Chapter 95: Heart Palpitations

Xin Wan suddenly stood up.

A flash of panic crossed his face. He rushed straight to the bed and put an emergency pill in Ying Huai's mouth.

"Shidi—"

He supported the person to lean half-up against the headboard, not daring to move Ying Huai carelessly, only calling out to him urgently, again and again.

But Ying Huai seemed to have already lost consciousness.

His nasal cannula had been knocked askew during the struggle, his lips parted unconsciously, and his breathing grew heavier and heavier.

Xin Wan's heart was wound tight to the breaking point.

The Villa was in a remote location. Although Song Si Lan had come along with the Production Team, if Ying Huai really had a major episode here, the situation would still be very dangerous.

Xin Wan gritted his teeth, supported Ying Huai's body with one hand, and turned to reach for the phone beside him.

But the next second, he suddenly felt a cool touch on his wrist.

"......Don't go."

Ying Huai had at some point regained a sliver of consciousness.

His eyes were unfocused, his fingers gripping Xin Wan's wrist almost spasmodically, yet still sliding weakly downward inch by inch.

"I'm fine...... it's just stomach pain, medication...... side effects, cough cough cough......"

He had to break off several times for breath between each phrase, yet still struggled to speak, gripping Xin Wan's hand as if trying to stop him from leaving.

Xin Wan was panicked beyond measure, but his tone still barely maintained a calm surface.

"I know, I know, don't rush. I'm just calling Doctor Song over to take a look, that way you'll feel a bit better........"

Xin Wan hurried to soothe him.

But Ying Huai still shook his head, stubbornly gripping his sleeve: "Shixiong....... please."

"Don't tell...... Liang Shi Ning."

That single "Shixiong" instantly softened Xin Wan's heart.

He stood by the bed, glanced at the heart monitor data that was indeed gradually stabilizing, gritted his teeth, and finally sat back down.

"Alright, Shixiong won't call them yet. Don't be afraid, take a deep breath."

Xin Wan helped Ying Huai sit up a little higher, slowly stroking his back.

Hearing his words, Ying Huai's body instantly relaxed a fraction.

He had no strength left to speak, wearily closing his eyes, struggling to endure this wave of suffocating sensation.

Not until Xin Wan felt the person in his arms soaked through with cold sweat did Ying Huai's breathing finally slowly settle.

Xin Wan watched the pale-faced person before him with worry, still stroking his back in slow, steady motions.

After a long moment, he heard Ying Huai give a low hum and shift slightly sideways, moving a fraction away from his arms.

".......I'm fine now, cough, thank you, Teacher Xin."

Xin Wan froze for a moment.

He understood that those two "Shixiong"s from earlier were probably just Ying Huai's unconscious reactions to feeling unwell.

But hearing the change in how Ying Huai addressed him now, a thread of undisguisable loss still passed through his heart.

Ying Huai, seeing he hadn't let go, coughed twice and called out again: "Teacher Xin?"

Xin Wan suddenly snapped back to himself.

He let out a flustered "oh," hurriedly pulling his hand back a little.

His movement was a bit too large; Ying Huai's body swayed slightly. Xin Wan instinctively reached out again, only to see Ying Huai brace himself against the bed the next second and steady himself.

Xin Wan's hand awkwardly froze in midair.

He quickly pulled his hand back before Ying Huai's gaze could turn to him, and instead picked up a cup of warm water from the side.

"Drink some water first, Shidi........ You were coughing for a long time while you were asleep just now, your throat must be suffering."

Ying Huai looked up at him.

The torturous stomach pain and palpitations were gradually fading, and the various discomforts throughout his body finally began to surface belatedly.

He hesitated, but ultimately decided not to fight his own body, and slowly reached out to take the cup.

But Xin Wan skillfully gathered him up, brought the cup to his lips, and carefully instructed with lowered eyes: "Drink slowly, it shouldn't be hot anymore, be careful not to choke."

Ying Huai's body instinctively leaned back: "I'll do it myself........"

"You have no strength right after an episode, Shidi. The water is hot, be careful not to spill it on yourself."

Xin Wan thought of that "Shixiong" Ying Huai had called in his half-dazed state, gritted his teeth, and finally shifted his hand back a little.

He said softly: "Let me feed you first, once you're a bit better I'll let go, alright?"

Ying Huai didn't answer, only looked up at him with slightly labored breathing.

Xin Wan barely maintained a smile on his face, but his palms unconsciously began to seep with sweat.

After a few seconds, seeing Ying Huai still hadn't spoken, he couldn't help but say softly: "Alright, then I'll let go, take it slow yourself........."

Before he could finish, he suddenly saw the person before him lean forward slightly and slowly sip a mouthful of the warm water.

Xin Wan's eyes suddenly widened.

For a moment he didn't react, his arm trembling uncontrollably for an instant. Then he immediately realized something, raised his hand with a soft smack, and gripped his own wrist.

Ying Huai was startled by his movement and looked up at him.

"........What are you doing?"

Perhaps because Xin Wan really hadn't gone to call anyone during the episode just now, Ying Huai's attitude toward him had softened somewhat, which was rare.

Ying Huai reached out and lightly steadied the bottom of the cup, then lowered his eyes and took another sip of the warm water.

"Weren't you afraid I'd spill it myself? How come you're the one whose hands are shaking first."

Xin Wan shook his head frantically.

"S-sorry, I just lost my grip for a second, don't worry, it won't happen again."

Watching Ying Huai sip water in small mouthfuls from his hand, Xin Wan finally understood the feeling of a cat owner watching their own cat eat heartily—daring not to move a muscle.

After a few seconds, he watched Ying Huai slowly straighten up and shake his head to indicate he'd had enough, and instinctively let out a regretful "ah."

"Not drinking anymore, Shidi? I still have a few cups cooling........"

Ying Huai leaned against the pillow, covering his mouth with muffled coughs.

"No more, if I drink any more I'll throw up in a bit."

It was just a casual remark, but Xin Wan suddenly straightened up and tucked the kettle behind his back.

"No more, no more, then absolutely no more. Shidi, does your stomach still feel bad? Do you want me to find Doctor Song for you........"

Ying Huai was startled again by Xin Wan's sudden action.

He frowned, unable to stop himself from coughing again behind his hand.

Xin Wan stood frozen in place, at a loss.

He looked like he wanted to step forward, but worried he might make Ying Huai feel worse.

Xin Wan agonized in place for a long moment, then hesitantly picked up the kettle in his hand and carefully pressed it against Ying Huai's back.

This time Ying Huai was truly so exasperated by Xin Wan's actions that he laughed.

He looked up, somewhere between laughing and crying: "What are you doing? Put the kettle down, are you planning to massage my back with it?"

Xin Wan hurriedly pulled his hand back, flustered as he dumped everything in his hands onto the nightstand, and shook his head rapidly.

"No, I'm just a bit nervous, not worried......"

Xin Wan spoke incoherently. Ying Huai's stomach began to ache dully again from his fussing, and he sighed helplessly.

"What are you nervous about? If being around me makes you nervous, then just go out first."

The moment his words fell, he saw Xin Wan shake his head rapidly, just as expected.

Ying Huai wasn't surprised by this reaction either. He leaned back against the pillow and reached down to slowly rub circles over his stomach.

"Then stop being so jumpy, stay quiet."

Ying Huai lifted his eyelids to glance at him: "If you keep this up I'll get nervous too."

Xin Wan instantly fell silent.

He slowly stepped forward, carefully picked up a chair from the side, and slowly sat down by the bed.

The room finally fell quiet. Ying Huai didn't speak either, his eyes lowered as he waited out a wave of dull stomach pain, finally slowly exhaling a breath of stale air.

Xin Wan let out a silent breath.

He understood that Ying Huai hadn't chased him out today because he was worried the episode just now would be discovered by Liang Shi Ning.

Xin Wan didn't mind. While Ying Huai rested with his eyes closed, he simply gazed greedily at the person before him.

Ying Huai paid him no attention either.

He caught his breath, waited a few seconds, and finally said quietly: "Where did Liang Shi Ning go?"

Xin Wan snapped back to himself.

His eyes flickered, but he quickly forced himself to stay composed: "Doctor Song had something to discuss with him... I happened to be nearby, so he asked me to come help keep an eye on things."

After the medication change, Ying Huai's physical reactions had been somewhat intense, and his mental state wasn't great either.

Song Si Lan was worried he wouldn't be able to stop himself from overtaxing his body, and had indeed been frequently pulling Liang Shi Ning aside lately to go over treatment details.

Ying Huai glanced up at him without a word, and Xin Wan—suddenly conscious of his guilty conscience—hurriedly changed the subject.

"What did you mean earlier when you said the stomach pain was a side effect of the medication, Shidi?"

Xin Wan carefully tucked the freshly filled Hot Water Bottle under the blanket, speaking softly.

"I noticed earlier your heart seemed uncomfortable too—was that also because of your stomach..."

The warmth of the Hot Water Bottle spread through his whole body at once. Ying Huai's eyes narrowed instinctively, his fingertips curling up without his permission.

He pulled the Hot Water Bottle a little closer against his chest and said softly: "It means exactly what it sounds like... my stomach's always been bad, and the new medication is a bit harsh on it. When it gets too painful, it can cause heart discomfort too."

Xin Wan opened his mouth soundlessly.

"Does Doctor Song and Liang Shi Ning know about this?"

Ying Huai's expression remained unchanged.

He nodded, opening his mouth to say something, but heard Xin Wan speak first in a low voice: "Before they left earlier, they didn't tell me... that your heart would be this uncomfortable."

Liang Shi Ning had mentioned before leaving that the medication's side effects could cause palpitations, but Xin Wan had genuinely been startled by Ying Huai's condition just now.

If Ying Huai hadn't recovered on his own a moment ago, Xin Wan would have thought for an instant that his heart was acting up again.

Ying Huai's expression wavered slightly.

A flicker of hesitation seemed to cross his face, but he still nodded.

"Of course they know. I've had plenty of side effect reactions before—both Song Si Lan and Liang Shi Ning are well aware."

He paused for a few seconds, and before Xin Wan could speak, he unusually took the initiative to add another line.

"This new medication works very well. My vision has improved a lot recently—there won't be any problems."

Xin Wan was momentarily stunned.

He felt something was off, hesitating as he opened his mouth to ask more, but the next second heard Ying Huai speak again.

"Before Teacher Xin starts questioning me, perhaps you should tell me—is there really nothing you're hiding from me?"

Ying Huai looked up, his eyes curving in a half-smile: "For instance, I know... Song Si Lan had a lab report due this morning, and even last night's routine check-up was handled by Yu Wu."

"Maybe Teacher Xin should tell me first—where exactly did Liang Shi Ning go?"

Xin Wan's attention was predictably pulled away in an instant.

The nerves he had barely managed to relax tensed up again at once. He opened his mouth soundlessly, just about to say something, when he suddenly heard Song Si Lan's half-amused voice from the doorway.

"Can't I finish the lab report first?—Only Yu Wu is the true ddl warrior."

Song Si Lan pushed the door open and strode into the room, followed by Liang Shi Ning with a calm expression.

The moment Ying Huai saw Liang Shi Ning, his whole body relaxed at once.

He smiled and reached a hand out toward Liang Shi Ning, who stepped forward and naturally sat by the bed, gathering him into his arms.

Ying Huai leaned back comfortably and let out a slow, contented sigh.

The next second, Song Si Lan suddenly frowned and asked: "Did your stomach pain flare up again just now?"

The breath Ying Huai had just exhaled was sucked right back in.

"Cough, cough, I didn't..."

Before he could deny it, Xin Wan beside him quickly spoke up: "It did flare up. The stomach pain also caused heart discomfort. Doctor Song, please check him right away."

Song Si Lan narrowed his eyes. Ying Huai instantly fell silent and shot Xin Wan a resentful look.

Xin Wan averted his gaze and said softly with downcast eyes: "Shidi, you just now... didn't tell me not to mention this. Don't go ignoring me again."

Ying Huai curved his lips in a half-smile.

Before he could say anything, he suddenly saw Song Si Lan reach out and gently press his palm against his epigastrium.

Ying Huai let out an involuntary groan, his body curling up beyond his control as he reached out to press the cramping area of his stomach.

"Don't move. You're already like this and still want to press it down? Do you want to die?"

Song Si Lan spoke through gritted teeth, though his movements gentled considerably.

The epigastrium beneath his palm was cold and hard as a block of ice, and Song Si Lan's brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

He carefully pressed a few points around Ying Huai's abdomen, then exhaled soundlessly.

"It should just be a gastric spasm caused by the medication. No major issues at the moment."

He looked up at Ying Huai: "You mentioned earlier your heart was uncomfortable too..."

"It's just the usual palpitations triggered by stomach pain, no big deal."

This time, Ying Huai spoke first without waiting for Xin Wan.

Song Si Lan frowned.

He felt something was off and turned to look at Xin Wan, but since Xin Wan didn't have a medical background, he could only describe Ying Huai's episode just now in as much detail as he could manage.

Looking at the data the monitor had recorded, Song Si Lan had to admit... it did seem to be just a fairly severe palpitation episode.

He thought for a few seconds, then finally asked: "Should we switch your medication?"

"We could switch you to one that's slightly weaker, but the side effects wouldn't be as severe..."

Before he could finish, he saw Ying Huai shake his head without hesitation.

"No need."

"It was probably just a stronger reaction because I had just woken up. It's usually fine."

Ying Huai looked up, his slightly unfocused eyes wandering for a few seconds before settling on Song Si Lan.

"This medication works very well for my eyes. I can tolerate a few side effects."

Song Si Lan's brows knitted. He glanced down at him: "Say that again?"

Ying Huai instantly curved his eyes in a placating way.

"Switching to another long-acting medication doesn't really make much sense, Doctor Song."

Ying Huai let out a seemingly helpless sigh.

"With a body like mine, any medication that's even slightly stronger will have side effects, won't it."

"Rather than a dull blade grinding away at the flesh, better to strike fast and end it quickly."

Song Si Lan was nearly amused into anger by this sophistic reasoning.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Who plans around drug reactions like this..."

"I don't want to stay in the darkness any longer, Doctor Song."

Ying Huai suddenly cut him off softly.

He looked up at Song Si Lan, his eyes seeming to redden slightly.

Song Si Lan's words came to an abrupt halt.

He paused for a few seconds, then finally couldn't help turning his head away: "Don't try to play the sympathy card with me. You could already make out outlines a week ago—what darkness are you talking about, in your dreams?"

Ying Huai instantly dropped the sorrowful act and looked up with a grin: "So does that mean we won't switch the medication for now?"

This trick didn't work on Yu Wu, but as long as it wasn't too excessive, it worked on Song Si Lan every single time.

Song Si Lan was the textbook example of a sharp tongue wrapped around a soft heart.

—He wondered what exactly Yu Wu had done to get under Song Si Lan's skin like this.

That was what Ying Huai was thinking, though his face still maintained a smiling expression.

Song Si Lan shot the person before him an exasperated glance.

He knew full well Ying Huai was most likely putting on an act, but he still couldn't help compromising every time.

"We'll try for one more week. If the reaction is still this severe, we absolutely will switch the medication."

Song Si Lan took a deep breath and finally issued his ultimatum.

Ying Huai nodded hurriedly.

"Also, don't ever pull this again next time. I won't agree to it anymore."

Song Si Lan walked two steps toward the door, then thought of something and turned back with a warning look.

Ying Huai couldn't help murmuring: "...You will."

"What did you say?"

Song Si Lan, already at the door, turned back warily.

"I said Doctor Song has never been soft-hearted."

Ying Huai's eyes curved into a smile instantly.

Song Si Lan narrowed his eyes.

He snorted in annoyance, said nothing more, and finally turned and walked out.

Xin Wan, who had been standing nearby and originally intended to shamelessly stay, instinctively spoke up first when he saw Ying Huai's gaze fall on him.

"Don't chase me out, Shidi, I'm leaving right now, right now."

Xin Wan gazed at Ying Huai reluctantly, dawdling until he finally pushed himself out the door.

The room finally fell quiet. Liang Shi Ning looked at the person in his arms, whose expression couldn't hide his weariness, and gently pressed his lips to Ying Huai's forehead.

"Do you want to sleep a bit more, Shifu?" Liang Shi Ning said quietly.

Ying Huai had woken early that morning, and after all the commotion it wasn't even noon yet, so he was indeed getting sleepy again.

But he didn't reply right away. He yawned and lifted his head absently.

"Little disciple, where exactly did you just go?"

Liang Shi Ning was startled, then instinctively said: "Nothing, just Song Si Lan called me out to discuss the recent treatment situation..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt a slight pain in his shoulder.

Ying Huai released his bite and lazily turned his head away.

"Tell the truth. You know the consequences of lying to me."

Liang Shi Ning's words came to an abrupt halt.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he finally said quietly: "I don't want to lie to you, Shifu, but right now... I really can't tell you."

Ying Huai was momentarily stunned.

He felt Liang Shi Ning's arm around his waist tighten slightly, his chin resting against Ying Huai's forehead, as he spoke quietly.

"In a little while... let me give you a surprise, alright?"

Ying Huai froze for a few seconds.

Liang Shi Ning waited a long time without getting a response from Ying Huai, and lowered his head hesitantly. The next second, he suddenly felt the person in his arms abruptly sit up.

Liang Shi Ning had no time to react. The next moment, Ying Huai straddled his waist and pressed him down onto the bed.

"Alright."

Liang Shi Ning watched the person above him lean down, and said with a smile.

"Then let me be on top once."

Liang Shi Ning's expression froze for a moment.

His eyes deepened, and he slowly placed his hands on Ying Huai's waist, speaking quietly.

"Okay."

Ying Huai was momentarily stunned.

He hadn't expected Liang Shi Ning to agree so easily, and a flash of delight crossed his eyes.

But the next second, he suddenly felt a great force at his waist.

Ying Huai: ???

.

Because of that 'top/bottom' incident that day, Ying Huai didn't speak to Liang Shi Ning for a full two nights afterward.

Unfortunately, even though he wouldn't acknowledge him verbally, Liang Shi Ning had ways to coax Ying Huai into responding to him through other means.

After two consecutive nights of being worn down by various forms of gentle and persistent coaxing, Ying Huai finally couldn't help but take the initiative to break his one-sided cold war.

He also didn't ask again about what Liang Shi Ning was hiding from him, tacitly accepting what Liang Shi Ning had said that day.

Liang Shi Ning silently breathed a sigh of relief.

This Variety Show itself was a slow-paced program designed to let Ying Huai get out and relax. Liang Shi Ning had said something to the Director, and for the next few days the Director didn't arrange any special activities for them, only filming their daily life.

Ying Huai was curious about what Liang Shi Ning was doing, but it seemed like everyone around was helping him keep it secret—every time he started to notice something, he'd be blocked in various ways.

Among them, Xin Wan was the most prominent.

Ever since that day when he noticed Ying Huai's attitude toward him had softened, he had started finding all sorts of ways to get close.

He no longer apologized in a pitiful manner, but instead used all kinds of fun and silly little things... to make Ying Huai laugh.

Ying Huai could still barely pretend to ignore him at first, until one time Xin Wan proudly presented Bouquet and Panda Cat to him, and Ying Huai finally couldn't hold back.

"What are you doing?"

Ying Huai reached out and took Bouquet, gritting his teeth: "Who told you to just buy clothes for Bouquet and the others?"

"Shidi, you said last time that when Bouquet and the others go out occasionally, they quite like wandering around in clothes."

Xin Wan said quietly: "So I thought..."

"Then do you think this outfit suits him?"

Ying Huai gritted his teeth, holding the cat in his arms: "Who told you to buy him black stockings and a lace skirt?"

—And the black stocking was only on one leg.

Xin Wan silently opened his mouth.

—He really hadn't originally intended to dress Bouquet in this outfit.

He'd bought everything he thought was cute or fun at the time, but he hadn't expected that as soon as Bouquet jumped onto the bed, he'd immediately taken a fancy to the black stocking set.

Xin Wan tried to get him to choose another one, but Bouquet clung on with his claws and refused to let go.

Xin Wan was afraid of provoking this finicky little lord whom he'd finally gotten close to into becoming uncooperative again, so he reluctantly had to give in.

Ying Huai took a deep breath and stopped arguing with Xin Wan.

He lowered his head and tried to take the black stocking off Bouquet, but after struggling for a long time couldn't manage it, and instead provoked an indignant 'meow' from Bouquet, who rolled over onto his back and twisted his plump body trying to escape.

Ying Huai felt like he was about to have a heart attack.

"Don't move..."

"That black stocking, ahem, the stockings, aren't easy to take off."

Xin Wan couldn't help but say quietly from the side.

"Our Bouquet is a little... on the plump side, so I only put it on one leg."

—After being kicked countless times.

Xin Wan paused, then said quietly: "Shidi, be careful... he'll kick his legs in a bit."

Ying Huai's efforts were fruitless, and he irritably ruffled the fur of the cat struggling wildly in his arms.

"Oh?"

He couldn't help looking up with a cold laugh: "You seem to know this from personal experience."

Bouquet did indeed seem to really like this little skirt that 'matched' his image.

He knew Ying Huai wasn't in good health, so normally he didn't really play rough with him, only twisting his body trying to get out of Ying Huai's arms.

Ying Huai seized the opportunity to pull the black stocking off Bouquet's leg and casually slipped it onto his own hand.

He felt the cat hair flying everywhere with exasperation, sighed, and finally put Bouquet down.

A guilty Xin Wan hurriedly followed Bouquet out. Ying Huai gritted his teeth and turned to look for Panda Cat.

He hadn't gotten a good look at what Panda Cat was wearing earlier, only knew that what Panda Cat was wearing wasn't as outrageous as Bouquet's.

But based on Xin Wan's taste, it was probably... not much better.

Ying Huai had just turned around when, the next second, he heard footsteps at the door again.

Ying Huai assumed it was Xin Wan coming back, and while crouching on the ground looking for the cat, said through gritted teeth:

"I'm warning you, if you dare buy black stockings again..."

Before he could finish, he heard the footsteps at the door pause slightly.

"Shifu?"

Ying Huai, with the black stocking on his hand, instinctively turned around.

Immediately after, he saw the person before him pause slightly.

Liang Shi Ning stood at the door.

He looked at Ying Huai and said somewhat oddly: "Shifu likes this kind of..."

Ying Huai: ???

He instantly realized something and instinctively put his hand behind his back, but the next second heard Liang Shi Ning say quietly:

"It's not like... it's not allowed."

Ying Huai: ...?