Chapter 669

He stopped and lingered under the tree for a long time.

Afterward, Li Heng had no idea how he got to his teacher’s house; his head was still foggy, entirely preoccupied with wondering where he and the Big Blue Robe had gone wrong.

How had things become so leaky now?

“Younger brother, sister-in-law, you’ve come.”

Xiao Lin opened the courtyard gate, warmly accepted the gifts, and for the first time ever used the term “sister-in-law.”

Ba Laoxian’s home was a place Xiao Han had visited many times, Mai Sui had visited twice, and Zhou Shihe had visited once—but Xiao Lin called Song Yu “sister-in-law” alone.

The reason was that Xiao Lin, as a woman, could deeply sense how different Li Heng was toward Song Yu.

In one sentence: Song Yu was drenched in boundless favor.

Yesterday, after leaving Lushan Village, Xiao Lin, Liao the Chief Editor, and Ba Laoxian had seriously discussed this issue in the car, unanimously agreeing that Song Yu had the highest chance of emerging victorious, followed by Yu Laoshi and Xiao Han.

Of course, there was one major variable: Zhou Shihe.

If Zhou Shihe was determined to enter the fray and disrupt things, it wouldn’t be surprising if she became the ultimate winner.

But the three analyzed that Zhou Shihe was currently at a critical juncture, calmly sorting out her emotions, and her future direction—left or right—depended entirely on a single thought.

It all depended on how she and her family behind her chose to act.

But one thing could not be denied: Zhou Shihe’s charm was boundless.

From yesterday’s birthday banquet, the cake-eating, and their past interactions, in Li Heng’s heart: Zhou Shihe’s charm was less than or equal to Song Yu’s, but greater than everyone else’s.

As for why Zhou Shihe’s charm was slightly lower than Song Yu’s, Xiao Lin, Ba Laoxian, and Liao the Chief Editor all puzzled over it endlessly, finally resorting helplessly to the explanation of time: Li Heng had known Song Yu longer.

The term “sister-in-law” left Song Yu startled and deeply she glanced at Li Heng.

Song Yu knew that, given Xiao Lin’s status, she would never seek attention or deliberately flatter—so this “sister-in-law” carried immense weight, reflecting her position in Li Heng’s heart.

Thinking of this, she thought: perhaps this was the greatest gain from coming to Shanghai.

Entering the reception room, Ba Master was already waiting.

He personally poured tea for the two, studied Song Yu again, then smiled and nodded to his daughter: “Excellent! A match made in heaven. I haven’t seen such a well-matched pair in a long time.”

Song Yu accepted the tea with both hands and smiled, saying thank you.

She thanked him for the tea, and for the elder’s praise.

Xiao Lin sat beside Song Yu and chimed in with a smile: “Indeed. You just take good care of your health, and one day officiate our younger brother’s and sister-in-law’s wedding.”

Before Li Heng could interject, Ba Master, unusually cheerful, said: “They’ll marry within ten years at most—I think I can still hold on for ten years.”

Li Heng laughed heartily: “We’ll remember that, Teacher. When the time comes, we’ll come personally to pick you up.”

Using their future marriage as a starting point, the four conversed in perfect harmony.

Half an hour later, Xiao Lin went into the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Song Yu had wanted to follow and help, but Xiao Lin pushed her back onto the sofa, saying the vegetables had already been washed and chopped, and all that remained was to stir-fry them—it wouldn’t take long.

After his daughter left, Ba Laoxian unusually asked about Song Yu’s family background. He had brought many girls here before, but this was the first time the old man had done so.

Later, when they had a chance to be alone, Xiao Lin teased him: “Younger brother, Grandpa really likes the two of you.”

Li Heng just kept laughing.

Xiao Lin asked: “How much do you think Song Yu knows about your other romantic interests?”

Li Heng sighed: “Ah, she knows everything.”

Xiao Lin asked: “Did she cause trouble?”

Recalling the scene in the car earlier, Li Heng still felt a chill of relief—he’d barely made it through, but he said: “Song Yu is a kind-hearted person. She may have felt heartbroken inside, but she never made things hard for me.”

Xiao Lin listened in surprise, then after a long pause praised: “Truly a considerate, magnanimous girl. If you ever marry her, your household will never burn down.”

Xiao Lin asked again: “How is her relationship with that Chen girl?”

The Chen girl referred to Chen Zijin.

Li Heng was startled: “How do you know about that?”

Xiao Lin said: “Your senior brother told us. As for how he found out, I didn’t ask.”

Li Heng replied: “She and Zijin get along well.”

Xiao Lin asked again: “Do you think Zhou Shihe could be this tolerant?”

Li Heng countered: “Why single out Zhou Shihe specifically?”

Xiao Lin smiled: “Because she’s the most uncertain variable.”

Li Heng fell silent, long and quiet.

Xiao Lin asked: “Why aren’t you speaking?”

Li Heng spoke from the heart: “I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure about her at all.”

Xiao Lin nodded deeply in agreement: “That feeling is exactly right. Children from great families are naturally calculating; their emotions never show on their faces.”

After lunch, the four went together to Liao the Chief Editor’s home.

To his surprise, the customs officer was there too. A half-grown boy was playing noisily in the living room.

Upon entering, Li Heng glanced several times at the customs officer. Honestly, she had some charm—no wonder his senior brother once wanted to sleep with her.

Li Heng took out his money, counted it: 1,027 yuan and 6 jiao.

He tucked away the change and slipped 1,000 yuan into the boy’s pocket as a first-meeting gift.

The customs officer didn’t know whether to accept the money and looked at Liao the Chief Editor.

Liao adjusted his glasses and said: “Younger brother, this… this is too much.”

Li Heng waved his hand: “We’re family—no need for formalities. This is Song Yu’s and my gift. If you refuse, you’re being too distant.”

With the words spoken so plainly, Liao had no choice but to give up, signaling the customs officer to accept the money.

After serving tea, the customs officer left for the market. The boy also clamored and followed.

As soon as the mother and son stepped out, Ba Master asked Liao the Chief Editor: “Have you decided? Will you accept this mother and child?”

Liao hesitated, saying nothing.

Xiao Lin added sharply: “I think it’s fine. The child has been raised by you for so long—what more could you want?”

Then she struck again: “The Xu family’s gate is too high. You’re already this old—why go and humiliate yourself? I think you two should just go get your marriage certificate already.”

Liao asked Li Heng: “Younger brother, what do you think?”

Li Heng sipped his tea: “Don’t ask me. My situation is worse than yours—I haven’t even officially won Song Yu yet.”

He had firmly decided not to interfere.

Liao looked at Song Yu and said with great confidence: “I see your good fortune is near—you can marry right after graduation.”

Hearing this, Li Heng immediately seized the opportunity, happily telling Song Yu: “Did you hear that? Teacher, Xiao Lin, and Senior Brother all say we’re perfect together—marry me after graduation, okay?”

Meeting everyone’s gazes, Song Yu gently swept her dark hair back with her right hand and smiled faintly: “Alright.”

Li Heng nearly jumped up, barely suppressing his excitement: “Really?”

Song Yu smiled without answering.