[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-99":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},2259259,4409,"Chapter 99: Another Big Payday, Peking or Tsinghua? (Request Subscription)","1987-my-era-chapter-99",99,"\u003Cp>The white shirt didn’t get the information he wanted, looking disappointed but still smiling as he thanked the two and took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he didn’t leave Shaoshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he’d barely gotten word about the writer “December,” and he’d come all the way from Beijing—how could he just walk away like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t be sure he’d find the low-key December, but according to the white shirt’s thinking, he at least had to dig deep into Shaoshan No. 1 High School, interview people, and only then decide whether to leave—maybe there’d be a surprise?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the English teacher was very generous—she paid the bill the moment she finished her egg fried rice, settling Li Heng’s share too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng flattered her: “Teacher, women who are generous always look so beautiful and elegant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph! You ate so slowly—wasn’t that just to wait for me to pay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t misjudge me—I rode all day today, my head’s dizzy, that’s why I ate slowly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? Then give me the money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh come on, you really want money? Let’s not be so formal between us—I’ll treat you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The English teacher crossed her arms, sneered, and walked off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding that big white rabbit all day—doesn’t your arm get tired?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng grumbled inwardly but followed her up to the third floor of the teachers’ residential building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped inside, the English teacher told him, “Yesterday morning, your parents called me to ask about your writing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng wasn’t surprised. He asked, “What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The English teacher replied, “I told them everything I knew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng nodded, walked to the coffee table, picked up the receiver, and quickly dialed the phone number of *Shouhuo* Magazine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the English teacher poured him a glass of water and went into the bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, could you put me through to Editor Zou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good afternoon, Teacher Li, this is me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good afternoon. I heard from my teacher you called me this morning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are two pieces of news I need to tell you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two pieces of news from Editor Zou Ping:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first was that the royalty fees for *To Live*—2,500 yuan from Shanghai Radio—and the 1,350 yuan for *Wanbao* had been sent to him together via money order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A total of 3,850 yuan—another huge sum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was overjoyed inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already had over a hundred yuan in scholarship money; now, with this added, his personal savings had broken the 4,000-yuan mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four thousand yuan—what did that even mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could build two new houses in the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could marry several wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At current prices, you could lie around eating for ten years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Put it this way: many people spend their entire lives and never earn that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had no intention of giving this money to his family—he planned to keep it for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d just given his family 3,800 yuan, enough to cover their expenses for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed money for his summer trip to Beijing and for university expenses in the fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, men—especially someone who’d seen big money in his past life—feel uneasy if they don’t have some savings in the bank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Ping’s second piece of news: since its publication in February, *To Live* had sparked massive public reaction; *Shouhuo* Magazine’s sales had surged for two consecutive issues, breaking the 2.5-million-copy mark—doubling its previous peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This astonishing data left even *Shouhuo*’s own staff and all competitors speechless, utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And most crucially, the momentum was still strong, with clear potential to dethrone *People’s Literature* as the top journal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because its success was so dazzling, rivals grew jealous and resentful—so *Shiyue* had gone to great lengths to bribe an editor at *Shouhuo* to solicit a manuscript from Li Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Ping said on the phone: “Teacher Li, not only are readers responding strongly, but literary critics across the board have overwhelmingly praised *To Live*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, yesterday our editorial board held a full discussion on publishing *To Live* as a standalone volume, and then voted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng’s heart skipped a beat. He asked urgently, “What was the vote?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the brilliant Teacher Li nervous, Zou Ping felt an inexplicable thrill, his face beaming with joy as he offered congratulations:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations, Teacher Li—the meeting approved the proposal to publish *To Live* as a standalone volume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On behalf of *Shouhuo* Magazine, I officially notify you: capitalizing on this momentum, the first print run of 300,000 copies will hit the market on July 1st.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the contract’s print-run threshold is triggered, we’ll pay you a 5% royalty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes—royalties!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Royalties were the point—he’d been waiting for this. Li Heng’s blood surged; he was instantly thrilled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great, thank you, Editor Zou. You’ve worked hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all, not at all—it’s our duty. We all hope *To Live* sells like wildfire,” Zou Ping honestly voiced his true hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not hope?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If *To Live* sold well, it would bring huge tangible benefits to Li Heng, to the magazine, and even to Zou Ping himself—everyone benefited, a true three-way win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call was long; they chatted a while longer. When he hung up, Li Heng deliberately glanced at the wall clock, calculated the duration—and was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guess how long?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it! 22 minutes and 38 seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a long-distance call—every second cost money! It was dozens of yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Run’e would have to sell a hundred jin of rice to earn that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng felt pained—he deeply regretted not having the nerve to hang up earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He secretly urged himself: next time, damn it, he’d learn his lesson—just find any excuse to hang up right away, and wait for them to call back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that was just a thought—he couldn’t really hang up rudely. What then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tough luck—just keep it brief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though annoyed, Li Heng counted out a stack of bills, placed them on the coffee table, and weighed them down with the landline phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t keep freeloaded, could he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she was his own English teacher, even if she had big breasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, what the hell was he thinking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sinful! Sinful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng silently repented, then looked toward the master bedroom—nearly half an hour had passed; why hadn’t the teacher come out yet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she fallen asleep?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Li Heng, who’d originally planned to chat a bit more, immediately stood up, tiptoed out of the living room, slipped on his shoes, quietly closed the door, and left the teacher’s home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, as he stepped out, he ran into Sun Manning in the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her stood Mai Sui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met—no, six eyes met—and Li Heng instinctively reached to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could speak, Sun Manning had already stepped forward, wrinkled her nose, sniffing repeatedly as she circled him slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked, “Are you a dog? What are you sniffing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning whispered, “I’m smelling—checking if you’ve got the English teacher’s scent on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng’s face dropped. He demanded, “Did you find any?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he was upset, Sun Manning stepped back two paces, then clapped her hands with bold honesty: “Nope. Why do you keep running over to the English teacher’s place? Don’t you know she’s an older single woman?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t you know her figure is especially sexy? You never run to Song Yu that often.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had a point. Li Heng sighed. “Stop guessing. I came to make a phone call.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A phone call? Not to Chen Zijin?” Sun Manning’s eyes sparkled with gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng pushed her aside, refusing to indulge her nonsense: “Who I call is none of your business. Stop snooping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at Mai Sui—how virtuous and quiet she is. You’re always causing trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Mai Sui smiled at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning, unconvinced, linked arms with Mai Sui. “She doesn’t live on the third floor, so she hasn’t seen you sneaking into the English teacher’s room all the time—otherwise, she might be even more curious than me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng stopped walking and pointed at Sun Manning, asking Mai Sui: “Mai Sui, would you ever turn into her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mai Sui softly blinked, then pulled three chocolate candies from her pocket with practiced ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She handed one to Li Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shoved one into her friend’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She ate the third herself—declining to meddle in their bickering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With candy in hand, Sun Manning wisely changed the subject: “Li Heng, you’re filling out your college applications soon—what’s your first choice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng sighed: “Didn’t you already ask? Peking University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what he’d told Song Yu face-to-face—he wouldn’t change it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Song Yu and Mai Sui’s first choice is also Peking University. My parents want me to apply to Fudan. Ugh, we’ll be separated north and south—we won’t be able to hang out anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning sighed “ugh” multiple times—clearly, she was deeply saddened by the impending separation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng comforted her: “Fudan’s not bad. I actually considered making it my first choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning was surprised: “Really? You really thought about it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng nodded. “Why would I lie? I did think about it—but Song Yu will definitely go to Peking University. I have no choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning immediately urged him: “Then put Fudan as your second choice—if you don’t get into Peking, at least we’ll still have each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng frowned. “You’re cursing me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning crossed her arms. “No, I’m serious. Even though listing Fudan as your second choice isn’t rational, I can ask my dad—he might be able to help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng thought of Xiao Han. If history followed its course, this girl would go to Shanghai Medical University—so listing Fudan as his second choice wasn’t half bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he listed Peking University as his first and Fudan as his second, would Fudan even consider him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless—he revealed his identity as a writer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he revealed his identity as a writer, wouldn’t Peking University still want him?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu, Xiao Han; Xiao Han, Song Yu. Li Heng wrestled with it, then gave up—he’d leave it to fate. Whoever fate chose, he’d follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then asked: “Is your dad really that well-connected?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning glanced around, then lowered her voice. “He’s vice president of Fudan—of course he’s connected. I just told Mai Sui to list Fudan as her second choice too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But don’t go blabbing this around—otherwise everyone’ll come begging. I only told you two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng joked, “Playing favorites? You didn’t tell Song Yu or Chen Lijun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning shook her head. “Song Yu’s grades are more stable. My dad says, barring accidents, she and Xiao Feng will easily get into Tsinghua or Peking University. As for Lijun, her dream school is Renmin University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sighed, her face drooping. “Honestly, I want to go to Fudan too—I want to wander around Shanghai, a real big city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of second period, Li Heng suddenly handed Song Yu two bags of dried plum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with a note: Words spoken are binding; promises must be kept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu smiled prettily, immediately opened one bag, and shared it with those around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She picked up her pen and wrote on the note: Has your new novel been accepted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng replied: Yes. It’ll be published in Harvest on June 20.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu read it, tucked the note away, and didn’t ask the novel’s title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because of that time Li Heng said his new novel wasn’t suitable for her to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this month’s break ended, time seemed wound tight—before long, the school held its third mock exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the college entrance exam drew nearer, Li Heng felt the third mock was just meant to boost students’ confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or more bluntly—it served students with average or below-average grades; for top scorers like Song Yu and Xiao Feng, it offered little improvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Song Yu improved by only five points, Mai Sui by two, and Li Heng by just two as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Yejiang, who had bombed the scholarship exam and the first two mocks, made a stunning comeback—his score broke 600.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he got his score sheet, he threw his head back and laughed loudly, feeling like “I laugh aloud and walk out the door—how could I be just a country bumpkin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweeping away months of frustration, Liu Yejiang blustered to Li Heng:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Heng, the college entrance exam’s coming—I’ll surpass you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yejiang spoke these words with swagger, right in front of the whole class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Liu Li in the back row muttered under her breath: “This guy’s a cockroach that won’t die—no matter how many times he’s beaten or scolded, he’s back to taunting Lao Heng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Li Heng could retort, Sun Manning in the front row spoke up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Yejiang, Li Heng’s aiming for Peking University. Dare you apply to Peking University?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong joined in: “Yeah! Yeah! Old Heng’s applying to Peking University with Song Yu. Liu Yejiang, got the guts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That idiot couldn’t keep his mouth shut—he just sold me out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the whole class stare at him and Song Yu with strange glances, Li Heng wanted to rip that bastard’s lips off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just wanted to quietly apply to Peking University with Song Yu—why’d you have to shout it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the whole class knows. Even the Chinese teacher in the hallway heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because she’d heard too many rumors—or maybe she’d always known his feelings—Song Yu remained calmer than expected amid the awkward glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She calmly opened a math test paper, uncapped her pen, and quietly began solving problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worried his focus would shift, Zou Aiming, who disliked Liu Yejiang, piped up shrilly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Yejiang, if Old Heng dares apply to Peking University, as a man, what are you afraid of? Prove it to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Zou Aiming’s words sounded like encouragement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those with sharp ears realized—he was using reverse psychology to goad Liu Yejiang into applying to Peking University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Liu Yejiang, now in the spotlight, couldn’t back down without losing face—he blushed and swore loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, I’ll apply! With my current scores, I can get into Peking University!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! Good, good!” Zhang Zhiyong and Zou Aiming led the applause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where there are people, there’s a world—once someone started, many boys joined in, clapping wildly amid cheers and hoots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Lijun whispered: “I wonder if Liu Yejiang will really fall for it. Manning, you planned this, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning turned her head. “I just can’t stand him. So what? You feel sorry for him? Oh right—he’s your secret admirer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Chen Lijun’s face flushed crimson. “No way! I remember he first had a crush on you. Everyone just spread rumors that you liked Li Heng, so they pinned it on me—I’m not taking the blame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng, enjoying the drama, sighed. “Hey, hey, fight your own battles—don’t drag me into it. It’ll cause misunderstandings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Lijun said: “Li Heng, you’re afraid Song Yu will misunderstand, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she named names, Li Heng wouldn’t back down—he immediately turned to Song Yu: “Song Yu, will you misunderstand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his boldness, those nearby couldn’t help laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never seen anyone chase a girl so openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu glanced at him quietly, said nothing, showed no anger, and lowered her head to keep working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the third mock exam results came out, the most important task followed: filling out college applications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, there were no detailed school or major databases like in the future, no online experts giving live advice—only a single admissions catalog, which everyone flipped through until it fell apart, still half-understanding, utterly confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Concepts like priority choices, early admission, and separate tracks for undergraduate and vocational programs—all different from the future—left even Li Heng, who’d taken the exam once before, uncertain, his memory faded by time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among hundreds of universities nationwide, many names were unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So most students relied on teachers’ experience to guide their applications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, Song Yu listed Peking University as her first choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Song Yu’s strongest rival, Mai Sui also decisively listed Peking University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Lijun chose Renmin University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning chose Fudan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Li stole a glance at Chen Lijun’s form, then quietly copied it—also listing Renmin University. Afterward, he asked Li Heng: “Why haven’t you filled yours yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Song Yu, Mai Sui, Chen Lijun, and Sun Manning all turned their heads toward Li Heng, waiting for him to fill out his form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Manning asked: “You’re not scared, are you? Giving up on chasing Song Yu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu opened her mouth to speak, but when she met Li Heng’s unusual gaze, she fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Li Heng was pondering which school Xiao Han would choose—whether she’d alter history—the English teacher’s voice came from the doorway:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Heng, come out for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng stood up. “I’ll fill mine when I get back. While you’ve got time, reconsider your second choices.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the hallway, the English teacher led him to a quiet corner and asked: “Which school are you applying to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Peking University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher paused, then asked: “What about your second choice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng shook his head. “Do you have any suggestions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher hesitated, then asked: “Are you determined to go to Beijing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked because Chen Zijin was in Beijing, and Song Yu was going there too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng’s eyes lit up. “Does that mean if I want another school, you can help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher studied him for a moment, then looked toward the playground. “I mentioned your situation to my friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said you can apply to any school—but if you want a specific one, you’ll need to reveal your writer identity on a small scale. She’ll help you arrange it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was stunned. “Even Tsinghua or Peking University?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher nodded. “Yes, but as a liberal arts student, you’re better off with Peking University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “What if I list Fudan as my second choice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher nodded again. “Naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was stunned. “What does your friend do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher shot him a glance. “Don’t ask. Don’t get any ideas. Just focus on chasing Song Yu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng’s face twitched. “Teacher, you really underestimate me—how could someone like that possibly be interested in me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph! Good, you know your place.” The teacher mocked him coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked curiously: “Teacher, if you have such powerful connections, why are you still at Shaodong No.1 High?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher countered: “Is No.1 High bad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, but it doesn’t suit your status,” Li Heng chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I like it here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the teacher walked past him without expression, entering the homeroom teacher’s office, where many students waited for application advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng stood in the hallway for a moment, then dashed to the adjacent teaching building. Without caring about the stares from 206’s other students, he walked straight up to Xiao Han:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Han, what’s your first choice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him ask about her application, Xiao Han felt a sweet flutter—she handed him her form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng took it and glanced: Shanghai Medical University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good, good!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The historical trajectory hadn’t changed; his rebirth hadn’t triggered a butterfly effect. Li Heng let out a deep breath of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked at Yang Ying’s volunteer choices—the four characters “Tsinghua University” stood out prominently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ying asked him: “What about you? What’s your first choice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xiao Han look over, Li Heng thought for a moment and said: “All my teachers advised me to put Peking University as my first choice, but I haven’t filled it out yet—I’d like to hear your opinions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He phrased it skillfully, prefacing with “all my teachers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did that imply? Obviously, that all his teachers believed he could get into Peking University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsinghua and Peking University carried undeniable prestige in the eyes of teachers and students—no other schools could compare. He was certain Xiao Han would understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And saying “I’d like to hear your opinions” was clearly meant for Xiao Han alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True enough, the first half made her feel a quiet pang of disappointment—but the second half erased it instantly, and she replied with serious earnestness:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your teachers are right. You should choose Peking University. I support you choosing Peking University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aware of outsiders nearby, Li Heng feared word reaching Song Yu, so he sat down and wrote on his notebook: If I go to Peking University, we might be separated for four years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After writing it, he handed the notebook to Xiao Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han stared blankly at the draft paper for a long time before answering: “Over four years, will Master Li forget me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng wrote decisively: Never. True love endures beyond daily togetherness. Besides, I’ll come visit you often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phrase “True love endures beyond daily togetherness” was nearly a confession. Xiao Han grew dazed, remembering the sweet moments they’d shared during the moon holiday—she was heartbroken, desperate to keep him by her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she wasn’t a fragile woman. She smiled sweetly at him and replied: “To test Master Li’s devotion, you should choose Peking University even more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng wrote: Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homeroom teacher of Class 206 entered. Li Heng didn’t stay long, returning to his own class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ying, who had witnessed their note-passing in full, sighed: “My gut tells me—if you asked him to stay, he’d go to Shanghai with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han replied sharply: “Would you hold him back, if it were you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ying thought carefully for a long while, then shook his head: “I couldn’t be that selfish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han smiled with a dimple: “Neither would I.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, the smile on her lips faded slowly—she thought of Song Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ying seemed to guess her thoughts and comforted her: “What’s yours is yours. What isn’t, can’t be forced.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of disappointment crossed Xiao Han’s face, but she waved her hands quickly, laughing: “It’s fine, really. Don’t comfort me—I don’t believe in fate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ying understood her resolve: “Alright. If he really goes to Beijing, I’ll do you a favor—I’ll be your spy for four years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in Class 204, having settled Xiao Han’s mind, Li Heng no longer hesitated—he listed Peking University as his first choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His second choice was Fudan University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the rest? He filled them in casually, flipping through the school directory and writing down whichever looked appealing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him follow her lead and choose Peking University, his desk-mate Song Yu said nothing—she simply handed him a plum candy in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he handed his college preference form to the homeroom teacher, Wang Qi exclaimed, “Li Heng, shouldn’t you reconsider your second choice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The English teacher leaned over, glanced, and said: “No need. It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Wang Qi looked from Wang Run to Li Heng, guessed something, then burst into laughter: “Alright, with Teacher Wang’s word, I’m at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he left the office, Li Heng whispered to the English teacher: “Teacher, I have a favor to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Run brushed his hair back with his right hand. “Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “If my Gaokao score isn’t enough for Peking University, make sure I get into Fudan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Run stared, startled: “Why not try for Peking University?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not try for Peking University?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s fate’s will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fate didn’t let me choose Song Yu—it let me choose Xiao Han first. How could I defy it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both hands are flesh. Both are equal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng answered: “I really like Fudan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Run stared at him, frowning in deep thought for a long while—finally, unable to make sense of him, he muttered, “I don’t understand you,” and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Please subscribe! Please vote for monthly tickets!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3942,"2026-06-19T15:27:33.982Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9839582cdc63d8f0cd91db52b8cd67a6d719afa841907dd540eda13489de5660","1987-my-era-chapter-100","1987-my-era-chapter-98",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]