75 – Answer Me, Xie Qingcheng

Chapter 75: Answer Me, Xie Qingcheng

With the hypnosis treatment from the new attending physician, He Yu’s current condition gradually subsided, and his wounds healed.

In the dreams created by the hypnosis, the image of Xie Qingcheng grew increasingly faint.

Moreover, he stopped having those recurring dreams of returning to that long corridor.

He Yu took numerous medications and underwent several rounds of treatment.

Only after ten days had passed did he finally return to a normal state.

That day, He Yu and his family saw off their attending physician, Anthony. Lu Zishu expressed her gratitude to Anthony, and He Yu offered a handshake.

“Thank you.”

The young doctor, Anthony, gave a thin smile.

“Keep in mind that you must manage your psychological state well. The key is to slowly and completely break free from the inner demon lurking deep within your heart.”

Of course, that inner demon was currently Xie Qingcheng.

He Yu gave a dry laugh and nodded.

“Thank you, Doctor. I will.”

Anthony climbed into the private car provided by He Yu’s family. Soon, the engine roared, and the car departed.

Sitting in the plush backseat, he turned on his phone, opened the photo gallery, and cast a blank gaze. The light filtering through the leaves outside the window slanted across the phone screen. Inside—

There was a photo of Xie Qingcheng.

Anthony then turned off the phone. His own face was reflected in the blackened screen.

Sharp peach blossom eyes. They seemed to overlap strangely with the eyes of Xie Qingcheng in the photo just moments ago.

Suddenly, the phone vibrated. He tapped the messenger pop-up on the screen.

[Duan: How did it go?]

Anthony pondered for a moment before typing on the screen.

[I’ve planted a good image. We will definitely meet again.]

[Duan: Good.]

Anthony pressed back and searched for He Yu to send a message.

[Young Master He, take your time recovering your emotions and contact me whenever necessary. Since I am now your attending physician, I will do my best to take care of you by your side.]

He Yu received this message while walking across the villa’s lawn.

Standing on the green grass where he had first met Xie Qingcheng, he looked at the message from Anthony and remained silent for a long time with his head bowed.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing.”

He Yu lifted his head and cast his gaze toward the corridor not far away.

A few years ago, he had first met Xie Qingcheng here, and at that time, Xie Qingcheng had said:

—It’s our first time meeting. From now on, I’ll be the one treating your illness.

He Yu stared silently at the spot where Xie [visit our site]Qingcheng’s silhouette [Read on Read BL Novels]had long since vanished before speaking.

“It’s nothing. I just… suddenly thought of someone.”

Lu Zishu wanted to ask who it was, but He Yu seemed to have no intention of opening his mouth.

So, she had no choice but to awkwardly change the subject.

“Do you like Doctor Anthony?”

“Yes.”

An inexplicably cruel desire for revenge rose in He Yu’s heart. Even though it was a revenge that could not possibly succeed.

“He’s the best doctor I’ve met so far. Far better than Doctor Xie Qingcheng. If there was such a good doctor, why didn’t you bring him in sooner?”

At his son’s words, Lu Zishu smiled with a look of relief.

“I’m so glad you like him.”

He Yu lowered his eyes and looked at the phone screen again. He had omitted a reply.

He left the chat and tapped the photo gallery. [Read on Read BL Novels]The protagonist occupying most of [Read on Read BL Novels]the gallery was the ‘delinquent doctor,’ Xie Qingcheng.

The number of photos of him was almost obsessive.

“….”

He felt as if he were poking at his own pride. He Yu quickly averted his gaze and closed his eyes.

And so, the long winter ripened.

That summer, which had seemed as if it would never end, finally drew to a close.

A few days later, one afternoon. Lu Zishu headed toward the study where He Yu was, carrying a plate of snacks and warm tea. He Yu happened to be reading the Book of the Dead from ancient Egypt, annotated by a professor from a famous university. After knocking, she opened the study door only after hearing him tell her to come in.

“He Yu, you don’t have any other plans for the rest of winter break, do you?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“Ah, it’s nothing much, but I looked into an internship position with a film crew. Your major is directing, right? It so happens that one of my business partners runs a film production company, and since they’re currently filming a movie, I brought the script and the project outline. I looked through it myself, and the scale is much larger than that web drama you did last time. I thought this might be an opportunity for you to learn something. Working as a production intern would let you experience various things…”

As he listened, it sounded like a story brought up specifically to win He Yu’s favor.

When no emotion appeared on He Yu’s face, she added a word, appearing somewhat nervous.

“Of course, if you’re not interested or have other plans, we can just forget about it…”

He Yu stared at Lu Zishu’s face, which was clearly tense.

Honestly… it was too awkward.

It wasn’t easy for him to feel the warmth of his parents. He knew Lu Zishu’s past, but knowing and understanding were two different things.

Whenever that happened, old photos of Yellowstone National Park surged before his eyes like the geysers captured within them. Despite the awkwardness, He Yu tried to accept this belated kindness.

“Thank you, Mother. I’ll think about it.”

Lu Zishu smiled awkwardly. She wanted to chat affectionately with her son like this, but planting flowers in alkaline soil that had been devastated over a decade-long void was indeed not an easy task.

Unable to think of a suitable topic, she had no choice but to pat He Yu’s shoulder and give a smooth, practiced smile.

“Then I won’t disturb you; go back to reading your book.”

After Lu Zishu left, He Yu checked his email and found that the script file she mentioned had indeed arrived.

Looking at the script, the movie’s genre was a modern historical drama. [stolen content]The plot was incredibly righteous, telling a stolen contentstory of figures with public authority struggling to find justice for the citizens. Naturally, [stolen content]the protagonists were a police officer, a prosecutor, and a lawyer.

Aesthetic tastes differ from person to person. He Yu preferred stories that were relatively twisted and contradictory. Art films that dealt with outsider groups, blatantly exposed the bottom of morality, or complexly touched the soul. He had no interest in simple movies about the realization of justice.

However, he thought he understood the intention behind Lu Zishu’s recommendation. Unless he went to France, England, or Italy to become an art film director, having experience in a blockbuster production would be far more advantageous when working in the domestic film industry.

He Yu then checked the schedule. He was merely an assistant staff member anyway. Lu Zishu had explained it clearly in the email. He just had to handle miscellaneous tasks by the director’s side. To put it bluntly, it was a “golden” position where the workload was low, but he could get paid and study at the same time. Since he was an assistant staff member who was essentially expendable, he could return to school without burden once the break ended and classes began.

He sat in front of the computer, lost in deep thought.

The past He Jiwei had told him, and the pitiful face of Lu Zishu he had seen earlier.

The message sent by the ‘new doctor,’ Anthony.

And his ‘old doctor,’ Xie Qingcheng.

Several days had already passed, but Xie Qingcheng had not contacted He Yu first once.

In truth, it was no exaggeration to say that the relationship between the two had been driven unilaterally by He Yu. If He Yu didn’t seek him out first, Xie Qingcheng would probably not send a single message to He Yu even if twenty thousand years passed from the Qin dynasty.

Once his condition improved again, He Yu had a moment of self-reflection on how crazy he had been.

He clearly dislikes men. He is even more disgusted by the bodies [Read on Read BL Novels]of other men. It was only because he had eaten the first forbidden fruit of his life with [visit our site]Xie Qingcheng that he had [visit our site]become addicted to that body and clung to it every day.

When he was ignored by Xie Qingcheng once, he was merely indifferent, but as he was ignored day after day, an unknown doubt bloomed in his heart.

What am I doing right now?

Does it have to be Xie Qingcheng?

He turned on his phone and looked through their chat history. The last message was the one he sent to Xie Qingcheng before falling from the window.

[I’m hurting. I had another seizure.]

[I’m hurting, Xie Qingcheng.]

[I’m hurting, Doctor.]

But Xie Qingcheng had treated him like a liar. He had completely ignored him.

Suddenly, He Yu’s mind cleared.

A strong desire to quit the opium that was Xie Qingcheng surged within him.

Last time, in an attempt to pull himself together, he had participated in a web drama filmed in Hangshi. He had been distracted then, but a blockbuster film production pouring over [unauthorized copy]a million yuan a day into production would be far busier. Busy enough that he wouldn’t even have the [stolen content]leisure to think of that man, the ‘inner demon’ in his heart.

Thus, the next day, He Yu told Lu Zishu at the dining table that he would take the internship.

Lu Zishu was overjoyed. He Yu felt a strange sensation at her desperate expression. It felt as if she might stick out a toad-like tongue and lick his cheek while drooling at any moment.

Then, he quickly shook off this irreverent thought.

After all, his mother had changed like this for him.

“Sweetheart.”

Lu Zishu, hugging He Yu, stood on her tiptoes with her calves as thick as water jugs and patted her son’s back.

“You never fail to make your mother proud.”

After the warm hug, she immediately contacted her business partner and had He Yu join the production team.

Mid-winter, January.

The point when the movie Judgment was about to crank in.

The driver took He Yu and Lu Zishu to the filming set.

It was a world-shaking event. CEO Lu, who was busy with business every day, personally brought her eldest son to a film project site. Of course, it wasn’t a comfortable position, so they planned to return by evening.

“Oh, President Huang. You look very well today. Congratulations on the crank-in of Judgment.”

Lu Zishu’s car stopped in front of the hotel where the staff were staying. General Producer Huang Zhilong was already waiting for them in the lobby.

Huang Zhilong was a large, tall middle-aged man, a father of two nearing sixty. Despite the graying hair around his ears, he overflowed with energy. An air of wealth emanated from his suit, and his eyes sparkled with a keenness rarely seen in young people. The prayer bead bracelet on his wrist also contributed to his sophisticated aura.

He Yu knew something about this man. He was a famous film producer in the industry and the CEO of an entertainment company that crossed borders. Every year, countless rookie actors were selected and rejected under his hand. Despite being surrounded by clouds of beautiful women, rumors said he was a romantic who lived in solitude, unable to forget his late wife who had passed away tragically.

Greeting them with a polite smile, he offered a handshake to Lu Zishu and exchanged warm greetings. Lu Zishu introduced He Yu to Huang Zhilong.

“He is a lacking son, but I hope President Huang will teach him well.”

“My goodness, what are you saying? Since President Lu trusts me this much, of course I will. I’ve heard rumors that the young master is a wonderful talent; it is my honor to work on a project with such a young man.”

The atmosphere was entirely different from the meager web drama crew in Hangshi.

The movie Judgment was a work that overwhelmed a mini-series drama ten thousand times over in every aspect. Of course, since most of the staff were jaded by society, the conversations exchanged felt a hundred thousand times more tedious.

Such things were familiar to He Yu. However, now that he knew the image of [stolen content]stolen contentLu Zishu in her youth, his heart felt a bit complicated as he watched his mother skillfully navigate social situations, laughing boisterously like mushrooms growing on a humid day.

After finishing the meal and sharing drinks with the main producers and directors, Lu Zishu got into the car, quite tipsy.

On the other hand, He Yu was fine. He politely saw the elders off first before returning to the hotel in Huang Zhilong’s car.

“How old is Xiao He this year?”

“I’ll be twenty after my birthday.”

At those words, Huang Zhilong smiled.

“Young, so young. I’ve seen your younger sibling too, and they’re very cute. Both you and that child have such distinct strengths; I like it. President Lu is very lucky.”

Seeing him mention the sibling, He Yu wondered if he was quite close to his mother. Thinking so, He Yu asked:

“How long have you known my mother, President Huang?”

“Ah.”

Huang Zhilong began to speak with a smile.

“It’s been so long that my memory is fuzzy. Anyway, we’ve known each other since the old days. So, don’t visit our sitehold back and feel free [Read on Read BL Novels]unauthorized copyto tell me anything you want to try.”

Winking at He Yu, he added:

“Instead, let’s get one thing straight. You must keep your distance from the ladies under me while working. Hahaha.”

“Are you worried I might seduce them?” He Yu asked with a smile.

“No way. It’s because you’re too handsome. If those girls touch you and your mother comes to grab me by the collar later, that wouldn’t be good.”

Perhaps due to the alcohol, Huang Zhilong’s posture became slouchy.

“Those entertainers are lower class, anyway.”

“Your joke is a bit too much.”

Huang Zhilong’s talkativeness showed no sign of ending.

“Hoh, what joke? Not just the girls, be careful with the boys too. Boys these days are a bit like that as well.”

“….”

Finally, Huang Zhilong touched his forehead and let out a laugh-filled sigh.

“Goodness. I think I drank too much today.”

At those words, He Yu acted politely.

“Then you should return to the hotel now. Please get some rest.”

“Right, right.”

Huang Zhilong waved his hand.

“Xiao He, I told Staff Zhang to prepare a room. I’m too concerned about the male and female actors. If something really happened later, how would I explain it to your mother? So, I told him to get a room in the area where the technical director stays.”

Huang Zhilong took a sip of bottled water and said:

“As you know, this movie involves cooperation from various departments, so we have to film strictly. People from those sectors will come personally to provide on-site guidance.”

“Yes.”

“The rooms over there are where the police, lawyers, and other consultants invited by the staff stay… Hmm. Since those people probably aren’t as good-looking as actors, it should be fine to stay on the same floor. There’ll be nothing to apologize to President Lu for.”

“….”

After rambling for so long, he was still worried that He Yu might have a one-night stand with pretty actresses.

Not wanting to engage in useless bickering, He Yu arrived at the hotel and took the elevator with the others. After getting off at the floor where President Huang stayed to see him off, he checked the room card key given by Staff Zhang and went to find his own room.

7th floor.

Ding, the elevator doors opened.

He stepped forward, treading on the thick carpet.

Because it was late, the corridor was quiet. It would have been a very peaceful night if he hadn’t encountered someone from the opposite direction.

—Xie Qingcheng.

A ringing sound echoed in his head. Xie Qingcheng, who had quit as his attending physician, didn’t reply to messages, and whom he thought had evaporated from the human world, was unexpectedly standing in front of an open window in the corridor, quietly smoking.

The two, meeting unguarded, were equally surprised by the unexpected encounter.

Only after the burnt cigarette ash fell hotly onto his fingers did he snap back to his senses. He was so surprised that with a face frozen like ice, he stood stiffly in front of the open window and looked at He Yu. His tightly closed lips said nothing.

A long silence followed. In the end, He Yu was the one to speak first.

“Why… are you here, Doctor?”

Xie Qingcheng exhaled cigarette smoke and looked at He Yu silently with cold eyes, then turned around as if to leave.

He felt as if the effects of the hypnosis treatment he had received had completely vanished. The moment he faced Xie Qingcheng, his blood began to boil. His blood ran hot, and even the corners of his eyes turned red. He reached out and grabbed Xie Qingcheng.

“Xie Qingcheng, why—”

Right at that moment, the room door closest to the two opened. Soon, Chen Man came out holding Xie Qingcheng’s phone.

“Hyung, Xie Xue called. Try calling her back later.”

He Yu felt the blood that had been rushing toward the boiling point suddenly cool down.

It didn’t just cool; it dropped to the freezing point.

He narrowed his eyes. The corners of his eyes were still red, but the hot fire had already turned into cold rust.

A few days ago, his parents had introduced him to a new doctor.

And the new doctor told him to forget the person from his memories.

That a clean breakup was the happy ending for the two of them—even Xie Qingcheng was telling him this through his silence.

Suddenly, it felt as if the whole world was speaking to him. Let Xie Qingcheng go. Cast him out of your world. That is the best path for both you and him.

Even as everyone urged him to give up, he alone remained standing his ground. No matter how much he tried to hypnotize himself, he could not completely erase the shadow of Xie Qingcheng. He Yu himself had no idea why.

He clearly hated Xie Qingcheng.

He resented Xie Qingcheng for abandoning and deceiving him.

And yet, he kept obsessing, unable to shake him off.

And the moment he saw Xie Qingcheng sharing a room with Chen Man, it suddenly occurred to him that his obsession was pathetic and base.

His heart throbbed so violently it felt suffocating. It was as if Anthony’s treatment had lost its effect in an instant. He asked Xie Qingcheng in a very slow voice.

“……Did Chen Man bring you here, Teacher?”

“…….”

“Have you been staying with that man this whole time?”

Xie Qingcheng turned his head to look at the scenery outside and silently flicked his cigarette ash.

Something like a suppressed fire surged up in an instant. He Yu’s eyes glinted coldly. He glared at Xie Qingcheng, who was leaning against the window with his tall frame.

“I’m asking you! Have you been staying with that man all this time?!”