Chapter 67: Caught in the Act

Yu Wu looked at the scene before him and silently opened his mouth.

To be honest, he didn't know why Ying Huai was reacting this way.

—What Ying Huai had just entered should have been a fairly painful deep-seated memory.

·

A few hours earlier.

When Ying Huai jolted awake, everything before him was dim and dark.

The familiar smell of disinfectant surrounded him, and Ying Huai instantly realized he had returned to the 'Sanatorium' from his previous life.

He was kneeling in the hospital corridor. Somewhat dazedly, he braced himself against the wall and stood up.

His mind was a mess. Driven by instinct, he tried to find an exit, but the next second, he saw a Hongyu Jewel Pendant roll to his feet.

Ying Huai instinctively crouched down and closed his hand around the Hongyu Jewel Pendant.

The cool, gentle touch instantly traveled from his palm, and Ying Huai's muddled thoughts seemed to regain a sliver of clarity.

Voices came from not far down the corridor—medical staff seemed to be approaching. Ying Huai instinctively tried to duck aside.

But the surroundings were all sealed wards. With nowhere to retreat, Ying Huai could only watch helplessly as the footsteps at the corridor's corner drew closer and closer.

He remembered how this had played out in his previous life.

After finally escaping the ward, he had been intercepted by medical staff halfway, then forcibly sent back to the 'treatment room' by the doctor—and after that, his memories became a blank...

Ying Huai's head was splitting with pain. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had forgotten someone important.

He tried to push himself up, but his legs felt as though they weighed a thousand pounds. After struggling for a while, not only did he fail to stand, he exhausted himself until his chest felt tight and suffocated.

The voices in the corridor had drawn very near now. Any moment, they would discover him hiding in the corner.

Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on Ying Huai's forehead. He pressed the Hongyu Jewel Pendant against his chest and, fighting back wave after wave of heart palpitations, curved his lips into a faint smile.

—He knew clearly that he was about to relive that old despair.

But the next second, a warm hand suddenly reached out from the side, wrapped around his waist, and pulled him into the nearby stairwell.

Ying Huai's eyes flew wide open.

He instinctively tried to struggle, but the next second, a familiar scent enveloped him completely.

Ying Huai froze for a moment.

He didn't know who was behind him, nor what they wanted, but he unconsciously loosened his resistance.

The footsteps outside the stairwell gradually faded away, and Ying Huai finally came back to himself, belatedly.

He turned sharply and pushed away the hand at his waist.

[Who are you, why did you...]

Before he could finish, he suddenly froze.

The person before him seemed to be hidden in a black fog, their features impossible to make out.

Ying Huai stared blankly for a few seconds.

He suddenly leaned closer, but strangely, no matter how close he got, he could not make out the person's appearance.

The hand at Ying Huai's side slowly clenched.

He knew this wasn't something that had truly happened in his previous life—it was probably an illusion Yu Wu had created through Hypnosis.

But for some reason, he couldn't help wanting to know who the person before him was.

Ying Huai hesitated, then said quietly: [Can you tell me who you are?]

But the person before him remained quietly in place.

He didn't answer Ying Huai's question. After his hand had been pushed away, he simply crouched quietly before Ying Huai, watching him in silence.

Ying Huai stared at him for a few seconds, then let out a silent sigh.

—Never mind. It's just an illusion. What's there to dwell on.

By now he had gradually recovered some strength. Seeing that the corridor outside had gone quiet, he braced himself against the wall and stood up, intending to go back out and search for an exit.

But the next second, a strong grip closed around his arm again. Ying Huai stumbled and, caught off guard, fell back once more.

[What are you doing...]

Before he could finish, the next second he felt his mouth gently covered by someone's hand.

Immediately after, a burst of chaotic footsteps sounded again outside the stairwell.

[A patient has left the ward—get the surveillance footage!]

[Lock down everywhere. Expand the search...]

Ying Huai's eyes widened slightly. He seemed to realize something and turned his head sharply.

But the next second, the person behind him began trying to move quickly down the stairs, pulling him along.

In a flash, Ying Huai suddenly reached out and pushed the person before him away.

[No, I can't go with you.]

The person behind him paused, clearly not having expected this reaction.

Ying Huai froze for a few seconds, then suddenly found it a little funny.

He had dreamed of escaping that nightmare of a 'Sanatorium,' yet even knowing this was only an illusion produced by Hypnosis, his first instinct was still to worry about this illusory person's safety.

The scene before him gradually began to blur. Ying Huai curved his lips helplessly and said between breaths: [They can't find you. I won't drag you into this...]

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt his palm go empty.

The person then stepped forward and, somewhat clumsily, wove the Hongyu Jewel Pendant from Ying Huai's palm into the ends of his hair.

Everything around him was spinning, fading. Through a wave of dizziness, Ying Huai struggled to lift his head.

In the dimness, he heard a low, quiet voice drift faintly toward him.

[Let me take you away. Alright?]

Ying Huai felt his heart skip a beat.

He opened his mouth soundlessly, but the next second, a sudden wave of weightlessness crashed over him.

Immediately, his mind spun, and his body plunged downward uncontrollably.

At the same moment, Yu Wu inside the room saw the person lying on the bed suddenly convulse.

Yu Wu stood up sharply from beside him.

·

It took Yu Wu roughly half an hour to calm Ying Huai's emotions again, but when he finally woke, it was to the scene Liang Shining had just witnessed.

Now, looking at Liang Shining's somewhat stiff expression, Yu Wu cleared his throat lightly and spoke evasively.

"I can't disclose the specific details to you. He's already very tired today, and this state is probably his subconscious protecting his body. It won't last long."

A subtle expression crossed Liang Shining's face—impossible to tell whether it was joy or worry.

After hours of intense work, Yu Wu's brain was truly unable to keep turning.

Assuming Liang Shining was still anxious about Ying Huai's condition, he reached out and patted Liang Shining's shoulder: "I'll find time to review the Hypnosis details with him tomorrow. Tonight, Teacher Liang, just get him to sleep—you're good at that anyway."

The moment his words fell, he saw Father Ying's face darken another shade behind him.

Yu Wu belatedly realized what he'd said and, ever the one to enjoy a good show, let out two gleeful 'heh-heh's.

Father Ying drew a deep breath and barely managed to smooth his expression.

Leaning on his Cane, he stepped forward: "Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Yu. Leave Ying Huai to us to look after..."

He truly couldn't bear to keep watching Ying Huai quietly pressed against Liang Shining's waist.

Father Ying spoke as he reached out to pull Ying Huai from Liang Shining's arms, but before he could touch Ying Huai, he saw his younger son's arms instantly draw back.

"No..."

Father Ying frowned and said in a low voice: "Don't be ridiculous. With so many people here, you..."

Before he could finish, he saw Ying Huai's brow furrow in pain and his face go paler by the moment: "I don't want to go back with Father. My heart hurts so much, Father..."

Father Ying's movements froze instantly.

A flash of disbelief crossed his face, and he looked up sharply at Yu Wu: "What did you do to Ying Huai? Did you deliberately lead him..."

"I didn't do anything," Yu Wu spread his hands, his tone innocent. "I'm just a Psychologist. What I did was routine treatment. What am I to you, some kind of brainwashing master?"

"Hypnosis only amplifies his psychological thoughts. Every move he makes right now is a projection of his subconscious."

Father Ying's hand on his Cane suddenly tightened: "Impossible. He's never said anything like this before..."

"Not having said it doesn't mean he never thought it," Yu Wu yawned and said teasingly. "Rather than raging uselessly here, you'd do better to think about what you've done in the past."

Father Ying's face turned ashen.

Ying Qi beside them frowned and let out a silent sigh.

He stepped forward, positioning himself between Ying Huai and Liang Shining, and looked calmly at Father Ying: "Father, it's already very late. Please go back first."

"Xiao Huai is in a very fragile state right now. Let him rest properly. Whatever needs to be said can wait until tomorrow."

Father Ying looked as though he wanted to say more, but Ying Qi remained unmoving in front of Ying Huai.

He raised his head and spoke gently again: "Xiao Huai only just agreed to stay home for a while today. Do you really need to rush things at this moment?"

Father Ying's movements paused slightly.

His gaze fell on the person on the bed.

Ying Huai's face was pale. His peach-blossom eyes, usually carrying a hint of a smile, were now empty and unfocused—clearly not fully lucid.

—Yet he still instinctively gripped Liang Shining's clothes tightly.

Father Ying's expression gradually fell silent.

He said nothing more. The man seemed to age several years in an instant. Leaning on his Cane, he slowly turned and walked out.

Ying Qi exhaled silently.

He turned his head to say something, but his expression suddenly froze.

The two people behind him had no idea what had happened in front.

Liang Shining bent at the waist, gently patting the person who had once again wrapped their arms around his waist. Feeling Ying Qi's gaze, a rare trace of awkwardness surfaced on his expression.

'Shifu seems sleepy. I saw he was uncomfortable sitting up just now, so I let him lean on me again...'

Ying Qi was stunned for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.

'It's fine. I was actually worried you might have been affected just now.'

Ying Qi's eyes curved as he spoke gently: 'Then I'll have to trouble Xiao Ning to look after Xiao Huai. Call me anytime if anything comes up.'

As he spoke, he glanced calmly at Yu Wu beside him.

Yu Wu instantly dropped his playful expression, coughed lightly, and nodded as well.

'Right, right. Teacher Liang, take Teacher Ying and rest well. I'll come find Teacher Ying again tomorrow.'

Yu Wu walked briskly to the door in three quick steps and said with a grin: 'Don't worry, Teacher Ying tonight—will be very easy to coax.'

Liang Shining: ...

Ying Qi beside him furrowed his brow slightly, and Yu Wu immediately fell silent.

Even though Ying Qi's entire demeanor had always been gentle, and he seemed much more approachable than Ying Huai's carefree manner, Yu Wu somehow felt an inexplicable wariness toward Ying Qi.

He gave Liang Shining a casual wave and quickly ran out.

Ying Qi said nothing more either.

He finally reached out and brushed aside the stray hairs on Ying Huai's forehead. Ying Huai leaned against Liang Shining with his eyes half-closed, breathing evenly, seemingly already asleep.

Ying Qi smiled silently. He said nothing more, turned around, and gently closed the door.

·

The room fell quiet for a moment. Liang Shining looked at the person in his arms who seemed to have fallen asleep, and his expression finally relaxed.

He reached out to help the person lie back down on the bed, but the next second, the person before him opened his eyes without any warning.

Liang Shining's expression froze slightly.

—His first thought was that Ying Huai was uncomfortable somewhere again.

A flash of panic crossed his mind, and he hurriedly said in a low voice: 'What's wrong, Shifu? Is something uncomfortable...'

Before he could finish speaking, he saw the person before him raise his head and make a smiling 'shh' gesture at him.

Liang Shining's words stalled.

A thought flashed through his mind, and his expression instantly turned strange.

He lowered his eyes and after a moment said softly: 'Was Shifu just now... pretending to sleep?'

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Ying Huai curve his eyes at him without confirming or denying.

Liang Shining suddenly laughed.

'They were too noisy. I didn't want to deal with them,' Ying Huai leaned against the headboard following Liang Shining's movement, and said with a light laugh, 'If I was asleep, I wouldn't have to answer them.'

Liang Shining gave a soft 'mm': 'Yes, Shifu is right.'

He reached out to turn off the bedside lamp, but Ying Huai suddenly pressed down on his arm.

Liang Shining turned his head in some confusion: 'What's wrong, Shifu?'

'Why are you turning off the light? I'm not sleepy right now.' Ying Huai said with a smile.

Liang Shining's movements paused.

He said nothing. His gaze lingered for a few seconds on Ying Huai's reddened eye corners, then slowly moved to his eyes, which were veiled in a mist of drowsiness.

A flash of guilt crossed Ying Huai's expression.

He paused, then finally changed his tune: '...A little sleepy, but I don't want to sleep right now.'

Liang Shining said nothing.

He withdrew his hand and slowly sat down beside Ying Huai.

'Then does Shifu want to chat with me?'

Liang Shining slowly smoothed out the wrinkled collar of the person on the bed and said in a low voice: 'Why don't you want to sleep?'

Ying Huai stared at him without blinking.

He wasn't sure himself why he didn't want to sleep.

Even though his body was exhausted to the extreme, almost without the strength to move a single finger, for some reason he was unwilling to sink back into that darkness.

Ying Huai's mind was hazy. He blurted out instinctively: 'Because you would disappear.'

Liang Shining was slightly stunned.

He instantly realized Ying Huai was talking about what had happened during the Hypnosis just now.

Liang Shining's heartbeat gradually quickened. He said in a low voice: 'What... disappear?'

But Ying Huai fell silent again.

He suddenly reached out and grabbed Liang Shining's arm, pulling him down directly.

Liang Shining had absolutely no guard against Ying Huai.

His body lurched forward, and he somewhat awkwardly propped himself up on the bed, calling out urgently: 'Ying Huai!'

'Get on the bed. Come up first, then I'll tell you.'

Ying Huai didn't notice the tension in Liang Shining's expression at all.

He lay under Liang Shining with a smile, his peach blossom eyes curving slightly: 'If you don't get on the bed, how can you keep me company while I sleep?'

Liang Shining, who hadn't agreed to this at all: ...

It wasn't that he had never slept with Ying Huai before, but those times had always been for a reason, or when Ying Huai was awake and had tacitly consented.

Now Ying Huai was clearly acting entirely on whim, and was also more... uninhibited than when he was lucid.

Liang Shining was afraid that he too might lose his lucidity in a moment.

He took a deep breath and tried to sit up again: 'If Shifu is sleepy, then sleep. I'll wait until Shifu falls asleep and then...'

Before he could finish speaking, he heard Ying Huai say unhurriedly in a soft voice: 'If you don't come up, I'll go tell my brother.'

Liang Shining's movements stalled.

Ying Huai, clearly seeing that this line was effective, tilted his head and continued counting: 'And Yu Wu, Song Si Lan, oh right, Chu Ming too...'

When he said the last name, he saw Liang Shining's face change instantly.

Ying Huai blinked and raised his head with an innocent face.

The next second, the bed beside him sank.

'I'll get up.' Liang Shining took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth.

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt his waist tighten, and then Ying Huai pressed his entire body against him.

Ying Huai's hands and feet had always been cold, like a jade that could never be warmed, faintly cool.

But Liang Shining, as if he couldn't feel it, carefully cupped Ying Huai's hands against his chest.

The warmth from his fingertips quickly spread, and Ying Huai unconsciously let out a soft sigh.

He curled his entire body into Liang Shining's arms, like a cat that had stolen a treat, and closed his eyes contentedly.

Liang Shining said nothing either.

He had always put Ying Huai's body first, and was not in a hurry to ask what Ying Huai had seen during the Hypnosis.

But after a few seconds, just when he thought Ying Huai had fallen sound asleep, he suddenly heard the person in his arms speak softly.

'Just now Yu Wu took me back to that Sanatorium.'

Liang Shining was stunned.

His body uncontrollably tensed up instantly.

But the next second, Ying Huai let out a soft laugh.

'But it's okay.'

'You came to find me, Liang Shining.'

Liang Shining's expression paused.

His arm around the person's waist tightened little by little. After a moment, he said softly: 'What is Shifu... talking about?'

Ying Huai slightly raised his head, his gaze falling on the Hongyu Earrings with faint cracks on Liang Shining's right ear.

'Yu Wu created an illusion in my subconscious, protected me and helped me hide, and even gave me that Hongyu Jewel Pendant... but I couldn't see who that person was.'

Ying Huai seemed to finally be getting a bit sleepy, his voice trailing off and becoming sticky, drowsy.

'But I felt... it was you.'

Liang Shining's fingers tightened little by little. After a few seconds, he said hoarsely: 'Was it just... an illusion?'

Ying Huai nodded.

He buried his head a little more into Liang Shining's chest and suddenly said: 'It's fine even if it was an illusion.'

His voice gradually weakened, mingling with his slow, gentle breathing, a faint smile seeming to linger at the corners of his lips.

'You said you would come find me. I believe you.'

Liang Shining's voice came to an abrupt stop.

When he finally came back to himself and slowly lowered his eyes, he found that the person in his arms had indeed fallen asleep.

Liang Shining, on the other hand, could no longer fall asleep.

He let out a heavy sigh. After a while, he gently moved the person in his arms onto the bed and slowly got out of bed.

·

Liang Shining's mind was in disarray, and for a moment he didn't know what he was actually thinking.

He sat in the room for a few seconds, then decided to go to the kitchen first to prepare Ying Huai's breakfast for tomorrow.

But just as he went downstairs, he saw a figure who had been sitting in the dining room for who knows how long raise his head at the same time.

Liang Shining was slightly startled.

He walked to the table and gave Ying Qi a slight nod: "Ying Dage."

Ying Qi also came back to himself.

He raised his head, smiled warmly at Liang Shining, and spoke naturally: "Sit, Xiao Ning—is Xiao Huai asleep?"

His words were phrased as a question, but the tone was declarative—because they both knew that if Ying Huai weren't asleep, Liang Shining would absolutely not have come out.

Liang Shining nodded.

He had originally only come down for a stroll, planning to return to the room to keep Ying Huai company once his emotions had settled.

But seeing Ying Qi, he thought of something else, hesitated, and ultimately sat down.

Ying Qi seemed to know something. Looking at Liang Shining's expression, he let out a slight sigh.

"Xiao Ning wants to ask... about Xiao Huai and my father?"

Liang Shining slowly nodded.

In his mind surfaced the image of Ying Huai's instinctive flinch when facing Father Ying earlier.

Psychological intervention can amplify one's own emotions to a certain degree. Ying Huai's reaction just now was clearly toward Father Ying—both fearful and aggrieved.

Ying Qi rubbed his brow and let out a silent sigh.

"My father was extremely strict with Ying Huai, even much stricter than with me."

"The two of us were raised from childhood as heirs of Ying Corporation. I only needed to study business, but Xiao Huai had to study calligraphy, painting, and ancient texts from childhood, as well as business strategy."

"Xiao Huai's mother was in poor health and passed away early. Father raised him single-handedly from childhood. He wasn't particularly interested in business, but in order to satisfy Father, he kept trying his best."

A flash of heartache crossed Ying Qi's expression: "His heart condition is congenital, and every winter his body gets sick easily. He once told Father about it, but Father assumed he was just trying to be lazy, and not only didn't let him rest, he even... reprimanded him."

"After that, Xiao Huai never said another word to Father about his health."

Liang Shining's hand on the table clenched until it went white.

He said quietly: "Why would Uncle Ying... do this?"

Ying Qi closed his eyes briefly.

"I didn't understand why before. After I grew up and learned some things, I think I roughly understand some of Father's thoughts."

Ying Qi said quietly: "Probably placing too much hope on him... and cherishing him too much."

"Father himself grew up this way, so he has a strong personality. Xiao Huai's mother was always gentle, and Xiao Huai's temperament sometimes actually shows some clues."

Ying Qi let out a soft sigh: "Father was probably afraid that if Xiao Huai's health and temperament were both too weak... he wouldn't be able to protect himself."

—So Father Ying chose what he believed was the right way, to force Ying Huai to accept it.

The room fell silent. After a few seconds, Liang Shining suddenly spoke: "But Ying Huai has never been like that."

Ying Qi was slightly taken aback.

"Shifu is soft-hearted, but he always has his own bottom line and persistence." Liang Shining said quietly.

"If he were really so weak that he couldn't protect himself, he wouldn't have left the Ying Family back then, and he wouldn't have wanted to awaken Song Xingzhou no matter what..."

Ying Qi seemed to realize something, and also let out a soft breath.

"I know."

—His own brother, he knew better than anyone.

Ying Huai's temperament is actually similar to Father Ying's to a certain degree, which is why the rift between the two has only deepened.

A note of helplessness crept into Ying Qi's tone: "But this can't be changed overnight. Father, after all these years..."

Ying Qi looked as though he wanted to say more, but the next second, his gaze fell behind Liang Shining, and a flash of surprise crossed his expression: "Father."

It was unknown how long Father Ying had been standing behind them, or how much he had heard.

He stood silently in the shadows, leaning on his Cane, and looked up at Liang Shining with an unreadable expression.

Liang Shining slowly stood up, said nothing, and only gave Father Ying a slight nod: "Uncle Ying."

Father Ying said nothing.

His fingers gripping the Cane tightened extremely. After a while, he suddenly turned around and, as silently as he had come, walked back step by step with his Cane.

·

After being interrupted by Father Ying, Liang Shining and Ying Qi didn't say anything more afterward.

Worried that Ying Huai might feel unwell again at night, Liang Shining said something to Ying Qi and returned to the room.

Fortunately, Ying Huai was sleeping soundly, still curled up in his arms in the same position, though his brow was slightly furrowed.

Liang Shining reached out and gently touched Ying Huai's brow. The person on the bed shifted restlessly and spoke unconsciously: "Liang Shining..."

Liang Shining responded softly.

He slowly climbed back onto the bed and gathered the person in front of him back into his arms.

Ying Huai's brow and eyes unconsciously relaxed bit by bit. He seemed to wake for a moment, glanced up at Liang Shining, and spoke unconsciously: "Why aren't you... sleeping yet."

Liang Shining let out a silent breath.

"I'll sleep now, Shifu."

Ying Huai said nothing, seemingly reassured for a moment.

He closed his eyes again, and his breathing quickly steadied.

Liang Shining lowered his eyes. He held back for a few seconds, but finally couldn't resist pressing a restrained kiss to Ying Huai's brow.

"Goodnight, Ying Huai."

The person in his arms said nothing, breathing shallowly.

Liang Shining also slowly closed his eyes.

He felt himself quickly falling into a deep sleep.

Until he felt an untimely rush of heat surge from his lower abdomen in his sleep. Liang Shining suddenly opened his eyes and realized that daylight had already filled the room.

And the culprit was still unknowingly burrowing into his arms.

Liang Shining's expression was somewhat stiff.

He took a deep breath, gently held Ying Huai's shoulder, and tried to slowly get out of bed as he had the previous night. The next second, he saw the person in his arms frown uncomfortably.

Immediately after, Ying Huai opened his eyes in a daze.

"...Liang Shining?"

Ying Huai raised his head and asked blankly: "Why are you here..."

Liang Shining's expression was somehow strange.

He lowered his eyes and gazed at him silently, seemingly restraining something, his expression wanting to speak but holding back.

Ying Huai was confused. He tried to push himself up, but felt his back directly touch Liang Shining's arm.

Immediately after, the person in front of him let out a restrained groan.

Ying Huai's movements instantly froze.

Last night's memories belatedly began to return, and a crack appeared in Ying Huai's previously calm expression.

"Last night... I was the one who burrowed..."

Ying Huai closed his eyes briefly and said through gritted teeth: "No, I was the one who made you get on the bed..."

Liang Shining was silent for a few seconds: "It was Shifu who insisted I get on the bed."

Ying Huai: .......

He immediately tried to roll off the bed, but the next second, he heard Liang Shining softly hiss again and reach out to grab his wrist.

"What are you doing, Liang Shining." Ying Huai tried to pull his hand back.

"Let go of me."

"Shifu tricked me into getting on the bed, and now wants to abandon me and leave." Liang Shining's voice was hoarse.

He said quietly: "Is Shifu really... willing to?"

No matter how he heard it, the words sounded strange. A helpless mix of crying and laughing flashed across Ying Huai's expression.

He instinctively wanted to retort, but on careful thought, what Liang Shining said seemed... not wrong.

Last night he had indeed used every means to "trick" the person onto the bed, and now he was indeed wanting to just walk away.

He took a deep breath, barely managed a smile, and lowered his head: "What do you want, little disciple?"

Liang Shining's eyes flickered.

Last night, when Ying Huai wasn't lucid, he could still restrain himself. Now that Ying Huai was awake, "old scores and new grievances" all surged up at once.

Liang Shining raised his head and said quietly: "Can Shifu... help me."

The moment his words fell, he felt the person in front of him instantly freeze.

Ying Huai sat on the edge of the bed, lowered his eyes, and stared at him strangely for a few seconds.

Then he suddenly pulled his hand back and unhesitatingly tapped Liang Shining's forehead.

"Help you with what? Have you gone crazy flirting with your own Shifu?"

Ying Huai gritted his teeth, smiled wryly, and lowered his head: "Handle it yourself. At most I'll lock the door for you."

He was speaking while trying to roll off the bed, but the next second, his waist was suddenly held with a grip that was neither light nor heavy.

The heat of Liang Shining's palm made Ying Huai's whole body tremble uncontrollably.

He instinctively tried to break free, and at the same moment, a careful knock sounded at his ear.

"Huai-ge, are you awake?"

Ying Huai's movements froze.

His center of gravity instantly became unstable, and he slammed into the headboard behind him with a "bang," producing a muffled thud.

Chu Ming outside the door heard the commotion in the room and, worried something had happened to Ying Huai, couldn't help but push the door open directly.

"Huai-ge, are you okay? I'm coming in..."

The next second, he saw Ying Huai sitting at the head of the bed, suddenly flipping up the blanket as if to hide something underneath.

Chu Ming was stunned for a moment.

He raised his head somewhat blankly: "What's wrong, Huai-ge?"

Ying Huai leaned against the headboard.

With one hand pressing down on the person under the blanket, he subtly exhaled and smiled at Chu Ming: "I'm fine... What did you come to see me about?"

Chu Ming always felt something was a bit strange.

But the room's lighting was dim, Ying Huai had always been afraid of the cold, and the blankets on the bed were very thick, so Chu Ming didn't notice for the moment that someone else was lying on the bed.

He shook his head and lifted his foot, wanting to walk over to Ying Huai.

"Nothing's wrong. I just heard you went to see my dad yesterday, so I came to check if you're okay."

As he spoke and moved forward, the next second he heard Ying Huai suddenly say: "Wait a moment."

Chu Ming's footsteps instantly stalled.

He raised his head somewhat blankly: "What's wrong, Huai-ge?"

Ying Huai, who had only instinctively stopped him from approaching: ........

He didn't know what to say for the moment, opened his mouth silently as if searching for a reason, then suddenly covered his lips and started coughing in an over-compensating way.

"I'm fine, cough cough cough, just a bit of chest tightness from waking up... Could you do me a favor and pour me a glass of water?"

Chu Ming didn't notice anything unusual.

He nodded hurriedly and turned to grab the water pitcher from the nearby table.

Ying Huai let out a silent breath.

He reached out wanting to mess up the blanket a bit more so it wouldn't look suspicious, but the next second he felt his waist being pinched—not too lightly, not too heavily.

Ying Huai's expression instantly froze.

—It was only now that he belatedly realized Liang Shining had never actually taken his hand off his waist.

It was also fortunate that this blockhead Chu Ming was so focused on his health that he hadn't noticed this point.

Ying Huai clenched his teeth.

He grabbed Liang Shining's hand that was on his waist, wanting to make him let go, but the next second Chu Ming had already walked back quickly.

"Here, Huai-ge, I mixed you some warm water, it shouldn't be too hot, try it..."

Ying Huai, who was still gripping Liang Shining's wrist with one hand: ........

He instinctively wanted to let go, but immediately felt Liang Shining's fingers turn slightly, switching from defense to offense, and directly grabbing his wrist.

Ying Huai: ......???

He took a deep breath and could only awkwardly extend his other hand to take the cup from Chu Ming.

"...Thank you."

Chu Ming now also noticed Ying Huai's somewhat strange posture.

"Huai-ge, what's wrong with your arm?"

Chu Ming's gaze fell on Ying Huai's half-propped arm and he asked with some concern: "Is something uncomfortable?"

Ying Huai's drinking motion paused.

He lowered his eyes with a complicated expression, took a sip of water, and slightly shook his head: "No, it's..."

Before he could finish speaking, he felt the hand gripping him restlessly pinch his waist lightly again.

Ying Huai's body uncontrollably trembled for a moment.

"—It's my waist, my waist is a bit uncomfortable." Ying Huai said through gritted teeth.

As he spoke, he turned his wrist and mercilessly slapped the back of Liang Shining's hand.

A light "slap" sounded from in front of him, and Chu Ming was startled.

"What are you doing, Huai-ge? If your waist hurts, how about I rub it for you, don't get angry at yourself..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Ying Huai's body inexplicably tremble again, and the tips of his ears reddened for some reason.

"...I'm fine, I'll be okay after resting a bit."

Ying Huai took a deep breath and spoke quietly.

The person under the blanket was up to some mischief again; before Chu Ming could finish his sentence, another hand suddenly reached over as well.

—As if throwing a tantrum.

Chu Ming didn't understand what was going on, but obediently stopped his footsteps.

He only now remembered something and looked around.

"Right, where's Liang Shining, Huai-ge? Wasn't he always watching over you before?"

Chu Ming muttered quietly: "Didn't give me any chance at all."

Ying Huai's mind was full of how to make Liang Shining behave, and he casually replied: "He went out, he'll be back in a bit."

Chu Ming was somewhat indignant: "Your waist has hurt for so long and still hasn't gotten better, doesn't he care at all?"

Ying Huai thought to himself that this "waist pain" was caused by him, and he gritted his teeth: "That's not it—he just cares too much."

Chu Ming continued indignantly: "If I hadn't seen him treating you well when I stayed at his house before, I would definitely stay and continue to take care of you..."

As he said this, he suddenly thought of something, his eyes shifted, and he instantly leaned close to Ying Huai.

"How about you come stay at my house, Huai-ge?"

The person under the bed and Ying Huai's movements both paused at the same time.

A strange expression flashed across Ying Huai's face, and he raised his head with a somewhat helpless smile: "No need, I'm fine living here."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Chu Ming plop down on the edge of his bed.

"Huai-ge, it's fine," Chu Ming said earnestly, "I'll talk to Liang Shining in a bit."

Ying Huai was startled, choked, and couldn't help but cough in a muffled voice: "Cough cough cough, no, get up first..."

"Look, your waist has hurt for so long and still hasn't gotten better, and you've already coughed twice this morning." Chu Ming said earnestly.

Ying Huai set the water cup aside and tried hard to suppress his coughing: "You've misunderstood, it's not my waist, I just..."

But Chu Ming only thought he was making excuses for Liang Shining, and said indignantly: "Liang Shining doesn't care about you at all!"

Ying Huai felt the hand on his waist tighten little by little, and he hurriedly tried to soothe: "No, he cares a lot, don't overthink it..."

Chu Ming didn't listen at all: "I can take good care of you too, Huai-ge! I'll be good to you!"

Ying Huai desperately pressed down on the restless person under the blanket: "No need, Liang Shining treats me quite well, you don't need to worry..."

But Chu Ming, looking at Ying Huai's evasive gaze, instantly misunderstood something.

He displayed an expression of deep distress: "You haven't been PUA'd by that guy surnamed Liang, have you, Huai-ge? I'll go talk to Big Brother Ying in a bit and have him stand up for you—"

Before he could finish speaking, the next second he saw the blanket next to Ying Huai suddenly thrown open, and then Liang Shining sat up abruptly with a dark expression.

Chu Ming: ?

Liang Shining's face was dark.

He stared at Chu Ming for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out and took the water cup Ying Huai had just drunk from, and calmly took a sip from the same place Ying Huai had drunk.

"Sorry, been cooped up too long, got a bit thirsty."

Ying Huai: ........

Chu Ming: ??

He instantly jumped up from the bed: "H-h-h-how are you here—"

Liang Shining raised his head.

He stared at Chu Ming with an unreadable expression for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"I slept here last night, and was just woken up by Mr. Chu."

Liang Shining stared at the person in front of him who was trying to poach him right in front of his face, and slightly curved his lips: "You tell me—why would I be here."

Chu Ming: ???

He gritted his teeth: "What did you say? What do you mean you slept here last night, how could you..."

He turned to look at Ying Huai in disbelief. Ying Huai's eyes flickered, and he turned his head somewhat helplessly and sighed.

—This was tantamount to tacit confirmation.

Chu Ming's heart instantly shattered.

Ying Huai pressed his brow with some headache.

He opened his mouth wanting to explain something, but the next second, another knock came from the door.

Following that, Yu Wu's teasing voice came from the door.

"Am I... coming at a bad time?"

Ying Huai's expression froze.

Yu Wu looked around, thoughtfully stroked his chin: "Everyone this early in the morning... quite in the mood."

Ying Huai: ........

Looking at Yu Wu's half-smiling expression, he closed his eyes in despair.

—It's over, there's no way to explain this now.