Chapter 555: Youth Is Like a Flower, But Its Blooming Is Brief

For two consecutive days, heavy snow disrupted flights, so Li Heng had to stay temporarily in Jingcheng.

On the first day, Li Heng devoted himself to accompanying Song Yu—attending her classes, eating with her in the cafeteria, visiting the library with her, and strolling together on campus in the evening.

To the eyes of Peking University alumni, the two were deeply affectionate and exceptionally romantic.

The next day, Friday, arrived.

Li Heng asked her: "I recall you only have classes in the morning today, right?"

Song Yu understood his implication: "There are also classes in the afternoon, fifth and sixth periods—a teacher is making up a lesson. But it's not important; if needed, I can take leave."

Li Heng said: "I'll handle some business in the morning, return for lunch with you, and then take you to Xin Weilai this afternoon."

Xin Weilai Tutoring School had made a big stir in Jingcheng—even Peking University students had gone to enroll in its overseas training courses. Song Yu was curious too, and agreed.

After leaving Xila Hutong, they first ate breakfast at the cafeteria, then headed toward the Law School.

Arriving at the teaching building lobby, Li Heng stopped: "I'll go then."

Song Yu quietly said okay and handed him her black umbrella.

It was class time, and students streamed past; they didn't linger, exchanging only a glance before parting.

Yet barely fifty meters from the Law School, they ran into Xiao Feng.

He paused, then walked over: "Xiao Feng, are you waiting for me?"

Xiao Feng glanced toward the Law School entrance, then walked down a side path: "Follow me."

Li Heng followed.

Leaving the Law School area, they finally stopped at the edge of an empty grassy field.

No sooner had they steadied themselves than Xiao Feng asked: "Did you really sleep with Song Yu?"

Li Heng looked at her, saying nothing—he hadn't yet figured out what game she was playing.

Xiao Feng said: "I'm still shocked—you're only a sophomore, and Song Yu has already consummated with you?"

Li Heng thought for a moment: "Was this question arranged by Xiao Han?"

Xiao Feng deflated, then retorted: "Is my expression that transparent? How did you guess so fast?"

Li Heng sighed: "So you've been on the phone with Xiao Han these past two days."

Xiao Feng didn't hide it: "I called Professor Wen Yan's house."

Li Heng asked: "What exactly did you say?"

Xiao Feng admitted: "I told her everything I saw."

Li Heng was speechless.

Xiao Feng asked: "Do you think I'm getting in the way?"

Li Heng thought exactly that, but didn't say it.

Xiao Feng sighed: "You're smart enough to know Song Yu deliberately used me to pass along a message, right?"

Li Heng grumbled: "You're not slow to catch on."

Xiao Feng felt guilty: "No, not at first. Only after I hung up with Xiao Han and heard her silence on the other end did I realize—I'd been played by Song Yu."

Li Heng sighed.

Xiao Feng said apologetically: "I'm sorry. Xiao Han once helped me out in a big way. When she asked about your whereabouts in Jingcheng, I told her the truth."

Li Heng was speechless: "You know Sun Manning and Mai Sui, right? They never interfere in my personal relationships."

Xiao Feng defended herself: "Sun Manning daresn't speak up. But Mai Sui? She's on your side unconditionally because she loves you."

Li Heng narrowed his eyes.

Xiao Feng smiled faintly, stepping back: "Yang Cheng mentioned it in his letter—he said Mai Sui often stays at your place. A woman that beautiful wouldn't ruin her reputation by living with you unless she had feelings. From what little I know of Mai Sui, she's not the kind to act recklessly."

Li Heng cursed: "Yang Cheng's a bastard—I'll drown him in alcohol next time we drink."

Xiao Feng said: "Don't curse him—he didn't mean to. He probably still doesn't realize he told me about Mai Sui living with you."

Li Heng's thoughts shifted: "If Yang Cheng tells you everything, is he courting you?"

Perhaps feeling guilty, Xiao Feng was brutally honest: "Yes. Since middle school he's been a toad trying to eat swan meat—I've been driven mad by him."

Li Heng circled her once: "You really are—you really are! I always thought you were a proper girl."

Xiao Feng said: "Then you were wrong. Anyone who gets into Peking University has a lively mind."

Li Heng circled her again: "You're close to Song Yu now—will you help Xiao Han trick her later?"

Xiao Feng said: "I won't help anyone. I've repaid my debt to Xiao Han."

Li Heng widened his eyes: "You repaid your debt by betraying me—doesn't that mean you owe me now?"

Xiao Feng was stunned, then after a long pause said: "You actually have a point."

Then she asked: "Wait, so now I owe you?"

Li Heng grunted: "Of course."

Meeting his unscrupulous gaze, Xiao Feng covered her forehead: "Ugh, fine. If you need anything, just tell me—I'll consider whether I can help."

Li Heng nodded, satisfied, then turned to leave.

After leaving Peking University, Li Heng bought a hat and tied on a scarf, then headed to a pastry shop near Renmin University.

"Boss, do you make custom birthday cakes?" he asked upon entering.

Li Lan was busy looking down and didn't look up: "We do. Which kind do you need?"

Li Heng poured himself a glass of water: "The most expensive one."

Li Lan frowned, then raised her head to stare at him intensely. After dismissing him, she launched into a furious tirade: "Look at what you've done these past few days—you dare show your face here? Zi Jin's heart is shattered."

Li Heng asked: "How is Zi Jin?"

Li Lan scolded: "Your mother and I have been with her every day these past two days—she's holding up, but can't you be less conspicuous? Can't you just meet Song Yu secretly?"

Li Heng replied: "I can't be discreet. Song Yu is too beautiful, and your brother is too famous."

Hearing this nonsense, Li Lan wanted to kick him: "Go see someone quietly—don't carry roses. If you don't listen, next time I'll bring Zi Jin to Peking University to ambush you—see how you handle it."

Li Heng raised an eyebrow: "I know. I just haven't seen Song Yu in a long time—I wanted to surprise her."

Hearing Song Yu's name, Li Lan immediately leaned in: "So for the past two nights, Song Yu stayed with you in the sihe courtyard in Xila Hutong?"

Li Heng nodded.

Li Lan stepped closer, lowered her voice: "So… did you sleep with her?"

Li Heng stared at her.

Li Lan sneered: "Keep looking at me like that and I'll gouge out your eyes. Your parents are asking this too."

Li Heng thought a moment: "We slept in the same bed."

Li Lan asked: "What does that mean?"

Li Heng said: "Nothing happened."

Li Lan said: "I know that—I heard you. I don't need your explanation. My question is: if you slept in the same bed and didn't do anything, have you suddenly become impotent?" Li Heng was annoyed: "Hey, can you speak properly? I'm your own brother."

"You're my brother, yes—but suddenly turning into a saint? That's not the lecherous brother I know," Li Lan declared solemnly.

Li Heng rolled his eyes and spoke low: "Song Yu is different from others. I don't want to take her lightly."

Li Lan studied him, studied him again, then softened: "So the ones handed to you are worthless—the ones you can't get are the real gods. You're determined to marry Song Yu, aren't you?"

Before he could answer, Li Lan said: "Since you're free today, why not bring Song Yu to meet Mom and Dad? They've been eager to meet her. Mom even asked me about it this morning."

Li Heng replied: "Not today."

Li Lan asked: "Why?"

Li Heng hesitated: "I haven't fully won Song Yu over yet."

Li Lan scoffed: "Pathetic! You sleep in the same bed and don't even touch her—you're no innocent boy, so why play the saint?"

Li Heng shot back: "You're single—you understand nothing."

Li Lan grabbed two bread rolls and hurled them at him: "I don't understand, but I'd never do something so scandalous. I think Song Yu's blind to give a slime like you a chance."

Fine, this conversation was over. Li Heng stood to leave.

Li Lan made no effort to stop him, only asked casually: "Where are you going?"

Li Heng stepped out the door: "If this place won't keep me, another will. Why ask?"

Li Lan asked: "When are you leaving?"

Li Heng replied: "Tonight."

Li Lan taunted: "Tonight? You ungrateful brat—you won't even see your parents?"

Li Heng waved: "Forget it. Next time I'll come specially to visit Zi Jin."

After returning to Peking University for lunch, Li Heng took Song Yu to Xin Weilai Tutoring School.

Upon entering, they met Lao Mabu and Wang Ye.

Wang Ye stared fixedly at Song Yu, nearly stunned, and blurted: "Mr. Li, is this your girlfriend?"

She didn't even call him boss—she called him Mr. Li. The impact Song Yu had on her was clear.

Li Heng said yes.

After confirmation, Wang Ye greeted Song Yu and left, her eyes dimming briefly. She now understood why her boss refused to gamble with her—he had such a divine couple beside him.

Once Wang Ye was gone, Song Yu remarked: "Yingwen, you're darker now, and much more mature."

Yang Yingwen took Song Yu's hand and led her toward the office: "I work for your man—I must give my all. Environment shapes a person. Why are you here today?"

Song Yu smiled at Li Heng.

Lao Mabu poured tea for them, then turned to Li Heng: "What's the meaning of this? Don't just stand there silent."

Li Heng said: "No meaning. I just brought your boss's wife to recognize the place."

Yang Yingwen looked bewildered, then after a moment pulled Li Heng into the hallway and whispered: "Where did Xiao Han lose?"

Li Heng spoke slowly: "What failure? They're all my women—I have more than just this one asset."

Yang Ying couldn't believe it: "Heaven! My god! Song Yu really agreed to be with you? Really willing to share a husband with other women?"

Li Heng countered: "Do you think she's that kind of person?"

Hearing this, Yang Ying muttered to himself: "True, Song Yu is hard to deal with. But your moral manipulation is masterful—publicly declaring your love at Peking University, making a scene at Dongting Lake until everyone knew—she had no way out. She can only marry you."

Li Heng protested: "I'm not that despicable."

"Pfft, who'd believe that! If I were as beautiful as Zijin and the others, I'd have been devoured by you long ago—you wouldn't have given me the nickname 'Old Rag' since childhood." Yang Ying glanced sideways at him, as if she saw right through him.

Li Heng grinned: "Fine. Since you didn't even tell me when you decided to leave, I'd never want you."

Yang Ying snapped, "If I had to do it again, I wouldn't give a damn about you, you brute who only knows how to fight at seventeen."

"Exactly! See? I don't want you, you don't care for me—we're a perfect match as friends." Li Heng said with brazen shamelessness.

Yang Ying said: "Are you forcing me to pick a side?"

Li Heng replied: "No, don't overthink it. I just brought Song Yu here for a visit. In Jingcheng, this is my only asset—I haven't taken her here in so long, it's only right to show her."

Yang Ying listened, half-skeptical, said no more, and returned to her office to warmly greet Song Yu.

After tea, the three toured the New Future Tutoring School thoroughly. Song Yu asked: "Yingwen, do you often skip class?"

Yang Ying looked slightly embarrassed: "You've heard about it?"

Song Yu smiled and nodded: "You're famous now. Everyone at our school calls you the Little Boss of New Future."

Li Heng interjected: "If you skip class often, won't the school punish you?"

At this, Yang Ying looked slightly proud: "My advisor and the director both talked to me. Since my grades didn't drop, they didn't punish me—they encouraged me to apply what I learn."

"Enlightened," Li Heng praised.

As they chatted, dusk fell. They had dinner at New Future.

After dinner, Li Heng escorted Song Yu back to Peking University. Then the two walked side by side through the snow for a long stretch. At last, reluctantly, he said: "I'm leaving tonight on a flight."

Song Yu looked into his eyes: "Alright. Stay safe on the way. Have a peaceful journey."

Li Heng added: "Write me a letter every half month. Don't slack off."

Song Yu smiled.

After a moment of reserve, in front of a crowd of classmates watching in the snow, she stepped forward and hugged him, whispering softly in his ear: "After next year, I'll go with you to meet your parents."

Hearing this, Li Heng's gloom vanished instantly. He asked excitedly: "Are you serious?"

"Serious," Song Yu replied with a faint smile, releasing him. "But you'll have to work hard."

Li Heng asked instinctively: "What do you mean I have to work hard? Work harder to win you over?"

Song Yu smiled without answering—everything was understood.

That smile sent a shiver down Li Heng's spine—he suddenly woke up half-way.

He thought: Next year is just one year away. If I play it cool, hold back a bit, won't this wife of mine be mine for sure?

Seeing someone off a thousand miles, there must come a parting.

Song Yu personally saw him to the school gate, watching until Wang Ye's small van vanished at the end of the street, then slowly turned and walked back into campus.

In truth, "next year" wasn't a casual remark—she had thought about it seriously.

After next year meant the end of her third year and the start of her fourth.

It meant her lifelong future—marriage—could finally be treated as a central life goal.

Youth is like a flower, but its bloom is brief. Marriage and family are paths every woman must walk. When that day comes, she wouldn't shy away.

Next year, she would go to Fudan University. Many things were destined to be turbulent. If he could hold fast to his heart, even with flaws, he might still be a good man.

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(End of chapter)