk of being struck by lightning.
Seeing something in Li Xiangfu’s expression, Qin Jin asked quietly, “Where are you planning to set up?”
His long hair fluttered in the wind, partially obscuring Li Xiangfu’s face, but it was clear he was nodding in response.
Qin Jin’s demeanor seemed to align surprisingly well with the ancient tree, as if he himself were a verdant shoot emerging from the shadows. He tilted his head slightly, exposing his Adam’s apple, and nonchalantly unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.
Li Xiangfu suddenly turned around, his shoulders quivering slightly, and he leaned over while taking a few deep breaths.
Qin Jin raised an eyebrow, a touch of amusement in his voice as he asked, “Feeling excited?”
Li Xiangfu forced himself to ignore the tightness in his chest, bit his lower lip, and willed his trembling hand to stay steady.
Qin Jin squinted and sensed that something was amiss. Before he could take a step forward, he saw Li Xiangfu reach out and stop him, saying, “I’m fine, you look great.” Then he began to draw.
The first stroke didn’t go as planned.
Li Xiangfu furrowed his brow, crumpled the paper into a ball, and stuffed it into his pocket.
Qin Jin raised an eyebrow; he seemed rather environmentally conscious.
A series of unsuccessful attempts followed, akin to trying to put on a short-sleeved shirt for the first time, with that familiar feeling of suffocation looming in his heart.
Conditioned reflexes can be difficult to change. For instance, just before students start to whisper, they often glance at the teacher on the podium. Yet Li Xiangfu seemed to be in a different world for a moment, and the next moment, he’d be apprehended and held accountable for “immorality.” The incident would escalate into a commotion, with people shouting and getting into arguments.
He still remembered a winter day when he had ridden a carriage down a long street, and a body was being dragged on a straw mat.
“What’s happening?” he had asked, lifting the curtain.
A young boy had gone to inquire with passersby and returned with a story. “There was a destitute painter who sought to make a fortune by painting erotic pictures. Lacking the funds to visit a brothel, he coerced his husband to engage in various indecent acts for his artwork. The husband then fled back to his parents’ home but was cast out. Homeless and forsaken, he ultimately succumbed to the cold. At this moment, his body is being taken to a mass grave for burial.” Li Xiangfu had looked up and seen the onlookers discussing the unfortunate fate.
“His body has been used for indecent paintings, and this kind of immoral person couldn’t even find a place to end his life, so he returned to his parents’ home. Isn’t he bringing shame upon his family?”
“You can’t be lenient with someone like that; a slap isn’t enough. If the slap doesn’t work, when he was first commissioned for the painting, he should’ve threatened to die rather than compromise his integrity.”
Before Li Xiangfu turned ten years old, societal norms were quite strict in the Nuzun Kingdom. It wasn’t until a new empress took the throne that social customs began to gradually loosen, allowing men to remarry.
These past memories intruded into his mind uncontrollably, and his breathing became increasingly labored. The suppressed fear in his heart had grown immensely in this vast world.
Li Xiangfu became increasingly uncertain.
Could it be that he hadn’t truly traveled back in time and was currently inebriated, lost in a dream, while he engaged in something indecent in public?
A few feet away, Qin Jin had removed his shirt and leaned casually against the tree. His slightly pale skin lent his well-toned, lean body a seductive allure, like a faintly glistening vampire.
Any artist would praise such a golden proportion.
At this moment, Li Xiangfu’s gaze indeed seemed glued to his body, unwilling to shift away.
His intense focus caused Qin Jin’s lips to curl. “You…”
Snap!
The pen slipped from Li Xiangfu’s fingers and rolled all the way to Qin Jin’s feet.
Seeing Li Xiangfu appear weakened and on the verge of collapsing, Qin Jin quickly moved to support him. His fingertips brushed against the sweat-dampened fabric of Li Xiangfu’s shirt, and he paused. “Are you feeling unwell?” he asked, preparing to provide first aid.
Li Xiangfu gripped his arm and managed to open his mouth. “Have you ever… heard of the nudity syndrome?”
“…” After confirming repeatedly that it wasn’t a heart issue, Qin Jin carried him to the hospital.
“Drawing, drawing board,” Li Xiangfu muttered.
He was still concerned about the tools.
He lay on Qin Jin’s back, his face pressed against the nape of Qin Jin’s neck. The shirt, now missing a few buttons, crumpled and piled on one side, revealing the smooth skin on Qin Jin’s shoulders to Li Xiangfu’s gaze.
Dizziness overwhelmed him.
“…Getting dressed is a good idea,” Qin Jin replied.
While Li Xiangfu lay on his back, hooking his arm around Qin Jin’s neck, and gripping the drawing board in his hand, the board occasionally brushed against Qin Jin’s waist. Li Xiangfu mumbled, “Just stay on the path and don’t get distracted by other players. I saw them.”
Qin Jin’s thoughts were utterly flabbergasted by the words of the person on his back, and he almost burst into laughter.
The hospital wasn’t crowded, and while waiting for the blood test results, Li Xiangfu took a few sips of warm water, which made him feel considerably better.
Sitting across from him, the doctor inquired, “Sudden dizziness and nausea? Have you experienced something like this before?”
Li Xiangfu replied, “Occasionally.”
The doctor continued, “What were you doing before you felt dizzy? Did you engage in strenuous activities like running or working out?”
Li Xiangfu glanced at Qin Jin involuntarily and said, “I was drawing a nude portrait.”
The doctor paused in writing the medical record. While he realized this question might be unpleasant for the patient, he asked, “Just drawing?” Li Xiangfu nodded, his lips moved unconsciously.
“When I was painting, I bit my lip by mistake, and the pain made me take a deep breath. Then my shirt was removed, and by that point, I was having difficulty breathing, my limbs felt cold, and I briefly lost consciousness.” The doctor looked incredulous.
“Are you certain that these symptoms only occurred after the other person removed their clothes?” he asked.
Li Xiangfu nodded firmly. The doctor, a middle-aged man, narrowed his eyes, gazing at Qin Jin with a furrowed brow. How could such a handsome figure cause physical discomfort?
He proposed, “Could it be a tattoo?”
Li Xiangfu shook his head. “No, his skin is very smooth.”
The doctor continued, “Have you had any unpleasant experiences in the past?”
Li Xiangfu believed the discomfort was related to time travel and the era he was in, but he kept that to himself and shook his head.
The doctor seemed helpless. “Let’s wait for the blood test results.”
Then he called in the next patient.
With a few minutes to wait for the report, Li Xiangfu and Qin Jin sat on a bench, exchanging silent glances.
Occasionally, a few people passed by. Suddenly, Qin Jin turned his head and asked, “Is my body so unattractive?”
Li Xiangfu replied, “It’s my problem.”
Qin Jin redirected his gaze and asked out of the blue, “Do you believe that medical students faint at the sight of blood?”
Li Xiangfu shook his head.
Qin Jin continued in a calm tone, “So, do you think I would believe that an art student faints when painting a nude?”
The former was plausible, but the likelihood of the latter was virtually zero.
The doctor returned with the blood test results, showing that everything was normal. He advised, “You should eat a proper diet, eating less meat and fish, and trying not to stay up late.”
Li Xiangfu simply nodded and bought some dried tangerine peel to soothe his mouth.
As he left the hospital, his breathing had calmed, and he joked, “I’m much better now; I should be able to finish this painting.”
Qin Jin pointed out, “The doctor advised you not to eat carelessly.”
Li Xiangfu instinctively responded, “But he didn’t say anything about not eating this.”
After speaking, he raised his head and apologized for his brusque words, “I’m sorry, I may be a bit confused due to the logic caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain.”
A gust of wind blew, refreshing his face. He squinted his eyes but couldn’t quite escape the feeling of disarray.
A deep voice beside him disrupted his scattered thoughts, “Let’s go.”
Li Xiangfu was taken aback. Qin Jin looked at him sideways and asked, “Aren’t you going to continue?”
Li Xiangfu opened his mouth, realizing he was still holding the drawing board, and followed Qin Jin’s lead.
Walking one after the other made Li Xiangfu feel at ease. They couldn’t see each other’s expressions, and he didn’t need to pretend or maintain a polite smile. Frankly, the moment he emerged from his dizzy state, Li Xiangfu tried to mask himself as a painting so that no one would notice his true feelings.
As long as Qin Jin didn’t turn around, he could hide his exhaustion and self-weariness.
At a crossroads, Qin Jin seemed to have something to attend to and went in another direction on his own. Li Xiangfu chose to head back.
During the journey, he contemplated his time away and realized it was time to call home. He dialed the number, and to his surprise, Li Shasha answered. His voice was weak, “I’m going back to school tomorrow.”
Li Xiangfu asked, “Huh?”
Li Shasha continued, “School.”
Li Shasha’s speech was no longer as fluid as usual, and he inquired slowly about his situation, “Is everything going well with you?”
Li Xiangfu replied, “There was a minor incident.”
Li Shasha asked casually, “What happened?”
“I invited Qin Jin to be a model. He undressed in front of me; I almost fainted, and I was taken to the hospital.”
“…”
Author’s Note:
Qin Jin: Are you satisfied with what you saw?
Li Xiangfu: …
Qin Jin: What’s wrong with you!?
Li Xiangfu: I felt dizzy, nauseous, and couldn’t breathe. Hurry, call an ambulance…
Translator’s Notes:
God, why is this chapter so long… 5000 English words 
I reaaally wanted to split this chapter if this was a regular update. But since it’s a ko-fi bonus chapter, I decided not to.
After this are VIP chapters, if it’s as long as this one, I’ll split them into two!
Thank you for translating!
This chapter was wonderful. I really love LXF’s vengeful spirit. Jabdjzbdjzjd. Thank you so much for the translation.
Thanks for the update 🤣❤️🤣❤️
Thank you for the chapter🍓
Must’ve been a massive blow to Qin Jin esteem lol
When the chapters are long, the translator suffers and the readers are happy 😂
Indeed -⁽ -´꒳`⁾-
Qin jin, it’s honestly not you but li xiangfu 😂🤣
Thank you for the chapter ☺️
Time check: 2:53 AM, i can finally sleep 😭
Lol 😆