Chapter 107: They

“Missing a brain, Liu Li, let’s go get something to eat—come or not?”

Zhang Zhiyong, who had just returned to the dorm, leapt up: “Master Li, where are we eating?”

Li Heng explained the plan to gather at the English teacher’s home for dinner.

Hearing Chen Lijun would be there, Liu Li proudly dug out a fresh set of clothes: “Wait for me—I’m going to shower.”

“No electric fans in the exam hall today—I was soaked in sweat. I nearly passed out from my own stink. Gotta wash clean, leave her a good impression.”

Both Li Heng and Zhang Zhiyong were sweaty, so they headed together to the public bathhouse.

“Hey! Li Heng, you go over there—don’t stand with us.”

In the bathhouse, Liu Li glanced down at himself, then at Li Heng, and a wave of inferiority rose within him.

He was deeply puzzled: they were both men, both human—how could the difference be so extreme?

The dim-witted one, who’d suffered similar torment, chimed in enthusiastically: “Exactly! Get over there!”

“So damn impressive, I can’t even take out my dick to pee anymore.”

Li Heng chuckled, glancing at them with playful mockery: “I’ll stay as I am—feel free to compare after you’ve polished yourselves.”

Zhang Zhiyong and Liu Li were fully provoked—they dumped two buckets of water over him, splashing back and forth until the bathhouse turned into a water-festival chaos.

After showering, as they left the bathhouse, Liu Li tugged at his dripping hair and launched into a melancholy monologue:

“I wonder if I’ll even get into Renmin University—if I don’t, tonight might be the last time I see Chen Lijun.”

The dim-witted one egged him on: “Then confess tonight.”

Liu Li cursed: “You’re an idiot.”

The dim-witted one grabbed his ear: “You’re the idiot. Confess while drinking—success or not, just play drunk and I’ll carry you home.”

Liu Li was tempted, but too embarrassed—he muttered again, half-heartedly: “You’re still an idiot.”

After hanging up their clean clothes, the three walked together to the teachers’ residential building.

This was Zhang Zhiyong and Liu Li’s first time in this area; their earlier bickering vanished, replaced by awkward silence as they trailed obediently behind Li Heng like shadows.

As expected, Song Yu and the others had already arrived.

Besides Mai Sui and Chen Lijun, Sun Manning from the neighboring class was also there.

Upon meeting, everyone immediately asked about exam results.

Sun Manning patted her flat chest and declared: “Zhongda should be a sure thing.”

Chen Lijun, however, felt uncertain about Renmin University.

The reason? The math exam had been too hard—she’d lost her full confidence.

Li Heng comforted her: “Nothing in life is 100%. If you’ve got a 50% chance, go all in. Don’t worry—you’ll make it.”

Chen Lijun, not wanting to dampen the mood with her own exam worries, teased him: “Li Heng, how confident are you about Song Yu?”

Li Heng looked at Song Yu; she subtly turned her gaze away.

Amid the group’s gossiping stares, Li Heng stood up, poured himself a cup of tea, and gave them his back: “She’s my April sky.”

The line came from Lin Huiyin—he believed Song Yu would understand immediately.

Coincidentally, Chen Lijun also knew its origin; she smiled and added: “You are love, warmth, hope—you are April in this world. Song Yu, I envy you so much. You’re so lucky.”

Song Yu quietly accepted the tea Li Heng offered; in that fleeting glance between them, there was both shyness and confusion.

Without Chen Zijin, would she have truly paused to seriously consider things with him?

But reality had no “what ifs”—Chen Zijin was always there, objectively real.

This made proud, reserved Song Yu instinctively avoid any topic related to feelings—especially anything about him.

For Li Heng, at this stage, she dared not think deeply, refused to think deeply—her moral compass forbade it.

Wang Qi and the English teacher returned, arms full; boxes of food stacked one atop another in their bags—over ten dishes.

Li Heng peered inside and whistled: “Whoa! Did you guys move the cafeteria here?”

Teacher Wang Qi laughed: “The cafeteria only had eleven dishes today. I was in a good mood, so I ordered five stir-fries—all meat. I’ll make sure you’re well-fed.”

The sixteen dishes were laid out, filling the tea table completely.

The English teacher told Li Heng: “I bought some wine and put it in the fridge—come with me to get it.”

In the kitchen, Li Heng stared at the shelves lined with all kinds of liquor and asked: “Teacher, when did you buy all this? How did I never notice?”

Wang Runwen replied: “Your mind’s entirely on Song Yu—why would you care about this? Stop wasting time. Pick a few bottles, take them over. I’ll cook rice.”

As Li Heng selected the wine, he asked gently: “Teacher, are you lonely? Do you often drink alone?”

Wang Runwen scoffed: “What’s it to you? You want to help me with my loneliness?”

Li Heng turned to look at her: “Wow, you’re fired up—did you swallow a bullet? Or did I hit a nerve?”

With a sharp snap, Wang Runwen slammed the fridge shut, flipped her long hair, and smiled as she snapped: “Get out. Don’t stand here annoying me. Go to Song Yu.”

“Alright, got it.” Li Heng turned and obediently shuffled off.

Drinking—this was the first time any of them had ever drunk alcohol after three years of high school. Everyone was curious, eager, yet slightly awkward.

Li Heng was the first to raise his glass.

He poured a cup for Teacher Wang Qi, then one for himself, raised it, and said:

“Teacher, thank you for not killing me these past few years. This cup is for you—I wish you good health and success in the days ahead.”

“Success,” of course, meant reuniting with his wife at Yali High School.

“Fine, you little rascal—I’ll drink this in one gulp.” Teacher Wang Qi laughed, clinked glasses with him, and downed it.

Li Heng followed suit, then poured two more cups—one for the English teacher: “Teacher, this one’s for you.”

The English teacher took the cup but didn’t drink, glancing sideways: “No toast?”

Teacher Wang Qi burst out laughing: “Don’t be jealous. I’m his homeroom teacher—you’re just his English teacher. There’s a difference.”

Li Heng quickly added: “There is—I just haven’t said it yet. May you stay forever eighteen, as beautiful as a flower.”

Wang Runwen glanced at Song Yu, then at Mai Sui, and teased herself:

“I once thought I was beautiful as a flower—but three years ago, when I saw the two of them, I realized I’d been staring at the sky from the bottom of a well.”

After Li Heng and Wang Runwen drank, Teacher Wang Qi, determined to drop his stern image and play the fool, asked:

“Staring from the bottom of a well? I remember you went to Renmin University—weren’t there any beauties there? Can’t you find a real beauty in Beijing?”

Wang Runwen glanced at him, bluntly: “There are, of course—but do you think someone like Song Yu is easy to come across?”

Teacher Wang Qi studied Song Yu closely, then chuckled: “Don’t compare her to anyone else. Her parents aren’t from Shaoshan—her mother’s from Taojiang. You’ve heard of her mother’s reputation, haven’t you?”

Song Yu’s mother was famous throughout the region—everyone had heard of her.

Wang Runwen nodded, her gaze shifting to Mai Sui: “The first time I saw Mai Sui, I thought of my best friend—though she had a more mature aura.”

Li Heng chimed in: “Also naturally seductive, like that?”

The group froze, then erupted in laughter.

Mai Sui’s cheeks flushed crimson, blossoms of embarrassment blooming one after another as she turned her head away.

Song Yu glanced at him, then reached over and poured him more wine.

Wang Runwen shook her head: “No. My best friend and Mai Sui are completely opposite—she’s elegant, refined, a true lady of noble birth. I think of her when I see Mai Sui only because they’re equally beautiful.”

With the group buzzing, Zhang Zhiyong dared to ask: “Teacher, is that the girl in the photo?”

Wang Runwen said: “Yes, that’s her.”

Everyone asked what photo; Wang Runwen replied: “It’s not here—it’s in my old house in the city.”

With Li Heng warming the mood, the atmosphere exploded—Liu Li, Zhang Zhiyong, and the others took turns toasting the two teachers.

Teacher Wang Qi asked Zhang Zhiyong: “How did you do on the exam?”

Zhang Zhiyong, unusually serious, thumped his chest loudly: “Teacher, don’t worry—I’m definitely getting into university this time.”

Teacher Wang Qi patted his shoulder: “Good. For that, I’ll drink three rounds with you.”

Thinking of the dim-witted one, Teacher Wang Qi felt a mix of emotions.

He remembered when they first split into liberal arts and science classes—he and Teacher Yang from Class 205 didn’t want to take this average student with powerful connections. But the school wouldn’t let them refuse.

Eventually, with no way out, Wang Qi and Teacher Yang drew lots to decide his fate.

Wang Qi drew bad luck—he got Zhang Zhiyong.

When it came to Liu Li, Teacher Wang Qi sighed: “Look at you—Li Heng’s English has caught up, but you’re still stuck. You could’ve done so much better.”

Liu Li rubbed his nose, wanting to retort: “The English teacher never gave me extra help,” but changed his words:

“I’m just slow. I can’t learn English—it goes in one ear and out the other. I’m frustrated too.”

But it was done—saying more wouldn’t help. Teacher Wang Qi raised his glass and clinked it with him cheerfully.

After the toasts, the group split into two: the English teacher drank with the four girls.

Li Heng and the two boys drank and ate with the homeroom teacher, occasionally crossing over to the other group—joyful and warm.

They’d all been good kids, never drunk before—easily tipsy, easily drunk.

Sure enough, tipsy and encouraged by Zhang Zhiyong, Liu Li raised a glass to Chen Lijun, slurring:

“C-C-Chen Lijun, h-how do you think of m-me?”

Everyone looked at her; Chen Lijun, flustered, asked: “What do you mean—what aspect?”

Already drunk, Liu Li copied Li Heng’s boldness and pushed forward: “I mean—in every way—do we have a chance?”

Before he finished, Chen Lijun looked down, interrupting him, cheeks flushed: “Go dream about it.”

Rejected, and never having faced such a moment before, Liu Li couldn’t bear the shame—he drank more, desperately trying to get drunk, forcing himself to stay calm and drank another round.

As expected, he passed out. He collapsed on the sofa, fast asleep.

Seeing this, Sun Manning poked Liu Li’s face and sympathetically said:

“Tsk tsk! Why copy Li Heng’s thick skin? Look where it got you—you’ve got no excuse but your face isn’t his.”

Li Heng frowned, “Sister Sun, don’t drag me into everything.”

Sun Manning pointed at Song Yu, indignant: “You’ve called yourself shameless so many times, yet Song Yu—such a stunning beauty—still sits with you.”

She even pours you wine from time to time—surely it’s only because you’ve got a handsome face, and Song Yu can’t bring herself to completely reject you?”

Before Li Heng could retort, Mai Sui quickly pulled Sun Manning’s hand down and smiled to defuse the tension: “Manning’s a bit drunk. You two keep company with the teacher—I’ll talk to her.”

Pulling her to the bathroom, Mai Sui whispered to Sun Manning: “What’s gotten into you today? Why are you picking on Li Heng?”

Sun Manning cupped cold water in her palms and splashed it on her face, pouting: “I’m not picking on him—I just spoke the truth. Look how the homeroom teacher dotes on him, how the English teacher, a woman no less, dotes on him too.”

Song Yu may refuse him every time, but afterward she acts like nothing happened, still staying close to him.”

And then there’s Chen Zijin—what did I say wrong?”

Mai Sui suddenly blurted: “Do you like Li Heng? Are you secretly jealous?”

Sun Manning froze, then shook her head. “Not at all.”

Mai Sui asked: “Then do you like Liu Li?”

Sun Manning shook her head again. “No. Neither of them is my type.”

Mai Sui chuckled: “Then what’s your type?”

Sun Manning tilted her head, thought for a moment, then shook her head again: “I don’t know. I haven’t met him yet. But whoever he is, he has to make me fall for him at first sight.”

Mai Sui said: “That’s going to be hard.”

Sun Manning shot back: “Why’s it hard?”

Mai Sui spoke with quiet depth: “You’ll understand later.”

Sun Manning, Bufuqi , grabbed Mai Sui’s arm as she turned to leave: “What do you mean ‘later’? Don’t be cryptic.”

Mai Sui turned back: “Why does Li Heng dare to pursue Song Yu? Why does Chen Zijin like him? Why has Xiao Han secretly loved him for so many years? Think about it yourself.”

Sun Manning’s mouth dropped open in shock: “Xiao… Xiao Han? The Xiao Han from Class 206?”

Mai Sui said: “Yes, her.”

The information was too much—Sun Manning couldn’t process it: “Xiao Han secretly loves him? For years? Is that even real?”

Seeing her reaction, Mai Sui smiled sweetly: “Absolutely true.”

Sun Manning asked: “How did you find out?”

Mai Sui said: “Chen Zijin told me.”

Sun Manning stood frozen for a long while, then burst out: “Damn!”

Mai Sui said: “You swore.”

Sun Manning rolled her eyes, shifting blame: “It’s all Zhang Zhiyong’s fault—I’ve got to stay away from him.”

That night, due to the good atmosphere, the homeroom teacher got drunk—drunk by Li Heng and the clueless one together.

Song Yu and Chen Lijun also drank until their minds blurred, sitting on the sofa too lethargic to move.

Mai Sui, however, had a natural tolerance for alcohol—she drank all night without her face changing color, still clinking glasses with the English teacher.

Li Heng asked her: “You drink often?”

Mai Sui shook her head: “No, only with family during holidays.”

Wang Qi couldn’t help asking: “Then how are you so good at drinking?”

Mai Sui smiled: “Teacher, I don’t know—I just think the taste is nice.”

Look at her—she’s got a gift from heaven. One line about “the taste is nice” left everyone speechless.

As dinner neared its end, Liu Li suddenly lifted his head and stared fixedly at Chen Lijun.

Everyone was startled.

Sun Manning even waved her hand in front of him, asking what was wrong.

Liu Li sighed: “I just had a dream—I confessed to her. She told me to stop dreaming. Then I woke up.”

I thought waking up meant she was my girlfriend—but it was still just a dream.”

Everyone laughed involuntarily, but the laughter turned bittersweet: how hard it must be to love so carefully.

As they left, Mai Sui supported Song Yu, Sun Manning helped Chen Lijun, the clueless one carried the homeroom teacher on his back, Liu Li walked slowly on his own, and the group descended the stairs in a noisy procession.

The English teacher asked Li Heng, who walked last: “Leaving tomorrow?”

Li Heng grunted: “Going home tomorrow, coming back on the 14th, heading to Jingcheng on the 15th.”

The English teacher confirmed one last time: “If you don’t get into Peking University, you’re really going to Zhongda?”

Li Heng nodded. “Yes.”

Wang Run looked at him for a moment, then waved him off: “Go on. Take care of them. I won’t come downstairs.”

With that, she slammed the door shut.

So cold—door shut like that. Li Heng muttered under his breath and hurried downstairs to catch up.

The homeroom teacher lived on the first floor—close by. After helping him to bed, Li Heng and the other two followed the girls.

But as they neared the girls’ dormitory, Li Heng suddenly stopped.

Zhang Zhiyong pushed him from behind: “Big Boss Li, why stop? Leg cramp?”

Li Heng said nothing, gazing silently across at Song Shi and Jiang Yue, the couple standing below the girls’ dorm.

One glance—and a strong instinct told him: Song Yu’s parents recognized him.

Song Yu calmly called out: “Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?”

Jiang Yue tore her gaze from Li Heng and came over to support her daughter, concerned: “You drank?”

Song Yu replied: “Just a few glasses with the teachers. My tolerance is poor.”

“With the teachers?”

“Yes—the homeroom teacher and the English teacher.”

Jiang Yue knew both. She explained: “Your father and I were walking along the riverbank. When we reached No. 1 High School, we came in to ask how you did on the exam.”

“Don’t worry—I did well,” Song Yu replied.

Her daughter had always been steady. If she said she did well, she was certain of getting into Peking University. Jiang Yue and Song Shi exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with uncontainable joy.

After exchanging pleasantries with Mai Sui and the other three girls, Jiang Yue turned her gaze again to Li Heng and the two boys:

“Yu Bao, are these your classmates?”

As she spoke, Jiang Yue’s eyes never left Li Heng—unflinching, unwavering.

Song Yu turned and introduced: “This is Li Heng, this is Liu Li, this is Zhang Zhiyong—all classmates I get along with.”

Jiang Yue stared at Li Heng in surprise: “You’re Li Heng? I thought you looked familiar. Yu Bao mentioned you—said you were Chen Zijin’s boyfriend.”

The moment she spoke, silence fell.

Even Chen Lijun, half-drunk, snapped awake and sat upright, staring at Li Heng.

Li Heng didn’t deny it, nor did he foolishly confirm it—he replied smoothly: “Auntie, you’ve got a great memory. Yes, it’s me.”

At that moment, Song Yu stepped forward: “Li Heng, you three go back to the dorm first. Thank you tonight.”

Li Heng smiled at everyone: “Alright. Get some rest. Good night.”

As they turned to leave, Jiang Yue didn’t look away—she watched even more intently.

Seeing this, Song Shi tugged his wife’s sleeve: “We asked about Yu Bao’s grades, saw she’s safe—let’s go home.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yue turned to her daughter: “Do you want to come home with Mom tonight?”

Song Shi understood his wife had questions for their daughter. He turned to Mai Sui and the other three girls: “Go ahead. I’ll come by tomorrow morning.”

At once, the three girls understood and returned to the dorm.

The three of them walked side by side across the playground, leaving No. 1 High School. Only when they reached their courtyard did Jiang Yue finally speak:

“Is Li Heng the boy who shared an umbrella with you back then?”

Along the way, Song Yu had prepared for every possible scenario. She nodded: “Yes.”

Watching her husband lock the courtyard gate, Jiang Yue asked again: “Tell me—have you two gotten together, or is he just pursuing you?”

This was Jiang Yue’s cleverness: she didn’t ask, “What’s your relationship?”

To avoid her daughter dodging with “just friends.”

Instead, she offered two clear options—forcing a direct answer.

Song Yu instantly understood her mother’s intent. But after a two-second hesitation, she admitted honestly: “He probably has some feelings for me.”

Jiang Yue didn’t believe it: “Just feelings?”

Song Yu smiled beautifully, quietly countering: “What answer do you want to hear? I’ll say it.”

Jiang Yue fell silent. After a moment, her voice tightened: “Isn’t he dating Chen Zijin? How dare he come after you?”

At this point, Song Yu knew she couldn’t dodge anymore—she had to reveal part of the truth: “The Chen family seems to have a falling-out with his family.”

Jiang Yue imagined the rest, her brows knitting tighter: “So when the Chens reject him, he turns to you—assuming our Song family will take him?”

Seeing her wife’s harsh tone, Song Shi poured a glass of water and handed it to her: “You’re getting worked up again. Sit down, drink some water.”

Jiang Yue took the glass and stared straight at her husband: “Old Song, would you take someone no one else wants?”

She claimed to be asking her husband—but her eyes kept darting to her daughter, clearly meant for her.

Song Shi sighed. How could he answer?

No answer felt right.

Gently, he turned to his daughter: “Tell me, daughter—what’s really going on with this Li Heng?”

Before, whenever Song Yu thought about her relationship with Li Heng, she always felt uneasy.

But now, she was calm. She picked up a newspaper from the coffee table, pointed to a headline, and smiled:

But now that things had come to this, she was no longer flustered; calmly and leisurely, she picked up a newspaper placed on the coffee table, pointed to one of the news items, and smiled sweetly:

I'm not some stray cat or dog—Chen family wouldn't dare speak to Mother that way anymore.

Jiang Yue leaned in and asked, “What does that mean?”

PS: From chapter 13 to today, I’ve updated 170,000 characters in 19 days—roughly 9,000 per day. I’ll keep pushing next month.

Today is the last day of August—please cast your monthly votes.

Also, next month is a new month—please cast your base monthly votes for San Yue; the stats are a bit weak and we need a push. I love you all!

(End of chapter)