Chapter 56 - 1#
Bang!
Jing Shun momentarily lost his balance and ended up falling to the floor, even the crutch he was supporting himself with flew out of his hand.
The nearby medical staff rushed over immediately and helped him up. “Mr. Jing, are you okay? Are you alright?”
“…”
A thin layer of sweat covered Jing Shun’s body. He sat back down in his wheelchair and waved his hand. “I’m fine.”
The floor was covered with an anti-slip, anti-fall protective mat, so even if he fell, it wouldn’t cause him too much damage or impact.
The medical staff brought over a spray and began to relax his leg muscles while advising, “Mr. Jing, how about we stop today’s rehabilitation here? You’ve already exceeded your quota.”
Jing Shun’s rehabilitation progress was far ahead of schedule, and the recovery of his legs was also better than expected.
By now, he had started trying to walk with the aid of crutches, but he still wasn’t quite used to it.
Jing Shun understood the principle that haste makes waste, so he nodded. “Mm.”
The clock on the wall was already close to four o’clock.
He remembered the important task he had tonight and signaled the medical staff to clock out. “Let’s stop here for now. You don’t need to keep massaging my legs to relax them. I’ll wash up and get ready to go out soon.”
“Very well, Mr. Jing.”
The medical staff placed the custom crutches by the wheelchair, nodded in farewell, and withdrew.
Jing Shun didn’t linger long in the rehabilitation room. Instead, he went back to his room alone to shower and change clothes. When he came downstairs again, Butler Uncle Lin happened to be returning with Dog Bao.
Dog Bao bounded up to him, its fur freshly washed, fluffy and soft, carrying the scent of its Exclusive bath fragrance.
Jing Shun reached out to rub Dog Bao’s big, soft head and leaned close to its neck, taking a couple of deep breaths. He felt instantly healed.
“Baby, such a good boy~”
Dog Bao wagged its big tail, wanting to lick him too. “Wuwu!”
Jing Shun quickly laughed and stopped it. “Alright, alright! I know you like me~”
Uncle Lin smiled knowingly, a look of affectionate kindness that only an elder could have. “Young Master Jing, are you going out? Not staying home to rest?”
“Mm.”
Suppressing his physical fatigue, Jing Shun said to Uncle Lin, “I’m going to find Chi Gui. I won’t be back for dinner tonight.”
As promised, a pursuit required dates.
Over the past half month, Jing Shun had expended a lot of energy on rehabilitation, and he hadn’t yet properly extended a formal date invitation to the other party.
Finally, it was Friday. He had specifically confirmed Chi Gui’s work schedule and reserved a candlelit dinner at a restaurant for tonight.
The chauffeur walked in. “Young Master Jing, the car is ready. You may depart.”
“Good.”
Jing Shun patted Dog Bao’s head once more before heading out. As soon as he got in the car, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He answered, “Hello, Brother Yu.”
Yu Xiuzhu had returned from the imperial capital last week and had specially brought Jing Shun a wrap-up gift and a birthday gift.
However, Jing Shun didn’t have many filming assignments to go out for, and Yu Xiuzhu had to handle other affairs for Bamboo Grove Entertainment’s artists, so the two didn’t meet often.
“Xiao Jing, you’re not busy right now, are you? In the middle of rehab?”
“No, I’ve already finished.”
Jing Shun leaned back in the car seat, watching the vehicle leave the estate. “Brother Yu, what’s up?”
Yu Xiuzhu said over the phone, “The operations team for The Trail contacted the company. They said the crew has arranged for a variety show shoot and wants you to be a two-episode guest star.”
Jing Shun caught the key words. “Variety show? Guest star?”
Because it was filmed and broadcast simultaneously, the TV series The Trail had already aired over a dozen episodes. Its online viewership ratings were climbing steadily, and related drama topics were regular fixtures on Weibo’s trending list every week.
Word had it that the drama’s advertising slots had been completely bought out, and Hai Shi, one of the investors, had also resold the online streaming rights, recouping their investment early on.
“In the past couple of years, popular dramas have had post-production variety shows. They gather the actors from the drama together to eat, drink, play, and have fun, recording some daily life or games, then airing it.”
First, it’s to maintain the drama’s buzz and further expand publicity; second, the variety show can earn money from ad inserts and paid memberships.
As an actor in the drama, Jing Shun was willing to cooperate with the crew’s promotion. “Brother Yu, I have no objections, but my character hasn’t appeared yet, right? Can I go and record?”
Yu Xiuzhu explained the situation. “The variety show will air after the entire drama series finishes, probably around late October.”
Jing Shun agreed. “Alright, no problem for me.”
Yu Xiuzhu said, “Good. If you’re willing to participate, I’ll contact someone to discuss the details with the crew.”
“Mm.”
…
The estate was about a forty-minute drive from the Chi Group headquarters.
When Jing Shun arrived at the headquarters building, Chen Yiming, who had been waiting ahead, stepped forward. “Young Master Jing.”
The two entered the private express elevator directly.
Watching the floor numbers rise, Jing Shun checked the time—it was almost closing time.
He asked, “Assistant Chen, is Chi Gui probably almost done with work?”
Work progress was usually arranged by Wei Di; Chen Yiming only knew the general idea. “I think there’s still a video conference?”
Just as he finished speaking, the elevator doors opened on the top floor.
Jing Shun looked up and locked eyes with Chi Gui, who was waiting outside the elevator, along with Wei Di and other accompanying staff.
“…”
“…”
Chi Gui looked at the figure that had suddenly appeared at headquarters, a hint of unexpected pleasure flickering in his indifferent eyes.
But Jing Shun realized he seemed to have come at a bad time and looked a bit restrained instead.
Wei Di was perceptive. Exchanging a glance with Chen Yiming, he immediately led the other staff toward the adjacent elevator bay.
With the suffocating crowd “pressure” gone, Jing Shun stepped out of the elevator.
He looked at Chi Gui, who was right in front of him, and took the initiative to explain. “Did I come too early and interfere with your work? I was thinking of waiting for you to finish work and then inviting you to dinner.”
He had even already made a reservation for the evening’s restaurant.
“No interference.”
Chi Gui leaned down to confirm with him. “I’ll be in a meeting for half an hour. Why don’t you go into my office and rest for a bit? Hm?”
Jing Shun relaxed. “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”
“Mm.”
Chi Gui took the elevator downstairs.
Under Chen Yiming’s guidance, Jing Shun entered Chi Gui’s private office.
The office was spacious, but the layout was simple, even a bit monotonous—a uniform color scheme of black, white, and gray decorations, which seemed to perfectly mirror Chi Gui’s cold and hard demeanor in front of others.
However, Jing Shun soon spotted the only bright spot in the entire office—
A bouquet of white jasmine flowers, mixed with a single dark red rose, was currently placed in an irregular black vase on one corner of the desk, serving as the sole ornament in this minimalist world.
Jing Shun recognized it as the bouquet he had given for his birthday and was surprised:
Half a month had already passed—how was this flower still here?
Sensing Jing Shun’s lingering gaze, Chen Yiming explained, “Sir knew that fresh flowers wouldn’t last long, so he specially had them made into dried flowers.”
“…”
The flowers he gave were being treasured like this by the other person.
Jing Shun suddenly felt an indescribable emotion.
Chen Yiming handed him a glass of warm water. “Sir’s office has access restrictions. Generally, no one enters casually. Young Master Jing, would you like to wait here for a while?”
“Sure.”
Chen Yiming quickly withdrew, leaving the vast space to Jing Shun alone.
Jing Shun took a sip of water, carefully stood up from his wheelchair, and without external support, he didn’t dare to wander around, so he moved and sat down on the sofa.
Unfortunately, this leather sofa set was rock hard, nowhere near as comfortable as the sofa at home.
Even so, Jing Shun closed his eyes and leaned back, seizing the opportunity for a quick nap.
Rehabilitation was a dual drain on physical strength and mental energy.
Jing Shun’s rehabilitation intensity this week was a bit overloaded. Honestly, he had been drowsy in the car just now.
Half an hour flew by.
Chi Gui returned to the office as quickly as possible. The wheelchair was empty. He took a closer look—
Jing Shun was lying quietly on his side on the sofa, his sleeping face looking very obedient. Whether because the air conditioning was too strong or because he was restless in his sleep, his hands were instinctively held protectively in front of him.
Chi Gui’s heart softened, and he strode over quickly. “Jing Shun?”
“…”
Chi Gui rubbed his thumb against Jing Shun’s cheek, a tenderness he himself didn’t notice in his voice. “Shun Shun?”
Jing Shun in his sleep seemed to hear it, his brow twitching slightly, but he showed no signs of waking up.
It seemed he was truly exhausted.
Chi Gui couldn’t bear to wake him again and easily picked him up.
The sudden sensation of weightlessness made Jing Shun whimper uneasily, but even in his sleep, his instinct made him cling tightly to Chi Gui’s arms, mumbling unconsciously, “Chi Gui.”
Chi Gui responded gently, “I’m here.”
“The… the sofa was so hard.”
“…”
Chi Gui chuckled softly.
He kissed the hair of the person in his arms with great tenderness, not caring whether the other could hear or not, and made a promise, “Alright, I’ll have it replaced tomorrow.”
…
Jing Shun slept exceptionally deeply this time.
When he woke up again, the sky outside the window had completely darkened.
He looked around his surroundings with some confusion. Before he could react, a “hidden” door opened in the wall, and Chi Gui walked back in carrying a medical kit.
Jing Shun’s voice was a little tight from sleep. “Chi Gui?”
Chi Gui approached. “Awake?”
“What time is it? Where are we?”
“The cabinet door behind my desk opens to the entrance of the rest room.” Chi Gui poured him a fresh glass of warm water. “Almost nine o’clock. I saw you were sleeping deeply and couldn’t bear to wake you.”
Hearing the time, Jing Shun almost choked on his water. “Ah? But I booked a restaurant…”
“Yes, your phone rang earlier. It was the restaurant calling, so I canceled for you.” Chi Gui explained. “Hungry? I ordered food; it should be arriving soon.”
A little frustrated, Jing Shun shook his head. “Not hungry.”
Originally, he had planned things quite well—waiting early for Chi Gui to get off work, then the two of them going out for dinner together.
But now, he had accidentally overslept.
Jing Shun looked at Chi Gui, who was right there, and murmured a discouraged remark, “I really don’t seem to know how to pursue someone.”
“…”
Chi Gui smiled to himself.
He took out a medicine bag that had been delivered by courier to the desk and sat down by the bed. “I’ll give you a chance to make up for it.”
Jing Shun asked, “What?”
Chi Gui motioned. “Roll up your pant legs a few times. I’ll apply the medicine for you.”
Jing Shun was taken aback, but he saw that Chi Gui had already taken out a bruise-relieving ointment from the bag.
“The rehab staff uploaded weekly reports. I just read them carefully.” Chi Gui said. “You’ve had a lot of bruises from falling recently, and you thought it was fine, so you haven’t been applying medicine properly.”
Chi Gui had originally wanted to check on it right away, but Jing Shun was asleep, and he didn’t want the other person to think he was “taking advantage of the situation,” so he had just bought the ointment in advance and waited until now.