Chapter 60: Three Spoons

What else is there to brag about?

“This time, math used the same paper for both liberal arts and science—only one multiple-choice and one fill-in-the-blank question differed. Our top science score was just 106,” Yang Ying said.

Li Heng asked her, “Was 106 yours?”

Yang Ying grinned a rustic smile and nodded. “You actually solved the last question. Our homeroom teacher said it involved some college-level advanced math.”

Li Heng didn’t explain how he solved it, just blinked and said, “Just tell me—am I impressive or not?”

Yang Ying spat out three words: “Dead pervert!”

Seeing this brilliant student acknowledge him in such a way, Li Heng didn’t get angry—he grinned and turned to Xiao Han:

“Xiao Han, what’s your math score?”

Finally asked, Xiao Han—who’d been exhausted from pretending—decided to take a short break. She lifted her head, eyes smiling.

“Not high. I wouldn’t dare show off before Mr. Li.”

Li Heng looked straight into her eyes. “How much?”

Xiao Han said, “Ninety-six.”

Considering how unusually difficult this math test was, 96 wasn’t low. Li Heng thought for a moment and said to her, “Come outside—I need to talk to you.”

Nearby, Yang Ying scolded him: “See? Your fox tail’s showing. You were just looking for Xiao Han all along.”

“Next time, just say you’re coming for Xiao Han. Don’t pretend you’re visiting me. Going after a beauty isn’t illegal.”

Li Heng shot back without mercy: “Given how you’ve treated me since the New Year, you should be burning incense that I’m even talking to you. Stop whining.”

Watching her best friend and the girl she’d secretly liked for ages argue like roosters, Xiao Han just smiled faintly, staying out of it—sweet burden indeed.

After bantering with the rustic girl, Li Heng stepped onto the corridor.

Xiao Han followed him out, pulling a newly bought white porcelain spoon from her bag.

Seeing the spoon in her hand, Li Heng suddenly said:

“Why buy just one? Why not a pair?”

Hearing “pair,” she instinctively pictured him standing beside Song Yu—perfectly matched—and her cheerful mood collapsed instantly.

She asked pitifully, “Did you really call me out just to tease me?”

“No, you misunderstood.”

Li Heng said, “Everyone says you and Song Yu are the two most beautiful girls in our school. I think this white porcelain spoon suits your vibe.”

After pondering “pair” and “two beauties,” Xiao Han glanced at him with a strange look:

“Mr. Li, do you have a peculiar habit? Do you eat with three spoons?”

“Cough, cough…”

Damn it!

This girl’s quick—just a casual remark, and she pounced right on it.

Li Heng coughed twice, then extended his hand. “Give me the spoon. I’ll deliver it to Song Yu.”

Xiao Han obediently placed the spoon in his palm, thinking: Oh, so all that pretense was just to fetch a spoon for some woman.

Noticing her expression had shut down, Li Heng said, “When can I get invited to a free meal?”

Xiao Han leaned on the railing, gazing into the distance. “You decide.”

Li Heng studied her profile. “Then this weekend. I’ll skip a meal first—come hungry.”

Xiao Han smiled faintly.

Just that one smile—her tiny dimple appeared, like a rose blooming in spring, stunningly beautiful.

Being stared at like this, Xiao Han felt a flicker of secret delight—but also discomfort. After all, this was the first time a boy had looked at her so openly.

Boys had often sneaked glances at her before, but when she turned her gaze their way, they all scattered like mice fleeing a cat—never daring to stare so boldly.

Her face burned, her heart raced. Afraid she’d betray herself, she forced calmness: “Fine, weekend it is.”

Li Heng warned, “Bring plenty of cash. I eat a lot.”

Xiao Han glanced at his stomach. “Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you’re satisfied.”

“Okay, I’m off.”

Saying that, Li Heng turned sharply and walked down the stairs without looking back.

Watching him leave with the corner of her eye, Xiao Han suddenly felt dazed:

The interaction had been brief, with no real flirtation—but she felt an inexplicable closeness, as if their distance had shrunk instantly.

And about certain unspoken things, both seemed to know—but carefully preserved the silence, never breaking it.

How bizarre!

Am I really so worthless? Has he captured me so easily?

He’d only made one move.

She thought, troubled.

…

Back in the classroom.

Xiao Han kept brushing off her two friends’ chatter until they left for lunch. Then she casually asked Yang Ying:

“Yingwen, I heard from Zhang Zhiyong that the Chen and Li families have broken ties. Is it true?”

Zhang Zhiyong had never said that—she wasn’t even close to him—but that didn’t stop her from using him as cover.

Yang Ying was curious. “Why ask that?”

Xiao Han smiled faintly, guiding subtly: “Just now, that guy took the white porcelain spoon I bought for Song Yu.”

Yang Ying followed her lead: “So you think Li Heng is playing both sides?”

Xiao Han put on a gossipy expression.

Yang Ying thought, then shook her head. “When Zijin was still here, I interacted with Song Yu many times. I don’t think Song Yu is that kind of person. Even if Li Heng truly likes Song Yu, even with his skills, she wouldn’t agree so easily.”

Xiao Han asked, “So Li Heng and Chen Zijin haven’t broken up yet?”

Yang Ying nodded, then shook her head, then nodded again. “Hard to say. Logically, they should’ve split.

Early this year, I met Li Heng while chopping wood on the mountain. We talked about it—he got some study materials from Chen Zijin, but they were all done secretly.

That shows their relationship is troubled. At least Chen’s family opposes them being together.”

Hearing this, Xiao Han felt an unexpected relief: Chen Zijin still cared for him, but the Chen and Li families were likely at odds.

“Oh, I just remembered something,” Yang Ying suddenly said.

Xiao Han played the perfect listener. “What?”

Yang Ying glanced around, then whispered when sure no one was listening: “When Spring Grandma died…”

Seeing her friend might not understand, she rephrased: “When Zijin’s grandmother died, Zijin didn’t come back. That’s unusual.

Also, after Spring Grandma left the mountain, Zijin’s father sent leftover dishes to Li Heng’s house—but his mother refused them. Many people saw it.

I heard Zijin’s mother was furious and gave all the food away to others.”

Xiao Han’s eyes lit up. “So the Chen and Li families definitely broke up over them?”

Yang Ying nodded. “They definitely broke ties. Afterward, many people secretly guessed the same. And they also said…”

Xiao Han prompted gently. “What else?”

Yang Ying looked at her. “They said Li Heng and Chen Zijin must’ve had the most intimate relationship. Otherwise, Chen’s family wouldn’t have been so ruthless!”

Xiao Han, who had just been secretly pleased about the Chen-Li split, now dug her nails into her pant leg until they nearly tore through!

Is he really a second-hand man?

Is my fate really this cruel?

Xiao Han felt deeply uneasy—she couldn’t feel the slightest joy.

(End of chapter)

(End of chapter)