1987 My Era

Chapter 654, You Are Different.

Building No. 27.

After lunch, the guests gradually left the house.

Wei Xiaozhu, Bai Wanying, and Dai Qing went to Wujiaochang and said they would come back later.

Ye Ning and Sun Manning wisely went to the next room, while the uncle-in-law went home.

The huge small building was suddenly left with only Zhou Shihe, her mother, her aunt, and her maternal aunt.

After washing up, Zhou's mother pushed open her daughter's bedroom door, went in, and closed the door behind her.

At this moment, Zhou Shihe was sitting demurely in a chair reading a book, seemingly anticipating that her mother would call her privately, and was already waiting here.

She quietly observed her daughter; her looks and demeanor were those of a woman of exceptional beauty, making her, as a mother, as proud as ever. But the series of events that had occurred today…

Thinking of this, Zhou's mother sat down on the separate sofa to the side and asked her daughter in the calmest tone possible, "Shihe, don't you have anything to say to your mother?"

Zhou Shihe kept her eyes on the book and didn't even look up. She said quietly, "Didn't Mom have some suspicions in her mind?"

Zhou's mother stared at her daughter's left cheek for a long time before finally asking, "What exactly is your relationship with Li Heng? What is your relationship with Li Heng?"

Zhou Shihe said gently, "I don't know."

Zhou's mother frowned: "You don't know?"

Zhou Shihe gave a soft "hmm".

Zhou's mother asked, "Then how do you explain your jealous behavior today?"

Zhou Shihe said, "It's just jealousy."

Zhou's mother frowned again, took a deep breath, and calmed herself down before asking, "Have you developed feelings for Li Heng?"

Zhou Shihe turned a page of her book, her attention still on the text, and after a long while, she quietly replied, "I've fallen in love with him."

Zhou's mother stared blankly at her daughter.

Despite having some suspicions and having prepared herself before entering the room, Zhou's mother still found it hard to believe when she heard the word "love" from her proud and arrogant daughter.

I still feel a little dazed, as if it's all so unreal.

Before meeting Song Yu, she always thought her daughter was the best in the world, and she devoted her whole life to raising her, only to find that she had fallen in love with a "married man".

Well, even though Li Heng isn't married yet, he's surrounded by women one after another, a dazzling array of them. And his precious daughter says she's fallen in love with him, with such a womanizer.

For a moment, Zhou's mother felt dizzy and wished she was dreaming and that it was all an illusion when she woke up.

None of these things ever happened.

The study was eerily quiet; you could hear a pin drop.

It took Zhou's mother a long time to come to her senses before she pressed for an answer: "Between you two, who made the first move? Was it because he pursued you that you fell for him?"

Zhou Shihe answered softly, "I don't know."

Zhou's mother asked, "Don't you know again?"

Zhou Shihe said gently, "He is very attractive to girls, and your daughter is no exception. In the process of getting to know him, she unknowingly fell for him."

There's nothing wrong with that.

Upon hearing her daughter's words, Zhou's mother couldn't help but think of the women gathered around Li Heng: Song Yu, Xiao Han, Mai Sui, and Yu Shuheng.

Which one isn't one in a million?
Which one of them isn't a stunning beauty that ordinary people can only dream of?

However, they all have ties to Li Heng, especially Song Yu, and especially Teacher Yu, whose family background is extremely wealthy. The existence of these two women already demonstrates Li Heng's charm.

Thinking that Song Yu and Teacher Yu were both entangled with Li Heng, and that Shen Xin had also gotten involved, Zhou's mother suddenly began to believe that her daughter might have developed feelings for Li Heng.

Zhou's mother asked, "So, you're saying it was your initiative?"

Zhou Shihe said, "Not entirely."

Zhou's mother asked, "What do you mean? What do you mean it's not entirely law?"

Zhou Shihe paused for a moment, then said gently, "We're attracted to each other, and we admire each other."

To some extent, it could be said that Li Heng was pursuing her relentlessly, but Zhou Shihe kept it a secret. Her purpose was simple: she wanted Li Heng to make a good impression on her mother.

After all, Li Heng is a womanizer. If he still pursues her when he already has so many women, his mother's impression of him will probably be greatly diminished.

Sure enough, this explanation made Zhou's mother feel a little better.

If Li Heng were to pursue his daughter unilaterally, her impression of him would definitely drop to the lowest point.

She would be extremely upset if her daughter developed feelings for Li Heng on her own.

However, Li Heng and his daughter had developed feelings for each other without realizing it, which made it much more acceptable to people.

After all, both Li Heng and his daughter are outstanding individuals.

Zhou's mother asked, "When did you start?"

Zhou Shihe said, "I've had feelings for him for a long time, but this year I've started to find myself unable to resist."

Hearing this, Zhou's mother's heart skipped a beat, and she pressed, "To what extent?"

After reading a page of the book, Zhou Shihe spoke softly, "Mom, there are some things you'd better not know in detail, otherwise you won't be able to sleep tonight."

Zhou's mother said, "I can't sleep tonight, and I won't be able to sleep tomorrow night or the day after. If you hadn't told me, I probably wouldn't be able to sleep for the next six months or so."

Zhou Shihe smiled sweetly, then remained silent.

After waiting for a long time without her daughter speaking, Zhou's mother asked, "Is there any way to turn back?"

Zhou Shihe said, "We kissed."

Zhou's mother's mouth opened wide, then closed, and then uncontrollably opened slightly again.

Yu Guang caught a glimpse of her mother's astonishment. Zhou Shihe paused, put down her book, leaned back in her chair, and slowly closed her eyes.

Zhou's mother's gaze swept over her daughter, finally settling on her daughter's cherry-like lips.

The thought of Li Heng kissing her daughter's incredibly alluring lips stirred up a complex and indescribable emotion within her.

My precious daughter, whom I've cherished for 20 years, was stolen away without me even noticing.

How could Zhou's mother not feel bitter?

At this point, she finally understood. She could understand why her daughter had been jealous of Song Yu today; it turned out that her entanglement with Li Heng had reached this point.

She understood the implication in her daughter's words: since she had kissed Li Heng, there was no going back, at least not in the short term.

Zhou's mother asked, "When did this happen?"

Zhou Shihe, looking frail, said, "I don't remember very well, but I think they have them in Singapore and the Netherlands, and schools also have them."

How could I not remember?
She remembered every kiss Li Heng gave her clearly; that feeling was unforgettable.

She said this because she wanted her mother to give up completely.

At the same time, I don't want my mother to manage me.

"Singapore, the Netherlands, and schools... all of them?" Zhou's mother asked, her mind in turmoil.

Now, things have completely overturned Zhou's mother's imagination. She originally thought that her daughter and Li Heng were just mutually attracted, but she never expected that it had developed to such an uncontrollable extent.

At that moment, Zhou's mother felt particularly distressed.

Zhou Shihe slowly opened her eyes, turned her head to look at her mother: "Mom, can I handle my own feelings?"

Zhou's mother took another deep breath and asked, "Don't you know he has so many women around him?"

Zhou Shihe lightly said with her red lips, "I know."

Before her mother could reply, she continued weakly, "What can you do even if you know? Love comes very quickly and suddenly, without any reason. If I could still struggle, I wouldn't have fallen in love with him so easily."

From these words, Zhou's mother could tell that her daughter had struggled and felt helpless, but had not escaped her fate.

The mother and daughter looked at each other and remained silent.

Zhou's mother couldn't bear to blame her daughter.

Zhou Shihe didn't want her mother to worry too much, so she told her everything today. However, she slightly concealed certain facts.

After looking at each other for a while, Zhou's mother said, "Even if you have genuine feelings for Li Heng, your behavior today still feels somewhat unfamiliar to me."

What are the manifestations?
This naturally refers to what happens at the birthday party and when cutting the cake.

Zhou Shihe said, "I was partly provoked, and partly because I care about him a lot."

After saying this, Zhou Shihe lowered her eyes slightly: "I only realized how much I care today. I'm sorry, Mom."

Zhou's mother felt uneasy, but suddenly understood why her daughter had acted this way today.

Zhou's mother knew that other women were not quite up to the task of igniting her daughter's competitive spirit. But Song Yu certainly had the qualifications and the ability.

Zhou's mother asked earnestly, "So what are your plans for the future?"

Zhou Shihe hesitated for a long time before softly saying, "Either he marries me, or I disappear from his world. There is no third way."

These are two extremes.

But Zhou's mother breathed a huge sigh of relief, thinking to herself that the daughter she knew had returned.

Zhou's mother reminded her, "Teacher Yu has already resigned."

Zhou Shihe said, "It's too late, it's no use."

Zhou's mother seemed to be thinking: "Because of Song Yu?"

Zhou Shihe glanced at her mother, picked up the book again, and began to read.

Zhou's mother was speechless, realizing that she had said something her daughter didn't want to hear.

Zhou's mother left. After leaving her daughter's bedroom, she packed her things and left Lushan Village. She was a woman of great principle; she did not seek trouble with Li Heng, but instead respected her daughter's wishes and did not interfere in her daughter's relationship.

My aunt and uncle also went along.

On the way, Aunt asked Zhou's mother, "Sister, is Shihe really involved with Li Heng?"

The aunt and uncle looked at Zhou's mother.

Meeting the gazes of the three, Zhou's mother said carefully, "It's just a good impression stage for now. Today, Shihe was just arguing with Song Yu. Don't take it seriously."

The aunt patted her chest with her right hand: "I knew it. How could Shihe be so irrational? How could she rashly get together with a womanizer like Li Heng? She probably doesn't get along with Song Yu and is deliberately trying to annoy her."

My uncle chimed in, "Did Shihe and Song Yu know each other before?"

Zhou's mother shook her head: "I didn't ask, I don't know."

Zhou's mother didn't ask, but she knew that this was definitely the first time her daughter and Song Yu had met. The reason they clashed on their first meeting was probably because they both sensed a sense of crisis from each other.

This is what it means for masters to clash.

On the way back, Zhou's mother instructed the three of them not to tell anyone about what happened today.

The three of them naturally understood the crux of the matter and were aware of it.

...

Zhou's mother has passed away.

Shen Xin also left without lingering.

After patiently listening to her daughter's account of Song Yu and Zhou Shihe's duel that day, Shen Xin realized it would be better if she didn't show up, allowing her daughter to reap the benefits. So she decisively made a decision and immediately went to Runren.

But to Shen Xinyi's surprise, Yu Shuheng also left.

Shen Xin asked, "Is dinner Li Heng's formal birthday banquet? Aren't you going?"

Yu Shuheng said quietly, "I'm not suitable to show my face today, given how you called me your son-in-law. Go back and keep Grandpa and Grandma company."

Shen Xin glanced at her daughter for a moment, then turned to look at the small building at No. 26, and said decisively, "Let's go then."

Before leaving, Yu Shuheng found Li Heng alone, handed him a birthday gift, and said, "I won't have dinner with you, I have something to do."

Li Heng asked, "Where is the teacher going? Is he going home?"

Yu Shuheng gave an irrelevant reply: "Don't call me teacher anymore, just call me by my name, or Sister Shuheng."

Li Heng muttered to himself, "But I like teachers more."

Yu Shuheng chuckled, immediately understanding his ulterior motives, and leaned close to his ear teasingly, saying, "You're allowed to shout during special times."

Li Heng glanced at the door, put down the birthday gift, and then reached out to hug her, saying, "I'm sorry you had to go through all this."

Yu Shuheng remained silent, wrapped her arms around his neck, stared at him blankly for a long time before leaning in and kissing him.

Li Heng, understanding the situation, opened his mouth and kissed her.

This time, she still didn't open her teeth, but her lips met his. Half a minute later, she pulled away from his mouth and said, "Okay, little brother, I'm leaving. I'll come back to see you in a few days."

Li Heng still held her tightly, refusing to let go.

Yu Shuheng was very satisfied and smiled happily: "You ignored me for so long today, is this a case of trying to fix things after the fact?"

Li Heng, shameless as ever, asked, "It's not late, is it?"

Yu Shuheng tossed her hair: "Summer vacation starts in a little over ten days. I'll tell you then whether it's too late or not."

Li Heng let go of her hand with a sigh: "You make some arrangements for the work. We'll probably go home in mid-July, and then we can go up the mountain to pick mushrooms."

Yu Shuheng agreed, then pecked his lips again before leaving his embrace, opening the study door, and walking out.

At this moment, Song Yu was talking to Sun Manning and Ye Ning on the first floor.

When they saw Teacher Yu come down, the three girls fell silent and stared at her.

Yu Shuheng smiled and nodded at Song Yu, then walked away without lingering.

As soon as they left, Ye Ning exclaimed, "Wow! They were scared away by Song Yu, huh?"

Sun Manning reached out and tapped her, then said to Song Yu, "I'm taking this jinx back to the dorm. I'll go to the market to find you and Li Heng later."

Song Yu agreed.

Sun Manning and Ye Ning also made a ruckus and slipped away.

No sooner had those two idiots left than Li Heng came down from the second floor.

He looked at the sky outside and said, "The rain has stopped. The heavens are quite considerate. Let's go buy some groceries."

Song Yu followed him out the door, and on the way, she suddenly asked out of the blue, "Does your left cheek hurt?"

Li Heng: "..."

What about the left cheek?
I got slapped by Ms. Zhou this morning.

But damn it, so much time has passed, why are we settling scores now?
That's so cruel!

Li Heng feigned grievance and complained, "Someone hit your boyfriend, and you didn't even stop them, sigh...!"

Song Yu smiled faintly: "He deserves a beating."

Li Heng: "..."

After walking a short distance, Song Yu said in a calm tone, "Tell me about Zhou Shihe."

Li Heng asked, "Where would you like to start listening?"

Song Yu said, "Let's start from when you two have feelings for each other."

Li Heng was stumped by the question and remained silent for a long time.

Song Yu asked, "What? Can't you remember? Or did you fall for her the first time you met her?"

Li Heng felt embarrassed, but after hesitating for a moment, he did not deny it: "She is the second woman I have ever actively liked."

He wanted to lie, but he had promised her he would never lie to her in his life, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and tell the truth.

Song Yu didn't ask him who the first woman he actively liked was, because they both knew the answer.

After walking another 10 meters or so, she said, "I can feel it. Zhou Shihe is different from the other female confidantes around you. She is very confident."

Li Heng tentatively asked, "What happened today...?"

As if she had guessed his thoughts, Song Yu said with a smile in her eyes, "For you, we both abandoned our past reserve today and became people we didn't even recognize. Are you satisfied now?"

Faced with such a thorny issue, how could Li Heng dare to reply?

But she's right. In the past, Miss Zhou would never have kissed her first. Although she was slapped hard afterward, it was clear that Comrade Shihe was out of sorts today.

Song Yu seemed to know he would pretend not to hear about this question, and without any expectations, she asked instead, "Everything has an expiration date, and love is no exception. How long can you love me?"

Without thinking, Li Heng blurted out, "Three lives, three worlds."

Song Yu asked, "Why three lifetimes?"

Li Heng said, "I loved you for a lifetime in my past life, and I plan to love you again in this life and in the next."

Song Yu asked, "Past life? Do people really have past lives?"

Li Heng looked up at the sky and said, "God told me that there is."

Song Yu looked up at the sky for a while, then asked, "What about Zhou Shihe?"

Li Heng said, "You are different."

Song Yu asked calmly, "How are we different? I don't think she's any worse than me."

Perhaps she's a better match for you than I am; her family can be a help to you…”

Li Heng interrupted her: "You will always be my best choice, without exception."

Song Yu looked deeply into his eyes, and after a long, long time, she finally said, "Do you still want to marry me?"

Li Heng reached out and took her hand, saying resolutely, "Only by marrying you can my life be complete..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the two of them stopped in their tracks and ran into Ye Ning, who had returned.

At this moment, Ye Ning stood close to the corner wall on the other side, her head hanging low, as if afraid that the two of them would see her.

Judging from the idiot's expression, Li Heng was a little puzzled, guessing that this girl had overheard part of his conversation with Song Yu.

Li Heng asked, "Ye Ning, why are you back?"

"Hey! Mr. Li, can't you just pretend you didn't see me?" Ye Ning looked up sullenly.

Li Heng was speechless: "You're 178cm tall with shoes on, and if you stand in the corner, you're taller than a telephone pole. How could I ignore you?"

Ye Ning grimaced and prepared to run away.

Li Heng asked, "Where is Sun Manning?"

Ye Ning said, "She went to the dormitory. I'm going back to get some things."

After saying that, the idiot had already run off in a hurry.

Li Heng watched her retreating figure, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: Ye Ning and Shi He are very close, wouldn't she turn around and tattle on him?

Then Comrade Shihe will come after me to settle the score, won't she?

But with Song Yu present, he couldn't show it, much less give Ye Ning instructions from afar.

Song Yu smiled sweetly and asked, "Are you worried she'll tell on you?"

Li Heng squeezed her hand: "No way! Although I sometimes make mistakes, I am upright and honest in my actions."

(End of this chapter)