Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 44: Why don't you go sleep with me, Zhang?

Two days later, Zhao Yanxi left Xingcheng and returned to Zhuzhou to prepare for the start of the school year.

Also taken away was Wen Shu, who was already eager to play but was constantly reminded by her older sister Wen Jing to study hard.

Without that always energetic purple-haired girl, life suddenly became quiet, empty, and slightly boring...

That evening, Ding Heng drove to the McDonald's as usual.

Usually, the two girls would come out together, chattering away, with Wenjing always following half a step behind Zhao Yanxi.

Today, Wenjing is all alone.

The little rabbit dawdled out of McDonald's, stopped at the door and looked around. When it saw the familiar Changan SUV, it lowered its head and ran over with small steps.

She instinctively reached for the back door, then paused, turned around, opened the passenger door, and got in.

Ding Heng handed over a bottle of iced mineral water: "Here, what do you want to eat tonight?"

Wenjing took the water and took a sip: "I'll just grab something to eat at the hotel."

"OK."

Ding Heng started the car.

After dinner, Ding Heng accompanied Wen Jing into the elevator and finally swiped his card to enter the executive suite where they had been staying for more than a month.

The door closed behind me with a soft "click".

Without Zhao Yanxi fiddling with things, watching videos, or chatting loudly, the large suite felt incredibly empty and quiet.

Wenjing stood in the entryway and saw Ding Heng naturally lie down on the sofa, and she was at a loss for what to do.

In the past, Ding Heng rarely went into their rooms on his own initiative. Even if they occasionally ate together in the room, he would leave quickly after the meal.

This "refusing to leave" situation seems to be the first time it's happened today!

Wen Jing looked at Ding Heng, who was slumped on the sofa, her fingers unconsciously twisting together: "You...you..."

Ding Heng looked up at her, his smile unreadable: "What, aren't you going to welcome me in for a bit?"

"No, no!"

Wenjing quickly shook her head, her face slightly flushed.

This room was originally given to her and Zhao Yanxi by Ding Heng, so what right does she have to not welcome them?

The sudden alone time between the two of them made her feel more nervous than ever before.

She walked over silently and sat down on the single sofa next to Ding Heng, with a coffee table between them.

Neither of them spoke, and they just sat there for a while before Ding Heng suddenly burst out laughing.

Wenjing looked over, puzzled.

Ding Heng teased, "Do you and Yan hope usually just sit like this in your room, staring at each other?"

Wenjing wanted to laugh at his words, but she held it in and shook her head: "No."

"So what do you usually do?"

"We just... take a shower, tidy up, check our phones, chat for a bit, and then go to sleep."

Wenjing answered honestly.

"oh."

Ding Heng nodded, gesturing with his chin towards the bathroom: "Then go ahead."

"what?"

Wenjing was taken aback.

"Go take a shower, isn't that your usual routine?"

Ding Heng spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Wenjing blushed again.

In front of Ding Heng... go take a bath?

Even though there was a door between us, something still felt off.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Wenjing finally gave a soft "hmm," picked up her change of clothes, went into the bathroom, and gently closed the door.

Soon, the sound of dripping water came from the bathroom.

Ding Heng casually scrolled through short videos, his face showing no particular expression.

About twenty minutes later, the sound of water stopped.

Wenjing returned to her previous seat and sat down again, her body carrying a fresh fragrance mixed with the scent of shower gel.

Ding Heng turned his head to look.

The girl was wearing a light pink cotton loungewear set, a simple and unpretentious style with short sleeves and shorts.

Her long hair was still wet, and she covered it with a hair drying cap, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.

She had no makeup on, no deliberate dressing up, her skin was flushed and rosy from the heat, and her eyes were moist; she looked the simplest and cleanest.

Like an ordinary girl who has just come home and unloaded all her burdens, she exudes an unguarded softness and cuteness.

Ding Heng put down his phone, his gaze lingering on her for two seconds.

Wenjing felt uncomfortable under his gaze and, trying to make conversation, asked, "Are you... are you going to take a shower too?"

"I'll wash? What will I do after that?"

"Dry……"

Wenjing had barely uttered a single word when her face flushed crimson, and she lowered her head again.

What can a lone man and woman do?

Ding Heng put away his joking expression, let out a soft breath, and decided to get down to business.

He leaned forward slightly, clasped his hands on his knees, and his tone suddenly became serious: "Wenjing, how exactly is things at home?"

"My home...I..."

Wenjing subconsciously wanted to brush it off, but when she met Ding Heng's serious gaze, she finally confessed everything.

"My family wants my younger brother to attend the best private primary school in Zhuzhou, and we have already paid the deposit and registration fee."

But the factory isn't doing well this year, so my parents' wages have been paid intermittently, and they still haven't paid their bonuses from last year...

My dad tried to make some money in the stock market a while ago, but he lost it all.

They were urging my sister to get married because they wanted to get the bride price and dowry quickly to tide them over. I didn't expect my sister to react so strongly, making such a scene…”

After she finished speaking, she secretly glanced at Ding Heng and found that the other man had no expression on his face, showing neither sympathy nor criticism, but simply listening quietly.

Ding Heng didn't care about the constant bickering between Wenjing's parents and sister; he only cared about one thing.

"Will these things have any specific impact on you?"

Wenjing nodded, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"Hmm... I might have some trouble covering my tuition and living expenses."

"Can't I apply for financial aid for students from impoverished families?"

"I asked my counselor beforehand."

Wenjing sighed: "My parents are both employees of a state-owned enterprise, and they have urban household registration. They own a house and a car, so they may not meet the application requirements."

Her situation is indeed more complicated than that of a typical "poor student".

The family has a heavy burden, and resources are being tilted towards the younger brother, but the apparent "hard conditions" are blocking the channel for subsidies.

A typical "sandwich generation" dilemma.

Ding Heng looked at the girl's lowered eyes and felt a softening in his heart.

However, despite his soft heart, he had no intention of beating around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Wenjing, if I help you financially, such as by covering your tuition and living expenses, would you feel uncomfortable or find it difficult to accept?"

"I……"

Wenjing suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide open, and was momentarily speechless.

refuse?

During this time, Ding Heng arranged jobs for her, provided luxurious accommodations, took her out to eat and drink, and even gave her expensive clothes... She passively accepted all of this.

If we suddenly raise our flag and refuse only when it comes to "money", wouldn't it seem pretentious and affected?

If you agree...

Two words suddenly popped into Wenjing's mind—sugar baby!

Or rather, she had unknowingly entered into a situation where she was being "kept" by Ding Heng without realizing it.

"Ding Heng...why are you helping me like this?"

What do you think?

Ding Heng leaned back on the sofa and threw the question back at him.

Wenjing pursed her lips and did not answer.

She dared not, and was too embarrassed to, say that word.

Ding Heng waited a few seconds before slowly speaking.

"Wenjing, you don't need to dwell on my motives. The answer is what you think in your own heart."

If you think I'm just a kind-hearted person with too much money to burn, then that's what you should think.

If you think I have ulterior motives or impure intentions... that's fine too.

The important question now is, are you willing to accept my continued assistance?

He paused, his tone calm.

"Of course, as I said before, you have to learn to say no, and naturally, the people you can 'say no' include me."

Wenjing's fingers unconsciously tapped the sofa, her mind a jumbled mess.

Reason, emotion, self-esteem, the pressure of reality... all intertwined.

"Can I think about it some more?"

She finally pleaded in a low voice, "One week...no, three days...I..."

"No rush."

Ding Heng interrupted her: "Take your time to think it over. I can wait no matter how long you take."

That's enough for today.

Ding Heng stood up to leave, but Wen Jing suddenly spoke up again.

"Ding Heng!"

"Um?"

Ding Heng turned around and saw Wen Jing asking a nervous question.

"Can you stay?"

"Um?"

Ding Heng raised an eyebrow.

"I……"

Wenjing lowered her head: "I've slept in the same room with my sister since I was little... It's been a very, very long time since I've spent the night alone... I'm a little... scared."

Looking at the pitiful little rabbit in front of him, Ding Heng shook his head: "I don't want to sleep in a hotel."

Wenjing's shoulders slumped slightly, and a look of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

"so……"

Ding Heng's voice then rang out.

"Come back to sleep with me."