Chapter 84: Went Blind

In the first few days after Ying Huai was discharged from the hospital, his eyes still couldn't see things clearly.

When he first woke up, Song Si Lan asked about that period, and Ying Huai could still vaguely make out a bit of light.

But then he experienced another complication infection at the hospital — a high fever and shock that at one point led to heart failure. By the time he woke up again, his eyes, which had been slowly improving, had been thrown right back to square one.

Song Si Lan's brows stayed tightly furrowed for two days, making Yu Wu so nervous he thought he'd somehow offended him again.

Liang Shining's mood was also very low during that period. Except in front of Ying Huai, he kept a cold face the rest of the time, which scared Li Xiang into thinking the two had argued again — so panicked he nearly went straight to find Liang Mu.

By comparison, Ying Huai, the person directly involved, was remarkably calm.

"Why are you talking so little today, Liang Shining?"

Ying Huai set down his spoon at the edge of the table and sighed helplessly.

"You're just staring at me without saying a word."

Liang Shining paused, then drew his gaze back.

He said in a muffled voice: "No."

Ying Huai couldn't help sighing again: "I just can't see clearly — I'm not completely blind..."

Before he could finish, he heard Liang Shining cut him off in a deep voice: "...Don't say that."

Ying Huai froze for a moment, instinctively stopping his words.

He lowered his head and stirred the porridge in the bowl with his spoon, simply falling silent.

Liang Shining also knew his tone had been a bit heavy.

He closed his eyes briefly, then eased his tone: "Sorry, Shifu. I didn't mean it that way just now — I was just worried..."

"I know you're worried."

Ying Huai softly cut him off.

He raised his head, his slightly empty peach blossom eyes looking over quietly: "But you can't keep being like this, Liang Shining."

Liang Shining's words caught.

He stayed silent. After waiting a few seconds, Ying Huai slowly set down his spoon.

A crisp clink sounded between them. Liang Shining looked up and heard Ying Huai suddenly bring up another topic: "Can I go out today, Liang Shining?"

"No." Liang Shining blurted out instantly.

The moment the words left his mouth, he immediately realized something.

Sure enough, the smile at the corner of Ying Huai's lips also faded bit by bit.

After a few seconds of silence, he said quietly: "I've already been stuck at home for half a month, Liang Shining. You can't keep not letting me out."

Liang Shining listened to Ying Huai's words and silently opened his mouth.

He instinctively rebutted in a low voice: "I'm not keeping you locked up, Shifu. I'm just worried about your body..."

"But I already didn't need the wheelchair last week, and a few days ago Song Si Lan also said my body's much better." Ying Huai raised his head. "Why are you still not letting me out, Liang Shining?"

Liang Shining was silent for a moment.

"I'm not keeping you locked up, Shifu. If you want to go out, I can take you out."

After a while, he said quietly: "Didn't Ying-ge have people plant a lot of flowers in the courtyard before? They've all bloomed recently. If Shifu wants to see them, you can go anytime..."

Ying Huai was so exasperated by this answer that he laughed.

"You know that's not the kind of 'going out' I mean, Liang Shining."

"I want to leave this 'home.'"

For this half month, Ying Huai had barely stepped outside.

The first week his body was weak, he slept more hours than he was awake each day and had no energy to pay attention to his surroundings, so he didn't notice the problem.

In the second week, as Ying Huai's body gradually improved, he couldn't help wanting to go out, only to find that Liang Shining could always come up with various reasons to obstruct him.

Except for the occasional times when the weather was nice, when Liang Shining would push him in the wheelchair around the courtyard outside the Villa.

And so, over this half month, Ying Huai had never once stepped past the Villa's front gate.

No matter how slow Ying Huai was, he noticed something was off.

Ying Huai's earlier words had been simply a statement of fact, without much thought behind them.

But to Liang Shining's ears, they seemed to carry another meaning.

Liang Shining's expression changed instantly.

He stood up abruptly: "No, you can't leave me, Shifu—"

Ying Huai was startled and instantly choked on a breath.

The urge to cough that he'd been suppressing surged up again, and he covered his mouth as he suddenly broke into muffled coughs.

Liang Shining froze for a moment, then immediately came back to himself.

He also realized his reaction just now had been too intense, and a flash of regret and panic immediately crossed his expression.

He stepped forward two paces and hurriedly patted Ying Huai's back.

"I'm sorry, Shifu. I didn't mean to scare Shifu just now. Is Shifu feeling unwell? Have some water first..."

He hurriedly offered a cup of warm water, but the next second, Ying Huai swatted it away with one hand.

"Don't touch me—"

Ying Huai's brows knit tightly, his coughing still unable to stop.

Watching Ying Huai's increasingly pale face, Liang Shining was nearly frantic with worry.

"I was wrong, Shifu. Don't be angry."

He stepped back as he spoke, carefully setting the water cup on the table.

"I won't touch Shifu. Shifu should take care of your body — have a sip of water first to ease it..."

Before he could finish, he saw Ying Huai had already braced himself against the table and stood up.

"No need. Cough, cough... I'm fine."

Ying Huai barely suppressed the urge to cough, looked up, and smiled: "Mr. Liang can stay here and drink it slowly by himself."

Liang Shining listened to this long-unused form of address with a sinking heart.

Since the two of them had gotten together, Ying Huai either casually called him "little disciple" when in a good mood, or straightforwardly called him "Liang Shining" when occasionally exasperated by him.

He had almost never used such a distant form of address again.

He stood up as well, watching Ying Huai walk backward, his body uncontrollably swaying slightly.

Liang Shining instinctively reached out: "Shifu—"

The more obstructive furniture in the house Liang Shining had long arranged to have removed before returning; the truly necessary pieces had their corners wrapped in soft sponge, and every part of the house was covered with a thick layer of carpet.

One could say that even if Ying Huai really fell, at most he'd be startled for a moment.

But Liang Shining still wasn't at ease.

He stepped forward to support him, but Ying Huai strode a big step to the side, directly avoiding his assistance.

"Don't touch me. I can walk on my own."

After the wave of dizziness in his head subsided, Ying Huai let out a low laugh: "Not being able to leave the house is one thing, but now I can't even leave this dining room?"

Liang Shining's footsteps halted instantly.

In the living room, the Bouquet, who had been sleeping on its back, heard the two of them and poked its head out drowsily.

Not knowing what was happening, it only saw Ying Huai walking outward and assumed he'd come for it. With a meow, it trotted over to him.

Then Liang Shining watched as the dazed person and cat were about to collide head-on.

Ying Huai was completely unaware of the Bouquet's actions. He walked briskly outward, and the next second, heard an excited meow suddenly come from in front of him.

He froze, his center of gravity momentarily unstable.

Fortunately, Liang Shining, who had been following behind, quickly reached out and pulled him back, avoiding this dangerous "accident."

"What just..." Ying Huai instinctively began.

He reflexively grabbed Liang Shining's sleeve, then immediately realized something and let go abruptly.

A flash of loss crossed Liang Shining's expression, but he quickly concealed it: "The Bouquet just wanted to come play with you, Shifu. It's fine."

He paused, then continued: "Let me help you upstairs, Shifu."

"I'll send you up and come right out. I won't stay in the room..."

"...No need."

Ying Huai took a deep breath and gently broke free of his hand.

He crouched down, feeling his way as he picked up the Bouquet.

"I'll have the Bouquet guide me."

Liang Shining: ?

Before he could say anything, the next second, he saw Ying Huai, holding the Bouquet, walk determinedly toward the Panda Cat, who had also come over to join the excitement upon hearing the commotion.

Liang Shining: ........

·

That night, Ying Huai was in poor spirits all evening, didn't speak to Liang Shining at all, and went to bed early from exhaustion.

—And before sleeping, he even threw Liang Shining's pillow out.

Liang Shining, knowing he was in the wrong, silently picked up the pillow and took it to the study, then came back to keep watch over him.

He knew that after Ying Huai's emotional ups and downs today, his body might not feel well once he fell asleep.

Sure enough, not long after Ying Huai fell asleep, his breathing began to grow heavy.

This injury had greatly affected his cardiopulmonary function. He often woke in the middle of the night gasping for air, and sometimes, when his body was too weak to rouse him, he would turn purple-lipped from the lack of oxygen.

But his skin was also sensitive, and wearing the nasal cannula for long stretches easily left marks on his face, which was very uncomfortable.

Liang Shining kept checking on him from time to time, so any abnormality could be caught the moment it appeared.

Hearing his voice, Liang Shining stepped forward at once, and sure enough saw Ying Huai curled up, lips slightly parted, fingers clenched tight in the sheets—clearly wanting to breathe, yet unable to draw a proper breath.

Liang Shining skillfully raised the head of the bed a few notches, took the nasal cannula from the side and carefully fitted it on, then slowly smoothed his hand along Ying Huai's chest.

After quite a while, he finally heard Ying Huai cough muffledly a few times, exhale heavily, and his breathing gradually grow lighter.

Liang Shining also let out a silent breath of relief.

Ying Huai slept in a heavy stupor, no strength left in his body. From the earlier movement, his neck had tilted slightly back, and he unconsciously leaned, little by little, into his arms.

Liang Shining hesitated for a moment, sat on the edge of the bed, and slowly reached out to gather him in.

The half-awake person seemed to surface a little at that. He hummed softly, and unconsciously spoke in a hoarse voice: "...Liang Shining?"

Liang Shining gave a low "mm," and made no mention of the pillow having been thrown out.

"Keep sleeping, Shifu..."

Before he could finish, the next moment he saw Ying Huai turn over and slip straight out of his arms onto the bed.

"Go away. Go to the study."

The person curled up in the blankets said, muffled.

Liang Shining:........

He let out a silent sigh, and in the end slowly stood up and walked out of the room.

·

Early the next morning, Liang Shining didn't dare go directly wake him up. Instead he made breakfast and prepared to wait for Ying Huai to come down on his own.

Ying Huai's sleep quality was poor, and combined with the chest tightness at night, he generally woke up early.

But Liang Shining had waited downstairs for a long time today. He waited until the porridge he'd made had been rewarmed three times, and still Ying Huai had not come down.

Liang Shining's expression darkened, and unpleasant thoughts surfaced unbidden in his mind.

He abruptly stood up and walked quickly upstairs.

"Shifu?"

Liang Shining stood at the door and knocked lightly.

The room was completely quiet. No sound at all.

Liang Shining's expression grew even worse.

He took a deep breath, pressing down on the door handle as he spoke softly: "Is something hurting, Shifu? I'm coming in to take a look..."

As he spoke he pushed the door open quickly, but the next instant his expression froze.

The room was empty.

The blankets on the bed had been neatly folded. The heart monitor, which hadn't been switched off, was still beeping at its steady rhythm.

Only Ying Huai's figure was missing.

Liang Shining was stunned for a few seconds, then suddenly realized something.

He spun around and rushed downstairs, nearly colliding head-on with Yu Wu, who had just come in.

Over the past few weeks, in order to keep timely track of changes in Ying Huai's eyes, Song Si Lan had practically become a regular at their home—along with Yu Wu.

Ying Huai was staying home anyway, and was happy enough to listen to the two of them bicker.

At this point Yu Wu hadn't even stepped inside, and was already starting to chatter.

"Hey, what's the panic this early in the morning, Teacher Liang? That's not like you."

Yu Wu was startled, hurriedly reached out—slipped an arm around Song Si Lan's shoulder, and pulled him straight into his embrace.

Song Si Lan, who had been a good distance away from Liang Shining:........

He frowned and slapped the hand away: "What are you doing?"

"Afraid you'd fall. Just steadying you." Yu Wu said, grinning.

Song Si Lan:.....heh.

He couldn't be bothered to deal with Yu Wu the lunatic, and turned to look at Liang Shining, who was already walking briskly toward the door.

"Are you going out?"

Song Si Lan frowned, somewhat surprised: "Didn't you push all your schedule recently so you could stay home and take care of Teacher Ying? Is there something urgent today..."

Before he could finish, he heard Liang Shining say hurriedly: "Ying Huai went out on his own. I'm going to find him."

Song Si Lan was stunned for a moment, and his expression changed too.

Quickly, he steadied himself again: "It's fine. Ying Huai probably just wants to go out for some air."

Song Si Lan, who rarely offered comfort, began: "His physical condition has improved a lot now. A short walk outside isn't a problem. His eyes have been recovering well recently too. You don't need to worry too much..."

But Liang Shining shook his head: "No. Today...it's a bit different."

Song Si Lan was stunned.

He turned his head, somewhat puzzled, but Liang Shining said nothing more and strode quickly out the door.

Yu Wu, watching Liang Shining's reaction, thoughtfully rubbed his chin.

·

Meanwhile, on the Pedestrian Street.

Hearing the third rustle from beside him, Ying Huai couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

"Is something the matter, Xingzhou?"

Ying Huai hadn't actually expected to go out with Song Xingzhou.

He and Song Xingzhou were several years apart, after all, and Ying Huai had assumed that a "kid" like Song Xingzhou, still in college, wouldn't want to spend his time with a sickly person like him.

But he really couldn't bear to keep staying at home any longer, and when Song Xingzhou's message came, he was only surprised for a moment before agreeing directly.

At this, Song Xingzhou, hearing Ying Huai's question, instinctively turned his head away quickly.

"N-no, nothing."

He spoke softly, then couldn't help sneaking another glance at Ying Huai: "You're not feeling unwell anywhere, Teacher Xiao Huai?"

Ying Huai curved his lips.

"That's the third time you've asked me, Xingzhou."

Yesterday's incident had left Ying Huai a little unhappy that everyone around him treated him as though he were made of paper.

He paused, then half-jokingly smiled: "I'm not that fragile. Don't worry—I won't pull a scam on you."

But Song Xingzhou somehow took him at his word.

He froze for a moment, panic flashing across his face.

He grabbed Ying Huai's arm and hurried to explain: "I didn't mean it as dislike, Teacher Xiao Huai. I was just worried..."

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, then helplessly cut him off: "Don't be nervous. I was only joking."

Feeling the tremor running through Song Xingzhou's arm, he finally couldn't help but speak, helpless.

"I promise you—as long as I feel unwell, I'll tell you right away, alright?"

Song Xingzhou nodded hurriedly.

Ying Huai curved his lips. He turned to walk forward, and heard Song Xingzhou beside him speak softly again: "Then...can I keep holding onto you, Teacher Xiao Huai?"

Ying Huai didn't think anything of it, and casually hummed "mm."

His eyes had never been good, and he was reluctant to use a wheelchair or Cane, so going out usually meant Liang Shining pulling him along.

So he didn't notice the barely perceptible tension and excitement in Song Xingzhou's tone.

Song Xingzhou took a deep breath.

He pressed down his excitement with effort, and as calmly as he could, supported Ying Huai as they slowly walked forward.

Before coming out, he had asked Ying Huai where he wanted to go, but Ying Huai had hardly ever truly gone out to play since childhood.

Afraid Song Xingzhou would see through his own ignorance, he simply pushed the question straight back.

So Song Xingzhou, perfectly happy, brought him to this bustling but somewhat strange Pedestrian Street.

Hearing the nearby shop, for the third time, hollering its slogan of "couples enter, double the discount," Ying Huai turned his head, curious: "Is there some holiday today?"

Song Xingzhou paused; when he spoke again, his voice was a touch unnatural: "Nothing. Probably the shops together...running some pyramid scheme."

Ying Huai:?

He had a feeling something was off, but couldn't say what for the moment.

But Song Xingzhou seemed to be in pretty good spirits, so Ying Huai could only press the question down and continue walking forward with him.

Song Xingzhou knew he couldn't see well, and all the way along told him what good food was nearby, ending each one with a question of whether Ying Huai wanted to eat it.

Ying Huai hadn't walked such a long stretch in ages, and was actually starting to feel a little dizzy.

He hadn't really heard clearly what Song Xingzhou had just said, but having been kept in line by Liang Shining these past two weeks, he instinctively opened his mouth to refuse.

But the next second he suddenly realized something, and the words at his mouth swerved at once: "I want to eat."

—He'd already run away from home; what was there to be afraid of Liang Shining for?

Ying Huai thought of this and instantly felt self-righteous: "Eat! Why wouldn't I eat!"

Song Xingzhou was stunned for a moment, then nodded excitedly: "Okay! I'll buy it for Teacher Xiao Huai!"

As he spoke, he pulled Ying Huai to the side: "I'll get you a small portion, Teacher Xiao Huai..."

Before he could finish, he heard Ying Huai, in the tone of a nouveau riche, declare "arrogantly": "What do you mean, small portion! Get the large one! The biggest they've got!"

Song Xingzhou seemed momentarily stunned by Ying Huai's presence.

His tone rarely showed hesitation: "Are you sure about the large portion, Teacher Xiao Huai? I'm afraid..."

Ying Huai was immersed in inexplicable excitement and didn't notice the oddity in Song Xingzhou's tone.

"What's there to be afraid of? You buy it and we'll share it, what's the problem?"

He thought it was something like takoyaki where you pick one up with a skewer, but the moment his words fell, he heard Song Xingzhou's tone change instantly.

Song Xingzhou waved his hands frantically: "No, no, no, you don't have to, Teacher Xiao Huai. You can eat it yourself."

Not daring to say more, he quietly gestured for Ying Huai to wait here, and ran off to the side to buy the food.

After a short while, Ying Huai's hand suddenly grew heavy.

His wrist dipped, and his expression went blank for a moment.

"What is this?"

"Ice cream cone," Song Xingzhou said quietly, "...multi-scoop."

Ying Huai felt the weight in his hand and sensed trouble: "How many scoops?"

"...A lot."

Song Xingzhou paused, then added: "There are so many scoops stacked underneath, I couldn't count them all."

Ying Huai: ........

—He finally understood why Song Xingzhou had reacted that way earlier.

·

Ying Huai already had a small appetite, and his constitution ran cold.

He'd barely taken a few bites before he could hardly eat any more.

But he couldn't directly contradict what he'd just said, so he braced himself and walked forward holding the enormous ice cream cone.

But after walking for a while, Song Xingzhou quickly noticed something off: "Can't you eat any more, Teacher Xiao Huai?"

Ying Huai shook his head instinctively: "No, I'm just...taking a break."

As he spoke, he hurriedly took another sip, and his body instantly shivered from the cold.

A smile Song Xingzhou couldn't quite control flashed across his expression.

He cleared his throat lightly, forcing back a laugh as he spoke: "It's okay, Teacher Xiao Huai. You don't have to force yourself to eat. I can throw it away for you."

He paused, then couldn't help adding quietly: "Or you can give it to me, I'll help you..."

It was too noisy around them, and Ying Huai didn't catch Song Xingzhou's last words.

A look of hesitation crossed his face. He was about to speak when, the next second, he heard a careful voice from behind: "Xiao Huai?"

Ying Huai instantly relaxed.

He instinctively turned around, then suddenly realized something was off.

—That voice...was Lu Jing's.

Ying Huai frowned and immediately wanted to step back, but from the other side, Xin Wan's excited and slightly nervous voice came at the same time.

"What a coincidence, Junior Brother, running into you here!"

Xin Wan stepped forward, his nervousness barely concealed in his voice: "Are you here to have fun too, Junior Brother? I didn't expect us to run into each other here, really..."

Before he could finish, he heard Ying Huai let out a cold laugh: "—What bad luck, running into you here."

Xin Wan's voice stopped instantly.

Ying Huai ignored him and turned to signal Song Xingzhou to take him away quickly.

The voices behind went quiet for a few seconds, then came the sound of footsteps following close behind.

"What happened to your eyes, Xiao Huai?"

After a moment, Lu Jing's voice rose quietly: "Why are you suddenly wearing glasses?"

Ying Huai found it annoying and ignored him completely.

Lu Jing seemed to realize something too and awkwardly fell silent.

After a few seconds, he couldn't help speaking again: "Your stomach isn't good, Xiao Huai. You should eat less cold stuff..."

Ying Huai finally couldn't stand it and turned around: "Don't you think you're overstepping a bit, Lu Jing?"

"I remember you don't have anything to do with me anymore, right?"

Ying Huai crossed his arms, the corner of his lips curving slightly: "So could you please stay away from me?"

Lu Jing opened his mouth soundlessly.

Ying Huai ignored him, turned around on his own, and walked quickly forward with Song Xingzhou.

But before he'd taken two steps, he suddenly felt a figure blocking their way.

Ying Huai frowned. Before he could say anything, the next second, an enthusiastic voice rang out.

"Would you two like to eat at our shop? Today we have...ah, a couple's discount!"

A shop assistant stood in front of them, introducing enthusiastically.

Song Xingzhou waved his hand somewhat awkwardly. Ying Huai, thinking about how to get rid of Xin Wan and the others, simply nodded.

The shop assistant instantly brightened up and hurriedly led them inside.

"Let me introduce today's specials to you two. They're only for couples—"

Ying Huai, thinking about the slogans outside, couldn't help asking: "Any two people get a discount? No other conditions? What event are you running today?"

The shop assistant was stunned for a moment.

He seemed to have misunderstood something, and his voice instantly became even more enthusiastic.

"Yes, yes, any two people get a discount, but if you two are a couple, the discount will be even bigger!"

Ying Huai: ?

"Sorry, I didn't realize you two were in that kind of relationship earlier, so I didn't dare say it directly."

The shop assistant in front of them was probably a young girl, and her tone became inexplicably excited: "For couples, we have a series of discount activities you can participate in, each with a different discount level!"

Ying Huai: ???

He finally realized Song Xingzhou had brought him to a Pedestrian Street full of young couples.

Ying Huai slowly realized something was wrong and stopped in his tracks: "Xingzhou, you..."

"Sorry, Teacher Xiao Huai, I originally wanted to tell you after a while."

Ying Huai opened his mouth soundlessly.

He opened his mouth to stop him, but the next second, he heard Song Xingzhou speak nervously: "I like you, Teacher Xiao Huai. Can you...be with me?"

Ying Huai: ???

He couldn't help saying: "No, Xingzhou, wait a moment..."

Song Xingzhou didn't wait for him to finish, hurriedly speaking first again: "If not now...can I pursue you first?"

Ying Huai: .......

He felt his head starting to spin again.

The fact that he and Liang Shining were together had never been officially announced.

After they got together, Ying Huai had been sick the whole time, even spending two days in the ICU.

By the time he was finally discharged, Ying Huai was still drowsy and asleep most of the time, with very few hours of actual wakefulness each day. Liang Shining's attention was entirely on his health, so neither of them thought about making the announcement.

Until the past two days when Ying Huai's health finally improved a bit, and the two of them had, by coincidence...just had a fight.

Song Xingzhou was confused but seemed to realize something, and tried to press his case somewhat unwillingly: "Just try with me, okay? Teacher Xiao Huai, I really want to pursue you. Look, there are discount activities today..."

The shop assistant beside them nodded, still enthusiastically introducing: "Yes, yes, today's discounts are still very generous. Hugging is 20% off, holding hands is 30% off. If you two accept, there's also..."

Ying Huai sighed soundlessly.

He gently pulled his hand away from Song Xingzhou's and spoke quietly: "Xingzhou, actually Liang Shining and I already..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt a gust of wind sweep past him.

Immediately after, his waist was suddenly gripped tight.

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment and instinctively struggled: "Who? What are you—mmph!"

Before he could finish, he felt a burning sensation suddenly press against his lips.

Ying Huai's eyes instantly widened.

He immediately realized something, his struggling paused for a moment, then immediately became even more intense.

But Liang Shining showed no intention of letting go.

He held Ying Huai tightly until he felt the person in his arms change from pushing to pulling, unconsciously hooking his collar, his body gradually going soft, before slowly straightening up.

Ying Huai gasped for breath rapidly, his legs weak, his consciousness muddled.

The lack of oxygen made him unable to stand steady, and he unconsciously wanted to collapse, but the next second, he felt Liang Shining reach out and steadily support his body.

"You said holding hands gets a 30% discount just now."

Liang Shining pulled the person with the lowered head into his arms in one motion, speaking in a hoarse voice.

"Then what about kissing?"

Ying Huai: ........

Song Xingzhou: ???

Lu Jing and Xin Wan, who had just followed in: ???