X
At 9 PM, Lu Shiyan lay in bed on time.
He'd thought he might have trouble sleeping—too much had happened today, his mind should have been chaotic.
But strangely, his mind was quiet.
As quiet as the vegetable patch. As quiet as the straight line. As quiet as Uncle Wang's off-key singing.
He closed his eyes, and what came to mind wasn't numbers, contracts, meetings, but—
Green seedlings. Yellow straw hats. Su Tang squatting beside him planting.
The warmth when her fingers touched his.
The sparkle in her eyes.
"It's okay to slow down."
He turned over and buried his face in the pillow.
The pillow smelled like sunshine—Su Tang had said the weather was nice today and had aired his quilt.
Lu Shiyan had never aired a quilt before. His apartment had a dryer. Clothes and quilts went straight from the washer to the dryer, never seeing sunlight.
But the smell of sunshine was really nice.
He slowly closed his eyes, his breathing calming.
Outside the window, Uncle Wang's radio was playing an old song, the volume low, barely audible.
Listening to that song, the corner of Lu Shiyan's mouth lifted slightly.
This time, he was sure he was smiling.
XI
The next morning at 5:58, Lu Shiyan woke up on his own.
No alarm, no knocking.
He just opened his eyes naturally, like he'd slept a long, long time and finally had enough.
He sat up and looked out the window.
The sky was just getting light. Birds were singing in the courtyard.
He got dressed and walked out.
The corridor was quiet, only the sound of his footsteps.
He went downstairs, pushed open the main door, and walked into the courtyard.
The morning air was fresh, smelling of earth and dew. The tomato seedlings in the vegetable patch swayed gently in the morning breeze, dewdrops sparkling on their leaves.
Lu Shiyan stood at the edge of the patch, looking at those seedlings for a long time.
Then he squatted down, reached out, and gently touched a leaf.
Tender, cool, very pleasant.
"Good morning, Mr. Lu."
Su Tang's voice came from behind.
Lu Shiyan stood up and turned around.
Su Tang was wearing athletic wear, her hair loose, not yet tied up. She was holding a watering can, looking like she'd just woken up too.
"Morning," Lu Shiyan said.
"You're up earlier than yesterday." Su Tang walked over, smiling. "Sleep well last night?"
"Alright."
"How alright is alright?"
Lu Shiyan thought for a moment. "Very well."
Su Tang's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yes."
"So we're farming again today?"
Lu Shiyan looked at her expectant expression, paused, and said, "Fine."
Su Tang smiled, a happy smile.
"Then let's go. Exercises first, then breakfast, then farming."
"I don't do exercises."
"No exercises, no breakfast."
"…Fine. You win."
Su Tang turned and walked toward the courtyard. After a few steps, she looked back. "Mr. Lu, you know, you're the first patient that's made me think, 'This one can be saved.'"
Lu Shiyan paused. "Why?"
"Because you're willing to change." Su Tang said seriously. "Anyone willing to change can be saved."
She turned and walked away, her ponytail swaying gently in the morning breeze.
Lu Shiyan stood there, watching her retreating figure, and the corner of his mouth lifted again.
This time, he was sure he was smiling.
And it was a very happy smile.