Opening of the study

After the beginning of spring, the wind in Shanghai finally brought a touch of warmth. Hanging on the wooden door of Chenye's study was a newly painted wooden plaque. Qi Chen had personally carved the characters "Chenye" ​​with a gentle, forceful touch. Two small brass bells hung in the corners of the plaque, jingling softly in the wind, much like the soul-calming bell Qi Chen once carried with him.

Lu Ye stood in his study, climbing a ladder to tidy up the top bookshelf. Qi Chen had specially commissioned a veteran carpenter to build the bookshelf. Made of dark brown solid wood, it carried a faint woody fragrance. It was filled with old books and storytelling objects they had collected from all over the world. Master Mo's "Notes on the Mysterious World" was prominently displayed, alongside Mr. Lin's letter and Shen Yurong's theater tickets. Lower down, Grandma Chen's stuffed rabbit and Su Wan's pocket watch were displayed. Each item had a small label, inscribed with its story.

"Be careful, don't fall." Qi Chen came over with two cups of hot coffee and placed them on the wooden table by the window. His eyes fell on Lu Ye's slightly raised trouser legs - there was still a shallow scar there from being scratched by seaweed in the reef area last year. Although it had healed, it had become one of the most precious marks in the hearts of the two.

Lu Ye came down from the ladder and took the coffee. His fingertips touched the warmth of the cup, and his heart warmed. "Don't worry, I'm not that stupid." He smiled and took a sip. He added two spoonfuls of sugar to the coffee, the sweetness that Qi Chen remembered he liked. "By the way, Chen Zhe said he'll bring Lele here today, and Researcher Zhou too. Will they have trouble finding the place?"

"I've hung a signpost at the entrance of the alley," Qi Chen pointed out the window. A small wooden sign with a simple sketch of our study hung on the old locust tree at the entrance. "Also, everyone in the alley knows we've opened a study. Maybe some of our neighbors will come and show their support."

As soon as the words fell, the bell at the door rang. Lele came in, holding Grandma Chen's stuffed rabbit, followed by Chen Zhe and Researcher Zhou. "Brother Lu Ye! Brother Qi Chen! The study is so beautiful!" Lele's eyes sparkled as he stared at the stuffed rabbit on the bookshelf. "Grandma's rabbit is here too!"

Chen Zhe was holding a food box filled with freshly made osmanthus cake, a flavor Lu Ye loved. "Congratulations on your grand opening! I don't have anything special to give you, so I made some snacks you'll love." He placed the food box on the table, glanced at the old items on the bookshelf, and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to keep all these things so well. Coming to my study from now on will be like visiting an exhibition of memories."

Researcher Zhou brought a yellowed, thread-bound book with the title "Wangchuanhai Yiwenlu" (Records of Strange Stories) on the cover. He had found it in the archives. "This book records Lanyin's story," he handed it to Qi Chen. "You can keep it in your study. Maybe it can help others with obsessions."

Qi Chen took the book and opened it to the first page. Inside was a small photo—a photograph of Wangchuan Sea. The sun was shining brightly, and there was no fog on the surface. Only a few seagulls were flying. "Thank you, Uncle Zhou," he said softly. "This book is very meaningful. We will take good care of it."

At ten o'clock in the morning, the study officially opened. There was no grand ceremony, just a few familiar friends gathered together, drinking coffee, eating osmanthus cakes, and chatting about the past. Lele sat on a small chair by the window, flipping through the fairy tale book Qi Chen had found for her, occasionally looking up to ask about the stuffed rabbit, and Qi Chen patiently answered each question.

Lu Ye leaned against Qi Chen, looking at the scene before him, his heart filled with peace of mind. He remembered last winter, when he was still struggling in the waters of the reef area. At that time, his greatest wish was for Qi Chen to come back. Now, not only has his wish come true, they also have their own study, and there are so many people who care about them around them.

"Oh, right," Researcher Zhou said, taking a sip of coffee and suddenly remembering something. "Recently, the library in the old city was sorting out old books and discovered a batch of manuscripts from the Republican era. Among them was an unfinished novel. It's said the author was a female student named Gu Qingci. Due to the war, the manuscript wasn't published, and she disappeared. The people at the library said they hear crying near the manuscript at night. Maybe it's Gu Qingci's ghost looking for her manuscript."

Lu Ye and Qi Chen looked at each other and saw a tacit understanding in each other's eyes. Their original intention of opening the study was not only to run a bookstore, but also to help those stubborn souls to fulfill their wishes, just like they did together back then.

"Shall we go to the library tomorrow?" Lu Ye asked softly. Qi Chen nodded and reached out to hold his hand: "Okay, let's go together."

In the afternoon, friends gradually left, and the study fell silent. Lu Ye sat by the window, sorting old books, while Qi Chen was writing something behind the counter. Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on them in a warm glow. Lu Ye occasionally looked up, and seeing Qi Chen's serious profile, the corners of his mouth would unconsciously rise - this was the life he wanted, with Qi Chen, books, and a warm daily life.

"What are you thinking about?" Qi Chen put down his pen and walked over to sit next to Lu Ye, holding a piece of paper with the words "Chen Ye's Study Storybook" written on it. "I want to write down every obsession story we encounter and put it in the study. Maybe someone will see it in the future and remember their own story, and help them untie the knot in their heart."

Lu Ye took the paper and traced Qi Chen's handwriting with his fingertips. His eyes warmed slightly. "Okay, let's write together and record the stories of Su Qingyuan, Shen Yurong, Xiaoya, Lanyin and others. Let more people know that behind every obsession is a heart that longs to be understood."

Qi Chen pulled Lu Ye into his arms, resting his chin on the top of his head, and said in a gentle voice: "We will write and experience every story together in the future."

The wind blew gently outside the window, the copper bell rang softly, and the old books on the bookshelf swayed slightly, as if answering their promise. The story of Shenye Study has just begun.