Chapter 619: 326 Muddled (First revision)
As Tao Qian arrived at work, he noticed some shiftiness around the hospital entrance. It wasn’t until he entered the office and heard the hushed conversations of the nurses that he realized what was going on.
The friend of Ming Jing who was admitted last night, was Qu Feitai.
He remembered that Little Star’s favorite idol was Qu Feitai. Thank goodness, she still was oblivious.
“Those paparazzi at the hospital entrance are really sharp, sniffing out any scent of news. Our hospital has never been this lively. Just now, two disguised journalists were discovered in the emergency department. It’s more thrilling than a spy drama!”
“Do you guys think Qu Feitai and Ming Jing are really dating? The Internet is buzzing say they are living together.”
“It’s normal for a man and woman to live alone gets together, isn’t it?”
“Cough, cough...”
People silenced immediately after they heard the cough, they respectfully greeted, “Dr. Tao.”
The man walked over with a stern face. “No gossiping in work hours. You are all very free, aren’t you?”
Everyone scattered, returning to their respective posts.
Tao Qian shook his head, rumours are truly scary.
Qu Feitai opened his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling with an empty mind.
The nurse was taking his temperature, her face turned red when she noticed he’d woken up.
Qu Feitai moved slightly, the sudden pain made him gasp.
“Don’t move. You’ve just had surgery and need to stay in bed and recover for a few days,” the nurse quickly advised.
“Surgery?” Qu Feitai was utterly confused.
“You had appendicitis surgery. You probably have no recollection — you passed out from the pain. Ming Jing brought you to the hospital last night. She stayed here with you the entire time,” the nurse revealed, her eyes sparkling with excitement, just like a fan.”
“She really cares about you. You two should make your relationship last a lifetime.”
“Where is she?” Qu Feitai asked.
“I’m not sure, she was here with you all night. When I did rounds this morning, she wasn’t here. She might’ve gone to get breakfast. Don’t worry, you can’t eat anything the first day after surgery. You can eat after you pass gas,” the nurse replied.
Qu Feitai’s face visibly paled.
After the nurse left, Yun Mo walked in. “Awake?”
Seeing him, Qu Feitai’s expression darkened even more.
“I know you don’t want to see me, but I have your brother’s orders to stay and monitor your condition until you’re discharged,” Yun Mo admitted.
Qu Feitai’s face was full of misery.
The image he had worked so hard to craft in front of Ming Jing was ruined in an instant.
All that talk of being a ”male god” with a six-pack – he was now nothing more than a frail, sick man.
It was a real life at stake.
Yun Mo’s gaze dropped, erasing the undercurrent of the storm in his eyes.
——
Ming Jing returned home, took a bath, got changed, had breakfast, and started dealing with phone calls.
The rumors about her relationship with Qu Feitai this time were detailed and vivid, generating more attention than ever before.
The director of Shenzhou Group’s public relations department called her personally to discuss whether they should intervene to try and deflate the situation. Qu Feitai’s agent, Huang Chao, contacted her with the idea of jointly managing the media buzz.
“Some things can’t be covered up, the more you try to hide them, the more curious people will become. There’s no need for deliberate public relations, just be on guard against any secret plots by Qu Feitai’s opponents.”
Opinions varied among the public as everyone had their own understanding and freedom of speech. The ones to blame here were the two famous figures who invited scrutiny with every action they took.
This was the price they paid for fame.
If people kept spreading rumors, they would believe it. But if they paid them no heed, it would just serve as gossip over tea, nothing more.
Those who believed you, will do so no matter what. Those who didn’t, won’t, even if you break your back convincing them.
But Ming Jing underestimated people’s enthusiasm. The matter was discussed for three whole days, and the heat only got more intense.
“Brother Qu.” Ming Chen rushed in, staring at the pale teenager in the hospital bed, her tears rolling down like beads off a broken string.
“Brother Qu, does it hurt?”
Qu Feitai chuckled and wiped her tears off. “Stop crying, little kitten, it doesn’t hurt.”
Qu Feitai’s glance fell on Ming Jing, who followed along into the room. His depressed eyes brightened at the sight of her, like the dawn brightening the day.
“You... got caught up in all of this because of me.”
Ming Jing placed a thermos and fruit on the table and asked casually, “Have you passed gas?”
His face instantly flushed red with her casual question. He wished he could bury himself in a hole.
An embarrassing spectacle.
“Huh? Brother Qu, why is your face so red?” Ming Chen added fuel to the fire.
Qu Feitai decided to play dead by closing his eyes.
“Brother Qu, you can’t sleep yet, you haven’t answered Ming Jing’s question.”
“Alright Ming Chen, let your Brother Qu sleep.” Ming Jing ladled out some soup from the thermos, filling the room with a tantalising aroma.
“Gulp gulp...” A strange sound echoed.
Qu Feitai, who was struggling to hold it in, said weakly, “Can you and Ming Chen go outside for a while...”
Ming Jing nodded understandingly and led a confused Ming Chen out of the room.
Qu Feitai stared at the ceiling despondently, praying for divine intervention, “God, just strike me down with lightning.”