Chapter 298: , Carrying the Rising Dragon Staff, a tall tree attracts the wind (Seeking subscriptions!)

It was already 10:30 by the time they returned to Haidian; it was getting late.

Just as they entered the house, the two of them saw Zhou Shihe curled up on the sofa, reading quietly.

Seeing the movement at the entrance, Miss Zhou slowly raised her head.

Li Heng walked over and shook the lunchbox in his hand: "Are you hungry?"

Zhou Shihe smiled knowingly: "I'm alright."

Li Heng touched the lunchbox, felt it was a bit cold, and asked again: "Have you already taken a bath?"

Zhou Shihe nodded and gave a soft "mm."

Li Heng straightened up and sighed: "Forget it, I've been cooking all afternoon anyway and still need to bathe, I'll go help you heat this up."

Having said that, he picked up the lunchbox and walked into the kitchen.

Zhou Shihe thought for a moment, put down her book, and followed him in.

Li Heng glanced at her, "These are dishes I made, just some home-cooked food, you should be able to get used to it."

"Okay, thank you."

Zhou Shihe stood to one side, watching quietly as he heated the cured meat, duck with young ginger, and braised winter melon in the pot one by one, his movements smooth and fluid.

"Did you sleep this afternoon?" he asked.

"I slept for over three hours," she replied.

"So you just woke up not long ago?"

"Yes."

Li Heng asked casually: "You didn't have any nightmares, did you?"

Zhou Shihe said weakly: "I slept in your bed."

Li Heng half-turned and stared at her.

Zhou Shihe unobtrusively avoided his gaze and looked toward the kitchen cupboard, as if there were flowers there.

After a long while, Li Heng turned back and asked tentatively with a chuckle: "Then you can continue sleeping in my bed tonight, I'll sleep on the sofa."

After a long pause, Zhou Shihe finally replied gently and gracefully: "Okay."

Looking at the braised winter melon in the pot, Li Heng asked the question he had been harboring: "Do you prefer sleeping alone, and dislike sharing a bed with others?"

"Mm."

Zhou Shihe gave a soft "mm," and fearing he might misunderstand, added: "Since I can remember, I have basically always slept alone. Only a few cousins and Mai Sui have ever shared a bed with me."

Before long, the three dishes were heated, and the rice had been warmed up too. Li Heng untied his apron, "Then eat slowly, I'm going to take a bath."

"Thank you."

After thanking him again, Zhou Shihe watched him leave quietly before picking up her chopsticks and eating with her head down.

Professor Yu was already on the phone when they entered. When he came out after his bath, she was still on the phone. Feeling bored, he felt a surge of childlike playfulness and went out into the courtyard to build a snowman.

He rolled a large ball, then a small snowball. Just as he was stacking the two snowballs to shape the mouth, eyes, and nose, the two women appeared behind him simultaneously.

"Your technique is quite good, did you play often when you were a child?" Professor Yu asked.

Li Heng didn't look back: "That's right, the place where we lived was remote, and we didn't have much entertainment."

In spring, summer, and autumn, we played with iron hoops and paper squares.

In winter, we would crawl in the snow, build snowmen, go up the mountain to dig traps to catch wild rabbits, ah, that was what you call fun..."

As he chattered on about the interesting things from his childhood, the two women joined in the conversation. The three of them chatted happily, and the snowman was soon shaped.

"It's a pity, I forgot to bring my camera when packing this time, otherwise it would be nice for the three of us to take a few photos." Yu Shuheng looked at the snowman and said with regret.

Li Heng comforted her: "It's fine, aren't there rehearsals later? Winter in the north is never short of snow, we can do whatever we want then."

Chatting away, the three of them stomped around in the snow for a while until the grey-clothed woman who had left that morning came over. The four of them returned indoors and started playing poker.

After some discussion, they played "Upgrade," with Yu Shuheng and her friend on one side.

Li Heng and Zhou Shihe were on the other.

The grey-clothed woman's left cheek was a bit red, and she opened with a "King Bomb": "I brought up divorce with him, but he refused to agree no matter what, we just had a fight."

Li Heng and Zhou Shihe exchanged a silent glance, pretended not to hear, and played their cards low-key.

Yu Shuheng showed no reaction on her face: "Why don't you come with me to Hangcheng to clear your head?"

"No, if I go to Hangcheng, what if he follows? I'll be charmed into a daze by you again." The grey-clothed woman sounded a bit jealous.

Yu Shuheng said: "Go back and tell him that I have a sweetheart, so he should give up."

The grey-clothed woman's face changed instantly, from a coffin face to a sushi face, overjoyed: "This is great news, really?"

Yu Shuheng smiled slightly, ignored the question, and played six cards in a row: "qqkkaa, tractor, hurry up and clear your points."

"Ah, okay, a pair of 10s, and a 5. Let me tell you, all the sisters are hoping you'll find someone and get married, otherwise, no one feels secure. If you just leak a little bit of your charm, those stinky men would all be dizzy for three to five years." The grey-clothed woman muttered.

Li Heng glanced at Professor Yu; he didn't think this was false at all, but rather felt a deep sense of agreement.

The scholarly aura was too rich! Both intellectual and a "royal sister" type, unusually beautiful, with a good figure, talented, and from a powerful family background—who wouldn't be dazed if they encountered someone like this?

There was just one thing that wasn't great: when she was cold, she was truly cold, comparable to a thousand-year iceberg! In this state, when looking at her, the pressure was inexplicably high.

Playing cards all night, the grey-clothed woman talked intermittently the whole time. Li Heng finally understood: this woman actually loved her husband very much, but was quite jealous and didn't dare let her husband see Professor Yu, fearing she would lose favor and that her husband would lose his soul.

When the alarm went off at dawn, Yu Shuheng immediately put the cards on the table and urged: "That's it for today, settle the money, and let's sleep."

As she spoke, she counted out 156 yuan herself and placed it in the center of the table.

Professor Yu lost, and the grey-clothed woman on her side naturally lost the same amount, and she also readily took out 156 yuan.

Li Heng reached out, gave half the money to Zhou Shihe, said nothing, stood up, and left.

Zhou Shihe smiled lightly, greeted the two women, and followed him out.

Watching the two leave, the grey-clothed woman leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice: "Is this man named Li Heng?"

Yu Shuheng asked: "Why are you asking about him?"

The grey-clothed woman asked: "Are they a couple?"

Yu Shuheng shook her head.

Seeing this, the grey-clothed woman was puzzled: "Didn't they sleep in the same room last night?"

Yu Shuheng said: "Aren't you a doctor? Can't you tell if the girl just now is still a virgin?"

The grey-clothed woman said: "Doctors don't specifically look for that. I don't know if others have that ability, but I certainly don't."

Yu Shuheng smiled, and while collecting the cards, said: "They are not a couple."

Hearing this, the grey-clothed woman's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Mm."

"My younger sister is coming back from studying at Oxford University next year, and she just happens to be single. My family has been telling me to keep an eye out for someone suitable. What do you think of this boy?" The grey-clothed woman asked in a tone seeking advice.

Yu Shuheng said expressionlessly: "He is only just over 18 this year."

The grey-clothed woman said: "It's fine, my sister is only just over 22. Being four years older isn't much. I think she should like this type."

Yu Shuheng said: "He is from the countryside."

"A commoner? No family background? But his speech doesn't sound like it," the grey-clothed woman was stunned.

"That's because your judgment is off."

"Then how did you end up playing with him?"

Yu Shuheng stopped collecting the cards and said to her: "You collect the cards!"

The grey-clothed woman was a bit confused and asked, "What's this? Are you angry?"

Yu Shuheng stood up and stretched: "He is my best friend's student."

"Sorry."

The grey-clothed woman knew her friend's temperament too well, apologized in time, and then sighed with regret: "Sigh, he looks quite pleasing to the eye. If he has no background, even if my sister likes him, the family won't agree."

Yu Shuheng said meaningfully: "Your family doesn't need to like him; there are plenty who do."

The grey-clothed woman nodded, "That's true. Being able to be on the Spring Festival Gala represents talent; I don't doubt that."

Then she asked: "Which program is he in?"

Yu Shuheng said: "The sixth."

"Okay, I've noted it, I'll watch it on time then," the grey-clothed woman said.

Yu Shuheng glanced sideways: "You can watch, but don't set your sights on him."

The grey-clothed woman raised her head, "Oh?"

Yu Shuheng offered no explanation, washed up simply, and lay down on the bed.

The grey-clothed woman also washed up, followed her to bed, and asked with an itchy heart: "It wouldn't be that you've taken a fancy to him yourself, would it?"

Yu Shuheng asked: "What do you think?"

"Doesn't look like it," the grey-clothed woman shook her head: "And it's impossible, he's your student."

Yu Shuheng said: "If I took a fancy to him, your Aunt Shen Xin would break my legs."

The grey-clothed woman laughed out loud, "Indeed, I can imagine that."

On the other side, in the guest bedroom.

After washing his hands, the old rule applied after entering: Li Heng first moved the sofa to the door, then lay down comfortably.

Zhou Shihe sat obediently on the edge of the bed, then fell silent.

Discovering this scene, Li Heng asked: "What's wrong with you? Not going to bed?"

Zhou Shihe looked at him embarrassedly, wanting to speak but stopping.

Their eyes met, Li Heng gave a few "ohs" after a moment, turned his back, and faced the door.

After lingering on his back for a short while, Zhou Shihe began to take off her shoes, got into bed, took off her coat and middle layer, then slowly lay down and covered herself with the quilt.

After doing all this, she said gently: "It's okay now."

"Then I'll turn off the light?"

"Okay."

Li Heng reached out and felt for the switch cord, *snap*, the light went out, and the bedroom was instantly pitch black.

After a long time, Zhou Shihe took the initiative to speak, "Li Heng, are you asleep?"

"Asleep," Li Heng replied.

Zhou Shihe smiled slightly, "Did I disturb you?"

"No, can't you sleep?" Li Heng asked.

Zhou Shihe said: "Mm, I slept too long this afternoon, I'm not sleepy."

Li Heng asked: "Do you want me to chat with you?"

Zhou Shihe pondered for a moment and said: "Did you hear any sound just now?"

"I heard it, the wind is strong outside, it must have blown something over," Li Heng said.

Zhou Shihe said: "Listen again."

Li Heng pricked up his ears and listened for a while, then sat up immediately: "It seems, it seems like a woman is crying, and she sounds quite heartbroken."

Zhou Shihe said: "It's right next door."

Li Heng said: "Cover yourself well with the quilt, I'll turn on the light and take a look."

Zhou Shihe gave a soft "mm."

Ten seconds later, Li Heng turned on the light and threw on a coat to go outside and check.

Coincidentally, Professor Yu also came out of the master bedroom at this time, followed by the grey-clothed woman.

As soon as they met, she asked: "You heard the crying too?"

Li Heng responded: "I'll open the door and take a look."

As he spoke, he ran to the main gate, pulled the bolt, went into the courtyard, and followed the sound toward the courtyard on the right.

Yu Shuheng walked to his side and looked in the direction of his gaze, "It's the dead of winter, the weather is cold, there must be an elderly person next door who didn't make it and passed away."

"I guess so too," Li Heng nodded.

The grey-clothed woman glanced at the courtyard next door, then her eyes inadvertently darted over and caught sight of a very large package, and her eyes widened instantly!

This, this capital is so ample!!!

She was married; without comparison, there is no harm. She suddenly felt that the one at home wasn't fragrant anymore!

Yu Shuheng noticed her friend's expression, coughed, and then said: "It's too cold outside, let's go in."

As she spoke, she went inside first.

The grey-clothed woman snuck a few more peeks before following her in.

*Pah! * If you don't want people to know, don't do it. It's still winter, if it were summer I'd choke you to death. It seems it really is "a tall tree attracts the wind." I must wear outer pants when going out in the future, Li Heng muttered to himself, shrunk his neck, huddled his hands, and mumbled as he entered the door, closed it, and turned off the light the moment he returned to the room.

He had to turn off the light; there were female comrades in the house, he had experience from just now. After doing all this, he crawled into the sofa bedding.

In the master bedroom, the grey-clothed woman winked, "Do you know what I was thinking just now?"

Yu Shuheng asked: "What were you thinking?"

"So, so that! It should be very comfortable to sleep with him, for a moment I even wanted to be his lover," the grey-clothed woman gave two flirtatious looks.

Yu Shuheng stared into her friend's eyes, "For your own good, you are not allowed to come here before the New Year."

"Don't be so stingy, I'm just looking," the grey-clothed woman protested.

"Looking isn't allowed either. I promised my best friend to keep him safe, I can't let you be flirtatious," Yu Shuheng said, closing her eyes.

"My god! My god! What did you just say? These words came out of your mouth?"

The grey-clothed woman was greatly surprised, her face full of disbelief, and she scrambled up: "We've known each other for so many years, this is the first time I've heard you use an unrefined word."

Yu Shuheng remained unmoved: "Not saying it doesn't mean I can't; it depends on the person."

The grey-clothed woman tried to observe something from her friend's expression, but unfortunately returned empty-handed, and finally lay back down in defeat: "I envy your best friend... having such a student."

"Don't overthink it, he has a partner," Yu Shuheng said after a long while.

The grey-clothed woman changed her tune, "Sigh, I envy his partner. This can be considered a dragon among men, right? I just don't know if he can pull a cart?"

Hearing this, Yu Shuheng turned over and ignored her.

On the other side, in the guest bedroom.

Li Heng described what he had just seen, "It must be that an elderly person next door passed away. It might be noisy tonight, don't think about it, I'm here."

"Okay."

"Then, do you still want me to chat with you for a while?"

"No need, it's late, you sleep."

"Alright, call me if anything happens, I'm quite sensitive and wake up easily."

"Mm, okay."

Not long after, Li Heng, with a relaxed mind, drifted into dreamland.

In the dream.

It was the familiar scene and the familiar person; the woman with a mole on her lower abdomen had reunited after a long separation and appeared once again. But depressingly, there seemed to be a thin mist on her face, and he still couldn't see her face clearly.

Zhou Shihe, who hadn't closed her eyes, was a bit dazed.

After a while, a very small, tentative voice came from the sofa at the door, "Are you asleep?"

Zhou Shihe closed her eyes, straightened her body, and didn't dare to move.

After a while, the door opened a crack, and someone went out.

Ten minutes later, a faint sound of footsteps came, the door closed gently, there was a rustling sound, and the night fell into dead silence again.

PS: Seeking subscriptions! Seeking monthly tickets!

Posted first, edited later.

10,200 words posted, continuing tomorrow.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 299 =====