Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

"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, what's going on at your 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 subsidies 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 "hardware 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 hard 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 go ahead and think that way.

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 the people you can 'say no' to naturally 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, "A week...no, three days...I..."

"Not urgent."

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!"

"Is there anything else?"

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

"Can you stay?"

"Ok?"

"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."

Chapter 45: Daily Life of Living Together (Part 1)

At six o'clock in the morning, Wenjing woke up in Ding Heng's guest room.

The first rays of morning light shone through the gaps in the curtains, and the air was filled with a faint smell of dust and old furniture.

The bed was hard, and the bedding was made of plain cotton, making it far less comfortable than the king-size bed in a hotel executive suite.

But strangely, she slept exceptionally soundly.

The first thing Wenjing did upon opening her eyes was to reach for her phone on the pillow, intending to send Ding Heng a "good morning" message and a selfie, as she always did.

Suddenly, she stopped moving.

Oh, right, she's living in Ding Heng's house now, just across the wall.

It seems... there's no need to use a mobile phone.

Wenjing blinked, tiptoed out of bed, quickly washed up, and went to Ding Heng's bedroom door, gently knocking on the door.

"Ding Heng, good morning."

A rustling sound of fabric rubbing came from inside. Ding Heng was not fully awake yet, and his voice was still nasal.

"Yes, good morning."

What would you like to eat for breakfast?

"casual."

The person inside seemed to have turned over, their voice muffled by the pillow.

"it is good……"

Wenjing responded and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

Half an hour later, Ding Heng walked out of the bedroom with a yawn. The table in the living room was already set with bowls and chopsticks.

In the kitchen, Wenjing, wearing a light blue apron, was intently stirring noodles in a pot with chopsticks, her profile bathed in a soft golden light from the morning sun.

Hearing footsteps, Wenjing turned around, looking slightly shy: "You're awake? Breakfast will be ready soon."

Ding Heng smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Wenjing shook her head, turned off the heat, neatly scooped the noodles into two bowls, and then poured the prepared soup base and toppings over them.

"It's alright, it's just cooking a meal... You should try it, I added a little extra chili to suit your taste."

Two bowls of noodles were served. The soup was clear, with red oil and bright green scallions floating on the surface. A crispy fried egg lay on top of the noodles, and a few pieces of green vegetables were garnished on the side.

Ding Heng pulled out a chair, sat down, picked up a chopstick, and put it in his mouth.

"How about it?"

Wenjing sat opposite Ding Heng, her hands on her knees, staring at him intently with a tense expression.

"Delicious, with perfect color, aroma, and taste."

Ding Heng spoke the truth.

The noodles were cooked to perfection, the broth was flavorful, and the spiciness was just right to whet the appetite.

Wenjing breathed a sigh of relief, lowered her head and began to eat her own bowl, and for a moment the only sound on the table was the soft slurping.

"I'll take you to work later."

Ding Heng finished the last bite and put down his chopsticks.