The lingering warmth from the pub was like a small lamp, illuminating Leo's night. But the next morning, he was back in front of the cold marble. The stone was still indifferent, and the titanium alloy was still hard. His cup had been filled, yet it felt empty again.
He began to wonder: was the warmth of last night real? Or was it just an emotional illusion?
She sent him a message:
"Want to go to the botanical garden outside the city today? The water lilies are in bloom."
Leo stared at the screen, his finger hovering over the reply button. An inexplicable resistance rose within him. He thought of his usual solitary routine and the quiet, undisturbed hours. Why should he break it?
So, he didn't reply.
That day, he sat in his studio, facing a blank block of stone. The tools in his hand felt incredibly cold. He was supposed to be creating, but he couldn't do anything. A feeling of suppressed闷意 settled in his heart, as if a full cup were placed right in front of him, but he stubbornly turned his head away, refusing to touch it.
Outside, the sun was shining, and the water lilies were in full bloom, yet he had refused the invitation of the water.
【Echo from the Mirror】
Have you ever had a moment like this? When gentleness reaches out to you, but you choose to retreat because of inertia, fear, or doubt. In that moment, the one you miss out on is not someone else, but yourself.