91: Heart racing

In the Villa, Bai Xinran and Qin Ya were both livestreaming.

Yu Heng changed his shoes, walked to the living room, and sat down on the sofa.

Half a bag of potato chips and two empty cans of Coke sat on the coffee table.

He picked up the remote, turned on the TV, and set the volume very low.

The light from the screen flickered in the dark living room.

Yu Heng leaned back on the sofa, thinking about Qin Lu's attitude today.

He had originally hoped to enjoy some intimacy in the office again, just like yesterday.

He was feeling a bit irritable and restless now.

Suddenly, he sat up straight and took out his phone to message Bai Xinran.

Bai Xinran: "Now? I'm livestreaming!"

Yu Heng: "Where's the challenge otherwise?"

Bai Xinran: "Are you serious?"

The message was immediately retracted, followed by another: "Are *you* serious?"

Yu Heng: "Serious. Now, immediately!"

Bai Xinran: "Then... I'll end the stream first."

Yu Heng: "You can't end the stream."

Bai Xinran: "Are you serious???"

Yu Heng: "Yes, I want to listen."

Bai Xinran: "? But the stream is full of people."

Yu Heng: "So what? Doesn't this fit your persona perfectly?"

Bai Xinran: "Fine... I get it."

Bai Xinran stood up, walked to the cabinet, and took out the Pony... Yu Heng turned off the TV, and the living room went completely dark.

He got up and went upstairs. Standing at his bedroom door, he paused and glanced toward Qin Ya's room.

Then he looked away, pushed open his door, walked in, and closed it behind him.

He didn't turn on the light and flopped straight onto the bed.

The ceiling was a blurry gray in the darkness.

He opened Bilibili and entered Bai Xinran's stream, turned the volume to the maximum, and tossed the phone aside.

Yu Heng closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Then he heard the background music in the stream stop, followed by Bai Xinran's voice... The room was very quiet.

Only the sound of his own breathing remained, gradually steadying.

Just as Yu Heng turned on the light, there was a knock at the door.

“Big brother? Are you awake?” Qin Ya's voice came from outside.

Yu Heng zipped up his pants and tugged at the hem of his hoodie. “Come in.”

The door creaked open slightly, and Qin Ya poked half her head in. Her eyes scanned the room before finally landing on Yu Heng.

She pushed the door open, stepped inside, closed it behind her, and sniffed the air.

“Have you been busy with club stuff these past two days?” Qin Ya walked to the desk, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the surface.

She had been streaming for three hours, so her throat was a bit dry, making her voice slightly raspier than usual.

“Yeah.” Yu Heng sat on the edge of the bed. “Is your mom here to pick you up yet?”

“She just left,” Qin Ya turned around. “Probably ten minutes or so.”

As she spoke, her nose twitched again.

Qin Ya knew what that smell was.

She had seen it online.

She narrowed her eyes, her gaze sliding down to land on Yu Heng's hand.

Yu Heng's hand rested on his knee, his fingers long and his knuckles well-defined.

She took two steps forward, reached Yu Heng, squatted down, and grabbed his hand.

This posture forced her to look up at Yu Heng.

“What are you doing?” Yu Heng leaned back, trying to create some distance.

Qin Ya didn't say anything.

She raised her head and looked at Yu Heng.

Yu Heng looked back at her, his brow furrowed and his expression grim.

Qin Ya suddenly grinned.

Yu Heng froze for two seconds, and his heart rate quickened as he realized what was happening.

This was the first time since his rebirth.

The impact was quite massive, even for a man approaching his thirties.

He pulled his hand back. “What the hell!”

“What about me?” Qin Ya stood up, hands on her hips. “You're the one doing bad things in your room.”

“Fine, you're something else.” He stood up and walked to the door. “I'm going to wash my hands. Wait here.”

“Wait for what?” Qin Ya asked.

“Wait for your mom to pick you up.” Yu Heng pulled the door open. “What else did you want to do?”

Yu Heng went to the bathroom.

Qin Ya stood there, staring at the pillow on the floor for a while, then bent down to pick it up, patted off the dust, and put it back on the bed.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers absentmindedly tugging at the sheets.

The sheets were gray cotton, feeling a bit coarse to the touch.

Was Yu Heng just lying on this bed?

“Pah!” Her features scrunched up, and she suddenly felt like rinsing her mouth too.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom, splashing for a long time.

When Yu Heng returned, water was still dripping from his hands.

The room fell silent.

The air conditioner hummed, blowing out warm air.

Qin Ya stared at Yu Heng's profile.

His hair was a bit messy, likely from rubbing against the bed earlier.

A bit of dark stubble was emerging on his chin; it wasn't obvious, but visible upon closer inspection.

“What are you looking at?” Yu Heng turned his head.

“Looking at how ugly you are,” Qin Ya said.

“Then don't look.” Yu Heng turned back.

“I'll look if I want to.” Qin Ya stood up and walked over to Yu Heng, her face leaning in close. “What can you do about it?”

Yu Heng leaned back, and the chair let out a creak.

“Qin Ya.” His voice lowered. “Know when to stop.”

“I won't.” Qin Ya straightened up and pouted. “Why are you being so mean!”

Yu Heng didn't speak; he suddenly felt that this conversation was somewhat familiar.

He stared at Qin Ya for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out and flicked her forehead.

It wasn't hard, but it made a loud sound.

“Ouch!” Qin Ya clutched her forehead. “What was that for!”

“Teaching you to behave.” Yu Heng withdrew his hand. “If you keep acting up, I'll call your mom and tell her you're not streaming properly and are causing trouble in my room instead.”

“You wouldn't dare!” Qin Ya glared at him.

“Watch me.” Yu Heng took out his phone, making a show of unlocking it.

Qin Ya lunged to grab it.

Yu Heng raised his hand, holding the phone high.

Qin Ya couldn't reach it; she jumped a couple of times but still failed.

She was 1.5 meters tall, and Yu Heng was 1.8 meters; the gap was too obvious.

“Give it back!” Qin Ya tugged at his arm.

“Who wants your crappy phone?” Yu Heng stuffed the phone back into his pocket. “Sit down and stop acting up.”

Qin Ya was panting, her chest heaving.

She was wearing a loose hoodie today with a wide collar; because her movements were so frantic, one shoulder had slipped down.

Yu Heng caught a glimpse and looked away.

“Fix your clothes,” he said.

Qin Ya looked down and pulled the collar back up.

“Prude,” she muttered under her breath.

“What did you say?” Yu Heng raised an eyebrow.

“Nothing.” Qin Ya sat on the edge of the bed, her legs swinging. “I just think it's funny how you're acting all proper with me when you and my mom are already like that.”

“And?” Yu Heng paused. “What does that have to do with you?”

“So...” Qin Ya tilted her head in thought. “So you should try harder to get on my good side. Otherwise, I'll tell my mom you're bullying me.”

“How exactly am I bullying you?” Yu Heng asked.

“You flicked my forehead just now,” Qin Ya said.

“You asked for it.”

“I don't care.” Qin Ya swung her legs. “Anyway, you have to compensate me.”

“How?”

“Treat me to a meal.” Qin Ya's eyes lit up. “I want hotpot—the most expensive kind.”