136: Bonus Chapter: A Busy Weekend (Part 1)

Qin Lu was cutting fruit in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.

She wiped her hands, walked to the door, and peered through the peephole to see a delivery man standing outside with several cardboard boxes piled at his feet.

"Hello, delivery." The voice outside the door was muffled.

Qin Lu opened the door, and a gust of cold wind rushed in.

The delivery man handed over the receipt, and she quickly signed it.

"Do you need help moving them inside?" the delivery man asked.

"No, thank you," Qin Lu said.

After the delivery man went downstairs, she looked at the boxes by the door and pursed her lips.

The largest rectangular box was probably a yoga mat, the square one must be a set of dumbbells, and the two smaller boxes contained skincare products and a massager.

She bent down to move the heaviest box—the dumbbells—but paused as soon as she bent her waist. The box was heavier than expected, and the muscles in her forearm tensed as she lifted it.

She shuffled into the living room step by step, and the box made a dull thud when she set it on the floor.

She straightened up and rubbed her waist. She really wasn't young anymore.

Next was the yoga mat box. This one was lighter but bulky, and she almost bumped the door frame carrying it inside.

Finally, the two small boxes, which she carried in one in each hand.

Closing the door, Qin Lu stood in the center of the living room, looking at the boxes on the floor, feeling momentarily distracted.

She never used to spend money on these things; she never expected to start paying for beauty now.

Qin Lu squatted down and started unpacking the skincare box first.

She used a utility knife to cut the tape, revealing exquisite packaging boxes inside.

She picked up a heavy, dark blue glass bottle covered entirely in English text.

It was an anti-wrinkle firming serum. She unscrewed the cap and smelled it; the scent was faint, a slight botanical fragrance.

The instructions said to use it once in the morning and once in the evening, massaging until absorbed.

She placed the bottle on the coffee table and opened another box, which contained face masks and eye cream.

How long would these things last?

Three months? Half a year?

Qin Ya came out of her room, shuffling in her slippers, her hair messy: "Mom, what did you buy?"

"Did I wake you?" Qin Lu continued unpacking the yoga mat box.

"No, I woke up on my own." Qin Ya walked over, squatted beside her, and picked up the serum bottle to look at it. "Didn't you used to say these things were an IQ tax?"

Qin Lu paused her movements. "Nonsense. When did I ever say that?"

Qin Ya pouted and said nothing, watching Qin Lu pull the yoga mat out of the box.

"You're going to practice yoga?" Qin Ya asked.

"Mhm, just following videos to learn." Qin Lu stood up and stepped onto the mat to test it; it had a bit of bounce.

"Why did you suddenly decide to practice this?" Qin Ya also stood up and walked over to the dumbbell box. "And what is this?"

"Dumbbells." Qin Lu walked over, opened the box, took out the instructions, and started assembling them according to the guide.

"Can you even lift those?" Qin Ya watched her.

"Slowly." Qin Lu picked up the assembled dumbbell; it was indeed heavy.

Qin Ya stuck out her tongue and made a face.

Then she sat on the sofa, took out her phone, snapped a picture of Qin Lu, and sent it to Yu Heng.

[Report.]

[Your woman bought a yoga mat and skincare products, and she's unpacking them at home.]

Yu Heng was leaning back on the sofa, resting his eyes, while Bai Xinran was curled up on the rug beside his legs.

His phone vibrated on the coffee table. He opened his eyes and reached for it.

In the photo, Qin Lu was squatting on the living room floor, surrounded by several open cardboard boxes.

Yu Heng stared at the screen, his fingertip pausing briefly over Qin Lu's slightly open neckline in the photo before he typed a reply.

Yu Heng: [You took a candid shot?]

Qin Ya: [What else? Should I have posed her?]

Qin Ya replied very quickly, almost instantly.

Yu Heng: [Did she notice?]

Qin Ya: [No, her mind is completely focused on those boxes right now.]

Qin Ya sat cross-legged on the sofa, looking toward the kitchen, typing quickly.

Qin Ya: [She never used to buy these things, but she bought quite a lot this time.]

Yu Heng zoomed in on the photo, sliding his fingertip across the screen to look closely.

Qin Lu was squatting in the picture, and her pajamas were hanging open slightly at her chest due to her posture.

The neckline was indeed loose. From this overhead angle, he could clearly see a section of her fair collarbone, and even a faint shadow slightly further down.

Yu Heng: [Is she planning to work out?]

Qin Ya: [Looks like it.]

Qin Ya pouted and typed again.

Qin Ya: [Did you provoke her?]

Yu Heng: [Provoke her about what?]

Qin Ya: [Saying her figure is bad? Or that she's old?]

Yu Heng: [I certainly did not.]

He gave a short laugh and typed.

Yu Heng: [I compliment her every day, saying she looks eighteen.]

Qin Ya: [Fine, well, she seems very determined, I just don't know if she can stick with it.]

Yu Heng: [Keep an eye on her, don't let her get hurt.]

Sports injuries are no joke, especially at her age.

Qin Ya: [Got it.]

Qin Ya sent an eye-rolling emoji.

Qin Ya: [I don't want to stream today. Take me out this afternoon, please.]

Yu Heng: [Why aren't you streaming?]

Qin Ya: [I've been consistent for a month now, I deserve a break!]

Yu Heng: [I have something to do this afternoon.]

He glanced at Bai Xinran beside his legs. He had a recording session with Xinran this afternoon for the second episode of Yinse. Qin Ya definitely couldn't see or hear this.

Qin Ya: [What is it?]

Qin Ya pressed him, insistent.

Yu Heng: [I have work with Sister A Ling.]

Qin Ya: [Work my ass. It's definitely something shady. I'm coming to observe.]

Yu Heng frowned.

Yu Heng: [Qin Ya, are you looking for a beating?]

Qin Ya: [Anyway, I'm not streaming this afternoon. I'm coming to the Villa to find you guys!]

Yu Heng: [If you dare show up, I'll beat you!]

Yu Heng exited the chat window, and without waiting for her reply, he flipped his phone face down on the coffee table.

Bai Xinran had been staying quiet the whole time. She heard the notification sounds and glimpsed the photo on the screen.

Although she couldn't make out the content, she could tell it was a woman.

"Teacher Qin?" Bai Xinran looked up, her voice soft.

"Mhm," Yu Heng replied, his hand naturally dropping down to touch her earlobe.

Bai Xinran's earlobe was slightly cool. His finger lingered there for a few seconds.

"What is she doing?" Bai Xinran asked, staying still and letting him touch her.

"Shopping," Yu Heng said. "Yoga mats, skincare products."

Bai Xinran blinked. Was Qin Lu trying to improve herself?

Or rather, trying hard to look younger.

She leaned back more comfortably against Yu Heng's calf. This position allowed her back to press completely against his leg, feeling his body heat through the fabric.

Yu Heng's hand slid from her earlobe to the back of her neck, his fingertip slowly pressing on that patch of skin. "Go make lunch. After we eat and you take a shower, we'll start working."