Aphrodisiac

Ying Huai's condition was complicated; doctors at an ordinary Hospital wouldn't dare administer medication casually. Liang Shining made a split-second decision and had Li Xiang contact Song Si Lan immediately.

"I've already contacted Dr. Song. He's on his way."

Li Xiang paced back and forth in the center of the lobby, phone in hand, speaking worriedly: "But it'll still take some time—Liang-ge, how's Teacher Ying doing on your end?"

Liang Shining said nothing, and Li Xiang didn't dare make a sound.

After a long pause, he heard a hoarse voice come through the phone.

"Didn't you just say the perfume's effect shouldn't be strong? Then why......." Liang Shining began, his voice rough.

——Why was Ying Huai reacting so strongly?

The person in his arms was clearly already somewhat dazed, arms looped around his neck, curling continuously into his embrace, his slender waist trembling faintly without his realizing.

It was already the middle of the night, the corridor empty, but Liang Shining still took off his coat and wrapped it securely around Ying Huai.

"Dr. Song said the drug's effects vary from person to person. Teacher Ying's constitution is inherently on the weaker side, and on top of that.......an odd doctor nearby mentioned that due to Teacher Ying's 'special psychological reasons,' his physical and psychological reactions to drugs with hallucinogenic and aphrodisiac properties would both be stronger."

Li Xiang let out a small sigh: "And Teacher Ying was also the closest to Song Fengyi for the longest time—he inhaled it for quite a while, so the effect is more pronounced."

Liang Shining's arms around the person tightened.

He said nothing more, hung up the phone quickly, and carried the person swiftly through the corridor.

Ying Huai's entire face bore a visible flush, and even his usually clear peach-blossom eyes were veiled with a mist.

At some point he had poked his head out from under the coat, stared blankly at Liang Shining for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed softly: "Why do you keep shaking, Liang Shining?"

Liang Shining carried the person quickly into the elevator, his voice pausing briefly: "It's not me, Shifu."

Ying Huai's dizzy mind couldn't process Liang Shining's words. He blinked somewhat blankly, his eyelids gradually drooping again helplessly.

"Shifu, don't sleep." Liang Shining spoke quietly, giving the person in his arms a slight shake.

He had a gut feeling the drug's effects had deviated from what he'd expected, but with Ying Huai in this state, he didn't dare let him fall into unconscious sleep.

"I'm so sleepy, Liang Shining," Ying Huai turned his face to bury it in his neck, his burning breath fanning against his ear, "No, so hot.......it's getting uncomfortable again, Liang Shining......."

"It's fine, Shifu just.......has a fever." Liang Shining gritted his teeth and spoke quietly.

"Shifu, don't sleep. Look at me. Hold on a little longer. Once we're in the room, Shifu can cool down, alright?"

"Will you help me cool down?" Ying Huai murmured unconsciously.

Liang Shining's voice paused briefly. After a few seconds, he let out an almost inaudible "mm."

Ying Huai said nothing more. He breathed lightly a few times and obediently tilted his face slightly to the side.

Liang Shining kept talking to him. Most of the time Ying Huai didn't respond, only staring drowsily at a fixed point in empty air, his expression vacant and sleepy.

But every time Liang Shining paused for a few seconds, he'd hear Ying Huai let out a small hum, and like an insecure kitten, nuzzle against Liang Shining's neck in a placating manner.

The elevator rose rapidly with the floor numbers, stopping abruptly at the top floor.

The sudden weightlessness made Ying Huai let out a soft groan. His drowsy expression stalled for a moment, his eyelids lifting slightly.

"What's wrong? Where does it hurt? Shifu." Liang Shining quickly lowered his head and spoke quietly.

"Mm......."

As the previous wave of unbearable sensation gradually faded, Ying Huai's consciousness drifted back, hazy and faint.

He wasn't entirely clear what had happened to him. He opened his mouth as if about to gasp urgently, but the last shred of consciousness made him forcibly hold back.

He lay against Liang Shining's shoulder, breathing lightly, his fingers unconsciously clutching at Liang Shining's collar: "It's fine.......it was just the weightlessness.......for a moment I couldn't catch my breath."

Liang Shining paused.

He understood Ying Huai was trying hard to hide it and didn't press further. Instead, he carried the person quickly out of the elevator and went along with what Ying Huai had said: "Mm, we were just in the elevator. We're out now. It'll be fine in a moment."

Ying Huai seemed unable to speak anymore, his whole body limp in his arms, the fingers that had been clutching his collar gradually relaxing.

Liang Shining gritted his teeth, carried the person swiftly into the room, and set him down carefully on the bed.

Ying Huai had clearly drifted back into another dazed state.

When Liang Shining set him on the bed, he seemed to subconsciously want to pull the person back, but the fingers gripping him were gradually loosening unconsciously.

——This feeling of helplessness made Ying Huai uneasy and uncomfortable.

He frowned instinctively, but the next second felt a soft sigh from behind him, followed by warmth at his waist again.

Liang Shining gathered the person back into his arms, let Ying Huai sit on his lap, and quickly dialed Song Si Lan's number.

"We're on our way now. How's his condition?" Song Si Lan got straight to the point.

Liang Shining's voice was slightly heavy: "He has moments of consciousness. His temperature isn't rising very fast. Toward me.......he's very dependent."

Song Si Lan frowned on the other end, quickly realizing something: "His temperature isn't rising very fast? Then what's his current state?"

Liang Shining lowered his eyes.

The person in his arms seemed to have just weathered another wave of feverish heat, now curled up against him like a kitten, fingertips weakly hooked on the hem of his clothes, lips slightly parted, breathing softly.

"He seems to have calmed down a bit. Some drowsiness and sleepiness, but it doesn't seem like he's......as uncomfortable."

Song Si Lan rapidly flipped through various drug records on his tablet, his brow loosening slightly, but he let out a quiet sigh.

Liang Shining seemed to realize something and spoke in a low voice: "What's the actual situation with this drug? Is there another solution?"

"There's no other way." Song Si Lan paused, then spoke quietly, "This drug is essentially an aphrodisiac, just with milder potency."

Liang Shining's hand supporting the person suddenly tightened.

"If it were an ingested drug, we could take him to the Hospital for gastric lavage right now—but one, I don't know if Ying Huai's heart could handle the strain of gastric lavage."

Song Si Lan took a deep breath.

"Two, this is an inhalant that takes effect through the mucous membranes. Right now, apart from one.......solution, there's nothing else." Song Si Lan spoke rapidly.

"I just checked—this drug takes effect very quickly, but the excitatory function isn't that strong. It's mainly meant to cause dizziness, full-body weakness, and similar effects."

Song Si Lan spoke quietly: "An ordinary person could tough it out and let their body ride it out on its own, but Ying Huai......."

Ying Huai's body really was too weak.

This kind of prolonged abnormal state could very well further increase the burden on his heart—he definitely couldn't tough it out.

Liang Shining's hand trembled slightly.

"Letting him release it as soon as possible is the fastest and best solution."

Liang Shining didn't respond.

Song Si Lan didn't rush him either. He waited quietly for a few seconds, then heard Liang Shining, as if finally making some kind of decision, speak hoarsely: "As long as he does it himself.......is that enough?"

Song Si Lan let out a small breath of relief.

"Yes. The drug's potency isn't very strong. Letting him release it quickly won't cause much harm to his body."

Liang Shining responded quietly on the other end and quickly hung up.

Song Si Lan exhaled silently.

He turned and rapidly rummaged through the medical bag beside him for medications and equipment that might be needed shortly, when he suddenly heard a teasing voice from beside him.

"Si Lan seems quite familiar with these drugs."

Yu Wu kept his eyes on the road ahead, hands on the steering wheel, speaking as if casually: "Done some research?"

Song Si Lan replied coldly: "Not as much as you have."

The moment his words fell, he suddenly saw the person beside him turn his head with some surprise: "How did you know?"

Song Si Lan:.......??

When he'd received Liang Shining's call tonight, he had just come out of the Hospital lab and was about to head home.

His car was under traffic restrictions today. Song Si Lan had originally planned to call a cab, but Yu Wu had appeared out of nowhere again and dragged him straight into the car.

Song Si Lan, considering it was Yu Wu giving him a ride, hadn't planned to bicker with him today.

But after holding back for a while, he still couldn't help speaking: "Have some shame, Yu Wu."

"Of course I have a face," Yu Wu turned his head with a grin, "If I didn't have a face, how would I chase you?"

Song Si Lan turned his head expressionlessly, his fingers moving slightly: "Do you need me to help you confirm the existence of your face?"

Yu Wu shrunk his neck and quickly shook his head.

Song Si Lan took a deep breath.

He rechecked the medical bag, leaned back against the seat, and pressed his brow wearily.

He closed his eyes to rest for a moment, when suddenly a grinning voice came from beside him again.

"Don't worry, Si Lan. If you ever get hit with this stuff someday, I'll definitely help you too.......Hey, hey, Si Lan, wait—you can't distract the driver—"

·

Meanwhile, Liang Shining set his phone gently on the bedside table.

The soft click of the phone meeting the surface made the person in his arms tremble slightly, and he opened his eyes with a gasp.

"Liang Shining......." Ying Huai spoke quietly.

Liang Shining sat up slightly and hummed softly in acknowledgment.

Ying Huai's awareness, as the previous wave of fever receded, gradually returned somewhat.

"........What's wrong with me?"

Liang Shining was quiet for a few seconds, then spoke quietly: "Nothing......."

But Ying Huai seemed to have realized something.

He felt the strange sensations in his body, laughed softly through his gasps: "I'm not.......running a fever, am I?"

Liang Shining's arm around the person tightened.

After a long moment, he finally hummed a low "mm."

"Song Fengyi had some.......drugs sprayed on him. Your body's reaction to it is more sensitive."

Ying Huai immediately understood and let out a soft sigh.

He paused for a moment, then the fingers clutching Liang Shining's hem suddenly loosened, and he laughed softly: "Then let go of me, Liang Shining."

But the moment his words fell, the next second he felt his body being turned by the person holding him, directly kneeling face-to-face in front of Liang Shining.

Ying Huai was already dizzy, and it took him a long moment to react.

'What are you doing—let go of me........'

He instinctively braced against Liang Shining's shoulders, trying to sit up straight, but the moment he moved, a faint electric current surged up from his lower abdomen.

Ying Huai let out a muffled groan. The wrist bracing on Liang Shining's shoulder bent and dropped, his waist gave way, and his body— like a building suddenly collapsing— uncontrollably fell back into Liang Shining's arms.

'.......Liang Shining!' Ying Huai gritted his teeth.

'Let me help, Shifu.' Liang Shining said quietly.

As he spoke, he raised his hand, but the next second felt his wrist suddenly tighten.

'No—' Ying Huai's panting voice carried a thread of disbelief, 'Are you crazy?'

Liang Shining didn't speak. Ying Huai clenched his teeth.

He tried to fling Liang Shining's arm away, but suddenly felt something was off with his own fingers.

—His fingertips were trembling uncontrollably.

Just now, after he'd grabbed Liang Shining's arm, he could feel that Liang Shining had absolutely no strength to struggle.

But now, only a few seconds later, Ying Huai watched helplessly as his own fingers unconsciously dropped half an inch, and his entire arm began trembling beyond his control.

A flash of panic crossed Ying Huai's eyes. He instinctively tried to tighten his grip, but for some reason his entire arm felt a dull numbness.

Ying Huai's wrist bone bent with a soft snap, and his hand fell limply downward.

The next second, Liang Shining reached out and gently wrapped Ying Huai's slightly curled fingers in his palm.

'I........' Ying Huai raised his head, barely suppressing the panic in his voice, 'Why am I.......'

Liang Shining shook his head.

'It's nothing—just a side effect of the drug. It makes a person temporarily lose strength indirectly.'

Liang Shining slowly trailed his hand along Ying Huai's back, speaking quietly: 'It's okay, I'm holding you up, Shifu. It's okay.'

Ying Huai felt that wave of heat gradually rising again. He leaned half against Liang Shining's shoulder, dazedly feeling Liang Shining's hand slowly move to his waist, and then drew in a soft breath.

The instant Liang Shining's fingers slipped in, Ying Huai blurted out: 'Wait—'

'Not here,' Ying Huai said between breaths, closing his eyes briefly, 'Not on the bed.'

'.......Go to the bathroom.'

Liang Shining paused.

He gathered the person in his arms to stand up, but the next second heard Ying Huai speak again: '.......Don't carry me over.'

Ying Huai, with strength from who-knows-where, broke free from his arms.

'Just support me......I'll walk over myself.'

Liang Shining frowned: 'But.......'

'It's fine, I still have some strength.' Ying Huai suddenly laughed softly.

He braced against the nearby wall and slowly walked forward, the corners of his eyes tinged faintly red from discomfort, yet his tone remained casual.

'Not listening to your Shifu anymore? Hm?'

Liang Shining's fingers at his side trembled slightly.

He closed his eyes briefly, silently supporting the person to the bathroom door, but the next second felt his hands go empty.

Ying Huai, with strength from who-knows-where, stumbled straight into the bathroom and shut the door without hesitation.

Liang Shining, caught off guard for a moment, lunged to the door: 'Shifu!'

'Here, I'm here.' Ying Huai laughed softly.

He leaned his back against the door panel, panted a few times, and finally managed to conceal the tremor in his voice: 'I'm not your boyfriend, Liang Shining.'

Liang Shining's voice suddenly stalled.

'This kind of thing.......should be done with your boyfriend in the future.' Ying Huai leaned against the door and laughed softly.

He truly had no strength left; his body slid softly down the door, yet his tone remained as if nothing were wrong: 'With me.......it's not worth it.'

Liang Shining's expression suddenly darkened.

·

The bathroom's heated tile floor wasn't as warm as outside; sitting on it for long made it a bit cold.

But that happened to force Ying Huai's nearly scattered consciousness to clear slightly.

At some point Liang Shining's voice outside the door had disappeared. Ying Huai sat on the floor and steadied himself for a few seconds, feeling the wave of heat he'd forcibly held back surging up again.

He coughed softly a few times, slowly reaching his hand in.

But whether it was because the drug's effect hadn't passed or some other reason, after fumbling for a long while, Ying Huai felt nothing relieved—only his body temperature gradually rising and his breathing growing more urgent.

Ying Huai braced against the nearby wall, panting softly, feeling as if his entire body were inside a furnace.

Ying Huai clenched his teeth.

—If it won't be relieved, then just endure through it.

As he thought this, he braced against the wall and stood up, wanting to go to the nearby shower to turn on cold water, but the next second felt the dizziness in his head crash over him like a sky-falling wave.

Ying Huai barely had time to let out a muffled groan before suddenly bracing himself against the nearby sink.

But his body still uncontrollably slammed straight into the wall behind him.

The impact wasn't hard, but it instantly scattered most of the consciousness Ying Huai had barely managed to gather.

His pupils, not yet fully conscious, quickly lost focus, his eyelids drooped weakly, and the halo of light before his eyes began to fade bit by bit.

'No.......'

Ying Huai panted rapidly, trying to pinch his fingertips to regain some consciousness.

But his scattered consciousness couldn't feel his body at all. Ying Huai could only passively feel his body slowly going limp and sliding down amid the dizziness.

The next second, a muffled 'bang' came from beside him, the door lock fell to the ground, and immediately a figure rushed into the bathroom.

He gathered Ying Huai into his arms at once, quickly checking the person in front of him for any injuries, and his taut body finally relaxed for a moment.

Ying Huai was already in extreme discomfort.

His body kept trembling with those waves of heat, reaching out to try to relieve himself, while using the last shred of consciousness to force himself not to show such a state in front of Liang Shining.

'You.......get out.' Ying Huai said between breaths.

'The drug's effect is too strong for you, Shifu.' Liang Shining said in a hoarse voice.

He seemed to be enduring something with great effort too, his voice raspy: 'I won't really do anything.......I'll just help you a bit........'

But before he finished speaking, he heard Ying Huai say, on the verge of breaking down: 'No, it can't be you.......'

Liang Shining's body trembled slightly, but he gritted his teeth and directly picked the person up.

'It's okay, Shifu, it's okay........'

Unfortunately, Ying Huai's consciousness was about to be burned clean away by the heat surrounding his body.

He couldn't hear clearly what Liang Shining was saying, only repeating his own words incoherently.

'It can't be you.......' Ying Huai's waist trembled, his voice unconsciously carrying a hint of a sob, 'I'll do it myself, you get out.......'

But the next second, he suddenly let out a sharp cry, his body shuddered violently, and he suddenly went limp into Liang Shining's arms.

Cold sweat broke out on Liang Shining's forehead. One hand held the person in front of him by the waist, the other moved rapidly.

'Shh, shh, don't move, Shifu, don't move.' Liang Shining said quietly.

'It'll be over soon, just a little longer.......'

'You—fuck—don't call me Shifu.......' Ying Huai pulled back a shred of consciousness from the haze, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

But the next second, his gaze scattered again, and he panted violently beyond his control.

His entire body moved unconsciously, trying to break free from Liang Shining's arms, but felt a strange sensation gradually gathering in his lower abdomen.

Ying Huai vaguely sensed something was wrong. He tried once more to stop him: 'Liang Shining, wait, you........ah—'

His struggling movements and words all collapsed in an instant. Ying Huai's body suddenly tensed and arched, and a flash of bright light burst before his eyes.

He didn't have time to say a single word, only felt his mind suddenly go blank, and the next second lost consciousness without any warning.

Liang Shining felt the person in his arms suddenly tense, and after a few seconds, instantly collapse limply.

He couldn't worry about much, one hand quickly feeling Ying Huai's pulse. After confirming the person in front of him had only fallen into exhausted sleep, he finally exhaled soundlessly.

He slowly withdrew his other hand, held the person in his arms and did some quick cleanup, then carried him steadily back to the bed, before hastily dealing with his own situation.

Throughout this, Ying Huai remained unconscious, unaware.

The abnormal flush on his face gradually faded, replaced by a bloodless pallor, his features carrying an unconcealable weariness and weakness.

Liang Shining reached out to brush aside the slightly disheveled fringe on his forehead.

He quietly sat back at Ying Huai's bedside, eyes lowered, pressing his wrist, feeling the faint pulse beating under his fingertips, and exhaled soundlessly.

·

When Song Si Lan came in, this was the scene he saw.

For a moment he thought something was wrong with Ying Huai's body again. He hurried forward, carefully examined him, and finally breathed out soundlessly in relief.

'The heart isn't a major problem—just a slight premature beat. Two days of rest and it'll be fine.'

Liang Shining's expression finally shifted slightly.

He shifted slightly, turning his body a little, his eyes still fixed on the person on the bed: 'This drug, on his body........'

Song Si Lan glanced at Liang Shining's state and frowned: 'This drug will certainly cause some damage to the body, but I'll prescribe some medicine. A month of recuperation and he'll be mostly fine.'

He paused, then continued: 'These next few days he may frequently feel drowsy and sleepy, low on energy. Let him rest more, keep an eye on his heart and lung condition, just make sure he doesn't get hypoxic.'

Liang Shining closed his eyes briefly and nodded lightly.

Song Si Lan looked up at Liang Shining and suddenly said: 'I still need to check some of his heart functions. You and Yu Wu step out first, come back in a bit.'

Liang Shining looked up at Song Si Lan and finally spoke his second sentence since Song Si Lan had entered the room: 'Can I not stay here?'

'No,' Song Si Lan said without hesitation. 'Yu Wu... and you would affect my operation.'

He turned his head, somewhat impatiently: 'Am I the doctor or are you the doctor? Ying Huai is with me—don't you trust that?'

Liang Shining was silent for a few seconds.

He slowly stood up and walked out in silence.

Meanwhile, Yu Wu, half-retreating toward the door, winked playfully at Song Si Lan.

Song Si Lan turned back expressionlessly, though the corners of his lips unconsciously held a trace of a smile.

·

The bedroom door closed softly, and Liang Shining silently exhaled.

He reached for his phone, had just opened Li Xiang's chat window, when he suddenly felt a weight settle on his shoulder.

'What's wrong? So angry?'

Yu Wu threw an arm around Liang Shining's shoulder with an easy manner: 'Angry at that Song madman?'

He grinned jokingly: 'You're not thinking of doing something... illegal, are you?'

Liang Shining's hand holding the phone paused.

The moment Ying Huai had collapsed into his arms in the bathroom just now—the fear and dread he had forcibly suppressed finally began to well up.

He didn't dare imagine what would have become of Ying Huai today, had he not been uneasy and stayed nearby, and had Song Fengyi's drug not taken effect so slowly.

Just now in the room, the anger and brutality in his heart had been almost impossible to suppress—only counting Ying Huai's faint pulse could calm him slightly.

Liang Shining turned to look at Yu Wu, his voice hoarse: 'What are you trying to say?'

Yu Wu still wore his grinning expression: 'Nothing. I just heard the Liang Family's business is vast, involved in all sorts of industries—I just don't know if they have connections at the detention center?'

'Detention centers are pretty chaotic inside. Making someone unable to live or die for a few days isn't impossible.'

Liang Shining didn't answer. He was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly curved his lips: 'So?'

This was basically an implicit admission.

Liang Shining expected Yu Wu to be startled, but the person beside him just knowingly said 'oh' and suddenly spoke: 'Aren't you afraid your beauty will be angry at you?'

Liang Shining's voice caught.

Yu Wu laughed: 'Your beauty chose you after the most careful selection, and here you are ruining your future. If I were the beauty, I'd definitely beat you up first.'

Liang Shining's tense body relaxed slightly.

He closed his phone, and suddenly heard Yu Wu speak again.

'But you know, the most painful thing isn't physical torment.' Yu Wu grinned.

'It's giving someone hope, then making them watch it being taken away piece by piece.'

Liang Shining gradually calmed down at this point.

Listening to Yu Wu's words, his eyes flickered, and he quickly understood something.

'I understand.'

Liang Shining took a deep breath, gently pulled away from Yu Wu's arm, and nodded slightly: 'Thank you, Doctor Yu.'

Yu Wu waved his hand.

But the next second, he suddenly threw his arm around Liang Shining's shoulder again: 'Alright, Si Lan's task is done. Let's talk about something serious.'

Liang Shining was stunned. He turned his head somewhat suspiciously, listening to Yu Wu drawl: 'What exactly happened between you and the beauty just now?'

Liang Shining frowned and pushed away Yu Wu's arm.

'Nothing happened between us...'

'Ah, I don't mean physically. I know how scared you are of the beauty rejecting you.' Yu Wu drawled.

He suddenly lowered his eyes, speaking slowly word by word: 'I mean—did the beauty say something just now that hurt you?'

Liang Shining's expression froze suddenly.

He instantly recalled Ying Huai's drowsy words from earlier—'it can't be you.'

Liang Shining's eyes flickered, and he suddenly pushed away Yu Wu's hand.

'No.'

'Doctor Yu is overthinking. I'm just worried about Shifu...'

But Yu Wu keenly caught something off in Liang Shining's expression: 'It has to do with "Shifu," right? Your Shifu doesn't approve of you?'

Liang Shining: .......

——For the first time, he felt that the Psychologist was truly detestable.

Yu Wu seemed to have anticipated Liang Shining's reaction. He wasn't anxious, just cheerfully continued: 'Tell me, maybe I can help you...'

Yu Wu grinned and was about to lean in again, but the next second, the bedroom door was suddenly pushed open.

Yu Wu instantly withdrew his hand, turned his body, and stood directly beside Song Si Lan.

'Is the checkup done, Si Lan?' Yu Wu reached out to massage his shoulders. 'The beauty... ah no, how is Teacher Ying? Are you tired...'

Song Si Lan slapped Yu Wu's hand away with a sharp smack.

'The results are basically stable. Some heart function has weakened, but it's still within controllable range.' Song Si Lan said quietly.

'I added a sedative to his medication. He should be able to sleep well tonight.' Song Si Lan rubbed his brow and took a soft breath.

'I recommend coming back to the Hospital for a follow-up in a while. If things look okay, we can start arranging that minor surgery.'

Liang Shining nodded.

He thanked Song Si Lan in a low voice and walked quickly into the room.

'Let's go too, Si Lan.' Yu Wu lowered his head, speaking warmly. 'It's too late now, your home is a bit far from here. Why not just come to mine...'

Song Si Lan directly cut him off: 'No need. Ying Huai's condition isn't clear yet. I'll stay at this hotel tonight.'

Yu Wu was stunned.

Watching Song Si Lan walk two steps away, he suddenly turned back as if casually: 'What did you just say to Liang Shining?'

Yu Wu immediately leaned in again.

'Nothing, just teaching him how to pursue the beauty... Teacher Ying.' Yu Wu said with a smile.

'Want me to demonstrate for him? Si Lan, forgive me, let's just give them a success story...'

Song Si Lan's brow twitched.

He turned abruptly: 'Get lost.'

·

The next day when Ying Huai woke up, he felt his whole body was sore and weak.

He couldn't recall what had happened last night for a moment. He softly hissed, bracing himself to sit up.

The next second, a familiar voice came from beside him.

'Shifu...'

Ying Huai's body trembled suddenly.

The next second, he gripped the bedside table, sat up through gritted teeth, grabbed the pillow beside him, and threw it out.

Liang Shining instinctively caught the pillow, his expression blank for a moment.

'Shifu, why did you...'

'Don't call me Shifu.'

Ying Huai panted heavily, speaking through gritted teeth: 'Whatever you did last night, don't call me Shifu...'

As he spoke, he reached for another pillow beside him.

But Ying Huai had only just woken up, and his emotions had suddenly flared. Within seconds he felt he couldn't catch his breath, and his hands lost strength too.

The pillow he'd grabbed fell to the floor. Ying Huai bent over halfway, clutching his chest and panting rapidly.

Song Si Lan strode forward and put a pill in Ying Huai's mouth. Yu Wu beside him thoughtfully stroked his chin: 'Looks like Teacher Ying's body really isn't too big a problem.'

Song Si Lan counted Ying Huai's pulse, looked up expressionlessly: 'This is what you taught yesterday?'

Yu Wu choked.

He glanced at Liang Shining beside him, whose expression was unusually blank, gritted his teeth and quickly mouthed 'hurry and coax him.'

Liang Shining was stunned.

Yu Wu frowned and directly pushed him forward: 'Go quickly.'

Yu Wu gritted his teeth: 'Don't ruin my reputation.'

Ying Huai had only been briefly overwhelmed by anger. After taking the medicine, his breathing quickly evened out.

He lowered his head to even his breathing, and suddenly saw another pillow being offered to him.

Ying Huai narrowed his eyes and raised his head.

'It was my fault last night, Shifu. Don't be angry.' Liang Shining said quietly.

He placed the pillow in Ying Huai's hands, hesitating as he spoke: 'Use this pillow, Shifu. The other one... I'll pick it up for you.'

Yu Wu: .......

He closed his eyes in despair.

The next second, he heard Ying Huai let out a cold laugh.

'Like picking up pillows, do you?'

He shoved the pillow into Liang Shining's arms: 'Fine, then let the pillow be your Shifu from now on.'

Liang Shining: ???

Yu Wu leaned close to Song Si Lan: 'Si Lan, trust me, my method is a hundred times better than his...'

'But at least he could start trying the method on the spot.'

Song Si Lan sneered, cutting off his words: 'Unlike you, who only realized regret after doing every bad thing.'

·

Later, Song Si Lan used the excuse that Ying Huai's body hadn't fully stabilized, and ultimately let Liang Shining successfully bring Ying Huai home.

Liang Shining observed anxiously for a week and found that Ying Huai's body really didn't have any major issues.

But starting from that day, Ying Huai began to avoid him in subtle ways.

'Shifu, what do you want to eat today.....'

Liang Shining pushed open the bedroom door and only saw a figure hurrying outward.

'Not eating. I'm going to the company today to find my brother, have something to ask him.' Ying Huai said casually with lowered eyes.

Liang Shining's expression paused.

The next second, he walked directly to Ying Huai's side.

'I'll go with Shifu.'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, frowning: 'What are you going there for?'

Liang Shining untied the apron from his waist in one motion and said seriously: 'I also have something to discuss with Ying-ge.'

Ying Huai's brow twitched.

He couldn't help but laugh: 'What business do you have with my brother?'

Liang Shining stepped forward to open the car door, turned around solemnly: 'Whatever business Shifu has with Ying-ge, I have the same business.'

Ying Huai narrowed his eyes, realizing Liang Shining was determined to go today.

He stared at Liang Shining for a few seconds, then lazily said: 'Is that so?'

'My brother arranged a blind date for me, I'm going to go through the motions.'

Liang Shining's expression stiffened.

Ying Huai curved his eyes: 'Does Mr. Liang also want my brother to arrange a blind date for you?'

Liang Shining was stunned for a few seconds.

He suddenly said: 'No.'

His heart panicked for a moment, completely forgetting that Ying Qi had long since tacitly approved of his liking for Ying Huai.

He blurted out: 'I'm going to marry into the Ying Family.'

Ying Huai: ??

·

As soon as Ying Huai arrived at the company, he headed straight for Ying Qi's office.

Liang Shining followed Ying Huai onto the elevator, but just as the elevator doors opened, someone beside him suddenly blocked his way.

'Sorry, this is not an area open to the public. Please stay here.' The person said with a smile.

Liang Shining was stunned.

He had been so focused on watching Ying Huai just now that he forgot about this for a moment.

He reached out to pull his credentials from his pocket, but the next second, he heard a lazy voice from not far away.

'He's with me.'

Liang Shining was slightly stunned.

A flash of delight crossed his eyes, he quickly lowered his hand and walked briskly to Ying Huai's side.

Ying Huai stood in place waiting for Liang Shining to approach, glanced up at him, and laughed lightly: 'How come I didn't know—when has the famous young Mr. Liang of Liangshi Group ever been stopped by a little access control?'

Liangshi Group managed many small companies under its name and was on par with Ying Corporation. For convenience between executives of these companies, special identification credentials had been established.

Ying Huai knew Liang Shining must have access credentials, so he had felt reassured walking forward directly just now.

He hadn't expected that as soon as his words fell, Liang Shining would say quietly: 'Because I know Shifu won't leave me behind.'

Ying Huai's brow twitched.

Liang Shining's voice was clearly very calm, but Ying Huai inexplicably sensed a sense of grievance in it.

He took a deep breath: 'So where are your credentials?'

'I left my credentials at home,' Liang Shining spoke before Ying Huai could say anything, 'but it's fine as long as I follow Shifu.'

Ying Huai was stunned.

Before he could react, he felt Liang Shining directly support his arm.

Ying Huai clenched his teeth.

He instinctively wanted to pull his hand away, but thinking of the many access controls ahead, he took a deep breath and walked forward briskly.

When Ying Qi opened the door, what he saw was his own brother with an awkward expression and Liang Shining almost pressed against Ying Huai's side.

Ying Qi looked at the two before him with some amusement, slightly turning aside.

'Come in first.'

·

'I saw that thing about Song Fengyi,' Ying Qi said eagerly as soon as the door closed, 'are you okay, Xiao Huai?'

Ying Huai curved his eyes: 'Of course I'm fine. The online thing about Song Fengyi didn't involve me, why would brother worry about this?'

Ying Qi said gently: 'Then why didn't you come find me the week after recording ended?'

Ying Huai's words paused.

The information online was arranged by Li Xiang to be released, and indeed only mentioned that Song Fengyi had been detained by relevant authorities for soliciting prostitution and attempted rape, with no mention of Ying Huai.

But Ying Qi keenly sensed something was off.

Ying Huai was stunned for a few seconds, quickly changing the subject: 'Because something came up that week... It's nothing, brother, don't worry about me. Song Fengyi's evidence is solid this time, there definitely won't be any slip-ups.'

Ying Qi had also been following this matter these past few days and knew it was indeed so.

Ying Huai smiled: 'I came to find brother this time also because I learned some things from Song Fengyi.'

After his body got better, he had also gone to the detention center to find Song Fengyi a few times.

Even though Ying Huai could basically judge from Song Fengyi's panicked expression that day that the mastermind was Chu Hongsheng, he had no substantial evidence.

And for some unknown reason, Song Fengyi's hesitation from that day had suddenly vanished without a trace, clamming up stubbornly and insisting it was his own doing.

Ying Huai had no choice but to try his luck with Ying Qi first.

Ying Qi was stunned, listening as Ying Huai said softly: 'I want to ask brother—is the person inside Ying Corporation that brother investigated last time, Chu....'

Before Ying Huai could finish, a sudden urgent ringtone sounded.

Ying Qi frowned at his phone, made an apologetic gesture, and turned to answer the call.

'Hello, yes.........'

Ying Qi's expression gradually grew solemn. He hung up the phone, closed his eyes briefly, then suddenly turned around.

'Xiao Huai, why don't you go rest in the lounge next door for a while?'

Ying Qi said gently: 'I have something I'd like to ask Xiao Ning.'

Ying Huai was stunned, frowning: 'Did something happen? Brother?'

Ying Qi shook his head: 'Nothing, just some collaboration issues with Liangshi Group, might need to discuss for a while.'

Ying Huai's eyes flickered.

But he ultimately said nothing, just obediently stood up, curved his eyes: 'Okay, call me when brother is done.'

Ying Qi gently curved his lips.

·

The office door was gently closed. Ying Qi took a breath and suddenly spoke.

'The public opinion about Song Fengyi has suddenly reversed.'

Liang Shining's expression paused.

He watched Ying Qi turn around and hand him the news on his phone.

Before, all the online public opinion was one-sided, condemning Song Fengyi's poor character, saying he absolutely couldn't turn things around this time.

But now—

'Someone online is spreading that he was framed, and will definitely be released without charges........' Ying Qi said quietly.

Liang Shining said nothing.

He handed the phone back to Ying Qi and said quietly: 'What does Ying-ge want to ask me?'

Ying Qi paused.

'I want to know........does this have anything to do with you, Xiao Ning?'

He took back his phone, looking at the investigation information sent by the PR company.

The IP address above clearly showed Liangshi Group.

'What are you trying to do?' Ying Qi said quietly.

Liang Shining said nothing.

He was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said: 'Has Ying-ge heard a saying?'

'A thread of hope—that is—infinite despair.'

Ying Qi's expression slightly froze.