Chapter 532: The World Is Unpredictable (Request Subscription!)

Several big guys carried eight cases of beer back to the dorm.

Zhou Zhangming and Li Guoyi also dropped by Old Li's Restaurant and ordered a few casual snacks to go with the alcohol—especially the pack of peanuts and pickled lettuce, which everyone loved.

The seven guys in the dorm sat together, drinking, boasting, and chatting about girls as usual.

Li Guoyi, most invested in girls, leaned in with a sly grin: "Hey guys, I've got exclusive info—among this year's freshmen, five girls are top-tier."

Li Guang jumped in: "Spill it, spill it—which five?"

Seeing everyone fixated on him, Li Guoyi preened: "They're Luo Su from the Law School, Xu Xinxin from Journalism, Chen Ru from the Foreign Languages College, He Qian from History, and Huang Ziyue from Economics."

Zhou Zhangming tossed a peanut into his mouth: "Who's the prettiest?"

Li Guoyi exaggeratedly gestured: "Huang Ziyue's the undisputed queen—she's in a league of her own. The best body? He Qian—holy shit! You didn't see her—huge up top, tight ass, walks like a seduction. I had a wet dream that night, kept yelling 'Yoshi Yoshi!'—dry as hell…"

Everyone burst out laughing at this fool.

Tang Diling asked: "I think I've heard of Huang Ziyue—can she match Zhou Shihe?"

Li Guoyi, who'd just been joking, sneered and snapped back: "Little Tang, did Wei Sisi flood your brain with cat piss? Comparing her to Zhou Shihe? In Shanghai, which woman dares compare herself to Zhou Shihe? Zhou Shihe is a goddess—not human. A goddess and a mortal aren't even in the same category."

Tang Diling wiped saliva off his face, stood up, unfastened his belt, and shouted: "If you spit on me again, I'll piss on you."

Li Guoyi leaned in to look: "Uncivilized, impolite—you've got bigger than mine."

That crude remark sent them all into fits of laughter.

Tang Diling fastened his belt and sat down triumphantly: "Of course—I'd weigh at least a pound if I cut it off. Yours? Maybe two ounces."

"One-pound Master, your humble servant bows in defeat," Li Guoyi bowed deeply to Tang Diling.

Hu Ping's eyes gleamed green as he pressed for details on Huang Ziyue: "How tall is Huang Ziyue? Where's she from…?"

Hearing Hu Ping ask, everyone instantly understood.

Wei Xiaozhu had clearly become his obsession—he couldn't swallow his pride, so he aimed to conquer the hardest freshman girl to prove himself, to show how desirable he was, to prove his charm.

To prove Wei Xiaozhu's repeated rejections were blind.

Wasn't it said that freshman girls were naive and easy to fool? That's exactly what Hu Ping was counting on.

But Li Guoyi's single sentence shut him down: "Old Hu, you can try the others—but leave Huang Ziyue alone. I'm warning you, don't mess with her."

Zhou Zhangming asked: "Why? Is she prickly?"

Li Guoyi revealed: "I've got insider info—Huang Ziyue is the dean's granddaughter. The dean's son died young, left no sons, only one daughter."

Though the daughter married out, her family lives permanently at the dean's home—like a live-in son-in-law. The dean dotes on Huang Ziyue."

Hearing she was the dean's granddaughter—or even granddaughter—Hu Ping fell silent and switched to asking about the other girls.

Zhang Bing chimed in: "What about Luo Su? That's a cool name."

Li Guoyi tilted his head: "Bing-ge, looking for a taste?"

Zhang Bing scratched his head: "Uh… Old Li, don't flatter me—no girl with any looks would touch me. Besides, I'm already a dad of two—I need to set a good example."

Li Guoyi shook his head vigorously: "Bing-ge, you're too honest. Your wife's lucky to have you. Luo Su? Among freshmen, she's probably second overall. But she's icy cold—I forgot my library card, went to ask her for help, and she didn't even look at me."

Zhou Zhangming joked: "Old Li, you're clearly not respectable—no virgin girl would talk to you."

Li Guoyi stuck out his neck: "Not respectable? What's respectable? Is it only respectable to be with 36D every day, like Brother Zhou?"

Mentioning 36d, Zhou Zhangming sighed: "I can barely hold her hand. Old Li, you understand women best—help me figure out why?"

Li Guang cut in: "Zhou-ge, you're targeting the wrong girl. If you had Heng's looks, half his talent, you wouldn't need to understand women—women would fly to you, especially the best ones."

Tang Diling agreed: "Exactly! Even though Wei Sisi is my girl, she admires Heng the most."

Listening to their chatter, Li Heng smiled, took a sip of beer, and said: "Old Zhou, don't stress. Treat Liu Yanling with sincerity—that should be fine."

Zhou Zhangming frowned: "What if sincerity still drives her away?"

Zhang Bing said: "Then it's fate—she's not meant for you. Don't cling too hard."

"Makes sense! Bing-ge's words are deep, profound," Li Guang gave a thumbs-up.

Zhou Zhangming downed his entire bottle, gripped the empty one, and sank into thought.

With Huang Ziyue out of reach, Hu Ping shifted focus to Luo Su and He Qian.

The upright Tang Diling couldn't take it anymore. After three rounds of drinks, he asked Hu Ping: "Old Hu, you just slept with Chen Guifen—already looking for a new one?"

Tang Diling got along well with Chen Guifen in class and sometimes sat with her—he felt indignant.

Hu Ping looked embarrassed, grabbed two beers, opened one, and handed it to Tang Diling: "Old Tang, it's not what you think with Chen Guifen."

Tang Diling took the beer: "Not what I think? Then what? I've always known Chen Guifen liked you secretly. You can't use her feelings as a substitute—that's unfair."

Seeing the tension rise, Zhou Zhangming, the dorm's self-appointed elder brother, quickly changed the subject: "Old Li, you failed your makeup exam again. Didn't you say you'd chase the professor's daughter to get back at her? How's that going?"

"Too young—wait two more years. We can't commit crimes," Li Guoyi said, recoiling at the mention of the professor's daughter.

Li Guang laughed: "Bullshit—wait two years! It's because the professor's daughter has freckles. Old Li took one look and ran."

The eight cases of beer were gone. Li Guang and Li Guoyi were drunk, didn't wash their faces or wipe their feet, just sprawled like corpses on the beds.

Hu Ping, in a bad mood, drank eighteen beers and a bottle of strong liquor—he was also drunk, hugging a chair and singing.

Zhou Zhangming picked up a pack of cigarettes and said to Li Heng, Tang Diling, and Zhang Bing: "Old Li, Bing-ge, Old Tang—the dorm's too stuffy. Let's go get some air."

Li Heng nodded and walked out.

Zhang Bing glanced at Hu Ping, still singing loudly, then followed Tang Diling out the door.

At the end of the corridor, they opened all the windows. Zhou Zhangming handed out cigarettes and lit them with a lighter, then suddenly asked: "Does Li Guoyi secretly like Wei Xiaozhu?"

Zhou Zhangming was a serious man—now he called him by his full name, Li Guoyi, instead of his usual "Old Li," showing he had doubts about him.

Li Heng and Zhang Bing exchanged glances, both knowing the answer, but stayed silent.

Tang Diling rubbed the back of his head: "Possibly. Sisi and Zhao Meng analyzed it—Zhao Meng's exact words: Li Guoyi probably fell for Wei Xiaozhu at first sight, but since Hu Ping stood in front of him—better-looking, richer, a local—he felt he couldn't compete, so he settled for competing with Li Guang for Leyao."

In Dorm 107, the prettiest was Wei Xiaozhu, second was Dai Qing, third was Leyao—once, thanks to them and 36d, they won the title of Fudan's Most Beautiful Dorm.

It was the most sought-after female dorm for male dorms across Fudan and nearby universities.

But after the "Big King and Three Little Kings" rankings came out, everyone suddenly realized Zhou Shihe and Mai Sui shared the same dorm—Dorm 107 lost its title.

Even so, Dorm 107's reputation still spread among nearby universities, proving its high prestige!

Zhou Zhangming hesitated, then asked bluntly: "Did Li Guoyi tell Dorm 107 about Hu Ping and Li Guifang's hotel room?"

The air turned icy.

Everyone knew Li Guoyi's nature—he smiled on the surface but loved stabbing people in the back. It was said Wei Xiaozhu's hometown friend Liu An wouldn't return to campus until next month—he was still hospitalized in Lianyungang.

According to Zhou Zhangming's logic: Hu Ping using Li Guifang as a substitute was wrong, but it was consensual. If Li Guifang got Hu Ping's first time, she probably felt thrilled—outsiders shouldn't judge too harshly.

But if Li Guoyi stabbed a dorm brother in the back over a girl, that crossed the line—it was unforgivable.

Who'd be friends with such a person? Who'd want to get close to him?

Seeing Zhou Zhangming's clear-cut expression, Li Heng pinched his cigarette and asked Zhang Bing and Tang Diling: "You two are close to Dorm 107—heard any rumors?"

Zhang Bing glanced back at Dorm 325's door, then said: "Honestly, like Old Zhou, my first thought was: Did Old Li do it?"

Tang Diling stepped forward: "It wasn't him."

Li Heng, Zhou Zhangming, and Zhang Bing turned to him.

Tang Diling explained: "When Sun Ye asked Old Li, I was with him at the time."

Zhou Zhangming asked: "Then how did the rumor reach Dorm 107?"

Tang Diling said: "I'll ask Sisi later."

Then he added: "But there's something else—I'm not sure if I should say it."

Zhou Zhangming spoke bluntly: "What?"

Tang Diling said: "Old Li's been writing love letters to Wei Xiaozhu. I once caught him doing it—he was writing so seriously in the library, I called out to him from behind and he didn't react. I peeked over—used a fake name."

Zhang Bing asked: "Aren't you afraid they'll recognize his handwriting?"

Tang Diling said: "His normal handwriting is cursive, but the fake name was in regular script—every stroke deliberate."

Zhou Zhangming asked: "What's the fake name?"

Tang Diling said: "Wu Aizhu. Easy to remember."

Zhou Zhangming whispered: "Wu Aizhu? Wu Ai Zhu? I Love Zhu? I Love Wei Xiaozhu?"

Tang Diling said: "That's exactly what I thought—so I remembered it instantly."

Zhou Zhangming sneered: "Damn, that's low! Don't seduce your friend's woman—even if Wei Xiaozhu never liked Old Hu, you still can't do this."

What makes us human is humanity.

Fighting Li Guang for Leyao was bad enough, then you didn't even cherish Leyao—and now you're doing this behind the scenes? If I were Old Hu, I'd slap him twice."

"Wait, I haven't finished—Old Li's letters might not have been sent. They're hidden in his drawer," Tang Diling said.

Zhang Bing asked: "Really?"

Tang Diling took a drag: "I can't guarantee 100%—I don't know if he ever mailed any. But after that library incident, I started watching him. Several times I saw him finish a letter and lock it away. His drawer's piled high with letters—maybe over ten."

Hiding letters and sending them were two different things. They were all young men with crushes, so they changed the subject.

Zhang Bing asked Li Heng: "Leaving tomorrow?"

Li Heng nodded: "Morning flight."

Zhou Zhangming said: "Old Li, when will you be back? I'll treat you to drinks then."

"Hard to say exactly when I'll return, but I'm holding you to that drink—don't you dare back out," Li Heng chuckled.

"No problem, guaranteed," Zhou Zhangming patted his chest.

Stayed in the dorm one night.

The next morning, Li Heng woke up early and went jogging.

Whenever he was on campus, as long as it wasn't pouring rain, jogging was his unbreakable habit.

There was no choice—skills alone, even knowing how to dig eel holes, weren't enough. You needed a strong body as a foundation.

Zhou Zhangming and Zhang Bing got up too and ran with him toward the track.

No surprise—he met two old acquaintances on the playground: Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing.

The two girls had arrived even earlier than Li Heng and had already completed two laps around the track.

After exchanging a simple "Good morning," the two groups merged together.

But as they ran, after finishing the eighth lap, Wei Xiaozhu stepped out of the group and sat alone on the steps at the edge of the track, watching the others run.

After completing the eleventh lap, Zhou Zhangming and Zhang Bing could no longer hold on, drenched in sweat.

After finishing the fourteenth lap, Li Heng stopped and glanced at Dai Qing, still running with steady rhythm—three grown men all wore expressions of pure awe.

Though Dai Qing's name suggests slenderness and delicacy, her endurance was truly formidable: she'd evolved from an original 14 laps to a 20-lap monster, a striking sight on the track. Everyone who came for morning exercise remembered her.

While resting together, Zhou Zhangming suddenly probed Wei Xiaozhu: "Wei Xiaozhu, have you ever heard of someone named Wu Aizhu?"

Wei Xiaozhu asked: "Wu Aizhu?"

Zhou Zhangming said solemnly: "Wu Aizhu."

Wei Xiaozhu asked, "Where's she from?"

Zhou Zhangming said, "Also from Lianyungang."

Wei Xiaozhu shook her head. "I don't know her."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhangming and Zhang Bing rested a while longer, then left to play football on the other side of the track—they were both diehard football fans.

As soon as they left, Wei Xiaozhu whispered to Li Heng: "Wu Aizhu—is she from your dorm?"

Li Heng turned his head, giving her a long, meaningful look, then teased: "Lying isn't a good habit."

Wei Xiaozhu smiled faintly: "Mai Sui said you're leaving this morning?"

Li Heng said yes.

Wei Xiaozhu turned out her pockets: "Perfect—I forgot my money because Qingqing rushed me. Treat me to breakfast. Consider it a farewell gift."

Li Heng agreed readily: "Alright."

At that moment, a teacher called from across the field: "Li Heng, come play basketball."

Li Heng checked the time and realized he didn't have enough—he called back: "Teacher Liu, next time. I've got something to do."

Teacher Liu lived in Xuhui Village and was a renowned professor in chemistry; Li Heng had played pickup basketball with him for a year, so he spoke respectfully.

When Dai Qing finished her twentieth lap, the three walked in sequence toward the school gate and sat down at a noodle shop.

Unlike last year, this semester Dai Qing had changed—she initiated conversation with Li Heng: "Did you sleep in the dorm last night?"

Li Heng replied: "I haven't been to the dorm in a while. I miss it."

Dai Qing asked: "Has Chen Guifen been secretly in love with Hu Ping all this time?"

Li Heng glanced at Wei Xiaozhu: "I've heard rumors in class, but I don't know the details."

Dai Qing said: "Cai Yuanyuan saw Hu Ping and Chen Guifen enter a guesthouse together and stay in the same room for over forty minutes before coming out."

Li Heng looked bewildered: "Is Cai Yuanyuan that bored? Staking out outside?"

Dai Qing smiled, glancing at Wei Xiaozhu, then added: "Actually, Yuanyuan once had a crush on Hu Ping too. She came back heartbroken that day. Later, Sun Ye couldn't take it and went to confront Hu Ping."

"So that's how it was."

Li Heng sighed: "Too complicated."

Dai Qing nodded in agreement: "Exactly. Our two dorms could fill a whole novel with their love and hatred."

As soon as she spoke, Dai Qing realized she'd accidentally included herself—and fell silent, avoiding Li Heng's gaze, focusing intently on her beef noodles.

While the three ate in silence, a bowl of beef noodles suddenly appeared on the table, followed by a person sitting down on the empty chair beside them.

Li Heng looked up—it was Huang Ziyue.

Seeing all three staring at her, Huang Ziyue said to Li Heng: "Senior, I couldn't find a seat. May I sit here?"

Li Heng scanned the shop and realized there truly were no empty seats—he welcomed her immediately.

Huang Ziyue glanced at Dai Qing, then subtly compared herself to Wei Xiaozhu, feeling a pang of frustration, and finally asked: "Senior, why aren't you having breakfast with Senior Zhou Shihe today?"

At this question, Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing exchanged a glance—each understood the hidden meaning in the other's eyes.

Clearly, Huang Ziyue had mentioned Zhou Shihe on purpose, using the universally acknowledged most beautiful senior to overshadow all rivals—she might as well have shouted: I'm interested in you.

Li Heng answered without hesitation: "She's probably still asleep."

Huang Ziyue asked curiously: "I heard you're very close to Senior Zhou. I heard you're good friends with the Big King and the three Little Kings—is it true? You even know she's asleep."

Li Heng retorted: "You heard? You made that up yourself, didn't you?"

Her small scheme exposed, Huang Ziyue smiled and leaned closer: "My grandfather asked me to tell you—he wants to drink with you after you return from your fieldwork."

She was using this to pressure Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing.

Li Heng, a seasoned veteran, had no trouble catching on: "Then I'll have to wait in line."

Huang Ziyue leaned forward slightly: "Is the line long?"

Li Heng said: "Very long—I've already promised to treat these two."

"These two" referred to Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing.

Hearing this, Huang Ziyue looked again at Wei Xiaozhu, even more frustrated—this pure, innocent senior had said nothing, yet Li Heng kept favoring her.

Wei Xiaozhu had excellent composure—she ignored the junior's provocation, finished her noodles calmly, stood up, and said to Li Heng: "You're going far away—I'll see you off to Lushan Village."

"Thank you." Li Heng stood too, then turned and walked away.

Their simple exchange, quiet and unadorned, spoke louder than a thousand words. Huang Ziyue watched the three figures recede, her mind filled with only three characters: Lushan Village.

She understood—Wei Xiaozhu had used "Lushan Village" to strike back: You're still too young.

The implied meaning: If you want to pursue Li Heng, first learn to come and go freely in Lushan Village.

Of course, here "Lushan Village" was used narrowly—it specifically referred to the legendary Building No. 26 at Fudan University.

Back inside the campus, Wei Xiaozhu teased: "You're quite popular—just showing up a few times has stolen the heart of the most beautiful junior."

Hearing this, Dai Qing secretly observed Li Heng's expression, worried for her friend: Xi Yuan, you and Hu Ping's argument—the real person heard every word. Wei Xiaozhu, don't be naive.

Li Heng was speechless: "She's not as beautiful as you."

Wei Xiaozhu turned her head to look at him: "Really?"

Li Heng nodded: "Go ask ten random people on the street—they'd all agree with me."

Wei Xiaozhu stretched lazily and teased: "Bribe me, or I'll repeat this exactly to Mai Sui."

Li Heng said calmly: "Didn't I just say at the noodle shop? After my fieldwork, I'll treat you two to dinner."

"Alright," Wei Xiaozhu smiled in agreement.

Back in Lushan Village, Mai Sui, Zhou Shihe, Sun Man, and Ye Ning had arrived.

Teacher Yu was also home.

As soon as Li Heng entered Building No. 26, he asked Mai Sui: "Did you sleep in the dorm last night?"

Before Mai Sui could answer, Sun Man's face darkened: "Pfft! Last night, someone in Mai Sui's dorm had a birthday party—they went out to eat. Afterward, she couldn't stop thinking about you, so she rushed back to Lushan Village. And guess what? Not a soul was home—you were god knows where having fun."

Li Heng rolled his eyes: "I slept in the dorm last night. Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing can vouch for me."

Ye Ning was confused: "You slept in Dorm 107? Otherwise, how could they vouch for you?"

Li Heng: "..."

Wei Xiaozhu: "..."

Dai Qing: "..."

Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe were also speechless.

Li Heng recounted how he'd met Dai Qing and Wei Xiaozhu during the morning run, then went upstairs to pack.

To his surprise, when he reached his bedroom, his suitcase was already neatly packed, every item in place.

Li Heng turned to Mai Sui, who had followed him in: "You packed this?"

"Mm," Mai Sui murmured softly.

Li Heng closed the bedroom door.

Mai Sui looked up at him, sensing his intentions, yet made no move to stop him.

He stepped forward two paces, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.

At first, he kissed her gently.

But soon, he grew bolder, more insistent.

Mai Sui watched him without blinking; as his desire deepened, her lips slowly parted, their tongues entwining like red leaves.

Their breaths mingled, their hearts laid bare—after a long, tender kiss, their lips finally parted. Li Heng gently cupped her chin, gazing down for a long moment before sighing: "My Mai Sui is becoming more beautiful."

Still flushed from the kiss, Mai Sui smiled softly, her eyes full of shy delight, and leaned in to kiss his lips.

"I'm leaving."

"Mm."

"Watch the house. Wait for me to come back."

"Mm."

After these two questions and answers, Li Heng wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her close as if trying to merge her into his own body.

As if responding to his call, Mai Sui wrapped her arms around him too, burying her head against his neck, clinging to him in perfect intimacy.

For a long while, neither spoke—both simply savored the quiet warmth.

When Teacher Yu's voice rang out from downstairs, he finally released her, leaning down again, reluctant to let go.

This time, Mai Sui was more eager—she lifted her chin to meet him.

Their final kiss, filled with all their emotion, was complete and unrestrained.

After about eight minutes, nearly breathless, they finally parted, stepping out of each other's embrace.

They gazed at each other for a long moment. Then Li Heng bent down, picked up his suitcase, turned, and walked out—without a word, without looking back.

As his footsteps faded away, Mai Sui felt as if all her strength had been drained; she slumped against the six-door cabinet, staring blankly at her reflection in the makeup mirror across from her.

Just moments ago, she had received the long-awaited kiss.

This kiss was not merely superficial—it carried deep emotion she could clearly feel: this man was growing more and more dependent on her, more and more indulgent toward her. It was a happy, joyful thing.

Yet it was also the source of her confusion.

After all, this feeling could never come to light; she could never face Song Yu openly, nor proudly speak of it to her parents.

As her thoughts grew tangled, Zhou Shihe, light and graceful, pushed open the door and immediately spotted her friend slumped against the wardrobe.

Her gaze drifted over her friend's body, finally settling on the alluring red lips, and Zhou Shihe understood at once what had just transpired in this bedroom.

After a moment, she said gently, "He's leaving soon—aren't you going to see him off?"

Her thoughts interrupted, Mai Sui snapped back to reality, quickly tidying her clothes, and asked anxiously, "Has he already left?"

Zhou Shihe shook her head. "He's saying goodbye to Teacher Fu and his wife."

Mai Sui said nothing, pushing past her friend and hurrying toward the stairwell.

Her eyes swept the bedroom, lingering on the neat, clean bed, on the two pillows placed side by side—her mind automatically conjured images of him indulging himself on Sui Sui's body.

Unbidden, she thought of Xiao Han, and of Teacher Yu.

Had he ever treated Teacher Yu this way?

And the moment she imagined him having already been intimate with Xiao Han, her right fingers, hanging limp in her pant pocket, clenched tightly; soon after, she turned and left the bedroom.

She did not go downstairs, but climbed to the attic, sitting on the swing Mai Sui had woven by hand.

Looking down from above, she watched Li Heng step out of Building No. 26.

She watched him and Yu Shuheng, one behind the other, tread the blue stone pavement until they vanished at the end of the long rain-soaked alley.

Suddenly, she recalled two sentences—two lines he had spoken in the private room when rejecting Wang Ye:

"I fell in love with Zhou Shihe at first sight."

"What is love? It makes people vow to live or die together."

The low, gloomy sky finally began to drizzle. Zhou Shihe extended her pale fingers beyond the attic's edge, gazing far into the horizon as raindrops fell into her palm, soaking the pink cuffs of her sleeves.

Not long after, Wei Xiaozhu arrived at the second-floor balcony.

Though close to Li Heng, Wei Xiaozhu had never been to the attic before; she felt curious, glancing at the swing, then at the purple wind chimes, and finally asked, "Shihe, why are you daydreaming? Your clothes are soaked."

Zhou Shihe's attention returned; she smiled knowingly. "I was remembering something."

She extended an invitation: "Sit with me a while."

Wei Xiaozhu asked, "Can the swing hold two people?"

Zhou Shihe said, "Yes. Sui Sui and I used to sit like this all the time."

Hearing this, Wei Xiaozhu sat beside her and reminded again, "Your clothes and hair are soaked from the drizzle."

Only then did Zhou Shihe realize it; she swept her right hand behind her ear, tucking the wind-tossed strands of hair, and asked, "Do you have plans for National Day?"

Wei Xiaozhu replied, "No. Do you and Mai Sui have something planned?"

Zhou Shihe smiled faintly. "Neither. Sui Sui and I plan to stay home, watch TV, read a book."

Wei Xiaozhu said, "I'll come over and keep you company."

Zhou Shihe agreed.

The two women in the attic chatted idly, while Dai Qing watched from the living room as Mai Sui meticulously rearranged the sofa covers—her delicate, willing demeanor filled Dai Qing with envy.

In middle and high school, many had praised her beauty, and she had believed it herself; her parents beamed with pride.

Even the town magistrate's wife had personally sent a matchmaker to her home, hoping to make her a daughter-in-law.

Her parents were overjoyed and ready to accept—but she firmly refused.

She did not want to remain in the remote mountain village of Shaoguan; she longed to see the wider world, to find her own white knight beyond it.

But once outside, Dai Qing felt dizzy—this small house already held three women more beautiful than her.

Especially Zhou Shihe—she, a woman herself, felt not the slightest spark of rivalry.

If, before Li Heng's identity as a famous writer was revealed, she had dismissed the idea of being his mistress—

Now, if Li Heng were to propose she become his secret lover, she might seriously consider it overnight.

….

On the other side.

Yu Shuheng handed him the car keys and took the passenger seat.

Li Heng started the car and asked as he drove, "Teacher, do you have business in Jingcheng?"

Yu Shuheng said nothing at first; only when the car reached the main road did she smile faintly. "Been craving for too long—afraid I'm interrupting your good fortune?"

The truth was exactly that—but how could he admit it? Li Heng changed the subject: "I thought we'd meet up in Shudou."

Yu Shuheng explained: "Su Yun's new husband passed away. I'm going to see her."

Li Heng was startled: "The Xu Su Yun who played cards with us during the New Year in Jingcheng?"

Yu Shuheng said, "That's her."

Li Heng asked, "How could someone so healthy suddenly die?"

Yu Shuheng said: "Su Yun's husband got into a fight in Tokyo over a singer. The other man lost but refused to accept defeat. On a cruise, he blew up the ship—both died."

Li Heng fell silent for a long while. He hadn't expected that even with such powerful family connections, one could still die so senselessly.

He asked, "Did the singer die too?"

Yu Shuheng turned her head, staring fixedly at his profile, mocking: "No wonder you're the dashing writer—your priorities are always different."

Li Heng: "…."

He defended himself: "Isn't it about jealousy over a singer? I just want to know—if both men died, did the singer die too?"

Yu Shuheng said, "She died too."

Li Heng had wanted to ask how things were settled afterward—but since everyone was dead, he assumed compensation was the only path left, so he let it go.

Yu Shuheng sighed: "Su Yun was such a good person. I never expected this fate."

Li Heng asked: "Ms. Xu seemed like a strong-willed woman—how did she end up with a husband like that?"

Yu Shuheng countered: "What kind of husband? A philanderer? Chasing singers?"

Li Heng's lips twitched—he realized he had spoken wrongly.

Yu Shuheng turned her gaze to the window, murmuring bitterly: "I once thought my judgment was sharp—but I was wildly wrong. I kept one concubine, had two official girlfriends, north and south—before leaving home, he must have kissed her in the bedroom, huh… Tonight, Chen Zijin will be sleeping with him."

Li Heng: "…."

He fell silent, locking his mouth shut for the entire journey. No matter how she prodded him, he refused to respond.

From Hushi to Jingcheng, Li Heng practiced the meditation of silence for the first time—and time passed quickly.

After leaving the airport, they parted ways.

Teacher Yu was taken away by Jiao Jiao. Li Heng was driven by Liu Bei to the Li family residence at Drum Tower.

Once Teacher Yu was gone, he, having held his tongue all the way, began making small talk: "Sister Liu, are you married?"

Liu Bei said, "Yes."

Li Heng asked, "Why haven't I ever seen you return home?"

Liu Bei replied: "My husband died on the border several years ago. My daughter is raised by my parents—they're in elementary school now, very obedient. I can focus entirely on serving Miss Yu."

Again, someone died?

Just one death, and now another?

Li Heng felt deeply unlucky—he should have checked the almanac this morning. He asked, "War?"

Liu Bei answered, "Yes, Mr. Li."

Li Heng bowed his head in respect, then changed the subject to avoid pressing her: "Why not bring your parents and child to Hushi?"

He assumed that, given Miss Yu's regard for her, housing and education would be no issue.

Liu Bei replied: "My parents are high school teachers in a small county. They're better suited to raise my daughter than I am—they're more patient, more skilled. I trust them completely."

That made sense—she was busy with work, often traveling abroad; she had no time to care for a child.

Turning a corner, Liu Bei asked unexpectedly: "Mr. Li, may I ask you a question?"

Li Heng replied readily: "Go ahead."

Liu Bei asked: "Do you believe in ghosts and gods?"

Li Heng paused. "Ghosts and gods?"

Liu Bei nodded.

Li Heng asked curiously: "Why ask that?"

Liu Bei said: "Every time I return home to stay, I dream of my deceased husband. But once I leave home, I never dream of him again. I've noticed Miss Yu also suffers from sleep paralysis at No. 25, but rarely elsewhere."

Li Heng thought for a moment, then replied carefully: "I've experienced this too—it's hard to explain clearly. When I sleep at home, I often dream of deceased neighbors. But once I leave, I never have those dreams again. Perhaps it's homesickness."

He added: "My parents and family all believe in such things."

It was a tactful answer.

They chatted loosely on the subject, and their bond grew subtly closer.

When they reached the entrance of Drum Tower Hutong, Liu Bei hesitated, then said: "Yesterday, I saw Teacher Wang Runwen at the Hushi airport—but she only sat there for an hour, then returned home."

Li Heng, who had been about to open the car door, pulled his foot back and asked sharply: "She didn't leave the airport?"

Liu Bei said, "No."

Li Heng asked: "Did she go back to Changshi?"

Liu Bei said, "Yes."

Li Heng asked: "Does Teacher Yu know?"

Liu Bei said: "I originally intended to tell her, but then things got too busy and I forgot. She still doesn't know."

"Thank you."

Li Heng knew the Liu sister before him was returning a favor; after thanking her, he said: "Could you do me a small favor?"

Liu Bei looked at him, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Clearly, she was assessing whether this "small favor" involved Miss Yu—she was a professional who would not betray Miss Yu.

Her hesitation also stemmed from wariness over the complex, shifting relationship between Miss Yu and Teacher Wang.

Li Heng said: "Find out for me—has Teacher Wang resigned? Is he still teaching at Shaodong No. 1 High School?"

He had wanted to call and ask himself, but feared Teacher Wang had made arrangements and he'd get false information.

This question was harmless; Liu Bei sighed in relief: "Alright, I'll call you later."

"Fine, I'll wait for your news." Li Heng thanked her again.

He opened the car door and stepped out, carrying a bouquet of roses he'd bought en route, heading toward Old Li's house in the middle of the alley.

"Mr. Li, you're back?"

"Ah, Auntie, good afternoon."

"Mr. Li, my granddaughter loves your books—could you spare a moment to sign something for her?"

"No problem."

"..."

In the past, Li Heng's interactions in the alley were merely nodding acquaintanceships.

Now, with his identity exposed, not only had Li Jianguo, Tian Run'e, and his second sister risen in status, but whenever he appeared, neighbors—men or women, old or young—all greeted him voluntarily.

Damn, this was face, he thought smugly.

To his surprise, the courtyard gate was only half-closed—not locked.

Li Heng skipped the usual step and pushed the door open, but as soon as he stepped inside, his mind went blank—Huang Zhaoyi was here?

Last night she was rewarding me under the table, and today she's flown to Jingcheng? To Old Li's house?

Could Huang Mu be here too?

With this concern, he quickly scanned the room—but it was a false alarm; he saw no Huang Mu.

Huang Zhaoyi saw him but remained seated, chatting and cracking sunflower seeds with Tian Run'e and Li Lan.

Tian Run'e, who usually doted most on Manzi, also didn't move—because Chen Zijin had already leapt up from the stone bench in the courtyard, flung herself into Li Heng's arms, took the roses with a laugh, and pecked his cheek several times.

"Wife, I've come to see you."

"Good, you remembered to bring me flowers."

"Do you like them?"

"I do."

They exchanged tender moments, then Li Heng let her go and greeted the elders in the courtyard.

He greeted Chen Gaoyuan first: "Uncle, you came over today—glad to see you."

Chen Gaoyuan glanced at his daughter, then at the flowers in her hand, his heart tightening—he had come specifically to fulfill his mission after learning Li Heng was arriving in Jingcheng.

What mission?

Of course, the mission to invite the Li family to visit the Chen household.

But seeing his daughter so joyfully elated, Chen Gaoyuan felt reluctant. After weighing it, he decided to leave after lunch and not mention the "mission" at all.

Because he felt too ashamed to bring it up.

ps: Posted first, will revise later.

Already posted ten thousand characters.

(Chapter ends)