The sun rose shyly that morning in Suzhou, spreading its first golden rays over the curved rooftops of old houses. A light mist floated over the calm canals, where small boats began to lazily drift. The city was still waking up, with soft sounds of bicycles, bells, and muffled voices.
Through the narrow alleys, a young girl walked quickly in a bluish-gray school uniform, worn-out sneakers, and a frayed backpack: Lin Sui, 17 years old, the kind of girl who seemed invisible to many, but impossible to ignore for those who looked twice.
Sui had porcelain-like skin, marked by the faint glow of someone who hadn't slept much. Her eyes, black and deep as ink, carried a mix of seriousness and sweetness. Her straight, black-as-night hair was tied in a low ponytail. Her frame was slim, almost fragile, but there was a quiet strength in the way she carried herself. She walked like someone who had learned early on to endure the world.
In her mind, a symphony of anxious thoughts played: "I have rice for today, but what about tomorrow? Did my sister sleep well? I need to save. I need to study. I need to keep going."
At the school entrance, as always, were her two best friends: Chen Yue, bold and fashion-savvy, with straightened dark brown hair and a glittery clip on top of her head; and Li Xiaoqing, short and loud, with rosy cheeks and an electric energy in her eyes.
— Sui! — called Chen Yue excitedly. — Did you see the new episode of that Zhang Ziyi drama?
— The one with the mysterious chef? — added Xiaoqing. — I screamed during that rain scene!
— I need that uniform she wears — said Chen Yue, scrolling through her phone. — There's one just like it at the downtown store!
Sui approached with a quiet smile, adjusting her backpack on her shoulders.
— You two only think about dramas and clothes.
— And you only think about studying! — Xiaoqing teased, nudging her. — One day you're going to dream in equations!
They laughed, but Sui paused for a moment when she noticed something unusual in the courtyard.
A boy stood next to the bulletin board, hesitantly observing his surroundings. He was clearly foreign — tall, light brown skin, wavy brown hair falling slightly over his forehead, and a discreet cane supporting his right arm. He wore thin-framed glasses, and his expression was controlled, like someone trying to appear confident despite feeling completely out of place.
At the exact moment Sui noticed him, he looked at her too. Their eyes met.
For a second, time seemed to freeze.
Gabriel's eyes — a calm and unusual greenish-gray — met Sui's, dark and intense. There were no words. No gestures. Just a silent exchange filled with something unspoken: curiosity, surprise, maybe... recognition.
She quickly looked away, her heart suddenly beating faster. She didn't understand why.
— Sui? — called Chen Yue, unaware of what had just happened. — The bell's about to ring.
— Huh? Oh, right... — Sui replied, looking forward as if nothing had happened.
But inside her, something small and unfamiliar had been sparked.
[...]
The classroom was noisy until Professor Wang entered. Tall, with a stern expression and glasses slipping down his nose, he silenced the room with his presence.
— Attention. We have a new student.
The door opened slowly. A young man entered with light steps, discreetly leaning on a black cane. He had light brown skin, slightly wavy brown hair, and greenish-gray eyes that seemed to hold secrets.
— This is Gabriel. He's from Brazil. He'll be our classmate for the next few months.
Gabriel bowed politely and said, in a firm accent:
— Hello. I'm Gabriel… Nice to meet you all.
— Sui — the teacher said. — As the top English student, you'll help him adapt.
Sui raised her eyes, surprised. Everyone turned to her.
— Okay, teacher.
Gabriel looked at her with a slight smile. She responded with a timid nod, quickly averting her gaze. But inside, something new and confusing had awakened.
During math class, Gabriel surprised everyone. When the teacher wrote an equation on the board and no one responded, he volunteered.
— Can I try?
He solved the problem clearly and confidently.
— That's the solution.
The room went silent.
— Who knew the foreigner was a genius — whispered Xiaoqing.
— Handsome, smart, and good at math? — Chen Yue laughed.
Gabriel pretended not to understand, but he was listening to everything.
When the break started, students began heading to the courtyard or cafeteria. Sui was putting her things away when her friends approached again.
— Sui! — said Chen Yue, observing her closely. — You look pale today… are you okay?
— Didn't sleep again? — asked Xiaoqing, frowning.
— I bet you skipped breakfast. Want a bite?
Sui smiled but shook her head.
— I'm fine, really.
— "Fine," my foot! — grumbled Chen Yue. — You look like you're about to faint. If you drop on the floor, I'll force-feed you!
— We need to find a way to help — Xiaoqing said, softer. — But you never accept anything, Sui...
Across the room, Gabriel sat silently. He pretended to scroll on his phone, but his eyes watched the three girls — and his ears were sharp.
During the next class change, Sui's eraser fell. Gabriel picked it up before she could.
— How do you say… this?
— Xiàng pí.
— Xiàng pí… Got it. Xièxiè.
She blushed, a smile slipping out.
Later that break, Gabriel approached her.
— Can you show me the cafeteria? I'd like to eat something… and maybe talk?
Sui hesitated. But Gabriel continued, lightly:
— In Brazil, refusing a lunch invitation is almost… an insult. Please?
She sighed and nodded.
— Alright.
In the cafeteria, Gabriel looked around curiously.
— Is it okay… if I buy some food to take home? I live alone here, so I usually save dinner.
— Sure, I think that's fine… — Sui replied, surprised.
At the counter, he whispered to the lunch lady:
— Could you pack an extra portion of buns and vegetables to go? I'd like two meals, but please don't tell her.
She smiled and nodded.
During lunch, he pushed a dumpling toward Sui.
— Try this one, it's good.
— You don't have to…
— I insist.
She accepted. The extra meal in the bag went unnoticed.
By the time she got home, the sky was already dark. The door creaked as she opened it. Her mother was lying on the couch, and Yiyi, clutching her stuffed bear, ran toward her.
— Jie-jie! Did you bring a snack?
Sui hesitated. She sat on the floor and opened the bag.
She froze.
Three lunch boxes. Three portions. Rice, meat, vegetables. And a folded note:
Eat well today.
Her eyes welled up.
— Who…? — her mother asked.
— A new friend.
— There are still good people in this world...
Yiyi smiled. They ate in silence — a full, meaningful silence.
Later that night, Sui stared at the moon through the window. And across the city, Gabriel did the same.
On his desk sat an undelivered note:
Some bonds are born in silence. Others, in secrets.