Chapter 90: Good News (Subscription Requested!)

Every month on the day off, the big playground was always filled with the sight of many medium-sized buses, all there to pick up students from the county and townships to go home.

Seeing this familiar scene again after his rebirth, Li Heng felt a pang of envy—when would there be a bus to pick up students from Qian Town?

But this seemed like nothing more than a daydream.

Every year, only a handful of students from Qian Town managed to get into No. 1 City High School. In an era when such buses were still rare resources, why would anyone come all the way here? It wasn’t worth the cost.

Mai Sui climbed back into her family’s minivan.

Chen Lijun and Liu Li, also from Dongkou County, boarded the medium-sized bus.

Song Yu was picked up by her parents and walked home.

Suddenly, only Li Heng, Zhang Zhiyong, and Sun Manning remained on the playground.

Sun Manning asked Li Heng: “Wanna play basketball? I’ll play with you.”

Li Heng, preoccupied with Xiao Han, shook his head. “Let Lao Yong play with you—I’ve got something to do.”

Sun Manning stretched her neck. “Song Yu’s already gone home. What else could you possibly have to do?”

“I’m going to see my second sister.”

Li Heng casually lied, then gave Zhang Zhiyong a subtle glance to distract this girl.

Facing another solo date with a girl, Zhang Zhiyong was sullen—he still hoped to score a free meal since his pockets were always empty at month’s end, and now he was being brushed off.

But this guy was always loyal. He gathered courage and blocked Sun Manning: “Sun Manning, let’s play pool! Damn it! Last time I lost to you—I still can’t accept it. Let’s go again! Daring enough?”

Sun Manning grinned, rolled up her sleeves. “Fine, who’s afraid? Today I’ll make you crawl on the floor looking for your teeth.”

Watching the two head straight for the pool hall, Li Heng nodded approvingly—good. Though Lao Yong was often clueless, sometimes he actually had a brainwave.

Just as he was about to step toward the school gate, a voice suddenly rang out from the third floor of the teachers’ residential building.

“Li Heng, come here.”

The voice was deep and magnetic—just hearing it, without even seeing the person, felt intensely alluring.

Li Heng looked up, didn’t ask why the English teacher called him, and turned sharply toward the stairwell.

Clip-clop, turn the corner, clip-clop—soon he was on the third floor.

“Teacher, what did you need?” At the door, Li Heng panted slightly.

“Come in.” Wang Runwen adjusted her glasses with her fingertips and walked toward the dining table.

Before even stepping inside and changing shoes, Li Heng already smelled the aroma of meat—so the teacher had invited him to dinner.

In an era of food shortages, this should have been a joyful occasion—but right now, he couldn’t feel happy at all. Why? He had a date to keep.

If he stood Yang Yingwen up this time, given the old rag’s temper, she might not help him again next time.

“What? I’m inviting you to dinner, and you’re not happy?”

Wang Runwen noticed his expression wasn’t as cheerful as usual. She crossed her arms and squinted at him.

Got it—the table had rice wine prepared too. Clearly, the teacher had something on her mind and wanted company to drink with.

Realizing this, Li Heng spoke honestly: “Of course I’m not unwilling—I’m thrilled! But I made plans with a classmate for dinner, and I don’t want him waiting around.”

Wang Runwen’s logic was just like Sun Manning’s: “I saw Song Yu leave. Who else could you possibly be meeting?”

Li Heng replied: “Teacher, come on—you know I have lots of classmates, not just Song Yu.”

Wang Runwen sneered: “You’ve hooked up with a new girl?”

Li Heng shot back: “Why can’t it be a guy?”

Wang Runwen chuckled. “What kind of person do you think I don’t know? Would you turn down two bowls of meat for a guy?”

Li Heng shook his head. “It’s different. You can’t finish all these dishes yourself—I’ll still get to eat them when I come back.”

Wang Runwen stared at him a moment, then her tone grew cold. “Then get out.”

“Don’t be like that, Teacher. Don’t turn your back on me just because we can’t eat together—we’re still friends.” Li Heng blinked.

“Get out! If you don’t eat it now, I’ll feed it all to the dog.” Wang Runwen didn’t buy it. She jerked her chin toward the door.

Glancing at the wall clock, Li Heng weighed his options—then decided to meet Xiao Han. Her importance to him was beyond comparison.

As he turned toward the door, Wang Runwen called out from behind: “Wait.”

Li Heng stopped and turned.

Wang Runwen disappeared into the bedroom, then reappeared holding two letters and a money order.

Li Heng took them and glanced—no surprise. The first letter was from reader Huang Zhao Yi; he recognized her elegant handwriting at once.

The money order came from Shanghai’s “Shouhuo” Magazine.

The second letter was from editor Zou Ping.

Li Heng opened the second letter and skimmed it quickly.

It contained three main points:

First: The novel “Wan Zhu” had been accepted and would be published in the June 20th issue.

Second: The novel “To Live” had become wildly popular—“Shouhuo” had already printed an additional 1.1 million copies, an unprecedented event.

Additionally, Zou Ping secretly told him: Every day, countless readers called or wrote to the editorial office, strongly demanding that “Shouhuo” publish “To Live” as a standalone book—for collecting, gifting, and reading.

Zou Ping also said this had drawn the high-level attention of Chief Editor Ba Lao and Deputy Editor Liao, who were currently gathering reader feedback and would discuss the matter at next Monday’s meeting.

Seeing this, Li Heng was thrilled!

How could he not be?

He nearly threw his arms open to hug the English teacher in celebration—if a standalone edition happened, that meant royalties! Real money! It would boost his social status and fame.

Who the hell wouldn’t want that?

He dreamed of it!

Seeing him suddenly go wild, the English teacher stepped back, lifting her right foot—only lowering it again when he made no actual move.

She shook her long hair and asked: “What’s got you so excited?”

Without hesitation, Li Heng shoved the first page of the letter into her hand. “Read it yourself.”

The third point in the letter was also good news: Shanghai Radio Station wanted to broadcast “To Live” and had already contacted the magazine through connections.

The magazine was seeking his consent—if he agreed, he’d receive 2,500 yuan in broadcast fees.

How was the 2,500 yuan calculated?

Li Heng, as a layman, didn’t fully understand—but it was already a huge sum. Only a fool would refuse.

After reading the letter, the English teacher’s face lit up with genuine joy. “Congratulations! I never expected you’d reach this point so fast.”

Li Heng waved his hand boastfully. “Not yet—it’s not official. No need to celebrate yet.”

The English teacher smiled silently, watching him return to the tea table to make a call.

He called “Shouhuo” Magazine.

As soon as it connected, Li Heng said to Editor Zou Ping: “Editor Zou, I received your letter—I’m thrilled and deeply grateful. I agree to the radio broadcast.”

“Understood, Teacher Li. I’ll contact Shanghai Radio right away and send you the 2,500 yuan fee via money order.”

This was standard business—Zou Ping stood to benefit too, and he sounded genuinely pleased.

Li Heng nodded. “Good. Let me know if there’s news about the standalone edition. I’ve got something to attend to now—talk later.”

“Alright, Teacher Li, talk later.” Zou Ping waited until the dial tone sounded before hanging up.

The English teacher sighed. “Writers make money fast—4,050 yuan before, now another 2,500. In less than half a year, your wealth has surpassed mine.”

Li Heng chuckled, unable to resist showing off. “If the standalone edition really happens, this is just pocket change.”

Looking at the unnaturally young face before her, Wang Runwen sighed again. “I suddenly feel teaching is pointless—my salary’s too low.”

Li Heng quickly comforted her: “The end of the universe is a permanent post. So many people want to be teachers but can’t even get in. Teacher, you’re getting a bit full of yourself.”

“My money is mine—it won’t slip into your pocket. We need to face reality, not get blinded.”

Unintentionally, he showed off again.

The English teacher’s chest rose and fell several times. She waved her hand irritably: “Get out! Go! I can’t stand looking at you!”

This was the third time she’d yelled “get out.” Li Heng thought to himself—her temper really was terrible. No wonder her chest, though full, had no takers.

He changed shoes, stepped out, and asked before leaving: “Teacher, are you having trouble? I saw you set out wine.”

“Nothing. Just felt like drinking. Go do your thing.” With that, she kicked the door shut.

Inside and outside—the world split in two.

Hmm. My phrasing’s off. But fine—yin and yang are separate. Men are yang, women are yin. It’s almost fitting.

On the second-floor landing, he bumped into the music teacher and the doctor, the latter carrying a birthday cake.

Surprised by the sudden encounter, the doctor asked: “Hey, Li Heng, why are you leaving? Didn’t Runwen just call you for dinner?”

Li Heng’s gaze landed on the cake—he suddenly understood. “Is today the English teacher’s birthday?”

The music teacher chimed in: “Yes. Your English teacher is 28 today. You’re not staying for dinner? Where are you going?”

So that’s why the meal was so lavish. That’s why the teacher invited him.

As he hesitated, the English teacher’s voice rang from upstairs: “Li Heng, go ahead if you’re busy—I’ll invite you another time.”

Li Heng looked up. “Teacher, happy birthday!”

“Got it. Get out.” Her bold voice echoed.

That’s just unfair—again with the “get out.” Am I that unlucky?

Li Heng sprinted downstairs, out the school gate, and quickly found the dumpling and wonton shop.

The shop was small, with only five old tung wood tables—everything visible at a glance.

Perhaps because it was the monthly break, or maybe because it was dinner time, there were few customers—only Yang Yingwen and Xiao Han inside.

Xiao Han sat with her back to the door, lowering mountain pepper oil into her wonton.

Yang Yingwen, facing the door, saw Li Heng arrive and immediately told Xiao Han: “I’m going to the restroom—be right back.”

Xiao Han hummed in response but didn’t look up.

PS: Requesting monthly tickets! Requesting subscriptions!

(End of chapter)