Chapter 513: The Three Returns of the Wheat Ear

After sending Li Guang back to his dorm, Li Heng chatted and joked with the other guys in Room 325 for half an hour before heading home.

The sun had already set, and the sky gradually darkened.

On the way back, Li Heng saw red banners about "Writer December" hanging between tree trunks or standing along the edges of grass patches all over campus.

Looks like the school takes this seriously—he smirked to himself as he counted them, finding seven banners just in one direction.

"Li Heng! What are you up to?"

Just as he reached the seventh banner, a voice came from his right.

He turned to see Fu Laoshi and Chen Siya, the latter holding a baby in her arms.

Fu Laoshi sighed upon seeing him: "I just got back to campus and found everything changed—you're famous now, banners about you are everywhere."

Li Heng walked over with a cheerful grin: "I haven't been back to Lushan Village lately—where have you two been?"

Chen Siya replied: "Our elders weren't feeling well, so we went back to our hometown."

Li Heng asked: "Fu Laoshi, aren't you teaching classes?"

Fu Laoshi adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses: "You little rascal, always talking nonsense—I'm a teacher, how could I skip class? I drive Siya's car back every day."

As they walked and chatted, Chen Siya interjected: "When I talked to Shuheng on the phone, she mentioned your pure music album sold out overseas—earning nothing but dollars and pounds. Congratulations—you've added 'wealthy tycoon' to your titles of 'famous writer' and 'legendary musician.'"

Li Heng was delighted: "Really? I've been swamped lately and haven't paid attention—I didn't even ask Yu Laoshi. Did she mention it to you? How many copies sold overseas?"

Chen Siya nodded: "She gave me a rough number—over 2. million overseas, I think. As for regional breakdowns, I didn't press for details back then."

Li Heng was stunned!

He froze in place!

He'd thought 420, 00 copies sold in mainland China was already insane!

Yet in just one month, overseas sales had exploded to this level!

All he could think was: damn, this timeless classic really lives up to its name—the power is immense!

One song was already incredible!

And when ten classic tracks teamed up? They ignored nationality, ignored skin color—wherever they went, gods died, Buddhas fell—utterly unstoppable!

Seeing Li Heng's expression, Fu Laoshi slapped his thigh and laughed, turning to his wife: "Look! Look! You kept saying how composed he was."

"Hah! I told you—he's not composed, he's got grand ambitions. Small wins don't move him. Now this 2. million sales figure? It's left him speechless."

Li Heng was truly speechless, stretching his neck uncertainly: "Really?"

Chen Siya smiled and nodded: "Shuheng told me—no lie. If you don't believe me, go ask her yourself."

Hearing this, Li Heng's heart surged—he bolted off without a second thought, sprinting down the stone steps to the end of the alley.

Seeing this, the fake Daoist Fu Laoshi shook his head with a smile: "Li Heng still doesn't know how to get properly excited—if I were him, I'd be screaming all the way."

Chen Siya sighed: "Stop calling him 'little boy'—it sounds rude. He's brilliant, few in this world can match him—you should learn to show respect."

"I fully respect his talent, but I won't change how I address him—I think 'little boy' is affectionate," Fu Laoshi refused stubbornly.

At the end of the alley.

The doors and windows of Building 26 and Building 27 were tightly shut—Ma Sui and Zhou Shihe hadn't returned yet.

Building 25 also had no lights on, but its gate was slightly ajar—just as it had been when he left hours ago.

Had Yu Laoshi not come down at all?

Had Yu Laoshi not eaten dinner?

Thinking this, Li Heng didn't hesitate—he pushed open the gate and sprinted inside, racing straight up to the second floor.

Hearing the rapid footsteps, Yu Shuheng, reclining on the sofa, lifted her head slightly—when she saw him, she leaned back against the pillow and resumed resting.

Realizing he'd disturbed her rest, Li Heng slowed his steps, walked over, and stood beside her, quietly studying the woman on the sofa.

He had to admit—Yu Laoshi, radiating scholarly grace, looked exquisitely noble; her languid recline was irresistibly alluring—tall, full-figured, curves graceful and enticing. One glance, and he swallowed hard, his pulse quickening.

The living room shifted from loud noise to absolute silence in an instant.

Seeing his gaze grow increasingly complex, increasingly invasive, Yu Shuheng's lips twitched faintly—then she pulled a pillow to her chest.

Softly, she asked: "Little boy, why did you rush up so urgently? What do you want?"

Li Heng suppressed his rising urge and asked quickly: "Is it true the overseas album sold 2. million copies?"

Yu Shuheng asked calmly: "That's all you came for?"

I'm dying here, and you're still teasing me.

I'd love to show you what "the second day of the second lunar month" really means.

Li Heng muttered inwardly, then said seriously: "This is a major matter to me."

Yu Shuheng's deep gaze lingered on his face a moment, then she slowly closed her eyes: "It's true. I just received the overseas sales summary half an hour ago. In single markets, the album sold best in the UK and Japan—both over 400, 00 copies. The US exceeded 300, 00, Hong Kong 150, 00, South Korea and across the strait each around 60, 00."

"There are too many European and American countries—I didn't check them all. But I did hear something from a friend in London…"

Li Heng urged: "What news?"

Yu Shuheng half-opened her eyes, smiling faintly at him—no matter how anxious he was, she stayed silent.

He was speechless.

After a long gaze, he leaned in, intending to kiss her red lips.

But Yu Shuheng swiftly placed her hand over his mouth, then patted the sofa beside her: "Why so excited today? Not like you."

"Unexpected joy—hence the excitement," Li Heng sat down beside her as instructed.

Yu Shuheng studied him quietly for a while, then softly spoke: "A friend in Britain told me the album has climbed to number two on the UK album chart. At this rate, it's very likely to reach number one in the coming weeks. I didn't plan to tell you yet—I wanted to wait until it hit number one."

"But since you already know, I'll release the news now—let it ferment in the media to boost domestic sales."

Li Heng's eyes lit up with only one goal: "How far behind number one?"

"According to the data, it's still quite far—this is a foreign album, from our country, and you should understand the obstacles. That's why I used 'likely,'" Yu Shuheng said.

Li Heng was surprised: "Didn't you say you'd use Hong Kong as your base?"

Yu Shuheng nodded: "It was released through Hong Kong channels. Otherwise, how could the mainland album break into overseas markets so fast? Little man, be grateful."

In those few sentences, Li Heng heard immense hidden struggles and hardships.

Instantly, his emotions calmed—he sincerely thanked her: "Teacher, thank you."

Yu Shuheng smiled gracefully: "You truly should thank me—I spent a lot of favors to open the European and American markets. This isn't something money can easily buy."

Li Heng thanked her again.

Later, he asked: "Teacher, have you had dinner?"

Yu Shuheng said: "Shen Xin came by and brought me dinner."

Li Heng looked around: "Where's Auntie?"

"What? You're afraid of her, and now you want to see her after I did you a favor?" Yu Shuheng teased.

Li Heng blinked: "No, I'm not afraid of her—I just don't want to get married anytime soon."

Yu Shuheng heard his implication but showed no emotional reaction.

Because she had long seen through it, understood it completely.

She turned her back, lazily saying: "I'm tired. Go do your things—I'll rest a bit."

Hearing her dismissal, Li Heng slowly stood, his gaze lingering on her slender back twice before turning to leave the second floor.

Coincidentally, as he stepped out of Building 25's courtyard, he met Ma Sui and Zhou Shihe—both carrying fruit, clearly just returning from outside.

Zhou Shihe glanced at him quickly, then secretly at the second-floor window of Building 25, pulled out her keys, and headed toward Building 27.

Li Heng instinctively took the fruit from Ma Sui and said to Zhou Shihe: "Sister Shihe, why not come to my place for a while?"

Zhou Shihe turned her head toward him but didn't move her feet.

Seeing this, Li Heng didn't tease: "I just heard from Yu Laoshi—our album sold extremely well overseas—2. million copies so far."

Zhou Shihe was startled—she looked at him, then at Ma Sui, then back at Building 25, and finally said gently: "Congratulations!"

Li Heng's face lit up: "It should be 'congratulations to us'—this is our achievement."

Zhou Shihe smiled faintly and whispered: "I'll take a shower first, then come find you two."

Hearing the album sold so well, she felt a quiet joy inside—but she didn't show it to Li Heng or Ma Sui.

Li Heng nodded: "Alright, see you later."

Zhou Shihe smiled silently, opened the gate, and stepped inside.

Watching the young lady disappear into the house, Li Heng turned and took Ma Sui's hand, walking unhesitatingly into Building 26.

Ma Sui glanced down at their clasped hands, then at the back of his head. When they reached the door, she turned to look toward Building 24 and Building 25.

On the second floor of Building 24 stood Chen Siya.

Their eyes met across the distance—Chen Siya gave her a faint smile.

Ma Sui's ears burned fiercely; she didn't know how to respond, and before she could react, Li Heng pulled her inside.

Sensing something was off, Li Heng changed his shoes, set down the fruit, and asked: "What are you thinking?"

Ma Sui shook her head.

Li Heng stared into her eyes: "I'm just too happy—I want to share this joy with you."

"Mm-hmm."

Ma Sui's eyes flickered weakly twice, then she blushed softly: "I felt it."

Li Heng kicked the door shut.

Her body instinctively shrank back, then straightened, pressed against the shoe rack.

Li Heng bent to pick up her shoes, then paused before speaking: "After September, I'll be leaving for a while."

Ma Sui was dazed—she stared blankly as he changed her shoes, not even hearing what he'd just said.

He finished the left shoe, then the right, finally gripping her ankle and looking up: "Did you hear what I just said?"

Mai Sui blinked as she usually did, masking her embarrassment.

Li Heng sighed: "I went to so much trouble changing your shoes—it was the first time I ever changed someone else's shoes. I gave effort to please you, only to be met with a cow listening to music?"

Mai Sui smiled softly, her eyes brimming with embarrassment.

After gazing at each other for a moment, Li Heng asked again: "What did I just say?"

At that moment, Mai Sui was enveloped from within by a spontaneous happiness; she spoke gently: "The first time you changed someone else's shoes."

Li Heng asked, as if seeking praise: "I'm a great writer, a musician—other women chase me down ten streets and still can't catch a glimpse of me. Now I'm crouched on the ground, unwilling to rise. Isn't that rare?"

Mai Sui couldn't help but laugh, and an irresistible ripple of charm spread across her face—exactly as the books described: one smile, a hundred charms.

Li Heng's head suddenly buzzed, then was replaced by a hollow, serene emptiness; he forgot to speak, utterly transfixed.

Mai Sui looked down at him, taking in every expression on his face; suddenly, an indescribable sense of accomplishment and pride surged within her: she had seen this expression on his face only twice before.

The first time was when he looked at Song Yu, back in high school.

The second time was when he gazed at Shihe in the piano room.

And no other woman—not even the exquisitely beautiful Xiao Han, not even the supremely scholarly Professor Yu, not even the radiant Chen Zijin—had ever received such a look from him.

And now, she had seen it.

She had once believed she would never see it a third time in her life.

Yet the third time came so swiftly.

And even more unexpectedly—it happened to her.

It made her want to cry, happily.

They gazed at each other, gazed, drawn by some unseen force, slowly drawing closer until they kissed, unwilling to part.

Three minutes…

Five minutes…

Ten minutes passed…

Only when she nearly suffocated did Mai Sui pull away from his lips, tilting her head slightly to breathe deeply, gazing tenderly at him.

Li Heng held her waist and asked, lowering his head: "Do you like it?"

Mai Sui smiled shyly, avoiding his piercing gaze, resting her head on his left shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist, leaning into him with quiet comfort.

Li Heng breathed in her hair's fragrance and repeated his earlier words: "In another half month, I'll leave Shanghai and head to Sichuan to gather inspiration."

Gathering inspiration meant the birth of a new novel.

Mai Sui sincerely rejoiced for him: "Good. Be careful out there."

"I know, I'll be careful," Li Heng said, brushing his hand across her cheek. "Then I'm leaving the house in your hands."

It was a heavy trust.

It was a profound faith.

Both understood, and the meaning behind it was extraordinary.

In the end, after inner struggle, Mai Sui surrendered completely to this love and whispered her consent.

PS: Already updated 13, 00 characters.

Update first, revise later. Big bosses who want to read should check tomorrow—I'll try to write even more then.

(End of Chapter)