The Pitiful Guy I Saved Is a Possessive Big Shot - Chapter 1

As his consciousness drifted in and out, Shi Qingning heard voices talking nearby.

“Congratulations! Yes, this heart surgery was very successful. To be optimistic, he will be no different from a normal person in the future.”

“Yes, the patient’s body is still recovering. He might sleep for a few more days. There are no big problems; he just needs good rest.”

His eyelids felt heavy, and he couldn’t open them. In his weak state, Shi Qingning focused on those voices and felt confused.

Wasn’t my congenital heart disease a rare, incurable case? By the time it was discovered, it was too late for treatment. His body was so weak that surgery was impossible; he could only use basic medicine to stay alive.

How could a doctor suddenly say he was cured?

Could he be dreaming?

Shi Qingning thought to himself and tried to open his eyes to see where he was. However, his body was far too weak. Even staying conscious took all his energy, let alone moving.

Exhaustion hit him like a wave. He was used to this feeling of being unable to control his body; he had spent his life living on the edge of death.

But this time, the dull pain in his chest was much lighter than expected. It felt as if a giant rock that had been crushing his chest was suddenly gone. He only felt a gentle, harmless tiredness. It was as if health—something that always felt like an impossible dream—had finally been gifted to him.

Shi Qingning eventually fell back asleep. Without the sharp pain that usually attacked him, he slept very peacefully. He woke up slightly a few times and felt someone giving him water or helping him turn over, but he was too tired and fell back into a deep sleep each time.

When he finally truly woke up, his first feeling was relief.

His body felt light, as if he had just received fresh blood or plenty of oxygen. He didn’t feel the weight of heavy medical machines. He slowly opened his eyes, and his vision cleared. Everything in front of him was pure white.

He was in a hospital.

The room looked unfamiliar. Shi Qingning reached out to feel the side of his pillow. Most hospital beds had a controller there. He was very experienced with this.

Sure enough, he found the button, adjusted the height of the bed, and sat up against the headboard. Without the usual dizziness or stabs of pain, he felt like he was still in a dream.

He calmed himself down and finally looked at his hands.

Wait! Why do these hands look so small?

Just as he was about to look closer at himself, he heard a sound at the door.

A woman dressed as a caregiver pushed the door open. She looked up and saw the boy sitting on the bed. She froze instantly. The tray in her hands hit the floor with a loud clang.

“You’re awake?!”

She didn’t even stop to pick up the tray. She rushed toward him, then suddenly stopped and wiped her hands nervously on her clothes.

“I—I’ll go call someone!”

Soon, several doctors entered the room, followed by an elegant, well-dressed woman. This woman moved the fastest, rushing to look at the boy on the bed. With just one look, her eyes turned red with tears.

“Xiao Ning!”

Shi Qingning was confused. His body felt lighter than ever, and his mind was clear, but he didn’t recognize any of these people—not the caregiver, not the doctors, and not this emotional woman.

The doctors gave him a quick check-up.

“No problems. All his signs are normal,” a middle-aged doctor said with a smile. “The heart surgery was a success. You can relax now.”

These words were exactly what Shi Qingning had heard when he was half-asleep. He was now certain: This was not his body.

This body was too small. The fingers were pale, and the frame was thin; he looked like he wasn’t even an adult yet. Most importantly, Shi Qingning had been terminally ill, but this body was now cured.

“The surgery was a success.”

Those were the words every heart patient dreamed of hearing.

The woman nearby made a few quick phone calls to tell others that he was awake. She thanked the doctors and saw them out. Finally, the room became quiet.

The caregiver went to get lunch, leaving only two people in the room. The woman sat by the bed, looking at him carefully.

“Sweetie, do you feel better?” she asked softly.

The woman wore expensive clothes and perfect makeup, but she didn’t smell like perfume. She only smelled faintly of soap—likely because she didn’t want to irritate a heart patient. Based on her caring attitude, she had to be someone very close to him. Shi Qingning felt a vague sense of familiarity.

However, when he looked closer, he couldn’t remember anything specific. Perhaps because his gaze was so distant, the woman’s smile became a bit forced.

“Are you still angry with Mom?” she asked.

So she is the mother of this body, Shi Qingning thought. That explains why she looks familiar. But why did she say he was angry?

Shi Qingning realized he didn’t have the memories of this body. He decided to stay quiet and observe.

“It’s not that I won’t let you see him. We can talk about these things,” the woman said, taking a shaky breath to stay calm. “But you can’t… you can’t play with your life like this again…”

“…?”

A question mark appeared in Shi Qingning’s mind. He had fought harder than anyone just to stay alive. Why did it sound like he had tried to kill himself?

He tried to remember what happened before he woke up, but he couldn’t. This situation was very confusing. He chose not to speak. If he said the wrong thing to someone so close, he might get caught.

Shi Qingning’s silence actually worked out. The woman seemed used to her son ignoring her. She didn’t suspect anything and kept talking. Her eyes were red, but she kept her voice gentle.

“If you want to see Jian Ren, go ahead, okay? Mom won’t stop you anymore. Just take care of your health. Don’t do something so stupid again.”

Jian Ren?

That name was so unique that it immediately triggered a memory.

Isn’t that a character from a novel I read?

So, he had entered the world of a novel?

Shi Qingning finally found a clue. He tried hard to remember the plot. His memories were still a bit messy, but he recalled it was a “dog-blood” (melodramatic) story about a painful romance.

When he tried to remember the specific details, his head began to throb with pain.

“Mom knows today is his birthday. But your body needs rest. How about this: in two days, I will throw a birthday party for him at the best hotel in Haicheng. You can go after you’ve rested, okay?”

As she spoke, her face suddenly turned pale with fear. “Sweetie!”

She quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe his face. Her voice was shaking, and her fingertips were cold. Shi Qingning realized his nose was bleeding.

Bright red blood soaked the tissue. His head hurt because he was thinking too hard; it was too much for his new body to handle. He took the tissue and covered his nose. “I’m okay,” he said muffledly.

To his mother, this looked like he was rejecting her touch.

“Okay, okay…” She pulled her hand back and didn’t dare mention the birthday again, fearing she would upset him. She just helped him with the tissues and secretly wiped away her own tears.

Once the bleeding stopped, she forced a smile. “I won’t say anymore. But let the driver take you there, okay? It’s cold outside, and it’s not safe for you to go alone.”

Even a short “Mm” from Shi Qingning was enough to make her look incredibly happy.

Players Bar, Haicheng.

The lights were coming on as the bar began to open for the evening. However, a sign at the door said: “Private Event Today.” Guests who hadn’t seen the notice were politely turned away by waiters.

Inside, rhythmic music was playing. The whole place had been redecorated. A large purple light displayed the number “22”—it was very eye-catching.

A crowd had already gathered around a tall, thin man. They were full of praise.

“Players is the best bar in Haicheng. To book the whole place… as expected of Young Master Jian!”

“It’s the weekend, too. Usually, a ticket here costs nearly 200 yuan. Young Master Jian is really spending big for his birthday.”

Someone sneered, “The best bar in Haicheng is nothing. Young Master Jian is from the capital, Yancheng. He’s seen much bigger things than this.”

Listening to the compliments, Jian Ren—the center of attention—remained cold and uninterested. To the others, this was just proof that he was used to high-class living.

“Later, some bands and internet celebrities are coming. They are usually hard to hire. Young Master Jian really has a lot of influence.”

“Well, if you want to talk about someone who is really hard to invite that would be the little Young Master Shi, right?”

When that name was mentioned, the room went quiet.

Jian Ren finally looked up. His eyes were very dark, and his gaze was sharp and cold.

Someone asked curiously, “Who? Little Young Master Shi? The youngest son of the richest man in Haicheng?”

“Yes, that’s Shi Qingning. He has some kind of heart disease, I think? His family keeps him hidden away. They never let him come out.”

“Oh right! Wasn’t there a photo of him a few years ago? Just one candid shot that went viral on every website.”

This interested everyone. “There’s a photo? Have you seen it?”

“No, the Shi family took it down immediately. They deleted it from the whole internet. If not for that, people wouldn’t even know the Shi family had such a protected son.”

“Really? How good-looking must he be?”

As the discussion grew, everyone started guessing what he looked like. Since his mother was a famous beauty, the rumors about his looks were wild.

Only Jian Ren, who remained silent, knew the truth. None of the rumors could capture even half of that boy’s grace.

Jian Ren looked at his drink and remembered a pale face: beautiful features, soft cheeks, and long eyelashes. Years of illness hadn’t hidden his beauty.

Jian Ren never denied one thing: Little Young Master Shi was indeed very beautiful.

A few people noticed Jian Ren’s expression and whispered, “Jian, how are things going with you and the Shi kid?”

Someone else was confused. “What do you mean? Isn’t he a guy?”

“So what? That’s not rare these days.”

“No, I mean… didn’t Jian only date girls before?”

“It’s just for fun! You think Jian is being serious?”

“Exactly. No matter how many beauties there were, none could catch him.”

“But that little young master is actually better looking than most girls. No wonder Jian likes him.”

“Jian is truly amazing. That kid is completely obsessed with him.”

“Obsessed isn’t the right word. My cousin works at the hospital… Hey Jian, I heard he tried to kill himself for you?”

The room went silent. After a few seconds, someone clapped.

“Holy crap! He’s that devoted? Jian, you’re a master!”

The person sharing the gossip added, “It’s true! Think about how many people tried to get close to him and failed. Then look at Jian. What a difference!”

Jian Ren played with a cocktail shaker, doing some impressive tricks that made the crowd cheer. He caught it and lazily looked up.

“I didn’t know he was Shi Ling’s son at first.”

Others laughed. “So, what if he’s the son of the richest man? He’s still totally under your control.”

“Is he coming to the party today?”

Someone whispered, “Didn’t they say he tried to kill himself?”

All eyes turned to Jian Ren.

He only said one thing: “Well, he didn’t actually die.”

The room went quiet again. But Jian Ren remained cold as he poured the drink. A fresh slice of lime floated on top of the cocktail.

“I sent him an invitation today,” Jian Ren added.

Someone joked, “Wow, Jian is actually making the first move?”

Jian Ren said calmly, “I have to give him a little reward.”

This caused more whistling and laughter.

“Damn, he didn’t die last time, so he must be dying of happiness this time!”

Jian Ren thought about the way those eyes looked when they smiled. He didn’t say anything, but he agreed: it was a pretty sight when that boy was happy.

More importantly, he was the son of the richest man in Haicheng.

Jian Ren took a sip of his drink and bit into the lime. The sour and sweet taste spread in his mouth. His eyes were as dark and cold as an abyss.

He hadn’t expected that being kicked out of the capital and sent to this “boring” place would lead to such a prize. The richest man in Haicheng might not be a big deal in the capital, but it was enough to help him win back his place in the Jian family.

Jian Ren slowly chewed and swallowed the lime. It seemed Lady Luck was on his side.

Inside a smooth-running car, a man in a black suit sat straight in the back seat. He looked forward, but his focus was entirely on the beautiful boy sitting next to him.

This was his first day on the job, but he had already heard many rumors about this young master.

Shi Qingning had a heart condition and was raised at home, rarely allowed out. He hated being followed by bodyguards. After a fight with his family over a man, he refused to be controlled at all.

Then, a few days ago, something happened. Luckily, the surgery was a success, and he was fine.

After that incident, all the bodyguards were replaced. The man in the suit—Sun Ming—had been given a strict order: he must protect the boy at all times, even if the boy hated it.

So, Sun Ming sat in the back with him, risking being kicked out at any moment. But after actually meeting the boy, Sun Ming felt he didn’t seem like the type to get angry.

He looked so well-behaved. He even thanked Sun Ming when he opened the car door.

Sun Ming thought for a moment and started his next task. He pulled out a warm, white down jacket. “Second Young Master, your mother said you must put this on before you get out.”

Sun Ming expected a fight. Kids usually hate wearing thick, heavy coats especially when going to a bar to see a crush. A down jacket and a bar didn’t go together at all.

But to his surprise, Shi Qingning just looked at him and took the jacket.

After wrapping himself in the soft coat, the boy looked even younger. Before Sun Ming could relax, the boy spoke: “What is your name?”

Sun Ming replied respectfully, “Sun Ming.”

“Sun, can you do me a favor?”

“Please tell me.”

“When we go into the bar, please don’t walk right next to me.”

Sun Ming expected this. But the next sentence surprised him.

“Can you follow me in from a few steps away?”

Sun Ming was shocked. “You’re allowing us to go in with you?”

“Is that okay?” Shi Qingning asked. “I plan to handle things myself, but I’d like you to keep an eye on me just in case.”

“Handle things yourself?” Sun Ming couldn’t believe it. “You mean…?”

“Yes,” Shi Qingning said. “To end things between me and Jian Ren.”

“You’re not going to date him anymore?” Sun Ming was glad to hear this. “Your mother will be so happy… have you told her?”

“No,” Shi Qingning shook his head. “She probably wouldn’t believe me.”

That was true. Even Sun Ming’s first reaction was doubt. But the boy’s next words were even more surprising.

“To fix this properly, I have to deal with Jian Ren himself.”

The fifteen-year-old boy, just recovered from surgery, spoke with a calmness that didn’t match a weak child.

Although his memories were still messy, Shi Qingning’s mind was clear. Dealing with the man who almost cost the original boy his life was the first priority.

Also, he had to think about his family. Even if the relationship was strained, they had lived together for years. If he stayed with them all the time, they might realize he was different. It was better to see this Jian Ren and get some information.

Sun Ming had no idea that Shi Qingning was treating Jian Ren like a small “boss” in a video game. He was still worried. “Maybe it would be better if your mother handled it.”

Shi Qingning smiled. He was so handsome that his smile could melt anyone’s heart. But his words were not sweet.

“Let my mother handle it?” Shi Qingning said. “He’s not worth her time.”

Sun Ming was stunned. It was true! To the outside world, this was just a small drama between young people. If the mother got involved, it would look like a major family move.

Sun Ming realized that this “weak” young master was actually much sharper than he looked. This time, things really were different.

The car arrived at Players Bar. Shi Qingning got out and walked in.

There was a hallway and an elevator. Shi Qingning touched the dark walls; they felt soft. The place was covered in thick soundproofing.

He realized this wasn’t a quiet bar, it was a loud nightclub. He smelled the heavy scents and covered his nose with a look of disgust. It was way too strong. A person with a weak body shouldn’t be here.

Jian Ren had invited a recovering heart patient to a place like this. It was clear he didn’t care about the boy at all.

How did the original boy fall for someone like this? Shi Qingning wondered. I guess that’s just how ‘dog-blood’ novels go.

As a waiter led him to the main hall, Shi Qingning noticed the man glancing at him. He knew people were talking about him today, but he ignored it.

As he entered the hall, the loud room suddenly went quiet. No one introduced him, but everyone knew who he was.

His face really was beautiful enough to break the internet. Anyone who doubted the rumors changed their minds the moment they saw him.

Unlike the other guests, he wasn’t dressed up. He just wore a simple white down jacket. Anyone else would have been mocked for wearing that to a bar, but his face made the room feel like a fashion runway. Many people even forgot to breathe.

He was pale and elegant. Under the colorful lights, he looked as pure as fresh winter snow. His eyes were his best feature; they were the color of honey and made his cold face look sweet and gentle.

Many people thought the same thing: No wonder the Shi family hid him away. Anyone would want to keep him all to themselves.

The music ended just as he walked in, and the DJ was too busy staring at him to play the next song. The quiet was good for Shi Qingning—at least it was peaceful.

He looked around the room and saw the man in the center. Jian Ren was sitting in the middle of a crowd, looking toward the door.

Indeed, the man was watching him.

Jian Ren knew how much the boy liked him. The boy used to look at him with such focus. Now, being watched by him in front of everyone felt even better.

Jian Ren didn’t stand up. He just tilted his chin. “Come here.”

As the boy walked closer, Jian Ren saw how clear his eyes were. The boy spoke softly, sounding shy and hesitant: “Jian Ren?”

Jian Ren felt great. He raised an eyebrow. “What? You don’t recognize your Brother Jian after just a few days?”

Everyone else was silent, watching them. Some were curious, others were thinking. People had come to this party because of the Shi family name. Seeing the two together made the rumors seem true.

Shi Qingning walked toward him. He didn’t look at anyone else; he only looked at Jian Ren.

Shi Qingning was studying him. He recognized this man immediately. Jian Ren felt very familiar.

He remembered the novel—it had even been made into a movie. That was why he recognized the face. In the book, the Shi family was a rich family that only appeared briefly as “cannon fodder” (minor characters who get hurt).

Shi Qingning wanted to see the man up close to try and remember more of the plot. But as he got closer, he realized something.

He felt familiar with his mother because she was family. But he didn’t feel familiar with Jian Ren because of their relationship. He felt familiar because…

Jian Ren looked exactly like someone else.

But Jian Ren’s features were not as good. He was like a “budget version” of the real person. The other person was the one Shi Qingning truly knew. He looked at Jian Ren, trying to see the face of the real person.

Jian Ren, however, thought the boy was just mesmerized by him. Having the untouchable young master look at him with such devotion gave Jian Ren a huge ego boost. He smiled.

The people watching were shocked. They had never seen the cold Jian Ren smile like that. They started to wonder: Is he actually falling in love?

Shi Qingning stopped in front of him. He spoke softly.

“Don’t smile.”

Up close, the boy was breathtaking. Jian Ren’s heart skipped a beat. He automatically did what he was told and stopped smiling. The boy’s voice was so gentle that it was impossible to say no.

But then, Jian Ren heard the second half of the sentence:

“Don’t smile. You don’t look like him when you smile.”