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Meanwhile, inside Ying Huai's home.

Liang Shining gently carried the unconscious person to the bed.

Ying Huai's breathing was still somewhat difficult. Liang Shining helped him sit up slightly, half-leaning against his own chest, and looked up at the Psychologist beside him.

The Psychologist stood with arms crossed, half-leaning against the doorframe, frowning slightly as he listened to Song Si Lan's words.

'You didn't know he was taking these medicines?'

The Psychologist said thoughtfully, 'Si Lan, why are all your patients as difficult as you?'

Song Si Lan raised his hand expressionlessly. The Psychologist's neck shrank back and he hastily retreated a step: 'I was wrong, Si Lan, I'll shut up.'

He gave Song Si Lan an ingratiating smile, walked back to Ying Huai's side, and bent down slightly.

Ying Huai's expression was uncommonly calm, his eyelids drooping wearily, his whole person exuding a sickly fragility.

Liang Shining, holding the person, raised his head and asked in a hoarse voice: 'What exactly... happened to Ying Huai.'

The Psychologist stared at Ying Huai thoughtfully for a few seconds, then shook his head slightly: 'I'm not entirely sure of the specifics.'

'But I can try to deepen the Hypnosis further now.'

Liang Shining froze for a moment. Song Si Lan beside him spoke in a low, warning voice: 'Yu Wu.'

The Psychologist named Yu Wu spread his hands and said innocently: 'He asked about the patient's condition himself. This is only my first time meeting the patient—how could I possibly know the specifics without examining him personally?'

Yu Wu looked at Song Si Lan and said with some grievance: 'Don't you trust my professional abilities, Si Lan?'

Song Si Lan's expression cooled slightly, but for once he did not refute him.

—Although this person was usually no good as a human being, when it came to his professional field, he never joked around.

Seeing Song Si Lan tacitly accept his words, a flash of delight crossed Yu Wu's face.

When he turned back to Liang Shining, his expression was finally more serious: 'Based on what I just observed, he stopped taking his medication some time ago. Before that, he was likely relying on the drugs to maintain stability for a period. But after stopping, the withdrawal reaction combined with external stimuli caused him to break out this time.'

'But I'm not certain of the specific cause. I can attempt some exploratory deeper Hypnosis, and I'll stop immediately if there's a problem.'

Liang Shining's arm around the person tightened. 'Will there be much danger?'

'Everything carries risk, but as long as the risk is controllable, it can be exchanged for greater benefit.' Yu Wu replied casually.

Song Si Lan glared at him from the side. Yu Wu choked for a moment, then finally changed his tone: 'It's fine, I'm watching him. At most he'll feel like he had a dream within a dream, but with the Hypnosis in effect, he won't have a deep impression of it.'

Liang Shining was silent for a few seconds, then finally loosened his grip slightly.

Yu Wu slowly crouched beside Ying Huai. His expression grew serious. He snapped his fingers lightly, leaned close to Ying Huai's ear, and said a few words in a low voice.

Ying Huai's body twitched slightly.

His eyelids began to tremble involuntarily, as if he was trying hard to open them, but the all-encompassing weariness left him unable to mobilize any movement in his body at all. He could only, in his drowsy haze, gather a few fragments of consciousness back.

Yu Wu pressed his fingers to Ying Huai's pulse.

He observed Ying Huai's condition and spoke in a low voice: 'You now feel yourself immersed in warm water, floating comfortably, your whole body slowly relaxing bit by bit.'

Ying Huai's trembling subsided considerably, and his breathing unconsciously began to soften.

Yu Wu waited a few seconds, then lowered his voice a little more: 'Now, begin to slowly walk out of the water. Don't force yourself—take it step by step.'

He observed the changes in Ying Huai's state and asked casually: 'Now, can you tell me where you are?'

'...A, banquet.' Ying Huai's lips moved weakly a few times before he finally spoke softly.

Yu Wu quickly jotted a few characters in the notebook beside him and asked again: 'Can you tell what's around the banquet?'

'People... so many people, surrounding me...' Ying Huai's body trembled again.

Yu Wu quickly sensed the change in Ying Huai's emotions.

He frowned, rummaged through the pile of Medicine Bottles from earlier and pulled one out again, tipped out two pills and was about to put them in Ying Huai's mouth, when he suddenly heard Ying Huai gasp urgently twice and speak in a hurried voice.

'I don't want to go back to the Sanatorium...'

'Don't lock me up there. I don't want to take medicine anymore...'

Liang Shining's arm around the person tightened suddenly. Yu Wu froze for a moment.

The next second, he came to his senses, quickly pushed a few pills into Ying Huai's mouth, leaned close to his ear, and rapidly said a few words in a low voice.

Ying Huai's whole body went limp again. Yu Wu counted his pulse for a few seconds and let out a slight breath of relief: 'That was already the limit of what his current condition could handle.'

Yu Wu raised his head: 'I put him back into a deep sleep. Maintaining this kind of stability now is already walking a tightrope. If we go deeper, his mind could very well collapse.'

Song Si Lan frowned. Liang Shining beside him raised his head and asked in a hoarse voice: 'So what did he just say... mean?'

Yu Wu withdrew his hand.

'Si Lan told me earlier that he might have PTSD responses and depressive tendencies related to fear of crowds in public spaces.' Yu Wu rubbed his chin and spoke slowly.

'But from his reaction just now... it's more serious than I anticipated.'

Liang Shining's arm trembled involuntarily.

'Is it because I had him try desensitization today?' Liang Shining asked hoarsely. 'I...'

Yu Wu shook his head: 'No, this is a panic attack.'

'I've seen the desensitization plan Si Lan made for him—it's all gradual and progressive. It wouldn't trigger such a big reaction.'

Yu Wu looked at the seemingly calm person before him, his voice gradually sinking: 'He has severe inner knots of his own. Once they flare up, he easily falls back into the scene that once traumatized him.'

Yu Wu looked up at Liang Shining: 'Yesterday it must have been triggered inadvertently by some scene. Do you have any recollection?'

Liang Shining was quiet for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.

'Yes... after those two fake fans appeared, Ying Huai's state seemed to become not quite right.'

Yu Wu noted a few more characters in his notebook and nodded.

'Then that's very likely. PTSD can trigger panic attacks, but if this specific scene is also associated with harm done to him, it will produce an even stronger stress response, even hallucinations.'

Yu Wu rubbed his chin and suddenly said in a low voice: 'But I think what you need to pay more attention to is the development of his depression.'

Liang Shining slowly raised his head.

Yu Wu raised his head and shook the few half-empty Medicine Bottles in his hand: 'What he's currently taking are all medications to control the development of PTSD, which shows he has the will to improve his PTSD symptoms.'

'But the medication for treating depression—the dispensing label on the Medicine Bottle is from several months ago. He doesn't have a very proactive attitude toward treating his depression. He probably only thinks to use medication to control it when he feels like he can't hold on anymore.'

Yu Wu played with the Medicine Bottle and casually drew an analogy: 'It's like a person stranded on a deserted island. He knows he can't escape, so every day he only maintains the bare minimum of survival needs.'

Yu Wu looked up at Liang Shining, his dark eyes bottomless.

He spoke word by word: 'So that on the day the island is finally swallowed by the sea, he can give up on himself without any hesitation.'

Liang Shining's body trembled uncontrollably.

Song Si Lan glared at Yu Wu from the side, stepped forward: 'We'll discuss what comes next tomorrow. For today, let Ying Huai rest first and see how he recovers by tomorrow.'

Liang Shining steadied himself.

He helped Ying Huai lean slowly against the headboard, turned to look at the two before him, and suddenly bowed slightly: 'Thank you, Doctor Yu, and thank you, Doctor Song.'

'Thank you for saving Ying Huai.'

Yu Wu sidestepped to avoid the bow directly and trotted happily behind Song Si Lan: 'No need. Just say a few good words about me in front of Si Lan next time.'

Song Si Lan expressionlessly pushed him aside with one hand.

He walked directly around Liang Shining, went to the other side, took a simple oxygen concentrator and an ECG monitor out of the bedside cabinet, and fitted them onto Ying Huai.

'You don't need to thank me,' Song Si Lan said in a low voice. 'I also very much want... for Ying Huai to live.'

·

Ying Huai's condition tonight definitely made it impossible for him to return to the Production Team.

Although his heart showed no major abnormalities tonight, after a generally strong emotional fluctuation, the next morning could easily lead to angina and palpitations.

Song Si Lan was not at ease about Ying Huai's condition and stayed here tonight as well.

Yu Wu also followed behind Song Si Lan without any hesitation.

'I'll just share a room with Si Lan—no need to bother making up another—ow!'

Before Yu Wu could finish speaking, he felt a sharp pain in the arm holding Song Si Lan.

He yelped in pain and instinctively jumped back a step: 'Why did you pinch me, Si Lan?'

'To clear your head a bit,' Song Si Lan said with a cold laugh. 'Stop daydreaming all day.'

'But it's already nighttime, Si Lan. This is a normal physiological phenomenon for me...' Yu Wu was not at all annoyed, and instead spoke cheerfully.

Song Si Lan completely ignored his words, took the pulse oximeter clip, turned around, and walked back into Ying Huai's room.

Yu Wu behind him touched his nose and let out a silent sigh.

But in an instant, he recovered his infuriatingly cheerful expression.

He happily lifted his foot to follow Song Si Lan again, when he suddenly heard a slightly hoarse voice from behind: 'Doctor Yu.'

Yu Wu froze for a moment.

He turned around and saw Liang Shining standing not far away, silently looking at him.

'Ah, the patient's condition is fairly stable for now. I'm just worried Si Lan might need some help, so I was going in to take a look...' Yu Wu, thinking Liang Shining was worried about Ying Huai's condition, replied casually.

Unexpectedly, the next second, he heard Liang Shining directly interrupt him in a hoarse voice: 'The analogy you drew just now, Doctor Yu... means that Ying Huai's will to live is very low right now, doesn't it?'

Yu Wu was stunned for a moment.

They had come in hurriedly earlier, and the living room lights had not been turned on. Liang Shining was half-hidden in darkness, half-enveloped by the halo of light from the streetlamp outside the window, exuding an indescribable sadness and helplessness.

Yu Wu rubbed his chin and, with a rare attack of conscience, said: 'It can't be said entirely like that.'

Liang Shining was stunned for a moment.

'Since he's still willing to take medication to maintain the appearance of stability, it shows he hasn't completely given up on himself.'

Yu Wu thought for a moment and said seriously: 'You can try to find what generates this will to live in him, and amplify that kind of desire to survive.'

Yu Wu drew another analogy: 'It's like a chain of interlocking iron links. When one link is about to break, you connect it to the next, and the chain can keep going on endlessly.'

A look of realization appeared on Liang Shining's face.

He seemed to understand something and slowly nodded.

'Alright... thank you, Doctor Yu.'

'No problem—saving lives is a doctor's nature.' Yu Wu waved his hand casually. 'Besides, whoever Si Lan wants to save is whoever I want to save.'

—No matter how Liang Shining heard it, he felt that last sentence was the real point.

Yu Wu turned again toward the direction Song Si Lan had left, suddenly thought of something, and turned back once more: 'Also, tonight's speculation is all based on Ying Huai's Hypnosis performance just now, so it might be somewhat exaggerated. Only when he truly wakes up tomorrow can we fully understand the entire situation.'

Liang Shining nodded.

Yu Wu yawned, turned around again, and was immediately dumbfounded.

Ying Huai's room had long been empty, and the guest bedroom door beside it was tightly shut—Song Si Lan had already gone inside.

Yu Wu tried the handle unwillingly, and sure enough, the door was already locked from the inside.

'Si Lan, are you really not letting me in?' Yu Wu said aggrievedly. 'It's the dead of winter now. Have the heart to leave me freezing in the cold living room...'

Before he could finish, he heard a cold laugh from inside the room: 'If you're going to freeze to death, remember to move farther away. Don't bring bad luck to my door.'

Yu Wu: ??

·

Ying Huai woke up very early the next morning.

He sat blankly at the head of the bed, momentarily unable to register where he was.

A slight sound came from beside him. Ying Huai turned his head warily and came face to face with Liang Shining, who was slumped at the bedside.

Ying Huai was startled for a moment.

It was obvious that Liang Shining had been keeping watch at the bedside the whole time, and had finally been unable to hold on and fallen asleep.

Ying Huai stared at the dark circles under Liang Shining's eyes, his heart a complicated mix of emotions for a moment.

He had rarely seen Liang Shining's sleeping face look so peaceful. In his memory, Liang Shining slept later than him every day and woke earlier—besides extreme self-discipline, it was all so he could take better care of him.

Ying Huai stared for a few seconds, momentarily lost in thought.

He instinctively reached out to brush away the stray hairs on Liang Shining's forehead, but the next moment, a sleepy voice suddenly came from behind: 'Oh, you're awake?'

Ying Huai turned his head sharply.

He instinctively moved his body to shield Liang Shining, frowning at the unfamiliar man before him: 'Who are you?'

Yu Wu froze for a moment. He half-raised his hands to show he meant no harm, and looked at the person on the bed with some surprise: 'Oh, even in this state, a beauty still wants to protect others.'

Ying Huai's brow twitched.

The man before him said nothing more, but walked to the ECG monitor and pulse oximeter clip beside him, quickly glanced at the readings, and reached out to press Ying Huai's pulse.

Ying Huai did not move.

He narrowed his eyes and stared at the man before him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: 'You're the Psychologist Doctor Song mentioned?'

Yu Wu froze for a moment, then immediately raised his head: 'How did you know?'

'Si Lan mentioned me to you?' Yu Wu asked urgently. 'What did he say? Did he praise me...'

'No, I guessed,' Ying Huai said with a smiling squint of his eyes. 'But judging by your reaction, I should have guessed right.'

He said slowly: 'What do you think Doctor Song's reaction would be if he knew what you just said?'

Yu Wu's expression changed instantly.

He put away his casual demeanor and took another look at the person before him.

Last night Ying Huai had been held by Liang Shining the whole time. Apart from the brief period of Hypnosis, Yu Wu's understanding of Ying Huai was basically based only on his appearance.

Yu Wu had originally thought Ying Huai would be a very difficult sick beauty—either full of resentment or bitterly cynical—but unexpectedly he had such an interesting temperament.

Yu Wu's fingers on Ying Huai's wrist did not move as he asked curiously: 'Do you know about me and Si Lan?'

'I don't.' Ying Huai said lazily.

'But the checks you just did are all Doctor Song Si Lan's morning routine.'

Ying Huai raised his head with a half-smile: 'I bet you just slipped out of the guest bedroom where Song Si Lan was sleeping.'

The pulse under his fingers did not change at all. Yu Wu was clear that Ying Huai was telling the truth.

He froze for a moment, the interest in his eyes growing stronger.

He had indeed sweet-talked his way into Song Si Lan's room last night—without Song Si Lan's knowledge.

He had gotten up early this morning for two reasons: first, to let Song Si Lan sleep a bit longer; second, to avoid being exposed for sharing the same bed. So he had used a little psychological knowledge to lull the half-awake Song Si Lan back to sleep, then taken over Song Si Lan's duties.

Yu Wu stared at Ying Huai with great interest for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed as well: 'No wonder Si Lan would go so far as to contact me again and insist on saving you. You really are interesting.'

He had initially agreed to come only for Song Si Lan's sake, but now, he truly wanted Ying Huai to live.

—He wanted to know exactly what had happened to Ying Huai.

'Thanks for the compliment,' Ying Huai accepted with a smile, and said without ceremony: 'But I don't need you to save me.'

Yu Wu seemed to have anticipated Ying Huai would say this, his expression unchanged.

He withdrew his fingers from Ying Huai's wrist and tapped lightly on the nightstand: 'You didn't have nightmares last night, did you?'

Ying Huai froze for a moment.

His memories of last night were vague, but he could clearly feel that there had been no intrusion from those memories of his previous life.

Ying Huai instantly realized something, his peach blossom eyes narrowing: 'What did you do last night?'

'Nothing much. I just used some of my professional expertise.'

Yu Wu laughed, finally switching to a different form of address in his speech: 'These nightmares consume a lot of energy. Teacher Ying surely doesn't want to be troubled by these unnecessary things every night, right?'

Ying Huai's eyes flickered, but he said nothing.

Yu Wu glanced at Liang Shining, who was 'fast asleep' beside him, leaned forward slightly: 'I know Teacher Ying has something he wants to accomplish. I can help Teacher Ying.'

'But before this matter is accomplished, Teacher Ying must cooperate with me in taking medicine on time and undergoing treatment,' Yu Wu said word by word. 'After this matter is done, I will absolutely not interfere.'

Ying Huai stared at him with an unreadable expression for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed lightly: 'Alright.'

The fingers of the 'sleeping' person beside him seemed to twitch slightly. Yu Wu subtly pressed them down and extended his hand toward Ying Huai.

'Pleasure doing business, Teacher Ying.'

'Pleasure doing business—' Ying Huai cooperatively extended his hand and looked up casually.

Yu Wu laughed: 'Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Yu Wu. I'm a Psychologist, Si Lan's undergraduate classmate, and also the person Si Lan likes the most—'

Before he could finish, he suddenly saw the person before him seem to think of something and reveal an expression of sudden realization.

'I remember now. Doctor Song did mention you in front of us.'

Yu Wu's eyes lit up.

The next second, he heard Ying Huai say with a smile: 'He called you an asshole.'

Yu Wu: ??

He said unwillingly: 'How could that be? I was once Si Lan's—'

Before Yu Wu could finish the word 'boyfriend,' he felt a sudden sharp pain at his neck.

'Are you trying to die, Yu Wu?'

Song Si Lan, gripping Yu Wu's collar, lowered his voice and spoke through gritted teeth: 'What did you do to me last night?'

Yu Wu clutched his neck and said in a small voice: 'I didn't do anything, Si Lan. I just saw you weren't sleeping well and wanted you to sleep better...'

Before he could finish, he heard Song Si Lan say coldly: 'Haven't I told you not to use your psychological tricks on me?'

Yu Wu opened his mouth silently.

He looked like he still wanted to explain something, but Song Si Lan had already flung his hand away directly, supported Ying Huai, and walked straight out to begin the morning routine check.

Yu Wu pressed his brow and sighed helplessly.

Liang Shining beside him finally straightened up slowly and looked at Yu Wu.

Yu Wu seemed to know what Liang Shining wanted to say and spoke first: 'Don't worry, I'll definitely keep your boyfriend alive.'

Yu Wu took a deep breath and slowly stood up: 'As long as he's willing to cooperate with me, I can save him.'

·

Because Yu Wu and Song Si Lan had arrived in time last night, Ying Huai's body hadn't shown any major abnormalities.

In fact, thanks to the decent sleep quality last night, aside from some routine palpitations, Ying Huai's mental state was also much better than before.

Song Si Lan no longer had grounds to forcibly keep him confined at home, and could only grit his teeth and allow Ying Huai to be 'discharged'.

Yu Wu didn't tell anyone else the specifics of the 'deal' he'd made with Ying Huai, only casually reminded him that the first treatment would begin this weekend.

Ying Huai waved his hand without looking back, and for once didn't argue back.

Song Si Lan frowned at Ying Huai's reaction.

His instincts told him something was off. He turned to look at Yu Wu beside him, gritted his teeth, and finally asked irritably: 'What did you do?'

'Which thing are you talking about, Si Lan,' Yu Wu quickly lowered his head and said earnestly, 'I didn't do anything to you in bed last night........'

Watching Song Si Lan turn and walk straight outside, he hurriedly said: 'I didn't do anything to Teacher Ying, Si Lan, I really just want to help him—'

Song Si Lan's footsteps paused, and Yu Wu's heart leapt with hope.

He hurried forward a few steps: 'Where are you going, Si Lan, back to the Hospital? I'll drive you—'

Before he could finish, he heard the person in front of him say quietly: 'I want you to stay away from me.'

Yu Wu froze. He watched the person in front of him raise his head and say coldly, word by word: 'Yu Wu, a good ex should be like he's dead.'

·

Ying Huai had just entered the dormitory floor arranged by the Production Team when he sensed something was off about the atmosphere.

The Production Team members passing by looked at him and Liang Shining as if wanting to say something but holding back, their expressions strange and curious.

Ying Huai was baffled. He turned to look at Liang Shining: 'Is there something on my face?'

Liang Shining shook his head.

He paused, then said quietly: 'I think they're.......looking at both of us.'

Ying Huai was even more confused.

He pushed open the dorm door. Su Yun, who had been sitting restlessly inside, let out an 'ow' and sprang up like a launched projectile, rushing toward Ying Huai: 'Teacher Ying!'

A hint of guilt crossed Ying Huai's expression. He said softly: 'Sorry, something came up last night and I couldn't make it back. The Production Team didn't do room checks last night, did they?'

Xin Wan beside him wore a face full of grievance. Su Yun instinctively shook his head, then froze, and nodded.

'The Production Team did come to check rooms last night, not yet this morning, but last night, I helped Teacher Ying and Teacher Liang........cover it up.' Su Yun said quietly.

'But........Teacher Ying and Teacher Liang, please don't blame me.'

Ying Huai froze for a moment, then laughed helplessly: 'Why would I blame you? You helped us, I can't thank you enough.'

Su Yun opened his mouth silently, his expression caught between wanting to speak and holding back.

He said quietly: 'Teacher Ying doesn't care.......about what reason I used to cover for you?'

Ying Huai sat down at the desk and said casually: 'Mm? What reason?'

Su Yun opened his mouth several times but couldn't get the words out.

He took a deep breath, mustered his courage and was just about to say something, when the next second, the Assistant Director's somewhat surprised voice came from the doorway.

'Oh, Teacher Ying and Teacher Liang are up.'

The Assistant Director, who had come for the morning room check, stood at the door holding the Live Stream camera and asked curiously: 'Did Teacher Liang and Teacher Ying sleep well last night?'

Ying Huai kept feeling that there was something inexplicably strange in the way the Assistant Director was looking at him and Liang Shining.

But he still quickly smiled and said: 'Slept very well, thank you, Director.'

The Assistant Director nodded thoughtfully.

He walked a circle around the dorm, but a dorm where only two people had stayed clearly wouldn't have any problems.

The Assistant Director noted something in his notebook, turned with the group to head to the next dorm, but after two steps couldn't help turning back again.

'I'm curious about something, Teacher Ying,' the Assistant Director said quietly but seriously, 'You and Teacher Liang squeezed onto such a narrow bed to sleep last night—weren't you uncomfortable?'

Ying Huai froze.

He belatedly realized something and suddenly looked up.

·

Even after the Director finished checking both dorms and officially began today's recording, Ying Huai's expression remained somewhat dazed.

He couldn't help turning to confirm with Su Yun again: 'The reason you gave last night for me not being in bed.......was that I was sleeping with Liang Shining?'

Su Yun's face scrunched up like a bun, and he nodded guiltily.

Ying Huai took a deep breath: 'Was there a live stream last night too?'

Su Yun gritted his teeth, just about to speak, when he heard the Assistant Director beside him say seriously: 'Alright, through last night's two live stream room checks, we've now got a basic understanding of the situation in both dorms last night.'

Su Yun raised his head guiltily, and Ying Huai silently closed his eyes.

——He had already anticipated how big a stir this would cause online.

'Given that the situations in everyone's dorms aren't ideal—some didn't return to their rooms at night, and some casually, ahem, casually switched beds.' The Assistant Director's voice inexplicably grew quieter.

'So today we're adding an extra dorm evaluation task.'

Ying Huai froze.

He had originally thought the Assistant Director's 'not returning to the dorm' referred to him and Liang Shining, but hearing the rest, he realized it apparently wasn't about them.

He looked up curiously, only to hear Su Yun beside him speak quietly.

'Teacher Ying, Teacher Song also seems to have gone out to stay last night. Then that same night during an anti-vice crackdown, one of his team members happened to get caught for soliciting prostitution, and Teacher Song had to go to the police station in the middle of the night to give a statement.'

After blurting out that line on a 'whim' last night, Su Yun, who had been anxiously monitoring public opinion, said quietly, 'This matter has already made it to the trending searches. It seems like the thing about you and Teacher Liang didn't generate much discussion.'

Ying Huai was slightly taken aback.

He turned to look at Song Fengyi, who was unusually quiet today.

Song Fengyi's face was ashen.

After the Assistant Director announced the room assignments last night, he had decided he absolutely would not squeeze into a room with the other three people.

He had shown up briefly on camera during the room assignment, then gone out and found a nearby hotel to stay at. He hadn't expected something like this to happen.

Song Fengyi's face was ugly, and a thoughtful look gradually crept into Ying Huai's eyes.

A staff member of an artist's team would be considered a civilian. Even if something big happened, it wouldn't make the trending searches, let alone drag their own artist onto such a negative trending topic.

——Unless Song Fengyi himself was involved in the matter.

Liang Shining beside him also seemed to have realized something and lowered his head to message Li Xiang.

Liang: [What's going on with the trending searches?]

Renyi Li Xiang: [Liang-ge, you saw it too? No idea where the rumors about you and Teacher Ying came from, but it's fine, I'll have the company do damage control right away........]

Liang: [I'm talking about Song Fengyi's.]

Li Xiang on the other end apparently hadn't expected Liang Shining to ask about this and froze for quite a while.

Renyi Li Xiang: [Ah? Just like what's on the trending searches, I didn't look into it carefully, but he happened to push your trending topic down. I even secretly clicked on his tag a few times.]

Liang: [Look into this while you're at it. It must be related to Song Fengyi himself.]

Renyi Li Xiang: [Oh, okay. Then about yours and Teacher Ying's thing, do you need a denial?]

Li Xiang stared at his phone. After a while, he saw Liang Shining finally send two messages.

Liang: [No need.]

Liang: [Why did my and Ying Huai's trending ranking drop so fast?]

Renyi Li Xiang: [???]

Li Xiang stared at his phone in disbelief, and after a long moment typed out a trembling message.

Renyi Li Xiang: [Liang-ge, you wouldn't dock my pay just because I clicked on Song Fengyi's tag a few times, would you?]

·

On the other side, the Assistant Director finally announced today's specific extra task.

'We've collected some university dorm rules from the internet. In each round, I'll announce one. Each dorm needs to arrange the room according to the rule within the time limit. The dorm that finishes first gets one point.'

'We'll determine the "Outstanding Dorm" based on the scores, and each guest in that dorm will receive two Concert invitation tickets.'

Everyone's expressions instantly sobered. Song Fengyi also gritted his teeth and put last night's incident out of his mind.

Everyone listened intently as the Assistant Director said seriously: 'First rule: dorms are not allowed to eat their own food.'

Everyone froze. The next second, several staff members quickly stepped forward and handed each person a breakfast.

'Alright, now each guest needs to enter the dorm and finish this breakfast within the time limit. No wasting, no hiding.'

The Assistant Director said with a smile: 'Good luck to everyone.'

Everyone: ???

·

The dorm door closed, and Su Yun's expression was utterly helpless.

'How is this even possible? Can't eat it, can't waste it, can't hide it—it's literally impossible.'

Su Yun looked up blankly: 'Should we carry Bouquet over and let him eat it?'

Xin Wan said impatiently: 'The Production Team just wants to mess with us. This is impossible unless we pour the food straight out the window.......'

'Wait.'

Ying Huai looked at the lunchbox for a few seconds, then suddenly said: 'This box has each of our names on it.'

The others around him froze.

These meals were all identical breakfasts prepared by the Production Team, but for some reason, the bottom of the box and the chopsticks and bowls all had names marked on them, handed out to them one-to-one.

Liang Shining beside him also thought of something and suddenly looked up.

·

Ying Huai's and Song Fengyi's dorms opened their doors almost back-to-back.

In Ying Huai's dorm, everyone's breakfast boxes were empty. In Song Fengyi's dorm, only Song Fengyi's food was empty; the other three still held full boxes.

The Assistant Director looked around and finally said: 'Alright, this round, congratulations to Teacher Ying's dorm for full success.'

Su Yun instantly cheered. Song Fengyi beside him flashed a look of disbelief: 'Why don't I count?'

'Because Teacher Song didn't complete it according to the rules.' The Assistant Director said seriously.

Song Fengyi's brow twitched: 'How do you know I didn't follow the rules? Maybe they also—'

Before he could finish, the Assistant Director cut him off.

'Teacher Song poured the food down the drain. That's wasting food,' the Assistant Director said with a hint of displeasure, 'so of course it doesn't meet the rules.'

Song Fengyi blurted out instinctively: 'There aren't even cameras—how do you know they didn't pour theirs out too—'

He had checked earlier—there were no cameras in the dorm—which was why he'd dared to brazenly pour the food out directly.

He'd even tried to persuade the other three to join him, but they were all 'blocks of wood' and strongly refused his proposal.

'The camera was fixed at the very bottom inside the lunchbox,' Xin Wan beside him couldn't help saying. 'If Teacher Song had poured the food out a bit slower and not poured the camera out with it, he might have been able to see it.'

Song Fengyi's face instantly darkened.

The Assistant Director beside him nodded in agreement: 'Yes, Teacher Song caused our Production Team to lose a micro-camera.'

Song Fengyi: .......

He suddenly raised his head: 'Then this is an impossible task to begin with. Ying Huai and the others—'

Xin Wan gave a cold laugh without speaking, and turned to look at Ying Huai.

'It's completable. The rule only says you can't eat your own food,' Ying Huai slowly interrupted Song Fengyi, 'each lunchbox has our corresponding name on it. As long as roommates swap with each other and don't eat their own, it works.'

'Yes, this rule was originally created by a certain university to prevent unusual smells in the dorm from upsetting roommates, but it was quickly abolished.' The Assistant Director said seriously.

'So this rule is meant to make everyone realize that dorm life requires paying attention to others' feelings.'

'Every rule has its own rationale and logic. We won't come up with completely nonsensical rules out of nowhere. We hope everyone can think carefully.'

The Assistant Director glanced at Song Fengyi as he spoke: 'Don't blindly break the rules.'

Song Fengyi's face was ashen.

Over the next few rounds, the Assistant Director announced several seemingly 'nonsensical' rules, and Ying Huai's dorm basically solved them all through various bizarre methods.

Chu Ming and the others on that side were nearly driven mad by Song Fengyi's obsessive and morally bankrupt behavior.

'Huai-ge, take me with you. Every time Song Fengyi doesn't think about the logic of the rules, he has to solve it with violence. Just now when the rule said no talking in the dorm, his first reaction was to throw me out of the dorm.' Chu Ming clung to Ying Huai's arm, pleading.

'But you really do talk too much.' Ying Huai yawned.

Chu Ming choked, then said ingratiatingly: 'Huai-ge, let me go to your dorm, okay? I'll be a pet in your dorm, not a person, won't affect the rules.'

Liang Shining expressionlessly pulled Ying Huai's hand out of Chu Ming's arms, and Lu Jing beside him, with a dark expression, directly blocked Chu Ming.

'No need,' Ying Huai smiled, his eyes curving, 'I already have Bouquet.'

'Alright, last rule—a freebie.' The Assistant Director clapped his hands.

'The trash can can't have trash in it, the bed can't have a person on it, the table can't have anything on it.'

'Because this one's relatively simple, the time limit is fifteen seconds. Starting now—'

Everyone rushed back to the dorm. Xin Wan and Su Yun instinctively looked at Ying Huai.

Ying Huai's eyes flickered. Since the Assistant Director said this one was simple, it should be the simplest logical arrangement.

He thought for a moment, then said rapidly: 'Put the trash on the table, put the things on the bed, and have the person stand in......the trash can.'

There were two trash cans in the dorm, one for each pair.

Su Yun was young and short, and with difficulty, he and Xin Wan helped each other, each standing on one leg inside a trash can.

But both Ying Huai and Liang Shining were relatively tall. Ying Huai had a smaller frame, while Liang Shining, who exercised regularly, had shoulders much broader than Ying Huai's.

The two tried for a long time but couldn't manage to stand steadily in the trash can. With time running out, Ying Huai gritted his teeth and suddenly said: 'Pick me up.'

Liang Shining froze.

Xin Wan nearby instantly stiffened, and Su Yun's face turned red, feeling like he'd heard something he shouldn't have.

Ying Huai raised his head with a half-smile, and for once urged: 'What? You've held me plenty of times before—why are you suddenly shy—Ah!'

Before he could finish, the next second, he felt his body suddenly lift into the air.

Liang Shining held him and quickly stepped into the trash can.

But the two of them had ultimately overestimated the stability of the school's standard-issue trash cans.

The moment Liang Shining stepped in, he felt the trash can slide to the side. His center of gravity instantly became unstable, and holding the person, he swayed and toppled toward the table beside them.

Worried Ying Huai would hit his head, Liang Shining first slipped one hand under the back of his head and laid him down on the table.

Ying Huai, dizzy and disoriented, hadn't reacted at all. He instinctively shifted his body, and Liang Shining's already unstable center of gravity lurched forward. With a 'thud,' his other hand suddenly braced against Ying Huai's side.

Before the two could get up, the Assistant Director's voice came from the doorway.

'Alright, let me check—'

His voice cut off abruptly at the sight before him.

The Live Stream Chat instantly exploded with laughter.

[What happened here? What kind of performance art is this between Teacher Liang and Teacher Ying?]

[There's been way too much 'food' these past two days. As CP fans we're a bit stuffed, and a bit scared.......]

[I was a firm solo fan, but now I'm so stuffed I'm thinking of switching to CP fan. I just want to say—could they really be together?]

[It's fine, as a CP fan I also just want to say—could they really be together?]

[It's fine, 'thrice and out.' So far it's only been twice. My CP can't happen a third time—]

'What are Teacher Liang and Teacher Ying doing?' the Assistant Director asked blankly. 'A "wall slam" on the table also counts as "things on the table."'

Liang Shining: ........

Ying Huai was caught between tears and laughter.

He braced himself to get up, but didn't notice Liang Shining was trying to climb out of the offending trash can.

The next second, Ying Huai's foot accidentally stepped on the trash can. His body, which had just straightened, instantly tilted, and he instinctively grabbed Liang Shining's arm to keep his balance.

After a muffled 'thud,' the Assistant Director watched helplessly as the two, who had been about to get up, instantly fell back down in a 'reluctant-to-part' tangle.

Assistant Director: ???

Live Stream Chat: [Holy shit?]

Chu Ming, who had come running at the sound: 'Holy shit!'

Ying Huai, who had fallen dizzy and disoriented, raised his head blankly. His peach-blossom eyes were slightly misted from the pain in his back.

Liang Shining, who had been about to help him up, froze mid-motion.

In the chaos, the previous trending topic about him and Ying Huai inexplicably surfaced in Liang Shining's mind.

——This time the ranking should be able to climb a few spots.

Liang Shining closed his eyes and took a deep breath.