"Xiang Yu, seeing you gives me a strange sense of calm," Zhou Siping said with a smile as they sat down to eat. His smile, however, evoked a feeling of weariness in Xiang Yu, and she couldn't help but look at Siping with some worry. The three friends hadn't seen each other for a long time. The food hadn't arrived yet, but the beer they ordered did, and they started drinking. "We were too young before, and we were all good kids, so we never drank together. This is our first time drinking together!" Xiang Yu exclaimed, "I'll finish this glass first." She raised her glass, but before it reached her lips, a hand pressed it down. "Drink slowly, it's easy to get drunk on an empty stomach," Xiao Zhanyuan's voice was calm yet clear. Siping had already downed half a glass and just looked at the two of them with a somewhat meaningful smile, then silently finished the remaining half. Xiang Yu quickly took his glass away, "Okay, I'll give it back to you once the food arrives." Siping laughed indifferently, "Well, your old temper has returned. We all used to be under your protective umbrella, and you always took care of us." Xiang Yu was taken aback, "Was I like that when we were kids?"
After a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, the three of them were a bit tipsy. They ate slowly but talked more. Siping gradually mentioned Han Xing, "She said she can't be with me." Siping paused, followed by a long silence. "The company doesn't allow it. She said she wants to chase her dreams and become someone who shines brightly." Siping's tone was calm, as if he wasn't talking about something that happened to him, yet it seemed like he had used a lot of effort to say these few words. "But," Xiang Yu, also slightly drunk, hesitated for a long time but couldn't say anything. She wanted to defend Han Xing, silently asking, "But what's wrong with pursuing dreams?" But she couldn't say it. Looking at Siping, she really couldn't say it. Yes, what's wrong with pursuing dreams? But what's wrong with holding on to love? The two conflicting thoughts tugged at her heart, making it hard for her to speak. "What are your plans?" Xiao Zhanyuan asked calmly. "Me?" Siping's voice was light but firm, "I said I would stay with her. Even if she breaks her promise, I will keep mine and stay there with her." Xiang Yu was moved, looking up at Siping. His youthful face was no longer as soft as before; now, it was well-defined. But his heart remained the same as when he was a boy, steadfast and sincere. Xiang Yu felt her eyes slightly warm. She quickly drank the wine in her glass but didn't know what to say, whether to comfort or encourage. She just reached out and gently shook Siping's arm. Siping smiled and nodded at her.
After dinner, to sober up, the three of them took a walk by the river and reminisced about watching fireworks together when they were kids. "Do you remember when we used to climb to the rooftop of the old house to watch the sunset? Today, let's sit by the river and watch the sunset," Xiang Yu suggested. The three of them found a spot by the river and sat down, staring at the water in a daze. The sunset cast a golden-red glow over the river. They were young, healthy, and full of potential, yet watching the half-golden, half-red sunset made them feel somewhat confused. Siping's holiday was long, and he would be home for several weeks. He suggested visiting each of their schools. He also mentioned that with a few days off for New Year's, they could go on a short trip together. Xiang Yu wasn't sure if Xiao Zhanyuan could afford it, but Xiao Zhanyuan quickly agreed. Under Siping's expectant gaze, Xiang Yu nodded as well. Since Siping had the most free time, they left the planning to him. Xiang Yu privately voiced her concerns about Zhanyuan's finances to Siping. After hearing her out, Siping rolled his eyes at her, "You're worrying too much. You underestimate Zhanyuan. Do you remember in middle school when he was already earning money by helping others run their shops? Now he's in military medical school with full tuition coverage and some subsidies. Besides, he works part-time and makes small investments. For example, I brought back a lot of stuff for him this time. I heard he even made some money trading foreign currencies. Stop worrying, okay? Do you think I'm clueless? We'll just have fun when the time comes." Xiang Yu stared at Zhou Siping in amazement and sighed, "You really have grown up!" Siping looked at her helplessly and shook his head.