Chapter 22

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Lin Yi was small in stature, yet there was a faint sadness emanating from him. Not only Doctor Yang but even the carefree Ruo Ruo noticed Lin Yi’s melancholy. Qin Siyuan, in a daze, felt that Lin Yi’s figure was faint, as if he didn’t belong here. He closed his eyes and reopened them, but Lin Yi was still standing right before him. Qin Siyuan suspected his toxins hadn’t fully cleared and that he was hallucinating. Doctor Yang reached out to pat Lin Yi’s head but ended up resting his hand on the boy’s slender little shoulder instead.

“I’m sorry,” Lin Yi said, tilting his head in confusion, then suddenly understanding: “He’s still alive.” Had he said something to cause a misunderstanding? He pondered for a few seconds but dismissed it, too lazy to think further.

Doctor Yang responded awkwardly, “Ah? Oh, good, good that he’s still alive.” The assistant fiddled nervously with his white coat, suppressing a smile. Doctor Yang rubbed his hands together and looked hesitantly at little Lin Yi. Lin Yi seemed utterly unaware of his hesitation.

Qin Siyuan poked Lin Yi’s small arm. “Doctor Uncle seems to have something to tell you.” Lin Yi, who was resting with his eyes closed, opened them indifferently and looked at him. Doctor Yang was momentarily taken aback by the boy’s gaze.

“Uncle?” Lin Yi frowned.

Doctor Yang said, “I have some friends who practice traditional Chinese medicine. Maybe you could discuss the treatment for the elder together, so it might be more effective.” Lin Yi knew he could handle it alone, but no one could guarantee there wouldn’t be accidents. Rationally, he agreed this uncle was right. But convincing one Doctor Yang had already been annoying; now bringing in more people to gain their trust? Too troublesome.

Doctor Yang seemed to understand his thoughts and immediately assured, “I’ll handle the arrangements you’re worried about.” Lin Yi blinked and nodded. “Okay.”

*

In the afternoon, someone from the production team came to pick up Lin Yi and Qin Siyuan to return to the small fishing village. As for Ruo Ruo, she and Xu Jin stayed behind to care for Grandma Xu. Xu Yan had already been taken away by the police.

On the way back, Lin Yi initially wanted to continue sleeping. But as soon as he got into the car, Qin Siyuan sat beside him. Then he saw Qin Siyuan press a button, and a barrier rose between them. Qin Siyuan, noticing his curiosity, explained, “This is a partition so the driver can’t hear us.”

Lin Yi stared at him, as if asking, “Then what?” Qin Siyuan said, “Remember the person who said he entered the wrong ward?” Lin Yi nodded. “Jiang Xuan.” There was no need to add “Uncle Jiang” in front of the master.

Qin Siyuan was somewhat surprised he knew. Lin Yi was indeed clever. “Don’t look at your phone these days.” Qin Siyuan knew Lin Yi could read; he had just written a prescription for Doctor Yang. Pretending not to notice, he glanced at the prescription. Lin Yi was undoubtedly talented, though his handwriting was messy.

What Qin Siyuan didn’t know was that this was Lin Yi’s first time using a ballpoint pen. The pen grip was a habit extracted from Lin Yi’s memories, so the handwriting was naturally untidy. Lin Yi knew about phones from those memories, but Lin Yi himself didn’t have one.

This was the second order from the master since Lin Yi’s arrival. The first was to not follow him around. This time, it was to avoid looking at his phone.

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Lin Yi said, “Okay, I won’t look.” Qin Siyuan expected him to argue but was surprised when he obediently agreed. His prepared rebuttal instantly became useless. He turned his face away, staring out the window.

Lin Yi wondered why he suddenly seemed unhappy. Had his answer been wrong? Whether in his past life or now in this smaller form, the master’s temper was equally peculiar.

He recalled in the previous life, when the master whimsically saved a noble lady and later ordered Lin Yi to escort her back home. Upon returning, the master punished him. Later, Lin San analyzed with him that it must have been because the noble lady hadn’t offered herself that the master was displeased. But Lin Yi thought it was simply the master’s odd temper.

When the master was angry, as a shadow guard, all he could do was not disturb him.

Lin Yi shifted his small bottom away from Qin Siyuan, trying not to bother him. Qin Siyuan saw the movement through the glass, paused for a moment, then clenched his small fist tightly.

What was Lin Yi trying to say? He reminded him kindly, and yet Lin Yi seemed to dislike him?

Feeling the atmosphere grow even tenser, Lin Yi dared not move further.

Though the partition was up, the two remained silent throughout the journey.

Zhong Qi was already waiting outside for Lin Yi and rushed forward upon seeing him. “Xiao Yi!” Lin Yi breathed a small sigh of relief upon hearing Zhong Qi’s voice. He had been debating whether to return directly to the seaweed house or first take the master back. Now that Zhong Qi was here, he no longer had to choose.

Qin Siyuan noticed Lin Yi’s relaxed expression and tightened his own face even more.

Zhong Qi greeted Qin Siyuan, “Xiao Yan, Yu Jie has been waiting for you. I’ll take Xiao Yi back first.” When the staff escorted Qin Siyuan back, Xie Yu was lying in a rocking chair, talking on the phone with her husband. The filming was paused, and since the guests stayed on the island, it felt more like a real trip.

“Yu Jie, Xiao Yan is back. Director Li said dinner will be provided by the crew.” Xie Yu thanked the staff before turning to her son, seeing his face was as stern as his father’s. She teased, “Who upset our Yan Ge?”

Qin Siyuan replied, “No one. I’m happy.”

In the seaweed house, Zhong Qi curiously looked at Lin Yi. Lin Yi felt awkward. “Zhong Qi Gege?”

“Did you quarrel with Xiao Yan?” Zhong Qi asked.

Lin Yi shook his head blankly. “I would never quarrel with my master, Xiao Yan.”

Zhong Qi stroked his soft hair, marveling at how well-behaved Xiao Yi was. He even wished Xiao Yi were his own child but felt he lacked the ability to raise such an outstanding boy.

Zhong Qi pulled him closer. “Tell me what happened. I’ll help you figure it out.”

Lin Yi thought for a moment and repeated his conversation with Qin Siyuan in the car. He even promised, “I really won’t look at my phone.”

Zhong Qi’s expression darkened. “Xiao Yi, can you tell me exactly what happened in the ward?”

Public figures were sensitive to cameras. Given Xie Yu’s influence, Qin Siyuan’s instincts in this regard were no less sharp than an insider’s.

Since Qin Siyuan had specifically warned Xiao Yi, he must have sensed something was off with Jiang Xuan.

Zhong Qi knew Jiang Xuan well — a sinister and petty man. The program’s recent popularity all centered on Xiao Yi, and Jiang Xuan’s jealousy was palpable. How could he behave properly?

Lin Yi did not hide anything and briefly recounted the events in the ward.

Zhong Qi was shocked, then suspicious, then struggled to believe it — his face a complex tapestry of emotions.

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Zhong Qi asked, “Xiao Yi, do you really know traditional Chinese medicine?”

Lin Yi did not answer but studied his face carefully. “Zhong Qi Gege, your cheeks are slightly pale with a dullness, indicating mild anemia and overthinking.”

“Gege, do you want me to check further?”

Since there was no filming, Zhong Qi wasn’t wearing makeup, making it easier for Lin Yi to observe his complexion.

Lin Yi continued, “Your anemia isn’t severe, but you need to relax. Overthinking can cause other problems.”

He didn’t scare him, but Zhong Qi’s heavy heart knew that if this continued, his health would eventually fail.

Zhong Qi’s public persona was a cheerful, lively big boy, but only he knew he wasn’t truly happy. His grandmother was always hospitalized, and Jiang Xuan constantly suppressed his career. How could he be genuinely joyful?

Zhong Qi was amazed that Xiao Yi could assess his health just by looking at his face, and though surprised, he believed it.

But right now, the most pressing issue was Jiang Xuan, who would surely target Xiao Yi.

Zhong Qi forced a smile. “Xiao Yi, listen to Xiao Yan. Don’t look at your phone these days.”

Lin Yi was puzzled, wondering why the topic had returned to the phone.

Zhong Qi was burdened with worries and lacked energy.

That evening, the guests gathered for dinner. The director, running his hand over his thinning hair, hoped no more troubles would arise. He just wanted to create a lighthearted variety show. Why was it so difficult?

Just as he finished praying, he heard whispers.

“Oh my god, this can’t be real, right? Yi Bao is only seven. How is this possible?”

“Who has such a cruel heart? Making such a video? Aren’t they just throwing Yi Bao into the storm?”

“You say it’s fake? What if he said it himself?”

“Targeting a child, is that funny to you?”

The director frowned. “What’s all the noise about?”

His assistant hesitated, holding a phone. The director’s heart skipped a beat. The live broadcast had already been paused—how could something still trend?

The assistant, clearly reluctant, began to explain. It was obviously big news again.

The director pressed his chest, fearful his heart might burst. “Just say it.”

The assistant clearly explained: after the police announced the poisoning, “Gossip Watch” posted a hospital video. In it, Lin Yi claimed he was seventy percent sure he could cure the mentally ill poisoned Grandma Xu. Several influencers shared the video, which quickly topped entertainment charts and was trending explosively.

The director, a veteran in the industry, immediately understood the implication: someone was deliberately targeting Lin Yi, and the show’s popularity skyrocketed once more.

On the official program Weibo, people questioned the video’s authenticity, doubted Lin Yi’s claims, and some even criticized him for being sanctimonious. After all, if Grandma Xu had been poisoned, how could Lin Yi still want to treat her?

However, some rational netizens argued that the poisoner was Xu Mou, not Grandma Xu. Losing her mind and grieving her family’s loss shouldn’t deprive Grandma Xu of her chance at treatment.

Zhong Qi, uneasy ever since hearing Lin Yi’s words, soon sensed the tense atmosphere. He borrowed a phone from a staff member. Xie Yu and He Tong also noticed the problem and asked the assistant to hand over the phone. Upon seeing the trending topic, their faces darkened.

Xi Lan’s assistant was indignant, “I really don’t understand why they’re targeting Yi Bao!”

Xi Lan took the phone, glanced at it, and frowned.

A soft, sweet voice called out, “Mommy?”

Xi Lan looked at her daughter’s rosy, healthy face and gently pinched her cheek. “Sweetheart, go play with your sister. Mommy needs to make a call.”

Beside Xie Yu, Qin Siyuan frowned. “Mom, I want to call Dad.”