[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-543":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","1987: My Era",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2259703,4409,"Chapter 543","1987-my-era-chapter-543",543,"\u003Cp>After dropping off his scheming daughter-in-law at the guesthouse, Li Heng didn’t return directly to Lushan Village; instead, he hurried to the University of International Business and Economics before sunset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this life and his previous one, this was his first time visiting this school; if not for Zhang Zhiyong studying here, he might never have paid it any attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the information provided by the clueless Zeng, Li Heng asked his way along the route until he finally reached the men’s dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the idiot wasn’t there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked the only bald-headed guy in the room, “When will Zhiyong be back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald guy stared at Li Heng for a long time, then cautiously asked, “Are you the famous writer, Li Heng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng smiled and said, “I’m Zhiyong’s childhood friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald guy immediately set his book down on the table, stood up with visible excitement, and said, “You really are Ah Yong’s childhood friend! Looks like he wasn’t lying this time. Come on, I know where he is—I’ll take you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng thanked him and followed the bald guy out of campus, then turned left into a bustling alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking about sixty meters along the alley, the bald guy stopped and pointed to a window on the second floor: “He rented this place last month. His sister lives here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was stunned. The clueless guy had a sister? Could it be Liu Chunhua?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately thought of Liu Chunhua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was married and pregnant—logically, it couldn’t be her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With doubts in mind, Li Heng knocked on the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dong dong dong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dong dong dong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two knocks, a voice came from inside—Zhang Zhiyong’s voice: “Who is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Yong, it’s me.” Li Heng announced himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened and the clueless guy burst out, punching Li Heng on the shoulder excitedly: “Damn it! What are you doing here? When did you get back from Aba?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this incoherent rambling, Li Heng smiled faintly: “I got back last night. Came straight to see you—how’s that for loyalty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bullshit! You show up empty-handed and call that loyalty?” Zhang Zhiyong complained, picking a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng widened his eyes in protest: “Don’t talk nonsense. Do you ever bring anything when you visit Lushan Village? Every time you come, you eat and steal everything you can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong scratched the back of his head with his right hand, grinning like a fool, and gestured for Li Heng to come in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Heng stepped over the threshold and was about to take off his shoes, his eyes locked onto something—he froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guess who he saw?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, it really was Liu Chunhua. To his shock, her belly was flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she saw Li Heng, Liu Chunhua seemed slightly uneasy but still greeted him warmly: “Li Heng, you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She poured him a cup of hot tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Sister Chunhua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng accepted the tea and asked, “When did you arrive here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Chunhua glanced at Zhang Zhiyong and replied, “We got here on October 6th.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clueless guy had gone to Lushan Village to ask for money right before National Day, and barely a day later brought her here—round trip by train would’ve taken at least six days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was seamless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Chunhua asked, “You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could answer, Zhang Zhiyong interrupted: “Sister Chunhua, don’t bother cooking—I’ll go buy something outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Chunhua was about to say eating out was wasteful, but she looked at Li Heng and swallowed her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now pregnant and with little savings, estranged from her family, she was in Shanghai—a strange, big city—so she had to be extremely frugal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She planned to stretch her money until the baby was born, then find work to support them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the second floor, Li Heng couldn’t help asking the clueless guy, “So… what’s the situation between you two?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong beamed: “She’s my woman now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has Sister Chunhua agreed?” Li Heng asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clueless guy made a sweeping gesture with both hands: “Damn! How can you ask such a stupid question? She came all the way to Shanghai with me—would she come if she hadn’t agreed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng kicked him: “Stupid sister? I’m just worried about you—you’re acting too flashy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong patted his kicked thigh, grinning like an idiot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng whispered quietly: “By the way, why is Sister Chunhua’s belly flat? Where’s the baby?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong’s expression turned complex: “Her first baby was miscarried after that bastard beat her. Now she’s carrying mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard referred to Liu Chunhua’s husband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was stunned: “What? Yours? You’re going to be a father? She just had a miscarriage—how could she be pregnant again so soon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong muttered: “How soon? Her first baby was lost in August—over three months ago, nearly four.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “How long has she been pregnant now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong’s gloom vanished; he beamed: “Not long at all—just got pregnant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Had it been checked?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong said: “Pregnancy test confirmed it. The doctor said she’s pregnant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng stared blankly at his childhood friend, speechless for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, Old Yong’s marriage wasn’t happy; in this life, he already had a child so early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the kind of timeline where the baby would be running around right after college graduation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After digesting this shocking news, Li Heng lowered his voice: “Has Sister Chunhua divorced yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this question, Zhang Zhiyong grew serious: “Yes, she divorced. Otherwise she wouldn’t have come with me. You know her nature.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clueless guy gestured wildly, furious: “That bastard kept beating her. I’ve loved her for years and never let her lose a single hair—yet that son of a bitch beat her? She was pregnant then! No humanity at all. When I went over there, I picked up a brick and broke his right hand, then brought Sister Chunhua to Shanghai that very night…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several minutes, the clueless guy rambled on, spitting out the whole story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng listened patiently, but inside he began to doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, some neighbor had casually mentioned that Liu Chunhua’s marriage was happy—her husband was a civil servant, and so was she.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was this life so different?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or was that neighbor’s “happiness” just a facade? Was it all fake? Had Liu Chunhua always lived in misery, with a husband who was a domestic abuser?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truth and lies tangled together like a mess of chicken feathers—Li Heng couldn’t make sense of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was certain: the money he’d given had played some role in this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The facts confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They say money gives a man courage. Without that money, Zhang Zhiyong wouldn’t have dared to take Liu Chunhua in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she was pregnant—without funds, a stranger woman in a big city like Shanghai couldn’t survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he suspected the process—wondering if his own ambiguous relationships with Song Yu, Zijin, Xiao Han, and Maisui had somehow spurred the clueless guy on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Zhang Zhiyong, inspired by him, broken from his past passivity, bravely pursued love, and quietly confessed to Liu Chunhua?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Heng wisely didn’t press further; he changed the subject: “Have your families found out she’s with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong stood frozen: “Found out? Hell no. Not told them yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “What are your plans now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the word “plans,” the defiant Zhang Zhiyong thought deeply for a long while, then blurted: “Old Heng, I’ve been a total failure for twenty years—I can’t even compare to one strand of your hair. You’ve almost won over Song Yu, the goddess everyone worships, while I’ve been stuck hovering around Sister Chunhua. This time, bringing her all the way here, maybe I made a mistake. But if I had to choose again, I’d still do it. Because I love her—you get it? I love her! She’s pregnant, the baby’s mine—I have to take care of her. I’m going to fight for her, for them, for my love!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng stayed silent, then slipped the money for food and alcohol into the host’s hand before heading upstairs: “We’re brothers. Is there anything I can help with?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong shook his head like a frightened chick: “No need. You lent me so much already—it’ll cover us for a while. I want to try earning my own living first. If I ever can’t afford rice, I’ll come back to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Fine. We grew up naked together—call me if you need anything. Don’t be a damn stranger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe! Who the hell would be a stranger to you?” Zhang Zhiyong chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway up the stairs, the clueless guy suddenly slapped his thigh hard: “Old Heng! Li Ran lives right across on the third floor—should we call her over for drinks?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng gave him a look: “Do I even need to ask?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong grinned slyly: “I’m not being stingy—I’m just worried she might be uncomfortable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was confused: “Uncomfortable? Has she started dating someone again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong slapped his thigh again, turned around, and headed downstairs: “No damn boyfriend. Her story’s too wild—I don’t even know how to explain it. Ask her yourself—you’ll find out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng, thoughtful, followed him down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They crossed the alley and climbed to the third floor across the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as they stepped out of the stairwell, Zhang Zhiyong stopped, his eyes fixed on the door on the far left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two boys were squatting outside the door—one on each side—like stone guardians. Clearly nearby college students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Why are you stopping?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong hesitated: “Those two guys—I know them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng looked at the two boys: “Who are they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong said: “The one in black is our student union secretary-general. The other’s from my adjacent class. Both are campus celebrities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, the clueless guy added dramatically: “Damn, you should know better than me what ‘celebrity’ means—girls are always willing to spread their legs for them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng turned his gaze to the two boys at the door: “Who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked, puzzled: “If they’re celebrities, why are they squatting like beggars outside Li Ran’s door?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn, how’d you know that’s Li Ran’s door?” Zhang Zhiyong asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked in confusion, “If he’s a big shot, why’s he crouching like a lapdog outside Li Ran’s door?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn, how’d you know that door was Li Ran’s?” Zhang Zhiyong asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said casually, “If it weren’t for Li Ran’s place, wouldn’t you have already passed by?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong gave a thumbs-up and walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they approached, the two gatekeepers turned their heads in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The student union secretary-general, who seemed to recognize Zhang Zhiyong and was somewhat afraid of him, stood up, stepped back, and shouted with a false bravado: “Zhang Zhiyong, what are you doing? If you want to fight, take me on one-on-one—dare you not bring others?” “He-tui! Coward! All that height and you’re useless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong spat at the man, then pounded on the door: “Li Ran, open up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not opening! I’m sleeping! Go away!” came Li Ran’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong pounded again and shouted: “Master Heng is here—will you open or not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about ten seconds, the door cracked open. Li Ran, in her pajamas, hair messy, poked her head out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it was truly Li Heng, she beamed and swung the door wide open. “Oh! The sun’s risen in the west! It really is you—come in, come in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two gatekeepers stared fixedly at Li Heng, their hostility palpable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng felt confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ran waved them off impatiently: “You two brats, scram! Don’t stand here blocking the view.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gatekeepers didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran’s eyebrows shot up: “Still not leaving? Fine. If you don’t go, I’ll go to your school and seduce fifty guys—have them line up to knock on your door every day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the two gatekeepers exchanged glances, then silently walked away without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the student union secretary-general—he pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it to Li Ran before leaving. She refused to take it, so he quietly placed it on the doorstep and walked off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they were far enough, Li Heng asked casually: “Two suitors?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. No brains, pretending to be poets—so disgusting,” Li Ran sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “How did you even meet them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Li Ran laughed it off: “Wasn’t Zhao An showing up? To make him give up, I picked up two or three boyfriends from that brain-dead school nearby.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft! Only two or three? Even Master Lao wouldn’t dare say that!” Che Xinyan chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Zhao An—the young master from Bai Luyuan Village in the northwest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran pointed to the door across the hall. “There—he’s sleeping inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Heng spun around sharply, staring at the opposite door. A coal stove sat outside, with a clay pot simmering herbal medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng’s mind went fuzzy: “Aren’t you always avoiding the Zhao family? How did Zhao An even find you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cats have their ways, rats have theirs—how should I know? Probably smelled my stink and tracked me down,” Li Ran yawned, beginning to mock herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng urged: “Go wash up quickly—we’ll eat something together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“OK, wait a sec.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since staying at Xin Weilai for a while, Li Ran had taken to using foreign phrases. She added: “Want to come in and sit a bit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng glanced inside—and immediately abandoned the idea. The room looked tidy at first glance, but a pink pair of underwear lay at the foot of the bed. How could he possibly walk in?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing his discomfort, Li Ran snatched up the underwear and stuffed it into her pocket, teasing: “Come in—it’s gone now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Che Xinyan couldn’t take it anymore: “Old Heng, you’ve got to rein in this wild woman. If she keeps this up, every guy in our school will be ruined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked curiously: “How exactly does she ruin them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Xinyan held up his fingers: “In just over fifty days, she’s dated eight boyfriends. No clue what dark arts she uses—each one’s utterly devoted. If you came in the morning, you’d see two or three guys bringing her breakfast every day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was incredulous: “That many? One every seven days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it! Don’t look at me like that! Master Lao didn’t make it up—ask the neighbors if you don’t believe me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Che Xinyan leaned sideways, glanced into the room, then whispered to his ear: “The neighborhood ladies are all secretly calling her a slut. When they see her, they slam their doors shut, terrified she’ll steal their husbands’ or sons’ souls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng’s lips twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow—she’d become a public enemy, everyone shouting for her to be driven out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes you had to admit: Li Ran wasn’t a stunningly beautiful woman. But that wild, untamed energy of hers had a deadly allure for certain kinds of men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short—it was the same principle as those pictures in post-era QQ groups: the more exposed, the more clicks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven or eight minutes later, Li Ran emerged. The three headed toward Zhang Zhiyong’s place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the stairwell, Li Heng asked: “Should we call Zhao the Young Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran scoffed: “Why call him? No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Downstairs, Li Heng went to buy many gifts, some of them nutritional supplements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following him, Li Ran asked: “Is there a share for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “When you get pregnant, I’ll get you the exact same set.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then forget it—I’ll never get pregnant. If I give birth to a daughter like me or my mom, I’d doom her,” Li Ran said flippantly, though her eyes gradually lost their luster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d always loved children and dreamed of having one—but she feared the child might inherit her and her mother’s physical cravings. That would hurt both herself and the child—better not to have one at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over dinner, Li Ran asked: “How are your parents?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng replied: “They’re fine. What about your mom?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran picked up a chicken leg in her left hand, a beer bottle in her right, clinked glasses with him and Zhang Zhiyong, then said: “Now Zhao Jing’s got her third spring—a widowed professor at Jiaotong University thinks his life’s too long and’s chasing her hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng laughed: “Talk properly—don’t curse people like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Xinyan chimed in: “So did your mom say yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran swallowed a bite of chicken: “Her heart’s still with Li Heng’s dad—how could she say yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked: “Zhao An showed up—so you’re going to run away again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran frowned, her voice sharp with venom: “No more running. I’ve fled half of China already—I’m tired. If the Zhao family wants to kill me, go ahead. But if they push me too far, I’ll drain Zhao An dry first—and take someone down with me when I die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough! Cough!” Che Xinyan, mid-sip of beer, nearly choked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran tilted her head: “My pockets are empty. I’m thinking of getting a job—will you still hire me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng replied: “What kind of talk is that? Xin Weilai will always be your home—you can come and go as you please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran said: “Good. You’re a real man! I’ll contact Wang Ye later to help her with the Shanghai branch’s workload.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Sure. Do you want to move?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran replied: “Not yet. I’m used to this place. Old Yong and his wife still have someone to talk to here. I’ll consider moving if needed later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng respected her decision and said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drinking was pleasant, like returning to last summer’s trip. Li Ran sighed: “Everyone’s here—only missing Teacher Wang Runwen. By the way, what’s Teacher Wang doing now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do teachers do? Teach,” Li Heng said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran rested her chin on her hand: “Have you ever thought about bringing Teacher Wang to Shanghai?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “He won’t come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran perked up: “So you’ve asked him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng denied it outright: “Yu Teacher asked—he refused.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Ran looked regretful: “That’s too bad. If they could become a teacher-student couple, it’d be a beautiful story.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Xinyan, neck stiff, blurted: “What are you two talking about? Teacher-student romance? Wait—does Teacher Wang like Old Heng?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran raised an eyebrow: “New here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Xinyan shot to his feet, yelling wildly: “No way! No way! Old Heng’s this awesome? Even Teacher Wang wants to crawl into his bed? I was wrong about Liu Yejiang—turns out he was telling the truth...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Liu Chunhua present, Li Heng suppressed the urge to kick him: “Enough. Finish your beer—I’m leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Xinyan remained lost in fantasies about Teacher Wang and Li Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran asked: “It’s this late—still leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng countered: “Where else would I go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran joked: “If you don’t mind, you could stay over at my place tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng waved his hands frantically: “No! Absolutely not! If Zhao the Young Master breaks in with a knife in the middle of the night, I’ll die a fool’s death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran giggled: “You’re just afraid to sleep with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng blushed: “Who’d dare sleep with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran pouted: “Lots of guys from Zhang Zhiyong’s school want to climb into my bed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was speechless, then added: “Stirring up Zhao the Young Master is fine—but hold back. Don’t let it turn real. College guys these days get swept up in love too easily...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He left half unsaid—he trusted Li Ran understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This era wasn’t the future. Back then, most men were jaded, practiced in breakups. But these days, many were absurdly pure—they’d fight to the death for love. One misstep, and they’d be lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking, Li Heng didn’t linger—he left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before going, besides leaving enough for transport, he gave Li Ran all the cash he’d just withdrawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quietly added: “I was afraid Chunhua’s pride would stop her from accepting money directly, so I didn’t give it to her. Whenever you get the chance, visit under the pretense of eating with her—bring meat and supplements.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran didn’t refuse. She took the money and patted her chest: \"Don’t worry, leave it to me. When the right opportunity comes, I’ll find some part-time work for the clueless one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking ten steps, Li Heng turned back and whispered: “Should I arrange a meeting to ease tensions with the Zhao family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran flatly refused: “Stay out of my affairs. If I die unexpectedly, I’ll have company on the path to the netherworld—don’t bother coming to the morgue. Leave me a good impression.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng chuckled: “Come on—what good impression does a ghost need?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Same to you,” Li Ran shot back. “You seduce women, I seduce men—we’re the same breed. You’re just better at it—your women are more refined, more attractive. But that doesn’t give you the right to laugh at me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng rolled his eyes, raised his right hand behind him in a casual wave, and strode off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Posted first, edited later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already updated 10,200 characters. There are so few monthly votes—please, great masters, support San Yue a bit more. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Still more)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3555,"2026-06-19T15:27:37.100Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a6dae6eed64e7805f62fbf1f15feddf7cab3498b4106ca4d063375fe54d22f28","1987-my-era-chapter-544","1987-my-era-chapter-542",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]