I wheeled Xing Chuan to the coffee table. Then, I poured both of us cups of tea. I sat on the single sofa next to Xing Chuan, blowing on the broken flower petals floating on the surface of the osmanthus tea.

The library was as quiet as ever. The surrounding flowers gave it a calming atmosphere. Surrounded by the fragrance of beautiful flowers and the scent of books, we slowly entered the flowing river of time, watching the beginning of all living things and the ending of everything.

“Luo Bing, what do you think time is?” It was the elegant yet calm voice I hadn’t heard in such a long time. Cang Yu’s voice was like a lover’s whisper, soothing and addictive to the ear.

I lifted...