153: Lilies are quite pleasing to the eye.

Yu Heng pushed open the Villa door; the living room curtains were half-drawn.

He changed his shoes, walked over to sit by the sofa, and casually placed the paper bag of Sugar-roasted chestnuts on the coffee table.

He leaned against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes.

He reminisced for a moment about what had happened in the car.

Ning Yutong's final reaction... his lips twitched; she probably finished.

Footsteps came from the stairs.

Yu Heng opened his eyes and saw Shen Yueling walking down from upstairs.

Her hair was half-wet, wrapped in a towel on top of her head.

"You're back?" She walked to the coffee table and picked up a water glass.

"Yeah." Yu Heng watched her neck tilt back as she drank, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Where's A Ling?"

"Showering upstairs." Shen Yueling set down the glass, her gaze falling on his face. "What did you go home for?"

"To apply for Off-campus housing; it needs a parent's signature," Yu Heng said.

"Is it done?"

"It's done."

"Chestnuts my mom roasted." He pushed the bag toward her. "Want some?"

Shen Yueling glanced at them, reached out for one, dug her nail into the crack of the shell, and gave it a light snap.

The chestnut meat fell out whole.

"Sweet?" he asked.

"Sweet. Auntie's roasting has always been delicious," Shen Yueling said.

Yu Heng also took one, peeled it, and popped it into his mouth.

Bai Xinran came down at this time.

Water was still dripping from her hair. She wore that oversized nightgown, the collar loose and drooping.

"You're back, Master?" She walked over to sit beside Yu Heng, leaning in naturally.

"Yeah." Yu Heng reached out to ruffle her wet hair. "Why didn't you blow-dry it after your shower?"

"Too lazy. My hair is short; just a towel rub is enough," Bai Xinran said, her eyes fixed on the chestnuts on the coffee table. "What's this?"

"Chestnuts." Yu Heng grabbed a few for her. "My mom roasted them."

Bai Xinran took them, peeled one, and put it in her mouth.

"Delicious." Her eyes curved into crescents.

"You two were home today," Yu Heng said with a smile, looking at them. "You didn't fight, did you?"

Shen Yueling gave him a sidelong glance. "Do you want us to fight that badly?"

"Of course not," Yu Heng laughed, sinking back into the sofa. "But Lilies are still very pleasing to the eye."

Shen Yueling tossed a chestnut shell into the trash. "Can't you think about something decent?"

"This is decent," Yu Heng said, looking at her then glancing at Bai Xinran leaning on his shoulder. "Food and sex are human nature. Looking at two beautiful girls like you, what else would I think about?"

Shen Yueling didn't respond; this guy was getting more and more improper.

"By the way," Yu Heng spoke up again, "I ran into Yu Tong today."

Shen Yueling was using the towel to dry the ends of her hair; her movements paused as she looked up at him. "Where did you run into her?"

"She went back to Ancheng too," Yu Heng said. "I ran into her when carpooling back; we were in the same car."

Shen Yueling draped the towel over her shoulder. "And then?"

"Just said a few words." Yu Heng's tone was very casual. "Nothing else."

"I sent her messages," Shen Yueling said faintly, "but she hasn't replied to me for the past two days."

Yu Heng narrowed his eyes. "She's probably busy at home. She isn't the type of person to ignore even you just because I rejected her."

"True..." Shen Yueling pursed her lips. "She actually doesn't have much of a hidden agenda."

Bai Xinran listened from the side, feeling a bit curious about what had happened.

However, she didn't pry. Regarding Yu Heng's affairs, if he wanted her to know, he would tell her.

If she was really curious about something, she would ask him in private.

Yu Heng propped his legs up on the coffee table and wiggled his feet, temporarily dropping the subject. "What are we eating tonight? I haven't eaten yet."

Bai Xinran had just swept the chestnut shells into the trash; hearing this, she looked up. "What do you want to eat, Master?"

"Just make whatever." Yu Heng said. "Whatever's in the fridge."

Bai Xinran stood up and walked toward the kitchen. Yu Heng suddenly remembered something and called out to her, "By the way, Qin Ya didn't come to stream today?"

"She said she'll start streaming again once her new avatar skin is ready," Bai Xinran said from the kitchen.

Yu Heng clicked his tongue. "This girl is getting more and more disobedient."

A few threats used to work before, but now she's even skipping streams whenever she wants.

Just a beating isn't enough anymore, is it? I'll have to change the method of discipline.

Shen Yueling finished drying her hair and tossed the towel aside.

She moved closer to Yu Heng and leaned sideways into his embrace.

Yu Heng naturally reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"What do you plan to do about Yu Tong?" Shen Yueling suddenly asked.

"I don't know," he said. "If I said I still want to have her, but I don't want to be in a relationship, would you think I'm being too much?"

He really did want to; after that episode in the car today, that thought became even stronger.

"It's fine." Shen Yueling's eyelashes trembled, her voice devoid of any ups or downs. "The premise of you 'being too much' requires her to agree."

She paused and added, "If she's willing, then there's no such thing as being too much or not."

The meaning of her words was clear: as long as Ning Yutong herself was willing, she didn't mind.

Yu Heng pondered to himself. Shen Yueling's current attitude was much more relaxed than before.

Maybe it was from spending so much time with Bai Xinran that her acceptance of such things grew, or maybe she knew she couldn't stop him anyway, so she might as well go along with his wishes.

"We'll see." Yu Heng pulled her closer.

Shen Yueling's body stiffened for a moment, and she turned her head.

She saw Yu Heng's eyes staring at her; his intention was very obvious.

"A Ling is still in the kitchen."

"So what if she is?"

"She'll be out in a minute..." Shen Yueling lowered her voice.

"Then let's be quick."

——

The kitchen door opened.

Bai Xinran walked out carrying a plate of stir-fried greens. Seeing the two people on the sofa, her footsteps paused for a split second, but there was no expression of surprise on her face.

She placed the plate on the dining table, turned back into the kitchen, and brought out a bowl of soup.

"Dinner is ready," Bai Xinran's voice was very calm.

Hearing this, Shen Yueling's face was still flushed with a rosy hue. She gave Yu Heng a coquettish push. "Hurry up, it's time to eat."

Yu Heng was amused. Fine, I'll give it to you then!

Bai Xinran served three bowls of rice, set them on the table, and then pulled out a chair to sit down.

"Get up and eat." Yu Heng reached out to pull Shen Yueling up.

Shen Yueling glared at him and used his strength to sit up.

Then they all ate their meal in silence, no one saying a word.

It was as if nothing had happened just now.