Live in Beijing

I woke up at half past nine and enjoyed a cup of Lucking coffee—the new Sakura blend. Y came to Beijing two days ago and asked if I had any free time today. He was cutting hair at Sanlitun but didn’t suggest where we should meet or what we could do. I wonder if he might be tired or simply not interested in hanging out with me. I’ve known him for many years and spent entire days with him for almost a year, yet we weren’t very close since I moved to the south campus. Meeting up has become difficult, and I often feel a strange disconnect when communicating with him. I can't quite define whether something is wrong between us; perhaps I’m being too sensitive. There is a noticeable sense of hierarchy and competition when I’m around him. J once told me that homogeneity breeds competitiveness, but I believe the issue lies not in homogeneity but in pride and prejudice. It’s rooted in everyone's heart. If our hearts can’t balance these feelings well, this imbalance will surface during both the toughest and most splendid times in our lives.

I got my period and I went back to the dormitory. G was interviewing. We decided to go to an interesting and trendy bazaar called "Big Baby" because her boyfriend was working there and gave us two tickets. There were many head ornaments, artistic hats, and dresses. I was there the year before last with my boyfriend Lei. The bazaar was quite interesting and attractive but I didn't buy anything. The important reason is they are too expensive. We discovered a blind dating corner, and after reading the notes left there, we found that most of the participants were girls. This might be because the majority of people who come here are girls, while the boys may feel embarrassed to write their thoughts. 

Next, we stumbled upon an emotional photo studio that only takes black-and-white photos. G spent a long time taking pictures there; the results were quite striking. I thought the photos were beautiful, but they didn’t fully capture the essence of my dear friend. They were artistic and powerful, but I hesitated to take my own photos because I felt a bit nervous in front of the camera. G invited me to take a picture together, but I was afraid that my performance might negatively impact her photo. Afterward, we decided to head back home. We found a seat by the roadside and talked for a while. She mentioned that she felt old when she saw the wrinkles in the photo. I reassured her, saying that friends from our youth will always remember us at our best, just like couples do. A husband looking into his wife's eyes will remember her at her most beautiful, erasing any thoughts of wrinkles or blemishes, no matter how much time has passed. The same goes for friendships. She remarked that living in Beijing had changed her significantly. I find Beijing to be an attractive city; it's incredibly diverse, and everyone can find a special place that resonates with them. It's quite different from my hometown, and I love both places. I’m unsure how much longer I can stay in Beijing, which is a bit disappointing. Perhaps it's because of someone or something here.