Xiu Gou's Taming Record

Chapter 185 A nephew is like a son

On the way back, Yu Heng took out his phone, scrolled through his contacts, and dialed a number.

The phone rang several times before it was answered.

"Hey, Xiaoheng?" Liu Jianfen's voice came through, though the background was a bit noisy.

"Mom," Yu Heng said, "I'm on my way back to Ancheng. Where are you?"

"Huh?" Liu Jianfen was taken aback. "Why didn't you say so beforehand?"

"It was a last-minute decision," Yu Heng said. "You weren't home?"

"No, no," Liu Jianfen said, raising her voice a little. "Your second aunt and I came to give a gift, so we can't go back tonight."

Yu Heng frowned: "Who's getting married? And they won't be back tonight?"

"Your third aunt's family, your eldest brother-in-law's family, held the banquet in the capital," Liu Jianfen said. "They've already booked a hotel, and the banquet won't be finished until noon tomorrow."

Yu Heng forced a smile: "Fine, I got it."

"I thought you were busy starting your business, so I didn't tell you," Liu Jianfen asked. "Why don't you come to the capital too?"

"I'm not going," Yu Heng interrupted her. "You don't need to worry about me."

"Then why don't you give your sister-in-law a call...she has a weekend off this week."

"Okay," Yu Heng said. "Bye."

He hung up the phone, swiped his finger across the screen, found Zhou Wanyi's number, and dialed it.

Shen Yueling leaned on his shoulder, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

The call connected quickly.

"Hello, Xiao Heng?" Zhou Wanyi's voice was a little low.

"Sister-in-law," Yu Heng said, "I'm on my way back to Ancheng. I just called Mom, and she said she's not home."

"Ah...you're back?" Zhou Wanyi paused for a moment. "Okay, then I'll cook dinner after I've put Xiaohui to sleep."

"No need," Yu Heng said. "I've already eaten. I just wanted to let you know, in case..."

"Xiao Heng," Zhou Wanyi immediately interrupted him, her voice even lower, "Don't mention it."

Yu Heng smiled and said, "Okay, I'll hang up now."

The phone hangs up.

Yu Heng put his phone back in his pocket and casually placed his hand on Shen Yueling's waist.

Shen Yueling didn't open her eyes, but asked softly, "Is only your sister-in-law home tonight?"

"No," Yu Heng said, "there's still Yu Heng."

"Don't talk nonsense," Shen Yueling rolled her eyes at him, didn't ask any more questions, snuggled closer to him, and closed her eyes.

Yu Heng looked out the window at the receding scenery and went over his plans for the evening in his mind.

Zhou Wanyi used the sample and gave feedback, although she still hasn't filled out the questionnaire.

But Yu Heng felt that things were still changing, and that training someone was a slow process, especially someone like Zhou Wanyi.

Deep down, she's very traditional, but she also has some repressed thoughts, so it takes a little bit of effort to pry them out.

-

Bai Xinran put down the drawing screen and glanced at her phone.

2:30 p.m.

Yu Heng and Shen Yueling should have arrived in Ancheng by now?

She stood up and walked to the window.

The sky outside was a bit overcast, as if it was about to rain.

She stared blankly at the sky outside for a while, until she saw her reflection in the glass and realized that she was naked.

This glass is one-way; Yu Heng said that it's a little stimulating.

She went back to the living room and sat down on the sofa again.

The screen still displays product design images.

She stared at it for a few seconds, then raised her hand to start making changes.

She stopped halfway through the drawing.

She shifted her leg slightly; this job was a bit challenging.

-

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

Bai Xinran glanced at the time and saved the design drawing.

She stood up and went into the kitchen.

There are groceries that Shen Yueling bought yesterday in the refrigerator.

She took out tomatoes and eggs, preparing to cook dinner.

A meal for one is simple and quick to prepare.

She carried her plate to the table and sat down. Halfway through her meal, her phone rang.

It was a WeChat message from Yu Heng: Have you eaten yet?

Bai Xinran put down her chopsticks and typed with both hands: Eating now, scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Since you're not home, you can add sugar now, hehe.

Yu Heng: Pfft, I've never stopped you from putting it on before.

Bai Xinran: No, I'll make it your preferred flavor.

Bai Xinran stared at the screen and waited for a while, but received no more messages.

She put her phone aside and continued eating.

After finishing her meal, she washed the dishes and dried her hands.

Then I went into the bathroom.

She closed her eyes as hot water poured over her body.

The scenes from last night flashed through my mind.

Yu Heng's hand, Yu Heng's voice, Yu Heng...

She opened her eyes and turned off the tap.

After drying herself off, she put it back on.

The moment the buckle was fastened, I felt at ease.

-

The carpool driver dropped Shen Yueling off at the entrance of her residential complex, and Yu Heng helped her take her bag down.

"Shall I pick you up tomorrow afternoon?" Yu Heng asked.

"Okay, I'll contact you by phone." Shen Yueling took the bag and turned to enter the residential area.

Yu Heng got back into the car, and a dozen minutes later, the car stopped in front of an old-style residential building.

Yu Heng paid the money and went upstairs with his backpack.

The living room lights were on, and a variety show was playing quietly on the TV.

Zhou Wanyi poked her head out of the kitchen, wearing an apron.

"You're back?" she asked softly. "Xiao Hui just fell asleep."

"Hmm." Yu Heng bent down to change his shoes. "I really have already eaten and am back. Why are you going through all this trouble?"

"I haven't eaten either," Zhou Wanyi said, turning back to the kitchen. "Wash your hands and have something to eat with us."

Yu Heng placed his backpack on the entryway cabinet and went into the bathroom.

When he dried his hands and came out, Zhou Wanyi had already placed two dishes on the dining table.

"I just made something quick." Zhou Wanyi took off her apron and draped it over the back of the chair before sitting down opposite Yu Heng.

"That's enough to eat." Yu Heng picked up his chopsticks.

The two ate quietly. Zhou Wanyi ate very slowly, poking at the rice with the tips of her chopsticks, and only picking up the side of the food closest to her.

Yu Heng glanced at her, and Zhou Wanyi immediately lowered her head and ate a mouthful of rice.

"You haven't filled out the questionnaire yet?" Yu Heng suddenly asked.

Zhou Wanyi paused, swallowed the rice in her mouth, and said in a slightly tense voice, "Not yet... I've been a bit busy these past few days."

"What are you busy with?"

"Well... things at home," Zhou Wanyi said vaguely. "Mom's been busy at the factory lately, so Xiaohui is sometimes home alone during the day."

"That won't do," Yu Heng narrowed his eyes. "How old is the child?"

"It's okay when the child is young. Nothing will happen if he stays in the playpen. At most, he'll just cry a little," Zhou Wanyi sighed. "Once the child gets older, he really won't be able to be left alone."

Yu Heng pursed his lips, recalling that Liu Jianfen had taken early retirement to take care of him.

Originally intending to steer the atmosphere towards something more intimate, Yu Heng instead steered it towards such a heavy topic. He frowned and said, "Sister-in-law, why don't you hire a housekeeper? That would make things much easier for you."

"Hiring a housekeeper costs a lot of money," Zhou Wanyi said. "I might as well quit my job."

"I'm rich," Yu Heng said with a smile. "I earn tens of thousands a month now, and I'll earn even more in the future."

"Tens of thousands?" Zhou Wanyi looked up at him. "Is that stuff really that profitable?"

"That's not it, it's what I made in the live streaming industry," Yu Heng chuckled. "Anyway, I can still afford to hire a housekeeper."

"That won't work either," Zhou Wanyi said seriously. "You're not married yet. You should save your money for your own wedding and buying a house. After you get married, you'll have to raise children, and raising children is expensive these days."

"Sister-in-law," Yu Heng said earnestly, "My brother is gone, so this nephew is like a son to me. I will raise him just like my brother."