157: contract

Bai Xinran's body, curled up on the sofa, moved slightly.

"A contract?" She raised her eyes to look at Yu Heng, her voice very soft.

"Mhm." Yu Heng looked at her. "A formal contract, in black and white, clearly stating rights and obligations, reward and punishment clauses, and so on."

Bai Xinran didn't speak; she knew what that was, but she had never experienced it.

"Okay," Bai Xinran nodded, "I'm ready."

Yu Heng watched her for a few seconds and suddenly smiled. "Aren't you going to ask what kind of clauses I'll write?"

"I'll accept whatever you write," Bai Xinran said. "After all... you wouldn't hurt me."

She said those words with complete sincerity.

"A contract is a two-way street." Yu Heng reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Even though this thing has no legal effect, it's like a ritual, just like a wedding. For a marriage, you only need to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get a certificate, but people still hold a wedding."

Bai Xinran pursed her lips as she leaned in his embrace. It was true; holding a wedding alone had no legal effect, but the fact that Yu Heng was willing to give her such a ritual made her very happy.

"Then..." Bai Xinran spoke up, her voice very soft, "when do we sign?"

Yu Heng turned his face to look at her. He could feel her body was a bit more tense than before.

"No rush," Yu Heng said. "I need to prepare the content first."

Bai Xinran nodded. "Okay."

"Before that," Yu Heng whispered in her ear, "you need to get used to a few things first."

"What things?" she looked up and asked.

"For example," Yu Heng's voice carried a hint of a smile, "from now on, when we're at home and there are no outsiders, you'll have to change how you address me."

Hearing this, Bai Xinran pursed her lips. She wanted to say something, then bit her lip, and only after a while did she whisper, "I understand... Master..."

"Good girl," Yu Heng hugged her, stroking her head with his hand. "Well done..."

—

Friday afternoon, the rain wasn't heavy but it was quite dense.

Yu Heng pushed open the supermarket door, and a cold wind carrying fine rain poured in. He stepped aside to let Shen Yueling and Bai Xinran in first.

"This rain won't stop anytime soon." Yu Heng shook the water droplets off his coat.

Shen Yueling put her umbrella into the rack by the door. Her hair was a bit damp, with a few strands sticking to her forehead.

Bai Xinran rubbed her hands together, her fingertips a bit red. "It's really cold today."

The three of them pushed a cart and walked inside. Yu Heng led the way, while Shen Yueling and Bai Xinran followed side-by-side behind him.

As Yu Heng pushed the cart toward the fresh food section, he wondered if he should buy a car.

The Villa wasn't far from the school, but it was indeed a hassle to go out on rainy days, and it was hard to catch a taxi.

"Let's buy some ribs," Shen Yueling said, picking up a box from the refrigerated display. "To make soup."

"Sure." Yu Heng took the box and put it in the cart.

Bai Xinran was picking out vegetables on the other side. She picked up a bunch of Romaine lettuce, looked at it, and then put it back down.

"A Ling," Yu Heng called out, "buy whatever you want to eat, don't just look."

"Mhm." Bai Xinran responded and picked up two heads of broccoli.

The three of them strolled slowly along the shelves. Looking up, they saw someone walking toward them from the opposite direction.

He Mengyao.

She saw Yu Heng too.

Their eyes met, and He Mengyao's footsteps faltered for a moment.

Then she saw Shen Yueling and Bai Xinran behind Yu Heng.

Her eyes narrowed, and she subconsciously grit her teeth.

Yu Heng had no expression on his face as he continued pushing the cart forward.

The two parties met in the open space between the shelves, but no one spoke as they passed each other by.

When they reached the personal care section, Bai Xinran suddenly whispered, "I'm going to buy something."

"What?" Yu Heng turned to look at her.

Bai Xinran pursed her lips. "Sanitary pads. I think my period is coming soon."

Shen Yueling chimed in, "I'll go too. I'm about due as well."

Yu Heng nodded. "Then you guys go. I'll go check out the snack section."

Bai Xinran gave an affirmative and walked toward the personal care section with Shen Yueling.

Yu Heng turned the cart around and headed toward the snack section.

The aisles between the shelves were very narrow, making the cart difficult to turn.

Yu Heng moved slowly, and as he rounded a corner, he found himself in the puffed snacks section.

Then he saw He Mengyao standing there, bending over to pick up a bag of potato chips from the shelf.

Hearing the sound of the cart, she straightened up and turned her head.

"Are you moving or not?" Yu Heng spoke.

He Mengyao looked at him and didn't say a word.

"If you're not moving, step aside," Yu Heng said again.

He Mengyao still didn't move; she stared at Yu Heng's face.

The supermarket music changed to a new song, a slow love song.

"You're quite busy, aren't you?" He Mengyao finally spoke.

Yu Heng didn't respond.

"One on each arm," He Mengyao continued, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "Even taking them grocery shopping together. You're living quite the life."

"Does it have anything to do with you?" Yu Heng said.

He Mengyao bit her lip and remained silent.

"I just want to remind you," He Mengyao frowned, "they are students, but are you also a student?"

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"Right now, they are students who don't have to work; they can pour all their energy into their feelings. They don't even need feelings, as long as they're happy. They don't have to consider anything. As long as you have enough energy to handle it, let alone two or three—even four or five would be willing." He Mengyao smiled. "But what about later? How long can this be sustained? Once they graduate, start working, and face real life, do you think it can still be like this?"

Yu Heng narrowed his eyes and looked at He Mengyao.

"Yu Heng, we went through this too," He Mengyao said calmly. "Didn't we end up divorced anyway?"

"You're right," Yu Heng looked at her with a frown. "That's why I'm starting a business. I will be prepared to eliminate those problems before they arrive. Besides, I've had one failure already; this time will surely be much better than the last."

"You're amazing," He Mengyao grit her teeth. "Using the experience gained from me to be considerate of other women."

"I'm also being considerate of you," Yu Heng looked at her and said. "He Mengyao, I love you, but I don't like you anymore. In the end, we both changed. Once things change, there's no going back. So, whatever is said is actually meaningless now. I can be considerate of you now, but would you be willing to be one of my women?"

"You!" He Mengyao's emotions were a mess because of his words. Suddenly saying he loved her, then saying he didn't like her anymore.

"You wouldn't be willing," Yu Heng smiled. "You're not that kind of person. So, if we can be friends in the future, I'd be very happy. After all, in this world, we might be the only ones who are the same kind of person."