Chapter 704

At the department store, they selected some gifts and premium tobacco and alcohol, and at just after 5 p.m., the two arrived at Liao Editor’s home.

Barely at the gate, a half-grown boy dashed out from inside, followed by Liao Editor.

At that moment, Liao Editor still held a broom in hand and was muttering curses.

Seeing Li Heng and Yu Shuheng, Liao Editor froze, his face flushing red as he set the broom down and forced a smile:

“Younger brother, Teacher Yu, what brings you here?”

Li Heng joked, “What, not welcome? If not, we’ll leave right now.”

“Oh come on! Leave? You’ve already come—stay for dinner!” Liao Editor quickly pulled him inside and warmly poured tea for both.

Li Heng glanced around and asked quietly, “Isn’t your wife home?”

Liao Editor said, “My mother-in-law is sick, so she went back to her parents’ place. As soon as her mom left, this brat turned the house upside down—I’ve been furious all day.”

“Sigh, it’s better not to be married—free and easy. With a mischievous kid like this, I’ve probably lost at least ten years off my life.”

Li Heng didn’t ask why he hadn’t taken the boy back to his in-laws’ home—it was obvious, tomorrow was the first day of school, he had to register.

He asked, “Didn’t you go to the magazine office today?”

Liao Editor said, “I just got back. Hey, you really gave this old face some prestige—‘Harvest’ once again beat ‘People’s Literature’ to claim top sales; I’ve drunk over ten extra bottles of wine this past week.”

Li Heng chuckled, “I didn’t expect readers to be this supportive—I’ve grabbed the spotlight again.”

Liao Editor asked him, “Have you been reading the newspapers lately?”

Li Heng said, “I bought over ten newspapers today before boarding the plane.”

Liao Editor asked, “Jealousy makes people bitter—what do you think after reading those negative reviews?”

Li Heng thought for a moment and said, “Old Heng says gold isn’t pure, and no man is perfect. With so many people supporting me, I’m already satisfied.”

Liao Editor shook his head, “There are plenty who nitpick at you—deliberately looking for faults. Pity—this year’s Mao Dun Literature Prize has been postponed. If you could win such a major award at your age, it would shut many mouths.”

Why was this year’s Mao Dun Literature Prize postponed? All three knew the reason, but none spoke it aloud.

Dinner was cooked by Liao Editor; by the time they put down their chopsticks, the clock had quietly reached 6:40.

Li Heng patted his full belly and said, “Big brother, it’s late—we should go.”

Liao Editor wanted to urge them to stay, but after glancing at Yu Shuheng, he abandoned the idea and walked them to the door himself: “Younger brother, let’s find time to visit our teacher together.”

Li Heng readily agreed: “Sure.”

Leaving his brother’s home, the Mercedes cruised onto the main road, and Yu Shuheng asked, “It’s not far from here to Shanghai Medical University—would you like to stop by?”

Li Heng looked at her, surprised.

Yu Shuheng stared straight ahead and softly said, “Don’t think too badly of me, little man.”

Li Heng praised her: “Teacher, you’re not bad—you’re a good person.”

Then he added, “Xiao Han hasn’t returned to campus yet; she won’t be back until the day after tomorrow.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Shuheng said nothing, turned the steering wheel, and headed straight toward Yangpu.

Chatting casually along the way, they arrived at Fudan University before dark.

As soon as they reached the campus gate, Li Heng said, “Stop here—I need to drop by Old Yong’s place.”

Yu Shuheng glanced down at her skirt hem: “I got two oil stains on my clothes during dinner—I won’t come with you.”

She had a mild cleanliness obsession and paid close attention to personal hygiene—she needed to change.

Li Heng understood: “Alright, I’ll be back soon.”

From the campus gate to Chunhua Noodle Shop was just a one- or two-minute walk—they arrived quickly.

Unexpectedly, the shop was packed—clearly all recent returnees from summer break.

Hmm, not quite—all—there was a table by the door that looked like new students and their parents, speaking with Chenzhou accents. Probably came here for the spice.

As soon as Li Heng entered, the previously noisy room gradually fell silent; whether male or female, everyone quietly nudged their companions: Look, it’s Li Heng.

He was used to this scene. He walked up to Zhang Zhiyong and said, “Old Yong, how was your summer business?”

Zhang Zhiyong scratched his head: “How can a big writer like you ask such a low-level question? Summer break—no students around, no business at all.”

Li Heng rolled his eyes and pulled out a red envelope: “This is from Yingwen—for your kid. Don’t argue—I’m just the messenger.”

The dim-witted guy, who’d been about to tease, swallowed his words instantly: “Alright, alright! Next time I bump into that old rag of a woman, I’ll treat her to a big meal—damn! After all this time, she still remembers me—this old man’s touched to tears.”

After his emotional outburst, he leaned forward and asked, “Old Heng, what’ll you eat? How about a few small dishes—we grab a drink?”

Li Heng waved him off: “Not today—I already ate at my brother’s. We’ll do it another time. You’re busy—I won’t disturb you. I’m off.”

He turned and left without hesitation.

Returning to campus after two months, Li Heng felt a long-missed sense of familiarity.

As he strolled slowly along the campus path, he unexpectedly ran into someone he knew—Liu Yanling from Class 36D.

She was accompanied by another girl, very beautiful, especially with her chest nearly bursting out of her blouse.

Before he could greet her, Liu Yanling waved: “Big Rich Li, long time no see—why are you walking alone?”

Li Heng replied, “I just got back. When did you arrive?”

Liu Yanling said, “I got here today too—this morning.”

She tugged on the girl beside her and winked: “Remember what I told you last semester?”

“My sister got into Fudan—she’s impressive, really got in. Look, isn’t she beautiful?”

So this was her sister—same bloodline, no wonder her figure was explosive.

Liu Yanqi, pulled forward like this, felt awkward and uneasy, yet her eyes secretly studied him with curiosity.

Li Heng smiled and nodded politely at the shy freshman, making no comment on her looks, only encouraging her: “Our school’s great—keep working hard, little sister.”

Liu Yanqi instinctively thanked him, then watched him chat with her sister, then watched him leave.

Once he was gone, the younger sister immediately whispered to her sister: “Is this the Li Heng you always talk about back home? The guy you were trying to set me up with?”

Liu Yanling said, “That’s him. How’s that? Super handsome, right?”

Liu Yanqi replied, “He really has that vibe.”

Then she pressed: “How long did you secretly crush on him?”

Liu Yanling rolled her eyes: “Why bring that up? Looking for a beating?”

Liu Yanqi said, “Just asking. At home, you kept bragging about introducing me to him, pushing me until I got excited. But just now, I noticed—he looked at me with total calmness. No reaction at all.”

Liu Yanling had also been quietly watching Li Heng’s expression—now she sighed: “I thought your beauty would make him take a second look. Misjudged it—there are too many stunning women around him.”

Liu Yanqi was confident: “More beautiful than me?”

Liu Yanling said, “I won’t crush your spirit. He went back to Lushan Village—come on, I’ll take you there. See for yourself.”

The two sisters followed Li Heng to Lushan Village.

Lucky for them—just at the alley entrance, they ran into Zhou Shihe and Mai Sui coming out, followed by Sun Man and Ye Ning.

Seeing the four women chatting with Li Heng, Liu Yanling said, “The woman in brown is Zhou Shihe—the pinnacle of our school.”

“The one in red is Mai Sui—now probably our school’s number two beauty. Still feel confident?”

Liu Yanqi stared hard at Zhou Shihe, then at Mai Sui for a long time, then turned and walked away.

Liu Yanling caught up: “What’s that mean?”

Liu Yanqi asked, “What’s their relationship? They’re so close.”

Liu Yanling glanced around and whispered, “Mai Sui is Li Heng’s romantic confidante.”

Liu Yanqi asked, “Romantic confidante? They’re practically glued together—aren’t they dating?”

Liu Yanling said, “His girlfriend is someone else.”

Liu Yanqi was shocked: “Such a beautiful woman as his mistress? Is he insane?”

Liu Yanling corrected: “Watch your language—you’ve had your head filled with nonsense too. If being his mistress were easy, half the girls at Fudan would gladly lose their minds. Do you think anyone can sleep with him?”

Liu Yanqi was bewildered: “You fantasized about sleeping with him?”

Liu Yanling linked arms with her sister: “You’re naive—what girl doesn’t dream of romance? I’ve had plenty of dreams about him.”

Then she asked, “Still confident?”

Liu Yanqi compared herself to them, then sighed dejectedly: “I’m not as good as them. Ha! You’re a great sister—on my first day of college, you’ve handed me two mountains to climb.

If I’d known he had such a gorgeous mistress, I wouldn’t have come to Fudan—I’d have ruled some other school in peace.”

Liu Yanling smiled: “You’ve ruled too long in middle and high school—I’m letting you see the real world. Besides, you still have a chance to become his woman.”

Hearing this absurdity, Liu Yanqi was stunned, then angrily jabbed her finger at her sister’s forehead: “Liu Yanling! Are you crazy?

What’s wrong with you?

You want me to be his woman? If I told Mom and Dad, do you think they wouldn’t twist your head off?”

Liu Yanling didn’t get angry—she laughed: “You’re too narrow-minded. Do you know what kind of women fall for Li Heng?”

Forget others—just look at Teacher Yu Shuheng—her looks and aura crush you, and her family background is off the charts. Do you really think you stand a chance?

If you could be his woman, you’d get a golden bowl for life—you’d skip thirty years of struggle. Our whole family would rise several levels.”

Liu Yanqi shouted angrily: “Shut up! If you want to be his woman, go do it yourself—otherwise I’m cutting ties with you!”

“Alright, alright, don’t be mad. I’d love to be his woman too—but I’m not as pretty as you, and I’m not even a virgin anymore.” Liu Yanling smiled.

Liu Yanqi was stunned: “You’ve slept with another man?”

Liu Yanling spread her fingers: “First time wasn’t with a man.”

Liu Yanqi fell silent for a long time, then finally said two words: “So cheap.”

Liu Yanling puffed out her chest: “Don’t talk from your high horse—if I had your looks, I’d cling to Li Heng too.”

Liu Yanqi’s mouth twisted in anger: “You’re a freak. You tricked me into coming to Fudan, now you’re pushing me to be his woman.

You just want me to fulfill your unfulfilled wish—so you can keep seeing him every day?”

Liu Yanling was candid: “I’m a bit twisted, a bit perverted. I pushed you to come to Fudan because I believe Li Heng’s genes could transform our family’s future—his looks, his aura, his talent.”

But beyond that, what mattered most was avenging his parents—his mother and father had long been oppressed by his uncle and second uncle within the family; what if they only had two daughters? What if they had no sons? With Li Heng’s connection, they could instantly turn things around.

I’ve studied this society: women from families like ours find it nearly impossible to rise on their own; but if they’re beautiful enough, find a powerful man, and those uncles—one a vice-department-level cadre, the other a section-level cadre—wouldn’t dare utter a single bold word in front of Li Heng.

As for being his woman, I’m not lying to you—I know at least two very beautiful women secretly adore him but dare not show it. And if you become his mistress, your child can still bear the Liu surname, continuing our family’s lineage.”

Liu Yanqi asked: “Do you really think that?”

Liu Yanling said: “Think back to how your mother and father are treated. When they argue with others in the village, people insult them as ‘childless’—your mother, too ashamed to retort, only hides away and cries in secret.”

When we gather with your uncles during festivals, have they ever so much as looked at your parents? That’s why I’ve always pushed you to study hard since childhood—we must prove ourselves.”

But when I saw Li Heng, I became obsessed. Back in freshman year, I often thought: if only I were as beautiful as Xiaozhu, I’d fight for him.”

Liu Yanqi said: “I’ve always fought to avenge our parents—that’s my greatest dream. But a woman must cherish her dignity.”

Liu Yanling didn’t argue, only said: “Five years from now, if you still believe hard work alone can change your fate and crush your uncles, I’ll apologize for today.”

Liu Yanqi: “...”

….

On the other side, at the entrance of Lushan Village alley.

Facing the four girls, Li Heng stopped and asked: “Where are you going?”

Seeing his clothes were wrinkled, Mai Sui stepped forward and smoothed his shirt hem with her fingers, softly saying: “New semester—we’re going to Lao Li Restaurant for a dorm gathering. Have you eaten?”

Li Heng replied: “I just came back from my senior brother’s place—I’ve already eaten.”

As he spoke, he instinctively glanced at Zhou Shihe.

Receiving his gaze, Zhou Shihe smiled gently at him, standing quietly and elegantly to the side.

But Ye Ning interjected: “Rich Master Li, did you just come from your hometown?”

Li Heng answered: “No, I came from Jingcheng.”

He knew he couldn’t hide this from Mai Sui or Miss Zhou, so he told the truth outright.

Ye Ning glanced between Mai Sui and Shihe, intending to tell him: My cousin is in Hushi—would you like to meet?

But Ye Ning ultimately said nothing. She didn’t know why—since learning of the emotional entanglement between Shihe and Li Heng, her envy and resentment toward her cousin had faded greatly. She knew her cousin had come to Hushi just to see Li Heng once, and that she had a job in America and couldn’t stay long.

“You go ahead and eat. I’ve been traveling all day—my clothes are soaked through with sweat. I need to go wash up. We’ll talk later.” He added a few more words to Mai Sui, then said.

“Alright, rest for now—I’ll bring you some late-night snacks later.” Mai Sui was considerate.

Li Heng nodded and walked into the alley.

Back home, after bathing and washing and hanging his clothes to dry, Li Heng sat comfortably on the attic, fiddling with his telescope.

Soon after, Yu Shuheng appeared on the opposite attic, holding a cup of coffee, gazing at him over the railing.

At first Li Heng didn’t notice; after more than ten minutes, he called across: “Teacher, do you have any extra coffee?”

“Yes.”

Yu Shuheng smiled faintly, understanding his meaning, turned and went inside, returning shortly with two cups of coffee.

She climbed to the second floor, handed him one, and teased: “You called me over—don’t you want to be intimate with Mai Sui?”

Li Heng didn’t take the bait, sipped his coffee, and praised: “So fragrant—did you change the beans?”