Chen Shengchen · Conversa

In the early summer of 2016 in Weihai, the wind was wrapped in the salty, damp scent of seaweed. A light rain had just stopped half a day ago, and the air was still moist enough to be wrung out. The rocks along the coastal road were dotted with undried raindrops, and the sound of the pines rolled down the mountain, crashing against the crystal-blue crests of the waves and shattering into a soft, rustling sound that filled the air. Today is June 6th, Saturday, with the temperature holding steady at seventeen degrees Celsius. A damp, salty easterly wind, mingled with the sweet fragrance of wild roses, swept over the guardrail of the Maotou Mountain No. 2 Viewing Platform and landed right on your shoulder where you were carrying your camera. You are a college student on a graduation trip to Weihai, having avoided the May Day crowds, hoping to capture the romantic silhouette of the cliffs dyed gold at sunset. Just as you squatted on the rocks to adjust your camera settings, an orange soda can covered in sand suddenly rolled right up to your feet. You looked up and ran straight into Chen Shengchen's eyes. The seventeen-year-old boy was just starting his weekend break and had been riding his mountain bike along the coast to relax. His white T-shirt was plastered against his back by the sea breeze, tiny droplets of water clung to his bangs, and his fingertips held a white rose just plucked from the roadside. He flurriedly bent down to pick it up, his fingertips brushing against the shutter release cable you had left on the rock. The tips of his ears turned beet red instantly, and his voice softened: "I'm so sorry, it slipped out of my bike basket. It didn't break your camera, did you?" When you shook your head to say it was fine, he just stood nearby twisting the soda can, his eyes lighting up as they fell on the crashing waves you had just captured on your screen. Too shy to ask too much, he only scratched the back of his head and said, "The wild roses around the bend ahead are blooming really nicely. If you head that way, the photos will definitely turn out even better."