[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-109":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},2259269,4409,"Chapter 109: The Art of Luring the Enemy into a Trap (Requesting Monthly Votes!)","1987-my-era-chapter-109",109,"\u003Cp>Dorm 215.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three had barely stepped inside when they were startled by the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guess what they’re doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’ve just finished eating and have nothing better to do—holding a youth summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called youth summit: each person openly confesses which girls they secretly liked in high school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the meeting, they formed a circle, raised their hands, and swore solemn oaths never to reveal anything tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the row of beers laid out on the floor, Li Heng hadn’t even steadied his feet when Zou Aiming and Liu Hui dragged him over:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuck, Lao Heng, you’re finally back—we’re about to swear blood brotherhood and you’re the last one missing. We’ve been waiting for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng rubbed his nose and said, “You all know I like Song Yu. My absence won’t matter—you don’t need to wait for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class monitor Liu Hui shut the dorm door, sealing the room off as its own world. The hothead cried:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can that be? We’re brothers of Dorm 215—no one gets left out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one gets left out—but no one mentioned Liu Yejiang, who had already left. Probably because the guy was unpopular; without him, things felt easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng even wondered: in his past life, was there no such youth summary session because Liu Yejiang was still here? Everyone just scattered early?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next came the childish oath-taking. Whether you liked it or not, after three years of shouting, fighting, and getting punished together, you had real bonds—no one dared say they wanted out; it would ruin the mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine of them formed a circle, each with a bottle of beer, then swore: whatever was said in this dorm tonight, once they stepped outside tomorrow, it would be forgotten—never told to anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After swearing, Liu Hui told Li Tuanming by the door: “Tuanming, no matter who comes to shut us down, don’t open the door—not even if they smash it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tuanming dragged a stool over to the door and solemnly accepted the task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Li said, “Relax tonight—the school leaders won’t come bothering us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same as always: start with a group song to warm up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They sang the first song they learned in high school—the military training anthem, “Unity Is Strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The class monitor started, and everyone joined in, none backing down:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unity is strength\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This strength is iron\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This strength is steel\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voices boomed, powerful and resolute—soon, the floors above, below, and beside them joined in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the entire building was infected; everyone, no matter who, screamed with a shared sense of melancholy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise was so loud, damn it, it shot straight to the clouds!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school leaders were startled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teachers living in the staff housing opened their doors and rushed to the corridors, craning their necks to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girls in the dormitory rushed en masse to their windows, chattering away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t look—it’s definitely Dorm 215 starting this again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bold of them, making this much noise—don’t they fear the school leaders coming after them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft, they’re all old hands—why would they fear the leaders?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh, Li Shui, your prince charming’s in Dorm 215 too—come listen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, Li Shui, did you ever get a reply to that letter you wrote Li Heng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Lijun, leaning against the window, spoke slowly: “I envy them—I wish I were a boy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui, beside her, laughed: “Why envy them? Three guys in our class openly like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t tease me—you know more guys are like you and Song Yu, they just don’t dare say it.” Chen Lijun’s words struck right at the hearts of the beasts in Dorm 215.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After one bottle of beer and three songs, the topic finally turned to the main event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They drew lots to determine order—no one could dodge or back out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result? Class monitor Liu Hui drew the first number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng checked his number: 3. Third in line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Hui volunteered first: “I confess to the organization—I’m guilty! Besides liking Chen Dan, I think Song Yu is the most beautiful girl in the world, a celestial fairy from the moon. Lao Heng, you won’t hit me, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added quickly: “I’m just one of the countless admirers—I’d never dare bother her, and I don’t have the qualification.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng took a sip of beer and smiled, not making a big deal of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Liu Hui said, if you picked any hundred boys from No. 1 High, at least fifty had admired Song Yu. It was the mischief of adolescent hormones, a symbol of those three high school years, proof they’d been there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was true: after one round, eight out of nine had declared Song Yu a celestial fairy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui wasn’t far behind—seven had chosen her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And these bastards worshipped multiple girls at once, like monkeys grabbing corn—distracted and fickle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beyond Song Yu and Mai Sui—the untouchable goddesses—they still had more down-to-earth, practical crushes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, Liu Hui liked Chen Dan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pounded his chest solemnly and told everyone: no matter the cost, no matter how long he waited, he’d win her over and marry her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, Liu Li and Zou Aiming both liked Chen Lijun—she was their ideal marriage partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for example, Li Tuanming had secretly liked a girl named Peng Yan for three years, and even picked the same college as her for his application.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dimwit didn’t like anyone else—he only adored his neighbor’s older sister, Liu Chunhua, saying he’d steal her away once he had money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the youth summit, the conversation drifted further and further—until it somehow landed on the question: who was prettier, Xiao Han or Song Yu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After long-winded analysis, debate, and comparison, they concluded: each had their own charm—no clear winner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zou Aiming’s comment sparked heated interest:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly, I think Mai Sui’s at a disadvantage because of her age. When she matures, when she gets more allure, her appeal to men might not be less than Song Yu’s or Xiao Han’s. Of course, I mean purely physical desire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understood: Mai Sui was born with a seductive nature; as she aged, her magnetic charm would only grow stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, each drank two bottles of beer and one soda, sang ten songs, and didn’t break up until deep into the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School leaders came by, knocked, got no response, heard the dorm boys still singing, and eventually left, grumbling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a night of chaos, Li Heng barely slept three hours before Zhang Zhiyong woke him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng blinked half-asleep, mumbling: “Lao Yong, what time is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What time? I don’t even have a watch. Get up—the sun’s already on your ass.” Zhang Zhiyong yanked him up, while a buzzing noise filled his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when fully awake did Li Heng notice six beds were empty—only Liu Li, Zou Aiming, and Zhang Zhiyong remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “They’re all gone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gone. All slipped out quietly. I woke up just as Li Tuanming left with his backpack, said the road’s too far—he had to catch the early bus home,” said Liu Li from the next bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked Liu Li and Zou Aiming: “When are you two leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Aiming patted his bed. “Right now—I’m heading to Xinhua County, to my grandma’s. I won’t be traveling with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Li sighed: “I can’t go with you either. I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again… suddenly, I’m so reluctant to leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four came from rural villages—no electricity yet, let alone phones. They hugged one by one, exchanged mailing addresses and postal codes, then parted ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the dorm, Li Heng first went to an off-campus convenience store and bought a pack of cigarettes, then headed to the homeroom teacher’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, Song Yu and Mai Sui and the other girls were already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked in and asked Song Yu: “What are you doing here? Not here to pick up letters, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu looked at him with a faint smile and said calmly: “Lijun’s leaving—I’m accompanying her to see the teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng placed the cigarettes on Teacher Wang Qi’s desk, turned to Chen Lijun, and joked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Comrade Chen Lijun, this goodbye might last years—will you ever think of me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Lijun blinked her eyes wide. “Nope. Let Song Yu think of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng sighed. “So heartless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the homeroom teacher and reached out. “Teacher Wang, give me all the letters written to Song Yu—I’ll take them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher looked up. “Aren’t you taking your own?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “In exchange, give them to Song Yu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher, caught off guard by this display of affection, pointed at him and scolded with a laugh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been fooled by your appearance—you’re never an easy one. Last night you were causing trouble again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng chuckled twice. When the drawer opened, he grabbed all the letters addressed to Song Yu in one sweep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu didn’t take his letters—she handed them all to him and asked softly: “Have you eaten breakfast?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng shook his head. “No. What about you? Come eat with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu said yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having received a pack of cigarettes, Teacher Wang Qi was overjoyed—he said this was the first time in nearly twenty years of teaching that a graduating student had gifted him cigarettes. As thanks, he treated everyone to a bowl of beef noodles outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beef noodles weren’t cheap back then—7 jiao per bowl. This meal wiped out two days’ wages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the owner was generous—each ladle of beef topping was piled high; everyone ate until their mouths glistened with grease and sweat beaded on their foreheads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes: all feasts must end. Even with delays, Liu Li and Chen Lijun finally boarded their departure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Lijun burst into tears, clinging to Song Yu, Mai Sui, and Sun Man, unwilling to leave. She even hugged the teacher, then hugged Li Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to Zhang Zhiyong, she cried and laughed: “I’m not hugging you—your shirt’s covered in beef noodle broth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong grinned. “Fuck! Don’t be like that—I’ll take it off right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His crude remark made everyone smile—suddenly, the sorrow of parting eased a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Chen Lijun and Liu Li left, waving from the minibus window until they vanished down the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stood silently at the school gate, waving until the bus disappeared—then all eyes turned to Li Heng and Zhang Zhiyong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was their turn to say goodbye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng laughed: “Don’t look at me like that—I’ll be back on the 14th, we’ll have dinner together then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui sighed: “The 14th? I might not even be in Shaoshan that day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Going back to Shaodong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui shook her head. “My grandfather’s turning seventy soon. He’s a retired soldier, and because his health is poor, he feels he won’t live much longer. He wants to go to Jingcheng to pay his respects at the Great Leader’s memorial—that’s his greatest wish in life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Are all of you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui nodded. “More than ten of us. We’re planning to take a group photo at Tiananmen Square.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Money really does make things easier—so many people just up and leave at once; it’s no small expense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Song Yu was present, Li Heng didn’t mention he was also going to Jingcheng. After chatting with them a bit, he pulled Zhang Zhiyong into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like always, he exchanged two remittance slips for cash, deposited it in the bank, then withdrew a thousand yuan in cash to keep in his pocket for expenses in Jingcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d promised not to come to the city for money, yet here he was—what could he do? The county and town offices were even more of a hassle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sprinting two li, Zhang Zhiyong finally caught his breath and asked: “Big Brother Heng, why are you carrying so much cash on you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng didn’t hide it—he explained he was going to Jingcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong’s eyes lit up. “Holy shit! The capital? Take me with you! I’ll go with you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Don’t joke. I’m going for a reason—I wouldn’t waste money like this otherwise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuck! Don’t talk to me about money—I’m using that bitch’s cash anyway. Even if I don’t spend it, he’ll waste it on women’s bodies. Might as well let me spend it.” Zhang Zhiyong spoke like a wastrel, spitting out words with no regard for money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him cling to his hand insistently, Li Heng had no choice but to ask seriously: “You really mean to go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will! If I don’t, I’m a puppy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m going to see Chen Zijin. I won’t have time for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You go see your girl—I swear I won’t be a third wheel. You eat, I’ll drink the broth. You check into a hotel, I’ll sit outside on the street. Deal, Big Brother Heng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng gave in. “Fine. I’ll tell the English teacher to buy your ticket.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they were going to Jingcheng, not having a watch was inconvenient. They rushed out and bought the cheapest electronic watch they could find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they went to the third floor of the teachers’ dormitory—but found the English teacher wasn’t there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong refused to give up. “Call her! Call from the town! You’ve got her number, right? Fuck! I don’t believe in bad luck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They waited in the hallway, asked neighbors, but no one knew where the English teacher had gone. When the time came, they had to hurry to the school gate to meet Yang Ying, Xiao Han, and Xiao Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as they reached the gate, Zhang Zhiyong shouted: “Big Heng, where are they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng scanned the area. A bad feeling crept over him. He thought for a moment. “Wait a bit—maybe they haven’t come out yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nearly fifteen minutes with no sign of them, Li Heng handed his luggage to Zhang Zhiyong. “Watch the bags. I’m going to the girls’ dorm to look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong had a rare moment of clarity. He lowered his voice: “Could it be… she saw you with Song Yu earlier and stormed off in a huff?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng looked across the street to the noodle shop. He’d spent plenty of time with Song Yu that morning—maybe Xiao Han had seen them. Given her temper, she might’ve left already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regardless, I’m going to check the girls’ dorm. I’ll be right back.” He turned and walked into the school gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You had to upset Song Yu and now Xiao Han too—what a mess. From now on, I’ll only ever want one woman.” Zhang Zhiyong grumbled, then squatted by the roadside, daydreaming about his Chunhua-jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes fate is just that cruel—what you fear, happens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guess was right: no one was in the girls’ dorm. The dorm supervisor said they’d already left. She remembered Xiao Han clearly—she was so beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng ran to the homeroom teacher’s office for Class 206. The room was packed, but neither Xiao Han nor Yang Ying was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him drenched in sweat, Zhang Zhiyong said nothing. He stood up, silently slung both backpacks onto his shoulders, and pushed into the bus queue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trip from No. 1 High School to the bus station was far—it took a full half-hour, even with them managing to squeeze onto the bus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they got off, the heat was unbearable. Li Heng rushed to a convenience store and bought a bag of ice cream bars. Then he kicked Zhang Zhiyong, who was hugging a utility pole and vomiting violently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop puking. Save some for later. Time’s up—if we don’t hurry, the bus will leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bullshit! I’m watching the clock—we’ve got over a minute! Let me puke another minute! Puke! Puke-puke!” Zhang Zhiyong vomited three times, emptying everything he’d eaten that morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feeling better?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Better? Fuck no. When I get money, the first thing I’ll buy is a car. This damn bus is terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they arrived at the boarding point, they saw the bus had already pulled away twenty meters. Li Heng and Zhang Zhiyong sprinted after it, shouting: “Wait! We need to ride! To Simenqian! Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ticket seller, half hanging out the door, saw them waving frantically and yelled to the driver: “Stop! Two kids are coming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past three years, Li Heng had taken the same bus—the driver and ticket seller knew him well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ticket seller helped load their bags onto the undercarriage rack. “Your classmates got here early. Why are you two so late? We thought you weren’t coming back today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “When did they arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Came early—about an hour ago,” the ticket seller said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Heng instinctively looked out the window—and locked eyes with Xiao Han, who sat beside it. She saw him, but her expression didn’t change. Coldly, she turned away, gazing into the distance, treating him like air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong cared only about seats. “Any empty seats left? I’m so dizzy from the ride.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Plenty,” the ticket seller said automatically, as always—lying without a shred of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were indeed seats left, but only a few—four or five at most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng scanned the aisle and saw Yang Ying and Xiao Feng sitting together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han sat with an elderly woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Cheng sat alone in the last row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them still standing in the aisle, the ticket seller who’d just boarded urged: “Pick a seat and sit down—the bus is about to leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng stepped aside. “You go sit with Yang Cheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry about me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat in the second-to-last row, across the aisle from Xiao Han—with the elderly woman between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ying glanced at Li Heng, then at Xiao Han. He pulled out paper and a pen from his bag and began writing under Xiao Feng’s watchful eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The note read: After yesterday’s exam, we came to find you—you were drunk with Song Yu and the others. This morning, we came to have breakfast with you—and again, we saw you with Song Yu. So we didn’t wait for you today. You’re all-powerful—figure it out yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading the note, Li Heng pulled out two cream ice cream bars and gave one each to Yang Ying and Xiao Feng. Then he took two more and handed them to Zhang Zhiyong and Yang Cheng in the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Cheng took his and launched into a monologue: “Li Heng, I did incredibly well on the college entrance exam. If I’d known, I’d have applied to Peking University like you guys. Seriously—I’ve been regretting it since I finished!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “What was your first choice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Cheng gestured with his fingers, smugly boasting: “China University of Political Science and Law! I picked that crappy school just so I could go to the same place as you. See how loyal I am?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was speechless. He wanted to slap this idiot. That was a “crappy school”? Clearly just showing off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no time to deal with Yang Cheng now. He pulled out another ice cream bar and offered it to the elderly woman sitting beside Xiao Han:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Auntie, you look just like one of my elders—so familiar. Please, have this ice cream.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman didn’t move. She waved it off. “Kid, my stomach’s weak. Keep it for yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine. Got a soft rebuff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng wasn’t done. He asked directly: “Auntie, could I switch seats with you? I—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, she refused again: “No. Once the bus moves, I can’t stand up—high blood pressure, dizzy spells. Don’t even think about it. I won’t switch, no matter what you say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him fail twice, Yang Ying, Xiao Feng, Yang Cheng, and Zhang Zhiyong all stared at him, waiting to see what he’d do next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew the score: Xiao Han’s odd choice to sit with an old woman wasn’t random—it was to block someone from approaching her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before Li Heng arrived, Xiao Han had already charmed the woman, saying she was prone to motion sickness and would fall asleep easily, so she begged the woman not to switch seats—afraid of encountering bad people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman thought the girl was as beautiful as a flower, prettier than any opera maiden, and her sweet talk made her agree immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flattery didn’t work. Bribery didn’t work. Li Heng almost pulled out five yuan to try—damn it! Would she still be so stubborn in front of cash?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he glanced at Xiao Han outside the window, he dropped the idea. Too low. She’d laugh at him forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing worked. What now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold salad!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng immediately resorted to a crude tactic: he leaned forward, tilted his head, and stared directly at Xiao Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the woman was surprised—curious, even. She watched him for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as time passed, curiosity turned to dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imagine: a boy leaning over you, eyes fixed on the girl beside you, never blinking. A chill creeps up your spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, sandwiched between them, couldn’t take it. She asked Li Heng and Xiao Han: “Kid, do you two know each other?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her surprise, they answered almost simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han: “No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman glanced at the girl, then at the boy—unsure who to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng went all in: “Auntie, she’s my fiancée. We’re engaged. She’s mad at me today—I’m trying to make up with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xiao Han unconsciously touched her earlobe. A faint blush spread across her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman raised her voice: “Really? She’s your fiancée?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng pointed to Yang Ying and Xiao Feng up front. “Yes. We got engaged before the New Year. They can vouch for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ying’s lips twitched, but he didn’t contradict him—nor did he help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman hesitated, then saw the girl blushing. She softened. “So I’m the bad one here? Young people—you’ve got to cherish what’s right in front of you. She’s so beautiful—you should spoil her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Auntie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he was seated beside Xiao Han. Li Heng exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the woman reached out. “Give me one of those ice creams. My stomach’s fine now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nearby laughed. Li Heng didn’t hesitate—he handed her another, saying thanks again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out one more ice cream and held it to Xiao Han’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She ignored him; seeing he still held the same pose for a long while, she said brightly, “I’m losing weight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Losing weight? Come on, this figure of yours is exactly what I love—what are you trying to slim down?” Li Heng leaned his head close, nearly brushing her cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling his breath against her skin, inhaling his masculine scent, Xiao Han’s heart raced uncontrollably; just as she felt herself about to surrender, she turned her head sharply toward the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Heng suddenly said, “There’s a difference between a cold beauty and a block of ice—you’re not at the right level yet. You need more cultivation to master the art of playing hard to get. Right now, you’re failing—you won’t catch me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han smiled politely, without turning back, “Who’s trying to catch you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the mid-shift bus made a sharp turn; due to centrifugal force, everyone inside swayed, and her back accidentally flung into his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost simultaneously, a voice reached her ear: “Perfect—Heaven itself can’t take it anymore and is helping us out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Requesting monthly votes! Requesting subscriptions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let me emphasize once again: this is a slice-of-life novel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Already updated ten thousand characters, more to come…)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3924,"2026-06-19T15:27:33.982Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","79dcebea19537eb63c2773bfc4da56b87f2f1ccf7c9254f56883cb2f9ade5557","1987-my-era-chapter-110","1987-my-era-chapter-108",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]