Waist Injury

Su Xin's brow twitched. He frowned and looked at Mu Heguang before him.

"What are you doing? Teacher Mu?"

Mu Heguang swallowed.

He actually wasn't entirely sure what had just happened, but on the principle of protecting his own disciple, Mu Heguang quickly spoke up with a cheerful expression.

"Nothing, Xiao Su, you saw wrong just now. Come on, let's go back to the classroom first. Don't you still need to prepare for the afternoon exam room...."

Su Xin said nothing. He looked at the door Mu Heguang had closed, slowly turned around, and a memory suddenly surfaced again in his mind.

It seemed to be backstage at the Cross-Genre Singer Program. Su Xin had been invited as a guest to attend the final championship round.

He stood somewhat blankly in the corridor when he suddenly felt someone bump his shoulder.

Su Xin stumbled a step but didn't fall. However, the person who had rushed past from behind swayed and crashed heavily to the ground.

"Are you okay...." Su Xin instinctively bent down to help the person up.

But the next second, after seeing clearly who was before him, his brow furrowed instantly. "Ying Huai?"

Ying Huai clutched at the fabric over his chest with one hand and braced himself against the ground with the other, breathing rapidly.

He seemed to want to stand up on his own, but the moment he half-pushed himself up, he suddenly fell back down.

Su Xin instinctively reached out to steady him.

Ying Huai's face was pale. He raised his head and looked at Su Xin for several seconds before his unfocused eyes finally gathered for a moment. "...Shixiong?"

Su Xin frowned, said nothing, and only slowly withdrew the hand supporting the person.

The next second, Ying Huai suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Did Shixiong see Liang Shining?"

Ying Huai's voice trembled, carrying a barely perceptible panic. Su Xin frowned and finally couldn't help asking, "What's wrong with you?"

Ying Huai's expression went dazed for a moment.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but the next second, shook his head.

"It's nothing.... If Shixiong sees Liang Shining, don't tell him I'm looking for him...."

He braced against the wall beside him and grit his teeth as he stood. The moment he rose, he suddenly clutched at his chest again, a flash of pain crossing his features.

Su Xin had a gut feeling that something was wrong with Ying Huai.

But he opened his mouth and ultimately swallowed the question.

The next day, he unexpectedly saw the news of Ying Huai withdrawing from the competition.

·

Su Xin stumbled a step in the corridor.

For some reason, his memory of that competition had always been vague—he didn't remember the program having invited him.

Su Xin's face went pale. He mechanically followed Mu Heguang forward a couple of steps.

Mu Heguang didn't notice anything off about Su Xin. He breathed a sigh of relief. "That's right, let's not disturb the young couple.... no no, the two of them...."

Before he finished speaking, he saw Su Xin suddenly spin around, and the next second, push past him and throw open the door to the rest room.

Mu Heguang: ???

"Hey, you—"

He turned around half a beat too late, but Su Xin had already rushed straight in.

"Ying Huai, you—"

Before he finished speaking, his voice suddenly cut off.

Mu Heguang hadn't realized something was wrong. He had no time to react and rushed in after him, reaching out to cover Su Xin's eyes.

"Xiao Su, what are you doing, come back with me...."

Before he finished speaking, he heard a bewildered voice from behind.

"Teacher, what are you doing?" A bewildered voice came from behind.

Mu Heguang froze.

He instinctively turned around and saw Ying Huai sitting properly beside Liang Shining, curiously looking up at him.

Mu Heguang silently opened his mouth.

"You two...."

"What did you two just do?" Su Xin stepped forward, his face dark, and reached to pull Ying Huai over.

But the next second, he saw the person before him shrink back.

An expression of disbelief crossed Su Xin's face.

"We didn't do anything just now, Shixiong." Ying Huai raised his head and curved his eyes.

Su Xin was nearly beside himself with fury.

"What's wrong with you, Ying Huai? I clearly saw just now—did he coerce you...."

Ying Huai laughed. "What is Shixiong saying? Coerce? Did Shixiong get too tired in class just now and start seeing things?"

Ying Huai's expression was relaxed, but his voice was inexplicably hoarse, and his tone carried a hint of restrained pain—however one listened, it sounded as though he were hiding something.

Su Xin's face changed instantly.

The memory that had inexplicably surfaced in his mind made Su Xin instinctively wary of Liang Shining, and extremely worried about Ying Huai's situation.

Su Xin stepped forward without a word, intending to pull Ying Huai away from Liang Shining directly.

But the next second, Liang Shining suddenly reached out and lifted Ying Huai up into a horizontal carry.

Mu Heguang's eyes suddenly widened. Ying Huai was startled too, let out a soft "ah," and instinctively reached up to wrap his arms around Liang Shining's neck.

Ying Huai, somewhat flustered: "You—"

"Didn't Shifu tell me to take you away?" Liang Shining adjusted his hold, speaking quietly. "This is the fastest way."

Ying Huai grit his teeth.

The tips of his ears burned, but in the end he said nothing, only slightly turning his head and burying his face into Liang Shining's neck.

Su Xin was nearly dizzy with rage. "What are you doing? Put Ying Huai down—"

"Shixiong."

Before Su Xin could finish speaking, he was suddenly cut off by Ying Huai's calm voice.

"What I want to ask more is—what is Shixiong doing?"

Su Xin froze.

He silently opened his mouth. "I'm worried about you...."

"Shixiong acting like this is what scares me more." Ying Huai curved his eyes and spoke casually.

"Shixiong never used to bother with me. What is this today?"

Su Xin had no way to explain.

He silently opened his mouth and could only mechanically repeat once more, "I'm just worried about you...."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly heard Ying Huai say softly, "Is Shixiong feeling guilty?"

Su Xin's expression froze.

His expression stiffened and he instinctively denied it. "Of course not...."

"That's good then." Ying Huai watched him with interest for a few seconds, then slowly smiled. "I don't need Shixiong to make up for guilt."

Su Xin's hand at his side suddenly tightened.

He lowered his head, looked at the person curled up in Liang Shining's arms, sighed softly, and curved his lips slightly. "So now, please excuse me, Shixiong."

Su Xin's hand at his side suddenly tightened.

He grit his teeth and finally turned slightly to the side.

Ying Huai buried his face back into Liang Shining's neck and gave Mu Heguang a small smile. "Teacher, I'll be going now."

Mu Heguang nodded somewhat blankly.

His gaze circled among the three of them several times, his expression gradually shifting from suspicion to understanding.

The rest room door was quietly closed, but the fingers at Su Xin's side slowly clenched.

He suddenly turned his head, and the next second, saw Mu Heguang abruptly lean right up to his face.

Su Xin was startled. "Teacher Mu?"

Mu Heguang watched Su Xin with interest for a few seconds, then suddenly leaned in beside him.

"What, you like Xiao Huai too?" Mu Heguang leaned in beside Su Xin and said quietly.

Su Xin's brow twitched. "What are you saying, Teacher Mu, I don't like—"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly realized something and abruptly raised his head. "What does Teacher Mu mean by 'too'?"

A flash of surprise crossed Mu Heguang's expression. "You didn't know?"

"Xiao Liang has always liked Xiao Huai."

Su Xin: ???

His face instantly turned ugly.

·

Elsewhere, Liang Shining draped his jacket over Ying Huai with one hand. As he carried him around the corner of the corridor, he felt the person in his arms squirm slightly.

"Put me down, Liang Shining."

Liang Shining didn't let go.

He carried the person steadily around the corner and walked quickly outward.

The tips of Ying Huai's ears were completely red.

He had known clearly that, given Su Xin's temperament, he would definitely come back to press him, but the injury at his waist made it nearly impossible for him to walk at the moment.

So he had decided on the spot to have Liang Shining take him away, but he hadn't expected—Liang Shining would take him away in this way.

He instinctively wanted to struggle, but the next second, heard Liang Shining speak quietly.

"Does Shifu's waist still hurt?"

Ying Huai's expression paused.

Liang Shining had helped him with some quick treatment in the rest room earlier, but even now, being supported and not needing to exert himself, a dull ache still came in waves.

Ying Huai's eyes flickered, and he said with a smile, "Of course it doesn't hurt. I basically can't feel anything anymore...."

Before he could finish speaking, the next second, he felt the hand supporting his waist move slightly.

Ying Huai was startled. His body trembled, and he instinctively shrank into Liang Shining's arms. The arm around him tightened unconsciously.

The next second, seeing Liang Shining's lowered gaze, he quickly realized he'd been tricked.

Ying Huai gritted his teeth and raised his head: "Liang Shining—"

"Shifu's waist still hurts." Liang Shining said with certainty.

He turned sideways and pushed the door open with his shoulder, speaking calmly: "If Shifu doesn't want Song Si Lan to come over later, it's best not to get down."

Ying Huai's struggling movements paused.

—He hadn't expected Liang Shining, with his impossibly proper nature, to say something like this.

A flash of disbelief crossed his expression. He narrowed his eyes and raised his head with interest: "Are you threatening me, Liang Shining?"

"Of course not," Liang Shining lowered his eyes, a trace of warmth and amusement in his voice. "I'm helping Shifu."

"After all, I also don't want to have to tell Song Si Lan that Shifu's waist hurts so much you can't walk at all...."

Before Liang Shining could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a pain at his shoulder.

He lowered his head in some surprise, just in time to see Ying Huai release his bite and raise his eyebrows at him.

Liang Shining hesitated: "Did Shifu just... bite me?"

"Of course not."

Ying Huai raised his head, mimicking Liang Shining's earlier tone, and smiled with curved eyes: "I'm just agreeing with my disciple's point of view."

Liang Shining laughed helplessly. He carried the person out of the teaching building and walked straight toward his car.

The next second, a figure suddenly stepped directly in front of them.

"It's been a long time, Xiao Huai."

A refined and gentle voice came from in front of them.

Liang Shining's steps paused.

Chu Hongsheng stood in the center of the parking lot, speaking with concern: "Is Xiao Huai feeling unwell again? Did something happen?"

Ying Huai raised his head and glanced at Chu Hongsheng, his eyes flickering.

He suddenly smiled slowly: "Nothing major, Uncle Chu doesn't need to worry."

"Or rather, Uncle Chu need not be—too happy."

The moment his words fell, he saw Chu Hongsheng's expression subtly change.

Ying Huai stared into Chu Hongsheng's eyes without flinching, the corners of his eyes curving slightly.

Although Chu Hongsheng wore his usual fake smile on his face, there was an undetectable anger and stiffness in his expression.

—Clearly he had heard some news and come specifically to intercept them.

In that instant, Ying Huai realized that everything Song Xingzhou had done must have been arranged by Chu Hongsheng.

He must not have expected Song Xingzhou to be exposed so thoroughly, and had hurried over to clean up after him.

Ying Huai nestled in Liang Shining's arms and yawned, speaking unhurriedly: "Uncle Chu doesn't look well. Uncle Chu should pay more attention to rest, and not worry too much usually."

Chu Hongsheng gave a cold laugh.

Since the incident at the last birthday party, Chu Ming had moved directly out of the Chu Family Residence.

He had freeloaded at Ying Huai's place for a few days, and only after Liang Shining finally couldn't stand it anymore and kicked him out did he start looking for his own place to live.

Ying Huai knew clearly that Chu Hongsheng was now eager to turn things around, but he himself was not in a hurry.

—After all, the more anxious Chu Hongsheng was, the more flaws he would reveal.

He shrank further under Liang Shining's jacket and gently patted Liang Shining's arm.

Liang Shining understood.

He carried the person around Chu Hongsheng expressionlessly, but had only walked a couple of steps when he suddenly heard Chu Hongsheng laugh behind him: "Xiao Huai, you and Xiao Liang really have a good relationship."

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, and Liang Shining's steps suddenly paused.

He turned back and watched Chu Hongsheng's gaze circle between the two of them, more interest appearing in his eyes.

"I knew before that you and Xiao Liang had a good relationship, Xiao Huai, but I didn't know your relationship was... this good."

Ying Huai frowned, but heard Liang Shining speak first in a heavy voice: "What do you mean?"

Chu Hongsheng laughed.

He walked forward unhurriedly, lowered his eyes toward Ying Huai: "Nothing."

"It's just that I don't know... if Xiao Huai's father knew about your two's 'intimate' relationship, what would his reaction be?"

Ying Huai's face changed, and Liang Shining instantly stepped forward, speaking angrily: "You—"

"Liang Shining."

Ying Huai quickly straightened up.

A flash of pain crossed his expression, but he quickly pressed Liang Shining's arm and shook his head slightly at him.

"I'm fine."

—He knew clearly that Chu Hongsheng just wanted to make them angry.

Chu Hongsheng watched Liang Shining's reaction, and a flash of smugness crossed his expression.

He stepped forward again and, in a seemingly affectionate gesture, brushed aside the stray hairs on Ying Huai's forehead.

"Don't think you've won another round, Xiao Huai."

"We'll see...."

"Song Fengyi is Song Xingzhou's brother, right." Liang Shining suddenly spoke.

Chu Hongsheng was startled.

He frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is—what Mr. Chu can investigate, we can also investigate." Liang Shining said calmly, holding the person.

"I don't know how Mr. Chu deceived Song Xingzhou, but if we restore the whole course of events to him exactly as it happened, does Mr. Chu think Song Xingzhou would still believe you?"

Chu Hongsheng's face darkened. He forced a smile: "What do you mean? It was clearly you who got Song Fengyi sent to prison...."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly heard the sound of a car starting up behind him, followed immediately by the sudden close blast of a horn.

Chu Hongsheng spun around, retreated a step in a fluster, and crashed heavily into the car door beside him, narrowly avoiding the vehicle that sped past.

"How do you drive? Are you crazy—"

"Sorry, Vice President Chu," Li Xiang poked his head out from the driver's seat, smiling innocently. "This is a parking lot. Vice President Chu insisted on standing in the middle of the road. I got startled and stomped the gas thinking it was the brake."

Chu Hongsheng held onto the car door beside him, his face ashen.

He watched Liang Shining carry Ying Huai into the car, gritted his teeth wanting to step forward again, but saw Liang Shining directly reach out and block him.

"Mr. Chu, please stay."

His voice was no longer the deliberately maintained calm from when Ying Huai was present, but had gone completely cold.

"If Mr. Chu dares to step forward again, don't blame me for being unkind."

Chu Hongsheng's steps paused.

He froze in place, watching Liang Shining give him one last look before turning and slamming the car door shut.

A shadow of gloom crossed Chu Hongsheng's expression.

He took a deep breath, opened his phone, and dialed a number.

·

Ying Huai's waist injury made it basically impossible for him to sit for long, so Liang Shining had him lie across his lap again.

Throughout the journey, Ying Huai kept his eyes closed and didn't speak much.

Liang Shining lowered his eyes and stared at the person on his lap for a few seconds, then suddenly spoke softly.

"Does it hurt a lot?"

Ying Huai's eyelashes trembled. After a few seconds, he finally sighed helplessly: "How did you know I wasn't asleep, little disciple?"

Liang Shining paused.

Ying Huai's face was a few shades paler than when he had left the rest room earlier.

Even though he didn't say anything, Liang Shining, holding him, could clearly feel Ying Huai's body trembling.

—He knew Ying Huai was trying hard to hide the pain in his waist.

But Liang Shining didn't say anything, only gently brushed aside the sweat-dampened stray hairs from Ying Huai's eyes.

"I just know."

Ying Huai laughed softly.

The next second, he suddenly felt Liang Shining reach out and gently pat his back, one pat after another.

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

He raised his eyes with some amusement: "What are you doing, Liang Shining?"

"Coaxing Shifu to sleep."

Liang Shining said softly: "This way Shifu will feel a little better."

He wasn't clear exactly how badly Ying Huai's waist was injured. Song Si Lan had told him not to massage it casually.

He had no way to help relieve it, and after thinking it over, this clumsy method was the only one he could think of.

Ying Huai laughed helplessly: "I'm not a child, what is there to coax...."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt his vision go dark, and then a hand gently covered his eyes.

"Shifu try it." Waves of warmth spread from around his eyes, and Liang Shining's low voice came from beside his ear.

Ying Huai was stunned.

He didn't say anything, the corners of his lips curving somewhat helplessly, but he did unconsciously relax his body.

He had originally only meant to close his eyes and rest for a while to go along with Liang Shining.

The pain in his waist was still gradually intensifying. Ying Huai didn't think he could fall asleep at all.

But before he knew it, his consciousness gradually scattered, and his breathing slowly calmed.

Liang Shining lowered his eyes, watching the person on his lap gradually relax their brow, already quietly fallen asleep.

His hand movements gradually lightened, but the worry in his eyes hadn't lessened by much.

·

Ying Huai slept all the way home.

When he was carried in by Liang Shining, he hadn't reacted yet—after all, no one was home, and Bouquet couldn't say anything either.

But the moment he entered the door, Ying Huai immediately knew he'd been tricked by Liang Shining.

“I haven't even been gone half a day, Teacher Ying.”

Song Si Lan's slightly cold voice rose from in front of him: “Liang Shining carried you back again?”

Ying Huai was instantly wide awake.

He suddenly opened his eyes, seeing Song Si Lan standing in the center of the hall with a dark expression, with Yu Wu beside him looking cheeky.

“Long time no see, Teacher Xiao Huai.” Yu Wu grinned and waved at Ying Huai, holding his phone as if listening to something.

Ying Huai: ???

He paused for a few seconds, gave Song Si Lan a guilty smile, and gritted his teeth as he looked up at Liang Shining.

“I only told shifu earlier that I wouldn't tell Doctor Song that shifu's waist hurt so much he couldn't walk.”

Liang Shining guessed what Ying Huai was about to say and unhurriedly spoke: “But I didn't say—I wouldn't tell Doctor Song that shifu was injured.”

Ying Huai curved his eyes in a half-smile.

The next second, Song Si Lan impatiently spoke: “I know even without you telling me—don't hide it, or I'll give you another needle in a bit.”

Ying Huai: .......

His attempt to struggle paused, and he could only watch helplessly as Liang Shining set him down on the sofa.

Song Si Lan frowned and sat beside him, quickly checking his waist, and let out a small breath of relief.

“It's alright, shouldn't have hit the bone—in a bit I'll take an X-ray for you and send it to my senior to look at.”

The moment Song Si Lan finished speaking, Yu Wu beside him suddenly leaned forward: “What senior, Si Lan?”

Song Si Lan without hesitation raised his elbow and jabbed him.

Yu Wu felt pain and instinctively pulled back.

“An orthopedics senior—why, you want to see too?”

Song Si Lan turned his head, eyes slightly narrowed: “I'll break your bones too, take an X-ray and send it over for you.”

Ying Huai raised an eyebrow.

Yu Wu was in pain, wincing, but still grinned and leaned forward: “Great, great, I'll just move into Si Lan's place then.”

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

He couldn't be bothered with Yu Wu anymore, directly gritted his teeth and stood up to prepare the things for the X-ray.

Ying Huai rarely got to see Song Si Lan at a loss.

He lay across Liang Shining's lap, watching Yu Wu with great interest.

Yu Wu grinned and watched Song Si Lan leave, the moment he went upstairs, immediately winced and clutched his abdomen.

Ying Huai couldn't help but chuckle lightly: “Doctor Yu came over today just to take that elbow?”

“That elbow was worth it—it's a sign of your Doctor Song loving me.” Yu Wu let out a soft hiss but still grinned as he spoke.

But the next second, he suddenly looked at Ying Huai: “But I came over today mainly to find you.”

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment. The next second, he watched Yu Wu suddenly lean close and lightly snap his fingers by his ear.

Ying Huai's eyes went unfocused for a moment.

Only then did he belatedly realize that Yu Wu's phone had been playing a soothing piece of light music at some point.

“You........”

He shook his head, trying to drive away the dizziness, but the light music circling his ears made his whole body involuntarily relax.

“Don't worry, Teacher Xiao Huai, I've already checked with Si Lan, nothing will happen.” Yu Wu chuckled lightly and slowly spoke.

He glanced up at Liang Shining. Liang Shining paused, then reached out and gently patted Ying Huai's back.

Ying Huai's tense body unconsciously relaxed bit by bit.

His consciousness gathered and scattered, listening to Yu Wu's gentle voice.

“Si Lan didn't ask you just now, but I'm very curious.”

“How exactly did Teacher Xiao Huai hurt his waist?”

Ying Huai's body trembled slightly. He silently opened his mouth, but the next second, felt Yu Wu snap his fingers by his ear again.

Ying Huai's expression froze.

The next second, his originally tightly clenched fingers suddenly went limp, his wrist went soft, and heavily hung down off the side of the sofa.

Yu Wu slowly straightened up.

He stroked his chin, thoughtfully glancing at Liang Shining: “This is much simpler than hypnotizing him alone—he really relaxes when he's next to you.”

Liang Shining lifted the person from his lap.

He let Ying Huai rest on his shoulder, looked up at Yu Wu: “What exactly are you trying to do?”

Yu Wu shrugged: “Nothing, just letting him relax.”

He turned the music down, leaned close to Ying Huai's ear and said a few words in a low voice, then lightly snapped his fingers again.

Liang Shining was stunned.

He watched Ying Huai's expression gradually relax, his breathing grow heavier, and his wary expression finally eased a bit.

“Song Si Lan told you?”

“Mm.”

Yu Wu checked Ying Huai's pulse, sighed in relief, and finally straightened up.

“Didn't you notice? He should be in a state of stress defense right now, his spirit would be abnormally tense.”

Yu Wu plopped down across from the two, propped his chin and yawned: “Si Lan told me about Ying Huai's situation these past few days, it should be from frequent stimulation over the past two days.”

“If he keeps up this tense state, his body won't hold up much longer.”

Yu Wu spoke while tilting his chin toward Ying Huai's waist.

“Si Lan said this time his waist injury was from hitting the chalkboard groove, but normally, no matter how weak his body is, hitting it like that wouldn't cause something this serious.”

Ying Huai usually always acted casual, but every time even when uncomfortable, when someone was nearby he'd instinctively keep his distance from Liang Shining.

But just now both Song Si Lan and Yu Wu were in the room, and Ying Huai didn't show the slightest intention of getting up from Liang Shining's arms.

—He was probably already in so much pain he couldn't bear it.

Liang Shining's expression darkened.

Yu Wu glanced at him, covered his mouth and yawned: “It's fine, I just gave him a light hypnosis, letting his own subconscious dilute the stimulation of the past few days.”

He looked at Liang Shining's still somewhat solemn expression, thought for a few seconds, and unusually offered an explanation.

“Natural human sleep goes from fully awake β waves, gradually sliding down to body-relaxed, consciousness-awake, light hypnotic α waves, to deep hypnotic θ waves, and then to deep sleep δ waves.[1]”

Yu Wu gestured layer by layer with his hand.

“And hypnosis in psychological treatment is, through certain methods, keeping people in α and θ waves as much as possible, this allows the psychologist to go deep into the subconscious, and based on the subject's feedback, help them resolve some issues.[1]”

Yu Wu spoke while standing up, observing Ying Huai's pulse and breathing.

“He shouldn't have entered deep sleep yet, don't move him. Wait until Song Si Lan comes down in a bit, get his waist issue handled and it should be about right.”

Yu Wu stretched: “When the time comes you carry him up, let him sleep well and it'll be fine........”

He hadn't finished speaking when a knock suddenly came from the door.

Yu Wu was stunned, Liang Shining frowned.

At this time no one else should be coming over. Liang Shining had an ominous premonition.

Yu Wu glanced at Liang Shining, slowly walked forward, and opened the door.

Then Ying Qi's voice, carrying some anger, came from the door: “Ying Huai? Come out here—”

He strode into the room with his Cane, and his voice abruptly stopped.

He saw his son lying entirely in Liang Shining's arms, Liang Shining holding him face to face on his lap, covering his son's ears, frowning as he looked at him.

Ying Qi nearly fainted from anger.

Earlier when Chu Hongsheng sent him a message he'd been half in doubt, but now seeing this with his own eyes, his fury instantly flared up.

He strode forward: “What are you doing? Have you lost your minds?”

“Wait a moment, this—Old Man? Please keep your voice down.” Yu Wu hurriedly stepped forward to block Ying Qi.

“You've misunderstood, Ying Huai's not feeling well, we were just treating him, it's not what you think........”

“You're the Old Man.”

Ying Qi frowned at this person in front of him who looked like a 'charlatan,' and heavily struck the ground with his Cane, 'What kind of treatment requires holding someone like this?'

Yu Wu choked.

His eyes flickered, he put on a baffled expression and turned to look at Liang Shining: 'What, your Old Man still curses people?'

Liang Shining: .......

Ying Qi didn't catch Yu Wu's veiled jab.

He snorted, strode forward to grab Ying Huai's arm: 'Come home with me, you have no shame, in broad daylight do you have any ethics or morals........'

But before he finished, the next second, his wrist was suddenly gripped by someone.

'Please calm down, this Old Man.'

Yu Wu gripped Ying Qi's wrist, once again blocking in front of the two.

Yu Wu turned to signal Liang Shining to take Ying Huai upstairs.

Liang Shining quickly stood up.

But he was afraid of waking Ying Huai, so he didn't dare walk too fast, only tried to hold the person as steadily as possible while quickly walking toward the back.

'You stop right there!'

Ying Qi's brow twitched, he directly tried to break free from Yu Wu's grip: 'What are you doing, I'm disciplining my son, what's it to you, let go........'

Yu Wu turned his head.

He listened to Ying Qi's words and gave a soft 'tch,' looking at the iron-faced man before him with some surprise.

"Ying Huai is your son."

Yu Wu looked Ying Qi up and down and spoke thoughtfully: "Really....... not at all alike. Is Ying Huai really your biological child?"

Ying Qi: ......?

"Who exactly are you—"

"I told you, I'm Ying Huai's doctor," Yu Wu shrugged innocently. "Your son needs rest right now. Could you stop making trouble?"

Ying Qi's fury was at its peak. He couldn't hear a word Yu Wu was saying.

He raised his Cane to strike Yu Wu. Yu Wu was startled and quickly sidestepped to avoid the blow.

"No way, why is this Old Man still hitting people? Does he have any manners at all?"

"Get out of my way," Ying Qi withdrew his Cane and said in a low voice. "I'm taking my son home. If he stays here, you'll ruin him sooner or later........"

Before he could finish, he suddenly heard a sharp woman's voice from the doorway: "Isn't it you, Mr. Ying, who's been the one ruining him?"

Ying Qi froze.

He turned around and saw Liang Mu, who had arrived at some unknown point, striding in on a pair of stilettos.

She swept her gaze around the room, and it first landed on Liang Shining and Ying Huai at the foot of the stairs.

"How's Xiao Huai? Is he asleep? Is he alright?" Liang Mu asked with concern.

Liang Shining shook his head without speaking. Liang Mu immediately realized something and quickly lowered her voice.

"That's good, that's good. I won't disturb Xiao Huai. You take good care of him and let him rest."

Ying Qi beside them wasn't buying any of it. He flung Yu Wu's hand away and tried to press forward, only to suddenly see Liang Mu step in front of him again.

Ying Qi's face was dark with anger: "Please move aside—"

"No." Liang Mu lifted her chin and glanced at Ying Qi. "My son is taking Xiao Huai to rest. What are you going over there for? You're not a child anymore—have some shame."

Ying Qi: ???

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Ying Qi gritted his teeth.

Liang Mu frowned: "Who's the one spouting nonsense here?"

She stepped forward and looked directly at Ying Qi.

"Mr. Ying, do you truly care about your son?"

Ying Qi's brow furrowed, his expression darkening: "What do you mean? If I didn't care, would I be standing here right now........"

"When you came in just now and saw your son sleeping, was your first reaction to ask how he was doing?"

Liang Mu said bluntly: "No, it wasn't. What you cared about was whether he'd deviated from your expectations, whether he'd gone against your ideas, whether he'd embarrassed you—and in my view, this isn't even something worth being embarrassed about."

Ying Qi's grip on his Cane suddenly tightened: "How is it not?"

"Do you know your son is going to ruin my son? Didn't you see them just now? Don't you know what they were—"

"So what if they were? So what if they weren't?" Liang Mu cut Ying Qi off without hesitation.

"Let me ask you—does Liang Shining care deeply about Xiao Huai?"

Ying Qi frowned: "What I'm saying is......."

"Just answer yes or no."

Liang Mu said impatiently: "Is it really that hard?"

Ying Qi's expression froze for a moment.

It had been a long time since anyone had confronted him so directly.

But Liang Mu was a woman, and he couldn't actually do anything to her.

Ying Qi took a deep breath and said in a low voice: "Yes."

"Since Xiao Huai started living with Xiao Ning, hasn't his health gotten much better?"

Ying Qi frowned, but still answered: "Yes."

"Hasn't Xiao Huai's relationship with his family also improved?"

Ying Qi's grip on his Cane tightened for a moment, but after a few seconds, he still said in a low voice: "Yes."

"So there's no problem with them being together." Liang Mu crossed her arms.

"Yes—wait!" Ying Qi immediately frowned. "What are you rambling about?"

Liang Mu raised an eyebrow noncommittally: "What's wrong with what I'm saying? Xiao Huai's health is better now, his mood is better, and he has one more person looking after him. What's the problem?"

Ying Qi always felt something was off: "But this goes against common sense—"

"What common sense? Rules are made by people. Besides, they're not breaking any laws." Liang Mu almost laughed from sheer exasperation.

"Xiao Ning is my son, Xiao Huai is your son. Both our families have gained another child to love and care for. What's the problem with that?"

Ying Qi stood rooted to the spot with an ashen face, wanting to argue back, but for a moment found himself at a complete loss for words.

"Can you throw away your feudal-minded thinking?"

Liang Mu said impatiently, "The overall principle of the PRC's first law, the Marriage Law, is freedom of marriage. Tell me—where have they violated it?"

Ying Qi was stunned.

He seemed to think of something and fell silent for a moment.

"And could you stop trying to rush me into a marriage here?"

Liang Mu finally crossed her arms and said, frustrated beyond endurance: "As far as I know, they haven't made any progress at all yet. Don't end up opposing them so much that you push them together."

"Then I really should thank you very much."

·

Yu Wu, who had been standing aside watching the drama unfold, listened to Liang Mu's tirade with an expression of utter awe.

He had just been about to slip into the kitchen to find some sunflower seeds to snack on, but the next second, he heard Liang Shining's voice from upstairs, forcibly suppressing panic.

"Yu Wu!"

Yu Wu froze. His heart sank instantly, and he quickly went up the stairs.

"What's wrong......."

Before he could finish, his voice cut off abruptly.

Ying Huai was still curled up in Liang Shining's arms, but his brow had begun to furrow at some point, his eyelids trembling faintly, as if he were gradually waking.

Yu Wu, who had rushed over, felt his heart skip a beat.

"I tried to carry him up as steadily as I could, but just as I was about to put him on the bed, he suddenly started struggling for some reason."

Liang Shining spoke as calmly and quickly as he could, but couldn't fully hide the panic in his tone.

Yu Wu's expression darkened.

Ying Huai had just been in a state of subconscious Hypnosis, not yet fully stabilized.

Ying Qi's voice, combined with the movement earlier, had stirred unease in his subconscious. Liang Shining's unconscious loosening of his grip had become the last straw that broke the camel's back.

"He's about to wake up." Yu Wu lifted one of Ying Huai's eyelids and said quietly.

"Can we put him back under? Will this affect his health?" Liang Shining asked quickly.

Yu Wu shook his head: "No. The previous Hypnosis state hasn't ended yet. His current mental state can't handle being layered with another one."

"But it won't damage his mental state." Yu Wu said quietly.

"However........"

But Ying Huai's body was relatively weak. After waking from Hypnosis, it generally took a long time to fully regain clear consciousness.

—And during this period, he would act on instinct, subconsciously.

Yu Wu swallowed and said quietly: "—But he might be a bit dependent on you in a bit."

Liang Shining was stunned.

Before he could process what Yu Wu meant by 'a bit dependent,' the next second, he saw the person in his arms tremble slightly and open his eyes somewhat blankly.

"......Liang Shining?"

Ying Huai glanced at him, and his eyelids immediately drooped heavily once more.

He curled up closer in Liang Shining's arms and mumbled: "Why are you here......."

Liang Shining's heart was a little panicked.

Worried about Ying Huai's condition, he tried to steady himself and said quietly: "You fell asleep in my arms earlier. I carried you up."

"Do you feel unwell anywhere, Shifu? Any dizziness, any discomfort?"

Ying Huai instinctively shook his head, but then thought of something and immediately nodded.

"A bit dizzy," Ying Huai said quietly, "and my waist hurts."

Liang Shining, worried about all of Ying Huai's abnormal reactions: "Anything else? Why did you shake your head just now........"

Ying Huai looked up at him and suddenly smiled, his eyes curving: "Can't hide it from you........ you'd get angry."

Liang Shining was stunned.

He opened his mouth soundlessly, but the next second, saw Ying Huai press a hand to his chest and begin to cough violently.

Liang Shining quickly turned, poured a cup of warm water from the side, and brought it to Ying Huai's lips.

But the person in front of him frowned and turned his head away directly.

"What's wrong?" Liang Shining's expression panicked for a moment. "Is your stomach uncomfortable......."

"Why aren't you feeding me, Liang Shining?" Ying Huai said quietly.

Liang Shining's mind went blank. He instinctively said: "How do I feed......."

"Like last time, when you were angry."

Ying Huai lifted his head. Because of the sudden waking, the corners of his eyes had unknowingly taken on a faint flush of red.

"Feed me with your mouth."

Liang Mu and Ying Qi, who had just arrived at the doorway: ???

Yu Wu beside them let out an 'oh' and immediately straightened up with great interest.