Chapter 570: Climbing onto Time Magazine, the Scheming Daughter-in-Law

Midnight.

Li Heng woke up to find himself lying in Mai Sui's arms; he looked up and asked, "How long have I slept?"

Mai Sui checked the time. "Almost four. You slept over seven hours."

"Ah!"

Li Heng gasped. "I slept that long?"

Mai Sui nodded.

Li Heng asked with concern, "You held me all this time—weren't you tired?"

Mai Sui replied softly, "I'm fine."

Li Heng fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Did I call out a name in my sleep? Did I talk in my dreams?"

Mai Sui looked at him without speaking, but her expression said everything.

Their eyes met. Li Heng explained, "I dreamed of Song Yu."

Mai Sui suddenly understood—and felt a faint pang of disappointment. She held him in her arms, yet he dreamed of another woman. Was she not enough?

But she quickly adjusted her mood. After all, it was Song Yu—her best friend. She should be happy for her.

Besides, she never wanted to compete. If Li Heng ever married Song Yu, it would be a relief for her—perhaps even ease her guilt.

In truth, he had only said half of it.

After getting drunk, he had two dreams.

Both involved Song Yu.

The first dream:

In his past life, he was struck dead by lightning. Song Yu saw him off one final time, then three months later killed herself by charcoal poisoning.

She left a suicide note for her best friends, Chen Xiaoyu and Mai Sui, saying: "My parents are gone. The one I loved is gone. I have no children, no ties left. Life suddenly lost all color. I want to join him below. I only hope he hasn't gone too far in these three months—I can still catch up."

That was the entire note.

Even though it was a dream, it felt terrifyingly real. He wept uncontrollably in the dream, his heart so heavy he couldn't breathe.

The second dream: Dragon Boat Festival. Again, Song Yu.

But this dream was far from peaceful. On Dragon Boat Festival, Song Yu arrived in Shanghai—and suddenly attacked. At that moment, he was kissing Professor Yu in bed…

Then!

The dream ended there. But as he woke, he thought he faintly saw Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe.

He could understand Mai Sui.

But Zhou Shihe? For heaven's sake—he had not the slightest thought of her!

Li Heng forced himself to calm down, then slowly sat up and said, "You look exhausted—your eyes can barely stay open. Sleep more. I'll take a hot shower."

Mai Sui was truly drained. She didn't argue. "Alright."

She slept. He went to the bathroom.

After showering, Li Heng didn't return to the bedroom to wake Mai Sui. Instead, he went quietly to the attic, lost in thought.

The rain had stopped, but the howling north wind still blew, making the purple wind chimes jingle.

As usual, he hung the chimes behind the living room door to keep them from disturbing sleepers. He'd hang them back up when the wind died and the sky cleared.

The telescope stood firm through the storm. Li Heng, imitating Mai Sui's usual routine, adjusted it for a while. But sadly, the night was too cloudy—nothing to see.

Suddenly, he noticed someone on the opposite attic.

After gazing across for a moment, he went downstairs.

Professor Yu Shuheng seemed to guess his intent and had already come down to open the door.

The door opened. The two stood facing each other.

After a long silence, he asked gently, "Teacher, didn't you sleep? Or did you wake up?"

Yu Shuheng said, "I slept over five hours. Then a phone call woke me."

Li Heng was surprised.

Yu Shuheng said, "It was Siya. She forgot the time difference and thought it was already morning here."

Li Heng nodded. "How is she in Japan?"

Yu Shuheng said, "She's fine. She's enjoying shopping in Tokyo's Ginza."

Then she invited, "Come upstairs for coffee?"

Li Heng didn't refuse. He locked the gate of No. 26, then followed her up to the second floor of No. 25.

As always, Yu Shuheng added three sugar cubes to his coffee and handed it to him. "Why are you up in the attic at this hour?"

Li Heng said, "Couldn't sleep."

Yu Shuheng asked, "Something on your mind."

Li Heng said, "I just had a dream."

Yu Shuheng asked with interest, "Oh? Who did you dream of? Me? Or Song Yu?"

She had heard him call her name in his sleep. She had also heard him call Song Yu's name.

But Song Yu's name came up more often, more frequently.

Li Heng's mood soured. Even facing Professor Yu, he didn't lie: "Song Yu."

Yu Shuheng unconsciously gripped her coffee cup tightly, falling silent.

Damn. He regretted saying that. He downed the coffee in one gulp, stood up, and turned to leave.

Just as he reached the stairs, Yu Shuheng called after him: "The second pure music album's settlement is out."

Li Heng half-turned.

Yu Shuheng set down her cup, pulled several bank drafts from her bag, and handed him one. "After taxes, we've received 3. 2 million pounds total—320, 00 pounds more than expected. Here's Shihe's share. Please pass it to her."

Li Heng walked over and took it.

Whoa!

That's a huge sum!

Nearly 4. 5 million yuan!

Yu Shuheng explained, "As before, Shihe and I each get 4. 5 million. You get 38. 8 million."

Then she asked, "Do you want your share now, or—"

Li Heng tucked Zhou's draft away and said, "Teacher, haven't I still owed you money from Hengyuan Company?"

Yu Shuheng said, "Last time you gave me 9. million. Your 51% share should be 27 million. You still owe me 17. million."

"After deducting your Hengyuan investment, you now have 20. 8 million left."

Li Heng slapped his forehead, dazed. "Still that much? Over twenty million?"

Yu Shuheng smiled and nodded.

His bank account already had over nine million. Add this terrifying sum—he was about to faint again. He'd surpassed thirty million!

What did that mean?

It meant that on the street, 90% of women would throw themselves at him to offer their beds.

This was unreal. Absurd.

He'd just planned to release one pure music album for fun. Now he'd turned himself into a billionaire. Who could he complain to?

Seeing his gloom vanish, Yu Shuheng felt a little happier.

Li Heng thought for a moment and said, "Teacher, please hold onto this remaining 20. 8 million. Open an account for me in Hong Kong."

Yu Shuheng asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll run off with the money?"

Li Heng stared at her intently. "Aren't you always trying to marry me? Would you risk it all for a little money?"

Yu Shuheng, unusually flustered, idly brushed her hair aside with her right hand and agreed: "Alright. Let me know whenever you need it."

"Alright," Li Heng replied.

The interruption eased the tension between them.

He didn't rush to leave. He sat back on the sofa and chatted aimlessly with her until dawn began to lighten outside, then went out for his morning run.

At 6: 0, he met Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing on the track as usual.

No formalities. They exchanged smiles and immediately began running side by side.

As always, after completing eight laps, Wei Xiaozhu stepped out cleanly and rested on the steps.

At lap fifteen, Li Heng felt the strain. He told Dai Qing, "I can only run one more lap with you. Then I'm done."

Dai Qing smiled. "Keep going! Catch up to me soon."

Then she realized how that sounded and sped up sharply.

Damn! After all this running, how is she still accelerating?

True enough—thin, thin, thin—but she's got muscle. Incredible endurance.

He'd promised one last lap. After lap sixteen, he collapsed onto the steps beside Wei Xiaozhu.

Wei Xiaozhu handed him her thermos. "You've improved a lot. You used to only run thirteen laps."

Li Heng twisted open the lid and drank three large gulps of warm tea without touching the spout. "What's the point? I'm still just a loser to Dai Qing."

Wei Xiaozhu laughed. "You don't actually want to compete with Qingqing, do you? Eighteen laps isn't her limit—she just holds back to protect her knees."

Li Heng was speechless. He changed the subject: "What about you?"

"Me? I could still run more, but eight laps a day is enough. More would become a psychological burden—I'd start slacking off later." Wei Xiaozhu analyzed herself.

A professor called him to play basketball. After resting a while, he showed up and played half a game.

He got home near eight, delivered the breakfast he'd bought to each door—first to Professor Yu, then knocked on the door of No. 27.

"Here, Comrade Zhou Shihe."

The door opened, and Li Heng shoved the breakfast inside.

Zhou Shihe thanked him and took the breakfast.

She asked: "Has Suisui woken up yet?"

Li Heng said: "She didn't go to bed until very late last night; she's sleeping soundly now."

The wind outside was strong, so she politely added: "Why don't you come in and sit for a while?"

Li Heng said: "Alright."

Watching him enter and change shoes, Zhou Shihe's gaze lingered on him briefly, then she fell silent and turned toward the dining table.

She didn't go upstairs; neither did he.

They placed the breakfast on the table and sat down to eat.

At first, neither spoke; they enjoyed their meal in silence.

Midway, he asked: "Where are Mannings and Ye Ning? Still asleep?"

Zhou Shihe said: "They've already left. Said they're going to Blue Sky Hotel for breakfast."

Li Heng was surprised: "Oh my! When did those two silly girls get so flashy and extravagant?"

Zhou Shihe said: "Apparently they had leftover meal money from the semester and wanted to spend it before leaving."

Li Heng asked: "Why didn't they invite you?"

Zhou Shihe said: "They got up at seven. I was still in bed and didn't feel like moving."

Li Heng joked: "Oh, lazy."

Zhou Shihe glanced at him, smiled faintly, and said nothing.

After a while, Li Heng pulled out a remittance slip from his pocket and placed it before her: "The income from this pure music album is 3. 2 million pounds. This 4. 5 million is Teacher Yu's share for you, according to our previous agreement."

Zhou Shihe was straightforward; after clarifying the details last time, she didn't hesitate this time and simply put the slip away.

Li Heng looked up: "Wait, aren't you going to check the amount?"

Zhou Shihe said quietly: "You already told me."

Li Heng said: "I mean, you should act surprised."

Zhou Shihe mimicked his expression, blinked once, then deliberately took out the slip again, examined it carefully in front of him—once, then again—and finally said playfully: "Should I check it a third time?"

Li Heng waved his hand and sighed: "Forget it. A third time would be too much for you—you can't keep up the act anyway. Honestly, I didn't think such a huge sum could leave you unmoved."

Zhou Shihe smiled knowingly, her delicate cherry lips moving slightly: "Actually, I am moved. Over six million in total—I won't need to work for the next twenty years. If I'm frugal, I won't have to worry about food or drink for the rest of my life. Thank you."

Li Heng shook his head: "Don't thank me—it sounds strange. The three of us have mutually benefited. It's just that you and Teacher Yu have been too generous to me. I shouldn't have taken so much."

Zhou Shihe said nothing, only rose to pour two cups of hot tea, placing the first one before him. The meaning was obvious.

Li Heng teased: "I bring you money and breakfast, and you never thought to pour me tea—now you finally do."

Zhou Shihe sat back in her seat, sipping her noodles slowly, speaking gently: "There are so many girls at school eager to pour you tea. One more won't make a difference."

Li Heng tasted the sweetness, and replied instantly: "That's different. Though many girls pursue me, none are as beautiful as you."

As soon as the words left his mouth, they exchanged glances, then both silently looked away, sinking into silence.

Li Heng hurriedly finished the last few strands of noodles, patted his stomach with a mock show of satisfaction, and left without looking back, exiting Building 26.

Zhou Shihe watched him go with the corner of her eye. Later, she calmly smoothed the fine strands of hair beside her ear, gazed blankly at the spot where he had sat, then resumed eating with serene composure.

In the days that followed, Li Heng filled his schedule to the brim.

During the day, he went to the library to read and review his lessons in preparation for final exams. Occasionally, he accompanied Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe to Classroom 309.

During this time, he made a special trip to the Medical University to visit his sly little wife.

Professor Wen Yan was still embroiled in a bitter quarrel with her husband and his mistress, leaving her drained and noticeably thinner—heartbreaking to see.

Zhang Haiyan had a boyfriend, but broke up with him after two weeks because he had been ambiguous with a female friend from his hometown, even sneaking off to kiss and spend the night with her; in a fit of rage, she drugged him and forced him to spend three full hours sleeping beside a corpse in the dissection room.

Supposedly, when the boy woke up and found a corpse beside him, he screamed in terror, panicked, and fled the lab in a state of utter shock.

The incident became a huge joke, quickly spreading as a joke story among several universities in Shanghai.

Zhang Haiyan became instantly famous, causing male students to avoid her for fear they might be the next one sleeping beside a corpse.

The boy and his female hometown friend were thoroughly disgraced, their reputations ruined beyond repair.

After Xiao Han recounted the entire story, Li Heng laughed heartily for a long time, then asked: "Didn't your school punish Haiyan?"

Xiao Han pouted: "Of course they did! Haiyan was called to the academic office for a scolding and had to write a self-criticism—but thanks to Professor Wen's influence, they didn't record it in her file."

After touring the Shanghai Medical University, Li Heng asked: "Will your parents come pick you up during this break?"

Xiao Han's eyes crinkled mischievously: "Parents?"

Li Heng immediately corrected himself: "Wife, I'm sorry—father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Xiao Han smiled sweetly: "Since you're apologizing so well, I'll let it slide. But if you do it again, I'll make you copy 'Daddy and Mommy' a hundred times."

Li Heng hugged her from behind, begging: "I'm sorry, forgive me."

"Hmm! Hmph!"

Xiao Han cleared her throat loudly and chirped: "Mr. Li, you're audacious! How dare you hug this beauty in broad daylight?"

Li Heng, shameless: "You're my wife. What's there to be afraid of?"

Xiao Han put on a pitiful expression and goaded: "If you're brave enough, hug me right in front of Mrs. Song and Mrs. Chen—I'll reward you with three big kisses."

Li Heng's lips twitched. He leaned in and kissed her, then said: "Let's talk seriously."

Xiao Han wiped her lips with her sleeve, clearly disgusted, making him furious—until she puckered a tiny dimple and said: "Everyone at home knows my beautiful little lamb has been corrupted by a wolf. They won't come pick me up. They don't want me anymore."

As Wei Shiman put it exactly: "Why even call to ask? Ask your second husband instead."

As soon as "second husband" slipped out, Xiao Han's eyes instantly turned into cute crescents. She quickly added: "Oops! Mr. Li, slip of the tongue!"

Li Heng feigned displeasure: "Did Mom really say that?"

Xiao Han nodded solemnly like a duckling: "Not just 'second husband'—sometimes she goes further and calls you a fourth husband."

"Ugh! I couldn't take it—I yelled back on the phone: 'There are only Song Yu and Chen Zijin! Where's the fourth husband? Mom, you must've failed math!'"

But Wei Shiman laughed wildly on the other end: "What about Mai Sui? And Teacher Yu came all the way to your hometown—doesn't that count? He's already a fifth husband! And you still treat him like a treasure…"

As she said this, Xiao Han puffed out her adorable cheeks, clearly indignant, as if fiercely defending her own honey.

Li Heng broke into a cold sweat, his spine chilled—he couldn't speak for a long while.

Xiao Han stood on tiptoe and wiped his forehead and face with her sleeve: "Huh? It's winter—why are you sweating? Come out now, you seductress! Don't you dare possess my husband—I'll strangle you!"

Saying this, she pinched his left cheek, then his right, tugging and pulling like kneading fermented dough.

That wasn't enough—she rummaged all over his body, finally pinching his waist several times.

Finally, she blinked her bright, sparkling eyes and asked with genuine concern: "Mr. Li, the seductress has been chased away—thank your wife now."