Chapter 69: Inflammation

Su Xin slowly moved his gaze to the computer screen.

He took a deep breath, skillfully turned the computer on, and slowly moved the mouse to the recycle bin beside it.

Su Xin knew that the latest songs from Ying Huai's album could all be found in the recycle bin.

This Variety Show had unexpectedly gone viral, and the final Concert that followed was also drawing a great deal of attention.

The music-related guests on the Variety Show, Su Yun, Song Xingzhou, and others, were all preparing to use this opportunity to release new songs, perfectly riding the wave of traffic.

Su Xin was clear that he should also take this opportunity to release a new song.

But he had been sitting at home for so many days, ruined countless scores, and still had not a shred of inspiration.

Su Xin really couldn't stand it anymore and wanted to come to Mu Heguang for help, but unexpectedly ran into Ying Huai once again.

As if possessed, Su Xin walked into the recording room, wanting to listen to Ying Huai's new songs this time.

Su Xin skillfully opened the recycle bin, his gaze slowly moving to the most recently deleted files at the top.

His eyes flickered, and he unconsciously moved the mouse toward them. The next second, a puzzled voice came from behind him.

'What are you doing?'

Su Xin abruptly pulled his hand back.

He turned around and was met with Song Xingzhou's frowning expression.

Su Xin took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: 'Nothing.'

Song Xingzhou walked forward a few steps, glanced at the computer screen, and his tone grew colder: 'Didn't Teacher Ying shut down the computer when he went out? Why did you turn it on?'

'You're not trying to steal Teacher Ying's songs, are you?'

Su Xin hadn't intended to do anything in the first place, and being interrupted by Song Xingzhou like this instantly cooled his head.

'What nonsense are you spouting?'

He frowned at Song Xingzhou for a few seconds, then suddenly asked suspiciously: 'What are you doing here?'

Song Xingzhou was stunned by Su Xin's words, his brow furrowing as well: 'Teacher Ying asked me to come over, I'm not trying to do anything—don't twist the facts here, you answer me first...'

'Ying Huai asked you to come? Don't joke around.'

Su Xin's impression of Song Xingzhou was still stuck on what Song Xingzhou had done to Ying Huai during the Singer Competition.

Su Xin frowned and asked warily: 'What exactly did you come in here to do?'

Song Xingzhou also frowned.

His impression of Su Xin was not good either.

Not only because of what happened during the Singer Competition, but also because he could feel that Su Xin, unlike Xin Wan and the others, did not completely protect and... trust Ying Huai.

Song Xingzhou had not told anyone about his collaboration with Ying Huai.

First, after these incidents he knew to be cautious. Second... Song Xingzhou felt that this seemed to be something exclusive between him and Ying Huai, and he subconsciously did not want others to know.

Song Xingzhou stared at Su Xin now, a flash of anger appearing on his face.

'What do you mean, are you implying I deliberately snuck in...'

Su Xin snorted coldly, 'I didn't say that, but you know perfectly well what you were trying to do.'

'You—'

Song Xingzhou gritted his teeth.

He couldn't help but step forward. The next second, he heard a measured knock at the door.

'What are you two doing?'

Ying Huai bent his fingers and knocked lightly on the door frame.

The two in front of him stopped talking at the same time and turned their heads to look at Ying Huai in unison.

Ying Huai leaned half against the door frame.

His voice still carried a trace of just-woken drowsiness, and his slightly long hair tips fell onto his shoulders as he lowered his eyes, carrying a different sort of languor.

His gaze fell curiously on the two people facing off in front of him, and he covered his lips with great interest to yawn.

'You two don't have some unspeakable secret...'

Before he finished speaking, the next second, he heard the two in front of him speak at the same time.

'Teacher Ying! He wants to do something to you—'

'Shidi, he was sneaking along behind you—'

The two stopped mid-sentence upon hearing each other's voices, and glared at each other through gritted teeth.

Ying Huai, who had only meant to tease: ?

He slowly lowered his hand and blinked in some bewilderment: 'What did you two just say?'

Su Xin and Song Xingzhou, as if receiving some command again, spoke once more in eager unison.

'Teacher Ying, I just caught him trying to sneak a look at your computer—'

'Shidi, this kid was probably following you just now—'

Ying Huai, who had not heard a single word: ........

He was getting a headache from their noise and couldn't help covering his lips to cough a few times: 'Can you say it one at a time, slowly, what's the rush...'

Before he finished speaking, the next second, he saw the two in front of him stop talking at the same time.

Song Xingzhou looked at him somewhat flustered, while Su Xin frowned and stepped forward two paces: 'Are you sick?'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

He didn't understand why the two in front of him were reacting so strongly: 'No, just a bit of a cough, why are you...'

Ying Huai heard Su Xin's voice and inexplicably tensed up: 'Is it because of last time... your body never fully recovered?'

Ying Huai was taken aback.

He belatedly realized why the two in front of him were reacting so strongly.

——It was because of what happened at the Villa last time.

Ying Huai was somewhat surprised. His eyes flickered, he turned his head away a little awkwardly, and after a moment laughed softly: 'No, my body's been fine for a while.'

Seeing that Su Xin and Song Xingzhou looked like they wanted to say more, he turned around first and walked outside.

'Enough, if you two are done arguing, come out quickly. Shifu's food is ready, I just came to call you.'

Ying Huai pushed himself up and ambled outside.

Su Xin and Song Xingzhou both stepped forward at the same time to follow Ying Huai, and once again collided unexpectedly at the doorway.

The two exchanged glances, neither yielding, snorted coldly, and both tried to squeeze out first.

Ying Huai heard the commotion behind him and instinctively turned back, a strange expression instantly appearing on his face.

Song Xingzhou was gripping the door frame tightly, blocking the middle, while Su Xin, with his usual indifferent expression, had one foot already out the door, half his body wedged in front of Song Xingzhou.

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

——For a moment he felt the two in front of him were even more childish than Chu Ming.

'What exactly do you two want to do?' Ying Huai said with a slight headache. 'Can you...'

'I need to go out first, otherwise he'll definitely try something sneaky!'

The two in the doorway spoke in unison.

Ying Huai: ........

He was tempted to just shut the two of them in the recording room, but thinking of Mu Heguang's expectant expression after cooking just now, he took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

He stared at the two in front of him and suddenly laughed softly: 'Looks like neither of you wants to eat with us?'

The two, who had been arguing with great enthusiasm, raised their heads at the same moment.

'No, Teacher Ying, it's not that I won't come out...'

'Shidi, he's blocking me...'

Ying Huai pressed his brow.

'I don't care how you two get out.'

He had been exhausted these past two days and really did not have the energy to keep arguing with them.

Ying Huai turned around and said casually: 'Anyway, I'm just here on Shifu's behalf to call you to eat. If I get to the table and you still haven't come, then you just won't eat.'

As he spoke, he turned around slowly. He had not taken two steps when, as expected, he heard two muffled thuds from behind, one after the other.

Ying Huai's lips curved slightly.

Immediately after, Song Xingzhou ran over quickly, grimacing, heading straight for the dining table.

Ying Huai turned his head slightly.

Su Xin also quickly stood up from the ground.

His expression was somewhat dark, and aside from limping slightly, he also walked briskly to the table.

Ying Huai's lips curved silently.

Mu Heguang, who had just brought out the last dish from the kitchen, was baffled. He looked at the two people who had rushed to the dining table at the same instant, his expression somewhat dazed.

'What's wrong, why are you both in such a hurry?'

Ying Huai unhurriedly sat down beside Liang Shining, propped his chin on his hand, and said with a smile: 'Nothing, Shifu, they're just too hungry, couldn't wait to eat.'

His gaze swept over the two in front of him, and his eyes curved: 'Isn't that right?'

Su Xin and Song Xingzhou instinctively felt something was off.

Song Xingzhou instinctively wanted to retort, but looking at Ying Huai's half-smiling expression, the words on his lips rolled around, and in the end he just nodded blankly: 'Mm, yes, Teacher Ying's right.'

Su Xin frowned, unwilling to be outdone, changed his tune, and hummed a low 'mm.'

The next second, a large bowl of rice appeared in front of both of them simultaneously.

Su Xin and Song Xingzhou's expressions stiffened at the same time.

'That's great, I happened to cook a lot of dishes today, definitely enough to eat.' Mu Heguang said cheerfully.

As he spoke, he picked up a large ladle and scooped two servings of dishes directly into their bowls.

'If it's not enough, just tell me,' Mu Heguang said with a smile, 'I'll definitely make sure you eat your fill.'

Su Xin, Song Xingzhou: ........

Liang Shining finally realized something was off at this point. He silently turned his head to look at Ying Huai.

Having succeeded in diverting Mu Heguang's attention, Ying Huai curved his lips.

'Nothing.'

A flash of mischief passed through Ying Huai's beautiful eyes.

'They expended too much energy just now, eating more is fine.'

Liang Shining: ?

·

But in the end, Ying Huai couldn't escape either, and was specially served a full large bowl of rice and dishes under Mu Heguang's care.

Fortunately, Mu Heguang's cooking skills had improved somewhat over time. Though the dishes still tasted a bit strange, they were at least not difficult to swallow.

But Ying Huai had no appetite these past two days, and put down his chopsticks after eating less than half a bowl.

The phone beside him rang once. Ying Huai lowered his eyes to look, and without hesitation reached out to decline the call.

The next second, several messages were immediately sent over.

Manager: [Why aren't you answering my call, Ying Huai? How's your new album coming along?]

Manager: [I really don't know why you insist on releasing this. If the company hadn't insisted on making me handle it... forget it, remember to sync the promotional schedule with me.]

Liang Shining beside him frowned.

Ying Huai's manager had never cared whether he lived or died, and after something happened with the Lu family, simply vanished from the face of the earth.

For some unknown reason, he'd suddenly resurfaced recently.

Ying Huai beside him instinctively lowered his head at the sound of the phone. The next second, he saw Liang Shining suddenly reach out and flip the phone face-down.

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

He turned his head with some amusement: 'What are you doing?'

'Don't look.' Liang Shining said in a low voice, 'You should focus on eating.'

Ying Huai rarely saw this reaction from Liang Shining. He turned his head with a half-smile: 'What, Mr. Liang is worried about me?'

'Mm,' Liang Shining nodded, and said directly without any evasion, 'Worried.'

As he spoke, he placed the chopsticks back in Ying Huai's hand: 'So eat a little more.'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

The tips of his ears reddened slightly. He coughed lightly and cooperatively picked up the chopsticks again.

But today he inexplicably had no energy at all, and after a few bites couldn't help but stop again.

'Finished eating so quickly, Xiao Huai?'

Mu Heguang's gaze fell on the bowl in front of Ying Huai.

He always felt Ying Huai was eating even less than before. 'Is something wrong?'

Ying Huai shook his head. 'It's nothing, probably just a bit too tired these past two days, no appetite.'

He raised his head and smiled at Mu Heguang: 'It's basically done, shifu doesn't need to worry.'

Hearing this, Mu Heguang couldn't say anything more, only sighed with some worry.

'Alright, since it's just finished, you can rest for a while. Otherwise when the promotion and such starts, you'll be busy again.'

Mu Heguang said this and raised his head again: 'Speaking of which, aren't you planning to release the Pre-release Track soon?'

Ying Huai nodded.

'Mm, very soon,' Ying Huai raised his head and smiled at Mu Heguang, 'I'm planning to release it the day before the final episode recording.'

Mu Heguang was stunned for a moment, then his expression brightened instantly: 'Then it's almost time.'

Although he had already heard all the songs on Ying Huai's new album, he was still a little excited hearing this news.

He suddenly thought of something and asked curiously: 'Right, you haven't told me yet, which song are you planning to choose as the Pre-release Track?'

Ying Huai raised his head, and a few more hints of a smile appeared at his lips.

'This one you're definitely very familiar with.'

'It's a song made from a demo from a long time ago.'

Mu Heguang was stunned for a moment, then excitedly sat up straight.

Su Xin beside him was stunned for a moment, his hand holding the chopsticks tightening slightly.

'Good, good, that song is great, the style is unique, it'll definitely stand out as the Pre-release Track.' Mu Heguang said cheerfully.

He thought of something else as he spoke, and turned to look at Liang Shining with a smile: 'It's been hard on Xiao Ning these past few days too, the story of this Pre-release Track also has to do with him...'

Before he finished speaking, he heard a 'creak' of a chair being moved in front of him, followed by Ying Huai's somewhat flustered voice: 'Everyone's pretty much done eating, right? I'll go wash the dishes.'

Mu Heguang was stunned. Liang Shining's eyes flickered, his gaze falling on Ying Huai, whose expression clearly showed a flash of guilt.

Mu Heguang hadn't reacted yet: 'Oh no, just leave them, I'll wash them in a bit. Let's chat a while longer, Xiao Ning, tell Xiao Huai to come back...'

Before he finished speaking, the next second, he saw Ying Huai, who had already walked to the kitchen, quickly turn around and pull Liang Shining along.

'Liang Shining, come wash dishes with me.'

Ying Huai shielded Liang Shining behind him, and with forced composure smiled at Mu Heguang: 'Teacher, you rest for a while, we'll be right back.'

Mu Heguang: ?

He finally belatedly realized something was off, but before he could say anything, Ying Huai had already quickly pulled the person away.

·

The kitchen door was quickly shut. Ying Huai leaned against the sink and silently let out a breath.

But the next second, Liang Shining's calm voice suddenly came from behind: 'What's wrong, shifu?'

The breath Ying Huai had just exhaled was immediately sucked back in.

'Nothing, it's just that it was too hot just now, a bit stuffy.'

Ying Huai quickly turned around.

He half-leaned against the counter behind him, and curved his eyes at Liang Shining: 'I thought about it, let's go back tonight. My brother hasn't seen me in several days, he'll be angry by then.'

Liang Shining was quiet for a few seconds: 'Ying Qi would get angry at you?'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

He instinctively opened his mouth to retort, but the words on his lips suddenly caught.

Ying Qi really did seem to have basically never gotten angry at him.

The only time he'd been a bit angry was when Ying Huai had fainted from a fever in his bedroom as a child, and Ying Qi had been so angry... he didn't look at him for half an hour.

It wasn't that he didn't talk to him for half an hour—because he still had to coax him into taking medicine.

Ying Huai silently opened his mouth, then took the bowl beside him in a transparent attempt to cover up.

'Anyway, let's just go back after washing the dishes. I feel a bit uncomfortable, want to go back and sleep early.'

There was no movement from the person behind him. Just as Ying Huai guiltily wanted to say something more, he finally heard Liang Shining softly say 'mm.'

Ying Huai silently let out a breath.

·

But perhaps it was a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ying Huai had just used feeling unwell as an excuse, and after a while really started feeling off all over.

His vision was spinning. The moment he lowered his head to put down the bowl, his vision went black, and he nearly toppled over.

Fortunately, Liang Shining beside him reached out and steadied him.

Ying Huai crouched on the ground for a few seconds, slightly waving his hand: 'I'm fine, probably just a bit... low blood sugar.'

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Liang Shining pause for a few seconds, then say quietly: 'You just finished eating, shifu.'

Ying Huai paused.

Liang Shining wanted to help him to rest, but saw Ying Huai directly prop himself up on the sink beside him, trying to stand.

'It's fine, no need, just a little more, let's quickly finish up and go back...'

Before he finished speaking, he saw Liang Shining's brow twitch.

The next second, he was unceremoniously 'invited' out by Liang Shining.

—He was carried to the sofa by Liang Shining without any mercy.

'I'm not going out to find Teacher Mu, we'll go back after we finish up.' Liang Shining's voice revealed some helplessness.

'Shifu should rest well first.'

Ying Huai propped himself up and instinctively sat up.

He looked like he still wanted to say something, but the next second heard Liang Shining speak calmly.

'Shifu probably doesn't want to really test whether Big Brother Ying would actually get angry, right?'

Ying Huai was stunned.

He looked at Liang Shining turning back: 'Shifu should rest well, I won't tell Big Brother Ying about what just happened.'

Ying Huai: ?

He instantly shrunk back into the sofa.

·

Liang Shining kept his word; he didn't go out to find Mu Heguang until he had finished cleaning up the kitchen.

But Mu Heguang appeared at the kitchen doorway on his own.

'I just saw Xiao Huai sitting on the sofa with Xiao Su,' Mu Heguang stood at the kitchen doorway and said softly, 'What happened? Are you two okay?'

Liang Shining shook his head: 'Nothing's wrong, Shifu suddenly felt a bit dizzy earlier, I had him go rest first.'

Mu Heguang immediately asked with concern: 'Why suddenly dizzy? Is his heart uncomfortable again...'

Liang Shining's movements paused, he suddenly thought of the examinations Song Si Lan had pulled Ying Huai through a few days ago.

Those test results hadn't all come back yet, but Liang Shining had also observed over the past few days that Ying Huai hadn't had any more fever episodes.

He had relaxed slightly, not expecting this kind of situation to recur today.

Liang Shining took a deep breath and said quietly: 'I'm not sure.'

Mu Heguang seemed to realize something too, and silently sighed.

'It's fine, Xiao Huai's body has been like this on and off over the years, there won't be any major problems, don't worry.'

Mu Heguang patted Liang Shining's shoulder: 'At first I thought you were still hung up on that Pre-release Track thing, as long as it's fine...'

Before he finished speaking, he heard Liang Shining suddenly say: 'What about the Pre-release Track?'

Mu Heguang choked up.

He immediately realized he had let something slip.

He opened his mouth to try to cover it up, but the image of Ying Huai's pale face from earlier flashed before his eyes, and he gritted his teeth and finally said: 'That demo was recorded by Xiao Huai when you two were filming that Crossover Singer variety show.'

Liang Shining's expression froze.

'Xiao Huai didn't look happy that day, and it was also the first time I saw him drink in front of me.'

Mu Heguang said quietly.

'I looked into it later and found out that day should have been exactly... the day you announced breaking off your relationship with him.'

So he had initially held prejudice against Liang Shining too, until that day when he followed Ying Huai and met Liang Shining for the first time, and realized he had probably misunderstood something.

—Liang Shining clearly cared about Ying Huai to an unbearable degree.

Liang Shining's hand at his side suddenly tightened.

A look of blankness appeared on his face, and he said quietly: 'But that Pre-release Track...'

That Pre-release Track was a Chill-style song, the entire vibe exuded ease and joy.

Mu Heguang shook his head.

'I'm not sure either, Xiao Huai never told me the specific story behind this demo.'

He looked up at Liang Shining: 'Xiao Huai probably didn't want me to tell you about this, maybe afraid you'd feel bad, or maybe he had his own concerns.'

Liang Shining hung his head and said nothing, Mu Heguang sighed.

He suddenly said: 'Do you know the name of this Pre-release Track?'

Liang Shining shook his head.

Ying Huai had been agonizing over the Pre-release Track's name for the past few days, and Liang Shining didn't know which one he ultimately chose.

He heard Mu Heguang say gently: 'It's called Return.'

Liang Shining was slightly stunned.

Mu Heguang took a breath: 'Since he could pull this demo back out, he probably doesn't care anymore.'

He reached out and patted Liang Shining's shoulder: 'Don't overthink it either, if you're really curious about this song, go have a proper talk with Xiao Huai.'

Mu Heguang said casually: 'This old man is old, can't manage you young people's affairs, but there's one thing you must guarantee—don't make Xiao Huai sad again.'

Liang Shining's body trembled slightly.

'I know.'

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he spoke his voice inexplicably went hoarse for a moment: 'I cherish him—I couldn't possibly not.'

·

Mu Heguang finished speaking and went out first.

Liang Shining stayed in the kitchen a while longer, until his reddened eyes gradually recovered somewhat, then took a deep breath and walked out as if nothing had happened.

'Shifu, I'm done, let's go...'

Before he finished speaking, he saw Mu Heguang crouching beside the sofa with a grave expression, and the person who had been smiling just moments ago was curled up on the sofa, face pale, brows tightly furrowed, clearly looking very uncomfortable.

Liang Shining immediately sensed something was wrong, he stepped forward quickly: 'What's—'

He watched Su Xin reach under Ying Huai's clothes and pull something out, then looked down.

'He has a fever.'

Su Xin said while handing over the thermometer: 'The temperature... is a bit high.'

Liang Shining's expression changed.

·

There was no medical equipment at Mu Heguang's place, so Liang Shining could only take Ying Huai quickly back home.

Ying Huai curled up in the passenger seat the whole way, sleeping in a dazed stupor.

But as they approached home, he inexplicably became a bit more awake, and even the fever gradually subsided.

By the time Song Si Lan hurried over, Ying Huai's inexplicable fever had already turned into a low-grade one.

After getting home, Liang Shining gave him medicine again, and as the medication gradually took effect, Ying Huai curled up in bed and had fallen back into a deep sleep.

Song Si Lan gently closed the bedroom door, and Ying Qi beside him couldn't hold back any longer: 'What's actually wrong with Xiao Huai's body?'

His voice trembled, the usually gentle tone carrying forcibly suppressed panic: 'Is it his heart having problems again...'

But Song Si Lan shook his head.

'The fever is definitely caused by his heart condition, but the last examination didn't find any obvious pathological changes in the heart.'

Ying Qi breathed out slightly in relief.

As long as it wasn't a heart problem, it was still within controllable range.

But in an instant he frowned again: 'Then what's actually causing it...'

Song Si Lan frowned: 'In the examination just now I found mild inflammation in his lungs again, I suspect it's still from the previous lung infection.'

'But there are still a few test results that haven't come back, I'm not sure if there are other complications.'

Song Si Lan took a deep breath, 'I'll use conventional medication to control the lung situation first, we'll determine the final treatment plan after all the test results come in.'

Ying Qi nodded.

Song Si Lan pushed the door open and went back in, Ying Qi stood in place pressing his brow, and when he turned his head, his expression froze.

Ying Father had appeared at the doorway at some unknown point.

He stared fixedly at Ying Huai's bedroom door, his face dark.

Ying Qi's expression gradually calmed: 'Father.'

Ying Father gripped his Cane tightly.

After a long moment, he said quietly: 'Ying Huai now... how is his condition?'

'Doctor Song said earlier his fever has come down, but he took medicine and is still sleeping.' Ying Qi said quietly.

He hesitated, then slowly raised his head: 'Do you want to go in and see...'

Before Ying Qi finished speaking, he heard Ying Father say in a dark, heavy voice, his face looking terrible.

'These next few days Ying Huai is not allowed to go out again.' Ying Father gritted his teeth and said quietly, 'Have him stay home properly, without my permission he's not allowed to go out...'

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly heard Ying Qi calmly interrupt him: 'You can't do that.'

Ying Father's voice cut off abruptly.

He turned his head in disbelief: 'What did you say?'

'You can suggest Xiao Huai rest at home for the next couple of days, but you can't forcibly interfere with his personal freedom like this.'

Ying Qi's voice was gentle, but his tone brooked no argument: 'You can't do that.'

'On what grounds? He's my son.'

Ying Father gritted his teeth: 'His body is already like this, he won't take care of himself, am I not allowed to—'

'Ying Huai has congenital heart disease, his body was never going to be in great shape to begin with.'

Song Si Lan had returned to the doorway at some unknown point.

He leaned against the doorframe with arms crossed, looking at Ying Father with an indifferent expression.

'Although I also don't approve of him tiring himself out without any restraint—as long as it's within what his body can handle, as his doctor, I will still agree to let him do what he wants.'

'This is his own choice,' Song Si Lan raised his head calmly, 'no one has the right to interfere.'

Ying Father's face turned ashen: 'He's my son, I can make choices for him—'

'You can't.' Song Si Lan gently cut him off.

'If you wanted him to spend his whole life like an invalid being kept in bed, why were you so harsh on him in the first place?' Song Si Lan raised his head calmly.

'If you really care about him, why did you force him to leave the Ying Family in the first place?'

Song Si Lan straightened up: "You made your choice from the very beginning — you chose to let Ying Huai bear everything on his own."

"So whatever Ying Huai does after this, you have no right to interfere."

The corridor was silent. Father Ying stood rigidly in place.

Ying Qi let out a silent sigh.

He stepped forward: "Go back today first, Father. Once Xiao Huai is a little better, you can come again..."

Before he finished speaking, he heard Father Ying suddenly say: "Why should he make this choice?"

"Why can't Ying Huai quietly recuperate at the Ying Family from now on?"

"That's my son," Father Ying gritted his teeth, his voice trembling, "why should he suffer so much..."

Before he finished speaking, his voice suddenly cut off.

— It was because of him.

Because of his previous indifference toward Ying Huai, because of his previous harsh attitude, directly or indirectly leading to the current situation.

Father Ying's expression instantly crumbled.

Ying Qi looked at Father Ying's expression, worry rising in his heart.

"Are you alright, Father?"

Ying Qi stepped forward and said quietly: "Go back and calm down first. Once Xiao Huai wakes up, I'll call you..."

Before he finished speaking, a low, muffled cough suddenly came from inside the room.

The cough was weak and frail; without listening carefully, it would almost be missed entirely.

But Father Ying seemed to be suddenly jolted awake, his hand gripping the Cane trembling abruptly.

He turned around almost in a panic.

"No need. If Xiao Huai wakes up... just let him rest well."

Father Ying forcefully suppressed the tremor in his voice.

"I... I won't disturb his rest."

Ying Qi froze in place.

After a long moment, he seemed to realize something and let out a silent sigh.

Song Si Lan slowly yawned and returned to the room.

·

Ying Huai's fever this time came quickly and left quickly. Although his body was still somewhat weak after the fever broke, his spirits were fortunately not bad.

For some reason he didn't ask about the specific cause of his fever. Fortunately, the treatment Song Si Lan adjusted seemed effective — Ying Huai's condition didn't relapse at all up until the day of the show recording.

Father Ying hadn't come to see Ying Huai since that day. Only occasionally at meals, he would sit far away at the other end of the table, silently watching his youngest son.

Ying Huai wasn't clear what exactly had happened that day, but Father Ying's behavior did give him a faint sense of relief.

The Pre-release Track was released on schedule at midnight across all platforms the day before the show recording, and quickly shot to the top of the real-time chart.

Liang Shining, Mu Heguang, and others simultaneously posted on Weibo to forward and promote it. Even Su Xin clicked forward without a word.

The album's Pre-release Track 'Return' went viral across all platforms.

[Ahhh, this song is so light and breezy, it feels like lazily lying in the sunshine.]

[Really really, it's that feeling of suddenly recalling the best day of early spring when night hasn't yet fallen, the whole person feels warm.]

[Doesn't the title 'Return' also have this meaning — returning to the happiest time in the past? Ying Huai's arrangement really adds so much.]

[Teacher Xiao Huai must have been very happy when he wrote this song.]

Ying Huai's manager, who had been acting as if dead, seemed startled by this sudden surge of traffic. Rarely perking up, he called that evening to say the company had arranged a livestream promotion for him.

Ying Huai didn't refuse. Instead, it was Lu Jing who called him.

"If you don't want to go to that livestream, you don't have to."

Lu Jing got straight to the point as soon as he spoke: "I'll handle it for you, it's fine."

Ying Huai was startled for a moment.

He didn't know what Lu Jing wanted to do. After a moment, he laughed softly: "I'm fine, shixiong."

"Shixiong just stabilized the Lu Corporation recently, you must be very busy," Ying Huai said casually. "How do you still have time to pay attention to my affairs?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Lu Jing's voice soften: "Don't worry about me, Xiao Huai."

Ying Huai, who had only wanted Lu Jing to stop meddling in his affairs: ?

For a moment he didn't know what to say. Lu Jing on the other end seemed to realize something and slightly frowned.

He suddenly said: "Is it because you're worried about your manager?"

"If it's because of this, you don't need to worry. I can replace this manager right now."

Recently, the Lu Corporation had gradually stabilized under his several rounds of purging. The first thing Lu Jing did was quickly review all of Ying Huai's records at the Lu Corporation over the past few years.

As expected, he couldn't find any information about Ying Huai's company switch back then or the inexplicable blacklisting, but he did unexpectedly uncover all sorts of ugly things his so-called manager had done over the years.

Lu Jing's hand gripping the phone slowly tightened.

He said quietly: "You don't need to worry, you can leave it all to me..."

Before he finished speaking, he heard Ying Huai laugh again on the other end of the phone.

"Thank you for your concern, shixiong, but really, there's no need."

Ying Huai's tone was as casual as ever: "As for the manager — I know my own limits."

Lu Jing was startled for a moment.

He seemed to realize something, closed his eyes briefly, "Alright, I understand, Xiao Huai."

Ying Huai responded casually.

He raised his hand to hang up, but suddenly heard Lu Jing speak again: "Tell me if anything comes up, Xiao Huai."

Lu Jing's voice was as deep as ever, but carried an inexplicable soothing quality.

Ying Huai's eyes flickered.

The refusal on his lips took a turn, and he finally, instinctively, gave a soft 'mm.'

·

The livestream promotion was scheduled for the day after the Pre-release Track's release. The Assistant Director, wanting to back Ying Huai up, simply arranged the livestream to take place right before the show.

The bullet comments in the livestream room were also much more enthusiastic than the previous episodes.

[Teacher Xiao Huai's song is so good! I love it! Looking forward to the title track!]

[Can Teacher Xiao Huai reveal the style of the other songs on the album? Are they the same as the Pre-release Track?]

Ying Huai answered each question with a smile, until he saw a bullet comment appear before his eyes.

[Can Teacher Xiao Huai share the creative background? I feel like the backstory of 'Return' must be very interesting.]

Ying Huai's eyes flickered. Liang Shining instinctively turned to look at him.

Ying Huai paused for a few seconds. Just as he was about to say something, the next moment, he suddenly saw his manager stride quickly in.

"Something's happened."

Ying Huai's manager burst into the livestream room, seemingly unaware they were live, and said without hesitation: "Someone has leaked that Teacher Ying's Pre-release Track is suspected of plagiarism."

Everyone present quickly frowned.

Ying Huai's eyes flickered slightly. He raised his head but stayed seated without moving.

The Assistant Director instinctively tried to remind him: "Please calm down first, we're live right now..."

But the manager acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing on his own: "They say it's plagiarism..."

Before he finished speaking, he saw two people behind him suddenly stand up.

"Teacher Ying didn't plagiarize!"

"Nonsense!"

Song Xingzhou and Su Xin spoke up one after the other at the same time.

The manager was stunned. Song Xingzhou and Su Xin also paused for a moment.

Disbelief flashed across both their faces simultaneously. They instinctively turned to glance at each other, then quickly and disgustedly turned away at the same time.

— How unlucky.

Ying Huai looked at Su Xin standing up, a hint of surprise in his expression.

But he quickly came back to himself, turned his head, and looked at his own manager with a half-smile.

"Sorry for interrupting you just now. Did you have something you hadn't finished saying?"

"You just said — who did I plagiarize?"

The manager opened his mouth soundlessly.

His face went a little pale. He instinctively wanted to take it back, but looking at Ying Huai's expression, he couldn't come up with a single excuse for the moment.

He could only brace himself, gritting his teeth: "It wasn't me who said it, it's people online, people say..."

He turned his gaze toward Su Xin, took a deep breath, and said quietly: "They say it's plagiarism, plagiarizing Teacher Su's — a previous work."

A hint of interest appeared in Ying Huai's expression.

Su Xin's face instantly darkened.