43: Phrases for little girls

The next morning at seven o'clock, the alarm clock rang on time.

Yu Heng reached out from under the covers, fumbled to turn off the alarm, and didn't even open his eyes.

The dormitory was filled with snoring. Hao Junran rolled over in bed, mumbled something, and fell back asleep.

Yu Heng struggled to sit up and rubbed his face.

He hadn't slept early last night. After returning from hot pot with Ning Yutong, he chatted with Bai Xinran on WeChat for a while. That girl insisted she was feeling much better and wanted to stream tomorrow.

He grabbed his phone and checked the time: 7:05.

No classes this morning.

But he had to make a trip to the Villa.

The computer Qin Ya used for streaming yesterday wasn't turned off, so he had to go tidy things up.

Moreover, the club recruitment couldn't be delayed any longer; he needed to quickly produce some materials.

Yu Heng quietly climbed down from his bed, washed up, changed his clothes, and left the dormitory.

The morning air was chilly, and people were already running on the track.

He walked to the school gate, bought two buns and a cup of soy milk from a roadside stall, and ate while walking toward the Villa.

Pushing open the Villa door, he saw half a bottle of mineral water on the coffee table and a crooked sofa cushion.

Yu Heng first went upstairs to Qin Ya's streaming room.

The computer was indeed still on. Yu Heng organized the equipment and went back downstairs.

Yu Heng leaned back on the sofa, thinking about the recruitment drive this weekend.

He should at least make a poster, right?

At least let people know what a virtual Streamer is.

Maybe take a laptop and play a recording of Bai Xinran's stream.

But her skin was too suggestive; would it be inappropriate to show it at school?

He opened Taobao, found a graphic design shop, clearly stated his requirements, and requested the design within 24 hours at the latest.

When the time came, he could just go to a nearby advertising company and print a roll-up banner.

After finishing these tasks, Qin Lu called.

Yu Heng pressed the answer button: "Hello, Counselor?"

"Yu Heng," Qin Lu's voice on the other end sounded a bit rushed, "Are you at the Villa now?"

"I am, I just came over to tidy up." Yu Heng sat up straighter on the sofa. "What's up, Counselor? Something the matter?"

"It's like this," Qin Lu paused, "Something came up at school today, and I'll probably be busy until the afternoon. I was thinking of dropping her off early? Since she wanted to stream longer anyway?"

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "How early?"

"Is it okay if I drop her off now?" Qin Lu paused and said, "She doesn't have much to do at home and is clamoring to go early to prepare for the stream. I'll pack up here and should be able to drop her off before nine."

It was only just after eight.

Yu Heng glanced at the wall clock. "Sure, bring her over. I'll be waiting here."

"That's great," Qin Lu clearly breathed a sigh of relief. "I won't be able to stay with her today, I'll pick her up in the evening..."

"No problem," Yu Heng immediately replied. "Don't worry, Counselor, Qin Ya definitely won't get lost with me. It just so happens I don't have classes all day today. After she's done streaming, I can even play with her for a bit. You go ahead and get busy."

The other end of the phone was quiet for two seconds.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you," Qin Lu's voice lowered slightly. "Yu Heng, Qin Ya can be a bit stubborn, and she lacks manners when she speaks. Please be patient with her."

"Not at all!" Yu Heng said against his conscience without changing his expression. "Qin Ya is quite sensible; her streaming performance yesterday was great. Don't worry, I'll definitely take good care of her."

Another moment of silence.

Yu Heng heard Qin Ya's faint shout from the other end: "Mom! Have you finished talking to him yet?"

"Almost, almost." Qin Lu brushed her off and said to Yu Heng again, "Then I'll trouble you."

"Sure, I'll be waiting."

Half an hour later, the doorbell rang on time.

Yu Heng opened the door. Qin Lu stood outside dressed in formal wear, her hair meticulously tied up, and wearing light makeup. She looked much more serious than usual.

"Does the Counselor have an important event today?" Yu Heng raised an eyebrow.

"There's a meeting at the college," Qin Lu explained simply, stepping aside to reveal Qin Ya behind her. "Go on in, don't dawdle."

Qin Ya was actually dressed quite normally today, in a light gray hoodie and jeans, with white sneakers on her feet.

She glanced at Yu Heng, said nothing, and walked straight into the house.

"Then Yu Heng, I'll leave Qin Ya to you." Qin Lu checked her watch. "I'll come pick her up after my meeting this afternoon, around five or six."

"Alright, go do your thing." Yu Heng nodded.

Qin Lu gave Qin Ya a few more instructions before turning and hurrying away.

The door closed, leaving only Yu Heng and Qin Ya in the Villa.

The living room was quiet for a few seconds.

Qin Ya tossed her backpack onto the sofa, plopped down, took out her phone, and started scrolling.

Yu Heng walked over to the single sofa opposite her, sat down, and crossed his legs. "Did you eat breakfast?"

"I did." Qin Ya didn't look up.

"What did you eat?"

"Jianbing Guozi."

"Oh." Yu Heng nodded. "Alright then, get ready to go upstairs and stream. Today's goal is three hours, don't forget."

Qin Ya finally looked up and curled her lip. "I know, you're so naggy."

She stood up, grabbed her backpack, and walked upstairs. At the top of the stairs, she stopped and looked back at Yu Heng. "You're staying downstairs?"

"Where else?" Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "Go up and watch you get roasted by the audience?"

"Who got roasted!" Qin Ya glared at him. "It's more like I roast others!"

"Yes, yes, you're amazing." Yu Heng waved her off. "Hurry up. If you can stream for three hours today, I'll take you to the arcade this afternoon."

"The arcade?" Qin Ya scoffed. "As if I've never been to an arcade before."

Qin Ya huffed and turned to go upstairs.

Yu Heng listened to the sound of the door closing upstairs and checked the time on his phone.

Nine-thirty.

If this girl really streamed for three hours, she'd be done by twelve-thirty.

He opened Taobao and checked the chat window with the design shop; the other party hadn't replied yet.

The design probably wouldn't be ready until the afternoon.

Yu Heng leaned back on the sofa and dozed off.

He didn't wake up until twelve-thirty.

He checked the time; it was about time for Qin Ya to finish her stream.

He got up, poured a glass of water, and waited for her to come down.

A few minutes later, Qin Ya came downstairs, her slippers pitter-pattering.

"Finished streaming?" Yu Heng asked.

"Yeah." Qin Ya sat down on the sofa.

"How was it? Today's stats."

"It was alright." Qin Ya's tone was casual, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "I got two new Captains today."

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "Not bad, you're improving fast."

"Of course." Qin Ya lifted her chin. "I told you I'm a quick learner."

Yu Heng looked at her proud expression and suddenly asked, "Is your mom usually this busy with work?"

Qin Ya glanced at him. "Why are you asking?"

"Just asking." Yu Heng shrugged. "She was dressed so formally today, I thought there was some big event."

"What big event could there be," Qin Ya curled her lip, "it's just a meeting. She has meetings every day."

"What about your dad?" Yu Heng asked as if casually. "Is he busy with work too?"

The expression on Qin Ya's face faded. "Why are you asking so much?"

"Just showing concern for my employee's family situation." Yu Heng grinned. "After all, you're considered a Streamer under me now."

"Who's your employee?" Qin Ya mumbled softly, but she still answered, "My dad doesn't live with my mom now. We only see each other a few times a year."

"Oh." He already knew this information. Yu Heng nodded. "So it's usually just you and your mom?"

"Otherwise?" Qin Ya's tone was a bit sharp. "Are you doing a census check?"

"Alright, alright, I won't ask." Yu Heng laughed and changed the subject. "Hungry? What do you want to eat?"

Qin Ya was stunned for a moment and whispered, "Whatever."