After chatting with Chen Xuanting, Pei Qingjian replied to a few more people and finally posted a notice: “Temporarily not accepting orders. I have other work to focus on; I’ll take orders again once I have time.”
Instantly, many returning and new clients flooded the post with cries and questions—asking when he would finish his work, or if they could book in advance.
“Pre-booking is temporarily unavailable,” Pei Qingjian replied.
The complaints intensified.
Exasperated, he answered a few more questions before returning to photo editing.
His schedule was clear: mornings and afternoons were for reading scripts, evenings for editing photos.
Occasionally, Pei Qingjian would watch similar TV dramas or cuts of similar roles to see how others performed, then combine that with the script to study his own approach.
Unnoticed, a new week had arrived.
On Sunday night, Lin Xingchen spoke to Pei Qingjian before bed about Monday’s hospital visit: “I’ve already contacted the hospital and arranged for specialists. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
Pei Qingjian: ???
Specialists needed for a check-up?
But then he thought—it might actually help detect Lin Xingchen’s health issues better, allowing for earlier treatment.
“Okay,” he said with a smile.
Seeing that smile, Lin Xingchen’s heart filled with tender pity. His expression was so pure, so innocent—he surely wanted to recover quickly. Unfortunately…
Lin Xingchen sighed silently, thinking fate was cruel to someone so talented and beautiful. How could such a person end up facing this? It was heartbreaking.
“I’ll be with you all day tomorrow,” Lin Xingchen said, holding his hand and lightly patting it.
Even if he couldn’t help Pei Qingjian physically, he could offer comfort emotionally.
Pei Qingjian: ???
He didn’t quite understand what Lin Xingchen meant, but as his patron wanting to spend the whole day together, it felt natural. He just had to comply.
Nodding, Pei Qingjian squeezed his hand in return: “Okay.”
Seeing this, Lin Xingchen felt reassured. “Sleep now—you have to wake up early tomorrow.”
“Mm.”
Pei Qingjian lay down, and before long, fell asleep in Lin Xingchen’s arms.
The next morning, both woke early.
Lin Xingchen habitually headed to the dining room, only to find it empty—no Pei Qingjian, no breakfast.
What was going on?
He had grown used to Pei Qingjian preparing a heartfelt breakfast each morning; suddenly, there was nothing, and he felt a little out of sorts.
Stepping out to find him, he saw Pei Qingjian frowning as he walked out from the study.
Nervous? Lin Xingchen wondered—was he so anxious about the hospital that he couldn’t eat?
Not likely. It wasn’t a terminal illness; it wouldn’t prevent him from eating!
Lin Xingchen wanted to console him, but the words felt insensitive when spoken to a patient.
Fine—if he couldn’t eat, he wouldn’t force it.
“Let’s go,” Lin Xingchen said. “To the hospital.”
Pei Qingjian nodded.
He had skipped breakfast to prepare for the check-up, and now that Lin Xingchen was ready, it was time to leave.
He worried about the results—both the possibility of discovering something wrong, and the possibility of nothing showing up.
Sigh. One step at a time. No matter what, he would do his best to prolong his patron’s life.
They arrived at a private hospital. Lin Xingchen had already coordinated with the director, and a nurse immediately came to escort them.
“What kind of examination would you like?” the nurse asked gently.
Lin Xingchen looked at Pei Qingjian.
Pei Qingjian’s voice was calm and clear: “A full check-up.”
The nurse nodded and led them to get the examination forms.
Lin Xingchen had expected him to go straight to the urology department, but surprisingly, Pei Qingjian had said simply, “A full check-up.”
He pondered for a moment and guessed that Pei Qingjian was probably shy, embarrassed to go straight to the point, so he used the general check-up as a pretext.
Indeed, this was a delicate matter for any man, especially someone so young.
“All right,” Lin Xingchen agreed. “Then we’ll start with the check-up.”
“Mm,” Pei Qingjian said, handing him one of the examination forms.
Lin Xingchen: ???
“I need one too?”
Pei Qingjian nodded. His main purpose today was to ensure Lin Xingchen got the check-up. Even if he didn’t have one himself, Lin Xingchen had to go.
Seeing his resolute expression, Lin Xingchen reluctantly accepted the form. Well, since his mission today was to accompany Pei Qingjian, going through the check-up together wasn’t a problem.
Following the nurse, they visited different departments according to the items listed on the forms.
Since Lin Xingchen had arranged this in advance, the reports arrived quickly.
Pei Qingjian glanced at his own briefly, then turned to Lin Xingchen’s.
Lin Xingchen had already had a check-up earlier that year, so he wasn’t particularly concerned. Seeing Pei Qingjian’s curiosity, he handed over his report.
Pei Qingjian took both reports and studied them carefully, comparing line by line.
Suddenly, he pointed to a section. “Your stomach isn’t in great shape.”
Lin Xingchen shrugged casually. “A little off, yeah.”
Years of irregular meals and drinking at business dinners had taken a toll on his digestive system. Not severe, though—how many CEOs have perfect health?
But Pei Qingjian felt otherwise. This was a serious problem! Even if it wasn’t severe now, what about the future?
What if his stomach gave out this year, or it turned into something worse? Who could know if Lin Xingchen might die young from gastric cancer? That uncertainty alone warranted caution.
Determined, Pei Qingjian resolved to supervise Lin Xingchen’s diet closely, preventing his stomach from worsening.
“From tomorrow, I’ll bring you meals,” Pei Qingjian said, looking up at him. “I’m at home anyway, so I can prepare and deliver them to you.”
Lin Xingchen thought it unnecessary.
“No need—you focus on your own work. My assistant can handle ordering food.”
“But I want to deliver meals to you,” Pei Qingjian insisted gently. “I can’t finish meals by myself, sometimes I don’t dare cook, worried I’ll have leftovers. If I send food to you, I can cook whatever I like.”
“Besides, eating alone is boring. If I send food to you, we can eat together—just like breakfast and dinner.”
Lin Xingchen: …
Seeing that hopeful expression, he couldn’t resist.
This was way too clingy! Breakfast and dinner together weren’t enough—now lunch too? One person eating alone wasn’t fun? Tsk, such a clingy little thing!
“All… all right,” Lin Xingchen muttered, pressing down the corner of his mouth that had involuntarily lifted.