Chapter 186: , Run Baozi (Seeking subscriptions!)

With her beloved soon to travel far away tomorrow, Chen Zijin kept her spirits up, entertaining him until late into the night before falling into a deep sleep.

The next day, before the sky had even brightened, she struggled awake to the sound of the alarm clock and reached out to shake Li Heng: "Darling, get up, we have to catch the flight."

They say that at seven you close your eyes, at eight you grit your teeth, and at nine or ten your body feels exhausted. Last night, relying on his youthful physique, Li Heng reached his most peak state in history, making Chen Zijin beg for mercy repeatedly, but even so, he ended up sleeping more soundly than she did.

He asked groggily: "Wife, what time is it?"

Chen Zijin said thoughtfully: "It's 6:20. The alarm just went off for the second time. The first time, I saw you were sleeping so soundly that I didn't call you."

Hearing this, Li Heng's consciousness instantly cleared. He sprang up, cupped Chen Zijin's face in his hands, and pecked her fiercely a few times. Not daring to delay any longer, he got dressed and washed up in one go.

The timing was just right. By the time the two of them checked out and came out of the hostel, Chen Xiaomi had arrived driving a Jeep 212.

Seeing Li Heng looking dazed, Chen Zijin whispered in his ear: "I asked Auntie to come and see you off."

Li Heng hugged her tightly, feeling warm inside. His own wife really was the best; she always knew how to cherish him.

Because they were in a rush, the three of them grabbed a quick, messy breakfast at a roadside stall before heading to the airport.

Jingcheng Airport.

At the moment of parting, Chen Zijin was extremely reluctant. With tears in her eyes, she held his hand, unwilling to let go.

Li Heng reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear and comforted her gently: "We agreed I'd come to see you at New Year's. It's not even March yet."

"Really? I'm just afraid you'll be too busy and won't have time." Regardless of her aunt being present, Chen Zijin stood on tiptoe and kissed him before reluctantly letting go.

Li Heng promised: "Whether I have time or not, I will come. Besides, with my father's health, he should probably still be recuperating in the capital by then."

Chen Zijin gave a soft "Mm" and looked toward her aunt.

Seeing this, Chen Xiaomi handed over three bags: "These are some local specialties from the capital. Your Uncle Chen and Zijin picked them out especially for you."

Three bags represented three portions; the last one was definitely from Chen Xiaomi herself. Li Heng took them and sincerely said thank you.

Chen Xiaomi said: "I'll keep an eye on the Sihe Academy matter. I'll notify you once there's news."

Li Heng thought for a moment and left the landline number of Yu Laoshi Shuheng's home with the two women: "This is the number for my university teacher's home; she's also my neighbor. If anything comes up, you can call me."

"Got it." Chen Xiaomi noted the number and decisively stepped back a few paces, leaving the final space for the two of them.

Without any surprises, the two hugged. After a long while, Chen Zijin let go of him: "Go quickly, the airport broadcast is urging you."

"Alright, take good care of yourself."

"Mm-hmm."

Carrying his luggage, Li Heng finished the procedures and went to the waiting area.

Inside the Jeep.

After the car had driven forward for a few miles, Chen Xiaomi suddenly spoke up: "Last night, your eldest sister-in-law was almost furious."

Why was she furious? Chen Zijin knew the reason.

Chen Xiaomi asked: "Do you want to come home with me for a bit now?"

Chen Zijin looked at the blue sky and white clouds outside the car window: "No, Auntie, just take me straight back to the Renmin Academy."

Chen Xiaomi glanced at her eldest niece in the rearview mirror. She didn't know what to say for a moment. Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it was rare for the Zhong and Chen families to gather together. She hadn't expected a "sudden intruder" to appear halfway, hooking Zijin's soul away, insisting on coming out to accompany Li Heng.

At the time, Zhong Lan was so angry that if it weren't for so many elders present, the mother and daughter might have staged a full-blown brawl. In the end, it was only after Chen Laoyezi Chen loosened his stance that Zhong Lan took a step back.

But even though she took that step back, the anger in Zhong Lan's heart remained bottled up, and it might explode any day.

Actually, people are just strange. Before, not many in the Chen family truly looked up to Li Heng, so they didn't pay much attention to his behavior or attitude.

But now? Li Heng had emerged suddenly and soared to the sky. "To Live" and "Cultural Bitter Travel" had made him famous, and he had carved out a bloody path in the domestic literary scene, becoming a big-name figure of a generation.

Before, the royalties from "To Live" were criticized by many media outlets and critics, but ever since "Cultural Bitter Travel" came out, those noisy clamors had weakened significantly. Many of the older generation were conquered by his hard power and no longer openly sang a different tune.

This is typical: once a person's achievements reach a certain height, the voices of opposition disappear, the road ahead is bright, and everything within sight consists of good people and good words.

The Chen family was the same. If Li Heng was considered a "character" in their eyes after writing "To Live," then after "Cultural Bitter Travel" came out, he was already a "big shot" worthy of their attention.

The impressions others in the Chen family had of Li Heng were gradually changing, with the exception of Zhong Lan. She was very angry now—angry that Li Heng had come to the capital several times without visiting the Chen family.

Fine! If you don't come to visit, so be it. Our Chen family's threshold isn't low; we don't care for you to come. But it's a small matter that you don't come; it's that you sleep with my daughter every time, and my daughter takes the initiative to offer herself to be slept with every time, and even when her maternal family comes, it's still the same. This made her lose face completely.

Yesterday, just yesterday evening, with her blood pressure rising, Zhong Lan had wanted to come to the hostel to confront Li Heng, but she was held back by her maternal family and the three younger aunts. Otherwise, a storm would surely have been unleashed.

After this incident, the Zhong family—that is, Zhong Lan's maternal family—all remembered the name Li Heng.

Chen Xiaomi said: "Today is Friday. You're not going home after school this afternoon either?"

Chen Zijin didn't insist this time: "I'm going back. I want to go back to accompany my grandparents."

Chen Xiaomi nodded in relief. She was currently afraid that her eldest niece would rely on Li Heng's rise to fame and run off with him wholeheartedly, which would make the Chen family a laughingstock.

Having received a clear attitude, Chen Xiaomi changed the subject and asked: "Did you ask Li Heng this time why he went to Shanghai?"

Regarding this question, Chen Laoyezi Chen had stopped halfway last time, leaving her feeling itchy with curiosity.

Hearing this, Xiao Han's figure couldn't help but surface in Chen Zijin's mind: "I didn't ask."

Chen Xiaomi was surprised: "Such a big matter, why didn't you ask?"

Chen Zijin said: "The matter is already a foregone conclusion; asking has no meaning. I believe he has a reason for having to go to Shanghai. Besides, it's not like he didn't get into the Peking Academy."

Chen Xiaomi turned her head to look at her eldest niece, her mouth opening and closing, wanting to say something but stopping.

Being too tired last night, Li Heng fell asleep as soon as he boarded the plane, sleeping comfortably for nearly three hours before arriving in Chang City.

Leaving the airport, he first took a car to the vicinity of the Xiangyayi Academy to buy some fruit and flowers, and only then did he rush to the ward according to the hospitalization information provided by Yu Laoshi Shuheng.

Inpatient Department, 3rd floor, Room 305.

The small glass window was covered from the inside with a newspaper. Li Heng reached out and knocked on the door.

"Dong, dong, dong."

He had only knocked once when the door opened from the inside, revealing the figure of his high school music teacher, who was also the wife of the Dean of Students. She and the English teacher had always been very close; when they were at school, they often shared meals with each other.

"Eh? Li Heng, why are you here?" Seeing Li Heng appear at the doorway, the music teacher looked particularly surprised.

"I came to see Teacher Wang," Li Heng said with a chuckle.

"Come in quickly, come in quickly. You really are thoughtful." While helping him take the items, the music teacher opened the door wide.

At this time, the English teacher was lying on the hospital bed, with a young woman guarding her side. Li Heng recognized this young woman; she was the English teacher's cousin and had been to the school many times.

Smiling and nodding at the cousin as a greeting, Li Heng quickly walked to the hospital bed and lowered his head to observe the English teacher: "Teacher, you've lost weight."

"Why are you here? Are you not in class?" Seeing him, the English teacher's spirits lifted significantly.

Li Heng took the stool handed over by the cousin, said thank you, and grinned: "What's class worth? Nothing is more important than a teacher's health. After Yu Laoshi told me about your illness and hospitalization, I couldn't even eat, so I ran over here."

The English teacher sneered: "Heh heh, I received a call from Shuheng last night. She mentioned your situation in passing. You clearly ran off to the capital to have fun; anyone who didn't know might really have been fooled by you."

Li Heng was speechless: "Then why are you still asking if I'm in class?"

The English teacher said: "I was just testing you."

Li Heng scanned the ward: "You're hospitalized, how are you able to make phone calls?"

The music teacher nearby explained: "Every night at 6 o'clock, Yu Laoshi from Shanghai calls the nurses' station."

As she spoke, the music teacher added: "Yu Laoshi will arrive around 7 o'clock tonight."

Today is Thursday; it seems Yu Laoshi is early. Thinking of this, Li Heng asked with concern: "Teacher, how are you feeling?"

The English teacher put on her glasses: "Still alright, I won't die. You haven't looked for a hostel yet, have you?"

Li Heng shook his head: "No, I couldn't wait to come up here as soon as I got off the car; I didn't have time."

The English teacher said: "Knowing that you and Shuheng were coming, your music teacher has already reserved a hostel for you. It's not very far from here; let her take you over."

Li Heng said: "No rush, I'll stay and accompany you for a while first."

The music teacher interjected: "Alright then, you two chat, I'm going to get some hot water."

The cousin also went out to the cafeteria to buy lunch.

Once the door closed, the room instantly became quiet. Looking at each other for a while, Li Heng sighed: "Teacher, it hasn't been long since we parted, and you've ended up like this. I was truly scared to death when I first heard."

"I'm not Song Yu or Xiao Han, nor am I Chen Zijin, so why are you so worried?" The English teacher spoke with her habitual mocking tone.

However, Li Heng used just one move to make her furious: "Teacher, why don't you just resign?"

"Get out!" the English teacher scolded, then stared at him with a half-smile: "Why? Are beautiful women like Song Yu and Xiao Han not enough to satisfy you?"

Li Heng didn't answer the question. He picked up an apple and asked while peeling it: "By the way, what time is the surgery tomorrow?"

The English teacher said: "10 o'clock in the morning."

Li Heng asked: "Then can you still eat now?"

The English teacher looked up at the alarm clock: "The doctor ordered no food after 5 o'clock in the afternoon."

After peeling the apple, Li Heng ate most of it and cut a few small slices for her.

Eating the apple slices, the English teacher asked: "How is university?"

Li Heng said casually: "It's just like that. It's not the same without you, Teacher; there's no one to pour tea for me when I'm writing."

"So that's why you want me to resign and be your tea-pouring maid?" The English teacher mocked him repeatedly.

Li Heng waved his hand: "I'm just joking, don't take it seriously. I couldn't afford to have an English teacher as a maid; it would ruin my reputation if word got out."

"Good that you know. If you dare to take it seriously, I'll break your legs." The English teacher's eyes were sharp as she said this, looking quite serious.

Li Heng rolled his eyes: "Teacher, you're still just as fierce; you don't look like you're sick at all."

Hearing this, the English teacher smiled slightly and suddenly asked curiously: "What was your first impression when you saw Shuheng?"

Li Heng recalled for a moment: "The first impression was that she's a cold beauty; the second was that she's as gentle as jade; the third was that she's very profound. Such a rich scholarly atmosphere is rare and is a big plus."

The English teacher curled her lips: "You're not hypocritical at all."

Li Heng replied: "We're both adults, and we're so familiar with each other. Since I've finally come all this way, there's no need to put on airs; it's meaningless."

The English teacher asked: "Then compared to Song Yu, how is she?"

Li Heng said: "Hard to compare. Purely in terms of beauty, Song Yu doesn't lose to anyone."

The English teacher agreed with this view: "In the First Middle School, Xiao Han and Song Yu are often mentioned in the same breath, but I personally prefer Song Yu's orchid-like temperament."

Li Heng said: "Don't try to sow discord. To me, they each have their own merits."

The English teacher gave a "heh": "Insincere. If the Chen family weren't in the capital, I bet you would have gone to study at the Peking Academy."

Li Heng tilted his head: "Teacher, why are you so concerned about my women?"

The English teacher was so angry that her chest heaved, and the apple slice she was halfway through eating hit him: "Get out! Immediately!"

Li Heng picked up the apple slice and threw it into the trash can: "You're about to have surgery, having such a temper is bad for your health."

As he spoke, he took a new slice and handed it to her.

The English teacher took it and suddenly warned: "Don't have any designs on Shuheng, or you'll have endless trouble in the future."

Li Heng was stunned: "This is the third time you've warned me. If you hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have even thought about it."

The English teacher shook her head: "Shuheng told me in her letter that you are neighbors and will have many opportunities to meet and spend time together in the future. You don't know how great her charm is. I witnessed it in university; most of the boys who spent a long time in contact with her secretly fell for her, not excluding a few tutors."

"I believe that to some extent, but Teacher, don't worry about me. I've seen beauty before."

"It's true you've seen beauty, but you're not a good person."

"I don't like hearing that. Why am I not a good person?"

"Stepping on three boats—isn't that rotten enough?"

Li Heng's face twitched: "Don't bring my relationships into this, or we won't be able to get along happily."

The English teacher ate the last apple slice in her hand and reached out: "You have the habit of carrying manuscripts with you. Take them out and let me have a treat."

"I really do have them. There are 12 chapters in total, enough for you to pass the time today." Li Heng brought over his bag and took out 3 chapters first.

Once the manuscript was in her hands, the English teacher became engrossed and ignored him, casting him into the dust.

Before long, the music teacher and the cousin returned.

One poured him a glass of water.

The other gave him a boxed meal; the dishes were very rich, two meat dishes and one vegetable.

PS: Seeking monthly tickets! Seeking subscriptions!

Posting first and editing later, I'm afraid of keeping everyone waiting too long.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 187 =====