The opportunity came faster than expected. Xiang Yu's mother came home to take her out for dinner and mentioned that she and Xiang Yu's father were going to separate, asking whom she wanted to stay with. Xiang Yu didn't care at all. Would the person she wanted to stay with even want her? "I'll stay with Grandma; just provide us enough living expenses," she said coldly, as if it didn't concern her at all. Her mother forced a smile, "You're a girl, why don't you stay with your mother? I've been making some money lately, so supporting you won't be a problem." Xiang Yu barely curled her lips, "Mom, if you feel that I am your responsiblity, just give more living expenses so I can live well with Grandma. If I stay with you, it's inconvenient for you and no good for me. It's meaningless, right?" Her mother can not say anything at Xiang Yu's words. "At such a young age, how can you be so cold-hearted? Other kids would be sad or upset hearing about their parents' separation, but you seem to have anticipated it, without any emotional fluctuation, even calmer than me." She thought she would need to nervously break the news to Xiang Yu, but it turned out to be unnecessary.
As Xiang Yu ate, she said to her mother, "Mom, the evening paper says stock subscription license are issued and released. Can you buy some?" Her mother was surprised, "Oh, Mr. Zhang just mentioned this to me." She hesitated and looked away awkwardly, "Mr. Zhang is a business associate." Xiang Yu understood and moved on, "That's even better; it shows this money-making method is feasible. Mom, if you make money on stocks, share some with me!" "Why do you need so much money at such a young age?" "To save for the future," Xiang Yu said seriously. "I want to save more money so that when you're not around, Grandma and I can have more security." Her mother felt a pang of guilt and was touched by Xiang Yu's concern. "Alright, if I make money from stocks, I'll share half with you."
"And, Mom," Xiang Yu continued after some thought, "I heard there's a lot of municipal construction happening, and our place might get demolished. If you make money, shouldn't you buy an apartment?" "Buy an apartment?" Her mother looked doubtful. "Apartments are rationed by the company, why should we buy one?" "You're doing your own business now, you aren't under any of the government owned company? And since you and Dad are separating, are you going to live back to your parents' apartment forever? That apartment now belongs to Uncle, your brother, Mon, you should have your own place." Her mother's gaze softened, showing a mix of trust and reliance. "How did you, such a young girl, develop such a mind? Thinking of things even adults don't consider. I don't know who you take after." "Just think about it if it makes sense," Xiang Yu said with a hint of playfulness. "Mom, could you also persuade Dad to buy one? Then leave the current apartment to Grandma and me. Is that okay?" Her mother hadn't expected this. She initially took Xiang Yu out to talk about the separation and had anticipated Xiang Yu might cry or disagree, but she didn't expect her to negotiate. Feeling both sorrowful and relieved, she said, "Alright, I'll try to meet your requests."