116: Night Talk

Over the past week, Yu Heng had been quite busy.

The house had been rented, and some equipment had been added.

Between the second-hand computers and the second-hand sound cards and microphones, the two sets combined cost less than ten thousand yuan.

Zhou Mengqi and Wang Luyu had also started streaming. TikTok's current backend wasn't much different from how it would be in a few years, but the policies were much better.

The new guild's maximum rebate was 32%, and the conditions to achieve it weren't as strict as they would be in a few years.

If the Streamers were settled at 35%, the guild would earn more than the Streamers.

However, the two of them had just started streaming, and after two or three days, there wasn't much improvement.

They were quite satisfied themselves, getting over the moon after receiving a few hundred yuan worth of gifts each.

Every day, Yu Heng went to the Villa to review their performance, hold small meetings, and teach them how to stream.

He also played two matches this week. The process wasn't easy, but there were no surprises in the results; Yu Heng's team won both.

With that, they entered the Finals with a winning streak. The Finals were scheduled for next Monday afternoon, and with training over the weekend, Yu Heng had to participate.

His schedule was a bit packed, leaving him with little energy for anything else. Bai Xinran's training hadn't made much progress this week.

Qin Lu hadn't contacted Yu Heng much this week either, and things seemed to have quieted down on Lin Liyan's end for the time being. Yu Heng didn't take the initiative to ask; in any case, nothing could go wrong in this situation.

—

At 10 PM on Friday, Yu Heng returned from the newly rented Villa.

Bai Xinran's stream had just ended. She was sitting on the living room sofa, wearing her oversized T-shirt.

A Sketchbook was spread across her lap. Hearing the door open, she looked up. "Master, you're back."

"Mm." Yu Heng changed his shoes, sat on the other side of the sofa, and glanced at the notebook in her hand. "What are you drawing?"

"Just practicing some techniques." Bai Xinran closed the notebook and set it aside. "You seemed very busy this week."

Her tone was flat—not a complaint, just a statement. Yu Heng leaned back into the sofa and let out a long breath.

"A bit." He turned his head to look at her. "Did I neglect you a little this week?"

Bai Xinran pursed her lips and said nothing.

Yu Heng smiled, reached out, and touched her earlobe with his fingertips.

Then he ruffled her hair. Bai Xinran tilted her head and nuzzled against his hand like a docile puppy.

She had changed a lot over the past half month, becoming someone even she found a bit unfamiliar. She had never imagined she would have such a side to her.

If someone had rubbed her head like this before, she would have swatted their hand away long ago. But now, she nuzzled him instinctively, only wanting him to rub it a few more times.

She had been like a tomboy since she was a child, enjoying things boys liked and being unrestrained and straightforward in her speech and behavior.

And now?

Her short hair had grown out quite a bit; it hadn't been cut in a long time. She thought it looked quite nice and even wanted to see what she would look like in a dress.

As she thought about this, her eyes began to grow a bit dazed. Seeing this, Yu Heng smiled and pulled her into his arms.

Only the floor lamp was on in the living room. The light was dim and yellow, creating a perfect atmosphere.

He caressed the person in his arms and asked softly, "Have you thought about it yourself this week?"

"Thought about what?"

"About the things I said," his voice lowered slightly. "Have you thought about whether you understand me better now?"

"I have," Bai Xinran murmured, her face buried in his chest. "I've been thinking about it since that night."

Yu Heng reached out and tilted her chin up. "And what did you conclude?"

Bai Xinran looked into his eyes, her eyelashes trembling.

"I don't think I understand you much better..." she said. "But I want to. I can't quite explain it, but I feel very at peace by your side."

"When did you start feeling this way?" Yu Heng asked.

"From..." Bai Xinran thought for a moment. "Maybe from the night you took me to the hospital?"

Yu Heng's thumb brushed against her chin. "And then?"

"And then, after you told me you were in the lifestyle, I felt you had a very strong 'Top' presence. At least, you're much more normal than anyone I've met before."

"Those you met before?" Yu Heng narrowed his eyes.

"I've joined some community groups. The men in there were all ridiculous—not only self-righteous but also uncouth and with low emotional intelligence. They only knew how to tell vulgar jokes and would DM me asking, 'Do you have a Master?' It was like they were sick."

"That's actually normal," Yu Heng said. "Good 'bottoms' and good 'Tops' aren't usually floating around. Ninety percent of those who lurk and chat in those groups every day definitely don't have a partner. And there's definitely a reason why they don't."

"With how they are, how could they possibly have one?" Bai Xinran grumbled.

"You can't say that. Growth requires experience and a process, though there's certainly no need for you to be the price they pay for that growth, haha." Yu Heng chuckled. "But your tongue is quite sharp."

Bai Xinran pouted. "It's true, though. I feel like they mistake vulgarity for humor and a lack of boundaries for wit."

"I'm not like that?" Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "I used to joke with you all the time too."

"It's different," Bai Xinran said. "We're face-to-face, and we know each other. Plus, I feel like you're very knowledgeable and I can learn from you. Those people haven't even spoken more than a few words to me before putting on the air of a 'Top'."

"Actually, it's the same for 'bottoms'," Yu Heng said with a smile. "There are plenty of bizarre ones—those lacking love who come to the scene looking for it, those with depression looking for salvation, and even psychos pretending to be 'brats' who end up biting a Rigger's finger so hard it causes nerve damage."

"Huh?" Bai Xinran looked up. "That's so ridiculous?"

"Haha, yes!" Yu Heng said with a smile. "So, theoretical knowledge is useful, but it also depends on the original intention. People with impure motives won't feel the culture even if they learn the theory; theory will just be a tool for them to achieve their goals."

"Sigh, it feels so complicated," Bai Xinran frowned. "I feel even luckier to have met you."

"I'm lucky to have met you too," Yu Heng rubbed her head. "You're the most talented one I've ever seen!"

"Really?" Hearing Yu Heng's praise, Bai Xinran couldn't help but feel a stir of emotion.

"Because most 'bottoms' don't have your level of awareness. Many people, even if they're very well-behaved and obedient, still operate on the logic of pleasing themselves—their submission is a trade for the Top's positive feedback or the reaction they want. But you're different; you simply believe that submission is your duty, and the Top's happiness is your own."

"Is that how it is?" Bai Xinran said, looking a bit confused. "It's a little complicated..."

"It's okay. We have plenty of time. You'll figure it out slowly."

"Okay! Will you be busy tomorrow too?"

Yu Heng looked at her.

"I have training in the afternoon," he said. "I should be free in the evening."

Bai Xinran's eyes curved into a smile. "Then I'll wait for you tomorrow night."

Her voice was soft as she said this, tinged with a hint of tentative pleasing.

"Good." Yu Heng let go of her, signaling that the conversation was over.

"Then I'm going to take a shower!" Bai Xinran stood up understandingly and went into the bathroom.

Yu Heng sat in the living room for a while longer.

He took out his phone and checked WeChat.

A message from Zhou Mengqi?

He clicked on it; it was a photo she had sent.

In the photo, she was wearing a camisole dress, taking a mirror selfie. There wasn't much fabric.

Accompanied by a line of text: [President, how about this outfit? Can I wear it for the stream?]

Yu Heng looked at the photo, his finger hovering over the screen for a few seconds.

He replied: [It's fine, but pay attention to the camera angle.]

Zhou Mengqi replied almost instantly: [Got it~ Then I'll wear this for tomorrow's stream. Thanks, President!]

Yu Heng narrowed his eyes and didn't reply again.