Chapter 94: Side Story One: Side Effects

When Liang Shi Ning rushed to the medical office, Ying Huai wasn't there.

The doctor on duty at the medical office was startled by his sudden intrusion. "Hello, who are you looking for?"

Liang Shi Ning had run too fast and hadn't caught his breath yet: "Looking for...Ying... Ying Huai..."

"Who?"

The doctor hadn't caught it for a moment.

Liang Shi Ning finally caught his breath and said quietly: "Ying Huai. He should have fallen ill a couple of days ago..."

The doctor suddenly realized something.

"Ah, you mean that person."

Liang Shi Ning was stunned for a moment, not yet processing what was happening, when the next second he saw the doctor's face shift to an expression of indignation.

"You mean the patient who came in a couple of days ago to get medicine, but refused to follow the doctor's orders no matter what, insisted on forcing himself to keep working, and wouldn't listen to any advice?"

Liang Shi Ning: ...?

Ten minutes later, he walked out of the medical office looking thoroughly rattled, arms full of medicine bottles and boxes.

The doctor's nagging reminders were still echoing in his head. He took a deep breath and slowly turned around with a complicated expression.

Five minutes later, Ying Huai opened the door, somewhat surprised to find Liang Shi Ning standing there with a grave expression.

"How did you..."

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, his voice hoarse as he spoke.

Before he could finish, Liang Shi Ning had already sidestepped past him and pushed his way into the room, expressionless.

"Take your medicine."

Ying Huai: ?

He turned around, blinking in confusion.

—Are all young people these days this...familiar with strangers?

·

Ying Huai's mind was foggy with illness, and his reactions had slowed to match.

By the time he realized something was wrong and tried to stop him, Liang Shi Ning had already stepped into the room first.

Ying Huai coughed twice against the doorframe and turned his head helplessly: "What are you doing? This is my room. You're forcibly entering a private residence, do you even know that..."

Before he could finish, he watched Liang Shi Ning set the bottles and jars in his hands down on the table with deliberate care.

The medicine bottles landed on the table with a soft thud, and Ying Huai was startled.

He belatedly realized something and quickly fell silent.

Liang Shi Ning didn't say anything either.

He glanced up at Ying Huai, said nothing, and simply straightened up to look around the room.

Ying Huai slowly made his way forward, leaning against the wall, his gaze falling on the pile of medicine boxes before him.

"Where did you just come from..."

He broke off halfway, unable to stop another cough that he muffled with his hand. The next second, he saw Liang Shi Ning suddenly turn and walk off to the side.

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, then let out another small sigh.

—Never mind. Young people these days all have such strong personalities. He really didn't have the energy to deal with it.

He really couldn't stand anymore. He slowly shuffled along the wall to the sofa and dropped down onto it.

The change in position sent his heart racing. Ying Huai frowned uncomfortably, bent forward slightly, and pressed a hand to his chest as he gasped for breath.

The next second, a cup of water appeared in front of him.

"Is your heart uncomfortable?"

Ying Huai was startled.

He instinctively lowered his hand and curved his eyes at Liang Shi Ning: "No, I just got a bit of chest tightness from coughing. It's nothing."

He spoke as he quickly took the cup—almost as if to cover something up—and was startled by the warmth that met his fingertips.

"This is...you just boiled hot water?"

Ying Huai looked up, somewhat surprised: "How did you boil it so fast?"

Liang Shi Ning stared at him for a few seconds, then finally spoke slowly: "Your electric kettle has a quick-heat function. Didn't you know?"

Ying Huai's expression turned strange for a moment.

......He really didn't know.

He'd been so foggy with illness these past two days that he hadn't even thought about studying the kettle. Sometimes when he felt bad, he didn't even have the strength to get up and pour water, so he'd just had to make do with cold water.

Liang Shi Ning seemed to read his reaction, and something almost like a clenched-teeth quality crept into his voice: "You haven't been drinking cold water these past two days, have you?"

Ying Huai turned his head away, slightly guilty: "Of course not."

He lowered his head and took a sip of the warm water, his eyes narrowing in contentment. Then, lazily, he changed the subject: "So what exactly did you come here for today?"

Liang Shi Ning took a deep breath and didn't answer right away.

He set out another cup of freshly boiled water to cool on the table and looked around the room.

The room was dim, with no lights on. Only scattered fragments of light filtered faintly through the curtains, accompanied by a faint medicinal scent that lent the space a quiet sense of peace.

It was clear the room's occupant had just woken up—or had only briefly gotten up before preparing to go back to sleep.

"Enough. If you don't have anything else, you should head back."

Ying Huai yawned and, as expected, pushed himself up from the sofa beside him.

"I'm fine. Going back to sleep..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly saw a small bottle cap of pills being held out in front of him, along with the cup of cooled water from earlier.

"Take your medicine first." Liang Shi Ning said quietly.

Ying Huai was startled and instinctively stepped back, his eyes hesitant: "In a bit. I'm really fine right now, just a little sleepy. A nap will fix it, no need for medicine..."

His voice carried its usual languid quality, but softened unconsciously because of his illness, taking on an oddly docile note.

But Liang Shi Ning wasn't buying any of it.

"I just came from the medical office."

He cut in directly, interrupting Ying Huai.

He looked up at Ying Huai. "Teacher Ying probably doesn't know what the doctor at the medical office said, do you?"

A flicker of guilt flashed through Ying Huai's eyes.

He turned his head aside and coughed a few muffled coughs, then spoke with feigned casualness: "No need. Of course I know..."

"The doctor at the medical office said you caught a cold. If you'd taken your medicine and rested properly for two days, you would have recovered. But instead of getting better after a few days, you developed a fever. They told you to come in for an IV drip, and you made up excuses to avoid it."

Liang Shi Ning cut in quietly, interrupting Ying Huai.

His tone unconsciously grew urgent, and he didn't notice the flash of surprise in Ying Huai's eyes.

Ying Huai slowly sat down, supporting himself against the sofa beside him.

He rested his chin on his hand and looked up unblinkingly at the person before him.

Liang Shi Ning was still caught up in his agitated emotions.

He looked at the person before him and said through gritted teeth: "The doctor said your health wasn't great to begin with, which is why a cold developed into this. What are you doing? How can you be so careless about your own body..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly heard a teasing voice from in front of him.

"I didn't know—when did you start caring about me so much, Liang Shi Ning?"

Liang Shi Ning's words faltered slightly.

The person before him was half-reclining on the sofa, face a little pale, but watching him with great interest, chin propped on his hand.

Ying Huai felt Liang Shi Ning's gaze and curved his eyes in a smile: "I remember just a few days ago, you were still saying I'd 'sold my conscience.'"

He leaned forward slightly, his tone teasing: "How is it that in the blink of an eye...you've started caring about this 'conscienceless' person?"

Liang Shi Ning was stunned.

A flash of panic and awkwardness crossed his face. He turned his head aside and said quietly: "I'm not..."

He took a deep breath and suddenly said: "What I said before was wrong."

Ying Huai was taken aback.

"I spoke too harshly. I'm sorry, Teacher Ying."

Liang Shi Ning's voice softened a little: "Please don't take it to heart...take your medicine first and get better, alright?"

Ying Huai said nothing.

He sat where he was, staring at Liang Shi Ning, narrowed his eyes, and suddenly spoke casually.

"You're apologizing to me—but you don't actually think you were wrong."

Ying Huai raised his eyes, a hint of amusement gradually creeping into his tone: "So you still think I was wrong, don't you?"

Liang Shi Ning's hand at his side slowly clenched.

He looked at Ying Huai's pale complexion and instinctively opened his mouth to deny it, but the words circled around several times and still couldn't get past that barrier in his heart.

Ying Huai watched his reaction and inexplicably found it somewhat amusing.

"Then why did you apologize just now, Liang Shi Ning?"

Ying Huai let out a soft sigh: "If you hate me that much, then don't bother with me. This is what truly goes against your conscience... why bother?"

Liang Shi Ning stood stiffly in place.

"I apologized because my words really were too harsh."

Liang Shi Ning spoke as he, on his own initiative, held the medicine bottle out again.

"...Take your medicine first, alright?"

The smile at Ying Huai's lips gradually faded.

He lowered his eyes and was quiet for a few seconds, but in the end did not take the medicine bottle. Instead, he braced himself on the sofa and stood up again.

"Just put it down there. I'll take it myself in a bit."

Ying Huai covered his mouth and coughed, his voice a little hoarse: "Now, you can leave, right?"

Liang Shi Ning silently opened his mouth.

Ying Huai's lips were pale, his body carried an almost imperceptible tremor, one hand unconsciously pressed against his chest the whole time—he looked very unwell.

Before Liang Shi Ning himself could react, he had already reached out first to block Ying Huai's path.

"No."

Liang Shi Ning spoke in a near-panicked whisper: "The doctor at the medical office said you never take your medicine on time. I'll leave after you finish taking it..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt his wrist tighten.

A scalding heat gradually spread outward from the circle of his wrist, and before Liang Shi Ning could react, he felt a powerful force on his arm.

He stumbled unexpectedly, and then Ying Huai's face suddenly loomed large before him.

"Do you even know what you're saying, Liang Shi Ning?"

Ying Huai raised his eyes and tilted his head with a smile.

"Who are you to me? What right do you have to boss me around here?"

The distance between them closed in an instant. Liang Shi Ning could almost smell the faint, bitter scent of medicine on Ying Huai.

He stared at Ying Huai's glistening eyes, reddened by fever, and the tips of his ears burned uncontrollably.

But then, the uncontrollable trembling of the person before him and his rapid breathing forced Liang Shi Ning to come back to himself.

"You have a fever, Ying Huai. Calm down..."

"I don't care what hearsay you've heard. I've never wronged my own conscience."

Ying Huai cut him off in a hoarse voice.

His eyelids swept up and down, and he casually curled his lips.

"And I don't need someone who doesn't believe me putting on a show of concern."

He suddenly released Liang Shi Ning's wrist and turned to stride into the room.

"I don't want to say the same thing a third time. Get out of here, now."

Liang Shi Ning instinctively reached back to grab the person in front of him, but caught only air.

He could only watch the person walk quickly into the room and shut the door with a not-too-light, not-too-heavy bang.

Liang Shi Ning stood dazed in place.

He walked to the door on instinct, hesitated for a long time, and in the end didn't dare push it open again.

Liang Shi Ning closed his eyes.

He slowly turned around, just about to lift his foot, when he suddenly heard a muffled groan from inside the room, followed by the sound of something heavy hitting the floor.

Liang Shi Ning's face changed instantly.

He could care about nothing else now. He spun around and shoved the door open.

"Ying Huai—"

·

Ying Huai fell ill and lost consciousness. That night his fever would not break, and the Production Team rushed him to the Hospital.

Liang Shi Ning tried to follow, but was hurriedly stopped by the Director.

"What are you doing? What are you going to follow for?" The Director stared at the person in front of him, baffled.

"I..." Liang Shi Ning was anxious and blurted instinctively, "I'm worried..."

"Worried about what? You're just a trainee. Instead of wasting time worrying about a mentor, go back and practice properly."

The Director eyed him warily and pushed him back another step: "Alright, stop hanging around here. Teacher Ying isn't the type you can sweet-talk into giving you a backdoor. Don't let me catch you and your little deals with mentors again..."

Liang Shi Ning was stunned.

His steps instinctively faltered. The ambulance had already screamed away around the corner.

"Alright, head back. The Director's right—the vocal lesson is about to start."

A trainee beside him patted Liang Shi Ning's shoulder and spoke quietly.

But Liang Shi Ning stood in place without moving.

He stared blankly for a few seconds, then suddenly turned his head: "What the Director just said... what does it mean?"

That trainee was taken aback.

"Didn't you know? A mentor took bribes through 'extra guidance,' giving trainees high scores so they could land in the front row for their debut stage. It was done too blatantly and reached the Director's ears. The Director's investigating now."

That trainee added quietly: "But it's probably just for show. After all, the Director's team doesn't have the funds to hire someone else. They'll probably just go through the motions and let it go."

Liang Shi Ning's hand at his side slowly tightened.

He realized he might have misunderstood something.

"Which mentor?"

Liang Shi Ning asked hoarsely: "Is it Ying Huai..."

"Of course not."

That trainee glanced at him, somewhat surprised: "There were trainees who tried approaching him like that before, but Teacher Ying shot them down without a shred of mercy."

That trainee had probably read too many novels and got inexplicably sentimental: "You know the type—knife hidden behind the smile. Not a drop of blood, not a single curse word, just one smiling remark that leaves you ashamed to death."

That trainee spoke as he turned his head.

"Speaking of which, don't you think Teacher Ying, even though he's always smiling, really has this sense of distance about him? How does anyone even get close..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly noticed the person beside him was already gone.

That trainee froze, then turned his head and caught only Liang Shi Ning's figure quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor.

"What—no, why aren't you going to vocal class again?"

That trainee stamped his foot.

"I really can't keep saying you're sick when you're walking that fast!"

·

The Director beside them was anxiously adjusting the livestream room. Ying Huai listened to what Liang Shi Ning had just said and belatedly recalled something.

"So that mentor thing... was it you who exposed it?"

He watched Liang Shi Ning nod silently, and somewhat surprised, raised his eyes: "How did you manage it?"

At that time Liang Shi Ning had just entered the entertainment industry. His father was still angry with him, and he had no resources at all to his name.

Liang Shi Ning was quiet for a few seconds.

"Nothing special."

He spoke quietly: "I told him I wanted him to give me extra lessons... then recorded it and exposed him."

He paused, then added: "I also got Li Xiang to help me buy promotion on various platforms... luckily it did some good."

Ying Huai was stunned.

For a moment he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"You really went into the tiger's den to catch the cub, little disciple."

Ying Huai tilted his head up: "Weren't you afraid of getting yourself caught in it?"

Liang Shi Ning reached out to support Ying Huai's lower back, keeping him from falling.

He shook his head and spoke quietly: "Didn't think about it."

"He bullied you, Shifu... he should pay the price."

Ying Huai froze for a moment.

He realized belatedly what was meant, looking up with some surprise: 'You mean you want me to review the initial stage performances alone?'

Liang Shi Ning lowered his eyes without confirming or denying.

Ying Huai suddenly thought of something else, narrowing his eyes: 'So you knew from the start that I was the only one reviewing the initial stage—choosing that love song was deliberate?'

He'd thought as much—given Liang Shi Ning's own tastes, he probably wouldn't have chosen a song in that style.

This time Liang Shi Ning didn't directly admit it, but turned his eyes away somewhat unnaturally.

He hadn't known that Ying Huai was the sole reviewer for the initial stage until he overheard other trainees chatting about it later.

But Liang Shi Ning was certain that Ying Huai would watch every trainee's work carefully, one by one.

A small, ulterior motive in his heart had led him to subconsciously choose his own favorite... love song.

This time Ying Huai couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.

'Stop laughing, Shifu.'

Liang Shi Ning couldn't help pinching Ying Huai's waist lightly, speaking somewhat sullenly: 'It was my fault before, I'm sorry, Shifu,'

'No, I think you did quite well... *cough cough cough*.'

Ying Huai laughed until he was a bit out of breath, covering his lips and coughing twice.

He could practically picture what Liang Shi Ning had looked like at the time.

Given Liang Shi Ning's rigid and stubborn nature, unwilling to even offer a hollow apology, he must have faced that mentor with a cold face the entire time.

That the mentor hadn't suspected anything was truly a miracle.

Liang Shi Ning looked at the smiling person in his arms, his face gradually heating up without his realizing.

The moment he'd realized his mistake back then, he'd regretted it almost immediately.

But even though he'd tried hard to make up for everything afterward, he still hadn't had the nerve to confess to Ying Huai.

And so it had dragged on until now.

Liang Shi Ning turned his head away somewhat awkwardly, but the next moment felt the person in his arms sit up and lightly press a kiss to his lips.

'Alright, I'm not angry anymore.'

Ying Huai wrapped his arms around his neck, tilting his head up slightly, a sparkle of laughter surfacing in his eyes.

'So your reaction back then was so strong... besides the misunderstanding, you weren't already jealous at that point, were you?'

Ying Huai watched Liang Shi Ning's expression stiffen slightly, and immediately realized he'd guessed right.

Ying Huai couldn't help laughing again.

Liang Shi Ning, somewhat embarrassed and irritated, reached out and removed Ying Huai's Glasses, bending down to seal his lips.

Ying Huai couldn't see clearly before him, but his expression gained a touch more dependence.

He reached up to hook his arm around Liang Shi Ning's neck and deepened the kiss, but before long was somewhat out of breath.

Ying Huai was still ill after all, and after all this activity, a clear weariness surfaced in his expression.

Liang Shi Ning touched his forehead and spoke quietly: 'Tired? Want to go back and rest first?'

Ying Huai's body was weary, but his mood was uncommonly good.

He shook his head, his fingers tracing light circles on Liang Shi Ning's waist, a smile still lingering at the corner of his lips.

Liang Shi Ning endured for a while, then finally couldn't resist lowering his head again.

But before he could do anything, a muffled cough suddenly came from beside them.

Liang Shi Ning instinctively raised his head, but Ying Huai had already recognized who was beside them.

He didn't want to pay attention, and feeling Liang Shi Ning start to rise, frowned slightly, a vague sense of grievance surfacing in his unfocused eyes.

Liang Shi Ning couldn't withstand Ying Huai's reaction at all, and in the end lifted him up, pressing a light kiss to his lips.

Xin Wan beside them turned his head away, nearly coughing his lungs out.

'If Teacher Xin is ill, he should take leave.'

Ying Huai turned his head from Liang Shi Ning's arms and spoke lazily.

'Doctor Song should be happy to give you a few needles.'

Xin Wan's voice stopped instantly.

He quickly turned back, glared resentfully at Liang Shi Ning, and finally said quietly: 'The Director says the livestream room has been restored—Shidi, we can start recording again.'

Ying Huai gave a soft 'mm.'

Xin Wan could tell his breathing wasn't quite right either, and couldn't help asking quietly: 'Are you really okay, Shidi? Should I tell the Director to let you go back and rest first...'

Ying Huai simply ignored his words.

After the brief interruption, the number of viewers in the livestream room had not decreased but increased.

The fans, who had been waiting eagerly for a long time, immediately got excited the moment they saw Ying Huai and Liang Shi Ning enter the frame.

[Ahhhh, my CP is finally back!]

[Why did Teacher Liang and Teacher Xiao Huai come in so slowly? Did they do something unspeakable? (pointing fingers)]

[Speaking of which, Teacher Xiao Huai's lips do look a bit swollen... could it really be...]

[Shh, can't say.]

[Mm, can't say.]

[Feels like Teacher Xiao Huai's mood really is better—as expected of you, Teacher Liang.]

Ying Huai's mood was indeed quite good, and he even answered the questions directed at him later with particular willingness.

But he'd been ill all morning, and his emotions had just swung wildly; even though his mind was still alert, his body was gradually growing tired.

But in the brief gap between dice turns, Liang Shi Ning felt a slight weight settle against his shoulder.

Ying Huai's breathing was light, his head resting in the crook of Liang Shi Ning's neck, and before he knew it, his eyes had closed and he'd fallen into a deep sleep.

Seeing this, the people beside them unconsciously lowered their voices at once.

These past few days Ying Huai's eyes had finally shown significant improvement, and Song Si Lan had switched his medication.

But while the medication was notably effective, its side effects were also significant; Ying Huai had been feeling unwell these past two days, and often woke up at night with palpitations.

'Take Xiao Huai back to rest first, Xiao Ning.'

Ying Qi spoke softly, then thought of something and lowered his voice further: 'The footage from earlier should be enough; when you get back, I'll help you sort it out.'

Liang Shi Ning nodded.

He carefully lifted the person, briefly explained to the bullet comments in a low voice, and carried him quickly back to the room.

·

Probably because he was truly tired tonight, Ying Huai unusually didn't wake with a start all night, sleeping straight through until the next morning.

But when he regained consciousness, his condition was a bit off.

'Mm.....'

Xin Wan beside him heard the low moan from the bed and immediately sat up.

'You're awake, Shidi?'

Xin Wan carefully tried to help him up, but felt that the person in front of him had just sat up before his whole body began to tip over uncontrollably.

'Dizzy.....'

Xin Wan had no choice but to support him and lay him back down.

It was unclear whether Ying Huai was fully conscious.

He turned his head, glanced listlessly at Xin Wan, then closed his eyes again.

'Shixiong.....'

He let out a low breath, murmuring almost unconsciously: 'Why are you here... where's Liang Shi Ning?'

Xin Wan was momentarily stunned by Ying Huai's sudden change of address, a flash of delight crossing his expression.

'Yes, yes, Shixiong's here. You had a slight fever after falling asleep yesterday, and Doctor Song was worried, so he had us take turns watching you.'

He paused, then said awkwardly: 'Liang Shi Ning... had some things to attend to, it's fine, Shixiong watching over you is the same.'

Ying Huai didn't speak, leaning against the pillow as if asleep again.

Xin Wan knew that Ying Huai would feel unwell for a while after first waking, but he'd probably be fine after resting a bit.

Xin Wan got up to fetch the hot water that had been cooling beside them, continuing to chatter as he went: 'It's still early, you can sleep a bit more, Shidi. What do you want to eat later? I'll have Lu Jing make it for you...'

He spoke as he turned his head, but his expression changed instantly.

Ying Huai wasn't slowly waking up as he usually did, enduring the discomfort.

His lips had turned bluish, and he was restlessly tossing on the bed, the heart monitor beside him beeping in response.

Xin Wan abruptly stood up.