24: How about we go get a hotel room?

Bai Xinran's eyes lit up, and she immediately leaned over to rummage through the box. "Really? Boss, you're the best!"

"Cut it out," Yu Heng slapped away her wandering hands. "This is an investment, don't overthink it."

"I know, I know, an investment~" Bai Xinran giggled, not taking it to heart as she hugged the box to her chest. "I'm your cash cow now, so you should treat me well!"

Looking at her smug little face, Yu Heng couldn't help but tease her again. "Yeah, a cash cow. It's just that this tree talks a bit too much; you almost set my backyard on fire."

"Oh, I told you it was an accident!" Bai Xinran took a step back while clutching the equipment box. "I promise I'll be a mute in front of Sister Yueling from now on!"

"That's more like it," Yu Heng checked the time. "Go install the sound card and give it a try."

"Got it! Right away!" Bai Xinran scurried back into her room like a flash.

After a while, Bai Xinran still hadn't come out, and there was no sound from inside.

He walked to her door and knocked. "Finished debugging? Do you need help?"

The door opened a crack, and Bai Xinran poked her head out. "Almost, but there's some static on the sound card. Boss, do you know how to tune it?"

Yu Heng pushed the door open and saw various equipment cables scattered all over the desk.

He bent down to check the sound card interface while Bai Xinran stood by his side, handing him tools from time to time.

"Your wiring is too messy," Yu Heng said while debugging. "What if you trip on a cable during the stream?"

"Oh, as long as it works..." Before Bai Xinran could finish, Yu Heng shot her a glare, and she immediately changed her tune. "I'll tidy it up after the stream!"

After finishing the setup, Yu Heng straightened up and found Bai Xinran staring at him.

"What are you looking at?" He raised an eyebrow.

Bai Xinran said with a grin, "I just realized the boss looks pretty handsome when he's working seriously~"

Yu Heng reached out and ruffled her hair. "Stop kissing up to me. Don't wait until four; get ready and start the stream now."

He turned and walked out of the room after saying that.

Bai Xinran looked at the closed door, touched her messy hair, and muttered softly, "Honestly... treating me like a dog..."

She walked to the door, opened it a crack, and poked her head out. "Boss, don't come in while I'm streaming! And don't wander around the door!"

Yu Heng sent a WeChat: "Let me know when it's set up, I want to see the results."

Bai Xinran curled her lip and replied: "Got it, stop nagging!"

She skillfully connected the equipment and opened the testing software. The new sound card was indeed good; the noise was much lower, and the voice was clearer.

"Boss, I'm going live!" she shouted toward the door.

"Okay, go ahead!" Yu Heng's voice came from the living room.

Bai Xinran clicked on the streaming software.

The dog skin appeared on the screen. She adjusted her breathing, and her voice immediately switched to streaming mode: "Good afternoon, everyone~ I'm a bit early today!"

The bullet chat started rolling:

[A Ling is so early today!]

[Is that new equipment? The voice sounds clearer.]

[Wife, let's cuddle!]

Yu Heng watched the stream on his phone in the living room and casually sent a Super Chat: "New equipment works well."

Seeing the SC, Bai Xinran's voice carried a smile: "Thank you for the SC, Boss! Doesn't my voice sound more magnetic today?"

[Yes! Definitely!]

[Boss is generous!]

[A Ling, when are you going to do a face reveal?]

Seeing this comment, Bai Xinran paused for a moment before laughing. "Face reveal? That's not possible~ A Ling is a Virtual Streamer!"

Just as Bai Xinran finished reading the SC, Yu Heng's phone vibrated.

He swiped the screen; it was a message from Ning Yutong: "Want to have dinner together tonight? A new Revolving mini hotpot place opened outside the school, I heard it's good! (๑´ڡ`๑)"

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow and tapped on the screen: "Sure, what time?"

Ning Yutong replied instantly: "Now! I'm waiting for you at the school gate!"

He sent a WeChat to Bai Xinran: "Since the equipment is fine, I'm heading out. Going back to the dorm to lie down for a bit."

Bai Xinran was probably reading the chat, as she only replied after a few seconds: "OK Boss! Be careful on the road~"

Yu Heng locked the Villa door and strolled leisurely toward the school.

When he reached the school gate, Ning Yutong was already waiting there.

"Waiting long?" Yu Heng walked up to her.

"No, I just got here!" Ning Yutong smiled and took his arm. "Let's go quickly, I heard that place is really busy and we'll have to queue if we're late!"

She was dressed warmly today, wearing an off-white wool sweater on top and a light blue short skirt that ended just above her knees, with Bare-Leg Artifact underneath.

The two walked to the hotpot restaurant, which was already more than half full.

They found a seat against the wall, and Ning Yutong picked up a plate to select food.

"What do you want? I'll get it for you!" she turned back to ask Yu Heng.

"Whatever, just get plenty of meat." Yu Heng leaned back in his chair.

Ning Yutong returned with two plates of fatty beef, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Guess who I just saw?"

"Who?"

"Our class Study Representative. She's here with a guy," she lowered her voice. "They look quite close, probably her boyfriend."

Yu Heng started putting meat into the pot. "And?"

"I just thought it was unexpected," Ning Yutong tilted her head. "She's usually so cold and aloof in class."

As the soup base bubbled, Ning Yutong suddenly remembered something. "By the way, the clubs and the Student Union are recruiting new members these few days. Is there anywhere you want to go?"

Yu Heng picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks. "No thoughts for now, I'll see. What club do you want to join?"

"I'm quite interested in the Film Club!" Ning Yutong's eyes sparkled. "They show classic movies every week and organize film reviews. They even film their own shorts and web movies. I heard that really popular web series 'Moral Peanuts' was made by seniors from our school!"

"That was ten years ago; those people graduated long ago," Yu Heng laughed.

Ning Yutong followed up by asking him, "You don't plan on joining any clubs?"

"Not interested," Yu Heng placed a piece of cooked tripe into her bowl. "I'd rather spend that time sleeping."

Ning Yutong lowered her head to blow on a freshly scooped shrimp paste ball, catching a glimpse of someone walking past in the aisle.

She looked up and waved. "Lin Yu!"

Yu Heng followed her gaze.

A man and a woman had just finished eating and were preparing to leave. The girl who was called turned her head at the sound.

This girl had a cool temperament, very fair skin, and delicate features that carried a hint of detachment.

She was wearing a simple black slim-fit sweater and jeans, and she stood at least 1.7 meters tall.

Her figure was also curvaceous and well-proportioned; she was definitely the type people would turn their heads to look at on the street.

However, this made the boy standing next to her look rather ordinary; he was about the same height as her.

He wore a gray down vest and black-rimmed glasses.

He looked a bit dull, even a little dorky... "Yu Tong, I'm heading out first." Lin Yu nodded to Ning Yutong, her voice as cool and clear as her appearance.

"Okay, bye-bye!" Ning Yutong waved enthusiastically.

As the two walked out the door, Ning Yutong turned back and lowered her voice: "I didn't expect Lin Yu to like that type..."

Yu Heng dipped a slice of beef into his oil sauce, inwardly curling his lip.

Tsk, a fine cabbage being rooted by a pig?

But while the guy looked like a bookworm, who knew if he had some extraordinary qualities?

He replied nonchalantly, "He looks quite honest."

"Yeah, he does look honest," Ning Yutong blinked, a hint of mischief on her face. "But do you think... they do 'that'?"

"'That'?" Yu Heng raised an eyebrow at her. "Why are you so concerned about other people's private lives?"

"Just curious!" Ning Yutong pouted. "Lin Yu is usually so cold in class, she hardly ever talks to boys."

He couldn't help but think of Lin Yu's legs, long and straight in her jeans, and that cold temperament... If she wore black silk and went for a 'cold senior sister' or 'ascetic' style in streaming, she'd probably attract a bunch of bosses with a conquest complex to throw money at her.

But looking at her, it was probably impossible.

Tsk, professional habit acting up again!

"What are you thinking about?" Seeing Yu Heng dazing off, Ning Yutong waved her hand in front of his eyes.

"I was thinking..." Yu Heng snapped back to reality. "Since you're so curious, shall we go book a room?"

"Oh... wait, WHAT??!!"