Under Lin Zhou's careful care, Shen Che's health gradually improved. He started to be able to go downstairs and take short walks in the complex.
They began to have conversations beyond "food delivery" and "laundry pickup."
They would sit on a bench downstairs, watching children play, watching the sunset paint the sky red. They started talking again, about books, about movies, about trivial things, carefully avoiding the core topics of "love" and "the future."
They were trying to become friends again.
One day, Lin Zhou asked him, "Do you still have that sketchbook?"
Shen Che was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.
"Could you... draw me again?" Lin Zhou's voice was soft.
Shen Che looked at her for a long time, then said, "Okay."
It was in that same cold room. Lin Zhou sat by the window, the afternoon sun casting a golden glow on her. Shen Che sat opposite her, holding a sketchbook and pencil.
He drew slowly, meticulously. His hand, weakened by long-term illness, was not as steady as it used to be, but he still tried his best to capture her at her finest.
Lin Zhou watched his focused profile, his long, lowered eyelashes, and felt a momentary daze. It was as if time had turned back, and they were still that carefree couple on the university campus.
After a long while, Shen Che finally stopped.
He handed the sketchbook to Lin Zhou. The girl in the drawing had gentle eyes and a faint, almost imperceptible smile. But in her eyes, there was a sadness that couldn't be erased.
"I'm sorry," Shen Che said. "I made you look... unhappy."
Lin Zhou traced her own face on the paper and shook her head. "No, you drew it perfectly. Because this is how I am right now."
She looked at him and said earnestly, "Shen Che, we both need time. You need time to heal your body, and I need time to... heal my heart. Let's not rush things, okay?"
Shen Che's eyes reddened. He nodded vigorously.
This was the first time since the truth came out that they had so calmly touched upon their inner wounds. Rebuilding trust, like this sketch, had to be done one stroke at a time.