Chapter 116: Who Says I Have Bad Taste? My Man Is the Best in the World

The two felt as if they were adrift in an ocean, the surface churned by wind, torrential rain pouring down, gales hurling waves dozens of meters high that crushed in from all sides, shaking the bed until it seemed ready to collapse.

The howling sea wind lasted for a long time; thunder and lightning had begun without warning, a continuous “boom boom boom” like a symphony, its melody spiraling upward, growing ever more intense until, at its climax, the entire audience rose to their feet, erupting in thunderous applause that surged like a river in full flood, cascading endlessly before merging with the storm and the ocean—thorough, exhilarating.

Being with a beloved person in joyous acts never grows tiresome; Li Heng held Chen Zijin in his arms, lowering his head to breathe in her hair’s fragrance.

“It’s almost mealtime—are you hungry?”

“Has it been that long already?” Chen Zijin exclaimed.

Li Heng smiled. “What does that prove?”

Chen Zijin gazed at him with smiling eyes, her cheeks flushed pink.

Just as Li Heng felt his scalp prickle and his right hand involuntarily reached out, she clasped his hand and said, “Tell me about your experience writing ‘Alive.’”

Seeing her serious expression, Li Heng dropped his playful tone. “This story is long, but mostly it was for you—for closing the gap between us.”

Chen Zijin nodded silently, resting her head lightly against his shoulder, continuing to listen.

Li Heng recalled: “Over the years, many things happened to both our families. My father was persecuted and lost his job, and his health deteriorated.”

Meanwhile, your grandfather and Li’s father rose from obscurity to soar again.”

I hadn’t cared much before, didn’t realize what such a vast gap truly meant—until last summer, when your aunt and the others gave me a vivid lesson, and I suddenly realized I had to do something, had to strive harder, so your family might look at me differently.”

But I’m just a student—what earth-shattering thing can I possibly do?”

By chance, I got inspiration from a newspaper article and thought of writing.”

You know how I’ve always loved reading—how I stole time from labor to read books. Once the idea of writing took root, it spiraled out of control, so I wrote ‘Alive’ day and night. You know what happened after that.”

Listening to his calm narration, Chen Zijin’s gaze softened again and again, until her eyes filled with tears.

She considered herself understanding and strong, confident she could stand by this love for life—but she never imagined that after leaving Shangwan Village for Jingcheng, he would endure so much hardship, bear such heavy psychological pressure.

Back in the village, she had weathered gossip from all sides, so much it kept her indoors, nearly suffocating her—but she still underestimated how much pain her mother and aunts had inflicted on her beloved through this.

Though he spoke simply, his tone light, as if recounting a trivial matter, Chen Zijin still imagined the inhuman torment he had endured during this time.

Was every day suffocating?

Just picturing him gritting his teeth, gathering strength each day, enduring relentless gossip and family pressure until he couldn’t sleep, yet still forcing himself to stay strong—just to narrow the gap with her family, just to see her—Chen Zijin’s heart twisted with panic and deep pity.

“Don’t push yourself so hard anymore. I’m your woman—I won’t run away.”

Chen Zijin tilted her head slightly again, moved, and kissed his cheeks twice.

Li Heng smiled. “I was young and proud, cared too much about face—but thank heaven, my novel ‘Alive’ became an instant hit.”

Thinking of the enormous success of ‘Alive,’ Chen Zijin’s eyes toward Li Heng shimmered faintly with admiration.

She said happily: “Father and Grandfather both read your novel. They praised it highly. Grandfather never praises easily—he read your book twice.”

This filled her with special pride and honor, and directly reversed Li Heng’s terrible reputation in the Chen family.

In the past, whenever Chen family aunts and sisters spoke of Li Heng, they gnashed their teeth and intensified their accusations.

Now, whenever Li Heng’s name comes up, the Chen family falls silent, then someone shifts the topic, and the mood slowly improves.

She asked gently: “Did you face any difficulties while writing?”

Li Heng shook his head. “It went fairly well. Having Erdaye as a prototype helped.”

Then Li Heng detailed his creative process and sources of inspiration, leaving Chen Zijin exhilarated, as if witnessing the birth of a great event.

It felt utterly incredible, almost magical to her.

Honestly, if ‘Alive’ hadn’t been written by her man, if it hadn’t been real, she’d still think she was dreaming.

It wasn’t that she doubted him or looked down on him—it was simply too dreamlike.

Originally, she had prepared for a long struggle with her family; the best she hoped for was him graduating college, getting a good job, then having enough to marry her.

The worst scenario she didn’t even dare consider: defying her family, secretly marrying him, having children—making the deed irreversible.

To her surprise, happiness arrived far sooner than expected.

Thinking of his current fame and success, of how he had traveled thousands of miles to see her, Chen Zijin felt every hardship had been worth it.

The Weiqu she’d endured at home over the past year seemed trivial now—this was bitterness followed by sweetness, making her cherish this hard-won love even more.

Others and her family assumed she’d been deceived into bed by Li Heng’s sweet talk. Only she knew: she truly loved this man.

In a blink, they had been together six years; last year they were forced apart for a year. Recalling everything, Chen Zijin’s nose prickled with sudden sorrow.

Suddenly, she buried her head in Li Heng’s chest. At first, he thought she was overcome with joy—but when he felt the dampness on his chest, he knew something was wrong.

Li Heng cupped her beautiful, tear-streaked face in both hands, tenderly saying:

“Why are you crying? Haven’t the hardships passed? Our future will only get better—day by day.”

Tears still streamed down, but Chen Zijin smiled brightly. “I’m not crying—I’m just overwhelmed.”

“From now on, let anyone dare say I have bad taste in men—my man is the best in the world.”

Li Heng fell silent, gazing at her for a long moment, then bent down and kissed away every tear, whispering playfully in her ear:

“My wife really has good taste—she’s the best! So good!”

Feeling his stirring desire, Chen Zijin was startled. “No, not again—we’ve done it three times already. I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”

Since it was already late, after playful teasing, they bathed, dressed neatly, and stepped out of the room.

Li Heng said: “The English teacher and Dumindian also came to Jingcheng. Let’s invite them to dinner.”

“Sure. I’m treating. Don’t argue with me—I owe them big time for helping you,” Chen Zijin said, linking her arm through his.

The English teacher had greatly aided his writing; Dumindian often spent his money on both of them and accompanied him to Jingcheng—Chen Zijin naturally wanted to repay them properly.

Li Heng understood her intent and patted his chest in promise: “This time I won’t fight you over the bill.”

They knocked on the neighboring door—the English teacher wasn’t there.

They knocked on Zhang Zhiyong’s room—no response.

Chen Zijin asked, puzzled: “Where did they go? Haven’t they come back yet?”

Li Heng nodded. “They went to Renmin University. That’s possible.”

Chen Zijin asked: “Should we wait for them?”

Li Heng glanced at his digital watch.

The time was 5:41.

He said: “No need. It’s already mealtime—if they haven’t returned by now, they won’t be back soon.”

Why?

Of course—to give the couple privacy, avoiding any disturbance.

Chen Zijin realized this too, her cheeks flushing slightly as she said: “Then let’s go. I know a restaurant that’ll suit your taste.”

Li Heng asked: “Hunan cuisine?”

Chen Zijin said: “Not Hunan. Modified Sichuan. The owners are from Zigong—they cook superbly. When Mom and the aunts don’t feel like cooking, the whole family goes there.”

Hearing there was good food, food-loving Li Heng couldn’t sit still. “How far is it?”

Chen Zijin said: “Not too far. Walk right for about eight minutes.”

Li Heng gazed at the bicycles streaming along the road and sighed: “That’s not far—but if we had a bike, we’d get there faster.”

Chen Zijin said: “We have one at home. I’ll ride it tomorrow.”

Seven minutes passed quickly, filled with laughter and chatter, and soon they arrived.

“Zijin’s here.”

The hostess, who seemed to know Chen Zijin, warmly approached as they appeared.

“Miss Wu, any quieter tables available?” Chen Zijin asked with a smile.

The hostess glanced at Li Heng. “Yes, follow me.”

She led them to a private room and asked cautiously: “Is this your friend?”

Chen Zijin smiled and shook her head. “No. My boyfriend.”

The hostess, familiar with the Chen family and aware of their influence, was stunned. “You already have a boyfriend?”

Chen Zijin nodded shyly. “Yes. We’re from the same place. We were betrothed.”

Hearing this, the hostess studied Li Heng carefully, politely and enviously asking: “You’re very lucky. May I ask your name?”

Li Heng said: “Call me Li Heng, Miss Wu.”

Miss Wu waved her hand generously. “Li Heng, welcome to Jingcheng. Today’s meal is on me—order whatever you like.”

Li Heng didn’t respond, only smiled as Chen Zijin chatted easily with her.

Soon, the restaurant’s signature dish—Zigong Three Delicacies—arrived: stir-fried pork liver, kidney, and tripe.

One bite confirmed: this trip was worth it.

Li Heng ate three helpings, exclaiming enthusiastically: “Delicious! So good! We can’t keep this to ourselves—tomorrow we’ll bring the English teacher and Dumindian to try it.”

“Mm.” Seeing his genuine delight, Chen Zijin felt as sweet as honey, eating while constantly serving him food.

Midway through the meal, Li Heng asked: “Is your whole family home today? It’s the weekend.”

Chen Zijin nodded then shook her head. “Mom and the aunts are home. Father and Grandfather are out—won’t be back until evening.”

Li Heng asked: “Will you go home tonight?”

Chen Zijin paused, then nodded. “Yes.”

She had met her beloved, conveyed what needed to be said—she still had to return home.

Because no matter who you are, in matters of love and marriage, you ultimately hope for your family’s blessing.

Li Heng thought for a moment and said: “After dinner, come with me to buy a gift for your grandfather. We came to Jingcheng empty-handed—it’s improper. You take it back for me.”

Hearing this, Chen Zijin felt both pleased and emotionally complex.

As sharp as she was, she immediately understood Li Heng’s intent—he still remembered the grudges against Mom and the sisters.

Buying for Grandfather was out of respect for her—and to show proper deference as a young man.

Not buying something for Mom and not going home—what that means is perfectly clear.

Thinking of this, Chen Zijin suddenly felt sad and looked up anxiously: “Do Uncle and Aunt not like me?”

The uncle and aunt she referred to were Li Jianguo and Tian Run’e.

She wasn’t foolish or deaf; she naturally knew what Mom and several aunts had done to Aunt Tian last summer.

Although she hadn’t been there at the time, she’d heard fragments and made guesses over the past year—especially after her younger sister, who had secretly listened in, told her every detail, leading her to have a huge fight with Zhong Lan.

Li Heng saw the worry in her eyes, reached out, and took her hand: “No, don’t worry—I came to Beijing with their full support. Mom even asked me to pass on a message to you.”

Chen Zijin’s eyes brightened: “Really? They support you coming?”

Li Heng said: “Of course. You’re my wife—do you think I’d lie to you?”

If they hadn’t supported me, do you think I could’ve gotten here this fast?”

Chen Zijin leaned forward slightly: “What message did Aunt want you to deliver?”

Li Heng put down his chopsticks and said seriously: “Mom said our Li family owes you an apology. She hopes you can forgive us.”

Chen Zijin fell silent for a long while, then picked up her chopsticks and placed a bite of food in his bowl: “I’m already half a Li now—no apology needed. Neither you nor Uncle and Aunt owe me anything.”

Li Heng grinned happily: “Good! When I go back, I’ll tell Mom every single word. Let her be proud—what a sensible daughter-in-law, what a generous daughter-in-law.”

Chen Zijin gave him a playful scolding look, her heart full of joy as she kept serving him food and pouring him water.

“Don’t just focus on me—eat too.”

“Mm.”

“If you don’t eat, I won’t either. Eating alone is no fun.”

“I like watching you eat. Besides, it’s your first time in Beijing—I have to show you proper hospitality.”

“You already showed me hospitality in bed last night—I was very satisfied. Come on, eat with me.”

“Shameless! Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Hehe, so will you eat with me?”

“Mm, I will.”

Even after a year apart, after a brief adjustment period, their bond grew even deeper—they were inseparable, with not a trace of awkwardness or distance between them.

After dinner, the two bought a gift before dusk and walked together toward the alley where Chen’s family lived.

At the mouth of the alley, Li Heng stopped and said: “You go in. I’ll watch you.”

Chen Zijin opened her mouth several times but held back—her thousands of words finally condensed into just ten:

“Okay. Let’s have breakfast together tomorrow.”

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(End of Chapter)