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墨書 Inktalez
The light in the café was somewhat blinding, sunlight streaming through the glass windows and spilling onto the table. I sat in a corner by the window, holding two Pendants in my hands, my palms slightly sweaty from nerves. This café was where we had first met.
Chen Jiahe sat across from me, his face pale as if he had lost all color. His hands were clasped on the table, nervously rubbing his fingertips together, his lips trembling slightly but he remained silent.
A faint aroma of coffee wafted through the air, accompanied by the gentle strains of a piano melody, yet my eardrums felt blocked, leaving only the sound of my own heartbeat echoing in my ears.
“Xiao Yan, have you… really made up your mind?” he finally spoke, his voice low and strained as if it were forced out from deep within his chest.
I looked up and met his bloodshot eyes. His exhaustion and restraint were evident, but none of it made me relent. I bit my lip, pushing those complex emotions back down into my heart, and nodded firmly, “Yes, I’ve made my decision.”
He froze for a moment, the light in his eyes seeming to dim instantly. He turned his gaze away, looking out the window, his expression one of avoidance mixed with contemplation.
I pushed the Pendants to the center of the table; they were the source of our arguments and the reality we could not escape.
“These things…” I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady, “They have given us countless chances to start over, but they have also stripped us of the courage to face real life.”
His hand visibly trembled for a moment but ultimately did not reach out to take them. That gesture pierced my heart like a needle, leaving me feeling both numb and pained.
“Xiao Yan…” he called my name softly, his voice laden with too many emotions—guilt, reluctance, and even a hint of pleading. But he stopped short, seemingly unable to find the right words to continue.
“Jia He, do you know what scares me the most? It’s not that you’ve hidden the secrets of these Pendants from me; it’s…” I paused, feeling a sharp sting at the tip of my nose as tears threatened to spill. My words came out like daggers, “I’m starting to doubt how much of our feelings for each other are truly real.”
At this, he suddenly looked up, a burning intensity igniting in his eyes. “Xiao Yan, my love for you has always been real! Even without these chances, I would still strive to change myself; it’s just… it might not happen so quickly.”
His words were like a fuse, igniting my emotions completely. "But that's the problem!" My voice suddenly rose and then quickly lowered, gritting my teeth as I said, "If it weren't for these Pendants, would you really strive to change? Or would we have never reached this point?"
His lips parted slightly, but he couldn't refute me. He fell silent, and his silence was the best answer.
The air hung heavy for a moment. Outside the window, birds chirped across the sky, but that crisp sound felt particularly jarring at this moment. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down, and then slowly spoke, "Jia He, I want to return them."
He was taken aback, looking at me with shock in his eyes. "What did you say?"
"These Pendants, they don't belong to us." I looked at him, speaking each word clearly. "Since we got them from that mysterious little shop, they should go back there. We can't rely on them anymore."
His brows furrowed tightly, as if he were struggling to suppress his emotions. He stared at me for a long time before finally asking softly, "Are you sure?"
"Sure." I didn't hesitate.
He took a deep breath, as if making a certain resolution. "Alright then, let's return them."
Half an hour later, we stood in that narrow alley. It was dilapidated and dark, a stark contrast to the bustling streets nearby. An old wooden sign hung at the entrance of the shop, with the words "Time and Destiny" written in faded calligraphy that barely revealed its former brilliance.
Chen Jiahe held my fingers with just the right amount of pressure, yet it filled me with an indescribable unease. He glanced at me as if wanting to say something but ultimately just pushed the door open.
The wind chime on the door rang out a clear sound, as if welcoming old customers back. The shop's decor remained unchanged: dim lighting, weathered wooden cabinets, and that man wearing black-rimmed glasses and dressed in linen—Lin Feng. He sat behind the counter with a thick book in hand, his expression as calm as still water.
"It seems you have finally made a choice," he said with a slight smile when he saw us, but his words pierced my ears like needles.
I stepped forward and placed the Pendant on the counter. It made a soft sound against the wooden surface, sending a jolt through my heart. "We've decided to return them to you."
Lin Feng adjusted his glasses, glanced down at the Pendant, then looked back at us. His gaze was deep, as if he could see right through to our souls. "This is a good thing. Many people think having such abilities is a stroke of luck, but in reality, it is more like a test."
"A test?" Chen Jiahe frowned in response.
"Yes," Lin Feng nodded. "Time does not pause for anyone, nor does it reverse for anyone. What truly matters is how you face your choices, not relying on these external forces."
Each of his words struck my heart like a hammer. I thought I would feel sorrowful, but after hearing this, an unexpected sense of relief washed over me, as if the heavy stone pressing on my chest had finally been lifted.
Chen Jiahe took my hand; his palm was slightly cold, yet that touch inexplicably calmed me. He looked at Lin Feng, his tone low but resolute. "Thank you, we understand now."
Lin Feng said nothing more, simply offering a faint smile before lowering his head again to continue reading.
As we left the small shop, I suddenly noticed that the air in the alley felt particularly fresh, and even the sunlight shone with a gentle warmth. Chen Jiahe looked down at me, his voice hoarse yet firm. "Xiao Yan, no matter what the future holds, I will be with you."
I didn't respond; I merely withdrew my hand from his grasp. The sound of our footsteps echoed in the quiet alley, each step feeling like it was shattering the past.
Suddenly, he stopped. "Xiao Yan, will you regret this?"
I turned around to meet his gaze. His eyes were filled with anxiety and hope, while my voice remained unnaturally calm. "Perhaps I will, but at least this time, I want to try facing real life."
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