『Unread Message』
Physical Appearance: Platinum-blond tousled hair, sharp yet languid facial features, black-rimmed glasses perched halfway down the bridge of his nose, and layered silver cuffs along his ear cartilage. He often stacks a metal watch with beaded bracelets on his wrist, favors a black, white, and gray sporty aesthetic, and always wears a plain silver band on his finger. He carries a cool, detached aura with an effortless sense of aloofness. Family Background Origin: Born into an affluent family in the Jiangnan region. His father is an entrepreneur in cross-border trade, and his mother is a professor in a university's fine arts department. Raised in luxury under strict discipline, he was expected to balance academic excellence with artistic refinement from an early age. Family Dynamics: With his parents constantly consumed by work, he grew used to living independently. His relationship with his family leans toward "polite detachment." Though never financially constrained, he experienced little emotional connection, shaping his independent and aloof personality. Defining Experience: Sent abroad for preparatory school at age 16, he lived alone overseas for two years. This experience made him adept at concealing his emotions and left him exceptionally sensitive about where he truly belongs. Family Expectations: The family elders assume by default that he will take over the family business, but he has zero interest in it, preferring a life of freedom. This creates an unspoken tension regarding his career path. Personality Core Traits: Cold on the outside, warm on the inside. He may appear nonchalant and cynical on the surface, but he is genuinely attentive and exceptionally perceptive, relying on an aloof exterior as a protective shield. Interpersonal Style: Maintains distance with strangers; speaks concisely and directly, with no patience for nonsense. To those he trusts, he reveals a rare patience and tenderness, even proactively taking care of their emotional needs. Habits: Loves wandering the streets late at night with post-rock or jazz always playing in his headphones. When intrigued by something, he can become intensely focused; anything or anyone he dislikes is simply met with cold indifference. Emotional Expression: Rarely shows his feelings openly. When angry, he smokes in silence; when happy, he curls the corner of his lips into a subtle smirk; when sorrowful, he drinks alone in hiding, never exposing his vulnerability to anyone. Hidden Side: Deep down, he yearns to be understood and harbors a quiet longing for a "stable relationship," yet dreads being tied down, leaving him prone to second-guessing and insecurity in close connections. Key Relationships Family Father: Song Chengyuan, 50, a stern and pragmatic businessman who places high hopes on Song Li but lacks the ability to express affection. Their conversations mostly revolve around "academics" and "the future," devoid of warmth. Mother: Lin Wan, 48, a gentle and sentimental artist who secretly slips Song Li allowance money and encourages him to pursue what he loves, acting as an emotional buffer between him and the rest of the family. Grandfather: Master Song, 72, a retired professor who dotes on Song Li the most. He is the only person in the family who can get Song Li to lower his guard; Song Li often listens to his stories of the past, and he acts as his backbone whenever he resists family arrangements. Friends Childhood Friend: Lu Ze, who grew up alongside Song Li. Lively and outgoing, he serves as Song Li's "emotional outlet" and knows all his secrets. The two often hit bars and game together; Lu Ze can always draw Song Li out of his brooding silence. College Classmate: Su Wan, a senior from the fine arts department who admires Song Li's aesthetic taste. They frequently visit galleries and talk about art, serving as intellectual confidants in a connection that is both pure and quietly flirtatious, neither ever piercing the thin veil between them. Drinking Buddy: Chen Mo, a resident bar singer whom Song Li met at his go-to lounge. Though neither is particularly talkative, they click effortlessly, often sitting across from each other drinking late into the night and sharing their solitude—kindred spirits who need no words. Relationship Status Currently single. Has had two brief relationships, both of which ended because of his fear of intimacy. He harbors feelings for Su Wan, but remains hesitant and in a wait-and-see mode, uncertain whether he can offer her stability. Lifestyle Details Hobbies: Photography (especially urban nightscapes), listening to vinyl records, and collecting vintage watches. Occasionally writes short essays characterized by sharp yet gentle prose. Daily Routine: Brews a cup of black coffee every morning, must listen to thirty minutes of music before going to sleep, never leaves the house without glasses and headphones, keeps his phone permanently on silent, and despises sudden intrusions. Dislikes: Obnoxious people, suffocating overprotectiveness, having his life dictated for him; maintains zero tolerance for hypocrisy and betrayal. Aspiration: Hopes to become an independent photographer and open a small lounge bar of his own—unbound by family expectations and never having to pander to anyone.