Chapter 2

Her voice made him doubt himself a little, and her pair of bright eyes scrutinized him seriously: "How old are you?"

He just bombarded her with a barrage of words, causing her cheeks to flush slightly, and she remained silent, awkwardly gazing at her face

A deep scratch enveloped the dial, and the glass of the dial was cracked in a distorted manner.

He has a slight obsession with cleanliness and is unwilling to place the documents in his hands on the waterlogged ground, so he can only stand there helplessly

"Jing Shi."

Returning the cup, their eyes met, and the unfamiliar face brought a sense of awkwardness. She struggled to search her memory, feeling utterly lost

He carried a large stack of documents, research reports, student files, experimental records, and nearly one hundred sixteen-page papers, which were quite heavy. He gritted his teeth and continued to walk steadily through the backyard

She saw his smile gradually fade, his gaze deep and contemplative, as if reminiscing about something. After a long while, he finally replied: "Thirty-four."

Only then did she feel an unbearable thirst, completely forgetting her vigilance, and she took the cup and drank it all in one go

It is autumn. The dew is hazy, and the sycamore leaves, soaked in the standing water, are layered in a bright yellow.

Chen Ji'an had a bemused expression, yet remained gentle as he extended his hand to her: "It's alright, neither of us is married—shall we have some breakfast?"

The ceiling of the room is exquisite, with layers of light blending into one another. The pale yellow wallpaper, adorned with dandelion patterns, fills the space with warmth, yet it feels unfamiliar

He tidied up the dishes at a leisurely pace, "Jing Shi, when we first met, you asked me just like this."

He smiled and nodded: "Thank you... it's all the arrangement you like."

After she finished the last sip of milk, she said, "Chen Jian, then why are we getting divorced?"

She understood roughly. Looking around in confusion: "Sorry... is this your home?"

She adjusted herself and heavily fell into his arms, causing his body to shudder. Looking down, he saw her staring blankly at the name tag that was exposed on his chest

Her remaining composure compelled her to speak to the man: "... ... Hello."

She sighed and naturally looked up at the clock above her head, which showed 9:15. The sunlight was warm and the clean restaurant seemed to be melting away. She was somewhat surprised: "Wasn't it said that work was very busy?"

He was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Hello"

It is fine, do not always apologize

She moved nimbly, like catching little birds, first grabbing this one, then pouncing on that one, gathering them all into her arms. While wiping with a napkin, she chattered incessantly, her voice bright and clear, without any politeness: "You interns have reached a new height of laziness! With so much material, did it tire you out to carry it in two trips? Don't you know the backyard is a wind tunnel? I thought it was artificial snow, and you just stood there admiring the snow scene? You still need your sister to help you; otherwise, I wonder how you will explain to your supervisor in class this afternoon... Don't you know the backyard is a wind tunnel? I thought it was artificial snow, and you just stood there admiring the snow scene? You still need your sister to help you; otherwise, I wonder how you will explain to your supervisor in class this afternoon..."

She looked around and sincerely exclaimed, "It is very beautiful"

I see. She reacted quickly, "Ex-husband?"

Later, he came to realize that Jing Shi was different from the other students. She was specially approved to participate in important research in the laboratory, a brilliant little sun shining brightly.

Chen Jianan said nothing, merely lowered his head and smiled.

Where did she sleep

His gaze was gentle, filled with kindness, "It doesn't matter if you can't remember, you are hurt." He pointed to his head

Then, Jing Shi, dressed in a gray woolen coat, flew out of the laboratory. She ran over with a clatter, saw the sky filled with printed paper, first burst into loud laughter, and then bent down to pick it up

He actually wore a watch that was unable to tell the time

This is our home ... ... once.

He pulled away her hand that was attempting to strike his head, emphasizing his tone: "Jing Shi, my name is Chen Ji'an"

Chen Jian'an looked at her and hurriedly took the cup, handing her the one he hadn't touched, gently explaining: "I apologize, you do not like cereal in milk"

In order to please me, her guilt deepened, "I am truly sorry"

Lifting the milk, she drank something and, filled with suspicion, set the cup down, furrowing her brow

Yet the metal hands continue to move, leaping beneath the shattered dial, click, click, truly resilient

I have resigned," he replied

He looked at her with an expression of calmness that bordered on excessive composure. She struggled to think, her head pounding, murmuring: "I apologize, but I cannot recall you... after all..."

She raised her head in disbelief to look at him, then glanced at the name tag: "... a professor, is there really such a young professor in the department?"

"... ... is." He answered with difficulty

Fried egg, bacon sandwich, and a glass filled more than halfway with milk. The fried egg is cooked to eight-tenths doneness, with no hint of burning, yellow and tender, which she enjoys very much

She responded: "So... is it that I want a divorce?"

The sunlight is splendid, the curtains are light blue, there is a delicate small window, and on the windowsill, a basil plant is elegantly positioned. In the dining room, a string of wind chimes made of shells is hanging, and the tablecloth features exquisite lace patterns, as clean and fragrant as his shirt

He smiled at her in the sunlight, his smile resembling that of a joyful youth, yet his gaze bore the tranquility of an indifferent elder

He was taken aback for a moment and slowly replied: "We all have our own work to do; you have your ideals and career."

She looked towards the source of the sound, a young man in a white shirt sitting by her bedside, gazing at her with a gentle voice, "Are you awake? Would you like some water?"

He carries a peculiar sense of weariness, akin to aged paper cigarettes and newly opened old wine, as if the passage of time has worn him down to this state. She could not help but exclaim: "How old are you?"

Where exactly did the problem occur

She felt a sense of shame within herself, her gaze wandering across the table, noticing his hand resting on the dining table, the rolled-up cuff of his shirt, his watch... What is wrong with his watch?

She has awakened

Unexpectedly, the autumn wind blew fiercely, swirling around him like flipping the pages of a book, scattering his documents into the air. He waited for a while, but the wind showed no signs of stopping, instead sacrificing even more paper.

I am sorry, but I have already left, yet I am still lingering here with you. She felt somewhat embarrassed