Chapter 75: Sealed

Chu Ming stared at the scene before him, his expression completely stunned.

Before he could even react, his body moved first—with a 'bang,' he directly shut the door.

Song Xingzhou, who was following behind and hadn't had a chance to say a word: ?

'Sorry, Huai-ge, I didn't mean to, I didn't see anything!'

Ying Huai: .......

He sighed silently, just about to brace himself and move aside, but a few seconds later, the room door was abruptly pushed open again.

Ying Huai had no choice but to lie back down again.

'Wait.'

Chu Ming's mind, for once, worked quickly, and he belatedly realized something.

Ying Huai's movement just now clearly looked like he wanted to prop himself up, but for some reason he seemed to be holding back, not moving for the moment.

In an instant, Chu Ming imagined a whole scenario where his Huai-ge was being threatened by Liang Shining and had no choice.

He strode into the Hospital room, heading straight for Ying Huai: 'This is a Hospital, what have you done to my Huai-ge, Liang Shining? Let him go right now—'

As he spoke, he tried to help Ying Huai sit up.

But the two on the bed were currently maintaining a delicate posture; as soon as Chu Ming pulled at Ying Huai and moved, the expressions of both men on the bed stiffened simultaneously.

'........Don't move,' Liang Shining gritted his teeth and spoke in a low voice.

Chu Ming was taken aback. He instinctively looked at Ying Huai, only to see Ying Huai take a light breath and also gently pull his hand away from Chu Ming's grasp.

'I'm fine. Let's just... sit like this for now.'

Chu Ming: ???

—His heart shattered instantly.

·

Chu Ming looked utterly dejected, gazing at Ying Huai as if wanting to speak but hesitating.

Ying Huai gave the two people in front of him a vexed look, sighed, and with a 'what's done is done' attitude, shifted slightly, finding a comfortable position in Liang Shining's arms.

'What is it?'

Ying Huai covered his mouth as he yawned, speaking lazily: 'Did you need something from me?'

Chu Ming instinctively shook his head.

'No, I...'

Before he could finish, the next second, he heard Ying Huai cut in with a smile: 'If there's nothing, then you can head back first. Take care, I'll just...'

Chu Ming: ???

'No, no, no, I do have something, I do, Huai-ge...'

He looked at Ying Huai hesitantly, wanting to say something but not daring to speak up.

Song Xingzhou beside him couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward, standing in front of Chu Ming: 'Teacher Ying, Brother Chu and I came to see you.'

'Are you feeling better? Is there anywhere you still feel unwell?'

His expression held a strange tension, his hands hidden behind his back as if concealing something. He took a deep breath and was about to step forward when he saw Ying Huai shake his head first: 'I'm fine, I'm much better now.'

Song Xingzhou's gathered courage instantly dissipated.

He took a step back somewhat dejectedly, nodding slightly: '...That's good.'

Ying Huai seemed to realize something and turned to look at him: 'Did you want to say something just now?'

Song Xingzhou hesitated for a moment, then finally shook his head: 'It's nothing. I'll... talk about it later.'

Ying Huai didn't press the matter. He turned his gaze to Chu Ming beside him.

Chu Ming, for some reason today, was unusually quiet as a mouse, a stark contrast to his usual boisterous self. Aside from his earlier panic at the door, he was now unexpectedly silent.

Ying Huai watched Chu Ming thoughtfully for a few seconds.

Chu Ming's eyes flickered, seemingly avoiding his gaze intentionally or unintentionally.

Ying Huai seemed to understand. A trace of resignation flashed across his expression.

He took a light breath and suddenly spoke with a smile: 'My health is just like this, what's there to worry about?'

A hint of disagreement flashed across Song Xingzhou's face, and Chu Ming beside him instantly blurted out: 'That's not true, Huai-ge.'

As soon as the words left his mouth, he saw Ying Huai look over with a knowing smile: 'Oh? Not avoiding me anymore?'

Chu Ming's face flushed red in an instant.

'I, I, I, I wasn't...'

Halfway through his sentence, meeting Ying Huai's slightly curved eyes, he instantly got tongue-tied.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally took a deep breath.

'I'm sorry, Huai-ge.'

Ying Huai raised an eyebrow in surprise, but Chu Ming seemed to have finally opened the floodgates, pouring out everything in one go.

'That day at my house, my dad was just talking nonsense. Huai-ge, please don't take it to heart, don't be angry. I was locked in the room and couldn't defend you, I'm really sorry...' Chu Ming spoke in a near-panic, his voice low.

'As soon as I got out, I wanted to tell you this, Huai-ge, but...'

But when he anxiously walked out the door, what he saw was the scene of Ying Huai collapsing weakly.

Chu Ming had nearly been scared out of his wits.

He had come to the Hospital almost every night these past few days to keep watch, but Ying Huai hadn't woken up.

When Ying Huai finally did wake up, he instead grew timid again, worried that Ying Huai was angry with him.

If Song Xingzhou, who had also come to visit, hadn't bumped into him lurking outside the door today, Chu Ming probably would have stayed cowardly until Ying Huai was discharged.

The smile at the corner of Ying Huai's lips faded slightly.

He was quiet for a few seconds, then sighed silently: 'You said yourself it was Uncle Chu who did it, so what does that have to do with you?'

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Chu Ming's face instantly crumple into a woeful expression.

'But if it weren't for me, Huai-ge wouldn't have ended up like this.'

'If it weren't for coming to rescue me... if it weren't for me, Huai-ge, you wouldn't have suddenly had an attack...'

Chu Ming's voice uncontrollably carried a hint of a sob, and Ying Huai instantly felt a headache coming on.

He sat up slightly, stared at Chu Ming for a few seconds, then suddenly let out a soft sigh: 'What did you eat when you got out that day?'

'...Huh?' Chu Ming looked up, confused.

'Weren't you determined not to eat anything all day, and said you wanted to go eat something good once you got out?'

Ying Huai tilted his head back, speaking casually, 'What did you end up eating?'

Chu Ming was stunned for a few seconds, then shook his head blankly: 'Didn't eat much. Ended up... eating instant noodles.'

Ying Huai was taken aback.

He couldn't help but laugh: 'That's what you call something good? Since when did you love instant noodles so much?'

Chu Ming hurriedly denied it: 'Of course not! Who loves that stuff?'

He glanced at the smiling person before him and spoke somewhat glumly: 'How could I possibly eat anything when you were in that state, Huai-ge... And wasn't it agreed that you'd take me to eat? How could I eat alone...'

'Well then, that settles it,' Ying Huai interrupted him with a smile.

Chu Ming was puzzled: 'Settles what?'

'You didn't get to eat something good, and I got sick and hospitalized.'

Ying Huai shrugged: 'We're even.'

Chu Ming didn't catch on right away.

He was dazed for a few seconds, then suddenly shook his head: 'That's not the same, Huai-ge. How can those two things be equivalent...'

'Then you take me out for something good to eat.'

Ying Huai spoke nonchalantly: 'Two make up for one, doesn't that work?'

Chu Ming opened his mouth silently.

He looked like he still wanted to say something, but then he saw Ying Huai glance at him leisurely.

'Or do you not want to have a meal with me?'

Chu Ming instantly shook his head: 'Of course not! I'd love to! What do you want to eat, Huai-ge? As soon as you're discharged, I'll take you right away—'

Ying Huai looked somewhat amusedly at the person before him who was crying one moment and laughing the next, and couldn't help speaking again: 'Let's put the meal aside for now. Can you stop crying first?'

Chu Ming instantly wiped his face.

He stubbornly turned his head away: 'I, I'm not crying.'

He spoke through gritted teeth, but the effort was too forceful, and he let out a loud, distinct sob.

Ying Huai couldn't help but chuckle softly.

He covered his mouth and coughed twice, then sighed with a laugh: 'I really don't understand why you all love to cry so much. I'm the one who's sick, and I haven't cried, but you're all crying first...'

Chu Ming keenly caught the key word and looked up, tears and snot on his face: ''You all'? Huai-ge, who else has been crying lately...'

Before Ying Huai could say anything, he felt the arm around his waist tighten slightly.

Ying Huai's body trembled, and he couldn't help letting out a soft 'hiss' of pain.

Chu Ming beside him instantly looked up: 'What's wrong, Huai-ge?'

Ying Huai shot a glance at Liang Shining.

The person behind him looked as calm as ever, meeting his gaze placidly, but his usually impassive eyes held a rare trace of warning.

Ying Huai gritted his teeth and spoke deliberately: 'Who do you think it could be—'

Before he could finish, he felt Liang Shining pinch the soft flesh at his waist, not too lightly and not too heavily.

Ying Huai couldn't help but let out a sudden 'ah.' He grabbed Liang Shining's hand.

Chu Ming was startled again. He stood up and immediately wanted to walk over: 'Are you really okay, Huai-ge? Should I go call Doctor Song for you—'

But he had barely lifted his foot when he saw Liang Shining's gaze suddenly turn toward him.

Chu Ming's forward movement instantly froze. Immediately after, Ying Huai seemed to finally catch his breath and spoke hoarsely: '...I'm fine.'

His waist had always been his most sensitive spot, and Liang Shining seemed to be doing it on purpose—he hadn't used much force, but his warm fingertips had stopped right on that exact point.

Ying Huai's body was still trembling slightly. Afraid Liang Shining might do something else, he took a few rapid breaths and spoke in a low voice: 'It's nothing... I accidentally got scratched by a dog.'

Chu Ming: ?

Liang Shining looked up with interest.

Ying Huai glared at him and vaguely changed the subject: 'Let's talk about the meal after I'm discharged... For now, let's focus on preparing for the Concert.'

As he said this, he seemed to remember something, narrowed his eyes, and turned his gaze to the two people before him.

'You've been practicing properly these past couple of days, right? How are the songs for the Concert coming along?'

The expressions of the two before him stiffened simultaneously.

Because this Concert was arranged on relatively short notice, even though the Production Team had arranged group classes and professional coaching, many details of the performances couldn't be fully covered.

So, before Ying Huai fell ill, some people couldn't help but start seeking extra tutoring from him.

It began with Song Xingzhou cautiously asking Ying Huai a few questions. Later, Xin Wan also started shamelessly tagging along, bringing Su Xin and Lu Jing with him, and finally even Su Yun, somewhat bewildered, joined the tutoring brigade.

But what they hadn't expected was that while Ying Huai usually seemed easygoing and good-natured, when it came to the musical aspects, he was exceptionally strict.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Ying Huai yawned leisurely and turned his gaze first to Chu Ming: 'I remember you were supposed to perform your 'specialty'—the flute, right?'

Chu Ming choked.

These past couple of days, he had been in a daze worrying about Ying Huai; the flute and everything else had long been forgotten. He'd only messed around with it a bit during the two days he was locked up at home, trying to drive away the people watching him at the door.

Song Xingzhou was the first to snap back to reality, hurriedly speaking up: 'I have been practicing, Teacher Xiao Huai. I'll perform it for you properly once you're back...'

Chu Ming, not daring to make a sound beside him, also nodded frantically.

The two exchanged a look, simultaneously feeling the pressure of trying to patch the sky like the goddess Nüwa during final exam cramming season.

Ying Huai yawned again. A wave of drowsiness washed over him for no apparent reason, and he instinctively shrank back into Liang Shining's embrace, speaking vaguely.

'Whatever you want. I'll check later... Hmm, as long as you can meet the standard.'

Chu Ming and Song Xingzhou both stiffened their expressions at once, but Liang Shining, behind him, sensed something and lowered his head to gently squeeze Ying Huai's fingertips.

'Sleepy?'

Ying Huai's eyelids were half-closed as he leaned against Liang Shining's shoulder and gave a slight nod. 'Mhm... Suddenly a bit sleepy. I'll rest for a bit. You guys chat first...'

By the end, his voice had already faded, the final trailing note gradually becoming almost inaudible.

Song Xingzhou and Chu Ming beside him instantly fell silent. Liang Shining didn't say anything more either, just gestured for Chu Ming to lower the head of the bed a little and helped Ying Huai lie down properly.

After Chu Ming finished doing this and looked up again, he saw Ying Huai's head slightly bowed, seemingly already asleep.

He waited a few seconds, then silently mouthed to Liang Shining.

'Huai-ge is asleep?'

Liang Shining slowly got off the bed and gave a slight nod.

He couldn't help but step forward and touch Ying Huai's forehead. Ying Huai's eyelashes fluttered, and he seemed to make a vague sound of acknowledgment, but after a few seconds, there was no more movement.

Chu Ming was a bit astonished. 'That fast?'

Liang Shining didn't speak, glancing at the monitor beside them.

The monitor data showed nothing abnormal.

But Ying Huai's heart wasn't good. Normally, even when asleep, he was prone to waking up from oxygen deprivation. Over time, both falling asleep and his sleep state weren't very good.

A situation like today, falling asleep so quickly and so deeply, was indeed rare.

Liang Shining frowned. Song Si Lan, who had come in to change the medicine, also looked over upon hearing this and confirmed there was no problem.

'His heart has been quite fragile these past few days. His body's functions are automatically adjusting through sleep. Feeling drowsy these two days is normal,' Song Si Lan replied offhandedly.

'Alright, now that he's asleep, you two should head back. Don't disturb the patient's rest.'

Hearing this, Chu Ming instinctively started walking out, but Song Xingzhou beside him hesitated for a moment, then quickly walked back to Ying Huai's bedside.

Song Si Lan, who was changing Ying Huai's IV drip, turned his head to glance at Song Xingzhou, then turned back as if nothing had happened.

'What are you doing? Not leaving?' Chu Ming, halfway out the door and not seeing the other, turned back curiously.

'Leaving, leaving. I'm coming.'

Song Xingzhou hurried to the door. Chu Ming gave him a puzzled look, but Song Xingzhou was the first to close the door.

'Let's go. Don't we need to hurry back and practice?' Song Xingzhou said hastily.

'The parts Teacher Ying revised for me, I haven't fully mastered them yet. You haven't either, right, Brother Chu?'

Chu Ming's expression instantly turned serious.

'Of course not—quick, quick, let's hurry back.'

He pushed Song Xingzhou forward briskly, then suddenly seemed to remember something and paused.

'Hey, wait for me a second—'

Song Xingzhou turned his head, somewhat bewildered.

He watched as Chu Ming walked quickly to the Hospital room door, his heart instantly leaping into his throat.

The next second, however, he saw Chu Ming, looking rather awkward, head straight for Liang Shining. 'Liang Shining... come here for a second. I have something to tell you—'

Song Xingzhou instantly let out a sigh of relief.

Liang Shining turned his head at the sound. He didn't say anything, first frowning and giving Chu Ming a warning look.

Chu Ming's steps instantly halted.

His voice immediately softened. 'Okay, okay, I won't disturb Huai-ge. Then you come out with me. I'll tell you outside, alright?'

Liang Shining didn't speak. He stared at Chu Ming for a few seconds.

Chu Ming felt an inexplicable wave of nervousness.

Normally, Liang Shining's attention was mostly focused on Ying Huai. Although he was often expressionless, most of the time he appeared calm and indifferent.

Now that Ying Huai was asleep, Liang Shining's emotions were no longer restrained. Being stared at by him, Chu Ming felt an inexplicable sense of pressure washing over him.

He gritted his teeth and, steeling himself, spoke hurriedly: 'It's about Huai-ge—listen or don't, up to you!'

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt the gaze fixed on him instantly lessen by a few degrees.

Liang Shining was silent for a few seconds, then stood up without a word and walked out of the Hospital room first.

Chu Ming let out a sigh of relief.

Song Si Lan beside him watched this scene with interest, raising an eyebrow slightly.

—He hadn't realized before just how much jealousy Liang Shining harbored towards Chu Ming.

·

Chu Ming led the other person quickly to the end of the corridor nearby and silently let out a breath.

'Let's get this straight first, I don't want to call you out alone either.' Chu Ming looked Liang Shining up and down, clicking his tongue in disdain.

Liang Shining turned directly to leave. 'Then I'm going.'

'Hey, hey, don't. I was just speaking without thinking. You already have Huai-ge, can't I at least get a verbal advantage?'

It seemed hearing a certain phrase, Liang Shining's steps halted. He finally turned back around, his expression unexpectedly softening a bit.

Chu Ming was taken aback.

He instantly realized something and gritted his teeth. 'You Old Man Liang Shining, won't even let me have a verbal advantage. I'm telling you, even though Huai-ge is yours now, who knows in the future—'

'What is it?' Liang Shining frowned, directly cutting him off.

Chu Ming instinctively shrank back, only belatedly realizing what he had just done.

Chu Ming's eyebrow twitched. He finally gritted his teeth and spoke. 'It's still... about my dad.'

'You need to tell Huai-ge to be careful of my dad.'

Liang Shining frowned.

'I'm not sure what my dad wants to do, but last time I felt... his state wasn't quite right,' Chu Ming said quietly.

'How to put it... it feels like he's already a bit obsessed.'

Liang Shining was silent for a moment, then spoke in a low voice. 'Has he done anything these past two days?'

Chu Ming shook his head.

'I don't know. To be honest, after he let me out of the house last time, I haven't seen him again.'

'I've looked for him at the company and the Chu Family Residence, but it's like he's deliberately avoiding me. Every time, I haven't seen him, as if he's doing something while keeping away from me.'

Chu Ming hesitated, then spoke quietly. 'So tell Huai-ge he absolutely must be careful of my dad. I'm afraid if my dad gets too angry, he might really do something irreversible.'

Liang Shining didn't speak. After a long moment, he responded in a low voice. 'Alright.'

He was silent for a few seconds, then spoke quietly again. 'Thanks.'

A flash of disdain instantly crossed Chu Ming's expression.

'Don't. It's better if we stay in a state of mutual dislike. I'm getting goosebumps all over.'

Liang Shining: …

—He really shouldn't have said that.

Watching Liang Shining turn to go back, Chu Ming couldn't help but speak up again. 'Alright, I've said what I needed to. Hurry back and take care of Huai-ge—take good care of him! If I didn't have to go back and practice the piece, I'd never give you this opportunity—'

'Oh.'

Before he could finish, he saw Liang Shining glance at him, then turn around calmly. 'Then talk about it when you're actually able to stay.'

Chu Ming: …?

—He instantly realized Liang Shining was referring to the last time when Ying Huai had kicked him out and only kept Liang Shining.

'You—' Chu Ming instantly bristled.

Before he could finish, Liang Shining's indifferent voice came again.

'No need to thank me. I don't want my mood affected either.'

Chu Ming: ???

·

Ying Huai slept straight through until evening.

'Awake? Teacher Liang went to get food for you. He'll be back in a bit.'

Song Si Lan's voice came from the doorway. He walked in with an IV bag, glanced at Ying Huai's expression, and suddenly frowned.

'Didn't sleep well?'

Ying Huai hesitated.

He had slept very deeply this time, but strangely, upon waking he didn't feel any better. Instead, his body still felt waves of fatigue.

He leaned against the headboard for a moment to recover, then shook his head slightly.

'It's fine. Maybe I slept a bit too long. Feeling a bit dizzy.'

Song Si Lan didn't pay it much mind either. He casually poured a glass of water from the bedside table and placed it in Ying Huai's hand.

'True. You'd better not sleep too long during the day in the future. Otherwise, you won't be able to sleep at night, which affects your health even more.'

Ying Huai nodded.

He lowered his head and took a small sip of water, then suddenly froze.

'Pear water?'

Although he liked sweet things, he didn't care for juices made from pears or apples, always finding them too cloying.

Liang Shining normally never made them for him.

He turned to look at Song Si Lan. 'Did you make this?'

'Huh?' Song Si Lan turned his head, not understanding.

Seeing Ying Huai raise the cup in his hand towards him, he instantly realized something and let out an 'oh.'

'Not me. It was that kid... the one called Song Xingzhou who gave it to you.'

Song Si Lan turned back to continue changing the IV bag, replying offhandedly, 'He even waited until you were asleep to carefully place it by your bedside.'

Ying Huai placed the cup back on the bedside table. He was taken aback for a moment, then turned his head with an amused expression. 'Doctor Song observes so carefully?'

'Boredom. Working at the Hospital, how do you survive without a bit of gossip?'

At this point, he suddenly turned his head and gave Ying Huai a teasing look. 'But there'll be no shortage of entertainment from now on—congratulations, Teacher Ying, on gaining another admirer.'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

'What are you talking about? Song Xingzhou is even younger than Chu Ming. At most, he's like a little brother to me.'

'Isn't Liang Shining younger than you too?' Song Si Lan looked at him with a half-smile.

Ying Huai looked somewhat puzzled. Song Si Lan waited a few seconds, gave the oblivious person before him a disdainful look, and turned away again.

'Doesn't matter. What I think isn't important. I don't mind.'

Song Si Lan spoke unhurriedly. 'What matters is whether your Liang Shining minds.'

Ying Huai was taken aback.

For a moment, he found it both laughable and exasperating. 'What would he mind? At most, he usually minds Chu Ming's nonsense. His temper is usually pretty good, isn't it?'

After talking for a while, he inexplicably felt sleepy again. He lay back down a bit and gave a small yawn.

Song Si Lan choked a little on Ying Huai's 'pretty good temper' comment.

He looked up, somewhat amused, stared at Ying Huai for a few seconds, and realized that he seemed... to genuinely believe it.

Song Si Lan was genuinely shocked by Ying Huai's 'dense perception' when it came to matters of the heart.

'Fine, suit yourself.'

Song Si Lan shrugged, bent down, and connected the pulse oximeter and blood pressure monitor.

'Anyway, if Liang Shining gets jealous in the end... I won't be the one suffering.'

Ying Huai: ?

He opened his mouth to ask something, but a wave of heavy drowsiness washed over his mind again.

Ying Huai's eyelids grew heavy. Before he could even utter a word, he plunged directly into a deep, dark sleep.

Song Si Lan finished recording the evening's routine data and bent to remove the blood pressure cuff. 'Alright, it's relatively stable for now. Rest well and try to be discharged tomorrow or the day after. You slept quite a lot during the day. If you can't sleep tonight, I'll prescribe you some sleep aids later...'

Before he finished speaking, he looked at the person in front of him and suddenly froze.

Ying Huai's breathing was deep and steady, clearly already fast asleep.

Song Si Lan frowned.

Liang Shining, who had just entered the room, saw the scene and instinctively softened his footsteps. 'He's still not awake?'

'No.'

Song Si Lan stood up and shook his head slightly. 'He woke up for a bit just now... and then fell asleep again.'

Liang Shining was taken aback.

Song Si Lan didn't say anything more. He glanced at the normal readings on the machine beside them, and his expression gradually grew a bit more serious.

·

Ying Huai was finally allowed to be discharged from the Hospital on the afternoon of the second day.

He had been conscious very little over these two days, basically passing out uncontrollably after saying just a few words.

Song Si Lan checked him over and over again. Apart from showing his body was a bit weak, the test results didn't reveal any major abnormalities.

Song Si Lan could only let him be discharged for now.

However, he also forced Ying Huai back into a wheelchair.

The reason was simple: despite sleeping so much these past few days, his face still lacked color, and he frequently suffered from low blood pressure and low blood sugar.

Although Ying Huai repeatedly declared he wouldn't faint right outside the Hospital door upon discharge, Song Si Lan still forcibly pressed him into the wheelchair.

'Tell me yourself, how many times have you felt dizzy from low blood pressure or low blood sugar these past two days?'

Song Si Lan spoke expressionlessly. 'If you don't want to ruin my reputation, sit there obediently.'

Ying Huai attempted to argue. 'I wasn't dizzy, I was just too sleepy so it looked like dizziness...'

'And then you passed out directly from being sleepy?'

Song Si Lan snorted coldly. 'If you don't want me following you to the Production Team today, stop talking.'

Ying Huai immediately shut his mouth.

Song Si Lan stared at him for a few seconds, gave a low hum, and walked back with his arms crossed.

'Alright, don't overexert yourself these next two days. Rest well.'

Ying Huai silently let out a sigh of relief, only to hear Song Si Lan speak unhurriedly the next second. 'See you in two days.'

Ying Huai: ??

He abruptly looked up. 'Didn't you say you weren't coming with me to the Production Team—'

'I only said I'm not going with you today. I didn't say I wouldn't go later.'

Song Si Lan turned his head and raised an eyebrow.

'So you'd better... be good these two days.'

Ying Huai: .......

His expression instantly deflated.

·

However, once he returned to the Variety Show site, Ying Huai soon had no time to worry about these things.

His illness had delayed two days of training. Although the Production Team had pushed the first rehearsal back by a day, time was still very tight.

Fortunately, the songs he had prepared for his own Concert were already mostly ready. What remained were a few collaborative pieces with others.

'The entry for this part needs to be slightly faster than the interlude. Your first line tends to drag out of habit. If you just follow the beat in the earpiece, it can easily... cough, easily feel sluggish.'

Halfway through, Ying Huai couldn't hold back and turned his head, covering his mouth as he coughed twice.

Song Xingzhou, standing in front of him, hurriedly gathered up the sheet music.

'Teacher Ying, please go back and rest first. I'll practice on my own and come ask you if there's anything I don't understand.'

Ying Huai caught his breath. He instinctively opened his mouth to say something, but his expression suddenly paused.

Song Xingzhou had, at some point, already packed up all his own things and Ying Huai's, looking ready to grab his bag and leave.

Ying Huai was taken aback, feeling a bit helpless for a moment. 'If you're telling me to go back and rest, why are you packing up the sheet music?'

'I'm taking Teacher Ying back. Teacher Liang said I have to make sure Teacher Ying is actually resting before I can leave.'

Song Xingzhou spoke seriously.

As he spoke, he placed his hands directly on the handles of Ying Huai's wheelchair. 'I'll take Teacher Ying back now.'

Ying Huai couldn't help but sigh again.

He could feel that after this illness, everyone seemed to have suddenly become extremely nervous about his health, as if he were a fragile piece of porcelain that would shatter at the slightest touch.

Although he felt somewhat helpless, he could also clearly sense that his body this time seemed... truly a bit too weak.

—The specific manifestation being that it had been almost three days since his discharge, and he still hadn't managed to get rid of the wheelchair.

Ying Huai had tried to improve his drowsiness by walking on his own without the wheelchair every day.

The result was that on the very first morning, he nearly fainted in the practice room due to orthostatic hypotension.

Helpless, Ying Huai had to sit back in the wheelchair amidst Liang Shining's panicked expression.

Listening to the faint sound of the wheelchair beneath him, a flicker of irritation crossed Ying Huai's face.

Song Xingzhou, who was pushing the wheelchair from behind, hadn't heard a response from Ying Huai for a while and gradually stopped pushing.

'Are you angry, Teacher Ying?'

Despite his confident words earlier, he was still worried about Ying Huai's reaction.

Song Xingzhou leaned closer and spoke softly. 'We're just worried about your health. If you don't want to go back to your room, should I take you to the lounge next door to rest for a bit...'

Ying Huai snapped back to attention.

'Huh? I'm fine. I was just a bit distracted just now.'

He quickly suppressed the negative emotions from that moment and spoke to Song Xingzhou with a joking smile.

'My mobility aid is in your hands. Do I even have room to resist?'

Song Xingzhou instantly let out a sigh of relief.

He quickly pushed Ying Huai back to the room and helped him sit on the bed.

'You sleep for a bit first. The Assistant Director said part of the rehearsal will probably start this afternoon. If you're needed then, I'll come call you...'

Ying Huai leaned on his arm and slowly stood up. Hearing this, he shook his head slightly. 'It's fine. You focus on practicing your own part. Liang Shining will tell me if there's anything.'

Song Xingzhou was taken aback. A flicker of disappointment passed through his expression, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on Ying Huai's arm. 'It's fine, Teacher Ying. If you need anything, you can find me too. I can come anytime...'

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly heard the person in front of him let out a low 'hmph'.

Song Xingzhou was still immersed in his previous emotions and didn't react immediately, until he felt the arm he was supporting suddenly go heavy.

Song Xingzhou froze, instantly realizing something was wrong.

He hurriedly looked down and was almost scared out of his wits.

Ying Huai was leaning against his chest with his eyes closed, his brow slightly furrowed, his lips pale, as if he had suddenly lost consciousness.

Not only that, but his body was also slowly, weakly slumping downward.

Song Xingzhou abruptly reached out to support Ying Huai's body. 'Teacher Ying!'

Ying Huai was a bit taller than him, but fortunately slender. Song Xingzhou flusteredly carried him onto the bed and spoke again, panicked. 'Teacher Ying, wake up...'

Ying Huai still leaned dazedly against his chest, showing no reaction.

Song Xingzhou's heart was about to go crazy with worry.

His hand trembling, he reached for the phone in his pocket. The next second, he heard the person beside him let out a low groan.

Song Xingzhou instantly turned his head. 'Teacher Ying, are you awake? How do you feel?'

Ying Huai slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was still a bit unfocused. He weakly turned his head and coughed a few times, his voice hoarse as he spoke. '...What happened to me?'

Song Xingzhou was taken aback.

He turned his head, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly. 'You suddenly fainted just now... Don't you remember?'

Ying Huai was slightly stunned.

His eyes flickered. After a moment, he shook his head. 'No, I don't.'

He had only felt his vision go dark for a moment, thinking it was another bout of low blood sugar. He hadn't expected... to have directly lost consciousness.

Seeing Song Xingzhou's panicked expression beside him, he closed his eyes and gave a soft laugh.

'It's fine. I just fainted for a bit. It's nothing serious.'

Ying Huai rubbed his temples, his eyes curving in a reassuring manner. 'Probably got up too fast. Don't worry, I'm fine now.'

Song Xingzhou looked at Ying Huai's pale face, wanting to speak but hesitating.

He wanted to say that Ying Huai had gotten up very slowly just now, and had lost consciousness without any warning, different from the prelude dizziness of low blood sugar or low blood pressure.

But he hesitated for a few seconds and ultimately didn't say anything.

—He didn't want Ying Huai to expend more energy comforting him.

Song Xingzhou's heart was unsettled with indecision when he suddenly felt the person leaning against his shoulder shift his head slightly, as if taking a couple of light breaths.

A faint, cool breath came from his neck. Song Xingzhou's body instantly tensed.

—Only now did he belatedly realize that Ying Huai was still leaning against him.

He even had one hand braced against Song Xingzhou's waist.

'T-Teacher Ying.'

Song Xingzhou's body was stiff, his hands momentarily unsure where to place them. 'Is this position uncomfortable for you? Should I help you sit up a bit...'

'Huh?'

Ying Huai was still a bit dizzy. It took him two seconds to understand what Song Xingzhou had said.

But he misunderstood Song Xingzhou's meaning. 'Sorry, I'll get up now.'

Aside from Liang Shining, Ying Huai wasn't very used to leaning against someone else like this.

He thought Song Xingzhou minded it too. After waiting out a wave of dizziness, he braced himself against the bed beside him, trying to move toward the headboard.

But he had overestimated his recovery. As soon as he sat up straight, he felt the world spin again.

Ying Huai groaned, his body once again swaying uncontrollably and tilting to the side.

Song Xingzhou instinctively caught him, his face instantly flushing red.

'Ying—Ying-laoshi, please don't move, let me help you lie down properly.'

He fumbled to help the man lean halfway against the headboard, his fingers accidentally brushing against Ying Huai's slightly cool skin, instantly pulling back as if shocked.

Ying Huai looked up somewhat dazedly, only to see Song Xingzhou jump straight up.

'I'll go get you some hot water, you rest first—'

Song Xingzhou abruptly turned and walked towards the door, nearly colliding head-on with Liang Shining who had just entered.

'Liang-laoshi—'

Before Liang Shining could say anything, he heard Song Xingzhou blurt out: 'I, I didn't do anything, no, I'm leaving now...'

Liang Shining: ?

He turned back, somewhat baffled, and looked towards Ying Huai at the head of the bed.

'What's wrong with Song Xingzhou? What happened between you two just now...'

Before he could finish, looking at Ying Huai's expression, his brow instantly furrowed.

'Are you uncomfortable somewhere, Shifu?'

Ying Huai paused.

He lowered the hand pressed to his brow and smiled at Liang Shining. 'I'm fine, just a bit sleepy.'

Liang Shining narrowed his eyes.

He reached out and pressed his fingers against Ying Huai's wrist, but the pulse beneath his touch, though faint, was steady, with nothing unusual.

Ying Huai slightly withdrew his hand. 'Believe me now? I'm really fine.'

Liang Shining withdrew his hand, half-convinced, half-doubting.

He stared at Ying Huai for a few seconds, then suddenly noticed a faint flush on his left cheek.

Liang Shining's expression instantly tensed. 'Did Song Xingzhou do something to you just now, Shifu?'

'Huh?'

Ying Huai looked up, confused.

Ying Huai's skin was fair, and for some reason, it often bruised easily, leaving red marks from the slightest touch.

Seeing Liang Shining's nervous expression as he touched his cheek, Ying Huai realized something and looked up with a smile.

'It's nothing, just accidentally bumped it earlier.'

Liang Shining silently withdrew his hand.

His expression remained tense. 'Then why did Song Xingzhou... react like that just now?'

Leaning against the headboard, Ying Huai's expression also flashed with bewilderment.

'I don't know either.'

Liang Shining's hand hanging at his side slowly clenched. Just as he was about to say something, he saw the person before him hesitantly speak: 'Probably... doesn't like me like this.'

Liang Shining: ?

His tense mood instantly relaxed.

Seeing Liang Shining remain silent for a long time, Ying Huai looked up, puzzled. 'What's wrong?'

Liang Shining looked at the person before him with a complicated expression, then after a moment, sighed softly.

'Nothing.'

'Shifu like this... is fine.'

Ying Huai: ?

·

During the afternoon rehearsal, Ying Huai did not come over in a wheelchair.

Xin Wan, who had been eagerly waiting in the lounge for a long time, jumped over the moment he saw Ying Huai's figure.

'Shixiong, how did you get here by yourself?'

Xin Wan reached out to support Ying Huai, but the person before him directly avoided it.

'Alright, I'm not that fragile.'

Ying Huai turned his head and coughed lightly. 'What would I need a wheelchair for to attend a rehearsal?'

Xin Wan nervously leaned closer. 'Why not? I could push Shixiong right up to the stage entrance and wait for you there.'

'I just heard from Song Xingzhou that you weren't feeling well at noon. Are you okay, Shixiong...'

Ying Huai narrowed his eyes.

He stared at Xin Wan and suddenly spoke. 'Speaking of which, since I came back, Shixiong hasn't come to me to practice a song together, right?'

The expressions of the three people before him stiffened simultaneously.

The Assistant Director behind them began calling for the next act. Ying Huai glanced at them with a faintly amused smile.

'I'll go rehearse first. I'll come find Shixiong after I'm done.'

Ying Huai curved his eyes at the three people with varying expressions before him. 'Don't disappoint me, Shixiongs.'

Xin Wan, Lu Jing, Su Xin: ...

·

When Song Xingzhou walked into the lounge, what he saw was the scene of the three people squatting in a row.

Song Xingzhou was stunned for a moment, briefly wondering if he had walked into the wrong place.

But Xin Wan immediately spotted him and directly pulled him over.

'Quick, Xingzhou, come tell me, is Shixiong checking up on people strictly lately?'

Xin Wan spoke frantically. 'Shixiong is going to come check our practice progress in a bit. Tell me quickly, should I cram a little more right now, or is it more practical to just pray to Buddha for mercy?'

Song Xingzhou was stunned.

He spoke somewhat bewilderedly. 'I feel... it's okay? Xiao Huai-laoshi is quite easy to talk to.'

Xin Wan let out a wail and immediately threw himself back in front of the sheet music.

Song Xingzhou leaned forward, hesitating a little. 'Xin-laoshi is very afraid of Xiao Huai-laoshi?'

'Of course I'm afraid.'

Xin Wan whispered. 'Who do you think was the one drilling the details for the vocal parts when we were trainees at the company before?'

'Shixiong is the kind of person who can say the most terrifying things with a smile.'

Song Xingzhou couldn't help but turn his head. 'Then why do you still ask Ying-laoshi to help you practice songs?'

Su Xin, who was diligently reviewing his notes nearby, couldn't help but turn around. 'Next time there's such an opportunity, could you resist not asking Ying Huai?'

Song Xingzhou shook his head without hesitation. 'Of course not, that's Ying-laoshi—'

Before he could finish, an inexplicable flicker of discomfort crossed his face, and he stopped speaking.

Xin Wan didn't notice the discomfort in Song Xingzhou's expression. He gave him a deep look. 'Then that's that.'

He sighed silently. 'Shixiong is just like that.'

—Setting aside his professional ability, just him standing there is enough to involuntarily draw others to approach.

Song Xingzhou was stunned for a moment, a flicker of hesitation crossing his expression. 'Then does Xiao Huai-laoshi have someone he likes...'

Before he could finish, the next second, he saw Xin Wan jump up directly. 'How could that be! Who would dare touch my Shixiong.'

Xin Wan spoke first through gritted teeth. 'I have to help Shixiong guard against those people properly. A cabbage raised with such difficulty can't be ruined by a pig.'

Su Xin beside him seemed to want to say something but stopped, but after a moment, he also nodded in agreement.

Song Xingzhou instantly choked.

Looking at Lu Jing beside him who also seemed to tacitly agree, he ultimately swallowed back the words he wanted to continue asking.

Xin Wan looked particularly indignant. He abruptly turned his head. 'Right, especially that Liang Shining, relying on being Shixiong's disciple to shamelessly stick to Shixiong's side every day...'

Before he could finish, the next second, he heard a light cough from behind.

'What is Shixiong discussing?'

Ying Huai, leaning against the wall, slowly walked into the lounge and glanced around. 'I remember asking Shixiong to warm up his voice the way I said before I went on stage. Has Shixiong finished practicing?'

Xin Wan's expression instantly stiffened.

'I, I'll practice now, I'll practice right now, Shixiong.'

Halfway through speaking, he suddenly thought of something and turned his head somewhat puzzled. 'Shixiong, are you done rehearsing so quickly? Don't you have two songs to perform solo...'

Ying Huai didn't look too well.

His footsteps paused, then he continued walking towards the door. 'I have something to do. I rehearsed one song first, I'll do the other one later.'

Xin Wan's intuition told him something was off.

Watching Ying Huai's nearly flustered figure, he instinctively spoke. 'Wait a moment, Shixiong, didn't you just say you were going to check our practice progress...'

Before he could finish, he heard Ying Huai chuckle lightly, casually interrupting him.

'Shixiong is so eager for me to check? You must have practiced very well then.'

Xin Wan was stunned.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed his expression, but he still insisted on trying to stop Ying Huai. 'Shixiong, you'll know if you check now...'

'I'll also check Shixiongs' songs a bit later,'

Ying Huai didn't stop walking, his tone as leisurely as ever. 'I'll give Shixiong a little more time to cram. When I come back later, Shixiong must perform well.'

Xin Wan silently opened his mouth.

He vaguely felt something was off, and opened his mouth wanting to ask something, but Ying Huai had already quickly walked out of the lounge.

·

Ying Huai walked quickly all the way to the farthest restroom.

Almost the moment the door closed, he couldn't control it and suddenly burst into a fit of choking coughs.

Ying Huai coughed so hard he could barely stand.

In his dazed state, he felt someone rush in, one hand patting his back, the other forcibly pulling away the hand he was covering his mouth with.

'Don't cover it. Put this in your mouth, take a deep breath...'

Leaning against the sink, Ying Huai instinctively followed Song Si Lan's voice to adjust his breathing.

He felt Song Si Lan trying to pry his hand open. Ying Huai's body trembled, and after a moment, he let out a low laugh.

'...What are you doing? I'm not coughing up blood yet.'

Ying Huai looked up with a faintly amused smile. 'It's just a bit uncomfortable. I'll be fine once I catch my breath.'

Song Si Lan frowned and looked at him, then slowly released the hand supporting him.

'So what exactly did you want to see me for?'

Song Si Lan looked him up and down and sneered. 'You didn't call me out just to scare me like this, did you?'

Ying Huai looked up at him and sighed helplessly.

'Song Yisheng is joking.'

'I came to ask Song Yisheng another question.'

Ying Huai turned around.

Leaning halfway against the sink, he spoke unhurriedly.

'During the Concert, could Song Yisheng prepare a... cortisone shot for me in advance?'

Song Si Lan's brow instantly furrowed.