71: I'm giving you a massage.

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow as he looked at Shen Yueling; this girl was acting strange today.

Usually, she was direct as well.

But to demand that he accompany her so blatantly in front of so many people?

"Now?" Yu Heng glanced at the stall. "There are still so many people here."

"Don't we have them?" Shen Yueling tilted her chin toward Hao Junran and the others.

Hao Junran immediately straightened his back. "Right, right, right! Yu Heng, you should go. We've got things covered here!"

As he spoke, his eyes darted between the girls, looking like someone who wouldn't mind if things got even more chaotic.

Yu Heng cursed the bastard in his head and turned to look at Ning Yutong.

Ning Yutong was looking down, organizing the registration forms. She looked up with her usual gentle smile. "Go ahead. We'll keep an eye on things here."

He Mengyao stood nearby with her arms crossed, a faint, ambiguous smile on her lips. "Seems like you're quite busy. I won't disturb you then; I still have dance practice."

After saying that, she waved at Yu Heng and turned to leave.

As she walked away, her waist swayed gently with each step, fully displaying her dancer's physique.

Yu Heng watched her leave before turning back to Shen Yueling. "Alright then, what do you want to eat?"

"Whatever," Shen Yueling said as she stood up. "You decide."

As she spoke, she naturally reached out and took Yu Heng's arm.

This action caused Ning Yutong to pause, and the smile on her lips faded slightly.

Bai Xinran raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Hao Junran's eyes widened, thinking to himself, Holy cow.

Yu Heng was also stunned; she had never been this proactive before.

What was wrong today?

"Let's go," Shen Yueling said, pulling Yu Heng along.

Dragged along for a couple of steps, Yu Heng looked back and shouted to Hao Junran and the others, "Keep an eye on the stall for me!"

"Don't worry!" Hao Junran shouted back.

Yu Heng was pulled out of the Small Plaza by Shen Yueling.

"Are we really going to the cafeteria?" Yu Heng asked, turning his head toward her. "Or should we eat out?"

Shen Yueling was silent for two seconds, her fingers lightly picking at his arm. "Let's go to your place."

"Hmm?" Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "The Villa?"

"Yeah." Shen Yueling nodded. "We'll cook for ourselves."

Yu Heng looked at her and clicked his tongue. "There's no food at home; the fridge is empty."

"Go buy some," Shen Yueling said matter-of-factly.

"Too much trouble." Yu Heng curled his lip. "Might as well order takeout."

Shen Yueling didn't respond, and the two walked toward the Villa, hardly speaking along the way.

Yu Heng could sense that Shen Yueling's mood was off today, but he didn't ask.

If she wanted to talk, she would; if she didn't, asking would be pointless.

Arriving at the Villa's entrance, Yu Heng took out his keys and opened the door.

"Come in." He stepped aside.

Shen Yueling walked in and closed the door behind her.

She changed her shoes in the entryway, took off her coat, and sat down at one end of the sofa.

Yu Heng also took off his scarf and sat down next to her, leaning closer. "What do you want to eat? I'll order takeout."

"Whatever," Shen Yueling said.

"Let's order this," Yu Heng said, handing the phone to her. "Szechuan Boiled Pork, Mapo Tofu, and maybe a soup. How's that?"

Shen Yueling glanced at the screen. "Okay."

Yu Heng placed the order and paid, then tossed his phone aside and leaned back against the sofa.

The living room fell silent.

After a while, Yu Heng turned sideways, resting his hand on the back of the sofa, his fingertips brushing against Shen Yueling's shoulder as if by accident.

"What's up with you today?" he asked.

Shen Yueling didn't look at him. "What do you mean?"

"You're acting so unusual," Yu Heng laughed. "Normally, you wouldn't drag me away in front of so many people."

Shen Yueling pursed her lips.

She didn't know what was wrong with her today either.

"What about it?" Shen Yueling looked at him. "Are you unhappy about it?"

He reached out and pulled her close, and Shen Yueling leaned into his embrace.

Yu Heng's hand rested on her waist; he could feel her body heat through her sweater.

"I'm happy, I'm happy." He looked down and asked, "Are you finished with your work?"

"Yeah." Shen Yueling buried her face in the crook of his neck. "The Design Drafts have been submitted. Now I'm just waiting for the results."

"Good work." Yu Heng's fingers gently stroked her side.

"Yu Heng," she called his name softly.

"Hmm?"

"That scarf," Shen Yueling paused, "whose is it?"

Yu Heng paused, then laughed. "It's Bai Xinran's. It was cold when I went out this morning, so she lent it to me."

He spoke frankly, without any intention of hiding anything.

"What's wrong?" Sensing her silence, Yu Heng looked down at her. "Are you jealous?"

Shen Yueling didn't deny it, nor did she admit it.

Yu Heng laughed and squeezed the back of her neck. "Then I won't use it next time."

"Whatever," Shen Yueling turned her head away. "It's not like I'm in charge of you."

Yu Heng chuckled and dropped the subject.

"So," he breathed into her ear, "dragging me back here in such a hurry today... was it because you missed me?"

"Who missed you?" She felt ticklish from his breath. "I'm just hungry."

"Oh~" Yu Heng drew out the sound. "Then I won't hold you. Let's just wait for dinner!"

"You!" Shen Yueling glared at him. "Bastard!"

"If you're jealous, just be jealous." Yu Heng laughed. "I won't make fun of you."

"I'm not," Shen Yueling insisted stubbornly.

"Fine, you're not," Yu Heng went along with her, but his hands wouldn't stay still.

"You..." She looked up and glared at him, but she had no intimidation factor right now.

"What about me?" Yu Heng feigned innocence. Shen Yueling's skin was quite cool, while Yu Heng's hands were warm.

"Take it away," she said, but her voice had already softened.

"I won't." Yu Heng acted like a rogue. "Why are you so cold? You're wearing too little."

"None of your business." Shen Yueling turned her face away, feeling a tightening sensation in her lower abdomen.

"Yu Heng..." Her voice trembled slightly.

"Hmm?" Yu Heng responded, his lips already pressed against her neck. "Did you miss me?"

Shen Yueling bit her lip and remained silent.

Yu Heng was in no hurry, his hand sliding from her waist to her back.

"You!" Shen Yueling tried to stop him, but her hand was pinned down as soon as she raised it.

"Don't move," Yu Heng said. His lips trailed down her neck and stopped at her collarbone, where he gave a light nip.

It wasn't hard, but it was enough to leave a mark.

Shen Yueling gasped.

"Yu Heng... don't..." She pushed him, but there was no strength in her hands.

"Then tell the truth first," Yu Heng looked up at her. "Did you miss me or not?"

Shen Yueling looked at him. Those eyes, usually cold, were now veiled with a layer of mist, looking both aggrieved and alluring.

Yu Heng's Adam's apple bobbed as he leaned down to kiss her.

This kiss wasn't that urgent or aggressive.

Shen Yueling felt lightheaded, her arms somehow having found their way around his neck.

"Can you say it now?" Yu Heng pressed his forehead against hers. "Did you miss me?"

Shen Yueling looked at him for a long time before finally giving a very, very slight nod.

"Wouldn't it have been easier to just admit it earlier?" His hand slid down her back, stopping at her buttocks, and gave a firm squeeze.

Shen Yueling let out a soft moan.

"You..." She wanted to scold him, but the words died in her throat.

Because Yu Heng's hand was moving lower.

"Why are you hiding?" Yu Heng's voice was hoarse, his fingers kneading with moderate pressure. "I'm giving you a massage."

"Yu Heng..." Shen Yueling grabbed his hand. "Not right now..."

"Why not?" Yu Heng asked. "Don't you want to as well?"

Shen Yueling panicked, genuinely panicked.

"Yu Heng, I really can't!" She gripped his hand tightly. "I haven't showered..."

"It's fine, I don't mind."

"No..." Shen Yueling's voice was soft and delicate. "Today... it's not convenient today..."

Yu Heng paused.

He looked up at her. "Is it your time of the month?"

Shen Yueling's face turned beet red, and she nodded.

"Are you lying to me?" He looked at his hand and laughed. "There's no blood here."

"Yu Heng!" Shen Yueling was truly anxious. "Don't—"

Just then, the doorbell rang.