Winter warmth
In December, the chill of A City was penetrating to the bone. The north wind, like a sharpened blade, swept across the narrow sky above Anping Lane with a piercing whistle. Yet, inside the "Time Sequence" store, it seemed to be a world of its own, enveloped in a warmth emanating from within.
This warmth comes not only from the constantly running radiators and the occasional crackling of the small charcoal stove, but also from a silent, intimately connected atmosphere that permeates the space. Engagement is like a final, closed gate, steadily storing all the flowing tenderness, tentative dependence, and profound promises into a deep and tranquil lake.
Life took on a near-perfect regularity. Lin Zhiyi gradually began to complete more of her work in the store, and she even added a more comfortable adjustable reading lamp to her little corner. Lu Shixu's work rhythm also became more stable. He no longer ignored his body's warnings due to over-indulgence, as he used to, but instead more naturally followed the "timely" rule of balancing work and rest.
They still didn't talk much, but the silence no longer carried any element of probing or uncertainty; instead, it was filled with a comfortable, mutually understanding peace. When he repaired the clock, she would read or work beside him, occasionally glancing up to catch a glimpse of his focused profile, a sense of reassuring tranquility washing over her. If he felt tired, he would naturally stop, lean back in his chair, and close his eyes to rest. She would instinctively move as gently as possible, or get up to refill his glass of warm water.
That afternoon, the sky was overcast, as if a heavy snow was brewing. Lu Shixu had just finished a phase of repair work, put down his tools, raised his hand and gently rubbed his temples, a hint of weariness in his eyes.
Lin Zhiyi noticed immediately. She didn't ask anything, but simply closed the book in her hand, got up, and went to the back. Instead of making some refreshing tea, she heated a cup of milk, added a small spoonful of honey, and stirred it gently.
When she came out carrying the cup of warm honey milk, Lu Shixu was staring blankly at the leaden sky outside the window. Hearing her footsteps, he turned around.
"Have some of this," Lin Zhiyi said gently, handing him the cup. "It'll make you feel better."
Lu Shixu took the cup, the warmth spreading from his palm. He looked down at the milky white liquid in the cup, the rising steam carrying a faint milky and sweet aroma that brushed past his nose. He slowly took a sip, the warm and sweet liquid sliding down his throat, as if it truly dispelled some of the heaviness lingering in his nerve endings caused by the weather.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Lin Zhiyi sat down on the stool next to him, watching him sip his milk. The dim light from the window blurred the outline of his face, but it also highlighted a quiet vulnerability, filling her with boundless pity and tenderness.
She reached out, not to hold his hand, but to gently place her hand on his knee, feeling the cool skin on the back of his hand and the clearly defined knuckles beneath.
Lu Shixu didn't move, letting her cover him. He finished the last sip of milk, placed the empty glass aside, and then took her hand in his palm. His fingers were still a little cold, but his grip was steady.
The two sat quietly, listening to the increasingly mournful wind outside the window and the constant, reassuring ticking sound inside the shop.
"It looks like it's going to snow," Lin Zhiyi said softly.
"Mm." Lu Shixu responded, her gaze falling on their clasped hands. The gear ring on her finger appeared as a warm, raised bump in the dim light. "The first heavy snow of this winter."
His tone was calm, carrying an acceptance of the laws of nature, and even a hint of anticipation. In the past, such severe weather would have only made him more vigilant and wary, worried that his physical discomfort would worsen. But now, with her by his side, with this warm fortress they had built together, even the feeling of winter wind and snow seemed less daunting.
"Shall we go for a walk when the snow is thick enough?" Lin Zhiyi suggested. "Let's go to the alley entrance and enjoy the snow scenery."
Lu Shixu was silent for a moment, seemingly assessing his physical condition and willingness, before nodding: "Okay."
It was just a simple agreement, yet it made Lin Zhiyi's heart leap with joy. This was more than just a walk; it represented his positive attitude towards experiencing the ordinary little things in life together in the future, and it meant that they were weaving their "time zones" and "tracks" more deeply into every detail of their daily lives.
Outside the window, the first snowflake finally drifted down gently, stuck to the glass, and instantly melted into a watermark.
Then came the second, the third... Soon, the world was enveloped in a silent, fluttering expanse of pure white.
Inside the store, a warm and cozy atmosphere prevailed, and time seemed to stand still.
Holding hands, as the deepest chill of winter approached, they jointly envisioned a warm future of searching for plum blossoms in the snow.
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