Chapter 77

"Zhong Lan, going to buy dinner ingredients?"

"Yeah, the food at home is almost gone, so I'm out to buy some."

"The seafood is good today; I bought two jin of prawns, you should go take a look."

"Okay."

Carrying her vegetable basket, a gloomy Zhong Lan had to put on a smiling face to deal with the neighbors in the alley.

In fact, there was plenty of food at home, enough that they might not even finish it by tomorrow. The reason she came out was, of course, that her intentions weren't really about the food.

Although she hadn't decided how to face the issue of Zijin and Li Heng, she had taken her sister-in-law's advice to heart—why not first see what "Living" is really like?

Even though she still deeply rejected Li Heng in her heart and was unwilling to betroth Zijin to that little brat.

But through countless struggles with her daughter over the past half-year, she had realized one truth: some things cannot be suppressed by force alone; the harder you suppress them, the more violent the rebound. You have to use strategy and methods. In case there's a possibility of things getting out of control, learning more about Li Heng herself could be considered a two-pronged approach.

Following the neighbor's suggestion, Zhong Lan first went to the vegetable market to buy some fresh prawns, some clams for soup, and one or two other items.

On the way back, she deliberately took a detour to the newsstand near the alley entrance, walked over, and asked, "Boss, give me a copy of the latest 'Harvest' magazine."

The boss was busy getting books for others and replied casually, "'Harvest' magazine is sold out; take a look at other books."

Zhong Lan was somewhat surprised: "Sold out already? That fast?"

The boss said, "Fast? It's not fast anymore. You're here for the reputation of 'Living,' right? Many people were scrambling to buy it today; I sold out by noon. Many people have been asking like you this afternoon, but I can't get any more stock, nothing I can do."

Zhong Lan was quite shocked. She hadn't expected that, just as the Chen Laoyezi predicted, because of the huge hype surrounding the "royalties" and "Ba Jin," it became a bestseller as soon as it hit the market, selling out instantly.

She asked, "Will there be any tomorrow morning?"

The boss shook his head: "Hard to say. I have to pull some strings tonight to get stock. Come early tomorrow morning to check the situation."

Zhong Lan sighed upon hearing this, then found two other newsstands, but the result was the same: sold out, all sold out.

However, she didn't leave empty-handed in the end. Seeing that the front page of the Beijing Evening News carried a book review of "Living," she bought it on the way.

She thought that a review on the front page of the Beijing Evening News would typically be written by a critic with significant credentials. Although she hadn't seen the book's content yet, she could roughly analyze the quality of the book from the comments of these famous critics.

When she returned home, Zhong Lan saw at a glance that workers were installing a new phone. It was white, the exact same model. If she hadn't been the one to smash the previous landline, she would have thought it was the same one.

Looking at the white landline in front of her, Chen Zijin was even more puzzled. Had her mother compromised with her?

Such a thing, as if the sun were rising from the west, shouldn't logically happen.

Could it be related to the novel "Living"?

Just now, her aunt called her mother into the bedroom to talk; was it specifically to avoid her?

Could the writer "December" really be Li Heng?

Combining this with Song Yu's hint, she had to return her suspicions to Li Heng once again.

If it really was him...

The expression on Chen Zijin's face suddenly became animated.

She was very happy to see the situation when her mother and three aunts met Li Heng in the future, and she wouldn't be the one to smooth things over.

Her man earned his face through his own ability and everything through his talent; why should she help those who had bullied him?

At this very moment, infinite anticipation surged in her heart.

Looking up at the alarm clock on the wall, it was still early, and Song Yu shouldn't have gone to school yet. Chen Zijin suddenly had a way to test if "December" was Li Heng.

That was to call Song Yu again.

And she would do it right in front of her mother and aunt!

No sooner said than done, the highly proactive Chen Zijin was already accustomed to a life of being scolded by her mother. If her guess was wrong, the worst that could happen was the phone getting smashed again.

Thinking of this, she asked the worker, "How much longer will the phone installation take?"

"Almost done," the worker replied.

Almost done, and indeed it was. Within three minutes, the worker said goodbye and left.

Glancing at her aunt sitting on the right and then at her mother who had just come out of the kitchen, Chen Zijin forcibly suppressed her nervous feelings, reached out to hold the landline, picked up the receiver with her left hand, and quickly pressed the numbers on the keypad with her right hand.

Two hours ago, her sister and mother almost fought over the phone; now she still dared to call? Chen Zitong was startled and hurriedly asked, "Sister, who are you calling?"

Chen Zijin said calmly, "Song Yu."

As soon as the words "Song Yu" were spoken, the atmosphere in the living room instantly became incredibly eerie.

Chen Xiaomi, who was drinking tea, stopped drinking. After exchanging a silent look with her sister-in-law, she stood up and said:

"I'm going to buy something at the alley entrance; Zitong, are you coming with me?"

Chen Zitong shook her head vigorously, "I'm not going. Mom and Sister will definitely fight again in a minute; I have to break it up."

Zhong Lan was furious upon hearing this. After glaring at her youngest daughter, she automatically left the main room and went to the courtyard outside.

Seeing her mother and aunt scared away by a phone call, Chen Zitong asked Chen Laoyezi Chen with a mix of understanding and confusion: "Grandpa, enlighten me, and your precious granddaughter will brew tea for you for a week."

Chen Laoyezi Chen chuckled, looked at his clever eldest granddaughter, and also picked up his book and left.

"Grandpa, where are you going?"

"The rain outside has stopped; I'm going to breathe some fresh air."

"Oh, wait for me." Chen Zitong was shooed away by a look from her sister.

Is it really him?

The actions of her mother and aunt undoubtedly proved that her thinking was correct.

"Knock, knock... knock."

"Hello, hello."

After three rings, a middle-aged woman's voice came from the other side.

"Good afternoon, Auntie, this is Chen Zijin. Is Song Yu there?"

She was urgently craving the truth now and had no interest in small talk with Jiang Yue, so she went straight to the point.

"Yu Bao, phone call, it's from Zijin." Jiang Yue put down the receiver and called out like this.

Song Yu, who was having dinner with her family, was somewhat surprised. Her first thought was: Did something happen to Chen Zijin?

Not even bothering to wipe her hands, Song Yu hurriedly picked up the receiver and asked with concern, "Zijin, are you okay?"

"Something happened, but it's fine now." Chen Zijin's tone was much better than it had been two hours ago.

Song Yu felt relieved upon hearing this and then asked, "Are you looking for me for something?"

The result was about to be revealed. Was it disappointment? Or anticipation? After taking a deep breath, Chen Zijin asked straight to the point:

"Song Yu, is December him?"

She hadn't expected it to be this matter, and she hadn't expected Chen Zijin to react so quickly. Song Yu pondered for two seconds and then said, "Yes."

A single "Yes."

A wave of overwhelming joy descended from the sky. At this instant, Chen Zijin's eyes, face, and even every cell and every strand of hair were smiling.

Afraid she had misheard, she hurriedly confirmed again: "Is it really him?"

Across the phone line, Song Yu could feel her happiness and excitement, "Mm, it can't be wrong; he told me himself."

The surprise was too great! Chen Zijin automatically ignored the implications contained in the phrase "he told me himself."

She said happily, "Thank you, Song Yu."

Song Yu replied with a smile, "You're welcome, I hope this news can help you turn the situation around."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zijin calmed down a little. After thinking for a while, she said, "Tell him my home landline number. If possible, have him call me around 7 o'clock tonight."

Song Yu looked at the wall clock and said okay.

This call wasn't long because Chen Zijin was too excited, so she chose to keep it brief, the purpose being that she didn't want Song Yu to see her making a fool of herself.

Of course, she was also subconsciously avoiding her own weaknesses. After all, Song Yu was so beautiful; who knew when she might become her romantic rival.

Before, she had been at ease regarding Song Yu.

Even knowing that Li Heng couldn't help but like the other person in his heart, given Song Yu's personality, there wouldn't be any danger in the short term.

Now, that sense of ease had to be cut in half immediately.

Because Li Heng had become different. His status and position would change day by day from now on. His identity as a writer would bring him a halo of incomparable glory, making him even more attractive to the opposite sex. Who knew when Song Yu might be captivated by him.

The call duration was extremely short. Song Shi and Jiang Yue only heard their daughter say "him," "him," "him" a few times before hanging up.

Regarding their daughter's private interactions with classmates and friends, the couple had always refrained from asking; this was respect, and also trust.

Continuing to finish her meal in seven or eight minutes, Song Yu put down her bowl and chopsticks and said, "Dad, Mom, I'm going back to school first."

"Okay, be careful on the road." Jiang Yue personally saw her to the door.

"Mm."

The Shaoshi Teachers' College was very, very close to the No. 1 High School, just a few steps away. During the day, the couple was relatively at ease.

But not at night, not even in the early evening. Their daughter's appearance was too eye-catching, and the couple was accustomed to picking her up and dropping her off.

Just as she entered the No. 1 High School gate, Song Yu found Li Heng. At this moment, the latter was playing basketball with Zhang Zhiyong, Liu Li, and Zou Aiming.

"Old Heng, look behind you."

Li Heng, who was preparing to shoot, suddenly received a hint from Zou Aiming.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Don't ask, just look behind you." Zou Aiming came over, snatched the basketball, and gave him a suggestive look.

Li Heng turned his head, his eyes meeting Song Yu's as she walked over.

Her appearance was stunning, her temperament like an orchid, her eyes clear and tranquil, radiating a serene light—truly wonderful!

Li Heng, whose blood was surging from the exercise, felt as if he had just drunk mint tea upon seeing the person he was obsessed with. His whole body was surrounded by a cool sensation, and his heart felt inexplicably comfortable.

"Song Yu, are you looking for me?"

"Mm."

"What's up?"

Song Yu didn't speak for a moment, waiting until the group of people behind had passed before saying:

"I just talked to Zijin not long ago; she wants you to call this number at 7 o'clock."

As she spoke, she handed him the note she had written at home, which had the Chen family's landline number on it.

Li Heng happily opened the note, read it three times, looked up, and asked, "Is she okay?"

"Mm, she should have encountered some trouble, but now it seems she's fine again. It's hard to say, I can't explain it clearly. Why don't you ask her yourself later?" Song Yu thought for a moment and said so.

"Okay, thank you." Li Heng expressed his gratitude.

Song Yu smiled beautifully and then walked past him.

She didn't ask him where he was going to make the call at that time. Even if class had already started, even if the school gate was closed to traffic, there was still an English teacher, wasn't there?

Holding this note, Li Heng felt as if he were holding a long-lost feeling.

He was so carried away that he didn't even play basketball anymore. No matter how much the group of "animals" behind him shouted, they couldn't keep him. He rushed back to the dormitory in one breath, showered, brushed his teeth, changed clothes, washed clothes, and after dressing himself up to look brand new, he began to wait for the sacred moment.

As soon as the minute hand pointed to 6:50, Li Heng appeared at the English teacher's door right on time.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

The sound of knocking on the door rang out.

"Who is it?" a cold voice asked from inside.

"Teacher, it's me."

With a creak, the wooden door opened halfway. The English teacher, wearing a red nightgown, appeared in the door crack and asked in surprise, "Class started 20 minutes ago; aren't you in class?"

Li Heng said, "Teacher, I have something to make a phone call for."

"Magazine publisher?"

"No, calling Chen Zijin."

"Beijing?"

"Yes."

"That's a long-distance call, very expensive. Did you bring money?" The English teacher scanned him up and down and reached out for money.

Li Heng's eyelids twitched, "I'll pay after I finish calling."

Upon hearing this, the English teacher asked with a half-smile, "Do you expect me to listen on the side?"

Li Heng refused: "No."

The English teacher's face changed instantly, and she said coldly, "If I don't time it on the side, how do I know how long you talked? Pay the deposit first."

Li Heng said unhappily, "I... I... Teacher, you've changed!"

"Heh heh! Who doesn't change? Haven't you changed too? You've become rich, and you've become more loving." The English teacher was full of mockery, mercilessly ridiculing him.

Li Heng was furious, "Fine, how much money? Give me a number."

"How much did you bring?"

"28, no, 15."

"Give me all 28. I'm going to your head teacher's office to visit. When you finish calling, come back and poke your head in—remember to poke your head in, I need to time it. We'll settle the difference later." The English teacher didn't show any mercy and scraped all the money off him.

"Wait, I'll change my clothes." After saying that, the door slammed shut.

Two minutes later, Wang Runwen shook her long hair, opened the door with a smile, and left, leaving behind a charming back view.

Something's wrong, maybe she's sick, Li Heng muttered, pushed the door open, and walked in.

Beijing, Chen family.

"Dear viewers, good evening. Today is Sunday, February 22, 1987, the 29th day of the first lunar month. Welcome to the News Broadcast..."

As a political family, the Chen family had an unshakable habit: watching the News Broadcast. Whether it was useful or not, this habit was formed during their lowest point, and even now that they were successful, they had kept it.

"Ring-a-ling, ring-a-ling..."

"Ring-a-ling, ring-a-ling..."

Just at this moment, the landline phone on the coffee table rang at an inopportune time. The sound was loud and clear, instantly breaking the silence and disturbing everyone's focus.

Everyone in the Chen family—Chen Gaoyuan, Zhong Lan, Chen Laoyezi Chen, Chen Xiaomi, Chen Zitong, and the second aunt and uncle who were visiting—subconsciously looked at the white landline together.

After a two-second pause, Chen Xiaomi, who was closest to the phone, reached out and picked up the white receiver:

"Hello, who is this?"

"Me!"

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(End of chapter)