Chapter 24: Painless Syndrome 4

Lu Shun lowered his head, momentarily choked up and unable to speak. He squeezed He Qiuting’s hand deeply, silently conveying his emotions.

He hardly dared to meet He Qiuting’s eyes, unsure whether it was due to guilt or lingering fear.

With a stomach tube inserted through his nose, the foreign object sensation was exceptionally intense. He Qiuting’s Adam’s apple moved as he struggled to swallow.

What’s wrong with you.

A hoarse, muffled voice emerged weakly, still maintaining its usual calm tone.

His breathing was shallow, almost stagnant, as he quietly watched the tears at the corners of Lu Shun’s eyes gradually dry into faint traces. He let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

Tears were not uncommon for Lu Shun.

Perhaps to outsiders, Lu Shun appeared as a cold-blooded, ruthless businessman—his cynical attitude and arrogant demeanor as someone in power making him seem invulnerable and unwilling to yield. But with He Qiuting, Lu Shun was most willing to lower his head and most adept at using tears as a weapon.

Lu Shun had known the utility of tears since childhood.

During school days, whenever his eyes reddened, teachers would immediately come to comfort him.

If he wanted to skip physical fitness tests in PE class, Lu Shun would stand by the field with drooping eyes, shedding tears, and the PE teacher would allow him an exception to rest. Then, in the blink of an eye, He Qiuting would see him grinning widely while playing soccer on the smaller field.

As an adult, Lu Shun learned to use more dignified means to achieve his goals. Yet, only with He Qiuting did he retain his most primitive tricks—whenever he was in the wrong, he would cry.

Because when he cried, He Qiuting would soften.

Sometimes it was over disputes in business, sometimes because He Qiuting distanced or ignored him, but most often, it was after he had done something unreasonable and immoral.

After shedding tears, Lu Shun wouldn’t change. He would immediately revert to his former demeanor and ways, continuing exactly as before.

He Qiuting had grown immune to his emotional displays. Waiting until Lu Shun had calmed down on his own, he spoke slowly, his voice still very weak.

I want… to see the news.

The first thing he regretted upon waking was not swallowing that mouthful of blood. If he had held on for just ten more seconds, waiting until he left the stage and exited before vomiting, the situation would never have become what it was now.

Being captured by dozens of media outlets simultaneously—vomiting blood, losing consciousness, perhaps even the embarrassing scenes of emergency medical transport and the panic at Cloud Horizon’s venue…

Just thinking about it made He Qiuting feel that the press conference’s impact had been greatly diminished. As for the stock price trend after market opening, he didn’t even dare to imagine.

The PR response was very timely. Cloud Horizon’s stock price has risen. Zhou Hang is acting as CEO under your prior authorization agreement, and everything in the company is operating normally. Lu Shun gently stroked his hand, his gaze soft. Right now, you just need to focus on recovering.

The stock price rose?

That was nearly impossible.

Lu Shun, I want the truth. Struggling against the tube in his throat, He Qiuting spoke with increasing difficulty, taking a long time to utter this short sentence.

You… you shouldn’t talk anymore. Lu Shun looked at him with heartache, hesitating for a moment before pulling out his phone and displaying the real-time stock price chart.

He didn’t let He Qiuting examine it closely, only quickly flashing it before him.

He Qiuting struggled to lift his head from the pillow. He couldn’t clearly see the detailed data, but he noticed a striking deep red bullish line violently surging from the opening price, shooting straight to the daily limit.

He Qiuting’s breathing grew rapid, his pale chest rising and falling irregularly. Who’s supporting the stock?

He knew all too well that this surge required billions in capital. At such a critical moment of public scrutiny, who would take such a huge risk?

Offshore funds with anonymous holdings—we can’t trace the controller, Lu Shun said. You were right. My short position failed, and I was forced to liquidate. The losses from this wave are devastating.

As he spoke, the corner of his mouth twitched. Some lunatic came out of nowhere right at the opening, sweeping up shares and pushing the stock price straight to the limit.

After a pause, Lu Shun looked at He Qiuting and said earnestly, President He, your press conference was very successful.

He Qiuting’s eyes trembled slightly as he slowly exhaled. He heard Lu Shun beside him say, The doctor said you need to be hospitalized for at least a week. You’re lucky the bleeding stopped in time, or you would have needed surgery.

The thought of a ten-centimeter incision in the upper abdomen made Lu Shun shudder—he couldn’t bear to imagine it.

Does it still hurt? He pressed his hand gently over the blanket onto He Qiuting’s stomach, carefully massaging it.

He Qiuting shook his head.

He wasn’t lying. Under the influence of his painless syndrome, he hadn’t felt any pain from start to finish. He even felt the anesthesia during the surgery was a waste.

I’m sorry, Lu Shun lowered his eyes, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

He Qiuting was surprised, raising his eyebrows slightly.

I didn’t let your assistant into the car—I took the family member’s spot, Lu Shun’s throat tightened, his voice growing softer. But… I didn’t remember your blood type.

He Qiuting, you scared me to death…

He Qiuting silently watched him for a long time before finally saying, You don’t need to remember these things, just like… I never remembered your birthday either.

These words hurt more than a refusal to forgive. Lu Shun shook his head vigorously, suddenly stubborn. I do need to remember these things. We’ve known each other for almost twenty years, been together for three…

It’s just that blood type… I never thought about when it would be needed.

Lu Shun tried to explain, desperate to make He Qiuting understand his feelings. It’s not that I don’t care about you. I know you have stomach issues, so no matter which car I drive, I always keep stomach medicine, a thermos, and heating pads. I know you have asthma, so even when I’m craving a cigarette around you, I don’t smoke. I…

Lu Shun, He Qiuting interrupted gently, his voice hoarse. No need to explain, and there’s nothing to apologize for.

Talking too much brought a faint metallic taste to his throat, and the discomfort grew stronger. He Qiuting tilted his head back uncomfortably, his brow slightly furrowed. It took him a moment to force out a whisper.

In these three years together, we both knew—we’re not like other couples.

We each have our own paths to follow.

Being able to accompany each other for a short stretch of the journey was a kind of fate. And now, that fate had clearly run its course.

Two fundamentally different people should return to their respective tracks, passing by each other at different peaks.

For Lu Shun, emotions were merely embellishments—thrills derived from conquest and games. But for He Qiuting…

What were emotions?

He Qiuting’s thoughts froze. His eyes blinked slowly as he pondered the question with intense concentration.

What were emotions to him?

He had no family left. Perhaps he just wanted a home, someone who wouldn’t deceive, manipulate, or betray him—a family member.

Someone strong and stable enough to rely on.

Even if he never actually leaned on them, he still wished for such a person to exist—a safety net and a source of courage to move forward.

The more one has nothing, the more obsessively they crave to hold onto something. But after these three years, He Qiuting genuinely felt he couldn’t hold onto Lu Shun.

He didn’t know how to express himself—to put it bluntly, he couldn’t reconcile their differing temperaments and perspectives. The more time they spent together, the more unbearable it became.

Yet now, at the brink of a clean break, Lu Shun refused to let him go.

Tell me what you dislike about me, and I’ll change it. I can change anything, Lu Shun said with firm determination. Really.

The words felt alien to He Qiuting. He stared at Lu Shun for a long time before finally closing his eyes slowly.

I’m not feeling well. He Qiuting’s throat moved slightly, his face showing a trace of endurance as he turned away.

I’ll call a doctor! Lu Shun grew anxious, reaching for the call button.

No need. He Qiuting’s face was pale as ice, his lips pressed together. I just want to be alone for a while. Could you please leave…

A subtle tremble in his voice lent the words an unintended hint of disgust.

Lu Shun froze momentarily, his expression flustered, then placed the call button within He Qiuting’s reach. Press this if you need anything. I’ll be right outside.

He stood up and obediently retreated outside the door.

He Qiuting opened his eyes, watching Lu Shun’s lonely figure trudging away. His feelings were complicated—he could no longer distinguish how much of Lu Shun’s affection was genuine and how much was pretense.

He couldn’t even determine whether Lu Shun’s despondency stemmed primarily from his hospitalization for gastric bleeding or from his failed short-selling scheme.

His body was utterly exhausted, but before he could ponder further, he heard the System sobbing by his ear.

555 Dear host! It seems the Painless Syndrome experience card has caused you trouble! Little System feels deeply ashamed ahhh!

He Qiuting was rendered speechless, wanting to tell it to stop acting.

To compensate, I’ve decided to let you choose your next condition! It will take effect in two days.

He Qiuting thought he might as well take a look.

The System then proudly displayed its inventory, carefully selecting three conditions for He Qiuting to choose from.

Three fluffy little clouds materialized in the empty space before him, each bearing the name of a condition:

Addiction, Severe Insomnia, Sleepwalking.

Seeing his hesitation, the System urged: Hurry up and choose! You’ll eventually experience all of these conditions anyway!

He Qiuting’s eyes widened slightly. After a moment’s thought, he reluctantly selected one.

Outside the hospital room.

Lu Shun sat on a chair, took out his phone, and saw six missed calls from Lu Zhao.

He dialed back.

The moment the call connected, Lu Zhao’s furious roar erupted with full force, Explain yourself! Why did you get on that ambulance when He Qiuting had an accident!

This incident had even trended on social media.

Lu Shun, with red-rimmed eyes, had shoved Lin Xu aside like a madman just as he was about to step into the vehicle.

What’s your relationship with him? Aren’t you ashamed!? Lu Zhao’s temper mirrored Lu Zihai’s—this family truly shared the same explosive nature.

Lu Zhao said, I previously suspected something inappropriate between you and Zhang Wenqian. Now I see I was mistaken. Lu Shun, tell me—are you in love with He Qiuting?

Since when is being gay something to be proud of? Already seething with pent-up anger, Lu Shun seized this chance to unleash it all on his brother. You keep suspecting I like men—are you insane, or am I?

He paused, then explained, He Qiuting is my classmate. We’ve grown up together since childhood. What’s wrong with me taking him to the hospital?

Lu Zhao snorted coldly, Don’t play dumb with me. Why did Cloud Horizon’s short-selling plan fail today? Why were several short sellers forced to liquidate? That sudden market support funding—you orchestrated it, didn’t you?

Brother, you’re so angry because you took a position too, right? Lu Shun retorted.

So you admit it? Lu Zhao’s voice simmered with suppressed rage.

Truthfully, he didn’t need Lu Shun’s confession. Through unconventional private channels, he’d already obtained transaction records from offshore accounts—all evidence pointed to Lu Shun, hence this accusatory call.

Come home. Now, Lu Zhao demanded.

I can’t go back, Lu Shun insisted firmly, glancing toward the hospital room door and lowering his voice to avoid disturbing others.

Lu Zhao, equally domineering, spoke with unquestionable authority, Dad’s back from his recuperation trip. He wants you home for dinner at six.

In the Lu family, Lu Zihai was the ultimate authority. Since childhood, no matter how rebellious Lu Shun and Lu Zhao acted, they never dared disobey him.

Just as Lu Zhao prepared to hang up, an impatient sigh came through the receiver, I told you, I can’t go back.

Lu Zhao: What did you say?

I said I—

Crash—

Before he could finish, the sound of shattering glass suddenly erupted from the hospital room.

💝 Support the Team

soowe05

✍️ Translator

💙 PayPal