A firm choice
That manuscript, which embodies the hard work and trust of the Lu family, was like a steady key, unlocking a door that was originally tightly closed for Lin Zhiyi.
At the subsequent editorial review meeting, when she presented the manuscript—with its simple, antique binding and profound, weighty content—to everyone, the entire meeting room fell into a completely different silence. The previous skepticism and solemnity were replaced by an almost awe-inspiring reverence.
The editor-in-chief adjusted his glasses, almost holding his breath, as he flipped through the pages of bold, lifelike calligraphy and exquisite pen illustrations. He might not understand all the intricacies of watch restoration, but he could clearly feel the weight behind this manuscript—the wisdom honed over time, the unquestionable authority in the transmission of craftsmanship, and an almost stubborn perseverance in a turbulent era.
"This is..." The editor-in-chief looked up, his eyes gleaming with surprise and excitement, "This is the work of Mr. Lu Qingming? And these pictures..."
"It was Mr. Lu who generously shared his knowledge, and his grandson, Lu Shixu, the restorer at the 'Shixu' watch shop, drew the illustrations." Lin Zhiyi stood straight, her voice clear and firm, without the slightest hesitation from before. "I believe that what we record and pass on should not only be the appearance of the craft, but also the 'craftsmanship' and 'soul' passed down from generation to generation behind it. This manuscript is the best proof."
She used the essence of the manuscript to reorganize the framework and theme of the book, elevating the originally somewhat scattered case records to a higher dimension of exploring the inherent philosophy and contemporary value of traditional crafts.
Ultimately, the review committee unanimously approved the decision to restart the project. One senior editor even remarked, "With such a solid foundation, the value of this book has already exceeded ordinary market expectations."
A surge of immense joy and a sense of accomplishment washed over Lin Zhiyi like a warm current. Almost immediately, she wanted to share this good news with Lu Shixu. She imagined the subtle yet genuine smile of relief that would appear in his clear eyes when he heard the news.
She couldn't wait to take out her phone and dial his number.
The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered.
A barely perceptible unease swept through her heart. Perhaps he was busy and hadn't heard her. She suppressed her impatience, waited a while, and dialed again.
Still no one answered.
This was a rare occurrence. Lu Shixu usually kept his phone within easy reach. The joy he had just experienced deflated like a punctured balloon, quickly replaced by a gradually spreading worry.
She couldn't sit still any longer. She grabbed her bag, gave a brief explanation to the editor-in-chief, and hurriedly left the company, heading straight for Anping Lane.
As dusk settled over Anping Lane, the air was thick with the approaching twilight of winter. The "Time" shop was unusually closed, with no light emanating from within, like a silent, closed eye.
Lin Zhiyi's heart sank.
Just as she was at a loss, preparing to call Lu Shixu or Chen Xu again, she heard the sound of a car engine shutting off at the alley entrance. She turned around and saw Chen Xu getting out of the familiar community hospital vehicle, his face still bearing a trace of seriousness.
"Dr. Chen!" Lin Zhiyi rushed forward, her voice trembling with nervousness. "Shi Xu... what happened? No one's at the shop, and he's not answering his phone..."
Chen Xu didn't seem surprised to see her. He adjusted his glasses, maintaining the calmness typical of a doctor, but his eyes showed concern: "Ms. Lin, don't worry. Shi Xu... is in the store."
He pointed to the closed shop door: "This time... his situation is a bit more complicated than before."
"Trouble?" Lin Zhiyi's heart tightened. "Has it flared up again? Is it serious?"
Chen Xu carefully considered his words before explaining, "It wasn't entirely a single acute attack. Has he been... not getting enough rest these past few days?"
Lin Zhiyi was stunned for a moment, instantly remembering how much mental and physical energy Lu Shixu must have expended to create those illustrations. Lost in her own anxiety, she hadn't noticed his excessive exertion.
“He… must have stayed up all night to help me prepare the materials for the manuscript…” Her voice was full of self-reproach.
“That’s right.” Chen Xu sighed. “Excessive fatigue and mental stress are extremely strong triggering factors for patients like him. This time it wasn’t a simple short sleep after collapsing, but rather a ‘sleep attack cluster’—that is, repeatedly and uncontrollably entering a sleep state within a relatively short period of time, with very short intervals between awakenings and relatively blurred consciousness. This situation is more physically demanding and more…helpless than a single attack.”
Chen Xu's description, like a cold awl, pierced through Lin Zhiyi's brief joy brought by success, making her clearly see the price hidden behind that precious helping hand.
"He's now..."
“I just gave him some initial treatment and calmed him down. He’s asleep now and has stabilized for the time being.” Chen Xu’s tone softened as he looked at her suddenly pale face. “But he needs absolute quiet and rest. When I brought him back, he insisted on going back to the shop.”
Lin Zhiyi understood. He didn't want to go to the hospital, that place filled with the smell of disinfectant. He wanted to return to his fortress, his "Timeline".
She took a deep breath, the icy air filling her lungs, yet it made her mind exceptionally clear. All the panic and self-blame settled into an unprecedented resolve at that moment.
She looked at Chen Xu, her gaze clear and calm: "Dr. Chen, please tell me, what can I do for him now, before he wakes up? What should I be careful about?"
Chen Xu was somewhat surprised by her quick composure, then his eyes showed approval. He gave her detailed instructions on some care precautions, such as keeping the environment quiet, monitoring her breathing, and preparing warm water and easily digestible food for her when she woke up.
“Okay, I got it.” Lin Zhiyi nodded seriously, then took out the key from her bag—it was given to her by Lu Shixu not long ago, who said it would make it convenient for her to read and rest at any time.
She stepped forward and deftly opened the shop door.
The shop was dimly lit, with only a faint glow from the neighboring house outside the window, outlining the silent silhouettes of the furniture and clocks. A faint, lingering smell of disinfectant, typical of hospitals, remained in the air.
Using the dim light, she tiptoed into the small cubicle used as a temporary resting place. Lu Shixu lay on the narrow single bed, covered with a thick quilt. His face was so pale that he almost blended into the pillow. His breathing was shallow and long, and even in his sleep, his brow was slightly furrowed, as if he were bearing an invisible weight.
He looked so quiet, so fragile, like an antique clock that needed to be carefully protected.
Lin Zhiyi didn't turn on the light. She went to the back to get a basin of warm water, soaked a towel, wrung it out, and then sat on the chair by the bed. She carefully and gently wiped away the fine beads of cold sweat that had seeped from his forehead and neck due to his weakness.
Her movements were gentle and focused, as if she were handling a priceless treasure.
After doing all this, she put down the towel and sat quietly in the dim light, watching over him. Outside the window were the usual sounds of the city, and inside the shop, the faithful ticking of countless clocks intertwined to create a background symphony of life.
Looking at his sleeping face, she felt no fear, no complaint, only a warm, calm, and unwavering resolve, like the deep sea.
She gently reached out and grasped his slightly cool hand, which was sticking out from under the covers, silently conveying her determination through her palm.
Then, in her heart, with an undeniable voice, she made a promise to herself and to him who was asleep:
"You used to be the one protecting these frozen moments of time."
"Now, I'll protect you during your lazy time."
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