1987 My Era

Chapter 693, Breaking the Stalemate with Force
Seeing that his second sister was stubbornly refusing to leave, Li Heng lost his temper and simply got up.

Under the watchful eyes of Chen Zijin and Song Yu, he used all his strength to forcibly drag his second sister to the outer courtyard, making room for the two women.

Li Lan looked reluctant. "What are you doing?"

Li Heng was speechless: "Are you really unaware, or are you pretending? Don't you know they have something to say?"

Li Lan glanced sideways: "What does that have to do with me? This is my house, can't I sit here?"

Li Heng said, "It's something I need to discuss."

Li Lan stared at him for a while, then suddenly burst out laughing: "Do you think they might start fighting?"

Li Heng was quite relieved: "No. Neither of them are that kind of people."

He was a little worried if he put Zijing and his scheming wife together, after all, the two women were sworn enemies.

But Song Yu, apart from not getting along well with King Zhou Shihe, gets along with almost all women.

Li Lan asked, "What do you think they're talking about?"

Li Heng didn't answer, but instead asked, "What does Second Sister think?"

Li Lan thought for a moment and said, "In my personal opinion, Zijing called Song Yu over probably to show it to Mom and Dad, to test the Li family's attitude, and also to confirm her status in our family."

Li Heng remained silent, though he had actually guessed this point.

This is why he hugged and kissed Zijing as soon as he entered the room—it was all for show, to reassure Zijing.

Although he's unlikely to marry Zijing in this lifetime due to the Chen family, no one, no matter who, can or should look down on her. Not even Song Yu, not even Xiao Han, not even Teacher Yu or Zhou Shihe.

He would not tolerate anyone who dared to bully Zijing.

Of course, if it were a power struggle like that between his scheming wife and Zijing in his previous life, he would turn a blind eye and pretend not to know anything, as long as it didn't damage his fundamental principles or dignity.

Li Lan said, "You've been seeing one woman after another outside, each one more beautiful and more outstanding than the last. Now Zijing feels very insecure. I hope you can understand her actions today."

Ultimately, Li Lan still favored Zi Jin the most and felt the most sorry for her. The usually rational second sister surprisingly spoke of love.

Li Heng remained silent for a long time before saying, "I will never let her down in this lifetime."

Li Lan scoffed and said sarcastically, "You have such a thick skin, how could you say such a thing? Do you even know? You've already betrayed her."

Li Heng did not refute, but changed the subject, saying, "While I am away from the capital, I hope my second sister will take good care of her."

Li Lan raised her chin: "That's at least human. You can rest assured, Zijing and Zhong Lan have a rather strained relationship. If we don't take care of her, she'll really have nowhere to go. Therefore, I pick her up every two days to come home for dinner, and my parents will specially cook delicious food for Zijing."

To some extent, Zijing now comes to Gulou more often than she goes back to the Chen family home, especially on weekends when she basically stays here.

"Little brother, I hope you're aware of this. I can't be bothered to say anything about your carefree lifestyle outside. But Zijing, you absolutely must make time for her. If you ever dare to abandon her, your older sister will cut ties with you and disown you as her brother."

Li Lan's words were uncharacteristically serious; she had lost her usual cynicism and her smugness that made her look down on everyone.

Li Heng said earnestly, "Thank you, Second Sister. I knew all this even if you hadn't told me."

Upon hearing this, Li Lan reached out her right hand and patted his arm: "From now on, bring Song Yu and Mai Sui to visit me more often. Try not to bring any other women. Uh... Huang Zhaoyi is fine too."

Li Lan's eyes were sharp. The Song Yu, Mai Sui, and Huang Zhaoyi she mentioned were all women who were not aggressive, kind-hearted, and had no hostility towards Zi Jin.

As for Yu Shuheng, Zhou Shihe, and Wang Runwen, she doesn't know much about them and has limited knowledge of them, so she didn't mention them.

Actually, Li Lan had a fairly good impression of Xiao Han. But she had long known one fact: Xiao Han and Zi Jin were completely at odds.

Therefore, in her small territory in the capital, she certainly wouldn't take the initiative to invite Xiao Han over.

Li Heng nodded: "Okay, sure."

....
After the siblings left the living room.

Chen Zijing glanced towards the kitchen, thought for a moment, and whispered, "Yingwen told me that he thought he saw your parents at Tiananmen Square on the 24th? Did your uncle and aunt come over?"

Song Yu understood why Zi Jin brought up her parents' affairs; she simply wanted to test how far her relationship with Li Heng had progressed.

She didn't hide anything about it, saying, "I came on the 22nd."

Chen Zijin asked, "Have you met your parents here?"

The parents here refer to Li Jianguo and Tian Run'e.

Song Yu frankly said, "I have seen them; that's why they came."

Chen Zijin's heart clenched, but she asked calmly, "How long has Li Heng stayed at Dongting Lake?"

Song Yu said, "32 days."

Chen Zijin then asked, "We've disturbed you, Uncle and Aunt, what are you doing now...?"

She stopped halfway through her sentence, too embarrassed to ask the rest directly.

Knowing his thoughts, Song Yu said very frankly, "These days, I eat and sleep with him, but we haven't reached the final step yet."

The final step refers to the act of having a sexual relationship.

This also explains why Song Shi and his wife came to the capital to see Li Heng's parents.

Hearing the first half, Chen Zijing felt a pang of sadness. But the last sentence made her heart skip a beat, and her previously colorless world brightened a little more.

Chen Zijing wasn't stupid; on the contrary, she was very clever. From the brief conversation just now, she had basically extracted the information she wanted: with the witnesses of both sets of elders, her man and Song Yu were basically engaged, and he would definitely marry Song Yu in the future.

This position originally belonged to her, but her family couldn't support her, so she had no choice but to give it up.

Fortunately, Song Yu is a person of her word, and her words, "But it's not the final step yet," comforted her considerably.

Chen Zijing was silent for a moment, then looked directly into Song Yu's eyes and asked, "Why didn't you have a relationship with him when you had such a good opportunity?"

Song Yu said calmly, "Two reasons."

Chen Zijin pricked up her ears to listen.

Song Yu said sincerely, "Zijin, even though I've wronged you, we're still best friends, sisters. If I have sex with him now, I can't guarantee I won't get pregnant?"
If I happen to get pregnant, neither he, nor my parents, nor my in-laws here will allow me to have an abortion. That would break my promise to you. I can't do something so faithless.”

Chen Zijin was moved and believed these words.

She knew Li Heng's behavior; he wouldn't use protection during their first time together, and he certainly wouldn't want his woman to take emergency contraception.

Three years ago, when they had sex, Chen Zijin happened to be in her safe period, and she had been using protection ever since.

Xiao Han's first sexual encounter with him occurred during her safe period. They also used protection afterward.

As for Huang Zhaoyi, Chen Zijin didn't know, but she figured she must have used contraception, otherwise she might have gotten pregnant long ago.

Chen Zijin asked, "What is the second reason?"

After hesitating for a long time, Song Yu finally said, "I hope he will marry me in a traditional Chinese wedding. In ancient times, the bride would bleed on her wedding night, which is the perfect moment I long for."

Chen Zijin felt a pang of sadness and bitterness upon hearing this, but after pursing her lips, she still offered her blessings: "Congratulations on your perseverance and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel."

Song Yu nodded. "Thank you."

Chen Zijin said, "Remember to invite me over then. I want to see the grand scene of your Chinese wedding."

Their eyes met, and after a moment's consideration, Song Yu said thoughtfully, "Will you be my wedding attendant then?"

In a traditional Chinese wedding, the bridesmaid is the one who brings the joy of the wedding.

Her words were not blasphemous or provocative, but rather a euphemistic way of saying: Let's marry him together.

Because she knew better than anyone that Zijing really wanted to marry him openly and honestly, but fate had other plans.

Therefore, the magnanimous Song Yu made this suggestion, which can be regarded as a way to make up for Zijing's regret.

If these words had come from Xiao Han, Chen Zijin would have automatically categorized them as boasting or belittling. But since Song Yu said them, Chen Zijin fell silent.

After a long, long silence, Chen Zijing asked lightly, "Is this really a good idea?"

Song Yu understood that Zijing was interested, and smiled, saying, "What's wrong with that? He'd definitely be thrilled. Besides..."

After saying that, Song Yu paused, glanced in the direction of the kitchen, and continued, "Besides, he has more than one confidante outside. Even if he marries me in the future, he won't be in the capital with me every day. My sister and I know each other well, so it's good for us to have each other's company."

Chen Zijin was deeply moved, realizing that Song Yu was helping her and providing her with more opportunities to spend time with Li Heng in the future. Her eyes unconsciously welled up with tears, and she smiled encouragingly, saying, "Thank you, Song Yu."

Song Yu shook her head slightly: "I should be the one thanking you."

She would never forget that this position originally belonged to Zijing, and that she herself had taken it because of Li Heng's favoritism and love, as well as Zijing's encouragement.

Therefore, Song Yu was grateful and repaid the kindness.

Having discussed the matter to this point, Song Yu pondered for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, "I'm not sure about the three people outside. You should prepare early."

Chen Zijin thought for a moment and asked, "Xiao Han, Yu Shuheng, and Zhou Shihe?"

Song Yu nodded and then shook her head. "Teacher Yu is probably alright. But we need to be careful with Xiao Han and Zhou Shihe; I'm afraid they won't follow the usual path."

There's another woman named Huang Zhaoyi, whom I haven't met, but she's 34 years old and comes from the prominent Huang family. You know her well, so you should know her better than I do. At this age, in a family like this, things often don't go as planned.

So, Zijing, you... you shouldn't do that again...

Song Yu hesitated, unsure what to say next. But she believed Zijing would understand.

Chen Zijin understood almost instantly: the second half of the sentence meant: stop using protection in the future and get pregnant as soon as possible.

Chen Zijin said, "Consort Huang, I'm not too worried..."

Song Yu shook her head: "The other party opened a McCormick company in Hunan. I even went to his hometown a while ago."

Chen Zijin's pupils contracted, and she gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, I'll discuss it with him."

Song Yu wasn't worried about the so-called discussion; she trusted Li Heng's character and believed he would always keep his promises. This was just a formality.

Neither of the two women mentioned that they were still studying, because for Chen Zijin, that was not a big deal; there were ways to avoid unfavorable factors.

Judging by the time, Li Heng returned to the house.

Just then, Song Yu and Chen Zijin finished talking and looked at him together.

Li Heng sat down next to Zi Jin, looked at her carefully for a while, and then looked at Song Yu for a while. After seeing that he did not find anything unusual, he asked Zi Jin, "Wife, have you been at home all summer?"

Chen Zijin smiled and said, "Yes, I stay at home reading books, and occasionally go out to play with my aunt."

In fact, she spent a third of her time with Tian Run'e and her second sister, but she didn't say it out loud.

Li Heng reached out and grabbed her hand, asking gently, "Have a drink with me later, don't leave today."

Don't go?

Should I stay overnight with him?
Chen Zijin and Song Yu exchanged a glance, then smiled and said in a consultative tone, "I'm going to my second aunt's house for dinner tonight. Zitong and the others have already gone. I'm free the day after tomorrow."

Originally, she was free in the evening and could have gone to her second aunt's house for dinner, but she didn't have to go. It was just a regular get-together, nothing serious.

However, Chen Zijin remembered Song Yu's kindness and knew that Song Yu was alone in the capital and had not yet started school, so she decided to leave Li Heng with her.

Hearing the implication in his words, Li Heng felt particularly gratified and overjoyed.

In their previous life, the two women had a complicated relationship; they were best friends yet also enemies. But in this life, they seem to get along very well, and even consider each other's feelings under these circumstances.

This is something I wouldn't have dared to even dream of in my previous life.

Li Heng happily replied, "Okay, then let's set aside time the day after tomorrow, have a meal together, and go for a walk."

Chen Zijin and Song Yu exchanged glances and agreed.

Tian Run'e and Li Jianguo had thoughtfully prepared a table full of delicious dishes, mostly local specialties, with plenty of chili peppers—they looked so appetizing! After they sat down, Li Heng asked, "Mom, did you buy this chicken from around here?"

Tian Run'e said, "No, the chickens belong to your eldest sister. Your father and I brought them from our hometown. We brought four in total. Zijin and Yubao, don't worry, they weren't fed any feed."

This is the Drum Tower, Zijing's private domain. Tian Run'e pays great attention to the order of address, always calling her Zijing first and then Yubao.

The purpose is self-evident: to take care of Zijing's feelings and respect her position in the family.

Of course, if they were in Xila Hutong, Tian Run'e would definitely call Yu Bao first, then Zi Jin. Her main principle is to treat everyone fairly and to ensure everyone's satisfaction.

Li Heng reached out his chopsticks and, under the watchful eyes of his parents and second sister, placed a chicken leg on the plates of Zijing and Songyu respectively. "Wife, try the chicken raised by my eldest sister."

Look at that title!

Every time they heard Manzai call them that so shamelessly, Tian Run'e and Li Jianguo would secretly worry for their son, fearing that Zijing and Yubao would be unhappy and turn their backs on them.

Fortunately, both Zijing and Yubao are sensible and don't show much reaction on the surface, which put the old couple's minds at ease.

Li Lan thought to herself: Only Song Yu is a good person. If it were Xiao Han or Zhou Shihe, I doubt my brother would dare to address them like that. Truly, shamelessness knows no bounds.

Song Yu smiled beautifully, not paying much attention to his little schemes.

Chen Zijin initially wanted to reach out with her chopsticks to serve food to her parents-in-law, but after glancing at Song Yu beside her, she abandoned the idea. Since her husband and parents-in-law wanted to treat everyone equally, she couldn't disrupt that balance and unnecessarily let Song Yu fall behind.

Thinking this through, Chen Zijing lowered her head and took a bite of the chicken leg, praising it with a smile: "This chicken is so tender and flavorful, it must have been raised this year, right?"

Tian Run'e smiled and nodded: "The chicks your eldest sister hatched in the spring are now almost half a year old. They're at their most delicious, so you should eat more."

Chen Zijin agreed and invited her parents-in-law and second sister-in-law to eat as well.

Song Yu didn't talk much during the meal, mainly because she didn't want to steal Zi Jin's thunder, so she tried not to say anything unnecessary.

The Li family saw the two girls' humility. While Tian Run'e and Li Jianguo were happy, they also felt a little unfair. They felt it was unfair to their two good daughters. What wonderful girls they were, yet they were ruined by Manzai.

Of course, it was unfair, but the old couple never intended to push them out. They were already inside, so they were considered part of the Li family, and they couldn't be turned away.

After lunch, Zijing left, picked up by Chen Xiaomi in her car.

Seeing that Song Yu was also there, Chen Xiaomi's face almost turned dark, but fortunately Zijing was quick-witted and quietly tugged at her aunt's sleeve.

After exchanging pleasantries with the Li family, Chen Xiaomi left with Zijing.

As soon as they got in the car, Chen Xiaomi couldn't help but ask, "Did Li Heng bring Song Yu here? Or did she come alone? Or was she brought by someone else?"

Chen Xiaomi knew that Li Heng had another woman, so she never mentioned it to her eldest niece, for fear of hurting Zijing's feelings.

Like Li Lan, Chen Xiaomi also regarded the Li family in Gulou as her eldest niece's place of refuge and final resting place, so she often visited them and did not want Li Heng to bring other women over.

Chen Zijing looked straight ahead. "I called Song Yu over."

Chen Xiaomi was surprised, shocked, and her face was filled with disbelief.

After a long, long time, she finally asked, "Are you out of your mind? Why did you call such a beautiful woman like Song Yu over to claim territory?"

Chen Zijin answered irrelevantly, "Auntie, do you think Li Heng will still seriously marry me?"

Chen Xiaomi was stunned. She hadn't expected her niece to ask such a question. After thinking for a while, she reluctantly uttered two words: "It's difficult."

"Yes, it's difficult."

Chen Zijin spoke slowly, then continued, "Aunt, you know it's difficult, but do you know why it's so difficult?"

Chen Xiaomi was so guilty that she couldn't speak.

She was present when she cursed Tian Run'e in Shangwan Village, and she also cursed. Moreover, she was the first to catch Li Heng and Zi Jin in bed together. Ultimately, she bears a great deal of responsibility for how things have turned out.

Two questions in a row left Chen Xiaomi speechless.

After a long pause, she finally spoke: "So, why did you call Song Yu over?"

Chen Zijin said, "Song Yu and Li Heng are engaged."

"what?"

Chen Xiaomi slammed on the brakes, her voice rising slightly as she turned and stared intently at her eldest niece: "What did you just say? Engaged? When did they get engaged?"

Chen Zijin calmly recounted everything she had learned from Song Yu, concluding, "Both sides have met each other's parents and have agreed to get married after graduation."

After listening, Chen Xiaomi frowned deeply: "Are you so sure? The Yu family's daughter will agree? Won't she make a scene? Won't Xiao Han make a scene?"

Chen Zijin said, "I don't know if they will make a scene. But you don't understand his feelings for Song Yu, little aunt."

Chen Xiaomi asked, "What kind of feelings?"

Chen Zijin said, "I will not marry anyone but Song Yu."

Chen Xiaomi's mouth gaped open, and it took her a while to react: "If you stay in Shaoyang during your senior year of high school, will he marry you or Song Yu?"

Chen Zijin said, "If I had stayed in Shaoyang, none of this would have happened."

Chen Xiaomi remained silent, her fingers constantly digging into the steering wheel, feeling extremely regretful.

There was silence in the car as everyone was lost in thought. It wasn't until a car behind them kept honking that Chen Xiaomi snapped out of her reverie, stepped on the gas again, and pulled the car over to a tree on the side of the road.

Then, the engine was turned off.

Chen Xiaomi observed her niece's expression for a moment, then cautiously asked, "So, what are your plans for the future?"

Chen Zijin said, "I have no plans to leave him."

Chen Xiaomi sighed, not at all surprised by the answer, "Then what was Li Heng and his parents' attitude at the Li family just now?"

Chen Zijin said, "He was very good to me, as good as ever, and held my hand the whole time while we chatted."

Chen Xiaomi was surprised: "In front of Song Yu?"

Chen Zijin nodded.

Chen Xiaomi was utterly shocked, her worldview completely shattered. "How dare he? Where does he get his confidence? Didn't Song Yu get angry?"

Chen Zijin did not answer, but only said, "Song Yu's magnanimity in ancient times was enough to make her an empress, in charge of the three palaces and six courtyards. Of all his women, I only admire her."

Chen Xiaomi still couldn't understand. "Even if he wants to marry Song Yu, that's not a reason for you to call her over. You have to understand, a woman's heart is unfathomable, constantly changing. If you don't handle this well, she could easily take over your mantle."

Chen Zijin said, "I'm not afraid of being usurped; it's a kind of exchange of benefits."

Chen Xiaomi asked, confused, "What kind of exchange of benefits?"

Chen Zijin said, "I compromised and supported Li Heng marrying her. She supported me having the first child for the Li family."

"The first child? Song Yu agreed? Li Heng agreed?" Chen Xiaomi's eyes lit up. If they couldn't get married, then having their first child would be very meaningful, extremely meaningful.

A mother's status depends on her son. As long as Zijing can give birth to the first boy for the Li family, whether or not she marries is not so difficult to accept.

Chen Zijing hummed in agreement: "But there's a problem now."

Chen Xiaomi asked impatiently, "What's the problem?"

Chen Zijin said, "Yu Shuheng has resigned from her position as a teacher at Fudan University, but she still lives in Lushan Village, next to him. I am worried that the other party may make further moves."

To outsiders, leaving a job is a prelude, a signal that makes people feel uneasy.

Chen Xiaomi thought for a moment and asked, "Are you worried that Yu Shuheng will get pregnant first?"

Chen Xiaomi said, "Half and half. Song Yu and Yu Shuheng have a verbal agreement to suppress Zhou Shihe first before discussing anything else."

But as you just said, aunt, a woman's heart is unfathomable. She might agree today and change her mind tomorrow, her actions unpredictable and dependent on circumstances. Who knows if Yu Shuheng has drugged Song Yu, or if Li Heng might suddenly decide to sleep with Yu Shuheng. All of this is uncertain.

Chen Xiaomi was stunned: "Zhou Shihe? That woman who plays the piano has also gotten involved in this mess?"

Chen Zijing nodded: "Yes."

Chen Xiaomi took a deep breath: "Last month, that person from the Zhou family lost their temper at the meeting, and your grandfather and the others didn't dare to utter a sound. Zhou Shihe is the only daughter of the Zhou family. If she gets involved, will Song Yu really be able to get married smoothly after graduation?"

Chen Zijin said, "To be honest, I don't know either. I guess even Song Yu herself isn't 100% sure."

Chen Xiaomi asked, "Tell me, what exactly happened between Li Heng and Zhou Shihe?"

Chen Zijin succinctly summarized the essence in just one sentence: "He actively loved two women, Song Yu and Zhou Shihe."

"what?"

Chen Xiaomi exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly, "You and Li Heng?"

Recalling the past, Chen Zijin couldn't help but blush: "He was so handsome back then, and Xiao Han was eyeing him covetously, afraid that he would be snatched away by that vixen. So I was the one who first revealed the truth."

Speaking of the past, Chen Zijin bluntly said that Xiao Han was a vixen, and that Xiao Han often made her furious when she was in junior high school.

Chen Xiaomi asked, "Did Xiao Han and Yu Shuheng also take the initiative?"

Chen Zijin said, "Yu Shuheng is. Xiao Han had a crush on him for six years, but later she somehow lured him to Shanghai, and even Song Yu temporarily avoided him."

Chen Xiaomi asked, "What about the ears of wheat?"

Chen Zijin said, "If Li Heng hadn't gone to Shanghai, and Mai Sui hadn't been by his side, Mai Sui would have had a hard time."

Chen Xiaomi asked, "How so? I've met Mai Sui. She's a very charming and alluring woman. Men should find it hard to resist her allure."

Chen Zijin said, "If Li Heng had come to Beijing to study at university back then, Song Yu and I would have joined forces to block the wheat ears."

Chen Xiaomi was stunned. She hadn't expected the girls to be so cunning and scheming, with so many twists and turns. "Isn't Mai Sui competing?"

Chen Zijin said, "Maisui is kind-hearted and doesn't compete, just like Song Yu. But have you ever thought that if everyone else is competing, but Maisui is the only one who doesn't, wouldn't Li Heng really like this kind of virtuous woman?"

Chen Xiaomi understood. "Not competing is the greatest competition; it's indeed a good move. No matter the outcome, Li Heng will feel sorry for her."

Chen Zijin said, "I didn't grasp this move at first, but fortunately, I realized it in time and managed to get out of the vortex."

Chen Xiaomi asked in surprise, "Is Zhou Shihe that powerful? Even Song Yu and Yu Shuheng have to join forces against her?"

Chen Zijin said, "Zhou Shihe has the looks and temperament of Song Yu, the family background of Yu Shuheng, and is also the last disciple of the piano master Wu Yili. She is also very good at Huaiyang cuisine. Most importantly, Li Heng fell in love with her at first sight and loves her the most."

At the same time, Zhou Shihe was not a reckless person; she often kept her emotions hidden and was very shrewd.

As Chen Xiaomi listened, Zhou Shihe's impression on her improved infinitely. In the end, she couldn't help but say, "How can there be such a perfect woman in the world? If what you said is true, will Song Yu be able to have the last laugh? I'm terrified for her."

Chen Zijin nodded: "This is also why Song Yu and Yu Shuheng are afraid of each other and want to join forces first."

Chen Xiaomi suddenly laughed, "Since you've given up on marriage, their fighting might not be a bad thing for you. Don't worry about them, getting your first child done is the most important thing."

Chen Zijin said shyly, "But, but, Aunt, I'm only a junior in college."

Chen Xiaomi said, "What's there to be afraid of in your junior year? If you don't take the lead, Zhou Shihe might beat you to it."

Chen Zijin turned her head to look at her.

Chen Xiaomi analyzed: "If you were Zhou Shihe, imagine how you would break the deadlock when facing attacks from both Song Yu and Yu Shuheng?"

Chen Zijin was stunned.

After waiting for a while, seeing that her eldest niece remained silent, Chen Xiaomi simply answered her own question: "Either leave the scene, or... of course, break the deadlock with force."

Immediately, Chen Zijin felt an unprecedented sense of urgency: "I know what to do."

P.S.: Damn it, even yesterday's very plain chapter had 300 words deleted, damn it!

(End of this chapter)