: Starting with the Simple

Pushing open the villa door, I saw that the air conditioning was on the whole time.

As soon as Bai Xinran entered, she started sweating.

She took off her down jacket and hung it in the entryway.

Qin Ya was probably livestreaming upstairs; I could vaguely hear her voice.

Bai Xinran went to the kitchen, took a bottle of water from the refrigerator, unscrewed it, and took a sip.

Yu Heng followed her in and leaned against the kitchen door frame, watching her.

"What are you looking at?" Bai Xinran asked.

Why is he staring at me so much today?

Is there something on my face?

"Look at you," Yu Heng said, "you've been unusually quiet today."

"Really?" Bai Xinran placed the water bottle on the dressing table, pursed her lips, and said, "I've always been like this."

"Bai Xinran," Yu Heng suddenly called her.

"Um?"

Yu Heng moved a little closer.

The two were so close that they could feel each other's breath.

Too close...

Bai Xin then leaned against the combing table, with nowhere to retreat.

"You smell of smoke!" Bai Xinran said.

"I only smoked one cigarette today." Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "It was a long time ago. Your nose is really sharp."

"I'm sensitive to smells," Bai Xinran said. "So don't get so close."

Actually, she could also smell other odors in the room.

It's obvious that Yu Heng and Shen Yueling came back.

They did more than just eat.

What were they doing on the sofa?

Yu Heng didn't back away; instead, he moved even closer.

"You..." She tried to push him away, but Yu Heng grabbed her hand as soon as she raised it.

"Don't move," Yu Heng said, his fingers gently stroking her wrist. "Let's talk about serious matters."

"What important matter?" Bai Xinran asked.

Yu Heng looked at her, his eyes losing their earlier playfulness and becoming serious.

"You haven't made up your mind yet?" he asked.

Bai Xinran knew what he was asking; she had previously said she needed time to consider it.

"I..." Bai Xinran opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

She's actually thought about it a lot; she's been thinking about it a lot these past two days.

But after thinking about it again and again, I still couldn't figure it out.

"I don't know," Bai Xinran said honestly. "I don't actually know anything. I'm just starting to learn, and I'm afraid I won't do it well."

She was a little afraid that he would find her awkward and uninteresting.

"No one is born knowing how," Yu Heng said. "And whether you do it well or not isn't for you to define."

"Who defines that?"

"Me." Yu Heng looked at her.

Bai Xinran's heart skipped a beat.

Yu Heng's voice carried an undeniable air of control.

He actually said it out loud.

"We don't need to rush into a formal relationship," Yu Heng continued. "Let's try something simple first. What do you think?"

Bai Xinran bit her lip: "For example?"

"For example..." Yu Heng thought for a moment, "You can try starting with something simple and see how it goes."

"What?" Bai Xinran asked subconsciously.

"That depends on you." Yu Heng released her hand. "What are you more interested in?"

Bai Xinran fell silent.

What is she interested in?

I'm actually quite interested in them all.

She had some trouble saying those technical terms.

That's so embarrassing.

"You're quite interested in them all?" she said softly, her voice a little weak.

Yu Heng smiled.

It wasn't a mocking laugh, but rather a laugh that carried a sense of tolerance and guidance.

"Let's start with something simple," he said. "For example, starting tomorrow, when you're livestreaming..."

In front of the people in the live stream?

"What do you want to do?" Bai Xinran asked.

"I can't tell you now," Yu Heng said. "The missions need to be random to be interesting."

Bai Xinran looked at him, and that feeling of anticipation mixed with fear welled up in her heart again.

She knew she was heading in a certain direction.

Once you take this step, there's no turning back.

But she doesn't seem to want to turn back.

Isn't this the kind of scenario she imagines every time she tries to comfort herself?

"Okay," Bai Xinran said, her voice soft but firm.

Yu Heng nodded: "Then get a good rest tonight, and we'll start tomorrow."

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked towards the living room.

He glanced back at her again: "Oh, right."

"Um?"

"Is your back still sore?" Yu Heng asked.

Bai Xinran paused for a moment, then said, "A little..."

"Come here." Yu Heng sat down on the sofa and patted the spot next to him. "I'll give you a massage."

Bai Xinran hesitated for two seconds, but still walked over.

She sat down on the sofa, her back to Yu Heng.

Yu Heng placed his hand on her shoulder and pressed down with just the right amount of force.

"Relax," he said.

Bai Xinran's body stiffened for a few seconds before slowly relaxing.

Yu Heng's hands were very warm, and he massaged very professionally, from the shoulders to the back and then to the sides of the waist.

Bai Xinran closed her eyes and could feel her tense muscles gradually relaxing.

"Are you comfortable?" Yu Heng asked.

"Mmm," Bai Xinran responded softly, as if she were humming.

"That's good," Yu Heng said, without stopping his work.

The living room quieted down, with only the faint sound of Qin Ya's live stream coming from upstairs and the two of them breathing softly.

Bai Xinran suddenly felt that this feeling wasn't so bad.

Although I don't know what the future holds.

But at least for now, she's willing to give it a try.

Bai Xinran closed her eyes; this was the first time someone had given her a massage.

This skill...did he study it specifically?

It's not surprising that Yu Heng seems to know something.

"Alright." Yu Heng stopped, gently patting her side. "How do you feel?"

Bai Xinran slowly straightened up and stretched her shoulders.

It's definitely much more relaxing now.

"It's alright," she said, her voice still soft and gentle from just relaxing. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Yu Heng withdrew his hand. "Let's get ready to go live in a bit."

"Hmm," Bai Xinran responded, then suddenly remembered something, "Would the order be too much?"

She regretted asking the question as soon as she did.

That sounds like he's in a bit of a rush.

Yu Heng turned his head to look at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Scared?"

"It's not that I'm afraid," Bai Xinran pursed her lips, "I just want to be mentally prepared."

"That's exactly what it means to be unprepared," Yu Heng said matter-of-factly. "If it's supposed to be random, then it has to be random; that's what makes it interesting."

This person...

Bai Xinran clicked her tongue inwardly, but didn't ask any more questions.

She knew she wouldn't get any answers.

"Then I'll go do a live stream." Bai Xinran stood up.

"Go ahead, Qin Ya is also broadcasting, you two can actually connect on mic or something," Yu Heng said.

"Sure," Bai Xinran nodded. "I'm fine with anything."

"Never mind," Yu Heng changed his mind again, "The veil I made for her will be ready soon, let's wait until the cover is finished."

"Okay!" Bai Xinran returned to her room and closed the door.

She walked to the wardrobe and opened the drawer.

It seems like we won't need these anymore in the future?

Bai Xinran thought to herself, shaking her head. "We haven't even established a relationship yet!"

She changed into her pajamas, lay down on the bed, and took out her phone.

There are several unread messages on WeChat.

Ning Yutong sent a message: "Xinran, have you gone back to the villa?"

Bai Xinran typed back: "Reply."

The reply came quickly: "You worked hard today~ Are you going to recruit again tomorrow?"

"Go," Bai Xinran replied, then added after a moment's thought, "Didn't you say 2 PM?"

"Okay, see you tomorrow!"