Into Bed

When Chu Hongsheng pushed open the door, the person in the room was still lying quietly on the bed, seemingly still unconscious and unaware.

Chu Hongsheng glanced back at Chu Ming. Chu Ming stood in the doorway, his fingers tightly gripping the door handle.

"Well done, Ming-er." Chu Hongsheng laughed lightly.

He said warmly: "Aren't you coming in together?"

Chu Ming shook his head: "No, Father."

"I'll wait outside for you," Chu Ming said quietly. "Whenever you need... just call me directly."

A trace of mockery crossed Chu Hongsheng's lips, but he hid it well.

He turned around, listening to the door behind him close softly, and let out a quiet cold laugh.

He walked to the bed and looked down at the person on it.

Ying Huai lay curled up on the bed, his fingers weakly curled, his whole body unconscious and unaware.

Chu Hongsheng stared at the person before him and slowly leaned down.

He suddenly said: "Get up if you're awake, Xiao Huai."

After a few seconds, Chu Hongsheng heard the person on the bed laugh softly and slowly push himself up.

"Good evening, Chu-shu." Ying Huai curved his eyes in a smile.

Chu Hongsheng also laughed warmly: "When did you wake up?"

"When your son just carried me to the bed," Ying Huai stretched, "his carrying made my waist hurt, nowhere near as comfortable as Liang Shining's."

Chu Hongsheng couldn't hold back a low laugh.

"Xiao Huai is still thinking about your little disciple now."

He said unhurriedly: "Aren't you worried about yourself?"

Ying Huai shook his head.

"Not worried." Ying Huai raised his head, curving his eyes in a smile. "Does Chu-shu really dare to do anything to me?"

"My father is still staying here tonight."

"If Father knew you came to find me again, he wouldn't be happy."

Chu Hongsheng's face cooled a few degrees, a trace of wariness flashing across his expression.

But the next second, he laughed again: "Of course I know Ying-xiong is also here."

"But I remember, you and Ying-xiong seemed to have had another argument just now. I vaguely heard that it seemed Ying-xiong wanted to persuade you to return to the Ying Family."

Chu Hongsheng slowly stepped forward: "So right now I'm just coming on behalf of Ying-xiong to persuade you—Ying-xiong certainly won't be angry at me for this, right?"

Ying Huai propped himself up at the head of the bed.

His face carried an unusual flush, his breathing somewhat rapid, but his voice remained calm: "How does Chu-shu want to persuade me?"

"My way of persuading people is much gentler than Ying-xiong's."

Chu Hongsheng walked step by step to Ying Huai.

He said quietly: "I won't force you to go home, Xiao Huai."

"I heard from Ming-er that your health hasn't been good lately. I know of a sanatorium."

"Xiao Huai could go to the sanatorium first to recuperate for a while, and during this time have a proper talk with Ying-xiong."

"I've mentioned this compromise to Ying-xiong, and he also agrees. What does Xiao Huai think?"

Ying Huai covered his lips and coughed a few times: "I know the sanatorium Chu-shu is talking about."

"But that seems to be mainly a place for treating mental illness, doesn't it?" Ying Huai tilted his head up, the corner of his lips curving.

"It doesn't seem to suit me."

Chu Hongsheng seemed to sigh helplessly.

"How does Xiao Huai know it doesn't suit you?"

The moment his words fell, a soft "snap" suddenly sounded, and immediately half the room's lights went out at once.

He listened as Ying Huai's breathing quickened as expected, and laughed silently.

"I remember Ming-er saying your mental state hasn't been good lately either, that you seem... a little afraid of the dark. If you had an episode in front of your father by accident..."

He spoke as he simultaneously turned off the lights on the other side, but the next second, a faint light appeared before him.

Chu Hongsheng's expression froze.

"What is Chu-shu doing?" Ying Huai held up his phone, casually waving it.

He held up his phone and looked around: "Chu-shu isn't trying to deliberately induce an episode in me and then take the opportunity to send me to the sanatorium, is he?"

—But since he'd undergone two treatments with Yu Wu, he was no longer as sensitive to the stimulus of darkness.

Chu Hongsheng was stunned for a moment.

He looked at the flashlight on Ying Huai's phone and suddenly understood: "Chu Ming told you long ago."

Chu Hongsheng laughed coldly: "The two of you colluded and deliberately lured me here..."

Ying Huai sat on the bed, neither confirming nor denying, curving his eyes in a smile.

·

An hour earlier, Chu Ming stood before the bed.

He watched the person on the bed suddenly stir and let out a soft muffled groan.

Chu Ming suddenly came back to himself.

He stepped forward in some panic, watching the person on the bed slowly furrow his brow and suddenly begin coughing quietly.

A flash of panic crossed Chu Ming's expression.

"Huai-ge, what's wrong?"

He reached out to help Ying Huai up to drink some water, but the moment the water was fed in, he heard Ying Huai choke and spit the water straight out.

Chu Ming was startled.

The person in his arms seemed to have coughed until he had no strength left, his neck tilting back, his body sliding down, and Chu Ming couldn't hold him steady at all.

Chu Ming grew increasingly at a loss.

He gritted his teeth and simply climbed onto the bed, one hand supporting Ying Huai's waist, the other cradling his head and neck, trying to prop him against the headboard.

The next second, he felt the person before him tremble slightly and slowly open his eyes.

"...Liang Shining?"

Ying Huai spoke instinctively.

The moment his words fell, he felt the person before him stiffen for a moment, frozen in place without moving.

Ying Huai furrowed his brow.

He leaned back slightly, bracing himself against the bedside table beside him, and finally saw the scene before him clearly.

"Chu Ming?"

Ying Huai pressed his brow and lightly shook his head, speaking quietly: "Why are you here?"

Chu Ming was on edge entirely.

He opened his mouth soundlessly: "Huai-ge, I..."

Ying Huai belatedly realized something was off.

He slowly lowered his hand, looked around, seemed to understand something, and his expression gradually calmed.

He suddenly laughed softly.

Chu Ming was nearly scared to tears.

"Huai, Huai-ge, where does it hurt? I saw you coughing just now..."

Ying Huai didn't answer.

He slightly raised his eyelids, looked Chu Ming up and down, and after a moment said casually: "You brought me here?"

Those words struck like a single stone that stirred up a thousand waves.

Chu Ming seemed to be electrocuted, suddenly springing up from the bed, trying to throw himself off it.

But he'd held the same position too long, his legs numb, and the moment his feet touched the ground they suddenly buckled.

Ying Huai only heard a muffled "thud," and the next second saw the person who had just been curled at the head of the bed kneeling straight on the ground.

Ying Huai: ?

He couldn't hold back a low laugh, but within a few seconds, he covered his lips and began coughing muffledly again.

Chu Ming knelt at the bedside, grinding his teeth.

For the moment he didn't dare get up, only kneeling at the bedside and speaking urgently: "Huai-ge, where does it hurt? Do you need medicine? I'll go get it for you..."

"Do you have my medicine?" Ying Huai covered his lips and coughed twice, raising his head with some amusement.

The Hongyu Jewel Pendant tied at the end of his hair had been messed up by Chu Ming's movements just now. Ying Huai reached out to untie it and rebind it, but whether from lack of strength in his hand or something else, his fingers trembled and the Hongyu Jewel Pendant suddenly dropped to the floor.

Chu Ming, quick-eyed and quick-handed, pressed down on the rolling Hongyu Jewel Pendant in one grab.

He scrambled to the bedside table, and inside were clearly all of Ying Huai's usual medicines.

Ying Huai raised his brows in some surprise.

He couldn't help laughing again.

Chu Ming held the Hongyu Jewel Pendant, looking at the person on the bed coughing muffledly with a bitter face, and quietly spoke again: "Huai-ge, could you take your medicine first before getting angry... no, no, before laughing?"

"I'm fine, no need for medicine." Ying Huai caught his breath.

Chu Ming tried to hand him the Hongyu Jewel Pendant, but Ying Huai shook his head and lowered his hand.

Being forced awake from deep sleep didn't feel good. Ying Huai pressed his aching brow, glanced down at Chu Ming: 'Still kneeling? Aren't your legs numb enough?'

Chu Ming didn't dare actually get up.

But seeing the unarguable hint of a smile in Ying Huai's eyes, he gritted his teeth and, grimacing, finally climbed to his feet.

'I'll squat, Huai-ge,' Chu Ming let out a soft hiss, 'squatting is fine, Huai-ge, are you really not uncomfortable anywhere...?'

'You've wanted to bring me here for a long time?'

Ying Huai cut straight to the point.

He looked at Chu Ming, his eyes curving: 'Long-planned, wasn't it?'

Chu Ming's expression froze again.

He forced a smile: 'What are you saying, Huai-ge, how could I possibly...'

Ying Huai said nothing, only slowly shifting his gaze to the bedside table that had been forced into service as a makeshift medicine cabinet.

With a snap, Chu Ming instinctively slammed the bedside table shut.

When he realized what he'd done, he saw the smile at Ying Huai's lips deepen slightly.

Chu Ming's face fell again.

'Huai-ge, I really didn't, no, I really didn't mean to...'

'Then why did you bring me here?' Ying Huai softly cut him off.

He lowered his eyes with an ambiguous half-smile, leaning slightly forward, the Hongyu Jewel Pendant at the end of his hair falling forward with him.

'Did Uncle Chu tell you to do this?'

Chu Ming's face went pale in an instant.

He instinctively opened his mouth to refute, but looking into Ying Huai's eyes, couldn't utter a single word.

'...Yes.'

After what felt like forever, Chu Ming finally spoke in a hoarse voice.

His hands on his legs slowly clenched into fists, his body tensing to the extreme.

He waited for Ying Huai to get angry or simply throw him out, but after a few seconds, all he heard was Ying Huai's calm voice.

'What about you?'

Chu Ming froze for a moment.

'Huh?'

He didn't react for a moment, looking up somewhat dazedly: 'Huai-ge, you said... what?'

'I said, Uncle Chu told you to do this—'

Ying Huai's eyes lowered slightly, idly playing with the loose ends of his hair: 'What did you yourself think?'

Chu Ming froze completely in place.

He heard Ying Huai say softly: 'Did you want to do this?'

The scenes from the banquet hall flooded his mind again, and Chu Ming's heart was instantly filled with mixed feelings.

He stared blankly at Ying Huai for a few seconds, then suddenly closed his eyes.

'What does Huai-ge think?'

He took a deep breath and said quietly: 'What does Huai-ge think I would do?'

·

A few hours earlier.

People came and went in the hall; no one noticed the father and son at the door in a tense, unspoken standoff.

Chu Hongsheng stared at Chu Ming with a smile, speaking unhurriedly: 'You've liked Ying Huai since you were little, but I remember Ying Huai always seemed to avoid you.'

Chu Ming looked lost, raising his head somewhat blankly.

Chu Hongsheng knew his son's heart had already wavered.

He stepped forward and administered another dose of strong medicine.

'During those years you were abroad, did Ying Huai ever visit you? Ever try to contact you? Ever really... think of you?'

Chu Hongsheng's tone was certain. The moment his words fell, he watched Chu Ming's expression change subtly, just as expected.

'How does Father know?' Chu Ming suddenly raised his head.

Chu Hongsheng laughed: 'You're my son. Of course what I care about most is my own son.'

'That Liang Shining, you hate him, don't you?'

Chu Ming opened his mouth as if to say something, but finally lowered his head again.

With Chu Ming's head lowered, his expression couldn't be seen. A hint of mockery slowly crept into Chu Hongsheng's expression.

But his tone remained gentle as he spoke: 'You see, Ying Huai doesn't care about you at all.'

'Ming-er, you're my son. Whatever I do, it's certainly for your good.'

Chu Hongsheng spoke unhurriedly.

'Listen to me, Ming-er. I can help you get rid of Liang Shining. I can make Ying Huai's eyes fall on you from now on...'

'Enough!'

Chu Ming suddenly cut off Chu Hongsheng.

He gasped for breath, and after a long moment finally said quietly: 'What does Father want me to do?'

A smile crept onto Chu Hongsheng's lips.

He slowly walked to Chu Ming's side, leaned down, and whispered a few words.

Chu Ming said nothing, looked deeply at Chu Hongsheng, then turned and walked out.

·

The clock in the room chimed softly, and Chu Ming suddenly came back to himself.

He looked somewhat dazedly at the person before him with lowered eyes and silent, unable to resist asking again: 'What does Huai-ge think?'

His voice trembled involuntarily: 'Would Huai-ge believe...'

—that he only wanted to protect him?

Before Chu Ming could finish, he suddenly heard Ying Huai let out a soft sigh.

Then he felt his head being gently rubbed.

'Of course I believe you.'

He casually lowered his hand, then suddenly leaned in, momentarily closing the distance to Chu Ming.

Chu Ming's face flushed instantly: 'Huai-ge, what are you...'

The next second, Ying Huai suddenly sat back against the headboard and spread his hand open.

'Otherwise, what do you think I've been talking to you this long for?'

—A dinner knife lay plainly in his palm.

'When you were rummaging through the bedside table just now, I already saw this dinner knife on it.'

Chu Ming's expression went blank with shock.

—He knew Ying Huai had studied some self-defense combat for a time. Though his body wasn't well now, subduing him with a burst of momentary force would still be effortless.

'You brought me here but didn't even put away the dangerous objects in the room, yet you prepared the medicine so thoroughly.'

Chu Ming froze for a few seconds, then lowered his head somewhat dazedly.

Ying Huai lowered his eyes with an ambiguous half-smile: 'This so-called kidnapper of yours still needs more practice, A-Chu.'

—Since he'd returned from abroad, he hadn't heard Ying Huai call him by this childhood name once.

But during the years he was abroad, every letter Ying Huai wrote him began with this.

He had never told Chu Hongsheng about Ying Huai writing him letters, and in that instant understood that Chu Hongsheng must have hidden something from him regarding going abroad.

This also finally allowed him to make up his mind.

At this moment, Chu Ming looked at Ying Huai, and his eyes reddened in an instant.

The fear and helplessness in his heart vanished without a trace, and he spoke with a slight choke: 'I'm sorry, Huai-ge.'

'I never thought about hurting Huai-ge, but I didn't know what to do...'

—So when he'd seen the sleeping Ying Huai just now, as if possessed, his first instinct had been to hide him away.

Ying Huai suddenly reached out and gently patted his head again.

'What's there to fear.'

Ying Huai coughed twice and said with a light laugh: 'I'm here.'

He suddenly thought of something and spoke again: 'What did Uncle Chu want you to do?'

Chu Ming shook his head: 'I don't know the specifics either.'

'He only told me to take you alone to a room, then contact him; when he sends a message, then contact Uncle Ying.'

Chu Ming said this and quickly added: 'Huai-ge, wait a little longer. My father has business at the company tomorrow, he can't stay here forever. Once he leaves, I'll take you out.'

Ying Huai's eyes flickered.

Chu Hongsheng was really too cautious, not even revealing the specifics to his own son.

—No evidence left behind, and so no way to call the police.

But Ying Huai also realized this was an excellent opportunity to lure Chu Hongsheng into revealing his hand.

He slowly withdrew his hand, accidentally brushing against Chu Ming's cheek.

Ying Huai quietly said "sorry," but Chu Ming keenly felt that the temperature of Ying Huai's palm was off.

He grabbed Ying Huai's hand, and the scalding heat made his heart jolt.

"You have a fever, Huai-ge."

Chu Ming raised his head in some panic, turned around, and went to the bedside table to rummage for medicine.

But just then, Ying Huai started coughing again.

Chu Ming hurriedly poured hot water and fed him the medicine, but Ying Huai's face grew paler.

"How can this be, Huai-ge?" Chu Ming's expression visibly panicked.

He lunged at the cabinet nearby, hands trembling as he began flipping through various medicine packages: "Why isn't this medicine working? Is there something wrong with it..."

But the next second, a hand suddenly rested lightly on his arm.

"It's not your fault."

Ying Huai coughed softly, his voice hoarse as he spoke: "I've been taking these medicines for a long time. I've already built up some resistance, so the effect... won't be that obvious."

He placed his other hand on his forehead, paused for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed softly.

Chu Ming suspected his Huai-ge had gotten delirious from the fever.

"Wh-what are you laughing at, Huai-ge?" Chu Ming's voice trembled. "If you're feeling too unwell, tell me."

"I'm fine, I'm used to it," Ying Huai lowered his hand and sighed helplessly. "I'm just thinking that Song Si Lan will probably start nagging me again in a bit."

Chu Ming could see Ying Huai's body trembling uncontrollably. He stepped forward quickly and steadied him.

He wanted to take Ying Huai out, but in his haste he hadn't brought his phone, and his father must still be waiting outside.

Chu Ming took a deep breath.

"I'll call Doctor Song over, Huai-ge," Chu Ming said urgently. "I'll lock the door. Stay here and don't move..."

Ying Huai didn't respond.

He slowly exhaled a burning breath, his mind racing.

Chu Hongsheng must not have been able to swallow being forced to expose himself just now, so he wanted to turn things around.

The more anxious he was, the more easily he would show his flaws.

—And so the better the opportunity.

"Wait."

Ying Huai suddenly spoke softly: "After you call Liang Shi Ning and Song Si Lan over—"

"Can you help me call two more people over?"

Chu Ming's expression froze.

·

Chu Hongsheng's expression darkened.

He glanced down at the phone in Ying Huai's hand, forced a smile: "Daring to record. I guessed you'd do this."

"But unfortunately I didn't say anything just now, Xiao Huai." Chu Hongsheng sighed with apparent regret.

He suddenly reached out, snatched the phone from Ying Huai's hand, deleted the recording file without hesitation, and tossed the phone into a corner.

The room suddenly went dark. Ying Huai sat quietly against the headboard, listening to Chu Hongsheng's somewhat ruthless voice coming from in front of him.

"Do you think you can catch any leverage on me this way, Xiao Huai?"

"Dream on. I originally wanted to talk to you properly, but since you won't take the wine you're offered, I can only—"

Before he could finish, he suddenly heard Ying Huai sigh softly.

"Uncle Chu has it wrong."

Ying Huai raised his head: "The one who needs to catch leverage on you was never me."

Chu Hongsheng frowned.

An ominous premonition flashed through his mind. The next second, he saw the partition door suddenly flung open.

The room's lights came on in an instant. Ying Fu, leaning on his cane, appeared at the door with a dark expression.

Immediately after, someone strode forward, pushed Chu Hongsheng aside, and reached out to steady Ying Huai.

Chu Hongsheng's face went white instantly.

"Ying-xiong..."

"I told you. My father would be very unhappy if he saw Uncle Chu like this." Ying Huai covered his lips and coughed softly a few times.

"Why does Uncle Chu... simply not believe it?"

Chu Hongsheng swayed and stepped back.

"Ying-xiong, you've misunderstood. I was only suggesting to Xiao Huai that he go to the Sanatorium to recuperate for a while. I mentioned this to you before. I didn't do anything else..."

Before he could finish, he saw Ying Fu raise his cane and swing it directly into the back of his knee.

"Didn't I also tell you that I wouldn't allow my son to go to a place like that?" Ying Fu said coldly.

Chu Hongsheng let out a muffled grunt. A flash of anger crossed his face, but he forcibly suppressed it.

"Ying-xiong, you're right to teach me a lesson." Chu Hongsheng said quietly.

"It's my fault. I was only worried about Xiao Huai's health..."

"That's not necessary," Ying Fu cut him off directly. "The Ying Family's affairs won't need your concern from now on."

Chu Hongsheng froze, forcing a smile: "Ying-xiong, what are you saying? Xiao Huai is someone I've watched grow up. If I don't worry about him, who will..."

"I said, that's not necessary."

Ying Fu spoke word by word: "From today, all your access to Ying Corporation is revoked. You, as vice president, can take a rest for now."

Chu Hongsheng's face went white instantly.

His position as vice president was already an empty shell. If he was further suspended, he would become a laughingstock of Ying Corporation.

Chu Hongsheng hurried forward a step: "Ying-xiong, what do you mean by that? I didn't do anything. Please don't..."

"I told you, last time was your final warning." Ying Fu suddenly turned his head.

His cane struck the ground heavily. "It's you yourself, who doesn't know what's good for you."

Chu Hongsheng froze in place. Ying Fu finally frowned at Ying Huai, gave a cold snort, and slowly walked out leaning on his cane.

·

The room was silent. Chu Hongsheng froze for a few seconds, then suddenly turned his head.

Ying Huai leaned against Liang Shi Ning, barely suppressing his cough.

He watched Chu Hongsheng walk step by step toward him.

"What a good scheme, Xiao Huai." Chu Hongsheng could still somehow laugh.

"Brainwashing my son, stripping me of my position," Chu Hongsheng said warmly. "Are you very satisfied now? Xiao Huai?"

Ying Huai's eyes flickered.

He also slowly smiled: "Of course not."

Chu Hongsheng frowned.

"This is barely the beginning, Uncle Chu," Ying Huai sat up straight and smiled softly. "What I want you to do—is far more than just this."

Chu Hongsheng's face darkened.

He stared at Ying Huai with a shadowed face for a few seconds, then suddenly spoke: "Do you know why your father has always wanted you to come home?"

Ying Huai was slightly taken aback.

He watched Chu Hongsheng approach him, speaking word by word: "He wants you to inherit Ying Corporation."

Ying Huai's eyes flickered. He suddenly laughed: "What is Uncle Chu saying? I don't know anything about these things..."

"This isn't something you can decide, nor your father." Chu Hongsheng curved his lips.

"It's your mother."

Ying Qi, who had just walked into the room, paused.

Ying Huai's body trembled uncontrollably. He suddenly raised his head: "What are you saying—"

"Aren't you curious why it's always been you, Xiao Huai?" Chu Hongsheng laughed softly. "Clearly you're not even at Ying Corporation, clearly your brother..."

Chu Hongsheng looked as if he wanted to say more, but the next second, a calm voice came from beside them.

"Uncle should go back first. Xiao Huai needs to rest today."

Ying Qi stepped in front of Ying Huai and spoke softly.

A smile appeared on Chu Hongsheng's face. He said nothing, got up, and walked straight out.

Ying Huai instinctively got up wanting to chase after him, but the moment he got off the bed, his steps faltered.

Ying Qi beside him caught him in a panic.

"Xiao Huai—"

"Ge, what did Chu Hongsheng mean just now?" Ying Huai raised his head somewhat dazedly.

"Ge, do you know something? Tell me..."

Before he could finish, his throat suddenly seized.

Before Ying Qi could react, he saw Ying Huai push him away, suddenly bend over, and break into uncontrollable violent coughing.

Liang Shining pulled the person into his arms. Chu Ming and Song Si Lan, who had been waiting at the door for a long time, finally rushed into the room.

'Huai-ge, Huai-ge, what's wrong? Don't scare me...'

Chu Ming finally couldn't hold back and really started crying: 'It's all my fault, it's all my problem, Huai-ge, I'm sorry...'

Ying Huai tried to say something, but the moment he opened his mouth, he broke into violent coughing.

He only had time to reach out and gently pat Chu Ming, and the next second, he felt his body go weak and slowly sink downward.

At the very end of his consciousness, Ying Huai only heard Liang Shining's panicked shouts, and at the door, a familiar yet strange... sound of a Cane.

—

'Cough, cough, cough...' Ying Huai was suddenly jolted awake by a wave of suffocation.

He coughed until his throat tasted of blood. He covered his mouth and endured for a long while before finally catching a breath.

Ying Huai's whole body had no strength left.

He lay prone on the bed, trying to gather some strength. While Song Si Lan hadn't come over yet, he slowly pushed himself up to sit.

The next second, he heard hurried footsteps approaching, and then Song Si Lan's slightly cold voice came from the side.

'Why didn't you press the call button when you woke up?'

Liang Shining lifted him up, and Song Si Lan replaced the oxygen mask with a nebulizer, frowning as he spoke.

Ying Huai leaned against Liang Shining's chest, gasped for breath twice, and after a long while, let out a low laugh: '...No strength.'

Song Si Lan glared at him.

'Now you know it feels bad?'

He looked at the monitor beside him, frowned, and pulled the nasal oxygen tube back over.

'A few days ago, who was running a fever and still plotting against others.'

Ying Huai guiltily curved his eyes into a smile.

He had just woken up and his brain couldn't quite process things. After a few seconds of reaction, he belatedly realized something.

'A few days ago?'

'What did you think?' Song Si Lan laughed coldly.

'Congratulations, you slept for two whole days. High fever, nightmares, couldn't wake up no matter what. Yu Wu almost had to force you into Hypnosis again.'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

Memories from before he fell unconscious gradually flooded his mind. Ying Huai thought of something and suddenly raised his head: 'My ge...'

'Your ge went to the company,' Song Si Lan said expressionlessly. 'Even if he hadn't, you're not allowed to see him.'

'Why?' Ying Huai asked instinctively.

The moment his words fell, he saw Song Si Lan glare at him again.

Ying Huai instantly fell silent.

He knew he was in the wrong. He held back for a few seconds, but ultimately couldn't help asking: 'I definitely won't get worked up. Could you let me see my ge in the evening...'

Before he could finish, Song Si Lan interrupted him in a tone that allowed no argument.

'No.'

Song Si Lan spoke as he walked toward the door, glanced back at him, and suddenly narrowed his eyes: 'But you can deal with this slightly stupid one first.'

Ying Huai: ?

Before he could react, the next second, he saw Chu Ming with red-rimmed eyes suddenly throw himself at the foot of his bed.

'Huai-ge—'

Ying Huai instinctively shrank back. Liang Shining frowned and subtly extended his leg a little.

The next second, Chu Ming let out an 'ow' and fell flat on his face right at Ying Huai's bedside.

...Ying Huai inexplicably felt this scene was somewhat familiar.

'Huai-ge, is your body okay now?'

Ying Huai curled up in Liang Shining's arms, nodded somewhat bewilderedly: 'I'm fine... but why are you crying?'

The moment his words fell, he saw Chu Ming's expression instantly collapse.

'It's all my fault, Huai-ge.'

Chu Ming, snot and tears streaming, crawled up: 'It's all my fault. I shouldn't have called my father over, and I shouldn't have hidden you away. It's all my fault, making you feel so awful, Huai-ge...'

Before he could finish, he heard Ying Huai speak softly: 'I've never blamed you, Chu Ming.'

Chu Ming's voice cut off abruptly.

He raised his head somewhat blankly, his expression still carrying some uncertainty: 'Really, Huai-ge?'

Ying Huai let out a soft sigh.

'My fever was because my body is weak. Even without you, I would have gotten a fever. Passing out was because of the shock, not something you caused.'

Ying Huai lowered his eyes to look at him, the corner of his mouth curving slightly: 'The only thing—'

Chu Ming blankly raised his head.

The next second, he saw Ying Huai slowly open his hand toward him.

'My Hongyu Jewel Pendant, you should return it to me now.'

Liang Shining beside him suddenly turned his head.

Chu Ming was stunned for a few seconds, then finally remembered something, and jumped up in an instant: 'Oh, oh, right!'

He fumbled to pull out a small box from his pocket, carefully took out the Hongyu Jewel Pendant inside and held it up to Ying Huai.

Before Ying Huai could reach out, the next second, Liang Shining reached out first and took the Hongyu Jewel Pendant.

'Let me put it on for Shifu.' Liang Shining said quietly.

Ying Huai was somewhat puzzled, but still obediently tilted his head, letting Liang Shining gently lift the ends of his hair.

Chu Ming beside him opened his mouth to ask something, but the moment he did, he saw Liang Shining look directly over at him.

Chu Ming's body trembled, and the words at his mouth were instantly swallowed back.

—He inexplicably felt that Liang Shining's gaze at him... carried killing intent.

Ying Huai yawned, raised his head somewhat bewilderedly: 'Why are you trembling? Are you cold?'

Chu Ming instinctively wanted to speak, but looking at Liang Shining's calm gaze, he hurriedly nodded: 'Mm... cold.'

Ying Huai raised his eyebrows.

The heating in the room was turned up very high to accommodate him, a heart patient.

Ying Huai looked at the person in front of him who was wearing short sleeves and sweating from the heat, and his expression gained a few traces of curiosity.

Chu Ming no longer dared to stay any longer.

Once he knew Ying Huai wasn't angry with him, he was instantly relieved. For the first time, he didn't dare to 'compete for favor' with Liang Shining, and instantly scrambled up and ran straight out of the room.

Ying Huai was somewhat puzzled: 'Two days apart and Chu Ming feels like he's gotten strange?'

'Maybe he got smarter.' Liang Shining steadily fastened the Hongyu Jewel Pendant at the ends of Ying Huai's hair and slowly lowered his hand.

Ying Huai curiously turned his head back, couldn't help but let out a soft 'ah,' 'Your hands are so skillful, Liang Shining. You braided it even better than I did.'

Liang Shining didn't answer.

He lowered his eyes to look at the person in his arms, and after a long while said quietly: 'How did Shifu's Hongyu Jewel Pendant end up with Chu Ming?'

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

The Hongyu Jewel Pendant had fallen off, and Chu Ming had taken it to lure Chu Hongsheng over. Later, when Ying Huai confronted Chu Hongsheng and then immediately fell ill, Chu Ming never had the chance to return the Hongyu Jewel Pendant to him.

Ying Huai played with the braid Liang Shining had made for him, not noticing the abnormality in Liang Shining's tone: 'Oh, I gave it to him. It happened to be useful at the time.'

The moment his words fell, he felt his waist suddenly tighten.

Ying Huai softly hissed.

'What are you doing, Liang Shining?'

'Shifu gave it to him of your own accord?' Liang Shining pulled the person closer into his arms and said quietly.

Ying Huai was puzzled: 'Yeah—no, that's not right. I accidentally dropped it, but I couldn't get out of bed at the time, so I had him pick it up for me...'

Before he could finish, he heard Liang Shining's voice suddenly turn cold: 'Get out of bed?'

Before Ying Huai could react, the next second, he felt the world spin.

Liang Shining directly turned around holding him, pressed down on his wrist, and pinned him against the head of the bed.

'After Chu Ming took Shifu away that day, what exactly else did he do?'

Ying Huai vaguely sensed something was off.

He instinctively struggled: 'What are you doing, Liang Shining? Let go of me first...'

Before he could finish, the next second, he heard a familiar sound of a Cane from the doorway.

Ying Huai's eyes widened in disbelief.

He looked around the room, and only now belatedly realized that he was actually at Ying Fu's Residence.

Ying Huai panicked instantly.

He instinctively pushed at Liang Shining's shoulder. Liang Shining, afraid of hurting Ying Huai, hadn't been using force in the first place, and now didn't react in time, his center of gravity instantly tilting backward.

Ying Huai himself couldn't sit steady either, his body instantly pitching forward.

The next second, the moment the door was pushed open, Ying Huai directly pressed Liang Shining down onto the bed.