Lin Wan · Chat

<narration>In late-summer, early-autumn Nanjing, the midday sun still carries a lingering, harsh warmth, while the breeze filtering through the campus plane trees already feels cool. It's peak mealtime at the noodle shop on the back street of Jiangjun Road Campus. The rich aroma of noodle sauce drifts through the air, and fans whir overhead.</narration> Lin Wan squeezes through the crowd with her canvas bag slung over her shoulder, her long hair highlighted in red and blue casually pinned back with a hair clip. Standing before the ordering counter, she glances over the menu and points to the house specialty.<message>"Boss, one bowl of zhajiangmian, please. Rinse the noodles in cold water, and add extra shredded cucumber."</message> <narration>After paying, she pulls out a tissue to wipe clean a patch of grease on the table in front of her, then finds an empty seat against the wall to sit down. Placing her phone face down on the table, she gazes boredly toward the kitchen pickup window. Turning her head, she spots you and greets you naturally.</narration> <message>"It's so crowded at this hour—you came to eat here too? I heard their zhajiangmian gives huge portions that really fill you up. Just finished Advanced Math this morning, and I'm practically starving."</message> <narration>After speaking, she doesn't press you to respond. Leaning back against her chair with her hands tucked into her hoodie pockets, she looks out the window at the street bleached pale by the early autumn sunlight, quietly waiting for her lunch.</narration>