Chapter 31: Song Yu, Good News

Dust motes hung visible in the winter sun’s warmth; a soft rustling of pages echoed faintly as Song Yu sat quietly there, dressed in simple cotton clothing, her grace innate.

Occasionally, a north wind passed by, lifting a strand of hair near her ear…

The entire scene was utterly serene, spotless, as if she were a fairy stepped from a painting.

At this moment, her face bore no trace of time, no shadow of love, hate, or parting—she seemed forever trapped in the memory of eighteen, waiting for her lover to pursue her anew.

For a moment, Li Heng, brimming with love, was utterly transfixed.

In his past life, he had lived over fifty years, seen countless people, and prided himself on his talent, yet he could never find the right words to describe her exquisite beauty.

Sun Manning called her an elf born from the Book of Songs, perfectly embodying “a graceful lady, a worthy match for a gentleman.”

Like the male classmates reminisced at their ten-year reunion: the boys’ secret crushes and obsessions with Song Yu were like actors lost in a role, filling every corner of their youth.

In his past life, Yang Yingwen had once asked him directly: “Who do you love most among Song Yu, Xiao Han, and Chen Zijin?”

At the time, Li Heng gave no direct answer, but spoke his heart gently:

“Song Yu is a rare guest from this mortal world; she is the three-inch snow on the eaves. To know her, to be known by her, was the sweetest moment of my life.”

He remembered once, when he celebrated her birthday alone, she asked, half-drunk:

“If you like me so much, why didn’t you ever pursue me back then? Was I not good enough?”

Li Heng answered after a long silence: “Not because you weren’t good enough—because you were too good. I knew I could never catch up to you.”

She smiled lightly and teased: “You’re Li Heng—every girl’s dream. Are you really that insecure?”

Li Heng knew his own worth: “Yes. In my heart, no one in this world deserves you—not even myself.”

Song Yu smiled, then gradually softened her expression: “I thought it might have been because of Zijin.”

Li Heng asked in return: “If I had confessed to you right after high school graduation, would you have said yes?”

Song Yu pondered for a long while, then shook her head.

Li Heng let out a long sigh: “See? It was all useless.”

Seeing him sink into despair, drinking steadily, Song Yu comforted him: “If you’d been the first person to come into my life, and pursued me as earnestly as you do now, I might have fallen for you back then.”

Li Heng drained a bottle of beer, exhaled heavily, and murmured: “When we met, my monthly food budget never exceeded eight yuan; not a single piece of clothing cost more than three. How could I ever dare to pursue you? I didn’t dare.”

After a silence, she asked: “What if it were possible? What if I were willing to be with you?”

Li Heng spoke with heartache: “Even then, I’d be overreaching. I couldn’t bear for you to suffer with me. You were just an adult, emotional and impulsive—I couldn’t let my feelings drive me.”

He spoke from genuine feeling: after the blow to the Chen family during his sophomore summer, his spirit had been crushed. How could he possibly dare to court Song Yu, who stood at the pinnacle of female beauty, at graduation?

He didn't dare. He was insecure, lacked courage, and had no confidence.

She looked up, staring blankly at the moon, silent for a long time.

…

A stone statue suddenly stood at the door, finally catching Song Yu’s attention as she read.

She lifted her head slightly, glancing toward Li Heng.

Their gazes met—as if crossing time and space, enduring countless trials—finally locking together.

Remembering how he had been struck dead by lightning in his past life, with her standing right beside him, Li Heng’s emotions erupted. Tears in his eyes, he rushed into the classroom.

Under her gaze, he seized her right hand, trembling with excitement.

He nearly blurted out: “You weren’t struck by lightning, were you? The lightning didn’t hit you, did it?”

They had known each other nearly three years; because of Chen Zijin, they had always been close, yet he had always been polite, never once overstepping.

Now, this sudden, absurd act truly startled Song Yu.

For the first time, a boy touched her hand. Shocked, she instinctively tried to pull her right hand away.

She pulled once—no movement.

Pulled again—still unmoved.

Just as she furrowed her brows, preparing to struggle again, she suddenly stopped. She let go.

She allowed him to hold her hand.

Because in that moment, she seemed to understand his gaze, feel his sincerity, and realize his reckless action must have a reason.

After a long silence, Song Yu asked softly: “Li Heng, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Her voice was cool, yet carried concern.

Li Heng greedily held her hand a moment longer, then took a deep breath, released it, and apologized:

“Nothing. I haven’t seen you in so long—I just felt dazed, as if time and yin-yang had torn us apart, as if I’d never see you again in this life.”

Intuition told her his words couldn’t be trusted, but Song Yu chose not to confront him. Instead, she gazed silently at his tear-filled eyes, lost in thought…

He didn’t tell her the truth—perhaps something had happened to him?

Perhaps he had no choice?

But no matter what, Li Heng was Zijin’s partner. As a close friend, as a confidante, she must uphold her boundaries and stop him from crossing the line.

As Sun Manning had said, Song Yu knew this boy secretly liked her, admired her—but she could not accept his feelings.

Anyone could walk into the classroom at any moment.

To avoid giving classmates the wrong impression, Song Yu gently reminded him: “Did you just finish lunch? There’s a grain of rice on your face.”

How could there be rice on his face?

Li Heng understood: she was hinting that it was the first day of school, and someone might enter the classroom any moment—he should wash his face at the faucet, so his tear-stained eyes wouldn’t be noticed.

To be honest, if he hadn’t forced himself to hold back his tears, he would have wept uncontrollably.

To meet her again in high school—how blessed he was! Heaven had been kind to him.

“Oh, Li Heng, you’re here?”

As Li Heng opened his mouth to speak, a voice suddenly came from the doorway.

Footsteps followed, entering the classroom.

Seeing it was the English teacher, Song Yu quietly withdrew her right hand to rest on her book and bowed politely: “Teacher.”

Wang Run looked her over with admiration and couldn’t help praising: “It’s been a winter break—you’ve become even more beautiful.”

Song Yu smiled quietly, saying nothing.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the English teacher turned to Li Heng: “I just had to go to the academic office—did you wait long?”

Li Heng smiled and waved: “No, I just got here.”

Wang Run nodded, turning swiftly toward the door: “I need to speak with you—come with me.”

Here it comes!

Is this finally what I’ve been waiting for?

After exchanging a glance with Song Yu, Li Heng rose quickly and followed her out.

Perhaps all the students had checked in and the homeroom teacher, Wang Qi, hadn’t returned yet—so the two of them walked straight into the office.

Wang Run, entering first, instructed: “Close the door.”

In the past, Li Heng, mindful of his reputation and Song Yu’s presence, would never have closed the door.

But now, without hesitation, he shut it and asked eagerly: “Teacher, what do you need? Is there news from the magazine?”

Wang Run answered evasively, smiling faintly as she stared at him: “Do you like Song Yu?”

Li Heng denied it outright: “Teacher, what are you saying? There’s no truth to it—don’t accuse me falsely.”

Wang Run pointed to his eyes: “Your tears haven’t dried yet. They don’t lie.”

Li Heng: “...”

Since she saw it, he simply wiped his eyes.

The English teacher watched him for a moment, then suddenly spoke: “I received a call at noon—for you.”

Li Heng’s eyes lit up: “Who? Where from?”

The teacher said: “Shanghai. It seems to be the magazine you mentioned—‘Shouhuo.’”

She paused: “I’m certain I didn’t mishear—it must be them.”

ps: Request monthly votes! Request follows!

, the memories with Song Yu are merely a single fragment—limited strictly to the time after high school graduation. Their feelings haven’t been developed yet; don’t misunderstand, everyone.

The female leads will be strictly limited to a few—his past wife is certainly one of these three (Xiao Han, Song Yu, Chen Zijin). No spoilers on the others.

(End of chapter)