1987 My Era

Chapter 699
After selecting some gifts and expensive cigarettes and alcohol at a department store, the two arrived at Editor-in-Chief Liao's home a little after 5 p.m.

As soon as they reached the door, a teenager darted out of the house, followed by Editor-in-Chief Liao.

At this moment, Editor-in-Chief Liao was still holding a broom in his hand, muttering curses under his breath.

When Editor-in-Chief Liao saw Li Heng and Yu Shuheng, he was embarrassed. His face turned red as he put down the broom and forced a smile, saying:
"Junior brother, Teacher Yu, what brings you here?"

Li Heng joked, "What, you're not welcome? If you're not welcome, we'll leave right away."

"Hey! Why are you leaving? You're already here, have a meal before you go." Editor-in-Chief Liao quickly pulled him into the house and warmly poured tea for the two of them.

Li Heng looked around and asked in a low voice, "Is your sister-in-law not here?"

Editor-in-Chief Liao said, "My mother-in-law was sick, so she went back to her parents' home. As soon as his mother left, this brat went wild, and he made me furious all day."

Sigh, it's better not to be married; I'm so free. Meeting such a mischievous boy would have shortened my lifespan by at least 10 years.

Li Heng didn't ask why he didn't take the child back to his parents' home. Of course, it's because school starts tomorrow, and he has to go to school to register.

He asked, "Didn't you go to the magazine office today?"

Editor-in-Chief Liao said, "I just got back not long ago. Hey, I have to say, you really made me look good. Harvest magazine once again beat People's Literature magazine to take the top spot in sales. I've been drinking about ten more bottles of wine than usual lately."

Li Heng chuckled and said, "I didn't expect the readers to be so supportive; I've managed to steal the spotlight once again."

Editor-in-Chief Liao asked him, "Have you been reading the newspaper lately?"

Li Heng said, "I also bought more than 10 newspapers to take on the plane today."

Editor-in-Chief Liao asked, "Jealousy makes people bad. What are your thoughts after reading those negative comments?"

Li Heng thought for a moment and said, "Old Heng said that no one is perfect. I am already very satisfied to have so many people supporting me."

Editor-in-Chief Liao shook his head: "There are quite a few people who nitpick at you, all deliberately looking for trouble. Alas! It's a pity that the Mao Dun Literature Prize selection this year has been postponed. If you, junior brother, could win such a big award at such a young age, it would shut up a lot of people."

Why was this year's Mao Dun Literature Prize postponed? All three knew the reason, but none of them said it outright.

Dinner was cooked by Editor-in-Chief Liao. By the time everyone had finished eating, the clock had already quietly struck 6:40.

Li Heng patted his firm belly and said, "Senior brother, it's getting late, we have to go."

Editor-in-Chief Liao initially wanted to persuade him to stay, but after glancing at Yu Shuheng, he gave up the idea and personally saw him to the door, saying, "Junior brother, let's find some time to go to our teacher's place for a while."

Li Heng readily agreed: "Okay."

After leaving his senior's house, the Mercedes drove onto the main road. Yu Shuheng asked, "It's not far from Shanghai Medical University. Would you like to stop by and take a look?"

Li Heng looked at her in surprise.

Yu Shuheng looked straight ahead and said softly, "Little man, don't think too badly of me."

Li Heng praised, "The teacher isn't bad; the teacher is a good person."

He then said, "Xiao Han hasn't returned to school yet; she won't arrive until the day after tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Yu Shuheng did not reply, but instead turned the steering wheel and headed straight for Yangpu.

Chatting about everyday things along the way, the two finally arrived at Fudan University before dark.

As soon as they arrived at the school gate, Li Heng said, "Stop the car here, I need to go to Lao Yong's place."

Yu Shuheng glanced down at the hem of her clothes: "When we were eating, the child got two drops of oil on my clothes, so I won't go with you."

She's a bit of a clean freak and pays great attention to her personal hygiene, so she needs to go back and change her clothes.

Li Heng expressed his understanding: "Okay, I'll be back in a bit."

It's only a minute or two's walk from the school gate to Chunhua Noodle Shop, you'll get there quickly.

Surprisingly, the store was packed with people, most of whom were college students who had just returned to school.

Well, not entirely. The group at the door looked like freshmen and their parents, speaking with a strong Chenzhou accent. I guess they came here for the spicy food.

As soon as Li Heng entered the store, the previously noisy scene gradually quieted down. Both men and women quietly reminded their tablemates: Look, it's Li Heng.

He was used to this kind of scene. He said to Zhang Zhiyong, who was walking over, "Old Yong, how's business during the summer vacation?"

Zhang Zhiyong scratched his head: "How can a great writer like you ask such a low-level question? With so many students showing up during summer vacation, there's definitely no business."

Li Heng rolled his eyes, took out a red envelope and handed it over: "Yingwen's red envelope, for your child. Don't nag, I'm just passing by."

The simpleton, who had originally intended to say something sarcastic, swallowed back what he was about to say upon hearing this. "Alright, alright, next time I run into that old rag woman, I must treat her to a big meal. My goodness! It's been so long since we last met, and she still remembers me. She's so touching."

After being moved, the simple-minded guy craned his neck and asked, "Old Heng, what would you like to eat? How about we cook a few dishes and have a drink together?"

Li Heng waved his hand: "Let's skip it today. I had dinner at my senior brother's house before coming here. Let's talk about it later. I see you're busy, so I won't bother you any longer. I'll be going now."

He left without hesitation, without any lingering.

Returning to school after two months, Li Heng felt a sense of nostalgia.

While strolling along the campus path, I unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance, Liu Yanling, who has a 36D bust.

She was accompanied by a very pretty girl, especially since her clothes were practically bursting out of her chest.

Before he could even greet her, Liu Yanling waved to him: "Mr. Li, it's been a long time. Why are you taking a walk all by yourself?"

Li Heng replied, "I just got back to school. What day did you come here?"

Liu Yanling said, "I also came today, but this morning."

As she spoke, the girl tugged at the girl next to her and winked as she introduced, "Do you remember what I told you last semester?"

My sister got into Fudan University! She really did a great job, she actually got in! Look at her, isn't she beautiful?

So it's her sister, they're from the same family, no wonder she has such a stunning figure.

Liu Yanqi felt a little uncomfortable and awkward when her sister pulled her to stand in front of her, but her eyes were secretly observing him with curiosity.

Li Heng smiled and nodded at the shy junior, not commenting on her appearance, but encouragingly saying, "Our school is great, junior, keep up the good work!"

Liu Yanqi instinctively said thank you, then watched him exchange pleasantries with her sister, and then watched him leave.

As soon as the person left, the younger sister immediately whispered to her older sister, "Is this Li Heng, the one you always talked about back in our hometown? The one you found for me?"

Liu Yanling said, "That's him. Isn't he super handsome!"

Liu Yanqi chimed in, "It really does feel like that."

Then my younger sister asked, "How long did you have a crush on him back then?"

Liu Yanling curled her lip: "Why bring this up? Want to get beaten up?"

Liu Yanqi said, "I was just asking. When you were at home, you kept saying you wanted to introduce me to him, you kept tempting me, and you even made me want to go for it. But just now I noticed that the way he looked at me was very calm, without any emotion."

Liu Yanling had been secretly observing Li Heng's expression, and said dejectedly at the end, "I thought with your beauty, I should be able to get him to take a second look. Alas, I miscalculated. There are just too many beautiful women around him, too outstanding."

Liu Yanqi confidently asked, "Prettier than me?"

Liu Yanling said, "I won't discourage you. It seems he's going back to Lushan Village. Come on, I'll take you there for a look. You can decide for yourself what to do."

The two sisters followed Li Heng to Lushan Village.

They were lucky; they bumped into Zhou Shihe and Mai Sui coming out of the alley, followed by Sun Manning and Ye Ning.

Seeing the four girls and Li Heng standing there chatting, Liu Yanling said, "The one in the brown clothes is Zhou Shihe, the pinnacle of our school's academic excellence."

The girl in red next to me is Mai Sui; she's probably the second prettiest girl in our school now. How about it? Still have confidence?

Liu Yanqi stared intently at Zhou Shihe for a while, then stared at Mai Sui for a long time before finally turning around and leaving.

Liu Yanling followed up, "What does this mean?"

Liu Yanqi asked, "What's their relationship? They seem so close."

Liu Yanling glanced around and lowered her voice, saying, "That ear of wheat belongs to Li Heng's confidante."

Liu Yanqi asked, "A confidante? You're practically standing right next to each other, isn't she your girlfriend?"

Liu Yanling said, "His girlfriend is someone else."

Liu Yanqi was shocked: "Such a beautiful woman, becoming his mistress? Has she lost her mind?"

Liu Yanling corrected, "Speak properly. Even your sister has had moments of madness. If it were possible to be his mistress, at least half the girls at Fudan University would be willing to be mad. Do you think just anyone can sleep with him?"

Liu Yanqi was bewildered: "You even fantasized about sleeping with him?"

Liu Yanling reached out and took her sister's arm: "You're really making a fuss over nothing. Which young girl doesn't dream of spring? I'm no exception. I've had many spring dreams before."

After saying that, Liu Yanling asked, "Still have confidence?"

Liu Yanqi frowned, comparing herself to them, and finally said rather dejectedly, "I'm not as good as them. Ha! You're really a qualified older sister. I've only been in college for one day, and you've already found two towering mountains for me."

"If I had known Li Heng had such a beautiful lover, I wouldn't have come to Fudan University. It would have been so much more fun ruling the world at other schools."

Liu Yanling said happily, "You've been dominating in junior high and high school for too long. I'm going to let you see the world. Besides, you still have a chance to be his woman."

Hearing this absurd statement, Liu Yanqi was completely dumbfounded. She then angrily pointed her finger at her sister's forehead and said, "Liu Yanling! Are you crazy?"
What's wrong with you?
He wants me to be his woman? If I told Mom and Dad this, do you believe Dad would twist your head off?

Liu Yanling wasn't angry; instead, she laughed and said, "Young lady, you're too easily swayed. Do you know what kind of people the women who fall in love with Li Heng are?"
Putting everything else aside, Ms. Yu Shuheng's looks and temperament far surpass yours, and her family background is incredibly impressive. Do you really think you have a chance?
"If I could become his woman, it would be like having a golden ticket; I could skip 30 years of hard work in this life. Our family would also rise in status."

Liu Yanqi angrily shouted, "Shut up! If you want to be the one, go be the one yourself, or I'll break off all ties with you."

"Okay, okay, don't be angry. I'd rather be his woman than have the chance. I'm not as pretty as you, and I'm not a virgin." Liu Yanling said with a smile.

Liu Yanqi asked in surprise, "You had sex with another man?"

Liu Yanling spread her fingers and said, "This is the first time it's not a man."

Liu Yanqi remained silent for a long time, finally uttering only two words: "So despicable."

Liu Yanling puffed out her chest: "Don't talk like that without understanding the situation. If I had your advantages, I would also keep pestering Li Heng."

Liu Yanqi was so angry her mouth twisted into a crook. "You're such a weirdo. You tricked me into coming to Fudan University at home, and now you're trying to get me to be his woman."

"Actually, you just want me to fulfill your unfulfilled wish, so you can see him every day from now on, right?"

Liu Yanling was very frank: "I am indeed a bit abnormal, and my personality is somewhat twisted. The reason I encouraged you to come to Fudan University was purely because I thought Li Heng's genes could change our family's offspring, whether it's appearance, temperament, or talent."

But besides that, the main reason was to stand up for my parents. They had long been suppressed by my uncles and other relatives in the family. So what if they only had two daughters? So what if they didn't have a son? If they had Li Heng's connections, they could turn things around immediately.

I've studied this society. It's very difficult for women from ordinary families like ours to turn their lives around on their own. But if you're pretty enough and find a capable man, your uncles, who are just a deputy director and a section chief respectively, wouldn't dare to say a word in front of Li Heng.

Furthermore, regarding the matter of being his woman, I'm not lying to you. I know at least two very beautiful women who secretly admire him but dare not confess. Also, being his mistress means the child can bear the Liu surname, continuing our family line.”

Liu Yanqi asked, "Is that really what you think?"

Liu Yanling said, "Think back to your parents' situation. When they had conflicts with others in the village, those people would constantly curse them for having no descendants. Your mother would be so angry that she wouldn't talk back; she would just hide away and cry."

When we have holiday gatherings with our uncles, do they ever even look at our parents? That's why I've always pushed you to study hard since you were little, to prove them wrong.

But when I saw Li Heng, I became a little obsessed. Back in my freshman year, I often thought, "If I were as pretty as Xiaozhu, I'd try to win her over."

Liu Yanqi said, "I've always been trying to make my parents proud; it's my biggest dream. But women must respect themselves."

Liu Yanling did not refute, but only said: "If you think that you can change your fate and surpass your uncle and the others by working hard in 5 years, I will apologize for today."

Liu Yanqi: "..."

.....
On the other side, at the entrance of Lushan Village.

He bumped into four women and stopped to ask, "Where are you all going?"

Seeing that his clothes were a little wrinkled, Mai Sui came over and smoothed out the hem of his shirt with her fingers, saying softly, "At the start of the new semester, we're going to Lao Li's Restaurant for a dorm reunion dinner. Have you eaten yet?"

Li Heng said, "I just came back from my senior brother's house and I've already eaten."

After he finished speaking, he subconsciously looked at Zhou Shihe.

Receiving his gaze, Zhou Shihe smiled gently at him and stood demurely to the side without saying a word.

Ye Ning chimed in, "Mr. Li, you just came from your hometown?"

Li Heng replied, "No, I came from the capital."

He knew he couldn't hide this from Mai Sui and Miss Zhou, so he said whatever came to mind.

Ye Ning looked at Mai Sui and Shi He, and wanted to tell him: My cousin is in Shanghai, would you like to meet her?
But Ye Ning didn't say it in the end. She didn't know why. Ever since learning about Shihe and Li Heng's romantic entanglement, her envy, jealousy, and resentment towards her cousin had lessened considerably. She also knew that her cousin had come to Shanghai with her to see Li Heng. She also knew that her cousin had work in the United States and couldn't stay in Shanghai for too long.

"You guys go eat first. I've been traveling all day, and my clothes are soaked with sweat several times. I need to go back and take a shower. We'll talk later," Li Heng said after exchanging a few more words with Mai Sui.

"Okay, you rest for a while, I'll bring you some late-night snacks later." Mai Sui was very considerate.

Li Heng responded and walked into the alley.

Back home, after taking a shower and washing and drying his clothes, Li Heng leisurely sat in the attic and started fiddling with a telescope.

Before long, Yu Shuheng appeared on the opposite rooftop, holding a cup of coffee, leaning against the railing and gazing at him.

At first, Li Heng didn't notice, but after more than ten minutes, he called out from afar, "Teacher, is there any extra coffee at home?"

"Have."

Yu Shuheng smiled slightly, understanding his meaning, turned and went into the house. A moment later, she came back with two cups of coffee.

Upon reaching the second floor, Yu Shuheng handed him the coffee and joked, "Did you call me over because you didn't want to spend some time with Mai Sui?"

Li Heng didn't respond, but took a sip of coffee and praised, "It smells so good, did you change the coffee beans?" Yu Shuheng shook her head: "No, maybe you're just in a good mood today."

"Is it?"

Thinking about it, I'm actually in a pretty good mood today. Could that really be the reason?

Just as he was lost in thought while drinking his coffee, he heard Yu Shuheng's voice: "I just received two phone calls, one from Li Wang and the other from Runwen."

Li Heng turned his head: "What does my little cousin want with me?"

Yu Shuheng said, "She didn't say it on the phone, she just asked me to tell you that she wanted to have dinner with you."

Li Heng nodded, still looking at her.

Yu Shuheng continued, "When Runwen arrived at New Future, Wang Ye and several senior executives of the company gave her a grand reception."

Li Heng thought for a moment and asked, "What was your first impression of New Future, Teacher Wang?"

Yu Shuheng asked with a half-smile, "Do you want to hear the truth, or a lie?"

Li Heng was taken aback: "Why do you say that?"

Yu Shuheng said, "I just asked Runwen the same question, and she gave the same answer."

Li Heng said, "Then let's listen to the lies first."

Yu Shuheng said, "Runwen had a very good first impression of New Future and felt very welcome."

Li Heng asked, "If that's a lie, then what's the truth?"

Yu Shuheng said, "The truth is, she probably won't stay in New Future for long."

Li Heng asked, "Why?"

Yu Shuheng said, "She felt a little uncomfortable sitting at the same table as Yang Yingwen."

Li Heng understood: Wang Runwen had taught Yang Yingwen English for a year during their first year of high school. Now, there were various speculations and discussions among the senior management of New Future about why she had been parachuted in. Among them was the speculation that Wang Runwen was the boss's mistress.

The idea of ​​a high school teacher and a male student in one's own class is both absurd and exciting.

Yang Yingwen immediately guessed the truth and cursed Li Heng as a bastard in his heart. Then he thought of the promise he made to Song Yu not long ago, promising to help Song Yu protect her new future. Now that a love rival has suddenly appeared, he naturally doesn't like Teacher Wang very much.

Wang Runwen said those words precisely because he sensed Yang Yingwen's subtle rejection.

Li Heng withdrew his gaze and looked at the distant horizon: "Even if you feel uncomfortable, you should get used to it first. The workplace is not like school; backstabbing is the norm. Teacher Wang should be aware of this."

Yu Shuheng said with a half-smile, "Little brother, you're so cruel. It's such a waste to exile such a sexy body to the capital."

Li Heng retorted irritably, "What do you mean by exile to the capital? My parents live in the capital; that's my home. Besides, if I asked her to come back and spend the night with me, how could you possibly sleep tonight?"

Yu Shuheng wasn't annoyed that her little scheme had been exposed. She said softly, "Since there are so many people in Shanghai, it's better not to call them back."

Li Heng snorted.

After a while, Yu Shuheng asked, "What are you going to do with Runwen in the future?"

Li Heng was thinking about real estate, but he asked aloud, "What suggestions do you have, teacher?"

Yu Shuheng held her coffee cup. "I have no suggestions. If you really don't have anywhere to settle down, you can also go to Hengyuan Investment."

Li Heng wore an expression of disbelief.

Yu Shuheng seemed to know what he was thinking. She narrowed her eyes and said with great confidence, "No one can cause trouble here."

Li Heng blurted out: "Anyone?"

Yu Shuheng put her coffee cup aside, stretched lazily, and said, "Little men are insecure. But let me make it clear to you, what's yours is yours, Hengyuan Investment is yours, and so am I."

Li Heng rolled his eyes. "That's not what I meant. I meant you're really strict with Teacher Wang, and your relationship is really complicated."

Yu Shuheng smiled and changed the subject: "Do you want to return a call?"

Li Heng glanced at his watch, stood up, and said, "I should go back and let my family know I'm safe."

After exiting building number 26, cross the alley and enter the building opposite.

Li Heng's first call was to Li Wang.

I answered the phone as soon as it rang, "Who is this?"

Li Heng said, "Cousin, it's me."

Upon hearing his voice, Li Wang excitedly said, "I have great news for you! As of 4 p.m. today, our revenue for this year has exceeded 3 million."

Li Heng was overjoyed: "So fast?"

"It's a bit fast. When are you free to come over and take a look? I'll treat you to a drink," Li Wang invited.

Li Heng said, "There's no time like the present, so I'll come tomorrow."

Li Wang agreed, then added, "Oh, by the way, I have some news for you. Li Xi is pregnant and might come to stay here for a while."

Li Heng asked in surprise, "When did my eldest cousin start dating? I haven't heard anything about it."

Li Wang said unhappily, "I don't know either. I asked her whose child it was, but she wouldn't say. I asked her why she hid inland, but she still wouldn't say. Let me tell you, if she weren't my own sister, I wouldn't even bother with her."

Li Heng was a little confused.

To be honest, he had never heard of Li Xi's pregnancy in his previous life. He thought she was single. Could it be that she had been hiding her illegitimate child all along?
Li Heng asked, "When is she coming?"

Li Wang said, "It's also tomorrow at noon, so we can get together then."

Li Heng agreed.

After chatting for a while, the call ended.

The living room was quiet. Yu Shuheng, who was sitting next to him, had overheard the entire conversation between the two. When he put down the receiver, he said, "I've heard you say that Li Xi is very capable, a top lawyer in Hong Kong. Given her current status, could the child in her belly come from a powerful family?"

Li Heng realized what he meant: "You mean the four major families of Hong Kong or something like that?"

Yu Shuheng said, "Only this explanation makes sense; otherwise, there's absolutely no need to hide."

Li Heng thought this made a lot of sense and sighed.

Yu Shuheng analyzed: "I guess she's like me, troubled by love."

Li Heng was speechless.

Who says that to my face?

Isn't that a self-reproach?

He pretended not to hear and dialed again, this time to the Li family in the Drum Tower area of ​​Beijing.

As soon as the call connected, it was noisy on the other end, with the sound of a child crying. Tian Run'e said, "Hello."

Li Heng asked, "Mom, why is it so noisy? Are we having guests?"

Tian Run'e lowered her voice and said, "A few neighbors came to visit, and one of them brought his granddaughter over to play."

So that's how it is. He was a little happy, which proved that his mother was doing quite well in the Gulou area. He said, "Don't worry, I've arrived at school."

"Hey, okay."

Since Zijing wasn't there and there were other people around, the mother and son ended their call in less than a minute.

On his third call, he dialed New Future, but no one answered the phone.

I called again, but no one answered. Had they gone off work?
Come to think of it, it's past 9 p.m. now, so they're probably off work.

He subconsciously wanted to make a fourth call to contact Huang Zhaoyi, but the time and place were wrong, so he put the receiver back.

Li Heng shifted his position, leaning back comfortably on the sofa, and asked, "Teacher, if I write a science fiction novel, can you help me publish it overseas?"

Yu Shuheng thought she had misheard: "Science fiction?"

Li Heng nodded.

Yu Shuheng asked, "You can also write science fiction novels?"

Li Heng blinked, "It might even be better written than traditional literature."

Yu Shuheng stared at him with her deep eyes for a while, and after a long time asked, "Why did you suddenly want to write this instead of traditional literature?"

Li Heng explained, "There are three reasons. One is that I want to refresh my mind. I've been writing four or five books of traditional literature in the past few years, and I'm feeling mentally exhausted."

Secondly, I have many stories in my mind that I want to write down. Thirdly, I want to make money, specifically science fiction novels, and earn money overseas.

Yu Shuheng looked at him face to face, observing his subtle facial expressions. After confirming that he was sincere, she pondered for a moment and asked, "Will you come back to write traditional literature in the future?"

This is what she cares about most.

The reason she fell for him so quickly was not only because of his looks and demeanor, but also because of his talent and learning.

Deep down, she didn't want this man to give up the fame and reputation he had worked so hard to build.

Their eyes met, and Li Heng knew what she was thinking. He said earnestly, "Don't worry, traditional literature is my foundation, my livelihood. After resting for half a year, I will pick up my pen again. I've even thought of the story already, so don't worry, teacher."

With his assurance, Yu Shuheng's anxiety instantly subsided, and she asked, "Where do you want to publish your science fiction novel?"

Li Heng said, "It's not that I want to, but how far can my teacher's connections go? Naturally, I'd prefer that the foreign publishing house have as much influence as possible."

After thinking for a while, Yu Shuheng said, "I have some connections, but you should write them down first so I can contact publishers based on the content. Different publishers abroad have different focuses."

Li Heng happily agreed: "Okay, thank you, teacher."

Yu Shuheng glanced at him sideways: "You're thanking me?"

Li Heng walked over with a smile, took her hand, kissed the back of her hand, and then couldn't help but slap his forehead and say, "Oh, right, I almost forgot about this. I want to install a landline."

Upon hearing this, Yu Shuheng instinctively wanted to say, "You can use this phone anytime," but considering that it might be inconvenient for his female confidantes, he nodded and said, "It's a small matter. I'll have someone come and install it tomorrow."

He used to be afraid of installing telephones because he was avoiding the topic and was afraid of being checked up on.

But now, damn it! Everything's transparent now, he's like a dead pig that's not afraid of boiling water, he's not afraid at all.

The wheat ears have returned.

Zhou Shihe and Sun Manning were also with them.

Li Heng glanced at the lit-up building at No. 26 across the street and asked Yu Shuheng, "I have to go now, do you want to come over and sit for a while?"

Yu Shuheng turned halfway around, glanced at the three figures on the second floor across the street, and asked teasingly, "Aren't you afraid I'll go over and ruin the atmosphere?"

Li Heng gave an irrelevant answer: "My mom still has high hopes for you."

After saying that, he got up and left without waiting for a reply.

Yu Shuheng stared at his back with suspicion until he went downstairs and disappeared from sight. Only then did she be able to smile and follow him.

As she walked gracefully, she secretly pondered the hidden meaning behind the young man's words.
He didn't believe the man was just saying it casually; he didn't think it had any deeper meaning or purpose.

But he didn't say it outright, thinking of Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe he was about to see...
Halfway through her thoughts, she automatically filtered out the harmless wheat ears, leaving only Zhou Shihe's slender figure in her mind...

After two years of getting to know each other, this was the first time he had taken the initiative to ask Zhou Shihe to meet up with him.

Knowing full well that his and Zhou Shihe's horoscopes were incompatible, he still called her that. This was clearly illogical and defied common sense. Could it be...?
Could it be that he...?
Suddenly, a thought popped into Yu Shuheng's mind, a thought that made her both happy and worried.

....
Building No. 26.

Seeing Li Heng emerge from the stairwell, Mai Sui, who was sitting directly in front of him, got up to greet him, gently tugging at his sleeve and saying, "You're back! We bought some barbecue and beer. Let's eat together."

Li Heng agreed with a big smile: "Okay, it's been a long time since I've had barbecue, I've been craving it."

He sat down next to Mai Sui, then looked at Zhou Shihe and Sun Manning on the opposite sofa, "Hey, why isn't Ye Ning here?"

The three women exchanged glances, and Sun Manning said, "Stop being so girly. You're a famous writer, for goodness' sake. It sounds really awful. Ningning has something to do and can't come tonight."

What's the matter?

Of course, I'm going to accompany my cousin, Ye Zhanyan.

Mai Sui, Zhou Shihe, and Sun Manning were all well aware of this and knew why Ye Zhanyan had come to Shanghai.
Therefore, it was inconvenient for Mai Sui and Zhou Shihe to say what Sun Manning answered.

Just as they started chatting, footsteps came from the stairwell. Sun Manning looked up and asked, "Oh, who is it? Uncle Li, did you leave the door downstairs unlocked?"

Although she hadn't seen the person yet, Zhou Shihe, who was exceptionally sensitive to sound, subtly frowned, then quickly regained her composure. Clearly, she had already guessed the other person's identity.

Mai Sui was the kindest. Before Li Heng could speak, she had already gotten up and walked over, then greeted Yu Shuheng, who was standing at the corner of the stairs, warmly: "Teacher, you've arrived."

"Yes, Li Heng was worried I'd be lonely, so he invited me over to sit down, saying it's more lively here with lots of people." Yu Shuheng smiled gently, her tone very warm.

Based on past experience, Mai Sui catered to his preferences: "We bought barbecue, and I'll have some drinks with you later."

Sure enough, these words were exactly what Yu Shuheng wanted to hear: "Okay. I haven't had a drink in over a month, so I'll have a little tonight."

Yu Shuheng followed Mai Sui to the sofa, looked around, and then sat down on the sofa in a very generous manner.

Zhou Shihe didn't look up or pay any attention, continuing to read the newspaper in her hand.

Li Heng glanced at Miss Zhou, then opened a beer and poured drinks for everyone. He then smiled brightly, revealing his clean and neat teeth, and said, "Come on, it's been two months since we last saw each other, let's have a drink."

P.S.: I originally wanted to write 10,000 words before posting, but my eyes are very tired from writing this, so I'll post it now.

(End of this chapter)