Chapter 565: What Happens in the Study Is Also a Joyful Thing

The two women drank another half cup of baijiu.

Then Bai Wanying looked at the drunken people and hesitated, asking: "Does Li Heng have a cleanliness obsession?"

Among these people, Li Heng's status was the most unusual, and Bai Wanying naturally cared most about him subconsciously.

Wei Xiaozhu said: "I heard Mai Sui say: he's usually quite clean, showers whenever he sweats, and takes a bath after coming home from a car ride."

Bai Wanying paused, then said: "Then he can't sleep on Zhang Bing's bed—it's not clean enough. Let him sleep in my room."

Wei Xiaozhu was startled. "Then where will you sleep?"

Bai Wanying said: "We also rented the second floor. Originally we only wanted one floor, but the landlord refused, saying we had to rent both or nothing. Could you help us lay out the beds later? The three of us girls will sleep upstairs."

They could have put Li Heng upstairs, but he was passed out, and Wei Xiaozhu alone couldn't carry him up, so this arrangement was necessary.

After great effort, they got Li Heng settled in Bai Wanying's bedroom, then Wei Xiaozhu carried Dai Qing and Bai Wanying upstairs.

As for Zhang Bing, the two women ignored him entirely, simply throwing a blanket over his back to keep him from catching a chill.

After bathing, Wei Xiaozhu half-jokingly said: "Aren't you being too biased? What if Zhang Bing wakes up and complains?"

Bai Wanying laughed. "Who else would he be but Li Heng? Besides, this is his house—he's the host, isn't he supposed to be casual?"

Zhang Bing didn't look fat, but he was heavy—solid muscle. Wei Xiaozhu had tried to help him earlier, but after one attempt, she gave up.

….

The night passed.

The next morning, Li Heng noticed the room's furnishings were distinctly feminine—he immediately realized this must be Bai Wanying's bedroom.

He didn't linger, got out of bed, put on his shoes, and neatly folded the blanket before leaving.

Around 6: 0 a. .

Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing came downstairs; the three exchanged glances and silently headed toward the school playground.

To go running—to put on a show for that "teacher."

At 6: 0, just as Wei Xiaozhu had said, the teacher appeared on the playground on time. Seeing Dai Qing and Li Heng, the school's star, laughing and running together, the teacher fell into thought, beginning to speculate on their relationship.

The teacher fully understood what the off-campus boss really wanted—it was merely an excuse to tutor the child; the real target was Dai Qing.

The teacher even understood the benefits the off-campus boss had promised: after Dai Qing graduated, she would be assigned to teach at a lower-tier university and then enter the bureaucracy.

The teacher deeply feared Li Heng, unable to discern their exact relationship, so he went to the basketball court and chatted with professors who often played with Li Heng. When he learned Dai Qing and Li Heng frequently exercised together, his heart sank—he realized he couldn't play mediator anymore; he had to back out.

He wasn't afraid of the ten thousand possibilities—he feared the one-in-a-million chance. If Li Heng interfered, he would not only lose his job, but the off-campus boss would also be humiliated.

Thinking this, the teacher absentmindedly swung on the parallel bar—and accidentally fell off headfirst, wrenching his neck. The pain was excruciating!

The teacher stayed on the playground for only twenty minutes before leaving.

Wei Xiaozhu, having observed everything, beamed: "Li Heng, your status really works—Qingqing doesn't have to live in fear anymore."

Dai Qing looked gratefully at Li Heng.

Li Heng analyzed: "We still can't let our guard down. You can casually hint at our friendship in the student union—have Mai Sui back you up. That should be enough."

Dai Qing said thanks: "Alright, thank you."

Li Heng waved his hand. "Our relationship doesn't need 'thank you.' Don't be so formal."

Wei Xiaozhu asked: "So, will you still come running in the mornings?"

Li Heng said: "Why ask that? I need to exercise too—I'll show up on time from now on. Let that teacher give up for good."

Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing exchanged glances, truly relieved for their friend.

In the days that followed, Li Heng ran with the two girls every morning and occasionally played basketball.

The results were excellent—he used to manage only thirteen laps, but after running with Dai Qing often, he gradually increased to fifteen, his endurance growing stronger.

Ever since the three of them began appearing together on the playground, the teacher with ill intentions vanished completely—he stopped coming for morning runs, claiming he'd changed locations.

…

"Li Heng, someone's looking for you."

December 26, just after the third class ended, Chen Guifen, as the Youth League branch secretary, came over to him.

Li Heng asked casually: "Who?"

Chen Guifen said: "Student Union chairperson, Senior He Xiao."

Hearing the name, he immediately knew why she was looking for him.

Then Chen Guifen handed him three letters: "Your mail."

Li Heng thanked her. The first letter was in Song Yu's handwriting—it lifted his spirits.

Outside the classroom, he finally met the new Student Union chairperson.

He was surprised—she wasn't tall, about the same height as Dai Qing, around 160 cm, with a delicate face but tasteful, stylish attire.

He Xiao had come to ask him to perform at the New Year's event. Worried he'd refuse, she brought Mai Sui along and even pulled in Zhou Shihe.

After explaining everything, He Xiao looked expectantly: "Great writer, it won't take much of your time—you and Shihe will perform first. If you don't want to stay long, you can come and go as you please after."

Since Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe were involved, he had to accept. Li Heng agreed readily: "Alright."

Hearing his agreement, He Xiao was delighted—she thought it had been wise to build a relationship with Mai Sui months in advance, and she felt a pang of envy toward her.

Later, He Xiao asked cautiously: "What about Teacher Yu…?"

Li Heng said: "I can't guarantee it. Teacher Yu is sometimes busy—she might not be on campus on New Year's Day. But I can ask her for you."

He Xiao said: "Thank you. Do you have time for lunch? I'd like to treat you all."

Li Heng glanced at Mai Sui, then Zhou Shihe, and said yes.

Upon receiving confirmation, He Xiao gracefully withdrew, leaving the three alone.

Li Heng asked: "Why have you been spending all your time in the library and classrooms lately?"

Mai Sui replied softly: "Maybe because home feels too familiar—when we study there, we can't focus. The library and classrooms have better atmosphere—we're much more efficient."

In his past life, Li Heng often went to the library—he felt nostalgic, and immediately said: "Try to save me a seat. I'll come find you when I have time."

Mai Sui remembered this.

Li Heng turned to Zhou Shihe: "Shihe, which piece should we perform?"

Zhou Shihe replied gently: "Either is fine. If Teacher Yu can't make it, 'The Rain's Mark' suits us best."

This matched Li Heng's own thought: "Alright."

Then Zhou Shihe asked him: "Teacher is holding a concert in Singapore on February 12—will you really have time then?"

Li Heng calculated the date: "That's the seventh day of the first lunar month?"

Zhou Shihe nodded lightly: "We need to arrive two or three days early to get familiar with the venue."

She added extra time because she feared Li Heng had never experienced such an event and might be overwhelmed.

She also worried he'd be busy during the New Year, so she brought it up early.

Li Heng paused briefly, then said: "The fifth. I'll meet you on the fifth, and we'll fly to Singapore together."

Zhou Shihe agreed.

On the way back to the classroom, Zhou Shihe asked Mai Sui: "Suisui, do you want to come too?"

Mai Sui was tempted but shook her head: "My family has many relatives visiting—I'm the only daughter, I can't leave."

She added: "I'm also worried about Grandpa—I want to spend more time with him."

Zhou Shihe had clearly heard Mai Sui's mother's remarks—her mother had told her daughter over the phone that Grandpa might not survive past seventy-two, meaning next spring.

Hearing this, Zhou Shihe understood completely and dropped the subject.

Lunch was paid for by He Xiao; the four of them reserved a private room at Lao Li Restaurant.

After three rounds of drinks, He Xiao asked Li Heng: "Are you and Dai Qing close?"

The implication was clear. Li Heng nodded: "Did someone ask you?"

He Xiao laughed, unguarded: "No. But someone took an interest in Dai Qing. When she refused, they turned to me—I threw an ink bottle at them."

Li Heng was stunned: "When did this happen?"

He Xiao said: "Just now. When I left the School of Management building, a teacher approached me and offered me a whole list of benefits."

Li Heng frowned.

He Xiao said: "I plan to get rid of this rotten apple."

Li Heng looked at her: "Need help?"

He Xiao said: "No. My family's been rooted in Shanghai for over a hundred years—we still have connections. This teacher underestimated me."

Li Heng relaxed. "Come on, let's drink—to your success."

He Xiao raised her cup, joking: "Wait for good news."

This senior was straightforward—delicate-looking but with a boyish personality. If she disliked someone, she showed it plainly, no games.

But Li Heng dared not underestimate her—how else could she have climbed to Student Union chairperson without skill and cunning?

Less than two days later, while running in the morning, Wei Xiaozhu brought news: the teacher had been expelled from Fudan University for embezzlement, bribery, and moral corruption.

Li Heng held out a fist toward Dai Qing: "This calls for celebration."

Dai Qing beamed, her worries gone entirely, and clenched her fist to bump his.

"That" teacher was gone.

Coincidentally, the professor couple from Building 24 also moved out—left Lushan Village for Jialing Village.

Among all Fudan faculty housing, Lushan Village ranked first, Xuhui Village second; the other villages and hamlets were clearly inferior.

Ye Ning pointed at the now-empty Building 24 and laughed loudly: "I told you—I'd have had enough of that shrew too! Too bad she didn't get kicked out of Fudan—Teacher Yu's too kind."

Sun Man held a different view: "Pfft! You don't get it. Moving from Lushan Village to Jialing Village? I'd rather quit Fudan than accept that—it's psychological annihilation."

Ye Ning leaned over between Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe to ask: "Li Heng, did Teacher Yu actually like you?"

Li Heng rolled his eyes: "What do you think?"

"I don't think it's likely—you and Sui sui show off your affection right under her nose every day. If I were Teacher Yu, I'd have broken you two up long ago," Ye Ning analyzed logically.

Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe exchanged a glance, then turned and walked back to the living room.

Li Heng ignored her too, going downstairs to the small house across the way, No. 25.

"Hey hey hey, don't leave!" Ye Ning called after him.

Li Heng left only his back.

Ye Ning asked Sun Manning: "Do you think Li Heng and Teacher Yu's relationship is clean?"

Sun Manning tilted her head, thinking deeply for a long time: "Probably not. Teacher-student romance is a major taboo. Someone as proud as Teacher Yu wouldn't make such a mistake."

Ye Ning voiced her only confusion: "Then why is she so good to Li Heng?"

Sun Manning shot back: "Then why are you so good to Li Heng?"

Ye Ning blurted out: "Because he's a strong man. Women are naturally drawn to strength."

Sun Manning said: "Teacher Yu is also a woman."

On the second floor, Li Heng immediately saw Teacher Yu sitting on the sofa discussing something with Liu Bei. He didn't go over, but turned and entered her study.

He didn't know when it started, but he now came and went freely in Teacher Yu's house.

Except for her master bedroom, he could go anywhere he wanted.

To this, Teacher Yu, as well as her subordinates Liu Bei, Ceng Yun, and Liu Ying, all treated it as normal—no one found it strange anymore.

Half an hour later, Teacher Yu dismissed Liu Bei and entered the study, asking: "Are you wondering about the small house next door, No. 24?"

Li Heng turned from leaning against the bookshelf. "Was that your doing?"

Teacher Yu didn't deny it. "A small punishment."

Li Heng asked: "What if they harbor resentment and do it again?"

Teacher Yu crossed her arms, squinted slightly, and spoke softly: "Little boy, the Teacher Yu in your eyes is the one lying in bed letting you misbehave. But out there, Teacher Yu eats meat too."

His gaze unconsciously swept over her full, rounded chest. Li Heng took two deep breaths, forcibly shifted his eyes, and spoke of the New Year's Eve performance.

Unsurprisingly, Teacher Yu refused outright.

She said: "On New Year's Day, I'm free in the morning, but in the afternoon I have to go home."

Every New Year's Day, the Yu family held a family dinner. No matter how far away, as long as it wasn't something critical that couldn't be left, everyone returned.

Hearing this, Li Heng didn't press further, and passed on Zhou Shihe's message: "On February 12th, Wu Yili will hold a concert in Singapore and has invited us. Zhou Shihe and I plan to meet on the morning of the 10th and go together. When are you free?"

Teacher Yu didn't respond immediately. She returned to the living room, flipped through her calendar and itinerary, then came back to the study and said:

"You and Shihe go ahead. I'll join you in Singapore on the 11th at noon."

Li Heng agreed.

Teacher Yu asked: "Should I help you get your passport, or—?"

Li Heng answered without hesitation: "I trust you, Teacher."

Teacher Yu smiled warmly, then closed the study door, drew the curtains, walked straight up to him, and gazed into his eyes with her deep gaze.

"Teacher, it's broad daylight," Li Heng reminded her.

Teacher Yu said nothing, still staring fixedly at him.

Seeing this, Li Heng reached out, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her.

Teacher Yu suddenly laughed, tilted her head away, avoiding his kiss.

Li Heng frowned: "What's with you?"

"Little man," Teacher Yu whispered in his ear, her breath sweet as orchid, "hug me."

Li Heng tightened his arms, pulled her close, embracing her fully.

For a moment, they were utterly intimate, breathing each other's scent, feeling each other's warmth, no gap between their bodies.

As time passed, Teacher Yu was suddenly pierced by an arrow through the clouds, collapsing helplessly against the bookshelf, her arms gripping his neck tightly, her head thrown back, her pale swan-like neck stretched to its limit, her long eyelashes trembling uncontrollably.

Long moments later, she let out a soft sigh, her face flushed, slowly opening her eyes to gaze tenderly at the man before her.

"Teacher."

"Call me Shuheng."

"Teacher."

"I want to chop off your piggy paws."

Li Heng lifted his right hand, admiring its clarity, then walked away with a swagger, humming cheerfully as he left the study.

Watching him disappear, Teacher Yu felt an inexplicable shame rise in her chest. She closed her eyes again slowly, savoring the warmth of that piggy paw.

Leaving No. 25, Li Heng found Miss Zhou pruning the winter plum blossoms in the courtyard.

It reminded him of the rows of winter plums Song Yu had planted in the Sihe courtyard in Xila Hutong.

He walked over unconsciously and asked: "Were these plum trees just delivered?"

"Mm," Zhou Shihe murmured, bending to trim the yellowing leaves, not looking up.

Li Heng watched for a while, then asked: "Are Mai Sui and the others rehearsing for the New Year's Eve show at Xianghui Hall?"

Zhou Shihe replied succinctly: "Yes."

Sensing she had little interest in talking to him, Li Heng didn't linger, returning to his own small house.

Hearing his footsteps fade, Zhou Shihe glanced at his back from the corner of her eye, then looked up at Teacher Yu's study, where the curtains were still drawn. She held her breath for two seconds, then lowered her head again, focused on the plum blossoms.

Back home, Li Heng washed his hands thoroughly, then entered the study and began reading books and academic materials.

About an hour later, he uncapped his fountain pen, opened the ink bottle, laid out his notebook, and picked up his pen to continue writing his new book, "Dust Settles."

Chapter 19: Tongue.

I was playing chess on the square before the official's compound.

The game was very simple. Extremely simple six-stone chess. You'd casually snap a branch, draw a grid on the ground, and pick up six small stones…

…

He wrote from morning until evening, working continuously for eight hours before stopping, completing six thousand characters.

He revised it three times, striving for perfection.

During this time, Zhou Shihe came by once, sent by Mai Sui with lunch. Seeing he hadn't left the study, she stayed a few minutes and left.

In the evening, Wang Ye arrived.

Mai Sui was still busy at Xianghui Hall. Zhou Shihe had taken her place here, leading Wang Ye inside and pouring her a cup of hot tea.

Later, she came to the study, peeking in: "Li Heng, Wang Ye is here."

Li Heng turned around: "Wang Ye? Isn't she in Jingcheng?"

Zhou Shihe replied gently: "She probably has something to ask you."

Li Heng reluctantly put down his pen and stood up.

Zhou Shihe stepped back two small steps from the doorway and asked: "You didn't eat lunch?"

Li Heng answered: "Oh, I forgot."

Zhou Shihe asked: "Are you hungry now? Should I reheat your lunch?"

Li Heng suddenly stopped, turning to fix his gaze on her clear, bright black-and-white eyes. He spoke without thinking: "I don't want leftovers. I want Liangxi crispy eel and winter bamboo shoots. I want your cooking." After speaking, he paused, realizing he'd been presumptuous.

But it was said now—he couldn't take it back.

Then he walked away, heading toward Wang Ye.

Zhou Shihe watched him silently, standing still for a long while before finally moving downstairs.

As she passed the ginkgo tree in the courtyard, which had been dead for half a year, she paused—unprecedentedly—staring at it for several long moments.

She had just wanted to snap at him: I'm not Xiao Han, not Mai Sui, not Teacher Yu—I'm not your girlfriend, not your maid. Why should I cook for you?

At this thought, she glanced up at Teacher Yu's study, where the curtains still hadn't been drawn. Her delicate lips pursed slightly, then she stepped lightly away from No. 26, walking along the blue stone path toward the market.

A little thirsty, Li Heng poured himself a cup of hot tea and sat across from Wang Ye on the sofa. "When did you arrive?"

Wang Ye said: "I was inspecting the branch in Yangcheng yesterday. I landed in Hushi this morning and just came from Xuhui."

The Hushi branch was in Xuhui, directly across from Tongji University.

Li Heng asked: "Have you had dinner?"

Wang Ye nodded: "I ate on the way."

She pulled a stack of documents from her pocket and placed them before him: "These are the financial statements for the schools in Jingcheng, Tianjin, Yangcheng, and Hushi. Boss, please review them."

When it came to money, Li Heng didn't hold back—he dared not be careless. He set down his cup and began examining the reports.

Wang Ye crossed her arms over her knees, her gaze initially elsewhere. Only when Li Heng became fully absorbed in the financial statements did her eyes secretly drift to him—up and down, back and forth, quietly sizing him up.

Over the next five years, if New Future's annual profit exceeds 500 million or a billion, could I ever lie on Mr. Li's bed? Could this man overpower me?

As her thoughts grew chaotic, her gaze turned sharp as a blade. Her legs unconsciously pressed together, tighter, then tighter still…

At one moment, Li Heng glanced up casually.

Wang Ye's face remained calm, but inside she was startled. She quickly looked away, fixing her eyes on her tea, sipping slowly, forcing down those inappropriate thoughts.

After sixteen or seventeen minutes, Li Heng put down the financial report: "The second-phase tuition income is 26. 98 million."

Wang Ye replied: "Yes, Mr. Li."

Li Heng said happily: "That's a hundred thousand more than you expected. Excellent."

Seeing him pleased, Wang Ye smiled and nodded.

Li Heng asked: "Have you sent teams to Shenyang, Jinan, Xiamen, Wuhan, Shudou, and Xi'an?"

At the mention of business, Wang Ye instantly grew serious: "Teams have been sent. One team of three to each location—one lead, two assistants. I personally lead mobile inspections and audits of progress across all sites."

Li Heng asked: "Which location is progressing fastest?"

Wang Ye pulled another stack of documents from her bag: "Here's the summary of progress. Wuhan and Xiamen are leading—they've already secured locations and contacted university faculty."

Li Heng first reviewed the documents from Wuhan and Xiamen, then praised: "Strong general, no weak soldiers. Excellent."

After gaining a general understanding of the six locations, Li Heng asked: "Why wasn't Nanjing considered earlier? The economy here is relatively stronger, and there are more schools."

Wang Ye offered her view: "Too dense. Nanjing is too close to Shanghai. Besides, my manpower is limited, the management structure isn't fully mature, and my energy is finite—we can only start with a broad national layout."

"In the next phase, I'll make Nanjing, Hangcheng, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Harbin, Hefei, and Shijiazhuang the key targets…"

Hearing her outline each stage's progress and intentions, Li Heng nodded repeatedly, then brought up another matter: "You've been working for months now—you've got a basic grasp of the domestic situation. What are your thoughts on salary and benefits?"

Wang Ye kept her eyes down, lips sealed, for a full three minutes before speaking: "I don't want a salary. I want equity."

Li Heng wasn't surprised. He agreed readily: "Fine. How much?"

Wang Ye pulled out a pen, wrote a number on paper, and handed it to him.

Li Heng took it and looked: 8%.

Wang Ye said: "When New Future's annual profit exceeds 300 million, I want this percentage. Before then, I take nothing—no salary, no bonus, no dividends."

Li Heng smiled: "You're essentially funding this job."

Wang Ye was supremely confident: "I'm certain."

Eight percent wasn't a random guess—it was a figure she'd weighed carefully.

She'd originally wanted more—12%—but considered that future management would include many others; if she took 12%, their shares would be negligible, harming the company overall, so she reduced it to 10%.

Then she lowered it further—to 8%.

This concession was her quiet fantasy of one day lying in his bed.

Of course, even if she never succeeded in winning him, 8% equity was still plenty—enough to secure her financial freedom.

Well, her bank balance was already substantial; if she lived frugally, she could live comfortably for life.

But who doesn't want a better life?

With equity agreed upon, Wang Ye brought up her final matter.

She pulled a set of books from a bag at her feet and placed them on the coffee table: "These were entrusted to me by Mr. Cha to deliver to you—the latest revised editions of 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' 'The Return of the Condor Heroes,' and 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.' Mr. Cha said that if you have time, please review them. Any valuable feedback would be even better."

Then she took an amber-colored envelope from her handbag: "This is also a letter from Mr. Cha to you."

Li Heng took the letter, opened it in front of her, read it, then said: "No problem."

Wang Ye checked her wristwatch, stood up, and said: "I have other commitments. I'll be going now."

Li Heng urged: "It's nearly dark. Why not stay the night? Leave tomorrow morning."

Wang Ye declined: "I've already made plans with Li Ran. I can't break them."

Hearing this, Li Heng said nothing more and personally saw her to the school gate.

To his surprise, a taxi was waiting for her. Clearly, this woman didn't mind spending money—she'd made a taxi wait that long.

"Mr. Li, please don't see me off. Until next time," Wang Ye said from inside the car.

In public, she habitually called him Mr. Li.

In private, sometimes she preferred to call him boss.

Li Heng stood by the roadside until the car drove off, then turned and walked back into the campus.

At that moment, a group of girls emerged from inside, chatting softly.

One girl said: "The new noodle shop is amazing. I had a pork rib noodle bowl this morning—spicy, numbing, fragrant. I drank every drop of broth."

Another girl threatened: "Don't exaggerate. Lying'll kill you. If it's not good, you won't sleep tonight."

A third girl asked: "Do they have wonton?"

The first girl replied: "Su Su, they have wonton—your favorite."

The girls suddenly fell silent. They subtly poked each other—she poked me, I poked her, she poked another—then all turned in unison toward Li Heng as he entered the gate.

They stared at him.

Li Heng saw the students and recognized one: Luo Su, the famous name from the Law School.

The last time he'd seen Luo Su, Tang Ling had pointed her out from afar—he hadn't seen her clearly.

This time, up close, he saw her clearly.

Luo Su lived up to her name—simple, plain. They say true beauty is natural beauty.

Based on his experience and judgment, in a few years, Luo Su's talent would surpass He Qian of History and Chen Ru of the Foreign Languages School.

Perhaps even Huang Ziyue wouldn't match this girl's charm.

She was the type who grew more beautiful the longer you looked.

Seeing Li Heng look over, the four girls, unable to hide, all called out together: "Senior."

Li Heng smiled and nodded, then, on a whim, asked: "Where's this noodle shop you mentioned?"

The first girl answered: "Next to Old Li's Restaurant."

Li Heng asked: "What's its name?"

The girl replied: "Chunhua Noodle Shop."

Of course!

It was Liu Chunhua's—just hearing "spicy, numbing, fragrant," he'd thought of those two clueless spouses.

But the shop opened, and they didn't even tell him?

That's just plain rude!

Li Heng asked his final question: "When did it open? Do you know?"

The girl said: "This morning."

Li Heng nodded, thanked her, and walked past.

As soon as he passed, the four girls erupted.

One said: "Last time I couldn't see clearly, but now I finally saw his face—so handsome!"

Another said: "His aura is incredible."

The third said: "I'm doomed—I've fallen in love."

The three turned to Luo Su, waiting for her to respond.

Luo Su said: "Stop being silly. Haven't you heard the rumors? Sister Mai Sui is his romantic interest."

Thinking of Mai Sui—like Su Daji reborn—the girls' excitement vanished. They were doused in cold water, suddenly uninterested, grumbling: How can people be so different? We're the same species!

Back at Lushan Village, Li Heng walked in and smelled the scent of twice-cooked pork.

The aroma stirred his hunger. He went to the kitchen and asked: "Shihe, when's dinner ready? I'm about to faint from hunger."

Zhou Shihe had just added garlic greens, stir-fried a few times, then turned slightly, handed him a pair of chopsticks, and signaled him to taste the pork's saltiness.

Oh, such a lucky task—he couldn't wait.

He grabbed a piece of fatty pork, put it in his mouth—delicious, fragrant, full of meat flavor.

He grabbed another—his tongue curled in delight. Still delicious.

Watching him take four pieces in a row, Zhou Shihe snatched the spatula and knocked his chopsticks away, then began plating the dish.

Li Heng chuckled awkwardly, making small talk: "The flavor's so perfect, I forgot to ask—how's the salt?"

Zhou Shihe stared at the dish, silent.

Li Heng asked: "How many more dishes to cook?"

Zhou Shihe replied gently: "Two."

Li Heng lifted the lid of the warming steamer and peered inside—saw lamb with winter bamboo shoots, four-joy meatballs, small fish and shrimp—and asked: "What's the occasion? So many dishes—all my favorites."

Zhou Shihe didn't turn: "I want to eat."

Fine. That reason was powerful—it shut him up.

Seeing his eyes linger on the steamer's contents, Zhou Shihe slammed the lid shut with her spatula.

Li Heng turned to her: "Hey! Who upset you? Why are you so irritable today?"

Zhou Shihe smiled sweetly: "Wash your hands."

Li Heng looked at his right hand, then his left, then immediately ran to the faucet and washed them.

He asked: "When will Mai Sui and the others be back?"

Looking out the window at the darkening sky, Zhou Shihe said: "They should be back soon."

Then she asked: "Do you want to invite Professor Yu over?"

Li Heng glanced at her.

Zhou Shihe explained: "The pure music album topped the Billboard charts—that's a major event. Let's celebrate."

It truly was a major event—hadn't every domestic media outlet gone mad these past few days?

Obsessively reporting on it daily.

Even CCTV devoted special time to analyzing it—this meant official recognition.

Overnight, their fame soared to a level ordinary people could never reach.

Now many foreign media outlets were launching investigations—trying to uncover what Li Heng, Zhou Shihe, and Yu Shuheng actually looked like, who they really were. They were drawing huge international attention.

Even more interestingly, foreign music legends began performing tracks from the album in public—further expanding their influence.

In short, the three hadn't even left the country yet, but they'd already gone viral overseas!

Rarely had he seen Miss Zhou so thoughtful. Li Heng immediately agreed and stepped out of the kitchen.

But as soon as he reached Building 25, he regretted coming. Inside were two groups: Xu Suyun's parents, and Shen Xin and her husband.

Hearing footsteps at the corridor entrance, everyone in the living room turned to look.

Suddenly met with so many eyes, Li Heng froze—but couldn't retreat. He forced a greeting: "Auntie Shen, Professor Yu, Sister Xu…"

Shen Xin was delighted to see him. She immediately nudged her husband: "Move over a bit—your son-in-law's here."

Li Heng: "…"

Yu's father: "…"

Yu Shuheng: "…"

The Xu family, however, grew even more curious, secretly sizing up the famous writer who frequently dominated newspaper headlines.

Now, he was no longer just a great writer—he had swept both domestic and international charts with a purely instrumental album, truly earning the title "Legendary Musician."

If earlier the media's calling him a "Legendary Musician" had carried some exaggeration and embellishment, now no one dared question it.

If you doubt it, go release an album that tops the UK music charts and see what happens.

If you've got the ability, try getting your album to dominate the Billboard charts for four weeks.

It's not that we're blowing Li Heng's horn—he's just that extraordinary. This was what a well-known writer from Wanwan openly stated in a media interview.

It made the newspapers and caused a sensation.

Shen Xin pulled Li Heng down to sit, poured him a cup of tea, and asked, "Were you writing just now?"

Li Heng thanked her: "I was just chatting with my little cousin."

He didn't know when these two groups had arrived, so he chose to be honest, avoiding any slip-ups, and called out to Yu's father: "Uncle."

Though they had long known each other through their writings, this was their first real-life meeting. Yu's father smiled calmly and said nothing more.

But Shen Xin adored Li Heng—since he arrived, everyone else fell silent, and the two of them chatted idly.

It was Yu Shuheng who finally interrupted them, asking Li Heng: "Did you come to see Teacher for something?"

Shen Xin interjected: "What teacher? Just call her Shuheng at home."

Recalling the scene earlier in the study, Yu Shuheng thought: this young boy probably prefers her as his teacher.

Li Heng ignored Shen Xin's remark and explained his purpose.

Yu Shuheng listened, then shook her head: "If you'd come a bit earlier, Su Yun and I would've already left. I've already reserved a table at the hotel."

The implication was clear: there were too many people here—nine already—and the food wouldn't be enough if they went over. There wasn't time to prepare more.

Li Heng understood, but felt awkward leaving—Shen Aunt was simply too warm, still holding his wrist.

Yu Shuheng seemed to read his thoughts and reached out to pull him up: "Come with me. I have something to tell you."

The two walked one after the other toward the stairwell and descended.

The eight people left in the living room exchanged glances.

Once they were gone, Xu Su Yun's mother asked Shen Xin curiously: "Rumor has it Shuheng will marry Li Heng right after graduation?"

Shen Xin clapped her hands and sighed: "False rumor."

"Oh?" Xu's mother said.

Shen Xin plopped onto the sofa: "My daughter's just like her father—has a stubborn, wooden head. Not cut out for big things."

Yu's father: "…"

Xu's mother, being sharp, instantly understood: "He's in high demand?"

Shen Xin said: "A young man like this is in demand anywhere."

Hearing this, Xu's mother realized the situation was complicated and wisely held off asking more.

Downstairs.

Yu Shuheng released his arm and said: "Contact your senior brother as soon as possible. Get him to come back."

Li Heng lowered his voice: "Is it that serious?"

Yu Shuheng nodded: "Su Yun's mother has a fiery temper—she already slapped Su Yun twice. If you hadn't stepped in just now, the atmosphere wouldn't have calmed down."

After a pause, she added: "Try subtly probing Old Man Ba—see if you can get him to intervene."

Li Heng hesitated: "Will that work with a family like this?"

Yu Shuheng replied: "Old Man Ba's reputation extends beyond the literary circle. Unless it involves life-or-death interests, everyone gives him some face."

Li Heng said: "Alright, I'll call Xiao Lin first and ask for her opinion."

Yu Shuheng thought for a moment, then agreed: "Good idea. Go ahead."

"Alright."

Leaving the No. 25 villa, Li Heng rushed straight back to the kitchen: "Shihe, may I use your phone?"

Seeing his urgency, Zhou Shihe didn't hesitate and pulled out her keys, handing them over.

Li Heng took the keys: "Perfect—your last set's still in the study. I didn't feel like going upstairs to get it."

PS: Posted first, will revise later.

Already updated ten thousand characters. (Feeling unwell, took a nap, late update—sorry.)

(End of chapter)