Xiu Gou's Taming Record

Chapter 170 Boiling Frog in Slow Water

Yu Heng smiled and didn't continue. The two of them silently picked vegetables for a while.

"Does she know us?" Shen Yueling asked.

"I guess you could say we know," Yu Heng said. "Everyone's pretty much aware of it."

Shen Yueling nodded. Is this the tacit understanding between adults?

She tossed the last piece of green vegetable into the basket and patted the crumbs off her hands.

"Be careful," she said, glancing up at Yu Heng. "Don't be nervous."

Yu Heng chuckled: "Worried about me?"

"Who's worried about you?" Shen Yueling turned her face away. "I'm afraid that if you don't make it, we'll all be left living like widows!"

Yu Heng leaned in from behind, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Don't worry," he whispered in her ear, "I'm still in good health."

Shen Yueling's hand trembled, and water splashed onto her apron.

She nudged Yu Heng's stomach with her elbow: "Get off me, I'm washing vegetables."

Yu Heng released his grip and took a step back.

Her reaction was acceptance.

Shen Yueling took the washed vegetables out to drain, placed them on the cutting board, and picked up a knife to start chopping.

What does it mean to be able to do something?

She knew that she wasn't particularly open in that area, and Yu Heng usually took the lead.

But she thought Yu Heng liked this kind of behavior—half-hearted, a little shy but unable to escape.

Now, hearing Yu Heng praise other women for being good at it, she felt a little resentful.

Should I take the initiative next time?

Want to learn something new?

But as soon as the thought popped into her head, she felt a little ashamed, as if she were extremely hungry.

Her chopping slowed down, and Yu Heng glanced at her, noticing that she seemed a little distracted.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

Shen Yueling snapped out of her daze and quickened her pace, saying, "It's nothing."

-

The food was served, and the five people sat around it.

Zhou Mengqi picked up a piece of pork rib, put it in her bowl, and looked up at Yu Heng.

"Master," she said.

Yu Heng was eating with his head down when he hummed in response.

"I also want to live here," Zhou Mengqi said.

Yu Heng swallowed the rice in his mouth and picked up the soup bowl to take a sip.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Wang Luyu heard it last time," Zhou Mengqi said, "and felt a little uncomfortable."

She didn't say what she heard, but Yu Heng definitely understood.

"Stay there for now, it'll be good for you two to look out for each other during your live streams," Yu Heng said with a smile, adding, "You can come here whenever you want later."

Zhou Mengqi said "oh" and pouted, then didn't say anything more.

Another one?

Ning Yutong glanced at Zhou Mengqi out of the corner of her eye.

Is she one too?

When did this happen?

She pursed her lips; Yu Heng was doing this on purpose, wasn't he?

They kept popping out, constantly refreshing her understanding.

So that she'll accept it?

She can't go on like this; she can't let herself be slowly boiled like a frog.

After this meal, I'll find an opportunity to talk to him and make things clear.

If you don't accept it, you just don't accept it.

If this continues, we won't even be able to remain friends.

Shen Yueling glanced at Ning Yutong, then looked at Zhou Mengqi.

She was a little annoyed by Zhou Mengqi's direct way of making demands.

Bai Xinran isn't like that, nor is Ning Yutong.

She wasn't used to this lively person suddenly appearing.

Shen Yueling frowned inwardly, but her face remained expressionless.

After Zhou Mengqi finished gnawing on the ribs, she spat the bones into the bone dish, then looked around at the largest piece of braised pork in Yu Heng's bowl.

Just as Yu Heng picked it up, Zhou Mengqi's chopsticks reached out and gently touched it.

The two pairs of chopsticks collided, and the braised pork trembled.

Yu Heng looked up, and Zhou Mengqi winked at him without letting go of her chopsticks.

Shen Yueling frowned.

What is this doing?

Grab food?

She looked at Yu Heng, wanting to see his reaction.

Bai Xinran also looked over. She thought Zhou Mengqi was quite bold to dare to make such a fuss.

Ning Yutong looked at the two pairs of chopsticks touching each other. Was this flirting? Right in front of her.

Yu Heng didn't put down his chopsticks or say anything; he just stared at Zhou Mengqi.

Zhou Mengqi didn't relax either, her lips slightly upturned.

After two or three seconds, Yu Heng twisted his wrist, and the chopsticks carrying the braised pork made a small circle, avoiding Zhou Mengqi's chopsticks, and steadily put it into his own mouth.

He chewed twice and swallowed: "Eat your food properly!"

Zhou Mengqi pouted, put down her chopsticks, and started picking at the food in her bowl.

Shen Yueling lowered her eyes and continued eating.

She didn't really like Zhou Mengqi's way; she thought it was a bit too flamboyant.

After finishing their meal, Bai Xinran stood up to clear the dishes, and Zhou Mengqi helped her.

"I'll do it," Shen Yueling said. "You guys rest."

"It's okay," Zhou Mengqi said. "Let's go together."

The three of them carried the plates into the kitchen.

Yu Heng walked into the living room, sat down on the sofa, and picked up his phone to take a look.

Ning Yutong stood beside the sofa, and Yu Heng looked up at her: "What's wrong?"

Ning Yutong took a deep breath: "Yu Heng, let's talk."

-

With the balcony door closed, the noise from the living room was shut out.

"Yu Heng," Ning Yutong said nervously, "please don't do that again in the future."

Yu Heng leaned against the glass door: "How?"

"It's just..." Ning Yutong turned her face away, "...today over there...and last time..."

"I like you, yes, I've said that." She took a breath, "but you rejected me. I said I wouldn't bother you, so let's just be friends. That kind of thing... isn't something friends should do."

"You said you wouldn't bother me," Yu Heng said, "but I didn't say I wouldn't bother you."

Ning Yutong was stunned.

"That won't do either." Her voice rose slightly. "Yu Heng, I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Yu Heng walked towards her.

Ning Yutong instinctively stepped back, her back pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window.

The glass was cold, and the chill seeped through the sweater.

Yu Heng stopped in front of her, very close.

"Yu Heng..." Ning Yutong's voice softened, pleading, "I really can't, please don't do that, I won't agree, I can't be like those people, I can't do it."

Yu Heng looked into her eyes: "Really?"

Ning Yutong nodded vigorously.

"But your body's reaction," Yu Heng said, extending his hand, "is the same as theirs."

"Please don't..." her voice trembled, "Please, I really can't."

“You always say no,” he said, “but you never push me away.”

"This time is different," she said. "I really..."

"See," he said, "you didn't hide; you always waited patiently."

"I..." Her voice trembled with tears, "Yu Heng... please... don't let anyone see us..."

"Don't worry, there's no one here," Yu Heng said. "You can't see us from outside."

-

On her way back, Ning Yutong cursed herself the whole way.

She really was as Yu Heng said, clearly very resistant.

But as soon as Yu Heng touches her, she becomes obedient.

Why is she like this?!

How pathetic!