Chapter 670: The Sudden Conflict

After leaning on each other for a while, Song Yu said softly, “You’re soaked through—go take a shower before you catch a cold.”

“Alright.”

Li Heng let go of her, found clothes, and went into the bathroom.

Song Yu stayed a while longer in Mai Sui’s bedroom, then went up to the attic outside.

She fiddled with the telescope for a while, then her gaze settled on the swing and the purple wind chimes, thinking: This color and style doesn’t suit Xiao Han’s nature—probably Mai Sui’s doing again.

It seems Mai Sui hasn’t been completely suppressed here by Xiao Han.

Then she thought of the dried ginkgo tree near the courtyard gate—who was behind this?

Sun Manning and Ye Ning?

Or Zhou Shihe?

Or Yu Shuheng across the way?

After pondering for a while, Song Yu estimated, based on her interactions over the past two days, that Sun Manning and Ye Ning were most likely, Zhou Shihe uncertain, and Yu Shuheng probably knew something.

Does Li Heng know? she wondered.

But the next moment she dismissed the guess. Despite Yu Shuheng and Zhou Shihe’s beauty and powerful family backgrounds, Xiao Han held a high place in his heart—otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed to plant the ginkgo trees twice.

Just as she stood in the attic, Yu Shuheng returned, followed by her assistant and bodyguard, Liu Bei.

But Liu Bei didn’t enter—the moment she saw Miss Yu was safe, she turned back along the alley.

Yu Shuheng pulled out her key to open the courtyard gate, then suddenly turned and looked toward the second floor of No. 26.

Their eyes met across the distance.

Facing each other, Yu Shuheng gave her a refined smile and said, “Come sit for a while?”

Song Yu hesitated, then surprisingly agreed.

Half a minute later, Song Yu stepped out of No. 26.

Only when she drew near did Yu Shuheng step through the courtyard gate.

Then the two women entered No. 25 one after the other, changed shoes, and climbed to the second floor in silence.

Setting her bag on the coffee table, Yu Shuheng asked, “Tea or coffee?”

Song Yu replied calmly, “Either is fine.”

Hearing this, Yu Shuheng began brewing coffee.

Song Yu remained silent throughout, sitting on the sofa watching her move.

Soon the coffee was ready; Yu Shuheng added three sugar cubes and handed it to her: “Li Heng always likes three sugars—he says that’s just right. Try it—see if it suits your taste.”

“Thank you,” Song Yu said politely, took the coffee, and took a small sip.

Yu Shuheng asked, “How is it?”

Song Yu smiled, “His taste isn’t bad.”

Yu Shuheng smiled too, “Not just his taste—he has excellent taste in everything.”

Though vague, Song Yu understood: she meant Li Heng’s taste in women was excellent—each woman beside him more beautiful and accomplished than the last.

But Song Yu said nothing, only gazed at her.

From the information she’d gathered: the only women Li Heng had fallen for at first sight were herself and Zhou Shihe; Xiao Han had loved him secretly for years before he responded.

Of course, that response came after the college entrance exam, when Li Heng came to Shanghai to pursue Xiao Han.

As for Zijin and Mai Sui, their feelings grew slowly over time.

Huang Zhaoyi and Yu Shuheng here had actively drawn near to him.

Yu Shuheng seemed to sense her thoughts, slowly stirring her coffee with a spoon, speaking warmly: “At first, I was entrusted by Runwen to look after him—I never expected I’d fall so deeply, be drawn to him, and fall in love with him.”

Song Yu said, “I understand. His appearance and demeanor are nearly perfect. I heard girls kept writing him love letters since middle school. In high school, it was even more—his name was the most frequent one in our dormitory.”

Yu Shuheng asked curiously, “Did he ever write you a love letter?”

Song Yu paused, then said, “Yes.”

Yu Shuheng asked, “Did you refuse him?”

Song Yu gave a soft hum.

Yu Shuheng asked, “Why didn’t you say yes in high school?”

Song Yu replied, “You already know the answer, Teacher Yu.”

Yu Shuheng smiled and nodded, “So before you came to Shanghai, you’d already convinced yourself—you’d already made peace with Chen Zijin.”

Song Yu took another sip of coffee, “Mainly to celebrate his birthday.”

Celebrating his birthday was only part of it.

Both knew what was unspoken; Yu Shuheng didn’t press further, instead asking, “Have you met Zhou Shihe alone? How did it feel?”

Song Yu was surprised—she hadn’t expected the scholarly Teacher Yu to suddenly shift to such a sharp topic.

But Song Yu didn’t flinch; she answered honestly, “A woman who can make Li Heng fall in love with her isn’t ordinary.”

Yu Shuheng said, “That’s a high compliment.”

Song Yu remained silent, acknowledging it.

Yu Shuheng asked, “How long did Li Heng pursue you?”

Song Yu thought back, then shook her head, “I don’t remember exactly, but it was mostly during university.”

Hearing this, Yu Shuheng didn’t press further; her gaze fell to her coffee cup: “For him to pursue you actively is a great advantage and privilege. Honestly, many envy you and Zhou Shihe.”

Bringing up Zhou Shihe again carried deep meaning.

As sharp as Song Yu was, she immediately sensed Yu Shuheng’s intent: Yu Shuheng had mentioned Zhou Shihe several times, deliberately or not—clearly hoping to make Song Yu take her seriously.

It was also possible Yu Shuheng wanted Song Yu to focus entirely on Zhou Shihe, to clash with her, so she could reap the benefits from the sidelines.

But Song Yu didn’t expose her; she remained calm and said, “Teacher Yu is beautiful and elegant. Li Heng has praised you many times in front of me.”

After three probes, Song Yu maintained her composure; Yu Shuheng secretly admired her, yet quietly raised the danger level of this rival in her mind.