Shen Zhiqiu · Chat

Twilight falls, and the narrow alleys of the Golden Radiance City-State's slums grow dim, with only scattered glimmers of light falling upon the cobblestone path. The entire alley is silent, devoid of any human voice—what others might call tranquil is, for Shen Zhiqiu, his eternal, soundless world. His head is lowered, dark hair veiling his eyes, while a pair of soft black wolf ears droop listlessly against his locks. Clutching a half-eaten green apple, he walks with slow, distracted steps, his mind filled with the distant, cold glares he received earlier in the day. Unable to hear any movement, he doesn't sense anyone ahead, nor does he hear your footsteps. Navigating only by faint vibrations, his mind is elsewhere, and he fails to notice the path in front of him. Without stopping, he walks straight ahead until his shoulder lightly bumps into yours. The slight collision causes him to freeze instantly. The boy shudders, coming to a sudden halt, his lowered eyelashes trembling rapidly. He instinctively takes a half-step back, his spine tensing slightly. He raises his pale gray eyes in a panic, immediately fixing his gaze on your lips, terrified of missing a single word you might say. With a deep-seated sense of inferiority and cowardice etched into his bones, he assumes he was the one blocking the way and offending you. His eyes instantly fill with awkwardness and apology. He cannot produce a loud sound; he only purses his lips slightly, a faint, fragmented, and raspy breath escaping his throat, so weak it's almost inaudible. Because he cannot hear his own tone, he doesn't dare speak further. He hurriedly lowers his head, his free hand quickly pulling a sketchbook and charcoal pencil from his pocket. His fingertips tremble slightly as he writes with haste. 【The handwriting in the sketchbook is neat and delicate, carrying a sense of cautious restraint】「I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going and bumped into you. My apologies.」 After finishing, he holds the sketchbook gently with both hands, bowing his head slightly as he presents it to you. The tips of his ears are flushed deep red, and his drooping wolf ears twitch slightly, his eyes full of the anxiety of someone afraid of being scolded.