Heart's Intent

Liang Shining's movements stiffened.

He instinctively turned around, set Ying Huai back down on the bed, shielded him behind himself, and said quietly: "Why are you here, Ma?"

"If I hadn't come, what were you planning to do to Xiao Huai? Huh?" Liang Mu said, heartbroken.

She stepped forward as she spoke, "Have you told his parents about this? Isn't it too sudden—"

"Ma," Liang Shining reached out and suddenly stopped her, "It's not what you think."

Liang Mu paused for a moment.

Liang Shining turned sideways to shield Ying Huai, and said quietly: "He just woke up and his heart is acting up. Let him rest a while longer. I'll step outside and explain to you."

Liang Mu's expression was skeptical.

But she was also worried about Ying Huai's condition. She grit her teeth and said quietly: "Fine, I'll wait for you outside."

She made to close the door as she spoke, hesitated, then spoke again.

"If you absolutely must........don't rush," Liang Mu hesitated, then said softly, "don't let Xiao Huai hurt."

Liang Shining: ???

——He couldn't shake the feeling that Liang Mu had misunderstood something terrible.

Liang Shining took a deep breath and opened his mouth to explain again, but Liang Mu had already walked straight out the door, even "considerately" turning off the lights for them on her way out.

Liang Shining: ........

He turned around, and came face to face with the person on the bed who had never been fully awake and was now drifting off to sleep again.

Liang Shining opened his mouth to say something, when suddenly a "meow" came from beside him, followed by a large ball of fur rushing over, brushing past him and jumping straight onto the bed.

Then Liang Shining watched helplessly as the cat sniffed around Ying Huai, wagged its tail in a circle, comfortably lay down by Ying Huai's hand, curled its tail up, and squinted its eyes.

Ying Huai yawned, somewhat blankly petted the fat cat beside his hand, and his drowsy brain finally belatedly registered something.

"Should I....... get up?" Ying Huai hugged the cat, his muddled brain unable to make sense of things.

"Your mother came. Did she just......... misunderstand something?" Ying Huai hesitated, then blankly raised his head. "Should I go explain......."

——He always felt Liang Mu's words had been strange, but for the moment couldn't pinpoint exactly what the misunderstanding was.

Ying Huai thought about his past experiences at home, and gradually panicked. He gripped the headboard and stumbled as he tried to get out of bed, but his shoulder was suddenly pressed down gently.

"It's fine. You don't need to explain."

Liang Shining looked at the person in front of him for a few seconds, his expression gradually softening.

He stepped forward, moved the sleeping cat to Ying Huai's feet, and helped him lie back down bit by bit.

"My mom just....... likes you."

Liang Shining looked at the person's pale face, and said quietly: "Just remember that."

"Sleep a while longer. I'll call you when breakfast is ready."

The unease in the person on the bed gradually faded. His lips moved soundlessly, as if wanting to say something, but the next second he lost consciousness.

Liang Shining silently breathed a sigh of relief.

He walked out of the room and slowly closed the door. The moment he turned around, he came face to face with Liang Mu, her face full of quiet anger.

"Liang Shining—"

Liang Mu grit her teeth: "You better give me a proper explanation."

Liang Shining: ........

·

"Did you two just get into bed together?" Liang Mu grit her teeth.

Liang Shining shook his head: "No. I was just waking him up."

Liang Mu's expression eased slightly. She took a deep breath: "Then are you two living together?"

Liang Shining paused, then shook his head again.

Liang Mu felt a slightly ominous premonition: "Then you've at least confessed to Xiao Huai, right?"

She watched Liang Shining stay silent for a long time, then shake his head again.

Liang Mu nearly passed out from frustration.

"After all this time, you've already brought him home, and you're telling me there's been zero progress?"

Liang Mu clutched her chest, heartsick: "You might as well not have let me misunderstand just now. I feel like I've been sold false advertising."

Liang Shining: ".......Ma, you should scroll your phone less."

Liang Mu instantly sat up straight again: "So what's the situation between you and Xiao Huai right now?"

Liang Shining hesitated, just about to speak, when Liang Mu spoke first: "Last time I asked Li Xiang, he said you don't even know whether you actually like Xiao Huai."

Liang Mu took a deep breath and started counting on her fingers: "You're used to living alone, moved out of the family home early, but when Xiao Huai got sick you didn't hesitate to bring him home and take care of him yourself; you never liked sweets, but you bought several boxes of chocolate and ice cream at home, just to coax him into eating a single bite; and you never believed in gods or Buddha, but this year you inexplicably went to the temple twice........"

Liang Mu, frustrated beyond endurance by her son's slowness: "Tell me this isn't called liking someone."

She looked at her son, only to see Liang Shining stay silent for a few seconds before saying softly: "Ying Huai is my shifu. I just want to take care of........my shifu."

Liang Mu nearly passed out from anger again.

——She knew her son was slow, but she hadn't expected him to be this slow.

"What about Xiao Huai?" Liang Mu grit her teeth, changed tack, and tried to lead him gently. "Don't you think Xiao Huai is also different toward you........"

Before she could finish, Liang Shining said firmly: "Ying Huai couldn't possibly like me."

Liang Mu: ???

——She now not only thought her son was slow.

She couldn't stand it any longer, reached out, and tapped Liang Shining's forehead: "Is your brain really made of elm wood, Liang Shining?"

·

When Ying Huai finally came fully to his senses and hesitantly walked out of the room, what he saw was such a strange scene.

Liang Shining stood with lowered eyes in front of Liang Fu and Liang Mu, looking as though he were being punished to stand, while Liang Mu's expression alternated between slightly furrowed brows and a face full of frustrated helplessness.

".......Can you wake up? Is that how someone takes care of their shifu?"

Ying Huai held the railing and slowly came downstairs, hearing Liang Mu say through gritted teeth: "I thought you'd at least have made some progress. I didn't expect you, you silent gourd, don't even dare to ask him........"

Ying Huai's expression went blank for a moment.

——He felt for a moment that perhaps he hadn't woken up yet.

Ying Huai hesitated about whether to go back to the room and sleep a while longer, but the next second, he saw Liang Mu suddenly turn her head, her expression instantly changing from dark to delighted.

"Xiao Huai's awake?"

Liang Mu stood up instantly, her face full of warmth: "What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you......."

Ying Huai paused, his peach-blossom eyes curving: "It's fine, I'm not very hungry. You don't have to......"

Before he could finish, Liang Mu cut him off with heartache: "How can you not eat breakfast? You're already so thin. If you don't eat, your stomach won't take it."

Ying Huai hesitated.

He had just had an episode yesterday, and now his heart felt so uncomfortable, as if it were lodged at the back of his throat, with no appetite at all.

But he didn't want to refuse Liang Mu's kindness. He hesitated only a moment, then said with a smile: "Anything is fine. You......"

Before he could finish, he suddenly caught the fragrance of rice porridge from beside him.

"Ma, he's been sick these past few days. There are things he can't eat. I've already made it."

Liang Shining set a bowl of Purple Millet Porridge on the table, and said quietly.

Liang Mu's expression instantly cleared. Ying Huai looked up at Liang Shining, his peach-blossom eyes flickering slightly.

"Good, good. You two eat. Your father and I will wait for you in the living room." Liang Mu said hurriedly.

At the dining table, only Ying Huai and Liang Shining were left. Ying Huai's expression instantly relaxed a bit, returning to his usual languid manner.

He half-propped his chin, slowly stirred the Purple Millet Porridge cooked soft in front of him, and suddenly said: "Can I not eat it, Mr. Liang?"

Liang Shining seemed to have known all along that Ying Huai would say this.

He glanced at the person in front of him, and said unhurriedly: "Do you want Mint Chocolate?"

Ying Huai looked up at the sound, hearing Liang Shining say quietly: "Once you finish eating, I'll give it to you."

Ying Huai's peach-blossom eyes flickered.

He slowly scooped up a spoonful of porridge with his spoon, tentatively brought it to his lips, but ultimately set it down again: "Forget it. I don't want to eat."

Liang Shining paused.

He stared at Ying Huai for a few seconds, then suddenly said: "Your stomach feels uncomfortable?"

Ying Huai's eyes moved slightly.

The next second, he suddenly smiled: "No."

"I just, am not used to Mr. Liang's cooking." Ying Huai raised his head, smiled and curved his eyes. "Mr. Liang needs to try harder."

Liang Shining didn't speak.

He stared at Ying Huai, then suddenly said quietly: "Does shifu not like my cooking anymore?"

Ying Huai paused.

He watched Liang Shining raise his head, his expression inexplicably dimming: "I remember before....... shifu liked it the most."

Ying Huai instantly understood what Liang Shining had misunderstood.

During the Cross-Genre Singer Program before, Ying Huai had been sick for a few days, and could only barely eat what Liang Shining made.

As things developed, during breaks in recording, whenever Ying Huai had free time he would go find Liang Shining, ostensibly to give him "special tutoring," but actually to have Liang Shining cook for him privately.

Ying Huai had just casually made up an excuse, and hadn't thought of this.

He looked at Liang Shining's expression, instinctively wanting to explain, but the next second, the stabbing pain in his stomach made his face go pale again.

He closed his eyes, gently pressed his spasming stomach, and ultimately didn't refute Liang Shining's words.

"Yes."

He put down his spoon and sighed with a half-smile: "My tastes changed a long time ago."

Liang Shining said nothing.

He slowly stood up from the dining table, glanced at Ying Huai, turned and walked outside.

He didn't see that the instant he turned, Ying Huai's face changed completely, and he couldn't help but slump forward onto the table, drawing in a low breath.

He lay on the table waiting out this wave of stabbing pain, slowly raised his head, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately picked up the spoon again.

He tentatively brought the porridge to his lips. The warm liquid flowed down his esophagus, bringing a comforting solace.

But the next second, Ying Huai only felt his stomach churn. A flash of pain crossed his expression, and he suddenly covered his lips, turned and ran to the sink, unable to stop himself from throwing up.

That spoonful of porridge had been vomited up completely without a trace, but Ying Huai still felt a piercing pain in his stomach.

His fingers gripped the sink hard as he dry-heaved a few times, spitting out a few more mouthfuls of sour liquid.

Ying Huai closed his eyes, half-leaning against the sink, and helplessly let out a soft breath.

"Good thing I didn't eat it earlier."

He silently curved his lips, but the fingers gripping the sink had gone faintly white from the strain.

In all fairness, he really wanted to eat Liang Shining's cooking.

But the constant medication over the past few weeks had long since left his stomach fragile. After yesterday's episode, Ying Huai could only feel his stomach spasming in waves, along with a tightness in his chest.

Ying Huai didn't want Liang Shining to notice anything wrong with him. Besides, Liang Fu and Liang Mu were here too—Ying Huai certainly didn't want to throw up in front of them first thing in the morning.

Ying Huai curved his lips, idly wondering what Liang Fu and Liang Mu would think if they discovered their son was taking care of a sickly person.

He felt the churning in his stomach finally ease a little, took a deep breath and slowly turned around, his expression suddenly freezing.

At some unknown point Liang Shining had returned to the dining table, standing not far away watching him quietly.

A flash of panic crossed Ying Huai's expression.

He forced a smile: "Why is Mr. Liang back again? Supervising my eating......"

Liang Shining said nothing, just glanced at him, placed two things on the dining table, turned and walked out again.

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

He slowly walked forward, looked at the things on the table, his expression shifting slightly.

On the table were a piece of Mint Chocolate and a box of Stomach Medicine.

Ying Huai's expression went still for a few seconds, and an unconscious smile crept into his peach-blossom eyes.

"Mute gourd," Ying Huai said softly, "still the type who only acts and never speaks."

——Still don't know how he tricked himself into coming home last night.

He reached out and carefully put the Mint Chocolate into his pocket, glanced at the Stomach Medicine on the table, and silently sighed.

"If it worked I'd have taken it already," Ying Huai said softly, his finger lightly poking the medicine box on the table, "might as well give me painkillers."

He slowly straightened up, just in time to hear Liang Mu's excited voice coming from the living room.

"Xiao Huai? Are you done eating? I just saw Xiao Ning come out of the kitchen—"

Ying Huai let out a soft breath.

He inconspicuously pressed his stomach again, quickly standing up: "I'm done eating, Auntie."

·

Liang Fu and Liang Mu had only come over to check on the progress of their 'future daughter-in-law,' and to help things along.

The moment Liang Fu saw Ying Huai he immediately broke into a smile, pulling him into chatting about everything under the sun, and even started a game of chess.

Not long after, Liang Mu, who had finished 'interrogating' Liang Shining, finally returned satisfied: "Alright, let Xiao Huai rest, he's still not well from being sick."

Liang Fu looked up in sudden realization. Ying Huai raised his head and smiled: "I'm fine, Auntie."

He also really enjoyed chatting with Liang Fu about these things, but his body hadn't fully recovered, and before long, an uncontrollable weariness showed in his expression.

Liang Mu gave him a disapproving look: "Alright, don't try to tough it out on me. If you're feeling unwell you must tell me or Xiao Ning right away."

Ying Huai paused, smiled, and said nothing.

He watched Liang Mu take something from Liang Shining's hands, her expression instantly lighting up with excitement: "I brought you a few more sets of loungewear. Aren't you going to record a Variety Show again next week? Perfect to take along—warm and good-looking."

Before Ying Huai could react, the next second, several packages were stuffed into his hands.

He remembered the earlier misunderstanding about the couple's outfits on the livestream, his expression briefly strange, but he still smiled and said: "Thank you, Auntie."

Liang Mu's eyes curved into a smile.

"I also bought a few pieces, custom-made to your figures. I'll send them over once they're done."

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly smiled and said: "No need, Auntie, you don't have to go to such trouble. Just buy them for Liang Shining......"

"How is that trouble? I bought them specifically for you," Liang Mu said while glaring at Liang Shining beside her. "This silly boy is just basking in your light."

"Exactly, exactly, Xiao Huai don't mind Xiao Ning," Liang Fu beside them, pondering the chess game he was about to discuss with Ying Huai, looked up and chimed in. "He's just honored by association."

The biological son Liang Shining, who had especially 'basked in the light' and was particularly 'honored by association': ........

The more Liang Mu looked at Ying Huai, the more she liked him.

Her own son was cold and stubborn by nature. As a child, no matter what clothes she bought him he'd wear them with an indifferent expression, and once he grew up he just started buying his own clothes—all of them pitch black, which earned Liang Mu's extreme disdain.

——In Liang Mu's words, people would immediately peg him as asexual.

Ying Huai, on the other hand, had a completely different temperament from her son.

Ying Huai was good-looking, always wearing a smiling expression, responding softly to whatever was said to him, making it impossible not to feel tender toward him.

Liang Mu wished she could just take him home and play 'dress-up.'

But it was getting late today, and seeing Ying Huai's face turn visibly pale, Liang Mu hurriedly stood up.

"Alright, I won't disturb you two anymore. I'll go back and wait to watch your Variety Show livestream." Liang Mu pulled the reluctant Liang Fu up, smiling as she spoke.

Her mind was full of how to make Ying Huai her 'daughter-in-law,' and looking at him she couldn't help but ask directly: "When will Xiao Huai be able to change how he addresses me?"

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, and Liang Shining's expression beside him shifted.

"Auntie, you said...... change to what?" Ying Huai's voice was hesitant.

Liang Mu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what she had just said.

"N-nothing, I mean—"

Liang Mu awkwardly turned her head, looked at Liang Shining, and suddenly thought of something.

"I mean, I don't think I've ever heard Xiao Ning call you 'Master' on livestream or in front of other people."

Liang Mu turned back with a smile, speaking half-jokingly: "I found it a bit strange, so I was curious when Xiao Ning would—change his address."

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

Normally when it was just the two of them, Liang Shining always called him 'Master.' He was endlessly annoyed by it, and later couldn't be bothered to correct him.

Only now did Ying Huai belatedly realize that Liang Shining did seem to have never called him 'Master' in front of others.

Ying Huai was also somewhat at a loss.

He reacted for a few seconds, suddenly thought of something, and abruptly laughed: "No, I just had the good fortune to teach Mr. Liang for a period during a program, so I'm not really his master now."

He didn't notice Liang Shining's expression suddenly darken.

Ying Huai curved his eyes: "Mr. Liang not calling me that is correct."

Liang Mu thought of what Liang Shining had told them before, and her intuition told her it wasn't for this reason.

She glanced at her son thoughtfully, didn't ask anything more, and quickly pulled Liang Fu away.

Ying Huai silently let out a breath of relief.

He had just turned around when he suddenly heard Liang Shining say softly: "No."

Ying Huai was stunned.

For a moment he couldn't react.

"What did you say?"

Liang Shining looked up at him: "That's not the reason."

Ying Huai instantly understood something, and laughed helplessly: "If it's not then it's not."

He paused, and said sincerely: "Actually you really don't need to acknowledge me as your master, Liang Shining."

Ying Huai's tone was casual: "Your career is going well right now. Being tied to me would only make the audience dislike it and cause misunderstandings........"

Before he could finish, he heard Liang Shining directly interrupt him.

"Stop."

Ying Huai's voice stopped abruptly.

He raised his head, watching Liang Shining speak word by word: "You are my master, Ying Huai."

"You're the only one I acknowledge."

·

Until the day of the Variety Show recording, Ying Huai still hadn't been able to find out what the reason was.

The Director was cheerfully setting up the livestream camera in front. Ying Huai broke off a piece of the Mint Chocolate in his hand and put it in his mouth, glanced up at Liang Shining not far away, and silently sighed.

After that day, Liang Shining seemed to have been deliberately or inadvertently avoiding him. Although he still supervised his medication and meals every day, observing his condition, Ying Huai always felt something was off.

——This is bad.

Ying Huai gloomily broke off another piece of chocolate.

——He had actually started caring about Liang Shining's reactions.

Xin Wan beside him, who had been watching him nervously for half the day, finally couldn't help but lean over.

"Little shidi, are you angry at this chocolate?" Xin Wan asked carefully.

Ying Huai held the chocolate in his mouth, glanced up at Xin Wan: "No."

Xin Wan swallowed: "Then why are you—"

——breaking it into tiny pieces.

Ying Huai held the chocolate in his mouth, speaking casually: "I'm angry at myself."

Xin Wan only thought Ying Huai was joking with him.

He hesitated for a moment, slowly finishing what he hadn't said earlier: "I mean, why did you break it like this."

Ying Huai gave Xin Wan a puzzled look, slowly wrapping the unfinished chocolate back up with the wrapper.

"Can't finish it, saving it for next time."

Xin Wan was stunned for a moment.

The next second, he suddenly got angry: "Is this chocolate from Liang Shining?"

Ying Huai nodded without understanding, but Xin Wan had clearly misunderstood something.

"This is how he takes care of you? Can't even bear to give you a few pieces of chocolate?" Anger rose in Xin Wan's heart instantly.

He directly rolled up his sleeves, ready to go confront Liang Shining: "This is abuse! Little shidi, you really should be angry at him, just wait for me—"

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, instantly understanding what Xin Wan had misunderstood.

"What are you doing? I'm not angry at him," Ying Huai, caught between laughter and tears, stopped him. "I can't finish this one piece in one go, that's why I broke it to eat."

——His stomach had been acting up on and off recently, even developing to the point where he couldn't keep anything down these past two days.

Ying Huai was exhausted from vomiting; a piece of chocolate he could only break off a small piece to hold in his mouth and taste.

Xin Wan was stunned for a moment.

He hesitated before speaking: "Such a small piece....... you can't finish it in one go?"

It really wasn't Xin Wan's fault for misunderstanding. That piece of chocolate was only slightly bigger than chubby Bouquet's paw; Xin Wan suspected that if Bouquet could eat chocolate, he could probably finish it in a moment.

Xin Wan observed Ying Huai's complexion, hesitating to speak: "Little shidi, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, what could be wrong with me." Ying Huai yawned, turning his head to look ahead.

"The livestream is about to start, shixiong focus, don't get distracted."

Ying Huai's reaction was clearly that he didn't want to continue this topic.

Xin Wan opened his mouth wanting to press further, but in the end just paused, silently stopping his words.

The Director in front of them cheerfully set up the camera, looking up to scan the people before him.

"Everyone, long time no see."

Because this episode's script had already been drafted, that new director would join in next episode.

The Director glanced triumphantly at Ying Huai and Liang Shining, continuing: "Welcome everyone to the recording of our second episode. I believe you'll all be very interested in this episode's theme."

"This episode's theme is 'Music'."

The Director looked around. The others' expressions gained a hint of delight, even Liang Shining's eyes gained a hint of anticipation.

But Ying Huai's expression changed slightly.

"Our ultimate grand theme is to present a Concert together, so in this episode we'll first have everyone showcase their respective talents, to facilitate collaboration later."

"It's also done in groups. The final reward can be used for the final Concert."

Groups were determined by drawing lots, and Ying Huai this time, by sheer coincidence, ended up in the same group as Liang Shining.

Xin Wan and Lu Jing were in one group, Song Fengyi and Su Yun in another.

"Alright, before we officially enter today's theme, everyone needs to complete a task first. The first to complete gets to pick their showcase talent first; the last group might not get to showcase their talent this time."

The Director clapped his hands, "This task is—the Culinary Competition."

"The lots each group drew just now have the words 'Make' and 'Taste' on them. Whoever drew 'Make' is responsible for cooking; whoever drew 'Taste' is responsible for eating."

"Each group makes the designated food as required. After the Production Team checks it meets standards, whoever drew 'Taste' starts eating."

"Whichever group finishes cooking and eating first wins."

"At the same time, the 'Taster' absolutely cannot make a 'pained' expression. They must use an appreciative and pleased demeanor to 'taste' the delicious food their partner made for them."

The Live Stream Chat instantly burst into laughter.

[Hahahaha, this random draw is interesting! If the one who can't cook in a group happens to draw the 'cook' slip and makes some dark cuisine, wouldn't the 'taster' be miserable.]

[Dying of laughter, I remember Lu Jing and Xin Wan both can't cook.]

[Just look at their faces to know—at a loss hahahaha. Director, you know how to create show effects.]

[I remember Liang ge and Teacher Ying both can cook. Their group is probably set to win!]

[Ahhh really? I really want to hear Ying Huai sing. Please, they must win.]

[Our Song ge is also very good at cooking, okay. As long as that Su Yun doesn't hold them back, winning is absolutely no problem.]

Ying Huai's expression changed.

Before a Variety Show, the Production Team generally collects various information about the artists. Although Ying Huai didn't have a manager, last time he fell into the water and went to the Hospital, the Director had been following along the whole time.

The Director was well aware his stomach wasn't good.

The slips just now were said to be randomly distributed, but in reality the Director handed them out one by one.

Ying Huai slowly turned over the slip in his hand, and sure enough saw "Taste" written on it.

Ying Huai closed his eyes briefly, silently curling his lips.

——The Director was clearly out to get him, and ideally make him lose the competition, unable to showcase his talent.

"What did you draw, Huaihuai?" Song Fengyi beside him suddenly leaned over.

Without waiting for Ying Huai's answer, he anxiously glanced at it, softly going "ah."

"You drew 'Taste', what good luck."

Song Fengyi "sincerely" spoke softly: "No need to worry about exposing your cooking skills."

Ying Huai spoke sincerely: "Teacher Song, how about swapping with me?"

Song Fengyi was stunned.

He had drawn "Cook," and for that instant Song Fengyi really wanted to swap with Ying Huai, but the next second, the Director beside them spoke again.

"Once drawn you can't swap. You can't swap within your group, and groups can't be changed either."

A flash of regret crossed Ying Huai's expression.

Song Fengyi clenched his teeth, unable to resist speaking jealously again: "Huaihuai's is so easy, just sit comfortably and eat."

Ying Huai glanced up at Song Fengyi, slightly curling his lips: "That might not be the case."

"Running into a chef like Teacher Song, eating 'comfortably' is also a kind of challenge."

Song Fengyi was stunned, his expression changing.

"I can cook. Huaihuai must be mistaken."

"And does Huaihuai think Liang Shining can cook?" Song Fengyi clenched his teeth. "Huaihuai better not regret saying this later."

The moment his words fell, he saw Ying Huai suddenly smile: "When Teacher Liang cooks, I never worry."

Not far away, Liang Shining, who had been keeping an eye on this side, paused, a hint of smile appearing in his eyes.

The Director beside them began urging them to prepare.

Ying Huai silently sighed, slowly walking to Liang Shining's side.

"Liang xiansheng, do your best," Ying Huai propped himself on the table, speaking casually. "I'll do my best too."

Liang Shining looked down at him, suddenly speaking: "It's fine if we don't win."

Ying Huai was stunned.

He suddenly smiled: "That doesn't sound right."

He remembered Liang Shining's expectant expression when the Director announced the theme earlier.

Ying Huai took a light breath, looking at Liang Shining seriously: "We will definitely win."

"Besides, I just boasted to someone," Ying Huai was serious for a moment, then returned to his casual demeanor. "If Liang xiansheng loses now, isn't that slapping my face?"

Liang Shining, who had just gotten a bit emotional: .......

At the Director's command, the lottery wheel on the screen began spinning randomly.

Song Fengyi's group drew the simplest Yangchun Noodles, while Liang Shining drew Braised Noodles.

Liang Shining's expression unchanged, he skillfully began cooking, while Song Fengyi's side looked a bit stiff.

The Live Stream Chat was extremely excited.

[Wow, Liang ge looks so skilled at cooking. Does he cook often at home?]

[Liang ge is often filming for over half a year and not at home, he probably doesn't have time to cook often either. This must be something he specially learned for someone!]

[Makes sense. Curious who, so lucky.]

[Whisper, during the previous Cross-Genre Singer Program, Liang ge cooked for Ying Huai many times. Behind-the-scenes footage mentioned it.]

[!! I'm shipping this!]

[?? Can cp fans stop selling their brainwashing packs, speechless.]

Unlike Liang Shining's side, Song Fengyi's side looked particularly flustered.

He seemed to have never set foot in a kitchen, keeping a mile away when turning on the stove, even cracking an egg sent it flying.

The Live Stream Chat all started watching the show.

[Is this cooking? This is dismantling the kitchen, right?]

[Thanks to Song Fengyi for letting me intuitively experience what 'chickens flying and eggs breaking' means.]

[He's clearly never been in a kitchen. Didn't someone just boast that Song Fengyi can cook? This is the real brainwashing pack, right?]

Su Yun beside him also couldn't stand watching anymore.

"Song ge, how about I crack the eggs for you," Su Yun hesitated to speak. "The Director didn't say just now that we can't help with prep work........"

"No need," Song Fengyi clenched his teeth. He was getting frustrated with the things in front of him, thinking Su Yun was mocking him, and coldly laughed: "Stop nagging in front of me. I can do it."

Su Yun was stunned, his expression momentarily bewildered.

Ying Huai glanced to the side, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Since the draw wasn't random, Song Fengyi getting 'cooking' clearly meant the Director wanted to promote him based on the collected information.

——Too bad Song Fengyi didn't live up to it himself.

Forced up to a height he can't stand at, falling down only hurts worse.

The Live Stream Chat also grew unhappy.

【?? What is he saying? Su Yun was being kind, right?】

【Can he have some manners? Su Yun saw you can't even crack an egg, you're in the same group so why are you the only one holding everyone back?】

【....... Speechless. Can't cook but pushes the blame onto the person next to him, never seen this kind of person.】

"Su Yun, come here." A lazy voice suddenly came from the side.

Ying Huai lay on the table in front of Liang Shining, smiling as he beckoned Su Yun over.

Su Yun was stunned for a moment, then hurried over to Ying Huai in quick little steps.

"Teacher Ying, what's wrong?" Su Yun asked seriously, "Do you need me to help you with anything?"

The moment he finished speaking, he suddenly got flicked on the head.

"Help me with what? You're a guest just like me, we're equal, you don't need to help anyone."

Ying Huai withdrew his hand, speaking casually: "Especially those who aren't worth helping."

Su Yun covered his forehead, looking at Ying Huai with half-understanding.

Ying Huai couldn't help but sigh.

——Reborn for a second life, he still couldn't help his soft-hearted habit.

"Enough, sit down. Our task is just to eat quickly later." Ying Huai patted the stool beside him.

Su Yun obediently sat down. After a few seconds of processing, he suddenly spoke: "But Teacher Ying helped me."

Ying Huai was startled.

Su Yun turned his head, speaking earnestly: "So Teacher Ying is worth helping. I can help Teacher Ying later too."

Su Yun spoke in a simple, earnest way, without any of the flattering tricks Ying Huai was used to hearing in the industry.

He lowered his eyes, unable to resist ruffling Su Yun's hair.

"Sure."

"I'll remember that."

·

Lu Jing and Xin Wan's side was also in complete chaos, but everyone already knew neither of them could cook.

Fans were happy to watch them bicker, even betting with relish whether Xin Wan would make it out from under Lu Jing's hands alive.

Liang Shining was the first to finish making the Braised Noodles.

Ying Huai half-propped himself up from the table, lowered his head to smell it.

"Mr. Liang's cooking smells really good."

He picked up his chopsticks, curving his eyes at Liang Shining: "Shall I start eating?"

Liang Shining's expression, however, was not as relaxed as Ying Huai's.

He watched Ying Huai lift a strand of noodles, then suddenly reached out to press down his hand.

"Don't force yourself," Liang Shining said quietly, "If you don't want to eat, then don't."

"What is Mr. Liang saying?" Ying Huai laughed.

He gently broke free of Liang Shining's hand: "I'm keeping time."

Ying Huai leisurely ate nearly half the bowl in one go.

But later on, Liang Shining could clearly feel Ying Huai's pace slowing down.

Su Yun and Xin Wan beside them also began their 'tasting' at this point. Though their expressions were a bit odd, they ate at a rapid pace.

After a few minutes, Ying Huai's fingers suddenly trembled. He abruptly covered his lips and choked out a cough.

Liang Shining beside him instantly reached out to steady him, and the Director also leaned over with concern: "What's wrong? Is Teacher Ying feeling unwell somewhere?"

"Do you need to give up?"

Ying Huai closed his eyes briefly.

He slowly lowered his hand, reaching out to pick up the chopsticks again.

Amid the Director's stiff expression, he curved his eyes and smiled: "Of course not — as you wish."

The Live Stream Chat now also began to show doubts.

【What does this mean? Did the Director do something?】

【I remember Ying Huai's stomach has always been bad. Last time he fell in the water, I heard it hurt his stomach. The Director did this on purpose, right?】

【Y: It's definitely on purpose.】

【Brother Y knows the inside story?】

【Oh god, if I hadn't seen the chat explanation, I would have thought Ying Huai just didn't like Liang Shining's cooking.】

【I said it, this Culinary Competition has nothing to do with music. The Director just wants Ying Huai's team to lose, doesn't want Ying Huai to show his talent, so the whole internet can keep hating on him.】

Liang Shining beside him frowned deeply, unable to resist speaking again: "Ying Huai—"

"The words Teacher Liang said before should still count now, right?" Ying Huai suddenly spoke casually.

Liang Shining was startled: "What?"

"If I eat properly, Teacher Liang gives me a piece of Mint Chocolate."

Ying Huai lifted the noodles again, smiling as he spoke: "The piece I had before is almost finished."

·

Ying Huai ultimately finished the 'tasting' first, under the Director's resentful gaze.

He stretched lazily, looked at the two people beside him still eating heartily, then casually stood up: "I'm going to the restroom."

Liang Shining frowned, watching Ying Huai walk rapidly outward without looking back, then also got up and followed.

No one noticed that at the same moment, a video related to the Variety Show was rapidly fermenting online.

Ying Huai walked very quickly.

Liang Shining had just reached the corner when he heard the restroom door slam shut with a 'bang,' followed by a suppressed groan from inside.

Liang Shining's expression changed instantly.

"Ying Huai!"

He quickly grabbed the door handle, only to find the restroom door already locked from inside.

The restroom went quiet for a moment, then the sound of running water came through.

Liang Shining bit down.

Ying Huai was throwing up violently inside.

His cramping stomach was rebelling nonstop. Ying Huai threw up all the noodles from earlier, yet still felt his stomach bloating and stuffy, waves of nausea washing over him.

He retched up a few more mouthfuls of sour liquid, pressed his rapidly beating heart, trying to get past this dizzy spell.

The next second, a muffled 'thud' suddenly came from behind.

Ying Huai was startled.

He spun around abruptly, watching the restroom door handle tremble violently again.

Ying Huai instantly understood what was happening.

——Liang Shining was breaking down the door.

Ying Huai's first reaction was that Liang Shining had gone mad.

But the next second, a hidden trace of anticipation rose in his heart.

He wanted to see if someone like Liang Shining, who had always been so strict with himself, would really do something so out of character.

The door handle let out several loud 'bang, bang' sounds, followed by a violent shake and a 'clang' — the overburdened handle finally fell to the ground.

The person outside pushed the door open at the same moment.

Ying Huai, water droplets dripping from his hair, half-leaning against the sink, tilted his head up slightly, watching Liang Shining with a half-smile.

"Mr. Liang is in such a hurry—"

Before he could finish, the next second, he suddenly saw Liang Shining walk straight up and, trembling, pull him into an embrace.

At the same moment, he felt the tense body in his arms slowly relax.

Liang Shining heard Ying Huai laugh softly: "I was lying to you before."

"I really like eating Mr. Liang's cooking."

Liang Shining's arms around Ying Huai suddenly tightened.

He took a deep breath.

——To hell with just taking care of him.

Liang Shining closed his eyes, thinking expressionlessly.

——I just like Ying Huai.

——I just like my shifu.

Su Yun, who had followed behind with his phone raised, saw this scene and his steps halted.

His usually slow reaction was, for once, quick. He suddenly turned around and ducked back behind the corner.

The next second, a sudden scream rang out.

The Director, who had secretly followed behind, was caught off guard and knocked hard to the ground. The huge camera instantly crashed onto his foot.