High Fever

Ying Huai blankly raised his head; Ying Father was stunned for a moment too.

"Wh-what did you say?"

Ying Father's face turned ashen, and he stepped forward.

Liang Mu frowned. She had been about to say something, but suddenly noticed Ying Huai's expression.

Ying Huai's face was pale, his whole body trembling uncontrollably, his expression dazed.

But he didn't seem to want anyone nearby to notice something was wrong. Feeling Liang Mu's gaze, he lifted his head slightly and curved his lips at her.

Liang Mu's heart ached almost to madness.

She slowly calmed herself now. Looking at Ying Father's expression, she took a deep breath, turned back around, and patted Ying Huai's shoulder to signal him to sit back down.

Ying Huai was still in a daze, unable to fully collect himself. Liang Shi Ning stepped forward, gently took his hand, and slowly guided him back.

"I wasn't calm just now. I'm Shi Ning's mother. Xiao Huai and Shi Ning are close, and in my eyes, he's just like my own son."

After all, the person across from her was Ying Huai's father.

Liang Mu looked at Ying Father's twisted expression, afraid that if she left he'd take all his anger out on Ying Huai, and finally calmed down enough to explain.

"Xiao Huai is an excellent child. I hope you can get to know him better instead of blindly rejecting him. If you want him to carry on tradition, I've heard some of the songs Xiao Huai has composed, and many of them..."

Before she could finish, Ying Father cut her off without hesitation with a cold laugh.

"How could I not understand my own son?"

Ying Father straightened up slightly and said coldly: "Our Ying Family's learning runs deep. Even though we went into business, we've always been clean and upright. Whatever Ying Huai has done, it's all rebellion against the classics, all beneath notice..."

Liang Mu couldn't stand Ying Father's lofty, superior manner. She frowned: "My son also entered the entertainment industry, and I've never thought..."

"We're different from you."

"Our Ying Family has been a scholarly household for generations. Even in business, we belong to the upper ranks," Ying Father's tone became inexplicably proud. "Yet he insists on doing these low-brow things..."

"Anyone can stuff rue grass in books to keep insects away," Liang Mu could no longer stand it. "Can you stop applying your rotten standards to modern times? Is your understanding of a scholarly family really this shallow?"

Liang Mu herself came from a family of calligraphy and painting, but her family had always been open-minded since childhood, and the Liang father she married later, though a businessman, was broad-minded and optimistic.

In all her life, Liang Mu had never met someone so pedantic yet so utterly convinced of their own righteousness.

A flash of anger crossed Ying Father's face: "What did you say?"

"The Qing Dynasty died a long time ago, alright? Stop pressuring people with your scholarly family act. If you really think your family needs to pass down ink and brush traditions, then why did you choose to go into business later?" Liang Mu said with a frown.

Ying Father snorted: "So what if we went into business? Our family has always carried the fragrance of ink. And no matter what, it's still better than going into the arts—"

"I never said there was anything wrong with you going into business," Liang Mu crossed her arms and mimicked Ying Father's cold laugh from earlier. "But your hypocrisy is very much a problem."

"My family is a household of calligraphy and painting. I love it, so I've spent my whole life studying it. By that logic, I'd have more right than you to demand my son truly carry on the scholarly tradition, wouldn't I?"

Ying Father frowned when he heard Liang Mu say "calligraphy and painting," but before he could respond, Liang Mu continued, each word deliberate: "But I won't."

"I've never opposed my son doing what he loves." Liang Mu lifted her chin slightly. "As long as he can be happy and safe."

Ying Father's face alternated between green and white.

"Ying Huai is bringing shame on the Ying Family. Whether those scandals are true or false, they no longer involve just himself..."

"Then go help him." Liang Mu cut off everything Ying Father was about to say with a single sentence.

Ying Father's expression froze.

"If you think it's wrong, then help fix it instead of just complaining here with empty words," Liang Mu said, frowning. "Isn't Xiao Huai your son?"

"That's the path he chose himself. I'm tempering him." Ying Father's tone was hard.

"Since he's left the Ying Family, he should know what he'll face. Once he's suffered enough and knows his mistake, and returns to the Ying Family, I naturally will..."

"Will my ass." Liang Mu finally couldn't maintain her "gentle" side.

She could hardly believe what she'd just heard.

She grabbed Ying Huai's hand, her brow furrowing at the same time.

Ying Huai's fingertips were ice-cold. When she took his hand, his fingers trembled slightly, but seeing Liang Mu's gaze, he still curved his eyes and smiled at her.

Liang Mu's heart ached almost to madness.

She took a deep breath and, pulling Ying Huai along, started to head straight for the door: "If you don't want Xiao Huai, my family does. Go back and keep your feudal customs to yourself—"

"Stop!" Ying Father gritted his teeth. "What right do you have to take my son—"

Ying Father gripped his Cane and tried to step forward, but Liang Shi Ning stepped directly in front of Ying Huai. Suddenly he felt someone lightly pull his arm back.

"I heard from gege that Father's been wanting to establish ties with the Ancient Calligraphy Research Association lately," Ying Huai suddenly said softly. "Are you sure you want to do that, Father?"

Ying Father didn't react for a moment: "What do you mean—"

Before he could finish, he suddenly recalled what Liang Mu had said about "calligraphy and painting," and his expression stiffened instantly.

Ying Huai, who knew Ying Father's temperament well, raised his head and smiled slightly: "This is my disciple's home. I'm a bit tired, so I won't see you out."

He bowed slightly to Ying Father: "Take care on your way, Father."

A flash of disbelief crossed Ying Father's face: "You're throwing me out?"

Ying Huai neither confirmed nor denied, simply curving his eyes at him.

Ying Father's face turned ashen.

He looked like he wanted to say more, but seeing Liang Mu's guarded expression beside him, he gritted his teeth and slowly turned around.

But after a few steps, he suddenly spoke again in a low voice: "You must return to the Ying Family, Ying Huai."

Ying Father turned his head slightly, his grip on the Cane tightening bit by bit: "I won't give up."

Ying Huai's face was paper-white.

But looking at Ying Father, he merely curved his lips calmly as before: "Take care on your way, Father."

·

The room finally fell quiet. Ying Huai stood where he was, head lowered, face pale, saying nothing.

Liang Mu was somewhat at a loss. She hesitated, then asked softly with concern: "Xiao Huai, are you okay..."

Ying Huai's body trembled slightly.

As if just coming back to himself, he raised his head and instinctively smiled at Liang Mu: "I'm fine, Auntie."

Liang Mu looked at Ying Huai, hesitated, then said quietly: "That Ancient Calligraphy Research Association you mentioned just now—I didn't know about it. Is it really okay..."

"It's fine." Ying Huai raised his head, a flash of mischief in his peach-blossom eyes. "I made it up entirely."

Ying Father prided himself on being from a scholarly family, but once he reached adulthood he devoted himself entirely to business. His understanding of antiques, calligraphy, and painting gradually faded, yet fearing outside criticism, he'd been working hard to maintain contact with various experts in the traditional cultural world, striving to preserve his family's respectable image both inside and out.

Liang Mu was startled for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"I'm sorry my father said those things to you just now," Ying Huai closed his eyes briefly and said softly. "I wasn't deliberately trying to use your name earlier. I was just worried my father might... ahem—"

Before he could finish, his breath suddenly hitched and he broke into a muffled coughing fit.

Liang Mu was at a loss for a moment. Liang Shi Ning quickly stepped forward, about to grab medicine from the side, but saw that the person in front of him had already steadied himself against the wall, subtly avoiding Liang Shi Ning's hand.

"I'm fine," Ying Huai raised his head, looked at Liang Shi Ning's tense expression, and said with a hint of amusement: "I just choked a little. Mr. Liang doesn't need to be so nervous."

But Liang Shi Ning always felt something was off with Ying Huai's condition.

He opened his mouth to say something, but saw Ying Huai turn around on his own and head upstairs.

"What are you doing?" Liang Shi Ning stepped forward and grabbed Ying Huai's wrist.

"Going upstairs to take medicine," Ying Huai turned his head and said casually. "It's time for medicine. When Song Si Lan gets back later, is Mr. Liang planning to explain to him why I didn't take it?"

Liang Shi Ning frowned.

Ying Huai had always delayed taking medicine as long as possible in the past, basically never bringing it up on his own.

"Mr. Liang stay here and keep Auntie company. I'll go up for a bit and come right back..."

Before Ying Huai could finish, he suddenly felt his body grow light, and the next moment Liang Shi Ning had lifted him horizontally into his arms and was walking straight upstairs.

Ying Huai was stunned. The tips of his ears instantly flushed red. "Auntie's still right here. Put me down, Liang Shi Ning—"

Before he could finish, he heard Liang Mu behind him give a soft "oh," quickly turning slightly to the side: "It's fine, you two go ahead, don't mind me. Just pretend I'm not here."

Though she said that, she still glanced over this way, even gradually revealing a satisfied expression.

Ying Huai: ???

He felt his face heating up uncontrollably.

He was already dizzy, and for a moment didn't know how to react.

By the time he came back to himself, Liang Shi Ning had already carried him to the bedroom door.

Ying Huai's expression changed subtly.

He suddenly reached out to grip the doorframe, and his body immediately began to sink.

Liang Shi Ning was startled.

Afraid of hurting Ying Huai, he didn't dare forcibly hold him again. He could only crouch slightly, quickly reaching out to steady him.

"What are you doing, Ying Huai—" Liang Shi Ning gritted his teeth.

But Ying Huai no longer had the strength to answer.

He pressed a hand to his chest, caught his breath, then suddenly reached out directly to close the door.

But the next moment, Liang Shi Ning reached out directly, putting his hand in the doorframe to block it.

Ying Huai was startled.

His hand instinctively loosened its grip, and the next moment Liang Shi Ning suddenly applied force and squeezed his way in.

"Don't you want your hand anymore, Liang Shi Ning—" Ying Huai choked on his anger, frowning as he began to cough.

Before he could finish, a pair of hands naturally reached out to support him.

Liang Shi Ning slowly ran his hand along the man's back and said quietly: "Shifu doesn't usually take medicine on his own."

Black fog washed over Ying Huai's vision in waves. It took him a few seconds to register what Liang Shi Ning had said, and he instinctively retorted: "I don't—"

"Only when it's so bad you can't hold on anymore do you use medicine as a last resort to keep going."

Ying Huai's expression shifted.

He had just opened his mouth to say something when he felt several pills quickly slipped under his tongue.

The familiar taste of medicine spread rapidly through his mouth. Ying Huai covered his lips and gagged dryly, his face quickly going pale.

He heard Liang Shi Ning say quietly: "Shifu can tell me when he's not feeling well."

"You don't have to be alone anymore."

Ying Huai's fingers gripping Liang Shi Ning's arm suddenly tightened.

Unable to hold back any longer, he stumbled pushing Liang Shi Ning away and rushed to the nearby bathroom, where he vomited violently.

Liang Shi Ning closed his eyes briefly and exhaled silently.

·

Ying Huai vomited until the world spun, bringing up every bit of food and medicine he'd just taken.

The faint color that had just returned to his face quickly faded. He clutched at the fabric over his chest, vomited for a while, and then his body began to slump unconsciously, as if a sudden wave of pain had hit its peak.

In his haze, Ying Huai felt himself being held securely by Liang Shi Ning.

Liang Shi Ning settled him sitting on his lap, letting Ying Huai lean against his shoulder, and slowly stroked his back.

Ying Huai's pulse was rapid and irregular, making Liang Shi Ning frown repeatedly.

Ying Huai was still feeling waves of discomfort.

Waves of physiological nausea kept surging up. Ying Huai pressed a hand over his lips and held on for two seconds, but finally couldn't resist struggling again, trying to push Liang Shi Ning away.

But he had no strength left in his body. The moment he sat up straight, he swayed unsteadily and began to slump down.

"It's okay."

In his daze, he felt Liang Shi Ning pull him back into his arms and say softly, "If you feel sick, just let it out. It's okay."

Ying Huai's body trembled.

He tensed up for a few seconds, then suddenly vomited up a few mouthfuls of sour liquid, and his body went limp again.

"I don't want to go back..." Ying Huai clutched the sleeve at Liang Shi Ning's shoulder, speaking incoherently.

"What right does he have to say that? I only..."

Ying Father's words kept echoing in his ears. Ying Huai was in a fog, his whole body exhausted to the extreme, with no strength to break free at all.

In his haze, he felt a slightly low voice coming from beside his ear, repeating over and over.

"It's over now. Nothing bad will happen anymore."

"You did nothing wrong, Shifu," Liang Shi Ning patted Ying Huai's back in a steady rhythm and said softly, "This isn't your fault."

The person in his arms seemed to be gradually soothed. His voice grew quieter, and after a while, the fingers clutching Liang Shi Ning's clothes loosened weakly and slowly fell away.

Liang Shi Ning sat quietly holding Ying Huai for a long time, until he confirmed that Ying Huai's heartbeat had gradually steadied, before slowly standing up.

·

Ying Qi arrived in a hurry not long after Ying Huai had fallen asleep.

He watched Liang Shi Ning gently close the door to Ying Huai's room and let out a silent breath.

"Father suddenly pulled me to the branch office today to check some data. I only learned about this after I got back."

Ying Qi said quietly.

Liang Shi Ning said nothing.

He stared at the sleeping person in the room, then suddenly asked quietly, "Has Ying Huai been through something?"

Ying Huai was stubborn by nature, but soft-hearted. Logically speaking, he shouldn't have fallen out with Ying Father to this extent.

A flicker of sadness crossed Ying Qi's expression.

"It's because of... his mother." Ying Qi said quietly.

Liang Shi Ning was taken aback.

He knew that Ying Qi and Ying Huai had the same father but different mothers.

Ying Qi's mother and Ying Father had been in an arranged business marriage. Not long after Ying Qi was born, they ultimately divorced.

Ying Father later married Ying Huai's mother, but after she gave birth to Ying Huai, she also passed away when he was in his early teens.

Ying Qi didn't seem to want to continue the topic, and Liang Shi Ning didn't press further.

The hallway fell quiet for a few seconds. Ying Qi stared at the door for a moment, then suddenly stepped back and gave Liang Shi Ning a slight bow: "On behalf of Xiao Huai, thank you, Teacher Liang."

Liang Shi Ning was startled.

He reached out to steady him, but saw Ying Qi press down on his arm and shake his head slightly at him.

"Teacher Liang probably doesn't realize what he's accomplished." Ying Qi gave Liang Shi Ning a gentle smile.

"Every time Xiao Huai was upset or feeling unwell before, he always liked to lock himself in his room, and only come out acting as if nothing had happened once he'd adjusted on his own... or endured through it."

"I used to try to correct this habit of his, but because of how Father raised him from a young age, it never had much effect."

Ying Qi slowly straightened up, his expression somewhere between sadness and relief, and smiled gently: "So Xiao Huai is really... different with Teacher Liang."

Liang Shi Ning was taken aback.

After a long moment, he suddenly said quietly, "I also forced my way in. I'm not..."

Ying Qi shook his head.

He glanced into the room, his voice gaining a touch of sadness: "Since childhood, I've tried countless methods, but Xiao Huai always just smiled and pretended nothing was wrong. Until one time he almost passed out from a fever in his room, and seeing that I was genuinely angry, he finally relented a little. But even then, he would only tell me when he was truly unwell."

Ying Qi smiled helplessly and let out a soft sigh.

"Our family's situation is somewhat complicated. It's what made Xiao Huai develop this temperament from childhood."

"But Xiao Huai is already trying... to trust you, little by little." Ying Qi looked up and said warmly.

"Could Teacher Liang... wait for him?"

Liang Shi Ning was silent for a long moment, then slowly nodded.

Ying Qi let out a silent breath of relief.

He suddenly thought of something else, looked up at Liang Shi Ning, and said quietly, "I've already found out some things about the Ying Family's situation."

"I'll handle it."

·

That night, Ying Huai predictably came down with another high fever.

He was delirious with fever, rambling nonsense.

But most of the time he was curled up in Liang Shi Ning's arms, biting his lip hard, breathing rapidly and silently.

His whole body kept trembling, and only in Liang Shi Ning's arms would he feel slightly better.

Liang Shi Ning kept holding him and soothing him.

Song Si Lan couldn't stand watching anymore later and wanted to give Ying Huai a sedative injection, but was refused by Liang Shi Ning.

He held Ying Huai and patiently responded to the fevered ramblings over and over.

By dawn, the person in his arms had finally gradually calmed down.

Ying Qi beside him finally breathed a sigh of relief. He started to suggest Liang Shi Ning go rest, but saw the person sitting by the bed only gently raise a hand to wipe away a barely noticeable trace of moisture at the corner of Ying Huai's eye.

Ying Qi was startled, and belatedly began to vaguely realize something.

·

Ying Huai lay obediently in bed for two days before finally being allowed to get up.

The Charity Song he had previously composed for the visually impaired had been mostly revised. Having finally found time these past few days, he headed to the recording studio nonstop once his illness had passed, ready to re-record the pre-demo.

He already had a conceptual direction for the piece. He hoped to collect as many different human voices as possible at the opening, using them to simulate the diversity of the world as perceived by visually impaired people.

Since it was a non-profit Charity Song, Ying Huai posted on a well-known Anonymous Music Forum in the industry, calling for volunteer participants.

An industry professional, after hearing a short segment of the demo, expressed great approval of the song and expressed hope to participate in the subsequent arrangement and lyric-writing.

Ying Huai was initially somewhat hesitant, but when that person heard he was going to pre-record the demo today, they immediately said they could come along, hoping Ying Huai could decide on collaboration once they met in person.

And clearly stated that even if Ying Huai declined the collaboration, they would still help record the opening.

Ying Huai figured he wasn't really losing anything, and ultimately agreed.

This recording studio was one Ying Huai usually liked to go to—few people, quiet, high privacy, and well-equipped.

But the moment he walked in, he heard a familiar voice.

"I clearly already booked the studio. What do you mean you got it mixed up?"

Su Xin stood at the door with a cold expression.

The studio owner, sweating profusely, could only keep explaining: "I'm sorry, we accidentally overlapped your booking time with another person's. But all our recording rooms are fully booked today. Could you possibly come another day? As compensation, we'll cover your recording fees for this session..."

Ying Huai glanced at his own booking time and raised an eyebrow.

He belatedly realized that the person whose booking had coincidentally clashed with Su Xin's was himself.

"No." Inside the room, Su Xin refused impatiently.

"I'm here to collaborate on a pre-demo with someone. It took me forever to arrange this."

Ying Huai's hand paused mid-push on the door. He vaguely felt he had stumbled into yet another coincidence.

—This is bad.

Ying Huai let out a silent sigh.

—It can't really be this coincidental, can it?

On the other side, Su Xin directly picked up the booking list: "Who is the other person? Tell him to—"

"Shixiong?"

Before Su Xin could finish speaking, a smiling voice suddenly came from the doorway.

Su Xin was startled. He turned around and saw Ying Huai leaning against the door, greeting him with a bright smile.

Su Xin's face instantly darkened: "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to record a new song demo."

Ying Huai tilted his chin up slightly, his gaze falling on the booking board Su Xin was holding.

Su Xin was taken aback.

He instantly realized something and laughed mockingly: "So Shidi Ying actually writes his own songs too?"

"I thought Shidi Ying only knew how to steal songs—like how he stole our Debut Track when we debuted and flew off into the distance."

At the time, the company had given them several Debut Tracks to choose from. Su Xin had been most satisfied with that particular one, and had even wanted to buy the rights and re-arrange it himself to better suit all the team members. He hadn't expected Ying Huai to snatch it away in the end.

Ying Huai narrowed his eyes and looked at Su Xin without speaking.

It was almost time for his appointment with that person. Su Xin took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart.

He looked at Ying Huai and laughed coldly: "I think Shidi Ying should just give me this studio today. A thief shouldn't be fighting the original owner for it again, right?"

Su Xin had prepared himself for Ying Huai to refuse, but hadn't expected Ying Huai to nod without hesitation.

"Sure."

Su Xin was startled, watching Ying Huai turn around and walk straight outside.

Su Xin frowned. Watching Ying Huai's retreating figure, his heart suddenly ached for no reason.

He instinctively wanted to stop him.

But it was already time for the appointment with that person. Su Xin took a deep breath, ultimately set the matter aside, and pulled out his phone to call that person.

The call was quickly answered. Su Xin hurriedly said: "Hello, I've already arrived at the studio. Where are you—"

"I probably can't record today." A lazy voice came from the other end.

Su Xin was startled, his expression instantly changing.

"Why?" Su Xin asked anxiously, "Do you have some emergency? I can wait for you. I really want to collaborate with you—"

"There is indeed an emergency." That person on the other end laughed lightly.

The door behind him was pushed open again, but Su Xin had no attention to spare for it.

Until Ying Huai's smiling voice came from behind him and from the phone simultaneously.

"Mainly because, Shixiong, you snatched my recording studio away."

Su Xin suddenly turned around.

He looked at the person unhurriedly hanging up the phone, and his face instantly changed.

He listened as Ying Huai said casually: "Shixiong said this emergency—how should it be handled?"