119: Chapter 117 OTK

When Yu Heng arrived home, no one was in the living room.

He changed into slippers and said, "I'm home."

Bai Xinran poked her head out from the kitchen, a spoon still in her hand.

"You're back." She said, "Are you tired from training?"

"It's alright." Yu Heng walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Bai Xinran came out of the kitchen wearing a light blue apron: "Would you like some water?"

"Mm." Yu Heng replied with his eyes closed.

Bai Xinran went to pour a cup of warm water and handed it over.

Yu Heng took it, his Adam's apple bobbing as he took a large gulp: "What are we eating tonight?"

"I cooked some porridge," Bai Xinran said, "and steamed some buns—the frozen kind."

"Sounds good." Yu Heng placed the cup back on the coffee table.

Bai Xinran watched him rotate his neck, his bones making a slight cracking sound. She pursed her lips: "Why don't you take a shower first?"

"Alright." He stood up. "Oh, right."

Bai Xinran was looking at his back and was startled when he suddenly turned around.

"Remember to prepare the tools," Yu Heng said. "We'll need them after dinner."

Bai Xinran's ears felt a little warm. She nodded: "Got it."

Yu Heng entered the bathroom. Bai Xinran stood rooted for a few seconds before turning and returning to the kitchen.

The porridge was bubbling in the pot. She stirred it with a spoon and turned the heat down to low.

The buns in the steamer were ready, and steam seeped out from the edge of the lid.

She untied the apron and hung it back on the hook on the wall.

Then she walked out of the kitchen and went upstairs to the second floor.

Last week, Yu Heng had put the small suitcase in the study on the second floor, saying it would be easier to access.

The study was rarely used, containing just one desk, one chair, and several cardboard boxes stacked in the corner from the move that hadn't been unpacked yet.

The suitcase was right next to the desk.

Bai Xinran squatted down and opened the case.

There weren't many things inside, but they were neatly arranged.

There were also several small boxes next to it that she had never opened and didn't know the contents of.

She then closed the case, took the items, and went downstairs.

Downstairs, in the living room.

After dinner, both of them sat down on the sofa.

Yu Heng turned on the TV and put on a drama. The volume was low, just loud enough to be audible.

It didn't really matter what was playing, and they wouldn't actually watch it; it was just background noise to prevent her from feeling awkward.

——

Qin Ya was currently live streaming on the second floor. The bullet comments were scrolling rapidly. Taking advantage of the break after finishing a topic, she reached for the water cup on the table.

There was only a small sip of water left in the cup.

She frowned, drank the rest in one go, and felt even thirstier.

"Family, wait for me, okay? I'm going to get some water, I'm dying of thirst." She said into the microphone and switched the stream display to a waiting animation.

Pushing open the door, the sound of the TV from the downstairs living room faintly drifted up. She couldn't tell what drama was playing.

Qin Ya didn't pay attention and shuffled downstairs in her slippers.

The kitchen was on the first floor, requiring her to pass through the living room.

Halfway down the stairs, she stopped.

The main light in the living room wasn't on; only a floor lamp beside the sofa was lit.

She saw the figures on the sofa, illuminated by the light from the TV screen.

Qin Ya stood on the stairs, subconsciously gripping the railing. Her mind went blank for a moment. What were they doing?

Their voices were low, making the specific content hard to hear clearly.

She only heard the sound of counting.

Qin Ya felt her face heat up, and her heart began to race erratically.

She then realized it was inappropriate for her to stand there peeking. What if she was discovered...? She cautiously took a step back, then another.

Not until she retreated to the staircase landing, confirming that the people below couldn't see her, did she quietly let out a breath.

She no longer wanted to get water. She turned around and tiptoed upstairs, returned to her room, and gently closed the door.

Putting her headphones back on, Qin Ya took several deep breaths until her voice sounded normal: "I'm back, I'm back! Let's continue, let's continue!"

As she spoke, she picked up her phone and sent a WeChat message to Qin Lu.

「Mom, don't come pick me up. I'm staying here tonight.」

Not long after the message was sent, her phone vibrated.

Qin Lu: "?"

Qin Ya pouted and typed on the screen: "I'm a little tired and don't want to bother moving. Can you come pick me up tomorrow night instead?"

This time, she waited a few minutes.

Qin Lu: "Okay, then go to bed early and don't stay up late."

「Got it.」

——

After things finished downstairs, Bai Xinran remained lying prone, and Yu Heng was massaging her.

"Does it still hurt?" Yu Heng asked, his voice coming from above her head.

"Yes, it hurts," Bai Xinran mumbled, "but it's much better."

Yu Heng chuckled softly: "If it hurts, just say it hurts. No one is going to laugh at you."

Bai Xinran didn't make a sound. She wasn't actually afraid of being laughed at; she just felt that saying it hurt was being a little overly sensitive.

"Then let me help you divert your attention," Yu Heng said.

"Hm?" Bai Xinran whimpered, arching her body, grabbing Yu Heng's arm, and tensing up.

It was quite a while before Bai Xinran's breathing stabilized.

"Does it still hurt?" He asked again.

"It doesn't hurt anymore..." Bai Xinran whispered.

"This is a necessary part of the game. And you need the complete process to have the full experience."

"Hm?"

"If everything is vague, without strictness or comfort, you won't actually experience anything."

"I think I understand a little."

Yu Heng hummed in acknowledgement, then suddenly said, "The finals are the day after tomorrow."

Bai Xinran hummed in response.

"Are you coming to watch?" Yu Heng asked.

"Yes." Bai Xinran said, pausing, "You will win, won't you?"

"I don't know," Yu Heng said. "I'll do my best."

Yu Heng patted her waist: "Get up, it's time to sleep."

Bai Xinran climbed out of his embrace, her legs still weak, and she nearly fell back. Yu Heng caught her.

——

At 10 PM, Qin Ya ended her stream, having broadcast for an extra hour today.

A 'Big Brother' user had gifted a 'Small TV,' saying it was an advance gift for her New Avatar Debut, so she extended the stream to show her gratitude.

She took off her headphones, stretched, and felt a slight ache in her neck.

The computer screen was still lit, and the background data curve was slowly climbing.

The reason she hadn't asked Qin Lu to pick her up wasn't actually tiredness.

Streaming was a bit taxing, but not to that extent.

She just... didn't want to go back.

She wanted to see if there would be a more exciting show tonight.

Qin Ya walked to the door, then went to the top of the stairs and listened.

Downstairs was very quiet, and the sound of the TV was gone.

She tiptoed down, holding the railing and peering down. The first-floor living room was completely dark; only the small nightlight in the entryway cast a faint yellow circle of light.

They all went back to their rooms?

She was a little disappointed, yet felt it was understandable, as it was already past ten.

The image of the scene on the sofa popped up in her mind again. She swallowed and quietly crept downstairs.

The kitchen light was motion-activated and turned on as soon as she entered.

She pulled open the refrigerator door, cold air rushed out, and she grabbed a bottle of mineral water, twisted it open, and took two sips.

The water was very cold, flowing down her throat and clearing her mind slightly.

She stood in the kitchen, holding the water bottle, her ears strained for any movement outside.

There was no sound at all.

She waited in the living room like that until nearly midnight, and since she heard no commotion, she finally went upstairs to sleep, reluctantly.