"Can you act a bit normal? I'm driving here."
Shen Lang pulled his hand back, blushing and feeling his heart race.
He actually had a fleeting thought about fulfilling Ye Yinan's request. No wonder people say everyone has a little devil inside them. It's true; sometimes, you just end up liking unconventional things. With such a beautiful girl asking for a reward, who could say no?
Even Shen Lang, who prides himself on being a pure and normal romantic, almost lost his composure.
"Are you coming out to hang out tomorrow morning?"
Trying to change the subject, Shen Lang asked, "I'm going to the agency to pick out actors. Want to come along?"
"Yeah, sure."
Ye Yinan responded but kept her gaze lingering on Shen Lang's hand on the steering wheel.
"Sigh…"
Shen Lang let out a deep breath, feeling like he's dealing with a woman even more dramatic than Li Liusi.
After dropping Ye Yinan off at the security guard's designated spot, Shen Lang drove home alone.
Just as he was about to go to bed after a shower, Ye Yinan's WeChat message came through.
Sea Island Snow: "Shen Lang, I'm curious, what exactly are we to each other right now?"
[1: Answer honestly: We're more than friends but less than lovers.]
[2: Brush it off: I don't know, we've only known each other for a few days. We're probably just friends, don't you think?]
[3: Insult her: You masochistic paper tiger, with the common sense of a primary school student, seeking attention in the middle of the night? You just love it when I berate you, don't you!]
"System, enough already!"
Shen Lang complained weakly.
But he knew if he answered with option three, Ye Yinan, with her unusual preferences, would actually appreciate it.
"Hmm... maybe I should give it a try. After all, she likes this kind of thing."
Shen Lang thought for a moment, then reluctantly sent option three's reply.
It turned out, giving her what she liked actually worked.
Ding! Ye Yinan's affection for you has increased by 3, now at 43 points. Keep it up.
"Damn, it really worked!"
Shen Lang shook his head, realizing that special responses only work on special people.
Just then, Ye Yinan called with a voice message.
Shen Lang was surprised. Did she get upset? The message was pretty harsh, but the affection score went up. What's going on?
He answered the call, but the other end was silent except for heavy breathing.
"Hello?"
"Shen, Shen Lang."
"Seriously, I thought you liked this way of chatting. Are you upset?"
"No, no."
"Then why the voice message?"
"I... I wanted to hear you insult me directly."
"What the hell? What are you doing?"
Hearing something inappropriate from the other end, Shen Lang blushed and ended the call.
Honestly, Shen Lang couldn't handle this side of Ye Yinan. It was too much.
After a night's sleep, Shen Lang was restless, unable to fall asleep.
Not long after, Ye Yinan sent a message.
Sea Island Snow: "Thanks, I'm fine now."
After a night's sleep: "?
....
During the following days, Shen Lang was incredibly busy, mostly staying at the rented shooting location in Hengdian.
Casting actors, finding locations, buying equipment—these tedious tasks would have been overwhelming without Ye Yinan's exceptional connections. Shen Lang would still be floundering without her help.
Su Lexuan and Li Liusi, meanwhile, were working hard to pass their English exams. For freshmen, these exams are crucial for future plans like civil service exams, entering state-owned or foreign enterprises, and further studies.
Even Su Lexuan, who used to chat with Shen Lang for hours after school, now barely had time to exchange a few words before she had to dive back into her textbooks.
The landlady wasn't too busy, but after learning about Shen Lang's entrepreneurship, she didn't approach him much, only offering help if needed.
So, Shen Lang spent most of his time with Ye Yinan, enjoying her company outside.
"Why haven't you sent any messages home lately? Have you gone mad making money?"
In the underground parking lot of the agency, Shen Lang was video calling his mom, Cheng Lijuan.
But since Shen Lang didn't turn on his camera, Cheng Lijuan couldn't see the exaggerated scene on his end.
"Didn't I tell you? I'm busy filming short videos. Where would I have time to spare?"
"So, how's it going with that Lexuan girl? You two still together?"
"Yeah, still together. Damn, why are you biting me?"
"Hmm? What are you talking about? What are you up to?"
"Driving. Anything you need? If not, I'm hanging up. Busy today."
"I wanted to ask if you're planning to bring Lexuan home for the New Year. Your grandparents want to meet her."
"Not now, I'll call you back later."
Shen Lang, not really paying attention, hung up and looked at Ye Yinan with a mix of frustration and amusement. He felt her warm, soft mouth on his finger and asked, "Is this really necessary? Aren't you bothered by it?"
"Yeah."
Ye Yinan mumbled, barely understandable.
"I really don't know what to make of you."
Shen Lang pulled his finger out of her mouth with a popping sound. "Try to be a bit more reserved, will you?"
Shen Lang had always been quite restrained in this regard, but Ye Yinan had been persistently pushing his boundaries. During their chat with Shen Lang's mom, she had taken the initiative to hold his hand and started doing this.
Shen Lang was torn between embarrassment and anger, starting the car and muttering, "Damn it, if I end up like you, you're definitely to blame!"
Ye Yinan was pleased with Shen Lang's attitude and her growing affection for him. She held his hand with a dreamy smile, a hint of saliva still on her lips. "Yeah, I'll take responsibility."