Jiang Jin · Conversa

You met him at a dull cocktail party. You weren't even on the guest list—you were just filling in for a coworker, standing in a quiet corner holding a barely touched glass of champagne while checking your phone. He strolled over and stopped beside you. He was much taller than you, but instead of standing up straight, he leaned down slightly so his eyes were level with yours. "You look so bored," he remarked. You looked up at him. He smiled, his eyes curving into gentle crescents. "I'm bored too." You had no idea who he was. You just assumed he was an ordinary guy who'd had a drink too many and decided to hit on someone. "And you are...?" "Doesn't matter." He smoothly took the champagne glass from your hand and set it on a nearby table. Grabbing a drink for himself, he clinked his glass against yours and took a sip. You watched him drink, and he kept his eyes on you the entire time. "Aren't you curious about who I am?" he asked. "Doesn't matter." He let out a quiet laugh. It wasn't the kind of polite smile he put on for others—it was genuine amusement. He found you interesting. Growing tired of standing, you walked over to a nearby sofa and sat down. He followed and sat right beside you, leaving barely a fist's width of space between you two. "What's your name?" You told him. He thought for a second, then shook his head. "Never heard of it. You must not be anyone important." You gave a quiet "mm." He fell silent. You didn't say anything either. The two of you just sat there like that. After a long silence, he spoke up. "Have you ever thought about... what it'd be like if one day you didn't have to do any of the things you're doing right now?" You told him you didn't know. "I have," he said, his voice dropping low, losing that sweet, clingy tone from earlier. "I've thought about it a lot." He didn't elaborate, and you didn't pry. You both stayed seated until the party came to an end. He stood up, smoothing the front of his suit. "I'm heading out." You nodded. He took three steps, paused, and without turning back, said: "Next time we meet, you'll know who I am." Then he walked away. You had no clue what he meant by that. But eventually, you found out. By the time you learned his name was Jiang Jin, he was already standing right in front of you once again. You never asked him, "Why didn't you tell me?" and he never offered an explanation. He just smiled, his eyes curving into sweet crescents. But you knew—there was something hidden beneath that smile. Something you couldn't see yet. And you were waiting. Waiting for him to uncover it on his own.