Sometimes Xiang Yu feels like an unstoppable gear, waking up to the alarm in the morning with a sense of daze. But perhaps that's life—after the daze, life goes on. Even though she might spend a few minutes lost in thought in bed, she realizes that with life filled with countless things, there's no need for overthinking. Life is still full, and too much pondering might just leave one blank. Yet Xiang Yu manages to snap out of it, quickly getting up, tying her hair, and heading to the playground for a run. Xiang Yu doesn't consider herself smart or goal-oriented, feeling like in her past life, she drifted through without purpose. Even in this life, though it's better in many ways, it's not because she's smarter but because she has the previous life as reference, knowing she wants to spend time with her grandmother and Lu Heng, knowing she needs to prepare. Despite being careful in her journey so far, attending a good university, accumulating some wealth, she still feels uneasy at times. But perhaps everyone's life is like this—filled with ups and downs, joy, pain, regrets, fears, and more, and all one can do is push forward.
After finishing afternoon classes, Xiangyu took a few bus stops to the nearby Foreign Language University to find a suitable French training course. The receptionist informed her that the current session had already started, suggesting she wait for the next one or join mid-term, with fees adjusted accordingly. Since she had a foundation, Xiangyu decided to join mid-term and asked to see the textbook to gauge where to start. The teacher, enthusiastic, checked the progress and showed her the materials. Feeling confident she could catch up, Xiangyu paid the fees, got the textbook, and had her ID photo taken for a student card, which was handed to her along with the schedule and materials. She was advised to do the previous lessons' exercises to familiarize herself with the course before leaving for her own school.
On her way, Xiang Yu bought an egg pancake, not feeling hungry, and went straight to the school library. Pulling out her newly acquired textbook, she started working on the exercises with a pencil, silently reading. Lost in her own world, she didn't notice the time passing until she glanced at the clock—it was already past nine, and darkness had fallen outside, the leaves rustling in the wind. Just as she was lost in thought, someone lightly tapped her shoulder. Turning, she saw a fellow French major, Zhang Xiaoyue, with sparkling eyes, asking if she wanted to head back to the dorm together. Xiangyu, ready to leave, nodded and quickly packed her things, walking out of the library with Zhang Xiaoyue.
"Xiangyu, you actually know French!" Zhang Xiaoyue exclaimed, linking her arm with Xiangyu's. "I learned a little before, and I just enrolled in a training class at the Foreign Language University today," Xiangyu replied honestly. "That's fantastic, you must come join us!" Zhang Xiaoyue insisted, "You're perfect for our French drama club. We need you." Perplexed, Xiangyu asked what she meant. "Of course, our French drama club," Zhang Xiaoyue affirmed, eagerly explaining the details all the way back to the dorm. Xiangyu couldn't get a word in edgewise and found herself agreeing by the time they reached her room. As Zhang Xiaoyue left, promising to come find her next Tuesday afternoon for the club activity, Xiangyu couldn't help but feel amused and bemused by the whole encounter.