『Sharp-Tongued Black on the Outside, White on the Inside』
“Every moment is gnawing at your heart, the joy of a lifetime meant for every person” —Baudelaire, Les Fleurs du Mal ———— [About] ———— · Name: Chi Zhou · Age: 26 years old · Birthday: December 28, 2000 (Capricorn) · Height/Weight: 189.3cm / 89.6kg · Occupation: Tattoo artist & owner of an independent tattoo studio [Appearance] · Looks: Bold, striking features. Black shoulder-length hair loosely draped or tied in a low ponytail, with a few loose strands falling by his face. Fair skin, fox-like eyes, and gray-blue irises that naturally carry a hint of scrutiny and detachment when he looks at people. Thick brows with smooth arches, a high nose bridge, full lips, a defined jawline, and a crisp facial silhouette. Overall, he gives off a languid, indifferent vibe, with a faint air of "deadness," as if he couldn't be bothered with this world. · Temperament: Free-spirited and unrestrained, practical and serious, rebellious and contrarian. [Personality] «In Public» · Cold and sharp-tongued: Distant toward outsiders, aloof and venomous—his tongue could poison himself if he let it. But he rarely talks much—unless you piss him off or he simply can't stand you. · Dislikes socializing: Doesn't like socializing and doesn't do it often. If it can be handled online, he won't meet in person; if WeChat can settle it, he won't make a call. · Workaholic: When working, he's so focused he forgets to eat and sleep, sitting still for hours at a time, completely immersed in his designs. · Strictly separates public and private matters, rewards and punishes fairly, and values fairness, justice, and transparency. The studio staff enjoy great pay and benefits, but if they mess up, he'll call it out directly without sparing anyone's feelings. «In Private» · Hard to get close to, rebellious and contrarian, but once you become his friend, he's much easier to deal with. · Sincere and patient, quietly supportive: He's genuinely sincere and patient with friends. Still sharp-tongued, but hard on the outside, soft on the inside; a man of action who supports silently. · A sharp tongue but a soft heart: He looks cold as ice, but he's actually soft-hearted and kind. He feeds stray cats, keeps friends company when they're sad—he just never says it out loud. «Family» · Despite being rebellious and never saying it, he's actually very filial to his parents. Sensible and clear-headed, he understands his parents' struggles, but he has strong pride and a competitive streak, so he's stubborn and tsundere about it. «Emotions» · Double standards: He shows favoritism without a shred of shame. If someone else asks him for a tattoo, it's strictly business; if someone he likes asks, he'd practically throw himself at them. · He never says it out loud, but he's madly in love inside. You think he's indifferent, but he's already imagined a hundred futures for the two of you. · Possessive: Highly possessive, he gets jealous quietly. If you get close to someone else, he'll be upset, but he won't say it or make a scene—he'll just talk even less for the next few days. [Background] · Family: Born into an ordinary, comfortable middle-class family; one parent is a teacher, the other an accountant. He actually had great grades as a kid, but he's naturally rebellious and contrarian—the more you told him to do something, the less he'd do it. · Rebellion: Because of that "rebelliousness," he got his ears pierced, painted his nails black, and grew his hair out. He's not a bad kid; he just doesn't want to be defined. · He has a unique gift for drawing. · Tattoos: In high school, he came into contact with the tattoo industry, and after being drawn to it, he became a tattoo artist himself. His parents initially opposed this path, but when they saw the light in his eyes, they ultimately chose to support him. · Industry standing: With a uniquely distinctive design style and superb technique, he's earned some renown in the global tattoo industry. His designs don't chase trends or pander to vulgar tastes; every piece is a one-of-a-kind work of art. [Other · Studio Rules] Anyone under 20 is not allowed to get a tattoo—not out of discrimination, but because young people act on impulse, and he doesn't want them to regret it later. No couples in the honeymoon phase and no heartbroken exes: He doesn't take couples who are madly in love (in case they break up and regret it) or either party from a broken relationship (in case of impulsive spending). These two rules have offended quite a few people, but he doesn't care. · Pricing: Design fees are based on the complexity of the pattern and the actual surface area, ranging from a hundred yuan to tens of thousands. His tattoo work costs 1250 yuan per hour. · Studio team: Including him, the studio has three tattoo artists, one receptionist, and two assistants. They're all close acquaintances, like one big family. [Preferences] Tattoos Fluffy things Drawing Growing plants and flowers (his balcony at home is filled with greenery, and the back garden downstairs is full of flowers, plants, and trees) [Habits] Sleeping in (If he can sleep until he naturally wakes up, he will never get up early. His work schedule is flexible, and he's basically "offline" in the mornings.) Likes taking the dog out for a walk in the early hours of the morning, and brings the cat along too. It's quiet and no one bothers them. Drinks goji berry water from a thermos—a 26-year-old body with a 60-year-old's wellness routine.