Chapter 31: Song Yu, Good News
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The dust particles in the air were vividly visible under the warm winter sun, and the faint sound of turning pages drifted softly. Amidst the bright hues, Song Yu, with her natural elegance, sat quietly in simple cotton clothes. Occasionally, as a northern wind swept by, a strand of hair from her earbud fluttered lightly.
The entire scene was tranquil and immaculate, as if she were a celestial being from a painting.
At this moment, there were no traces of time on her face, no sorrow from love or parting—she seemed forever frozen in the memory of being eighteen, waiting for her lover to pursue her anew.
For a moment, Li Heng, brimming with affection, found himself utterly captivated.
In his previous life, having lived over fifty years and met countless people, he considered himself talented yet could never find the precise words to describe her unparalleled beauty.
Sun Manning once described her as the embodiment of a spirit from the Book of Songs, perfectly illustrating “a graceful and virtuous lady, sought after by gentlemen.”
Like the countless young men reminiscing at their ten-year reunion: their secret crushes and steadfast devotion to Song Yu were as immersive as an actor lost in a role, filling every corner of their youthful days.
In a past life, Yang Yingwen had asked him directly, “Among Song Yu, Xiao Han, and Chen Ziqin, whom do you love most?”
Li Heng did not answer outright but instead spoke from his heart:
“Song Yu is a dazzling guest of this world, like snow three inches thick on the eaves. Knowing and meeting her was the most cherished time of my life.”
He recalled once celebrating her birthday alone, when she, a little tipsy, asked:
“If you like me so much, why didn’t you pursue me back then? Was it because I wasn’t good enough?”
Li Heng took a long time before replying, “It’s not that you weren’t good enough, but rather because you were too good! I knew I couldn’t catch up to you.”
She smiled gently and teased, “You’re Li Heng, the dream man of many girls—so little confidence?”
Li Heng, self-aware, answered, “Yes! In my heart, no one in this world deserves you. Including myself.”
Song Yu smiled softly and then gradually restrained her expression: “I thought it was because of Ziqin.”
Li Heng countered, “If I confessed to you right after high school graduation, would you have accepted?”
Song Yu pondered for a moment and shook her head.
Li Heng sighed deeply, “See? It was all in vain.”
Seeing him drink heavily in despair, Song Yu comforted him, “If you had met me first, and pursued me tirelessly like this, I might have fallen for you back then.”
Li Heng tilted his head back, finishing a bottle of beer, exhaling thick breath, and murmuring, “When we first met, my monthly food allowance never exceeded eight yuan, and none of my clothes cost more than three. How could I dare to chase after you? I just didn’t have the courage.”
After a silence, she asked, “If it were possible, if I were willing to be with you?”
Li Heng replied bitterly, “Even then, I’d be overreaching. I don’t want you to suffer with me. You were just an adult then, prone to emotional decisions. How could I afford to be impulsive?”
He spoke sincerely; after the blow from the Chen family during the summer vacation of his sophomore year, his sharpness had faded. At graduation, how could he dare to pursue the woman who stood at the pinnacle?
He lacked confidence and courage.
She looked up, gazing blankly at the moon, then quietly said, “If I were Ziqin, actually, I would be willing to endure hardships with you.”
…
Suddenly, a stone sculpture stood at the entrance, finally catching Song Yu’s attention as she was engrossed in her book.
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She lifted her head lightly and glanced toward Li Heng.
Her gaze seemed to pierce through time and endure countless trials, finally meeting his eyes.
In an instant, Li Heng’s emotions were ignited, tears brimming in his eyes as he hurried into the classroom.
Under her steady gaze and stunned reaction, he grasped her hand, overwhelmed with excitement:
“Song Yu, it’s so good to see you again!”
They had known each other for nearly three years, and due to Chen Ziqin, their relationship had always been close. Yet, he had always been polite and never acted presumptuously toward her.
Now, this sudden, absurd moment truly startled Song Yu.
It was the first time a boy had touched her body. In panic, she instinctively tried to pull her right hand away.
She pulled once, no movement.
Pulled again, still motionless.
Just as her brow furrowed, preparing to struggle again, she suddenly gave up and stopped moving.
She allowed him to hold her hand.
In that moment, she seemed to understand his eyes, felt his sincerity, and realized there must be a reason behind his impulsiveness today.
After a long gaze, Song Yu asked softly, “Li Heng, what’s wrong? Are you facing some difficulty?”
Her voice was somewhat cold, yet full of concern.
Li Heng greedily held her hand a moment longer, then took a deep breath, letting go and apologizing:
“It’s been so long since I last saw you; I was just dazed, feeling as if separated by life and death, as if I would never see you again in this lifetime.
I’m sorry for being abrupt.”
Her intuition told her not to fully trust his strange words, but she chose not to expose him and instead silently watched his tear-filled eyes, lost in thought…
He refused to truthfully tell her the reason—perhaps something had happened to him?
Perhaps he had no choice but to hold back?
Regardless, Li Heng was Ziqin’s partner. As a good friend and close confidante, she must uphold her duty and prevent him from crossing the line.
As Sun Manning said, Song Yu knew that the boy before her liked her deeply, was fond of her, but she could not accept those feelings.
People could come into the classroom at any time.
Not wanting her classmates to misunderstand, Song Yu gently reminded him, “Did you just finish lunch? There’s some food on your face.”
How could there be food on his face?
Li Heng understood her hint: today was the start of school, and someone could enter the classroom at any moment. He should go wash his face at the sink to avoid suspicion from his tear-stained eyes.
To be honest, if he hadn’t forced himself to hold back his tears, he would have wanted to cry bitterly.
To meet her again in high school—it was such a blessing! Heaven had not treated him unfairly.
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“Ah, Li Heng, so you’re here after all.”
Facing Song Yu, just as Li Heng opened his mouth to speak, an unexpected voice came from outside the door.
Following the voice were footsteps entering the classroom.
Seeing it was the English teacher, Song Yu discreetly withdrew her right hand from his and placed it on her book, politely greeting, “Teacher.”
Wang Runwen looked her over appreciatively and couldn’t help but compliment, “You’ve become even more beautiful after the winter break.”
Song Yu smiled serenely without replying.
After a brief chat, the English teacher turned to Li Heng: “The teacher had to make a quick trip to the academic office just now. You’ve been waiting long?”
Li Heng shook his head with a smile, “No, I just got here too.”
Wang Runwen nodded and briskly headed for the door: “There’s something I need to discuss with you. Come with me.”
Here it comes!
The moment he had been waiting for?
After exchanging a glance with Song Yu, Li Heng quickly stood and followed.
Perhaps the class had finished registering, and the homeroom teacher Wang Qi had not returned yet. The two of them took the office one after the other.
Wang Runwen, who entered first, instructed, “Close the door.”
In the past, Li Heng would have hesitated because of his reputation and because Song Yu was nearby. He wouldn’t have dared close the door.
But now, without hesitation, he shut the door and eagerly asked, “Teacher, what do you want to talk about? Is there news from the magazine?”
Wang Runwen didn’t answer directly but looked at him with a half-smile: “Do you like Song Yu?”
Li Heng flatly denied, “Teacher, what nonsense are you talking about? It’s not true. Don’t wrong me.”
Wang Runwen pointed at the corner of his eye teasingly: “Your tears haven’t dried yet. They don’t lie.”
Li Heng: “...”
Given that, he simply raised his hand to wipe them away.
The English teacher looked at him for a moment, then suddenly said, “I received a call at noon—someone was looking for you.”
Li Heng’s eyes lit up, and he hurried to ask, “Who? Where from?”
The teacher said, “From Shanghai, I think it was the ‘Harvest’ magazine you mentioned.”
She paused, then added, “I’m pretty sure I heard correctly—it must be them.”
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