When The Snow Falls In Autumn Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The morning light gradually creeps over the edge of the last page of the ancient book that needs to be smoothed.Ye Qiulan put down the warm agate stone, his fingertips numbing slightly from maintaining fine movements for a long time.On the opposite side, Ling Xueqing also finished the work at hand and returned the lining paper and tools one by one.The ancient book is now spread out on a special repair mat. After several hours of rolling, most of the pages have returned to their proper flatness. Only a few stubborn old creases and areas where they were separated and stitched yesterday still have slight undulations.

The unique smell of paper, silk protein liquid and agate stone dust floats in the air.There were more people in the reading area, and muffled laughter and the sound of chairs being dragged could be heard in the distance, but their corner was still enveloped in a slightly tired silence after completing a period of work.

Ling Xueqing’s eyes swept across the entire ancient book, and finally landed on the small area where the cinnabar was abnormally covered yesterday and was carefully protected by a transparent film.The film reflects a very faint iridescence under the light, like a solid tear, marking a secret.

“This is all we can do for the time being.” Ling Xueqing said, her voice a little hoarse. “The remaining subtle fluctuations and old marks will take time to naturally adapt to the pressure. We will deal with it later according to the situation.” She paused and turned her eyes to the film-covered point, “This discovery… what do you think?”

She posed the question, not as a leader, but as a consultation from her peers.

Ye Qiulan looked at the film.At the bottom are the remnants of the word “Struggle” or “Litigation” that have been daubed out, which is an edge that has been deliberately erased from the historical narrative.It is not as sensitive as that page of family scandal fragments that must be sealed, but it also reminds the impurity of the “record” itself.

“It should be recorded.” Ye Qiulan thought for a while and his voice became clearer. “Not as a secret that requires restricted access, but as part of the restoration report – ‘It was found that there are early ink residues under the Zhupi covering layer. After preliminary identification, it may be ‘Zheng’ or ‘The word “litigation” indicates that Zhu’s comments may have been modified.”Objective description, no extension, no assertion.”She looked at Ling Xueqing, “This way, the discovered information is retained for reference by subsequent researchers, and the unverified content will not be interpreted or spread beyond the boundaries.”

Ling Xueqing listened quietly, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the sketchbook, where there were the remains of the shapes she had hastily sketched yesterday.After a moment, she nodded.”Okay.” She approved this compromise and professional plan.”The drawings in the sketchbook are filed together with the text descriptions. The film is temporarily retained. When technology permits, more detailed non-destructive testing may be performed.”

She stood up and began to collect the tools and materials scattered on the table with neat movements.Ye Qiulan also helped.The two put the ancient books back into the constant humidity book box and fastened the buckles.The book box is lighter than yesterday, but it contains not only the repaired paper, but also the heavy knowledge about concealment and truth that has gradually accumulated over the past two days.

Just when they were almost done organizing, Teacher Zhao appeared at the door of the reading area again.He walked more leisurely this time, with his usual, slightly tired gentleness on his face.He walked over and his eyes fell on the book box first.

“Thank you for your hard work, you two.” He nodded with approval in his tone, “I just met Ms. Chen from the Li family. She specifically asked me to convey her gratitude and said… you handled it very professionally and were considerate of their difficulties.” There was something in his words, and he obviously knew about the sealing of the fragments.

Ling Xueqing’s expression remained unchanged and she only nodded slightly.”It’s your job.”

Teacher Zhao looked at the book box again.”How’s the progress on the main page? That small piece of film covers…” He noticed the unusual mark.

“One of the fragile points of the paper has been temporarily reinforced and protected.” Ling Xuequing answered in a smooth tone, “The overall smoothing has been basically completed, and it needs to be left for observation.”

She made no mention of what was found under the cinnabar.Ye Qiulan stood aside, arranging his canvas bag with his eyes downcast, acquiescing to this omission.Some discoveries may not be suitable to be spoken to this person at this moment.It’s not about trust, it’s more about an instinctive judgment of when information flows.

Teacher Zhao didn’t seem to delve into the matter. He explained a few more things about follow-up environmental control and observation records, and then left. It seemed that it was just a routine inspection.

After he left, they were alone at the table.It was almost noon, and the sun was shining brightly through the camphor trees, casting bright and swaying spots on the table.

Ling Xueqing put the sketchbook and the copy of the file recording the fragment information into his folder.Then, she looked at Ye Qiulan, her eyes stayed on her face for a moment, and suddenly asked: “What are your plans for the afternoon?”

A very common question.But Ye Qiulan’s heartbeat skipped a beat.On usual weekend afternoons, they might go to work separately or go home to deal with trivial matters. They rarely asked each other’s arrangements explicitly like this.

“Nothing special.” Ye Qiulan said, his fingers unconsciously pinching the strap of the canvas bag, “Maybe… go to the school hospital and get some of father’s regular medicines.” She told the truth, with the usual slight hesitation in her tone when talking about family matters.

Ling Xueqing said “hmm” and did not answer immediately.Her eyes moved to the swaying tree shadows outside the window, then back, falling on Ye Qiulan’s face.”I’ll accompany you.”

Three words, not a question, but a statement.

Ye Qiulan was stunned.Ling Xueqing accompanies her to get medicine?This has never happened before.Although they are close, there always seems to be an unspoken boundary between these companionships involving specific family matters. It is part of their respective heavy burdens, and they are used to carrying it on their own.

“No need to bother…” Ye Qiulan subconsciously wanted to refuse.

“On the way.” Ling Xueqing interrupted her, her tone calm but unquestionable, “I’m going to the laboratory over there in the East District to return some reference books. The campus hospital is right in the middle.”

Another “side trip”.The same reason as yesterday when I helped her pick up her book box and return her ancient books.Clumsy, but irrefutable.

Ye Qiulan looked at her calm face and the calm dark color in her eyes, and could no longer say any words of rejection.A subtle warmth, mixed with a familiar heaviness, slowly spread over his heart.She knew that Ling Xueqing’s “drop in” was mostly an excuse.She just… wanted to be with her.Just like yesterday when the repair encountered difficulties, he silently handed over the tools and held her trembling hand.

“…Okay.” Ye Qiulan finally responded in a low voice.

Ling Xueqing breathed a sigh of relief, although no change could be seen on her face.”Let’s go then. Let’s go have lunch first.”

The two packed up the last things, Ye Qiulan carried a canvas bag, and Ling Xueqing carried a dark satchel containing folders and personal belongings.Together they left the long oak table that had hosted two thrilling days, and left the corner of the west window that was filled with the smell of old paper and repair fluid.

Walking out of the library, the midday sun was a bit dazzling.The campus is bustling with people and full of the relaxed atmosphere of the weekend.They walked side by side on the avenue, neither of them speaking.Ye Qiulan still had the light gray cardigan in his canvas bag.Ling Xueqing’s folder contains sketches of graffiti.There was only one step between them, and the corners of their clothes occasionally rubbed together and then separated again.

Heading towards the cafeteria and towards the school hospital.The road ahead looks clear and ordinary in the midday sun, as if yesterday’s stalemate, decision, storage and discovery are just a silent shadow temporarily stretched by the sun on this ordinary road.And they are walking step by step, stepping on this bright light and silent shadow, towards the next ordinary afternoon, but quietly different because of each other’s company.