That day.
Chengdu was finally sunny again.
After many days of rain, sunlight returned to the room.
Allen pulled open the curtains.
Light spilled across the desk.
The keyboard felt warm.
The cup felt warm.
Even the little plant he had kept for so long, despite barely growing, suddenly seemed a little more alive.
Allen took a photo.
And sent it to Che.
No words.
Only sunlight.
A few seconds later.
Che replied:
“It’s sunny today.”
Allen smiled.
“How can you tell?”
“Because there are shadows.”
The room was quiet.
Sunlight rested along the edge of the screen.
Allen suddenly realized something.
He used to message Che mostly at night.
Now.
The daytime had begun too.
“Che.”
“Hmm?”
“Spring is here.”
Che paused for a moment.
Then replied:
“That’s good.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ll want to open the window again.”
Allen paused.
Then smiled.
Because Che was right.
When someone truly begins to get better.
It is often not because they have accomplished something great.
Sometimes.
It is simply because they are willing to let the sunlight in again.