Chapter 535: The Bomb Drops

Due to its remote location and sparse population, Ma Erkang Town in this era was not large; walking slowly with frequent stops, they had already seen more than half of it in three hours.

Of course, he wasn't just wandering aimlessly—he used shopping as an excuse to chat with elderly vendors, asking about local anecdotes and folk customs.

During this time, he encountered a pickpocket who jostled against him, subtly slipping a hand into Li Heng's pocket and pulling out a wad of bills. Before the thief could even smile, Zeng Yun seized his wrist.

The thief reached for a knife with his other hand to resist, but Zeng Yun was a professional fighter—in a flash, she reversed the grip, applied a joint lock, and drove a knee straight into his chest.

There was a sharp *crack*—the thief collapsed to the ground, his facial muscles twitching in agony, clutching his chest and moaning loudly, "Ow! Ow! Ow!"

Zeng Yun ignored the thief's condition, picked up the money from the ground, and handed it to Li Heng, who had just turned around at the commotion.

Li Heng took the money, slipped it into his pocket, and thought: This girl is terrifying. He hadn't even seen how it happened, yet the big, burly thief was already down and couldn't get up.

No wonder Professor Yu only took her and Liu Bei out with him—this woman's combat power was off the charts, far stronger than he'd imagined.

At this moment, a crowd had gathered around, watching. Everyone seemed to recognize the thief, whispering among themselves with expressions of schadenfreude.

Some, however, looked worried for these two outsiders, Li Heng and Zeng Yun.

Just as the crowd buzzed and pointed, a burly man in a military-green dog-ear hat stepped forward. He stared at Zeng Yun like a venomous snake for several seconds, then silently picked up the thief and walked away.

Zeng Yun stood unmoved, watching him disappear from view.

Once the man was far enough, the elderly vendor who had been chatting with Li Heng whispered a warning: "Young man, you're from outside, aren't you? Be careful of Scar Four—he's not alone. He's got a whole gang."

Hearing this, Li Heng didn't leave right away. He politely asked: "How many are there?"

The old man tucked his hands into his sleeves, bent over, exhaling warm breath, and said nothing—he clearly feared Scar Four.

Observing the old man's subtle expressions, Li Heng reached out a finger toward the stall. "Old uncle, give me six more pieces of cured pork."

"Alright!"

The old man grinned with his toothless mouth, beaming like Maitreya Buddha, quickly wrapped the pork in old newspaper, stuffed it into a burlap sack, handed it over, and lowered his voice:

"Scar Four is the fourth. Above him are three even meaner brothers, and below him is a one-legged fifth. You've got to be careful—this gang's got connections here, and they've got hunting rifles. They say… they say they've killed people before."

Hearing "hunting rifle," Li Heng frowned, then thanked him and left.

On the way back, he asked: "Sister Zeng, did you hear that?"

Zeng Yun replied: "Mr. Li, don't worry. I'll handle it."

Zeng Yun's tone was utterly calm, as if the threat were nothing more than an ant—she didn't care at all. No wonder she was army-trained, no wonder she was a battle-hardened veteran—she had no fear in her bones.

Li Heng mused: "Was Scar Four's rib broken?"

Zeng Yun answered: "Yes."

Precisely because she had broken his rib, she had let the dog-ear hat man take him away.

When they returned home, Professor Yu was already there, waiting for him.

Seeing he was troubled, Yu Shuheng asked gently: "What happened?"

Li Heng, still uneasy, recounted everything that had just occurred.

In terms of bare-handed combat, he believed he could take on several men—but hunting rifles didn't care how skilled your fists were.

The worst part was the sudden, unexpected shot.

Who could possibly survive that?

He was from Shaodong County, where people were notoriously ruthless in this era—armed brawls and retaliations were common, so he'd developed a habit of being cautious from the start.

Yu Shuheng paused, then signaled Zeng Yun, Liu Ying, and Liu Bei to follow her into the room.

Soon after, Liu Ying came downstairs and left.

Yu Shuheng knocked on the study door, entered, and said to him: "Liu Ying and the others will handle this. You focus on gathering material and writing."

Clearly, she didn't want this incident to affect him, nor did she want him involved at all.

After spending so much time together, Li Heng understood her look. "Alright, thank you, Professor."

At lunch, Editor Liao and Xu Suyun returned, laughing and chatting as if they'd been close friends for years—even though they'd only met two days ago.

Everyone else felt uneasy, but it was their private matter, so no one said anything.

At 2: 0 p. ., Li Heng, carrying gifts, went with Editor Liao to the Normal College.

Zeng Yun and Liu Bei came along too.

Normally, only Zeng Yun accompanied him on field trips—but today, because of the pickpocket incident, Liu Bei had been sent as well.

However, Liu Bei didn't walk with them; she stayed far behind, keeping watch on the surroundings.

Ma Erkang Normal College, founded in 1973, was located on Majiang Street and was not large.

Passing through campus, Li Heng met Liao's college classmate in the faculty dormitory—and was surprised: the woman was still elegant, named Zhao Ran.

Even more surprising: the middle-aged Zhao Ran gave Editor Liao no warm welcome. As soon as she opened the door, she sneered: "Oh? After all these years, the sun's risen in the west?"

Editor Liao chuckled awkwardly and pulled Li Heng forward. "This is my junior, Li Heng."

Zhao Ran studied Li Heng carefully, then switched expressions, curiously asking: "You're the famous writer Shiyue?"

In this remote area of Aba, information was scarce. If Zhao Ran weren't a highly educated intellectual, she'd never have heard of such a prominent writer emerging in China.

"Auntie, good afternoon." Li Heng didn't follow Liao's address—he used his own.

After letting them in, Zhao Ran poured a cup of hot tea and placed it before Li Heng.

Huh?

Just one cup of tea?

Seeing Liao had no tea, Li Heng didn't know whether to drink it or not—he wondered inwardly: Are these two ex-lovers? Or enemies? Why such hostility at first sight?

Editor Liao forced a cheerful face, opening his mouth to ask for tea—but seeing Zhao Ran ignored him, he stood up and poured his own.

After Li Heng drank two sips, Zhao Ran asked: "You're here in Aba for field research?"

Li Heng replied politely: "Yes, Auntie Zhao. I apologize for the sudden visit."

Zhao Ran smiled and waved her hand. "No trouble at all. It's an honor to have a great writer like you visit my home. Don't leave yet—stay for dinner."

"Oh, alright!" Li Heng wasn't one for pretense—he agreed readily.

Unexpectedly, after inviting Li Heng to dinner, Zhao Ran turned to Editor Liao and said: "We don't have enough rice for three people. You should go home first."

Li Heng: "..."

Editor Liao stood up. "I'll go buy some rice."

Zhao Ran said: "We don't have any vegetables either."

Editor Liao grinned sheepishly. "Then I'll buy vegetables too."

Zhao Ran frowned. "I can't cook the dishes you like."

Editor Liao volunteered: "Today, I'll cook for you myself."

Zhao Ran gave him a cold look, turned her body away, and ignored his persistent face.

Li Heng acted as if he hadn't heard any of it, sitting quietly with eyes downcast, sipping his tea slowly.

But inside, his curiosity was raging: Holy shit! If these two aren't ex-lovers, I'll eat my own head. They're bickering—but maybe they're flirting?

Next, Editor Liao worked alone in the kitchen, while Li Heng chatted with Zhao Ran about Aba's local culture, the tusi system, and folk customs.

Li Heng's conversation had purpose—he steered topics toward what interested him. Zhao Ran seemed to sense his intent and answered openly, speaking fluently; both were in good spirits.

During the chat, Li Heng subtly inquired about Scar Four's situation—the details matched what the vendor had told him.

Zhao Ran asked worriedly: "That gang is notorious in Ma Erkang—they've bullied honest people for years. Did you cross them?"

Li Heng recounted the pickpocket incident.

Hearing he had a bodyguard, Zhao Ran's worry eased slightly, but she still called someone on the phone.

After hanging up, she suggested: "This place is peaceful enough, but also dangerous. Li Heng, why don't you move into the police station? The chief there is my relative—he'll protect you."

The police chief was her younger brother, though she didn't say so outright.

Li Heng replied sincerely: "Thank you, Auntie Zhao. I'll consider it."

As they chatted about local customs, evening arrived. Editor Liao came out of the kitchen and said: "Brother, Ah Ran, dinner's ready. Let's eat."

Ah Ran?

Li Heng inwardly grumbled, stood up, and followed them to the dining table.

Zhao Ran's face darkened. "You don't get to call me that. Ah Ran is dead. Call me Zhao Ran."

Editor Liao chuckled nervously, acting like a pig that didn't mind boiling water—he served rice, passed dishes, fetched chopsticks, poured tea, and even picked food for her.

The sight was utterly absurd—it shattered his sense of reality.

Li Heng sat there stunned. Was this really the same Liao? The same refined, wise senior he knew?

He's no different from a lickspittle.

The meal was lavish: five main dishes, one soup, plus a store-bought braised beef—filling the entire table.

Zhao Ran brought out a bottle of liquor and challenged Liao: "Dare to drink?"

Liao hesitated, fearing altitude sickness.

Zhao Ran goaded him: "Drink one glass with me, and tonight you can stay."

Liao's face flushed red. He instinctively glanced at Li Heng, utterly embarrassed.

Li Heng pretended not to hear, lifting his gaze to the ceiling.

No—he was looking at the ceiling.

Zhao Ran snapped: "What are you staring at? Your junior is smarter than you by miles—he knew you two were ex-lovers the moment you walked in."

Li Heng: "..."

He realized that patience was true wisdom.

He was about to burst out laughing.

He'd seen tigers—but never one this wild. Zhao Ran must've been a fierce woman in her youth, no less than Second Sister.

The meal was enjoyable. Though Li Heng spoke little, he devoured a full belly of gossip—and felt delighted.

Editor Liao was miserable the entire time. Zhao Ran's sharp words came one after another, each more intense than the last—truly exhausting every ounce of sarcasm possible!

After dinner, at Zhao Ran's enthusiastic invitation, Li Heng spent a long time in her study, flipping through various research materials.

He discovered Zhao Ran's study was practically a treasure trove—many of the books and documents surprised him, and he couldn't put them down.

For three consecutive days, he rushed over right after meals, which delighted Editor Liao.

Why was he delighted?

Originally, Zhao Ran hadn't particularly favored him—but now, by tagging along with Little Brother, he could enter her home daily and spend time alone with her.

It's said that reading is the best way to lose oneself and pass the time.

Sure enough, on the third night, when he finally snapped out of his book, it was already pitch black outside.

Li Heng instinctively glanced at his left wrist: 12: 8.

He was stunned—hadn't he just been reading for a little while? How had it gotten so late?

It was past midnight.

Realizing this, he immediately set down his book, stood up, opened the bedroom door, and stepped out.

But as soon as he reached the living room, he slowed his pace.

Can you guess who he saw?

It was Teacher Yu.

At that moment, Yu Shuheng was sitting on the sofa with Xu Suyun, Editor Liao, Doctor Gu Yao, and Zhao Ran, snacking on sunflower seeds and fruit, chatting warmly—the atmosphere seemed pleasant.

Hearing the noise from the study door, the five people in the living room turned their heads in unison.

Yu Shuheng waved at him. As Li Heng approached, she said casually: "We're not going back tonight. We'll stay here at Aunt Zhao's."

She added: "I brought your toiletries."

Li Heng had many questions he wanted to ask, but he asked nothing—just smiled and said yes. He quickly washed up, then sat beside Teacher Yu.

Zhao Ran asked him: "Are you sleepy?"

Li Heng replied: "Not really. I'm used to staying up late reading."

Hearing this, no one moved to break up the gathering—they resumed their earlier lively chatter.

Around two in the morning, Doctor Gu and Xu Suyun were the first to show signs of fatigue, then each retired to a separate bedroom.

Seeing this, Yu Shuheng quietly tugged Li Heng's sleeve and murmured softly: "Let's go rest too."

"We?"

Aren't you sleeping with Xu Suyun?

Li Heng glanced at Editor Liao and Zhao Ran on the opposite sofa, then wisely followed Teacher Yu into another bedroom.

Once the bedroom door closed, Zhao Ran—who had been cold toward Editor Liao all evening—softened and asked:

"Are Teacher Yu and Li Heng a couple?"

Editor Liao replied carefully: "Teacher Yu took time out of her schedule specifically to accompany my junior brother."

Zhao Ran asked: "Were those bodyguards just now also hers?"

Editor Liao nodded.

Zhao Ran sincerely praised: "A beautiful woman and a talented man—perfectly matched."

Editor Liao thought: My junior brother is a playboy with beauties flocking around him—he'd look matched with anyone.

With that, the two in the living room fell into an odd silence, suddenly at a loss for words.

After a while, Editor Liao spoke: "Ah Ran…"

Zhao Ran waved him off: "Sleep on the sofa. Don't even think about coming into my room."

Editor Liao opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, looking utterly helpless—finally, he accepted it.

Just before entering her bedroom, Zhao Ran suddenly asked in a low tone: "What's your relationship with that Xu woman?"

Editor Liao explained: "We've only known each other five days."

Zhao Ran sneered: "Five days? In five days, that woman keeps staring at me?"

Editor Liao spread his hands: "Ah Ran, you're overthinking. You should trust me…"

Zhao Ran's gaze hardened, her expression turning fierce: "Shut up! I trusted you too much back then—and you got me pregnant and ran off!"

Editor Liao tried to explain: "You know what things were like back then—my family had an accident…"

But Zhao Ran wouldn't listen. She waved him off again, turned, and strode into her bedroom—clearly still furious, and furious indeed.

…

Bedroom.

After closing the door and drawing the curtains, Yu Shuheng took off her coat and lay gracefully under the covers: "I'll leave soon."

Li Heng stood by the bed, staring at her, puzzled: "Teacher, why are you here at the Normal College?"

Yu Shuheng smiled: "Lie down, then I'll tell you."

Li Heng half-joked: "Last night, Teacher was satisfied—I've been holding back all this time. If we get into bed now, something might happen."

He emphasized the word "satisfied."

Yu Shuheng acted as if she hadn't heard, her deep black eyes fixed steadily on him.

After a long while, Li Heng, unable to bear it any longer, stripped off his clothes and shoes and climbed onto the bed.

Once he lay still, Yu Shuheng explained slowly: "Tonight, the Normal College is relatively safer."

Li Heng realized: "You mean the Scar Four gang?"

Yu Shuheng said yes.

Before he could ask more, a pair of red lips suddenly pressed against his mouth—then just as swiftly withdrew.

She yawned: "I'm tired. Let's sleep." Clearly, she didn't want him to ask more.

Li Heng understood, fell silent, and lay flat on his back, forcing himself to drift off.

But life is often cruel: the more you want to sleep, the harder it is—especially with a bookish beauty lying beside you.

At one moment, blood rushing, Li Heng wanted to roll over and embrace her.

But—hey! The instant he moved, Yu Shuheng rose from bed as if she'd anticipated it, slipped on her coat, and left the room with a light laugh.

Leaving him staring helplessly.

Li Heng was speechless—Teacher was clearly teasing him.

…

Yu Shuheng knocked on Xu Suyun's door and entered.

Xu Suyun locked the door behind her and teased: "I thought you weren't coming tonight."

Yu Shuheng got into bed without replying: "It's not their house—it's inconvenient."

Xu Suyun asked: "You know it's inconvenient, yet you still went into his room."

Recalling his pained look as he watched her leave, Yu Shuheng smiled: "You wouldn't understand the joy of it."

"Yes, I don't understand."

Xu Suyun retorted: "During the Spring Festival Gala rehearsals, someone swore she was just a student, just a friend—now she's head over heels. Even offered her bed."

Yu Shuheng remarked: "Don't talk about me. I just saw your so-called Brother Liao sitting on the sofa smoking—he's clearly been rejected. Aren't you going to comfort him?"

Hit right between the eyes, Xu Suyun fell silent for a moment, then said: "Though he's a bit older, he does have a certain charm."

Yu Shuheng asked: "Will your family approve?"

Xu Suyun sneered: "I never said I wanted a relationship with him."

Yu Shuheng said: "Better that way. Tonight, you must've noticed—Liao Hua and Zhao Ran have a deep history. There's a story there."

Xu Suyun sighed: "Don't mention it. If he were ten years younger, I might've actually felt something."

Yu Shuheng smiled: "Aren't you already feeling something?"

Xu Suyun shook her head: "We've only known each other a few days. All feelings are illusions."

Yu Shuheng said nothing, slowly closing her eyes.

After Teacher Yu left, Li Heng's restless heart gradually calmed, and he fell into deep sleep.

But just as he slept soundly, he was woken by firecracker sounds—yet when he listened closely, they were scattered and didn't sound like firecrackers.

About forty minutes later, Yu Shuheng returned.

Li Heng looked up at her.

Yu Shuheng sat on the edge of the bed and said: "The Scar Four gang has been taken down."

Li Heng, still half-asleep, blurted: "What do you mean 'taken down'?"

Yu Shuheng said: "Literally."

Li Heng was startled: "So fast?"

Yu Shuheng explained briefly: "The police suspected them of involvement in two murders. They'd been secretly investigating and gathering evidence. Tonight, during the arrest, the suspects resisted with weapons and were shot on the spot."

This matched the vendor's and Zhao Ran's accounts—but he knew without the Yu family's behind-the-scenes influence, the efficiency wouldn't have been this swift.

He couldn't help but marvel: This was what a true clan was like—their hidden power was staggering.

The next day, news spread like wildfire through Ma Erkang Town: the Scar Four gang had been completely wiped out—three killed, one captured; Scar Four himself, who had been recovering in the hospital, was murdered in his bed that very dawn by a vengeful enemy who scaled the wall.

"Did you hear? Scar Four died at the hands of Butcher Liu."

"Pfft! I say he got what he deserved! Scar Four wasn't human—he kidnapped Butcher Liu's wife years ago. The man held a grudge. Now that he had the chance, of course he took revenge."

"Exactly. He's a man of honor—but what a pity—he turned himself in right after leaving the hospital."

"Oh dear, revenge has its target, debts have their payers. May he find peace."

"..."

Leaving the normal college, on his way home, Li Heng could hear various voices from every street and alley, all discussing the downfall of Scar Four.

Even vendors set off firecrackers on the street to celebrate; having suffered terribly under their oppression, they were overjoyed that heaven had finally opened its eyes and the King of Hell had taken those thugs away.

Entering the house, Li Heng asked: "Are Liu Jie and the others alright?"

Yu Shuheng said: "They're fine."

Li Heng nodded. "That was a good thing done."

Yu Shuheng smiled faintly, saying nothing.

At noon, Editor Liao bid farewell to the group.

Li Heng asked: "Senior brother, you haven't settled things with Aunt Zhao yet—leaving already?"

Editor Liao said: "I only planned to stay this long. The magazine has a mountain of work waiting for me back, and I need to go to Jingcheng for a meeting—nowhere can I afford to be absent."

Hearing this, Li Heng didn't try to persuade him to stay; he personally saw him off to the roadside.

To everyone's surprise, Xu Suyun's eyes darted, she hurried back to her room, packed her luggage, and announced she was leaving too.

Everyone was stunned, their gazes flickering between Editor Liao, each silently thinking: this old man really has some charm.

Yu Shuheng pulled her friend aside and whispered: "Have you decided?"

"Decided what?" Xu Suyun feigned ignorance.

Yu Shuheng objectively analyzed: "Editor Liao is nearly your father's age—your family will never approve."

"You're overthinking. I just don't like staying in Ma Erkang Town. He's leaving, so it's convenient to travel together." Xu Suyun pretended indifference.

Hearing this, Yu Shuheng stopped urging her and handed over the key to the small house at No. 25, Lushan Village. "Come visit Lushan Village sometime—help me clean up."

Xu Suyun pouted: "I don't plan to go to Shanghai."

"Hmph!" Yu Shuheng scoffed and shoved the key into her hand.

Xu Suyun looked down at the key for a moment, then finally tucked it into her bag.

Watching Liu Ying drive them away, Li Heng sighed: "I never thought my senior brother's vigor hasn't faded—he's still this charming at his age."

Yu Shuheng narrowed her eyes: "You're jealous?"

Li Heng turned, hands behind his back, and snorted haughtily: "Jealous? Of what? Not at all. The women around me—pick any one, they're all ravishing beauties. It's others who envy me."

Dr. Gu Yao laughed at this, instantly recalling the girl playing piano on the Spring Festival Gala—she truly deserved the words "ravishing beauty." Even through the TV screen, she had stunned him; her beauty and poise utterly outshone any film or TV star.

Or rather, in Dr. Gu's view: comparing film stars to Zhou Shihe was itself the greatest insult.

For the next ten or fifteen days, Li Heng spent his mornings quietly reading in his study—county annals, historical documents.

In the afternoons, he wandered the streets, chatting with people, occasionally buying vegetables to drop by Zhao Ran's house for a meal, discussing Aba's human history and the evolution of the tusi system, gaining much insight.

One day, Zhao Ran suddenly asked: "Did that Xu woman leave with your senior brother?"

Li Heng flushed, unsure whether to tell the truth.

Telling the truth would hurt.

Lying would betray her kindness during this time.

After thinking, he phrased it: "Aunt Xu said Ma Erkang Town is backward and she has no interest in staying long. Since Senior Brother was returning to Shanghai, they decided to travel together."

His words were vague but true—honoring both his senior brother and Aunt Zhao.

After all, I gave you the information—figure it out yourself.

As expected, Zhao Ran's expression darkened. After a long pause, she looked up: "Does this Xu woman come from Jingcheng?"

Li Heng said yes.

The conversation ended as expected. Zhao Ran sat still for a while, then rose and went to her bedroom. Soon after, she returned with a letter and handed it to Li Heng: "Help me—give this to your senior brother in three months."

Li Heng took the letter—it felt stiff, likely containing a photo—and confirmed: "Must it be three months?"

Zhao Ran nodded: "Please."

Li Heng asked: "Why don't you mail it yourself after three months?"

Zhao Ran's expression flickered: "I'm afraid I'll change my mind and won't want to give it then."

So that was it.

Li Heng didn't ask further and put the letter away.

Back home, he found Yu Shuheng working on the sofa. "Teacher, I want to travel around the area."

Yu Shuheng looked up: "The counties and towns below Aba?"

Li Heng said: "I want to experience the geography, history, and folk customs of different regions more deeply."

Yu Shuheng doted on him and agreed instantly: "Fine, but wait a day—the weather's getting colder. Let Zeng Yun and the others prepare."

Li Heng thanked her.

Yu Shuheng asked: "How's your progress lately?"

Li Heng answered: "Better than I expected."

Yu Shuheng was pleased, then brought up another matter: "I've noticed you often read financial and fiscal newspapers and magazines—even have Li Xi send you copies regularly from Xiangjiang. Have you ever thought of starting your own financial investment company?"

Li Heng paused: "My own?"

Yu Shuheng smiled elegantly—her meaning was clear.

Li Heng sat beside her: "Teacher, do you have a plan? Tell me."

For this man who had won her heart, Yu Shuheng had no secrets: "According to news from the U. ., since the 1985 Plaza Accord, the yen's sharp appreciation pressured Japan's exports. The government responded with loose monetary policy, flooding the stock and real estate markets with capital…"

Fearing he wouldn't understand, Yu Shuheng patiently explained financial concepts for twenty minutes.

Li Heng suddenly understood—he'd focused entirely on domestic affairs and forgotten this major event. According to Xiangjiang reports, Tokyo land prices had risen nearly 300% over the past two years. What did that mean?

It meant the stock and real estate markets were pure bubbles—and it meant a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fleece Japan.

Li Heng caught on: "Teacher wants to follow Wall Street to Japan and make some money?"

Yu Shuheng sipped tea, smiling silently, watching him, waiting for his decision.

Li Heng wouldn't miss a chance to get a taste—he eagerly asked: "Teacher, tell me your exact plan."

Yu Shuheng said: "You, me, and the Fu couple will co-found a financial investment company. You invest 26 million, holding 51%; I invest 19 million, holding 37%; the remaining 12% goes to the Fu couple. What do you think?"

Li Heng stared: "26 million? Where would I get that much? Sell me and I still couldn't raise it."

Hearing this, Yu Shuheng pulled out a check from her bag, smirking: "Teacher invests twenty million U. . dollars to buy you as my husband—the kind with a marriage certificate and a proper wedding banquet."

Li Heng: "..."

Seeing he didn't believe her, Yu Shuheng uncapped her pen, ready to fill in the amount.

Li Heng stopped her hand: "Don't joke."

Yu Shuheng tilted her head: "Can't bear to give up your beauties?"

Li Heng blinked—exactly.

Yu Shuheng stared into his eyes, softly saying: "Twenty million U. . dollars isn't small change—I'd feel the pain too. But you're my little man. How about this: I'll grant you special privileges—allowing two concubines. I choose Mai Sui as one; you choose the other."

Li Heng asked curiously: "Why Mai Sui?"

Yu Shuheng's gaze dropped, lingered briefly, then said strangely: "That night, I discovered your stamina was beyond imagination. One teacher might not satisfy you. Mai Sui has an inner charm—she could help me in that area, help keep you tied to me."

"Also, I personally like Mai Sui."

Li Heng's lip twitched; he deliberately provoked her: "What if I choose Zhou Shihe?"

Yu Shuheng immediately rejected: "No! Pick someone else."

Li Heng raised an eyebrow: "Didn't you say the second choice was free?"

Yu Shuheng said: "I allow you freedom—but I won't let you bring home a rival."

Li Heng: "..."

Before he could reply, Yu Shuheng arched an eyebrow, teasing: "I thought you'd pick Song Yu—you keep saying you love her most. Why choose Zhou Shihe?"

"Little boy, you're not actually interested in her, are you?"

Li Heng ignored her: "I pick Song Yu—you'll say no again, won't you?"

Her secret revealed, Yu Shuheng smiled: "Xiao Han and Chen Zijin are good—choose one."

Pick a damn chicken—both are my women.

Having probed her weakness, Li Heng dropped the topic and said seriously: "I'm interested in your proposal, but I truly don't have this much money."

Yu Shuheng advised: "Your pure music album is selling massively overseas—topping the UK charts and breaking into the top eight of the U. . Billboard. Sales in Europe and America grow daily. Based on market feedback from the past month, you'll earn at least one million pounds by month's end."

Knowing he'd ask, she added: "After tax."

Hearing "another million pounds," Li Heng rubbed his hands excitedly: "Any documents or reports? Let me see?"

"Yes."

Yu Shuheng pulled out the documents Liu Bei delivered this morning and handed them to him: "Review them yourself. Don't think you're just a regular man holed up in Aba—once abroad, your popularity will far exceed imagination. A few days ago, an internationally renowned orchestra contacted me through foreign friends, inviting all three of us to perform live."

Li Heng glanced at the reports as he asked: "Did you accept?"

Yu Shuheng said: "Not yet. I wanted to consult you."

Li Heng asked: "When?"

Yu Shuheng said: "Next February."

Li Heng thought: "This is important—we should go back and ask Shihe first."

Yu Shuheng agreed: "Fine."

Performing abroad was professional business; her personal feud with Zhou Shihe was private. Yu Shuheng was clear-headed—she wouldn't mix the two.

After reading the reports, Li Heng exclaimed: "I didn't expect it—these European countries may be small, but they're powerful."

Seeing his greedy expression, Yu Shuheng couldn't help smiling: "Twenty-six million now? Feel confident?"

Li Heng waved the reports, smugly: "Confident? I'm bursting with confidence. But can I ask you one question?"

Yu Shuheng said: "Go ahead."

Li Heng dropped his playful expression and asked seriously, "Why give me 51% equity? No merit, no reward—I know my limits."

Yu Shuheng offered no concealment in response: "This company was founded for you. Naturally, you must be the major shareholder; otherwise, there'd be no point."

Li Heng stared at her.

Their eyes met, and Yu Shuheng continued: "I know your ambitions run deep, and you never intend to bow to the Yu family's will. Anta Shoe Factory, New Future Tutoring School, and Weihao Mei Company—all are masterpieces born of your ambition. If you could accept Huang Zhao Yi helping you start a company, why can't you accept your teacher's feelings?"

A chill ran down Li Heng's spine; he asked slowly, "You know everything?"

Yu Shuheng averted her gaze, refusing to meet his eyes. "I heard Huang Mu was driven to the hospital by you two. Things happening right under my nose—I only realized it after so long. She's more patient than I imagined."

He knew it would be like this. His last shred of hope shattered.

If she knew Huang Mu was hospitalized, she must also have guessed he and Huang Zhao Yi had become intimate.

The two, who had just been enthusiastically discussing business, fell into sudden silence.

She said nothing. Li Heng had no idea how to explain.

They were frozen in place, the atmosphere heavy and awkward.

PS: Post first, revise later.

(End of Chapter)