The Academic God Becomes an Internet Sensation After Joining a Dating Show - C27 - The Tattoo

Qing Lin’s earliest memory began with a drowning. He didn’t know how long his eyes had been blindfolded. His hands and feet were tied so tightly they throbbed with pain. He couldn’t tell day from night; everything around him was suffocatingly dark.

Water churned in his lungs, and fear, suffocation, and the jolting impact swept away the few memories his young mind had held.

When he woke up, he saw a ceiling with peeling paint. Gray and dull, surrounded by worn, broken furniture. Several unfamiliar women stood nearby, whispering.

When they noticed he was awake, they asked where he was from, his name. Qing Lin remembered nothing but his age.

He didn’t know where he was.

Later, he met a boy about his age who told him this was an orphanage. Qing Lin didn’t even know what that meant.

“It’s a place that takes in children nobody wants,” the boy explained.

Young Qing Lin’s light-colored eyes darkened as he looked at the low, squat buildings. Overgrown grass surrounded the short fences, dampness creeping into the uneven soil.

So… he was unwanted.

Later, he was taken in by Qing Baihu, who claimed he would be Qing Lin’s father. He also had a younger brother, Qing Yejie.

Year after year passed.

The sound of tearing and breaking pierced his skull, mixed with Qing Baihu’s rough voice, the dim glow of a broken lamp, and the sting of unbearable cursing. The filthy, foul-smelling air pressed in, filled with harsh scolding and ridicule.

The floor was littered with trampled tickets and scattered cards.

In his school uniform, Qing Lin carried a bag of cash to repay the absurd debts Qing Baihu had accumulated.

A tattooed man patted him on the back, gripping his shoulder with a disgusting grin. “Your dad’s lucky to have a son like you.”

Qing Lin’s eyes flicked to the Azure dragon tattoo on the man’s arm, and he pushed the hand away coldly.

Once outside, only a headache and dizziness greeted him, weighing him down. He collapsed on the stone steps as if he had never seen bright sunlight before.

“Hey, want one?”

A short-haired boy sat on a step at the alley’s entrance, offering him a cigarette. He appeared to be part of the debt collectors’ group.

The thin, pale, strikingly beautiful boy remained calm, his brows slightly drooping, face expressionless, emanating a cold, desolate loneliness.

“I don’t smoke,” Qing Lin said softly.

“Oh,” the boy replied, tucking the pack away.

He glanced at Qing Lin’s neat, spotless uniform, inhaled deeply, then looked toward the scattered light on the horizon before exhaling a thick cloud of smoke.

The heavy mist was carried away by the wind, the pale light flickering quietly, careful not to taint the pristine school uniform.

The short-haired boy hunched slightly, pinching the cigarette between his fingers, murmuring, “A kid as good as you… you could have been happy…”

Qing Lin opened his eyes to a smooth, spotless ceiling, illuminated by a warm, delicate yellow light fixture.

The room around him was spacious, furnished with elegance. Mist from a nearby humidifier drifted lazily through the air, carrying a faint scent of polished wood.

For a fleeting moment, he wondered if he had truly died.

He turned his head with some difficulty and saw Shen Xuzhi sitting at the head of the bed, instantly dispelling that thought.

Shen Xuzhi remained still, arms resting on his legs, head bowed, eyes closed, as if watching over him. At the faintest movement, his eyes opened, a trace of redness glimmering within them. Upon seeing Qing Lin awake, he froze for a moment before exhaling in relief.

He stood immediately, his voice hoarse. “I’ll go call the doctor…”

Just as he was about to leave, a gentle tug at his shirt stopped him.

Qing Lin lay on the bed, reaching out to grasp the hem of Shen Xuzhi’s short-sleeved shirt. His face was pale, nose sharp and defined, and though the lingering discomfort in his body gave him a faintly cold aura, his eyes were clear and fixed on Shen Xuzhi.

His slightly chapped lips parted, voice soft and gentle.  “Shen Xuzhi…”

Shen Xuzhi’s heart softened. He sat back, holding back the urge to take Qing Lin’s hand, and said, “Mm, I’m here.”

Qing Lin’s face was still slightly pale, which made his lips look even redder. He stared at Shen Xuzhi for a long moment before trembling slightly and saying, “I want some water.”

“Okay.” Shen Xuzhi moved quickly to pour him a glass of warm water.

This was a private hospital, and the examination room he was in was equipped with a bed, medical equipment, a balcony, a tea table, and a washroom, giving it almost the feel of a hotel room.

Qing Lin was exceptionally well-behaved, especially in his weakened state. The loose clothes he wore made him look fragile, a few strands of hair falling across his expressionless face.

Shen Xuzhi carried the glass and paused for a moment before sitting at the head of the bed. As the mattress sank slightly under his weight, he gently supported Qing Lin’s back.

Qing Lin had just regained consciousness; his body is so weak and has no strength. His amber-colored pupils glistened in the light.

As Shen Xuzhi helped him sit up, Qing Lin’s light eyes narrowed slightly, and his lips instinctively approached the rim of the cup.

Shen Xuzhi froze. He had assumed Qing Lin would pick up the cup himself, yet with calm precision, Qing Lin obediently leaned forward for him to feed him. In that instant, he looked like a delicate BJD doll, perfectly still, flawless, and completely under his care.

Qing Lin sipped slowly, small mouthful by mouthful, like a cat. After drinking about half the cup, he raised his head and licked his lips.

Shen Xuzhi held Qing Lin’s shoulder, whispering, “Do you want more?”

Qing Lin shook his head.

Only then did the fog of panic and past memories begin to lift, reality seeping back in and pulling him out of the drowning recollection.

Shen Xuzhi laid him back on the bed, tucked the blanket around him, and returned to his seat at the head. “Any other discomfort?” he asked.

Qing Lin looked at Shen Xuzhi, then shook his head again.

Shen Xuzhi exhaled, interlocking and rubbing his hands together, dark brows and eyes relaxing.

“Mr. Shen, thank you for saving me,” Qing Lin said. His mind had cleared, and seeing Shen Xuzhi at his side, he added almost instinctively, “Did I scare you?”

It was a half-joking question, meant to lighten the slightly tense atmosphere.

“Mm.”

Shen Xuzhi lowered his head even further, not daring to look at Qing Lin. He propped himself up with his arms and, in a quiet voice only they could hear, said, “I was scared.”

Hearing this, Qing Lin felt his chest tighten. He wasn’t sure whether it was the unexpectedness of Shen Xuzhi’s answer or the sheer sincerity behind it that stirred emotions he couldn’t control.

Mr. Shen… he had worried about him.

He had felt fear because of him.

Before Qing Lin could dwell on it further, the examination room door opened. Bai Wenle and Shen Xuzhi’s manager, Wang Zhan, stepped inside.

Bai Wenle walked in carrying bags of gifts. Seeing Qing Lin awake, he opened his mouth to say, “You’re finally awake,” but quickly shut it when met with Shen Xuzhi’s dark glare.

“Qing Laoshi, you’re finally awake,” Wang Zhan spoke first. “You really had Xu-ge worried to death.”

Bai Wenle set a fruit basket and other gifts on Qing Lin’s bedside. Under Shen Xuzhi’s imposing stare, he nervously said, “Lin-ge…”

“Qing Lin’s eyebrows twitched at the unfamiliar address, ‘Lin-ge.’”

Bai Wenle glanced at Shen Xuzhi, who squinted, impatiently tapping his fingers and glaring coldly at him.

A chill ran down Bai Wenle’s spine. He dared not hesitate, bowing deeply to Qing Lin. “Lin-ge, I’m sorry!”

He lifted his head and stammered, “I—I really didn’t mean it. I’m sorry, I didn’t think it through. I didn’t know you couldn’t swim…” His words tumbled out quickly, awkward but sincere. He hadn’t anticipated such consequences.

Bai Wenle dared not meet Shen Xuzhi’s eyes again.

Qing Lin watched the boy’s drastic change in attitude, a little puzzled, and glanced at Shen Xuzhi and Wang Zhan.

Wang Zhan explained, “After Wenle knocked you in, Xu-ge grabbed his collar and scolded him so severely that everyone there was shocked. It wasn’t just Wenle—everyone present was scared.”

Shen Xuzhi coughed lightly on the side.

Wang Zhan smiled.

Noticing Bai Wenle’s tension around Shen Xuzhi, he said, “Xu-ge, let’s go find a doctor so the two can properly talk.”

Shen Xuzhi clicked his tongue, sweeping Bai Wenle with a cold, black gaze that sent shivers down his spine. The two left, leaving only Qing Lin and Bai Wenle in the room.

Bai Wenle fidgeted with his clothes nervously and said to Qing Lin, “Lin-ge… I’m sorry.”

“Are you feeling okay now? Any tightness in your chest or anything else?” he added, then came over to show him the gifts. “These are for you. Fruits, cookies, chocolate, I picked the most expensive ones. I hope you like them.”

Qing Lin didn’t answer immediately.

“I didn’t mean it. I didn’t know you couldn’t swim. I just wanted to get you in the water so you wouldn’t be first…” Bai Wenle hurriedly explained. “But I also didn’t want you to lose. Um… before, I may have targeted you, but it wasn’t on purpose… it’s just that Xu-ge treats you so well… No, that’s not right either…”

The more he tried to explain, the more confused he became. Words failed him, and he finally lowered his head, repeating, “I’m really sorry.”

The examination room was quiet, Bai Wenle’s heart pounding nervously.

“It’s all right,” Qing Lin said after a long pause.

“I’m not blaming you,” he continued quietly, leaning back against the bed and looking at Bai Wenle. “Actually… I think you’re quite cute. My younger brother is about your age.”

“He’s never apologized to me before. He keeps everything to himself and never talks to me, maybe even finds me annoying,” Qing Lin went on. “Compared to that, you’re sincere.”

Bai Wenle glanced at him in surprise. “You have a biological younger brother?”

Qing Lin was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “Not by blood.”

“Then that’s fine,” Bai Wenle said easily. “Just don’t meet him. Live your own lives.”

Qing Lin pressed his lips together, a fleeting trace of loneliness flashed across his face, but it vanished so quickly it seemed like an illusion.

Bai Wenle, still feeling guilty about what had happened earlier, swore once more that he’d never target Qing Lin again. Qing Lin was like an older brother to him.

By then, Shen Xuzhi had returned with the doctor.

The moment Bai Wenle caught sight of him, his Xu-ge, he had an instinctive, almost panicked reaction. He didn’t even dare linger in the hospital room.

He swiftly grabbed Wang Zhan and said they should head out first.

The doctor’s examination confirmed there was nothing wrong physically.

“Your body’s fine,” the doctor said. “You just need a good rest. The dizziness is from low blood sugar. Have something sweet.”

Shen Xuzhi thanked the doctor and tucked the blanket more securely around the person lying in bed.

It was only when Qing Lin was ill and fragile that he seemed to let slip those subtle emotions others rarely saw. The usual brightness in his brows and eyes had faded, yet his face remained as beautiful as a painting.

“Are you dizzy? Do you want some candy?” Shen Xuzhi asked in a low, gentle voice.

Qing Lin lowered his gaze. “Mr. Shen… you’re not leaving?”

“No,” Shen Xuzhi said in a low voice. “I’ll keep you company.”

Keep him company…

No one had ever truly stayed with Qing Lin before. If he thought back far enough, the only memory that came close was from high school—on a rooftop, where a stranger had once stayed with him through an entire song.

“I want some,” he murmured. “I think Wenle brought chocolate. Just one will do.”

Shen Xuzhi unwrapped the box and set it beside the bed. Before he could say anything more, his phone rang.

“I’ll take this call,” he said, stepping out to the balcony of the examination room.

“Hey, Ah Zhi, is the little beauty awake yet?” The voice on the other end was bright, teasing.

Shen Xuzhi’s tone was displeased and cold, “Mm.”

Jiang Liao didn’t bother pointing out how inappropriate that was for someone asking for help. After all, choosing beauty over friends was nothing new. “I got the inpatient report—physically, there’s no major issue, so don’t worry too much. But that reaction you described from the little beauty—that’s worth noting.”

“The water wasn’t deep, and he wasn’t under for long. His response sounds less like ordinary drowning and more like PTSD,” Jiang Liao said “Hmm… Maybe he had a near-drowning experience as a child? That would likely explain the fear.”

“Some PTSD patients have trauma re-experiencing symptoms,” Jiang Liao went on. “Similar events can trigger vivid flashbacks. It’s a delayed, persistent psychological condition.”

Shen Xuzhi stayed silent, a heavy sense of helplessness and self-blame weighing on him.

“Anyway, it’s always a good idea to be kind to him,” Jiang Liao continued, closing the report and switching to a teasing tone. “From what I saw on the show, the little beauty seems to like you—just hurry and win him over. Don’t keep on doing this one-sided crush.”

“It’s just an act,” Shen Xuzhi said suddenly.

Jiang Liao paused, not quite following. “What? Acting?”

“Him liking me—it’s just an act,” Shen Xuzhi said evenly.

“Oh…” Jiang Liao caught on right away; such things were all too common in the entertainment industry. “Don’t be too upset…”

After a pause, Shen Xuzhi said, “Even if it’s an act, I still like it.”

There was a long beat of silence on the line.

Jiang Liao: “…”

Was this what they call a love-struck fool?

Jiang Liao offered a few tips on patient care, exchanged a bit more small talk, then ended the call.

Shen Xuzhi leaned against the railing, hands in his pockets, eyes lifted to the pale moon outside. His thoughts were tangled, circling without end, wondering on what to do.

Bang!

A sudden crash shattered the silence from the room.

Startled, Shen Xuzhi turned sharply and rushed back into the room.

The bed was empty. The blanket was thrown back. Qing Lin, who should have been lying there quietly, was nowhere to be seen.

Heart hammering, Shen Xuzhi scanned the room and spotted the bathroom door ajar.

He strode over, about to call out “Qing Lin,” when the scene before him made his chest tighten

Qing Lin sat on the tiled floor with his back to the door, the shower running overhead, streams of water cascading down his body.

The thin fabric of his clothes was soaked through, clinging almost transparently to his frame and faintly tracing the lines of his body. His waist was slender enough for a single hand to encircle, the hollows above his hips alluring from behind.

His eyes seemed steeped in water, a foam-like light gathering in them, washing away the flush from his face, drawing one in like a cold, clear pool.

Steam blurred the glass of the shower enclosure.

Shen Xuzhi’s breath caught, his gaze locked on that delicate, slender waist. Qing Lin’s pants had slipped slightly from the fall, exposing the pale skin along his side.

There, inked into his flesh, was a tattoo. Vivid red flames blazing sharply against the white, while the muted surrounding colors looked as though they longed to escape, broken and battered.

It was a butterfly with one wing burned away.

Qing Lin had a tattoo.

Shen Xuzhi’s pupils quivered. His first reaction wasn’t surprise or admiration, but a silent ache, like his soul had been cast into fire. That incomplete butterfly still seemed to struggle toward the blazing morning light.

The words that surfaced in his mind were like wind sweeping over the mountains, swallowing and releasing all things as they faded away—I love gale and freedom.

“I love gale and freedom.”