Chapter 26 – The Great Wailing Crybaby

When Wei Lai regained consciousness, the first thing he saw was Chu Yin’s face hovering above him, filled with scrutiny.

His round eyes were wide open, as if studying whether Wei Lai was dead or not.

Wei Lai, as if rising from his deathbed, sat up abruptly, but before he could catch his breath, he bent over in a fit of violent coughing.

Chu Yin hurriedly poured a glass of water and eagerly brought it to Wei Lai’s lips. “It’s not hot. Drink.”

Staring at the concern in Chu Yin’s eyes, Wei Lai froze, even forgetting to cough.

The scheming Madam Wei suddenly realized—this was his chance to turn the tables. Finally, the time had come for the usually domineering Master Chu to serve him for once.

Wei Lai drank a few sips from the cup in Chu Yin’s hand, then weakly held his forehead and said, “I’m about to die.”

Chu Yin’s hand trembled. “You have a fever. Don’t just say things like that! You’re not going to die!”

Wei Lai let out a long sigh, half-serious, half-joking. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have become your manager. I’ve only been a burden to you. I just wanted… Ah, never mind.”

“No!” Chu Yin’s eyes instantly reddened. “I only said I didn’t want you because I wanted you to rest sooner! Wei Lai… You… You don’t know how important you are to me!”

Wei Lai gently touched Chu Yin’s face, speaking in a tone full of longing. “In my final days, I’m just glad I could leave behind some beautiful memories with you. Chu Yin… thank you.”

Chu Yin’s breathing grew short and rapid, clearly terrified. “You… What do you mean? What final days?”

Wei Lai hadn’t expected Chu Yin to be so gullible. On one hand, he felt bad for deceiving him, but on the other, he was curious about Chu Yin’s reaction, so he continued spinning his wild tale. “Do you remember that aphrodisiac wine I gave you before?”

Tears welling in his eyes, Chu Yin nodded.

Wei Lai went on, “That was just a desperate last attempt. My kidneys are failing. The doctors say I won’t make it past this year.”

Logically, at this point, Chu Yin should have realized something was off. After all, Wei Lai had always been lively and energetic, never missing out on food, drinks, or fun—hardly the image of someone with a terminal illness.

Yet, instead of catching on, Chu Yin only sank deeper into the lie. He sat there dazed, his entire being radiating the shock and sorrow of someone who had just received devastating news.

Chu Yin: “…No wonder you were always secretly taking medicine in the bathroom. I used to think you were secretly eating shit.”

Wei Lai: What the hell?! Those were just vitamins and collagen powder, okay?!

Chu Yin, like a master detective, pieced together all the “clues.”

“You’ve been getting uglier, your face sallow, looking like you’ve overindulged in pleasure…”

Wei Lai roared internally: Nonsense! I’m pale as hell! You’ve been secretly calling me ugly in your mind?!

“…You pant after just a few steps. I thought you were just lazy, but… sniff… it’s because you’re dying.”

Wei Lai: No, I’m genuinely just lazy.

Chu Yin’s lips trembled, on the verge of a breakdown. “You terminated the contract with Yao Chaowu not because you didn’t like him anymore, but because you’re dying. You pretended to be a heartless bastard so he’d hate you—because you didn’t want him to grieve.”

Wei Lai: Bruh… even decade-old TV dramas don’t pull this crap anymore.

“Me… So… I was just the tool you used to break up with Yao Chaowu…”

Wei Lai internally screamed: Wake up! You were never even together—how is this a breakup?!

“I always thought you were the one taking me in, but it turns out… I was the one taking you in.”

Wei Lai: “…”

Chu Yin seemed petrified, his hand still holding the half-full glass of water mid-air, the surface trembling slightly from his shaking.

Wei Lai couldn’t help but suspect that Chu Yin was acting—after all, among his peers in the idol industry, Chu Yin’s acting skills were decent enough to avoid heavy criticism. Maybe he was playing along to mess with him in return.

Because, seriously—kidney failure? Who would actually believe that? Anyone with half a brain would see through it, right?

Wei Lai poked Chu Yin’s cheek. “You’re laying it on a bit thick here…”

A few seconds later, it got even thicker.

Chu Yin grabbed his hand, sniffled a few times, and then burst into loud, wailing sobs.

Like a small child who had just lost his most treasured possession but lacked the strength to protect it, he cried helplessly and despairingly.