139: clingy

The entrance door opened. Yu Heng looked up toward the doorway. Qin Lu pushed the door open, carrying a convenience store plastic bag in her hand.

On the sofa, Qin Ya was lying on her side, her head resting on Yu Heng's lap. She was curled up and sleeping soundly.

Qin Lu stood by the entrance, not coming in immediately.

She looked at her daughter's sleeping face, then at Yu Heng.

Yu Heng raised a finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture.

Then he carefully lifted Qin Ya's head, used his other hand to pull out a cushion and tuck it under her, gently moving her head onto the cushion.

Qin Ya frowned in her sleep but didn't wake up, rolling over and hugging the cushion.

Yu Heng stood up, stretched his numb legs, and walked over to Qin Lu.

"You're here?" he whispered. "The temperature dropped today."

"Mm." Qin Lu placed the plastic bag on the shoe cabinet, took off her coat, changed into slippers, and walked in. "Why is she sleeping here?"

"She got tired from streaming," Yu Heng said. "She was playing on her phone on the sofa, and just drifted off."

Qin Lu walked to the edge of the sofa and bent down to look at Qin Ya.

Her daughter was fast asleep, her breathing even.

"She's quite clingy to you." Qin Lu straightened up, her voice devoid of emotion.

Yu Heng walked behind her and hugged her from the back. Qin Lu's body stiffened slightly.

"Can't you be this clingy to me too?" Yu Heng rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice very low, his warm breath fanning the back of her ear.

Qin Lu's ears instantly felt hot. She struggled a little but couldn't break free.

"Stop messing around," she said, glancing toward the sofa where Qin Ya was still sleeping.

"She's asleep," Yu Heng said, tightening his arms around her waist slightly.

Qin Lu was wearing a knit shirt today, the material soft, allowing him to feel the curve of her waist.

Had she lost a little weight recently?

"I need to take her back now." Qin Lu's voice was a bit dry.

"What's the rush?" Yu Heng didn't let go. "Let her sleep a bit; she just finished streaming and must be tired."

Qin Lu remained silent. She felt Yu Heng's hand gently stroking her side, his fingertips occasionally brushing against the fabric.

"Don't..." Her voice trembled slightly.

"Don't what?" Yu Heng asked.

Qin Lu couldn't say it. What could she say?

"Your ears are so red," he said, a laugh in his voice.

Qin Lu raised a hand to cover her ears, but her hand was captured by his other hand.

She struggled, but couldn't get free.

"Let go of me," she said, her voice stiff.

"No." Yu Heng's lips paused at her earlobe.

Qin Lu tensed up completely. "Qin Ya is here..."

"So don't make a sound," Yu Heng said. "We'll make it quick."

Qin Lu frowned. This was crazy; Qin Ya was right there.

——

By the time Bai Xinran finished streaming, Qin Lu had already taken Qin Ya back home.

"Finished streaming?" Yu Heng looked up.

"Mhm." Bai Xinran walked over and sat next to him. "There were quite a lot of comments today."

"What did you talk about?"

"Just... everyday topics," Bai Xinran said. "Someone asked what games I usually play, and I said I play some standalone games."

Yu Heng nodded and turned his phone screen toward her. "Look at this."

Bai Xinran leaned closer. When she saw the model image on the screen, her eyes widened slightly. "This is..."

"That design you drew," Yu Heng said, "the model has been created."

Bai Xinran took the phone, sliding her finger across the screen, zooming in and out. After looking at it for a while, she handed the phone back to him.

"What do you think?" Yu Heng asked.

"It's very good." Bai Xinran pursed her lips.

"I've decided on the brand name," Yu Heng said. "It's called Brand Name: Pleasing Oneself."

Bai Xinran repeated, "Brand Name: Pleasing Oneself..."

"Pleasing oneself," Yu Heng explained. "This series is called Mechanical Epoch, and your specific design is called Scale Blade. The item you designed will be the first product of the Brand Name: Pleasing Oneself brand."

Bai Xinran curled her fingers. "I... I just drew it casually."

"Once the sample is ready, you'll test it first," Yu Heng said.

Bai Xinran's ears turned red. "Test it?"

"Yes," Yu Heng retracted his hand. "The designer must personally test the product's performance."

Bai Xinran lowered her head, her voice very soft. "...How do I test it?"

"What do you think?" Yu Heng looked at her.

Bai Xinran fell silent.

The living room was quiet for a few seconds. Yu Heng picked up his phone again and opened the recruitment app.

Bai Xinran sat beside him, watching him scroll the screen, and suddenly spoke. "Are you hiring people?"

"Mhm," Yu Heng said without looking up. "The online business needs management."

"What kind of people are you looking for?"

"Someone who can work," Yu Heng said. "Knowledgeable about operations, preferably with relevant experience."

Bai Xinran murmured in understanding and didn't ask further.

Yu Heng read a few resumes, then suddenly remembered something and turned to look at her. "Do you know anyone in your comic club who works in self-media?"

Bai Xinran thought for a moment. "A few older female students run official accounts, and an older male student does comic reviews on Bilibili."

"Ask them later," Yu Heng said. "See if anyone wants a part-time job doing promotion."

"Okay." Bai Xinran agreed.

Yu Heng continued reviewing resumes. Bai Xinran sat quietly beside him. After a while, she whispered, "That model... when will the sample be ready?"

"We have to open the mold first," Yu Heng said. "It will take at least over a month."

Bai Xinran nodded, unconsciously pulling at the fabric of her pajama pants.

Yu Heng glanced at her. "What's the rush?"

"Nothing," Bai Xinran shook her head. "I'm just... a little curious."

"Curious about what the actual item looks like?" Yu Heng asked.

"Mhm."

Yu Heng smiled. "You'll know when the time comes."

Bai Xinran pursed her lips and didn't ask again.

She looked at Yu Heng's profile. He was focused on the phone screen, his brow slightly furrowed.

She recalled that during the livestream earlier, a comment had asked if she was single.

She hadn't answered, only smiled.

Thinking about it now, the answer was actually quite obvious.

She wasn't single, but she wasn't dating either.

It was a relationship that was both more complex and clearer.

Bai Xinran quietly took a breath and leaned closer to Yu Heng.

Yu Heng felt her approach and naturally reached out a hand, placing it on her waist.

"After a little hug, you should head back to school," he said.

"How about," Bai Xinran pursed her lips, "we apply for off-campus housing?"

Yu Heng smiled when he heard that, and after a moment, said, "Alright."

His fingers gently stroked her side. Bai Xinran closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the hand on her waist.

She wondered what it would feel like when that item was finally produced.

Suddenly, she felt a little anticipation.