174: Is there anything else I don't know?

Ning Yutong stayed in the bathroom for a long time before turning the doorknob and walking out.

She slowly walked down the stairs, hearing voices coming from below.

In the living room, Yu Heng was pressing something on his phone while Hao Junran stood beside him, eyes fixed on the screen.

"Done," Yu Heng turned the screen toward Hao Junran. "Transferred it to you."

Hao Junran looked down at his phone, and the crisp notification sound of five hundred yuan arriving on Alipay rang out.

"Five hundred?" Hao Junran looked up. "The few of us can't eat that much."

"Go to a buffet," Yu Heng stuffed his phone back into his pocket. "It's about right. Which buffet doesn't cost seventy or eighty these days? Everyone worked hard today. Take them for a meal; it's on me."

Hao Junran blinked. "You're not going?"

"I'm taking them home to eat," Yu Heng tilted his head to the side.

Hao Junran glanced in the direction he indicated, then grinned. "Got it."

He patted Yu Heng's shoulder, turned toward the others, and raised his voice. "Let's go, brothers! The President is treating; we're going to eat!"

He walked over to Chen Yuqiang and naturally slung an arm around his shoulder.

Chen Yuqiang was looking down at his phone and was startled by the sudden embrace.

"Ran Ge?" Chen Yuqiang felt a bit awkward; Hao Junran was leaning in too close.

Hao Junran didn't let go; instead, he pulled him tighter and led him toward the door. "The President is being generous. We have to eat something good today. Let's go for Buffet BBQ!"

Wang Luyu put down the rag in her hand and wiped her hands.

She was eager to leave; staying even a minute longer felt uncomfortable.

She knew Zhou Mengqi had a relationship with Yu Heng, but looking at them now, she felt that the relationship between those girls and Yu Heng didn't seem simple either.

Zhang Tingting didn't have any particular thoughts; she just thought the President was a nice guy for treating everyone to dinner. Someone treating was always a good thing.

She followed behind Wang Luyu and asked in a low voice, "Luyu, what do you want to eat?"

Chen Yuqiang, being half-hugged and half-pushed to the door by Hao Junran, couldn't help but look back.

Yu Heng had already turned and was walking toward the girls.

Shen Yueling picked up her bag, while Bai Xinran and Zhou Mengqi huddled together whispering, with Zhou Mengqi even letting out a small laugh.

Ning Yutong was still standing by the stairs, her head down, making it impossible to see her expression.

The group left noisily, the door closed behind them, and the Villa suddenly became quiet.

Yu Heng walked to the middle of the living room and looked at Ning Yutong, who was still standing at the foot of the stairs.

"Let's go," he said in a casual tone. "Time to go home for dinner."

Shen Yueling had already put on her coat. She walked over to Ning Yutong and naturally pulled her arm. "Let's go. Why are you just standing there?"

Ning Yutong avoided her gaze, her voice dry. "I... I'm going back to the dorm."

"Let's go back and eat first," Shen Yueling's voice was flat. "We can talk after dinner."

Bai Xinran and Zhou Mengqi also walked over. Zhou Mengqi looked at Ning Yutong, then at Yu Heng, but said nothing.

Bai Xinran blinked and said to Ning Yutong, "Eat before you go back. Otherwise, the cafeteria will be closed by then."

They surrounded her, their tones perfectly normal, as if it were just a common invitation between classmates.

Ning Yutong looked at Yu Heng, who was already at the entrance changing his shoes.

"Let's go," Yu Heng turned back to look at Ning Yutong. "Let's go back together."

——————

The group returned to the Villa; the entrance was a bit crowded.

"What's for dinner?" Yu Heng took off his coat and hung it up.

"There are still ribs in the fridge," Shen Yueling said. "Should I stir-fry two more vegetable dishes?"

"Anything is fine," Yu Heng said. "You guys decide."

"Come to the kitchen and help me out." Shen Yueling glanced at him and then walked toward the kitchen.

"Me?" Yu Heng narrowed his eyes. "Alright, coming."

Yu Heng followed her, leaving the three girls in the living room.

Bai Xinran turned on the TV and found a variety show to play as background noise.

Zhou Mengqi sat down on the sofa and naturally patted the spot next to her. "Yu Tong, take a seat."

Ning Yutong hesitated for a moment but sat down anyway, though she left some distance between them.

In the kitchen, Yu Heng stood by the sink prepping the ribs, while Shen Yueling was cleaning the greens.

"That Zhou Mengqi," Shen Yueling suddenly spoke, her voice very low. "To what extent are things with her?"

The knife in Yu Heng's hand paused. "Why ask that?"

"I need to know what your relationship with her is," Shen Yueling put the cleaned vegetables into a basket. "Didn't you say I could ask anything and you'd tell me everything?"

"Ah," Yu Heng pursed his lips. "She's just like A Ling. I took her in before—online, from 2015 to 2017."

"Huh? 2015?" Shen Yueling arched an eyebrow. "Wait, you were into this even back then?"

"Yeah," Yu Heng said with a smile. "Did you really think it was an accident when you saw those videos on my computer that day?"

"Hmm?" Shen Yueling frowned. "You bastard, you even plotted against me?"

"How is that plotting?" Yu Heng said cheerfully. "I just provided a little guidance. Look at you now, aren't you enjoying it?"

Shen Yueling's hands stopped. She turned her head and stared at Yu Heng's profile for a few seconds.

"Is there anything else I don't know?"

Yu Heng turned off the water, shook his hands, and picked up a towel to dry them.

He turned around and leaned against the counter, looking at Shen Yueling.

Shen Yueling watched him without blinking, waiting for his answer.

Yu Heng thought about it and felt she would have to know sooner or later.

Qin Lu was at the school, and Shen Yueling was the person closest to him; they were bound to run into each other eventually.

Besides, Bai Xinran already knew. Rather than having her hear it from someone else, it was better to tell her himself.

"Actually, our Counselor also..." Yu Heng said.

Shen Yueling blinked. "The Counselor?"

"The one named Qin Lu?"

She frowned. "Is she also your dog?"

Yu Heng was momentarily choked up by her choice of words, then smiled. "Not exactly."

He hung the towel back on the rack and said casually, "More like a lover."

Shen Yueling pursed her lips. Yu Heng had even managed to get the Counselor?

She felt a bit uneasy, but not particularly surprised.

She just hadn't expected him to move so fast and cover such a wide Ran Ge.

"Since when?" Shen Yueling asked, her tone sounding relatively calm.

"It's been a while." Yu Heng paused. "Her marriage had issues—her husband cheated, and they've been separated for a long time."

Shen Yueling gave an "oh." So he had swooped in when she was vulnerable.

She shot Yu Heng a glare; it was exactly the kind of thing this bastard would do.

She put the cleaned vegetables into the basket. "You really don't discriminate, do you?"

Yu Heng looked at her, wanting to know if she was actually angry.

"She's actually a very good person," Yu Heng said. "And..."

He paused and didn't continue.

"And what?" She frowned.

"And she's quite skilled." Yu Heng lowered his voice. "But she doesn't have your stamina..."

Shen Yueling glared at him. "Who asked you that!"