When autumn arrived, Zhou Siping said he had something to tell Xiang Yu but didn't want to say it over the phone and insisted on face to face meeting. Zhou Siping was in his crucial third year of middle school, so Xiang Yu was initially reluctant to take up his time, but he insisted, so they arranged to meet at the ice cream shop they used to visit. When Siping saw Xiang Yu, he hesitated, unable to start, and then finally mustered the courage to say, "Xiang Yu, I'm in love!"
"What? Are you crazy!" Xiang Yu couldn't help but frown, "It's your critical third year! What are you thinking, Zhou Siping? Can't you control yourself?" She scolded him like an elder sister would scold her younger brother, "Who is it?"
"Someone you know... I just, well, I thought it would be hard to explain over the phone, so I wanted to tell you in person..."
"Someone I know?" Xiang Yu thought for a moment, "I know? Could it be... could it be Han Xing?" Her eyes widened.
Zhou Siping's face turned red, but he nodded. "Who else could it be?"
"But you two are so far apart, not even in the same country. You two..." Xiang Yu didn't know what to say.
"Xiang Yu, aren't you happy for us?"
Xiang Yu couldn't help but roll her eyes, "Well, even though I don't know what to say, I still think it's wonderful." She smiled, "You two, I can't believe you've been keeping this from me."
Zhou Siping smiled too and said, "Han Xing said you would definitely say that when you found out."
Xiang Yu couldn't help but feel a bit worried, "Siping, you must focus on your high school entrance exams. Don't let your relationship interfere with your studies."
Siping nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, Han Xing and I have thought about it. Once she graduates from high school, she'll come back to China for college, or I'll go to Japan for university, so we can be together. I plan to start learning Japanese when I enter high school next year."
Xiang Yu was impressed, "Siping, you and Han Xing have thought so far ahead? I used to think you were still kids, but hearing you say all this, I realize you've thought a lot."
"What do you mean 'you were still kids'? You're no different. We're the same age, aren't we?" Xiang Yu tilted her head and smiled, "I always forget that I'm still a kid."
"By the way, Xiang Yu, have you seen Xiao Zhanyuan recently? How is he doing in his new place?"
"Yes, I saw him after military training. He's tanned like charcoal but has grown taller and stronger. He seems to be doing well. I haven't seen him in a while, though."
"Yeah, I haven't seen him for a long time either. How about we meet up during National Day and go to the riverbank to watch the lights?"
"That sounds great. I'll call him and let him know. Oh, by the way, I want to invite Lu Heng, my desk mate, to join us. Is that okay?"
"Of course! I've heard so much about your desk mate; it would be great to finally meet him."
Xiang Yu thought for a moment, "Let's plan the 2nd day of our holiday. We can have dinner together and then go to see the lights. I'll contact Lu Heng and Xiao Zhanyuan. And don't forget to study hard for your exams."
"And," Xiang Yu added, "you and Han Xing must take good care of each other!"Siping smiled and nodded. They then parted ways and headed home.