Coaxing

Ying Qi, his face cold, was about to go in when Liang Mu suddenly reached out and slammed the door shut right in front of him with a 'slap.'

Ying Qi nearly bumped his nose: 'What—'

'What do you mean what? You still want to go in?'

Liang Mu's eyes had widened at some unknown moment, her expression carrying an unusual excitement, and even Ying Qi, that old stubborn one, had begun to look pleasing to her.

'Let those two settle their own business. If we go in we'll just make things worse.'

Ying Qi's face was iron-blue: 'What do you mean settle it themselves? In broad daylight, under the clear sky—listen to what they just said......'

Before he could finish, Liang Mu pushed him straight downstairs.

'Why do you care how they solve it,' Liang Mu said carelessly. 'In broad daylight, under the clear sky, they're adults. They'll solve it their own way.'

Her own unpromising son had finally made some progress, and Liang Mu absolutely wouldn't allow anyone to get in the way.

Ying Qi's expression stiffened: 'You're crazy, utterly shameless—'

Liang Mu was getting impatient too. Seeing Ying Qi try to turn back, she reached out and pressed down on his Cane.

Ying Qi froze, looking up in disbelief: 'You—'

'What? I'm not stealing your Cane, I'm supporting you.' Liang Mu looked up and smiled.

'Don't you want to know how Xiao Huai and the others are doing? I'll chat with you. Ask me anything you don't know—'

Liang Mu said this while 'supporting' him, stepping in her stilettos straight down the stairs.

Ying Qi didn't dare actually use force, and could only stiffly follow: 'You come from a scholarly family, can you have any decorum of a noble lady? You're simply disgracing the literati—'

Liang Mu clicked her tongue softly: 'You keep going back and forth with the same few words. Can you change it up?'

'I carry on scholarly tradition, not old-fashioned conservatism,' Liang Mu glanced at Ying Qi and suddenly laughed. 'If you really want to discuss the ancient and modern with me, I suggest you first look at the Republic-era fashion magazine Linglong.'

Ying Qi froze.

He instinctively wanted to retort, but having genuinely never heard of this magazine, he clenched his teeth and swallowed the words back.

While Liang Mu went to the kitchen, he took out his phone, and the moment he tapped into the entry, his face immediately turned green.

—Right there in bold was written how same-sex people marry same-sex people.

·

Meanwhile, in the upstairs room.

Liang Shining watched Ying Huai hold the cup and sip water in small mouthfuls, his expression momentarily stiff.

The person in front of him was clearly the same, but gave off a completely different feeling.

The habitual smile at his lips was gone, all vivid emotions withdrawn to nothing, eyelids slightly lowered, sitting quietly at the bedside looking at him, like an empty, exquisite porcelain doll.

Liang Shining inexplicably found this version of Ying Huai especially familiar.

He stared for a few seconds, then belatedly realized this was probably Ying Huai's most relaxed state when alone.

A dense, prickling pain rose in Liang Shining's chest. The arm holding the person trembled involuntarily.

Ying Huai frowned.

With his awareness unclear, no longer deliberately enduring pain, the moment Liang Shining moved, he let out a soft hiss: 'Hurts......'

Liang Shining came back to himself.

He murmured an apology and instinctively loosened his grip.

He thought that given Ying Huai's current temperament, he'd hide under the covers. But the next second, Ying Huai instead leaned forward and wrapped an arm around his neck.

Liang Shining froze.

Worried about Ying Huai's waist, he had no choice but to bring both hands up, steadily supporting the person's lower back.

'What's wrong?' Ying Huai looked at the person in front of him, whose expression was somewhat complicated as he gazed at him, and asked, a little puzzled.

Liang Shining paused.

'I accidentally hurt you just now,' Liang Shining hesitated, then said quietly, 'Why didn't you dodge?'

—Why did you instead lean closer?

Liang Shining was anxiously thinking that his own shifu, in his confused state, had lost even basic self-protective awareness. But before his words had faded, he heard Ying Huai answer without hesitation: 'Because it's you.'

Liang Shining's expression shifted slightly.

He watched Ying Huai suddenly curve his eyes at him, the arm around his neck shift slightly forward, and the whole person nestle comfortably into the crook of his neck.

'Didn't you just say it was all accidental?' Ying Huai closed his eyes and yawned softly.

'I know my disciple would absolutely never hurt me.'

Liang Shining's body trembled again, beyond his control.

He opened his mouth soundlessly, seeming to want to say something, but in the end said nothing.

Yu Wu beside them watched Liang Shining's reaction, a flicker of curiosity crossing his expression.

But he didn't dare speak now, standing in the corner as quiet as a mouse, afraid the two in front would notice his intent to 'watch the show.'

But the next second, Liang Shining looked up and gazed over, calm and level.

Yu Wu was still observing the reactions between Ying Huai and Liang Shining from earlier.

Only after a few seconds did he belatedly register Liang Shining's gaze.

Yu Wu paused: 'It's fine, this state of his won't last too long. Once his surface consciousness starts to activate in a bit, he'll gradually recover.'

He thought Liang Shining was worried about Ying Huai's condition, but after speaking, he saw Liang Shining still quietly staring at him.

Yu Wu took a few seconds to react, and softly said 'ah.'

'You want me to go out?'

'Shifu's current condition isn't suitable for Hypnosis,' Liang Shining said politely, holding the person. 'Doctor Yu might as well go out and rest for a bit. Once Shifu recovers, I'll call Doctor Yu back.'

Yu Wu thoughtfully stroked his chin.

His eyes rolled, and he immediately began playing dumb: 'It's fine, I'm not tired. Standing here is the same. Teacher Liang doesn't need to mind me, just pretend I don't exist.'

Holding the person with one arm, Liang Shining looked up at Yu Wu and suddenly said: 'Doesn't Doctor Yu need to go find Doctor Song?'

He spoke with implication: 'Doctor Song should happen to be alone right now.'

This time Yu Wu genuinely hesitated.

But he knew that if he missed today, he'd probably never find out what Liang Shining was hiding from Ying Huai.

Yu Wu made a snap decision, pretending to sigh helplessly: 'The patient comes first. I'll go pester Si Lan in a bit. Anyway, I have no shame, and Si Lan is thin-skinned......'

Before he finished, a voice at the door, barely suppressed anger, came through: 'Yu Wu!'

Yu Wu's grinning expression instantly vanished.

He turned around in alarm, and saw Song Si Lan standing at the door with a frown. Song Si Lan glanced at him, then turned and walked straight out.

Yu Wu's expression instantly panicked.

He turned back sharply and saw Liang Shining take a phone from his pocket and set it gently on the bedside table.

Yu Wu gritted his teeth.

—He instantly realized Liang Shining had called Song Si Lan over.

Yu Wu took a deep breath.

He curved his lips at Liang Shining in a smile that didn't reach his eyes, opened his mouth to say something, but Liang Shining spoke first.

'If Doctor Yu doesn't chase after him, Doctor Song will really be gone in a bit.'

Yu Wu choked.

He clenched his teeth, and ultimately, without a word, turned and rushed out.

The room fell quiet for a moment. Liang Shining let out a silent breath, lowered his eyes to look at the person in his arms.

Ying Huai had been quietly lying against his chest. He seemed drowsy again, eyelids half-closed. Sensing Liang Shining's movement, his eyelids fluttered slightly and he lifted his head, somewhat dazed.

'He left?'

Ying Huai spoke, his voice slightly nasal: 'What did he go do? Leaving in such a hurry.'

Liang Shining adjusted the person to the other side, to keep his waist from bearing weight in one spot: 'Went out to coax someone.'

Ying Huai's mind was floating and hazy; he couldn't even remember what had happened before he fell asleep.

Apart from remembering Liang Shining, he had no energy at all to sort out anyone else's relationships.

Somewhat at a loss, he turned his head blankly: 'Why does he need coaxing?'

Liang Shining wasn't sure why Ying Huai was so interested in this. He said, a little amused: 'Because Doctor Yu made him angry.'

Ying Huai grew interested: 'How do you coax someone?'

Liang Shining choked.

That question genuinely stumped him.

Liang Shining didn't know how to answer for a moment. After a few seconds of silence, he finally sighed softly: 'I don't know.'

Ying Huai softly said 'oh.'

The next second, he suddenly said: 'Then why aren't you coaxing me?'

This time Liang Shining was genuinely startled.

He choked on a breath, turned his head and coughed a few times, then said quietly: 'Is Shifu angry?'

The moment his words faded, the next second, Ying Huai directly picked up the water cup from earlier.

Liang Shining froze, then laughed helplessly.

—He hadn't expected Ying Huai to be this petty after switching personalities.

'I'm not angry—no, wait, I'm angry.'

Ying Huai said this, but his peach-blossom eyes curved up directly: 'So hurry up and coax me.'

—Ying Huai rarely expressed his intentions this directly.

For a moment, Liang Shining was greedy for such a scene. He couldn't help but say softly: 'But the cup is in Shifu's hands right now.'

"Why can't it be Shifu turning it around?"

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment.

He opened his mouth as if to argue, but looking down at the cup in his hand, his expression turned conflicted.

"I........."

He seemed to think of something, and a trace of pain gradually surfaced in his expression, his face turning paler bit by bit.

"No, I can't, I........"

Liang Shining was stunned.

He hadn't expected Ying Huai to react this way.

His expression instantly grew solemn. He quickly gave a measured pinch at the spot between Ying Huai's thumb and forefinger: "Ying Huai."

Ying Huai felt the pain.

He seemed to finally pull his struggling consciousness back from its daze for a moment. His brow eased slightly, and he pressed a hand to his chest, exhaling a low breath: "I........."

The next second, he suddenly felt warmth at his neck, and then Liang Shining's lips gently covered his.

It was a kiss that barely tasted—barely had the warmth between the lips seeped through Ying Huai's slightly cool thin lips before it parted at a touch.

But unexpectedly, it made the unease in Ying Huai's expression vanish in an instant.

Ying Huai seemed to react a little, watching the person in front of him slowly straighten up, and instinctively said: "Water........."

Liang Shining let out a silent sigh.

With one hand, he kneaded the back of Ying Huai's neck with measured pressure, took a mouthful of water, and fed it to him bit by bit.

Ying Huai's Adam's apple moved slightly, and he instinctively swallowed the water little by little.

"Is this okay now? Shifu?" He heard Liang Shining let out a soft laugh.

Ying Huai's expression was somewhat dazed.

He felt his entire body inexplicably grow hot, even his consciousness burning into a drowsy haze.

The light and shadow before his eyes flickered bright and dim. Staring at Liang Shining's obsidian-dark eyes, he instinctively opened his mouth: "I'm sleepy, Liang Shining."

Liang Shining was stunned for a moment, seeming to realize something.

—The effect of the Hypnosis was probably wearing off. Ying Huai was about to wake up.

He stared at Ying Huai for a few seconds, finally letting out a silent sigh, gently stroking Ying Huai's soft hair: "Okay."

He held the person and stood back up, pulled aside the rumpled bedding, and supported him as he slowly lay down.

The moment Ying Huai touched the pillow, his entire body curled up.

—This was an extreme display of lacking a sense of security.

Liang Shining instinctively wanted to pick him up again, but the person on the bed seemed to sense something and subtly shrank back.

Liang Shining paused.

He slowly lowered his half-extended hand, exhaled silently, and quietly sat down by Ying Huai's bedside.

The person on the bed also seemed to sense the change in Liang Shining's emotions.

He wasn't fully awake yet. After hesitating for a few seconds, he suddenly said: "Just now....... was there something you wanted to ask me?"

Liang Shining was stunned.

He looked up.

Half of the person's face was buried in the blanket, only a pair of slender peach-blossom eyes visible.

His long lashes drooped slightly, trembling ceaselessly from drowsiness, revealing an inexplicable fragility.

Liang Shining was lost in thought for a moment.

It wasn't until Ying Huai called his name softly again that Liang Shining suddenly came back to himself.

He opened his mouth to ask Ying Huai if he actually liked him, but the next second, thought of Ying Huai's pale face from earlier.

Liang Shining paused. After an unknown length of time, he finally spoke again.

"If," Liang Shining gently kneaded the reddened corner of Ying Huai's eye, and said softly, "if one day I really made Shifu angry, what would Shifu do?"

The person on the bed's breathing slowed slightly, seeming to have fallen asleep unknowingly.

Liang Shining waited a few seconds, then closed his eyes with a hint of amusement.

—He wasn't even sure if Ying Huai was actually awake right now. What good would asking do?

But the next second, he heard a faint voice from in front of him.

".......Just like what you did just now."

Liang Shining was stunned: "What?"

He instinctively bent down, watching Ying Huai's lips move slightly.

Liang Shining's expression froze.

He seemed to hear Ying Huai let out a final soft laugh, ".......I'm easy to coax."

·

When Ying Huai woke again, it was already the next morning.

He had slept very deeply this time, and upon waking, even felt his mind had cleared somewhat inexplicably.

He felt he had slept a long time, sitting dazedly at the bedside unable to collect himself, until the door creaked open, and he instinctively looked up.

"Awake?"

Song Si Lan walked in holding a stack of examination sheets, unsurprisingly glancing up at the person on the bed.

"Does your waist still hurt?"

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, instinctively shaking his head: "It doesn't hurt......."

Before he could finish, he saw Song Si Lan step forward and press a measured pressure on his waist.

Ying Huai let out a muffled groan instantly.

Song Si Lan's eyes narrowed. He snorted coldly and withdrew his hand: "Doesn't hurt?"

Ying Huai guiltily curved his eyes.

Song Si Lan changed the medicine on his waist again, speaking with a tone of frustrated disappointment.

"Should have just kept you in last night's state. Even though you'd only listen to Liang Shining, at least you'd say when it hurt, so we wouldn't have to work this hard."

Ying Huai was stunned.

Listening to Song Si Lan's words, he only now belatedly realized something.

Last night's memories gradually returned, and Ying Huai's ear tips instantly turned red.

"Last night........."

Song Si Lan glanced up at him: "Remember now?"

Ying Huai's ear tips burned, and he said nothing.

Song Si Lan let out a scoffing laugh, lowered his eyes to help Ying Huai tidy the clothing at his waist: "There's nothing major wrong with your waist, just some lumbar muscle strain. This time the bump just aggravated it a bit."

"Usually pay more attention to rest. Yesterday I taught Liang Shining some massage techniques—if it's too uncomfortable, let Liang Shining help you press it—but be careful to avoid strenuous activity."

A hint of teasing was in Song Si Lan's voice.

Ying Huai was stunned for a moment, instantly understanding something.

He was somewhat caught between laughter and tears: "What is Doctor Song saying?"

"Hm? I didn't say anything. I'm just reminding you as a doctor."

Song Si Lan glanced up at him, speaking unhurriedly.

Ying Huai narrowed his eyes.

—He felt Song Si Lan's state today was somewhat strange, caught in a subtle state between unsatisfied desire and embarrassed anger.

He watched Song Si Lan finish the morning's routine examinations, then suddenly thought of something and turned his head again.

"Right, I prescribed you some painkillers, but don't take them unless absolutely necessary. Your physical condition is relatively complex—taking them might mask other abnormalities in your body."

Ying Huai nodded.

He looked around the room, suddenly thought of something, and looked up at Song Si Lan: "Where is Liang Shining?"

"Downstairs keeping company with........." Song Si Lan instinctively began.

Before he could finish, the next second, the door suddenly opened and Liang Shining strode in.

"Shifu's awake."

He glanced at the person on the bed, exhaled silently, and quickly walked to the bedside.

"Anywhere else uncomfortable? Dizzy?"

Song Si Lan looked up at the sound, watching Ying Huai unsurprisingly shake his head: "I'm fine."

A trace of helplessness crossed Liang Shining's expression. Song Si Lan wore an 'I knew it' look, raising his brows slightly.

Ying Huai let out a silent sigh.

He quickly said: "What were you doing downstairs just now, little disciple?"

He deliberately changed the subject, smiling as he spoke: "You wouldn't be sneaking extra meals for fat Bouquet behind my back, would you?"

The New Year was approaching, and fat Bouquet had recently been trending toward an even rounder development.

After once nearly stumbling and falling while trying to lift the cat down from a cabinet, Ying Huai finally steeled his heart to put him on a diet.

But Liang Shining had rarely expressed opposition to this.

Probably because he could never fatten up Ying Huai, Liang Shining firmly denied that Bouquet had gotten fat. He insisted Bouquet was just thick-furred for winter, and would be fine once spring came and he shed.

Ying Huai had meant it as a joke, but didn't expect Liang Shining to pause, a trace of genuine hesitation flashing across his expression.

Ying Huai was stunned, narrowing his eyes: "You fed him canned food again?"

"No." Liang Shining shook his head.

He hesitated for a moment, then said quietly: "Your father is here."

He opened his mouth to say something more, but the moment the words left his lips, he saw Ying Huai's expression change instantly.

Although the memories from last night's Hypnosis were vague, Ying Huai could still faintly recall Ying Qi's cold, cutting voice.

Ying Huai instinctively assumed his father had made things difficult for Liang Shining again.

His expression shifted, and he suddenly rolled out of bed.

Liang Shining instantly stepped in front of Ying Huai: "Shifu, wait a moment, your father isn't here to........"

Before he could finish, he saw Ying Huai push him aside directly, brace himself against the nearby wall, and stumble outward.

Liang Shining quickly turned to support him.

But Ying Huai had already opened the door, and Liang Shining only managed to place his hand at Ying Huai's waist in time.

The next second, the two of them came face to face with Liang Mu and Ying Qi standing outside the door.

Liang Shining: ???

Looking at the stunned expressions of the two people before him, he didn't know how to react for a moment.

He let out a silent sigh, but still reached out to pull Ying Huai behind him.

"Mother, Uncle Ying........"

But before Liang Shining could finish, the next second, he saw Ying Huai step forward and shield him behind himself.

"Father." Ying Huai took a deep breath and curved his eyes into a smile at Ying Qi.

Ying Qi frowned at him, saying nothing.

Ying Huai's suspicions in his heart grew more certain.

He didn't know what Ying Qi had said to Liang Shining, which made him even more anxious.

Ying Huai felt a surge of irritation. He took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Father, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

Ying Huai lifted his head, his tone carrying a smile, but his voice faintly chilled: "What did Father just say to my student? If there's something to say, just say it to me directly, you don't need to........"

Before he could finish, he heard his father frown and interrupt: "Didn't you injure your waist?"

Ying Huai was stunned: "What?"

"With a waist injury and not resting properly, what are you running out here for." Ying Qi said awkwardly.

His tone was a little stiff. He glanced at Ying Huai, then suddenly raised his Cane.

Ying Huai stood frozen in place, watching Ying Qi's movement, his body trembling uncontrollably.

He instinctively closed his eyes, but the next second, heard a soft "click" from beside him.

—Ying Qi had used his Cane to block the door that had somehow swung toward him.

Ying Huai lifted his head in a daze, watching the flash of awkwardness cross Ying Qi's expression.

Ying Qi coughed dryly and pulled his Cane back.

"I'm leaving now. You....... rest well."

His gaze circled between Ying Huai and Liang Shining, seeming to want to ask something, but seeing Ying Huai's instinctively guarded expression, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to open his mouth.

He slowly turned around, but the next second, heard Ying Huai suddenly speak.

"Father."

"Hm?" Ying Qi, leaning on his Cane, quickly turned back.

There was a trace of expectation in his expression, but he saw Ying Huai stare at him for a long moment before saying quietly: "Why did Father suddenly come over?"

A flash of disappointment crossed Ying Qi's face.

He frowned: "It was your Uncle Chu who told me........."

Before he could finish, he suddenly realized something, and his expression instantly darkened.

Ying Huai stood quietly in place.

He said nothing, watching Ying Qi's figure disappear behind the door, and only then did his tense body finally begin to relax, bit by bit.

On the other side, Liang Mu pulled Liang Shining aside and asked quietly: "Is Xiao Huai really injured in the waist?"

"It wasn't you two last night........"

Liang Shining turned his eyes away, somewhat helplessly: "Mom, nothing happened between us last night."

Liang Mu let out a disappointed sigh.

But when she met Ying Huai's somewhat lost expression, she instantly broke into a bright smile.

"Are you okay, Xiao Huai? Don't be afraid, okay?"

She instantly abandoned her own son, stepped forward, and directly held Ying Huai's arm.

"Next time your father gets angry with you again, just come to Bobo, Bobo will talk to him for you."

Ying Huai's expression wavered for a moment.

He belatedly understood something. Coming back to himself, he smiled at Liang Mu: "Thank you, Bobo, I'm fine."

He suddenly took a light breath, stepped back, and gave Liang Mu a slight bow.

"If my father said anything last night that upset you, let me apologize on his behalf........"

Before he could finish, the next second, he was suddenly pulled into Liang Mu's embrace.

Ying Huai's body trembled slightly.

"What are you saying, hm? You don't need to apologize for anything."

Hearing the imperceptible tremor in Ying Huai's voice, Liang Mu's heart ached almost to madness.

She stepped back slightly, looked at Ying Huai's pale face, and let out a silent sigh.

Clearly with such a cool, gentle appearance, yet possessed of such a soft, tender nature.

Liang Mu's maternal instincts could not help but overflow: "Tell me if you need anything, and tell me if Liang Shining bullies you too, I'll stand up for you."

Ying Huai laughed helplessly: "Mr. Liang wouldn't bully me."

Liang Mu huffed: "You can't be sure of that."

Ying Huai was somewhat puzzled. Liang Shining beside him stepped forward helplessly: "Mom, didn't you still have something to give Shifu?"

"Oh, oh right," Liang Mu finally reacted, "Li Xiang mentioned last time that you two were going to record another Variety Show in a couple of days, so I brought a few more outfits for you........"

As if she knew what Ying Huai was about to say, she opened her mouth and directly cut him off: "No refusing. I had them custom-made to your sizes, if you don't take them they'll just go to waste."

She went thud thud thud running downstairs, immediately came back carrying a pile of large and small bags, and shoved them all into Liang Shining's hands.

Liang Shining: ?

"Tell Bobo if you don't have enough to wear, I must see you wearing them on the livestream." Liang Mu said cheerfully.

Ying Huai was caught between laughter and tears, but agreed anyway.

He watched Liang Mu turn and leave contentedly, let out a silent breath of relief, then turned and saw a strange expression on Liang Shining's face.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Liang Shining shook his head.

Seeing Ying Huai reach out to take them, he somewhat deliberately hid the bags behind him: "Let me put these clothes away for Shifu."

Ying Huai narrowed his eyes.

—He had an inexplicable feeling that Liang Shining was hiding something from him.

·

Ying Huai's waist took about a week to heal enough that normal walking was no problem, but standing or walking for too long still caused a dull, aching pain.

Liang Shining used this as an excuse to stay by Ying Huai's side at every moment, and even tried in the first few days to carry Ying Huai to the bath.

—And was directly pushed out by an embarrassed and irritated Ying Huai.

Ying Qi, for his part, did not come looking for them again until before they went on the Variety Show.

And for some unknown reason, Chu Hongsheng had also not come looking for them.

His management company seemed to have been found with some problem. According to Chu Ming, Chu Hongsheng was so busy every day he was at his wits' end, and couldn't even be bothered to deal with him.

Ying Huai leaned half against a table at the Variety Show recording site, covering his mouth as he yawned silently.

With his eyes half-lowered, he listened to Chu Ming continuing to chatter beside him.

"Huai-ge, I heard that last week my dad had your dad go find you?"

Chu Ming sidled up to Ying Huai and asked nervously in a low voice: "Your dad didn't do anything to you, did he?"

It took Ying Huai a few seconds to finally untangle himself from Chu Ming's "your dad my dad" sentence.

"I'm fine."

Ying Huai shook his head and said casually: "And speaking of which, I should actually thank Uncle Chu for his lucky accident."

"I knew my dad definitely had ill intentions. Huai-ge, don't be angry, next time I go home I'll go argue with my dad—wait, what did you just say, Huai-ge?"

Chu Ming was halfway through his righteous indignation when he belatedly realized what Ying Huai had said.

Ying Huai said nothing.

—He still didn't know to this day exactly what Liang Mu had said to his father that day.

He wasn't sure whether Ying Qi had truly changed his mind, or was simply unable to back down for the moment.

—He didn't dare confirm it, nor did he dare to hope.

Ying Huai was quiet for a few seconds, then ultimately shook his head: "It's nothing."

"Alright, let's get ready to start today's Variety Show recording."

The Assistant Director finished setting up the scene and spoke seriously.

Everyone's gaze gathered, and the next second, they saw the Assistant Director suddenly lead the applause: "Before we begin, let's welcome our newly joined guest—Teacher Song Xingzhou."

A flash of surprise crossed the others' faces. Liang Shining frowned, Ying Huai raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise also crossing his expression.

Song Xingzhou walked into the room with a bright smile, and gave everyone an obedient bow: "Hello everyone, I'm Song Xingzhou, currently studying at P University Music Department. Please guide me, seniors and teachers."

"Who's this person, Huai-ge?" Chu Ming couldn't help but lean over.

He looked at the flash of surprise that had just crossed Ying Huai's expression and asked curiously: "You didn't know either?"

Ying Huai shook his head: "I know."

What surprised him was that even with Chu Hongsheng so overwhelmed, he was still able to convince Song Xingzhou and force him into this Variety Show.

Chu Ming let out a blank "oh."

The bullet comments in the livestream were also a little surprised.

[This Variety Show can actually still bring in newcomers...... I can't say.]

[But without Song Fengyi, this Variety Show should be much more peaceful, right? Our Song Xingzhou baby is still a college student, we have to protect him well.]

[His luck is pretty good, he just happened to miss the two troublemakers before, and now the Variety Show's popularity has picked up, so he can just reap the benefits.]

[But every new guest who comes isn't some easy mark, Song Xingzhou can't also.......]

[No way, Song Xingzhou is still a college student, so obedient and cute.]

[Don't let the old guests bully him ()]

[? What war is the person above starting again?]

Chu Ming beside him also felt something was off looking at Song Xingzhou.

He stared at Song Xingzhou for a few seconds, then turned to say something to Ying Huai, but inadvertently caught sight of Liang Shining's slightly darkened expression.

"Has this Song Xingzhou done something to you, Huai-ge? I see Liang Shining's expression isn't quite right."

Ying Huai's gaze flickered slightly.

—He knew Liang Shining was still holding a grudge about Song Xingzhou causing his back injury.

He heard Chu Ming say quietly: "Why do I feel he looks a bit familiar......"

Before Chu Ming could finish speaking, he suddenly heard an obedient voice rise from beside him.

"Hello, Teacher Chu Ming!"

Chu Ming was startled.

He turned around sharply, coming face to face with Song Xingzhou's bright smile: "Please guide me in the future, Teacher Chu Ming, and let me know anytime if there's anything I can help with."

—No matter how Chu Ming looked at Song Xingzhou, he couldn't shake the feeling of that "green tea" vibe Song Fengyi had given off before.

Song Xingzhou didn't mind, smiling as he turned to Ying Huai and also gave a slight bow: "Same to you, Teacher Ying, please guide me in the future."

Liang Shining beside him was about to step forward directly, but Ying Huai suddenly put his hand behind his back and, without anyone noticing, took hold of Liang Shining's hand and gave it a light squeeze.

Liang Shining's steps paused.

Ying Huai lowered his gaze to look at Song Xingzhou for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed softly: "Nothing's wrong."

Chu Ming was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized Ying Huai was answering his very first question.

"As long as no one causes trouble, nothing will happen."

Ying Huai curved his lips at Song Xingzhou: "Isn't that right, Xingzhou."

Song Xingzhou didn't say anything more, still standing obediently in place.

The Assistant Director glanced at the script and clapped his hands again: "Alright, let's begin today's activity segment."

"Because the final Concert is about to begin, and before everyone has been competing, this time let's relax and have a real, slow-paced lifestyle Variety Show."

But after he finished speaking, only Song Xingzhou cooperated with a cheer; the others' expressions didn't change much.

"What's wrong?" Song Xingzhou lowered his hand a little blankly. "Is something not right?"

Xin Wan stood with arms crossed, looking at the Assistant Director: "Nothing's wrong—we just don't believe it."

He narrowed his eyes: "Is there really no competitive game segment today? No goals to achieve through competition?"

"Of course not." The Assistant Director said seriously.

He glanced at the time beside him: "It's just about time to eat, let's head over to eat first."

Everyone followed the Production Team to the dining room with half-doubt, half-belief, and found the table really was laden with a feast of dishes.

"Wow, the Production Team actually gave us a free lunch." Xin Wan said in surprise.

He couldn't wait to step forward quickly, but the next second, was stopped directly by the Assistant Director.

"Wait a moment—"

Xin Wan's steps paused.

He turned back, showing an expression of "just as I expected."

"Eating right away, everyone's probably not that hungry yet, let's do a game first."

The Assistant Director said seriously: "Only if everyone works together to complete this game can you eat."

"Today's meal is sponsored by a musician who wants to hear a small concert, but unfortunately the original orchestra couldn't come because of something."

"So we need to fulfill this musician's wish."

"I've prepared four instruments here, two of each, corresponding to eight pieces. In a moment, each person will come over and pick one in turn; each instrument can be chosen by at most two people. After everyone has chosen, you'll be given half a day to rehearse."

The Assistant Director said seriously: "You can't discuss before choosing; if you choose wrong, you'll have to choose again. Only when everyone ends up performing a different piece can you finally eat this meal."

—In other words, only if everyone succeeds from the start can the performance ultimately be completed.

"How is this possible to complete?" Xin Wan couldn't help but say.

"We can't discuss, there are eight of us, it's easy for three people to pick the same........"

Before he could finish, he heard Ying Huai suddenly say softly: "It's very simple."

Xin Wan was stunned.

He looked up, watching Ying Huai's fingers at his side trace lightly from left to right, and said as if casually: "Go in order."

Xin Wan was stunned again.

He wanted to ask more, but the Assistant Director beside him reminded them they couldn't discuss.

Xin Wan could only force down the doubts in his heart.

"Alright, let's begin now." The Assistant Director said with a smile. "Which teacher would like to go first?"

No one spoke; Ying Huai looked around and stepped out first.

"I'll go first."

Ying Huai smiled casually and said again: "Remember—in order."

Liang Shining, as expected, followed behind him.

"What does that mean?" Xin Wan turned his head in confusion.

"What order exactly? I don't understand......"

"The simplest order," Liang Shining suddenly said quietly, "what do you think it is?"

"What?" Xin Wan looked up and instinctively said, "Left to right, top to bottom?"

Liang Shining glanced at him and said nothing more.

Song Xingzhou's expression flickered slightly.

He seemed to understand what Ying Huai meant.

The four instruments must be arranged in some order; following the simplest logic, the first two people would take from the left or top first, and the rest would follow in sequence.

Song Xingzhou suddenly looked up, watching the Assistant Director start calling the next person, and hurriedly said: "Teacher Liang, can we be the second—"

But Liang Shining acted as if he hadn't heard him speak and walked out directly.

Song Xingzhou clenched his teeth.

Su Yun, originally third in line, saw this and stepped back: "Xingzhou, you take third, I'll shift back one."

Song Xingzhou came back to himself.

He forced down the irritation in his heart and curved his eyes at Su Yun: "It's fine, it doesn't matter where I am."

—Not being second, anywhere really is the same.

·

The people in front seemed to also understand Ying Huai's meaning; the selection went quickly, and finally it was Song Xingzhou's turn to choose.

His gaze swept over the four instrument pictures in front of him and landed on the first.

—It was a picture of a piano.

Song Xingzhou's gaze flickered slightly.

If Ying Huai was first, then what he chose must be this piano.

But he was fifth.

Song Xingzhou's gaze fell on the third picture, a violin.

He clenched his teeth, but in the end still picked up the piano picture and walked out quickly.

The first round of selection failed, as expected.

Fortunately, it wasn't just Song Xingzhou; Xin Wan, who was muddled and hadn't understood the meaning, also picked the wrong picture, successfully covering for him.

"Sorry, sorry, I was muddled just now, I get it now, I really get it." Xin Wan swore hurriedly. "I definitely won't make a mistake."

Song Xingzhou also breathed a sigh of relief and earnestly promised along with him.

"It's fine, the first round was just a trial." Ying Huai didn't mind and said with a smile.

"Now we just happen to know what instruments there are, everyone can choose what they're good at."

·

After the second round, a few people switched positions and began choosing again.

Ying Huai was just about to walk over first, but the next second, saw Song Xingzhou suddenly stand in front of him.

"Can you let me be in the first two, Teacher Ying," Song Xingzhou said quietly, "of those instruments I only know piano."

Ying Huai's eyes flickered slightly.

He didn't speak, only stepped back silently.

Song Xingzhou immediately smiled: "Thank you, Teacher Ying."

Ying Huai's eyes curved too. Behind him, Liang Shining said quietly: "Shifu, do you want to swap places with me?"

—Just now, Song Xingzhou had deliberately wanted to choose the same as Ying Huai.

Liang Shining looked worried, but saw that Ying Huai's expression was as relaxed as ever.

"It's fine." Ying Huai yawned and shook his head.

"Besides, I happen to want to see—what he's really up to."

·

The second selection was finally successful.

"Alright, there happen to be three hours until lunch. Everyone hurry and practice. For each instrument's two scores, the two of you can decide how to split them yourselves."

The Assistant Director said seriously: "Good luck to everyone."

Lu Jing and the others were, after all, singers by training, so the instruments they chose were ones they were somewhat familiar with.

Only Chu Ming was almost completely clueless about it. Even after picking the simplest one, he panicked and hurried off to find a teacher to practice with.

Ying Huai was about to find Song Xingzhou and ask which piece he'd chosen, but after looking around, was somewhat surprised to find that Song Xingzhou had already left the livestream area.

He raised an eyebrow, unconcerned, asked the Director for the direction of the piano practice room, and walked there unhurriedly.

Unexpectedly, halfway there, a voice suddenly came.

"Teacher Ying, you're here!"

Song Xingzhou stood at the bathroom door and waved at Ying Huai.

"My stomach suddenly hurt just now, so I left early. I wanted to find you to discuss the piece, but discovered you were no longer in the hall."

Song Xingzhou said seriously: "Do you have a piece you want to choose?"

Ying Huai's steps paused.

He didn't walk closer to Song Xingzhou, but instead half-crossed his arms and leaned against a nearby wall, his lips curving slightly: "Any of them works for me."

"Then can I choose this one?" Song Xingzhou raised his hand and handed a score to Ying Huai. "Teacher Ying, choose this one."

Ying Huai took it and glanced at it, but his gaze fell to Song Xingzhou's collar.

—He noticed that Song Xingzhou had taken off his mic at some point.

He lowered his eyes, scanned the score, and nodded: "Alright."

"Then that's settled. I'll hurry off to practice first—this one looks pretty difficult." Song Xingzhou smiled.

"I'm looking forward to Teacher Ying's performance later too."

Ying Huai smiled and responded.

He watched Song Xingzhou's figure disappear around the corner, and suddenly felt his phone buzz.

He looked down—it was Liang Shining and Chu Ming messaging to ask which piece he'd chosen.

Ying Huai directly photographed the score in his hand and put the phone back in his pocket.

·

Three hours of practice flew by.

Under the Assistant Director's urging, everyone dawdled as they gathered in the hall.

Chu Ming kept quietly muttering something in the back, his fingers still trying to familiarize themselves with the score.

"Alright, now we're going to start the performances." The Assistant Director said with a smile.

"Let's go in the order of selection just now. Then let's welcome our first—Teacher Song Xingzhou."

Song Xingzhou stood up calmly.

"Please give me your guidance, seniors and teachers."

He sat down at the piano, took a deep breath, and played the first string of notes.

His piano technique was indeed not bad. The others' expressions showed some ease, but Liang Shining and Chu Ming's faces instantly changed.

—This was the piece Ying Huai had photographed for him.

"What are you doing? This isn't the piece Brother Huai chose—" Chu Ming immediately stood up.

But before he finished speaking, he suddenly felt a strong force on his arm, and then Ying Huai's voice sounded from beside him: "Sit down."

Chu Ming sat down instinctively.

"Brother Huai, he's doing it on purpose—"

"I know." Ying Huai suddenly interrupted him softly.

He stared at Song Xingzhou at the piano and suddenly laughed lightly.

"It's fine."

Chu Ming was stunned.

The livestream chat didn't notice this interlude.

[Song Xingzhou plays pretty well. This piece isn't easy, and to reach this level in three hours is impressive.]

[As expected of a P University Music Department student, the professional level is beyond doubt.]

[Finally a normal guest, Song Xingzhou baby is great!]

[But didn't Chu Ming say something just now? I didn't quite catch it?]

[Don't know, seemed like...something about piece allocation?]

When the piece ended, thunderous applause rang out.

Ying Huai also smiled and clapped. Chu Ming sat in his seat, snorted coldly, and said quietly: "Hypocrite."

He said it very quietly, but saw Song Xingzhou suddenly turn his head: "Did Teacher Chu just say something?"

"Was it that I stole the piece Teacher Ying chose?"

Song Xingzhou turned his head, his expression showing some helplessness: "But this is clearly the one I discussed with Teacher Ying and chose."

Chu Ming, who had been planning to ignore him on Ying Huai's word, instantly flew into a rage: "What nonsense are you talking? This is clearly the piece Brother Huai chose. You're deliberately trying to overlap with him—"

The others around were all stunned. Song Xingzhou flinched and said aggrievedly: "Why would Teacher Chu say that—do you have any evidence?"

His voice was panicked, but his words were clear and logical.

Chu Ming gritted his teeth and pulled out his phone: "Of course I do—just now when Brother Huai finished choosing the piece, he photographed it and sent it to me. Look—"

"But I photographed it too," Song Xingzhou said quietly, "even earlier than Teacher Chu. Doesn't this prove even more that I chose this piece first?"

Chu Ming was left speechless.

He noticed a flash of smugness cross Song Xingzhou's expression.

When he and Ying Huai were splitting the scores just now, he had deliberately taken off his mic and avoided the cameras.

Even if Ying Huai raised objections, his performance order was before Ying Huai's, giving him the upper hand in public opinion.

From the start, he had deliberately chosen the more difficult piece. Even if one could sight-read it, some transitional techniques were hard to handle.

If Ying Huai didn't choose another piece now, they would all lose the game.

If Ying Huai chose another piece for the greater good, he would not only swallow this hidden loss, but his technique and emotional handling would certainly be inferior to his, who had practiced for three hours.

Song Xingzhou could barely suppress the smile at his lips.

The hall was dead silent. The Assistant Director was also momentarily stunned by this turn of events.

In the silence, Ying Huai suddenly stood up.

He slowly walked up to Song Xingzhou.

"You said this is the piece you chose from the start, right?" Ying Huai lowered his eyes, looking at the person before him with a half-smile.

Song Xingzhou felt inexplicably panicked, but still nodded instinctively.

"Yes, Teacher Ying knows too, right?" Song Xingzhou said quietly. "I didn't steal your piece."

Ying Huai unexpectedly did not refute him.

He stared at Song Xingzhou for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled: "Alright."

Song Xingzhou was stunned.

The next second, he saw Ying Huai lower his eyes and tap the piano lightly with his fingers.

"Then please excuse me."

Song Xingzhou breathed a silent sigh of relief.

He gathered up the score and was about to stand up, but the next second, heard Ying Huai say unhurriedly: "Leave the score."

Song Xingzhou was stunned.

He instinctively said: "Teacher Ying, we can't both play the same piece........"

"Who said I was going to play the same as you?" Ying Huai raised his head with a half-smile.

He lifted his fingertips slightly and pulled the score from Song Xingzhou's hand with neither too much nor too little force.

The next second, he directly turned the score upside down.

Song Xingzhou's eyes suddenly widened.

Before he could react, smooth music instantly flowed from Ying Huai's fingertips.

Song Xingzhou's expression subtly changed.

—Ying Huai had directly turned the score upside down and improvised it into another piece on the spot.

And his emotion and technique were both superior to what Song Xingzhou had just played.