[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-102":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","1987: My Era",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2259262,4409,"Chapter 102: Boundless Glory, Farewell (Request Subscription!)","1987-my-era-chapter-102",102,"\u003Cp>July 3rd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since this was the last day of class before the college entrance exam, the school scheduled all four afternoon periods for homeroom teachers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the fifth and sixth periods, Teacher Wang Qi taught only half a history lesson—just two predicted exam questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he set down the textbook, propped his right hand on the desk, cleared his throat twice, and waited until everyone fell silent and looked up at him before solemnly saying: “Classmates, your high school lessons have officially ended here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I took over you, it was Old Wang who gave you your first lesson; today, it’s still Old Wang giving you your final lesson. This is what Taoism calls beginning and ending in harmony—it’s a proper full stop to your high school years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Wang Qi paused, then continued: “As for whether this full stop is perfect, I can’t guarantee it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing I’m very proud of is that under my strict discipline and suppression, you all made it through—still lively, still doing fine. I firmly believe that in university and in society, you’ll face no insurmountable obstacles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as you carry forward this perseverance and character, I’m certain you’ll achieve academic success, reach higher and farther places, and become people useful to your families, society, and your country.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wang spoke at length, less stern and less piercing than before, more humorous and self-deprecating. The students listened, then laughed; laughing, they soon cried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sentimental, the close-knit, were already hugging each other, sobbing loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those with ordinary feelings were just red-eyed, nodding silently to one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The classroom’s atmosphere was utterly unlike its usual atmosphere of hard work, diligence, and frantic studying. Each student who had once been determined to get into a top university and rise above others had become a tearful mess, finally showing the true face of youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng, who had lived two lives, felt nothing at first—but as the mood seeped in, he suddenly grew deeply melancholy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing many vow to meet once every winter break, he sighed: Where would there even be a once-a-year meeting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many, this farewell was final.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui stylishly brought a guestbook and asked a few friends to write her messages—first Song Yu, then Sun Manning and Chen Lijun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth, she placed the book on Li Heng’s desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked: “What do you want me to write? Or on what topic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui smiled softly, her ink-black eyes betraying a faint, involuntary allure. “Just write whatever comes to mind. Anything’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Heng truly wrote freely: “Chocolate is sweet, but not one ten-thousandth as sweet as your tender smile. May your life be as sweet and endlessly delightful as chocolate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl was beautiful, yes—but over three years, what left the deepest impression on him was her natural, subtle charm and the precious chocolate. So he wrote both down in one swift stroke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Heng’s message, Chen Lijun said: “That’s beautifully written. If I didn’t know you were obsessed with Song Yu, I’d have tried to set you two up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning slapped her forehead: “Oh no! Why didn’t I think to buy a guestbook? No, no—I’m going right now to the canteen to get one. Song Yu, Lijun, are you coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu smiled and pulled a guestbook from her bag: “I bought one with Mai Sui yesterday. I forgot to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa! Whoa! You two are so unfaithful!” Saying this, Sun Manning dragged Chen Lijun downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the unopened guestbook, Song Yu glanced at Li Heng, then at Mai Sui, thought for a moment, and finally handed the book first to Li Heng: “You’re so talented—help me polish the first page.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Mai Sui, unusually playful, blinked: “Song Yu, I’m suddenly a little jealous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu smiled prettily. “You’re next.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, he hadn’t expected Song Yu to hand him the guestbook first in front of others. He was flattered—and more than that, delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the book, Li Heng asked again: “Can I write whatever I want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met. Song Yu seemed to already guess what he’d write. After a moment of reserve, she gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui, intrigued by his words, leaned forward, resting her chin on the desk, watching his pen tip closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng glanced at Mai Sui, then ignored her entirely and began writing with his fountain pen:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I miss you again—that’s the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes I even envy myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart is mine,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>yet it’s filled entirely with you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had you appeared sooner, I would have proudly shown you off to everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Li Heng’s pen stopped abruptly. After a long silence, he signed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>July 3rd, 1987\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>December.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t use his real name—he used his literary pen name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did this because she had once said she was a celebrity herself; a few days ago, he had used a quote from Lin Huiyin to answer her question: “Why do you like me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So using a famous person to represent himself carried deep meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu had been unsure about his message—until she saw the three characters “December.” Then she understood his meaning at once, and fell silent for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui was baffled. She asked Li Heng: “Why didn’t you use your real name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu took the book, flipped to the second page: “Quick, write your message. Once you’re done, I won’t let it circulate anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui was even more confused: “You won’t let Lijun and Manning write?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu looked at Li Heng. Li Heng smiled: “You decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu paused, then smiled faintly: “The situation is special. After you write, I’ll tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing back and forth between the two, utterly perplexed, Mai Sui spent two minutes writing her message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu kept her word and immediately tucked the guestbook into her bag. Then she glanced at Li Heng again, and pulled out a copy of “Harvest” magazine from her desk, opening it to the story “To Live.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui bent over to read carefully—and almost instantly spotted the author’s name: “December.” She gasped: “Ah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, she looked up at Song Yu and Li Heng, then back down at “December,” and gasped again: “Ah?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Mai Sui stared at the page for a full half-minute before raising her head again, trembling as she asked Song Yu: “I-I can’t be… the same person, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu gave a soft “mm,” closed the magazine, and said calmly: “It’s him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this confirmation, Mai Sui turned her head slowly, staring dumbly at Li Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Surprise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Scared?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “I’ll treat you two to dinner tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui nodded, then shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was Li Heng’s turn to be puzzled. “Why? You can turn down a restaurant invitation? How about you treat me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui finally came back to herself, took a deep breath, and said: “I’ll treat you both. I’ve witnessed greatness and love.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng chuckled happily: “I love hearing that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu glanced at him, then said to Mai Sui: “Come with me downstairs for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui left, following her out of the classroom—but as she stepped through the door, she turned back one last time to look at Li Heng, her eyes still filled with shock and disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone was on the stairs, so she stayed silent until they reached the playground, where Mai Sui asked: “Going to the canteen to buy a guestbook?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu said: “If we go straight, we might run into Manning and Lijun. Walk with me around first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two girls took the path to the right of the teaching building, circled behind the artificial hill, and headed toward the canteen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the artificial hill, seeing no one around, Mai Sui whispered, loud enough only for the two of them: “Is it really him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu said yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, Mai Sui asked: “When did you find out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu recalled: “Soon after he finished the novel, he told me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui asked: “Were you the first to know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu replied: “Among the class, probably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui asked: “Who knew first—you or Chen Zijin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu instantly understood the hidden meaning in her friend’s question and remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui understood. Her best friend had silently confirmed it was her. After walking twenty meters forward, she spoke again: “He’s incredible! No wonder rumors spread that literary editors came to our school looking for the writer ‘December.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Manning told me, I thought it was a joke—I never imagined… not even Principal Sun expected it to be true. It was Li Heng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu said: “I heard too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui turned her head: “You’re so calm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking another ten meters, Mai Sui suddenly said: “Actually, Li Heng might have all kinds of flaws, maybe even be a bit fickle—but he’s utterly sincere with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu stayed silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sun Manning loudly demanded everyone write her messages, Class 204 erupted. Students rushed to the canteen to buy guestbooks—even though they weren’t cheap, since it was the last chance, many gritted their teeth and bought them anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After writing messages for Sun Manning, Liu Li, Chen Lijun, and Zou Aiming, the class monitor Liu Hui brought over two guestbooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “You bought two?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Hui glanced nervously at Song Yu, hesitated a long time, then said: “This one’s mine. The other belongs to a sophomore girl. After seeing your photo on the honor wall, she’s been trying to get me to introduce her to you—wants to meet you, wants to take you out to dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I knew you had Song Yu in your heart, so I never told you. Now we’re graduating, I can’t keep dodging it anymore. Just do me this favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng turned his head and asked Song Yu with a smile: “Write it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu looked at him with a faint smile, returned his gaze, and stayed silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng wrote: Study hard, make progress every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Hui read it aloud, then burst out laughing: “What the hell is this? So… so casual!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu and the students in front and behind—Mai Sui, Sun Manning, Liu Li—all looked curiously, then laughed without exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said seriously: “How can this be casual? For a student, studying is the top priority. No room for negligence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright, you’re Master Heng, you’re right. If the junior complains, I’ll pass on your exact words.” Liu Hui still laughed, taking the message book and walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng found Zhang Zhiyong. “Where’s your message book?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong was making his final push, memorizing politics. He waved his hand to shoo him off. “Don’t disturb me. What even is a message book? It doesn’t suit my demeanor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was speechless. He was starting to understand why Zhang Zhiyong, who loved being the center of attention, never bought a message book—he’d probably noticed most girls disliked his foul language, so he didn’t want to embarrass himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the bell rang for the seventh class, Teacher Wang Qi entered the classroom on time and walked up to the podium to distribute exam admission tickets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was taking the exam at the main campus of No. 1 High School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their small circle, Mai Sui and Liu Li were also at No. 1 High School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Song Yu, Chen Lijun, Sun Manning, and Zhang Zhiyong were all assigned to No. 2 High School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. 2 High School wasn’t far from No. 1, but not close either—about ten minutes’ walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like in memory, the annoying fool Liu Yejiang was in the same exam room as him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng’s admission ticket number was 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yejiang’s was 11.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the serpentine seating arrangement, Li Heng was the second in the first group, and that guy was the second in the second group—they sat side by side, separated only by an aisle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the tickets were handed out, the class burst into lively chatter. Everyone excitedly asked others where they were taking the exam, asking left and right—the classroom instantly turned into a chaotic mess, buzzing with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yejiang acted up again, shouting across the room: “Li Heng, this is your last chance! This time, I’ll definitely surpass you! I’ll make you live under my shadow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since his homeroom teacher was right beside him chatting, Li Heng held back the urge to go over and beat him senseless, and simply said two words: “You?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t say much, but his tone now openly revealed deep contempt—he’d had enough of this idiot’s repeated provocations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong, who’d long wanted to beat up Liu Yejiang, was different. He was single-minded, and since only two classes remained, he didn’t care who came—teacher or not—he wasn’t holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouted from behind: “Master Heng, you block the front, I’ll take the back—we’ll break this idiot’s legs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He acted on impulse—Zhang Zhiyong grabbed a stool and charged over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene stunned Teacher Wang Qi. The next second, her temper exploded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Zhiyong, what are you doing? Stop! I order you to stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yejiang, by the window, turned pale with fear. Seeing Li Heng and Zhang Zhiyong closing in from both sides, with Liu Li and Zou Ai ming helping, he frantically pried loose a loose steel bar, shoved his head out, and escaped through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason 215 Dormitory had become legendary across campus, and why Shaoshi people were who they were, was their sheer boldness—they never lost their grit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four chased him into the hallway, then into the next classroom. They’d barely surrounded him and started swinging when a group of teachers arrived and pulled them apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as the teachers dragged them away, Zou Aiming, the closest, strained to kick Liu Yejiang with his leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They say the most vicious enemies are former friends—and Zou Aiming proved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to him, Chen Lijun wasn’t anyone’s property. She was independent, single—you could secretly like her, I could secretly like her, every guy had the right to have a crush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Yejiang refused to let anyone else like the same girl, kept whining nonstop—this finally enraged Zou Aiming, and that night they had a massive fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, of course, it was old grudges and new ones combined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homeroom teacher didn’t punish Li Heng and the others, but turned pale and told Liu Yejiang:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really deserve a beating. If it weren’t for the school, do you think I wouldn’t handle you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vice principal who arrived also said: “Liu Yejiang, you really need to change your mouth. Li Heng beat you once last year—haven’t you learned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yejiang hung his head, now too scared to speak. He hadn’t expected the homeroom teacher to be there, hadn’t expected Li Heng, who’d been chatting with the teacher, would actually turn around and beat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Gaokao was imminent and all were high-achieving students, the school didn’t harshly reprimand anyone—after mediating, they were sent back to class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eighth class, Teacher Wang Qi organized the class to sing a song—the classic, well-known “Farewell”:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the pavilion, along the ancient road, green grass stretches to the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evening breeze brushes willows, the flute’s sound fades; beyond the mountains, the sun sets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the edge of heaven, at the corner of earth, old friends are scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gourd of turbid wine, the last of joy—tonight’s farewell dream is cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This song’s lyrics were written by Master Hongyi in 1915. The melody was tender and lingering, bringing tears to the eyes. After they finished, Teacher Wang Qi couldn’t help but blink back tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class 204 burst into tears again, overcome with emotion, unwilling to part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about ten minutes, as everyone’s emotions steadied slightly, the homeroom teacher stood on the podium and declared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Classmates, may you leap through the dragon’s gate, shine on the imperial list, and have all your wishes come true! Dismissed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Wang Qi officially dismissed them, then couldn’t bear to look at the scene any longer. She turned and left first, heading to the staff office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes, all feasts must end. Seeing the homeroom teacher leave, some students, reluctant, slowly picked up their backpacks and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, Chen Lijun—who’d always been quiet and unassuming—was the most emotional. She walked away crying, saying her second aunt from Shaoshi had come to pick her up, and she’d be eating dinner at her aunt’s tonight, returning to school tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning, usually the most lively, was unusually tearful, telling the group:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope you all get into Peking University. Waaah, now I’ll be the only one going south.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she picked up her last stack of books and went home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group exchanged silent glances. After a long while, Mai Sui asked Song Yu: “Are you going home tonight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu thought for a moment. “I can go home, or I can stay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui beamed. “Then let’s first take our stuff back to the dorm, and later I’ll treat you two to dinner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most belongings had already been moved. The two girls had only a few books, and Li Heng did too. They agreed to meet by the small rock garden at around five, then returned to their dorms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way, Zhang Zhiyong leaned over and asked: “Master Heng, are you eating with someone else tonight, or with me and Liu Li?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “What’s your fancy dinner plan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Li sighed. “This idiot says he wants to eat at the live fish restaurant by Shaoshui Bridge. So expensive—a meal costs over ten yuan. I’ve never seen such a wasteful thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the idiot, your whole family’s idiots. Say that again and I’ll knock your head off tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong patted Liu Li’s head and asked Li Heng: “Give me a straight answer—come or not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Too expensive. I can’t afford it. I’ll eat with someone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn! I knew you had plans with someone else. Fine, don’t come. We’ll call Zou Aiming—we three will drink some wine and make that guy jealous.” Zhang Zhiyong grumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Aiming had shown great loyalty today and earned everyone’s respect—but sadly, graduation was imminent, and this might be their last gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing the neighboring teaching building, Li Heng handed his few books to Zhang Zhiyong, who sprinted off to Classroom 206.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found not a soul—empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his way out, he bumped into Teacher Luo from Class 206 in the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him, Teacher Luo asked: “You’re looking for Yang Yingwen and the others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng politely greeted her: “Teacher.” He confirmed he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Luo said: “You’re late. I let them go during the seventh class. Why not wait for them by the girls’ dorm entrance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, he’d come for nothing. Li Heng trudged downstairs, dejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting by the girls’ dorm entrance? No thanks—what if Xiao Han and Song Yu ran into each other? That’d be unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even he’d be that reckless. He gave up the idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Xiao Han was from the same small town as him—there’d be plenty of chances later. No need to rush now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spent half an hour in the dorm, tidying his belongings. At exactly five, he appeared at the rock garden entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu and Mai Sui had already arrived. Seeing him, they called out: “You’re here. Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing the big playground, Li Heng glanced at the third floor of the teachers’ housing complex and asked: “Should we call Sun Manning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu said: “Sun Manning’s family has guests today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving campus, the three didn’t go to the popular Lao Liu Restaurant, nor toward Shaoshui Bridge. Instead, they detoured to Shaoshi Normal College, then took Hongqi Road into the city center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was surprised. “You planned this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui replied: “The food here tastes best. After dinner, we can walk around Chengnan Park.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, they passed a photo studio. Li Heng suddenly had an idea: “Forget Chengnan Park. You two look like this—on a night like this, I can’t protect you alone. Let’s take photos. After that, we go home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui burst out laughing. “See? I told you he’d drag you to take photos. We came to the right place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu looked at him calmly, then walked on quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Chengnan Park was just an excuse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui said: “Not entirely. My uncle works at the police station next to the park. He often comes out to cool off after work—it’s not dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he understand: her second uncle was the station chief, and the local thugs treated him like a deity. Mai Sui had played in Chengnan Park since childhood—everyone knew her, no one would bother her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng glanced at Mai Sui’s increasingly mature figure and thought: only because it was familiar territory. In other small towns across the country, going out alone at night these days wouldn’t be safe at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Please subscribe! Please vote for monthly tickets!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(And…)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3535,"2026-06-19T15:27:33.982Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1f8ca4ea8095cfd162fcb272e27bcc453a1907ed02c288066e86c75ec1bbb945","1987-my-era-chapter-103","1987-my-era-chapter-101",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]