Chapter 569: Thrilling and Exciting! (Please Subscribe!)

Mai Sui cautiously peeked out from the hallway entrance: "Has Teacher Yu left?"

Li Heng nodded. "He's gone. Let's go get breakfast."

Mai Sui thought for a moment, returned to the second floor, went to the balcony, and swiftly moved both pairs of underwear to the back balcony.

It had been too cold last night, and she hadn't thought much of it, assuming Teacher Yu wasn't home anyway, so she'd hung them out carelessly.

As for whether Shihe and the others might notice something odd, she no longer cared much—they all knew full well what was going on.

Li Heng stood in the center of the alley, watching it all with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

He thought: Comrade Mai Sui, comrade Mai Sui, you're too late—Teacher Yu already saw right through it all.

Yu Shuheng returned home and found the clothes and pants on the opposite balcony gone; she smiled, sighing that Mai Sui was still rather pure. If it had been Xiao Han, she'd probably have wished for exactly this.

As the two stepped out, they happened to meet Zhou Shihe and her aunt also leaving.

The four met, exchanged pleasantries, then headed together toward Chunhua Noodle Shop.

The aunt asked Mai Sui: "When are you and Li Heng heading back? Have you bought your train tickets? Should I buy them for you?"

Mai Sui glanced at Li Heng, signaling he should decide.

Li Heng replied: "Thank you, Auntie. We're leaving on the 18th. As for tickets, we'll see then—might take a flight."

The Zhou family aunt knew about Yu Shuheng's existence, so she said no more and followed the three into the noodle shop.

After finally finding seats, Li Heng called out: "Sister Chunhua, two beef noodle bowls—one extra spicy, one medium spicy—and…"

He winked at Zhou Shihe.

Zhou Shihe understood: "One pork rib noodle bowl, lightly spicy; one clear soup wonton."

Liu Chunhua noted it down and got to work.

The Zhou family aunt looked around: "This is a new noodle shop, right? Why's it so busy?"

Zhou Shihe said: "Mainly because the taste is good."

"Oh, if you say the taste is good, it must be excellent—then I'll have to try it properly today." The aunt had a good sense of her eldest niece's standards; she was usually particular and rarely impressed by ordinary food.

The noodles and wontons arrived.

The aunt lowered her head, ate a wonton, then took a sip of broth—and was instantly won over. "This broth is delicious. The flavor really is excellent."

Then she turned to the pork rib noodles floating with a layer of red oil: "Shihe, when did you start eating spicy food?"

Zhou Shihe replied: "After spending so much time with Suisui and the others, I slowly learned to like it."

As the four chatted while eating breakfast, Principal Sun walked in and clapped Li Heng on the shoulder.

Li Heng turned his head, surprised: "Principal, what are you doing here?"

Principal Sun said with meaning: "Ziyue kept raving about how good this breakfast spot is, so I came to try it."

Beside Zhou Shihe and Mai Sui, they both called out: "Principal."

Principal Sun glanced at Mai Sui, then at Zhou Shihe, nodded with a smile, studied Mai Sui more closely, and finally asked Li Heng: "Do you drink morning liquor?"

Li Heng shook his head: "Morning liquor? I've heard of it, never tried it."

Principal Sun magically pulled out a bottle of Fenjiu from his pocket: "Want to have a sip together?"

Li Heng replied instantly: "I have class today?"

Principal Sun grinned mischievously: "From what I know, your last class this semester was last Friday. Didn't you skip again?"

Li Heng blushed: "I wanted to go to the library to read and review my lessons."

Principal Sun patted his shoulder again: "If you say you're writing, I'll turn right around and leave."

Fine, no choice—Li Heng moved his seat slightly, brought over two cups, and ordered the principal a bowl of beef noodles.

Principal Sun asked the other three at the table: "Want to join in a drink?"

Li Heng stopped him: "No, just ruin me alone—don't drag these young ladies into it."

Principal Sun chuckled and began coaxing him into drinking, one sip after another, one cup after another.

By the time Mai Sui and the others finished and left, the two were still drinking.

When the surroundings grew empty, Li Heng lowered his voice: "Spit it out, Principal—did you come here for a reason?"

Principal Sun scanned the area, his expression growing more serious: "Is Ziyue chasing you?"

Li Heng, already slightly drunk, spoke with newfound boldness: "Don't worry—she won't catch me."

Principal Sun frowned: "What's that supposed to mean? Are you gold-plated? Not good enough for her?"

Li Heng was speechless.

Wasn't this just proof of that old saying: I can say whatever I want about my own alma mater, but outsiders can't?

Or else just deny me outright.

He'd already experienced this old man's irreverence last time on the grass; hearing that slightly rough "what's that supposed to mean?" didn't surprise him at all.

Li Heng spun his wine cup: "Look, you're getting worked up again. If I said I was interested, you'd be even more frantic. Isn't that putting me in a bind? So tell me—should I be interested, or shouldn't I?"

He tossed the sticky problem right back with a little flippant charm.

Principal Sun was nearly dizzy from the circular logic and gave up, weighing it carefully: "Better not be interested."

Li Heng said: "Then there you go. Honestly, your precious girl doesn't know how to chase a man—every time she comes after me, she drags your name out: 'Grandpa said he's treating you to dinner,' 'Grandpa wants us together'…"

"Bullshit!" Principal Sun snapped.

Li Heng lifted his head, grinning at him.

Principal Sun pointed a finger at him, then laughed: "You little rascal, full of tricks—you made me swear. Fine, I haven't cursed in years. Feels good!"

With that, the old man and the young man clinked glasses and drank again, enjoying themselves.

After finishing the glass, Principal Sun beamed: "Can you still drink?"

Li Heng replied: "A bit dizzy."

Principal Sun instantly switched to a look of disdain: "Drink. I'll send a girl over to take care of you later."

Li Heng asked: "Who? Don't send me anyone ugly."

Just then, Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing walked in. Principal Sun said: "These two are close to you."

Li Heng glanced back and said: "Stop always watching me so closely."

Principal Sun corrected him: "I'm being curious."

Li Heng: "..."

Principal Sun chuckled: "There aren't many things left in this world that excite me—your gossip is one of my favorite side dishes."

Then he suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice: "Yesterday I got on the phone with the Peking University president and cursed him out—he told me your girlfriend's at Peking University. He said after your undergrad, he's dragging you there for grad school and a PhD. That nearly drove me mad."

The old man's eyes gleamed with curiosity: "Do you have a girlfriend at Peking University too?"

"Shh!"

Li Heng held up his middle finger to his lips: "Keep it down—this isn't the place."

Principal Sun pressed: "Is there or isn't there?"

By now, Li Heng had already prepared himself. He wore a "what can you do?" expression: "In your eyes, I'm probably already a total scoundrel—not a decent man at all. Besides, I'm a writer. Having a few close female friends isn't exactly shocking, is it?"

Principal Sun laughed: "Hah! At least you have some self-awareness. Aren't you afraid this gets back to Fudan?"

Li Heng sighed: "It's bound to happen someday. Right now, Teacher Yu's spreading rumors up in Beijing to muddy the waters. Honestly, the longer I can delay, the better."

Principal Sun sneered: "Sounds like you're the victim here."

Li Heng stayed silent.

Principal Sun stared at him for a long while, then finally said with gravity: "If you want to settle down peacefully in this life, Teacher Yu is the best match for you."

The implication: If you want to protect your reputation, marry Teacher Yu—her family has the power to smooth over any scandal.

Principal Sun gave this advice because he was friends with Shen Xin, who deeply liked this troublemaker; otherwise, he wouldn't have spoken up.

Of course, for a family like hers, with Li Heng's current status, having a few romantic attachments isn't a major issue—just a minor moral flaw. Besides, he's a writer, an internationally renowned musician—his emotions run deeper than most, and that's understandable, even somewhat forgivable.

After all, writers and musicians live off deep emotion and inspiration—that's one reason why those in these fields have always been more romantic, across time and cultures.

There's an old saying: Every time a writer falls in love, his inspiration surges. If he clings to just one love, his creative well likely dries up.

Principal Sun said this because he could see this boy was undeniably talented, but also shamelessly flirtatious—beautiful women kept clinging to him, and he didn't seem in any hurry to marry Teacher Yu.

For once, Li Heng didn't immediately refute the old man's advice—he changed the subject: "Are you here to drink with me, or to push me into marriage?"

Principal Sun said: "Both."

Li Heng asked: "Were you certain I'd come here for breakfast?"

Principal Sun said: "Not certain—but you are a man of feeling and loyalty."

Li Heng joked: "Wow! High praise. How about I take Huang Ziyue off your hands?"

Principal Sun exploded, tapping the table with his finger: "If you so much as touch her, I'll tear my own bones apart before letting you off easy."

Li Heng raised an eyebrow: "Then you better keep an eye on her—what if she uses some trick to seduce me?"

Principal Sun was speechless.

If he could control that mischievous granddaughter, why would he come here threatening you?

Besides, he could see this boy wasn't intimidated at all.

Even if he tried, with Yu Shuheng around, he could only put on a show—he couldn't truly break ties.

Before leaving in a huff, Principal Sun grumbled: "Don't get cocky. After your exams, we'll settle this again."

"Settle this again" meant another drinking match.

Li Heng grinned: "After the exams, I'm leaving."

Principal Sun said: "Fine, after the New Year works too."

Li Heng replied: "After the New Year, I'm off to Peking University."

Principal Sun stood, hands behind his back: "You can run, but you can't hide from your temple."

Principal Sun implied: Teacher Yu is here, your red beauty Mai Sui is at Fudan, and your official girlfriend Xiao Han is in Hushi—you hold all three trump cards, so I dare say you won't dare fly to Peking University.

Principal Sun left.

Li Heng stumbled over to pay the bill; Liu Chunhua wanted to refuse his money, but after meeting his gaze, she said nothing.

She realized: if she didn't take Li Heng's money, he probably wouldn't come back. That would be a heavy blow to the pink noodle shop's business.

As Liu Chunhua took the money, she thought: I'll have to make up for it in other ways later.

Li Heng subtly gestured toward the table by the door where Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing sat. "Their bill too."

Liu Chunhua understood.

Li Heng asked: "How's Lao Yong doing?"

Liu Chunhua replied: "I called Li Ran last night; she said he's recovering well and should be able to come over the day after tomorrow."

Li Heng was pleased and asked: "When are you going back?"

Liu Chunhua said: "It's inconvenient for me to travel with this belly—I probably won't go home this year."

Li Heng was surprised, yet not entirely: "So you're spending the New Year here?"

Liu Chunhua confirmed.

Li Heng asked: "Since I won't be home for winter break, why don't you two go to Lushan Village for the New Year? Nothing's lacking there, and it's good for your baby."

Liu Chunhua was a woman who knew when to advance and when to retreat; she shook her head. "Thank you, but no. I've discussed it with Lao Yong—we plan to spend the New Year right here upstairs."

Li Heng looked up at the second floor. "You rented the second floor too?"

Liu Chunhua said: "We rented it together. I sleep upstairs at night."

Hearing this, Li Heng didn't press further. After a moment of thought, he pulled out paper and pen, wrote a number, handed it to her, and said: "If you run into trouble during winter break and can't handle it yourself, call this number. Just say Lao Yong's name."

He had originally intended to write down Da Qingyi's number, but in the end, he wrote the number of Teacher Yu's home.

He still didn't want outsiders to know his connection with Da Qingyi.

Liu Chunhua happily tucked the note away, saying thanks several times. She understood: this was a talisman—not to be used unless absolutely necessary.

With this note, she felt inexplicably safer in Hushi.

Turning to the door, Li Heng sat down beside Wei Xiaozhu, propping his head with his left hand. "Drinking made me dizzy—I'm just taking a break here. Hope you don't mind."

Wei Xiaozhu smiled. "We noticed long ago."

Li Heng asked: "How did you notice? Is my face that red?"

Wei Xiaozhu said: "Not just your face—your steps were unsteady too."

"Alright, you got me." Li Heng rubbed his cheek with his right hand. "How's the flavor?"

Wei Xiaozhu said: "It's delicious, just a bit spicy."

Li Heng smiled. "Next time, order clear broth."

Wei Xiaozhu immediately betrayed her friend. "Qingqing wanted to try the authentic Xiangnan flavor, so we ordered medium spice."

Li Heng glanced at Dai Qing and uttered two words: "Hero."

Passing up mild spice and going straight for medium? What else could you call her?

Meeting his gaze, Dai Qing felt as if her secret thoughts had been exposed; she grew uneasy and lowered her head slightly.

Many students came for breakfast, coming and going. The three didn't linger long in the shop, fearing they'd disrupt business, and left after eating.

As they crossed the street toward the campus gate, Wei Xiaozhu hesitated. "Should we walk you back to Lushan Village?"

Li Heng caught sight of a car a hundred meters away and waved his hand. "No need. It's not far—I can get back alone."

Seeing he was firm, Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing left.

Li Heng entered the campus, then quietly slipped out again a moment later and walked toward the Santana parked a hundred meters away.

Arriving at the car, he opened the back door and sat inside.

The driver was Gong Min, manager of Fuchun Xiaoyuan. She pulled out a file and some photos from her purse and handed them to him. "This is a villa in Xuhui. Mr. Li, please take a look and see if you're satisfied."

Li Heng took the file and photos, glanced at them, then asked after a long pause: "Wukang Road?"

Gong Min said: "Yes. It's not far from your teacher's place—just over a hundred meters."

"You've thought of everything." Li Heng flipped through the photos twice, thoroughly satisfied.

Seeing his expression, Gong Min withdrew her right hand from her briefcase. She hadn't brought just one property this time—but she believed Mr. Li might favor this small Western-style house, so she hadn't dumped everything out at once.

Li Heng asked: "How much?"

Following Huang Zhaoyi's instructions, Gong Min didn't state the price outright, only replied evasively: "Still under discussion."

Clearly, the sum was substantial. Li Heng knew she wouldn't say it for a reason, so he didn't press further. "Buy it. It's quite good."

Gong Min noted this in her mind.

After a moment of thought, he asked: "How is Zhaoyi's relationship with her family now?"

Gong Min had been with Huang Zhaoyi for over a decade—their bond was like sisters; otherwise, she wouldn't have been placed before him.

So he assumed she must know something, which was why he asked.

Gong Min did know something. She replied: "Huang-jie's relationship with her family isn't good. She hasn't gone home in half a year. Her mother came to the shop looking for me a few times—each time, she was angry."

Li Heng understood. He didn't press further, opened the door, and got out.

Gong Min turned the car around. She kept glancing in the rearview mirror at the shrinking figure, silently worrying for Huang-jie: He's so much younger—he clearly looks like a playboy. Can Huang-jie hold onto him?

Back in Lushan Village, Li Heng went straight to No. 25 and knocked on the door.

Yu Shuheng hadn't rested well these past two days and was drowsy. Half-asleep inside, she asked: "You bringing me breakfast?"

Li Heng wasn't holding a pile of breakfast—he waved it and walked past her into the house.

Upstairs, he placed the breakfast on the coffee table. Yu Shuheng sat across from him and began eating quietly.

As she ate, noticing he stared without blinking, she said with a knowing tone: "Little brother, why are you looking at me like that? Want to eat me?"

Li Heng snapped back to reality. "Teacher, your scholarly aura is truly exquisite—you're intelligent and beautiful."

Yu Shuheng glanced at him. "Only noticing now?"

Li Heng leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs. "I never really looked before."

Yu Shuheng narrowed her eyes, a flicker of danger passing through. "You've touched me several times already—and now you say you never really looked?"

Li Heng knew he was in the wrong and fell silent.

Yu Shuheng watched him for a moment, then let it go. She resumed eating slowly, her every gesture elegant.

Only when she was nearly finished did she sip hot tea and say: "Go on."

The words came out of nowhere, but Li Heng understood. He spilled everything about the dim-witted man and Liu Chunhua: "I gave Chunhua-jie your number. While I'm away for winter break, please keep an eye out for her."

Yu Shuheng lifted her head, speaking calmly: "So? Changed your mind? Planning to leave me in Hushi this winter break and not take me home?"

Li Heng: "..."

He said: "You wouldn't stay at my place for the New Year anyway."

Yu Shuheng teased: "If you asked me to stay, I could."

Li Heng felt a chill down his spine. He thought: Who the hell would dare say that? If I take you to my in-laws' house, Zijin might come back too—then what? Leave you two to play mahjong?

Though he didn't truly want that, he wouldn't lose face verbally. He said: "I'll fly over on the third afternoon. If you come to my hometown for the New Year, we could keep each other company."

Yu Shuheng's heart jolted: "Why so early?"

Li Heng said: "I've arranged to practice with Shihe on the fourth. It takes a full day to travel—I have to leave on the third."

The air grew cold. Yu Shuheng's face returned to its blank mask. "I see."

This "I see"—was it about going home? Or about Liu Chunhua?

But one thing was certain: Teacher Yu was dismissing him.

Li Heng rose gracefully and headed toward the stairs.

Yu Shuheng stared fixedly at his back, her heart a tangle of emotions. Just as feared, it had come true—Zhou Shihe was the one person she least wanted to see.

Back home, Li Heng dozed on the sofa for a while. Once the alcohol had cleared somewhat, he fetched his books and went to the library.

From today on, he would be a good student, making a final push for his final exams.

After a year and a half, this was his first real visit to the library. As he walked, he looked around, eyes filled with novelty.

His eyes saw novelty; his classmates' eyes saw something stranger.

Passersby couldn't help glancing at him, thinking: Why is he in the library? How unusual.

On the second floor, in the large self-study room, Li Heng pushed open the door and was stunned.

This!

Jesus, there are way too many people here.

His eyes met nothing but heads, piled chaotically with books—exactly like his past life's library visits.

Stepping inside, he felt a long-lost scent—the smell of being a student.

Suddenly, a hand on the first row, left side, waved wildly at him.

Li Heng squinted—oh! It was Sun Manning.

Beside her was Ye Ning.

Without hesitation, he hurried over.

He whispered: "Why are you two alone? Where are Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe?"

Sun Manning looked unimpressed. "What? You think we're not beautiful enough? Don't want to sit with us?"

Li Heng: "..."

He said: "Just asking."

Sun Manning said: "There was no space here before—they went to the School of Management's classroom."

Li Heng looked around. "There's no space here either—why'd you call me over?"

Sun Manning grinned and said, "I spotted a really handsome guy right away and called him over to take a look."

Li Heng turned to leave.

Sun Manning grabbed his shirt, stood up, and said, "Sit down. I'm tired—I'll go stretch my limbs."

"You'll come back?" he asked.

Sun Manning said, "No, I'm craving braised duck—I'm going to buy some from Zhang Bing."

"Alright." Li Heng plopped down and opened his book.

Sun Manning left; Ye Ning couldn't stay either and followed right after. He was instantly alone.

But he didn't care—he flipped open his textbook and reviewed his lessons.

To be fair, the air in the self-study room was poor, but the learning atmosphere was truly contagious; he soon became immersed in the world of the book.

He lost himself in it.

Yet the boys and girls around him grew distracted, stealing glances at him, whispering to friends, or passing notes.

Every word and scribble was secretly discussing this Fudan's most famous figure.

Many kept their eyes fixed on the empty seat beside him, yet no one dared sit down.

Ye Zhanyan's blood had not yet dried; her story of unrequited love and departure still circulated.

Huang Ziyue, the new campus beauty, had been repeatedly rebuffed—now the hottest topic on campus.

The seat remained empty for nearly two hours, until He Xiao arrived and claimed it, finally quelling the restless hopes of many girls.

He Xiao didn't disturb him—she too opened her book and studied intently, preparing for the exam.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and before long it was noon.

Li Heng emerged from his book and noticed a familiar face beside him. He greeted her: "Senior, hello."

He Xiao smiled half-seriously, half-jokingly: "Hello. Should I call you Big Author from now on, or just Little Junior?"

Pfft! What a social butterfly.

Li Heng countered: "That depends—why did you come here?"

He Xiao didn't hide a thing: "I was reading in the small self-study room next door. I heard the news and came over."

"Fine. Call me whatever you like. If you really can't think of anything, just yell 'Hey, Handsome!'—I'll answer." Li Heng blurted out nonsense.

He Xiao laughed heartily: "Do you always talk to girls like this?"

Li Heng said, "Depends on my mood."

He Xiao asked, "So your mood's good today?"

Li Heng said, "Fine."

He Xiao checked her watch: "If you're in a good mood, maybe I'll try inviting you to dinner."