Dust under the warm sun
The publication of the manuscript felt like a perfect ending to a busy and stressful period. Relieved of her burdens, Lin Zhiyi didn't immediately plunge into a new wave of work, but instead allowed herself a brief moment to immerse herself in this hard-won sense of relaxation. She spent more time at "Time Sequence," and more purely, no longer always with her computer and manuscript paper.
The spring sunshine truly becomes generous, streaming through the brightly polished glass windows and filling the shop. Countless tiny dust particles in the light, like golden sprites, dance gracefully under the silent witness of the ancient clock.
Lu Shixu's body seemed to relax as the weather stabilized and warmed. The heavy feeling of being imprisoned by the cold and low pressure gradually dissipated. Although fatigue was still his constant companion, it was no longer as overwhelming as before. He resumed his daily desk work at the same time, only at a more leisurely pace than before.
At that moment, he was calmly and slowly turning the clock on an old pocket watch that needed rewinding. Lin Zhiyi, on the other hand, sat on the carpet next to his usual chair, leaning against the legs, reading a book unrelated to work in the warm sunlight. She wore a soft sweater, her bare feet on the plush carpet, her posture as relaxed as a cat basking in the sun.
There was no conversation between them, only the occasional soft crack of his tools against metal and the rustling of her turning pages. Sunlight cast their shadows on the ground, overlapping intimately.
After a while, Lin Zhiyi put down her book, looked up, and her gaze fell on Lu Shixu's focused profile. Sunlight danced on his long eyelashes, gilding them with a pale gold. She watched his steady, slender fingers deftly working, and suddenly spoke, her voice warm like sunshine:
"Time, when summer comes, let's find a weekend and go for a walk in the countryside? I heard the starry sky over Lingshan is very beautiful."
Lu Shixu paused slightly, looked up, and met her expectant gaze. Spending the night away from home, away from the familiar environment that gave him a sense of security, was not an easy decision for him. The unfamiliar surroundings, the potential disruption to his sleep schedule, the unpredictable fatigue… all these were potential challenges.
He didn't answer immediately, a subtle, almost imperceptible look of weighing his options flashing across his eyes.
Lin Zhiyi seemed to see through his concerns, her smile undiminished, and she added in a relaxed tone, "We won't go far, just stay for one night. We can find a quiet guesthouse, and if you're tired, we can just stay in the room and rest, look at the mountains and the stars. Just think of it as... a change of scenery, a chance to relax together."
There was no hint of reluctance in her words, only complete understanding and gentle guidance. She wasn't demanding, but inviting, and leaving him all the possible escape routes and comfort zones he might need.
Looking into the clear, carefree expectation in her eyes, Lu Shixu's initial hesitation due to the unknown gradually gave way to a desire to experience more possibilities with her. He wanted to be with her, not just in this safe watch shop, but also to see the starry sky she spoke of, to experience a wider world just for the two of them.
He was silent for a few seconds, as if he had done a small mental check, then nodded, his voice steady:
"Okay. I'll do as you say."
Those four simple words made Lin Zhiyi's smile even brighter. She knew that for him, this was not just an agreement to go on a trip, but also an entrustment of trust, a courageous exploration of more possibilities for their shared future.
Content, she picked up the book again and gently rested her head against his knee. The warm sunlight shone on her, making her feel drowsy.
Lu Shixu looked down at her serene profile nestled beside him, the sunlight illuminating even the fine downy hairs on her cheeks. His fingers unconsciously traced the ends of her hair scattered on the carpet, a feeling of unprecedented peace and tenderness washing over him.
He continued his work, taking out the old, broken spring, replacing it with a new one, oiling it, and calibrating it. Every step remained precise, but the rhythm unconsciously followed the even breathing of the person beside him, becoming increasingly slow and drawn out.
The clocks in the room continued to tick, recording this seemingly ordinary afternoon.
But some things are quietly growing in this warm sunshine and silent companionship. Like seeds breaking through the soil, like a pendulum swinging across a new arc, pointing to a bright promise about summer, about the starry sky, about a more distant future.
The sunlight moved slowly, elongating the shadows of the two people.
Time flows silently, yet it seems as if you can hear the sound of happiness quietly landing.
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