Chapter 596: All Is Said Without Words

"Mm."

Li Heng murmured and devoured his fried eggs in large bites.

Compared to his hearty appetite, Zhou Shihe ate more slowly; by the time she put the second egg in her mouth, he had already finished and was waiting for her.

Li Heng asked: "Want to take a walk down the alley?"

Hearing this, Zhou Shihe put down her chopsticks and glanced at her watch: 10: 1.

It was a bit late, but after a moment's hesitation, she said: "Alright."

Then the two of them went downstairs one after the other, leaving Building 26.

At first, neither spoke; both idly admired the faint moonlight over Lushan Village, lost in thought.

Li Heng wondered: Would Song Yu come for Dragon Boat Festival? If she did, what consequences would it bring?

Zhou Shihe's mind, however, was a jumble—but what she thought about most were his suitors.

Like Ye Zhanyan.

Like Huang Ziyue.

Like Wu Siyao from Tongji University next door.

And others like Dai Qing, Li Xian, Wang Ye, and Huang Zhaoyi…

Previously, she had held a very high opinion of Li Heng, believing that despite so many temptations, he could control himself—he was a true gentleman. After all, none of these women were ordinary; many were campus beauties from top universities.

Especially Ye Zhanyan and Huang Zhaoyi—stunningly beautiful, breathtakingly so.

But later, after Mai Sui and Professor Yu were exposed, she began to question his character.

Turns out, he wasn't uninterested in women—he was picky.

Just before reaching the alley's mouth, Li Heng suddenly asked: "You're thinking about something?"

Zhou Shihe looked at his back and said: "No."

Li Heng walked six or seven steps forward, stopped at the alley's mouth, and asked: "Can you keep going?"

Zhou Shihe gazed ahead and replied softly: "Yes."

Then the two left Lushan Village and wandered around campus.

Arriving beneath the statue of the Great Man, Li Heng gazed up for a moment and asked: "I remember you said last year your grandfather revered the Great Man and spent New Year's in Shaoshan?"

Zhou Shihe looked up too: "He spent it at the Great Man's former residence."

Li Heng asked: "How was New Year's in Xiangnan?"

Zhou Shihe said: "Fine."

To avoid a heavy atmosphere, Li Heng kept making small talk: "Did you get used to the food there?"

Zhou Shihe thought a moment and said: "I'm fine—I ate a lot of chili with Sui Sui and Manning, so I can handle a certain level of spiciness. But many in my family couldn't adapt—they said the food was too spicy, yet afterward they all admitted it tasted great."

Li Heng turned to look at her and smiled: "Lots of people are like that—they complain it's spicy but keep eating even when their lips are swollen."

Zhou Shihe smiled knowingly—it perfectly described her cousins.

Li Heng asked: "How many days did you stay in Shaoshan?"

Zhou Shihe said: "Three days. We got back home on the afternoon of the first day of the lunar new year."

Li Heng said: "Then you should've stayed another day at home and come over tomorrow."

Zhou Shihe didn't answer. She just silently stared at the statue of the Great Man.

Today was the third day of the lunar new year; the weather was still cold. A chill wind blew, and Li Heng pulled his sleeves tighter: "Let's go. We'll circle back through Yan Garden."

Zhou Shihe said nothing, silently following behind him.

When they reached Yan Garden, Li Heng thought of Wei Xiaozhu. After glancing at the faculty dormitory, he asked her: "Did you keep in touch during the holiday?"

His question came out of nowhere, but Zhou Shihe understood perfectly.

She replied: "I talked most with Sui Sui and Xiaozhu, and called Manning twice."

Then she suddenly asked: "Did Professor Yu spend New Year's at your place?"

Li Heng was speechless: "Who told you that? Was it Sun Manning, that big mouth?"

Zhou Shihe gave a faint smile—acknowledging it.

Li Heng grumbled: "That girl never tells the whole story. You two definitely didn't exchange New Year's greetings—otherwise you wouldn't have asked that."

Zhou Shihe said: "I was in Shaoshan during the holiday, so it was inconvenient for me to call; we only contacted each other before the holiday."

"That explains it."

Li Heng muttered irritably: "Professor Yu came to my place, but spent New Year's in Shaoshi with my high school teachers."

Zhou Shihe was startled—and puzzled.

If she'd gone to Shaoshi, why didn't she spend New Year's at Li's home?

Was it to spare Xiao Han's feelings?

Or to preserve appearances, to protect his reputation?

But she'd already been to Li Heng's hometown twice within a year—why avoid this now? Wasn't that just covering one's ears while stealing a bell?

Could it be because Xiao Han had spent New Year's at Li's home?

The moment this thought arose, she immediately dismissed it.

Because Xiao Han and he weren't married—she was still a sophomore. No matter the custom, no society would tolerate a woman acting so shamelessly.

Even if Xiao's family doted on their daughter, they wouldn't allow it. It would be a disgrace to their status.

Though many questions lingered, Zhou Shihe had no interest in digging deeper. She also sensed sharply that this man seemed reluctant to speak further on the matter.

Changing the subject, Zhou Shihe asked: "Will Professor Yu come to school tomorrow?"

Li Heng answered instinctively: "I don't know. She said she has family matters and will try to come tomorrow."

After speaking, Li Heng glanced at Zhou Shihe—he sensed she was testing him, wondering if he and Professor Yu had come together.

But seeing her calm face, he thought he might be imagining things.

After walking about a hundred meters, they detoured past a small bridge and stream, then turned back.

On the way there, they hadn't spoken; on the way back, they remained silent, walking one behind the other to the alley's end.

Stopping in the middle of the alley, Li Heng looked at Building 27, then at his own Building 26, and after a pause asked: "I suppose all the professors are still back in their hometowns for the holiday—haven't returned yet. The alley's nearly empty tonight. Why don't you go to Sui Sui's room?"

Her gaze lingered silently on his profile for two seconds. After a moment's hesitation, Zhou Shihe whispered: "Alright. Wait for me a moment."

With that, she walked to Building 27, pulled out her key, opened the courtyard gate, and stepped inside.

Earlier, after sending away her busy aunt, she'd already anticipated Li Heng would invite her to spend the night in Building 26. After all, they'd shared the same room for over forty days—many private, embarrassing moments they'd already shared.

If not for the incident in the study—where he'd crossed the line—she wouldn't have hesitated at his invitation.

Li Heng didn't follow her in. He stood on the blue stone path, gazing up at the star-strewn sky.

About twenty minutes later, Zhou Shihe emerged—completely changed into a new outfit.

Li Heng glanced at her and thought: Oh, so she went to bathe—that's why it took so long.

Entering Building 26, Li Heng went straight to the study.

His mind was unsettled; he had no sleepiness at all. Lying in bed would only keep him awake—better to read and distract himself.

Watching his figure vanish from view, Zhou Shihe stood still in the living room for a moment, then entered Sui Sui's bedroom, closed the door, and sat on the bed in her clothes, staring blankly at the bedside table.

Since Xiao Han's mother visited Lushan Village last year, Sui Sui had moved to Building 27—this bedroom was, strictly speaking, empty.

Only the bedside table retained traces of Sui Sui—a wooden comb.

Looking at the comb, she involuntarily recalled a memory: Sui Sui pinned beneath Li Heng on the sofa, wildly kissed.

Not just on the lips—also on her neck, collarbone, and other places.

The scene was unbearable to witness.

Zhou Shihe's chest rose and fell. Then she reached out, picked up the comb, and thought silently: Sui Sui is so wonderful—why don't you cherish her? Why are you still lusting after other women?

That night, Li Heng read and wrote in his study, inspiration surging until past 4 a. ., when he finally went to bed.

He still wanted to write more, but remembering he had to rehearse with Zhou the next day, he forced himself to rest and conserve energy.

That night, Zhou Shihe tossed and turned, unable to sleep, wide awake in the adjacent guest room.

Lying in bed, she listened to every sound he made.

When he left the study. When he entered the bathroom. When he returned to his bedroom.

Only when the house fell utterly silent did she drift off, just as dawn broke.

But before 8 a. ., she was already up. Tomorrow was the fifth day—she was flying to Singapore. She had much to do today; no time for laziness.

As she stepped out of the bedroom, Zhou Shihe glanced at the door of the master bedroom next door.

The moment she looked, the door opened—Li Heng walked out.

They stared at each other. Li Heng greeted her casually, as if nothing were amiss: "Zhou Shihé, good morning."

"Good morning," Zhou Shihe replied, quickly scanning him, then headed toward the stairwell.

Li Heng called after her: "Where are you going? Want to grab breakfast off-campus together?"

Zhou Shihe, with her back to him, said: "I need to call a professor."

Hearing "call," Li Heng thought a moment: "I need to make a New Year's call too. I'll go with you."

Zhou Shihe said nothing.

After a quick wash, Li Heng indeed went to the adjacent room.

Zhou Shihe had just ended her call. Seeing him appear, she swiftly vacated the space and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face.

He said he'd make one call—but ended up making several. He called Professor Ba, Editor Liao, and even the president of Fudan University.

"President, happy New Year!" Li Heng greeted.

President Sun of Fudan asked over the phone: "Happy New Year! When did you get back to school?"

Li Heng replied: "Last night."

Principal Sun asked: "You're here so early? Going to visit Teacher Yu for New Year's greetings?"

Li Heng winced and joked: "Nah, I'm going to Singapore this week for a concert—I'll bring glory to our school. You'll have something to brag about later."

Principal Sun, pleased, warmly invited: "Most restaurants near campus aren't open yet—why not come over for lunch?"

Li Heng asked: "Got any good dishes at home? If not, I won't come—I won't eat my New Year gift back."

Principal Sun laughed heartily: "You little cheapskate, with your high status and still so stingy—you're a Scrooge. Come on, good dishes are guaranteed. Whether you get your money's worth? That's up to you."

Li Heng asked again: "Can I bring someone along?"

Just then, Zhou Shihe stepped out of the bathroom and, hearing his words, instinctively froze in place.

Principal Sun asked: "Someone else? Who?"

Li Heng smirked: "The most beautiful woman in Shanghai, according to you, Old Principal."

Principal Sun blurted: "Zhou Shihe?"

"Yeah, her," Li Heng answered.

Principal Sun was about to agree, but noticed his beloved granddaughter had appeared right before him—her face clearly reluctant. He swallowed his words: "Never mind. Too beautiful for my little house and narrow door. Keep her to yourself—enjoy the view."

Li Heng blinked in surprise: "Wait, you're refusing?"

"Of course I'm refusing," Principal Sun said without a hint of shame. "If you've already bought your New Year gift, send Ziyue to pick it up. If not, forget it—I'll take it later. Maotai, Huanghelou liquor—anything's fine."

Li Heng's eyelid twitched: "Old man, I've never met anyone so brazenly shameless."

"Hahahaha…" Principal Sun hung up with a long laugh.