Chapter 586: And It

Clenching the note in his fingers, Li Heng stared blankly at the line of text.

In his past life, his three women each had their own traits:

Zijin was passionate.

His cunning daughter-in-law was shrewd.

Song Yu was loyal.

As for generosity, only Song Yu could rival Teacher Yu.

Well, Song Yu was generous, but naturally carried a Buddhist detachment—many things didn't matter to her, many things she didn't dwell on, and she saw things clearly.

But Teacher Yu's generosity toward him wasn't innate; Li Heng knew: it was because she deeply loved him.

Li Heng sat motionless on the bed for a long time before going downstairs.

Seeing him appear, Tian Run'e immediately rose to greet him: "Manzai, did Teacher Yu leave you any clues?"

Li Heng said nothing, only handed the crumpled note to his mother.

After reading it, Tian Run'e was stunned; after a moment, she sighed softly and passed it to the grandmother beside her.

Li's grandmother took the note, bowed her head for a long while, then spoke: "I thought the turn of events tonight was significant—but compared to this, it means nothing."

Teacher Yu has the breadth of a chancellor—this country bumpkin grandmother underestimated her. If our eldest grandson can truly marry her, it's a blessing earned by our Li family's ancestors over eighteen generations."

A single note earned the grandmother's high praise and heartfelt approval.

Later, the note reached Li Jianguo's hands.

After reading it, the middle-aged man was humbled by Teacher Yu's grace; he smoked slowly and said: "Run'e, we need to visit Fudan University again sometime."

Why go to Fudan University?

Of course, to make amends.

Even if Teacher Yu lacks nothing, the two of us going there is itself a symbol.

Tian Run'e nodded: "I misunderstood Teacher Yu before—I thought she was passive, but now I see she sees farther than I do and understands Manzai more deeply."

What does "understands more deeply" mean?

It means Yu Shuheng realized a truth: you can't keep using pressure on the women around Li Heng. Sometimes gentleness is more effective.

Because she knew Li Heng would never abandon the women he'd slept with—and he despised scheming.

She had once considered her mother Shen Xin's harsh methods, but during the investigation into Huang Zhaoyi, she suddenly awakened and immediately recalled Liu Bei.

Yu Shuheng's tolerance for Li Heng grew with time and love—the longer the time, the deeper her love, and the more she tolerated his infidelity.

Li Jianguo deeply agreed: "Yes, few people could reach this level."

Tian Run'e asked: "When should we go?"

Li Jianguo thought a moment, then asked: "What about Dragon Boat Festival?"

Before Tian Run'e could answer, Li Heng jumped up reflexively: "No."

The grandmother, Li Jianguo, and Tian Run'e all turned to him, puzzled.

Facing three pairs of eyes, Li Heng smiled awkwardly and blurted: "I've already arranged to go out with Teacher Yu for fieldwork on Dragon Boat Festival—it was planned long ago. You won't find me there."

Tian Run'e asked: "What about Maisui? Will she go?"

"She has class—what would she do there?" Li Heng said.

Tian Run'e replied: "As long as someone's home, it's fine. Your father and I now have some understanding of Teacher Yu, but we still know nothing about Maisui. Manzai, we could stay for a while if needed."

Li Heng: "..."

Just when you think things are quiet, someone brings up the worst topic.

Song Yu is coming to Fudan University on Dragon Boat Festival.

Even though next year may be turbulent and Song Yu might not make it, we can't rule it out entirely, can we?

He needed to prepare in advance.

Li Heng still refused: "Maisui is young and kind—don't scare her, you two..."

He paused, then continued: "I don't care if you think I'm shameless now—I really like Maisui."

Tian Run'e glanced toward the door and lowered her voice: "Really like? How does that compare to Song Yu?"

Li Heng didn't hesitate: "I want to marry Song Yu. I want to keep Maisui by my side always."

Hearing this, Tian Run'e and Li Jianguo exchanged glances and fell silent—but the name Maisui now lodged firmly in their minds.

The couple knew how deeply their son loved Song Yu.

But now this sudden appearance of Maisui made them realize they'd underestimated him.

The grandmother, listening nearby, was confused; after a long while, she asked: "Who is Song Yu? And who is Maisui?"

Li Heng scratched his head and grinned, then quickly slipped away upstairs.

Left behind, Tian Run'e and the grandmother began recounting Manzai's tangled romantic history.

After patiently listening, Li's grandmother counted on her fingers: "Song Yu, Xiao Han, Chen Zijin, Teacher Yu, plus Maisui—that's five, right?"

Looks like this country bumpkin grandmother still has narrow eyes—I can't keep up with our eldest grandson's pace. Good! Good! With all that money, he can afford ten or twenty grandchildren."

Li Jianguo: "..."

Tian Run'e: "..."

The couple had long realized their son inherited his grandmother's wild nature across generations.

Now that life is better, the grandmother has lost interest in everything except expanding the Li family line.

The grandmother stared at her five fingers for a moment, then asked her daughter-in-law: "Of these five, which is the best?"

Tian Run'e thought before answering: "According to Lanlan's words: in appearance and bearing, Song Yu is best; in family background, Teacher Yu is best; in spirit and charm, it's Xiao Han."

Zijin doesn't need more words—you've watched her grow up since childhood—you know her better than anyone."

As for Maisui, we don't know her well—we've only spent a few days together—but Lanlan says that, besides Song Yu, Maisui will likely be the most favored."

The grandmother was surprised: "Song Yu is that good? What about her character and breadth? Can she match Teacher Yu?"

Tian Run'e shook her head: "I haven't met her in person yet."

Li Jianguo interjected: "If Manzai still remembers her so fondly, she must have exceptional qualities. If she were narrow-minded, no matter how beautiful, he wouldn't value her so much."

Tian Run'e nodded—she had full confidence in her son's judgment.

Hearing this, the grandmother, her toothless mouth opening, said: "I thought today was bloodshed—turns out it's just a small scene."

You two better brace yourselves—don't even think of convincing our eldest grandson to give up these girls. You don't have the power to do it."

The couple, stung, didn't know how to respond.

The grandmother asked: "Besides these five, are there others out there?"

Tian Run'e and Li Jianguo exchanged glances and both shook their heads.

Tian Run'e silently thought of an unknown teacher and worried about Zhou Shihe—but these were still rumors, fantasies, not facts.

Around 9: 0 p. ., Chen Zijin arrived.

Seeing Li Heng wasn't downstairs, she went to Tian Run'e and asked: "Mom, where is he?"