Chapter 663

Building 27.

Upstairs on the second floor, Li Heng immediately spotted the red receiver on the coffee table, picked it up and pressed it to his ear—only to find the call had already been disconnected.

Without hesitation, he immediately dialed the Li family number in Jingcheng’s Gulu.

“Ding ling ling…”

“Ding ling ling…”

The ring rang twice before connecting; a middle-aged woman’s voice came through: “Hello, who’s this?”

“Mom, it’s me.” Li Heng said.

“Man Zai, it’s your birthday today—did you make anything good to eat?” Tian Run’e asked with concern.

Li Heng smiled: “Bought plenty of good ingredients, already cooking dinner in the kitchen. Shihe said you called over, so I came right over.”

Tian Run’e asked: “You left halfway through cooking—who’s taking over the kitchen?”

Don’t blame her for thinking that.

In her mind, all the girls around him came from wealthy families, all delicate and spoiled—hardly any of them could cook.

Li Heng said: “Shihe is helping with the cooking.”

Tian Run’e was astonished: “That Zhou girl? The one who plays piano? She’s cooking for you?”

Li Heng said: “Exactly. She’s a great cook—not worse than me.”

Actually, Tian Run’e had heard Mai Sui mention that Zhou Shihe could cook, but she’d never tasted it herself.

After a moment’s thought, Tian Run’e lowered her voice: “Man Zai, tell Mom honestly—have you been flirting with this girl?”

Li Heng asked: “Why ask that?”

Tian Run’e said: “Intuition. This girl is so beautiful—if you didn’t go out of your way to charm her, I’d think you’re not my son.”

Li Heng: “...”

The way she put it, it sounded like every beautiful girl in the world was his to hit on?

The Zhao girl was gorgeous enough—in Bai Luyuan, she made his heart race—but he still kept his distance.

He couldn’t keep talking about Zhou Shihe—too risky. He changed the subject: “Today’s my birthday, even Song Yu came. Mom, say something happy.”

Instantly, hearing Song Yu’s name, Tian Run’e shifted focus: “All the way from here? Song Yu went to your school?”

“Yep, see? She cares about your son.” Li Heng preened.

Tian Run’e grew melancholy: “What about Xiao Han? Didn’t Yu Laoshi come?”

Li Heng said: “Xiao Han is here. Yu Laoshi stayed for lunch, then returned to the Yu household—today’s Dragon Boat Festival, she needs to be with her family tonight.”

Tian Run’e asked cautiously: “Did Xiao Han and Song Yu have any arguments?”

Li Heng said: “How could they? No way. Mom, don’t worry. Today’s my birthday—I’m the boss. They’re both well-mannered.”

Tian Run’e wasn’t convinced: “I’ve never met Song Yu in person, so I can’t judge. But Xiao Han’s tongue is sharp—could she really share a roof without clashing?”

Li Heng replied: “She got along fine with Mai Sui too—never had a quarrel.”

“That’s because Mai Sui always gave in to her. Every time Xiao Han came to Fudan, Mai Sui went to sleep with the Zhou girl—don’t think I don’t know.” Tian Run’e cut straight to the truth.

This was too awkward—his scheming future daughter-in-law had a razor-sharp tongue. Li Heng laughed it off and changed the subject: “Mom, when you called earlier, was Chen Zitong there?”

Tian Run’e’s heart sank—she feared the word “brother-in-law” would cause trouble.

She frowned: “I’d just gotten through to Zhou Shihe when Zitong walked in—just by chance. She came in and asked me: ‘Aunt Tian, today’s your son-in-law’s birthday—Lanlan went to Shanghai, why didn’t you go to Fudan with her?’”

Tian Run’e told her son her suspicion: “Lanlan went to Mai’s house in Shaodong yesterday. To hide her trip, she casually told Jiao Jiao she was going to Fudan for your birthday. Jiao Jiao must’ve mentioned it to Zijin and Zitong during idle chat—that’s how this happened.”

Li Heng didn’t think much of it: “Is Zijin there?”

Tian Run’e said: “She just left—about thirteen or fourteen minutes ago. She brought me and your father some zongzi, ate lunch, then was picked up by Chen Xiaomi—they’re going to visit her grandfather this afternoon.”

Li Heng slapped his forehead in frustration—he’d been so focused on whether they’d fight, he’d completely forgotten Zijin.

He asked: “Where’s Dad?”

Tian Run’e said: “Your second sister isn’t in Jingcheng—the pastry shop is too busy, short-staffed. Your dad went to help. I’m going over too, soon.”

The mother and son chatted for about twenty minutes before ending the call.

He hung up, thought for a moment, then called Huang Zhaoyi—no answer.

He tried contacting his high school English teacher—still no one picked up.

Wow! Everyone’s so busy? None of them home?

Li Heng checked his watch: 4:39.

He didn’t dare delay further—he ran back to Building 26.

At that moment, Xiao Han had brought Xiao Lin, Liao the editor, and Old Ba upstairs to the living room.

In the first-floor living room, Chen Xiaoyu, Bai Wanying, Ye Ning, and Zhang Haiyan were playing cards; Zhang Zhiyong watched from the side.

Wei Xiaozhu, Dai Qing, and Sun Man were all helping in the kitchen.

The large kitchen was packed, filled with laughter and chatter—bustling and lively.

Walking into the kitchen, Li Heng met Song Yu’s gaze, then walked straight to Zhou Shihe’s side: “How many dishes left to cook?”

Zhou Shihe listed them off: “Five.”

Li Heng rolled up his sleeves: “You’ve worked hard—go rest outside. I’ll handle the rest.”

Zhou Shihe glanced at him, took off her apron, handed it to him, then left the kitchen without hesitation—returned to her own home to shower and wash her hair.

Was it his imagination?

The moment Zhou Shihe left, everyone in the kitchen felt noticeably lighter. Sun Man spoke louder than before, brimming with confidence.

Sun Man asked Li Heng: “Hey, it’s this late—why hasn’t Yu Laoshi arrived yet?”

Li Heng replied: “Yu Laoshi had something to attend to at home—she won’t make it for dinner.”

“Huh?” Sun Man was confused—thought to herself: Is Yu Laoshi stupid? Doesn’t she show up for Li Heng’s 20th birthday?

But then she remembered Song Yu and Shihe—and decided it was better if Yu Laoshi didn’t come. If things exploded, it’d be impossible to manage.

They all knew: Shihe and Yu Laoshi had always been at odds. If their conflict ignited, even Li Heng might not be able to stop it.

Once all the chores were done, Wei Xiaozhu, Dai Qing, and Sun Man left with good sense, leaving Li Heng and Song Yu alone.

When no outsiders remained, Li Heng said: “My mom just asked about you on the phone.”

Song Yu washed her hands and looked at him.

Li Heng asked gently: “Do you really have to wait until graduation to meet my parents? Can’t you meet them sooner?”

She stared into his eyes for a moment, then brushed her hair back with her right hand: “I’ll think about it.”

She’d originally planned to say, “I’ll meet your parents only when you’re certain you’ll marry me,” but the words felt too cruel—so she changed her mind.