Hypothermia

Everyone around immediately noticed the commotion here.

A staff member immediately went to pull Song Xingzhou out of the water. Inside, Liang Shining heard the noise and quickly walked out of his room, his face dark as he swiftly pulled Ying Huai away from the poolside.

A sudden warmth on his shoulder. Ying Huai came back to himself, looked up and gave Liang Shining a small smile. “I'm fine.”

Liang Shining's face was dark as still water.

He opened his mouth to say something, but the next moment, he saw Xin Wan and the others hurrying over from a distance.

“Are you okay, shidi?”

Xin Wan checked the person in front of him from head to toe, speaking anxiously: “What just happened? Are you okay, shidi...”

Ying Huai's gaze fell on Song Xingzhou, who had been pulled ashore in a sorry state. His eyes flickered, and he shook his head slightly.

Xin Wan looked at the two people in front of him, and belatedly realized something.

“Shidi, did Song Xingzhou try to push you into the water just now?”

Xin Wan was filled with righteous indignation. “Using so much force that he dragged himself down too—serves him right. Trying to hurt someone and ending up hurting himself instead...”

Before he could finish, he suddenly saw Song Xingzhou sitting on the ground clench his teeth and raise his head. “I didn't!”

Song Xingzhou's voice trembled, aggrieved: “I didn't push anyone!”

Xin Wan was taken aback.

He thought Song Xingzhou was still playing innocent like before, and was so annoyed he laughed: “What do you have to be wronged about? Just because you say you didn't doesn't mean you didn't. Didn't you say before too—show the evidence...”

Due to the Villa, this Variety Show did not use a live broadcast format after entering the Villa; instead, it was pre-recorded and then edited for broadcast.

The cameras had mostly been focused on Xin Wan and the others just now. When Song Xingzhou walked over, he deliberately used his body to block the camera behind him, not revealing his actions.

Song Xingzhou was stunned for a moment, silently opening his mouth.

Xin Wan looked like he was about to grab the person and go check the nearby camera.

But just as he pulled the person up, the Panda Cat, which had been lying docilely in Ying Huai's arms, suddenly started baring its teeth again.

The Panda Cat jumped straight out of Ying Huai's arms, its tail standing straight up, its fur bristling all over. It cautiously stepped forward and hissed at Song Xingzhou.

Song Xingzhou's movement to stand up froze instantly.

He instinctively stepped back, barely grabbing a nearby staff member, just barely avoiding falling back into the water.

Xin Wan beside him was stunned. Ying Huai glanced thoughtfully at Song Xingzhou, then stroked the Panda Cat's soft fur.

The Panda Cat nestled at Ying Huai's feet.

It changed from its earlier wary demeanor, docilely turning its head to nuzzle against Ying Huai's palm, smacking its lips as if asking for food.

“Are you afraid of cats?” Ying Huai looked up at Song Xingzhou.

Song Xingzhou stood rigidly in place, saying nothing.

Xin Wan snorted coldly: “Afraid of cats so you fell into the water yourself? That Panda Cat was originally with shidi the whole time, why would you actively approach it...”

Before he could finish, he saw Ying Huai pick up the Panda Cat again and quietly cut him off: “Shixiong, come back with me first. I'm a bit cold.”

Xin Wan hurriedly stopped talking.

The staff nearby also realized something and hurriedly urged Song Xingzhou to go inside and change clothes.

But Song Xingzhou stood in place without moving.

His face was ashen, but he still stared fixedly at Ying Huai, speaking to himself.

“I didn't push anyone. I fell in myself, how could I push someone?” Song Xingzhou gritted his teeth. “It was just an accident just now...”

“Then why don't you tell us how you fell in?” Xin Wan laughed. “You're not going to say next that the Panda Cat pushed you in, are you?”

Song Xingzhou choked on his words.

Outside, the sky was gradually darkening. Liang Shining was worried Ying Huai might catch cold.

He helped Ying Huai tighten the jacket on him. The next moment, he saw Song Xingzhou, as if having made some decision, stride toward Ying Huai.

Song Xingzhou still carried the chill from the pool. With his movement, a gust of cold wind came with it. Ying Huai was caught off guard by it and couldn't help turning his head to cough.

Liang Shining immediately stepped forward to shield the person behind him, his face dark as he looked at Song Xingzhou.

“Stop.”

Song Xingzhou's footsteps instinctively paused.

He stood stiffly, watching Liang Shining shield the person in front of him and walk quickly into the Villa.

* * *

Ying Huai's coughing only barely stopped after they entered the room.

Liang Shining pressed the person directly onto the bed and wrapped him tightly in a blanket. Ying Huai barely managed to poke his head out while holding the Panda Cat, when he saw Liang Shining had already taken out the Cold Medicine.

“I'm fine, I didn't fall in the water, I just choked on some wind earlier. You don't need to be so nervous...”

Before Ying Huai could finish, he saw Liang Shining lift the blanket and, with a dark face, directly tuck in a Hot Water Bottle.

The Panda Cat in his arms let out a “meow” and took the opportunity to dart out, swishing its tail discontentedly at Liang Shining, then curled up next to Ying Huai and stayed still.

Ying Huai was at a loss between laughter and tears for a moment.

He looked at Liang Shining's slightly dark expression and sighed, finally taking the medicine.

“I'm really fine. Relax a little, don't worry.”

Liang Shining said nothing.

He reached out and touched Ying Huai's forehead. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly said quietly: “About Song Xingzhou's matter, should I talk to Li Xiang and have him handle it?”

“Hmm?”

Ying Huai was taken aback.

He realized something, looked up at Liang Shining, his eyes flickered, and after a long moment he softly sighed.

“Song Xingzhou just now... probably really didn't intend to push me.”

Liang Shining was taken aback.

He hesitated: “Then how did he fall into the water just now...”

A trace of helplessness crossed Ying Huai's expression.

When Song Xingzhou walked over just now, he probably did indeed intend to push him into the water.

But at the very last moment, Song Xingzhou must have hesitated.

Ying Huai had been standing very close to the pool's edge at the time. Song Xingzhou only needed a light push to send him straight in.

—There was absolutely no need to use as much force as Xin Wan said, failing to push the person and instead dragging himself down.

Ying Huai guessed that Song Xingzhou should have wanted to pull back at that moment, but unfortunately, the next second, the Panda Cat originally perched on Ying Huai's shoulder sensed something was wrong.

The Panda Cat suddenly propped itself up and started baring its teeth and hissing at Song Xingzhou.

Song Xingzhou was probably a bit afraid of cats to begin with. He was startled, instinctively stepped back to the side, and his foot slipped on empty air, and he instantly fell in.

—So Song Xingzhou really purely fell in because he was scared by the Panda Cat...

Liang Shining was silent for a few seconds.

He brushed the stray hairs from Ying Huai's brow aside, and said quietly: “But how can shifu be sure... that he didn't want to push, or just didn't have time to push?”

Ying Huai was taken aback.

He was silent for a few seconds, then wordlessly sighed.

—This was also where he hesitated just now.

He knew he couldn't be like in his previous life, always soft-hearted and trying to help others.

But he really couldn't watch Song Xingzhou ruin himself step by step because of being misled by Chu Hongsheng.

Liang Shining seemed to know what Ying Huai was thinking, and said quietly: “Song Xingzhou has already done this kind of thing three times. I can't trust him.”

“Shifu said so much to him last time, but he didn't change at all. I'm really worried...”

Ying Huai lowered his eyes.

He opened his mouth to say something more, but the next moment he covered his lips and started coughing again.

He must have caught cold after going out for that while. Ying Huai felt cold all over.

In his dazed state, he felt himself being helped to sit up halfway, and then a slightly cool pill was placed in his mouth.

Ying Huai's coughing gradually subsided. His whole body was weak from coughing. In his confusion, he felt Liang Shining help him lie down, and silently touch his slightly cool forehead.

“Shifu should sleep for a while first.”

Liang Shining said quietly: “Don't worry. Song Xingzhou's matter... I'll handle it.”

Ying Huai silently opened his mouth.

But the medicine was gradually taking effect, and his mind was full of blurry patches of color.

He breathed softly, and finally closed his eyes wearily.

* * *

When Ying Huai woke again, it was already completely dark outside.

Probably because the medicine hadn't fully worn off yet, Ying Huai felt his body temperature hadn't risen, only that his body was still a bit weak.

He looked around and was somewhat surprised to find Liang Shining was actually not in the room.

Ying Huai was still so sleepy he could barely open his eyes.

He grabbed a piece of clothing haphazardly from the wardrobe and put it on. Just as he was about to fumble his way out, the next moment he heard a soft “creak” from the door.

“Shifu's awake?”

Liang Shining hurried over, supporting the dazed person in the middle of the room and helping him sit down on the nearby sofa.

“Are you hungry? I have some food here. Shifu should have a little something first...”

Ying Huai reached out and took what Liang Shining handed him.

He pressed his brow, clearing his head a bit, and said quietly: “I'm fine. Where did you just go?”

Liang Shining's gaze fell on the clothes Ying Huai was wearing, and his expression paused slightly.

After a two-second pause, he casually walked to the nearby wardrobe, took out a jacket, stepped forward, and reached out to touch Ying Huai's forehead.

“I just went to find...”

Before he could finish, a noisy voice quietly came from the door: “Huai-ge, are you awake?”

Chu Ming poked his head in while speaking, and met Ying Huai's somewhat bewildered gaze.

Chu Ming was taken aback.

“Huai-ge, why didn't you turn on the lights when you woke up—”

He flicked the ceiling light on with a “snap” and walked in chattering: “Huai-ge, are you feeling okay? The Assistant Director said to go downstairs, there's a task to be announced. If you're feeling unwell...”

Before he could finish, his voice suddenly stopped when he saw the clothes Ying Huai was wearing.

“Huai-ge, why are you and Liang Shining wearing...”

“Hmm?”

Ying Huai was momentarily stunned.

He looked down at his own clothes, which seemed to be one of the sets Liang Mu had brought over last time.

He was wearing a soft dark grey turtleneck sweater on top, with a thin blood-red pendant hanging from the left chest, and an ordinary pair of linen-coloured casual trousers on the bottom.

He turned to look at Liang Shining again. Liang Shining was wearing the most ordinary white shirt, with a jacket draped over his arm. At first glance, there seemed to be nothing wrong with their outfits.

'What's wrong?'

Ying Huai lifted his head in some confusion.

'That jacket of Liang Shining's—' Chu Ming couldn't help but start.

He stopped mid-sentence, seeing Ying Huai's bewildered expression, and instinctively cut himself off.

—He realised Ying Huai really didn't seem to know.

Chu Ming gritted his teeth and tentatively asked again, 'Did you buy this yourself, Huai-ge?'

Ying Huai opened his mouth to say it was a gift from Liang Mu.

But remembering Liang Mu's mysterious expression last time, an unnatural look involuntarily crossed his face.

He instinctively glanced up at Liang Shining, then shook his head: 'No, it was... a gift from someone else.'

Chu Ming automatically substituted 'someone else' with Liang Shining.

His face was full of despair. This was a couple's new spring release from some luxury brand—understated but cleverly designed, only recently released in limited quantities.

Originally Chu Ming had planned to grab a set when it went on sale at midnight tomorrow to give to Ying Huai, while quietly keeping the matching set for himself.

He hadn't expected Liang Shining to have somehow already gotten his hands on the physical item.

Chu Ming secretly cursed Liang Shining's scheming nature in his heart.

He didn't want to explain the true meaning of the clothes on Liang Shining's behalf either. He gritted his teeth and took the initiative to change the subject.

'Haha, it's nothing, just thought this outfit suits Huai-ge really well...'

Chu Ming coughed lightly and directly helped Ying Huai up from beside Liang Shining.

'Let's hurry down, Huai-ge. The Assistant Director said we can only eat dinner after completing the task...'

Chu Ming secretly glared at Liang Shining behind him. Liang Shining's expression was calm as he slowly stood up from the bedside.

Chu Ming took a deep breath, stepped back, and positioned himself directly behind Ying Huai.

He secretly resolved to keep the two separated all evening so no one would pay particular attention to this matter.

But the next second, Liang Shining suddenly reached out and naturally drew Ying Huai to his side.

Chu Ming: ?

'Shifu still needs to take his medicine. I'll come down with him once he's done.'

Liang Shining said calmly, 'Please let the Assistant Director know for me, Teacher Chu. We'll be down in a moment.'

Chu Ming was still a bit confused about how Ying Huai had suddenly been pulled away from his side.

He instinctively reached out to pull him back, but the next second, saw Ying Huai naturally say 'Oh' and obediently sit back down on the bed.

Chu Ming: ??

He gritted his teeth, watching his own Huai-ge being led away, and for the first time tasted the bitter sorrow of 'having one's own cabbage uprooted by a pig.'

·

Fortunately, Liang Shining and Ying Huai did come down not long after.

Chu Ming quickly noticed that Liang Shining had already put on the matching jacket.

It was a similarly dark grey casual blazer, with a silver chain hanging from the left shoulder. At first glance, it didn't seem to have any connection to Ying Huai's sweater.

Chu Ming's brow twitched, and he inconspicuously squeezed his way to Ying Huai's side.

Xin Wan and Lu Jing stood to one side, frowning at Liang Shining, their expressions also strangely stiff.

Ying Huai didn't notice the strange atmosphere around him.

He looked around, his gaze falling on Song Xingzhou in the furthest corner.

He stared at him for a few seconds, then calmly looked away.

'Alright, I trust everyone had a good rest this afternoon. Before dinner, let's play one more little game.'

Seeing everyone was assembled, the Assistant Director smiled and clapped his hands to draw their attention.

'This trip to the Villa is sponsored by a music lover, who would like to invite everyone to dinner at the end.'

'But before that, you need to figure out his true identity first, only then can you enter the dining room.'

The Assistant Director said seriously.

'So now we'll be searching the Villa for information about the owner's identity.'

'The clues are scattered throughout the Villa in various forms, sealed in white envelopes with red wax. Whoever finds the key information gets to enter the dining room first and enjoy the meal.'

The Assistant Director paused here, then thought of something and added: 'Oh right, this game is individual combat. The time limit is one hour. Anyone who fails to provide the key clue in time won't be able to enter the dining room.'

Ying Huai's eyes flickered.

The Villa was huge, somewhat like an American country club, with five floors above and below ground, not counting the garden, front and back yards, and other areas.

Finding the key clue on one's own within an hour was no small challenge.

'Areas within the Villa marked with the Production Team logo are searchable zones. Guests may also take key clues from other guests. Alright, everyone, be careful not to get lost.'

The Assistant Director raised his hand and made a starting gesture.

'Now—timer starts.'

·

To enhance the game effect, the Production Team even went through the elaborate process of putting blindfolds on each of them and distributing them to different areas of the Villa.

They even removed all the follow cameramen for the gaming experience, filming only through overhead fixed cameras and one GoPro per person.

Ying Huai removed his blindfold at the sound of the announcement and looked around.

He seemed to have been brought to some storage room in the Basement.

The lighting around him was dim, probably because the Basement rarely saw sunlight, giving off an inexplicably eerie feeling.

Ying Huai's body trembled slightly.

He rubbed his arms, picked up the GoPro, and began searching around.

The storage room had a bookshelf-like structure, with rows upon rows of wooden cabinets packed densely together.

Ying Huai walked around inside, found nothing, and was even choked by the dust until he couldn't help coughing.

He sighed, ultimately choosing survival over fine dining, and turned to look for a way upstairs.

But the moment he stepped out of the storage room and turned into a side door, he saw someone rushing in, panting heavily.

Ying Huai was startled.

He instinctively stepped back, only then seeing that the person who had come was Song Xingzhou.

'T-Teacher Ying.' Song Xingzhou seemed to have run all the way here. He braced his knees, caught his breath for a few moments, then looked up and quietly called out to Ying Huai.

Ying Huai's expression was also somewhat complicated.

He glanced down at Song Xingzhou, said nothing, and changed direction to continue looking for a way up.

He had originally expected Song Xingzhou to either play innocent and weak as before, or indignantly denounce him.

Song Xingzhou seemed to want to say something, but seeing Ying Huai's reaction, he instinctively swallowed his words and silently followed behind him.

The Villa had five floors in total—three above ground and two below.

Ying Huai had probably been brought to the first basement level. The surroundings were dark with no light, and there were an unusually large number of rooms.

Ying Huai walked around in a circle, not only failing to find a way up but ending up back where he started.

He stared at the familiar storage room in front of him in silence for a few seconds, then turned to walk in another direction.

'Teacher Ying, we just came from that direction...'

Song Xingzhou's voice quietly sounded from behind him.

Ying Huai's footsteps paused.

His body stiffened for a moment. He instinctively turned around, only to realise he had indeed come from that direction.

Ying Huai stood in place, silent for a moment.

Song Xingzhou behind him seemed to realise something. He hesitated, then quietly asked, 'Is Teacher Ying looking for a way upstairs?'

Seeing Ying Huai silently turn around, his expression was a bit awkward, but he still braced himself and continued, 'I just came down from the floor above, so I should still remember the way... Shall I take Teacher Ying to find the stairs?'

Ying Huai was silent for two seconds.

Song Xingzhou's expression stiffened. He gritted his teeth and continued to explain, 'I don't mean anything else, it's just that the Basement feels quite cold and I'm worried Teacher Ying's body can't handle it. If Teacher Ying still wants to find the way himself, I can also accompany you...'

Before he could finish, Ying Huai's voice drifted out: 'Why didn't you say earlier that you knew the way?'

Song Xingzhou was momentarily stunned.

A flash of embarrassment crossed his expression. He turned his head somewhat awkwardly: 'I was afraid Teacher Ying wouldn't believe me...'

'Believe it or not, I'm going to freeze to death here anyway. What's the difference.' Ying Huai casually cut him off.

He didn't say whether he believed it or not, just slowly stepped forward and stood behind Song Xingzhou.

Song Xingzhou's hand at his side suddenly clenched.

This was the first time he had been this close to Ying Huai. His expression was inexplicably nervous. He turned his head and silently exchanged glances with Ying Huai for a few seconds, only to see the person in front of him sigh.

'Weren't you going to lead the way?'

'Ah? Ah, oh—'

Song Xingzhou suddenly realised something and turned around in a fluster.

Ying Huai watched the person in front of him walk a few steps with a complicated expression, and finally couldn't help asking, 'Doesn't it feel awkward walking like that?'

'Hmm?'

Song Xingzhou, his head full of worry about leading the way wrong, stiffly raised his head.

A hint of a smile appeared at Ying Huai's lips. He sighed softly: 'You're walking with the wrong arms and legs.'

Song Xingzhou: ...?

His face instantly flushed crimson. He jumped a step to correct his arms and legs, but caught his foot on a nearby cabinet, his face instantly contorting.

Ying Huai: ...

—For a moment, he suspected Song Xingzhou might just lead him straight into a ditch.

·

The Director's team must have made some simple modifications to the Villa to increase the game's difficulty.

Song Xingzhou led him through countless twists and turns, eventually reaching the first basement level. Ying Huai had originally thought they could go straight up via the stairs, but upon arriving at the first basement level, he discovered that the staircase going up had been blocked off.

—This meant they had to go deeper into the basement level to find another way up.

Ying Huai used the faint light of the GoPro to look around, and with some despair discovered that the first basement level was also a maze of twisting passages.

Ying Huai let out a silent sigh.

He couldn't walk any further, so he simply walked into the nearest room, braced himself against the wall, and sat down on the sofa, subtly rubbing his aching lower back.

Song Xingzhou followed him in step for step, standing in front of him with a slightly awkward expression.

Ying Huai pressed his sore lower back, letting out a soft hiss, before finally noticing Song Xingzhou's presence.

"Don't worry about me. Go look for clues on your own."

He barely managed to suppress the pain in his expression, and gave Song Xingzhou a slight smile: "Oh, and thanks for bringing me up earlier."

A flash of something complicated crossed Song Xingzhou's face. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end simply stood there silently without moving.

Ying Huai's waist was aching badly, and he really didn't have the energy to deal with him anymore.

Looking at the person standing there like a post, he finally sighed again: "Why aren't you leaving?"

Song Xingzhou, who had been lost in thought, was startled by Ying Huai's sudden voice.

He blurted out instinctively: "I'll wait for Teacher Ying and go together..."

Before he could finish, he heard Ying Huai speak the next second with a half-smile: "Go together with me, so you can frame me again?"

Song Xingzhou froze for a moment, immediately realizing Ying Huai had misunderstood.

His face darkened for a moment. "I didn't, why would I—"

Before he could finish, he saw Ying Huai smiling and raising an eyebrow.

Song Xingzhou instantly thought of the things he had done before.

He took a deep breath and said quietly: "I'm not trying to do anything, Teacher Ying. I'm just worried about you..."

"It's fine. You stay here and wait by yourself."

Ying Huai braced himself against the sofa and stood up, his eyes curving casually: "If you're not leaving, I am."

Song Xingzhou didn't know what to say for a moment.

He instinctively wanted to grab Ying Huai, but was afraid of hurting him. After hesitating for those few seconds, Ying Huai had already leisurely walked out the door.

Song Xingzhou stamped his foot, took a deep breath, and once again hurried after him.

·

Ying Huai didn't know which direction to go either.

His original plan had been to find Liang Shining as soon as he came out, and look for identity clues together with him.

—But given the current situation, finding the front door would already be a success.

Ying Huai's waist was still aching faintly. He wanted to find somewhere to sit for a while, but the footsteps behind him kept following at a consistent distance.

Ying Huai covered his mouth and coughed a few times, feeling an unusual irritation in his heart.

After turning through a small room and still finding nothing, he couldn't help turning back: "Can you stop following me?"

Song Xingzhou, who had been thinking about something, was startled by Ying Huai.

He instinctively stepped back, and the doorstop behind him was knocked loose by the impact. The door slammed shut behind him with a bang.

"I'm just worried about Teacher Ying. I don't have any other intentions."

Song Xingzhou's expression was a little unnatural, but he still gritted his teeth and said quietly, "I won't bother Teacher Ying. I'll just follow behind from a distance. Once we go up and find someone else, I'll leave. Teacher Ying doesn't need to worry about me..."

Ying Huai felt Song Xingzhou's attitude toward him seemed somewhat strange.

But he didn't have the energy to investigate further right now.

Ying Huai pressed his brow, walked around Song Xingzhou to open the door, but the moment he gripped the handle, his movement paused.

Song Xingzhou behind him froze for a few seconds before belatedly realizing Ying Huai hadn't moved.

"What's wrong..."

Before Song Xingzhou could finish, he saw Ying Huai slowly turn around: "Did you lock the door?"

Song Xingzhou froze for a moment, then immediately said with an ashen face: "No! I didn't—"

He strode around Ying Huai and reached to pull the door, but no matter how hard he tried, it was useless.

Ying Huai leaned half against the wall nearby with his eyes lowered, silent. Song Xingzhou's face was ugly.

He took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth: "If I had locked it, would I have locked myself inside too?"

Ying Huai watched him with interest for a few seconds, then laughed lightly: "That's not impossible either."

Song Xingzhou: ???

Ying Huai was truly exhausted and had no strength left.

He walked back from the door and sat down on the sofa again, closing his eyes and silently adjusting his breathing.

A set of footsteps came from in front of him. Ying Huai was completely drained and couldn't be bothered to guess what Song Xingzhou was trying to do.

"If you want to do something, now is the best time."

Ying Huai looked up at Song Xingzhou and smiled lazily: "It's just the two of us in this room now. You can cover the camera, and then no one will know what actually happens."

As he spoke, he seemed to finally lose his strength, groaning softly as he slumped against the armrest of the sofa, his face turning a few shades paler.

But the hand hanging at his side subtly tightened its grip on the GoPro little by little.

Ying Huai waited for Song Xingzhou to come forward and make trouble, but the next second, he heard Song Xingzhou say blankly: "Was it from last time? The thing I did?"

"Huh?"

Ying Huai's attention was all focused on Song Xingzhou's next move, and for a moment he didn't catch what he had said.

"The injury on your waist... was it from when the lights went out in the classroom last time?"

Song Xingzhou's voice trembled as he said quietly: "How is it still not healed after so long... I'm sorry, I didn't know it was this serious..."

Ying Huai froze for a moment.

His eyes flickered, and he suddenly said: "What did Liang Shining tell you?"

Song Xingzhou blankly raised his head.

He silently opened his mouth, his voice weakening for a moment: "Everything... he told me everything."

Ying Huai slowly propped himself up.

He said quietly: "When?"

Song Xingzhou took a deep breath: "...This afternoon."

Ying Huai's eyes flickered.

This afternoon was exactly the period when he had been asleep.

·

A few hours earlier, afternoon.

When Liang Shining walked in, Song Xingzhou's first thought was that he had come to help Ying Huai get revenge on him.

He immediately stood up warily: "What do you want? If you do anything to me, I'll call the police right away..."

Before he could finish, he saw Liang Shining take out his phone and pull up a video.

"Is this you?"

Song Xingzhou froze for a moment.

He instinctively raised his head, and after seeing the content of the video clearly, his face instantly went white.

—This was the scene that had just happened with Ying Huai before he fell into the water.

"What do you want? Where did you get this video—" Song Xingzhou suddenly raised his head.

Liang Shining, however, didn't address his question.

He said directly: "Did you actually push Ying Huai or not?"

"I didn't!" Song Xingzhou said immediately.

But watching his own movements in the video, no matter how he looked at it, it seemed like he had tried to push someone but missed and ended up falling himself.

His heart was in a panic, and he tried to explain incoherently: "When I first went over, I was really angry, and for a moment I did want to push him, but the pool water was so cold, and Ying Huai isn't in good health. I was worried that if he fell in, something might really happen..."

—So in the end he gave up and pulled his hand back.

Liang Shining quietly cut him off: "Do you have proof?"

Song Xingzhou's expression froze.

His face went a little paler, and he could only continue to explain urgently: "No, I know this video really does look like I was trying to do something, but I really didn't. I just slipped afterward. I was still some distance from Ying Huai..."

Before he could finish, he saw Liang Shining suddenly turn the phone around, zoom in on the image slightly, and turn it back.

Song Xingzhou froze for a moment.

He raised his head somewhat puzzled, and saw that in the zoomed-in video, the motion of him pulling his hand back was clearly visible.

"Right, look, I really didn't push him. I pulled my hand back—"

"So, even watching your own video can create misunderstandings." Liang Shining suddenly said.

Liang Shining took back his phone and said calmly: "Then why would you so easily believe someone else's one-sided story?"

Song Xingzhou froze for a moment.

"What do you mean—"

Before he could finish, he saw Liang Shining suddenly place a stack of documents on the table.

"What is this..."

"It's about your brother." Liang Shining calmly raised his head. "From beginning to end, see for yourself."

Song Xingzhou belatedly realized something.

With trembling hands, he opened the documents, and his face gradually went white.

·

"Teacher Liang told me the whole story from beginning to end," Song Xingzhou said quietly. "This wasn't a false accusation... it was my brother's own fault."

"Teacher Liang also told me about how Chu Hongsheng deceived me."

Ying Huai watched him with lowered eyes, silent.

Song Xingzhou's hand at his side slowly clenched: "Chu Hongsheng said he had been trying to help my brother, but actually when my brother's trouble started, he immediately cut off all contact with him."

"Later, only when public opinion started to shift a little did he begin trying to use my brother again. But then when he saw... my brother had no value left, he directly withdrew the legal team he had assigned to my brother and left him to fend for himself."

Song Xingzhou could no longer stand. He suddenly crouched down, covering his face as he said in a trembling voice: "It was my brother and Chu Hongsheng's fault. It has nothing to do with Teacher Ying. I was too obsessive before. I'm sorry, Teacher Ying..."

Ying Huai stayed where he was, not moving.

Song Xingzhou thought Ying Huai was still angry with him. With a sobbing tone, he continued incoherently: "It was my fault. It's okay if Teacher Ying doesn't forgive me. Whatever you want me to do to make up for it, I will. I'm the one who hurt you..."

After a few seconds, he heard Ying Huai let out a soft sigh.

"Then stand up."

"...What?"

Song Xingzhou was crying so hard his mind was blank, and for a moment he couldn't react.

"Didn't you say I'd do anything you asked?"

"Why won't you do the very first thing?" Ying Huai covered his lips and coughed lightly, then laughed softly. "You don't expect me to help you up, do you? I really don't have the strength right now."

Song Xingzhou crouched blankly in front of him.

After a few seconds, something clicked, and he suddenly stood up.

The next instant, his face twisted. "My foot—my foot's numb."

Ying Huai couldn't help but laugh softly.

But after only a few seconds, he choked again, covering his lips as low, muffled coughs broke out of him.

Song Xingzhou's wincing, foot-stamping motion froze.

He remembered that Ying Huai had been coughing since the pool earlier. A trace of worry surfaced on Song Xingzhou's face. "Are you feeling unwell somewhere, Teacher Ying?"

Ying Huai coughed too hard to speak. He covered his lips and shook his head, then after a long moment managed: "I'm fine. It's probably just a bit too cold in here."

Song Xingzhou caught on at once.

He scrambled to his feet and walked around the room, knocking on things as he went. Apart from stumbling on an envelope by accident, he finally deflated upon realizing there really was only one exit—the door.

"The Production Team said any door with the logo on it could be opened. How could they possibly have locked us in..."

Song Xingzhou pulled at the door handle, unwilling to give up, and muttered dejectedly: "This is a scam..."

Ying Huai's eyes flickered.

He suddenly pushed himself up, bracing against the wall as he slowly made his way to the door.

"This is an electronic lock. It can be controlled remotely."

He looked up and, as expected, saw that the monitor in the room had gone dark.

"Someone locked us in here on purpose."

Song Xingzhou froze.

He looked up in disbelief. "Who? Why would they do that..."

Before he could finish, something hit him.

Song Xingzhou gritted his teeth. "Chu Hongsheng."

Ying Huai closed his eyes briefly, glanced at the white envelope beside him, and laughed softly. "...I know who the owner of this Villa is."

—No wonder the room had been arranged so precisely to his taste. It had been a trap designed exclusively for him from the very start.

Ying Huai paused, then finally couldn't help but bend slightly at the waist, clutching his chest as he gasped rapidly.

Fine beads of cold sweat broke out across his forehead, and the light before his eyes began to flicker on and off.

Ying Huai drew a shaky breath, bracing against the wall as he slowly sank into a crouch.

His time at the Sanatorium had left him with a mild case of claustrophobia, and combined with the Basement's low temperature, Ying Huai felt his body begin to tremble beyond his control.

Song Xingzhou, who had been trying to talk to the monitor nearby, sensed something was wrong at once.

"What's wrong, Teacher Ying?"

Song Xingzhou dropped into a panicked crouch beside Ying Huai, wanting to steady him but not daring to reach out.

The next moment, an icy hand pressed down on his wrist first.

"Help me... up."

Ying Huai said in a low voice: "Help me take the medicine... out of my pocket."

Song Xingzhou shivered at the cold of Ying Huai's fingertips.

He hurriedly braced Ying Huai upright, but Ying Huai seemed to have no strength left at all, sinking against him again and again.

By the time Song Xingzhou had helped him back to the sofa, he himself was drenched in sweat.

He fumbled the medicine out of Ying Huai's pocket in a panic, then froze.

The small box was divided into compartments holding all sorts of pills. Song Xingzhou looked up, at a loss. "Which one should I give you, Teacher Ying? There are so many..."

Ying Huai curled up on the sofa.

He clutched the fabric at his chest tightly, his face turned toward the back of the sofa, as if he had already lost consciousness.

Song Xingzhou's trembling hands reached out to help him up, but the next moment Ying Huai's weak voice drifted over: "...The red one and the white one."

Song Xingzhou hurriedly took out the medicine.

Ying Huai's hands shook too hard to hold the pills. Song Xingzhou could only let him lean entirely against his chest and carefully feed him the medicine.

After what felt like an eternity, Ying Huai's eyelashes fluttered, and he finally opened his eyes.

His expression carried a trace of exhaustion and blankness. When his gaze fell on Song Xingzhou beside him, he froze for a moment.

"...Why are you crying again?" The corner of his mouth curved helplessly.

Song Xingzhou gritted his teeth, took a deep breath and sucked his snot back in, then turned his head away and muttered: "No, I just... hadn't finished crying earlier. It's not that I'm crying again."

Ying Huai was amused by him.

But he hadn't laughed long before his face changed again, and the hand clutching his chest tightened once more.

Song Xingzhou's expression tensed up again.

After a moment, he watched Ying Huai pat his own arm, signaling him to help him sit up.

"Let me support you. That way you'll be warmer." Song Xingzhou said hurriedly. "It's fine, I'm not tired."

Ying Huai looked up at him, a touch more warmth entering his eyes.

"But I'm tired."

He said slowly: "I want you to help me lie down—my waist has been braced like this the whole time. It really hurts."

Song Xingzhou was stunned.

His face flushed red again at once, and he fumbled to help Ying Huai lie down.

The moment Ying Huai lay down, his whole body curled up uncontrollably—whether from pain or cold, it was impossible to tell.

Song Xingzhou pulled off his jacket and draped it over him. He crouched in front of Ying Huai and asked helplessly: "What do we do now, Teacher Ying?"

The medicine he had just taken had a mild sedative effect, and Ying Huai's reactions were a little slow.

He fought through the fog in his head, and after a long moment said softly: "...Wait."

"There are cameras outside this room. It's been almost an hour now. If they can't see us, they'll come looking for us here."

Song Xingzhou was stunned.

He himself was strong and healthy, so it didn't matter, but with Ying Huai in this state, it didn't look like he could hold on much longer.

He seemed about to say something more, but watched as the hand clutching Ying Huai's clothes slowly relaxed, bit by bit, and gradually slid down.

Song Xingzhou was nearly scared out of his wits.

"Teacher Ying, what's wrong—"

He lunged forward at once, but saw Ying Huai frown slightly, cough softly, and open his eyes weakly. "...What's wrong?"

"You, you just seemed to..."

Song Xingzhou opened his mouth, but didn't dare say the word "fainted."

Ying Huai's reactions were sluggish all over.

He only felt cold everywhere, his whole consciousness dragged by drowsiness into a bottomless abyss.

He curled his whole body up and said slowly: "I'm going to... sleep for a bit. Don't worry."

Song Xingzhou was nearly frantic.

"Don't sleep, Teacher Ying. Talk to me—no, let me talk to you..."

Song Xingzhou said urgently: "Is there anything you want to know? Let me tell you what Chu Hongsheng had me do."

"Chu Hongsheng has always wanted me to go after you, but he wouldn't say anything specific. He just showed me your medical records and told me to induce an episode..."

Ying Huai's brow moved slightly.

He suddenly said: "Then... would you be willing to put on an act with me?"

Song Xingzhou was crying again without realizing it, his face streaked with tears. He nodded hurriedly.

Ying Huai gently patted his hand.

He signaled Song Xingzhou to lean down, and whispered a few words in his ear.

By the end, his strength gave out and his voice gradually faded.

Song Xingzhou tried to talk to him again, but the person on the sofa had already closed his eyes once more.

Song Xingzhou stared blankly, crouching in front of Ying Huai.

The next moment, something occurred to him. He suddenly straightened up, rushed to the door, and began frantically pounding on it with his hands.

The muffled thuds—bang, bang, bang—seemed to come from somewhere far away. The person asleep on the sofa frowned unconsciously.

He wanted to tell Song Xingzhou not to hurt his hands, but before the words could leave his mouth, a sudden pain shot through his chest.

Ying Huai's body trembled, and the consciousness he had forced himself to hold onto dissolved in an instant.

His wrist went limp and fell heavily.

He didn't see that the next moment, the door was pulled open from outside, and someone immediately rushed to his side.

·

Song Xingzhou stood where he was, staring blankly as Liang Shining swept the person up and carried him out at speed.

He was suddenly reminded of the conversation he had had with Liang Shining that afternoon.

"Why did you show me all this?" Song Xingzhou put down the file and raised his trembling head.

"I remember you've always disliked me. You could have just called the police and had them take me away. There was no need to help me..."

"Because Ying Huai wanted to help you." Liang Shining cut him off in a low voice.

"I just don't want Ying Huai to change who he is because of the world's unfairness."

Liang Shining knew that Ying Huai was gentle and stubborn by nature. Even after being reborn, that was still who he was at his core.

—Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken him as a disciple again back then.

"I hope he can always do what he wants to do. I only need to make sure he doesn't get hurt because of it."

That was all.

·

More people poured into the room. Song Xingzhou stood blankly in the center of it.

He thought of Ying Huai's last words to him.

Ying Huai wore a smile. Though he was so weak he couldn't even lift his eyelids, there was no fear in his voice—instead, there was a barely perceptible anticipation.

"Don't worry."

"Liang Shining will find me."