Rainy day cataplexy

Life unfolds like the leaves of the old locust tree at the entrance of Anping Alley, gradually growing greener without anyone noticing. Lin Zhiyi became a regular visitor to "Time Sequence," maintaining a frequency that was comfortable for both of them, neither too enthusiastic nor too distant.

Sometimes she would bring newly discovered teas, sometimes just a non-fiction book she thought would interest him. Their conversations gradually broadened, from the intricate world of clockwork mechanics to impressions of a particular book, and then to reflections on the changes in a shop on an old street. Lu Shixu remained relatively quiet, but Lin Zhiyi could sense that the initial, icy distance between them was slowly melting away. He would occasionally ask about the progress of her manuscript, or offer a few calm yet insightful analyses when she talked about her work troubles.

It was a Saturday afternoon, and the sky was just beginning to brighten, but suddenly thick dark clouds gathered, and the sky quickly darkened, with a humid, oppressive atmosphere filling the air, as if a downpour was imminent.

"Looks like it's going to rain." Lin Zhiyi looked at the tree branches swaying wildly in the wind outside the window, a little worried. She hadn't brought an umbrella today.

"Yeah, just showers, it shouldn't last too long." Lu Shixu was tidying up a set of extremely fine screwdrivers, replying without looking up. His tone carried an air of certainty that he knew the weather on this old street inside and out.

No sooner had he finished speaking than large raindrops began to fall without warning, pattering against the tiles and window frames, instantly forming a curtain of rain, enveloping the world in the sound of the downpour.

"You were right." Lin Zhiyi looked at the blurry scenery outside the window and sighed. "We can only wait and wait before we leave."

Lu Shixu put down his tools, got up and walked to a small cubicle at the back of the shop—it seemed to be a simple tea room. He brought out two white porcelain cups filled with freshly brewed hot tea, steaming with wisps of white vapor.

"Have some hot tea to get rid of the dampness." He handed one of the cups to Lin Zhiyi.

"Thank you." Lin Zhiyi accepted the cup, the warmth spreading from the cup to her palm, dispelling the slight chill of the rainy day. The two sat across the workbench, listening to the noisy rain outside, which made the ticking of the clock inside sound even clearer, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere of seclusion.

"The sound of the rain mixed with the ticking of the clock is quite pleasant," Lin Zhiyi said softly, taking a sip of tea. It was a mellow black tea with a hint of longan sweetness.

“Hmm,” Lu Shixu also picked up his teacup, his gaze falling on the misty rain outside the window. He seemed to remember something, and his eyes became somewhat distant. “My grandmother used to love sitting by the window on rainy days like this, listening to the rain and doing needlework. She said that the sound of rain is the whisper of the sky, and the ticking of clocks is the pulse of the earth.”

This was the first time he had brought up his family and the past on his own initiative. Lin Zhiyi's heart stirred slightly, and she cautiously replied, "It sounds like Grandma was a very gentle and poetic person."

Lu Shixu's lips curved into a nostalgic smile, a smile that was unusually tender and unguarded.

"Yes. She is very gentle. This watch shop was originally run by her and her grandfather. Her grandfather was in charge of repairing the large and complicated watches, while she was good at cleaning, maintaining and winding small pocket watches. She always said that every watch that is brought here carries a piece of time and a story, and deserves to be treated gently."

His voice wasn't loud, and mixed with the sound of rain, it had a kind of captivating, gentle charm. Lin Zhiyi held her breath, afraid of disturbing this rare moment of conversation.

“She passed away peacefully.” Lu Shixu’s voice lowered, and the weariness and sadness in his eyes resurfaced, thick and unyielding. “She was sitting in the chair she always sat in, holding her favorite enamel pocket watch in her hand, as if… she was just asleep.”

As he spoke, his emotions visibly fluctuated; his fingers tightened slightly around the teacup, his knuckles turning white. The deep-seated sorrow from his memories seemed to strike him at that moment.

Just as Lin Zhiyi was about to say something comforting, she saw Lu Shixu's body suddenly sway!

The white porcelain cup in his hand suddenly slipped from his grasp and shattered on the ground with a sharp crack, splashing warm tea everywhere.

He himself seemed to have all his strength and consciousness drained away in an instant, and without warning, he softly fell to the side!

"Time sequence!"

Lin Zhiyi was terrified and cried out in shock, nearly dropping the cup in her hand. Almost instinctively, she rushed forward and, before his body made full contact with the cold, hard ground, she managed to stop him from falling with her not-so-strong body.

He leaned against her, his head drooping limply on her shoulder, his breathing steady and long, as if... he had fallen into a deep sleep.

But this is definitely not normal sleep!

Lin Zhiyi knelt on the ground, supporting his thin but unusually heavy body, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Broken porcelain shards and tea were at his feet, and the aroma of black tea filled the air, mingling with the eerie, terrifying silence.

She looked at his sleeping face, so close to hers, peaceful as a baby's, a stark contrast to his earlier sorrowful narration. A wave of panic washed over her like icy rain outside the window, leaving her utterly helpless.

This is not "slacking off on time".

This is simply... a sudden collapse of time.