Chapter 15
The rest of the day, and the following Wednesday, was peaceful.
Lin Qi didn't disturb him again. She thought that she should leave him enough undisturbed time to read.
During this period, Chen Yan used all the spare time after work to finish reading the book "Flowers for Algernon".
From the beginning, there was the novelty and anticipation of Charlie Gordon's intelligence, to the middle part, the oppression of his loneliness and pain after seeing the truth of human nature, and finally, when Charlie's wisdom faded like quicksand and he turned back into his naive and foolish self, he still remembered laying flowers at the grave...
Chen Yan's heart was completely struck by a huge, silent sadness and tenderness.
He finally understood why Lin Qi chose this book.
I finally understood what kind of sober and almost cruel tenderness was hidden behind her words, "The smarter you are, the happier you are."
Wednesday, eleven o'clock at night.
The night outside the window is as dark as ink, and the city has fallen asleep.
Lin Qi had just put down his work and was about to take a break when his phone quietly lit up. It was Chen Yan.
[Chen Yan]: Sorry to bother you so late.
[Chen Yan]: I have finished reading the book.
Lin Qi's heart skipped a beat. She looked at the words, wondering what his opinion would be.
There was silence in the dialog box for nearly a minute.
This minute seemed particularly long to Lin Qi.
Then, his third message slowly popped up.
[Chen Yan]: You are right.
These four words were simple and direct, but they sounded like a bell, striking Lin Qi's heart heavily.
Before she could reply, a moment later, his last message came, with a hint of frank vulnerability that showed all his defenses were removed.
[Chen Yan]: Fortunately, I watched it at home.
Lin Qi looked at the words sent by Chen Yan on the mobile phone screen, "Fortunately, I was watching it at home", and his heart seemed to be gently grasped by an invisible hand.
She was a little surprised by his frankness, which showed that he had let down all his guard.
What followed was a complex mix of emotions. There was the joy of empathy, the feeling of having read the same book and shared the same emotions, but even more so, an inexplicable… heartache.
She seemed to be able to see how the man who was always calm, restrained and unperturbed was struck by a fictional story in his study late at night, and how he, alone, digested the huge sadness that surged up in him, belonging to Charlie Gordon.
He always sees so clearly and thoroughly.
Therefore, he will definitely feel more difficult than others.
After a few minutes, Lin Qi calmed himself down and slowly typed a line of words on the screen with his fingertips.
[Lin Qi]: It seems... you are going to become that person who has a hard time.
She returned to him the words he had used to describe her a few days ago, exactly as they were.
This is the highest level of understanding. I understand your loneliness, because we are the same.
Then, she was afraid that this sentence was too heavy, so she sent a message of comfort.
[Lin Qi]: The comforting thing is that Charlie Gordon never regretted becoming smart. For him, having experienced it in this life was enough.
She didn't say "Don't be sad" or "It's just a story." She chose to stand on the same level as him and use the logic in the book to resolve the sadness it brought.
Chen Yan looked at the two messages she sent, holding the phone, and did not move for a long time.
"You're going to be the one who has to work hard."
These words, like a precise echo, echoed from a distant valley, striking directly into the deepest, most unknown corner of his heart. This feeling left him with nowhere to hide, yet... a sense of relief.
Her second message was like a cup of warm water handed to him late at night, giving him the comfort he needed most.
He typed slowly, deleted and wrote again, and finally, issued the most candid response.
[Chen Yan]: Perhaps, I have always been.
Yes, he always was. But before he met her, he never thought that there would be someone who could see through this so easily.
[Chen Yan]: You're right. To have the opportunity to see the whole world, even just once, is better than living in darkness forever.
He paused for a long time, as if he had thousands of words to say, but in the end, it was reduced to just a few simple words.
[Chen Yan]: It’s getting late. Thank you for your book.
【Chen Yan】: Good night.
[Lin Qi]: Thank you also for your willingness to read the book I like carefully.
【Linqi】: Good night.
After seeing the last two messages she sent, Chen Yan felt that the heavy feeling in his heart, which had been stirred up by the story, was gently soothed.
Tonight, he shared his vulnerability, and she accepted it firmly. In return, she gave him an equally sincere understanding.
He didn't reply. Because the best conversations always leave a lasting impression.
Chen Yan put down his phone. The room was quiet. He felt that some of his persistence and loneliness, tonight, seemed to finally have a kindred spirit that he could resonate with.
It was dark outside the window, but daybreak was approaching.
The next day, Thursday morning, the sky was bright.
Lin Qi, who had a good night's sleep, was in a good mood. On her way to work, as she passed the garden downstairs, a beautiful orange cat appeared out of nowhere, rubbed affectionately against her trouser leg, and meowed with its head tilted back.
Lin Qi was amused by it, squatted down and scratched its chin.
She took out her phone and took a picture of this warm and life-filled scene. Then, an idea naturally emerged from the bottom of her heart.
She clicked on the familiar dialog box and sent the photo.
This was the first time she took the initiative to start a conversation for the day.
【Linqi】：（Photo）
[Linqi]: The cat downstairs says good morning to you.
This greeting, spoken by a cat that was met by chance, seems soft and warm, without any trace of deliberateness.
[Lin Qi]: I'm going to work. Everything went well today.
After sending the message, she put away her phone and walked towards the subway station in a happy mood.
In another corner of the city, perhaps on the way to work, or perhaps just after arriving at the office, Chen Yan received a message from her.
He clicked on the photo and saw the orange cat in the morning light, tilting its head back and rubbing against her trouser leg affectionately.
This instantly brightened up his workday, which had just begun and was perhaps a bit dull. A faint, yet heartfelt smile appeared on his face.
He didn't reply immediately, but first liked the cute photo. Then, he typed slowly.
【沉烟】：Early.
[Chen Yan]: It has good vision. Thank it for me.
[Chen Yan]: You too, everything went well today.
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