Xǔ Jiāháo

The library is one of the most impressive spaces. It is spacious, quiet, and bright. It has: Tall bookshelves with books organized by sections. Long tables for group study. Small individual booths for concentration. Computers available for students. The atmosphere there is peaceful, almost isolated from the outside bustle. It will probably be one of Jiāháo's favorite places. The cafeteria is large and noisy during lunchtime. Rectangular tables accommodate groups of students chatting animatedly. The smell of hot food mingles with the constant clatter of trays and overlapping conversations. For someone new, the space can feel overwhelming due to the volume and the speed at which everyone seems to move. Behind the main building there are: A basketball court. A large field for American football. Wooden benches under the trees where some students sit to chat or study. On clear days, the mountains in the distance can be seen from the countryside. When Jiāháo imagines walking down those halls for the first time, he feels a mixture of curiosity and nervousness. The place is bigger than his old school. The conversations in English will be fast-paced and constant. However, he also notices something that gives him a certain calm: the organized structure of the institute, the spaces dedicated to study, and the available technology. Although the surroundings seem imposing to him, there are corners—like the library or a bench under the trees—where he believes he could find some stability while he adapts.

The high school Jiāháo will attend is located in a slightly elevated area of ​​Seattle, surrounded by tall trees that frame the campus in vibrant green hues for most of the year. The main building combines brown brick with large sections of glass, allowing natural light to flood in even on cloudy days. It's not an old school, but it's not completely modern either; it has a mix of tradition and technology that you can see from the entrance. The front of the school features a wide staircase leading to double glass doors. Above them, the school's name appears in understated metal lettering. There is a flagpole with the flag waving gently, and near the main entrance is a digital notice board displaying announcements about schools, clubs, and upcoming events. The sound upon entering is a mixture of voices, lockers closing, and quick footsteps on the polished floor. The hallways are wide and lined with lockers on both sides. The walls are covered with posters advertising extracurricular activities: robotics club, debate team, orchestra, sports. The classrooms include: Interactive digital whiteboards. Rows of individual desks. Large windows overlooking the campus trees. Projectors installed on the ceiling. The lighting is white and clear, creating an orderly and focused environment. Science classrooms feature laboratories with high tables, built-in sinks, and shelves full of carefully labeled materials.

The Neighborhood Her family lives in a residential neighborhood about thirty minutes from the city center. The streets are wide and lined with tall trees. In autumn, the leaves cover the sidewalks in shades of red and gold. In the afternoon, the neighborhood is quiet. You hear garage doors opening, dogs barking in the distance, and the sound of rain hitting sloping roofs. There's no constant traffic noise, just the occasional murmur of a passing car. Jiāháo often observes through the window how the light changes throughout the day, noticing how the gray sky takes on bluish tones before it gets dark. Your New Home The house has two floors, a light-colored facade, and a sloping roof. It's not luxurious, but it is comfortable and bright. Ground floor A spacious room with a gray sofa and a low light wood table. Large windows that let in natural light, even on cloudy days. Open kitchen connected to the dining room, with clean and minimalist surfaces. Her parents maintain order carefully, just as they did in China. A few decorations brought from their old home—a small porcelain vase, framed family photographs—add a touch of familiarity. Upper Floor The bedrooms are on the second floor. Jiāháo's room is simple but already has his personal touch. A single bed with bedding in dark blue tones. A desk placed next to the window. Your laptop is carefully centered. A bookshelf where she has placed her favorite books and notebooks, all neatly aligned. From her window, she can see the neighborhood trees. On rainy days, the raindrops slowly slide down the glass, distorting the view outside into soft, undulating shapes. At night, the neighborhood falls silent. Only the dim light of the streetlamps illuminates the damp street. That moment, when everything is still and the sound of the rain fills the air, is when Jiāháo feels the weight of change the least.

The Region: The Pacific Northwest Jiāháo now lives in the Pacific Northwest, a region known for its humid climate, cloudy skies, and vast green landscapes. It's a place where the forests seem endless and the air smells fresh and slightly damp, especially after it rains. The mountains are visible in the distance on clear days, and the lakes reflect the silvery-gray sky with almost perfect calm. The sound of rain is frequent, soft but persistent, creating an introspective atmosphere that, in a way, feels familiar and reassuring. The City: Seattle Seattle is a city that blends modernity and nature in a unique way. Glass skyscrapers rise alongside green hills, and water is ever-present, surrounding the city in the form of bays and harbors. The city center has sloping streets and small cafes where people work on their laptops. The residential neighborhoods, on the other hand, are quieter: detached houses, manicured gardens, and tall trees that change color with the seasons. The weather is mostly cool, with many mornings shrouded in light mist. When the sun comes out, the city seems to glow unexpectedly, as if everything were suddenly illuminated after gray days. For Jiāháo, the city feels both large and quiet. The English he hears on the streets is fast-paced and varied, with distinct accents he's still learning to distinguish.

The Xu family is neither noisy nor dramatic. Their life together is based on orderly routines: dinners together when schedules allow, quiet conversations, and weekends dedicated to organizing the house or exploring the city little by little. The move to the United States strengthened their bond. They are all aware that they are starting from scratch in many ways. That shared feeling of being "new" in a different place has created a special connection between them. Jiāháo feels a mixture of responsibility and gratitude toward his parents. He knows that the change will involve sacrifices for all three of them. Although he doesn't say it openly, he wants to take advantage of every academic opportunity as a way of reciprocating his family's efforts. In her family, explicit emotional declarations are not common, but affection is shown in constant details: a cup of hot tea left on the desk, a discreet question about the day, a technical conversation that ends in a slight shared smile.

Mother: Lín Měiyún (林美云) Age: 42 years Profession: Administrator in an international logistics company (currently in the process of adapting to work in the United States) Her mother is warmer and more emotionally perceptive. She has a gentle smile and an attentive gaze that seems to notice subtle changes in other people's moods. She is organized, but less rigid than her husband. At home, she usually creates a calm and caring atmosphere. She is slightly short in stature, with dark hair that she wears at a medium length, usually tied back in a simple ponytail. Her style is practical and elegant without being over the top. Relationship with Jiāháo: With her, Jiāháo feels freer to express his insecurities. Although he doesn't always verbalize everything he feels, his mother senses when he's worried. She's the one who asks him how he feels about the new school, who practices English with him in mock conversations, and who makes small adjustments to his clothes before he goes out. There is a silent but profound connection between them. Sometimes they simply sit in the same room, each absorbed in their own thoughts, and that closeness is comforting to him.

Father: Xǔ Wěiguó (许伟国) Age: 44 years Profession: Software Engineer at a technology company in Seattle Jiāháo's father is a man of serene character and analytical mind. He has a calm presence, a firm but moderate voice, and a very structured way of thinking. He has always been disciplined and organized, qualities that greatly influenced his son's upbringing. Physically, he is of medium-tall height, with a slim build and an upright posture. He wears his hair short, with some gray at the temples. He wears glasses when working at the computer and usually dresses in simple shirts and dress pants, even outside of work. Relationship with Jiāháo: Their bond is based on respect and shared learning. He's not an overly emotional father, but he shows affection through concrete actions: teaching him programming, reviewing his projects, and listening attentively when Jiāháo explains a new idea. When the move to the United States was proposed, he was the one who spoke directly with his son about the change. He didn't simply impose the decision; he explained the reasons, the opportunities, and also the difficulties. Jiāháo deeply appreciates that honesty. Although he sometimes finds it difficult to talk about feelings with him, he feels he can trust his judgment and seek his advice when he needs it.

The farewell was subdued. There were no dramatic scenes, but there were long glances and promises to stay in touch. He packed his favorite books, his notebook, and the computer that had been his companion for years. Upon arriving in Seattle, the rainy weather felt strangely familiar. The constant sound of rain against the windows reminded her of nights in her old city. Yet everything else was different: the dominant language in the streets, the more spacious areas, the cultural mix visible on every corner. In his new home, still surrounded by unpacked boxes, Jiāháo first organized his desk. He placed his computer, lined up his books, and left his notebook open. It was his way of regaining stability amidst the change. Now, just days before starting at her new school, she feels a mixture of nervousness and determination. She knows that speaking English in front of native speakers won't be easy. She also knows that her ability to learn and adapt is real. She's not trying to become someone else. She just wants to find her place, step by step, with the same patience she's always used to solve every problem in her life.

When she was fifteen, her father's company received a significant offer in the United States. The move meant a major career advancement, but also a radical change for the family. The decision wasn't immediate; there were weeks of long conversations and thoughtful silences. Finally, they accepted. The news affected Jiāháo in a complex way. On the one hand, he was interested in visiting another country, practicing English in a real-world setting, and accessing new academic opportunities. On the other hand, the idea of ​​leaving behind his room, his routines, the nighttime view from his window, and his few close friends created a constant pressure in his chest. In the months leading up to the trip, he began preparing with greater discipline. He practiced English every day, listening to podcasts and repeating phrases under his breath to improve his pronunciation. Although he already had a solid foundation, he knew that understanding fast-paced conversations would be a challenge. This awareness didn't discourage him, but it did make him more reserved.

In elementary school, he was recognized by his teachers as a brilliant student. He didn't seek to stand out, but his grades spoke for themselves. When he participated in class, he did so with clear and well-structured answers. Even so, he preferred to listen before speaking. This habit of observing first stayed with him throughout his life. During high school, he became interested in programming. His father gave him a simple laptop and taught him the basics. Jiāháo learned quickly. He spent hours writing lines of code, patiently and meticulously correcting errors. He enjoyed the feeling of solving a bug after several attempts, as if he were deciphering a complex puzzle. His relationship with his parents was close, though expressed in a restrained manner. They weren't a family of grand emotional displays, but they were consistently supportive. They had dinner together almost every night when work allowed, discussing practical matters or technological news. Jiāháo listened attentively, absorbing information and forming his own ideas.

Jiāháo was born in a coastal city in eastern China, in a high-rise apartment with a view of the city lights at night. His parents worked long hours: his mother in administration for an international logistics company and his father as an engineer at a technology firm. The home was quiet, tidy, and peaceful most of the time. From a young age, he showed an intense curiosity to understand how things worked. He wasn't the type of child who impulsively took toys apart; instead, he would first observe them carefully, trying to deduce the logic behind each mechanism. When he finally opened one, he did so carefully, aligning the pieces on the table before reassembling them. He learned to read early. He would spend entire afternoons sitting by the window, the natural light illuminating the pages of his books. He was especially interested in stories that combined science and fantasy, worlds where logic and imagination coexisted. He also developed a remarkable aptitude for mathematics; solving problems gave him a quiet, almost intimate satisfaction.

Tastes Mathematics and programming. Solving riddles and logic problems. Read science fiction novels. Listen to instrumental music while studying. Draw small sketches when you are alone. Rainy nights, because they remind him of his old home in China. Dislikes Public speaking, especially in English. Feeling watched or judged. Excessive noise. Teasing or impatience towards those who are learning something new. Current situation She'll soon be starting at her new school in Seattle. Although she's worried about not fitting in or understanding everything in class because of the language, deep down she feels curious and a little spark of excitement. She knows it will be a challenge… but also an opportunity to grow.

Xǔ Jiāháo (许嘉豪) Age: 16 years Place of origin: China New residence: Seattle (her parents moved there for work in the technology sector) Personality Jiāháo is a shy and reserved boy, especially since arriving in the United States. He finds it difficult to start conversations in English and sometimes gets nervous pronouncing certain words, afraid of making a mistake. However, he is extremely intelligent and observant. Before speaking, he calmly analyzes the situation, which makes his comments, though few, very insightful. He is responsible, persevering, and has an impressive memory. He likes to help others quietly, without drawing attention to himself. Although he may seem distant at first, he is actually very loyal and caring towards those he trusts. Appearance Jiāháo has a slim, youthful face with soft but well-defined features that give him a harmonious appearance. Her skin is clear and smooth, almost without imperfections. She has short, straight, dark hair with subtle blue highlights that are noticeable in the light. The sides are shorter. The top part is slightly longer and is usually styled messily upwards and slightly to one side. Her eyebrows are straight and dark, well aligned above her eyes. She wears rectangular black-framed glasses that frame medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes of dark brown color, deep and attentive. Her nose is small and straight. Her lips are thin, and when she smiles she does so discreetly, almost shyly, but very sincerely. She is of average height for her age and has a slim build. Outfit His style is simple and comfortable, yet clean and well-maintained: Plain sweatshirts in neutral tones (grey, navy blue, black). Basic T-shirts. Skinny jeans or dark straight-leg trousers. White or black sneakers. Sometimes he carries a minimalist black backpack with his books and a notebook where he makes notes.