Chapter 689: Concerns, Planning

Li Heng didn’t go to take photos in the orange grove because he happened to receive a phone call.

The call was from his second sister, Li Lan.

As soon as he answered, she said: “Wang Ye is beside me—she wants to speak with you.”

Then the phone was handed over to Wang Ye.

Wang Ye said: “Boss, the enrollment for the fourth batch of new students officially opens on August 10th—are you available?”

Li Heng asked: “Have the six new branch campuses been fully prepared?”

Wang Ye replied: “I’ve recently visited each branch for on-site inspections—the progress exceeds expectations, and everything should be on track.”

Li Heng thought for a moment and said: “I might not have time then—we’ll see how things develop.”

Wang Ye wasn’t surprised; she wondered who he’d be accompanying this time—which mistress would be favored?

Wang Ye brought up the second matter: “Mr. Li, I just received a call from someone claiming to be Wang Runwen—who is she?”

Li Heng slapped his forehead: “Damn, I completely forgot about this. A while back, I called you twice and got no answer—I was going to tell you then.”

“Wang Runwen is my high school teacher. She’s retired now and looking for work—could you help her get started?”

Wang Ye, with years of workplace experience, understood instantly and asked directly: “Is she your woman?”

Had it not been for Yu Shuheng’s presence, Wang Ye might not have thought this way—after all, the woman had once been Li Heng’s teacher.

But her boss had a history—he seemed to have a special preference for older women—so she didn’t hesitate to ask.

Of course, she asked this to gauge Wang Runwen’s value—to understand her standing in her boss’s eyes—so she could decide how to nurture her in the future.

Li Heng read between the lines, paused, then admitted honestly: “Not yet, not right now.”

Hearing this, Wang Ye immediately understood—and felt a pang of bitterness.

She had hinted, pleaded, even made direct advances multiple times, yet this Mr. Li showed no tenderness—while outside women kept appearing, one after another, nearly tipping her emotional balance.

Unable to suppress her resentment, Wang Ye asked one more question: “Is she very beautiful?”

Her unspoken thought: Just like his other mistresses—is she a stunning beauty?

Li Heng gave no reply; instead, he said: “First, take her under your wing for a few months. If she has ability, put in extra effort for her; if she’s not cut out for it, I’ll pull her out and assign her elsewhere.”

Wang Ye fell silent for a while, then asked at last: “Are you training her as your future successor?”

Li Heng said: “Succession is still far off—we’ll decide later.”

Wang Ye relaxed, then offered her opinion: “If you truly intend to pass New Future Training School to Song Yu and her children, I advise against letting Wang Runwen take over—it’ll cause trouble later.”

As for succession, it’s better to promote from within the school’s senior management.

She can learn workplace experience from you, but she shouldn’t touch the school’s highest authority. If you trust me, when the time comes, I’ll take her into real estate.”

Wang Ye hadn’t wanted to say this blunt truth—blunt truths hurt and could damage her relationship with Mr. Li—but it couldn’t be avoided. She didn’t want the hard-won New Future Training School to collapse from internal scheming.

This struck a chord with Li Heng.

Li Heng immediately said: “Alright, I trust you.”

After discussing these two main matters, they spent an hour exchanging views on the current state and future of New Future School before ending the call.

“Hey, wait—don’t hang up.” Just as Wang Ye was about to end the call, Li Lan, who had been listening nearby, snatched the receiver.

Li Heng asked: “Second sister, what else?”

Li Lan asked: “Is it convenient for you right now?”

Li Heng glanced outside at the courtyard and saw Mai Sui, Zhou Shihe, and Sun Manning returning: “There are people outside—it’s not convenient.”

Li Lan frowned, then lowered her voice: “I’ll say one thing—don’t reply. You bastard, you actually hooked Wang Runwen.

Let me tell you, Wang Runwen’s figure is a bottomless pit—you’d better start taking care of your health. Don’t follow Li Ran’s father’s path. Don’t expect me, your aunt, to raise your future orphans.”

“Also, the first child—I’ll only accept one from Chen Zijin, Xiao Han, or Song Yu—or Mai Sui, I guess. With anyone else, think twice. That’s all—goodbye, you bastard.”

She hung up instantly—before Li Heng could react, the dial tone buzzed in his ear.

Li Heng frowned, stared at the receiver for a long moment, then put it down.

Damn it, what’s wrong with second sister today? Why is she so angry?

Hmm, well, second sister has always been like this—her temper flares whenever she wants, she hits whoever she wants, for decades, without restraint.

…

Wang Ye stared at Li Lan, her head spinning.

Just moments ago, Li Lan had been chatting amiably with her—how could she suddenly turn into a torrent of curses, cursing Mr. Li, a man with soaring social prestige?

Wang Ye asked: “Aren’t you siblings?”

Li Lan chuckled: “Precisely because we’re siblings, I held back.”

Wang Ye was stunned: “You held back?”

Li Lan poured her another glass of iced tea: “In our hometown, there’s a saying: hitting means affection, cursing means love. You’ll understand later.”

Wang Ye pondered this, then asked: “Do you know Wang Runwen?”

Li Lan nodded.

Wang Ye asked: “Beautiful?”

Li Lan replied with meaning: “Her looks might even be less than yours—but she has her own exceptional qualities. When she comes to Jingcheng to report to you, you’ll understand. My brother doesn’t keep ordinary people around.”

Hearing this, Wang Ye felt her thoughts had been laid bare. She sipped her tea, stood, and left.

…

Dinner was cooked by Li Heng.

A large pot of old hen stewed with softshell turtle, braised wild rabbit, spicy mountain crabs, leek river shrimp, garlic sprout stir-fried pork, sour-spicy chicken innards, plus one vegetable dish and one chicken fungus soup.

The table was completely filled—truly lavish.

Mai Dong came again to drink with Li Heng, saying the food was excellent and two men should enjoy some strong liquor.

Li Heng readily agreed, drinking beer, then baijiu, and finally even stronger liquor.

Result:

As expected, Li Heng passed out drunk.

Watching Li Heng snoring on the chair, Mai Dong smugly thought: Last time I held back—this time, how will you mess with Sui Bao?

Sun Manning leaned over, pinched Li Heng’s nose—seeing no reaction, she cheered: “Uncle, you’re the real deal—he’s truly drunk.”

Mai Sui’s eyes were full of concern, but she couldn’t show it.

Mai’s grandmother carefully studied her son, shook her bamboo fan, leaned on her cane, and left the courtyard to visit neighbors.

Zhou Shihe ladled a bowl of mushroom soup and sipped it slowly. She knew perfectly well that Mai Sui’s father had deliberately gotten Li Heng drunk—why, she didn’t need to guess; it was clearly strategic.

After helping Li Heng to his bedroom, Liu Ting privately asked her husband: “Dongzi, what’s with you tonight? You drank beer, then baijiu, then stronger liquor? He’s young, a scholar—do you think he’s like you, a street thug?”

Mai Dong scratched his head, evasively replied: “Had a good time—didn’t notice.”

Hearing this, Liu Ting was speechless with anger.

Sun Manning didn’t sing tonight, but she was half-drunk, sprawled on the sofa watching TV, clutching a bag of popcorn, shoveling it into her mouth.

With no help from Manning, Mai Sui told Zhou Shihe: “Shihe, I’m going to shower—can you keep an eye on him?”

Zhou Shihe nodded gently and sat on the chair beside the bed.

Mai Sui left, closing the door quietly to muffle the TV noise from the living room.

Zhou Shihe glanced around, then opened the window and suddenly asked: “Are you really drunk?”

Li Heng grunted, slowly opened his eyes: “Thank you—you switched the baijiu for water, or I’d be truly out. Sigh…”

He sighed: “Uncle Mai is such a grown man—and still holds such a grudge.”

Zhou Shihe smiled knowingly, teasing him for once: “At least better than getting beaten.”

But as soon as she spoke, both fell silent, staring at each other.

Speaking of beatings—besides second sister, this girl had hit him the most.

After a long pause, Li Heng broke the silence: “When are you leaving?”

Zhou Shihe said: “My flight is on the 20th.”

Li Heng was surprised: “So late? Didn’t you say you’d only stay half a month?”

Zhou Shihe returned to her chair, silently watching him—her clear, bright eyes suddenly pressed heavily on him.

Li Heng thought for a moment, then said: “Last week, Xiao Han, Huang Zhaoyi, and Teacher Yu all visited my home. I won’t be home at the end of the month. Next year—I’ll invite you and Mai Sui to visit.”

His implication: Bringing so many women home in quick succession isn’t wise—please, let me off the hook.