[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-548":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},2259708,4409,"Chapter 548: The Three and a Half Heavenly Beauties (Requesting Subscriptions!)","1987-my-era-chapter-548",548,"\u003Cp>Wei Shiman is a woman of her word; having promised not to mention those reasons for disagreement, she never brought them up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Li Heng promised her he would treat his younger daughter well, she voluntarily handed the conversation over to the three young people and listened from the side, occasionally chiming in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Wei Shiman was quietly observing Li Heng’s words and actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she had once been merely an outsider gossiping on the sidelines, with little real understanding of the famed Li Heng; what she’d heard most from others were three phrases: “good at seducing girls,” “exceptionally talented,” and “the richest man in town.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now she had changed roles—she was his prospective mother-in-law. To be honest, it still felt strange, her mind struggling to adjust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after half an hour of eavesdropping, Wei Shiman confirmed one thing: beyond the newspaper’s claim of “well-read and erudite,” he was also genuinely funny and skilled at charming girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She silently counted: her younger daughter had laughed happily eleven times during this period; her elder daughter wasn’t far behind, laughing ten times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could tell—whether it was Hanhan or Qingbao—their laughter was genuine, like the light shining in Qingbao’s eyes right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the private room’s atmosphere warmed, Wei Shiman gradually got drawn into Li Heng’s topics and interacted much more with the three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, the lunch drew to a close; when Wei Shiman snapped back to awareness, she internally rated Li Heng: if he truly set out to deceive a woman, that woman would almost certainly be doomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this “deception” wasn’t entirely negative—Li Heng wasn’t just eloquent, socially adept, and humorous; his reservoir of knowledge was astonishing, so astonishing that a woman in her forties like her often couldn’t keep up with his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was precisely why he had succeeded, become a great writer, become a musician.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, Wei Shiman had doubted the reports claiming Li Heng had read over a thousand books, thinking children were too playful to sit still daily reading and pondering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, she no longer doubted; she overturned her earlier skepticism and truly understood what a genius was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She understood the vast gulf between a genius and an ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Hanhan fell for him in seventh grade; no wonder Chen Zijin gave herself to him so early. Now that she thought about it, were they really to blame? Or wasn’t it simply that Li Heng was too magnetic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, when settling the bill, Lantian Restaurant unexpectedly gave him a 30% discount—an unprecedented occurrence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng had expected them to ask for an autograph or something, but after waiting nearly a minute, they made no demands at all, greatly improving his impression of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they stepped out of the restaurant, fatefully, they ran into two acquaintances: Huang Zhaoyi and Huang Zhiyun, two sisters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng paused for a moment, then continued walking forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Huang sisters had been chatting and laughing, but the moment they saw the four of them, they fell silent, their gazes fixed on the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—more precisely, they were sizing up Xiao Han, who was holding Li Heng’s arm, and Wei Shiman and Xiao Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without much thought, the sisters understood what it meant for these four to be dining together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Huang Zhiyun felt a surge of anger, but she couldn’t lash out, and knew she mustn’t—so she averted her gaze, choosing instead to ignore them entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhaoyi’s demeanor was far better; as they passed, she smiled and gave Li Heng a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shiman’s eyes followed Huang Zhaoyi’s every movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason? First, the woman was stunningly beautiful—this kind of open, radiant beauty was rare, even making Wei Shiman unable to help but admire her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subconsciously comparing her to her daughters, she arrived at a startling conclusion: Huang Zhaoyi’s beauty, though different from her younger daughter’s, was equally unmatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t expected to encounter such a breathtaking beauty on her second day in Shanghai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon she relaxed—after all, Huang Zhaoyi was a Peking Opera performer, a famed Daqingyi; if she weren’t beautiful, how could she have achieved such fame?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shiman didn’t care for Peking Opera, but her in-laws loved it, and she knew Tian Rune did too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking fifty meters from Lantian Restaurant, Xiao Qing asked curiously: “Li Heng, do you know them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng nodded: “Yes. My parents often went to the theater in Beijing to watch Peking Opera performances; after going many times, they became friends with my mother. Once, my second sister dragged the whole family to take a photo with her, and from then on, we gradually became friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was explaining the origin of that photo taken at the old Li family home in Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, his sly wife had once dined at the same table as the Daqingyi in the old Li household—he couldn’t dodge it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han smiled faintly, watching him, saying nothing, yet harboring no suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing her honey had a weakness for stunning beauties, the age gap was too great, and Huang Zhaoyi was of the same generation as his future mother-in-law; even if her man were bold enough to chase every beauty, he wouldn’t dare bed his mother’s friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But speaking of absurdity, Xiao Han immediately thought of Yu Shuheng—his university professor, who was even more absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, Xiao Han’s breath caught, and she glanced back at the entrance of Lantian Restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the reserved private room, Huang Zhiyun set down her bag and asked: “That’s Xiao Han? His official girlfriend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhaoyi didn’t deny it: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhiyun said: “She’s truly beautiful. No wonder Xiao Liuyue once said Xiao Han’s features couldn’t be beaten by anyone—I didn’t believe it before, but now I admit there’s no exaggeration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sighing, Huang Zhiyun fixed her eyes on her younger sister: “Is this a visit to meet the parents?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhaoyi thought for a moment, then answered: “Probably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhiyun felt frustrated and heartbroken, but held back harsh words, instead asking: “How long has it been since he came to sleep with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhaoyi opened her mouth, then stopped, as if wanting to defend him but abandoning the effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her sister’s discomfort, Huang Zhiyun asked: “When did he return from Aba?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhaoyi paused, then shook her head: “I’m not sure—probably these past few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhiyun frowned: “He didn’t contact you immediately after returning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhaoyi instinctively defended him: “He probably just didn’t have time—his home doesn’t have a phone, so it’s inconvenient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little sister, you always make excuses for him! I wonder when he’ll come to you? When will your belly swell?” Huang Zhiyun was frustrated, but remembering how little tolerance their family showed toward her sister, her anger turned to pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhaoyi touched her abdomen; her original desire to drink wine with her sister vanished, replaced by soda. Though she couldn’t guess when he’d come next—or whether he’d use protection—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she still unconsciously prepared for pregnancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing a braised meat stall, Li Heng glanced sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Business had truly picked up: at least a dozen people crowded around the roasted sweet potatoes, and several more were buying braised dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The town produced many sweet potatoes, but Wei Shiman had no interest in them; instead, her sharp eyes landed on the braised meats. She said: “When I was in college in Shandong, I ate this in Jinan—I still remember the taste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she called out to Wei Xiaozhu inside the stall: “Give me some duck frame, duck feet, duck neck…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Zhang Bing and Li Guang were busy selling sweet potatoes; the braised meat stall was temporarily handled by Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing, while Bai Wanying took care of payments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han asked brightly: “Xiaozhu, why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Xiaozhu replied: “Bored, came out for some activity. Are you heading back to school?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han smiled sweetly: “Yes, I’m taking Mom to his home to meet the family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng added an invitation: “If you’re free later, come visit Lushan Village—it’ll be lively with people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Xiaozhu gave a polite yes, but didn’t take it seriously; she was a woman with clear boundaries—even if she visited Lushan Village, it wouldn’t be now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learning from the conversation that this pure, lovely girl was a close friend of Li Heng’s, Wei Shiman silently noted in her mind: second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the second stunning beauty she’d encountered since arriving at Fudan University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was curious to see just how many women were drawn to her prospective son-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to know how many rare beauties gathered around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to know if, as Hanhan claimed, he was truly like a magnet, drawing countless women, with only the finest ones surviving the thousand-layer sieve to stay by his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After weighing the braised meats, Bai Wanying firmly refused payment, insisting it was a gift for the aunt to taste. Since today was special, Li Heng didn’t pretend modesty—he accepted graciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, give me one and a half jin of braised meats—just a bit of each kind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Heng reached out to take the braised meats, a voice suddenly appeared beside him, speaking to Wei Xiaozhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That voice sounded familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng turned his head and saw Wu Siyao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Xiaozhu was also surprised—they’d met on the bus yesterday, and now again today. But in the next instant, she realized: Wu Siyao had come for Xiao Han, likely wanting to see her up close, to see what Li Heng’s official girlfriend looked like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guess was entirely correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Siyao had been dining with classmates at a nearby restaurant; upon spotting Xiao Han, she’d deliberately put down her chopsticks and come over, using the excuse of wanting to buy braised meats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Heng look over, Wu Siyao waved her right hand slightly in front of her chest and smiled: “Li Heng, what a coincidence—you’re here too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a coincidence, bullshit! This was absolutely the biggest lie of the year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve bumped into you on the bus so many times—don’t tell me today’s just luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you don’t hit someone smiling at you, especially in front of so many people; Li Heng politely replied: “Yes, coincidence—my mom wanted braised meats, so I came to buy some.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Siyao then feigned noticing Wei Shiman, though inside she was seething; she knew the woman wasn’t Li Heng’s real mother, since Wei Shiman bore a resemblance to Xiao Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Siyao still smiled and greeted: “Auntie, hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shiman smiled and nodded: “Hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s half…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl before her, while not quite matching the stall girl in beauty, was still very attractive; Wei Shiman gave her a half-stunning beauty rating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few steps, two and a half stunning beauties had appeared; Wei Shiman cast a meaningful glance at Li Heng’s profile. Others might have missed it, but she’d seen Wu Siyao walk over from the restaurant, her eyes locked unblinkingly on Hanhan the whole way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did that mean? It was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shiman had also noticed Dai Qing—clear-eyed and delicate, quite appealing—but the women she’d met today were all too beautiful; she considered Dai Qing merely a reserve, not yet worthy of the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Wujiao Square to Fudan University, the road finally grew quieter. Even though many acquaintances greeted Li Heng along the way, the men and women they passed were average-looking—back to normal levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Wei Shiman began to relax, a group of students emerged from the school gate, both male and female.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, one girl broke from the crowd like an arrow shot from a bow, heading straight for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Huang Ziyue. Today there was a class activity; she was about to go with classmates to buy soda and sunflower seeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ziyue, as always, walked straight up to Li Heng and asked: “Senior, when did you return from Aba?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng answered: “The day before yesterday.” “The day before yesterday? Then did you get the letter I wrote you in Aba? Why didn’t you reply?” As Huang Ziyue spoke, her eyes finally turned to Xiao Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han smiled warmly as she locked eyes with Huang Ziyue; the two women radiated a vibe only females in competition could emit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually took Xiao Han’s hand and said indifferently, “I’ve received too many letters to reply to them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ziyue said “Oh,” then added, “Senior, please take good care of your guest—I’ll be going now, I have some matters to attend to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qing glanced back at Huang Ziyue’s retreating figure, then at Li Heng, and couldn’t help thinking: So popular—and poor little sister must be struggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shiman and Xiao Qing had never been to Fudan University before; Li Heng accompanied them for most of the tour before heading toward Lushan Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that tour, news that Li Heng had brought his mother-in-law to campus spread rapidly, causing many acquaintances to casually pass by, watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several female teachers envied her—how they wished they had a daughter like Xiao Han, one who could snag a golden husband and bring him home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the alley, Xiao Qing looked around and asked Li Heng, “You live in that little building?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng replied, “At the end of the alley, the one on the left—Number 26.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they counted the door numbers one by one, when they reached Number 27, Xiao Qing stopped dead, staring at the woman on the upper floor—exquisitely alluring—and said, “I feel like I’ve seen her before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han cleared her throat and said, “That’s Mai Sui.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Xiao Han’s gaze fell to the balcony, where a set of men’s clothes and a pair of men’s underwear lay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recognized them instantly—they were Honey’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she knew: Number 27 housed only women; yet here were her lover’s clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she struggled to remain calm, inside she screamed: Mai Sui, are you a maidservant? Why are you even washing my Honey’s underwear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never suspected Zhou Shihe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her mind, if Zhou Shihe had washed his clothes, Honey wouldn’t dare be so brazen as to bring her, her mother, and her sister back—he’d have been forced to face a storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the sensitive name “Mai Sui,” Wei Shiman looked over immediately; after a few seconds, she silently counted: Third.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the third, after Huang Zhaoyi and Wei Xiaozhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ziyue and Wu Siyao counted only as half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shiman gazed across at Mai Sui for a moment, feeling an unexplained worry for Hanhan—this woman, in some sense, had transcended mere beauty; she belonged to the category of Su Daji, a beauty who brought ruin. Other women wouldn’t stand a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because men were creatures of their lower halves, and Mai Sui could utterly dominate them in bed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the upper floor, weaving a swing, Mai Sui spotted the four in the alley’s center and greeted, “Xiao Han, you’ve come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han smiled faintly and asked, “Mai Sui, you’re living here now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui replied, “Yes, I live here with Shihe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han smoothly added, “We haven’t seen each other in a while—come over to our place later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui softly responded, “Alright, I’ll come when I have time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her cunning wife’s two silent strikes, Li Heng felt deep pity for Mai Sui and quickened his pace, leading the three women into Number 26.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the four entered the house, Sun Man and Ye Ning appeared simultaneously on the upper floor of Number 27.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Ning peered around, “Where’s Xiao Han’s mother? Where is she?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui said, “She went inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Ning glanced at the neighboring building and finally asked, “Suisui, did you realize Xiao Han just outmaneuvered you twice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t stupid—she knew perfectly well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First question: Xiao Han asked if she lived here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hidden meaning: Do you plan to live here permanently?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui could only answer yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second move: Xiao Han then invited her to visit their home—in the tone of a mistress—this was the follow-up to the first question, effectively claiming authority over Number 26.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Man frowned, “Is she trying to drive us Mai Sui out of Number 26?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui tugged gently at Sun Man’s sleeve, “Manning, lower your voice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhou Shihe stepped out of the living room, freshly bathed, drying her hair with a towel, and comforted, “Manning, don’t say that—the house belongs to the school, and Li Heng is just a temporary guest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her implication: Li Heng is only a transient. What difference is there between Xiao Han and you? The real competition lies in Li Heng himself—whoever spends more time with him wins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Man instantly felt relieved, beaming as she hugged Zhou Shihe, “Shihe, you’re the true strategist—you don’t fight for every inch of ground.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe smiled lightly, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Ning’s gaze accidentally fell on the balcony beside them and suddenly cried out, “Oh my god! Didn’t Suisui hang Li Heng’s clothes on the back? When did they move to the front? Isn’t this a ticking bomb?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, Mai Sui turned sharply, her expression changing instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Man apologized, “Oh no! Shihe always hangs her clothes on the back—she’s private, doesn’t want her underwear showing—so I moved Li Heng’s to the front. Suisui, I’m sorry, it’s my fault—I didn’t think it through.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, this made perfect sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Zhou Shihe always hung her clothes on the back—she valued privacy and avoided displaying undergarments in plain sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So moving Li Heng’s clothes to the front seemed logical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Ning turned to Zhou Shihe, “By the way, Shihe, didn’t you just bathe last night? Why are you bathing again? It’s winter—I remember you usually bathe every two or three days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe replied, “I got dusty cleaning today, so I bathed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief silence fell over the upper floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Mai Sui and Ye Ning sensed Zhou Shihe and Sun Man were playing a coordinated game—but they couldn’t find a single flaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like Wang Yuyan and Duan Yu in The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: Zhou Shihe spoke casually, almost innocently, yet Sun Man, as if her meridians had been fully unblocked, performed acts that reversed heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Mai Sui silent, Sun Man asked hesitantly, “Suisui, should I move Li Heng’s clothes back? Hang them on Number 26?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Ning chimed in, grinning, “That’s a great idea—I fully support it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui kept weaving the swing. As the saying goes, even the wise make one mistake—she thought hanging the clothes on the back was foolproof, never expecting Sun Man to pull this stunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She should’ve just hung them on Number 26 from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe said gently, “Manning, here’s a chance to make amends—go with Ningning to the cafeteria and bring back meals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh! Again you’re kicking us out—you must be planning something naughty,” Ye Ning sneered, dragging Sun Man away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the two women were gone, Zhou Shihe asked softly, “Are you hurting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui replied, “No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe spoke slowly: “About the clothes—even though Manning acted intentionally to help you, it’s not entirely bad. If Li Heng wants to keep multiple women, he must face this sooner or later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he ends up choosing only one, helping him decide now isn’t a bad thing—better short pain than long suffering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui asked, “Was this really not your idea?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe smiled faintly, her voice tender as silk, yet her words fierce: “That idea? Too weak. I wouldn’t even consider it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui looked up, “If it were you, what would you do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe gazed far into the horizon, then whispered, “If I were you, he’d have to marry me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence stretched between them. One focused on weaving the swing; the other watched distant clouds swiftly engulf the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Mai Sui’s long black hair had become disheveled. “The wind’s picking up—rain’s coming. It’s cold outside. Go inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe stood and walked toward the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind outside grew fierce; Mai Sui followed her into the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe sat on the sofa and suddenly asked, “Now that Xiao Han’s mother has appeared, will his parents come too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui paused. “Probably not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe thought of Yu Shuheng, then picked up the unfinished book on the coffee table and began flipping through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui thought of Song Yu and Chen Zijin—and was certain Li Heng’s parents wouldn’t come this time, though they might show up during winter break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Number 26.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng first showed Wei Shiman and her daughter around the two floors, assigned their rooms, then the four sat on the sofa chatting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, Xiao Qing asked, “Li Heng, could I see your study?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been curious about the legendary study described in newspapers, and after holding back, she finally asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng replied readily, “We’re family—feel free to come and go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he said that, he knew she hesitated, so he led the way himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qing moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shiman hesitated a few seconds, then followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Please subscribe! Please vote for monthly awards!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Post first, revise later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(More to come)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3557,"2026-06-19T15:27:37.100Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2279fbe3f0f62ac55b25779b1b6240fd78e8bf0c50c38f8be497c6db2195185e","1987-my-era-chapter-549","1987-my-era-chapter-547",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]