Chapter 100: Proposed

Only when Ying Huai's uncontrollable laughter reached him did Song Si Lan realize he had been joking.

Song Si Lan's face was burning, but the culprit in front of him still didn't know the weight of his actions, gripping his wrist, even blinking at him with a smile.

".......let go of me."

Song Si Lan gritted his teeth, trying to pull his hand back.

Ying Huai rarely had the chance to see Song Si Lan so thoroughly outmatched, half-leaning against Liang Shi Ning with undisguised schadenfreude.

Yu Wu's nerve grew even bolder.

He rarely encountered Song Si Lan grabbing him first, so how could he possibly bear to let go now.

He still gripped Song Si Lan's wrist tightly, his fingertips presumptuously sliding up another half inch.

"You fucking......."

Song Si Lan nearly cursed out loud.

Yu Wu blinked, made two muffled "mm mm" sounds, his expression looking exceptionally innocent.

Song Si Lan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

"Are you going to let go or not?"

Yu Wu quickly shook his head.

He seemed to think of something else, exerted force with his hand, slightly pried open the fingers Song Si Lan had covering his mouth, and quickly spoke in a low voice.

"Or I let you let go.......cough, you voluntarily let go, but keep holding onto me afterward, how about that?"

After saying this, he hurriedly pressed Song Si Lan's hand back over his own mouth.

Song Si Lan:.......???

Ying Huai beside him gave a soft "tsk," leaned close to Liang Shi Ning and said softly: "Listen to that—is that even human language?"

Song Si Lan gritted his teeth and turned his head: "Then why don't you come over and help me?"

Ying Huai raised an eyebrow. Liang Shi Ning said nothing, only loosely encircled the person's waist, lowered his eyes, clearly in a posture of "whatever Ying Huai says goes."

Ying Huai's eyes rolled, he slowly stepped forward: "Then tonight's medicinal food supplement......."

Song Si Lan gritted his teeth: "In your dreams."

Ying Huai's peach-blossom eyes narrowed, he instantly fake-coughed into his hand, helplessly said: "Then I really can't help you, Doctor Song."

Song Si Lan was nearly angered into laughter by Ying Huai's reaction that couldn't even be bothered to pretend.

He took a deep breath, suddenly turned his head to look at Yu Wu.

"You're sure you won't let go, right? Hmm?"

Yu Wu hurriedly shook his head.

The next second he saw Song Si Lan suddenly look at him and smile.

Yu Wu was stunned for a moment.

Most of the time, Song Si Lan wore a cold, frosty expression, and even when he occasionally smiled, he would quickly rein it in.

After that thing happened between them, Song Si Lan treated him like air every time they met, and even when he occasionally smiled, it carried that mocking edge of "oh, you haven't died yet today."

It had been a long time since Yu Wu had seen Song Si Lan smile so freely in front of him like he used to.

He uncontrollably lost himself for a moment, and foolishly curved his lips.

The next second, he felt a sharp stab of pain in his abdomen.

"Mm......."

Yu Wu uncontrollably bent over, then immediately felt a great force at his shoulder and neck.

Yu Wu inwardly thought this was bad, he instinctively wanted to let go, but his center of gravity had already been handed to Song Si Lan.

The next second, Yu Wu only felt his vision blur.

A muffled "bang," and the room suddenly went quiet.

Ying Huai stared at Yu Wu, who had been taken down by Song Si Lan's single trip, his expression blank for an instant.

Song Si Lan, half-bent, easily pulled his hand free.

He slowly straightened up, clapped his hands, and softly "hmph"ed.

Yu Wu was also a bit dazed.

He had been thrown hard enough to be thoroughly rattled, recovered from the dull pain in his back, and somewhat aggrievedly raised his head: "Si Lan......."

"I did ask you whether you'd let go. This is what you brought on yourself."

Song Si Lan lowered his eyes, the corners of his lips curving in a half-smile.

He looked at the person grimacing and scrambling up before him, bent down, and lightly patted Yu Wu's cheek.

"Be good. Next time you dare do this again.......it'll be a shoulder throw."

Yu Wu didn't dare act up again, hurriedly nodding frantically.

Song Si Lan coldly snorted, slowly straightened up, and inconspicuously braced his own waist.

Yu Wu watched Song Si Lan's earlier movement, thought of something, his expression hesitant.

But Song Si Lan didn't spare him another fraction of attention.

His gaze slowly fell on Ying Huai not far away, his expression suddenly startled.

At some point Ying Huai had sat back on the bed, even the blanket neatly tucked to his waist.

He met Song Si Lan's gaze, ingratiatingly curved his eyes, "Doctor Song was so impressive just now."

Song Si Lan was completely unmoved.

He narrowed his eyes, lightly laughed, and slowly stepped forward: "So obedient today?"

Ying Huai smiled and raised his head: "What are you saying, Doctor Song, haven't I always been this obedient?"

Song Si Lan ignored him.

He walked to Ying Huai's bedside, reached out to press his pulse, then directly grabbed his finger to test blood sugar.

A flash of pain at his fingertip, but Ying Huai deliberately let out a soft "sii."

"Stop pretending. I never lay hands on my patients, you don't need to worry."

Song Si Lan seemed to know what he was worried about, spoke without raising his head.

Yu Wu not far away opened his mouth to say something upon hearing this, but the next second saw Song Si Lan raise his head and glance at him.

"—Except for people who come provoking me first."

Yu Wu swallowed the words at his lips instantly.

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, instantly somewhat helplessly amused, and replied: "Alright, thank you Doctor Song.......for your care."

Song Si Lan glanced at him, said nothing, only lowered his eyes to look at the blood glucose meter in his hand.

"Blood sugar is a bit low, probably from the low fever. Are you dizzy right now?"

Ying Huai hesitated, didn't dare push himself further, and slightly nodded.

"A little.....also feeling a bit drained."

Song Si Lan was especially gratified by Ying Huai's attitude of answering every question and even being able to extrapolate.

"Your body is too weak. Even a slight low fever easily causes collapse and electrolyte imbalance symptoms. We'll add some IV fluids later to supplement."

Song Si Lan spoke while taking his blood pressure, and casually asked: "By the way, how are the side effects of those eye treatment medications recently? Still very uncomfortable?"

Ying Huai paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled again: "Nothing, it's much better now, not very uncomfortable."

Song Si Lan keenly caught that momentary pause in his words.

He frowned and raised his head, but saw Ying Huai suddenly turn his head, covering his lips and coughing muffledly.

He had only just recovered from his fever not long ago, his face still carrying an unusual pallor, his body trembling with each cough, looking really uncomfortable.

Song Si Lan, even knowing there was probably an element of pretending, ultimately swallowed the question on his lips.

He sighed, supported Ying Huai to slowly lie down, and adjusted the nearby IV drip to slow it down a bit.

"Alright, sleep for a while. We'll talk about anything later."

Ying Huai barely stopped coughing, half-closed his eyes and slightly curved his lips at Song Si Lan.

He had originally wanted to force himself to stay awake until the people around him went out before sleeping, but he was truly tired today, and not long after closing his eyes, his breathing gradually slowed.

Song Si Lan braced his waist and somewhat laboriously slowly straightened up, glancing at Liang Shi Ning beside him.

Liang Shi Ning's expression paused.

He realized something, the motion of preparing to sit on the bed slowed, and he slowly straightened up.

Song Si Lan looked at him, took the lead in stepping outward.

Yu Wu beside him carefully followed behind Song Si Lan, and at the moment of walking out the door, immediately impatiently looked at Song Si Lan wanting to say something.

The next second, he saw Song Si Lan turn his head with a half-smile, slowly glance at him.

Yu Wu's expression instantly sharpened.

He immediately made a shushing gesture, obediently stood in place and said nothing.

Liang Shi Ning, who had followed out behind, closed the door, spoke first: "What did Doctor Song call me out for?"

He said somewhat anxiously: "Is there something wrong with Ying Huai's body......."

Before he finished speaking, he heard Song Si Lan lightly "tsk" and slightly shake his head.

"No, what are you thinking?"

Liang Shi Ning was stunned for a moment, somewhat blankly raising his head: "Then why......."

Song Si Lan raised his head with arms crossed, a look of disdain surfacing on his face.

"Twice now, Liang Shi Ning. You know the saying 'things don't go beyond three,' right?"

He clenched his teeth, lowered his voice, and said with the frustration of someone watching potential go to waste: "Twice now. Setting aside whether you've actually proposed successfully—how have you not even opened your mouth?"

Liang Shi Ning's expression instantly froze.

Yu Wu beside him came back to his senses, immediately turned his head as well, and cooperatively showed a slightly disdainful expression.

Liang Shi Ning silently opened his mouth, for an instant feeling as though no amount of explaining could clear his name.

"Is it that I don't want to say it?"

Liang Shi Ning took a deep breath, his tone rarely revealing a touch of helplessness: "Every time...... there's a little accident."

The first time he wanted to propose on a boat, the result was that Ying Huai got seasick and vomited until he had low blood sugar, and Liang Shi Ning was so busy worrying that he completely forgot about the proposal.

The second time he wanted to propose in a park, the result was that some 'green tea' dog inexplicably stole the show, and he almost blew his cover.

Song Si Lan listened to Liang Shi Ning's account of the second incident, and openly laughed out loud without bothering to hide it.

"It's fine, anyway 'things don't go beyond three'—you still have a third time...... no, plenty more chances."

Song Si Lan gave a light cough, hurriedly corrected himself, and patted Liang Shi Ning on the shoulder in consolation.

"Of course I still wish you success on the third try."

Liang Shi Ning glanced at him: "Thanks for the encouragement, Doctor Song."

Song Si Lan took a deep breath and sobered up: "So when are you planning the next time?"

He glanced inside the room, then said slowly: "Ying Huai already noticed something just now—you didn't feel it?"

Liang Shi Ning quieted for a moment, his voice dropping even lower: "I know."

"So hurry up then. If I were you, I'd rush in right now and propose to him."

Song Si Lan had barely finished speaking when he noticed the strange expressions on the two people before him.

Liang Shi Ning somewhat shocked raised his head, and Yu Wu beside him also turned his head, looking at Song Si Lan with a strange expression.

Song Si Lan was also somewhat baffled: "What?"

"This kind of thing is better done sooner rather than late anyway. You originally wanted to create a surprise, but now the surprise is about to be lost—so you might as well get the practical thing done quickly."

Song Si Lan stretched lazily, said casually: "Anyway, whether it's a surprise or not isn't that important, is it?"

He had just finished speaking when he felt the corridor fall silent for a moment.

Liang Shi Ning was silent, wanting to speak but hesitating. Yu Wu beside him seemed to think of something, and murmured: "No wonder you weren't interested in all the surprises I made for you before. Turns out........"

—Turns out Song Si Lan is just a block of wood.

Song Si Lan looked somewhat baffled at the two people with complicated expressions before him: "What? Am I wrong?"

Liang Shi Ning said nothing, silently turned around, and pushed the door open again.

Yu Wu took a deep breath, stepped forward, and pushed him outward: "Yes, yes, yes, no problem, you're right about everything, Si Lan........"

—It's just that next time he'll have to think of a more interesting way to surprise him.

Song Si Lan frowned, instinctively dodging Yu Wu's arm: "Don't touch me......."

He hadn't finished speaking when his body suddenly stiffened for a moment, then he pressed his waist and softly hissed.

Yu Wu no longer cared about much, hurriedly reached out to support him, and rarely frowned: "I wanted to ask just now—your waist......."

"I'm fine."

Song Si Lan swatted his hand away.

He straightened up again, and before Yu Wu could say anything, quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Yu Wu's hand froze in midair.

After a long while, he slowly withdrew his hand, a look of loss surfacing on his face.

·

Liang Shi Ning had been thinking about what Song Si Lan said these past two days.

Although he didn't agree with Song Si Lan's final point, he had to admit....... some of Song Si Lan's views made sense.

But Ying Huai hadn't shown any abnormality these past two days, nor had he asked again about Xin Wan and Yu Wu's strange behavior last time—seemingly putting all these doubts completely out of his mind.

Liang Shi Ning was partly relieved, and partly anxious again.

"What are you thinking? Why do you look so distracted?"

Liang Shi Ning was stunned for a moment.

Before he could react, he suddenly heard an unhappy meow from his arms, and then his hand was empty.

Ying Huai gently took the half-opened cat treat from his hand, tore the opening a bit wider, and waved it at the fat Bouquet in Liang Shi Ning's arms.

Bouquet 'meowed' and instantly released the paws resting on Liang Shi Ning's shoulder, ran pitter-patter to Ying Huai, and immediately began eating heartily.

"If you don't feed him, I think he'll pounce on your face in a moment." Ying Huai raised his head with a half-smile.

"You wouldn't be holding Bouquet while thinking about some other little kitty, would you?"

Liang Shi Ning suddenly came back to his senses.

He instantly shook his head, wanting to explain but unable to come up with an excuse on the spot: "No, shifu, I......."

Ying Huai looked at him somewhat strangely: "Why are you nervous? I was just joking."

He stared at Liang Shi Ning for a few seconds, then suddenly leaned forward: "You wouldn't really....... have another cat outside? Bouquet would be angry."

Bouquet, as if understanding, instantly meowed unhappily, and the tips of Liang Shi Ning's ears reddened at the same time.

"I haven't."

But Ying Huai had already leisurely stood up, holding Bouquet.

"Too late—Bouquet is already angry. See, he won't even eat the cat treat now."

He reached out and stroked the cat in his arms, slowly turned around, and walked toward the room: "Figure out how to explain to Bouquet yourself."

Liang Shi Ning was stunned for a moment.

He somewhat confusedly raised his head, only to see Ying Huai had already turned around and shut the room door with a click.

Liang Shi Ning stood in place, somewhat bewildered.

Ying Huai's reaction just now didn't look like anger, but Liang Shi Ning couldn't figure out for the moment....... what Ying Huai actually wanted to do.

—Liang Shi Ning could only attribute it to Bouquet really being angry.

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked forward and knocked on the door.

"I'm coming in, shifu."

Liang Shi Ning carefully pushed the door open.

"I'm here to apologize to Bouquet....... I really didn't mean to not feed him just now, and I haven't been keeping another one outside........"

But the room was unexpectedly pitch black. Liang Shi Ning's voice paused for a moment, his expression instinctively tensing up.

He pressed the light switch beside him, but it didn't turn on.

"Ying Huai? Are you okay......."

Liang Shi Ning hadn't finished speaking when he suddenly felt something lightly brush against his calf, followed by a faint meow.

Liang Shi Ning hurriedly crouched down, fumbling to pick up Bouquet: "Why are you here? Ying Huai, he......."

He hadn't finished speaking when he suddenly noticed a pendant box on Bouquet's neck.

Liang Shi Ning vaguely realized something, his heartbeat gradually quickening.

He quickly reached out and took the box off.

The box was wrapped in dark red velvet, inlaid with scattered small diamonds, carrying a heavy weight.

Bouquet, freed from his restraint, 'meowed,' shook his head, and instantly broke free from Liang Shi Ning's arms.

Liang Shi Ning didn't bother with him.

His breathing was somewhat rapid. He took a deep breath and slowly opened the box.

—Inside lay a ring, quietly.

"How is it?"

The room lights suddenly came on, and Ying Huai stood before him with a beaming smile.

He walked step by step to Liang Shi Ning, then slowly dropped to one knee.

"Will you marry me, Mr. Liang Shi Ning?"

·

Liang Shi Ning's breathing was somewhat rapid.

He didn't have time to say anything, just somewhat flustered pulled out a dark blue velvet box from his pocket as well.

"I......."

He instinctively also wanted to drop to one knee, but forgot he was already in a half-crouching position.

With a muffled thud, Ying Huai watched as the person before him, visibly moved—straight as a board—knelt directly before him.

Ying Huai couldn't help laughing for a moment.

"What are you doing? It's not New Year yet, I don't have a red envelope for you."

Liang Shining shook his head frantically.

He quickly adjusted his posture, held the box up to Ying Huai, and said hurriedly: "Ying Huai, I..."

The moment he opened his mouth, he realized his voice was trembling slightly.

Ying Huai reached out and took the box from his hands, his eyes curving slightly.

"What are you nervous about? Take your time."

Though he said this, his entire ear had already flushed a deep red.

Ying Huai seemed to realize his words weren't convincing either, gave a light cough, and spoke teasingly.

"Anyway, I've locked the door from the inside. It's just the two of us here, no one will come disturb us."

He looked around the room, then softly said "oh."

"—And fat Bouquet."

Liang Shining couldn't help but curve his lips too.

"So you knew... a long time ago, didn't you?"

Ying Huai shook his head: "Not really. I didn't notice the first time, only vaguely guessed the second time."

He glanced at Liang Shining as he spoke.

"Then I went and threatened Xin Wan a little, and he confessed everything in an instant."

Ying Huai spoke with a half-smile: "Mr. Liang really did do a lot of homework."

Liang Shining curved his lips somewhat unnaturally.

"I was just afraid there was something I hadn't considered, so I consulted with them."

He took a deep breath, forcibly calming his emotions a few degrees.

"The previous two times were accidents. I didn't do it on purpose."

Liang Shining's hand gripping the box tightened slightly.

"I had prepared so much, I wanted to give you a surprise..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a cool sensation on his lips.

Ying Huai leaned forward slightly, sealing his remaining words between their lips.

"There's nothing to be sad about."

He slowly straightened up, his peach blossom eyes filled with scattered glimmers of light.

"I've already received the greatest surprise."

Liang Shining took a deep breath.

He lowered his eyes, took the ring out of the box, and slowly raised his head: "Will you marry me, Ying Huai."

Ying Huai's eyes curved bit by bit, and he laughed softly: "Yes."

Liang Shining's lips couldn't help but reveal a smile.

He lowered his head, earnestly and devoutly sliding it onto Ying Huai's ring finger, watching as Ying Huai carefully placed the other ring on his hand as well.

A breeze blew in through the window, scattering a bit of warm sunlight.

Liang Shining could no longer hold back, reaching out to pull the person before him deeply into his embrace.

Ying Huai said nothing, only wrapped his arms around Liang Shining's neck and slowly let out a breath.

But after only a few seconds, Liang Shining felt the body in his arms gradually growing hot.

"Ying Huai?"

Liang Shining instinctively straightened up, and the next second saw the person before him turn his head aside, covering his lips as he choked on a cough.

"Cough, cough, cough... It's nothing, I just got a bit worked up emotionally just now, felt a little dizzy."

Ying Huai covered his lips and shook his head.

Though he said this, the inexplicable urge to cough couldn't be stopped no matter what.

Liang Shining's expression changed.

He couldn't be bothered with anything else, scooped the person up in his arms, and walked straight toward the bed.

·

When Song Si Lan came in, Ying Huai was stretching to reach for the medicine box on the cabinet beside him.

Hearing the movement at the door, he instinctively turned his head, his action freezing for a moment.

Immediately after, Ying Huai suddenly withdrew his hand and sat back at the head of the bed.

"Long time no see, Doctor Song."

Song Si Lan watched his action, said nothing, only walked up quickly and gave a soft "hmph."

"So obedient today? Feeling this unwell and still thinking about taking your medicine on time."

He glanced to the side, and sure enough saw the medication for treating the eyes.

Ying Huai's body tensed for a moment, and he curved his eyes noncommittally.

Song Si Lan didn't pay it much mind either.

He walked to the bedside, took out his stethoscope and placed it on Ying Huai's chest, frowned after a while, then bent down and pressed on Ying Huai's pulse.

Ying Huai's pulse was beating fast and irregular. Song Si Lan's brow furrowed tighter and tighter as he said softly: "Did you feel unwell suddenly just now? No warning signs at all?"

Ying Huai smiled dismissively: "No... probably just got too worked up earlier, so my body didn't catch up for a moment."

Song Si Lan glanced at him, his gaze falling on the medicine box beside him: "What about side effects from the medication? How have they been lately?"

Ying Huai shook his head immediately: "Basically no reactions anymore."

This time Song Si Lan didn't take his words at face value.

He stared at the person before him, his gaze slowly falling to Ying Huai's ring finger.

"Lovers finally becoming family. Congratulations."

Song Si Lan raised his head: "What, in such a good mood today that you're taking the initiative to start taking your medicine?"

Ying Huai's eyes flickered, and he curved his eyes somewhat guiltily: "What are you talking about... don't I always take my medicine on time?"

Song Si Lan couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

Though Ying Huai normally wouldn't secretly stop taking his medicine on his own, he was a bona fide difficult patient when it came to taking medicine.

Song Si Lan knew that patients like Ying Huai, who had been ill for a long time, would have an instinctive aversion to years of accumulated medication.

So he generally wasn't too harsh about Ying Huai's lazy medicine-taking, as long as he could basically finish the prescribed doses on time each day.

Ying Huai also knew Song Si Lan's temperament, which was why he dared to casually make this kind of joke.

But the next second he heard Song Si Lan speak unhurriedly: "Then keep taking it now. Why did you stop the moment I came in?"

Ying Huai's action stalled.

He turned his head somewhat guiltily: "...Take it now?"

Song Si Lan turned to glance at the clock beside him: "What else? It's already time."

He crossed his arms, the corners of his lips curving slightly.

"Just now it was Teacher Ying himself who took the initiative to take his medicine. It can't be... just putting on a show for me, right?"

Ying Huai was silent for a few seconds.

He hesitated for a moment, finally trying to struggle once more: "Can I take half first... and take the rest after resting for half an hour?"

Song Si Lan curved his lips expressionlessly: "Then how about I do half the surgery, rest for half an hour, and then stitch up the rest?"

Ying Huai: ...

He took a deep breath, still trying to find an excuse to refuse: "You know my esophagus is very sensitive to medication irritation, and these medicines take a long time to take. You don't need to waste your time here with me..."

"Waste what? I've already accompanied you to this remote nowhere to film a show. My time is all yours."

Song Si Lan simply found a chair and sat down, speaking unhurriedly.

He watched Ying Huai's eyes flicker, saw that he seemed to still want to find excuses, and finally spoke with some impatience.

"What's the difference between taking it now and taking it later? Once you finish, I'll do today's routine check-up for you, and then you can rest properly."

He looked up at the person before him, a flicker of suspicion crossing his expression: "You wouldn't... be hiding something from me again, would you? Ying Huai?"

Liang Shining beside him frowned, and upon hearing this also lowered his head.

Ying Huai had been fairly obedient about taking his medicine these past few days, basically taking it when told to at the appointed time. Liang Shining thought back and didn't notice anything unusual.

—Except that every time before taking medicine, Ying Huai would always find a reason to send him away.

By the time he came back, Ying Huai had already finished taking all his medicine.

Liang Shining had suspected that Ying Huai might be secretly pouring out his medicine, but he had carefully checked the room, and Ying Huai's eye condition had been gradually improving.

Liang Shining assumed Ying Huai didn't want him to see his reaction when taking medicine, and didn't pay it too much attention.

At this moment, Ying Huai curved his lips somewhat guiltily and quickly denied: "Of course not."

He looked at Song Si Lan sitting not far away with arms crossed, clearly intent on fighting him to the bitter end, and silently sighed.

"I'll take it now, alright?"

He took a deep breath, calmly picked up the medicine box before him, his fingers carrying a barely perceptible slight tremor.