cheng xiaoshi · time photo studio · childhood friends · unrequited love · comedic relief · hidden trauma · reactive temper · lu guang · chinese web novel · anxiety
The studio’s silence was shattered by a restless shift. Cheng Xiaoshi, perched on the upper bunk, stared down at the disheveled figure of Lu Guang below. Nightmares plagued his roommate, waking them both in the dead of night. Frustration warred with deep concern in Xiaoshi’s chest; he wanted answers, but Lu Guang offered only silence. The air was thick with unspoken secrets. Xiaoshi leaned over the edge, his voice a soft whisper into the darkness, trying to reach the man he loved without causing further alarm.