1987 My Era

Chapter 549, A Series of Schemes, True Feelings

On the way to the Peking University cafeteria, Li Heng kept thinking while looking at the lovely girl walking ahead of him.

Thinking about Song Yu's true intention in going to Lushan Village next Dragon Boat Festival?

It's definitely true that he's celebrating his own birthday.

But it's probably not that simple.

Logically speaking, given Song Yu's easygoing nature, she shouldn't have any conflicts with her female confidantes.

Even when she learned that Mai Sui had developed feelings for her, she was not too harsh on herself, and she didn't say anything too harsh to herself.

But now she's proactively suggested going to Lushan Village to celebrate my birthday. This is truly unprecedented, shattering my previous understanding of her.

As the saying goes, "A kind person is often bullied, and a good horse is often ridden."

When someone is too kind, their opponent won't offer respect or restraint, but rather relentless pressure. Perhaps Song Yu realized this, which is why she decided to retaliate against Zi Jin and Xiao Han's alliance.

There's an old saying that goes, "The best defense is a good offense." She wanted peace and quiet in her own little corner of the world, and she wanted her future life to remain undisturbed. Song Yu knew she had to launch a proper counterattack.

Thus, they crossed the river and went directly to Shanghai, to Xiao Han's headquarters.

As for the purpose, it goes without saying.

They had previously agreed to form a three-person alliance to resist the new rival in love. But she never expected that simply gaining Li Heng's favor would result in Zi Jin and Xiao Han joining forces against her.

The alliance's first shot wasn't fired at their rivals outside, but at "their own people." Even a clay figure has some temper, let alone the usually proud and reserved Song Yu.

Song Yu had a nagging feeling that Zi Jin and Xiao Han had tried to win her over before, perhaps just to push her out as a scapegoat to draw the attention of their rivals. Then, the two of them would hide behind the scenes and reap the benefits.

The same is true.

Song Yu has the best temperament and the most beautiful appearance, and she is Li Heng's favorite. In Xiao Han's eyes, Song Yu is a natural target, a natural weapon to deal with Teacher Yu, Mai Sui, and Zhou Shihe.

In fact, Xiao Han really hit the nail on the head this time:

For example, Teacher Yu always wanted to achieve the same status as Song Yu, which is why she hesitated to resign and why she hesitated to have a further relationship with Li Heng.

Song Yu and Mai Sui were best friends in high school, and Song Yu naturally had a psychological advantage over Mai Sui.

As for Zhou Shihe, Chen Zijin and Xiao Han were a bit unsure, and only Song Yu had the strength to go toe-to-toe with her, to restrain or even suppress Zhou Shihe.

This completely nipped the budding romance between Li Heng and Zhou Shihe in the bud.

This made Zhou Shihe realize the difficulty and back down.

Of course, this "difficulty" doesn't mean using Song Yu's absolute strength to pressure Zhou Shihe. Because Song Yu and Zhou Shihe are evenly matched, neither of them possesses overwhelming strength.

In Xiao Han's mind, this "difficulty" refers to a situation: making Zhou Shihe see the current situation clearly, who does Li Heng love the most? There is another woman by Li Heng's side who can rival Zhou Shihe, and Zhou Shihe does not have the uniqueness.

According to Xiao Han's plan: upon meeting Song Yu in person, Zhou Shihe would either reject Li Heng's advances in the future, haughtily refusing to get involved.

Alternatively, Zhou Shihe could directly confront Song Yu, and the two women could fight to the death.

In fact, Song Yu had always been wary of all this: Xiao Han and Zi Jin were working together to deal with her, forcing her to fight back and go to Shanghai. Was this also part of the two women's plan? Was their aim to force her to confront Zhou Shihe directly?
But no matter what?
Even if this was another open scheme by Zijing and Xiaohan, a series of interconnected plots within a plot by the two women, Song Yu was completely unafraid and accepted it.

Because her love was pure, her heart was already full, and she cared deeply about this man.

Because of the Song family, she truly had no way out.

As for whether the future will follow Xiao Han and Chen Zijin's planned route, Song Yu has her own ideas.

...

Peking University cafeteria.

There are still about 20 minutes left before the end of the eighth period, and there aren't many people in the cafeteria.

After getting their food, Li Heng followed Song Yu to a corner of the cafeteria.

At this moment, Xiao Feng was already there. Judging from the food in her lunchbox, she must have just arrived as well.

Upon seeing the two appear, Xiao Feng greeted them excitedly, saying, "Song Yu, you're here! I thought you weren't coming."

Song Yu smiled faintly and sat down.

Li Heng asked curiously, "Did you know I was coming?"

Xiao Feng said, "Don't you know how famous you are? I heard about you from my roommate less than 15 minutes after you arrived at Peking University with roses in your hands."

Li Heng pondered to himself, "At this rate of spread, Zijing probably knows about it too, right?"

Should I go find Zijing now that I'm heading north?

Actually, his original intention was to visit only one person each time he came to the capital, either Song Yu or Zi Jin, taking turns.

After talking with Song Yu for a while, Xiao Feng turned to Li Heng: "Didn't you just come back from Aba? How come you still have time to come to Peking University to see Song Yu at this hour? Haven't you read the newspapers? A lot of people are guessing the subject of your new book."

Li Heng shut Xiao Feng up with just one sentence, grinning and saying, "Look at the question you asked. No matter how busy I am, nothing is more important than Song Yu. She is someone I can drop everything to be with anytime, anywhere."

Xiao Feng looked at Song Yu, then at him, and murmured, "You truly deserve to be called a great scholar! You're really something!"

Not wanting the girl to ask him too many questions about his love life, Li Heng decided to take control of the conversation and asked, "You've been at Peking University for a year and a half now, have you met anyone you like?"

Song Yu seemed to have read his mind, and smiled as she spoke up, "Two boys have been pursuing Xiao Feng."

Li Heng's eyes widened, and he asked with interest, "Really? Tell me quickly."

Xiao Feng placed her chopsticks on the bottom of her bowl, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Compared to the thousands of admirers you two have, mine is nothing at all. One is a senior from Tianjin; the other is Li Yang, who is in the same year as me and comes from Chengdu."

After learning the basic information, Li Heng asked, "Do you have one you like?"

Xiao Feng shook her head: "The senior's personality is a bit too lively; Li Yang, on the other hand, is a bit old-fashioned, and he studies mathematics."

Li Heng understood: "Your senior is too lively, you feel insecure; Li Yang is an academic type, dull and boring, right?"

Xiao Feng nodded: "Yes, that's what I think too."

Li Heng sighed and joked, "Looks like these two guys are out of the running. Next time you introduce someone, don't mention their name if they're not interested; I can't be bothered to remember them."

Xiao Feng smiled, "Liu Li will be here later."

Li Heng was startled and subconsciously thought of Zijing. Would Zijing come?
Song Yu shared the same thought as him and looked up at Xiao Feng.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment, and Xiao Feng quickly said to Li Heng, "Liu Li came here specifically to see you. He came alone."

Upon hearing this, Song Yu divided half of the steamed egg in her bowl among Li Heng's and continued to eat slowly and deliberately.

Li Heng asked, "What do you want with me?"

Suddenly, Xiao Feng waved towards the door, then got up to get food for Liu Li, saying as she stood up, "Hey, Liu Li's here. Ask him yourself."

Liu Li was still the same as before, thin and bony. She walked over and sat down, greeting Song Yu: "Song Yu, you are still the most charming. I heard about the famous writer coming to see you at Renmin University."

Song Yu smiled beautifully, then answered irrelevantly, "You came alone today, didn't your senior come?"

The "senior" she mentioned was the local Beijing resident who had feelings for Liu Li.

Liu Li touched her forehead and said honestly, "Hey, Song Yu, stop teasing me. I know my place. That senior is a local. Even if she's interested in me, her family would never agree."

Song Yu asked thoughtfully, "Didn't you say her father treated you quite well? Could it be that someone else in your family made things difficult for you?"

Liu Li smiled wryly and said, "Her father is good, but her mother often gives me the cold shoulder, so I gave up a long time ago."

Song Yu felt sorry for him and was about to offer some words of comfort when she caught a glimpse of someone unexpected out of the corner of her eye: Chen Zitong.

That's right, the person who came was Chen Zijin's younger sister, Chen Zitong.

Song Yu saw it, and Li Heng and Liu Li saw it too, watching Chen Zitong walk step by step through the cafeteria towards them.

Liu Li was sullen and explained in a low voice, "Li Heng, I didn't know her. If I had known she would secretly follow me, I wouldn't have come today."

Li Heng knew Liu Li's character well, so he naturally had no doubts and waved his hand to indicate that everything was fine.

About 20 seconds later, Chen Zitong came up to the three of them, first looking at Song Yu, then at Li Heng, completely ignoring Liu Li.

A moment later, Chen Zitong sat down next to Li Heng and said, "Brother-in-law, I have no money for food."

Li Heng: "..."

He immediately pulled out the money he had just withdrawn the day before and stuffed it all into her pocket.

Chen Zitong remained seated, pouting and half-whining, "I'm hungry now."

Upon hearing this, Song Yu smiled and stood up: "Zitong, wait a moment, I'll go get you some food." Song Yu and Chen Zitong were not strangers. Back when Chen Zijin was in her second year of high school, Chen Zitong had just started her first year at Shaoyang No. 2 High School.

Since Song Yu and Chen Zijin were close friends at that time, Chen Zitong naturally had contact with Song Yu.

Watching Song Yu leave, Chen Zitong muttered, "It's been more than two years since I last saw her. Sister Song has become so much prettier. Seeing her, I feel like I'm not pretty at all."

Li Heng chimed in, "Zitong, you're quite pretty too."

Chen Zitong's eyes lit up: "Really?"

Li Heng nodded, "If you don't believe me, ask Liu Li."

Liu Li chimed in, "No need to ask. Zitong is a well-known beauty among the freshmen at Renmin University. My roommates and I have all discussed it."

Chen Zitong covered her mouth and laughed: "Brother Liu Li is so good at talking. I didn't even know I was so beautiful."

Liu Li's face almost turned red when he heard him call him "Brother Liu Li".

But Chen Zitong's next words made the atmosphere at the table extremely awkward. She said to Li Heng in a strange tone, "Since brother-in-law doesn't like my sister, how about I be your girlfriend?"

Li Heng: "..."

Liu Li: "..."

Li Heng and Liu Li weren't stupid; they both realized that Chen Zitong was being sarcastic.

Chen Zitong mocked Li Heng for coming to Peking University to find Song Yu, but not to Renmin University to find his own sister. She came with a grudge.

Previously, she always thought Li Heng was a good man who was devoted to his sister.

But ever since she entered Renmin University, her values ​​have been shattered; her brother-in-law was cheating on her with two women.

The problem is: she went to her sister, but her sister said that things weren't as simple as they seemed and that it was none of her business.

Liu Li was startled and hurriedly checked her surroundings. Thankfully, everything was alright! The eighth period hadn't ended yet, and they were the only students at their table in this corner; no one else was around. No one could hear Chen Zitong's words.

Li Heng gathered his thoughts and asked, "Where's your sister?"

Chen Zitong countered, "Brother-in-law, do you want her to come, or do you want her not to come?"

Li Heng remained silent.

Before he could reply, Chen Zitong said, "My sister was picked up by Sister Lanlan and they went to Gulou for dinner."

Sister Lanlan refers to Li Lan.

Li Heng felt relieved, guessing that his second sister had also heard rumors that he had come to Peking University, and had taken the initiative to comfort Zijing on his behalf.

Li Heng casually asked, "Why didn't you go?"

Chen Zitong said, "If I go, how will I ever see my brother-in-law and Sister Song being so loving together again?"

Just then, a group of people approached. Li Heng frowned slightly and said, "Let's talk about some things privately."

Chen Zitong glanced at the group of girls who kept glancing at her brother-in-law, and reluctantly agreed.

A short while later, Xiao Feng and Song Yu returned, each bringing a meal for Liu Li and Chen Zitong.

With Chen Zitong as an added variable, the atmosphere at the meal became somewhat strange. Li Heng quickly finished his meal and waited for Chen Zitong.

Chen Zitong was even more straightforward; as soon as he put down his chopsticks, she followed suit.

Then, without saying a word, the two walked out of the cafeteria one after the other and came to a secluded tree.

Once he had steadied himself, Li Heng turned around and said, "Zitong, if you have any questions, just ask."

Chen Zitong didn't stand on ceremony with him and looked up to ask, "Are you dating Song Yu?"

This was already a fact, and Li Heng did not deny it: "Yes."

Chen Zitong asked, "When did it start? Was it after my sister came to Beijing during the summer vacation after her second year of high school?"

Li Heng spoke again: "Yes."

Chen Zitong pressed further, "Who pursued whom?"

Li Heng said, "I won over Song Yu."

Chen Zitong was somewhat displeased: "You just slept with my sister, and then you turn around and chase after Song Yu. How could you have the nerve to do such a thing?"

Li Heng made no attempt to deny it, only saying four words: "It was my fault."

Seeing his compliant attitude, Chen Zitong felt like she had punched a cotton ball. She bit her lip and asked again, "You and Song Yu have made your relationship public in the capital, but you've kept my sister a secret from the world. So you want to marry Song Yu, is that right?"

This was a sensitive issue, and he didn't want to say more to Chen Zitong, so he remained silent.

But Chen Zitong persisted: "You want to marry Song Yu because she's prettier and has more class than my sister, right?"

Li Heng said softly, "Your sister is very beautiful too."

Chen Zitong understood the implication: "It was my mom and three aunts who dragged us down. They scolded you and Aunt Tian back then during summer vacation. You're holding a grudge, aren't you?"

That's true to a certain extent.

Comrade Tian Run'e has always held a grudge against the Chen family because of this incident, especially the scene where she knelt down to apologize on behalf of her son but was fiercely criticized and scolded by the four sisters-in-law, which she can never forget.

Chen Zitong asked, "Brother-in-law, let's think about it from a different perspective. If you were a woman and my sister were a man, and something like that happened, would your Li family really not have any complaints?"

Li Heng said, "There will be."

Chen Zitong was taken aback, not expecting him to admit it.

After a brief standoff, Chen Zitong asked again, "Do you feel resentful because our Chen family didn't help Uncle Li?"

Li Heng shook his head: "Zitong, you're overthinking it. My dad was framed and lost his secure job. It's no one's fault but his own for not being skilled enough."

In their line of work, backstabbing and infighting are commonplace. It's either win or lose; there are only two outcomes, no third. If you choose this path, you must be prepared to be eliminated at any time.

As for your family, it's a favor if we're willing to lend a hand; if we're unwilling, that's perfectly understandable and within our rights. As the saying goes, every family has its own troubles. Having embarked on this path, resources are used to exchange for benefits, which is understandable.

Hearing this, Chen Zitong was speechless. After a long while, she took out a wad of money from her pocket and stuffed it back into his pocket.

She said seriously, "Brother-in-law, don't be fooled by my usual joking around. I'm just pretending. I just can't stand my mom and I want to rub hair on her face. I know all of this."

I'm not here today to cause trouble for you, but to speak up for my sister. She's suffered so much. She doesn't get support at home, and she can't find the best place for herself here. It makes me, as her sister, very sad to see a woman suffer like this.

Li Heng paused, feeling particularly uneasy.

Then Chen Zitong added, "I haven't seen Song Yu for more than two years, and she's unbelievably beautiful. If I were you, I might also be tempted."

Everyone says that scholars are romantic and sentimental, and that scholars have always been passionate. This is the only comforting excuse I can offer my sister. But I don't blame you.

After all, everyone has their own perspective, and the Chen family has its own way of surviving. From the Li family's point of view, it's understandable that Aunt Tian can't swallow her anger.

"Your relationship with my sister was entirely consensual, so realistically, neither of us can blame the other. It's just that we, the Chen family, are the bride's side, which seems to give us a legitimate reason to vent our anger a little more. But things often go too far, and my mother and three aunts didn't control their boundaries, which led to the current situation."

After saying that, Chen Zitong raised his head and said in a low voice, "Brother-in-law, I'm here to beg you, please treat my sister well, okay? She really loves you. If even you are heartless towards her, she won't be able to live in this world."

After saying that, Chen Zitong left without looking back.

At the same time, a voice, neither too loud nor too soft, drifted into his ears: "Brother-in-law, don't worry, I'll keep your affair with Song Yu and my sister a secret."

Li Heng stared at her intently until the heavy snow completely engulfed her figure before he gradually came to his senses.

Song Yu came over.

Or perhaps she was watching from a distance, afraid that the two would start arguing.

Song Yu approached and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

Li Heng forced a smile. "It's nothing."

Song Yu stared at him, scrutinized him for a moment, and said, "It seems that Zitong is more sensible than I thought, he actually made you lose your composure just now."

Li Heng moved his lips and said, "Yes."

P.S.: Updated first, revised later.

(Two more chapters to go, the third one will make up for yesterday's)
Also, in the first 7 days of this month, I updated over 75000 words, averaging over 10,000 words per day (marked with the 10,000-word daily tag on Qidian's directory). But some readers still complain that my updates are too slow, that I only update once a day. I'm saying in March that my abilities are limited, so please understand my disabled 40-year-old hand. (Word count calculated, P.S. free.)

(End of this chapter)