Chapter 527: Li Heng Voluntarily Offers Himself as Pillow Companion

After repeated reassurances from her three daughters and daughter-in-law, Huang Mu finally gave up her stubborn desire to see Li Heng immediately.

But Huang Mu still hadn't given up: "When I'm discharged, I'll go to Li's home myself and meet his parents."

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhaoyi's recently calmed emotions instantly erupted into a storm.

Her relationship with Li Heng was still hidden from Li Jianguo and Tian Rune—if her mother showed up, everything would be exposed.

She wasn't afraid for herself, but she knew Li Heng cared most for Song Yu and wanted to marry her; if Song Yu found out, trouble would surely follow.

Yet matters had their urgency and priority—right now, she could only soothe Huang Mu first and figure out the rest later.

About forty minutes passed, then Editor Liao left the ward, pausing to glance at Da Qingyi on his way out.

Huang Zhaoyi understood, exchanged a look with her two sisters and sister-in-law, then followed them out under the pretense of seeing them off.

As soon as they stepped into the corridor, Da Qingyi saw the man she'd been longing for; her sorrow instantly lifted, and she walked over and said: "You came."

"Mm."

Li Heng murmured, then asked with concern: "How's… Auntie feeling?"

Damn, calling someone nearly seventy "auntie" felt strange.

By age, Huang Mu was even older than his grandmother.

Huang Zhaoyi replied: "Her condition's stabilized for now, but she'll need to stay hospitalized for a while."

At that moment, the ward door opened again, and two more people stepped out: Huang Xuqing and the sister-in-law.

This was the sister-in-law's first time seeing Li Heng in person; she was astonished at how he'd charmed her little sister, studying him from head to toe.

Huang Xuqing asked Li Heng: "Li Heng, has Liu Yue contacted you since going abroad?"

Li Heng shook his head: "No."

Huang Xuqing frowned—yesterday, while cleaning her daughter's room, driven by curiosity, she'd secretly opened her daughter's diary.

These days, some diaries are locked.

One entry made her furious: "Li Heng is outstanding; we can't let good water flow into someone else's field. If Auntie can't get him, when I return from studying abroad, I'll make sure I get him."

Just those few casual lines from Liu Yue sent Huang Xuqing into a rage.

How could a girl speak so crudely, with no shame, always talking about "getting him"? Huang Xuqing, who'd always valued personal cultivation, even wondered if this daughter was truly hers.

Had she been switched at birth during confinement?

Why didn't she resemble her at all?

Huang Xuqing was now afraid—afraid her daughter would return from abroad and pursue Li Heng, creating chaos with her little sister competing for the same man.

So her first question was whether Liu Yue had contacted Li Heng since leaving.

When Li Heng denied it, Huang Xuqing finally exhaled.

After expressing their gratitude to Li Heng, Huang Xuqing and the sister-in-law went to get water, leaving the three of them alone in the corridor.

Seeing the corridor was too public and crowded, Li Heng said to Da Qingyi: "Come downstairs with me—we'll talk."

Huang Zhaoyi always obeyed him without question and followed him downstairs.

Finding a quiet, empty corner, Li Heng looked into her eyes for a moment and said: "You've been through too much."

"I'm not wronged," Huang Zhaoyi forced a smile.

She was a deeply contented person; the moment Li Heng appeared at the hospital, all her grievances vanished, replaced by pure joy.

Li Heng asked: "I didn't go in—was Auntie upset?"

"Not really. We told her you were busy today and couldn't come," Huang Zhaoyi said half-truthfully; she didn't mention her mother's plan to visit Li's home, fearing it would frighten him.

Afraid he'd leave her.

She cherished this hard-won bond too much now, bordering on obsessive insecurity, so she dared not trouble him at all during this time.

After a brief exchange, Li Heng's gaze dropped to her abdomen, paused, then asked: "When was your last period?"

Huang Zhaoyi replied: "Usually around the 26th each month."

Li Heng calculated: two days ago, she wasn't in her safe period—pregnancy was possible. But he didn't regret stopping her from taking the emergency pill.

After a silence, he added: "If you are, let me know."

Huang Zhaoyi nodded, her voice sweet as a oriole's: "Okay."

They gazed at each other, then Li Heng—uncharacteristically—opened his arms to comfort her; she was under immense emotional strain and needed his support.

Huang Zhaoyi first couldn't believe it, then stepped forward in stunned delight, sinking into his embrace and wrapping her arms tightly around him.

But they didn't hold each other long—after ten seconds, they pulled apart.

Li Heng glanced at his left wrist: "It's not early anymore—I've got things to do back at school. I'll go now."

"Let me see you off," Huang Zhaoyi followed him to the Mercedes.

Seeing the Mercedes, her earlier joy instantly faded—she knew whose car this was.

She also knew she couldn't compare herself to Yu Shuheng.

Li Heng left.

Da Qingyi stood by the roadside, watching the black car drive away.

Through the rearview mirror, Editor Liao couldn't hold back: "Are you and Zhaoyi together because of Liu Yue's scheming?"

Li Heng turned his head.

Editor Liao explained: "I heard Zhiyun mention little Liu Yue in the ward…"

After hearing his brother's account of what happened in the ward, Li Heng replied carefully:

"Yes, Liu Yue interfered—otherwise, we'd never have gotten this far."

Editor Liao asked: "Was it drugging?"

Li Heng stared at him intensely.

Editor Liao said: "Given your past, only that makes sense—I can't think of another explanation. And little Liu Yue is capable of such extremes."

Li Heng stayed silent, then changed the subject: "Brother, help me analyze—do you think her mother will really come to my house?"

Editor Liao laughed: "You're afraid?"

Li Heng replied calmly: "Not afraid—just not the right time."

Editor Liao thought a moment: "Almost certainly not. You may not know Zhaoyi well, but I've watched her grow up—she'll do everything to stop it."

No wonder…

No wonder Da Qingyi didn't mention her mother's plan to visit his home—she'd already decided.

…

Meanwhile.

Back on the third-floor ward, Huang Zhaoyi pulled her eldest sister aside and asked bluntly: "Sister, why did you ask him about Liu Yue?"

Since they weren't outsiders, Huang Xuqing, fearing her daughter might do something outrageous, shared the diary entry, hoping more eyes meant more solutions.

To her surprise, Huang Zhaoyi smiled: "I've read that entry—it was written at my place. It was left open on the desk, unlocked. I think little Liu Yue wrote it to provoke me."

Huang Xuqing guessed: "To provoke you into pursuing Li Heng? To offer yourself to him?"

She hit the mark—Huang Zhaoyi looked embarrassed.

Huang Xuqing thought a moment: "I still don't trust that girl. Don't give her any chance—keep Li Heng tightly in your grip."

Huang Zhaoyi laughed bitterly: "Sister, you still don't understand her. If she truly fancied Li Heng, I wouldn't even be in the picture—back at Fuchun Xiaoyuan, it would've been him and her."

Huang Xuqing pondered this—yes, if her daughter had set her sights on Li Heng, she'd never yield him. Not to her aunt, not even to her own mother.

With that, she finally relaxed.

…

When Li Heng returned to Fudan University, it was already past four in the afternoon.

Soon after entering campus, he spotted a familiar figure through the window—Ye Zhanyan.

At that moment, Senior Ye held a camera, photographing along a shaded path, as if savoring memories of her university days.

Beside her were two others: Senior Zhao Menglong and another woman who looked familiar—probably Senior Melody.

As the car passed them, Ye Zhanyan, Zhao Menglong, and the senior stepped aside silently, watching the Mercedes drive by.

After driving about ten meters, Li Heng called out: "Brother, stop—I need to get off."

Editor Liao instantly recognized Ye Zhanyan in the rearview mirror, ignoring Zhao Menglong and the other woman entirely.

No surprise—Ye Zhanyan was beautiful, and with this little brother's tastes, he'd always go for the prettiest.

The car stopped, and Li Heng stepped out under the gaze of all three.

When Ye Zhanyan saw Li Heng approaching, a flicker of emotion crossed her eyes, quickly masked.

Reaching them, Li Heng spoke first to Zhao Menglong: "Senior, sorry I was late last night."

He was offering an explanation.

After all, he'd never promised to show up.

Zhao Menglong gave a deeply understanding smile, then tugged at the sleeve of the other senior behind his back: "Senior Melody and I have student union business—we'll go now."

Both Li Heng and Ye Zhanyan understood they were giving them space, so neither spoke to stop them.

Once out of earshot, Senior Melody whispered: "Do you think Zhanyan has a chance?"

Zhao Menglong hesitated, then shook his head: "Unlikely."

Melody was surprised: "If it's unlikely, why keep pushing?"

Zhao Menglong sighed: "She came back to campus solely for Li Heng. If she doesn't see him, do you think she'll go back to America content?"

Melody agreed, then added: "Too bad—you loved her so much."

Zhao Menglong smiled bitterly: "No point regretting it. Many people adore Zhanyan—I'm just one among many. Even without Li Heng, she'd never look at me."

Though cruel, it was true—Melody nodded approvingly: "You've got a clear head."

As the two left, Li Heng and Ye Zhanyan looked at each other, neither knowing how to begin, the atmosphere stiff.

Finally, Ye Zhanyan broke the silence: "Junior, um… can I call you junior?"

Li Heng smiled and said: "Of course, you're right—I am your junior."

Ye Zhanyan smiled warmly and asked: "Are you still busy today?"

Li Heng replied: "I've nearly finished everything—can take a little rest now."

Ye Zhanyan said: "I'm heading to the airport later—walk with me?"

Li Heng asked: "What time's your flight?"

Ye Zhanyan said: "9: 0 p. ."

Li Heng agreed. They walked side by side along half the campus, then exited together, strolling leisurely toward Wu Jiao Square.

On the way, they exchanged little.

Or rather, now that the window paper was pierced, neither knew how to speak properly.

Just before reaching Wu Jiao Square, Ye Zhanyan on his left suddenly asked: "Do you like my hair?"

She had cut it into a shoulder-length bob, with subtle waves at the ends, clear layers, very fashionable.

Of course, her most striking feature was her eyes—complex, slightly haughty, yet clear as water, with hidden tenderness.

Perhaps to those who didn't know her well, the tenderness wasn't visible at all.

Li Heng turned his head and answered honestly: "Very nice."

Ye Zhanyan said: "This style cost me over three hundred dollars."

Li Heng asked: "Done in the U. .?"

Ye Zhanyan said: "Before coming home, I splurged—went to a very expensive salon."

Li Heng smiled. Though she said she'd gritted her teeth, he didn't sense any hardship.

According to Ye Ning's account: since childhood, her cousin had lived better than her peers—never short of money, bought whatever she wanted; even her hand-me-downs were coveted treasures.

With hair as an opening, their conversation slowly unblocked; on the remaining stretch, they talked and laughed, finally crushing the awkwardness underfoot.

Li Heng asked: "How's it going in the U. .? Did you adapt?"

Ye Zhanyan said: "At first, not at all. Later, I met some fellow international students who helped me gradually adjust."

Li Heng joked: "Any suitors?"

Ye Zhanyan stopped, turned to look into his eyes, then pointed playfully at the Blue Sky Hotel: "If you treat me to dinner, I'll tell you."

Li Heng didn't hesitate: "Fine. I stood you up last night—that meal's on me."

On their way to the Blue Sky Hotel, they passed a braised dish stall.

Besides the regulars Zhang Bing and Bai Wanying, today Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing were helping, with a fifth person, Li Guoyi, tagging along.

He wasn't there to help—he was there to eat, his mouth never still, alternating between duck necks and duck feet.

But Li Guoyi never ate for free—he always paid. In his words, refusing his money meant looking down on him, and he'd never come back.

Seeing Li Heng and Ye Zhanyan together, the five behind the stall were stunned.

Li Guoyi forgot his half-eaten duck foot, his eyes darting back and forth between their backs, then blurted: "Damn! Is there something going on between Big Boss Li and Senior Ye?"

Bai Wanying in her wheelchair said: "Senior Ye has always secretly liked Li Heng—it's an open secret."

"What?! I didn't know! Bai Beauty, who told you this?" Li Guoyi tilted his head.

Bai Wanying, sharp-tongued, retorted: "Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing both know. You're either hugging Leyao or Zhao Yan—always in the dorm or classroom—how would you care about what's outside?"

Li Guoyi stole a glance at Wei Xiaozhu, stroked his slicked-back hair with a smug grin: "A guy's got looks—what can I say?"

Dai Qing said: "Li Guoyi, Zhao Yan's here."

"Where? Where?" Li Guoyi looked around, saw no one, then realized: "Oh shit! I offended the ladies—I'm outta here!"

Saying that, Li Guoyi tossed down a bill and slunk off. He left because he sensed Wei Xiaozhu's disapproval—he didn't want to be an eyesore.

With Li Guoyi gone, the atmosphere among the four behind the stall improved instantly.

After seeing off the last customer, Zhang Bing said to Wei Xiaozhu: "Hu Ping's been looking for you yesterday and today."

Wei Xiaozhu's expression was calm—clearly she didn't care.

Dai Qing, however, asked for her friend: "What does Hu Ping want with Xiaozhu?"

Zhang Bing scratched his head: "I don't know. But yesterday, Hu Ping was yelling in the dorm about making some final break."

Some things needed no explanation. Instantly, Bai Wanying, Dai Qing, and Zhang Bing all looked at Wei Xiaozhu.

Wei Xiaozhu asked: "What time do you close tonight?"

Zhang Bing said: "After selling these leftovers, probably seven or eight."

Wei Xiaozhu said: "I'll stay with you."

At first, they didn't understand. Later, Bai Wanying figured it out: Li Guoyi knew Wei Xiaozhu was here—he'd surely tell Hu Ping.

And why Li Guoyi chose to inform him—that was deeply ambiguous.

But one thing Bai Wanying, ever observant, knew better than anyone: even if Hu Ping came up empty-handed, Li Guoyi still had no chance with Wei Xiaozhu.

What Bai Wanying grasped, Dai Qing caught a few beats later. Only Zhang Bing, emotionally slow, didn't think further.

…

Blue Sky Hotel.

They arrived early—luckily, a small private room upstairs was still available.

After sitting down, Ye Zhanyan ordered dishes—five in total, four of which were Li Heng's favorites.

She said: "You order two more."

Li Heng wanted to say it was enough, but for her, he added one Huaiyang dish without chili—four-joy meatballs. "That's enough—we can't finish more."

Ye Zhanyan asked: "Want some alcohol?"

Li Heng said: "Aren't you going to the airport?"

Ye Zhanyan eagerly said: "There's still time."

Li Heng told the server: "Two bottles of beer."

After the server left, Ye Zhanyan pouted and smiled: "I thought I'd get a bottle of Maotai."

Li Heng stood up: "I'll go swap for Maotai."

Ye Zhanyan instinctively reached out and grabbed his wrist: "No, beer's fine—I can drink it too."

They froze, staring at the spot where her hand held his wrist, silence settling.

After a while, she pulled her hand back and self-deprecatingly said: "I used to hold hands with my ex. Do you think it's dirty?"

Li Heng stayed seated, answering off-topic: "Is he still at Cambridge University?"

Ye Zhanyan nodded, then shook her head: "I think so—I haven't kept track since I left. But two days ago, back home, someone mentioned he's at Cambridge. His mother apparently favors Ye Ning and sent someone to my uncle's house to propose."

"Huh?" Li Heng said.

That was a big revelation.

Ye Zhanyan beamed: "What? I don't get jealous. Let me tell you—I gave up on him, and my cousin won't want him either."

Li Heng understood, and sighed: "Didn't realize you two sisters were so competitive."

"Not competition. I never tried to outdo her. It's her—she feels I've had everything good since childhood, and she can't get past it." Ye Zhanyan spoke with absolute confidence, utterly unconcerned that her cousin had always chased and sought to surpass her.

Li Heng said: "So you knew all this—I thought…"

Ye Zhanyan asked: "Thought what?"

Li Heng smiled.

Ye Zhanyan said: "In high school, Ye Ning had a close opposite-sex friend. They exchanged letters often in her first semester of college, then it stopped."

Li Heng was surprised: "I heard about it—why did it end?"

Ye Zhanyan's eyes sparkled: "Guess."

Li Heng asked: "Because you broke up, she lost interest in that high school guy? Planning to find someone better to surpass you?" Ye Zhanyan smiled meaningfully, not answering directly.

But sometimes, silence is affirmation.

The private room door opened; beer and dishes arrived one by one.

Once all dishes were served and the door closed, the two, after their brief pause, regained their energy.

Ye Zhanyan opened a bottle, poured two glasses, placed one before him: "Thank you for treating me today—this one's to you."

She wasn't thanking him for the meal, but for not ignoring her—giving her dignity before her friends.

Li Heng picked up his glass, clinked it with hers, and drank it in one gulp.

She refilled both empty glasses and said: "Second toast—to you. May your future be boundless, and may you create more masterpieces."

"Thank you," Li Heng said.

After drinking two, she opened another beer, refilled both glasses again: "Third toast—I envy you."

Li Heng asked casually: "Envy what?"

Ye Zhanyan said: "I envy your success. I envy that the people you care about are right beside you."

Li Heng swirled his glass, speaking slowly: "Do you still remember this poem? You stand on the bridge, watching the scenery; the one watching the scenery watches you from the tower. The bright moon decorates your window; you decorate someone else's dream. We are both scenery—why envy others?"

He was praising her: she was beautiful, brilliant; if she kept the right mindset, success in career and love would naturally follow—no need to envy anyone.

Ye Zhanyan lowered her head in silence. After a long while, she spoke: "That's Bian Zhilin's 'Fragment.' Are you subtly telling me not to bother you anymore?"

There was truth in that, but Li Heng would never say it so bluntly: "You never bothered me before—so what's this 'afterward'?"

Ye Zhanyan gazed into his eyes, then suddenly smiled, lifting both glasses: "Drink. The third toast isn't finished."

Li Heng nodded: "Alright."

After each had drunk three glasses, the two bottles of beer were nearly gone. Ye Zhanyan's eyes held reluctance: "Ah, before we knew it, it's almost gone—we'll have to savor the rest."

Li Heng asked, "Should we order a few more bottles?"

Ye Zhanyan refused: "No. The first batch is what matters; the rest are just fillers—they lose the flavor."

She didn't know if she was talking about the wine—or herself.

After speaking, she stood up and said, "I'm going to wash my hands," then left the private room.

Outside, in the restroom, Ye Zhanyan suddenly began to cry, tears streaming silently down her face.

She hated herself for being weak—she had so little connection with him, yet one glance had bound her for life, and she couldn't forget him.

She hated fate for its injustice—why hadn't she met him at the right time?

She hated that she wasn't good enough, hated that she wasn't beautiful enough to stand out among his many admirers.

She hated it all, her emotions tangled, tears streaming down her face as she stared at the bathroom mirror.

She didn't know how long she'd stood there until footsteps and voices echoed down the corridor…

She quickly bent down, turned on the faucet, cupped water in her hands and splashed it on her face, then again and again, washing away every trace of tears.

Then she lifted her head, glanced at her reflection in the mirror, saw nothing amiss, and turned to leave the restroom.

But as soon as she stepped out, a man stared at her in surprise: "Ye Zhanyan? What are you doing here? Didn't you go abroad to study?"

Beside the man was a woman.

Ye Zhanyan recognized him—he was a senior in the Law School, once its student union president, so they knew each other.

Of course, she knew he had secretly written her over a dozen anonymous love letters, which she later identified by his handwriting.

But she never mentioned it, because not a single word of his had ever moved her.

Ye Zhanyan said, "I came back for some business."

The man asked, "Are you leaving again?"

Ye Zhanyan said yes.

Seeing her turn to leave, he pressed: "Zhanyan, do you have a boyfriend now?"

Ye Zhanyan glanced at him, then walked away.

The man hurried to call after her, but the woman beside him stopped him, whispering, "Are you crazy? Your father's a high-ranking official—do you really need to grovel like this?"

The man said, "You don't understand!"

The woman replied, "I don't. But even a fool knows Ye Zhanyan is secretly in love with Li Heng. Why be a footnote?"

The man froze in place, speechless, watching helplessly as Ye Zhanyan disappeared into a private room at the end of the corridor.

The woman tugged his arm. "Stop daydreaming—that room is almost certainly Li Heng's."

Back in the private room, Ye Zhanyan smiled apologetically: "Sorry, ran into an old classmate, chatted for a bit."

Li Heng nodded, dividing the last half-bottle of beer evenly between two cups.

The rest of the meal passed quietly, conversation polite and restrained.

At one point, Ye Zhanyan mentioned Mai Sui: "By the way, I ran into Mai Sui at Yan Garden today—she looks even better than last year."

Li Heng said, "If you visit Mai Sui every month, the changes are obvious."

Ye Zhanyan smiled and asked, "If a girl invites you to dinner now, will you still bring Mai Sui along?"

She was referring to last year.

Last year, she had tentatively asked him out—only for him to ask, "Can I bring Mai Sui?"—which crushed her, shattered her composure.

That dinner ended without ever being finished.

Li Heng answered: "Yes."

Ye Zhanyan was stunned. "I thought you were just using her as an excuse to turn me down."

Li Heng said, "Mai Sui is my woman now."

Ye Zhanyan's eyes widened, then drooped, her gaze growing hollow. She silently picked at her food, determined to finish every grain of rice in her bowl.

For a long while, neither spoke.

Only near the end did she remember the remaining beer. She lifted her cup: "Come on, let's finish it—don't waste it."

Li Heng said okay, and downed his in one gulp.

She copied him, gulping it down, then joked: "I never would've guessed—you're such a heartless rogue."

She had always assumed he'd only ever marry Xiao Han, that Mai Sui would be nothing more than a close companion.

She never expected him to openly declare Mai Sui his woman.

Li Heng offered no defense—only said, "Keep this quiet."

"Don't worry—I'll take it to my grave," Ye Zhanyan said, tapping her chest.

Leaving the room and descending to the first floor, Ye Zhanyan insisted on paying, but Li Heng stopped her: "I said I'd treat you—I won't break my word."

Ye Zhanyan couldn't argue. She sighed: "Then I guess I've eaten your meal for free—I don't know when I'll ever be able to repay you."

Li Heng smiled: "Mountains and rivers will meet again. If fate doesn't want you to eat for free, we'll cross paths again—then you can treat me."

Ye Zhanyan brightened and said yes.

Outside the Lantian Restaurant, as they passed a guesthouse, she looked up and impulsively asked: "Younger brother, have you ever stayed at a guesthouse?"

Li Heng froze, glancing from the guesthouse to her.

Ye Zhanyan blushed under his gaze, pressed her lips tight, and turned her profile to him, hiding her panic and embarrassment.

Li Heng wasn't foolish—her question about a guesthouse was clearly an ambiguous signal.

What woman suddenly asks a man about a guesthouse unless she's hinting they could spend the night together?

What happens during a night together? No need to spell it out.

Li Heng asked: "Aren't you catching a flight at 9: 0?"

Ye Zhanyan wouldn't meet his eyes, whispering like a mosquito: "I can leave tomorrow morning."

In an instant—the air froze!

The moment she spoke, both stood paralyzed, as if enchanted.

As he struggled to break the tension, Ye Zhanyan suddenly smiled brightly, pretending nothing had happened: "Let's go—back to campus. I need to collect my luggage for the airport."

"Oh, alright."

Li Heng followed her as she walked toward Fudan University.

Just before leaving Wujiao Square, they happened upon Ye Ning and Sun Man—both riding bicycles, swift as wolves in the wind.

"Oh! Cousin, Li Heng—what are you two doing here?" Ye Ning exclaimed, skidding to a stop.

"We had dinner together. Where are you going?" Li Heng asked.

Ye Ning said: "Buying chocolate for your wife, Mai Sui. I lost a bet to Manning—I owe her a box."

Sun Man: "..."

Li Heng: "..."

He felt she was doing it on purpose—emphasizing "your wife, Mai Sui" just loud enough for her cousin to hear, aiming to wound her.

Ye Ning was indeed doing it on purpose.

She thought: Look! Look! You dumped your boyfriend, quit Oxford, ran all the way to America—all for Li Heng. And what did you get? Not a single hair.

Meanwhile, our Sui and Li Heng have fallen for each other.

I hope this kills you, Ye Ning thought.

Ye Zhanyan, sharp as she was, understood instantly—but pretended not to. She said to Ye Ning: "I've got something to do—I'll go now."

Ye Ning asked: "Cousin, do you want me to drive you back?"

Ye Zhanyan said: "No thanks. I just finished eating with my younger brother—we're walking to help digestion."

Ye Ning subtly scowled, watching Li Heng and her cousin walk away.

Once they were out of sight, Sun Man asked: "She's your cousin—why do you hate her so much?"

Ye Ning snapped: "I don't hate her!"

Sun Man asked: "Then why mention Mai Sui?"

"Hmph. I was just buying chocolate for Mai Sui—I told the truth," Ye Ning huffed.

Sun Man asked: "Didn't you say last time that your ex-boyfriend's family wanted to marry you? Did you turn them down?"

"That family's full of idiots—I'd become a monk before marrying into them! I called them up and screamed at them—wasted so much of my money!" Ye Ning broke down.

Sun Man asked: "Strange—why did they pick you? Didn't they know you're Ye Zhanyan's cousin?"

Ye Ning gritted her teeth: "They didn't know we're related—we don't even look alike. Some idiot matchmaker set it up. I cursed that matchmaker out too—blind dog! If I'd been home, I'd have slapped him across the face! Such annoying, useless people!"

Sun Man burst out laughing.

…

Back at Fudan University, Ye Zhanyan turned to Li Heng: "Younger brother, we'll stop here. Thank you today—next time, I'll treat you."

It was polite nonsense—both knew the "next time" meant nothing, after what had just happened with the guesthouse.

Li Heng said: "Go safely. Take care."

Ye Zhanyan nodded, smiled, turned, and walked away—head held high, no hesitation, no looking back.

As Li Heng watched her graceful figure vanish around the tree-lined path's bend, he turned—and found himself face-to-face with a familiar face: President Sun.

Li Heng called out: "President."

President Sun, hands behind his back, asked: "That was Ye Zhanyan, wasn't it?"

Li Heng said yes.

President Sun stepped closer, patted his shoulder, and said with solemn gravity: "Show some restraint—leave a couple for the school to hold up its reputation. Don't ruin them all."

Ha! This old man was just as irreverent as ever.

Li Heng's eyelid twitched: "You're a busy man—what are you doing here?"

Principal Sun said: "I bragged about you to the Peking University president today, felt good, so I came out for a walk."

Li Heng: "..."

If this old man weren't a principal, toss him into society, and he'd be one of those stubborn, impervious types who never lets you get angry.

Principal Sun gestured for him to sit on the grass and asked: "When are you leaving?"

Li Heng replied: "After this month."

Principal Sun said: "The new students finish military training by month's end and return to campus. They say this year's got a promising one—take it easy with him."

Li Heng raised an eyebrow: "How do you know so much?"

Principal Sun answered without hesitation: "I hear people gossiping behind my back when I walk. Heard it enough, I remembered."

Li Heng followed up: "Oh? What's his name?"

Principal Sun gave him a sidelong glance: "Don't go prying—you've got ulterior motives."

Li Heng grumbled: "Am I really that bad?"

Principal Sun said: "Men aren't lovable unless they're a little bad. Being bad isn't bad—it helps creativity. Did your copy of 'Bai Luyuan' arrive yet?"

Li Heng answered: "It arrived."

Principal Sun said: "Get me a copy later—signed, and write one line: 'I won't lay a hand on Huang Ziyue.'"

Li Heng couldn't help rolling his eyes: "The new student's name is Huang Ziyue?"

Principal Sun grinned with his aged teeth: "My granddaughter."

Li Heng asked: "Oh my! So you're bragging about your own kin—how does she compare to Zhou Shihe?"

Principal Sun pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and said: "That girl from the Zhou family? There's probably only one like her in Shanghai and the surrounding cities. Don't go comparing everyone to her—or you'll never find a wife."

Li Heng replied: "No problem—I'll find Huang Ziyue."

"Cough! Cough!"

Principal Sun choked, then offered him a cigarette: "If you could cut ties and clean up your surroundings, I wouldn't strongly oppose it."

Li Heng took the cigarette: "I'm a student—you're giving me a cigarette? I'm reporting you."

Principal Sun remained unmoved: "How many male dorms don't smoke? I never treated you like a student."

Indeed, Principal Sun never saw him as a student—otherwise he wouldn't chat with him so casually, treating him like an equal, teasing him freely.

This, in another way, reveals just how highly Li Heng is regarded in Principal Sun's eyes.

They say men remain boys till death, but you must know your audience. With those beneath you, you wear a stern face. With equals, you relax completely—no constraints.

They sat on the grass for nearly an hour. Many passing students stared at them strangely—the old man smoked with loud puffs, the young one didn't smoke but held a cigarette in his hand—a peculiar sight.

Zhou Shihe came from Lushan Village, alone.

Seeing her, Li Heng waved. When she drew near, he asked: "Why are you alone today?"

Zhou Shihe greeted him as "Teacher," then replied gently: "Ningning and Mannings aren't on campus. Suishui's calling from Professor Yu's place. I just finished practicing and felt stifled—came out for some air."

She rarely spoke so much at once. Seeing Principal Sun there, she gave him face—otherwise, she'd have just said, "Felt stifled, came out for air," and left it at that.

Principal Sun looked up at the sky: "Heavy rain's coming—really stifling."

Then he rose, patted his backside, and left.

Li Heng called out: "Aren't you staying a bit longer?"

Principal Sun said: "Going home to watch the Olympics. You two chat."

The moment the Zhou girl arrived, he had to put on his principal's mask—he couldn't be carefree anymore. He felt bored. So he just left, giving the two youngsters space.

Seeing this, Li Heng also stood up and said to her: "I didn't exercise after dinner—let's take a walk together."

Zhou Shihe said yes.

Li Heng asked: "What's Suishui calling about? Why so long? Why didn't you wait for her?"

Zhou Shihe replied quietly: "Professor Yu must be craving alcohol—he invited her to drink with him."

Hearing this, Li Heng wisely didn't press further: Why didn't he invite you?

The two girls had always had a faint, unspoken distance between them—many things were understood without being said.

Walking side by side, they spoke occasionally, fell silent occasionally. Perhaps because they knew each other so well, even silence felt comfortable.

After circling the campus, the sky gradually lightened. When they passed the statue of the great leader, Zhou Shihe paused to gaze for a long while.

Li Heng also stopped, looking up respectfully.

Zhou Shihe said: "My grandfather deeply reveres him."

Li Heng said: "The older generation generally holds him in high esteem."

Zhou Shihe asked calmly: "You're close by—have you ever visited his Shaoshan residence?"

He'd been there several times in his past life, but never once in this one. Li Heng answered: "No."

In the future, people visited Shaoshan for all kinds of reasons—some even with a touch of myth.

For example, some families took unruly children there to calm them.

Others, elderly and frail, went to pay homage, believing the great leader's righteous energy could ward off evil.

Zhou Shihe said: "This winter break, my whole family will go."

Li Heng turned his head: "Have you set a date?"

Meeting his gaze, Zhou Shihe smiled lightly: "My grandfather is turning seventy—he wants to celebrate it in Shaoshan."

PS: Posted first, revised later.

Already updated ten thousand characters.

(End of chapter)