Cohabitation

Ying's father's face stiffened.

Mu Heguang stood with arms folded, looking leisurely at Ying's father before him, then winked and made faces at Ying Huai in a triumphant manner.

Ying Huai gradually understood what was happening. Looking at the old imp before him, he couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.

Ying's father took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm: "I don't think I understood what Teacher Mu just said."

He forced a smile: "You mean my son........"

"Your son is my student," Mu Heguang cheerfully repeated for him, "and far more outstanding than you."

Ying's father's face turned livid.

He realized Mu Heguang was definitely doing this to stand up for Ying Huai.

Ying's father gritted his teeth, still unwilling to give up this opportunity that was within reach.

He took a deep breath, made an apologetic gesture toward Mu Heguang, then suddenly turned his back and pulled Ying Huai aside: "Later, tell Mu Heguang to transfer the collaboration with you into one with Ying Corporation."

Ying Huai's peach blossom eyes flickered. He said nothing, only raised his head with great interest to look at the man before him.

Ying's father remained oblivious, his mind full of his well-laid plans: "You're a son of the Ying Family. This collaboration isn't just for you, it's for the entire Ying Corporation. The Ying Corporation carefully raised you. You've contributed nothing to the Ying Corporation all these years—this is what you owe the Ying Corporation."

Ying Huai truly hadn't imagined there could be someone as shameless as Ying's father in the world, and was amused for a moment.

"What are you laughing at?" Ying's father's face couldn't quite hold it, and he gritted his teeth: "Didn't you hear what I said clearly?"

"Of course I heard it clearly, that's why I'm laughing," Ying Huai covered his lips and coughed lightly twice, then raised his head with a half-smile: "I'm laughing because Father truly is a master at twisting concepts."

"I haven't contributed anything to the Ying Corporation—has the Ying Corporation cared about whether I lived or died all these years?"

"You—" Ying's father choked with rage.

He couldn't help but burst out angrily: "Do you think Mu Heguang is willing to collaborate with you because of you as a person? It's only because you're a son of the Ying Family that he's giving you this chance—"

Before he could finish, the next second, he suddenly saw Ying Huai stumble backward, and Mu Heguang immediately stepped in front of Ying Huai.

"Sorry, although I'm old, my ears still work well. I happened to hear every word of the conversation between President Ying and Xiao Huai just now."

Mu Heguang pulled Ying Huai behind him, glanced with a look of mild reproach at Ying Huai's slender wrist, and shielded him further behind himself.

"I collaborate with Ying Huai only because he is Ying Huai."

Mu Heguang said slowly: "My only student."

Color drained from and then flooded back into Ying's father's face. He forced a smile: "Sorry, sorry. These past few years the younger generation has all been out making their own way, so I don't know much about their affairs. It was just a momentary misunderstanding."

Ying's father forced out a kindly smile: "I wasn't trying to take Ying Huai's collaboration with you. Just think—my son is your student, so couldn't we just expand the scope of the collaboration a little?"

He picked up two glasses of wine from the side and handed one to Mu Heguang: "I've thought it through. Your collaboration with my son is equivalent to a collaboration with our Ying Corporation. We will give our full support—"

But Mu Heguang did not take the glass from Ying's father.

He folded his arms, looked Ying's father up and down for a few seconds, then said unhurriedly: "President Ying, you're not that old—you shouldn't be as shameless as an old man like me."

Ying's father was stunned for a moment, and his face instantly darkened.

"Teacher Mu, you—"

"I only acknowledge Ying Huai as a person, not some damned Ying Corporation." Mu Heguang unhurriedly cut him off directly.

He pulled Ying Huai and walked straight back, then suddenly thought of something and turned around again.

"Speaking of which, I'm really curious—how can a father who claims to have 'carefully raised' his son not even know who his son's teacher is?"

Ying's father's expression twisted. Mu Heguang gave a light snort, took Ying Huai's arm, and ambled off as if taking a leisurely stroll.

·

The cold wind Ying Huai had been exposed to earlier had not yet fully faded, and now he began coughing softly again.

Mu Heguang's heart ached terribly. He brought Ying Huai back inside, intending to let him rest a while longer before taking him home.

"Look at you, how old are you? Your body's like it's made of paper—not even as good as this old man's."

Mu Heguang produced a cup of ginger tea from somewhere, nagging as he pressed it into Ying Huai's hands.

Ying Huai coughed until his face went pale. He rubbed the cup of ginger tea in his hands, looked up, and curved his lips slightly: "Teacher has always been strong and healthy."

"Cut it out, don't be glib with me........" Mu Heguang laughed and scolded, but the worry in his expression could not be hidden.

From the moment Ying Huai had come back, Mu Heguang had realized something was off about his condition. Apart from his much-weakened body, the whole person seemed to be barely holding on by sheer will.

The more Ying Huai pretended nothing was wrong, the more alarmed Mu Heguang became.

Ying Huai had no idea what his teacher was thinking.

The burning heat of the ginger tea made his fingertips tremble, but once it reached his stomach, it felt as if a great stone had been pressed down there, weighing heavily and unbearably uncomfortable.

Ying Huai endured for a moment, but finally couldn't bear it any longer. He suddenly turned his head to the side, covering his mouth as he dry-heaved.

Mu Heguang was startled by Ying Huai's reaction.

He had never encountered this situation before and was flustering, trying to help, but the next second, a hand from beside them suddenly reached out and steadily caught Ying Huai.

"It's okay, don't hold it in, let it out." Liang Shining shielded Ying Huai entirely in his arms and said in a low voice.

Ying Huai covered his lips and shook his head.

"I'm fine....... just coughed too long, feeling a bit nauseous."

Ying Huai raised his head, glanced at Liang Shining, and sighed with a half-smile: "How is it you can find me anywhere, Liang Shining?"

Liang Shining frowned. He said nothing, popped a lung-clearing candy pill that Song Si Lan had found from who knows where into Ying Huai's mouth, and slowly soothed his chest.

He was coughing so hard he could barely catch his breath, and happened to half-lean into Liang Shining's arms, letting the man steadily help him sit on the sofa.

The next second, a slightly odd voice came from beside them.

"Xiao Huai, this is........"

Ying Huai had been dizzy from coughing just now, and finally remembered this matter.

He had just opened his mouth to say something when he heard the person behind him gently pat his back, signaling him to talk less, and spoke first in a low voice: "Hello, Teacher Mu. My name is Liang Shining, and I am Ying Huai's student."

Mu Heguang nodded oddly, his expression somewhat hesitant: "Really....... just Xiao Huai's student?"

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, raised his head in some puzzlement, and blinked lightly.

Liang Shining, with his arm around Ying Huai from behind, gave Mu Heguang a slight nod: "Yes, just Shifu's student. I've long admired Teacher Mu's great reputation. The student is deeply honored."

Mu Heguang narrowed his eyes.

He had been in retirement for many years. Anyone outside the classical music and composition circles basically knew nothing about him, let alone an outsider young man like Liang Shining.

Mu Heguang worried that Liang Shining might be another one of Ying's father's type.

He stared at Liang Shining, slowly folding his arms: "Long admired my reputation? Then tell me what exactly you've long admired."

"Teacher Mu is a leading figure in classical music, but in recent years he has been advocating the integration of classical and popular music—taking the essence and discarding the dross—so that more young people can appreciate the charm of classical music."

Mu Heguang laughed: "All of that is written on Baidu. Young man, you can't use Baidu to fool an old man like me."

Ying Huai was somewhat puzzled. He looked up at Mu Heguang. Liang Shining paused, said nothing, and continued speaking in a low voice.

"You are Shifu's teacher. You met after a....... sparring session with Shifu at a composition competition. Several of Shifu's earlier works should have had your supervision."

Mu Heguang's expression froze for a moment, and Ying Huai also raised his head in some surprise.

He had indeed let Mu Heguang review a few of his earlier songs, but Mu Heguang had already retired at the time and didn't want anyone else to bother him, so Ying Huai had only thanked him anonymously at the beginning of each song.

He rarely mentioned this to anyone. Ying Huai instinctively wanted to ask, but heard Mu Heguang speak first: "How do you know about the songs?"

Liang Shining said in a low voice: "Your compositional style, like Shifu's, is very distinctive. I've listened to Shifu's songs many times, and I can sense the traces of your revisions."

Mu Heguang stared at Liang Shining for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Xiao Huai, your little student is fun. You and I were nearly coming to blows at the composition competition, and he can still call it a 'sparring session.'"

"Not bad. This student of yours treats you well. I'm quite at ease."

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment. The doubts in his heart gradually faded. He exhaled silently and smiled with curved eyes.

"Of course—would he be my student otherwise?"

The moment his words fell, sharp-eyed Mu Heguang immediately saw that the young man, who had been behaving with neither servility nor arrogance, suddenly flushed red.

Something seemed to dawn on Mu Heguang. He laughed cheerfully: "Alright, you've rested enough, haven't you? Hurry back with your little student."

Ying Huai was stunned.

"Teacher, didn't you just tell me to go with you—"

"Tch, what would I compete with you youngsters for?" Mu Heguang waved his hand cheerfully. "Send me the piece. I'll listen to it at home, and you can come find me in a couple of days."

He glared at Ying Huai as he spoke: "Otherwise you'll end up not coming to see this old man for ages."

Ying Huai couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.

He braced himself against the sofa, wanting to stand and see Mu Heguang out, but saw the old man give him another warning glare, amble out a couple of steps, then suddenly think of something and turn back cheerfully.

"Speaking of which, Xiao Huai, you're not exactly young anymore this year. It's time to find a partner."

Mu Heguang looked meaningfully at Liang Shining and said slowly: "I think Xiao Liang........"

Before he could finish, he heard Ying Huai suddenly laugh.

"What are you saying, Teacher?"

"With my physical condition, wouldn't finding someone just be a burden? Any day now I might just......"

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt Liang Shining's arm around him tighten abruptly.

Ying Huai gave a soft hiss and turned back in some bewilderment: "What are you doing?"

Liang Shining stared at the person before him with a dark expression, saying nothing.

·

In the end, this conversation concluded with Mu Heguang nagging Ying Huai for another five minutes about not talking nonsense.

Mu Heguang looked as though he wanted to say more, but seeing the fatigue Ying Huai couldn't quite hide on his face, he took a deep breath and decided to save what remained for later.

Mu Heguang finally departed with Ying Huai's new piece and admonished him to come find him within three days.

Ying Huai exhaled silently and decided to delay until the third evening before going to find him.

He had just broken out in a cold sweat from coughing, and now that the sweat was drying, his whole body felt sticky and uncomfortable.

Ying Huai knew Liang Shining had a mild case of mysophobia.

He hesitated for a moment, his body squirming slightly, and said in a low voice: "I'll sit on my own. I just broke out in a sweat—don't get it on you........"

As he spoke, he shifted a little to the side. The warmth around him vanished in an instant, and Ying Huai unconsciously shivered.

The next second, Ying Huai felt his waist tighten abruptly. His center of gravity wavered for a moment, and he instinctively let out an "ai" before his whole body tumbled straight into Liang Shining's arms.

Ying Huai: ........

"If you want to go back with a fever, then sit on your own." Liang Shining said in a low voice.

Ying Huai couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.

"My body's not that weak—could you stop spreading rumors here........"

As he spoke, he turned his head, but his voice suddenly trailed off.

Liang Shining's face was dark, his gaze fixed intently on him—he was clearly angry.

Ying Huai was stunned.

He said, somewhat at a loss: 'Why are you angry? I was just worried about your germaphobia....'

'Shifu, why did you say that just now.' Liang Shining cut him off in a low voice.

Ying Huai froze.

After a moment, he realized something and looked up, baffled: 'You're angry just because of this?'

Liang Shining watched Ying Huai's careless expression, his eyes darkening further.

Ying Huai sighed.

'Fine, fine, fine, I was wrong, okay? I shouldn't have spoken carelessly.' Ying Huai smiled, his eyes curving, trying to coax him.

'In a while I'll find you a shiniang.... Hiss.'

A great force at his waist came again. Ying Huai looked up, bewildered, and saw the faintly bloodshot eyes of Liang Shining.

Ying Huai's expression froze for a moment.

He listened as Liang Shining spoke, each word deliberate: '....But Shifu doesn't think that way in his heart.'

Ying Huai was silent for two seconds. The smile at the corner of his lips slowly faded.

He closed his eyes briefly, then finally nodded lightly: 'Yes.'

'You have to admit, what I said is fact, Liang Shining.' Ying Huai's peach-blossom eyes flickered slightly as he let out a soft breath.

'No one will ever like me, and I don't deserve to like anyone.'

The person behind him caught his breath.

Ying Huai raised his eyes and gave Liang Shining a small smile: 'It's enough for me to finish what I want to do.'

The words made Liang Shining's heart panic inexplicably. He suddenly grabbed Ying Huai's wrist.

He watched Ying Huai look up in confusion, forcibly suppressing the panic in his heart.

He was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said in a low voice: 'Who says no one likes Shifu?'

Ying Huai was stunned.

He watched Liang Shining slowly open his mouth, his heartbeat involuntarily skipping a beat.

The next second, a gentle voice suddenly came from not far away: 'Xiao Huai.'

Liang Shining's voice faltered slightly. Ying Huai suddenly came back to himself and pulled his hand free from Liang Shining's grip.

Ying Qi walked up to the two of them.

He lowered his head, carefully examining his younger brother from head to toe. After confirming nothing was wrong, he finally exhaled softly in relief.

'Just now I saw Father looking for you in the hall the whole time. I asked around about what happened and hurried over.'

Ying Qi rubbed Ying Huai's hair and said gently: 'Father didn't make things difficult for you, did he?'

Ying Huai shook his head and curved his eyes at Ying Qi in a soothing way: 'I'm fine, ge.'

'Fine? I heard you coughing from far away just now.'

Ying Qi looked at Ying Huai's pale face with heartache and let out a soft sigh.

'Hurry home with Xiao Ning. I'll hold Father off—go back and rest properly.'

Ying Huai had been running around almost the entire day; now he was utterly spent, body and soul.

He obediently let Liang Shining help him to his feet. Looking at Ying Qi, he suddenly thought of something and said with a smile: 'Right, you two should leave through the side door in a bit, otherwise you'll easily run into....'

He hadn't finished speaking when, the next second, Ying's father's cold, hard voice came from behind.

'Come back here, Ying Huai.'

Ying's father, leaning on his Cane, walked step by step up to Ying Huai.

He stared at Ying Huai with a dark expression for a few seconds, then suddenly said: 'Apologize to me, Ying Huai.'

Ying Qi frowned, but Ying Huai showed no surprise at all. He simply raised his eyes with a half-smile: 'Why?'

'Isn't the embarrassment you've brought to Ying Corporation today enough?' Ying's father said coldly.

'Dressed in some indecent outfit parading around outside, showing no respect to your own father in front of outsiders, you....'

'I remember Father once said that respect has to be earned by oneself, not given by others.' Ying Huai raised his head with a half-smile.

'Isn't that right?'

'You—' Ying's father choked with rage.

He stepped forward, reaching directly for Ying Huai's hand, but the next second felt a figure beside him step straight into his path.

'Enough, Father.' Ying Qi stepped in front of Ying Huai and said in a low voice.

Ying's father was stunned, disbelief flashing across his face: 'What did you say?'

His eldest son had always been gentle and courteous—he had never spoken to him with such harsh urgency before.

Ying Qi shot a look at Liang Shining behind him. Liang Shining understood and quickly turned to lead Ying Huai away.

Ying's father stepped forward, wanting to follow, but Ying Qi blocked him once more.

'What are you doing?' Ying's father was finally furious beyond measure.

'Have you started making a scene along with your brother, Ying Qi? Your brother being the way he is now is all because you indulged him and let him leave home back then....'

'If I hadn't stopped him, would Xiao Huai already be gone?' Ying Qi cut his father off in a low voice.

Ying's father was stunned. He frowned: 'What do you mean?'

'You know perfectly well what you've done.' Ying Qi said in a low voice.

Ying's father frowned. Ying Qi took a deep breath and said, each word deliberate: 'The accounts that first posted the dirt on Xiao Huai—I traced their IPs. Following the thread all the way to the end, the terminals all came back here to the Ying Family.'

Ying's father's face darkened as well: 'I don't understand what you mean.'

'Yes, I didn't believe it either.' Ying Qi said softly.

'Later I had someone precisely locate the exact origin points of those IPs. Only the company's internal network could do it.'

Ying Qi raised his head: 'Only a handful of senior executives in the company can access the internal network. Of those actually connected to Xiao Huai, apart from me, there's only you.'

'It wasn't me,' Ying's father's voice carried forcibly suppressed anger. 'What nonsense are you spouting, Ying Qi? You've disappointed me so much....'

Ying Qi's voice also gained a trace of agitation: 'Then how do you think it should be explained? Father, to force Xiao Huai home, would you really go this far?'

The moment his words fell, Ying's father's furious voice rang out: 'Have you lost your mind, Ying Qi?'

'Where have all the ethics and morals I taught you gone? I've already said it wasn't me. Ying Huai is my son—even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. And with no proof, this is how you doubt your own father?'

Ying Qi was slightly stunned.

Although Ying's father had always been harsh with Ying Huai and him, if he had really done something, he wouldn't stubbornly deny it.

A subtle feeling stirred in Ying Qi's heart.

But the facts and evidence were all laid out before him. Ying Qi frowned, always feeling there was something he had overlooked.

A gaze from somewhere in the shadows seemed to fall on them. Ying Qi suddenly turned his head.

But people in the banquet hall were coming and going, and no one was paying particular attention to this spot.

Suddenly, a figure cut across the hall, running toward the door.

In a flash, Ying Qi suddenly thought of something, and his expression changed instantly.

·

Ying Huai dawdled behind Liang Shining, walking toward the door.

He was so sleepy he could barely hold on. Covering his mouth, he yawned slightly. Only after following Liang Shining all the way to the door did he belatedly realize something.

'Didn't my ge just tell me not to go through the front door?' Ying Huai murmured thoughtfully.

Liang Shining's steps faltered slightly as well.

But Ying Qi hadn't had time to explain why just now. Besides, they were already almost at the door, and there was nothing unusual.

Ying Huai's peach-blossom eyes flickered, and he resumed his languid expression: 'Forget it, my ge probably just remembered wrong. Let's....'

He hadn't finished speaking when, the next second, an enthusiastic voice came from afar: 'Huai-ge!'

Ying Huai's steps stopped abruptly.

—He instantly realized what Ying Qi had been talking about just now.

Ying Huai turned around and, sure enough, saw an excited-looking young man cut across the entire hall, dashing up to him.

'Huai-ge, long time no see!'

The young man rushed up to Ying Huai and reached out, trying directly to hug his waist.

Ying Huai instinctively stepped back.

The young man stumbled, looked up in bewilderment, and lunged at Ying Huai again.

Liang Shining's face changed. He quickly reached out and grabbed the young man's collar.

'What are you doing, let go of me....' The young man bristled instantly, turning his head angrily.

Liang Shining's face was dark: 'Who are you?'

The young man struggled vigorously while still staring fixedly at Ying Huai: 'Who am I? I'm Huai-ge's favorite person—'

Liang Shining's face instantly went black.

He instinctively wanted to throw the man out, but at the same moment heard Ying Huai speak with a half-smile: 'What nonsense are you spouting, Chu Ming?'

Chu Ming instantly shut up. He looked up and let out two fawning 'hehe' laughs at Ying Huai.

·

Chu Ming looked about the same age as Liang Shining, but the whole person was loud and brash.

Liang Shining released Chu Ming with a cold face. Watching Chu Ming about to nuzzle into Ying Huai's arms, he unhesitatingly wrapped an arm around Ying Huai's waist and pulled him aside.

Chu Ming lunged at empty air. He looked at Ying Huai and raised his head aggrievedly: 'Huai-ge, it's been so long, why are you being so distant with me?'

'Stop talking nonsense, Chu Ming,' Ying Huai nestled in Liang Shining's arms and yawned lazily, 'when was I ever close with you?'

Chu Ming choked.

'Huai-ge, how can you be like this? When we were little you even held me....'

Ying Huai narrowed his eyes, speaking with a half-smile: 'Speak properly, Chu Ming.'

Chu Ming pulled in his neck.

Liang Shining beside him could bear it no longer: 'Who exactly are you?'

Chu Ming glanced up at Liang Shining, then turned his head away without speaking.

Suddenly Ying Huai spoke lazily: 'Answer his question, Chu Ming.'

Chu Ming's eyes rolled: 'I'm Huai-ge's favorite—'

He hadn't finished speaking when a crisp 'smack' suddenly came from his forehead.

Chu Ming let out a 'yelp' and covered his forehead, watching Ying Huai withdraw his hand and say offhandedly, 'Say it again.'

Chu Ming covered his forehead and said in a small voice: 'I'm Huai-ge's suitor....'

The next second, Chu Ming's forehead once again unhesitatingly took a slap.

Ying Huai shook out his hand, sighed silently, and turned to look at Liang Shining, whose face had darkened to the extreme: "He's my brother's uncle's child."

"It's Ying Qi big brother's uncle, and he has no blood relation to Huai-ge!" Chu Ming beside him hurriedly added.

"So I'm Huai-ge's suitor—Hey, Huai-ge, don't hit me!"

Ying Huai raised his hand to cover his lips as he yawned, too lazy to even lift his eyelids.

Chu Ming was indeed Ying Qi's uncle's child. When they were young, both Ying's father and Ying Qi's uncle were busy with work, so Chu Ming had stayed at their home for a period of time.

Chu Ming had been unruly since childhood, and taking advantage of being the youngest of the three, he had always been completely lawless.

Ying Qi had a mild temperament and didn't bother to argue with him. Ying Huai was only four years older than Chu Ming, and absolutely didn't indulge him.

Chu Ming's intelligence was no match for Ying Huai at all—every time he was dealt with thoroughly. But he only grew more eager, constantly setting up obstacles for Ying Huai in every way.

Until one time Ying Huai had an episode right in front of him, and Chu Ming was nearly scared out of his mind.

It was the first time he watched the brother who had always been languid clutch his chest and collapse pale-faced, no matter how much he called out, he couldn't wake him.

When Ying Qi big brother picked him up, he tilted his head weakly against his chest, and the arm that had lain powerlessly across his abdomen suddenly dropped with Ying Qi big brother's steps, his whole body seeming as though it would shatter at the slightest touch.

Chu Ming was scared silly. From that day on, he became inexplicably well-behaved, following at Ying Huai's heels like a shadow, clumsily trying to take care of him.

Ying Huai had found it novel at first. Not only did he not object, but from time to time he would tease him a few words as he used to.

Until one day, Chu Ming suddenly flushed and told Ying Huai that he liked him.

—Ying Huai was nearly frightened into having a heart attack again.

Fortunately, not long after, Chu Ming was sent abroad to study by Ying Qi's uncle, who had also nearly been scared out of his wits.

He remembered that in his previous life, when he had been blackened across the entire internet, Chu Ming had seemed to want to come back, but was held back by Ying Qi's uncle and stayed abroad. Until his own accidental death in the end, Chu Ming had never been able to return to the country.

Ying Huai looked at the spirited Chu Ming before him now, his expression momentarily complex.

"Did you finish your studies? Why did you suddenly come back to the country?"

Chu Ming nodded frantically: "Of course, of course. Huai-ge, let me tell you—as soon as I heard about you being blackened across the entire internet before, I wanted to come back immediately, but my dad stopped me and said if I dared to abandon my studies he'd break my legs."

"So?" Ying Huai lifted his eyelids to glance at Chu Ming. "You want me to help Uncle Chu hit you?"

"Of course not!" Chu Ming wailed.

"I finished. I completed my graduation requirements half a year early and already got my diploma."

Chu Ming let out a 'hehe.'

He waited for Ying Huai to praise him, but saw Ying Huai pause, stare at Chu Ming thoughtfully for a few seconds, and suddenly say: "This diploma of yours........couldn't have been obtained only after you finally broke your teacher's legs, right?"

"Of course not! I read my books seriously and stayed up so many nights to get it!" Chu Ming sprang up at once.

"You just don't trust me that much, Huai-ge?" he said aggrievedly.

Ying Huai said expressionlessly: "Don't trust you."

—A person who had begged him to cheat for him during elementary school exams, Ying Huai couldn't possibly believe he could get a certificate from a prestigious business school early.

Chu Ming was momentarily speechless.

He opened his mouth to say more, but the next second, felt someone pat the top of his head lightly.

"But still—welcome back to the country."

Chu Ming was stunned for a moment.

Ying Huai looked at this silly boy in front of him with some amusement, slowly withdrawing his hand. The next second, he saw Chu Ming let out an 'ow' and grab his wrist.

"Thanks, Huai-ge!"

Chu Ming held Ying Huai's fingers with both hands and said excitedly: "Then will Huai-ge reward me with something?"

Ying Huai's movements paused for a moment.

The next second, he unhesitatingly knocked on Chu Ming's forehead again: "You're pushing your luck, Chu Ming."

Chu Ming was used to being hit, only shrinking his neck, and continued to happily hold onto Ying Huai's hand.

"I'm not asking for much, Huai-ge, just one reward, okay?"

Chu Ming stared at Ying Huai and said carefully: "I just want to hug Huai-ge."

Ying Huai's peach blossom eyes flickered.

To be fair, Chu Ming really hadn't asked him for anything from childhood to adulthood, except when he did ask—he asked for something big.

Ying Huai didn't speak, and Chu Ming immediately knew this meant tacit consent.

He laughed 'hehe' twice, spread his arms with a face full of longing, and carefully was about to wrap them around Ying Huai's shoulders.

But the next second, a figure suddenly stepped in front of him and directly received this hug on Ying Huai's behalf.

Chu Ming's expression went blank. Ying Huai also raised his head somewhat surprised.

"Sorry, grabbing a wine glass, didn't notice." Liang Shining turned sideways to pick up a wine glass from a nearby table.

He turned around, looked at Chu Ming before him, and said earnestly: "Welcome back to the country—little brother."

This sentence, paired with Liang Shining's dead-serious expression, carried an inexplicable sense of mockery.

Chu Ming's expression twisted. Ying Huai couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.

"What are you doing, who's your little brother—"

"I'm three years younger than your brother. If I remember correctly, you're four years younger than your brother. If you're not the little brother, who is?" Liang Shining said unhurriedly.

Chu Ming was so angry he was jumping up and down: "Then this 'little brother' isn't something you can call either! Who exactly are you, why do you keep clinging to my brother!"

Ying Huai turned his head with great interest.

Liang Shining could be considered his student. If this relationship were brought up, although Chu Ming wasn't his biological brother, he would still be a generation lower.

Ying Huai was curious how Liang Shining would answer, but saw Liang Shining's expression calm as he said unhurriedly: "I'm the person who—lives with your brother."

Ying Huai: ?

Chu Ming: ???

He was nearly driven mad with anger for a moment, not noticing his brother's suspiciously reddening ear tips: "What nonsense are you spouting, say that again—"

He strode forward, but the next second, heard a refined and gentle voice from behind: "Chu Ming, don't make trouble."

Chu Ming's movements suddenly froze.

He instantly restrained his expression, turned his head, and said in a low voice: "Father."

Ying Qi's uncle, the nominal second-in-command of Ying Corporation, Chu Hongsheng placed his hand on Chu Ming's shoulder and gave Ying Huai a slight nod: "Long time no see, Xiao Huai."

Ying Huai straightened up and gave Chu Hongsheng a slight bow with mild indifference: "Uncle Chu."

Although Chu Hongsheng was the nominal second-in-command of Ying Corporation, since his ideas had clashed with Ying's father a few years ago, he had gradually begun to delegate his authority in recent years, rarely coming to the company and instead spending more time at leisure at home.

Ying Huai hadn't had a deep impression of Chu Hongsheng in his previous life, but looking at Chu Hongsheng now, he felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

He only remembered that Chu Hongsheng had seemed to return to the company once or twice before his accident, but he couldn't remember the specific reason.

Chu Hongsheng stood behind Chu Ming now, lowered his eyes to look at his own son: "That's enough, it's already very late today. Xiao Huai isn't in good health, don't disturb his rest."

Chu Ming said in a small voice: "I know Huai-ge isn't in good health, so I was thinking of going home with him to keep him company, but who knew—"

He spoke while glaring at Liang Shining, and was patted on the shoulder again by Chu Hongsheng, neither lightly nor heavily.

"How could Xiao Huai rest well with you keeping him company."

As Chu Hongsheng spoke, he turned his gaze gently toward Ying Huai: "But it really is very late now, and it wouldn't be safe for you to go back. How about I send a driver to take you—"

Ying Huai's eyes flickered.

He raised his head and smiled at Chu Hongsheng, just about to speak, when a slightly anxious voice suddenly came from behind: "No need to trouble Uncle Chu."

Ying Qi walked quickly to Ying Huai's front and said gently to Chu Hongsheng: "Xiao Huai is too tired tonight, so he'll stay at the hotel tonight and not go back for now."

Ying Huai was slightly stunned.

But Ying Qi didn't say anything more, only gave Chu Hongsheng a slight bow and quickly pulled Ying Huai away.

·

Ying Huai had originally thought Ying Qi was making up an excuse to refuse Chu Hongsheng.

He hadn't expected Ying Qi to actually pull them up to the top floor and swipe a key card to open a presidential suite.

"Stay here tonight, Xiao Huai." Ying Qi handed the key card to Ying Huai and said softly.

"Tomorrow I'll send you both home together."

Ying Huai took the key card without speaking.

He watched Ying Qi turn around as if to leave, and suddenly said: "Did something happen, gege?"

Ying Qi's footsteps paused.

But the next second, he turned his head and smiled gently at Ying Huai: "Of course not, it's just too late today, I'm worried it wouldn't be safe for you to go back."

Ying Huai narrowed his eyes.

He looked at Ying Qi and suddenly said offhandedly: "Did gege find something out?"

Ying Qi's body stiffened again for a moment.

Ying Huai looked at Ying Qi's reaction and instantly knew he had guessed right.

His expression changed, and he stepped forward directly, blocking Ying Qi's path: "What exactly are you doing, big brother? This is too dangerous, you can't........"

"I'm fine, Xiao Huai." Ying Qi cut off Ying Huai's words.

He turned sideways and smiled at Ying Huai soothingly.

"I'm still........uncertain about this matter, so I can't let you know, it's too dangerous."

"Xiao Huai help gege, just take care of yourself."

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment. He opened his mouth to say more, but the next second, Ying Qi had already walked quickly out the door.

·

That night, Ying Huai was, as expected, awakened by nightmares again.

His whole body seemed soaked in cold sweat, trembling ceaselessly.

Liang Shining held him tightly in his arms, patiently answering every one of Ying Huai's questions, until the sky brightened and Ying Huai finally became somewhat lucid.

"I want to wash up, Liang Shining." Ying Huai curled up at the head of the bed and said in a low voice.

He was too cold. The chill seeping out from the cracks in his bones made his whole body shiver, and even Liang Shining's warmth couldn't warm him in the slightest.

—He needed a stronger warmth to confirm he was still alive.

Liang Shining was silent for two seconds: "You just finished sweating, washing up will easily give you a fever."

The moment his words fell, he watched the person before him suddenly say in a hoarse voice: "Then help me."

Liang Shining's body suddenly trembled.

"Help me, Liang Shining," Ying Huai wrapped his arms around Liang Shining's neck and said in a trembling voice, "I'm so cold."

Liang Shining silently gazed at the person before him, and after a long while, suddenly leaned down.