They agreed to go back to their dorms to drop off their things and meet in half an hour at Liuyuan Restaurant across from the school. Xiang Yu shut down her computer, picked up her backpack, and was about to leave when she saw Xue Min standing there waiting for her. "Xiang Yu, let's go together. I don't know what everyone likes to eat, so you can help me order," he said. Xiang Yu nodded. As they walked out of the building, Xue Min asked if she needed to go back to her dorm. She shook her head, and they decided to head straight to the restaurant.
They chose a large round table and ordered various cold and hot dishes along with a case of beer. With no one else there yet, Xiang Yu told Xue Min she needed to make a phone call. Xue Min smiled, "So concerned?" Xiang Yu didn't explain and went out to the phone booth to call her grandmother and Lu Heng, informing them about the party and that she would stay in the dorm that night and return home the next day. Both of them reminded her to be safe and not stay out too late. Xiang Yu laughed, "Don't worry, the school has a curfew. I can't stay out too late." When she returned to the restaurant, the table was already full, with only a seat next to Xue Min left for her. She walked over, sat down, and placed her backpack under the table. Xue Min whispered, "Everything okay?" Xiang Yu smiled, "Yeah, I just told my family I'm staying in the dorm tonight." Xue Min seemed pleased, resting his chin in his hand and chuckling softly.
Someone came over to fill everyone's glasses with beer. Xiang Yu declined, saying she couldn't drink, but everyone insisted that a little beer didn't count as alcohol. The atmosphere quickly became lively, and as the restaurant filled up, it grew even noisier. After a few rounds, conversations grew louder. Before she knew it, Xiang Yu had finished a glass, her face flushed, and a smile playing at her lips. She felt a bit dizzy but oddly happy, realizing she actually enjoyed the lively atmosphere despite often keeping her distance out of fear of loss and disappointment. She reached for the bottle to pour herself another drink, but a hand covered her glass. She looked up, annoyed, to see Xue Min, who took the bottle from her hand and set it aside. Leaning closer, he said, "Drink slowly, eat something first, or you will soon a little bit drunk." Feeling a bit guilty, Xiang Yu nodded. Xue Min picked up a mushroom with his chopsticks and placed it in her bowl. She ate it quietly, and he then added chicken, jellyfish, and smoked fish to her bowl before peeling some shrimp and placing the meat in her bowl after wiping his hands with a damp towel.
Everyone had noticed Xue Min's actions, and when he placed the shrimp in her bowl, they began to tease. "Mr.Xue, I want some peeled shrimp too." Amid the laughter, Xiang Yu's voice was gentle yet clear, "I don't eat shrimp. I'm allergic." She removed the shrimp from her bowl and placed them back on the plate. "Thank you, Mr.Xue, I'm really sorry for the waste." It wasn't clear whether she meant the shrimp or Xue Min's efforts. A classmate poured her another glass, saying, "Then drink up. You're not allergic to alcohol." Xiang Yu took a sip. The atmosphere became lively again as everyone resumed their cheerful conversation. Xue Min whispered to Xiang Yu, "You don't eat shrimp? I've seen you eat them in the cafeteria." "Mr.Xue," Xiang Yu interrupted softly, "If I want to eat shrimp, I'll peel them myself." Xue Min's words stuck in his throat as he drank down his glass of beer and poured another. They didn't talk much after that. Luckily, Xiang Yu was naturally quiet, usually listening to others and only speaking briefly when asked a question, so this moment passed without much notice.