Chapter 28: They Really Are Good Friends

Chapter 28: They Really Are Good Friends

That evening, Chi Xingcun changed into his sportswear.

He was very nervous, and his heart began to race.

For the race, he only needed to run 200 meters, so he had to not only last the full distance but also pick up his speed.

Once he got downstairs, Qin Liyi taught him professional running techniques so he wouldn't fall.

Finally, it was time for the first run.

Chi Xingcun ran with total focus, but he wasn't fast. By the 100-meter mark, he'd clearly slowed.

Qin Liyi ran alongside him, cheering him on.

His first run clocked in at 40 seconds.

That was about the pace of the slowest kid in class.

"It's fine, that's huge progress," Qin Liyi said, trying to soothe him.

"..."

That night, he ran three laps, and his best time dropped to 36 seconds.

Qin Liyi came up with a plan for Chi Xingcun. First, he needed a check-up, because Chi Xingcun looked way too frail—after running, he was dry heaving and his mouth tasted like blood. If this kept up, it'd be tough to get his speed up.

Next was physical training—anaerobic exercises to build muscle.

Then, they'd boost his nutrition at the same time to get his body in shape.

The next day was Saturday, and Qin Liyi had a private doctor come to the house for the check-up.

At the check-up, he weighed 110 pounds and was 172 cm tall.

Qin Liyi's face went dark immediately, his brows furrowed.

The young master's last check-up was three months ago—same height, but he'd weighed 130 pounds.

So, in that short a time, the young master had dropped 20 pounds?

He gritted his teeth. What the hell was going on?

Since they were always together, he'd sometimes touch the young master and noticed he'd gotten a bit thinner, but he hadn't expected this much.

Wasn't he eating? He ate a lot at his house... Right, only at his house. Could it be he barely ate at school?

Suddenly, a thought hit Qin Liyi that made his hair stand on end and his blood run cold—was the young master being bullied at school?

Two months ago, the young master's personality had suddenly shifted from cheerful and outgoing to gloomy and withdrawn. He didn't smile anymore, and he stopped coming home, always staying at school—was it because the bullies were forcing him to?

Was the drastic weight loss because he was being picked on and not eating enough?

And he'd stopped spending money freely—was it because someone was taking his money?

Qin Liyi's chest heaved, veins popping at his temples, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes. That explained everything—it all added up now.

But why didn't the young master say anything? Did he think they couldn't do anything about it?

No way—he must have been manipulated, so he was scared to tell them.

Qin Liyi's chest ached. The moment he thought of his little sun going through all this, he wanted to kill that person right then and there.

And maybe it wasn't just one person... Then he'd kill them all!

His thoughts ran wild.

Afterward, he walked the doctor out, and when he came back, his face was pitch black.

Chi Xingcun had noticed earlier that Qin Liyi's expression had suddenly turned awful, but he had no idea why.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Qin Liyi let out a heavy breath, forcing himself to calm down. He pulled Chi Xingcun onto the sofa and looked at him seriously.

"Young master, tell me—is someone at school picking on you?"

Chi Xingcun was taken aback. Why was he bringing this up out of nowhere?

"No, nobody's bullying me."

He was definitely lying! Qin Liyi's eyes got red at the rims. "Why won't you tell me? Did that person threaten you?"

"...No, there isn't. What are you even thinking?" Chi Xingcun blinked, confused.

Qin Liyi pulled Chi Xingcun into a tight hug.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Don't go to school for a while, okay?"

???? What the hell was Qin Liyi talking about?

He pushed him away. "There really isn't."

Qin Liyi didn't believe him: "Fine, if you want to go to school, I'll go to class with you."

Exactly—if he went to class with the young master, he'd find out who was picking on him.

Qin Liyi suddenly burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably. At the thought of the young master being bullied like this, his heart hurt like hell.

He pulled Chi Xingcun into another hug.

Chi Xingcun was stunned, completely shocked: "You—what's wrong with you?"

He let Qin Liyi hold him.

Other than in kindergarten and elementary school, this was the first time he'd ever seen Qin Liyi cry.

When he cried, his fierce, sharp features softened, making him look almost cute.

Like a husky crying.

Why did he suddenly think that? Was it because Qin Liyi thought he was being bullied and cried over it?

...Chi Xingcun reached out and hugged Qin Liyi back, resting his head on his shoulder.

His pale face held a hint of sadness and loss.

In his past life, if Qin Liyi had known he was dead, what would his reaction have been?

He had left without saying goodbye, and within a month of their separation, he had died. He probably would have been quite shocked.

However, he felt that this life's Qin Liyi treated him even better. After he stopped liking Fu Chenzhan, their interactions became much more pleasant.

Chi Xingcun thought that perhaps it was because he had become more sensible himself.

He was no longer the villainous cannon fodder.

"Don't cry." He gently patted Qin Liyi's back. "If you're that worried, you can just come to class with me."

Qin Liyi thought to himself that the other guy must be vicious and scheming enough to make the young master think it was fine to go to school even with him around.

Then he'd have to watch even more closely.

He also thought of the detective he had sent to observe the young master two months ago—what a waste of money. Didn't he even notice the young master was being bullied?

Useless! Absolutely useless!

He'd never hire that useless detective again, Qin Liyi thought darkly.

The medical report came out, showing that Chi Xingcun was malnourished with slightly poor cardiopulmonary function.

Malnourished... Qin Liyi's eyes nearly bulged out of his head with rage.

The doctor, seeing Qin Liyi's reaction, was afraid he'd be killed on the spot.

He nervously adjusted his glasses, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead, and said, "Although some of the data is abnormal, none of it is irreversible. With gradual care, he'll quickly get back to normal. I'll send you the care plan, and the herbs will be delivered within the hour."

"Mm." Qin Liyi stood up with a blank face, shook hands with the doctor, and saw him out.

When he came back, his eyes were even redder.

He was in a terrible mood.

Even though he really liked and admired the young master, he'd never really cared about anything. His feelings for the young master and everything he did were just for fun.

But now, he was about to explode with anger?

Why was he so angry?

"Qin Liyi."

He looked up. The young master stood there, looking at him with worried eyes.

Those innocent doe eyes, misty as if filled with water, melted everyone's heart.

Qin Liyi thought to himself that he really was a good guy after all.

He'd thought he was just playing around, but unexpectedly, he'd caught real feelings for the young master.

The young master always depended on him so helplessly, making his heart ache, and all he wanted was to take him home.

Qin Liyi thought, they were truly good friends now.

......