Xiao Zhanyuan rubbed his forehead, "Now you know, Xiang Yu. What are you going to do about it?" Danger, it was dangerous. Xiang Yu's heart was racing. She didn't know what to say, so she pressed her lips tightly together, remaining silent. But she knew very well that she had to face this seriously. She kept telling herself to stay calm. However, Xiao Zhanyuan didn't give her time to think. "Xiang Yu, are you scared? Why are you scared when you hear that I like you? What are you afraid of?"
"I'm not scared." There was a tremor in Xiang Yu's voice, but she tried her best to control it. "I'm just surprised by a sudden confession." She kept her eyes downcast, not letting her emotions show.
"Surprised? I don't believe no one has ever confessed to you. Don't you know how beautiful you are?"
Xiang Yu let out a bitter laugh. "Beautiful? I really don't understand why anyone would like someone as cold and lifeless as me." Her voice, almost breaking with emotion, carried a hint of tears, her throat tight, making it hard to continue.
Xiao Zhanyuan reached out and hugged her. "Don't say that. Don't you know how beautiful you are? Xiang Yu, I like you, really, very, very much. It feels like I've liked you for a long, long time, as if I liked you even before I met you. Xiang Yu, I know you like Lu Heng. I've tried to control myself, but this feeling is uncontrollable. No matter what you think, no matter how you are, I like you and can't stop liking you."
In the moment Xiao Zhanyuan hugged her, Xiang Yu wanted to struggle, but the overwhelming memories from her past life made her freeze. She listened to Xiao Zhanyuan's words in a daze, her mind blank, unable to think, but instinctively wanting to escape. In her heart, a name repeated over and over: Lu Heng, Lu Heng, Lu Heng.
When she finally regained her senses, Xiang Yu decisively pushed Xiao Zhanyuan away, speaking almost in a frantic tone, "You know I like Lu Heng, I've liked him for a long, long time. What are you trying to do today?" Xiang Yu frowned, staring unblinkingly at Xiao Zhanyuan, her heart filled with pain and fear.
Xiao Zhanyuan's mouth curved into a self-deprecating smile. He seemed to be explaining, or perhaps just sighing softly, "What am I trying to do? Xiang Yu, I always had a little hope in my heart that maybe you would choose me. I said I love you, hoping maybe you would choose me."
Xiang Yu's heart sank deeper and deeper, the pain making her eyes redden. But she kept her mouth tightly shut and forced out a few words through gritted teeth, "Impossible." Brief and blunt, like a dagger revealing its blade.
Xiao Zhanyuan's mouth lifted in a slight smile, but his whole demeanor was sorrowful, as if about to break. He nodded lightly, not insisting further, "Alright, I understand. Xiang Yu, I'll go now. You get some rest." He turned to leave, and Xiang Yu heard him politely say goodbye to her grandmother, who scolded Xiang Yu for not seeing her guest out. Then came the sound of the door closing.
Xiang Yu looked at the glass on the desk, the Coke fizzing with bubbles, making a soft hissing sound. She reached out to touch the glass, the cold sensation deepening the chill in her heart. "What are you doing, Xiang Yu?" the voice in her mind kept saying. "What are you going to do?" Her thoughts were in turmoil, her head pounding. She reached up to touch her forehead and felt the fever rising again. She lay down on the bed, trying not to think about anything.