56: Qin Ya's thoughts

Yu Heng had just sat down for a moment when Qin Ya shuffled out in her slippers and leaned over the second-floor railing to look down.

"Where is my mom?" she asked loudly.

Yu Heng didn't even lift his head: "She went home to change clothes."

"Change clothes?" Qin Ya walked down the stairs and sat on the sofa. "What did you two do?"

Only then did Yu Heng look up and glance at her: "It's all because of that shriek you let out earlier. Your mom thought something happened to you, got startled, and spilled the entire cup of coffee all over herself."

Qin Ya pouted and muttered softly, "She worries about me that much, huh?"

"What else?" Yu Heng sat up straight and looked at Qin Ya. "Student Qin Ya, there's something I need to talk to you about."

Qin Ya was stunned by his serious tone, then pouted: "What? So serious, are you going to lecture me?"

"Yes," Yu Heng nodded. "In front of your mother, can you stop spouting nonsense from now on?"

Qin Ya blinked, looking innocent: "Are you talking about earlier today when I asked you to take a photo up her skirt?"

"Not just that," Yu Heng interrupted her. "Also, don't be disrespectful to me in the future."

Hearing this, Qin Ya scoffed: "Are you unhappy because I called you a coward?"

Yu Heng didn't smile, his expression remained serious: "I'm telling you this very seriously right now. If you keep speaking so recklessly, I won't hang out with you anymore, and don't call me Brother anymore."

These words were a bit harsh.

The playful smile on Qin Ya's face froze. She hadn't expected Yu Heng to say that.

She pursed her lips, her gaze wavering, and quietly retorted, "You have the desire but not the guts, so you're definitely a coward!"

Yu Heng didn't take her bait; he just squinted and stared at her. Qin Ya felt a little uneasy under his gaze.

She stiffened her neck, wanting to snap back, but her momentum had already weakened considerably. Finally, she lowered her head and mumbled, "So I'm not allowed to tell the truth... I was actually trying to help..."

"Help?" Yu Heng was so annoyed he laughed. "Help me with what?"

Hearing this, Qin Ya looked up, stared at Yu Heng, and said, "What do you think? I'm just afraid you won't dare."

Yu Heng was genuinely amused this time. He leaned back and sized up the young girl in front of him.

"Alright, Qin Ya," Yu Heng said slowly. "How do you plan to help? Drug your mom?"

"Drugging is so boring!" Qin Ya pouted disdainfully, then lowered her voice. "I can cover for you! I can create opportunities for you two! Or... I can help you secretly take some photos of my mom's... You have a camera, right? Let me tell you, my mom actually often does that herself..."

Yu Heng's eyelids twitched as he listened.

Holy cow, this girl really doesn't hold back when selling out her own mother.

He rubbed his temples: "Stop right there. Can you show some respect to an elder?"

Qin Ya was unconvinced: "What's wrong with that? Isn't it good that I'm creating opportunities for you?"

Yu Heng clicked his tongue, stumped by her counter-argument, and looked at her: "If your mom and I get together, what about you? Aren't you the 'rice bowl'?"

Qin Ya froze upon hearing this, then bit her lip and immediately lifted her shirt: "Here! Eat it!"

Yu Heng was taken aback by Qin Ya's sudden action.

The living room light was bright enough to see clearly.

This girl... she really has guts.

His previous comment was meant as a bit of a lecture and a tease.

Who would have thought she would actually go through with it?

But where did everything this girl usually eats go?

She was genuinely thin, and the places that should have something... genuinely didn't.

Qin Ya maintained the posture, clutching the hem of her shirt, staring right at him.

Yu Heng didn't move, just stared back at her.

Qin Ya's personality, to put it nicely, was bold; to put it harshly, she was reckless, banking on the fact that others wouldn't dare do anything to her.

He needed to make her back down.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and continued watching her.

Qin Ya's lips were pressed into a thin line, and her chin was still raised, but her gaze was starting to wander.

First, she glanced at the stairs, then peeked toward the door, and finally settled back on Yu Heng's face.

The two of them remained in a deadlock.

"You..." Qin Ya couldn't hold out any longer. "Have you seen enough?"

"No." Yu Heng answered plainly. "Are you tired?"

Hearing this, she suddenly seemed to deflate, letting go of her shirt hem, which dropped back down to cover her waist.

Yu Heng also sighed in relief. If he kept staring for another moment, he was afraid he might act impulsively.

"I get it." She turned her face away, her voice muffled. "I'll be more careful in the future."

Yu Heng smiled and said, "Careful about what?"

Qin Ya turned back and glared at him: "What else could I be careful about! That I won't talk nonsense in front of you anymore, alright!"

"What else?"

"And not talking nonsense in front of my mom." She bit her lip. "So, do you actually need my help or not?"

Well, she still hadn't given up.

Yu Heng found it amusing. Was this girl determined to push him and her mother together?

He wasn't sure if she desperately wanted a "dad."

Or if she simply found the whole thing fun and exciting.

"I can accept your help," Yu Heng said unhurriedly, "but it can't be as outrageous as what you suggested. Just... help me keep an eye on your mom."

"How do I keep an eye on her?" Qin Ya asked.

"Just tell me what she does all day," Yu Heng said.

"No problem!" Qin Ya agreed readily. "Mission guaranteed!"

Just as Qin Ya finished adjusting her shirt, the doorbell rang.

The two exchanged a look. Qin Ya quickly retreated to the corner of the sofa, grabbed a cushion, and switched to an innocent, harmless demeanor.

Yu Heng stood up and went to open the door.

Standing outside the door was Qin Lu. She had already changed back into her own clothes.

She was still wearing stockings on her legs, having switched to a nude-colored pair closer to her skin tone.

She was carrying a paper bag. Seeing Yu Heng, she handed it over: "Bai Xinran's clothes. I washed and dried them."

Yu Heng took the paper bag and stepped aside: "Alright. Qin Ya just finished her live stream. Want to come in and sit for a bit?"

"No, I won't," Qin Lu shook her head, her gaze passing over Yu Heng and into the living room. "Where is Qin Ya? It's time for her to go home."

"Mom!" Qin Ya jumped up from the sofa and scurried over. "You're back so quickly?"

"How long does it take to change clothes?" Qin Lu glanced at her. "How was the live stream?"

"It was great!" Qin Ya sounded a bit excited, but catching Yu Heng's eye, she toned it down. "Just a normal broadcast."

Qin Lu nodded and turned to Yu Heng: "Thank you for all the trouble today, helping find clothes and looking after Qin Ya."

"Counselor, you're too kind," Yu Heng said with a smile. "Qin Ya is quite sensible and serious about her live stream."

Qin Ya pouted beside him and mumbled softly, "He puts on a good act..."

Qin Lu didn't hear clearly: "What did you say?"

"I said Brother Yu Heng is really nice!" Qin Ya immediately put on a smiling face again.

Yu Heng's mouth twitched.

"Then we'll be going," Qin Lu nodded to Yu Heng. "Be careful not to get hurt during basketball training this weekend."

"Don't worry, Counselor," Yu Heng walked them to the door. "Take care."

Qin Lu curved her lips into a smile and led Qin Ya out the door.

Yu Heng closed the door and let out a breath. What a day.