On the way back, both were still deeply affected by what they had heard that day, yet they also felt a tinge of doubt about their own relationship. During her New Year's trip, Xiang Yu had realized her feelings for Xiao Zhanyuan and hated herself for her lack of resolve, feeling that she had harmed both herself and others. In her previous life, she believed that Xiao Zhanyuan had caused Lu Heng's downfall, but now she felt immense guilt, knowing it was her indecision and hesitance that had harmed both Lu Heng and Xiao Zhanyuan. If she hadn't wavered and tried to hold onto both, things might not have turned out the way they did. Relationships, no matter how deeply in love, are never easy. Betrayal, suspicion, and disappointment create chasms that separate hearts, while unchecked temptations and desires can corrode feelings and alienate souls. Ordinary people, each with their own flaws and misfortunes, often struggle through life.
With their minds preoccupied, they grew more silent. Xiang Yu was naturally reserved and had only focused on Lu Heng because of her attachment to him. Now, with self-reflection adding to her inner turmoil, she became even more withdrawn. Lu Heng, usually much more outgoing, also walked silently for some reason. When they reached her building, he didn't go up but gave her a gentle hug and said goodbye. After she got home, even her grandmother noticed something was off, feeling that Xiang Yu seemed listless. But even Xiang Yu couldn't pinpoint the reason. When asked if they had argued, she denied it, leaving her grandmother unsure how to console her. She said, "My little girl, in a relationship, it's all about caring for each other. Sometimes you take a loss, sometimes the other person does. You've always been decisive and never worried us, but most things in life don't go as planned. We just keep moving forward, and that's how life goes by." Xiang Yu hugged her grandmother, burying her head in her embrace. In her previous life, when her grandmother passed away, she had wished she could hold her again, willing to pay any price. Now, she was holding her real, living grandmother. Xiang Yu took a deep breath. People often fail to see what they have and greedily seek more, drifting further from their true selves and happiness. She smiled in her grandmother's arms.
Xiang Yu felt she had gained some clarity about her own hypocritical and greedy nature. Lu Heng's love for her was always warm and steadfast, while Xiao Zhanyuan's intense and impulsive feelings dazzled her. She had lost herself to these emotions, failing to understand love. Even after living another life, she hadn't made much progress and couldn't face her true feelings. Who did she really love? Life relentlessly pushes us forward, and ignorance might be a kind of blessing, sparing us from pain and regret. Yet, as mere mortals, we can never be so fortunate.
After parting with Xiang Yu, Lu Heng also felt uneasy. He knew that Xiang Yu had always treated him differently, but this only made him more confused. Why him? Why did she choose him? She was so beautiful and wonderful, yet she had inexplicably chosen him. This was his heartache. He always felt that Xiang Yu seemed to be looking at him but not really seeing him. They had known each other since they were young, so if there were another person or if he were a substitute, it wouldn't make sense. Lu Heng always thought there was something wrong with him, but this had become almost an obsession. When Xiang Yu saw him, it was as if she recognized him, and they had always been close. Yet, why did he still feel worried and afraid?
Each with their own concerns, they didn't know how to express them.