Chapter 33

Su Yun was startled, and the two inside the bathroom also looked up at the sound.

Liang Shining frowned, quickly turning around to look behind him with caution.

Ying Huai was still somewhat dazed. The dull ache in his stomach made him too lazy to move, so he remained slumped over Liang Shining's shoulder, listless and unresponsive.

But after that scream, no one emerged from around the corner for a long while. Liang Shining stared at the corner, frowned, and subtly shifted to shield Ying Huai behind him.

Meanwhile, around the corner, the Director, who had been knocked to the ground, wore a pained grimace.

He had seen Liang Shining and Ying Huai leave one after the other and thought to follow them secretly, hoping to catch some explosive footage to boost the Variety Show's popularity.

—He never expected to end up hoisting himself with his own petard.

He looked at Su Yun and couldn't help but grit his teeth and speak up: "What are you doing? Not watching where you're going?"

Su Yun stood rigidly in place, head bowed, saying nothing.

He had dropped the camera just now, and the live stream behind him hadn't caught up yet.

The Director's foot throbbed with pain. Knowing Su Yun was an easy target, he launched straight into mockery: 'How old are you, Mao Mao — still this reckless and careless? No wonder your agent asked me to keep an eye on you. There's always a reason people don't make it.'

As he spoke, he tried to push past Su Yun to move forward, but the silent figure before him wordlessly sidestepped, still blocking the Director's path.

The Director frowned and spoke impatiently: "What are you doing? Move. Can't you read the room?"

"No." As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly heard Su Yun mumble.

The Director was taken aback and looked up in disbelief: "What did you say?"

Su Yun's face flushed red. He seemed to have never confronted anyone so directly before, but he remained motionless, blocking the Director, and repeated in a low voice: "No... you can't go over."

The Director was so angry he laughed.

"Are you insane, Su Yun?"

The Director was already in a foul mood. Seeing the live stream catching up from behind, he began to make insinuations outright: "Young people shouldn't be so rude. You bumped into me and broke the camera, and I wasn't even planning to hold you accountable. But if you act like this, that's just not acceptable."

The Live Stream Chat, having just seen the situation, was momentarily confused.

"Huh? What happened? Did Su Yun and the Director have a conflict?"

"Su Yun, with his slow temperament, actually got into a conflict with someone? Honestly, I'm a bit curious whose fault it really is..."

"Looks like Su Yun accidentally bumped into the Director and broke a camera. Emmm, hard to judge."

"Don't get it, but either way, this newcomer is being rude. I was starting to like him a bit."

The Director's words were practically an open hint: 'If you don't grovel and appease me now, just wait for me to make your life difficult.'

He waited for Su Yun to apologize, but Su Yun's mind was slow to react and couldn't grasp these convoluted implications at all.

His mind was only filled with the thought that Ying Huai was unwell and definitely wouldn't want others to see him.

Su Yun stood in place and finally squeezed out another sentence: "It's not my fault. You were secretly filming."

The Director was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage: "You—"

But before he could finish, a lazy voice suddenly came from behind: "Director, what are you doing here?"

Ying Huai, leaning against the wall, slowly emerged from around the corner, followed by Liang Shining, whose expression was slightly cold.

Ying Huai glanced up at the camera — Glasses held it steady without a word — and spoke with a faint, mocking smile: 'Director, so dedicated you're live streaming even in the bathroom?'

The Live Stream Chat fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a burst of laughter.

"Hahahaha, sincerity truly conquers all."

"I'm dying of laughter. I was wondering what Su Yun meant. Director, your tastes are so heavy! You dare film it, but we dare not watch."

"Yeah, this isn't even the recording area. I wanted to see Xin Wan and Lu Jing bickering over there, but the Director inexplicably cut to this feed."

"To be honest, it's just to embarrass Ying Huai, right? Ying Huai really doesn't look well, like he's very uncomfortable."

"The Director really is... desperate to make money."

The dull ache in Ying Huai's stomach hadn't eased, but he glanced at the flustered Su Yun, curled his lips, and still spoke softly: "Well, well. Our capybara has finally learned to bite."

Su Yun was stunned and turned his head blankly: "Capybara... what's that?"

He blinked, then suddenly remembered something, his tone becoming cheerful: "Is it something Teacher Ying made to eat? Can I have some next time?"

Ying Huai couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, you've had one breakfast from me and now you're hooked."

He crooked a finger, signaling Su Yun to stand behind him.

Su Yun trotted over in small steps and said earnestly: "But it really was delicious."

Seeing Ying Huai still slightly bent over and looking uncomfortable, he reached out, wanting to help support him too.

But as soon as he extended his hand, he saw an arm reach over from the side, pulling Ying Huai aside and directly avoiding Su Yun's touch.

Su Yun was stunned. He looked up somewhat dazedly, meeting Liang Shining's slightly darkened gaze.

Su Yun blinked in confusion.

The chat was instantly amused by Ying Huai and Su Yun's exchange.

"I'm dying, Ying Huai's description is so fitting. Su Yun's personality really is like a capybara."

"Su Yun is so good, like a chubby little puppy constantly circling around someone he likes. I can practically see the little tail wagging furiously! Aaaaah!"

"Y: Who does Su Yun like?"

"Hahaha, Brother Y, coming to join the ship?"

"Y: ...Hmph."

Seeing the focus of the live stream instantly shift, the Director couldn't help but grit his teeth.

This Variety Show was a hot potato, but fortune favors the bold. He had taken it on precisely because of Ying Huai's infamy online. As long as the show got exposure, money would follow.

Therefore, the Director had been deliberately, yet subtly, trying to embarrass Ying Huai, using the 'blackened popularity' to boost the show's exposure.

But last time during the live stream, he had gone too far. Not only was he cursed out by netizens, he almost lost his job.

Holding a grudge, he had added a little something extra to the game this time, unable to resist secretly trying to disgust Ying Huai.

—Never expecting to end up trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice.

Unwilling to accept defeat, the Director gritted his teeth. Looking at the two before him, an idea surfaced in his mind once more.

He spoke with concern: "Teacher Liang, Teacher Ying, are you both alright just now?"

"I saw Teacher Ying leave, and Teacher Liang followed with a bad expression. I was worried something might have happened, so I came out to see if I could help."

Ying Huai stared at him with that faint, mocking smile, saying nothing. The Director felt inexplicably nervous.

Gritting his teeth, he continued according to his original plan: "Just now, I saw Teacher Ying choke a bit while eating. Was it because the food Teacher Liang made... wasn't very tasty?"

He had prepared a whole series of remarks, but as soon as he finished speaking, he heard Ying Huai laugh and say: "Yes."

The Director hadn't expected Ying Huai to respond so bluntly. He was momentarily stunned: "What?"

"The bottom of that Braised Noodles bowl was spicy," Ying Huai said softly.

He turned his head, gently freeing himself from Liang Shining's support, and looked up at the man beside him: "I'd like to ask Teacher Liang, Braised Noodles normally aren't supposed to be spicy, are they?"

Liang Shining's expression also darkened: "So Teacher Ying means I did it on purpose?"

Ying Huai smiled, his own expression cooling: "That's what Teacher Liang said himself. I didn't mean that."

"But it's common knowledge that Teacher Liang and I don't get along."

As soon as Ying Huai finished speaking, he saw Liang Shining suddenly reach out and grab his arm.

This twist startled the Director as well.

He hadn't expected things to develop even more smoothly than he'd hoped. After a moment's daze, he spoke hypocritically: "Teacher Liang, don't be angry. This must be a misunderstanding."

Liang Shining said nothing, only staring fixedly at Ying Huai in silence.

The Director was practically overjoyed inside. He turned and began hypocritically advising Ying Huai: "Teacher Ying, you've wronged Teacher Liang, haven't you? How could he possibly pour chili oil into the bowl..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly saw Ying Huai look up and narrow his eyes slightly: "How does the Director know it was chili oil smeared on?"

The Director froze, his face instantly changing color. He hurriedly said: "I, I don't know. I was just guessing, because Teacher Ying said it was spicy just now..."

"But normally, when people talk about something being spicy, they'd think the chili was stir-fried into it, not that chili oil was poured into the bowl," Su Yun suddenly spoke up blankly from the side.

The Director's face stiffened for a moment. The Live Stream Chat also caught on.

"Right, the sauce for Braised Noodles is very dark. Even if chili was stir-fried in, you wouldn't see it. A normal person would consider that method first, not the riskier one of pouring chili oil onto a white bowl bottom."

"That method seems more like something chosen because you couldn't access the cooking ingredients."

"So even if Ying Huai wasn't feeling unwell today, the Director would have deliberately used this to make Ying Huai lose. Then he could either smear Ying Huai for throwing the game on purpose, or stir up conflict between Ying Huai and Liang Shining, smearing them for being at odds. You've really mastered the 'blackened popularity is still popularity' game, Director."

"The Director really takes 'any publicity is good publicity' to the extreme."

Seeing the chat's direction gradually shift, the Director grew increasingly panicked.

But he still gritted his teeth and said: "I just said it offhand. The Production Team didn't prepare chili, but there was chili oil among the seasonings. Teacher Liang, are you sure it wasn't you accidentally adding it while cooking..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly saw Ying Huai press a hand uncomfortably to his chest, panting lightly a few times, his body swaying.

The next second, the Director felt a figure flash before him. Liang Shining directly shielded Ying Huai, frowning as he half-embraced the man and began expertly rubbing his chest.

The Director, who had been about to shift the blame: ...???

The Live Stream Chat was also stunned.

"Wait—what just floated past?"

"Teacher Liang, your reaction is too fast! And that chest-rubbing action... don't be so practiced!!"

"Is this how Brother Liang looks when he's trying to harm Ying Huai on purpose? This is how Brother Liang looks when he's worried sick!"

"You two... keeping secrets from us! I was scared to death watching you argue just now! I thought the rumors about being mortal enemies were true!"

"To be fair, the mortal enemy rumors used to be very true, but now they're gradually becoming true in a shippable direction..."

"Thanks, Director. Even though I know you were trying to drive a wedge, you really served us shippers something good."

"Everyone, quick, look at Weibo! There's a video with solid evidence!"

Seeing the last comment, the Director felt inexplicably uneasy.

Before he could say anything, a Production Team staff member rushed up from behind in a panic, whispering something into the Director's ear.

The staff member passed over a video. The moment the Director opened it, his face changed immediately.

It was a Weibo post from a netizen with the ID "Y."

It was a clip taken from the live stream just now. The video was a bit blurry from being enlarged, but it clearly showed that the moment the Production Team handed the inspected Braised Noodles back to Liang Shining, a bottle of red chili oil was conspicuously present in the far corner.

The Live Stream Chat erupted in an uproar.

The Director's face turned ashen.

Seeing public opinion had completely turned against him, he took a deep breath and suddenly bowed to Ying Huai and Liang Shining.

"I apologize. This matter is the Production Team's fault. We hope Teacher Ying and Teacher Liang can forgive us. The Production Team will definitely give an explanation tomorrow," the Director said in a low voice.

Ying Huai's vision was still a bit blurry. He had slumped back onto Liang Shining's shoulder, yawning lazily, and said nothing.

Liang Shining remained silently focused on being a 'pillow,' supporting Ying Huai without a word.

The Director gritted his teeth: "We will provide a solution tonight."

"There won't be any more recording scheduled for tonight. Teacher Liang and Teacher Ying should rest well first. The Production Team will arrange for medical personnel to check Teacher Ying's condition. If Teacher Ying needs to go to the Hospital, we can arrange it immediately—"

"No need for the Hospital," Ying Huai, hearing the direction of the conversation, hurriedly interrupted.

Liang Shining looked up at him. Ying Huai gave him a guilty, smiling glance.

"Alright. We're not in a hurry about tomorrow's recording either. Tonight, the Production Team will arrange a hotel for everyone to stay at," the Director quickly added.

Only then did Ying Huai finally look up, smiling: "Then we'll trouble the Director."

The Director, who had just been thoroughly exploited, also forced a stiff smile.

·

The Director quickly cut the live stream to negotiate a solution.

Ying Huai silently let out a breath, only now feeling waves of exhaustion wash over him.

His vision swam, and his feet staggered uncontrollably. The person beside him caught him again.

Ying Huai was taken aback, then looked up with a faint, mocking smile: "The matter's over, Mr. Liang. No need to try so hard anymore."

"Thank you for your cooperation just now, Mr. Liang," Ying Huai smiled.

"Mr. Liang truly lives up to being a film emperor. Your acting really had no flaws."

—Especially that moment when he had supported him.

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt Liang Shining's expression darken, and the arm supporting him instantly tightened further.

Ying Huai: ???

He was too weak to have the energy to bicker with Liang Shining anymore. He sighed silently and simply gave up, leaning lazily against Liang Shining's side.

The next second, a dull voice suddenly came from the side: "Who is that 'Y'?"

Ying Huai froze.

He belatedly remembered Su Yun was still there and instantly tried to stand up. The next moment, Liang Shining's hand on his waist suddenly exerted force.

Ying Huai lost his balance and instantly fell back.

Su Yun was startled. He instinctively reached out to steady Ying Huai but met Liang Shining's slightly cold gaze once more.

Su Yun was stunned.

Even with his slow reactions, he now belatedly realized Liang Shining seemed to be... warning him.

Su Yun was puzzled by this thought.

He blinked somewhat blankly but ultimately withdrew his hand, asking worriedly: "Teacher Ying, are you alright? Do you need me to call a doctor..."

"Ahem, I'm fine. Thank you for earlier too," Ying Huai's ears turned bright red as he swiftly changed the subject.

He smiled at Su Yun: "Good job. Learned to protect yourself."

"I wasn't protecting myself," Su Yun said dazedly, speaking in a low voice.

Ying Huai was taken aback, instantly recalling what Su Yun had said to him before.

—"Teacher Ying helped me, so I want to help Teacher Ying too."

Ying Huai's heart softened for a moment. He couldn't resist reaching out to ruffle Su Yun's hair, not noticing Liang Shining's face darkening another shade behind him: "Alright, thank you. Next time, I'll treat you to another meal I make."

"Can it be capybara?" Su Yun looked up hopefully. "It sounds like the name of a delicious pastry."

Ying Huai couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He was feeling a bit better now. Leaning against the wall, he tried to stand up. The next moment, he suddenly saw a piece of Mint Chocolate being offered from behind.

Ying Huai's eyes instantly lit up.

His stomach still ached faintly. He reached out, took the chocolate, and carefully placed it in his pocket.

"Thank you, Mr. Liang—" As Ying Huai spoke and started to walk forward, he suddenly felt his arm being grabbed again.

He turned back, looked at Liang Shining's expression, and was slightly taken aback: "Mr. Liang... are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Liang Shining's face was like still water.

He seemed to want to say something, but after struggling for a while, he only managed: "Just a 'thank you'?"

Ying Huai was baffled.

"What else?"

He stared at Liang Shining for a few seconds, then suddenly covered his pocket: "This chocolate was promised to me, Mr. Liang. You can't take it back now."

Liang Shining: ....

He took a deep breath and slowly released Ying Huai's hand: "I don't want it back."

Ying Huai looked suspiciously at the man before him, feeling something was off.

·

The Director, seemingly terrified of offending Ying Huai further, quickly sent a car to take them to the hotel.

Along the way, Lu Jing and Xin Wan continued to bicker nonstop.

"I made it exactly according to the recipe the Production Team gave," Lu Jing said coldly. "Every step was followed correctly."

"Right, you followed it, but you deliberately used that disgusting stuff to mess with me!" Xin Wan gritted his teeth.

"Do you know how sour your bowl of noodles was? My eyes almost got burned out."

Lu Jing frowned: "I measured all the seasonings exactly. There's no problem."

Xin Wan was so angry he choked.

Ying Huai leaned back in the rear seat, listening to the two argue with a smile.

He was so tired he couldn't move a finger. His mind was muddled, unwilling to think about anything, yet he forced himself to stay awake.

Listening to these two argue was just the thing to keep him alert.

With his eyes half-closed, he heard Xin Wan say furiously: "Fine, measured exactly, right? Then when we get back, I'll make you a bowl too. Let's see if my measured version tastes good—"

Lu Jing rationally refused outright: "That is clearly subjective, premeditated retaliation. I won't eat it."

Xin Wan was driven mad: "Why not? Then what was that I just ate?"

"That was an objective requirement to be completed for the Production Team. I absolutely did not intentionally sabotage," Lu Jing said righteously. "Therefore, you could eat it."

Xin Wan: ???

Ying Huai couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Back at the company, these two had often argued fiercely.

Lu Jing had a purely science-major personality, rigidly following logic in everything. Xin Wan, on the other hand, was always impulsive, often acting on whims, but he would frequently get tangled up in Lu Jing's logical traps.

Ying Huai shifted to find a comfortable position, inexplicably feeling as if he'd returned to the old days.

When this thought surfaced, Ying Huai was stunned, and his heart instantly panicked.

He abruptly sat up. Liang Shining beside him immediately turned: "What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"

Ying Huai was dazed for a moment, then shook his head in a covering manner: "I'm fine."

He yawned, seemingly casually and swiftly changing the subject: 'Are they making sour and spicy noodles?'

Liang Shining shook his head: 'No.'

'The Production Team probably gave them Chongqing noodles.'

Ying Huai was taken aback for a moment, asking curiously: 'Do Chongqing noodles need vinegar?'

'Teacher Lu seems to have mistaken the vinegar for soy sauce,' Su Yun, who had watched the whole thing from the side, spoke softly. 'But he's had a bit of a cold lately... his sense of smell isn't very sharp.'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh again.

He was truly too sleepy to hold on any longer, his eyelids gradually growing heavy. By the time Liang Shining realized it, he only felt a slight weight settle on his shoulder.

He was taken aback. Turning his head, he saw Ying Huai's peaceful sleeping face.

Seeing this, Lu Jing and Xin Wan beside them gradually fell silent. Liang Shining's eyes flickered, staring unblinkingly at the person beside him.

Ying Huai was usually always smiling, carefree as if he could sleep through the sky falling.

But now that he had relaxed, the paleness and weariness in his expression could no longer be concealed.

Yet his features were delicate, his head slightly bowed, eyes closed unaware, giving off an indescribable sense of fragility.

Liang Shining's heart ached with a fine, dense pain.

He closed his eyes and slowly let out a breath.

He reached out to brush aside the stray hair on Ying Huai's forehead, but the next second, he suddenly felt the person beside him tremble, a flash of pain crossing his expression as his brows abruptly furrowed.

Liang Shining quickly realized what was happening.

'Ying Huai!'

He reached out and swiftly grasped Ying Huai's hand, pinching the fleshy part between his thumb and forefinger, speaking in a low voice: 'Ying Huai, wake up!'

The young man in front of him winced in pain, letting out a low groan as he struggled to open his eyes.

His gaze was still somewhat unfocused. He pressed a hand to his chest, taking two quick, panting breaths, and spoke dazedly: 'I...'

'You're in the car right now. We just finished recording the Variety Show, remember?' Liang Shining said quietly. 'It's okay, don't panic.'

Ying Huai's expression was dazed for a few moments before his breathing gradually slowed.

He pressed his fingers to his temples and gave a low hum of acknowledgment.

Liang Shining silently let out a breath, his own body slowly relaxing.

Lu Jing, unaware of Ying Huai's condition, saw him sitting there somewhat lost and asked anxiously, 'What's wrong, Xiao Huai? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?'

Ying Huai's mind was still somewhat foggy.

He shook his head, looked up at Lu Jing, and spoke hoarsely: 'Why did you stop arguing?'

Lu Jing was stunned. Xin Wan beside him spoke in confusion: 'We stopped arguing before you fell asleep, junior brother. What's wrong with you?'

Ying Huai was taken aback.

He belatedly realized he had fallen asleep again and instantly laughed: 'It's nothing. I was just groggy from sleep.'

After moving out of Ying Qi's house, although the 'nightmare' situation had somewhat eased, he still often woke startled from a deep sleep, unable to remember where he was.

In the first few days, Liang Shining had stayed by Ying Huai's side, noticing the moment he woke startled and promptly helping him snap out of that state.

Lu Jing didn't believe Ying Huai's words at all.

He frowned and looked up at Liang Shining.

Liang Shining's expression was slightly somber, but he didn't seem surprised.

Lu Jing's heart sank. His hand, hanging at his side, slowly clenched.

Fortunately, the car finally came to a slow stop in front of the hotel. Ying Huai silently sighed in relief and hurriedly got out.

Liang Shining followed, wanting to get off, but an arm suddenly stretched out in front of him.

'What's wrong with Xiao Huai?' Lu Jing asked in a low, serious voice.

Liang Shining hadn't expected Lu Jing to stop him right here. He frowned but didn't speak.

Lu Jing already had a vague guess. Anxious, he couldn't help but speak directly: 'Is it because of the effects of what happened before—'

Liang Shining's expression darkened slightly as he gave a small nod.

Lu Jing's face paled for an instant. He opened his mouth to say something but suddenly heard Xin Wan beside him speak inexplicably: 'What kind of riddle are you two talking in?'

Xin Wan frowned, staring at the two in front of him. 'Wait, since when did you two get so familiar?'

Recalling the earlier events, Xin Wan had a strange premonition. He grabbed Lu Jing's arm that was holding Liang Shining and was about to ask something when he suddenly heard a lazy voice from not far away.

'What are you three doing?'

Ying Huai stood with his arms crossed, gazing thoughtfully at the three 'entangled' people in the car, inexplicably reminded of a popular movie from a while back.

Lu Jing instantly withdrew his hand. Liang Shining walked straight out of the car door. Xin Wan could only forcefully suppress the questions in his heart.

·

The Production Team quickly helped them check in. Ying Huai yawned and shuffled slowly towards his room when he suddenly heard Xin Wan's soft voice from behind.

'Want to go out for a bite, junior brother?'

Xin Wan leaned close to Ying Huai, his voice extremely low: 'You probably didn't eat much earlier either, right? And we're not in a hurry to record tomorrow anyway. Let me take you out to find something to eat, okay?'

Ying Huai hadn't just not eaten much; he had thrown up everything he'd eaten.

He glanced at Xin Wan beside him, a slight curve forming on his lips as he mimicked Xin Wan's tone, speaking softly: 'That could be arranged—'

Xin Wan's face lit up with joy, but the next second, he heard Ying Huai instantly switch back to his normal voice: 'But why is shixiong talking like a thief?'

Xin Wan panicked for a moment: 'Junior brother, keep your voice down—'

But before he could finish, he heard Lu Jing's slightly cold voice from behind: 'Where are you planning to take Xiao Huai?'

Xin Wan's expression stiffened for an instant.

He turned around and, unsurprisingly, saw Liang Shining, who had also silently walked over.

Xin Wan gave a stiff smile and whispered: '...That's the reason.'

Ying Huai gave him a look that was half-smile, half-skepticism.

'Shixiong Xin wants to take me out for a meal,' Ying Huai turned to look at the two behind him. 'Want to join?'

Lu Jing gave no clear answer. Liang Shining hesitated for a moment before speaking quietly: 'Your body...'

Ying Huai's expression paused.

The pain in his stomach was still clamoring incessantly. He truly wasn't hungry, but he also had absolutely no desire to go back to sleep.

Going back to sleep would only end with him either waking from a nightmare or being woken by stomach pain.

'I'm fine,' Ying Huai shook his head and said with a smile. 'I've rested enough just now.'

He waved at Su Yun, who was peeking curiously from not far away, not noticing the even darker expressions on the faces of the three around him.

·

Mindful of Ying Huai's condition, the group didn't go far, just finding a stir-fry restaurant nearby.

The restaurant was Ying Huai's choice. The place wasn't big, but it was lively, filled with the bustling sounds of conversation all around.

—Ying Huai inexplicably liked this kind of lively, everyday atmosphere.

He didn't need to speak to be immersed in the noise, as if he were part of it.

The others were somewhat worried about Ying Huai's health, but seeing his rare look of relaxation, they didn't say anything more.

Each of them had their own thoughts. Someone—no one knew who—suggested ordering a bottle of alcohol each.

Ying Huai, of course, couldn't drink.

He sat peacefully to the side, cradling a cup of hot tea, squinting as he watched Liang Shining, who was silently piling food onto his plate, and suddenly spoke lazily: 'You guys drink if you want, but don't drag Liang Shining into it.'

Liang Shining paused. Xin Wan, who had already had a few drinks and was looking somewhat dazed, turned in confusion: 'Why not, junior brother?'

Ying Huai held his teacup, half his face hidden behind the misty steam, only a hint of mischief audible in his tone: 'He gets drunk after one cup. I'm not responsible for carrying him back then.'

Lu Jing frowned, looking up somewhat puzzled.

—He distinctly remembered Liang Shining's alcohol tolerance...

But before Lu Jing could say anything, he heard Xin Wan beside him complain discontentedly: 'My alcohol tolerance isn't good either, junior brother. Why don't you look out for me?'

Ying Huai looked up at him, his eyes curving: 'He served me food.'

Xin Wan, who had been itching to do the same, instantly reached out with his chopsticks, but the next second, he heard Ying Huai speak leisurely: 'It's no use serving me now.'

He lowered his head to take a sip of tea, then lifted his eyelids to glance at Xin Wan, who was already looking woozy, a slight smile on his lips. 'His is a physical constitution thing. Your poor alcohol tolerance is just pure lack of skill.'

Xin Wan was taken aback, instantly indignant: 'How am I pure lack of skill? Liang Shining and I are about the same—'

As he spoke, he gritted his teeth and reached out to pull Liang Shining: 'I'm going to compete with him today. Why should...'

Before he could finish, he suddenly heard Ying Huai snort with laughter. 'Then how about you compete with me?'

Xin Wan was stunned, his drunkenness instantly clearing by half.

'No!' he said urgently. 'I was wrong, junior brother. Your health isn't good, you can't drink—'

Ying Huai leaned forward slightly, speaking carelessly: 'What about my health not being good?'

'It would be more interesting if someone with poor health still drinks you under the table.'

Xin Wan was left speechless.

Although Ying Huai's health was poor, his alcohol tolerance was surprisingly good.

Back before they debuted, when they sometimes went out drinking together on holidays, Ying Huai was always the last one sober, smiling as he drank them all under the table.

Xin Wan remembered one time he drank so much he couldn't get up the next day, and Ying Huai was still leaning against the doorway, smiling as he asked if they wanted to continue tomorrow.

It was a pity that after Ying Huai debuted, his health gradually deteriorated.

Xin Wan, who held deep misunderstandings about him at the time, never drank with him again until Ying Huai passed away.

—Now that they finally had the chance again, Ying Huai's body was already in this state.

The alcohol hit Xin Wan, and thinking of their past life, his eyes instantly reddened.

Ying Huai was taken aback, somewhat baffled: 'What are you doing? It's not that serious, is it?'

Xin Wan's mind was muddled. He half-knelt in front of Ying Huai, holding onto his knees, his voice tinged with a sob: 'Junior brother, I was wrong, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry...'

Ying Huai's expression stiffened for a moment; he almost kicked him away.

Lu Jing, his face dark, walked over and unhesitatingly hauled Xin Wan away.

Ying Huai sighed in relief and lazily settled back into his chair.

He had been tired all day and had held on for this long; he was growing drowsy again.

He didn't notice when he drifted off to sleep again, nor did he notice Liang Shining hesitating beside him before slowly picking up a bottle of alcohol.

Ying Huai, for once, didn't have any nightmares during this nap.

But when he woke up again, what he saw was Liang Shining beside him, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Liang Shining showed no reaction to him waking up, still staring at him unblinkingly.

Ying Huai was taken aback, abruptly frowning as he sat up straight.

'Which one of you forced alcohol on him?'

Xin Wan, already thoroughly drunk, heard Ying Huai's voice and let out an 'ow' sound, wanting to run over and cry at his feet again.

Lu Jing, his face dark, held the man back firmly, frowning as he spoke: 'None of us forced him.'

Su Yun, helping Lu Jing restrain Xin Wan, spoke softly: 'It seems Teacher Liang drank it himself... He looked a bit sad.'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, turning to look at the person beside him.

Liang Shining was still sitting quietly in place, his gaze silently following his movements, his eyes calm and gentle.

Ying Huai opened his mouth, but the reproaches on the tip of his tongue instantly became unspeakable.

He took a deep breath, lowered his head to send a message to Li Xiang, and said, 'I'll take him back first.'

As he spoke, he stood up. Watching the person who instantly stood up with him, he inexplicably felt like he was looking at a gentle, tail-wagging golden retriever.

Ying Huai closed his eyes, unable to suppress a slight curve of his lips.

—Probably only when drunk would Liang Shining not dislike him.

Ying Huai turned to look at the entangled trio beside him, hesitated for a moment, then turned to Su Yun: 'Keep an eye on them for me. Don't let those two drink themselves to death.'

He paused, then added thoughtfully: 'If they start fighting, make sure to record it for me.'

·

Ying Huai walked with his head down, following Liang Shining as they shuffled back, when he suddenly felt the person in front of him stop.

Ying Huai couldn't react in time. Taken aback, he bumped straight into Liang Shining's back.

'Tsk—'

Ying Huai's nose instantly stung.

He immediately covered his nose, looking up with a muffled voice: 'What are you doing, Liang Shining?'

Liang Shining didn't answer.

He turned around and stared quietly at the person in front of him.

Ying Huai's eyes were red from the pain.

Taking advantage of Liang Shining being drunk and unlikely to remember, he allowed himself a rare moment of relaxation.

He tilted his head back slightly and spoke in a complaining tone: 'If you bump into me and hurt me, you have to rub it for me, you know? Hurry up—'

Before he could finish, the next second, he heard Liang Shining mutter: 'No rubbing.'

Ying Huai was taken aback.

He inexplicably heard a note of resentment in Liang Shining's voice.

Ying Huai's first reaction wasn't surprise but amusement: 'Why not?'

He watched as Liang Shining stayed silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking in a low voice: 'Why didn't you pat my head?'

'What?' Ying Huai looked up, baffled.

Before he could finish, he suddenly saw Liang Shining take a piece of Mint Chocolate from his pocket and carefully place it in Ying Huai's hand.

'You said thank you to Su Yun and patted his head,' Liang Shining said quietly.

'Why didn't I get one?'

For a moment, Ying Huai couldn't believe what he was hearing.

It took him two seconds to process, leaving him both exasperated and amused.

'How old are you, Liang Shining? Why are you comparing yourself to a kid?'

Liang Shining insisted stubbornly: 'I'm younger than shifu too. By three years.'

Ying Huai: .......

—He shouldn't have brought up age.

Ying Huai took a deep breath, deciding not to argue with a drunk.

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised his hand and gently patted Liang Shining's head.

Liang Shining's hair felt different from Su Yun's. The strands were somewhat stiff, carrying the dampness of having just been washed, and were inexplicably pleasant to touch.

Ying Huai lowered his hand thoughtfully, but the next second, he heard Liang Shining say calmly: 'One more time.'

Ying Huai was stunned, momentarily torn between laughter and tears.

'Alright, alright. One pat per piece of chocolate, is that it?'

Amused, he ruffled Liang Shining's hair again.

But the next second, he saw the person in front of him light up, pulling out a whole handful of Mint Chocolate from his pocket and holding it in his palms.

Ying Huai: ?

'Shifu, you said it yourself just now. One pat per piece of chocolate,' Liang Shining said seriously. 'I have a lot more.'

Ying Huai: ........

—He reasonably suspected that if he really accepted that handful of chocolate, Liang Shining's hairstylist tomorrow would come after him.

He was directly infuriated into laughter: 'Liang Shining, don't push your luck, you...'

The evening wind had grown chilly. Before Ying Huai could finish his sentence, he choked on a gust of wind and instantly coughed, muffled.

The next second, Ying Huai felt a strong force on his back. He stumbled, lost his balance, and his nose bridge collided with Liang Shining's chest once more.

This time, Ying Huai was really knocked to the point of tears.

'Liang Shining, you—'

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt warmth at the tip of his nose, followed by a warm breath coming from above his head.

Liang Shining lowered his head, his thumb gently rubbing, his eyes downcast as he carefully blew on Ying Huai's slightly reddened nose bridge.

The tips of Ying Huai's ears instantly turned red.

He instinctively reached out to push the person away, but the next second, he heard a stiff voice from behind.

'What are you two doing?'

Lu Jing looked at the two in front of him with a slightly cold expression, his hand at his side slowly clenching into a fist.

Ying Huai opened his mouth soundlessly.

The muddled Xin Wan looked up at the two in front of him, his expression confused for a moment before suddenly letting out an 'ow' of a shout.

'Junior brother! You can't kiss him!'

Ying Huai: ........

Li Xiang, who had rushed over after receiving the message, looked up in disbelief. Ying Huai took a deep breath.

—Careless.

Ying Huai thought expressionlessly.

—Why didn't he drink himself to death earlier?