Mad Dog

Chapter 14: You Can Go Find Her

I… violated your mom?

Jiang Qi’s provocative words and cold and arrogant expression were all clearly recorded by the camera. After a moment of stunned silence from the paparazzi across, his entire face turned red with anger.

“You!” The paparazzi resisted the urge to curse loudly. As a professional sharp-tongued writer, he was unexpectedly left speechless by an actor. He stuttered, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Whether it’s nonsense or not, your mom knows.” However, Jiang Qi, who had been confrontational since childhood, mostly remained silent. Without getting acquainted with anyone, he coldly sarcastically remarked and walked away, bypassing the fat pig in front of him.

Jiang Qi chased out of the broadcasting studio, but in the vast crowd, where could he find a trace of Zhi Qi?

He even forgot to wear a mask, standing blankly in place. It seemed like there were illusions around him—he knew many people were surrounding him, many were taking pictures with cameras, and the people around him looked like demons and monsters with exposed fangs and claws… but he couldn’t find that softness.

Even when someone pulled him, Jiang Qi didn’t feel a thing.

It wasn’t until Qiu Mi, along with the staff, expelled the reporters and fans from the surroundings, bringing him back to the backstage.

“What’s going on with you?!” Shen Lei looked at Jiang Qi, who suddenly became ‘lost’ for some reason. The anger in his chest couldn’t be suppressed. His brows furrowed, and for the first time, he was so furious, almost looking fierce: “If you don’t want to sign, no one is forcing you to go! You wanted to go by yourself, couldn’t you sign properly? And dare to curse at reporters? Are you freaking crazy?!”

What’s even more ridiculous is that he didn’t catch up. Thinking about this, Jiang Qi’s eyes revealed an uncontrollable sense of desolation. His appearance, as if he had suffered a significant blow, kept half of Shen Lei’s anger barely suppressed in his throat, burning uncomfortably in his internal organs.

After a while, he took a deep breath, and with a stern tone, he asked, “What happened? Why did you suddenly run out?”

…

“Nothing,” Jiang Qi shook his head, his voice soft, “I will apologize for today.”

He knew he was wrong, but he just couldn’t help himself.

“How are you going to apologize?” There were only the two of them in the lounge, and Shen Lei spoke without any pretense. He coldly asked, “Do you plan to leave the entertainment industry?”

Jiang Qi remained silent.

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But from the stubborn look on the young man’s face, Shen Lei could tell that this idea hadn’t faded—just didn’t know why today, he seemed absent-minded and hadn’t mentioned it. But no matter what, there was room for redemption before the words were spoken.

“You brat.” Shen Lei felt like he might lose a couple of years of his life because of him, helplessly shook his head, opened a certain page on his phone, and handed it to Jiang Qi, gruffly saying, “Take a look at this.”

Jiang Qi nonchalantly picked up the phone and glanced at the jumbled words in the document. He straightforwardly said, “Can’t understand.”

…

Suppressing the urge to vomit blood, Shen Lei explained word by word, “This is the prelude indicator for the Golden Tree Award season. There are a total of seven jury members voting. Do you know how many of them voted for you?”

Jiang Qi didn’t have a clue, so he awkwardly replied, “Don’t know.”

“All five of them voted for you.” It was entirely expected that he didn’t know. Shen Lei sighed helplessly and explained, “This means you’re very likely to win the Best Actor at this year’s Golden Tree Award. Do you understand what that implies?”

Upon hearing the term “Best Actor,” which could drive half of the entertainment industry’s male actors crazy, Jiang Qi’s face remained calm, and he casually shook his head.

Shen Lei smiled bitterly, “It means your value has changed. In the future, invitations for movies and TV shows will come with at least double the pay. You’ll also have a say in contracts with entertainment companies. Do you still want to quit?”

Jiang Qi parted his lips to speak, but Shen Lei interrupted him, “Answer me after seriously considering it.”

The young man furrowed his brows slightly, his lips pressed together.

To be honest, if this had been a week ago, he had made up his mind to leave the entertainment industry. But now… If he quit, where would he find a job to earn money? Originally, not finding one wouldn’t have been a big deal, but now he wanted to have some capital to get closer to Zhi Qi.

Seeing Jiang Qi silent, Shen Lei pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, “Are you acting weird today because of that girl named Zhi Qi?”

Jiang Qi lifted his head abruptly.

“Tsk, don’t glare at me. It’s what Qiu Mi said.” Shen Lei shrugged, curious, “Is it because that girl mentioned coming to today’s meeting that you’re acting so strangely? Hmm, was she your ex-girlfriend?”

Jiang Qi remained silent for a long time before finally, as if each word were squeezed out from between his teeth, he said, “No… no need for you to care.”

Shen Lei couldn’t help but feel like sighing—guys like Jiang Qi don’t want to talk about anything. Even if he wanted to help, it seemed there was no way.

However, he could only do his best.

“I don’t want to care either, but I really don’t want to see a good talent inexplicably quitting the entertainment industry.” Shen Lei looked at him, frustrated, “Think about it. What abilities do you have if you open a supermarket? Can you pursue the girl you like? Will she respect you? Or rather, can you respect yourself?”

Jiang Qi’s fingers, hanging at his side, involuntarily curled a bit.

In reality, he wanted to refute Shen Lei. He knew that no matter what, Zhi Qi wouldn’t look down on him. But unfortunately, Shen Lei was right—he wouldn’t respect himself.

“A couple of days ago, I heard from Qiu Mi, so I casually checked. That girl is at Lan University, majoring in Wildlife Conservation.” At this point, Shen Lei couldn’t help but laugh, “Hmm, her chosen major is quite unique. If you want to go find her, you can, just be careful not to get caught.”

“Jiang Qi, think about the consequences before doing anything. If you’re in the entertainment industry, earning money from filming while pursuing self-study to make up for your education, or else… Can you match up to the high-achieving students at Lan University?”

His words were a bit harsh, but necessary. Shen Lei was afraid Jiang Qi wouldn’t understand otherwise.

That’s how society works – money gives you the power of speech, and sometimes, to have that power, you need to do things you’d rather not do.

For example, staying in the vast dye vat of the entertainment industry.

After Shen Lei left, Jiang Qi sat in the rest area, contemplating for a long time. Sometimes, he had to admit that what Shen Lei said was right. With an education not even completing high school, how could he be worthy of the identity of a prestigious university student?

Lan University, majoring in wildlife conservation, Jiang Qi chuckled softly.

He remembered in high school when Zhi Qi told him her dream was in this field. Now, after so many years, she remained true to her original aspiration – “I know choosing this major may seem impractical, but I just want to do what I can.”

Zhi Qi’s clear and tender voice seemed to linger in his ears across the four years. Jiang Qi’s Adam’s apple rolled, and he stood up. As if his body was being controlled by the deepest desires of his soul, Jiang Qi obediently put on a mask and hat. Fully equipped in Lin Lan’s not-so-cold October weather, he then drove to Lin Lan University.

Lin Lan was a historically rich ancient university, and even the campus exuded a rich history in its decor. Being a prestigious university, Lin Lan had long become a ‘tourist attraction.’ During weekends when students had no classes, passersby who wished to visit only needed to show their ID to take a tour.

Fortunately, the elderly gatekeeper didn’t bother with young people’s gossip and didn’t recognize Jiang Qi.

Perhaps because he was wearing a hat and a mask, as Jiang Qi entered the strict atmosphere of the campus, he felt out of place. Surrounded by lively college students, carrying books with light footsteps, and radiant smiles…

In an instant, the young man felt an urge to retreat, but unconsciously, he had already reached the entrance of the female dormitory.

Jiang Qi stood like a wooden stake under the female dormitory, with only his eyes visible on his face, looking awkward and strange. Many passing female students couldn’t help but whisper and talk quietly when they saw him. Then, they avoided him and hastened their steps away.

If this continued, even the security might come to inquire.

A fleeting self-mockery passed through Jiang Qi’s eyes. In the midst of the internal struggle between ‘going to the dormitory supervisor to find Zhi Qi’ and ‘turning away,’ two soft and lively voices came from behind.

“Have you seen Jiang Qi? How is he in person?”

“Well… he’s changed a bit from before. I’ll tell you more when we get back to the dorm.”

The voice behind him, he naturally recognized as Zhi Qi’s.

The young man’s straight spine tensed for a moment, and even his slender fingers clenched into a fist. Yet, he dared not turn around, only standing rigidly in place. Then… he watched with the corner of his eye as the girl’s slender figure passed by him.

But in this world, there might be such a thing as ‘telepathy.’

In the moment of passing by Jiang Qi, Zhi Qi turned her head and saw the light-colored, amber-like pupils of the young man, even though he wore a hat and a mask, revealing only those eyes.

Zhi Qi, struck like lightning, stood frozen in place, and the book she was holding in her arms fell with a clatter.

“Oh dear.” Meng Chunyu next to her was startled. “Why did the book suddenly fall?”

But Zhi Qi was completely unaware, her eyes staring blankly at Jiang Qi, as if everything and everyone around her had disappeared. She could only see a few meters away, where Jiang Qi stood.

The girl heard a voice as if her soul had left her body, “Chunyu, you go back first. I’ll pick them up myself.”

At this moment, the dormitory was only a few dozen meters away. Fortunately, Meng Chunyu, in a hurry to retrieve a package, said, ‘Hurry up,’ and ran off without noticing Zhi Qi’s abnormality.

And after she left, no one picked up the books on the ground.

Zhi Qi, without looking away, walked step by step to Jiang Qi’s front.

She didn’t need to confirm his identity by looking at the clothes he was wearing or the fan meeting items he had on him because with just a pair of eyes, she could recognize her boy. In close proximity, she could distinctly feel the slight trembling of Jiang Qi’s lowered arm, a sign of nervousness.

Zhi Qi’s lips curled slightly, and there were sparkling lights in her pitch-black eyes.

Then, the girl reached out and took off the mask that covered most of the boy’s face. Jiang Qi’s sharply defined, pale yet delicate face appeared in front of her. His lips were slightly pursed, showing evident signs of anxiety.

*

[I wanted to see you, and now that wish has come true.]

[DAY.68.]