177: Why did you send me something like this?

"I'm going to lay out the bedding," Bai Xinran said as she got off the bed, walked to the wardrobe, and took out clean sheets and a duvet cover.

Yu Heng leaned against the headboard and watched her work.

Bai Xinran's movements in making the bed were very brisk; she shook out the sheets and pulled the four corners flat.

When she bent over, the hem of her pajamas rode up a bit, revealing a section of her lower back.

Her skin looked very white under the warm light.

Yu Heng averted his gaze, picked up his phone, and took another look.

Shen Yueling had replied with a message: "Got it."

Just two words; it was impossible to tell her mood.

But Yu Heng knew she must be a little upset, though that was about it.

She wasn't the type to make a scene; at most, she'd give him a few dirty looks during dinner tomorrow.

Bai Xinran finished making the bed and turned around: "It's ready."

"Mm," Yu Heng put his phone back, "Turn off the lights."

Bai Xinran walked to the door and turned off the overhead light, leaving only a small nightlight by the bed.

The room dimmed, the light turning a hazy yellow.

She climbed onto the bed, lay down beside Yu Heng, and habitually leaned closer to him.

Yu Heng reached out to embrace her, his fingers gently stroking her arm.

"Go to sleep," he said.

"Mm." Bai Xinran closed her eyes.

She was actually wondering if Shen Yueling would be angry.

But Yu Heng's body heat made her gradually relax.

Anyway, if the sky fell, Master would be there to hold it up; she just needed to be obedient.

Thinking this, her breathing gradually stabilized.

Yu Heng listened to her steady breathing, his hand still resting on her waist.

He wasn't asleep either, going over his next plans in his head.

The ceremony for the weekend needed to be prepared, the Guild's expansion needed to be accelerated, and then there was Ning Yutong's side... He frowned, his fingers moving unconsciously.

Bai Xinran let out a soft moan in her sleep and burrowed deeper into his arms.

Yu Heng snapped out of it and looked down at the person in his arms.

Bai Xinran had talent; did Ning Yutong have it? He didn't know, but he knew Ning Yutong had desire.

If liking him and wanting to be with him was an emotional need, then she must also have physical needs.

Her behavior was proof of that.

Was his behavior toward Ning Yutong a bit shameless?

He didn't really feel that way; it was just a means to an end.

After all, what he wanted wasn't just to get in bed; he would give her everything she deserved outside of the status of a couple.

As far as he was concerned, this kind of behavior was better than those who used the guise of love to deceive people; at least it was honest.

Dating someone and then finally confessing, saying I actually have other girlfriends?

And then they all just acquiesce?

Or a whole lot of dramatic love and hate, only to make peace in the end.

And then everyone faces the camera and says they're 'making dumplings' together?

Pure nonsense.

It all depended on whether Ning Yutong could figure it out and if she would accept it.

Bai Xinran fell into a deeper sleep.

He adjusted his position and closed his eyes as well.

—

The next morning, Bai Xinran woke up earlier than Yu Heng.

She lay on her side, looking at Yu Heng's sleeping face.

It was time to wake Master up.

Bai Xinran thought for a moment, then lightly lifted the duvet and slid underneath the covers.

Yu Heng opened his eyes, and as his consciousness returned, his bodily sensations became clear as well.

He rested his hand on her forehead, looking at the ceiling.

This way of being woken up had indeed been a long time coming.

After a while, he reached out and patted the duvet.

"That's enough," Yu Heng's voice was a bit hoarse, "Come up."

Bai Xinran emerged from under the covers, her hair a bit messy. She looked up at him: "You're awake."

Yu Heng reached out and pulled her up, holding her in his arms.

"What time is it?" he asked.

Bai Xinran turned her head to look at the phone on the nightstand: "Seven-twenty."

"Time to get up," Yu Heng said.

Bai Xinran hummed in response, her face pressed against his chest.

She could hear Yu Heng's heartbeat and feel the heat in her own ears.

The two lay there for a few more minutes before getting up to wash.

When they went downstairs, Shen Yueling was already in the kitchen.

The scent of fried eggs wafted out, along with the 'ding' of the toaster.

Yu Heng walked into the kitchen just as Shen Yueling was putting the fried eggs onto a plate.

She glanced at him but didn't speak.

"Morning," Yu Heng said.

Shen Yueling placed the plate on the counter and turned to get the bread.

Bai Xinran followed them in: "Sister Yueling, I'll help."

"No need," Shen Yueling said, "It's almost ready."

Her tone was normal, but Bai Xinran could still sense something was different.

Shen Yueling took out the toasted slices of bread, her movements steady and unhurried, but she simply wouldn't look at Yu Heng.

Yu Heng walked up behind her, placing his hands on the edge of the counter, trapping her in the middle.

"Are you angry?" he asked in a low voice near her ear.

Shen Yueling's hand paused: "No."

"Really?" Yu Heng said.

"Move," Shen Yueling turned around, "I need to carry the plates."

Yu Heng didn't move, and the two were pressed very close together.

"A Ling, your Sister Yueling seems a little unhappy. Come over and give her a kiss to cheer her up."

Shen Yueling froze, her face turning bright red instantly.

"You..." She glared at Yu Heng.

Bai Xinran blinked, looking at Yu Heng and then at Shen Yueling.

She had to listen to what Master said.

She leaned in and gave Shen Yueling a kiss on the cheek.

It was soft and cool.

Shen Yueling's entire body stiffened even more.

"She kissed you," Yu Heng chuckled. "What about you? Aren't you going to show some appreciation?"

Bai Xinran kissed her again, this time on the other cheek.

Even the tips of Shen Yueling's ears were red.

"Stop it!" She pushed Yu Heng away. "Eat! I have class in a bit!"

Only then did Yu Heng step aside, watching Shen Yueling carry the plates toward the dining room.

"Alright," Yu Heng patted Bai Xinran's head, "Go eat."

—

Shen Yueling left after breakfast, and both Yu Heng and Bai Xinran had no classes in the morning.

He sat on the sofa and opened his laptop; there were several applications from new Streamers in the Guild's backend.

Bai Xinran finished washing the dishes and walked over, wiping her hands.

"Master, I made a few recruitment posters," she said. "Do you want to take a look?"

Yu Heng motioned for her to come over.

Bai Xinran sat on the sofa and handed him her phone.

On the screen were several design drafts; the color schemes and layouts were quite professional.

"Not bad," Yu Heng flipped through them, "Post them in the Club group and have them share them across various platforms."

"Okay." Bai Xinran took back the phone.

Yu Heng smiled and said, "The screening process is mature now. As long as we ensure a steady supply of Streamers, we can make a stable profit."

Bai Xinran sent the posters to the Club group and specifically tagged Wang Luyu and Zhou Mengqi.

Wang Luyu replied quickly: "Received, I'll go post them on Tieba at noon."

Zhou Mengqi sent an emoji: "Leave it to me."

Yu Heng was communicating with an applicant about their compensation when his phone rang.

The caller ID showed Zhou Wanyi.

He picked up: "Sister-in-law?"

There was a two-second silence on the other end. Zhou Wanyi's voice was kept very low, but her anxiety was evident: "Xiao Heng, why did you send me this kind of thing!"