Chapter 91: Drunk

The rustling of leaves in the wind surrounded them, and Liang Shi Ning froze in place for a moment.

For an instant he seemed not to have heard clearly what Song Si Lan was saying. He silently opened his mouth, then couldn't help repeating it.

"You said Ying Huai is........ drunk?"

Song Si Lan slipped a few tablets to ease the palpitations under Ying Huai's tongue and casually hummed "mm."

"But Lu Jing and the others said before that Ying Huai has a constitution that never gets drunk no matter how much he drinks........" Liang Shi Ning's tone still carried disbelief.

Song Si Lan counted Ying Huai's pulse, didn't speak immediately, only glanced up at Liang Shi Ning.

Liang Shi Ning instinctively fell silent.

Whether it was the medicine taking effect or the intoxication gaining the upper hand, Ying Huai's awareness drifted back into a fog.

He yawned slightly. The arm around Liang Shi Ning's neck slid down a little without his knowing, and he curled a few inches further into Liang Shi Ning's embrace, seeming about to fall asleep again.

Song Si Lan frowned and looked up at Liang Shi Ning.

Liang Shi Ning took the hint, held the man with one arm, and gently patted Ying Huai's back. "Don't sleep yet, Shifu."

Ying Huai frowned with some discomfort.

He seemed to have sobered up a little. He opened his eyes slightly and stared at the two people disturbing his sleep for a few seconds, then suddenly turned his head and spat out the medicine Song Si Lan had just put in his mouth.

Liang Shi Ning was stunned. Song Si Lan clicked his tongue softly, but didn't say anything immediately, instead still carefully counting his pulse.

After a few seconds, only once he confirmed Ying Huai's heart rate was still relatively stable did he let out a small breath of relief.

"It's alright, he should just be more sensitive to alcohol. His heart rate is still fairly stable now."

Song Si Lan released Ying Huai's wrist and tipped another tablet out of the Medicine Bottle, but saw Ying Huai instantly raise his head alertly and simply turn his face to the inside.

Song Si Lan was half-annoyed, half-amused for a moment.

Since Ying Huai's condition was still alright, Song Si Lan wasn't in any rush. He put the Medicine Bottle away again and looked up at Liang Shi Ning.

"Didn't I just say it—allergies can lessen or worsen depending on the patient's recent physical condition."

Song Si Lan spoke as he took out a Cooling Patch from the medical kit. Not rushing to apply it, he first waved it in front of Ying Huai.

"Cooling Patch, to help bring your temperature down. I'm putting it on you—can you not peel it off?"

Ying Huai narrowed his eyes.

His gaze followed Song Si Lan's movements with some wariness, swaying slightly. After a few seconds, he seemed to finally determine that this thin patch wouldn't attack his taste buds the way that pill just had.

His expression instantly returned to its usual languor. He yawned a little and turned his head back.

Song Si Lan, who was used to all kinds of battles of wits with Ying Huai over treatment, rarely saw him like this and raised his eyebrows with some curiosity.

He said nothing, carefully applying the Cooling Patch to Ying Huai's forehead.

The cool temperature instantly spread from his forehead, and the slight furrow between Ying Huai's brows loosened without his knowing.

Song Si Lan withdrew his hand and returned to the previous topic.

"Ying Huai has been on all kinds of medication for a long time—heart disease, pneumonia, and psychiatric treatment drugs. The properties accumulate in his body and could very well affect his ability to break down alcohol."

"And on top of that, he probably hasn't come into contact with any alcohol-containing food for a long time, so it's possible his body's tolerance has dropped."

Song Si Lan watched the man in front of him finally come back to his senses, straightened up, and slightly shrugged. "So to sum it up—he really did get drunk from the Huoxiang Zhengqi Water."

Liang Shi Ning felt a little easier in his heart, but looking at Ying Huai's pale face, couldn't help asking again: "Will being drunk have any effect on his body?"

Song Si Lan thought for a moment. "The situation is still alright for now. The alcohol he took in is very mild, it won't have too much of an impact on his heart."

"But he already had signs of heat stroke, so there'll be some symptoms of palpitations and chest tightness."

Song Si Lan gently pressed his hand to Ying Huai's chest. The man in front of him frowned slightly, as if his chest was still uncomfortable, and instinctively shrank backward.

Liang Shi Ning frowned. Song Si Lan said nothing, only gently pinched Ying Huai's chin and slipped another tablet under his tongue.

The bitter taste of medicine instantly filled Ying Huai's mouth. He instinctively wanted to turn his head away, struggled for a while, and still pushed it out with the tip of his tongue.

Song Si Lan was both annoyed and amused for a moment.

—For an instant he missed the Ying Huai who, when sober, though unwilling, would at least outwardly comply and put on an act.

"If you don't take the medicine you'll keep feeling awful, and when the palpitations and nausea make you vomit again later, the one suffering is still you."

Song Si Lan crossed his arms, trying to reason with him.

—But the man muddled by alcohol simply closed his eyes, looking every inch the picture of 'I'm just being unreasonable, what are you going to do about it.'

Song Si Lan couldn't help being half-laughing, half-annoyed again.

Liang Shi Ning beside him couldn't help speaking up: "How about Doctor Song help hold Shifu steady, and I'll try........"

Before he finished speaking, he saw Song Si Lan suddenly turn his head and shove the entire bottle of medicine into Liang Shi Ning's hand.

Liang Shi Ning: ?

"It's yours. If he's uncomfortable, just have him hold one under his tongue every five minutes, and don't let him spit it out again."

Liang Shi Ning silently opened his mouth: "I........"

"I know you have ways to make him listen. I don't need to know the process, I only need the result." Song Si Lan looked up at Liang Shi Ning and spoke calmly.

"The symptoms of drunkenness and palpitations won't last long—at the latest, after sleeping tonight it should be fine. Just don't let him suffer and then hurt himself again, don't feel pressured."

Though Song Si Lan said this, his gaze went straight to Ying Huai.

He crossed his arms and spoke unhurriedly: "But if I see in a moment that Teacher Ying still hasn't taken his medicine—I remember I brought sedatives in my suitcase too."

The drowsy man reacted slowly, only after a few seconds realizing what was meant, and instantly raised his head in displeasure.

Song Si Lan raised his eyebrows provocatively.

Liang Shi Ning gripped the Medicine Bottle, looking at the two people squaring off in front of him with a mix of amusement and helplessness, and reached out to gently pat Ying Huai's back.

"Okay."

·

By the time Liang Shi Ning carried the man and finally reached the Villa, Ying Huai was drowsily about to fall asleep again.

To keep him awake along the way, Liang Shi Ning had been chattering at him nonstop.

Ying Huai would at first be forced to respond with a sentence or two, but later, truly fed up, simply buried his head against Liang Shi Ning's neck and pretended he couldn't hear.

Liang Shi Ning was helpless, and couldn't spare a hand to soothe him.

Just as Ying Huai was about to fall asleep again, inspiration suddenly struck him, and he turned his head and lightly kissed the corner of his lips.

As expected, Ying Huai's eyes flew open.

Liang Shi Ning spoke quietly: "Don't sleep yet, Shifu. Your heat stroke symptoms haven't fully gone away, and if you go straight into the Villa later you'll easily catch a chill."

It was unclear whether Ying Huai actually understood what he was saying.

His expression seemed somewhat shocked, but he didn't appear to be angry—only stared at him unblinkingly with red ear tips, lost in thought.

Liang Shi Ning knew Ying Huai was still angry at him, and being looked at like this, instinctively panicked a little: "Shifu, don't be angry first. Once we're inside you can sleep......."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly saw Ying Huai's eyes move. He said nothing, only slowly leaned back against Liang Shi Ning's shoulder, and after a while, closed his eyes again.

Liang Shi Ning was stunned.

He was somewhat at a loss, but still slightly turned his head and lightly kissed the corner of Ying Huai's lips.

As expected, Ying Huai once again quickly opened his eyes.

This time Liang Shi Ning saw that Ying Huai's expression seemed somehow........a little excited.

He tilted his head against Liang Shi Ning's shoulder, stared at him for a few seconds, curved his eyes, suddenly yawned again, and closed his eyes once more.

Liang Shi Ning vaguely realized something.

A flash of surprise crossed his expression.

Ying Huai's reaction to being drunk was different from what he had expected.

He had originally thought that after Ying Huai got drunk, he would become like when he first met him in the previous life—wild and unrestrained—but instead he was this.......quiet and peaceful.

He didn't talk much, only quietly observed his surroundings, all his emotions held within a pair of bright peach blossom eyes.

Even when his gaze fell on him, his eyes would slightly curve, but he said nothing.

—Not fighting for anything, as if cut off from the surroundings.

Liang Shi Ning took a deep breath.

—This kind of Ying Huai made him feel surprised and.......heartache.

Thinking about his earlier guess, he turned his head slightly again, and the next second suddenly heard a hurried voice from behind.

"Teacher Liang! You and Teacher Ying are finally here!"

The Director of the Production Team, having heard about Ying Huai's heat stroke, had immediately rushed over without stopping.

"Teacher Ying, how are you feeling now, is there anywhere else uncomfortable........"

He fired off a string of concerned questions. Liang Shi Ning, worried that Ying Huai would feel uncomfortable, didn't continue his earlier action and had no choice but to turn his head to deal with the Director first.

This Director seemed to be a chatterbox, rambling on for over five minutes without stopping.

Liang Shi Ning was eager to take Ying Huai away, and in the end could only nod perfunctorily.

The person in his arms seemed to stir slightly after a while, the hand around his neck tightening a bit.

The Director quickly noticed this small movement from Ying Huai.

Seeing that Ying Huai seemed to have woken up, he immediately turned his gaze: "Teacher Ying, how are you feeling now, do you need me to call the accompanying doctor........"

Before he could finish, he saw the person in front of him glare at him directly, then turn his head again and bury his face straight into Liang Shi Ning's neck.

The Director was stunned. A flash of a smile crossed Liang Shi Ning's lips. He coughed lightly and spoke in a low voice to the Director.

"Sorry, shifu is a bit........uncomfortable, not quite lucid right now. I'll take him to rest for a while first."

With Ying Corporation and the Lu Corporation backing Ying Huai now, and Mu Heguang also firmly supporting him on that side, how could the Director dare say even half a 'no.'

He shook his head repeatedly: "No problem, no problem, our recording just happens to start in the afternoon. If Teacher Ying isn't feeling well, let him rest a while longer, wait........"

Before he could finish, he saw Ying Huai suddenly turn his head and glare at him again.

Director: ?

—He inexplicably felt a bit superfluous.

Liang Shi Ning coughed lightly and spoke in a low voice: "Thank you for your concern, Director, but shifu really isn't feeling well. I'll take him back first."

"Good, good, no rush, let me know whenever you've rested enough........"

The Director suddenly came back to himself and couldn't help but speak one last time.

What answered him was Liang Shi Ning's figure, carrying the person, quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor.

·

Liang Shi Ning had just turned a corner with the person in his arms when he saw the person in his arms suddenly open his eyes, then tilt his neck back slightly and directly kiss Liang Shi Ning's lips.

Liang Shi Ning was stunned for a moment, unable to stop a glimmer of a smile from appearing in his eyes.

He didn't rush to continue walking, slowly stopping his steps, one hand supporting Ying Huai's neck, gradually deepening the kiss.

Until he felt Ying Huai's body go soft and the hand around his neck slide down unconsciously, Liang Shi Ning finally slowly straightened up.

Ying Huai's fingers clutched the clothes on his shoulder, breathing in small gasps.

The Cooling Patch on his forehead had been knocked slightly askew, but he had no time to care, only continuing to look up at Liang Shi Ning.

"........Why did you stop?"

Liang Shi Ning lowered his eyes and gently kissed the corner of his eye, carefully straightening the Cooling Patch.

"Your body can't take it, shifu." Liang Shi Ning spoke softly.

"Wait a while, alright?"

He turned sideways, using his back to push open the door and walked into the room, carrying the person and sitting down on the sofa, the hand protecting the back of Ying Huai's neck kneading with just the right pressure.

Ying Huai's eyes were still somewhat dazed, his fingertips tightly clutching Liang Shi Ning's clothes, breathing in small mouthfuls.

Liang Shi Ning reached out and slowly helped him rub his chest.

"What happened just now, shifu?"

Liang Shi Ning spoke in a low voice: "Why suddenly..."

Before he could finish, he heard Ying Huai speak softly: "Why didn't you kiss me just now?"

Liang Shi Ning was startled.

He seemed to realize something, unable to stop a hint of a smile from appearing in his eyes, yet deliberately pretended to be puzzled and lowered his head.

"What is shifu saying?"

The person who hadn't received the expected response immediately became displeased: "I closed my eyes, why didn't you kiss me for so long just now?"

He sat up slightly straighter in Liang Shi Ning's arms, his beautiful peach blossom eyes carrying a slight flush from the fever, a different kind of beautiful.

Seeing that Liang Shi Ning only stared at him without speaking, his brow furrowed more and more.

"Every time I closed my eyes on the road just now, you would kiss me, but you just now were chatting endlessly with that person for so long, completely ignoring me...... mm!"

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt the back of his head gently pressed, then his vision blurred.

Liang Shi Ning leaned down again, gently blocking the rest of his words.

Ying Huai's eyes widened slightly.

He wasn't wearing his Glasses now, his vision a blur, only able to hear the steady, strong heartbeat from the chest of the person in front of him.

After what felt like an eternity, Liang Shi Ning finally released him again.

"Was this okay?"

Liang Shi Ning reached out to wipe away a thin silver thread at the corner of the person's lips, speaking in a low voice.

"Two times to make up for the one missed before, is that okay?"

Ying Huai's eyes flickered.

Because of the alcohol, his mind was dull, and he didn't notice that Liang Shi Ning had avoided his question, only remembering his last words.

He quickly shook his head: "No, three strikes and you're out, need one more time."

His mind was a mess, and he didn't know how to describe it, just thought of something related to 'three' and said it.

Liang Shi Ning was startled for a moment, couldn't help but laugh: "That's not how that phrase is used."

But Ying Huai completely ignored his words.

The room temperature was much lower than outside, and after resting for a while, Ying Huai finally had some strength in his body.

He braced himself on Liang Shi Ning's shoulders and knelt up, slightly tilting his head back to lightly nuzzle his brow bone with his slightly cool lips, on and off.

Liang Shi Ning's breathing inexplicably grew heavier.

He reached out and wrapped his arm around Ying Huai's waist, stopping his further actions.

"Don't be naughty, shifu."

"Then one more time."

Ying Huai lowered his eyes, looking at him with slightly bright eyes.

He didn't notice that his lip color was gradually turning white for some reason, and the wheeze in his chest was gradually getting heavier.

Liang Shi Ning quickly noticed Ying Huai's abnormality.

He frowned, his eyes immediately clearing, reaching out to make the person sit down again.

"Where do you feel uncomfortable, shifu?"

A layer of mist covered Ying Huai's eyes, his mind only on what had just happened, he shook his head slightly.

"No....... don't change the subject, just one more kiss, alright?"

Liang Shi Ning didn't speak.

He stared at Ying Huai for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out to touch Ying Huai's forehead.

His palm was at a normal temperature, the person in front of him shrank slightly, seeming to feel somewhat uncomfortable and turned his head to avoid his touch.

Liang Shi Ning felt the temperature rising again under his palm, his expression darkening: "You have a fever, shifu."

As he spoke, he wanted to turn around to get the Medicine Bottle, but the next second felt Ying Huai suddenly wrap his arms around his neck.

The scalding body pressed close in an instant, Liang Shi Ning's body inevitably stiffening.

"No need, I don't have a fever."

Ying Huai was dizzy from the fever, but still spoke stubbornly.

Liang Shi Ning paused.

He suddenly turned around, supporting Ying Huai's waist and holding him back in his arms.

"Just once, then rest properly, right?"

Ying Huai's eyes were red from the fever, but he immediately nodded.

Liang Shi Ning's eyes flickered, seeming to let out a soft sigh.

He said nothing, leaned down, and gently kissed Ying Huai's scalding lips.

When the kiss ended, Ying Huai's lips were slightly parted, gasping rapidly for oxygen, instinctively speaking softly: "Again......."

Contrary to his expectations, after a while, Liang Shi Ning really leaned down again.

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

A hint of a smile crossed his peach blossom eyes, but the next second, a bitter medicinal taste suddenly spread across his lips.

Ying Huai's brow instantly furrowed.

He let out a low hum, instinctively trying to push the person in front of him away, but suddenly felt his waist tighten.

Liang Shi Ning slowly fed the fever medicine into Ying Huai's mouth, and before he could react again, used the tip of his tongue to gently press another pill in.

Ying Huai instantly turned his head away.

"What are you doing, Liang Shi Ning."

"You're sick, Shifu. If you don't take the medicine, you'll feel worse in a bit."

Liang Shi Ning reached out, his fingertip pressing and kneading the corner of his eye with measured pressure.

"There are still a few pills left. Take them and rest for a bit, alright?"

But Ying Huai shook his head.

His voice trembled slightly, and a trace of grievance unconsciously crept into his tone: "You lied to me, Liang Shi Ning, you lied to me again........"

Liang Shi Ning was startled.

He instantly realized Ying Huai was referring to the matter of hiding his eye condition from him before.

Liang Shi Ning silently opened his mouth: "Shifu........"

He hesitated, then finally couldn't help asking softly: "Can Shifu tell me... why were you so angry before?"

"Because you were deliberately bullying me!"

Ying Huai suddenly raised his head.

"I had just gotten together with you, and my eyes went wrong, and it was the kind that........ can never be recovered."

Ying Huai spoke in a trembling voice.

"I'm really sorry, I wanted to try to get better, but I........ couldn't."

"I wanted to take advantage of the time I could still see a little to be with you properly, to make it up to you........"

——Only to find out it was all a laughable misunderstanding.

Liang Shi Ning instantly understood.

——So that was why Ying Huai had been so actively clinging to him those few days, why he had wanted to leave the hospital early.

"You were deliberately bullying me, Liang Shi Ning."

Ying Huai gritted his teeth.

He spoke a bit too urgently, his breath hitching, and couldn't help suddenly covering his lips, coughing muffledly again and again.

He wanted to stop, but something in his throat kept tickling like a feather, making it harder the more he tried to hold it in.

His breathing gradually grew heavier, then he felt his lips gently pried open, and the bitter taste of medicine once again spread through his throat to his whole body.

The corners of Ying Huai's eyes grew moist. He wanted to push Liang Shi Ning away, but the next second felt his lips soften again, followed by a mouthful of warm water slowly being fed in.

His parched throat was instantly soothed, and Ying Huai's struggling unconsciously gentled, a soft hum escaping him.

He felt someone slowly kneading his chest, then Liang Shi Ning's slightly hoarse voice reached his ears.

"It's my fault, Shifu."

Liang Shi Ning spoke softly.

"The matter with Shifu's eyes was just an accident. Shifu never did anything to wrong me."

Liang Shi Ning gently took hold of Ying Huai's slightly curled fingertips, squeezing them with measured pressure.

"On the contrary, I've always felt it was me........ who failed to protect Shifu."

The heat around him flared up, and Ying Huai felt only dizziness before his eyes, with a dull ache beginning in his stomach.

He couldn't speak, only shook his head unconsciously, trying to refute Liang Shi Ning's words.

Fortunately, Liang Shi Ning didn't say anything more.

Liang Shi Ning reached out, gently drawing him into his arms, and after a moment spoke softly: "It's my fault. Don't be angry with me anymore, Shifu, alright?"

Ying Huai blinked somewhat blankly.

His thoughts were weary, and he hadn't quite caught what Liang Shi Ning said, but he could feel his sadness.

He hesitated, then after a while, finally nodded slightly.

He heard Liang Shi Ning silently release a breath.

Then he heard Liang Shi Ning speak softly again: "Then take the medicine first, Shifu, and get a good sleep, alright?"

Ying Huai: ?

He instantly straightened up alertly, deeply regretting that moment of softness just now.

The next second, he felt Liang Shi Ning reach out and gently pinch his earlobe with measured pressure.

"One pill, one kiss, alright?"

Ying Huai hesitated for a moment.

He vaguely realized that he probably had no choice but to take the medicine today, so taking the chance to ask for a little reward....... seemed like he was still coming out ahead.

Ying Huai weighed the pros and cons, then finally nodded seriously: ".........Alright."

Liang Shi Ning silently curved his lips.

The next second, he heard the person in front of him speak softly again, haggling.

"But it has to be two kisses for one pill."

Liang Shi Ning was startled.

He couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, and slowly said: "Alright."

·

Ying Huai didn't remember how he had fallen asleep that day.

After the heat stroke, his consciousness seemed wrapped in water. He only remembered feeling very hot all over, and after he couldn't help but lean on Liang Shi Ning and vomit, his memory almost cut off.

So much so that when he woke up and saw himself lying in the same bed as Liang Shi Ning, even curled up in his arms in a state of disheveled clothing, his first reaction was to push him away directly.

But this bed wasn't as spacious as their double bed at home. While he was lying in Liang Shi Ning's arms it was fine, but the moment he broke free, it instantly felt cramped.

Liang Shi Ning woke up the instant Ying Huai sat up.

"You're awake, Shifu."

Not noticing anything unusual about Ying Huai, he instinctively reached to feel his forehead: "Still have a fever? Anywhere feeling uncomfortable........"

But before he could touch him, the next second he suddenly felt Ying Huai dodge straight back.

The bed board instantly shook, Liang Shi Ning's body swayed, his center of gravity suddenly unstable, and he tilted straight to the side of the bed, as if about to fall off.

"Hey——"

Ying Huai was startled.

He instinctively reached out to help, but the next second saw Liang Shi Ning brace himself against the bedside table, quickly steadying himself.

"Shifu?"

Liang Shi Ning raised his head somewhat blankly: "What's wrong?"

Ying Huai paused, then quickly pulled his hand back.

"You tell me what's wrong?" Ying Huai sat on the bed with a cold face, gritting his teeth.

"What are you doing on my bed?"

Liang Shi Ning was stunned.

He seemed to understand something. His eyes flickered, then he suddenly spoke softly: "Didn't you ask me to get on the bed, Shifu?"

Ying Huai's expression froze.

His memory had cut off, but hearing Liang Shi Ning's words, he seemed to vaguely recall something.

Song Si Lan and Yu Wu outside, who had heard the commotion, hurried over: "What's wrong, what are you two clattering about in here........"

Song Si Lan hadn't finished speaking when, the next second, he heard Liang Shi Ning speak in a somewhat hurt, soft voice: "How can you be so fickle, Shifu?"

Ying Huai: ?

Before he could say anything, he saw Song Si Lan and Yu Wu standing at the door freeze, their expressions gradually taking on a hint of question and reproach.

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