Chapter 355: Yu Shuheng's initiative (Seeking subscriptions!)

The new house was only about 100 meters away from the Zhao family, very close, a few steps away.

The two followed the village head to set off a string of firecrackers, which counted as going through the motions.

Just as Yu Shuheng expected, the Zhao family elders really recognized her. But they knew it in their hearts, and after exchanging greetings, they didn't communicate too much on such an occasion.

The Zhao family originally wanted to arrange the two in a more honorable seat, but Yu Shuheng refused, saying tactfully: "We have things to do when we come to Bai Lu Village."

The Zhao family immediately understood that the two didn't want to be too high-profile, so they followed their meaning and arranged them in a slightly secondary seat.

But even if it was secondary, the position didn't dare to be too far back; this was the foundation of the Yu family.

"Eh, Li Heng?"

Just as the two were exchanging pleasantries with the same table, a female voice came from far to near, and a moment later, a hand patted his shoulder quickly from behind.

Li Heng and Yu Shuheng turned their heads at the same time.

After Yu Shuheng sized up the woman, she didn't take it to heart and continued to chat with the Zhao family.

Li Heng was incomparably surprised!

Guess who he saw?

It was actually Li Ran!

That's right, it was Li Ran who ate people without spitting out bones in bed.

"It's you? Why are you here?"

"Aren't you studying? Why did you come here?"

Staring at each other, the two spoke at the same time.

Li Ran giggled and said to him: "It's still a while before the banquet starts, come, let's find a place to chat alone."

Li Heng nodded, and said to Yu Shuheng in a voice only two people could hear: "Teacher, I'm going out for a bit."

Yu Shuheng nodded slightly.

Arriving at a deserted place in the corridor outside, the Li Ran in front turned around and asked impatiently: "Tell me what's going on? Why are you here?"

The two were very familiar, Li Heng joked: "You guess."

Li Ran turned her brain: "To pick up girls?"

Li Heng was speechless: "Don't mess around, that's my university teacher."

Li Ran giggled: "I know, I watched the Spring Festival Gala, and I read the newspaper, so I naturally understand that you are teacher and student, and I also know she teaches you English. However..."

Speaking of this, her tone changed: "However, teachers have flavor! Especially English teachers with completely different temperaments, right? This English teacher really has feminine charm!"

Her words were double-entendre, referring to both Wang Runwen from last summer and Yu Shuheng.

Li Heng: "..."

He said: "I'm here to collect materials and find inspiration."

Hearing this, Li Ran put away her teasing expression: "New book?"

Li Heng was surprised: "Yo, your news is quite fast."

Li Ran curled her lips: "A legendary writer returns with a masterpiece, like dropping a nuclear bomb in the literary world. The newspapers outside are crazy, didn't you see?"

"I saw, but not much, I've been busy with the new book recently."

Li Heng said, and then complained dissatisfiedly: "Since you knew I published a new book, how could you not guess the reason I came here?"

Li Ran retorted: "What does your new book have to do with this?"

Li Heng said: "How could it have nothing to do with it? My new book is called 'Bai Luyuan', use your toes to think."

"'Bai Luyuan'?"

"That's right."

Li Ran nudged her mouth embarrassedly and told the truth: "Old lady has been busy falling in love recently, no time to pay attention to you. You publishing a new book was mentioned by my mom when eating, saying your new book is written well, the response is great, and the media and readers are arguing endlessly."

"Falling in love? With which unlucky ghost?" Li Heng asked.

"Hey! Can you speak properly? It's too ugly, humph." Li Ran was unhappy.

Li Heng spread his hands and spoke the truth: "You didn't say in your letter that since we separated last summer, you've changed 2 men in the past half year. And both were kicked away by you after being used. The other party gave their heart but ended up with a sad ending, isn't that an unlucky ghost?"

Mentioning this, Li Ran laughed it off, then put her index finger on her lips, lowered her voice and told him: "My new partner is from the Zhao family, keep your voice down, don't let people hear, I've been enjoying this relationship very much recently."

Pfft! Fart of a relationship.

It's definitely greed for the pleasure of bed.

Li Heng was suspicious: "Zhao family? Heard this family has great energy in this area, how did you get together?"

Li Ran asked: "Did you forget what I do?"

Li Heng said: "Reporter."

Li Ran snapped her fingers: "That's right, he works at the newspaper office, I provide articles for them, and we got familiar after going back and forth. He surrendered to my charm."

Zhao family elder, also known as this revolutionary Zhao Xping, had two sons and two daughters.

The girl in green before was from the eldest son's lineage.

And the "he" in Li Ran's mouth was from the second son's lineage. The girl in green and Li Ran's current partner were cousins.

Li Heng sized up Li Ran carefully. Even though her appearance was relatively average, the wildness in her bones was enough, and it might really have a fatal attraction to certain men.

He asked: "How long have you been together?"

Li Ran replied: "3 months."

He was a little surprised: "Yo, actually talked for 3 months and haven't broken up yet. The Zhao family's conditions are so good, are you planning to be serious this time?"

Well, actually he felt it was a waste of time to ask after asking. In his previous life, this girl had experienced more than a dozen men, whoa! Now it's only the 4th one.

Sure enough, Li Ran's answer didn't exceed his expectations: "We'll see, I also want to treat it well, but you should have already noticed, I might have inherited my mom, and my demand for that aspect is quite vigorous. If he can't satisfy me, I can't guarantee whether I will propose to break up."

Li Heng's mouth twitched, speechless.

After a long while, he offered a suggestion: "Maybe it's an imbalance in some hormone secretion, you can try to see a doctor."

Li Ran was secretive about this and very resistant: "Where to see? If my reputation is ruined after seeing it, what then?"

She was a reporter, digging into other people's privacy and exposing others every day, so the first thing she thought of was reputation and confidentiality.

Li Heng worried for her: "You've talked to several partners, aren't you afraid the Zhao family will know? Big families are probably very taboo about this."

"Don't worry about this, those men, although they separated from me, never spoke ill of me behind my back, and I was good enough to them, it's just that my desire for sex... you understand, if I don't break up with them, they will all follow in my father's footsteps, I was forced to, for their own good." Li Ran said this with no expression on her face, already numb.

Just when the two were talking intensely, two girls came over from the corridor.

It was a coincidence, they were the two met by the river at noon, the girl in green and her companion.

Seeing the two girls coming, Li Heng and Li Ran immediately stopped the topic and stepped aside to let them pass.

Li Ran even nodded to the two girls, which counted as a greeting.

After the two girls entered the room, Li Ran spoke again: "Still remember the stunning woman I told you I saw at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda last summer?"

Li Heng nodded, "Have an impression."

Li Ran told him: "It's the girl in green who just walked past, beautiful enough, right?"

"Mm." In the face of facts, Li Heng didn't deny it.

Li Ran said: "Her name is Zhao Wanqing, a sophomore at Xi'an Jiaotong University. I only found out last month."

Saying this, she walked a step closer, lowered her voice and said: "There is a rumor that a boy with a very good family condition at Xida was crazily obsessed with her, and after failing to pursue her, he went crazy."

Li Heng was surprised: "Mental disorder?"

"Yes, heard the boy had already dropped out." Li Ran said.

Li Heng was a bit dazed: "Too, too..."

Li Ran interrupted him: "Too unbelievable?"

Li Heng acquiesced.

Li Ran shook her head, "You know my profession, I've been to too many places over the years, and can even say that except for the Northeast and the southernmost part, I've basically run through every province. I've been to so many places and seen so many people, but there are only a few girls who I can't forget at a glance, and among these few, I personally think Song Yu and her are the best. Well, Xiao Han in your small town isn't bad either, can rank third."

Without waiting for Li Heng to reply, she continued: "So, you should understand the gold content of this beauty. What's it to have a few men go crazy for her? Maybe there will be men going crazy in the future."

Li Heng: "..."

Hearing this kind of thing for the first time, he gossiped curiously: "What was the reaction of the boy's family?"

Li Ran curled her lips: "What reaction could there be? Honestly, the boy's family is also small and famous in this area of Xi'an, but unfortunately, the Zhao family is too powerful."

Speaking of this, she suddenly remembered something and gossiped: "By the way, the piano girl who performed with you on the Spring Festival Gala, how is she compared to the one on TV? With such good temperament, is it because she is too photogenic?"

Li Heng shook his head: "No, the real person has more flavor."

"Damn! Are you a natural magnet, kid? How can you meet women of this level?" Hearing this, Li Ran couldn't help but explode with a swear word and punched him.

She punched too hard, Li Heng was forced to retreat a step, and asked: "How is your mom?"

"My mom? Almost lovesick, taking out your dad's photo and staring blankly every few days. Don't think I don't know, I'm just giving her face and not exposing her." Li Ran complained wildly.

The love and hatred of the previous generation, Li Heng was too lazy to get involved, automatically skipped: "Where is Auntie? If there is time, I will visit her."

Li Ran said: "Entered Xi'an Jiaotong University, hired as a professor in the history department."

Li Heng was stunned, long-lost memories emerged in his mind. If Li Ran hadn't mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten this.

Li Ran said: "If my mom knew you were here, she would definitely come to see you on the weekend."

Not having seen each other for a long time, the two had a high interest in talking, talking about all kinds of topics, and later even talked about Zhang Zhiyong.

Li Ran asked: "Did the brainless one talk about a partner in Hushi?"

"No, he misses Sister Chunhua, how could he talk to other girls." Li Heng sighed.

"Liu Chunhua? Is that the name? Did I remember wrong?"

"Yes, didn't remember wrong."

"Didn't they say she was getting married?"

"Already married, that fool went to Shaoshi during the winter vacation, came back crying, and found me to drink twice, each time drunk in a mess." Li Heng said.

Li Ran laughed: "Yo! This is really a lovesick seed, if I knew it would be like this, I would have tricked him into bed last summer."

"Forget it, with his small physique, he probably can't satisfy you, so don't go and harm him." Li Heng rolled his eyes.

"Didn't you say you were getting married?"

Li Heng rolled his eyes again: "Don't, don't do such immoral things. How does that saying go, better to tear down ten temples than destroy a marriage. People are already married, so just stop, watch the excitement on the side, don't meddle blindly."

Li Ran asked: "Where are you living now?"

Li Heng pointed to the new house a hundred meters away, "See, the newest wooden house at the intersection is where I live now."

Li Ran asked: "Are you living with your teacher?"

Li Heng said: "And two female bodyguards."

"Bodyguards? Still bringing bodyguards?" Li Ran was dumbfounded.

Li Heng nodded, "That's right, so you understand."

"Understand, even if you are moved, you don't dare to touch the other party easily, not wanting to lose Xiao Han and Song Yu." Li Ran said.

Li Heng stretched, didn't answer, and turned to ask: "The man who just came out of the door is coming toward us, is he looking for you?"

Looking in the direction of his gaze, Li Ran said: "His name is Zhao An."

"Your partner?"

"How is it?"

"Looks quite decent, your eye is good, cherish it well." Li Heng said.

Zhao An walked over, shouted affectionately: "Ranran, you are here, I've been looking for you for a long time, who is this?"

Li Ran introduced: "Li Heng, you should have seen his performance on the Spring Festival Gala, he is my uncle's son."

Zhao An took the initiative to extend his right hand, smiling and saying: "Hello, very happy to meet you."

Don't hit a smiling person, Li Heng shook hands with the other party, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, left.

After he left, Li Ran teased: "Why? Suspect us?"

Zhao An smiled awkwardly, "Ranran, don't think too much, this Li Heng and Yu Shuheng are a pair, how could I suspect you two."

Li Ran

One does not strike a person who is smiling; Li Heng shook hands with the other party, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then left.

Once he was gone, Li Ran teased, "What? Suspecting us?"

Zhao An smiled awkwardly, "Ranran, don't overthink it. This Li Heng and Yu Shuheng are a couple; how could I suspect you?"

Li Ran asked subconsciously, "Yu Shuheng?"

A moment later, she realized, "Oh, the woman who came with him?"

Zhao An said, "That's her."

Li Ran raised her eyebrows: "What did you say just now?"

Zhao An said, "I didn't recognize at first that she was the daughter of the Yu family; it was my uncle and my grandfather who told me, as they had seen her in Jingcheng before."

Li Ran said, "That's not the point. They are a couple?"

Zhao An said, "They should be. My cousin-in-law and my cousin saw them by the small river at noon and even helped them take an intimate photo."

Li Ran asked, "Your cousin Zhao Wanqing said so?"

Zhao An said, "When my cousin-in-law was chatting with my grandfather and uncle, I listened for a while from the side."

Li Ran was very surprised: "Intimate? How intimate?"

Zhao An said, "I entered the room later, so I didn't hear everything my cousin-in-law said before that."

Li Ran scanned the surroundings, lowered her voice by a few decibels, and asked, "How does your family compare to the Yu family?"

If anyone else had asked this, Zhao An would have ignored it, but he knew Li Ran's temperament—unrestrained and free—so she wouldn't care about such things.

Zhao An shook his head, "Our big family relies entirely on my grandfather and uncle to hold it up; there's no comparison."

Seeing that her boyfriend didn't want to say too much, Li Ran didn't ask again in this setting and followed him into the house.

Seeing him return, Yu Shuheng placed a cup of tea in front of him, "I just poured it, it's still a bit scalding."

Li Heng took the tea and blew on it, only then discovering that the Zhao Wanqing and cousin-in-law Li Ran mentioned had also been arranged by the Zhao family to sit at this table.

At the same table, there were several others, either peers or heavy-weight elders of the Zhao family, seemingly there to accompany the guests.

As for who they were accompanying?

That went without saying—accompanying Yu Shuheng. Having peers sit at the table was a hope for more contact between the two sides, while elders sitting in indicated respect.

Once again, Li Heng refreshed his understanding of Yu Laoshi's weight in the outside world.

Seeing Yu Laoshi and the eldest daughter of the Zhao family's third generation chatting intently, Li Heng didn't go to disturb them; like the others, he listened to them chat while waiting for the banquet to begin.

During this time, seeing that Li Heng was being somewhat neglected, the youngest daughter of the Zhao family's second generation took the initiative to strike up a conversation with him, picking the easiest topic to enter: "The Scenery of My Hometown."

You wouldn't know until you talked; once they talked, it was a shock—her knowledge of music theory was much deeper than his. Upon asking, she worked in the military art troupe.

Although Yu Shuheng was chatting with others, her attention was on his side. Fearing he might not be able to handle certain parts, she very naturally took over the conversation, rounding off the scene with extreme smoothness.

This protective behavior of Yu Shuheng's was seen by all the Zhao family members. Especially the young men of the Zhao family, who were envious of Li Heng to death.

This was the daughter of the Yu family, after all. Even setting aside family background, she was famous in the top-tier small circles of Jingcheng and Hushi.

Little did they know how many young masters had pursued her in the past, only to return in defeat; they never expected her to be so attentive to Li Heng.

Of course, the Zhao family hadn't reached that level yet and didn't know how great Yu Shuheng's influence was in those top-tier circles.

But Yu Shuheng's beauty and scholarly temperament were intuitive; anyone could see it. One might ask, which man wouldn't be moved?

However, being moved was useless. Don't look at how warm Yu Shuheng was now; the coldness carved into her bones would never give them a chance.

The Zhao family was worthy of being a local wealthy household; the banquet was very sumptuous. It was just a damn shame there were no chili peppers, otherwise he could have eaten half a bowl more rice, Li Heng thought to himself while devouring the food.

"Try this dish, it's quite delicious, it should suit your taste." In front of everyone, Yu Shuheng picked up a piece of gourd chicken for him.

While Li Heng was speechless inside, he was also somewhat flattered.

Once upon a time, when had he ever received such treatment?

In the past, Yu Laoshi would either suddenly give him the cold shoulder or ignore him.

And now, wow! She had even broken the precedent of picking food for him.

Thinking of this, he gradually realized that the reason Yu Laoshi returned in the middle of the night last night was likely because of Zhao Wanqing.

The intimate photo by the river at noon today, and now the picking of food—it was all likely a performance for others to see.

Damn it! The main point was that she didn't trust him!

Internal complaints aside, he was extremely calm on the surface. Under the gaze of everyone at the table, he neatly ate the food she picked for him, and finally added: "It really is delicious."

This meal left him a bit full. When he left the Zhao house and reached the small path outside, Li Heng looked at Yu Laoshi, then looked again, and looked a third time, until a change appeared on her face.

Yu Shuheng smiled slightly, "What are you looking at?"

Li Heng asked: "If Zhao Wanqing hadn't appeared, would you not have come back last night?"

Yu Shuheng's smile widened. She reached out to hook his arm and whispered: "Cooperate a bit, there are people watching from behind."

Li Heng raised his eyelids but didn't pull his hand away: "In Teacher's eyes, am I that kind of person?"

Walking a distance forward, Yu Shuheng spoke softly: "Little boy, what kind of person are you? You know in your heart. Let's not even talk about Xiao Han, Song Yu, and Chen Zijin; do you dare say you haven't been moved by other pretty girls? Do you need me to name them?"

Li Heng: "."

Yu Shuheng said: "Master Zou said you were born with a peach blossom fate, prone to peach blossom tribulations. I promised Runwen that I would look after you."

Li Heng: "."

After the two had gone far away, the cousin-in-law asked Li Ran: "Ranran, did you know Li Heng before?"

Hearing this, the Zhao family members nearby looked over like a swarm of bees.

Li Ran replied: "Our two families are family friends."

Zhao Wanling, the eldest daughter of the Zhao family's third generation, chimed in: "Aren't the two of them teacher and student? Are they really a couple?"

Zhao An was confused, "These two are teacher and student?"

Others also showed expressions of surprise.

Zhao Wanling said: "Chen Laoyezi said that Yu Shuheng is a teacher at Fudan University, and the Spring Festival Gala host introduced Li Heng as a freshman at Fudan. Even if Yu Shuheng doesn't personally teach Li Heng, the two are nominally teacher and student."

Zhao An turned to Li Ran: "Ranran, what does Li Heng's family do? How do they have such great ability?"

Facing everyone's gaze, Li Ran thought for a while before saying: "His parents are high-level intellectuals who used to work within the system, but later returned to the countryside for some reasons."

These things could be hidden for a while, but not forever. As Li Heng's fame grew, it would be exposed sooner or later.

Therefore, Li Ran chose not to lie about this.

The cousin-in-law was incredulous, "I don't deny that Li Heng is good-looking, and 'The Scenery of My Hometown' is, as the news reports say, a classic, but this doesn't seem to be enough, right?"

Some things are understood as soon as they are heard. Zhao Wanling asked the cousin-in-law: "Do you suspect the two are acting?"

The cousin-in-law nodded and gave her reason: "If I were her, even if my heart belonged to Li Heng, I would hide this affection and definitely wouldn't make it public so early."

Hearing this, Li Ran, who was familiar with Li Heng, looked at Zhao Wanqing and instantly understood all the joints. That guy Li Heng loved to provoke women, especially the pretty ones; he was a model of a playboy.

Could it be that Yu Shuheng was afraid Li Heng would provoke Zhao Wanqing, so she resorted to this strategy?

That must be it.

Otherwise, there was no need to do this. Besides, Zhao Wanqing was indeed attractive enough to men; having vigilance was human nature.

Zhao Wanling had been secretly observing Li Ran. At first, she didn't approve of her brother being with her, because a woman's intuition told her that beneath Li Ran's hypocritical appearance, there was a faint air of flirtatiousness.

But Zhao An seemed to be possessed; he wouldn't listen to advice no matter what and insisted on being with Li Ran. He not only publicly fell out with the family but even locked himself up to go on a hunger strike.

In the end, there was no other way. The Zhao family's third generation had only this one male descendant, and he had been spoiled since childhood, so they could only let him be.

The Zhao family felt that in the area of Xi'an, Li Ran couldn't stir up any waves. If they noticed something wrong later, it wouldn't be too late to intervene.

Of course, if Zhao Wanling knew that her own brother now had to rely on medicine to maintain his performance in bed, she would probably want to kill Li Ran.

Zhao Wanling asked Li Ran: "You are familiar with Li Heng and understand him; what do you think?"

Li Ran gave an evasive answer, saying ambiguously: "Li Heng is young and talented; as far as I know, he is quite popular with women."

The cousin-in-law asked the question that puzzled everyone: "Why did the two come to Bailu Village?"

Bailu Village was very ordinary among the surrounding villages and had nothing special about it.

If one had to name one special thing, it was that it produced the Zhao family.

Hindered by Yu Shuheng's family background, the Zhao family had been drumming in their hearts, unable to figure out what Li Heng and Yu Shuheng were doing here.

They had asked the village chief privately, but the village chief was evasive and couldn't give a straight answer, only saying they were to receive the two well according to instructions from above.

Without Li Heng's consent, Li Ran naturally wouldn't spill the beans about his identity as a writer, so she shook her head:

"Not very clear. We haven't seen each other for a long time. I wanted to ask him before, but Zhao An came out and interrupted our reunion."

Hearing this, the Zhao family members were somewhat disappointed. Knowing they couldn't ask anything more, they dispersed immediately.

Before long, only the cousin-in-law, Zhao Wanqing, and Zhao Wanling were left in the room.

Although Zhao Wanling and Zhao Wanqing were cousins, their bond was very deep, and their relationship was better than that of most biological sisters. She asked: "Wanqing, why have you been silent?"

Zhao Wanqing said: "I didn't sleep well last night and don't have much energy. But I think they might be acting."

The cousin-in-law and Zhao Wanling looked at each other and asked: "What's the reason?"

Zhao Wanqing thought for a moment and said: "Li Heng's expression is relatively stiff, and his intimate actions are always a beat slow, unlike the normal reactions during a passionate relationship. When I was taking photos for them, I had to pay attention to their facial expressions, so my intuitive feeling is quite profound."

The cousin-in-law clapped her hands, "Right! That's it! That's exactly it. I felt those two were weird at noon and couldn't figure out where the problem was, but now it's finally clear. They are clearly acting."

Zhao Wanling asked: "Why act?"

After asking, she looked at her cousin.

The cousin-in-law also looked at Zhao Wanqing.

Zhao Wanqing: "."

After a while, the cousin-in-law asked: "Did that woman from the Yu family really set her sights on Li Heng?"

Zhao Wanqing didn't speak.

Zhao Wanling stood up, "It's truly puzzling. I'll go ask Chen Laoyezi. Are you two coming?"

The cousin-in-law refused: "Let Wanqing accompany you. I'm going to take a nap; I still have to be busy tonight."

The cousin-in-law had self-awareness; her relationship with the Zhao family's old master wasn't that close, so it was better not to be an eyesore.

Passing through the hall, the two sisters came to the innermost room. At this time, there were four elders inside: the Zhao family's old master, his two sons, and his youngest daughter.

After greeting the four elders, Zhao Wanling explained the purpose of their visit.

The Zhao family's old master sat in his chair, not saying a word.

It was the youngest aunt who picked up the landline to make a call, then hung up after a while.

Four or five minutes later, the phone rang. The youngest aunt answered it and then said: "Okay, I see. Thank you."

Putting the receiver back, the youngest aunt said: "It has nothing to do with our family."

The Zhao family's old master had no reaction, as he hadn't taken this matter to heart in the first place.

Then the youngest aunt added: "No wonder the Yu family daughter is personally accompanying him; that Li Heng is quite extraordinary."

Zhao Wanling asked: "Aunt, what do you mean?"

The youngest aunt said: "He is a great writer, and he came to Bailu Village to gather material and find inspiration."

Zhao Wanling asked: "Great writer? Who?"

The youngest aunt said: "December."

Hearing this, the Zhao family's old master slowly opened his eyes. The two sons also looked over one after another.

The younger son asked: "Little sister, who did you ask?"

The youngest aunt said: "The president of Xi'an Jiaotong University, who got the exact news from the president of Fudan University."

The younger son nodded, "That's true, skipping class to come here, the school should know his situation."

Back home.

After a simple wash, Li Heng entered the study to continue writing Chapter 10 of "Bai Luyuan."

Yu Shuheng thought for a moment and didn't rush to deal with personal matters, but followed him into the study and sat behind him to his left, just like yesterday.

This chapter was about the various constraints of feudal ethics on people: one part on men, nine parts on women.

Xiancao gave birth to 8 children, and only after becoming a mother-in-law did she have the qualifications to put on airs and have an equal dialogue with her husband. And Heiwa broke ethics to accept Xiao'e's seduction, only to be spurned by everyone.

As the fountain pen tip scratched across the paper, and as the story characters under his pen became increasingly full, at a certain moment, Yu Shuheng, immersed in the world of the book, slowly raised her head, her gaze falling on his side profile, lingering for a long time.

Perhaps, last summer vacation was the time most worth remembering in Runwen's first half of life, she mused.

Song Yu, Xiao Han, Chen Zijin

After a round of thoughts, Song Yu's orchid-like temperament appeared in her mind again. She was pondering: Why was Song Yu so deeply in his heart?

Was it purely based on beauty and temperament?

Or were there other attribute bonuses?

Or perhaps, did these three women have some common attribute that attracted him?

Never before had she had such a strong craving to find the common attribute of the three women.

That night, Li Heng wrote furiously, not stopping until 1:00 AM.

Yu Shuheng didn't go anywhere, just accompanied him quietly by his side. She felt that such days might not be many, and suddenly felt a bit of cherishing; not everyone had the opportunity to watch him write on the spot. And without being disturbed.

Putting down the pen, Li Heng stretched and muttered: "Ugh, my hand is so sore, my head is about to explode from writing."

Just as he finished speaking, a pair of hands appeared on his temples, gently massaging them for him.

Li Heng was stunned, subconsciously wanting to lean back to look at her.

Yu Shuheng spoke softly: "Don't lift your head."

Li Heng paused, silent.

Then his head, which he had lifted halfway, obediently lowered again, looking straight out the window, feeling the pitch-black night outside.

Yu Shuheng asked: "Using your brain like this every day, do you feel tired?"

"Tired."

Li Heng didn't pretend, and added later: "But I am willing to suffer for it."

Yu Shuheng looked at the center of his forehead and said after a long time: "If you're tired, close your eyes and rest for a while."

His gaze still looking outside through the window lattice, Li Heng said: "I can't sleep, I'm thinking about something."

Yu Shuheng pondered and asked: "What is it?"

Li Heng said: "At noon today, our flaws by the river were too many."

Yu Shuheng was silent, and after a while asked: "Why suddenly think of this?"

Li Heng's mouth moved, wanting to say something but stopping.

Yu Shuheng's hands stopped for a moment, and a few seconds later continued to massage his temples, her red lips parting slightly: "Are you afraid?"

Li Heng said: "No."

Yu Shuheng was silent for a moment and said: "After I leave, whoever you want to come and accompany you, Teacher can help you call them over."

Li Heng said: "No need."

At this point, the two suddenly fell into silence, and the atmosphere became a bit heavier.

Li Heng was somewhat unaccustomed to this atmosphere, and finally couldn't help but break the deadlock: "Teacher, let's drink tonight."

Yu Shuheng glanced at his side profile, "What kind of wine do you want to drink?"

Li Heng said: "Baijiu."

Yu Shuheng asked lightly: "Do you want to get drunk?"

Li Heng said "Mm."

Yu Shuheng didn't respond for a while. For a long, long time, until he couldn't help but speak again, she said unhurriedly: "It's too late today, let's not drink. If you can't sleep, I can chat with you."

Li Heng asked: "Aren't you sleepy?"

Yu Shuheng said: "I'm okay."

Li Heng, as if possessed, raised his head and leaned back to gaze at her.

Yu Shuheng quickly reined in her expression, looking at him coldly.

Li Heng sighed: "Teacher, your face is colder than an ice cube; I don't think we can chat today."

As he spoke, he slowly closed his eyes.

Yu Shuheng didn't react at first, but when she noticed he was truly resting, she lowered her head and smiled slightly.

But just then, Li Heng's eyes snapped open.

Yu Shuheng was dazed; she couldn't hide her smile in time.

Li Heng looked at her steadily, "Teacher, has anyone ever told you that you are truly beautiful!"

Their eyes met, and Yu Shuheng, embarrassed for a moment, returned to normal and said elegantly: "Beautiful from childhood to adulthood."

After speaking, she smiled again, then slowly squatted down, leaned to his ear and said: "Little boy, thank you."

Feeling the warmth by his ear, Li Heng asked: "Thank you for what?"

Yu Shuheng spoke slowly and deeply: "I realized that I am also a woman of flesh and blood."

At this point, the two were completely silent.

For a time, the study was terrifyingly quiet.

Instead, there were occasional noisy sounds from outside.

"Boom—!"

"Boom—!"

It started to get windy outside, accompanied by thunder and lightning. In the second half of the night, a heavy rain began to fall. The rain was heavy, drowning out the clear sound of their breathing.

A flash of lightning illuminated their faces. Yu Shuheng noticed his strangeness and asked with concern: "Are you afraid of thunder?"

Li Heng spoke from the heart: "I wasn't afraid before, but now I'm inexplicably a bit afraid."

Yu Shuheng asked: "Experienced something?"

Li Heng said: "I often dream that I am struck to death by lightning. Does that count as an absurd reason?"

Yu Shuheng curled her lips and smiled, "It counts!"

Li Heng said: "Teacher, you should smile more. You are so beautiful when you smile; it's a pity to keep a straight face so often."

Yu Shuheng asked: "Are you saying I'm ugly when I don't smile?"

Li Heng said: "You look good even when you don't smile, but you often keep a straight face with me, while being gentle as jade with others. That's not fair."

Their eyes met, Yu Shuheng let go, turned and walked toward the door: "My hands are weak, let's stop here for today, sleep."

"Oh, okay, thank you, Teacher." Only after she left the room did Li Heng realize he should say thank you.

He didn't rush to sleep because he really wasn't sleepy.

And he didn't know why it was like this.

Staring at the ceiling for a long time, Li Heng suddenly stood up. On a whim, he spread out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and wrote the same character over and over again on the rice paper with his brush: Heng.

Returning to the bedroom inside, Yu Shuheng tossed and turned on the bed, unable to sleep. After a while, she simply leaned against the headboard, took out a piece of rice paper from the nightstand, opened it, and fell into deep thought while looking at it.

There was only one character on the rice paper in her hand: Heng.

It was also written by him.

Over the next few days, Li Heng followed his own schedule. In the morning, he would walk through the streets and alleys, chat with the residents of Bai Luyuan, and discuss the local customs.

During this time, he accidentally bumped into the two sisters, Zhao Wanling and Zhao Wanqing, on the dirt road in the wheat fields.

Seeing these two sisters, Li Heng thought: Is this how wealthy families mourn? It's been four or five days, why haven't they buried the body yet?

He was still an outsider to northern funeral customs and didn't know much. For a moment, it was hard to tell if this was normal.

After Li Heng and the three women exchanged simple nods, there was basically no conversation. Well, he wasn't very willing to talk to them either, because his mind was full of the plot of "Bai Luyuan," and he was in a state of urgent hunger and thirst, reluctant to interrupt his train of thought.

On the contrary, Yu Shuheng would chat with them for a while every time.

At this moment, Li Heng discovered the difference between himself and Yu Laoshi. He was used to being free and easy; if he didn't want to talk, he wouldn't, without so much pretense and politeness.

But Yu Laoshi was different. Born into a big family, she would instinctively start from the perspective of interests and make more friends.

Of course, it was also because the other party was barely qualified; otherwise, she would appear even colder than Li Heng.

Wu Bei returned from town, carrying another bag of things. This time, she didn't avoid Li Heng, but generously handed the bag to the boss.

Yu Shuheng filtered through the things inside and found that there were actually 4 letters for him, and a jade ox.

Yu Shuheng asked: "Who gave the jade ox?"

Wu Bei clarified for the two: "Chief Editor Liao of 'Harvest' magazine asked us to pass it to Mr. Li, saying it was a divine object requested by Master Zou for Mr. Li."

Divine object?

Three words appeared in Li Heng and Yu Shuheng's minds at the same time: Peach blossom tribulation.

Was the jade ox used to suppress the peach blossom tribulation?

Yu Shuheng examined the jade ox for a while and said: "Okay, I see."

Wu Bei exited the study, quietly closing the study door on her way out.

Yu Shuheng handed it to him: "The design is not bad."

Li Heng didn't understand jade, "Teacher, help me see, is this kind of jade expensive?"

Yu Shuheng said: "I only know a little bit about jade, but it should be an old object. As for the value, it's hard to evaluate. I'll help you find someone to ask later."

"Okay."

Li Heng nodded, played with the jade ox for a while, and then picked up the 4 letters on the table.

Seeing this, Yu Shuheng moved away from him without a sound and went to the other end of the desk to get busy, dealing with documents.

As expected, 3 of the 4 letters were from familiar people: Song Yu, Xiao Han, and Chen Zijin.

Because someone was there, he didn't open them.

Instead, he focused his attention on the 4th letter.

Eh? A bit strange, this wasn't Mai Sui's handwriting, nor was it from an acquaintance.

Li Heng checked the address; it wasn't from Fudan University either, but from society. Sent from society to Fudan University.

With doubts, Li Heng quickly opened the envelope. After reading it, he was stunned.

This was a love letter.

The problem was that the standard of this love letter was particularly high. Whether it was the narrative, the layout, the choice of words, or the subtle expression of emotion, it was told in a way that was not ostentatious and extremely comfortable.

He originally had no interest in love letters, but this letter broke his inherent impression.

After reading it, his eyes glanced at the end, and the result left him speechless again.

There was no signature at the end of the letter.

Hey! You write a love letter without a signature, isn't that writing for nothing?

How would I know who you are?

He felt that this person had a certain degree of understanding of him, but not completely. Like an acquaintance, yet like a stranger.

Seeing him flipping the letter with a rustling sound, Yu Shuheng asked: "Is there a problem with the letter?"

Li Heng said: "This is a love letter."

Yu Shuheng didn't react, because there were too many girls writing him love letters usually. Not every day, but every few days, there were always some.

This was based on the premise that he had a partner; some girls just wouldn't give up.

If he didn't have a girlfriend, the number of love letters received would probably double several times.

Li Heng said: "This love letter is unique. Teacher, do you want to see it?"

Unexpectedly, Yu Shuheng turned to the side, lowered her head, and continued to deal with her own affairs. Clearly, she didn't want to get involved in his personal emotions.

PS: Update first, edit later.

10,300 words updated.

(End of chapter)