77: Maybe it's just for the novelty.

"Well..." Qin Ya blinked. "Look, he started his own Guild in his freshman year, rented a Villa, and even started a Club..."

Qin Lu remained silent, a sense of relief washing over her. So that's what she was talking about.

However, she had to admit that Yu Heng certainly had some capability.

It had only been a short time since the start, and most students were enjoying their so-called freedom.

Staying up all night, skipping classes, dating.

A small portion of students were already preparing for merit evaluations and awards, showing off and engaging in flattery.

Rushing back and forth between the Youth League Committee and the Student Union.

They even deliberately tried to maintain a good relationship with her, their Counselor.

Yu Heng, on the other hand, didn't participate in Class Cadre elections or the Student Union, and was often disrespectful toward her.

But his entrepreneurial efforts were certainly insightful, and she knew best what Qin Ya used to be like.

She was gloomy all day, spoke sharply, and had no interest in anything.

Although she still had a sharp tongue now, she was at least much cheerier than before.

"Mom, my brother is pretty great." Qin Ya's tone suddenly became serious. "Right?"

"So what?" Qin Lu raised an eyebrow. What was this girl trying to say now?

"So, if you and Dad get divorced," Qin Ya said, pursing her lips, "my brother should be better than him."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Qin Lu showed annoyance, stood up, and said, "Hurry up and eat, then go back to your room!"

She walked to the balcony without looking at Qin Ya's reaction, pulled a box of Slim Cigarettes from the corner of the balcony, took one out, and lit it.

She had bought this box of cigarettes almost a year ago, and had only smoked three or five sticks.

As a child, Qin Ya was quite attached to her father, but after Lin Liyan's temperament changed in recent years, the father and daughter were no longer as close.

Around this time last year, she and Lin Liyan were arguing every day.

Although she had never told Qin Ya why, the girl probably had a general idea.

And today, she actually said something like that.

Yu Heng was only eighteen or nineteen. Better than Lin Liyan?

He was certainly much stronger in that aspect, but what about everything else?

Lin Liyan had been young too, and had good times.

Yet now he had become this way.

Moreover, their age gap was ridiculous.

What was he after?

Her age?

The fact that she wasn't divorced?

The fact that she had a rebellious daughter?

Qin Lu laughed self-deprecatingly.

Maybe he was just looking for something new.

After all, he probably hadn't tried her type before.

She finished the cigarette.

Qin Lu stubbed out the cigarette butt in the ashtray and stood up to go to the bathroom.

She needed a shower to wash away all these messy thoughts in her head.

At her age, it was just a drunken mistake. There was no need to dwell on it.

The fact that she was actually considering it was absurd!

Qin Lu stood under the showerhead, her eyes closed.

She squeezed some shower gel, rubbed it into a lather in her palm, and applied it to her body.

But those images were still in her mind.

As her palm slid over her chest, there was still a faint red mark, left by Yu Heng.

It had faded a lot, almost invisible unless one looked closely.

Qin Lu's fingers gently stroked that area of skin.

She thought of last night again and felt her legs go a little weak.

She held onto the wall to steady herself.

She couldn't think about it anymore.

She quickly rinsed the lather off her body, turned off the water, dried herself, and put on her pajamas.

When she returned to the bedroom, Qin Ya was no longer in the living room.

The dining table was clean, and the dishes were washed.

She returned to her own room, closed the door, and lay down on the bed.

The quilt was soft, carrying the fresh scent of laundry detergent.

Qin Lu lay awake, unable to sleep.

She turned over and buried her face in the pillow.

After that night, she had washed all the sheets and duvet covers.

Washed spotlessly clean, leaving no trace behind.

As if nothing had ever happened.

Qin Lu closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep.

But she couldn't stop thinking about it, and even her body started reacting.

She was absolutely crazy! Had she become this kind of woman at her age?

Qin Lu cursed internally and turned over again.

She stared at the dark room for a long time until her eyes felt strained, before slowly closing them.

Sleepiness finally overcame her.

Before losing consciousness, her last thought was:

Will I run into him tomorrow at school?

The phone alarm rang promptly at 7:30.

Yu Heng sat up in bed, rubbed his eyes, his mind still a little fuzzy.

He grabbed his phone for a look, then threw off the quilt and got out of bed.

He put on a hoodie and sweatpants, shuffled in his slippers, and headed downstairs.

When he reached the living room, he saw Bai Xinran already sitting at the dining table.

In front of her were two cups of Soy Milk and several Youtiao (fried dough sticks), steaming inside a plastic bag.

"Where did these come from?" Yu Heng sat down opposite her, picked up a Youtiao, and took a bite. "Did you go out and buy them?"

"I ordered takeout," Bai Xinran said, pushing a cup of Soy Milk toward him. "That shop opened at 6:30 AM. I ordered at seven, and it just arrived."

She hadn't actually slept well; she had woken up very early.

Her mind was filled with thoughts: What instructions would Yu Heng give her during today's livestream?

Would they be difficult?

What if she couldn't hold back and made strange noises during the stream?

"Nervous?" Yu Heng looked at her, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.

Bai Xinran paused her movement, lowered her head, and bit into a Youtiao. "Who's nervous."

Yu Heng stopped teasing her and focused on eating.

After they finished breakfast, the two left together.

Their 8 AM class was in the Main Teaching Building, a walk of about ten minutes.

There were many students on the road, all rushing to class.

Bai Xinran kept her hands tucked into her hoodie pockets, walking at a steady pace.

Yu Heng walked beside her, also silent.

This silence wasn't awkward; instead, it held a strange sense of mutual understanding.

---

The morning class was a large lecture.

He walked to the back row and sat next to Hao Junran and the others.

The teacher lectured on the stage, while Yu Heng pondered below.

Would Qin Lu come to school today?

The way she acted yesterday, she was clearly avoiding him.

But she was the Counselor, and he was a student; they were bound to run into each other eventually.

At twelve noon, the class dismissal bell rang.

The group walked toward the cafeteria.

The four got their food and found a table. Hao Junran shoveled a mouthful of rice and mumbled, "Are we still going to the recruitment drive this afternoon?"

"Yes," Yu Heng said. "It starts at two and goes until four."

"How many applications do you think we'll get today?" Hou Xudong asked.

"We got over fifty yesterday, so probably not many today," Yu Heng said. "The main thing is the interviews tonight; we need to screen everyone."

"Where are the interviews?" Liu Tianqi asked.

"The Lecture Hall," Yu Heng said. "I borrowed 204. It starts at five tonight."

"Is the Counselor going?" Hao Junran suddenly asked.

Yu Heng paused his movement. "She should be, she's the Supervising Teacher."

Qin Lu was the Supervising Teacher, so she definitely had to be present for the interviews.

After eating, Yu Heng returned to the Villa to grab the materials needed for recruitment, greeted Bai Xinran, and then headed toward the Small Plaza.

The afternoon recruitment was sporadic, with few people showing up.

Yu Heng stood at the booth, introducing the Club to the freshmen.

Ning Yutong helped hand out Application Forms nearby, while Bai Xinran and Hao Junran maintained order.

Having been here for two short half-days yesterday, most interested students had already submitted their forms.

By three o'clock, they had only collected a dozen or so Application Forms.

"It's alright," Hao Junran said, flipping through the Application Forms. "Better than nothing!"

"Mm." Yu Heng glanced at the time. "Let's pack up and prepare to go to the Lecture Hall."

"Have you prepared the interview list?" Yu Tong asked.

"It's ready." Yu Heng pulled a sheet of paper from his bag. "I screened 30 from yesterday, and I'll look over today's soon and select 10, dividing them into two interview groups."

Ning Yutong took the list, looked it over, and whispered, "Then I'll go prepare."

"Okay." Yu Heng nodded. "You go to the Lecture Hall first. I'll be there shortly."

Ning Yutong acknowledged him and left with the list.

Bai Xinran glanced at Yu Heng. "I'm going back too. It's time for the livestream."

"Go ahead," Yu Heng said. "Remember to check your phone messages during the stream."

Bai Xinran's heart skipped a beat. She nodded and quickly turned to leave.

Yu Heng watched her retreating figure, smiled, and then began packing up the booth.