When The Snow Falls In Autumn Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The tip of the brush steadily scratched the last edge of the paper that needed to be reinforced. Even traces of liquid penetrated into the fibers, leaving a subtle sheen that quickly became transparent in the air.Ye Qiulan put down his pen and placed the penholder on the celadon pen rest, making a very light “ding” sound.She slowly let out a breath that had been held in her chest for a long time, and her shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

On the opposite side, Ling Xueqing also completed the final inspection of the area she was responsible for.She carefully scanned every inch of the treated paper with a magnifying glass to confirm that the reinforcement was even and there was no fluid accumulation or fiber fluffing.Then she took off her thin cotton gloves and set them aside very gently.The morning light has now turned into bright morning light, passing through the dense branches and leaves of the camphor tree, casting swaying, golden-green light spots on the table.

Between the two of them, the ancient book that had gone through two thrilling days was now quietly spread out on the restoration mat.The separation gaps were reinforced and smoothed, the weak points were supported, and the markings and possible traces of cover-up were carefully protected.It is no longer a fragile item on the verge of collapse, but has restored a sleeping but relatively stable posture.

Silence fell over the table.It’s not the tense, focused silence when fighting together, nor is it the sluggish, fear-filled stagnation after an accident.Rather, it is a kind of… blank space with a slight exhaustion and a complicated aftertaste after the work has come to an end.

Ye Qiulan’s eyes fell on Ling Xueqing’s right hand hanging by her side, where she had just saved the situation.On the pad of the index finger, no trace of liquid could be seen, only the texture of the skin itself and a very light blood color.But she just couldn’t look away, as if that thrilling moment was still imprinted on those slender fingers – the arc of the droplet’s falling, the touch of the skin, and the sharp, sharp light in Ling Xueqing’s eyes that had not yet completely converged.

Ling Xueqing seemed to be aware of her gaze.She took her hand back and placed it naturally on her lap, her fingertips slightly curled up, blocking Ye Qiulan’s sight.Then, she raised her eyes and looked at Ye Qiulan.His eyes have returned to their usual calmness, like the surface of a deep pool, where all the waves have sunk to the bottom, leaving only an inky blackness that shows no emotion.

“It’s over.” Ling Xueqing said, her voice was calm and there was no hint of emotion or anger.

Ye Qiulan nodded, his throat a little dry.”Yeah.” She responded, her voice low and hoarse.She wanted to say something more, such as apologizing again, or thanking her, but all her words were stuck in her throat under Ling Xueqing’s too calm gaze.

Ling Xueqing stopped looking at her and began to clean up the scattered tools on the table in an orderly manner.Wash the brush and insert it into the pen curtain; return the porcelain plate, dropper, and tissue paper one by one; put away the magnifying glass, and put the bone pick and tweezers back into the tool box.Her movements were precise and neat, with an almost ritualistic order, as if she were smoothing out the invisible wrinkles left by the accident just now through this familiar process.

Ye Qiulan also silently began to clean up his side.Tighten the cap of the remaining reinforcement solution bottle and place it with the label facing out; ball up the used absorbent tissue paper and throw it into the special waste basket; organize your notebook and pencil case.Her movements were slower than Ling Xueqing’s, and her fingertips occasionally touched the cold glass bottle or the edge of the paper. Every touch made her heart move slightly, remembering the moment when the pen tip lost control.

The tools gradually returned to their places and the desktop became tidy again.Only the ancient book was left, spread out in the center, like a lake that had just experienced a storm and now returned to tranquility.

Ling Xueqing checked all the items one last time to confirm that they were correct.Then, she reached out and carefully closed the ancient book.The paper made a soft scraping sound.She put it into the humidity book box and fastened the buckle.The metal buckle made a crisp “click” sound, which was particularly clear in the quiet reading area.

“Today’s work record,” Ling Xueqing pushed the repair record book in front of Ye Qiulan and turned to the page with today’s date. “It is necessary to add a description of the unexpected situation and the final result.”

Ye Qiulan took the record book.Ling Xueqing had already used her neat handwriting to succinctly add a line after today’s work content:

Note: During the reinforcement process in the morning, a small amount of reinforcement liquid (about 0.01ml) accidentally dripped from the tip of the operating pen. Ling Xueqing promptly blocked it with his fingertips without touching the paper surface.After inspection, the paper and ink were not damaged in any way.The pen tool has been replaced, and the operator will continue to complete subsequent work after taking a rest and adjusting.

Be objective, calm and without any emotion.Even Ye Qiulan’s name did not appear, only “operator” was used instead.A possible accident was downplayed as an “operational accident” that needed to be recorded.

Ye Qiulan looked at the line of words and lightly brushed the ink with his fingertips.She knew that this was Ling Xueqing protecting her, using the most professional way to minimize her mistakes and avoid leaving any traces in the official restoration records that might affect her evaluation.This calm defense made her heart sink more than any comfort, and also made her realize more clearly the seriousness of her mistake just now.

“I…” She raised her head, wanting to say something.

“Sign.” Ling Xueqing interrupted her, handed over a pen, and pointed to the empty space next to the recorder’s signature column.Her eyes were calm, as if what she had just handed over was not a pen, but any ordinary tool.

Ye Qiulan took the pen and signed his name at the designated location.The tip of the pen scratched the paper, making a rustling sound.After finishing writing, she handed the pen and record book back to Ling Xueqing.

Ling Xueqing took it, glanced at the signature, and closed the book.Then, she picked up the book box containing the ancient books and stood up.

“The book box needs to be sent back to the Ancient Books Department for storage, waiting for subsequent stable observation of the environment.” She said, her eyes fell on Ye Qiulan’s face, and she paused for a moment, “You… can get off work.”

Get off work.A common word.But at this moment, in this morning that is full of the smell of old paper and lingering fears, it seems particularly abrupt, and also… has a sense of finality.

Ye Qiulan also stood up.She looked at Ling Xueqing’s profile holding the book box, her calm face, and the way she turned around to leave.The mess of emotions in her heart – guilt, fear, gratitude, and the unfamiliar and turbulent throbbing caused by Ling Xueqing’s different aura and almost instinctive protective movements – made her almost breathless.

“Ling Xuequing.” She suddenly spoke and stopped her.

Ling Xueqing stopped, turned around, and looked at her.His eyes were still calm and questioning.

Ye Qiulan opened his mouth, and all the tumbling words came to his lips, but only a pale sentence remained: “Is your hand… really okay?”

Ling Xueqing lowered her head, glanced at her right hand, and moved her index finger slightly.”It’s okay.” She said in a calm tone, “The formula of the strengthening liquid is mild and is not harmful to skin contact.”

After saying that, she seemed to feel that the answer was too short, and added in a lower voice than before: “Don’t worry.”

Then, she stopped staying, hugged the book box, turned and walked towards the ancient books department.With a steady pace and a straight back, he soon disappeared between two rows of tall bookshelves.

Ye Qiulan stood there, looking at the direction in which she disappeared, and did not move for a long time.The morning light in the reading area is bright and quiet, and the shadow of the camphor tree shrinks into a small ball under the feet.In the air, the warm scent of cedar seemed to have not completely dissipated, mixed with the smell of old books and old wood, wrapping her heavily.

She slowly sat back on the chair and unconsciously touched her neck with her fingers.There, the skin seemed to still have the slightly astringent and warm touch that Ling Xueqing had just breathed.She closed her eyes, and what was repeatedly replayed in her mind was not the moment when the pen tip lost control, but the unhesitating and decisive gesture when Ling Xuaqing’s fingers came up, and the deep black in her eyes that was not completely frozen, filled with panic and sharpness.

“Don’t worry.”

Ling Xueqing’s last words were like a cold nail, firmly nailing all her tumbling impulses to get closer to the spot.

After all, she still… couldn’t say anything she really wanted to say.

The sunlight outside the window moved a little more, making the tabletop slightly hot.The rumble of an administrator pushing a book cart passed by could be heard in the distance.Ye Qiulan finally stood up and picked up his much empty canvas bag.The washed cardigan was still folded inside.

She took one last look at the empty long oak table and the chair opposite where Ling Xueqing had sat, then turned around and walked toward the library exit.

The steps were a little wandering, as if they were stepping on a river that had not completely solidified.Behind him is a repair that has just ended, an accident, and a more complicated and unspeakable silence.Ahead is the campus on Monday, the afternoon that has yet to come, and all the ordinary and heavy life that has to continue.And the corner in my heart that had just been dug out and poured with ice water was slowly oozing with an indescribable taste that was a mixture of dull pain and secret heat.