Scandal

Lu Jing is the eldest son of this generation of the Lu Family, but only in name.

He is Old Man Lu's illegitimate son. Old Man Lu was a philanderer in his youth, leaving behind countless "illicit affairs," and so he never officially announced a final heir.

Ying Huai remembered that in his past life, Lu Jing had cared most about this position of heir.

He had even pushed Ying Huai out to profit from it, sparing nothing for that position.

——So in this life, he would also properly "help" his dear shixiong.

Lu Jing, after all, worried that Ying Huai's scandals would affect him, and deliberately pulled him away from the camera area.

"Where did you just go?"

Lu Jing stood frowning before Ying Huai, his tone aggressive: "Why did you leave without a word just now? Why did you hide here..."

A flash of surprise crossed Ying Huai's eyes, but it was quickly concealed.

He raised his head: "The trouble has already been resolved. Why would I stay there?"

The one who'd used him and sauntered off smiled like a cat with a stolen treat, the Hongyu Jewel Pendant at the tips of his hair bobbing with each movement: "Does shixiong need something else?"

Lu Jing was dazzled by the swaying of that Hongyu Jewel Pendant, his fingers slowly tightening.

——He wasn't sure what was wrong with him today. Clearly, after seeing those irrefutably true scandals, he had already determined Ying Huai's character was unsound.

But the moment he saw Zhang Xi walking toward Ying Huai, his first instinct was to follow and shield the man.

Lu Jing attributed all of this to that sentence of Ying Huai's.

He looked at the person before him and slowly began: "That sentence you just said, about 'returning to Lu Corporation'—"

"Hmm? What?" Ying Huai looked up with a smile and cut him off.

Lu Jing's words faltered.

The internal structure of Lu Corporation was vast and tangled, and certainly didn't lack an illegitimate son heir.

He had spent many years scheming for this, but at the final moment still fell short by a fraction. Thanks to someone secretly helping, he ultimately succeeded.

For all this time, Lu Jing had been trying to find that person, but to no avail.

Lu Jing wasn't sure if Ying Huai was bluffing him.

Deep down, he was unwilling to confirm this with Ying Huai, so he ultimately changed the subject: "I'm just here to remind you not to provoke people you shouldn't. I can't be by your side every time. Next time you..."

"Every time?" Ying Huai suddenly laughed. "Shixiong should be talking about just this one time, right?"

Lu Jing was stunned.

"Didn't shixiong always used to not care whether I lived or died? Help me once, and you want to claim credit for everything before."

Ying Huai half-leaned against the table, a smile in his eyes but his tone exceptionally distant. "Shixiong returned to the Lu Family, and indeed learned a lot."

He stared at Lu Jing, the smile in his peach-blossom eyes growing wider: "Either thick-skinned, or—"

"Shameless."

"Ying Huai!"

Since returning to the Lu Family, Lu Jing had never been spoken to like this.

His face instantly stiffened, and for a moment he felt a mix of shame and anger.

——Clearly Ying Huai had always valued him especially before, so why had everything changed all at once.

His grip on Ying Huai's fingers slowly tightened, but the next second, he saw the person before him suddenly furrow his brow and softly hiss: "Pain."

His voice was as weak as a kitten's paw scratching helplessly, and even his complexion had grown a touch paler.

Lu Jing's face turned ashen, and he abruptly let go.

Ying Huai rubbed his wrist and spoke casually: "Thanks for this time, shixiong. Don't let the door hit you on the way out..."

He slowly straightened up, the fitted suit subtly outlining his elegant, slender frame as he moved.

Lu Jing felt a vague daze.

——When had Ying Huai gotten this thin.

A wave of confusion washed through Lu Jing's mind, and those inexplicable images from before resurfaced before his eyes.

He saw the pale-faced youth lying lifelessly in the coffin, the entire person wasted away beyond recognition.

He stumbled forward wanting to get a closer look, but because he had snuck into the funeral, he could only stand at the farthest distance watching in silence.

——When did this happen? When had Ying Huai gotten sick? How could it suddenly...

Lu Jing's head ached unbearably. He raised his head and just saw the person who had risen before him suddenly sway.

Lu Jing had no time to think. He reached out instinctively and directly pulled the person back.

Ying Huai: ??

He raised his head in bewilderment: "What are you doing?"

"You..." Lu Jing looked down at Ying Huai from above, his mind in complete chaos.

He stared at Ying Huai for a few seconds, then suddenly blurted out: "...Have you not been eating properly lately?"

Ying Huai: ???

He stared at Lu Jing for a few seconds, then spoke with genuine sincerity: "Shixiong, if you've been feeling ill lately, remember to get it treated in time."

Lu Jing: ......

Lu Jing's muddled mind finally cleared a little.

He took a deep breath and said coldly: "No, what I meant to ask was, have you been sick lately."

This time Ying Huai was stunned. He was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed softly.

"Yes, I'm sick. I have Congenital Heart Disease, and I've been keeping it under control with medication." Ying Huai looked up calmly. "Didn't shixiong know?"

Lu Jing frowned, his expression turning unfriendly: "Don't joke with me. I'm asking you seriously..."

At that moment, Ying Huai really wanted to laugh.

Before debuting, he had lived with four teammates including Lu Jing for a long time.

But not a single one of them had ever noticed his physical condition.

Ying Huai opened his mouth to continue speaking, but his words suddenly stopped.

——He seemed to have seen a familiar figure not far away.

That was... Liang Shining?

Ying Huai's mind went blank. For a moment he forgot about Lu Jing before him and directly stood up, wanting to walk in the opposite direction.

The next second, he was pulled back without hesitation by Lu Jing.

Lu Jing frowned. Looking at Ying Huai's suddenly ashen face, he for once doubted his own judgment: "Was what you just said true?"

Ying Huai was dizzy, unable to spare the energy to deal with Lu Jing at the moment. He only said in a low voice: "Let go."

But Lu Jing seemed possessed, gripping Ying Huai's wrist tightly, even trying to pull him back.

"Lu Jing—"

Ying Huai suddenly turned his head. "Lu Jing, let go of me."

For a moment, anger overwhelmed him. He hadn't said two sentences before his chest grew tight, and he couldn't help but cough sharply.

Lu Jing instinctively steadied Ying Huai, his mind in complete chaos.

His reason told him to let go.

He was the eldest son of the Lu Family. He couldn't be tied in any way to someone like Ying Huai who was entangled in scandals.

But those memories that inexplicably surfaced in his mind made him feel that if he let go, he would lose Ying Huai once again.

"Young Master Lu, is something happening here?" An opportunistic reporter caught wind of it and shoved the camera directly in Ying Huai's face.

The fans in the livestream finally saw the two of them again and instantly got excited.

[Swear Brother: See? I told you Lu Jing would teach Ying Huai a lesson. I'm definitely right this time—]

[emmmmm........ the lesson you're talking about, is this kind?]

In the livestream, Ying Huai's eye corners were red, his hand covering his lips as his figure swayed, looking as if he was half-collapsed against Lu Jing.

He didn't look like he was being taught a lesson, more like—

[——Was he being bullied?]

The livestream fell into an eerie silence for a moment, then instantly exploded.

[What are you guys talking about? Lu Jing would take a liking to Ying Huai? Don't disgust us.]

[It must be Ying Huai seducing Lu Jing. He's holding onto Lu Jing and won't let go, deliberately creating misunderstandings.]

Amidst the abuse, an unusual comment suddenly appeared: [Y: It's Lu Jing who's been holding onto Ying Huai.]

[? What is the person above saying? Are your eyes blind?]

[Ying Huai looks like he wants to lean into Lu Jing's arms, and you're telling me Lu Jing is holding onto him?]

That comment was eerily calm: [Y: Ying Huai's wrist is rubbed red, clearly showing signs of struggle.]

[Y: Drawing conclusions based purely on assumption, don't you find that absurd?]

Outside the livestream, the reporter was also pressing aggressively.

"I recall Young Master Lu came from the entertainment industry. Does Mr. Ying have some connection with Young Master Lu?"

The reporter didn't dare to provoke Lu Jing directly, so he held up the camera and shoved it straight into Ying Huai's face, making his eyes blur.

"Is Mr. Ying's relationship with Young Master Lu very close? What does Young Master Lu think about your previous scandals?"

Ying Huai's bangs were soaked with cold sweat. He clutched his chest, his eyes half-lowered in silence.

The livestream comments exploded first.

[?? What is this reporter talking about? Can't you see it's Ying Huai who's clinging to our Jing-ge and won't let go?]

[Close relationship? With Ying Huai's personality of never saying a true word, has he ever truly cared about anyone? Can you stop disgusting our Jing-ge?]

[Where are the security? If he keeps holding onto our Jing-ge, I'm calling the police.]

Lu Jing glanced at the screen, his heart in turmoil.

For a moment, he actually wished the barrage would keep misunderstanding—that way he could naturally keep Ying Huai by his side.

Ying Huai had no time to spare for the barrage. He was dizzy, coughing until he couldn't catch his breath, his body swaying more and more.

The live stream barrage went absolutely wild.

[??? Ying Huai did it on purpose, right? Faked a collision with Jing-ge, then naturally fell into his arms.]

[Swear Brother: Help! Can anyone at the scene take Ying Huai away from Jing-ge? I swear, anyone will do!]

[Swear Brother is happy again... Huh?]

The next second, a hand suddenly reached out and pulled Ying Huai directly away from Lu Jing's side.

'What are you—' Lu Jing snapped back to himself.

He exerted force with his hand and stepped forward, trying to pull the person back.

But the next second, Lu Jing's wrist suddenly ached.

Liang Shining pressed down on Lu Jing's hand, blocking between him and Ying Huai.

He was about half a head taller than Ying Huai, dressed in a crisp black suit carrying a faint chill, his gaze deep and indifferent.

He stared at Lu Jing and spoke slowly: 'Young Master Lu, stay where you are.'

He stared at Lu Jing, calmly cutting to the truth: 'Is Young Master Lu certain he wants to keep holding onto Ying Huai?'

Every eye in the live stream gathered on them in an instant.

No one saw that behind them, Ying Huai's eyes were lowered, his whole body trembling beyond his control.

·

The live stream barrage went absolutely wild.

[Swear Brother: ?? Help, I said anyone could take Ying Huai away, I didn't say it had to be Liang Shining!]

[On what grounds can Ying Huai be connected to both Lu Jing and Liang Shining at the same time?]

[Let me explain—Liang Shining is the youngest Best Actor in the history of the entertainment industry, on par with Ying Huai, but the two have never crossed paths. They're the well-known rivals of the entire circle.]

[There are online rumors that Liang Shining was once one of Ying Huai's disciples, but later the two seem to have had some misunderstanding, and Liang Shining directly dissolved the master-disciple relationship, which eventually evolved into what it is now.]

[Emmmmm they're rivals like this?]

[Am I the only one who noticed that Liang Shining just said 'Lu Jing holding onto Ying Huai'? What's going on?]

[? No way, how could Jing-ge actively hold onto Ying Huai?]

[?? So you mean Shining-ge is talking nonsense?]

The two camps of fans were arguing fiercely on the barrage, and at the banquet the two men were also gradually becoming more confrontational.

Lu Jing's face was dark: 'What does Mr. Liang mean by that?'

'Ying Huai used to be at the same agency as me, and now belongs to the Lu Group. He came over to discuss some old matters with me—how does that make me the one holding onto him?'

Lu Jing said this with his mouth, but his hand still exerted force, gripping Ying Huai tightly and refusing to let go.

Liang Shining's hand supporting Ying Huai was remarkably steady: 'I also know a little about the grievances between Young Master Lu and Ying Huai.'

'But I also have grievances with Ying Huai.'

Liang Shining subtly shielded the person behind him, his voice sinking slightly as he spoke: 'He's been avoiding me all along. Now that I finally have this chance today, why doesn't Young Master Lu let me have him?'

Lu Jing was stunned. He hadn't expected Liang Shining to be so direct.

In his memory, Liang Shining had always been calm and composed. Even when he was 'abandoned' by Ying Huai, he had never mentioned it at any public occasion.

A hint of disbelief crept into Lu Jing's tone: 'What did you say?'

Liang Shining spoke in a low voice: 'I said, give Ying Huai to me.'

'Are you crazy?' Lu Jing gritted his teeth. 'You...'

'I also know roughly some of the matters regarding Young Master Lu's company.' Liang Shining suddenly spoke, cutting Lu Jing off.

Lu Jing frowned, his tone faintly displeased: 'What are you talking about...'

'The reason Young Master Lu can appear at this banquet is by virtue of being the eldest son of the Lu Family, isn't it?' Liang Shining suddenly stepped forward and covered the reporter's microphone with his hand.

His tone was calm, but every word stirred up a storm: 'Young Master Lu probably doesn't want others to know exactly how this identity was 'helped' into being, does he?'

Lu Jing suddenly raised his head: 'You—'

He hadn't finished speaking when his wrist suddenly ached.

Lu Jing instinctively pulled back his hand. At the same moment, Liang Shining gathered Ying Huai in, shielding him entirely behind himself.

'Thank you, Young Master Lu.' Liang Shining nodded slightly and turned to support Ying Huai as they left.

'Stop!' Lu Jing's voice carried a hint of anger. He stepped forward, but saw Liang Shining suddenly turn his head.

Lu Jing's expression froze.

—He saw barely-suppressed fury in Liang Shining's eyes.

A fragment of unfamiliar memory surfaced in his mind once again.

At the funeral, Ying Huai lay beneath a white cloth. Liang Shining stood in front of him, looking at Lu Jing with a rare fury in his expression.

[Do you know what Ying Huai did for you? He paved every road for you, and you? How did you repay him?]

Liang Shining's voice seemed to come from somewhere far away. Lu Jing could only vaguely make out a few words, but it wasn't hard to hear the restrained hatred within them.

[...You're not worthy of seeing him.]

Lu Jing's head throbbed with pain. He staggered a step and watched Liang Shining push aside the microphone, supporting Ying Huai as they slowly walked outside.

'What about you, then?' Lu Jing suddenly blurted out.

'Don't you also hate him through and through?' Lu Jing's mind was in chaos. He gritted his teeth and spoke: 'Is it really out of kindness that you're taking him away?'

Liang Shining's steps paused briefly.

He said nothing, and supporting Ying Huai, quickly disappeared behind the door.

Countless questions flashed across the barrage.

[What did Liang Shining mean by what he just said? Is he protecting Ying Huai?]

[?? Did a donkey kick your brain?]

[If you don't need your brain, donate it to someone who does. Liang Shining was ruined so badly by Ying Huai before—wanting to personally finish him off makes more sense.]

[No one curious about what Liang Shining and Lu Jing said at the end? Why did Lu Jing react like that? He looks scared.]

[Right, and what did Lu Jing's last words mean? Where is Liang Shining taking Ying Huai?]

[Swear Brother: I get it now! I swear, Liang Shining isn't here to save Ying Huai at all—he wants to personally take revenge on him!]

The barrage fell silent for a moment. Then, a single comment drifted out soundlessly.

[Ah... really no one thinks Liang Shining and Ying Huai are kind of good together? There's this feeling of 'secretly protecting you under the guise of being rivals.']

·

Liang Shining pulled the person along and quickly walked out of the inner hall.

He walked with great urgency, as if he had regained a treasure he'd lost and feared losing it again at any moment.

But before they had gone a few steps, Liang Shining noticed something was wrong with Ying Huai.

'Ying Huai?'

The person before him seemed to have lost consciousness entirely, his body going limp, sinking down continuously.

'Ying Huai!'

Liang Shining caught the person who had suddenly gone limp, supporting him against the windowsill: 'Where does it hurt...'

Ying Huai's head hung down. The red bead at the end of his hair was gradually revealed by his movement, trembling faintly.

Liang Shining stared at that intact Hongyu Jewel Pendant, his fingers supporting Ying Huai slowly clenching tight.

He slowly reached out his hand, seemingly wanting to reach for that red bead, but the next second, the person before him who had seemed powerless suddenly straightened up.

Liang Shining's throat tightened. Then, Ying Huai's voice, full of cold, came from beside his ear.

'...Medicine.'

Thanks to Lu Jing, the originally feigned illness had directly turned into a real one.

Ying Huai gripped Liang Shining's neck tightly, gasped a few breaths, and laughed lightly: 'Sorry... I need to speak to you like this.'

—But he really couldn't walk anymore.

'But I'll have to trouble Mr. Liang... to help me get the medicine.'

Ying Huai had originally prepared for Liang Shining to resist, but unexpectedly the person before him acted as if he hadn't heard, still reaching out for that red bead.

Ying Huai tightened his grip.

He knew he couldn't hold on much longer. He caught his breath and suddenly laughed lightly: 'Mr. Liang probably doesn't want to maintain this 'throwing myself into your arms' posture for long, does he? If rumors of an affair with me come out of this banquet, the impact on you—'

Before he could finish, he heard Liang Shining suddenly speak in a low voice: 'I don't care.'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

The next second, he realized something, and the smile at his lips grew wider: 'Mr. Liang wants to use this method to add another crime to my name.'

Liang Shining finally came to his senses at this point. He frowned slightly: 'What?'

Ying Huai took a light breath.

—No one knew better than him how much Liang Shining's fans hated him.

If rumors really got out, it wouldn't have too big an impact on Liang Shining, but he'd probably have to die once more.

Ying Huai knew Liang Shining hated him in his past life, but hadn't expected him to hate him this much.

He sighed and spoke jokingly: '...Mr. Liang really hates me to the bone.'

Liang Shining frowned. He was just about to speak when the person behind him had already let go, leaning against the wall as if trying to go get the medicine himself.

But the next second, a smug voice suddenly came: 'Is Mr. Ying looking for this?'

Zhang Xi shook the Medicine Bottle in his hand and unhurriedly walked up to the two of them.