Chapter 42 - 42

  Shortly after the agricultural camp ended, the students were divided into science and arts divisions. In this life, Xiang Yu chose the science division. Her chemistry grades were much stronger than her physics grades, whereas it was the opposite for Lu Heng. Therefore, she chose chemistry, and Lu Heng chose physics. Most of the time, they still studied together, but their academic life was extremely busy. Every day was filled with endless practice tests, corrections, memorization, and recitations. It felt like being a spinning top, endlessly rotating, yet they dared not slack off.

  Xiang Yu hadn't seen Zhou Siping and Xiao Zhanyuan for a long time. Xiao Zhanyuan's school was better than hers, so she could imagine his study intensity was also greater. He must be busier and working even harder than she was. Zhou Siping occasionally called Xiang Yu. He said that Han Xing was very likely to stay in Japan, so he was determined to go there for university as well. Siping was a practical person. He not only started learning Japanese but also openly stated to his family that he intended to study abroad in Japan. Being the only child of three generations, he was dearly loved like a treasure. His grandparents were reluctant to let him go, fearing they might never see him again. Even his childhood nanny cried and couldn't bear to part with him. His parents, however, had a more open attitude. As long as he made up his mind, they would support him. However, Han Xing's attitude was not very clear; she neither agreed nor disagreed. "Anyway, I'm definitely going to be with her," Siping said candidly. But Xiang Yu was deeply affected. She hadn't expected that among the three of them who grew up together, it would be the usually mild-mannered Siping who would be the most determined and brave. She thought about herself, recalling her original intention when she returned to being seven years old.

  One evening, everyone was buried in their sea of questions, the classroom so quiet it was as if no one was there. Xiang Yu raised her head to rub her eyes and saw the setting sun outside the window. The sky was resplendent with smoke and clouds, showcasing shades of light red, crimson, deep red, orange, pale gold, twilight purple, and gray-blue—all blending together in a breathtaking display. Xiang Yu was stunned, unable to look away. After a while, she got up and turned off all the lights in the classroom. Everyone looked up in confusion, then noticed the stunning view outside that they had almost always ignored. Someone went out first, leaning on the corridor railing, and soon almost everyone followed, standing in a row silently watching the sunset until all the light faded into darkness.

  "Lu Heng, we must work hard and achieve our dreams together," Xiang Yu said.

  Lu Heng solemnly nodded at Xiang Yu, "We will."

  The lights in the classroom turned on again, and everyone returned to their seats, continuing to write silently as if nothing had happened. Lu Heng stole a glance at Xiang Yu. She was seriously working on a problem, a few soft strands of hair covering one side of her face. Her eyes were as determined and bright as ever. Lu Heng withdrew his gaze, calmed his mind, and began to study earnestly.