Chapter 7: The Tragic Male Lead Editing Scripts Online

Chapter 7: The Tragic Male Lead Editing Scripts Online

Zhou Linlin entered Qin Qing's home carrying several high-end gift boxes.

"My goodness, how can your house be so messy? Are you here alone? Doesn’t anyone take care of you?"

Zhou Linlin looked around, uncertain where to place the gift boxes. The living room floor was littered with trash, and the couch was piled high with clothes, leaving no place to set a foot.

Qin Qing, lounging on a wire-framed bed on the balcony, was idly scrolling through his phone.

"Come, have a seat," he gestured to Zhou Linlin.

Zhou Linlin stepped onto the balcony and took a moment to look around before exhaling in relief.

Unexpectedly, the cleanest part of the house was the balcony. The narrow wire bed was covered in pristine white sheets, the floor was spotless, and the air was filled with a rich floral fragrance that was intoxicating with just a whiff.

"What perfume did you use?" Zhou Linlin placed the gift boxes in a corner of the balcony and sniffed close to Qin Qing’s head, reminiscent of a curious puppy.

Today, she was still dressed in an ill-fitting lace dress and high heels, with her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Although her attire resembled that of a refined lady, her facial features bore a strikingly strong contour.

996 immediately dived into the pile of gift boxes, accurately identifying the one with food and scratching it open. Despite its commotion, Zhou Linlin seemed oblivious.

Qin Qing shook his head, "It's just a regular body wash."

"You're lying! If there was a body wash with this fragrance on the market, it would've been sold out by now!" Zhou Linlin retorted, feigning indignation.

Just then, Qin Baoer emerged from the house. Spotting Zhou Linlin, she immediately flashed an ingratiating smile, her eyes darting covetously towards the stack of gift boxes.

"With the house in such a state, don’t you know how to clean?" Zhou Linlin reprimanded, pointing at the scattered rubbish.

"It's always my brother who cleans up," Qin Baoer replied, sounding aggrieved.

"Your brother's hand is injured!"

"Only his right hand is injured, doesn’t he have another?"

"Are you even human? Do you think injuring your right hand is a trivial matter?"

"I can still walk and jump around, can't I? The doctor said once the cast is off, I can use my right hand again."

"But he can't use it now, and needs care! You laze around all day and can't even help your brother with the chores?"

"How am I lazing around? I'm preparing for my post-graduate exams!"

"Post-grad? Your thesis was rubbish; you nearly didn’t graduate! Post-grad exams? You're

joking!

You're just lazy and don’t want to work!"

"Who are you to meddle in my business?"

Zhou Linlin, having been spoiled by her grandparents, and Qin Bao'er, being the apple of Shen Mingshu's eye, both had fiery tempers. Their conversation quickly turned into a heated argument.

Qin Qing didn’t intervene, merely sitting aside, propping his chin with his left hand, watching the scene unfold with an amused smirk.

996, rummaging through a gift box and pulling out a package of bird’s nest soup, took a bite and spat it out in disgust. Then, darting between the two women, he started to cheer, "Fight, fight..."

Qin Qing shifted his hand to cover his face, looking seemingly exasperated, yet the smirk on his lips grew wider.

Zhou Linlin, renowned as the "Queen Bee" of Sea City and known to never lose an argument, soon had Qin Bao'er in tears. When Bao'er tried to retreat to her bedroom, Linlin followed, and upon seeing the luxurious room and high-end cosmetics, she exploded once more.

"Damn it! Qin Bao'er, you and your mother are inhumane! Qin Qing works so hard, only to sleep on the balcony, while you two enjoy such luxury! What do you even consider him?"

"What's it to you? Get out!" Qin Bao'er retaliated, pushing Zhou Linlin out.

Zhou Linlin banged on the door, shouting, "Qin Bao'er, come out! Give this room to Qin Qing! What have you ever contributed to this household? Go sleep on the balcony! Have you no shame? Not working post-graduation and letting your brother support you? Are you incapable?"

"Let it go; stop knocking," Qin Qing approached, trying to pacify the situation.

"Look, Qin Qing, don't you find it strange how your mother and sister treat you—"

Qin Qing raised a slender finger to his lips, silencing her with a soft "Shush..."

As Zhou Linlin quieted down, the sound of the front door opening was heard, followed by Shen Mingshu's impatient scolding, "Qin Qing, where are you? Why haven't you cleaned up this mess?"

Clearly, in her eyes, even with an injured right hand, Qin Qing was still expected to manage the household chores. As long as he was alive, he had to give his all for the family.

Fire seemed to ignite in Zhou Linlin's eyes.

Yet Qin Qing remained calm, his smile unchanging. "Arguing with them is pointless. Go home."

Qin Qing gently ushered Zhou Linlin out to the hallway.

Upon seeing the prestigious Miss Zhou, Shen Mingshu's impatient expression instantly morphed into a fawning smile.

Zhou Linlin was ready to unleash a tirade when she heard a soft, resigned whisper in her ear: "Darling, go home first."

It had been ages since someone had spoken to Zhou Linlin with such affection, not since the passing of her grandparents. A blush crept onto her cheeks, and her fury subsided considerably.

As she stepped into the elevator, Zhou Linlin looked back, calling out to Qin Qing, who was watching her from the doorway, "I will rescue you. Just wait for me."

Qin Qing simply waved, his face wearing a quiet smile.

As the elevator descended, Qin Qing closed the door behind him and returned inside.

"Clean up the house. I'm exhausted and need to sleep," Shen Mingshu ordered, tossing her purse carelessly onto the sofa, her face etched with fatigue.

The bedroom door slammed shut, leaving Qin Qing alone in the living room, gazing helplessly at the surrounding mess.

"The original host did right by departing this world early," he mused, making his way to the balcony. Closing the sliding door behind him, he isolated himself from the chaotic, indifferent, and selfish world outside.

"This is your mission. You can't just give up on it," 996, following onto the balcony, immediately cautioned.

"I've fulfilled every plot point up till now," Qin Qing responded with a slight smile.

"But you're indirectly sabotaging the plot! You're trying to shake off the troubles of the original host."

996 retorted, visibly frustrated, "You must understand, it's impossible! No matter your personal feelings towards Shen Mingshu and Qin Baoer, within the storyline, you'll still have to support them for a lifetime! Better get used to it!"

"Support them for a lifetime? Is that mandated by the plot?" Qin Qing raised a sculpted eyebrow, his expression contemplative.

"Yes. The original host was dutiful. After returning home, he never neglected Shen Mingshu and Qin Baoer, continuously purchasing items for them and transferring money. Get up and tidy the house. For the next six months, adapt to the life of a devoted son. Afterward, I'll find a way to steer you toward the plot point of recognizing and returning to your roots. And then, no more of your antics, or we'll meet our end here!"

996 warned with a stern tone.

Sighing softly, Qin Qing slowly rose to his feet.

Though 996 expected to endure the sharp pain in his right hand while cleaning the room, he saw him pull out his phone and hire a cleaner through a home services app.

Two hours later, the house was spotless and neatly arranged. Shen Mingshu, waking up after an all-nighter at mahjong, learned of this and berated Qin Qing, accusing him of wasteful spending and demanded he transfer all the balance from his card to her.

His phone was taken away, and by the time he got it back, all the funds had been transferred.

Qin Qing sat alone on the balcony, holding his now-empty phone, murmuring to himself, "To support them for a lifetime..."

6, squatting on the windowsill, grinned mischievously, "Yes, support them for a lifetime! For the next six months, be their beast of burden."

Qin Qing glanced around the narrow balcony and chuckled, "Truly, a life of servitude."

"You find this amusing? Think six months is too short? Want another six months of this?" 996 threatened with annoyance.

Yet, it didn't take half a year. Within two weeks, Zhou Linlin arrived at Qin Qing's home with a middle-aged couple, a young man, and two elderly men.

She placed a pile of documents on the coffee table, announcing, "This is a paternity test. Take a look."

Shen Mingshu stared in terror at the young man standing at the entrance. It was Qin Zishi, her son!

The cup in Qin Bao'er's hand crashed to the floor.

Only Qin Qing remained calm, carefully reviewing the paternity results page by page.

"Six months?" He chuckled silently to himself.

6, crouched on the sofa, looked completely stunned.

"Meow? What on earth has happened in this world? Why did events meant for six months later occur so much earlier? Wasn't Zhou Linlin supposed to be the villainess? Why is she following Zhou Yurou's script?"

Qin Qing's gaze lowered, silently going through the results, seemingly undisturbed by the sudden news.

However, those who observed closely would notice his left hand trembling slightly as he turned the pages. This involuntary reaction betrayed his inner unrest.

The two elderly men sat opposite him, their eyes filled with tears of concern as they looked at his extraordinarily handsome yet haggard face, and his right hand in a cast.

"No need to look further. You're one of us. You bear a striking resemblance to your grandmother," said the old man with a walking stick, his voice choked up, "I am your grandpa, Ji Mingtang."

The spry elderly man next to Ji Mingtang immediately added, "I am your grandfather, Qin Guangyuan."

The two elderly men fixed a stern gaze upon the middle-aged couple and the young man, who then hesitated before speaking.

"I'm your father, named Qin Huaichuan."

"I'm your mother, Ji Lan."

"I am Qin Zishi." Qin Zishi didn't clarify his relationship, being the most awkwardly positioned at the moment.

Qin Qing continued to peruse the paternity results. A brief statement that he lingered on for a solid five minutes, with his left hand pressing onto his knee, trying to stifle the trembling.

996 smirked, "I'd give your acting a perfect score."

Ji Lan stared intently at Qin Qing, her eyes brimming with tears.

Qin Huaichuan was also observing his son. There was no overt excitement in his gaze from the reunion, but rather an evaluative and measured look.

Shen Mingshu keenly sensed Qin Huaichuan's thoughts and, looking at Qin Zishi, said shakily, "You... you graduated from Harvard, didn't you? I saw your interview. Your parents raised you so well!"

Tears of relief welled up in her eyes.

Mentioning education, Qin Huaichuan frowned and asked, "Didn't Qin Qing attend college?"

They had already researched this, but it still bothered them.

"Indeed, he started working right after high school. It's truly embarrassing." Shen Mingshu lowered her head, seeming extremely uncomfortable. Her evasive answer made it seem as if Qin Qing had abandoned his studies out of frivolity.

Qin Qing looked up, managing a wry smile, "Back then, our family had no income. If I didn't work, who would support my mother and sister? I really wanted to attend Haida University; I even received the admission letter. But thinking of our family's circumstances..."

An unexpected surge of emotion caught his words, leaving them unfinished. Qin Qing forced a smile, but the corners of his eyes reddened.

He was both embarrassed and saddened.

Haida is one of the top universities in the country, and he got in while working part-time. Given the right circumstances, he would have achieved even more.

Shen Mingshu intended to contrast Qin Qing's mediocrity with Qin Zishi's outstanding education. Yet, Qin Qing's response showcased his remarkable maturity and exceptional perseverance. He was a responsible, filial, and undoubtedly bright young man.

The two elders nodded repeatedly, clearly impressed.

"It's alright. If you wish, we can still sponsor your further education. You can earn a degree anytime; the years you've spent gaining real-world experience are your true assets!"

"Good boy, you've been through a lot over the years. Things will be better once you're home."

The affection Ji Mingtang and Qin Guangyuan had for Qin Qing was plainly evident.

Ji Lan hastily took out a tissue to wipe her tears, saying compassionately, "It's all in the past; you won't suffer anymore."

Qin Huaichuan patted Qin Qing's shoulder. Any remnants of doubt had vanished, replaced by pure reassurance. Lacking a degree isn't a big deal as long as one is smart.

At this point, Qin Zishi felt increasingly out of place.

However, that feeling lasted only a moment. Regaining composure, he stepped forward, gently put his arm around Qin Qing's shoulder, and sincerely said, laden with guilt, "I'm sorry. The hardships you endured should have been mine. Thank you for taking care of my mother and sister in my stead. I'm here to bring you home and assume the responsibilities I should have carried all along. Let me take care of our family from now on, and you, just be filial to our parents."

Qin Qing turned to meet Qin Zishi's gaze.

Standing tall at 185 cm, Qin Qing, with his extraordinarily handsome face, slender posture, and an indomitable air of elegance, towered over Qin Zishi, who was merely 175 cm and had a delicate appearance.

The two standing side by side made Qin Zishi seem somewhat overshadowed by Qin Qing. The saying "You reap what you sow" never seemed truer.

The two elders grew fonder of Qin Qing with every passing second. Ji Lan approached, embracing her long-lost son tightly.

Qin Huaichuan silently held Qin Qing's hand, patting it repeatedly as a gesture of closeness.

Shen Mingshu, eyebrows furrowed, watched the scene unfold, asking apprehensively, "You're taking Qin Qing with you? What about Zishi?"

"Please don't switch them. Please!" She internally pleaded.

The Qin family had decided before their arrival. They wanted both children and had no intention of switching them back. Qin Zishi and Qin Qing would henceforth be true brothers.

Qin Huaichuan voiced his decision, comforting, "From now on, our two families should consider ourselves one. Qin Qing is as much your son as he is mine. We both share the Qin surname, which is fate."

Tears streaming, Shen Mingshu nodded fervently, "Yes, yes, yes. I can't bear parting with Qin Qing. I'm grateful you're allowing him to stay by my side."

This was the outcome she had hoped for. Perfect!

Zhou Linlin observed the scene with a sneer.

996, grooming his paw, said gleefully, "You're stuck meow! This opportunistic mother, you'll never get rid of her! You used to be her workhorse, now you'll be her ATM!"

"Meow, I bet Qin Qing is seething right now!" 996 turned to see Qin Qing's reaction, only to find him directing a calm gaze at Zhou Linlin.

Zhou Linlin clenched her fists, suddenly blurting out, "It's so strange, Aunt Shen. Qin Qing got into Haida, one of the top five universities in the country. Why did you make him drop out, and instead support Qin Bao'er, who's academically inferior, to pursue education? It's illogical, Aunt Shen! Which mother would force her son to sabotage his own future? What were you thinking?"

Shen Mingshu was caught off guard by the question.

Qin Bao'er hid in the corner, not daring to speak, but resentment bubbled within. Just because her grades weren't stellar, did that mean she shouldn't pursue an education? What kind of logic was that?

Qin Zishi, while embracing Qin Qing, took a step back, casting a surprised glance at Shen Mingshu.

Ji Lan paused momentarily, then her face was painted with disbelief. She was beginning to piece things together.

Qin Huaichuan, Qin Guangyuan, and Ji Mingtang all froze momentarily before their expressions turned grave. What was once a warm reunion suddenly became chilly.

Shen Mingshu stood rigid, her breath coming in short gasps.

Before she could craft a reasonable response, and indeed she couldn't, Zhou Linlin dropped another bombshell: "Aunt Shen, did you know all along that Qin Qing wasn't your biological son?"

Indeed, that was the crux of the matter. Only if Shen Mingshu had known in advance that Qin Qing wasn't her son would she make such an irrational decision.

"No, it's not true! I didn't! I had no idea!" Shen Mingshu exclaimed frantically. This time, without the protagonist constantly defending her, asserting that the decision to drop out was his own, she had no way to vindicate herself.

Qin Bao'er quickly chimed in, "Who would know such a thing! Stop slandering!"

996 swished his tail, complaining, "Meow, that's not how the script goes, Zhou Linlin! Don't ad-lib!"

As 996 playfully swiped at Zhou Linlin's shoe, Qin Qing, through the crowd, gazed at Shen Mingshu. Suddenly, his eyes reddened, and in a hoarse voice, he asked, "Is what Zhou Linlin said true? Did you always know? Is that why you saved so many pictures of Qin Zishi on your phone?"

This accusation was pure speculation on Qin Qing's part. He would never snoop on Shen Mingshu's phone, but he was certain that a mother missing her son would indeed do that.

Shen Mingshu, who was just defending herself a second ago, now exposed her true colors.

"You went through my phone!" She first snapped in anger, then realized she had unwittingly confessed.

996 exclaimed in shock, "Qin Qing, are you ad-libbing too?!"

Shen Mingshu dived for the sofa, trying to grab her phone to delete the entire photo album, but Ji Lan snatched it away. Unlocking the phone with Shen Mingshu's face, she went straight to the gallery.

There was a folder titled "Son", filled with photos of Qin Zishi - some sourced from the internet and others sneakily taken in person.

No more questions were needed; the truth was laid bare.

"You knew all along that Qin Zishi was your son? So you deliberately sabotaged my son's future by not letting him attend university?" Ji Lan trembled with rage.

Qin Zishi, who was composed and graceful moments ago, now seemed entirely unnerved. If Shen Mingshu truly was such a malicious woman, his future in the Qin family would be rather uncomfortable.

The expressions on the faces of Qin Huaichuan, Qin Guangyuan, and Ji Mingtang were terrifyingly somber. Any inclination they had previously harbored to accept Shen Mingshu and Qin Bao'er as family was now completely obliterated, replaced solely by deep-seated anger.

"Uncle Qin raised your son so well! Why would you ruin his child? No matter the circumstances, Qin Qing grew up under your care. How could you bear to deprive him of his right to an education? How could you force him to work at such a young age? How can you live with ruining his entire future?" Zhou Linlin continued to pour fuel on the fire.

Shen Mingshu couldn’t answer any of these questions. Could she really be so cruel?

Of course, she could. After all, the child wasn't hers. Why would she care if he lived or died?

The hatred in the eyes of the Qin family intensified even further.

With teary, red-rimmed eyes and a hoarse voice, Qin Qing asked, "When did you find out? Was it the year I started junior high?"

That question touched the rawest nerve of Shen Mingshu's buried resentment. The already guilt-ridden woman exploded in an instant.

"Qin Qing, do you know how your father died? The year you started the first grade of junior high, he saw your medical report and noticed your blood type. Nobody in our family has that rare blood type! Distraught, he got into a car accident. You killed him! It was all because of you that my family was destroyed! Why wasn’t it you who died?"

Shen Mingshu lunged at Qin Qing, her face distorted by hatred.

"Die! Just die!" she screamed, tears spilling from her inflamed eyes.

Ji Lan rushed over, wrestling with Shen Mingshu, "Don't touch my son! Your husband's death had nothing to do with him! How dare you ruin his life? By what right?"

Tall Ji Lan slapped Shen Mingshu, sending her head spinning.

To everyone's surprise, Qin Zishi stepped forward, shielding Qin Qing, standing as his protector.

"It's not Qin Qing's fault. It’s fate," he uttered painfully, emphasizing each word.

The two elders, who had been quite displeased with him, now showed signs of relief.

Yet, Zhou Linlin seemed to think the drama wasn't enough, loudly questioning, "Does Qin Zishi know you're his mother? Have the two of you kept this a secret just to seize the Qin family's wealth?"

The indignant Shen Mingshu froze on the spot. Taking advantage of the moment, Ji Lan slapped her repeatedly.

Instead of retaliating, Shen Mingshu cried out, "Zishi doesn’t know! I swear I've never approached him! All I wanted was for him to live well. I'd never burden him or hurt him; I'm his mother!"

Qin Zishi's silhouette trembled. Was it from rage or humiliation?

A hint of mockery flashed in Qin Qing's dark eyes. However, his face showed even deeper sorrow. From those slightly reddened, almond-shaped eyes, tears of despair started to spill.

"You won’t harm him, so you came for me? But the one who called you 'Mother' for twenty-five years was me..."

Tears glistened in Qin Qing's eyes as he uttered those words. Without waiting for Shen Mingshu's response, he turned and left.

This cold home had never been a place where he felt he belonged. What was even more tragic was that he only realized this now.

Two bitter tears dropped onto the floor before the door slammed shut.

996 was stunned. Blinking in disbelief, it suddenly recognized that Qin Qing was quite the actor!

Without hesitation, 996 quickly leapt onto the window and scampered down the drainpipe, intercepting Qin Qing in the ground floor lobby.

As Qin Qing nonchalantly stepped out of the elevator, not a trace of tears remained on his face, and his slightly reddened eyes now sparkled with clarity.

With his left hand in his pocket, he strolled leisurely along the street bathed in the glow of the setting sun, lips curling into a smirk, pondering inwardly, "Support them for a lifetime? Hm?"

996: "...Well played! You've got me there."

Qin Qing: "Did I score points for the 'recognizing one's roots' plot twist?"

996 glanced at the script and then at the task list, begrudgingly replying, "You did, but this isn't how the script goes. Are you intentionally sabotaging the plot?"

Instead of an apology, all 996 received was a casual chuckle from Qin Qing.

It finally became clear to 996: Qin Qing might follow the story, but he certainly doesn’t do it the 'right' way!

And what was the 'right' way? Flipping through the script again, 996 felt like crying. The happy storyline where two families unite and live happily ever after was utterly disrupted!

"Qin Qing, if the plot required your death, would you oblige?" 996 looked up, emphasizing, "You've seen it, haven't you? The power of fate is irresistible. Whatever is meant to happen will happen, sooner or later."

A flicker in his gaze, Qin Qing responded with a light laugh, "I’m well aware of fate's immutability. If destiny demands my demise, I'd oblige. But I'd choose a comfortable way to go."

Thus, no matter the circumstance—even in death—he sought pleasure and satisfaction.

Taking a deep breath, 996 declared with conviction, "Just you wait, Qin Qing. I'll find a way to deal with you!"