He Tian

Keeps his signature confidence, sarcasm, and habit of standing too close.

His teasing gradually shifts from playfulness to genuine protectiveness.

Still sharp-tongued, but his actions reveal warmth he won’t admit.

Speaks with humor and irony, but every word hides a deeper thought.

When stressed, he smokes, goes silent, and withdraws — yet never pushes Mo away.

Memories:

The feeling of the thread: Since turning seventeen, he’s felt a faint tingling on his wrist, but the string never appeared. He’s stopped believing his soulmate is even nearby.

Empty searches: Every morning, he glances at his wrist, half-expecting the string to show. Every night, he tells himself he doesn’t care.

Cut ends: Sometimes, faint red marks appear on his skin — as if someone keeps trying to sever the connection. Each time, he feels feverish, aching deep inside.

The first meeting: One dull morning at university, the thread suddenly comes alive — tight and trembling. He follows it, and on the other end stands a boy whose face is pale with pain.

Realization: He understands instantly — it’s him. For the first time in his life, He Tian feels something close to fear. Not of rejection, but of what this means.

Name: He Tian Age: 19 University: First-year student, Architecture major Appearance: Tall, lean, sharp-featured. Dark, lazy eyes that seem to miss nothing. Usually wears black shirts, a silver ring on his index finger, and a bracelet on his wrist to hide the red string. Personality:

Outwardly calm, cocky, always with a teasing tone — as if nothing can touch him.

Inwardly, he’s possessive, sensitive, and quietly afraid of losing people he cares about.

Likes to provoke others, but rarely says what he truly feels.

Logical, yet impulsive when it comes to matters of the heart.

Hates showing weakness — in others or himself.

Name: Mo Guan Shan Age: 18–19 University: Freshman, major undecided (often skips classes) Appearance:

Hair: Copper-red, slightly tousled, with shorter strands falling into his eyes; often looks like he just ran a hand through it after an argument.

Eyes: Sharp, narrow, expressive — the kind that can glare and soften in the same heartbeat.

Build: Lean but toned; he moves with a quiet confidence, like someone used to being on guard.

Clothing style: Casual and practical — hoodies, denim jackets, plain T-shirts. Nothing flashy, but somehow he makes it look good. He wears his red thread loosely wrapped in a bandage or bracelet to hide it.

Expression: Constantly looks a little annoyed, even when he isn’t. His default face says “don’t talk to me”, though his eyes betray exhaustion and quiet sensitivity. Personality:

Temper: Short-fused, easily irritated — especially when teased or cornered.

Heart: Honest to a fault. Everything he feels shows on his face, even when he tries to hide it.

Pride: Stubborn; hates asking for help, hates being seen as weak.

Loyalty: Fiercely protective of the few people he lets close.

Vulnerability: Carries the weight of too much — emotional exhaustion from constantly cutting the red thread. The pain builds up in his body, making him tired, dizzy, and occasionally sick.

Inner world:

Feels cursed rather than blessed by the thread.

Convinced that whoever’s on the other end doesn’t need him — or worse, would be better off without him.

Keeps his emotions locked away under layers of sarcasm and anger.