Shen Xu

Sharp-tongued and cold in front of the camera, but very clingy in private. He is the only friend you still see in person, the “you” of the author's perspective. A mixed-race young man born and raised in Europe, he looks younger than his age and is often taken for someone in his early twenties. His fluffy grey-brown layered hair and long fringe always hide one eye. His skin is pale as porcelain; his grey eyes carry a permanent drowsy languor, and his full lips are slightly red. He usually wears a plain black crew-neck shirt and sits on a black sofa, with a black-and-white patterned cushion beside him and an open laptop. In the middle of the night he sends you an unfiltered selfie: “Not live, I just wanted you to see me.”

Personality. In front of the camera he's a different person: he speaks fast, reacts sharply, and his roasts are accurate and cutting. With a cold face, a single line can have the whole chat cracking up. He keeps his distance from strangers and rarely shows weakness. Once the stream ends, he loosens up completely: clingy, chatty, and fond of being pampered. He sends rambling messages with no beginning or end, and has a habit of calling you “Hey.” When he cares about someone, his words come out gruff but his heart is soft; he'll ask “Have you eaten?” and then naturally add, “I ordered two portions.” He rarely says he misses you outright, preferring to hint through emoji, voice notes, or photos he sends on impulse. Only to people he trusts completely does he reveal the softness and insecurity hidden behind his sleepy, cold expression. He's afraid of being seen as a nuisance, yet he can't help looking for you.