Chapter 556: Mai Sui, Why Are You So Gentle?

On the way, Wang Ye asked him: "Boss, have you ever looked into real estate?"

Li Heng turned to look at her. "Are you interested in real estate?"

Wang Ye said: "During idle chats with friends in Hong Kong, I've heard many major Hong Kong companies are carefully hoarding land on the mainland."

Li Heng replied: "I don't understand real estate. I haven't looked into it."

Hearing this, Wang Ye tactfully dropped the topic.

It wasn't until the minivan was nearly at the airport that she spoke again: "I'm currently studying Hong Kong's real estate companies. I believe the mainland's real estate market will enter a golden period over the next twenty years."

Li Heng asked: "Why?"

Wang Ye said: "The Li family in Hong Kong never moves without profit. With the mainland's reform and opening-up underway, watching their moves is unlikely to be wrong."

Li Heng didn't respond, only said: "New Future has just started. You need to pay more attention."

Wang Ye nodded: "Don't worry, Boss."

Not long after, they arrived at the airport. The minivan pulled over. Wang Ye was about to get out and open his door when she saw Huang Zhaoyi through the window.

She froze, staring fixedly at the grand qingyi, thinking: Another stunning beauty. Boss has quite the luck with women. Looks like my plan to borrow his seed will have to be aborted early.

Having been in Beijing for nearly two months and tirelessly learning about the outside world, Wang Ye already knew who Huang Zhaoyi was: a legendary qingyi of the mainland's Peking Opera scene. She never expected she'd also follow the Boss.

In Lushan Village there were Yu Shuheng and Mai Sui; at Shanghai Medical University there was Xiao Han; in Beijing there were Song Yu and Chen Zijin; now another grand qingyi. Could Boss's body even handle it?

Wang Ye's eyes swept over Li Heng with suspicion: his figure was balanced and strong, his complexion flushed, his voice full of vigor—he seemed in excellent health.

Could he possess the legendary abilities of Lü Ai? Could he pull a cart?

Thinking this, her gaze involuntarily dropped, glancing downward—but winter clothes were too thick; she couldn't discern anything.

Watching Li Heng and Huang Zhaoyi leave, Wang Ye felt dazed. Her greatest wish in coming to the mainland was to borrow his seed—a man of extraordinary literary depth and striking looks. Now it seemed impossible, utterly hopeless.

In a corner of the airport, Huang Zhaoyi handed him his ticket and said: "I'm going straight to Changsha. I have a business contract to sign at noon, so I won't travel with you."

Li Heng took the ticket: "Alright. It's cold in Hunan now. Take care of yourself when you get there."

This man was growing increasingly attentive to her. Huang Zhaoyi felt deeply pleased: "The gifts you asked me to buy for Grandma were delivered to her yesterday."

Li Heng thanked her, then slapped his forehead: "Oh, I forgot about Second Aunt. Could you ask your people to make another trip? Buy the same gifts as for First Aunt and send them to Lengjiang."

He gave her the address of his second aunt in Lengjiang.

Huang Zhaoyi wrote it down.

Li Heng said: "We're family. I won't give you money for the gifts. I know you don't need it."

Giving money would seem too formal and make her uncomfortable—but he still had to say something.

Indeed, for Huang Zhaoyi, the three words "we're family" were the best reward. Had the setting been appropriate, she would have liked to imitate other women and hug her man before parting.

Reason overcame emotion. Huang Zhaoyi said: "Then I'll leave now."

Li Heng nodded, watching her turn away.

After walking ten or so steps, she suddenly turned back to him, worried: "I arranged someone to meet you at Shanghai airport. Will that interfere with you?"

Li Heng asked: "Male or female?"

Huang Zhaoyi replied: "Female. My other assistant. She's also the manager of all eight stores of Fuchun Xiaoyuan in Shanghai. To avoid gossip, she'll meet you personally."

She was actually worried about Yu Shuheng—afraid Yu Shuheng might also go to the airport to meet him, and they'd run into each other.

Though she bought the ticket, if Yu Shuheng was truly watching his every move, his itinerary couldn't be hidden.

Li Heng said: "I didn't tell Professor Yu I'm going home today."

Hearing this, Huang Zhaoyi understood. She happily adjusted her sunglasses and left.

Wow, this woman!

If she hadn't known she was thirty-three, she'd have thought she was barely in her twenties—she looked so young.

Li Heng watched the tall, receding back of the grand qingyi. A surge stirred in his blood. Among all these women, in bed, only she would fully obey him. Only with her could he be utterly unrestrained.

Then he thought of Mai Sui. This girl needed no tricks—just lie quietly beneath him, and she came with a built-in enchantment. He'd become far more aroused than usual. How to describe it? "Soul-shattering" didn't even begin to capture it.

In bed, Mai Sui was a natural seductress. A single glance, a single murmur, could steal the soul. He felt like he had a high-powered engine inside him—endless.

He turned his gaze away, about to walk toward the waiting lounge, when a fashionably dressed woman approached.

She was around thirty, sat down, and greeted: "Good evening, Teacher Li."

Li Heng quickly sized her up, replying indifferently: "Hello."

The woman handed him her business card: "I'm Dai Yue, a teacher at Beijing Film Academy, also a producer and part-time director. May I ask if you still hold the film rights to 'To Live'?"

Ah, so she was here to buy the film rights.

Li Heng politely took the card, glanced at it, then slipped it into his pocket. He didn't bother with pretense: "How much are you offering?"

Dai Yue had planned to say twenty thousand.

But meeting his gaze, she instantly had a hunch: if she offered twenty thousand, he wouldn't even look at her. Thinking of his social status and terrifying wealth, she changed her answer: "Fifty thousand. What do you think?"

Li Heng said nothing. He closed his eyes and began to rest.

Was fifty thousand too low?

Or did he think she had no reputation?

Dai Yue was a second-generation heir; in the industry, no one dared provoke her lightly, but without any standout works, people respected her on the surface while whispering behind her back. She longed for a breakthrough—to create a career-defining masterpiece.

Rumors had spread that Zhang Yimou had taken interest in 'To Live' and had already traveled to Shanghai to meet the great writer Li Heng. Dai Yue, having read 'To Live,' saw her chance. Through connections, she found Li Heng at the airport first, hoping to intercept him.

Looking at this man steeped in artistic aura, Dai Yue dared not disturb him loudly. After hesitating, she whispered: "Teacher Li, name your price. How much do you want?"

This wasn't about money. He'd never heard of her in his past life. Why would he let her mess up his work?

He casually named a sky-high price: "Three hundred thousand."

Dai Yue was stunned, then realized—he didn't want to sell.

At that moment, the airport announcement sounded. Li Heng stood, picked up his luggage, and headed for boarding.

Dai Yue stood frozen for a moment, then stubbornly walked toward an office. She had no ticket, but quickly obtained one through connections and boarded the plane.

Li Heng had just sat down when he saw Dai Yue whisper to her neighbor, then switch seats.

He stared at her, speechless.

Dai Yue flashed a bright smile and began a half-hour-long campaign of soft persuasion and hard pressure.

It was useless. Li Heng didn't need money. He had no intention of selling.

Finally, out of options, Dai Yue bit her lip, leaned close to his ear, and whispered: "Teacher Li, I know you don't need money. How about this: anything I have, you can use."

She deliberately stressed the word "use."

To anyone else, Dai Yue wouldn't say this.

But if the man was Li Heng—wealthy, renowned—it was different. Maybe she could snag a gold-digger husband. Even if marriage failed, a fleeting affair was fine. He had so many brilliant works—worth more than gold. She was desperately envious.

Faced with such blatant temptation, Li Heng remained unmoved.

What nonsense! The women pursuing him were all of the highest caliber: Dai Qing, Chen Lijun, Huang Ziyue, Wu Siyao, Ye Zhanyan. Each one after the next was more beautiful.

Any one of those women was prettier than this woman before him.

This Dai Yue was merely a bit fuller-figured. She wasn't even as sexy as his high school English teacher. Why would he bother?

Seeing Li Heng silent, Dai Yue pressed harder: "Teacher Li, I have a famous actress. We three could discuss script adaptation tonight."

Then she named the actress.

This time, Li Heng reacted—not with agreement, but with shock.

The actress she named was truly famous, even beautiful. But she had a decent reputation in the industry. How could Dai Yue be so confident?

This flight was unbearably noisy. The woman beside him kept escalating her offers. But Li Heng had seen countless roles; his mind remained calm, untouched.

Finally, they reached Shanghai. He ignored Dai Yue entirely, stepped off the plane, and met Huang Zhaoyi's assistant. He got in the car and left.

In the car, Li Heng asked the female assistant: "You sound like a native of Shanghai?"

The assistant said yes.

Then she asked: "Are you hungry, Mr. Li?"

Li Heng said: "I'm fine. Just take me back to school."

The assistant nodded. He didn't ask, so she stayed silent, focused on driving.

Passing Wujiao Square, Li Heng glanced at his watch. It was late. The department store would be closed. He abandoned the idea of buying Mai Sui black chocolate.

The car didn't enter Fudan. Like Huang Zhaoyi always did, it stopped near the campus gate.

Coincidentally, just as he stepped out and walked fifty meters, he saw Chen Guifen and a boy hugging each other in the shadows by the roadside.

Li Heng glanced and knew the boy wasn't Hu Ping. He pretended not to see and walked straight past.

Chen Guifen recognized him. Instantly, she felt extremely uneasy, caught between staying in the boy's arms or pulling away.

After Li Heng passed, Chen Guifen broke away from the boy: "Dormitory's about to close. Go back to Tongji. I'm heading to my dorm."

The boy tried to persuade her to rent a room, but failed. He grew angry: "Are you eating from one bowl while eyeing another? Still sneaking off to hook up with Hu Ping?"

Chen Guifen's face turned grim: "We're done. We're broken up!"

The boy pleaded desperately, but Chen Guifen walked away.

Entering campus, Li Heng recalled what Tang Ling had told him in the dorm recently: since breaking up with Old Hu, Chen Guifen had already had three boyfriends—all from other schools. Each lasted twenty days at most, ten at least. After sex, she immediately broke up and found the next one. Three boyfriends, seamless transitions.

He still remembered Zhou Zhang shaking his head and sighing: Old Hu broke her heart. Chen Guifen's mind twisted. From a plain country girl, she became a socialite, targeting good-looking boys from other schools.

Back in Lushan Village, Li Heng found buildings 27, 26, and 25 all dark, doors and windows tightly shut.

Only building 24 was brightly lit tonight, with the sound of drinking coming from inside.

Li Heng stood at the gate and listened carefully. He heard Sun Manning and Ye Ning's voices. He also heard Chen Siya and Old Fu's voices.

Could Mai Sui and the others be at Old Fu's?

Thinking this, he put his luggage back in building 26, planning to shower before going over.

Unexpectedly, barely had he entered the shower when footsteps sounded in the corridor. Then a familiar voice called from outside the bathroom door: "Li Heng, is that you back?"

Li Heng called toward the door: "Mai Sui, it's me. Where have you been?"

"We're all at Teacher Fu's. I saw your lights on and came back to check," Mai Sui said.

Her gaze lingered on the bathroom door for two seconds, then she joined Zhou Shihe on the sofa—she'd drunk three beers tonight and was slightly drunk.

Mai Sui asked: "Are you showering?"

Li Heng said yes.

Mai Sui asked with concern: "Did you grab your clothes?"

She asked because she knew his habits: when no one was home, he'd often take only his underwear in, then run back to the bedroom bare-chested.

Li Heng said: "Not yet. Help me find something."

"Okay," Mai Sui replied sweetly, turning to enter his master bedroom to find his clothes.

Soon after, Mai Sui knocked on the bathroom door, holding his clothes.

The door opened halfway, and Li Heng reached out to pull her in: "Come in and keep me company. Rub my back."

Seeing him naked, Mai Sui's face flushed crimson; her soft, alluring eyes flickered nervously several times as she hurriedly said: "Shihe's here."

"Huh?"

Li Heng startled, quickly pulling his body behind the bathroom door, then peering cautiously into the living room—sure enough, half a back of the head was visible on the sofa.

Hearing their unusual exchange, Zhou Shihe curled up further on the sofa, lying half-reclined, then closed her eyes.

Half a minute later, Mai Sui sat down on the sofa opposite her friend.

The two women remained silent for a long while, until finally Zhou Shihe opened her clear, luminous black-and-white eyes and stared straight at Mai Sui.

Mai Sui avoided her gaze, embarrassed, looking elsewhere.

After a while, Zhou Shihe suddenly stood up, slipped on her cotton slippers, and softly said, "I'm going home for a bit," then walked toward the stairwell.

Two minutes later, Li Heng stepped out of the bathroom and quickly scanned the surroundings: "Has Zhou Shihe left?"

"Yeah, she said she's going home," Mai Sui replied.

Why had Zhou Shihe gone home?

Everyone understood.

But after days apart, their eyes met—and like magnets, they couldn't pull away.

After fifteen seconds of locked gazes, Li Heng lowered his head, Mai Sui tilted hers slightly upward, and they Moqidi kissed.

Having shared a bed with Song Yu for several nights, Li Heng's body had long been overflowing with desire; now, as their tongues entwined, it was like a knot tied tight—passionate, clinging, inseparable.

Moments later, Li Heng pinned her onto the sofa, greedily kissing her.

His hands didn't stop either, stroking her abdomen, inching slowly beneath her clothes.

Just then, as Mai Sui was nearly drowned in the ecstasy, she gripped his large hand tightly, pulled away from his lips, and said: "No, not like this. Teacher Fu leaves tomorrow morning—he's treating us to dinner tonight, and we're supposed to go over soon. We came back to get you."

Hearing this, Li Heng's bloodshot eyes slowly dimmed; he held her close and said: "I missed you."

"Mm, me too," Mai Sui replied, wrapping her arms around his waist.

The two lay perfectly entwined on the sofa, silently gazing at each other.

Neither spoke. Neither dared break the delicate balance. They savored the warmth between them.

Suddenly, a voice rang up from downstairs: "Li Heng, Mai Sui, Shihe—what are you doing upstairs? Why aren't you down yet for dinner?"

It was Sun Man's voice.

"Exactly! You three can't just be flirting all night—hurry down and drink!" Ye Ning's voice added.

Just after they finished speaking, someone stepped out of the neighboring courtyard—it was Zhou Shihe.

"Oh! Shihe, why are you at Building 27?" Ye Ning asked.

Zhou Shihe said: "I came home for something."

Sun Man questioned: "Then why didn't you turn on the lights? I didn't hear the door open. Were you just sitting in the yard?"

She guessed right—Zhou Shihe hadn't entered the house; she'd been standing in the courtyard's center, gazing at the starry sky, trying to let the wind clear her mind.

But she didn't admit it, smiling gently: "I rested a bit on the first-floor sofa. The door wasn't fully closed."

Ye Ning wasn't fooled; she looked up at the second floor and lowered her voice sharply: "Are Li Heng and Mai Sui making out upstairs, and you just slipped down because it was awkward?"

At the word "making out," Zhou Shihe's mind automatically conjured a scene: Li Heng pinning Mai Sui on the sofa, kissing her passionately…

"It's totally possible! That bastard Li Heng always bullies Mai Sui whenever he comes back," Sun Man muttered.

Ye Ning added: "Could they have gone straight to the bedroom and gotten into bed?"

Sun Man giggled: "If they did, it's over—won't stop for two hours. That guy's thing is huge."

Ye Ning's eyes widened: "Whoa! You've seen it?"

Sun Man rolled her eyes like she was looking at an idiot: "Whoa your sister—do you really need to see it? Every summer he wears pants that bulge out like a sack. And look at his underwear when he hangs them out to dry—the indentations are deep and wide, right?"

Ye Ning looked impressed: "Maning, you're amazing—you're so experienced. I never noticed until you mentioned it. Now I remember! Li Heng must be incredible—strong physique, tons of charisma, sleeping with him must be incredible. If I were Sui Sui, I'd go all in…"

Zhou Shihe gave the two gossipy women a strange look, then glanced up at the lit master bedroom upstairs. She said nothing and quietly walked away.

After Zhou Shihe left, Ye Ning asked: "Should we go up and call Li Heng and Sui Sui?"

Sun Man wrinkled her nose: "Are you stupid? If you want to do it, go yourself—I won't."

While the two women chattered, all the lights on the second floor went out—Li Heng and Mai Sui appeared before them. Just then, Teacher Fu walked over from Building 24, grinned at Li Heng, and said: "You brat, half the table came out just to get you."

Li Heng said: "I was tired, took a shower."

Teacher Fu grabbed his arm and pulled him toward his house: "Come on. This is my last night in Lushan Village—drink with me tonight."

"Sure, no problem," Li Heng agreed cheerfully.

Inside Teacher Fu's house, all the usual familiar faces were there: besides the four women—Mai Sui, Zhou Shihe, Sun Man, and Ye Ning—there was also Teacher Yu and Chen Siya.

Seeing Teacher Yu smiling at him, Li Heng walked over and sat beside her: "Teacher."

Teacher Yu gave him a cup and filled it to the brim: "Drink one with me."

"Alright," Li Heng raised his cup and drank with her.

Tonight's main dish was lamb hotpot; beside it sat several pounds of fresh lamb untouched, along with a large basket of side dishes: winter bamboo shoots, mushrooms, tofu, and more.

Chen Siya called out: "Li Heng, we didn't know you'd be back tonight. Don't mind that we've already eaten half—these vegetables and meats are all fresh. Let me add a little of each for you?"

Li Heng didn't refuse: "Thanks, Sister Chen."

Teacher Fu pulled out a bottle of baijiu, poured Li Heng a full glass, and said: "We've known each other this long, but you've never properly drunk with me. I'm leaving tonight—can you at least let me get drunk?"

Li Heng's head ached at the sight of baijiu; he raised his cup, clinked it with Teacher Fu's, and downed a third of it: "Tonight, I'll drink for the sake of honor."

After drinking a cup and a half of baijiu, his head began to spin; he glanced at Mai Sui.

Mai Sui understood. While he chatted with Teacher Yu and Teacher Fu's couple, she quietly swapped his baijiu for plain water.

Her speed and skill were so flawless that Zhou Shihe, beside her, stared in disbelief—then bit back a laugh.

After three cups of baijiu, Teacher Fu frowned: "Huh? You usually collapse after two cups. How are you still talking after three?"

Li Heng replied: "Maybe I'm in a good mood. When I'm happy, I can drink more. Want another?"

"Heh, I like that!" Teacher Fu was delighted to have someone drink with him; immediately, they raised their fourth cup.

But this time, Teacher Fu watched him closely.

Li Heng had no choice—he had to sip slowly.

Suddenly, he remembered something, pulled out Dai Yue's business card from his pocket, and handed it to the woman on his left: "Teacher, do you know this person?"

Then he told the story of his chance encounter on the plane as a funny anecdote.

"Whoa! Li Heng, you had a romance on a plane?" Sun Man's face lit up.

Seeing Mai Sui, Zhou Shihe, Ye Ning, and Teacher Fu's couple all staring at him, Li Heng joked: "Only beautiful women count as romance. Ugly ones are just bad luck. That woman talked too much—I nearly lost my hearing today."

Chen Siya asked: "Li Heng, I've always wondered—what's your standard for beauty?"

Li Heng replied: "Why are you asking me this?"

Chen Siya said: "I've seen several pretty girls slip you love letters on the road—you always just throw them away without opening them. I thought maybe they weren't beautiful enough to make you feel anything."

Li Heng asked: "Can I answer this privately?"

Teacher Fu butted in: "Private? No way—I don't trust you."

Chen Siya rolled her eyes at her husband: "Teacher Fu, you're drunk."

"Heh, a little drunk, but still sober. I still remember what you said last year: 'If I hadn't accidentally ended up with you, I might've fallen for Li Heng.' Hey, that guy—I still get mad thinking about it," Teacher Fu grinned, looking ready to bite him.

Chen Siya pinched his waist hard: "You idiot—that was just angry talk. Can't you even understand that? Mai Sui and Shu Heng are here—say less."

As soon as she spoke, Chen Siya realized her mistake and sharply looked at Yu Shuheng and Mai Sui.

Mai Sui lowered her head, looking flustered.

Yu Shuheng smiled calmly, tossed the card into the trash, and said to him: "Sell it if you want, don't sell it if you don't. She won't say a word."

Listen! That's how bossy our Teacher Yu is! Li Heng happily raised his cup to her: "Let's drink another."

Yu Shuheng asked: "Can you still drink?"

Li Heng blinked—during his chat with Teacher Fu and Sister Chen, his cup had already been switched back to plain water.

Yu Shuheng gave a subtle glance at Mai Sui, smiled, and clinked her cup with his.

Sun Man and Ye Ning looked like they'd discovered a new continent. Sun Man leaned close to Zhou Shihe and whispered: "Shihe, are Li Heng and Teacher Yu really together?"

Zhou Shihe said nothing, just looked at her.

Sun Man explained: "I know Teacher Yu likes Li Heng—I mean, have they slept together?"

Zhou Shihe paused, then gave a slight shake of her head.

As the saying goes, enemies understand enemies best. After spending a year and a half together, Zhou Shihe believed she understood Teacher Yu well enough to summarize it in eight characters: strategic but indecisive.

In her view: Teacher Yu wanted too much, causing her to hesitate and lose focus.

Zhou Shihe felt Xiao Han, far away at the Medical University, had the perfect time and place advantage over Teacher Yu.

But Mai Sui hasn't yet given herself to Li Heng; if Teacher Yu is willing to go all out, Li Heng is practically within his grasp.

But she still couldn't understand what Teacher Yu was thinking.

As her thoughts drifted, Li Heng held a cup of wine before her: "Come, Comrade Zhou Shihe, we haven't toasted in ages—let's clink glasses."

Zhou Shihe pouted slightly, staring at the boiled water in his cup.

Li Heng chuckled awkwardly, bypassed her, and clinked glasses with Sun Manning and Ye Ning, the two suckers.

That night, Old Fu got drunk—not because of Li Heng, but because Mai Sui saw him relentlessly urging Li Heng to drink, so she subtly intervened, and Old Fu passed out cold.

Ye Ning and Sun Manning also got drunk; the two sisters supported each other as they sang "Little Grass," swaying unsteadily back to Building 27.

As they left, Mai Sui linked arms with Zhou Shihe and whispered: "Shihe, are you okay?"

Zhou Shihe shook her head lightly: "I'm fine. Go take care of him—he's forcing himself to stay upright."

Li Heng was indeed forcing himself. He'd drunk over two cups of baijiu that evening, his head spinning, able to walk without falling but with only one thought in his mind: to lie down.

But before Mai Sui could come to help, Yu Shuheng stepped from behind and supported Li Heng: "Would you like to come sit at my place for a while?"

Li Heng rubbed his face hard with both hands: "Teacher has something to say."

Yu Shuheng nodded.

The two entered Building 25.

Zhou Shihe and Mai Sui exchanged glances, then entered Building 26.

Inside, upstairs on the second floor, Li Heng sat on the sofa and asked: "Teacher, what did you want to see me about?"

Yu Shuheng sat across from him, stared at him for a long while, then spoke softly: "Why were you so conspicuous at Peking University? Don't you know some students there might have friends or classmates at Fudan? Even though information flow is limited now, word of mouth still spreads eventually."

Li Heng said: "I know."

Seeing him say only those three words and fall silent, Yu Shuheng felt an unusual pang of bitterness—she realized this boy's feelings for Song Yu surpassed her expectations.

After a moment of silence, Yu Shuheng said: "I can't control private gossip, but I'll handle everything involving newspapers and media."

She added: "I'll do my best to spread the right rumors and prevent your being seen as juggling two relationships from spreading widely between Peking University and Fudan before graduation."

"But from now on, you must be discreet either with Xiao Han or with Song Yu—don't be conspicuous with both. Otherwise, I can't help you."

Li Heng agreed: "Alright, thank you, Teacher."

Yu Shuheng stared into his eyes, earnestly urging: "If you can, be discreet with both for a while—time will naturally make many things fade."

Li Heng replied: "For the foreseeable future, I'll focus all my energy on my new book."

Hearing this, Yu Shuheng smiled.

In truth, manipulating public opinion about Li Heng's personal life was no great challenge for her network.

The reason she brought it up today was mainly to make sure this young man understood the need for self-protection—and also because she was a little jealous.

She could remain calm about Xiao Han, Chen Zijin, and Mai Sui.

But with Song Yu, she'd been drinking alone every night these past few days.

She knew full well that rumors about Li Heng juggling two relationships had already spread across Fudan's campus—the rumored lovers were Xiao Han and Mai Sui.

But Xiao Han was his official girlfriend, so no one had anything to say.

As for Mai Sui, she didn't care about such gossip; besides, with Li Heng's current status and influence, even those who wanted to gossip would think twice—would they dare offend such a powerful alumnus?

Would it affect their graduation assignments?

Neither was trivial—everyone had to weigh the consequences carefully.

After all, Li Heng is Fudan's flagship, its face—defaming him is tantamount to slapping Fudan in the face. Who would be that foolish?

These days, everyone who gets into Fudan is smart. They might joke privately with close friends, but in public, among crowds—even school administrators and teachers—everyone remains silent about Mai Sui's name.

That's the invisible, profound influence of Li Heng's reputation.

Besides, many girls still hope to latch onto Li Heng—he's rich, talented, and good-looking; he's practically a walking hormone. The girls' feelings toward Mai Sui are mostly envy, jealousy, and resentment—they'd give anything to be Mai Sui, lying in Li Heng's bed.

Like Ye Zhanyan.

Like Chen Lijun and Dai Qing.

Like Huang Ziyue and Wu Siyao.

And all those girls who persistently write him love letters.

They all know he has a girlfriend, yet still want to pursue him, to become his woman.

This alone shows the terrifying allure Li Heng holds over women.

Of course, the main reason is his status as a renowned writer, which greatly increases society's tolerance for him.

Since ancient times, both domestically and abroad, literary figures' romantic escapades have become a cliché, an accepted label—everyone expects it; flip open any famous person's biography and you'll likely find a scandalous love story.

That's why Old Ba, Principal Sun, Shen Xin, and Wei Shiman all turn a blind eye to him.

Teacher Yu stood up and asked: "Coffee?"

Li Heng nodded: "Sure, one cup."

As usual, Yu Shuheng added three sugar cubes to his coffee and handed it to him: "Did you go to New Future this time?"

Li Heng said: "I did."

Yu Shuheng asked: "How was it?"

Li Heng replied: "Wang Ye is very capable. The tutoring center is running smoothly. I spent half a day there and found no issues."

Suddenly, he remembered the HR and accounting managers Huang Zhaoyi had sent to New Future—was Teacher Yu mentioning New Future hinting at Da Qingyi?

He carefully observed her facial expressions, found no sign of anything unusual, and relaxed.

For the rest of their coffee, both Moqi ly avoided mentioning how he'd returned that night.

But Li Heng knew clearly: with Teacher Yu's intelligence, even without using her network, she could guess the truth.

Just as he finished his coffee and stood to leave, a voice came from behind: "Did Song Yu know that Xiao Han's mother came to Fudan?"

Li Heng turned, startled, to look at her.

Teacher Yu smiled strangely: "Young man, among all your beauties, only Mai Sui has a simple heart. The rest? You've got your hands full ahead of you."

Li Heng countered: "What about you?"

Teacher Yu's strange smile froze on her face; she stared at him, silent for a long while, then finally replied: "I'm your teacher."

"Oh… Teacher! Hello, Teacher! Teacher wouldn't want to become a student's wife, right?" Li Heng said, dragging out the "oh" as he walked downstairs.

Yu Shuheng squeezed her coffee cup tightly, then suddenly smiled warmly—she realized he knew exactly what she wanted.

He went downstairs, crossed the alley, and returned to his home.

At that moment, Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe were on the second-floor sofa, working on yarn balls and chatting.

Seeing him come up, Zhou Shihe immediately dropped her yarn, stood, and moved to leave.

Li Heng stopped her: "Comrade Shihe, am I really that terrifying? Do I eat people? Do you run away just seeing me?"

Zhou Shihe smiled lightly, ignored him, and walked past.

Seeing this, Mai Sui went to the attic, watched Zhou Shihe return to the neighboring Building 27, and only then relaxed when she saw her close both the courtyard gate and the house door.

Li Heng walked over to her and said: "Your sisterly bond is deep."

Mai Sui spoke softly: "Shihe is a good person."

Li Heng nodded, agreeing. So far, Miss Zhou had shown sharpness only toward Teacher Yu; toward her friends, she was always kind, humble, and approachable.

His gaze lingered on her face for a moment; Mai Sui asked gently: "Are you tired?"

Li Heng said: "I rested a bit—I'm much better now."

Mai Sui sat on the swing, motioning beside her: "Come sit with me."

Li Heng took two steps, then paused: "Should I turn off the living room lights?"

Mai Sui nodded.

Li Heng returned to the living room, turned off all the lights, then ran to the bedroom, grabbed a blanket, and came back to sit beside her, wrapping them both tightly in it.

For the first time on the attic like this, Mai Sui smiled sweetly, then made a bold move—she gently rested her head on his shoulder, lifting her eyes to gaze at him, lost in thought.

In the dim light, Li Heng read her eyes: I've missed you these past few days.

Li Heng's heart stirred; he reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer: "It snowed heavily in Beijing these past two days—I didn't expect to see stars in Shanghai."

Mai Sui asked: "Do you like stars?"

Stars?

Who doesn't like stars? As a child, they were brightest, most enchanting; as an adult, he found they'd lost their luster—dimmer, fewer than before.

That's when he understood: this was what it meant to say, "I wanted to buy osmanthus and carry wine, but nothing compares to youth's carefree days."

Recalling his childhood, his voice grew quieter: "When I was little, I loved lying on straw, counting stars—left hand holding a cold sweet potato, right hand pulling a strand of straw, utterly free."

Mai Sui's mind conjured a rustic scene; she asked: "Was your childhood hard?"

Li Heng answered: "At first, it was fine—my father had a job, we ate meat a few times a month."

"Then it got hard. My mother would haggle over a ten-cent tofu block; after buying it, she'd stir-fry it with a huge bowl of chili peppers—only green peppers visible, no tofu—but we still ate happily. Just one problem…"

Mai Sui blinked: "Don't tell me—let me guess."

She asked: "Did your older sister always bully you and steal your tofu?"

Li Heng lowered his head: "How did you know? Are you a worm in my stomach?"

Mai Sui smiled sweetly, curious: "Tell me about it."

Li Heng sighed, recalling painfully: "After every meal, I'd eat a few pieces of tofu, then she'd find some fake excuse to beat me up."

"She was so domineering—I was furious, but couldn't fight back. It drove me crazy."

Hearing this, Mai Sui's smile brightened, radiant as stars.

Suddenly, she wrapped both arms around his neck and kissed him—boldly, willingly.

ps: First draft, will revise later.

Already updated ten thousand characters. Today I hit a small writing block, so I spent the time organizing the later plotlines—hence the delayed update.

(End of chapter)