16: How about studying mortise and tenon joints?

Yu Heng had already showered during the day, so he didn't plan on washing again. He turned off the light and went straight to sleep.

He actually wanted to check out the scenery in the bathroom, but wouldn't that be a little too much like a pervert?

Forget it. A gentleman loves beauty, but pursues it with integrity!

The next morning, around seven o'clock, Yu Heng was woken up by noise from the kitchen.

He rubbed his eyes as he walked out and saw Bai Xinran frying eggs.

“Up so early?” Yu Heng yawned.

“I'm used to it,” Bai Xinran said without turning around. “I bought groceries after my morning run.”

Yu Heng leaned over and glanced at the frying pan. “Nice technique.”

“Of course,” Bai Xinran lifted her chin proudly. “My mom says if I can't get married, I can always open a restaurant.”

Yu Heng laughed. “Then why don't you try marrying me first?”

Bai Xinran immediately tossed the spatula. “Get lost!”

Yu Heng raised his hands in surrender. “Just kidding.”

He leaned against the kitchen doorway watching her work. If she really moved in, that would be pretty great.

Someone would even cook for him.

Bai Xinran plated the fried eggs. “After we eat, I'm going to the dorm to grab my stuff. I'll be back this afternoon to stream.”

Yu Heng nodded. “Need help moving?”

“No need, just a few clothes.” Bai Xinran sat down to eat. “Right, should I transfer you today's gift revenue split?”

Yu Heng waved his hand. “We'll settle up at the end of the month, no rush.”

Bai Xinran popped the last bite of fried egg into her mouth, stood up, and started clearing the plates.

“I'm off. I'll be back before the evening stream.” Bai Xinran put the plates in the sink, shook the water droplets off her hands, grabbed her backpack, and headed for the door.

Yu Heng watched her hurried energy, pursed his lips, walked over to the sofa, and plopped down.

He pulled out his phone. There was a new WeChat message from He Mengyao: “See you at the milk tea shop at 3 PM?”

Yu Heng replied, “Okay, I'll be on time.”

Yu Heng got up and changed clothes. Seeing that it was still early, he decided to go to the supermarket first to stock up on some ingredients.

If Bai Xinran really moved in, they couldn't possibly eat takeout every day.

Carrying a bag full of vegetables, meat, and eggs from the supermarket, Yu Heng ate a casual lunch and strolled toward the school's milk tea shop.

He pushed open the door of the milk tea shop. He Mengyao was already sitting in a booth in the corner.

“Quite punctual.” Yu Heng sat down across from her.

He Mengyao was wearing an autumn/winter practice uniform today, her hair loosely tied back. “I just arrived. What do you want to drink?”

“I'll have a fruit tea, anything is fine.” Yu Heng looked her over. “You look good today. Does your stomach not hurt anymore?”

“Much better,” He Mengyao smiled. “Thank you so much for that day.”

She got up to order. As she walked, her skirt swayed, and the movement of her hips carried the unique flexibility of a dance student.

Yu Heng stared at her slender waist. With that figure and being a dance student, she would definitely make money if she streamed.

Once they were closer, he absolutely had to trick her into trying out streaming.

In his previous life, he had advised her to stream teaching dance, but she insisted she didn't have time.

He Mengyao returned with two milk teas and pushed one toward him. “Here.”

“Thanks.” Yu Heng took a sip. “Does your Dance Department have a lot of classes?”

“It's alright. I major in Popular Dance, so there aren't too many classes.” He Mengyao sipped her milk tea slowly. “What about you? I heard your major is pretty relaxed.”

“There really isn't much going on,” Yu Heng shrugged. “That's why I have time to rent a place outside.”

He Mengyao blinked. “Living alone?”

“For now,” Yu Heng grinned. “What, want to come visit?”

“Cut it out,” He Mengyao rolled her eyes at him.

“The community across from the school,” Yu Heng didn't specify the exact location. “Come over when you have time.”

He Mengyao didn't respond, lowering her head to stir the pearls in her milk tea.

Yu Heng deliberately leaned closer. “What's wrong? Afraid I'll eat you up?”

“Who's afraid?” He Mengyao looked up and glared at him. “I just think you're a bit too direct.”

“Is being direct bad?” Yu Heng leaned back. “It's better than those who beat around the bush, right?”

He Mengyao chuckled. “That's true.”

“And I'm already being very restrained,” Yu Heng smiled. “I could be even more direct.”

“What does 'more direct' look like?” He Mengyao raised an eyebrow.

“Want to study the mortise and tenon joints together tonight?”

“Mortise and tenon?” He Mengyao narrowed her eyes. “Tch! You're being a pervert!”

“Haha, just kidding, just kidding.” Yu Heng took a sip of milk tea, thinking to himself, *After we got together, you told dirtier jokes than I did.*

The two chatted for a while longer. Yu Heng glanced at his phone; it was almost four o'clock.

“I need to head back,” he stood up. “I have something to do tonight. Let's meet up next time.”

He Mengyao also stood up. “Alright, bye.”

He waved and pushed the door open, exiting.

Returning to the Villa, Bai Xinran was already back, sitting on the living room floor organizing her belongings.

She had changed into a loose T-shirt, the neckline skewed, revealing half of her collarbone, and a pair of hot pants.

Her two long legs were crossed, and her knees had a little dirt rubbed onto them.

“Finished moving so quickly?” Yu Heng kicked off his shoes and walked over.

“It was just one suitcase, how slow could it be?” Bai Xinran didn't look up. When she bent over to pull clothes out of the case, the neckline of her T-shirt drooped.

He realized Bai Xinran was quite stacked!

Yu Heng was staring blankly at Bai Xinran's neckline when she suddenly looked up. “What are you looking at?”

“Looking at the print on your shirt—it's quite unique.” Yu Heng lied without changing his expression, then sat down on the rug beside her. “Need any help?”

“No, I'm almost done organizing.” She turned her head and noticed Yu Heng was still staring at her. “Boss, you're looking at me like you want to rip my clothes off.”

Yu Heng grinned. “Was I? Then why aren't you being more mindful?”

“Boss! Sexual harassment is bad behavior!”

Yu Heng was amused by Bai Xinran's comment and grinned. “Sexual harassment? I'm watching openly, okay? Besides, when an employee actively gives the boss a 'benefit,' how can you call that sexual harassment?”

“Benefit my foot!” Bai Xinran tossed the folded clothes she was holding into the suitcase. “Keep looking and I'll charge you, a hundred per glance!”

“That expensive?” Yu Heng pretended to be shocked and leaned back. “How much do I owe you now? Should I pay with my body?”

“No way!” Bai Xinran closed the suitcase, stood up, and patted the dust off her pants. “I'm going back to my room! I have to stream tonight.”

Yu Heng watched her carry the suitcase into the guest room, then collapsed onto the sofa, pulled out his phone, and sent a message to his Counselor.

“Counselor, how can students at our school apply to live off-campus?”

After waiting a while with no reply, Yu Heng opened Bilibili and scrolled through some videos.

Just then, Bai Xinran came out of the room, now wearing pajamas, and asked, “Boss, what are we having for dinner?”

“Order takeout or cook ourselves?” Yu Heng glanced at the refrigerator. “The fridge is fully stocked; I just bought groceries today.”

“Let's cook ourselves then! What should we eat? I'll make it.”

“Whatever, I'm not picky! I'll eat whatever you make!”