Lu Heng saw Xiao Zhanyuan and Xiang Yu from a distance. Under the streetlights, they walked closely together, moving slowly. Lu Heng had an impulse to rush up and question Xiang Yu, but what right did he have? Who was he to her? He was startled by his own thoughts, stepped back, and hid behind a tree along the path. He heard their footsteps getting closer and vaguely heard Xiao Zhanyuan saying, "I'll come pick you up again tomorrow. Get some good rest and drink plenty of water." Xiang Yu replied softly, "Okay." Xiao Zhanyuan escorted Xiang Yu upstairs and then left. Lu Heng stood downstairs for a long time, his mind blank. He didn't know how he eventually got home. He collapsed on his bed, his heart full of bitterness and frustration. Xiang Yu had clearly told him they would be together in the future, yet he didn't even have the courage to question her. All he could do was sulk and feel silently sad. Around ten o'clock, Lu Heng decided to call Xiang Yu. When she answered, her voice was soft, slightly hoarse, and lazy, as she sleepily said, "Hello." Lu Heng's anger seemed to dissipate instantly. "Xiang Yu," he called her name, "Xiang Yu, how did you do on your exams? I called several times this afternoon, but you weren't home." "Oh, pretty good," Xiang Yu replied with a hint of a smile in her voice. "Xiang Yu, can we meet tomorrow?" Lu Heng asked. "No, not tomorrow," Xiang Yu refused straightforwardly, "How about in a few days? I want to rest these next few days; I'm really tired." Lu Heng was silent. "What's wrong? Is it something urgent?" Xiang Yu asked. "Nothing important," Lu Heng replied, "I just want to see you." Xiang Yu laughed lightly, "How about three days from now, at the school gate at six-thirty in the evening? I want to take another look at the school; we can go together, okay?" "Okay," Lu Heng agreed, not knowing what else to say. "Then see you then!" Xiang Yu hung up and fell back into a deep sleep.
When Xiang Yu woke up in the morning, she felt much better, though she knew from experience that fevers could be unpredictable. After washing up and having breakfast, she noticed her grandmother had gone out for tai chi and grocery shopping and wouldn't be back for a while. Having nothing to do after the exams felt strange to Xiang Yu, as she was not used to having so much free time. She thought to herself, sometimes habits can lead to a sense of emptiness when broken. She pulled out a poetry book to read. "I like for you to be still: it is as though you are absent, distant and dull of sorrow, as though you had died. One word then, one smile, is enough, and I'm happy, happy that's not true." Xiang Yu thought silently, it had been a long time since she had read poetry. There are so many beautiful things in the world, like poetry, often overlooked in the midst of busyness, yet they remain beautiful.
When her grandmother returned from grocery shopping, Xiang Yu went to the kitchen to help with the cooking. The two of them usually prepared a simple meal with one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and a soup. Today, her grandmother had bought fresh plum fish, which she fried and then soaked in soy sauce to make a delicious dish. They also made stir-fried bok choy with mushrooms and gluten, and preserved vegetable and egg soup for lunch. Her grandmother didn't ask how her exams went; instead, Xiang Yu asked her grandmother, "Grandma, I'm going to university soon. I worry about you being home alone." Her grandmother laughed, "Don't worry about me. I know how to take care of myself. Besides, we old sisters live so close to each other, we always look out for each other. Grandma Xiudi has been living alone for over ten years since her husband passed away. She didn't want to stay with her son to avoid being a bother. If it weren't for you keeping me company, I'd be the same. And you're not going to a university far away; you'll come back on weekends, and I'll cook delicious meals for you." Xiang Yu forced a smile and nodded.