1987 My Era

Chapter 573, Mai Sui's feelings for Li Heng are discovered by her parents.
a moment.

Li Heng caught sight of her out of the corner of his eye and asked, "You're awake? When did you wake up?"

Huang Zhaoyi said, "I didn't check my watch, it's been about half an hour."

Li Heng put down his book and asked, "Did you prepare the condoms on the bedside table on purpose?"

When the topic came up, Huang Zhaoyi seemed a little awkward and explained in a low voice, "I was afraid you might need to use it."

Li Heng turned his head and stared into her eyes, saying leisurely, "Are you afraid I'll change my mind? Afraid I won't let you get pregnant?"

Huang Zhaoyi seemed a little uneasy after all her guesses came true.

Li Heng didn't move, just watched her.

After a long while, Huang Zhaoyi, who was somewhat unable to resist, mustered up her courage and kissed him. Then, after waiting a while and seeing that he did not object, she tentatively rolled over and lay on top of him.

After waiting a while, seeing that he still did not resist, she kissed him.

Li Heng said, "You used this trick last night."

Huang Zhaoyi kissed him passionately until they were almost suffocating before their lips parted.

She spoke up, "When Huo Qubing was 20 years old, he fought against the Xiongnu. His first campaign, which involved a lightning flanking maneuver to the rear, was a great success. In his second campaign, he used the same tactic, and the Xiongnu still failed to defend against it. Huo Qubing achieved even greater victories."

Li Heng laughed, "Aren't you a Peking Opera student? You're even discussing historical allusions with me when we're in bed together."

Huang Zhaoyi blushed and said, "I had good grades in school and graduated from Fudan University. I just love Peking Opera and want to develop in this direction."

"Oh, you're an alumnus of the same school?"

"Yes."

“No wonder, with such a sharp mind, it’s no wonder you’re above me,” Li Heng said.

Huang Zhaoyi's face flushed, and finally, under his piercing gaze, she kissed his lips again.

After ten minutes of passionate kissing, she traced her foot down her chin and finally burrowed into the blankets…

Looking at the bulge in the blankets, Li Heng rested his head on the headboard, staring up at the snow-white ceiling, his mind blank, not knowing what he was thinking.

About an hour later, Huang Zhaoyi, whose bones felt like they were about to fall apart, lay limply beside him, closing her eyes to regulate her rapid breathing.

Li Heng reached out and pinched her earring: "Why don't you take it off when you sleep?"

"I was too tired last night and forgot," said Huang Zhaoyi, her breathing disordered.

Then, she wriggled closer and, mustering her courage, whispered in his ear, "Do you like this breakfast?"

Li Heng patted her shoulder lightly: "I give you a perfect score."

Then he asked, "Do you still have any strength?"

Huang Zhaoyi asked, "Are you hungry?"

Li Heng nodded.

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhaoyi stretched her arms behind her back on the bed and sat up halfway. Then, under his gaze, she began to dress and tie her hair.

After lingering his gaze on her for a moment, Li Heng asked, "Your figure is perfectly maintained, and your skin is as fair as someone in their early twenties. How do you take care of yourself?"

Huang Zhaoyi was slightly pleased: "Is your skin really that good?"

Li Heng said, "There is no false evaluation. If I didn't know your age, I guess if you went out and said you were 18, no one would dare to refute it."

Huang Zhaoyi shook her head: "18 is still no match for me. After all, I'm over 30 and I've lost that youthful innocence. But my good skin is mainly due to genetics, and I've also spent a lot of money on skincare."

As she spoke, she got out of bed and found the new clothes he was going to wear that day in his closet, placing them on the chair at the foot of the bed. Then she took the clothes to the shower herself.

As she passed the wall mirror in the bathroom, she stopped and gazed at her alluring red lips reflected in the mirror. She couldn't help but touch her cheek.

She discovered that he really enjoyed this way of relaxing.

She quietly examined her own figure, and just as he said, it was indeed flawless, something she was very proud of. This was also the reason why Li Heng had been so persistent last night.

She took a quick shower and went into the kitchen to start preparing breakfast.

Breakfast was relatively simple. Although he ate rice according to his hometown's custom, he only cooked three dishes and a soup.

During the meal, Li Heng asked, "Do you still remember how to make that braised pork last time?"

Huang Zhaoyi said, "I remember, I practice the dishes I've learned regularly."

Li Heng said, "I really liked it last time, and I want to have braised pork for lunch."

She learned to cook in order to please him, to gain his favor, to demonstrate her value to him, and thus to stay by his side in the long term.

Now that her husband has made a request for the first time ever, and has personally ordered the food for the first time ever, how could Da Qingyi refuse?
Huang Zhaoyi happily said, "Okay, I'll go buy groceries later."

After breakfast, the two disguised themselves and went out.

At this time, the neighbors were all clearing the snow in front of their doors. Li Heng said, "We two are the last to get up. We're too lazy."

Huang Zhaoyi turned her head away, too embarrassed to reply.

Why so late?

It was because she had to do morning exercises that she was delayed.

She said, "I'll make a call later and have someone shovel the snow."

Li Heng didn't object. Actually, he thought leaving the snow at the door was a good idea, but all the neighbors were shoveling snow, and it would seem too out of place if their family didn't.

The first time Li Heng went to the farmers' market with her, he even looked at several vegetable vendors, but no one recognized him.

He chuckled and said, "Your disguise skills are amazing. Teach me a few tricks when we get back."

In order to better prepare for their private dates, Huang Zhaoyi specially learned some makeup techniques. "First, we need to start with makeup. I'll teach you some simple makeup techniques when I have time these next few days."

Li Heng said, "Sure, I have nothing to do anyway. I've already read one of the books I brought, so I might as well learn a new skill."

Huang Zhaoyi asked, "Would you like to go to Xinhua Bookstore and buy some new books?"

Li Heng shook his head: "No need, I still have a lot of books in my study that I haven't finished reading. We can talk about it later."

After buying the groceries, the two went home and got back to their respective tasks.

Li Heng was reading books and newspapers on the sofa, with tea and fruit being provided promptly; he was living the life of a retired old man.

Huang Zhaoyi was busy, not only calling people to shovel snow, but also discussing business matters with her assistant, and doing laundry and cooking.

Of course, her primary concern right now is to seize every opportunity to conserve her energy and stockpile food for the battles that will take place tonight and the day after.

On the first day, Li Heng acted like a master, even in the bedroom, he was lazy and acted like a master, with Da Qingyi taking the lead.

On their last day, the two stayed indoors, continuing their crazy and great endeavor.

Even great achievements could be compiled into a book, with extremely rich content and almost no repetition. Li Heng used all his skills to the fullest.

In his past life, how could he have dared to be so unrestrained with Song Yu, Zi Jin, and Xiao Han? Only Da Qingyi would have gone along with him and accommodated him in everything.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Huang Zhaoyi was radiant and had truly experienced a second spring in her life. However, her body was quite honest, and she could no longer walk very well.

It was light outside again. Li Heng got off her. "The snow should have melted by now. I have to go."

Huang Zhaoyi was very reluctant to part with him, but she also knew that she couldn't keep this man at all; he wouldn't belong to her alone.

She struggled to her feet: "I'll go cook."

Li Heng reached out to stop her, "Forget it, you're already so tired. Let's eat breakfast outside the station, some noodles."

Huang Zhaoyi wanted to try harder, but after struggling for a while, she found that her body was not under her control at all, so she had to give up in the end.

After resting for more than half an hour, the two went into the bathroom together.

But it took two hours before she came out. Huang Zhaoyi covered her lower abdomen with her right hand and pondered: With the intensity of these three days, she should be able to get pregnant, right?
However, she wasn't sure. In the past few months, she had read many books on the subject, which said that women under too much psychological pressure are less likely to get pregnant.

At the same time, the older a woman gets, the lower her chances of getting pregnant will be.

She desperately wanted a child; she dreamed about it constantly, and this even caused her some anxiety.

After leaving their residence, the two headed towards the South Bus Station.

Today, Li Heng is driving, and Huang Zhaoyi is resting in the passenger seat.

Looking at the still energetic man, Da Qingyi suddenly remembered a saying: "Don't take on a job you're not qualified for." There's some truth to his womanizing ways and the fact that he has so many women.

If she were alone, she wouldn't be able to handle it at all.

Upon arriving at the South Bus Station, Li Heng parked at a busy restaurant. "Let's eat here. This place is popular, so the food must be good."

Huang Zhaoyi worried: "Won't this expose your identity? Should I get two servings to eat in the car?"

Just as he was pondering, the woman in blue got off the bus, pulled her scarf to cover half her face, went into the shop, and ordered a bowl of beef noodles and a bowl of wontons.

She told the owner, "Add chili to the beef noodles, add a fried egg, and add a serving of all kinds of side dishes."

The owner kindly reminded her, "Miss, if you add one of everything, it will cost several times more."

Huang Zhaoyi said, "Please add as much as you like."

Seeing that she spoke eloquently and dressed fashionably, the boss happily added various side dishes, such as lean pork and wood ear mushrooms, dried tofu, and snails.

Oh my, such a variety of dishes, a whole big bowl full.

Huang Zhaoyi took out her money and said to the shop owner, "I won't return the bowls and chopsticks; here's your money."

The boss glanced at the Mercedes in the distance and thought to himself, "This must be a young lady from a wealthy family."

Back in the car, she said, "This place is too conspicuous; let's move a little further ahead."

Li Heng nodded, started the car, and drove around looking for a spot until he finally parked in a quiet, secluded corner.

After taking a bite of the wonton, Huang Zhaoyi said, "There's definitely a reason why there are so many people here. The taste is really good. Would you like to try a few bites of the wonton?"

Li Heng shook his head.

He loves the wontons from Qian Yuejin's wonton shop the most.

What a pity! That landlady is inhuman. She can just abandon her husband like that, and then abandon her eldest daughter to run off with her dim-witted father.

He had been working hard all night and was starving. He ate most of a bowl of rice before he could recover. Li Heng suddenly asked, "When should your period usually come?"

Huang Zhaoyi said, "Five days later."

Li Heng put down his chopsticks. "So, these past few days haven't been a safe period?"

Huang Zhaoyi said, "No."

Li Heng pondered for a moment and said, "If you get pregnant, find a way to tell me as soon as possible."

Consort Huang tilted her head and looked at him, somewhat puzzled.

Li Heng seemed to have guessed her thoughts: "Are you worried that writing letters might reveal potential risks?"

Huang Zhaoyi acquiesced.

Li Heng thought for a moment and asked, "When are you going back to Shanghai?"

Huang Zhaoyi said, "I'm almost done with things here, and I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow."

Li Heng said, "Wait for my call in Shanghai. I'll call you back in a week."

Consort Huang kept it in mind.

After having breakfast, Li Heng got out of the car and left.

As Huang Zhaoyi watched his figure recede into the distance, she felt a mix of emotions. The more she got to know this man, the more she liked him.

Once Li Heng had completely disappeared from sight, she switched to the driver's seat, turned the car around, and headed home.

Li Heng didn't rush to take the bus. After guessing that Da Qingyi had left, he came out of the station again, found a public phone, and called Teacher Yu, who was far away in Beijing.

"Jingle Bell…"

"Jingle Bell…"

It took a little longer than expected, and the call wasn't answered until the very last ring.

"Hello, who is it?"

"it's me."

After introducing himself, Li Heng asked, "Teacher, when are you coming?"

Yu Shuheng said, "The plane ticket is for the morning of the day after tomorrow."

Li Heng thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll pick you up in Shao City the day after tomorrow."

Yu Shuheng smiled and said, "Okay, I have something to do here, so I won't chat with you any longer. We'll talk when we meet."

"Hey." The phone rang loudly, apparently because Jiaojiao and Xu Suyun had a big argument.

He immediately and tactfully hung up the phone.

Is it the flight the day after tomorrow?

On the bus to Shaodong, Li Heng was thinking, why not not rush home and just go to Shaodong ahead of time?
With these thoughts in mind, four hours later, as soon as he got off the bus in Shao City, he called Sun Manning directly.

Hearing that we were going to Shaodong right now, Sun Manning was a little unhappy: "Are you crazy? Why are you changing the date so many times? I'm planning to have a baby."

"Give birth?" Li Heng looked completely bewildered.

"It's not me giving birth, it's the dog. My dog ​​is about to have puppies these days," Sun Manning hurriedly clarified.

Li Heng blurted out, "So, do you think I'm more important, or is the dog more important?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he regretted it, regretting that he had spoken too quickly when he was still young and inexperienced.

Sure enough, the next second, Sun Manning burst into laughter on the other end of the phone, "Li Heng, you're really spineless, comparing yourself to a dog, haha, you're killing me with laughter..."

Seeing her daughter speaking rudely and impolitely, Sun's mother immediately slapped her across the back of the head.

It slammed loudly.

"Ouch! Why did you hit me, you old woman?" Being hit at the happiest moment, Sun Manning turned her head, her face full of grimace.

Sun's mother was so angry that she fainted and slapped him again.

Sun Manning sneered, "Go ahead and hit her, kill her! You only have one daughter, who will take care of you when you die?"

Sun's mother said, "If you kill him, I'll have another one."

Sun Manning's eyes widened: "Aren't you already menopausal? How can you have children? With your mouth?"

Upon hearing this, Li Heng on the other end of the phone tried hard to suppress his laughter, but he almost laughed until his intestines hurt.

I thought this silly girl was already pretty strict with me normally, but I didn't expect her to be even stricter at home!
Grandma Sun was so angry that she grabbed a feather duster from the coffee table and swung it at him.

Sun Manning jumped up in fright, moved to the sofa, and shouted into the phone, "Li Heng, help! My adoptive mother has killed someone! Come to Shaoshi and take me away. I'll be your and Song Yu's bed warmer!"

Upon hearing her adoptive mother called out, Sun's mother felt dizzy and as if the sky were falling. How could she have given birth to such a stubborn child? All those ten months of pregnancy had been for nothing!

But what's even more outrageous is that cry of "bed warmer maid." Sun's mother hardened her heart and chased after her daughter with a feather duster.

In the end, it was Sun's father who ran over from his study and stopped the mother and daughter from fighting.

Sun's mother was furious and said to her husband, "Do you know how hard it was for me to carry you for ten months? And you actually call me your adoptive mother!"

Sun Manning, hands on her hips, with an air of "What can you do about it?", loudly proclaimed, "What kind of mother treats her own daughter like this? You dare hit me, I dare scream! This is called maternal love and filial piety. A perfect match!"

Mr. Sun looked at his biological daughter with doting eyes, but then felt a headache coming on. He changed the subject and asked, "Is Li Heng coming to Shao City again?"

"Oh, I completely forgot about the important matter." Upon hearing this, Sun Manning picked up the receiver again: "Hello! Hello! Li Heng, are you still there?"

Li Heng said, "I'm still here. I'm planning to go to the bus station. Let's meet in the waiting room."

Sun Manning asked, "It's almost Chinese New Year, and it's chaotic everywhere. Aren't you afraid I, a woman, will get lost on the road? Are you sure you're not coming to pick me up?"

Li Heng thought to himself, "You silly girl, you're not a great beauty, at most you're just a little pretty. You're nothing special." But he said, "Okay, I'll come to No. 1 Middle School."

Upon hearing this, Sun Manning immediately hung up the phone, put the receiver back, and said to her mother, "Go ahead and hit me! Keep hitting me! I went out to play with a guy, and when I came back, I was pregnant. You'll be crying your eyes out at home!"

As she spoke, the girl went into the bedroom and started packing her clothes.

Sun's mother pointed a feather duster at her daughter's bedroom: "Huh? Don't you dare to discipline her? Huh? You've always spoiled her since she was little, look what you've done now?"

Mr. Sun lit a cigarette. “I’ve spoiled my daughter so much that she got into Fudan University, and you’re still not satisfied?”

"This is outrageous! A girl shouldn't be talking like a woman! Damn it, I've heard these kinds of words so many times. I've wanted to take action for a long time!" Sun's mother complained.

Mr. Sun disagreed and comforted her, saying, "That's only because she's with a few good friends. In front of outsiders, our daughter is quite reserved."

Besides, this is a good thing; it proves that the daughter and Li Heng have a very good relationship.

People with Li Heng's status would be hard to curry favor with, yet his daughter manages to get along with him so well—that's her strength. If cursing Li Heng a few times could get you on his good side, I think everyone in Shaoshi would be saying those phrases all the time.

Sun's mother laughed in anger, "Nonsense! Just keep spoiling her, let's see what kind of person she'll become! Didn't you hear what she just said? She said she was pregnant when she came back. Aren't you worried that something will happen if she plays with Li Heng every day?"

Sun's father smoked and shook his head.

Grandma Sun was puzzled.

Mr. Sun explained in a low voice, "If our daughter were any prettier, I would really be worried about this. But Li Heng's heart is set on Song Yu and that Chen girl. These two girls are so beautiful. To put it bluntly, even if they have ulterior motives, they wouldn't be interested in our daughters."

Regarding the relationship between Li Heng, Song Yu, and Chen Zijing, Principal Sun, even if he didn't fully understand it, could guess some things. After all, Chen Zijing and Li Heng had been a couple in the first and second years of high school, and according to rumors circulating in the county, the relationship between the Chen family and the Li family hadn't ended. As for Li Heng's pursuit of Song Yu, the couple had only overheard it from their daughter. However, the couple were very tight-lipped and never mentioned it in public.

Hearing this, Sun's mother was a little unhappy: "Li Heng may be remarkable and have a high status, but what's wrong with my Manning? He doesn't like my daughter, and I don't like him either."

Mr. Sun laughed and pointed at his wife with his finger, "You! You're the one who hit our daughter, and you're also the one who protects her. You say I spoil our daughter, but you spoil her just as much. Manning's current lawlessness is partly thanks to you."

Sun Manning came out, carrying a bag.

The couple immediately shut up.

Sun's mother gave her husband a wink.

Mr. Sun understood and stood up to escort his daughter out the door.

Arriving at the school gate and seeing no one around, Mr. Sun asked curiously, "Who does Li Heng intend to marry in the future? Song Yu? Or Chen Zijing? Has it been decided yet?"

"I'll ask about this for Dad later, and I'll call you when I find out," Sun Manning replied with a sly smile.

Mr. Sun smiled and shook his head, then asked no more questions.

Not long after, Li Heng arrived.

They were all old acquaintances. Li Heng bought the principal a pack of cigarettes, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then slipped away with Sun Manning.

Just then, the English teacher came from the other side of the road carrying a pork chop. She stared at Li Heng and Sun Manning's backs for a while, and then casually asked Sun's father, who was still at the school gate, "Principal, is Li Heng dating Manning?"

"Runwen, you're lying through your teeth. Who is Li Heng? He wouldn't even look at Manning." Mr. Sun didn't take it seriously, assuming that Teacher Wang was joking, so his tone was very relaxed and cheerful.

The English teacher asked, "Where are they going with all their bags at this hour?"

“Going to Shaodong to visit Mai Sui’s family, they said it was arranged beforehand.” Mr. Sun thought this was normal, as Li Heng and his daughter had been to Shaodong before.

The English teacher glanced again in the direction the two had left, thinking to herself: What an ingrate I raised! I treated him so well for three years of high school, and he didn't even say hello when he came to No. 1 High School.

The English teacher felt inexplicably annoyed, but she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she smiled and joked, "Principal, look at this pork chop of mine, can I come to your house for dinner?"

Mr. Sun bent down to examine the pork chops, and then said generously, "Come on, let's go to my house. I'll cook for you myself. Xiulian was saying she wanted to drink with you, so we don't need to call you."

The English teacher has had meals at the Sun family's house more than once or twice, and she doesn't feel guilty about it. She used to plan to enter the school.

...

The two departed from the West Bus Station and arrived in Shaodong at 3:40 PM.

Mai Dong drove his minivan and personally picked up the person at the bus station with his daughter.

"Uncle, I'm bothering you again." Upon meeting, Li Heng took out a pack of Baisha cigarettes from his pocket and offered them to you.

Although he himself doesn't smoke, it's a local custom to bring a pack of cigarettes when you go out, as it helps to bring people closer together.

Mai Dong took the cigarette, lit it happily, and said, "Sui Sui said you wouldn't come until the 26th of the lunar calendar, which made me dig bamboo shoots on the mountain today. When she found me, she didn't even have time to change her clothes before rushing over. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

Before Li Heng could speak, Sun Manning interjected, "Oh dear, I was keeping track of the time. We waited in the cold wind for 18 minutes. Uncle, you'd better cook us a nice meal tonight to make it up to us. I think the grass carp in Grandpa Mai's pond looks pretty good."

For Mai Dong, who has a large and wealthy family, eating fish is not difficult at all. Especially when it's serving a big shot like Li Heng, it's a great honor. Not to mention fish, slaughtering a pig is no problem for her either.

Mai Dong enthusiastically replied, "Yes, yes! I'll go to the pond as soon as I get back. I'm not bragging, but there are over 30 grass carp in Grandpa's pond that weigh 14 or 15 pounds each. Tonight, let's catch a big fish and cook it in three ways."

Sun Manning drew fire from the front while engaging in a heated conversation with Mai Dong.

Li Heng, sitting in the back row, secretly grabbed Mai Sui's hand.

Mai Sui was startled and hurriedly glanced at her father in the driver's seat. Then she used her other hand to rub the back of Li Heng's hand, signaling him to let go.

How could Li Heng do that? How could he bear to loosen his grip?

He would occasionally exchange a few words with the two people in front of him, while drawing a heart shape on the palm of Maisui's hand with his index finger.

Mai Sui understood the pattern, pursed her lips, pursed her lips again, and finally turned her head to look out the car window. At this moment, her face was burning hot, and she didn't dare to look Li Heng in the eye, even more afraid that her father would discover something was wrong.

Seeing that the car wasn't heading towards the county center but instead towards the outskirts, Li Heng couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, are we going back to our hometown?"

Maisui replied, "Yes, back to my hometown in the countryside."

Seemingly aware of his concerns, Mai Sui explained, "Our family business mainly focuses on clothing and hardware building materials. Now that it's almost Chinese New Year, the hardware building materials business has declined quite a bit. It usually won't pick up until around the Lantern Festival next year. So my parents have more freedom and more time during this period."

So that's how it is. Li Heng had never been involved in these two industries and didn't really understand the ins and outs of them.

Mai Sui's hometown is about eight or nine miles from the county seat, not far, but definitely not close either. The minivan bounced and swayed on the bumpy rural dirt road, its rear end jolting up and down. If I had kidney stones, they would have been shaken off!

As they entered the village and passed the reservoir, Li Heng asked Mai Sui, "I remember during the summer vacation, you told me that your family also had a share in the contract for this reservoir. When will the water be released for fishing?"

Mai Sui replied, "After discussing it with my uncles and elders, we decided to hold it on the 26th of the twelfth lunar month."

Li Heng was annoyed: "So I came too early? I missed it? I should have known better than to change the date."

The wheat ears smiled gently; that's pretty much the idea.

When Li Heng returned to the Mai family's house, he found the threshing ground full of people, all chatting and basking in the sun.

Seeing Li Heng get out of the car, many people who didn't know his identity immediately joked with Mai Dong: "Mai Dong, you ran away after digging half of the bamboo shoots, are you bringing your son-in-law back?"

Mai Dong quickly took out cigarettes and waved them around, regardless of whether they were men or women: "Don't joke like that, this is a big joke. This is Li Heng, Sui Sui's classmate and friend. He came here specifically to eat fish today."

Mai Dong's words were well-organized, both showing off the good friendship between Li Heng and Mai Sui to the neighbors and clearing her daughter's name.

Mai Dong knew perfectly well that Li Heng was seeing several women at the same time, so she dared not send her only daughter into the lion's den. To be honest, the couple was currently experiencing a very conflicted feeling.

She wanted to befriend a powerful figure like Li Heng, but also hoped that her daughter wouldn't develop romantic feelings for him.

In short, the Mai couple greatly admired Li Heng, to the point of worshipping him, but they didn't want him to make a move on their daughter.

Of course, if Mai Dong hadn't met Song Yu, the epitome of human virtue, and if she didn't know Li Heng's philandering ways, her thoughts would definitely be different. She would be more than happy for her daughter to date him, and even marry him and have children.

The people on the threshing floor couldn't bear to hear the name "Li Heng." They immediately started asking, "Who is this Li Heng? Could he be that famous writer from Hui County? I heard that literary genius is studying at Fudan University. Is your daughter also at Fudan?"

Mai Dong proudly exclaimed, "Haha, isn't that the great writer? Take a good look, I've brought the God of Literature home with me today!"

Someone with a sharp eye said, "I remember he came here during the summer vacation?"

Seeing that everyone was staring intently at him, Li Heng smiled at them.

"My goodness! It really is Li Heng! I've seen him on TV during the Spring Festival Gala." A young woman became quite excited after recognizing him.

Further confirmation revealed that a near riot had occurred at the threshing ground.

Before long, the neighbors seemed to have heard the news and all rushed to Mai's house to see the super-famous celebrity!

The place became very lively for a while, with everyone talking at once and discussing it.

Sun Manning, filled with envy and jealousy, quietly asked him, "You're really famous, being adored by so many people. How does it feel?"

"I don't feel anything. If you were surrounded by people like a monkey, would you feel anything? I'd attract attention wherever I go, how would I ever hold hands with my wife, Mai Sui?" Li Heng sighed, but his expression was slightly smug, which infuriated Sun Manning.

Upon hearing the word "wife," Mai Sui blushed instantly and, not daring to linger on the threshing floor any longer, led the two into the house.

The wheat mother was there, and so were the wheat ears' grandparents.

Li Heng presented them with the gifts he had bought near the station, and then chatted with the Mai family over hot tea.

Halfway through the conversation, Sun Manning asked Mai Dong, "Uncle, when are we going to catch fish?"

"Let's go now." Mai Dong slapped his forehead. He had been so excited and boasting outside that he had almost forgotten about this. He immediately got up to put on his boots.

Mai asked him, "Do you want to come and take a look together?"

Li Heng nodded, "I like these things the most."

He was quite skilled at this; during elementary and middle school, he would spend his days harming fish, shrimp, eels, and loaches in the fields and rivers.

Hearing that Li Heng and Sun Manning wanted to eat fish, several men who were on good terms with the Mai family in the threshing ground outside volunteered to help them go into the pond without being asked.

Li Heng is the center of attention wherever he goes. Sure enough, as soon as he moved, dozens of men, women, and children from the threshing ground followed suit and came to the Mai family's fishpond.

The people, of varying heights, surrounded the fishpond like a fence, making it impossible to get through.

The fishpond was very large. Li Heng asked, "What should we do? Trawl? Or drain the water?"

Mai Sui said, "There are more than a dozen hidden stakes in the middle of the pond, making it difficult to use trawling nets. In the past, we would just let the water flow out to catch the fish."

Hidden stakes are used to prevent people from stealing fish with nets.

In fact, there are not only hidden stakes, but also quite a few visible stakes around the fishpond, and six or seven bamboo tips scattered in the water.

Li Heng estimated: "If we release the water, the fishpond probably won't dry up in less than two hours?"

"The incision is quite large, so it usually takes about 90 minutes."

As Mai Sui spoke, she asked with concern, "Are you hungry? Are you worried that dinner will be too late?"

Li Heng waved his hand: "It's okay, I'm not too hungry yet."

After saying that, he said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "If we're really hungry, let's go home. Let me have some saliva."

Upon hearing this, Mai Sui's mind went blank for a moment, and she stammered, unable to speak. In the end, she gave him a rare eye roll.

Li Heng smiled and said, "Being beautiful makes all the difference; even rolling your eyes looks gorgeous."

"Hey! You two shameless bastards, I need to stay away from you." Single Sun Manning couldn't stand it anymore and ran off in a flash, following Mai Dong to swagger away.

Mai Dong wasn't lying. After two hours of searching, Li Heng finally saw many fish at the bottom of the fishpond, including at least thirty or forty that weighed over 10 jin (5 catties).

He asked, "How long have you been feeding it? It's so big!"

Mai Sui shook her head: "I'm not too sure either. My grandparents usually take care of it. Sometimes my aunt and uncle help cut grass and feed the fish. It's been like this for many years. If they can't finish feeding them, they just keep raising them. Over the years, there are quite a few big fish."

Then, as if remembering something, she added, "Oh, some of these fish come from the reservoir. Every year, if the reservoir doesn't sell all the fish it sells, it distributes them according to the shareholding. The fish we get are all thrown into the fishpond."

Seeing Sun Manning follow her father into the fishpond despite getting dirty, Mai Sui asked, "Would you like to try catching fish?"

Li Heng asked, "And you?"

Mai Sui said like a daughter-in-law, "If you want to go down, I'll go with you."

Li Heng's eyes lit up as he stared at the river mussels scattered in the mud: "River mussels and snails are good stuff! Go get a bucket, let's go down and get some."

Mai Sui agreed, turned around and went home to get the bucket, and also helped someone get a pair of wading boots and a set of work clothes.

She handed him the work clothes and said, "Take off your coat and put this on."

Li Heng nodded and obediently changed into his work clothes and boots. Then the two of them went down into the fishpond.

Not far away, Mai's eldest sister-in-law said to Mai's mother, "Sister-in-law, have you noticed? Our Suibao and Li Heng are inseparable. It would be great if they really dated. Sigh."

Mai's mother just smiled, glanced at Li Heng, then at her daughter, and didn't take it seriously. She knew Sun Manning's personality well; she was very restless and couldn't stay in one place for long, preferring to travel. This created the illusion that only her daughter and Li Heng were always together.

"Wheat Ear, this clam is huge."

"Ah."

"Does Auntie know how to cook this dish?"

"I'm not very good at cooking, and I often can't chew them properly, so I didn't eat much in the past, which is why they grew to this size."

"Oh, is that so? Then I'll cook it for you."

"it is good."

There were many large river clams, and in no time he had collected a bucketful. Li Heng lifted the bucket and poured them into a clump of grass, then returned to continue collecting them.

Maisui scooped five handfuls of snails from the rocky peak and put them into the bucket. "Do you know how to make snail soup?"

Li Heng said, "Yes."

The wheat stalk said, "I want to eat."

Li Heng was a little troubled: "The snails need to be kept in clean water for three to four days before they can be used to make snail soup, otherwise they will be full of mud and sand. It's almost Chinese New Year, and I don't have time to stay for that long. How about this, when we get back to Lushan Village, I'll make some for you."

Wheat Ear, understanding and considerate, said, "Okay."

They picked bucket after bucket, chatting and laughing. Mai Sui felt very happy; it felt so good to be with him.

Sensing a slight change in her mood, Li Heng asked, "Are you really not coming back to Shanghai with me in the third year of junior high?"

Leaving on the third day of the Lunar New Year means the two will have time to spend alone together.

Mai Sui was very tempted, but then shook her head, still giving the same reason: "Since Grandpa had a stroke, his health has been deteriorating day by day, so I need to spend more time with him during my vacation."

Grandpa Wheat Ear has arrived too, and he's instructing his son which fish to catch and which fish is the biggest.
Li Heng looked up at the old man, then didn't bring up the topic again.

After some effort, we managed to catch seven or eight large grass carp, all weighing over ten pounds. The smallest weighed 13 pounds, and the largest 19 pounds.

According to Mai Dong, these fish grew up eating grass and were never fed commercial feed, so their meat was of very good quality. He planned to give Li Heng and Sun Manning two fish each, and then drive them back to Shaoshi the day after tomorrow morning, taking the fish with him.

True to his word, Li Heng personally prepared a dish of river clams for dinner.

"I've heard from Suibao that you're a great cook. This looks really good, even better than me. Let me have a taste." Maidong, being a businesswoman, was very outgoing and said this as she approached Li Heng.

Li Heng used a spatula to scoop some river clam meat into a bowl and handed it to the other person: "Uncle, please try it to see if it's salty."

Mai Dong picked up a piece of clam meat with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. Incredulous, she picked up another piece and praised from the bottom of her heart, "It's the same clam meat, but you've cooked it so well. The meat isn't tough at all. How did you do that?"

Wow, Li Heng was confident in his cooking skills, and immediately told the other person every step of the process without holding back.

Mai Sui and Sun Manning also picked up their chopsticks and tried the taste.

Sun Manning muttered, "I'll only eat this dish and fish tonight; the rest are yours."

Mai Sui also thought it tasted delicious, and habitually picked up a chopstick to feed Li Heng, but she immediately realized that her father was behind her when she was halfway there, and she was so scared that she wanted to pull the chopstick back.

But by then, Mai Dong had already discovered her daughter's actions.

After weighing the options, Maisui did not choose to back down, because backing down would be tantamount to admitting guilt without being asked.

So she continued what she had been doing, feeding the clam meat to Li Heng's lips and saying generously, "You should try it too, it's really delicious."

Sun Manning's eyes widened in astonishment at Sui Sui's action!
Li Heng was also quite surprised, but he cooperated by opening his mouth and eating a piece of clam meat from the chopsticks. After finishing, he said, "The meat is neither tough nor overcooked, just right. It's ready to be served."

"Hmm." Mai Sui gave a soft "hmm," feigning composure as if nothing had happened.

Mai Dong stared at the chopsticks in her daughter's hand, and suddenly found the delicious river clam meat in her mouth tasteless.

If he wasn't mistaken, the chopsticks his daughter had used to eat from were then fed to Li Heng...

this…!
Mai Dong's gaze swept back and forth between Li Heng and her daughter without making a sound. She felt as if she had swallowed shit, but she still asked with a smile, "Do you know how to cook fish?"

Sun Manning quickly interrupted, saying, "Yes, he's really good at it! Uncle, his spicy and sour sliced ​​fish is amazing! I've had it once, and I'll never forget it. Ask him to make spicy and sour fish!"

Spicy and sour sliced ​​fish was not popular in the rural areas of Shaoyang City at that time. Fish was usually boiled, braised, or served as fish jelly. Steamed fish was rare.

Mai Dong asked, "Really? It tastes so good, I definitely have to try it. Li Heng, what ingredients do you need?"

Li Heng said, "Pickled cabbage, Sichuan peppercorns, fish-fragrant leaves..."

These are all common side dishes. After listening patiently, Mai Dong said enthusiastically, "I have all of these at home. I'll go get them right away."

As soon as Ophiopogon japonicus left, the kitchen immediately became quiet.

Sun Manning nudged her friend with her elbow, "Maisui, are you trying to get ahead of yourself? How could someone as smart as you make such a basic mistake?"

The wheat stalk said weakly, "I didn't notice."

She hadn't noticed; she was used to feeding him like this in Lushan Village. For example, tasting vegetables, feeding him fruit, or feeding him sunflower seeds, etc.

Whenever there's something delicious, she'll save some for him, and if she's in a good mood, she'll feed it to him.

Just now, I was so impressed by the taste of the river clam meat that I instinctively picked up a piece with my chopsticks to share with him... who would have thought?

Sun Manning asked, "Won't your father overthink it?"

Mai Sui remained silent, but her heart was in turmoil, filled with immense anxiety and torment.

Li Heng put down the shovel, hugged Mai Sui tightly, and comforted her in her ear, "Don't worry, I'm here."

"Mmm." Held in his arms, Mai Sui's panicked heart seemed to find a foothold, and it calmed down considerably.

"My goodness, young master! My goodness, young mistress! I'm so fed up with you two! Here we go again, showing off your love! Don't you care about me, a single dog?" Sun Manning cursed under her breath, but quickly ran to the kitchen door to keep watch for the two of them.

Knowing this guy's temperament all too well, the two chose to ignore him, glanced at each other, and chuckled softly at the same time.

The next second, Li Heng lowered his head and kissed her red lips.

Wheat closed her eyes and let him kiss her.

The occasion was inappropriate, so their lips barely touched before parting. Li Heng then released her and began to process the large grass carp in the basin.

Mai Sui assisted from the side, handing over scissors, bowls, and the like.

...

the other side.

After escaping from the kitchen—well, I really did escape—I left.

At that moment, Mai Dong felt like the sky had fallen.

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Update first, then revise.

11,000 words have been updated.

(End of this chapter)