Xiang Yu reminisced about being eighteen, sitting with Lu Heng on the Ferris wheel, watching the sky darken, the city's outline blur, the lights flicker on one by one, and the entire city sparkle with lights. There were no hugs, no hand-holding. Their time together was a series of fragmented moments, long-term companionship without growing tired of each other. She was actually quite selfish, enjoying Lu Heng's affection without giving any promises in return, but Lu Heng never left her.
They spent time together like this, with Xiang Yu neither affirming nor denying anything, and Lu Heng never pushed her. Life in their final year of high school was extremely tough, almost driving Xiang Yu mad, with mechanical repetition day after day, without thought, only believing and practicing. Lu Heng joined a club, but wasn't particularly outstanding, as substitue with uncertain prospects of moving to the key player and playing in the league. Both of them were busy, and their meetings became less frequent. Lu Heng still visited Xiang Yu whenever he had a chance to go home. Once, while they were sitting together, Xiang Yu fell asleep leaning against him. Lu Heng felt deep pity and didn't dare waste her precious time.
After the college entrance exam, Xiang Yu got into an ordinary university, and Lu Heng continued as a substitue . Xiang Yu's parents hardly cared for her, so she relied on her grandmother. Goes into university made finances tighter, so Xiang Yu found part time jobs to support herself, like giving out leaflets at the entrance, promoting products in supermarkets, and occasionally working as receptionist during exhibitions. Lu Heng offered several times to give her his stipend, but Xiang Yu refused. She didn't want to get too entangled at this stage. Lu Heng could only bring her snacks, fruits, and books when he visited, since she would reject anything else. In her free time, Xiang Yu knitted a scarf for Lu Heng, deep gray and finely made, which took considerable effort. Lu Heng was overjoyed to receive it but was reluctant to use it. Xiang Yu scolded him, saying, "If you don't use it, it's a waste of my effort. Besides, I can always knit another one later." Only then did Lu Heng wear it with care.
When Xiang Yu was 20, her grandmother suddenly fell ill, and the doctor advised her to prepare for the worst. Xiang Yu devoutly prayed at the temple, willing to trade her life for her grandmother's, even if only two years for one. But the gods didn't answer. Her parents visited a few times, but most of the care fell on Xiang Yu. Fortunately, they paid the hospital bills and gave Xiang Yu some money for living expenses. Lu Heng found out about a week later. He went to her school but couldn't find her, then learned from her classmates that something had happened at home and she had taken two weeks off. He went to her house but didn't find her there either and finally located her at the hospital after asking the neighbors. When he found Xiang Yu, she was wiping her grandmother's face and hands, looking exhausted. Lu Heng urged her to go home and sleep, promising to stay and call her if anything happened. Xiang Yu refused, so Lu Heng rented a lounge chair for her to sleep on, ready to wake her if needed. Xiang Yu quickly fell asleep. Her grandmother was still unconscious, and Lu Heng sat between them, feeling pained as he alternated his gaze between the frail old woman and the worn-out Xiang Yu. She had become thin and frail, bearing too much burden for someone so young. High school had deprived her of sleep, university required her to work, and now her grandmother's illness weighed on her. Lu Heng visited the hospital every night to let Xiang Yu get some extra rest.
One night, her grandmother opened her eyes. Lu Heng joyfully woke Xiang Yu. Her grandmother weakly called out, "My dear,my dear "her voice barely audible. Xiang Yu responded, "Grandma,grandma, I am here, I am here, don't worry." Then her grandmother struggled to grab Lu Heng's hand but couldn't speak, only making hoarse sounds. Lu Heng leaned close and whispered in her ear, "Grandma, don't worry, I'll take care of Xiang Yu and be good to her for life." The old lady used her last bit of strength to squeeze their hands, then fell still. Xiang Yu cried until she couldn't breathe, and Lu Heng held her, soothing her with gentle pats on the back, repeatedly calling her "My dear."