Chapter 679: The Return of the King

Hearing Dai Qing’s response, Wei Xiaozhu also turned to look.

Wei Xiaozhu thought: Song Yu matches Zhou Shihe in appearance and demeanor, but Shihe’s family is formidable; if a man were pragmatic, wouldn’t he prioritize marrying Shihe?

Soon after, she wondered: Yu Shuheng also has a soft spot for this man; marrying Professor Yu would benefit his career more than marrying Song Yu—could he really ignore all that and marry Song Yu?

With these thoughts, Wei Xiaozhu now regarded Li Heng with serious attention, eager to know how he would answer Dai Qing’s question.

But the two women were doomed to disappointment—Li Heng merely smiled, offering no real answer: “Graduation is still far off; I’ve never thought about any of this.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Xiaozhu and Dai Qing exchanged glances; women’s intuition told them: Li Heng was brushing them off.

But both women were perceptive and wisely dropped the subject.

The meal passed uneventfully; without Li Yiyi, the atmosphere lost some liveliness, yet several still got drunk, and the mood remained decent.

As they stumbled back through the school gate, Wei Sisi suddenly asked Li Heng: “Big writer Li, when are you going home?”

Li Heng replied: “I leave on the 28th. Comrade Sisi, do you have something?”

Seeing everyone turn to look, Wei Sisi grew flustered; after several attempts, she finally gathered courage to say: “I couldn’t get a train ticket—I’ve been trying for ages. You’ve got connections, right? Can you help? I’ll treat you to dinner later.”

Though the late eighties saw fewer travelers, train schedules were also sparse; during holidays, summer and winter breaks, or festivals, train tickets were always hard to come by.

They’d been close friends for two years; within reason, he readily agreed: “Alright, I’ll ask around. Wait for my reply.”

Wei Sisi beamed: “Thank you.”

Li Heng waved his hand: “Don’t thank me—that’s way too formal.”

As they prepared to part, Wei Xiaozhu came over and said to him: “I’m going with you to Lushan Village to see Shihe and Maisui about something.”

Li Heng grinned: “That’s perfect—I’ll have company.”

He asked Dai Qing: “Want to come along for a visit?”

Dai Qing shook her head: “No, I have to rush to the train station.”

Li Heng was surprised: “Leaving so soon? What time’s your train tonight?”

Dai Qing said: “Eight o’clock.”

Li Heng asked: “How many of you going? Is it safe?”

Dai Qing replied: “There are four or five fellow villagers—we always travel together.”

Hearing this, Li Heng casually offered: “Safe travels.”

Dai Qing thanked him, hugged Wei Xiaozhu, and walked off straightaway.

Nearby, Hu Ping glanced at Li Heng, then at Wei Xiaozhu, and said to Zhao Meng beside him: “Let’s go roller skating—work off the alcohol.”

Zhao Meng immediately beamed: “Great!”

On the way back to Lushan Village, Li Heng asked Wei Xiaozhu: “When are you and your aunt heading home?”

Wei Xiaozhu said: “My aunt still has to supervise exams and grade papers—she’ll leave later. For now, she’s got a ticket for July 2nd.”

Li Heng nodded: “If you’re bored these days, you can come over and play with Maisui and Mannning.”

Wei Xiaozhu smiled: “I’ll ask them later.”

Then she curiously asked: “You’ve finished your exams—are you waiting for Xiao Han to go home together? Aren’t you worried Xiao Han and Maisui will clash?”

Li Heng was confident: “No, don’t you know Maisui’s nature? She never picks fights.”

Wei Xiaozhu thought it over—true enough—and sighed: “I envy your luck! You’re entangled with so many stunning beauties.”

Li Heng rubbed his forehead, saying nothing, gazing up at the horizon: You only see me smiling—you don’t see the suffering hidden in my smile.

None of these women are easy to handle—they’re all sharp, all cunning; sometimes, damn it, I can’t openly favor one, so I just pretend to be clueless.

Maisui, Sun Mannning, and Ye Ning returned; upon asking, they confirmed they’d attended the student union meeting that afternoon.

Seeing Wei Xiaozhu arrive, Zhou Shihe’s icy expression finally broke into a rare smile.

But when she noticed someone’s gaze fixed on her, the young lady slowly cooled her expression, leading Wei Xiaozhu and Maisui into Building 27.

She left only her back silhouette for him to stare at, bewildered in the monsoon wind.

Ye Ning nudged him: “Big spender, are you an idiot? Come inside—what are you doing standing out here in the wind?”

Li Heng smiled, turned, and walked back to his own house.

Ye Ning was baffled: “What’s going on? I bet he’s obsessed with Shihe—craving her, but pretending to be aloof?”

Sun Mannning patted Ye Ning’s shoulder: “Girl, you’re still green. Would you flirt with Shihe right in front of Maisui?”

Ye Ning sneered: “Why not? Don’t Shihe and Maisui already know?”

Sun Mannning said: “Knowing and showing are different—face must be preserved… Damn it! Forget it—I’m wasting breath on a virgin. Go find some random guy on the street, fuck him a few times, and you’ll get it.”

Ye Ning stomped her foot in fury, chased after Sun Mannning all the way out of Lushan Village.

Back home, he bathed, drank two cups of cold tea, then went across to Building 25.

He called Professor Yu.

“Ding ling ling…”

“Ding ling ling…”

The phone rang twice before connecting; Yu Shuheng’s voice came through: “Hello.”

“Teacher, it’s me,” he introduced himself.

Hearing his voice, Yu Shuheng set down her pen, signed a document, and asked: “Little brother, what’s up?”

Li Heng explained Wei Sisi’s train ticket problem.

Yu Shuheng said: “I’ll have Ceng Yun send it over later.”

Li Heng asked: “When you go to Shaoshi, will you visit Teacher Wang?”

Yu Shuheng paused, then realized: “Runwen asked you?”

Li Heng didn’t hide it: “Teacher Wang wants me to visit during summer break.”

“Oh.”

Yu Shuheng gave a knowing “oh,” then asked: “Why did she tell me?”

Li Heng countered: “You really didn’t know?”

Yu Shuheng smiled, then said after a pause: “I suspected—Runwen invited me too.”

Li Heng thought: So it was confirmed—he was glad he hadn’t rushed over alone; otherwise, Professor Yu might’ve teased him mercilessly. He asked: “When are you going?”

Yu Shuheng asked him: “What’s your plan?”

Li Heng said: “You’re going to Shaoshi on July 1st—let’s go to Teacher Wang’s together that day.”

Yu Shuheng considered, then agreed: “Alright.”

Without discussion, they both avoided mentioning why Wang Runwen had summoned them.

It was unnecessary—within days, meeting Teacher Wang would reveal everything. Clearly, she’d called them both for a reason.

After ending the call with Yu Shuheng, Li Heng dialed the landline of the Li family’s Drum Tower residence in Beijing, mainly to remind his mother again about Professor Yu’s visit, lest she forget.

Tian Rune said: “We haven’t forgotten—it’s a big deal. We’ve already bought tickets—we’re leaving for our hometown tomorrow morning.”

Then she asked: “Man, when will you and Han come back?”

Li Heng replied: “We’ll be back on the 28th.”

Tian Rune asked: “What about Maisui?”

Li Heng said: “Same day.”

Tian Rune frowned: “That’s not good—can’t you send them separately?”

Li Heng grinned: “Both are my flesh and blood—I can’t send one away. Let it be like this. Maisui loves your precious son—nothing will happen.”

Tian Rune conceded the logic but sighed worriedly: “If I’d known you’d cause so much trouble, I’d have burned scars on your face with incense when you were born.”

Li Heng smirked: “Then you’d regret it—you’d never find a daughter-in-law, and you’d be even more miserable.”

Tian Rune pressed: “So you’re saying these girls are interested in you only because of your face?”

Li Heng groaned, changed the subject: “What about Zijin? Is she home?”

Tian Rune said: “She’s still at school. Your sister says she hasn’t finished exams—she won’t be done until two days from now.”

He’d wanted to talk to Zijin, but hearing this, he dropped the idea, planning instead to find a chance to visit her alone and keep her company for ten or fifteen days.

Discussing Xiao Han’s visit and Professor Yu’s trip to Qianzhen, mother and son talked for half an hour; when they hung up, the sun had set and dusk was falling.

After the second call, Li Heng dialed Wang Ye—but no one answered; probably busy.

Leaving Building 25, he paused in the alley, then decided against going to Building 27, returning instead to his study to read and catch up on newspapers.

At just after nine p.m., Maisui quietly opened the study door.

Before he could react, a blood-red cherry was pressed to his lips.

Li Heng opened his mouth to catch it, then asked: “Did you buy these?”

“Mm. After my exam this afternoon, I walked with Shihe. I remembered you like them, so I bought some back.”

Maisui fed him another cherry, then asked: “How’s the taste?”

“Sweet. Delicious.” Li Heng reached to pull her into his arms, but she slipped away lightly.

He stared at her, startled.

Before she could explain, laughter came from outside.

No need to ask—it was definitely Sun Mannning and Ye Ning peeking.

Seeing Li Heng look over, Sun Mannning pushed the door open and called: “Hey! Exams are over, you haven’t written anything new—wanna play cards? We’re one short.”

Li Heng asked: “Isn’t Comrade Shihe there?”

Ye Ning said: “We’re not inviting her. Playing with her is boring—she’s always performing. We get no fun.”

Li Heng said: “You can’t just leave her alone next door.”

Seeing Sun Mannning about to tease him, Maisui quickly spoke: “Shihe’s here—she’s reading the newspaper on the sofa.”

Li Heng was surprised. Very surprised.

Since after the Dragon Boat Festival, Miss Zhou hadn’t set foot in Building 26 again—yet today she showed up? This was truly the sun rising in the west.

As if sensing his thoughts, Mai Sui leaned close and whispered the reason: “I made a bet with her. Shihe lost, so she came with me.”

Li Heng asked: “What bet?”

Mai Sui smiled mysteriously: “I won’t tell you. But it won’t harm you.”

Li Heng stopped asking and followed the three women into the living room, where they began playing cards.

The women had planned to play Shengji, but Li Heng said: “Let’s try a different game today.”

Sun Man asked: “What game?”

Li Heng replied: “Guan Dan.”

Ye Ning asked: “What’s Guan Dan?”

Li Heng explained: “It’s similar to traditional Shengji, but more complex…”

After spending a few minutes explaining the rules, the three women immediately agreed with enthusiastic interest.

That night, the four of them played cards happily, especially Sun Man and Ye Ning, who constantly shouted—boasting about their paired flushes, screaming they’d drawn four Kings and a Heaven Bomb, yelling they’d successfully resisted the tribute.

That night, Zhou Shihe never joined in. She first read the newspaper on the sofa, then turned on the TV, and eventually fell asleep without realizing it.

At just past two in the morning, the card game ended.

Sun Man quietly approached Zhou Shihe, bent down to check on her, then gave a hand signal and ran off giggling with Ye Ning, showing not the slightest intention to help.

At that moment, Mai Sui also said: “I’m going to take a shower.”

Just five simple words, no further explanation—Mai Sui truly picked up her pajamas and walked into the shower room.

Li Heng: “...”

He walked to the sofa, looked down at Miss Zhou for a while, twice feeling the urge to carry her to the guest room—but he held back each time, standing motionless with his hands clasped behind his back.

He stood like that for an unknown length of time.

In one instant, Zhou Shihe’s long eyelashes trembled slightly, then slowly opened her eyes. In the moment their gazes met, the world seemed to halt—she stared at him, he stared at her, neither daring to break the sudden encounter or the quiet stillness.

After about half a minute of eye contact, Li Heng spoke: “It’s late. Go back to your room and sleep.”

Zhou Shihe lowered her eyes, silent and still.

After another tense pause, Li Heng turned away and left the living room, heading to his master bedroom.

Hearing the door to the master bedroom close, Zhou Shihe opened her eyes again, gazing at the ceiling, her expression calm but her eyes distant, as if lost in thoughts she couldn’t name.

That night, Li Heng slept deeply, waking only at dawn.

That night, after her shower, Mai Sui accompanied Zhou Shihe to the neighboring Building 27.

The next day, 7 a.m.

When Li Heng woke up and prepared to go jogging, he suddenly noticed a note on the coffee table.

It read: Today, I’m returning to Shaoyang with Shihe and Manning. Our flight is at 8 a.m. Take care of yourself here.

Signed: Mai Sui.

Li Heng stared at the note, reading it twice, nearly choking on his frustration—wasn’t the plan to go home together?

What?

Are you now hiding things from me? Leaving without even saying goodbye?

He put the note down, but inwardly he understood: both Mai Sui and Miss Zhou probably didn’t want to travel with Xiao Han—too awkward.

Thinking this, he let it go. Mai Sui’s character was just like Song Yu’s—thoughtful, generous, and understanding.

Mai Sui left, quietly, without a sound.

Li Heng suddenly lost all motivation for his morning run, as if half his soul had been pulled away. On the track, he met Wei Xiaozhu—she was already on her final lap, nearly done.

He caught up and greeted her: “I thought Dai Qing had gone home. I didn’t expect you’d be running alone.”

Startled by the voice behind her, Wei Xiaozhu turned and, seeing it was him, smiled: “Running in the morning’s become a habit. If I skip it, I feel like something’s missing—I’m listless all day.”

Li Heng nodded: “Same here. I often feel that way too.”

After running two hundred meters, he suddenly asked: “Did you know Mai Sui was leaving today?”

Wei Xiaozhu brushed her hair aside with her right hand: “I only found out last night. I thought Mai Sui would tell you.”

Li Heng sighed.

Wei Xiaozhu laughed. “Why sigh? You’re not short on admirers. One left—aren’t there still two in Shanghai?”

Li Heng smiled but didn’t reply, jogging alongside her until the final lap ended.

After the lap, she promptly stopped and sat on the steps to rest, watching him run.

His physical condition was decent today—he ran sixteen laps straight, drenched in sweat.

Wei Xiaozhu handed him a water bottle: “What are you planning today?”

Li Heng said: “Xiao Han’s still taking exams. I’ve got nothing to do for now.”

Wei Xiaozhu was surprised: “Rare free time—aren’t you going to visit your teacher?”

Li Heng shook his head: “I just visited recently. My teacher and Xiao Lin are no longer in Shanghai. I’ll have to wait until next semester.”

Then he asked: “What about you? Any plans today?”

Wei Xiaozhu said: “I’m heading to Wujiaochang to help Wan Ying sell braised dishes.”

Li Heng thought for a moment: “Wait for me. I’ll go home, shower, change clothes, and join you.”

Wei Xiaozhu agreed.

During winter and summer breaks, Lushan Village was eerily quiet, utterly desolate.

Wei Xiaozhu stood by the box, gazing up at Building 25 for a long while, then asked: “Has Teacher Yu moved out yet?”

Li Heng said: “She’ll stay here for two more years.”

Hearing “two years,” Wei Xiaozhu instantly understood, saying with deep implication: “I never expected someone as refined as Teacher Yu would be such a devoted soul.”

Li Heng pulled out his keys and opened the door.

Upstairs on the second floor, he pointed to the sofa: “Make yourself at home. I’ll be done showering quickly.”

Wei Xiaozhu didn’t sit on the sofa. Instead, she went to the attic and sat on the swing, glancing between Building 25 and the neighboring Building 27, feeling the emotions here were too complicated for anyone ordinary to bear.

Fourteen or fifteen minutes later, Li Heng brought out his washed clothes to hang on the balcony.

Wei Xiaozhu asked: “You wash your own clothes normally?”

Li Heng, facing away from her, replied: “No. I hate washing dishes and clothes. Those are all done by Mai Sui.”

Looking at his back, Wei Xiaozhu fell silent.

Half an hour later, the two rode their bicycles to Wujiaochang.

By coincidence—or perhaps not—he encountered an unfamiliar familiar face at the braised dishes stall: Wu Siyao.

At that moment, the Wu girl was buying braised dishes.

Seeing Li Heng arrive on his bike, Wu Siyao froze, her gaze quietly sweeping between him and Wei Xiaozhu, then calmly paid Bai Wanying and waited…

Li Heng asked: “You like braised dishes too?”

To his surprise, Wu Siyao shook her head: “I’ve never tried them before. Today’s my first time.”