[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-597":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","1987: My Era",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2259757,4409,"Chapter 597: The Time Belonging Only to the Two of Them","1987-my-era-chapter-597",597,"\u003Cp>Zhao’s mother’s first words after waking were: “Where’s my son?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Wanling’s face was tinged with sorrow: “We couldn’t find him—he ran off with Li Ran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhao’s mother nearly fainted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beef noodle shop was in chaos, everyone talking at once to comfort Zhao’s mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the ambulance arrived; fearing for her health, the Zhao family reluctantly accompanied her to the hospital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the ambulance and the Zhao family drive away, Li Heng turned and patted Zhang Zhiyong on the shoulder, solemnly saying: “Old Yong, next time, less knife-waving in front of Chunhua—she’s lacking security right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Chunhua’s first child was lost due to domestic violence during pregnancy; now five months pregnant, she’s extremely sensitive about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly: “Got it—I’ll go bring you two beef noodles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng nodded and sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe sat down beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop had no other customers—just the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe had previously held an average, even slightly negative, opinion of Zhang Zhiyong—he was clueless, never spoke seriously, and constantly swore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In early high school, Song Yu, Mai Sui, Chen Lijun, Sun Manning, and others disliked him for the same reasons, but over time, their views gradually changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just now, seeing Zhang Zhiyong stand beside Li Heng with two cleavers in hand, utterly unafraid, Zhou Shihe’s opinion shifted—when she looked at him again, he seemed far more agreeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two bowls of beef noodles arrived; Zhang Zhiyong stammered: “D-do you need anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe made an effort to seem approachable, softly replying: “Not for now, thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright—just call me if you need anything.” Due to Zhou Shihe’s presence, Zhang Zhiyong didn’t sit with them; instead, he went to the kitchen to check on Chunhua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he was gone, Li Heng sighed: “In my memory, this guy was fearless—but he’s terrified of women like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe lowered her head, eating slowly, then suddenly asked: “What kind of beauty am I, in your eyes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng’s heart tightened—he sensed she was testing him, instantly on guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chewed thoughtfully, then said: “Using our Fudan President Sun’s words—you’re the most beautiful woman in Shanghai and its surrounding regions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe glanced up at him, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving her look, Li Heng complained: “Come on, let’s be honest—don’t set traps for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe smiled knowingly and resumed eating quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence settled over the table as they ate their breakfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway through, two people entered the shop—one of them was Yue Yao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao was even more surprised, walking over to greet them: “Li Heng, Shihe—Happy New Year!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao didn’t know Zhou Shihe well, but as the saying goes: respect the monk, honor the robe—out of respect for Li Heng, she warmly wished Zhou Shihe a Happy New Year too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe politely returned the greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng invited: “Yue Yao, join us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao sat down without hesitation; her companion—likely her father—remained at the entrance, not joining them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinct told him something was off; Li Heng asked: “It’s the fourth day of the New Year—why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao teased: “That’s what I should be asking you—why are you two here on the fourth? A famous writer and a Fudan king—planning a date? This would be national news.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe looked at him calmly, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng explained about going to Singapore for the concert, then asked curiously: “What about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze flickered between them, chopsticks in hand, Yue Yao said: “My dad and I are packing my dorm room—I’m leaving for abroad tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng blinked: “Abroad? Studying overseas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Yue Yao replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “How did you get into the girls’ dorm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao said: “The dorm supervisor and my aunt are cousins—my aunt told her in advance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was the connection; Li Heng asked again: “Where are you going to study?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao said: “Japan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could ask more, she added: “A relative of mine runs a company in Tokyo—it’s more convenient for me to go there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng nodded, offering his blessing: “Studying abroad isn’t bad—I wish you great success and smooth sailing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He meant it sincerely. After the Lü Guoyi mess, staying at Fudan wasn’t good for Yue Yao—leaving might help her find a new path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao’s parents had been trying to send her abroad precisely to prevent her from clinging to Lü Guoyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Yue Yao had also come to terms with it herself and accepted their plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Qing had privately advised Yue Yao: “Are Lü Guoyi’s mother and sister trying to win you over? Hoping you’ll change your mind and marry Lü Guoyi after graduation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If so, think carefully—Lü’s family may not truly welcome you; they just want your womb to produce an heir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why “heir”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Lü Guoyi only has one testicle left—his family is desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Lü’s family knows Lü Guoyi’s nature—they fear he’ll retaliate against Liu An and plunge them all into ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why they’re trying to win Yue Yao’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yue Yao first heard this from her friend, she was heartbroken for days, then went to ask her close friend Wei Xiaozhu: “Xiaozhu, what should I do? Should I leave the country and hide?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Xiaozhu asked: “Have you let go of Lü Guoyi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Half,” Yue Yao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Xiaozhu asked: “What does ‘half’ mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao lowered her head: “I know Lü Guoyi isn’t right for me—but he was my first man. I can’t forget him quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Wei Xiaozhu said: “Maybe going abroad for a while is right. When you’ve truly moved on, come back—I and Qingqing will be waiting for you here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With both her closest friends giving the same advice, Yue Yao’s resolve to study abroad was solidified—she would temporarily leave this painful place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao stirred her noodles with her chopsticks, saying: “Li Heng, thank you. By the way, can I ask you something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao glanced at Zhou Shihe, hesitated, then asked: “Dai Qing really likes you—if you don’t have a girlfriend, would you accept her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng paused his chopsticks, then joked: “You’re asking too late—I’m this handsome, how could I possibly not have a girlfriend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Yao studied him, then chuckled: “You really are handsome—and charismatic. Too bad our dorm mates can’t have you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her “dorm mates” included Liu Yanling, who had once secretly liked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the noodles, Yue Yao left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before going, she told them: “Wish you both success in Singapore. If you ever perform in Tokyo, I’ll definitely come support you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng and Zhou Shihe exchanged glances and smiled as they watched her go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once she was far away, Li Heng crossed the street and asked Zhou Shihe: “How are you so patient? Not even a hint of curiosity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe smiled lightly: “I’ve heard about Yue Yao, Lü Guoyi, and Li Guang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng froze, then smacked his forehead: “Of course—between Sun Manning and Ye Ning, the gossip queens, nothing in school stays hidden from you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back on campus, Zhou Shihe said playfully: “If you’re worried about awkward silence, you could tell me about Li Ran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: “Let the silence stay—I’m tired of forcing conversation. There are so many women who like me—do you really think I have to please you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsure if he was serious, Zhou Shihe pouted slightly, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a White Rabbit candy, offering it to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She held it out to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was stunned: “How do you even have this? I thought you didn’t like snacks?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe explained: “My aunt gave it to me—said this flavor’s delicious, told me to try it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Did you try it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe said: “One.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “How was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, he realized it was a stupid question—if it tasted bad, why would she carry it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, he made a final protest: “If it’s this good, why didn’t you share it with me sooner?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe withdrew her hand, dug into her pocket again, pulled out all the candies, and offered them to him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her clear, bright eyes seemed to say: I meant to give you one last night—but you broke the rules in the study, so I didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng understood her silent rebuke, reluctantly took the candies, counted roughly—five total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned one to her: “Here—take it. In my hometown, when you receive something, you leave a portion behind—it’s called ‘leaving fortune.’ It means wealth breeds wealth—for good fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhou Shihe extended her slender fingers, plucked the returned candy from his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng peeled one, popped it in his mouth, chewed, and said: “Hmm, not bad—do you have more at home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe replied quietly: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Bring me some later. And I won’t take it for free—I’ll satisfy your gossip.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way back to Lushan Village, Li Heng told her the general story of Li Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she heard Li Ran was addicted to sex, Zhou Shihe glanced at him several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng felt uneasy: “Wait—what’s that look supposed to mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe looked down at her toes, silent, only smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, barely noticeable smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng blinked and said, “Don’t think ill of me—I’m not obsessed with bed matters. Otherwise, how could you have stayed unharmed in the same room with me for over a month in Jingcheng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before and after the Spring Festival Gala, with five rehearsals plus the live performance, the two had spent over forty days together in the same room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling those days—the way he’d sneak glances at her, the scenes when he cried out her name in his dreams—Zhou Shihe’s eyelids involuntarily lowered, her long lashes trembling. She suddenly stopped smiling, appearing inexplicably uneasy, then deliberately avoided his gaze as her cheeks flushed crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was blushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was rare in her first twenty years of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao She once said: True words are scarce in this world; a woman’s blush speaks louder than a long confession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng gazed at her shyness and found an indescribable beauty in it. He grew dazed, momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling his gaze boldly fixed on her face, Zhou Shihe opened her cherry lips slightly, then opened them again, but ultimately said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their lively conversation had been abruptly severed by some inexplicable force. They walked silently toward Lushan Village, each lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the cobblestone path to the end of the alley, Zhou Shihe, walking ahead, stopped first, staring at the woman standing at the entrance of No. 26: Li Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng blinked, calling out across the distance: “Hey! You’re still here? Aren’t you afraid they’ll come looking for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran glided over gracefully: “I’m about to start my great escape. I came to say goodbye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked, “Where are you running to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. The world’s big—anywhere’s fine, sigh.” Li Ran sighed, yet showed no trace of despair, as energetic and spirited as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng glanced around and asked, “Where’s Zhao An? Not with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s at the bank withdrawing money. Escape needs cash,” Li Ran said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was stunned: “I thought you’d ditch him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wanted to. But since he stood up for me today, I’ll let my compassion flare up once. I have a feeling I won’t live much longer,” Li Ran said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was shocked: “Why say such gloomy things? That’s not like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran pointed at herself with her fingers: “I don’t need the Zhao family to bother me. If I keep suppressing this desire and can’t find a man to satisfy me, I’ll burn up from internal longing and die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well then, this conversation was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng changed the subject: “Tell me, what do you need me to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t need you to do anything. I just came to say goodbye. Every time I finally get settled at the New Future Training School, I have to run again—it feels like I’m betraying your trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran pulled out a sealed bag from her pocket and handed it to him. “My mom’s practically pining herself to death over you. She’ll definitely find some excuse to visit your home during the summer break. Please deliver this to her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe glanced between Li Heng and Li Ran, sensing she’d stumbled upon a major gossip. Then she stepped lightly, fished out her keys, unlocked the door, and entered No. 27.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran stepped closer and lowered her voice: “You and Zhou Shihe...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng cut her off: “Don’t imagine things. Do you really think she’d look at me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran tilted her head, thought for a moment, then suddenly nodded: “True. If I had her devastating beauty and aura, I wouldn’t look at you either. You’re just too much of a scoundrel—playing with your best friend, seducing female teachers, fickle and unfaithful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly, you, this fickle little radish, are perfect for my bed. Dying on my belly would be your best fate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng couldn’t bear to hear this. He shoved her shoulder and told her everything that had happened at the powdered face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally he said, “I still suggest you see a psychologist. This might be a psychological disorder—maybe therapy could help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Li Ran had fiercely resisted such advice. But today she didn’t argue. She shoved the sealed bag into his hands and said, “I’ll contact you once I’ve settled somewhere. That’s it—I’m off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Li Ran stepped past him and vanished quickly down the other end of the alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng weighed the sealed bag in his hand, stood still for a long while, then entered his own home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first placed the bag in his bedroom, then washed up briefly, cleaned his hands and mouth after breakfast, and finally took his erhu to the neighboring building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe was already waiting in the music room. Li Heng entered and closed the door automatically, sitting in his usual spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The piece they performed in Singapore was “The Street Where the Wind Resides.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They both loved this piece and had played it together countless times. Now, with just a simple glance, they slipped effortlessly into rhythm and began practicing in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe was beautiful—breathtakingly so. Gaze too long, and it felt as if your soul would be drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seated elegantly before the piano, she was at her most beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng gazed at her, feeling a profound stillness in his heart, no noise at all, as if he’d entered the depths of the cosmic stars—silent all around, only the exquisite piano melody drifting in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one moment, Li Heng moved. Left hand holding the erhu, right hand drawing the bow—instantly, the music room transformed, the melody becoming extraordinarily moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe glanced at him, sensing his skill hadn’t dulled, and felt a wave of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All morning, they spoke almost nothing, communicating entirely through glances. Their joint practice lasted from 8:30 a.m. until around 1 p.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d played the piece countless times. Li Heng had long been satisfied, but Zhou Shihe pursued perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wouldn’t relent, so he couldn’t abandon her. He stayed, seeing it through to the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he set down the erhu, Li Heng felt a sense of release. He sighed, “When we recorded our pure music albums, you were never this strict. You’re killing yourself—oh my, these little arms and legs of mine can’t take this kind of beating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe smiled gently: “It’s different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked casually, “How so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe said, “When we recorded albums, we were in a studio. If one take failed, we did another—countless chances to correct and retry. But in Singapore, we performed live. No mistakes allowed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, that makes sense. But I still think you weren’t this serious during the Spring Festival Gala,” Li Heng said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe looked at the sheet music: “Back then, Teacher Yu was the pillar. I was just helping out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crude words, but true: in “The Street Where the Wind Resides,” the piano carried the main weight; the erhu was secondary. If Teacher Yu was the pillar, then Zhou Shihe was the helper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Singapore concert was a solo showcase for Master Wu Yili, Zhou Shihe’s first international debut, her very first official performance—naturally, it carried different meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why she took it so seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s also one reason she came to Lushan Village on the third day of the New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After absorbing the rich meaning in her words, Li Heng set down the erhu and asked, “Hungry? Shall we go eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>",2801,"2026-06-19T15:27:37.100Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6108fbd961dddef67011166627373ca1732a47e6b0493f6e289d71041a89ce12","1987-my-era-chapter-598","1987-my-era-chapter-596",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]