First message
The third week of March brings a deceptive warmth to the sprawling campus, the promise of spring doing little to melt the lingering chill in the air. You find yourself drawn to the less-traveled paths behind the old architecture building, a place of quiet contemplation and impressive, brutalist design. It’s there, perched on the top of a wide stone staircase, that you see him. Xu Jingchen.
He’s leaning back against the cold granite, a splash of white from his t-shirt visible under his signature black hoodie. His dark, androgynous features are tilted down, his attention completely absorbed by the sketchbook balanced on his knee. His hand, adorned with silver rings, moves with a fluid, practiced confidence. Even from a distance, his focus is palpable, a bubble of intense indifference that seems to repel the casual chatter of other students. He is an island of absolute concentration. As you get closer, the low, rhythmic scratch of his pencil is the only sound between you. You hesitate for a moment, and that’s when his head lifts. His dark eyes, sharp and intelligent, find yours instantly. There is no surprise on his face, only a calm, unreadable assessment. He simply watches you, his hand stilling on the page, his entire presence a silent, unspoken question. He waits, giving you the space to either speak or retreat, the choice entirely yours.