Book borrowing transactions
The library was always exceptionally quiet after midterm exams. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows onto the wooden desks, and the air was filled with the unique scent of ink from old books. Lin Weixi was searching the shelves for a reference book recommended by her teacher. Her fingertips gently traced the spines of the books, and she suddenly stopped in front of a copy of "A Brief History of Time."
She had noticed this book the last time she came, but she had never dared to borrow it - it was too profound and she was afraid she wouldn't understand it. Just as she was hesitating, a slender hand reached out from behind her shoulder and took the book away.
"Are you also interested in Hawking?" Chen Wang's voice sounded in his ears.
Lin Weixi was startled and almost bumped into the bookshelf when she turned around. Chen Wang stood behind her, holding the book "A Brief History of Time" in his hand, with a faint smile on his face.
"I... just wanted to take a look." She whispered, her heart beating uncontrollably fast.
Chen Wang flipped open the book and pointed to a chapter. "This part about black holes is particularly interesting. If you're interested, I can lend it to you. I've read it twice."
Lin Weixi nodded blankly and watched him go through the borrowing procedures. He was wearing a light gray sweater today, and he looked particularly gentle under the soft light of the library.
"Here," Chen Wang handed her the book, "Just return it before next Friday."
The cover of the book still retained the warmth of his palm. Lin Weixi hugged the book as if it were some precious treasure.
That evening, she sat at her desk and carefully opened the book. As she'd expected, much of the technical jargon was incomprehensible. But when she turned to Chapter 7, she noticed a tiny note written in pencil in the margins.
"Singularity = the starting point of the universe?" The handwriting was neat and powerful, and it was obviously Chen Wang's handwriting. Lin Weixi gently stroked the words, as if she could see through them the serious look on his face as he read.
Over the next few days, she researched the book while poring over it. Whenever she encountered a particularly difficult passage, she would consult Chen Wang's annotations. Those brief notes were like clues he left for her, guiding her through the maze of knowledge.
In Thursday's physics class, the teacher happened to be talking about the theory of relativity. When the time dilation effect was mentioned, Lin Weixi suddenly remembered an example she had read in a book and subconsciously raised her hand.
"Does Lin Weixi have anything to add?" the teacher asked in surprise.
She stood up and repeated the explanation of the twin paradox from the book. After she finished, the classroom was silent for a few seconds, and then the teacher showed an approving expression: "Good, it seems you have done a lot of homework after class."
As she sat down, she felt a gaze on her. Without turning around, she knew it was Chen Wang looking at her. The realization made her ears slightly warm.
After school on Friday, Lin Weixi hesitated at the classroom door holding her books. Should she put a note to express her gratitude when returning the books? As soon as this idea came up, she rejected it - it was too deliberate.
"Come to return the book?" Chen Wang's voice came from behind him. He had just finished playing basketball, and beads of sweat were still on his forehead.
Lin Weixi nodded and handed the book over: "Thank you, it's very interesting."
Chen Wang flipped the page casually and suddenly laughed: "You are reading so seriously that you didn't even erase the messy notes I wrote."
"I think...it's very easy to understand." She said honestly.
"Then we can discuss more about interesting books in the future," Chen Wang stuffed the book into his bag. "I have a few similar popular science books over there. If you're interested, I'll bring them to you next time."
This sentence made Lin Weixi's heart skip a beat. This meant that there would be another "book borrowing exchange" between them.
Over the weekend, she went to the bookstore and bought a brand new copy of The Strings of the Universe, intending to give it as a return gift for their next meeting. As she was checking out, she even imagined Chen Wang's expression when he received the book, and the corners of her mouth lifted unconsciously.
During math class on Monday, she found a copy of "Seven Simple Physics Lessons" on her desk. Inside the book was a note: "This one is easier to get started with." — Chen Wang
There was a small rocket pattern drawn on the lower right corner of the note, which was exactly the same style as the illustrations in his notebook. Lin Weixi carefully took the note off and put it in his diary.
Borrowing books became an unspoken agreement between them. Sometimes it was popular science, sometimes a literary classic, and each time they returned a book, they would attach a brief note. These exchanges were not limited to books, but gradually expanded to music, movies, and even opinions on specific social issues.
Lin Weixi began to look forward to every moment of borrowing and returning books. That brief encounter became the brightest embellishment in her dull campus life.
A month later, they ran into each other in the library. A light rain fell outside, and the library was empty. Chen Wang was packing his backpack in the book return area and waved when he saw her.
"What a coincidence," he said in a low voice, "Are you here to return the book?"
Lin Weixi nodded and took out the book "When the Stars Shine" from her bag. There were a few flattened ginkgo leaves between the pages, which she picked up on campus last week.
When Chen Wang took the book, his fingertips brushed against hers. The sound of rain pattered against the glass windows, and the lights in the library were warm and soft.
"We're choosing between arts and science next week," he said suddenly. "Have you decided yet?"
Lin Weixi gripped the strap of her schoolbag tightly. She thought about this question for a long time, but still had no answer.
"I might choose science," Chen Wang said, gazing at the rain outside the window. "Even though I know it's difficult, I still want to give it a try."
The rain gradually subsided, and a faint rainbow appeared in the sky. Lin Weixi looked at his profile and suddenly felt that the choice did not seem so difficult anymore.
That night, she wrote in her diary:
"Today in the library, he told me he might choose science. Although I know the road ahead will be difficult, the thought of continuing to study under the same sky with him suddenly gave me courage. Just like the books he lent me, each one opened my eyes to a wider world."
Closing her diary, she gazed out the window at the starry sky. The twinkling stars seemed to reveal the mysteries of the universe and illuminate the direction she was heading.
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