Chapter 636

On the other side.

On the road out of Lushan Village, Xiao Han gazed raptly at the back ahead, her lips curled faintly like a crescent moon, radiating pure joy.

Today, her honey had stood up to Shen Xin and Yu Shuheng’s mother-daughter duo for her—she was overjoyed.

First, he gave up going to Jingcheng to wait for Chen Zijin and Song Yu for her; now, this very scene—Xiao Han asked herself silently: after meeting a man who treats her this way, what more could she possibly want?

She didn’t care how many women he’d slept with, or how entangled he was with his fair-weather admirers; even if he had countless regrets and grievances, right now, he was still the passionate young man she’d fallen for—she saw him as perfect.

At this point, she didn’t want to dwell on why he’d slept in the same bed with Yu Shuheng last night—because she was certain nothing had happened, and that was enough.

She knew that digging too deep into certain things wasn’t a wise strategy—it would only cost her points with him.

With powerful rivals all around, Xiao Han knew she mustn’t push too far; she’d stop at the right moment, and know when to quit while ahead.

No matter how things changed, in the balance of gain and loss, nothing compared to him holding her hand in front of all his rivals. That one grip made her let go of everything.

He’d stood up to the mighty Yu family for her, abandoned the stunning and refined Yu Shuheng—what was there left to hold onto?

What was there left to cling to?

Why cling to his flaws?

How many young men in this world still remember the old lovers they once spent moonlit nights with, their hair tangled together?

Besides, Yu Shuheng was every bit her equal in beauty and grace—a professor at Fudan University, the only daughter of the Yu family, and someone who managed everything for him like a devoted housekeeper.

Even if she’d lost a little emotional ground, sharing some of him with Yu Shuheng, his heart still belonged to her—he still remembered her kindness, her affection—what was there to resent?

What good was gaining everything if she lost his heart?

Thinking of this, Xiao Han suddenly shuddered—she finally understood one thing: why Yu Shuheng hadn’t yet slept with him? Probably because she thought the same thing—what was the point if she hadn’t won his heart?

She muttered to herself: so Yu Shuheng has huge ambitions—she wants to win her honey’s heart? Wants to marry him openly?

Xiao Han stared at Li Heng’s nape, her thoughts involuntarily drifting to Song Yu and Zhou Shihe.

Song Yu was his greatest love.

Zhou Shihe had once prayed at Jing’an Temple: may I alone win one heart.

Ha! Song Yu! Zhou Shihe! Let that wild wolf Yu Shuheng deal with you two—I’ll take care of my honey and enjoy our romance.

Don’t let me down.

Leaving Lushan Village, Li Heng brought her to a nearby meadow, sat down, and took the breakfast from her hands to eat.

Neither spoke; the atmosphere was utterly quiet.

But as beef noodles and tofu pudding kept disappearing into his mouth, an unspoken tenderness quietly spread through the air.

At one moment, Li Heng, beef in his mouth, looked up and asked her: “Have you had breakfast?”

Xiao Han nodded.

Li Heng asked: “Want two pieces of beef?”

Xiao Han shook her head.

Li Heng paused, then spoke again: “About last night—do you want me to make up some excuse?”

Xiao Han’s eyes crinkled with a smile, and she shook her head.

Li Heng swallowed the beef, picked up another piece, chewed slowly, and stared at the grass:

“I’m selfish. I’m greedy. I’ve hurt one after another. I had relations with Zijin. I fell in love with Song Yu at first glance. I didn’t turn down Teacher Yu’s advances. I...”

Before he finished, his mouth was suddenly sealed.

Xiao Han leaned forward and kissed him with her small, rosy lips.

Li Heng stared at her, stunned.

He watched her beautiful, sweet eyes, her delicate nose like carved jade, her refined features, her lips pressed close to his—adorable, enchanting.

Seeing he didn’t move, Xiao Han playfully whispered: “Mr. Li, why are you frozen? Is my kiss not sincere enough?”

Li Heng said: “My mouth is full of red oil.”

“I know! I know! Of all the women in the world, only I don’t mind your greasy mouth—just give me a straight answer: kiss or not?” Xiao Han smiled sweetly, tilting her head up, eyes full of encouragement.

Locked in deep gaze, Li Heng slowly leaned in, lips parting, kissing her with abandon.

Lost in passion, Xiao Han half-lay in his arms, arms wrapped around his neck, eyes closed, lips perfectly yielding to him.

Li Heng dropped his chopsticks, pulled her close, and claimed her greedily.

They didn’t know how long they’d been like this—when they could barely breathe, Xiao Han finally pulled away, her cheek pressed to his, soft and obedient: “Mr. Li, I’m your woman—this life, and the next too.”

Li Heng’s breathing grew heavier, holding her tighter: “Wife, I’m sorry.”

Xiao Han, eyes closed, asked: “What did you call me?”

Li Heng said: “Wife.”

Xiao Han teased him happily: “Louder! I didn’t hear you.”

Li Heng raised his voice: “Wife!”

“Pfft~!”

An untimely laugh interrupted their tenderness—Xiao Han instantly buried her face in his chest, terrified someone might recognize her.

Li Heng looked up, following the sound, and realized a group of girls had appeared to his left—some he knew, some he didn’t.

One he knew: Luo Su, his junior from the Law School.

The others—five more—were strangers, likely an entire dormitory on an outing.

The laugh had come from one of the slightly plump girls.

Seeing Li Heng look over, the plump girl immediately stopped laughing and apologized profusely: “Senior, we’re just taking photos around campus—we didn’t mean to disturb you.”

Li Heng was annoyed—this place was fairly secluded, yet they’d still been caught.

He said nothing, only looked at Luo Su.

Last night, because of Li Xian, Luo Su had shared a bowl of noodles with him—she now led the group away.

The others followed instantly, fleeing with astonishing speed, terrified he’d remember their faces and hold a grudge.

Once the chaotic footsteps faded, Xiao Han mumbled: “Are they gone?”

Li Heng said: “Gone.”

Xiao Han lifted her head, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and smiled: “Just a bunch of little fry—should’ve kept kissing just now, let those single dogs envy us to death.”

Li Heng laughed, hugging her and bursting into mirth.

Still, the spot was exposed—they didn’t linger. After finishing the noodles and tofu pudding, they headed together to Chunhua Noodle Shop.

Without speaking, they both avoided mentioning returning to Lushan Village.

Li Heng didn’t go back—he was giving Mai Sui space; he didn’t need to ask to know what she was thinking.

Xiao Han didn’t go back—she understood her man’s thoughts, and had no intention of publicly breaking with Mai Sui yet.

“Oh my goodness! Sister-in-law, why are you back? Didn’t you just take one bowl of noodles?” Seeing Xiao Han return, Que Xinyan hurried over, blabbering.

Among Li Heng’s fair-weather admirers, Zhang Zhiyong feared Song Yu, Zhou Shihe, and Yu Shuheng most—he dared not speak when facing them.

Que Xinyan also feared Xiao Han, but after knowing her so long, and since she sometimes chatted with him and Yang Cheng when in good spirits, his fear wasn’t as intense.

Of course, in Que Xinyan’s mind, Xiao Han would almost certainly become his official sister-in-law, so he was extra attentive.

Xiao Han cleared her throat and dropped one line: “Husband leads, wife follows.”

“Ga-o ga-o…” Que Xinyan squawked like a goose, beaming obsequiously.

It was barely past nine—customers came and went constantly. Li Heng glanced around, then froze—he’d run into someone he knew: Wu Siyao.

He couldn’t help but marvel: the world really was that damn small—how could they possibly bump into each other here?

Wu Siyao was eating pork rib noodles; she’d spotted Li Heng long ago, but her attention wasn’t on him—it was on Xiao Han, scanning her from head to toe, silently sizing her up.

If not for Zhou Shihe, I might have fought with my body and heart—not to dethrone Xiao Han as official girlfriend, but at least to claim a place among Li Heng’s admirers, Wu Siyao thought.

She knew Xiao Han was prettier, but as a campus beauty from Tongji University, she had her pride. Yet after meeting Zhou Shihe, she’d lost all spirit—felt utterly outclassed, unable to muster even a spark of resistance.

That was why, after seeing Zhou Shihe on the bus earlier this year, Wu Siyao had reduced her bus rides.

She only came to Chunhua Noodle Shop when she missed Li Heng terribly, hoping for luck.

Yes—Wu Siyao had heard this noodle shop was connected to Li Heng, so she’d specifically come from Tongji University.

Her companion whispered: “Stop staring—Xiao Han noticed you’re trying to steal her man.”

Xiao Han had indeed sensed Wu Siyao’s gaze—she smiled faintly, dimple appearing, and linked arms with Li Heng to head upstairs.

Both floors belonged to Que Xinyan; since the first floor was packed, they went upstairs.

As they ascended, Wu Siyao, halfway through her noodles, suddenly put down her chopsticks and stood up to leave.

Her companion cried out: “Hey! What are you doing? My noodles just came—I haven’t even started eating!”

Wu Siyao ignored her and walked out.

Her companion, furious, stamped her foot: “Hey! You promised to treat me! Why did I come all this way with you? Pay up!”

Wu Siyao was already outside.

Everyone in the shop turned to stare at the companion.

The companion, embarrassed, told Que Xinyan’s mother: “Auntie, I forgot my money—can I pay you next time?”

Que Xinyan’s mother smiled kindly: “It’s fine, girl.”

To gain trust, the companion added quietly: “My classmate knows that famous writer—don’t worry, Auntie, I’ll come back to pay.”

Que Xinyan’s mother looked up at the ceiling and smiled: “Good.”

The companion stormed out of the noodle shop, caught up with Wu Siyao, and yelled: “Wu Siyao! What are you doing?! I’ve lost all my dignity! You’re taking out your romantic failure on me—I’m going crazy! I’m breaking up with you!”