Mad Dog

Chapter 39: The Truth –

#JiangQiQuitsTheEntertainmentIndustry#

When Jiang Qi was discharged from the hospital the next day at noon, he exited through the backdoor’s emergency exit, where Qiu Mi was waiting to pick him up. The entire process was discreet, ensuring that not even the paparazzi stationed nearby could capture a single photo.

Afterward, he spent the entire afternoon in the management office of Chunding Entertainment.

No one knew what exactly transpired during that afternoon meeting between the boy and the large company, but the following morning, Chunding Entertainment’s official Weibo account dropped a “bombshell” that sent shockwaves through everyone commuting on the subway while scrolling through their phones—

[@Chunding Entertainment: Effective immediately, our artist @Jiang Qi has terminated his contract with the company and has no further ties to us. Additionally, Jiang Qi has released his final statement via our platform, stating ‘he is withdrawing from the entertainment industry due to health reasons.’ All previously signed and unfinished engagements will be solely the responsibility of artist @Jiang Qi. End of statement.]

As soon as this announcement was made, all websites erupted, with the name ‘Jiang Qi’ flooding the screens.

#Chunding Entertainment Announces Jiang Qi’s Contract Termination#

#Jiang Qi Withdraws from the Entertainment Industry#

#What Happened to Jiang Qi’s Health?#

#Just Beat Someone and Run?#

#Background Actors Reach Private Settlement with Jiang Qi#

…

Among many others, the Weibo trending list contained fifty entries, and remarkably, seventeen were related to Jiang Qi.

However, the most shocking part of Chunding’s statement was the line about Jiang Qi ‘withdrawing from the entertainment industry due to health reasons,’ which stirred a considerable uproar.

After all, Jiang Qi was still very young and had quickly gained fame, clinching the title of ‘Xwei Star’ for winning the Best Actor award with his debut work. Would he really give up such a lucrative and glamorous life in the entertainment industry?

Even if he had assaulted someone, and with the alleged medical diagnosis and his team’s efforts to rehabilitate his image, who would care in a while?

If he truly withdrew from the industry, it would solidify the notion that he was ‘forced out’ due to the scandal, making it much harder for him to make a comeback in the future.

But now that the statement had been released, unless he had the thick skin of a wall to keep jumping back into the spotlight, it seemed that his exit from the entertainment industry was a done deal.

This year had seen the rise of a peculiar youth, only to have him fall from grace at the peak of his career.

It was a pity, truly a pity; who wouldn’t say ‘what a loss’ when they saw it?

Once Jiang Qi’s resignation was announced, online opinions curiously shifted positively, with many lamenting, ‘What a pity.’

Perhaps it was because he was no longer a threat, no longer competing with numerous fellow young stars for resources, and would no longer block others’ paths…

But no matter how fervently the discussions buzzed online and offline, Jiang Qi didn’t want to pay them any mind.

After leaving Chunding, he declined Shen Lei and Qiu Mi’s offer to see him off and got into a car, driving aimlessly—he didn’t even know where to go, his eyes clouded with confusion.

However, there had to be a road to take, right?

He had nearly spent all the money he had earned over the past few months; with very little left, he couldn’t afford to sit idly by. Maybe he should find a job? But what could he do? Qiu Mi had also mentioned that everyone recognized him now. Jiang Qi felt a strong urge to ‘hide,’ to make sure no one could find him, not a single person.

His thoughts were a tangled mess, and before he realized it, he had driven to the outskirts of Lan University.

As if guided by some unseen force, he couldn’t help but want to see Zhi Qi.

And perhaps the girl sensed this connection too; just as the car came to a halt, Jiang Qi’s phone, which he had recently changed to a new number known only to her, began to ring.

The boy paused for two seconds in thought before answering.

“Jiang Qi.” Zhi Qi’s voice sounded frantic on the other end, as if she had just been running. “Are you really going to quit?”

Jiang Qi replied quietly with an ‘mm.’

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and then Zhi Qi asked again, “Where do you want to go?”

Jiang Qi hesitated, and after a while, couldn’t help but smile wryly, lowering his eyes.

Of course, he couldn’t hide anything from Zhi Qi; she could always see right through him, as if she were reading the thoughts in his mind.

Indeed, he wanted to leave.

“Jiang Qi.” Noticing his silence, Zhi Xi’s voice trembled slightly as she asked, “Where are you now?”

Jiang Qi looked up, gazing at the majestic entrance of Lan University through the window. “I’m outside your school.”

Zhi Qi only replied with two words: “Wait for me,” and hung up.

She didn’t need to ask which entrance Jiang Qi was waiting at; he had come here several times before and would only be at one spot—the one closest to her dormitory.

While waiting for the girl to arrive, Jiang Qi couldn’t help but light a cigarette, but when he saw Zhi Qi running toward him through the car window, he quickly extinguished the half-burnt cigarette.

She was fast; Jiang Qi rubbed his face hard, trying to make himself look less defeated.

“Jiang Qi.” Zhi Qi opened the car door and sat down in the passenger seat. Before he could react, her slender arms wrapped around him in a swift embrace, a seamless motion.

Suddenly enveloped by the girl’s soft body, Jiang Shen felt momentarily lost, instinctively lifting his arms at his sides but hesitating to touch her back, pausing absurdly in midair.

“Please don’t leave this time.”

Zhi Qi spoke, her voice trembling faintly with suppressed tears: “You’ve left me twice already; can you please not abandon me again?”

The softness of her words pierced Jiang Qi’s heart like the sharpest blade, causing him deep pain.

His lips turned pale, tightly pressing together without a sound.

Jiang Qi knew that Zhi Qi wouldn’t forget.

From her perspective, he had indeed selfishly ‘abandoned’ her twice, and each time it had been after he ‘lost control.’

The first time, in a fit of youthful rage, he had kicked the girl out of the filthy, dilapidated Alley and disappeared for three years, only to be fortunate enough to reunite with her in high school.

The second time, after that incident in the hospital stairwell, he had broken the promise they had made together and vanished for another four years.

And this time…

“Please don’t leave again.” Zhi Qi sniffled, lifting her head from his shoulder. With her face just inches away, her delicate, porcelain-like features glistened with red, like a rabbit, her voice gentle yet firm: “If you disappear again, I won’t forgive you.”

Jiang Qi’s hands at his sides instinctively tightened, and he took a deep breath.

So he did have something he feared: he was afraid that Zhi Qi truly wouldn’t forgive him.

“Zhi Qi.” The boy turned his head, his pale eyes gazing out the window, becoming cold and distant: “Look at them.”

Zhi Qi followed his gaze in confusion, but all she saw were a crowd of unfamiliar people passing by outside the car window. “What about them?”

Jiang Qi’s voice was low as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel: “Why do you have to be with me, a madman?”

He truly feared that he couldn’t get better and might harm Zhi Qi because of his long-standing illness.

“Just because there are so many people doesn’t mean anything.” Zhi Qi responded immediately, her tone matter-of-fact: “None of them are you.”

In this world, no matter how many ‘normal people’ there were, they were all not Jiang Qi. Even if he wasn’t normal, there was only one Jiang Qi.

Her straightforward words made Jiang Qi involuntarily chuckle, but the ache in his heart surged, and bloodshot veins gradually crept into his irises.

Jiang Qi’s voice became hoarse, and he looked sideways at her: “Why are you not afraid of me?”

He had committed so many terrible acts—during high school and now. Why was Zhi Qi never afraid of him?

Besides, he had even been to prison, the most brutal and venomous place in the world.

“You are a good person, Jiang Qi. Never forget this,” Zhi Qi said, holding his hand, her gaze soft as she looked into his dark eyes: “You saved me the first time we met.”

“I’m not.” Jiang Qi replied coldly. “I’ve committed crimes.”

Zhi Qi felt a pang in her heart and involuntarily swallowed hard.

This was the first time Jiang Qi had willingly mentioned his ‘crimes’ since their reunion. Did this mean… he was finally ready to face it?

“I believe that all of it had its reasons. You wouldn’t commit crimes on purpose.” Zhi Qi hesitated, biting her lip before asking: “Jiang Qi, can you tell me what happened four years ago?”

That year of their senior year had felt like a nightmare. She would never forget how curious she had been day and night.

Yet, fearing to reopen the wounds Jiang Qi didn’t want to face, Zhi Qi had held back from asking anything.

Now, she simply couldn’t suppress her curiosity any longer.

…

After a moment of silence, Zhi Qi saw Jiang Qi’s throat move slightly.

“It’s time I told you,” Jiang Qi replied, not knowing if he was speaking to Zhi Qi or himself. He nodded as if convincing himself: “I shouldn’t hide anything from you.”

He had only one person in this world worth caring about.

Regardless of Zhi Qi’s curiosity or desires, he would fulfill them.

So Jiang Qi started the car, turning the key in the ignition and driving away.

Zhi Qi was startled. “Where are we going?”

Jiang Qi remained silent, driving resolutely.

His expression was grim and somewhat somber, prompting Zhi Qi to stop asking questions.

It wasn’t until half an hour later that they arrived at the entrance of that Alley, and Zhi Qi’s face finally changed.

“Jiang Qi, why are we here?” Zhi Qi exclaimed, shaking her head to stop him: “Let’s get out of here; I don’t want to come back.”

After all, this was the place where Jiang Qi had had his breakdown just recently. How could they return now?

Had he lost his mind?

Yet Jiang Qi’s face was calm. He simply turned to Zhi Qi, his voice flat: “You wanted to know the truth from four years ago, didn’t you? I’m going to tell you.”

With that, he exited the car, walking to the passenger side and opening the door to pull Zhi Qi out as well.

Her slender wrist was firmly grasped in his large hand, making it impossible for her to break free.

She wanted to protest, but ultimately chose to remain silent, feeling Jiang Qi’s turbulent emotions beneath his calm demeanor, like a torrent ready to burst forth.

Moreover, it was dark in the Alley, the low and dilapidated shanty area lacked even streetlights, with uneven ground…

She could only rely on Jiang Qi.

As Zhi Qi felt Jiang Qi start to pull her deeper into the alley, she took a deep breath and clung to his thin, firm arm.

“Okay.” She vaguely sensed that many things would come to light tonight, and Zhi Qi calmed down: “I’ll follow you.”