[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-688":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","1987: My Era",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2259848,4409,"Chapter 688","1987-my-era-chapter-688",688,"\u003Cp>The giant eel was taken back and weighed: 2 jin and 1 liang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Definitely a giant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of eel is especially nourishing; Li Heng had even used a vegetable bowl to collect its blood, unwilling to waste a drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was stir-fried into spicy eel slices with sour chili peppers, and every last bit was eaten clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning kept praising: “Li Da Cai Zhu, if you were just an ordinary person, whoever married you would be blessed—this is so delicious, a hundred times better than my parents’ cooking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe both understood the implication in her words: if he were an ordinary man, he’d surely have one wife and live happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Heng secretly thought with delight: in my past life, I was definitely an ordinary man—and I had three wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, that was all lies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After breakfast, the group dressed warmly and headed deep into the mountains to forage for wild fruit and catch mountain crabs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since there were many women in the group, they feared accidents and doubted Li Heng could manage alone, so Mai Dong and Liu Ting also joined them in the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his daughter constantly walking beside Li Heng, Mai Dong simply decided to turn a blind eye and led the way ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning had good sense—she didn’t act as a third wheel, cheerfully sprinting after Mai Dong into the deep forest. She even dragged Liu Ting along, chattering nonstop, leaving the blue sky to those three dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those three dogs—that’s exactly how Sun Manning thought of them in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui had always been healthy; though climbing into the mountains, she didn’t even breathe heavily the whole way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhou Shihe was different: the first half of the journey was manageable, and she could barely keep up with the group, but by the second half, her pace clearly slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when they reached the mountain stream, she looked exhausted—each climb required a rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without realizing it, the three fell behind the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From over a hundred meters ahead, Sun Manning’s cheerful shouts echoed: “I found a wild chicken! I caught seven or eight crabs! Hey, Li Heng, Mai Sui, Shihe—I and Auntie found a huge softshell turtle, hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng looked up toward the valley above. “How big?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning jumped onto a large rock, holding the turtle up to show the three below. “Uncle said it’s at least four jin. Haha, Li Heng, you’re cooking tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng gave a thumbs-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe shaded her eyes with her right hand, glanced at the turtle, then asked softly: “It looks a bit like a softshell turtle—is a ‘tuan yu’ the same as a softshell turtle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui replied: “Tuan yu is just another name for softshell turtle—we here just call it that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After resting on a rock, Mai Sui suddenly said to Li Heng: “Li Heng, take care of Shihe—I’ll go deliver the net bag to Dad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The net bag was originally meant for wild fruit, but now that they had the turtle, they used it immediately to carry it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was just an excuse. After all, her parents both carried bamboo baskets or urea sacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: seeing Li Heng and Shihe still in cold silence, the kind-hearted Mai Sui decided to create an opportunity for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Li Heng or Shihe could respond, Mai Sui climbed up along the stream and soon vanished behind a large rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her gone, the resting spot grew quiet. Li Heng and Zhou Shihe said nothing, only the birds fluttering in the treetops drawing their attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting a while longer, Li Heng finally broke the silence: “Can you still walk? Should I carry you up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe didn’t answer. She slowly stood and continued toward the valley above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The path was full of large rocks; they often had to grip vines and branches to pass. Fearing she might fall, Li Heng followed silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After climbing three rocks each as tall as a story, Zhou Shihe’s legs grew sore. As she neared the top of the fourth rock, the surface—covered in moss and damp from the stream—slipped under her feet. Her feet slid backward, and she toppled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Heng startled, dropped his machete, and swiftly caught her from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held her tightly in his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned the rock and asked anxiously: “Are you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe’s forehead was slick with sweat—clearly terrified. She lay limp in his arms, and after a long moment, pale-faced, whispered: “Snake. There’s a snake on the rock.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng froze, then asked: “You slipped because you were afraid of the snake?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe gave a soft “Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng looked around, helped her sit on a small rock, then picked up his dropped machete. “I’ll check.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe watched him quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was afraid of snakes too—he didn’t dare rush up directly, but circled around. Sure enough, there was a snake on the rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its head was white and triangular, its body black—not large, maybe seven or eight liang. He instantly recognized it: a white-headed viper, highly venomous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill of dread ran through him—if Zhou Shihe had been bitten, the consequences were unthinkable. Without hesitation, he grabbed a rock and hurled it hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, the snake slithered away in a flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng watched it vanish into the bushes on the left side of the stream before returning to Zhou Shihe. “The snake’s gone. I’ll lead from now on—you follow me. I have more experience in the mountains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe was still shaken. “Did Mai Sui just come up from here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng shook his head. “No, she climbed up from the right slope, gripping vines.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe stared at him silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng seemed to know what she was thinking. “I meant to tell you to go right, take a detour, but you looked so cold and unwilling to speak to me—I just followed you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell between them. They looked at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time since Dragon Boat Festival that they had been alone together, face to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first time they truly looked into each other’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For over a minute, they held the gaze—until Zhou Shihe quietly looked away, gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and asked softly: “This snake is strange—what kind is it? Do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “White-headed viper.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe looked again at the rock, still shaken. “I think I read about this snake before—is there no antidote?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng shook his head. “I don’t know if there’s an antidote in this era, but we’re too far from the road. If not treated quickly, it’s a serious problem. Besides, this snake is rare in our Xiangnan—it’s common in neighboring Guizhou and Jiangxi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe was slightly curious. “If it’s common on both sides, why is it rare here in Xiangnan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng shrugged. “I don’t know—I read it in a book. Maybe it was a pirated one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth was, he’d read it on his phone’s encyclopedia in his future life—but of course he couldn’t say that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After resting a few more minutes, once her nerves calmed, Zhou Shihe stood to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Li Heng wouldn’t let her lead. He reached out with his left hand, took her right hand, and without a word, stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe froze, then obediently followed, her gaze lingering on his back for a long moment. She said nothing, didn’t struggle, just lowered her eyes and walked step by step behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To conserve her strength, Li Heng walked slowly, pausing often to tap the grass ahead with his stick, scaring off insects and snakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a while, they reached a stream crossing. Li Heng crouched down. “The ground here is muddy and slippery with moss—I’ll carry you across.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe stopped, standing still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After waiting a moment, Li Heng suddenly turned, caught her off guard, bent low, and scooped her up in a bridal carry. He carried her slender frame across the stream in a few strides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe tilted her head slightly in his arms, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After crossing, Li Heng said: “We’ll reach the valley soon—we’ll meet them. Let me save you some energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He meant he’d carry her the rest of the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe’s lips pouted slightly, then her eyelids lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Say something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Then I’ll take that as consent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him truly dare to carry her forward without letting go, Zhou Shihe suddenly spoke: “If you carry me like this, you and Sui Sui are finished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng stopped, thought a moment, then asked: “Have Uncle and Aunt noticed something between me and Mai Sui?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe said flatly: “Do they need to notice? You go wherever you ruin women. Do you really think they built their business by accident?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng felt something was off. He looked down at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe turned her head away from his gaze. “Put me down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng held her tighter, didn’t let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe fell silent, standing still with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Li Heng leaned close to her ear and murmured softly: “Shihe, you’re beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just five words—and they worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the warmth at her ear, she knew if she didn’t speak, he’d dare kiss her earlobe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helpless, she said: “Last night, Uncle Mai brought up two bowls of sobering soup—but took them back untouched.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng froze for two seconds. “When?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe said: “When Man Ning was singing drunk. At that time, Sui Sui was in your room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “How did you find out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe said: “After wiping Man Ning’s mouth, I went to wash the towel in the hallway—just then, I saw Uncle Mai carrying the two bowls down the stairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng probed: “Did he notice you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shihe said: “I stood at the door. He didn’t see me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng exhaled in relief—thank goodness, she hadn’t seen him kissing Mai Sui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Uncle Mai—he’d already had his heart leap into his throat. He dared not harbor any hope of luck. He was almost certain he’d seen everything.\u003C\u002Fp>",1703,"2026-06-19T15:27:37.732Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9be44e1b4ae06531f81cb0628336f99773fee23c80ebf0e9f76fb5ed8790ff4b","1987-my-era-chapter-689","1987-my-era-chapter-687",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]