Chapter 233

After leaving Lushan Village and parting ways with the others, Mai Sui, Zhou Shihe, and Ye Ning returned to their dormitory.

At this moment, the room was empty. As soon as the three girls entered and Ye Ning closed the door, she couldn't help but ask, "Suisui, is Li Heng really that popular at high school? Do so many girls write him love letters?"

"Mm."

Mai Sui hummed in agreement and said truthfully, "Actually, what Man Ning said was relatively conservative."

Ye Ning sat down beside her and asked gossipingly, "Is Li Heng from a high-ranking family? Why is he so talented? And why does he have such a strong artistic aura about him?"

Mai Sui smiled. "What high-ranking family? His hometown is in the countryside."

"Huh?" Ye Ning clearly didn't believe it.

Ye Ning's exclamation was so loud that even Zhou Shihe, who was standing nearby drinking hot tea, looked over.

Ye Ning widened her eyes. "A country person? I'm from the countryside too. Many people back home can't even get enough to eat, so where would he get the energy and spare money to learn arts? The flute and erhu might be one thing, but learning piano costs money, doesn't it?"

Mai Sui shared what she knew: "His family can't be considered purely peasant. It's said his father was once a leader at our city's Education Bureau, but he lost his job after being framed while teaching at the county's No. 1 High School. His mother was once a city dweller and an intellectual."

At this point, she paused and continued, "According to Zhang Zhiyong, his family has over 1,000 books. Li Heng started reading them from a young age and has finished them all. I think the artistic aura he has was likely cultivated through that kind of intangible influence."

These words made Zhou Shihe think of Li Heng's study in Lushan Village, which also contained at least 500 books. Judging by the worn edges of the pages, it seemed a significant portion had been read.

Ye Ning exclaimed, "That amazing? Well-read since childhood?"

Mai Sui nodded. "Pretty much."

Ye Ning asked again, "Why did your head teacher want to intercept his love letters?"

Mai Sui, who was one of the three people whose love letters were intercepted, empathized: "Because his grades were good, and the head teacher always hoped he would get into Tsinghua or Peking University."

Ye Ning asked, "What was his college entrance exam score?"

Mai Sui said, "One point short of Peking University."

Ye Ning pointed at her. "What a coincidence? Didn't you miss it by two points?"

Mai Sui laughed. "That's why we both ended up at our second-choice schools."

Hearing this, Zhou Shihe became thoughtful. Studying at Fudan as a second choice and moving into Lushan Village as soon as she entered university—Li Heng seemed to have secrets.

Why suspect Li Heng had secrets rather than suspecting his family had great influence?

Because logically, if his family had great influence that could even affect Fudan's upper management, it would be impossible for his parents to still be in the countryside.

With so many special faculty apartments at Fudan, the only person currently living in Lushan Village due to privilege was Teacher Yu Shuheng. Other professors were either senior enough, had contributed enough to the school, or relied on their own genuine talent—there was no other way.

Ye Ning was now thoroughly curious about Li Heng. After asking about his family, she asked about his personal life. "Who is Song Yu? Is she really as pretty as Zhang Zhiyong and Yangcheng say?"

Mai Sui said, "She is indeed quite pretty."

Ye Ning blurted out, "How does she compare to you two?"

The "you two" in this girl's mouth referred to Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe.

Mai Sui looked up at Zhou Shihe. "Song Yu is recognized as the prettiest in our No. 1 High School, so naturally, she's better looking than others. As for Shihe, it's hard to compare; it depends on individual preference."

Ye Ning asked, "Is she that pretty? Did Li Heng ever pursue her?"

How could he not have? He was still pursuing her now. Mai Sui remembered Li Heng's request not to interfere in his private affairs, so she said later, "Song Yu, Li Heng, and I are all good friends. It must just be a rumor."

Unexpectedly, Ye Ning believed it. "I think it's a rumor too. If he had really pursued Song Yu, Xiao Han would definitely have a thorn in her heart and wouldn't be with him."

After saying this, Ye Ning tugged on the sleeve of Zhou Shihe, who was sipping tea in small mouthfuls. "Shihe, don't you think that makes sense?"

Zhou Shihe looked at Mai Sui, smiled knowingly, and said nothing.

Mai Sui, having lied, felt a bit uncomfortable. She stood up, poured a cup of hot water, put a small pinch of tea leaves in, and held it in her palms, drinking slowly.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you two playing at?" Ye Ning asked, tugging at the two girls in frustration.

Zhou Shihe naturally gave off a fragile, pitiful vibe. At this moment, she was almost pulled over, so she had to gently agree, "Yes, you're right. Detective Ye, let go."

Ye Ning actually let go and sighed, "Sigh, that song of Li Heng's, 'The Original Scenery of My Hometown,' is really beautiful. It's a pity the grass is already claimed."

Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe exchanged a look and warned her earnestly, "Don't be a fool; otherwise, you'll pay the price."

Ye Ning asked, "What price?"

Mai Sui deliberated and said, "There's a saying in books called 'loving but not obtaining.'"

Unexpectedly, Ye Ning clapped her hands in agreement. "That's true. I'm not being a fool; I'm just purely appreciating something beautiful."

Besides, after seeing Xiao Han, I think no Fudan girl would be a fool anymore; otherwise, they'd truly be idiots. Knowing something is impossible and doing it anyway is just asking for trouble."

Hearing this, Zhou Shihe pretended to stare intently at the tea leaves in her cup, her delicate little mouth pouting slightly.

Mai Sui put down her teacup and called out, "Shihe, let's go to the canteen to eat."

Zhou Shihe stood up in response. "Okay."

Seeing the two girls leave, Ye Ning shouted angrily from behind, "Fine! You don't even call me when you're right in front of me? Do you think I'm a rock?"

The two girls chuckled and pulled the door shut.

On the other side, time rewinds.

After seeing Xiao Han at the Management School building on Friday, Liu Yue finished her fifth and sixth classes, handed her books to her good friend Zhou Min, and left the school to go home.

She stayed home for one night, and after her aunt returned from the capital, she rushed to her aunt's villa.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Knock, knock, knock!"

After two rounds of knocking, the door opened from the inside, revealing Huang Zhaoyi in a Peking opera costume. "Yueyue, don't you have the key to my place?"

"I forgot the key at home; I didn't bring it with me."

Liu Yue walked into the room, circled her aunt, and exclaimed, "Aunt, your figure is so well-maintained. If I were a man, I'd want to lift your opera costume."

Huang Zhaoyi smiled and pushed her hand away. "Why did you come over? It's Friday; I was thinking of going to your house for dinner after practicing this scene."

Liu Yue observed her costume and answered a different question: "Is this Mei Lanfang's Peking opera 'The Phoenix Returns to the Nest'?"

Huang Zhaoyi said yes.

Liu Yue immediately improvised a performance on the spot, singing in a Peking opera tone: "Someone came to the library earlier, you should have spoken to my father first. I was not born lowly, how could I enter the garden privately? I am shy in the boudoir every day, but now I am forced to be in front of others. I have a heart to cut my black hair, and burning incense to pray to Buddha would be peaceful."

After listening, Huang Zhaoyi said with a look of regret, "You sing really well. You were born to do this, but it's a pity you aren't willing to learn from me."

Liu Yue pulled in her graceful body and pouted. "I was born to do great things; how could I be trapped in this small plot of land on the stage?"

As she spoke, she continued meaningfully, "Don't just focus on whether I sang well or not; did you hear the meaning of what I sang?"

Huang Zhaoyi reminisced about the lyrics just now but didn't understand. "What? Is there something else to it?"

Liu Yue changed her shoes and walked into the room. "I have a heart to cut my black hair, and burning incense to pray to Buddha would be peaceful. Aunt, if you keep going like this, you won't be far from shaving your head and joining the Buddhist order."

After watching her niece's back for a while, Huang Zhaoyi walked over to pour her a glass of water and asked, "Stop with the riddles. Tell me, what do you want with your aunt?"

Liu Yue looked around and asked, "Was your performance in the capital this time successful?"

Huang Zhaoyi sat on the sofa nearby. "Same as usual, it was fine."

Liu Yue asked, "Aunt, I heard from Mom that you received quite a lot of dividends from the bank you invested in in Xiangjiang this month?"

Huang Zhaoyi nodded.

Liu Yue asked again, "The three time-honored restaurants in Shanghai and the two large hotels in Xiangjiang also pay you quite a lot every month, right?"

Huang Zhaoyi laughed. "What 'pay tribute'? You make it sound like the mafia collecting protection money; it sounds terrible. But with the reform and opening up, the restaurant and hotel businesses are doing quite well. I won't starve. Are you short on money?"

Liu Yue rolled up her sleeves. "Yeah, I'm short on money. Why don't you give me one of the restaurants?"

Huang Zhaoyi said unhurriedly, "Even if I gave it to you now, you wouldn't have time to manage it. When you get married in the future, Aunt will give you a restaurant and a hotel as a dowry."

Liu Yue curled her lips. "Me, get married? Pfft! Who knows when that will be. You're just drawing a pie in the sky; it's not practical at all."

Huang Zhaoyi said, "You won't have to wait that long. When you meet someone you like, you'll have that thought."

Liu Yue's eyes flashed. "Aunt, if you met someone you liked, would you have thoughts of marriage?"

"Me?"

Huang Zhaoyi hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "At my age, it's difficult."

Liu Yue frowned. "You're good-looking, tall, excellent yourself, and you have Grandpa and Uncle backing you up, plus your pockets are full. You're losing confidence at 33? This doesn't look like the you in my impression."

Huang Zhaoyi asked with amusement, "What am I like in your impression?"

Liu Yue recalled, "When I was a child, you were like the Chang'e fairy in the Moon Palace; every wave of your sleeve was extraordinary."

Huang Zhaoyi said, "That was when you were a child. When you grow up and know more, things will change."

"No, no, no. At least until half a year ago, my perception of you hadn't changed. You became a big star in Peking opera and a professor at the Theater Academy. You have a unique eye for side businesses; the banks you invested in and the restaurants and hotels you invested in are making money every day—money begetting money. You're like six golden chickens laying golden eggs. Even Aunt often praises you, saying if you focused on business, you would definitely be able to dominate." Liu Yue raised her index finger, shook it, and said so.

Huang Zhaoyi didn't care. "Money is enough if it's enough; too much is meaningless. My ambition is not there."

Then she asked suspiciously, "Why half a year ago? Has your perception of your aunt changed in the last half year?"

Liu Yue turned her head to look directly into her eyes. "It has indeed changed. You used to be decisive and resolute in handling things, and your style was smooth and unstoppable. Mom even said you were the most carefree person in the entire Huang family. But now, hmm, you're indecisive, hesitant, and wavering."

Huang Zhaoyi checked herself and finally smiled. "Is that so? Where has it changed? Is it worth this look of yours that makes me grit my teeth in annoyance?"

Seeing that the groundwork was laid, Liu Yue straightened her body and asked, "Then let me ask you, do you have someone you like in your heart?"

The sudden question made Huang Zhaoyi freeze.

Liu Yue reached out and waved in front of her. "Don't look at me foolishly; just tell me, do you or not?"

Huang Zhaoyi realized. "You went in a circle just to come here for this question today?"

Liu Yue stared fixedly at her eyes.

Huang Zhaoyi asked, "Did your grandmother send you? Or did your mother send you?"

Liu Yue said, "Neither, it's me myself."

Huang Zhaoyi looked puzzled.

Liu Yue said, "If I don't come again, he'll fly away."

Huang Zhaoyi brushed her hair with her right hand and asked, "He?"

Liu Yue's eyes were strange. "Still pretending with me? Whether he is in your heart or not, don't you know better than me, Aunt?"

Facing each other, Huang Zhaoyi suddenly smiled, stood up, and said, "You're a little devil. Aunt has seen your tricks of catching a wolf with empty hands too many times. Go to Fudan to deal with the little boys; it doesn't work on me."

Liu Yue curled her lips. "Don't say that. I really want to trick a boy at Fudan, but he doesn't fall for it."

Huang Zhaoyi immediately became interested. "Oh? Who is it? Who makes our Yueyue, who has always had high standards, interested?"

Liu Yue said shyly on purpose, "You might not know him if I say it. That Li Heng is so annoying."

PS: (There's more.)

(End of chapter)