Chapter 85: Side Story: The Onset

Ying Huai was still a bit breathless, his ears ringing, too stunned to collect himself.

His eyes couldn't see clearly, his legs were weak, and he unconsciously hooked onto Liang Shining's clothes.

This made the slight heaviness in Liang Shining's expression unconsciously soften a few degrees.

He pulled the person closer into his arms, and quietly glanced at Song Xingzhou beside them.

Song Xingzhou's face was full of shock and disarray.

His mind vaguely registered something, but he couldn't bring himself to believe it, and couldn't help wanting to speak.

But before he could say anything, the next second, he saw Liang Shining withdraw his gaze first and look at the server beside them.

'Excuse me, could you please take us in first?'

The server snapped back to attention, the smile on her face not diminishing in the slightest, and hurriedly nodded.

'Yes, yes, I'll take you right over—'

Ying Huai, in his muddled state, listened to the server's words and tilted his head slightly with some hesitation.

—He inexplicably felt that this server's voice had become even more excited.

Only when Liang Shining helped him sit down did he belatedly realize that his earlier thought was probably....... not an illusion.

Despite it being called a couple's activity, the server led them straight to a large table.

'Why a large table?' Liang Shining frowned slightly and spoke in a low voice.

'It's just the dinner rush right now, and several groups of customers came in just now, so there are no couple's tables available.'

The server, with a strangely expectant look, said softly: 'It's fine, as long as you complete the activity at a group table you can still enjoy the discount, and you happen to have more people, so a large table works too........'

Liang Shining frowned: 'Then we'll wait a bit........'

Before he could finish, he saw Ying Huai beside him break free from his hand and sit down directly.

'No need to change, we'll sit here.'

Ying Huai raised his head and curled his lips at Liang Shining: 'If Mr. Liang wants to find someone to sit at a couple's table, please go ahead.'

Liang Shining: ........

Ying Huai couldn't see, but he could see the four people watching eagerly beside them.

The server looked at Liang Shining as if seeking permission. Liang Shining was silent for a few seconds, then finally sat down as well.

'Right here, then.'

The server excitedly acknowledged and turned to walk toward the bar counter, seemingly muttering something like 'shura field' and 'so exciting' under her breath.

The others didn't hear her muttering, but Ying Huai, unable to see, had actually become more sensitive to sound.

He was somewhat puzzled, but before he could ask, he felt someone hurriedly plop down across from him.

Ying Huai was startled and instinctively said: '.......Xingzhou?'

The moment he finished speaking, he felt the fingers of the person holding his hand tighten.

Ying Huai frowned, wanting to pull his hand free, but Liang Shining held it firmly.

On the other side, Song Xingzhou immediately responded: 'Yes, yes, I'm here, Teacher Xiao Huai.'

Without waiting for Liang Shining to speak again, he hurriedly asked the question that had been on his mind: 'Teacher Xiao Huai, you and Teacher Liang are already........'

Before he could finish, Liang Shining's slightly heavy voice sounded: 'Isn't it obvious?'

Song Xingzhou's mouth instantly formed an 'O'.

His impression of Liang Shining had always been one of silence and taciturnity; he had never seen him so—combative.

His mind was in a momentary mess, and he blurted out: 'Is this real? I, I had no idea at all, Teacher Xiao Huai, when did you and Teacher Liang..........'

Ying Huai kept a cold face and said nothing. Liang Shining didn't mind, answering fluently on his own: 'Two months and three days—that's sixty-four days.'

Song Xingzhou: ???

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

Although he couldn't see clearly, he inexplicably felt that Liang Shining right now was like a peacock that couldn't help spreading its tail and showing off frantically.

The next second, he heard Liang Shining continue: 'But if we count from when we started living together, it's already one year, four months, and twelve days.'

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

He really couldn't take it anymore: 'Can you shut up—'

Before Ying Huai could finish, the next second, an equally exasperated voice sounded from beside them.

'Shut up!'

Xin Wan stood beside them with a dark expression.

The scene at the entrance had completely infuriated him, and after barely suppressing his anger to follow them in, he saw Ying Huai still sitting in Liang Shining's arms.

Xin Wan, unable to contain his anger, directly reached out to try to pull Liang Shining up: 'Let go of him—'

But Ying Huai had been feeling insecure ever since his eyes couldn't see clearly.

The moment Liang Shining's body moved, Ying Huai reflexively reached out and precisely hooked his sleeve.

Ying Huai was stunned, and so was Xin Wan. Unaware of Ying Huai's eye condition, his heart shattered at the sight of Ying Huai's action.

'Little shidi, you.........'

Ying Huai frowned and instantly released his grip on Liang Shining.

Xin Wan beside them still looked devastated and was about to say something when Lu Jing, who had been following behind, hurriedly stepped forward, glanced at Ying Huai with a complicated expression, and pulled Xin Wan aside directly.

'What are you doing, Lu Jing, didn't you see what just happened.........' Xin Wan gritted his teeth and turned his head instantly.

'You shut up first.'

Lu Jing said in a low voice: 'What did I bring you here for today? To argue?'

Xin Wan choked on his words.

He gritted his teeth, glared hatefully at Liang Shining, gave a 'hmph,' and finally sat down first.

Lu Jing silently sighed.

Although he was also somewhat shocked by the matter of Liang Shining and Ying Huai, his reaction was not as intense as Xin Wan's.

Su Xin had school matters today and hadn't come with them.

But after learning where they were going, she had specifically mentioned this matter to Lu Jing.

Xin Wan had scoffed at it at the time, but Lu Jing, having pieced together some clues he'd noticed much earlier, didn't react as strongly.

Looking at the two people sitting close together across from him, he silently sighed, and spoke up just before Xin Wan: 'Let's eat first, is there anything you want to eat, Xiao Huai?'

Ying Huai kept his head lowered, as if he hadn't heard.

He hadn't spoken since earlier, and unexpectedly hadn't directly told them to leave.

Ying Huai propped one hand slightly on the table, sitting in place with his body slightly hunched, his frame inexplicably tense.

Lu Jing only assumed Ying Huai simply didn't want to deal with them. He waited a few seconds, then patiently asked again.

This time, Ying Huai finally raised his head.

His face seemed somewhat pale. He was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly stood up directly: 'Xingzhou, I'm not hungry, let's go.'

Song Xingzhou was still lost in his daze from earlier. He was startled, then hurriedly stood up as well: 'Ah, ah, okay........'

But before Ying Huai could move, the next second, his wrist was grabbed.

Ying Huai lowered his eyes, his slightly unfocused gaze quietly settling on Liang Shining: 'Let go.'

But Liang Shining didn't actually let go as he usually would.

He was silent for a few seconds, then said softly: 'You can't leave, shifu.'

Ying Huai couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

'Why can't I?'

He was halfway through speaking when his body inexplicably stiffened again. He pressed his stomach inconspicuously, then quickly straightened up.

'We're already outside, is Mr. Liang still planning to restrict my movements........'

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt the person beside him stand up abruptly, blocking his entire body behind him.

'Your stomach is uncomfortable, shifu.' Liang Shining gritted his teeth.

His voice uncontrollably carried a hint of urgency: 'Are you thinking of sneaking medicine after we walk out in a bit, hiding it from us?'

Ying Huai's body stiffened for a moment.

A flash of panic crossed his expression, but he immediately covered it with a cold laugh: 'Stop guessing wildly, Liang Shining, I just want to get away from you........'

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt the person beside him reach out and lightly grasp the hand he had been casually pressing against his stomach.

The force that had been suppressing his cramping stomach instantly disappeared, and Ying Huai's body trembled uncontrollably as he let out a muffled groan.

He instinctively hunched over, reached out to grab Liang Shining's arm, and gasped: 'It hurts........'

The slight heaviness in Liang Shining's expression instantly vanished, replaced by a look of helplessness and panic.

He had expected Ying Huai's stomach to be uncomfortable, but hadn't expected him to be in this much pain.

He quickly reached out to steady Ying Huai's slightly swaying body, pressed his palm against Ying Huai's stomach, and began rubbing with just the right amount of pressure.

'Is this better, shifu?'

Ying Huai didn't speak, only shook his head, trying to straighten up by bracing against his shoulder: 'I'm fine, there are still people beside us........'

'I'm blocking you, they can't see.' Liang Shining, as if knowing what he was about to say, spoke softly.

He knew Ying Huai had never wanted to show his vulnerable side.

Liang Shining half-turned his body, supporting the pale-faced person in front of him with one hand.

The hint of anger that had been in his voice had completely vanished. Looking at Ying Huai's pale face, his worry was impossible to conceal.

He reached into Ying Huai's pocket and took out the Medicine Bottle, skillfully poured out the Stomach Medicine, hesitated for a moment, then also poured out one for treating heart palpitations.

Ying Huai, too weak from the pain to struggle, slightly opened his mouth and took them in.

Seeing that Ying Huai wasn't drinking any water and was about to swallow them dry, Liang Shining hurriedly brought the warm water beside them to Ying Huai's lips.

Ying Huai had already swallowed the medicine and listlessly turned his head away: 'No need, I've already swallowed them........'

'Drink some anyway, or it'll still hurt later.'

Ying Huai had been taking medicine for years, and his esophagus was sometimes very sensitive to medication.

So he usually tried to swallow his medicine as quickly as possible, to avoid his esophagus becoming intolerant and making it harder later.

But while this was easier at first, over time it actually caused more irritation to the esophagus and stomach.

After Liang Shining discovered this, he had been trying, subtly and not so subtly, to correct this habit.

Ying Huai seemed to know that if he didn't comply, Liang Shining would just keep holding the water there.

He turned his head, stared at him for a few seconds, and finally opened his mouth to drink some water.

The two had been at a standoff for a while, and Xin Wan beside them couldn't help but speak up again: 'What are you doing, Liang Shining, what are you saying to little shidi, you're not threatening him to not let him leave, are you?'

He stood up suspiciously, trying to approach, but Lu Jing hurriedly stopped him.

Ying Huai beside them, hearing the voice, also turned his head accordingly.

'That's right, Mr. Liang, can I leave now?'

Liang Shining withdrew his hand and silently sighed.

While reaching out to rub Ying Huai's stomach with just the right amount of pressure, he said softly: 'Eat something before you go, shifu.'

"Medicine only helps temporarily. If you don't eat something, your stomach won't be able to take it soon. Let me order some warm food for you—can you eat before you leave?"

He paused, then added: "Wherever you go after...... is fine."

Ying Huai was silent for two seconds.

The pain in his stomach couldn't be fully relieved in a short time. Ying Huai had broken out in a cold sweat from the pain earlier, and now with the wind blowing on him, he felt dizzy standing up.

Liang Shining, after all, still understood his condition and could notice something was wrong in time.

If he went out with Song Xingzhou later and hadn't fully recovered, and just collapsed without warning, the kid would probably be afraid to invite him out again next time.

Ying Huai gently broke free from Liang Shining's support and propped himself against the table to sit down again.

Lu Jing silently breathed a sigh of relief. Xin Wan beside him still looked suspicious: "What exactly happened just now, you guys......"

"Alright, let's order first. Xiao Huai must be hungry."

Lu Jing spoke in a low voice, directly cutting off Xin Wan's words.

He raised his head to look at Ying Huai, hesitated for a moment, then directly said: "Order a plate of vinegar-slivered potatoes, a steam-pot chicken, and......"

Everything Lu Jing ordered was what Ying Huai usually liked to eat. When they used to practice at the company together, they would often go out to find good food.

Ying Huai had the kind of constitution where he never gained weight no matter what he ate, so it was fine for him, but the others had to train frantically to make up for this indulgence before their manager noticed.

Lu Jing quickly finished ordering, then looked up at Liang Shining across from him as if seeking his opinion.

Liang Shining didn't object, just paused for a few seconds, then said quietly: "Add a bowl of millet porridge, cook it longer."

The waiter acknowledged and was about to go place the order, but the next second, heard Ying Huai say quietly: "A stir-fried yellow beef."

Lu Jing was slightly stunned, Liang Shining also paused, instantly realizing something, and quickly turned his head: "I'm not very hungry, shifu, no need........"

Liang Shining had a taste for heavier flavors, but Ying Huai always preferred lighter food.

Additionally, patients with congenital heart disease needed to strictly control their salt and spicy food intake, so when Liang Shining ate now, he naturally only ate light, easily digestible food.

However, when his body allowed it, Ying Huai would cook himself, specifically making one or two dishes that Liang Shining liked.

But restaurants outside were ultimately not like home, and combined with Ying Huai's recent poor cardiopulmonary function, Liang Shining was worried that the strong flavors would make Ying Huai uncomfortable.

He opened his mouth to stop him, but the next second, heard Ying Huai say with a half-smile: "Who said it was ordered for you?"

Ying Huai tilted his head slightly, his eyes curving: "Can't I just want to eat it myself?"

Liang Shining's voice paused.

The waiter beside them, understanding the situation, immediately walked away. Ying Huai listened to the retreating footsteps and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

A trace of helplessness crossed Liang Shining's expression: "Thank you, shifu."

The tips of Ying Huai's ears suspiciously reddened for a moment.

"What's there to thank? I already said, it's not for you, I'm ordering it for......... Xingzhou, is that not allowed?"

Ying Huai turned his head away, muttering quietly: "Ordered a bunch of bland stuff, you'll be hungry later even if you're not now."

He thought he was speaking very quietly, but didn't know that everyone at the table had their attention entirely on him.

A complex expression crossed Lu Jing's face again, as he reached out to press down Xin Wan who was about to jump up once more.

Song Xingzhou....... Song Xingzhou looked like he was about to fall apart.

Liang Shining couldn't help but laugh for a moment.

He couldn't help reaching out to gently pinch Ying Huai's fingers, and then, as expected, was directly swatted away by Ying Huai with a disgusted slap.

·

While waiting for the dishes, the atmosphere at the table was bizarre to the extreme.

Lu Jing and Xin Wan tried to make conversation several times, but Ying Huai turned a deaf ear, resting with his eyes closed on his own.

Liang Shining tucked a cup of warm water into his hand, wanting to help rub Ying Huai's stomach again, but was once more subtly avoided by Ying Huai.

Fortunately, this restaurant served dishes fairly quickly. When Ying Huai finally silently picked up his chopsticks, the other four simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

But soon, Xin Wan once again realized something was off.

"Why do you keep adding food for junior brother, Liang Shining?" Xin Wan asked suspiciously.

Liang Shining and Ying Huai's movements both paused at the same time.

Ying Huai's hand gripping the chopsticks tightened slightly. The next second, he heard Xin Wan say through gritted teeth: "Can you stop pestering junior brother, how annoying."

Ying Huai's fingers unconsciously loosened.

Liang Shining glanced at Ying Huai with a complicated expression, then with lowered eyes picked up another piece of food for him: "None of your business."

Xin Wan was instantly so angry his veins popped: "You—"

Lu Jing beside him pressed him down in one motion, but also frowned at the two across from him.

He wasn't as slow as Xin Wan; after a few times, he had long since realized something was wrong.

"What's wrong, Xiao Huai, is something uncomfortable?"

Lu Jing paused, then said somewhat hesitantly: "Is it your eyes........"

Before he could finish, he heard Ying Huai suddenly cut him off: "My eyes are fine."

He raised his head, paused, then turned to look at Liang Shining: "You don't need to serve me, I can reach the farther dishes myself."

Liang Shining hesitated for a moment, didn't say anything, just slowly withdrew his hand: "Alright, the potato shreds and eight-treasure tofu are in front of you, the chicken soup a bit further away I can help you serve, the stir-fried yellow beef beside it you don't eat anyway, so only the ribs a bit further in front would need you to reach a little."

He subtly described the entire layout of dishes on the table. Ying Huai's body relaxed slightly, and he casually nodded.

Lu Jing's hand gripping the chopsticks tightened little by little. He vaguely realized something, his face went pale for a moment, he lowered his eyes and took a deep breath.

Fortunately, Ying Huai could now vaguely see some light sources, and combined with Liang Shining having just told him the position of the dishes, there wasn't any major problem for the moment.

Until after a while, Ying Huai stood up wanting to go get some soup.

Liang Shining, who had been watching him, hurriedly reached out first: "Let me serve you, shifu, you don't need to get up."

Ying Huai paused, but ultimately didn't insist: "Alright."

He handed the bowl out, then, as if to cover up, reached out his chopsticks to pick up the farthest ribs.

But accidentally picked up the stir-fried yellow beef beside it.

Liang Shining had just turned to get the soup. Lu Jing had been somewhat lost since earlier. Song Xingzhou was eating the whole meal absent-mindedly. Xin Wan had been glaring at Liang Shining the whole time, afraid he might have ulterior motives.

Not a single person noticed this small mistake.

Until the next second, a burst of rapid gasping and coughing suddenly rang out.

Liang Shining abruptly turned his head, Lu Jing beside him suddenly stood up.

Ying Huai covered his lips, coughing rapidly.

His face was red, his chest heaving rapidly, as if stimulated by something. He tried hard to steady his breathing, but his whole body flushed from the tips of his ears all the way down to his neck.

"What's wrong, Xiao Huai? Did you choke?" Lu Jing asked urgently.

He anxiously wanted to stand up: "What did you choke on? Does it hurt? Do you want to drink some water........"

Liang Shining's gaze fell on the bit of red chili beside the suddenly dropped chopsticks, and he instantly understood.

A flash of self-reproach crossed his expression. He hurriedly reached out to support the person's body, slowly stroking his back, and handed over a cup of warm water.

"It's okay, take a sip of water and hold it in your mouth, don't be nervous."

Liang Shining said quietly: "I'm here, shifu, don't be afraid, take it easy first........."

Lu Jing stared at Liang Shining's practiced movements, stunned.

His gaze subconsciously moved down, also landing on the chili that had mysteriously appeared in front of Ying Huai, and he was instantly struck as if by lightning.

After what felt like an eternity, Ying Huai's painful gasping and coughing finally gradually subsided.

He leaned in Liang Shining's arms for a few seconds to recover, then after a while, said hoarsely: "I'm fine."

His whole body was still a bit warm. He touched Liang Shining's arm, signaling him to help him to the restroom.

"I just accidentally choked a bit earlier, and it set it off, cough cough......"

Before he could finish, he suddenly heard Lu Jing say quietly: "But why would you choke on chili, Xiao Huai?"

Ying Huai frowned: "I accidentally picked up the wrong thing........"

"You accidentally picked up beef as chili?" Lu Jing cut him off directly, his voice trembling.

He really couldn't hold back anymore, and abruptly stood up: "What exactly is wrong with your eyes, Xiao Huai?"

Ying Huai's body instantly stiffened.

Lu Jing strode forward, directly blocking in front of him.

Ying Huai's face was pale, but the corners of his eyes were tinged with a flush of crimson from the earlier lack of oxygen, making his peach blossom eyes appear even more striking.

—Only his eyes were vacant and hollow.

Lu Jing's heart ached to the extreme.

He could no longer care about anything else, and subconsciously reached out wanting to grab the person in front of him.

Just as he was about to reach him, Ying Huai seemed to realize something and directly stepped back.

"I said, I'm fine."

Lu Jing turned a deaf ear, continuing almost frantically: "Earlier outside it was Song Xingzhou supporting you the whole time, and when you came in just now it was Liang Shining leading you."

Xin Wan beside him, belatedly realizing the severity of the problem: "What do you mean? Lu Jing? What's wrong with junior brother's eyes?"

Lu Jing ignored him, continuing on his own: "You've been avoiding eye contact with us, deliberately tilting your head, because you're afraid we'd notice something wrong with your eyes, right, Xiao Huai."

Lu Jing said with a trembling voice: "Your eyes...... can't see anymore?"

Xin Wan's whole body instantly froze.

The nightmare from his past life struck simultaneously. He turned his head in disbelief: "Junior brother........."

The next second, he heard Ying Huai suddenly say: "I already said, I'm fine!"

"Why won't you listen to anything I say, Lu Jing."

Ying Huai gritted his teeth.

"I said, I don't want to see you, I said, my eyes are fine, why won't you listen!"

He spoke too quickly, and couldn't help turning his head to cough a few times.

"What's the use of you knowing now? The thing has already happened, and only now do you finally react, putting on an act coming here to me, what exactly do you want?"

Lu Jing's face gradually went pale.

The agitation in his expression gradually disappeared. He finally realized something, and somewhat flusteredly tried to explain: "I didn't mean it that way, junior brother, I was just worried about you........"

Xin Wan beside him also hurriedly nodded: "Right right, we just want to help you, Xiao Huai........"

"Worried about me? Help me?" Ying Huai couldn't help but laugh.

He said rapidly: "If you wanted to make up for it, why didn't you do it earlier in your past life? Why didn't you dare to tell me when you first knew you were reborn?"

The pain in his stomach that had finally been suppressed seemed to resurface along with the coughing from earlier. A flash of pain crossed Ying Huai's expression.

He somewhat impatiently reached out to press his stomach, but didn't expect the pain to make his vision instantly go black.

His heart was stimulated by this sudden pain and thumped heavily. Ying Huai instantly felt his chest tighten.

He opened his mouth wanting to breathe, but a breath got stuck in his chest, and he couldn't catch it at all.

Ying Huai instantly realized something was wrong, and abruptly grabbed Liang Shining's arm.

The next second, he fell straight forward.