"Tolerance?" Chi Li found the word a bit strange.
"He's sick," Shen Qiang said in a somber tone.
Chi Li: "Is this slander or a rumor?"
"This is slander... no, are there any differences between these two words?" Shen Qiang almost fell for Chi Li's question.
"There's no difference." Chi Li rolled her eyes. "He doesn't seem sick."
She's tall and strong, has a good appearance, and can speak, so how could she be sick?
"Don't worry, his problem isn't physical," Shen Qiang explained briefly to Shen Xunye, "It's a minor psychological issue."
Chi Li's expression immediately turned serious.
It seems quite common for children from wealthy families to develop psychological problems. I wonder which category Shen Xunye into?
Seeing his concern, Shen Qiang felt reassured and didn't hide anything, clearly explaining Shen Xunye's situation.
After listening to what he said, Chi Li immediately fell into deep thought, seemingly lost in thought.
"Of course, I'm not trying to play the victim for him, nor am I trying to morally blackmail you," Shen Qiang felt it was necessary to clarify this point. "I just think you have the right to know."
"You mean... all his vivid emotions are driven by me?" Chi Li asked softly.
He dreamed of being a top star, but he never dreamed of being a leading man in an idol drama.
This scenario of becoming someone's 'savior' actually exists in reality.
"Hmm." Shen Qiang nodded gently. "To put it simply, you are the only splash of color in his black and white world. And this splash of color is slowly coloring everything around you as well."
"This is too much of a protagonist's treatment." Chi Li smiled easily, and at the same time made up his mind. "Don't worry, I will definitely paint his world with color."
Shen Xunye seemed carefree and easygoing, but it turned out he was someone who had given up all emotions and desires and lived in a boring world.
... How lonely that must be.
Shen Qiang: "Don't speak so soon, I haven't said what I really want to say yet."
"Hmm?" Chi Li asked, puzzled. "Is there anything else you want to say?"
"Of course. Otherwise, why do you think I would ask you to tolerate him?" Shen Qiang picked up the water and took a small sip.
Chi Li's expression turned serious again. "You said."
According to Shen Qiang, apart from having his desires too easily satisfied and being indifferent to everything, which led to a boring life, Shen Xunye had never done anything illegal or disorderly from childhood to adulthood.
If I didn't do anything when I was sick, there's no reason why I should suddenly develop a serious illness when I'm starting to get better, right?
"His attending physician said that if what triggers his emotional fluctuations is a person, and someone he likes..." Shen Qiang lowered his voice, "He would probably develop a very strong possessiveness." Even a morbid one.
Chi Li blinked twice, the weight that had been hanging in her heart instantly lifted. "That's it?"
"Hmm." Shen Qiang responded blankly.
Chi Li waved his hand, not taking this possessiveness to heart at all. "It's okay, I understand. Besides, I won't... I won't have any close relationships with anyone for the time being. Later, I'll take him to discover other interesting things, and his attention will be diverted, and his possessiveness will gradually disappear."
That was close! I almost blurted out that there wouldn't be any other partners in selling bromance.
Shen Qiang was silent for a few seconds before saying, "... You're very optimistic."
What Chi Li described was the ideal state.
But in reality, from the moment she fell in love with Chi Li, this situation became very difficult to achieve.
His own statement that he wouldn't have any intimate relationships with anyone is useless. As his fame grows, there will be no shortage of people with ulterior motives who want to throw themselves at him.
Especially right now that you're popular, if you don't have a clear plan for yourself, it's easy to get entangled with others.
He couldn't predict how jealous Shen Xunye would become or what bizarre things he might do.
"It's not optimism, it's that I believe in him."
Chi Li didn't explain why she believed it or what she believed in, but her tone carried an unwavering and irrefutable certainty.
Shen Qiang opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
After all, he didn't know his younger brother as well as the person in front of him.
"Suddenly I feel... my visit tonight seems a bit superfluous," Shen Qiang said self-deprecatingly, looking down. "Perhaps saying nothing and letting you two get along naturally is the best approach."
His intention was to give Chi Li a heads-up.
First, lay out the hidden mines so that Chi Li can be mentally prepared when they explode.
Or rather... one could be more soft-hearted when faced with Shen Xunye like that.
But now it seems that this move was really unnecessary.
"No, I'm glad you told me all this." Chi Li's tone was completely sincere.
Shen Qiang's words convinced him that he... was also someone who was needed by others.
This was an experience he had never had before. He didn't feel pressured; on the contrary, he liked the feeling of responsibility.
"Okay..." Shen Qiang's lips curled into a slight smile, his tone much more relaxed. "I believe you can handle him..."
After saying that, he added, "Anyway, you don't need to feel burdened by this. If you don't like him, just refuse. Let him experience the bitterness of love; it's actually a kind of... therapy."
I just don't know what kind of consequences this treatment will cause.
But no matter what, the Shen family won't resort to moral blackmail.
"Mmm." Chi Li nodded obediently. "Don't worry, I definitely won't feel guilty."
No one in this world can force him to do anything if he doesn't want to.
"Okay, then I'll be going now." Shen Qiang stood up, preparing to leave.
Chi Li quickly stood up and followed, "I haven't thanked you yet for speaking up for me online."
"No need to thank me, it was just a small favor for me." Shen Qiang walked slowly towards the door. "Besides, my own brother has come to me for help, I can't just ignore him."
"Thank you anyway," Chi Li said sincerely. "If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."
For Shen Qiang, it was just a small favor, but for Chi Li, it saved a lot of effort.
"Okay." Shen Qiang wasn't one to be coy; back and forth wasn't his style. "I've got it."
Making the promise was like repaying a favor, which put Chi Li. "Okay."
"I'm not going to talk to you anymore." Shen Qiang opened the door. "I need to sleep..."
The rest of his words were forced back down by a pair of cold eyes outside the door.
Shen Xunye leaned against the wall of the corridor, like a silent, emotionless statue.
He had clearly been standing there for a while.
"Like a demon." Shen Qiang shook off the sudden chill, then turned to Chi Li and said gently, " Little Chi Li, I'll be going now. Don't forget our promise."