Chapter 479

Although there was temporarily an invisible barrier between Tian Run'e and Mai Sui, the dinner was still quite lively.

Tian Run'e didn't neglect Mai Sui because of her worries; on the contrary, she even picked up food for Mai Sui several times.

In her view, even if there was a mistake, it was her son's mistake, and it had nothing to do with the girl.

Tian Run'e even thought irritably: If her son really died on a woman's belly one day, that would be his fate. He wasn't satisfied with provoking one or two; now he had gathered a handful, and every one of them was a rare and stunning beauty. Even the emperors of ancient times didn't have such luck.

Was the boy's fate as tough as an ancient emperor's?

Tian Run'e didn't think so, so she was worried to death whether her eyes were open or closed.

After dinner, the rain outside finally eased a lot.

Tian Run'e remembered the kindness of Wei Quan helping her find her sister, so she discussed with Li Jianguo: "Jianguo, I heard Teacher Wei also lives at Fudan University. Should we buy something and go visit?"

Li Jianguo nodded. "It's the right thing to do."

Li Heng interjected: "Your daughter-in-law knows where Teacher Wei lives; let her take you."

As soon as these words were spoken, Mai Sui's face turned beet red, and she lowered her head, feeling so shy she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

Sun Manning was shocked and admired the courage of the big playboy Li! She hid to the side and gave Li Heng a fierce thumbs-up! One thumb wasn't enough! She held up two! She mouthed: Master Li, you are my idol!

Tian Run'e and Li Jianguo looked at each other, not knowing what to say. If the Li family had one more son, this one could be kicked out of the house to fend for himself. He was too worrisome.

Tian Run'e said gently to Mai Sui: "Sui Sui, accompany Auntie on a trip."

Mai Sui said okay.

Watching the three disappear into the rainy alley with umbrellas, Sun Manning asked: "Wow! Mai Sui went, why didn't you? Aren't you afraid your mom will eat Mai Sui?"

Li Heng turned his back and looked at the dim, misty sky, sighing after a long while: "She can't let go in front of my mom. If I go, she will rely on me; if I don't go, her courage can slowly grow."

"Yo yo yo! Such painstaking effort, what a pity! Someone is a playboy, and it won't move me." Sun Manning seized the opportunity to complain.

Li Heng rolled his eyes at her, too lazy to pay attention, and went upstairs to the second floor.

Sun Manning was bored, turned around in place, and followed him upstairs.

Li Heng asked: "What are you here for? Why don't you go play with classmate Shihe?"

Sun Manning sat on the sofa with a thud and complained: "Sigh! To be honest, I don't know what's going on. When I meet Shihe's mother and aunt, I feel out of place with them. We don't have much to talk about, and staying there is uncomfortable and awkward."

A term involuntarily surfaced in Li Heng's mind: class divide.

Thinking about it, this girl usually spoke without restraint and was used to being wild; it would be a miracle if she could blend in with others in a short time. It was only because Zhou Shihe had a gentle nature and was more tolerant that they could become good friends.

Li Heng tossed a book to her: "Then read a book."

After saying that, he flipped through the pages himself, entered the world of the book, and didn't pay attention to her anymore.

Sun Manning muttered: Read what, you nerd!

Later, she realized: Hmm, he is a great writer, not a nerd. So annoying, why can you become a great writer just by reading?

Sun Manning looked at Li Heng's absorbed profile and wrinkled her nose: Not to mention, this jerk is really good-looking. No wonder great beauties die as soon as they meet him, while little beauties can survive intact.

After watching for a while, Sun Manning withdrew her gaze and suddenly thought of the high school quartet: Song Yu and Mai Sui were both entangled with him, and she wondered how Chen Lijun was doing? Would she also have a crush on this jerk?

In the evening, Zhou Shihe came over, wearing a beige silk sweater that set off her pitiful and weak temperament to the fullest. It made people involuntarily develop a protective desire, wanting to use all their tenderness to cherish her.

Li Heng couldn't help but sneak a few glances at her.

Zhou Shihe was very sharp and noticed his strange gaze immediately. Her body paused, then she pretended not to know, took the herbal tea from Sun Manning's hand, and took two small sips.

Sun Manning, who was bored and lonely, asked happily: "Haha, Shihe, why are you here? Aren't you accompanying your mother and aunt at home?"

Zhou Shihe said gently: "I made an extra portion of squirrel mandarin fish and crab meat lion's head today, and left it on the first floor."

Sun Manning jumped up: "You sent it over?"

Seeing her greedy look, Zhou Shihe smiled and nodded gently.

"Yay! Our Shihe is the best! Long live Shihe!" Amidst a gust of wind, Sun Manning ran to the stairwell and went downstairs.

The crazy girl was gone, and the sofa was suddenly left with only Li Heng reading and Zhou Shihe drinking tea.

After a long while, Zhou Shihe asked with restraint: "Does Auntie have an opinion about Sui Sui?"

Li Heng was stunned and raised his head abruptly.

Their eyes met, and he blurted out: "Why do you say that?"

Zhou Shihe smiled gently. "I was just guessing before, but your expression just now gave me the answer."

Li Heng thought for a while, couldn't find a flaw, and finally asked curiously: "The reason?"

Zhou Shihe glanced at him strangely, calmed down, and said: "When you came back with the groceries, your mother was looking down at Mai Sui from the attic, and her emotions seemed quite complex."

Li Heng raised an eyebrow. "Where were you? You can see that clearly? Do you have clairvoyance?"

Zhou Shihe said: "My eyesight has always been quite good."

Li Heng teased: "It's not just your eyesight that's good; you have a lot of schemes, too. Even Yu Laoshi is often left speechless by you."

Zhou Shihe smiled knowingly, holding the teacup with both hands, and didn't say anything for a while.

After a long time, she asked in confusion: "Why?"

Her words were abrupt, but Li Heng understood; she was asking: Why would Comrade Tian Run'e have an opinion about Mai Sui?

In Zhou Shihe's eyes, Sui Sui was gentle, sensible, virtuous, and very beautiful; except for not being able to cook, she was simply a perfect wife.

Of course, it was mainly because she didn't know Li Heng had other women outside, nor did she know that Li's parents knew about the existence of Xiao Han and others, thinking Xiao Han's relationship with him was hidden from the family. Hence the question.

Involving Mai Sui's traits, Li Heng didn't want to answer this question. He lowered his head and continued to flip through the book in his hand, and the living room was quiet for a while.

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, then Zhou Shihe put the teacup on the coffee table, stood up slowly, and left the second floor on tiptoe.

In the year they had known each other, this was the first time he had neglected her. Intuition told her she had asked a question she shouldn't have.

At the same time, she also determined one thing: Mai Sui's status in his heart was heavier than she had thought.

Going down to the first floor, she happened to see Sun Manning lying on the table eating the crab meat lion's head, and the way she swallowed it in big mouthfuls made her laugh.

Zhou Shihe couldn't help but laugh: "Manning, why aren't you eating the mandarin fish?"

Sun Manning waved her hands. "Cut it out! Someone loves fish the most, and someone loves the house and its crow, so they like fish too. This dish wasn't made for me."

The first "someone" in the girl's mouth was Li Heng, and the second "someone" referred to Mai Sui.

After chatting with her for a few words, Zhou Shihe's mood suddenly improved. She stood by and waited for a while, until Sun Manning finished the whole plate, before saying quietly: "It's stuffy at home, let's go for a walk."

Sun Manning packed up the plate and asked: "Do you want to call Li Heng?"

Zhou Shihe shook her head: "He's reading, don't disturb him."

Sun Manning circled her best friend three times and laughed: "Oh my! This is the first time I've seen our Shihe's charm meet the cold. A certain idiot actually doesn't look at the top beauty in the world, but reads a book. Wow! He really is a nerd, a blockhead."

Zhou Shihe smiled lightly and left Building 26.

Passing Building 27, Sun Manning put the empty plate inside and ran out, saying: "I ate a whole plate of food by myself, and now the empty plate is returned to its owner. Li Heng's parents don't know."

Leaving Lushan Village, Sun Manning asked: "Where are we going?"

Zhou Shihe looked into the distance and finally pursed her small lips and said: "Just walk around the campus."

Although she said walk around, Sun Manning intentionally or unintentionally led her friend toward the Yan Garden to find Wei Xiaozhu.

Zhou Shihe didn't pay attention at first and didn't think much of it, until she saw Li Jianguo, his wife, and Mai Sui appear at Teacher Wei Quan's house, and then she realized that Manning was probably doing it on purpose.

Sun Manning was indeed doing it on purpose, but she had no bad intentions; it was just a prank that occurred to her: gather the one big king and two small kings of Fudan together and let Li Heng's parents see what "a hundred flowers blooming" means? Whoo! Your son is a playboy, guess how many of these will be your daughters-in-law in the future?

The girl was still regretting: It's a pity that Liu Yue and Ye Zhanyan went to the United States; otherwise, I would have called them all over to ensure that someone's parents wouldn't be able to sleep. That would be fun.

Seeing Zhou Shihe at close range again, Tian Run'e felt a sense of vigilance rise in her heart. This wasn't the first time; when she met her in the alley in the afternoon, the alarm bells were also ringing loudly.

As the old saying goes, no one knows a son like his mother. She knew better than anyone what kind of character her son had, and she figured Zhou's girl was the type most likely to move him.

She hadn't seen Song Yu face-to-face and couldn't give an accurate evaluation, but as of now, Zhou Shihe was the most stunning woman she had seen in her decades of traveling north and south, bar none.

Even when she was young, Tian Run'e admitted she wasn't as good as her; there was a gap.

Noticing Tian Run'e's gaze lingering on her, the calm Zhou Shihe chatted quietly with Wei Xiaozhu, Mai Sui, and the others as usual, appearing very composed.

Chatting with her best friend, looking at Mai Sui and Wei Xiaozhu in front of her, Zhou Shihe suddenly had a strange thought: Sui Sui was born with a pair of soul-stirring charming eyes, often needing only an inadvertent glance to make people have infinite reverie; while Xiaozhu was just the opposite, her eyes as light as chrysanthemums, and her whole person smiled like the spring breeze at dawn, as if a hundred flowers were blooming, making people want to find a first love encounter on the green grass.

Looking at the two girls with extreme contrast, Zhou Shihe realized belatedly: Could it be that Li Heng's mother had reservations because Sui Sui was too "seductive"?

It was quite late when they returned from Yan Garden.

Afraid that Mai Sui wouldn't adapt, Li Heng didn't read anymore, pulled her to sit on the sofa, and accompanied his parents to watch TV for a while.

Around 10:30 PM, he took a shower first, and then in front of Li Jianguo, Tian Run'e, and Sun Manning, he pulled Mai Sui into the room.

Mai Sui was a little panicked and intimidated, but the man's strength was too great, and she couldn't resist at all, so she finally followed him into the bedroom with a beet-red face.

As the master bedroom door closed, the living room fell into dead silence.

Sun Manning was very observant. Afraid that the raging fire would burn her, she simply went to Building 27 next door to avoid disaster, staying far away from this family.

After a long silence, Li Jianguo broke the deadlock first and advised: "Run'e, things have reached this point, we must straighten out our mindset."

Tian Run'e frowned: "Mai Sui said the two haven't reached the final step yet."

Li Jianguo had a different view: "It's reached this point, they're sleeping in the same bed; whether they've taken the final step or not isn't that important anymore. We have to accept this girl."

Tian Run'e thought about it and didn't answer.

Li Jianguo asked: "What are you thinking about?"

Tian Run'e said: "I plan to stay here for a while and figure out Mai Sui's temperament before leaving."

Li Jianguo shook his head: "No need. This girl's nature must be very good; you can tell from the housework. Besides, don't you think about it, our son has provoked so many girls, why is it only Mai Sui who is by his side?"

Tian Run'e turned her head: "What do you want to say?"

Li Jianguo said: "I want to tell you that our son is very fond of Mai Sui. If we oppose it, it will only cause tension in the family relationship."

Tian Run'e cast her gaze toward the bedroom door and fell into deep thought. Rationally, she understood that her husband was right.

But emotionally, she was really worried that her precious son would have an accident.

Li Jianguo continued: "We can't stay here too long; we'll leave in three days at most."

Tian Run'e slowly realized: "Are you worried that Secretary Xiao's daughter will come?"

Li Jianguo said: "That's right, and school starts in three days."

Regarding these women of the boy, the couple followed a principle: avoid them if they could. Otherwise, if Xiao Han, Mai Sui, and Yu Laoshi gathered together, and if these girls had a conflict, they wouldn't know who to help or who to favor.

Should they just watch the show and do nothing? That seemed even more wrong.

Therefore, before the boy's love life was completely clear, the couple felt it was better to meet them one by one to avoid seeing two or three at the same time.

Time passed second by second, and more than half an hour passed silently.

At one point, Tian Run'e stood up, walked to the bedroom door with small steps, and leaned against the wall to listen.

After listening for a while and hearing no movement, she breathed a sigh of relief, returned to the sofa, and said to her husband: "Let's go back to our room to rest, too."

Li Jianguo nodded and stood up.

But just then, the lights in Building 25 opposite turned on, and Yu Shuheng's figure appeared in the second-floor living room.

Tian Run'e looked across for a while, then changed her mind and said: "Take me downstairs; I want to talk to Yu Laoshi."

Li Jianguo asked: "It's so late, are you still going to disturb her? How about tomorrow?"

"If I don't go tonight, I won't be able to sleep." Tian Run'e turned and walked toward the stairs.

Li Jianguo was helpless and followed her downstairs.

Yu Shuheng opposite seemed to notice the movement of the couple. Seeing them go downstairs and open the door, she also thought of something, so she put down her work and came to the first floor, opening the courtyard door with a creak.

"Yu Laoshi, is it disturbing your rest to visit so late?" Tian Run'e asked apologetically across the courtyard door.

Yu Shuheng smiled elegantly, opened the courtyard door completely, and stepped aside. "It's okay, I just got back, and I'm not very sleepy."

Hearing this, Tian Run'e stepped into the courtyard.

Li Jianguo stopped where he was and didn't move.

Seeing this, Yu Shuheng seemed to have figured it out, guessing that Tian Run'e must have something to find her for. She smiled and nodded at Li Jianguo, then closed the door.

Coming to the second floor, Tian Run'e looked at the curtains.

Yu Shuheng understood, took the initiative to walk over and close the curtains, and then began to boil water. "I haven't been back for a few days, there's no hot water at home, I have to boil it now, please forgive me."

Tian Run'e smiled and said: "Yu Laoshi is too polite."

After boiling a pot of water and pouring a cup for each, Yu Shuheng and Tian Run'e had time to sit down and talk.

Yu Shuheng asked: "When did you come?"

Regarding how to address Li Heng's parents, she felt conflicted and didn't know how to call them.

Originally, she was Li Heng's university teacher, so logically she was of the same generation as the couple. Before the relationship with Li Heng was settled, calling them Uncle and Auntie was a bit inappropriate.

So she didn't add any title and used "you" as a pronoun.

Since it wasn't early, Tian Run'e didn't beat around the bush and explained directly: "We arrived this afternoon. Originally, I wanted to invite Yu Laoshi to dinner and talk about something, but you weren't home at that time, so it dragged on until now."

Hearing this, Yu Shuheng straightened her body and listened attentively.

Across the coffee table, the two looked at each other for a while, and Tian Run'e spoke first, asking: "Yu Laoshi, can I ask you a few questions?"

Yu Shuheng hesitated for a moment and nodded.

Tian Run'e's first question was quite sharp: "Are you and Li Heng, are you in a relationship?"

Yu Shuheng was surprised, but after the surprise, she felt relieved. Perhaps the couple had been wondering and wanted to ask for a long time. After pondering for a moment, she hid the shame in her heart and chose to face reality: "Auntie, I'll call you Auntie from now on."

Since they were already talking about this topic, she didn't struggle anymore and took the initiative to lower her status to Li Heng's generation.

Hearing the "Auntie," Tian Run'e had already understood many things: "Eh, good."

Yu Shuheng continued: "I am indeed attracted to him and favor him. However, he has reservations."

Tian Run'e leaned forward slightly and asked: "Reservations about Yu Laoshi's identity?"

Yu Shuheng didn't deny it: "Yes."

Unlike what she expected, Tian Run'e thought Yu Laoshi and the boy were already together and had already slept together. Looking at the situation, the progress might not even be as far as Mai Sui's.

She was suddenly disappointed.

Noticing Tian Run'e's disappointed expression, Yu Shuheng was full of confusion.

Shouldn't it be an expression of relief? Why was it disappointment?

Did Auntie Tian hope she and Li Heng would get together?

Seeing Yu Laoshi's doubts, Tian Run'e hesitated for a moment and said: "Li Heng is sleeping in the same room as Mai Sui tonight."

Yu Shuheng was stunned, and an inexplicable annoyance surged into her heart. Then she forced herself to calm down quickly, picked up the tea on the coffee table after a while, blew on it, and asked: "Auntie, what are you..."

Tian Run'e said euphemistically: "He is young now and his body can handle it, but in a few years, I'm worried his body won't be able to take it."

Yu Shuheng stared at the tea in the cup, savoring the other's words.

Was she saying he had too many women? That it would easily ruin his health?

How could one prevent this? Of course, someone had to control him and force him to be restrained.

And the candidate to control Li Heng...?

Thinking of Auntie Tian coming to find her so late with worries, Yu Shuheng instantly realized the other's intention.

The other party hoped she would control Li Heng.

In what capacity?

It went without saying.

No wonder Auntie Tian asked about her relationship with Li Heng as soon as she opened her mouth.

No wonder she showed disappointment when she heard she and Li Heng hadn't reached that step yet, and the disappointment wasn't hidden at all.

Did she want her to understand her thoughts?

Thoughts flowed, and thousands of ideas flashed through her mind. Yu Shuheng was a little stunned, a little stunned by this huge surprise.

Of course, she wanted to marry Li Heng.

Otherwise, why would she let his big hands act recklessly on her body?

Why would she go back to his hometown with him?

Yu Shuheng tapped the teacup irregularly with her fingers, her heart filled with joy, but her face remained very calm. Because she understood that this task was not easy to do, and this identity was even harder to obtain.

To get this identity, besides Auntie Tian's approval, the key was to look at Li Heng himself; otherwise, everything would be in vain.

Clearing up all the context in a flash, Yu Shuheng raised her head and asked slowly: "Auntie, are you mainly worried about Mai Sui? Or are you worried about Xiao Han and Chen Zijin?"

Tian Run'e's eyes widened: "Yu Laoshi, you know everything?"

"Yes."

Yu Shuheng said "yes," took a sip of tea, and said warmly: "He is energetic and has abundant feelings; that's why I've been reluctant to restrain him."

Tian Run'e sighed: "I'm mainly worried about Mai Sui."

Unexpectedly, Yu Shuheng said: "Auntie, don't worry too much about her. According to my observation over the past year, Mai Sui is a good woman who would rather be hurt herself than hurt Li Heng."

This time it was Tian Run'e's turn to be stunned. She had thought of many things before coming, but she never expected Yu Laoshi to speak for a potential rival.

It seems she was too narrow-minded!

It seems Yu Laoshi's breadth of mind and pattern were far greater than she had imagined!

Hearing this, Tian Run'e's mood improved inexplicably. "I believe you. Mai Sui should be a good girl. I'm just afraid that the jerk will be so happy he forgets home, pestering Mai Sui day and night, and the girl will be unable to help herself."

Yu Shuheng said: "Auntie is afraid Li Heng will follow in the footsteps of Li Ran and her daughter?"

Tian Run'e was quite frank: "Indeed."

Yu Shuheng agreed: "This is indeed a problem. I'll find an opportunity to have an open talk with Mai Sui in the future."

Hearing this, Tian Run'e asked back: "Yu Laoshi, what are your reservations?"

Yu Shuheng didn't speak for a while, and only after a long time did she say in a low voice: "I am 7 years older than Li Heng."

Tian Run'e smiled and said: "It's even better to hold two gold bricks."

Yu Shuheng said: "I am his university teacher."

This identity was nothing, even more exciting and explosive, but it couldn't withstand gossip, and she was even more afraid of 404; otherwise, she would have eaten Yu Laoshi clean three months ago.

Tian Run'e thought for a while and asked tentatively: "Yu Laoshi likes teaching very much?"

Hearing this, Yu Shuheng gripped the teacup in her hand tightly, almost crushing it, and smiled slightly: "Auntie, teaching is just a hobby of mine. If there is something more important, I can resign from the teacher position at any time."

This question and answer seemed like nothing?

But everything was unspoken.

Tian Run'e asked her if she could resign from her teacher status? To be her daughter-in-law?

Yu Shuheng gave a very definite answer.

Sure enough, Tian Run'e, who understood the other's meaning, was overjoyed and looked at Yu Shuheng with bright eyes, as if the other party had become her daughter-in-law now.

Honestly, she had seriously considered Chen Zijin and Xiao Han, but plans couldn't keep up with changes. She understood clearly that these two girls were still too immature and were still studying. By the time they graduated and could play a role, given her son's philandering habits, the women around the boy might already be more than she could count on two hands, and by then, his body might have already collapsed.

After weighing it, Tian Run'e chose Yu Laoshi, whom she had once dared not touch.

Although the couple was wary of Yu Laoshi's noble status and family background.

Relatively speaking, only Yu Laoshi's identity and background could truly control her son; otherwise, painless whispers in his ear wouldn't work at all.

Compared to the guilt and apology to the other girls, she had picked up the most important thing: the boy's life.

Tian Run'e's eyes were shining, but Yu Shuheng was not as optimistic as she was.

Yu Laoshi knew very well that if she could use her status and background to suppress him, if it could really be effective, and if it could make him return to her heart and live a life with her sincerely, she really wouldn't mind trying.

But the problem was, she was afraid of the opposite effect, afraid of forcing Li Heng, making him pursue Zhou Shihe crazily, and turning around to accept Huang Zhaoyi. By then, her family background wouldn't be the only one, and she wouldn't be able to suppress him.

If he pursued Zhou Shihe crazily, would Zhou Shihe agree?

Yu Shuheng had deduced the situation, using the premise of the two living in the same room in the capital for so long as a basis for analysis. Li Heng should have a chance of success in pursuing Zhou Shihe, but the winning odds weren't high.

Zhou Shihe was a person who was round on the outside and square on the inside. She seemed easy to get along with, but in reality, she was even prouder than her. There was always a red line in her heart, and it was very, very difficult for anyone to cross that line and truly walk into her heart.

Yu Shuheng believed that among female friends, perhaps only Mai Sui had walked into Zhou Shihe's heart, Wei Xiaozhu counted as half, and Sun Manning and Ye Ning might still be lacking.

And as for male friends, Li Heng was probably still outside Zhou Shihe's defensive line. Therefore, there wasn't much hope.

But while Zhou Shihe's probability wasn't high, Huang Zhaoyi's probability was high. As long as Li Heng was willing, things could change qualitatively in one night. In one night, he could find a backer to resist her.

This was what Yu Shuheng didn't want to see.

Thinking of Huang Zhaoyi, Yu Shuheng suddenly became a bit more serious. Because she was too busy, she hadn't paid attention to the other party for a long time, and she didn't know how this great Qingyi was doing now? Was she still pestering Li Heng?

Thinking of this, she felt she couldn't be careless and should investigate the other's current situation later, so as not to capsize in the gutter.

With her thoughts gathered, Yu Shuheng put down her cup and asked: "Auntie, have you seen Song Yu?"

Tian Run'e felt a chill in her heart. Sure enough, none of her son's secrets could be hidden from Yu Laoshi. She nodded and shook her head: "I've seen her profile from far away, but I haven't seen her face."

Then she asked: "Yu Laoshi, are you..."

PS: Posted first, edited later.

(There should still be more)

(End of chapter)