Chapter 563: She Was Completely Lost in the World of the Book

…

By the fifth chapter, Yu Shuheng suddenly narrowed her eyes and picked up a broken half-strand of hair from between the pages, about two finger-lengths long.

Under the electric light, she carefully examined the hair's color and luster, then ruled out Mai Sui, Sun Manning, and Ye Ning.

This was Zhou Shihe's hair.

Mai Sui and Xiao Han's hair isn't this black.

Sun Manning's hair has a slight yellow tint.

Ye Ning's hair has distinct personal traits—slightly curly, I heard she had it permed to imitate her cousin Ye Zhanyan.

Having narrowed it down, Yu Shuheng remembered the promise the little man had made her: he would let her be his first reader.

For this, she had prepared herself mentally: proximity grants advantage; Mai Sui might be the first reader.

But she hadn't expected Zhou Shihe to be ahead of her.

Still, once she considered his hidden affection for Zhou Shihe, it didn't seem surprising at all.

The question was, she wondered: was this hair accidentally left behind—or deliberately placed?

If accidental, then nothing to say—women lose hair sometimes, it happens.

If deliberate, then it was clearly aimed at her.

Based on her analysis of Zhou Shihe's character: if one day Li Heng made a bold move to court Zhou Shihe and succeeded, only then might she interfere with other women; if he failed, Zhou Shihe would never meddle in his personal affairs.

Yu Shuheng placed the hair back into the page crevice and continued reading.

But two minutes later, she went back, found the hair, and tossed it into the trash bin.

She knew well she wouldn't be the last reader—Xiao Han would read it, others would too; no need to make him uncomfortable.

Her stance on love was clear now: compete openly, no behind-the-scenes tricks.

Even if she lost to Zhou Shihe or Song Yu, she'd accept it willingly, blaming only herself for falling short.

At dawn, after finishing everything, Li Heng walked through the study—he didn't read or write, saw his teacher lost in the book and too absorbed to notice him, and simply returned to his bedroom.

Went to bed and slept.

…

The next day.

As soon as it was light, he jumped out of bed and went to the playground to run.

He thought he was early, but Dai Qing and Wei Xiaozhu were even earlier.

Li Heng caught up with them in one breath and asked: "How many laps have you done?"

Wei Xiaozhu said: "This is the fourth lap."

Li Heng asked: "How many laps are you planning today?"

Wei Xiaozhu replied: "After this one, four more."

Li Heng said: "You still run eight laps every day without fail."

Wei Xiaozhu smiled and nodded: "Not bad—3, 00 meters."

Indeed, it was a lot. Li Heng chatted idly with the girl, and time passed quickly.

When they finished the eighth lap, Wei Xiaozhu stepped out of the running group and went to rest on the steps, leaving only Dai Qing and Li Heng.

Li Heng was in a good mood today and made small talk: "Hey, Dai Qing, why aren't you talking? Did I forget to check my reflection this morning and look scary?"

Hearing this, Dai Qing beamed: "No. Everyone says you love beautiful girls most—Xiaozhu is prettier than me, I wouldn't ruin your mood."

Li Heng grimaced: "Who the hell spread that rumor?"

Dai Qing said: "Many girls are talking about it."

Li Heng was speechless: "I'm innocent! Look, I don't constantly hang around Xiaozhu, do I?"

Dai Qing gave him no mercy: "That's because you've got several beautiful girls around you—you can't keep up."

Li Heng looked up, then shamelessly asked: "Do you think I'm that promiscuous?"

Dai Qing pondered the definition of "promiscuous"—with his status, he'd only ever been entangled with Xiao Han and Mai Sui—"Not bad."

Li Heng chuckled: "Those three words are decent—you and I can still be friends."

Dai Qing forced a smile, then struggled internally and said: "I have something I want to ask you—I'd like your advice."

Li Heng asked: "What's the issue?"

Dai Qing said: "A few days ago, I gave a speech on behalf of Fudan University. Someone afterward contacted me through a professor, wanting to hire me as a private tutor for his child. Should I refuse?"

Hearing this, Li Heng dropped his joking tone and asked seriously: "If it's troubling you this much, is this guy some big boss?"

Dai Qing blinked, then realized: "Sort of—a mid-level boss."

Li Heng asked: "Do you want to refuse?"

Dai Qing said: "I do. But I'm afraid I'm overthinking, too suspicious."

As a seasoned veteran, Li Heng understood instantly: "The professor who contacted you—is he usually kind to you?"

Dai Qing sighed: "Exactly. That's why I couldn't just turn him down to his face."

Li Heng said: "Tell me about your speech—describe the man's demeanor in the audience."

Dai Qing recounted the entire speech, then added irritably: "While I was speaking, he kept staring at me—it made me extremely uncomfortable."

Li Heng gave his advice: "Refuse."

Hearing "refuse," Dai Qing's hesitation vanished instantly: "Alright."

Then Li Heng connected the dots: "Will this affect your position as vice-chair of the student union?"

Dai Qing's inner conflict lifted; she smiled: "If I get to keep it, fine. If not, let someone else have it. If they push me too far, I'll just pour cold water on them."

Li Heng gave a thumbs-up: "Good! We're top students—we need this kind of guts."

When he reached the thirteenth lap, he was nearly done, so after asking Dai Qing the man's name, he stepped out.

He asked: "How many more laps do you have?"

Dai Qing said: "One more."

Li Heng turned toward Wei Xiaozhu on the steps.

Seeing him drenched in sweat, Wei Xiaozhu picked up a thermos: "Want some?"

Li Heng didn't refuse—he uncapped it and drank several gulps from afar.

When he stopped drinking, Wei Xiaozhu asked: "Did Dai Qing just talk to you about her troubles?"

Li Heng said: "Yes."

Wei Xiaozhu asked: "What advice did you give her?"

Li Heng turned his head: "Are you two deliberately waiting for me today?"

Wei Xiaozhu beamed: "Yes. You know she's secretly in love with you—her heart cares most about your opinion, and your words carry the most weight. So I had her ask you."

Li Heng handed back the thermos: "Let me guess—Dai Qing hesitates because she's afraid of offending someone who could mess up her graduation assignment?"

Wei Xiaozhu took the thermos: "Exactly. We've worked hard for years, fought through five gates and six passes, barely got into a good school—our post-graduation assignment affects our entire future. Anyone would be torn."

Before he could reply, Wei Xiaozhu added: "By the way, Li Heng, from now on, let's run with you every day."

Li Heng understood instantly: "That professor likes running too?"

Wei Xiaozhu scanned the playground: "He was here just now for morning exercise—he's gone now."

Li Heng asked: "What time does he usually come to the playground?"

Wei Xiaozhu said: "Around 6: 0—earlier in summer."

Li Heng said: "Then let's meet here at the same time from now on."

Wei Xiaozhu agreed: "I'll thank Dai Qing for you."

Li Heng waved casually: "Don't bother—we're friends. A small favor doesn't need thanks. If things get tough and Dai Qing can't bring herself to ask, just come find me privately."

Wei Xiaozhu pulled out two pieces of dark chocolate from her pocket and handed him one: "These chocolates were given to me by Suisui—I don't know how else to thank you, so here's one. Don't refuse."

Li Heng laughed bitterly—his own woman's gift had circled back to his mouth.

Was this fate?

…

Back from the playground, Li Heng showered, changed into new clothes bought by Mai Sui, and began breakfast.

Mai Sui placed the tofu pudding before him, eyes sparkling: "Looks good."

Li Heng asked: "Do you mean I look good—or the clothes?"

Mai Sui said: "The clothes."

Li Heng immediately scowled: "You bought me these clothes—aren't you just praising your own good taste?"

Mai Sui smiled sweetly and sat beside him: "You do look good in them. Can't I praise myself?"

Li Heng nodded vigorously: "Of course—you're Mai Sui. You can do anything."

"Pfft! So disgusting. I'm just eating breakfast and forced to watch you two flaunt your love!" Sun Manning couldn't take it anymore and launched into a rant.

Ye Ning chimed in dramatically: "Exactly! You flaunt your love every day—can't you consider the feelings of us three single guys?

Can we even keep living like this? If not, just break up. What do you think, Shihe?"

Zhou Shihe smiled knowingly and stayed silent. This was nothing—she'd seen far wilder scenes and was used to it.

Sun Manning suddenly asked: "Li Heng, did Professor Yu spend the night at your place last night?"

At this, all four girls turned to stare at him.

Li Heng countered: "What? What's that look for? Professor Yu has stayed here before—it's not new. Last night she was reading your new book, Dust Settles, in the study. I didn't even know when she slept. I was already asleep."

Sun Manning shook her chopsticks: "This morning, the four of us went to buy breakfast and accidentally overheard two neighbors gossiping behind our backs—they said you and Professor Yu are in a teacher-student romance, and that she left your place this morning."

Li Heng frowned: "The new neighbors?"

It could only be him. All other professors and teachers from Lushan Village long knew how close the two were, and they also knew the background of Teacher Yu's family—they wouldn't be so foolish as to speak out publicly.

Ye Ning said bluntly: "Exactly! Only Building No. 24 can keep track of your every move at any time."

That female teacher looked respectable, but turns out she's such a gossip. I chimed in once.

Li Heng asked: "What did you say?"

Ye Ning, still angry, replied: "I told the old lady next door: 'Oh my, you're a professor? You've got no brains at all. Why don't you go ask around? No one else speaks ill of Teacher Yu—only you dare to!'"

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(End of chapter)