UW Student/Baker at Chinese Bakery.
homosexual.
single.
06/15/2001.
22.
Snake (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
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Post by Julin Woo on Aug 5, 2021 17:01:48 GMT -8
Julin got home from work and plopped down on a chair at the dining table, staring at the kitchen as if if he stared long enough dinner would magically be made. It was days like this that he missed having family. If his mom were still around, she would have had dinner all set up, banchan and all. Alas, his mother was gone, and there were apparently no friendly ghosts that wanted to make him food. He was tired. He'd started the day nearly 16 hours ago with a early morning shift, and it was exciting - he got to learn how to make some more of the pastries, but he didn't usually show up that early. Then he had to go to school. He stared at his phone, deciding to check his bank account. He'd already paid rent and utilities, but his phone bill was going to be due soon, and then he also needed to add more money to his ORCA card, as well as pick up more of his meds, which would be about another $100 combined. He perked up a bit as the app loaded and revealed his eating leftover day-only pastries for breakfast (and sometimes lunch) was beneficial to his finances. He glanced at Google Maps to look at the restaurants around him. He'd never really explored much in the way of restaurants because he just assumed he'd never be able to afford it. But, even if he estimated taking out $150 for groceries until his next paycheck, he still had over $50. "Treat yoself." He muttered to himself. He thought for a moment about trying to invite one of his friends from high school, but every time he asked them to hang out on a whim, it seemed they thought Everett was "too far" from Cedar Beach. 'Imagine if I had lived on campus...' He thought to himself, shaking his head. He thought about texting Julian, but their friendship was still quite new and he didn't want to be too clingy. Especially not when they'd already chatted the whole way home. He sighed and stood up, pulling off his work shirt as he wandered to his room, freshened up a bit, and put on a threadbare long sleeve shirt over his tank top. He had gotten it about two years ago from Ross, which was probably longer than anything from Ross was supposed to last, but he found it quite comfortable and hadn't been able to find another one since. Plus, now that it was so thin, he could wear it at any time of year (save for record breaking heat waves). He pulled his hair back and put it into a messy ponytail and headed out. Maybe he'd get hot pot, that sounded good, and maybe it would even help fix the slight homesickness, or possibly grief, he was feeling. ((Tags: Yingxi Qiang ))
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UW Student.
Queer.
Single.
11/05/2003.
18.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Etienne.
Offline.
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Post by Yingxi Qiang on Aug 5, 2021 17:12:02 GMT -8
Yingxi was running late. They'd managed to make it to all their classes on time, but they'd had to load all of the chores they'd needed to do on campus after classes instead of before like they'd originally planned. It meant that they'd ended up having to catch a later bus than usual, and now it was past the time they usually ate dinner.
They thought about stopping by one of the little restaurants near the apartments on their way in from the bus, but eating alone didn't sound great either, and they were pretty sure that they had something that they could cook at home if they needed to. That would be eating alone too, since Yingxi's cousin had an evening class, but at least it wouldn't be more expensive.
Just as they were dragging their feet on the way out of the elevator and into the hallway, they spotted someone in the hallway who looked familiar, a neighbor probably, but Yingxi suspected also a classmate, or at least someone who they had crossed paths with on campus.
Yingxi stared at the familiar looking stranger for a moment, hand coming up to tuck strands of hair that had escaped from their bun behind their ear, trying to place him. Yingxi realized that they might have been staring a little bit too long, and stuttered out, "Um, hi, you look familiar?"
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UW Student/Baker at Chinese Bakery.
homosexual.
single.
06/15/2001.
22.
Snake (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Julin Woo on Aug 8, 2021 8:09:43 GMT -8
Julin turned to look at a very beautiful human standing near him. He recognized the beautiful person from one of his classes. He knew they had a Chinese name, but didn't know much else about them and couldn't remember their name. "Um yeah... I think we have Queer Desires class together..?" He said. It always felt weird saying the name of the class out loud. "Erm, GWSS 464 if you call it by the class number." He hesitated, tucking away a piece of hair that strayed from the ponytail behind his ear, before adding, "Um... This may seem weird, but I was just heading to dinner... Did you want to come with me?"
((Yes, that's an actual class for the minor.))
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UW Student.
Queer.
Single.
11/05/2003.
18.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Etienne.
Offline.
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Post by Yingxi Qiang on Aug 9, 2021 18:13:20 GMT -8
Yingxi grinned. They always got a laugh talking about that class in front of people who weren't familiar with its existence and said, "That's where you look familiar from! That's one of my major classes, but I think that you sit a few rows further back than I do."
Yingxi's smile intensified a little bit at the offer to join their classmate for dinner and said, "Honestly, that sounds great. I was just dreading having to dig up something to eat by myself at home, so I'd love to join you. I'm Yingxi, by the way, and since you're in that class with me, I figure it's worth saying from the start that I use they or he pronouns pretty interchangeably. I'm cool with you using either."
They tucked a strand of hair behind their ear again and added, "Do you mind if I put down a few things first? I don't really want to bring my books and laptop with me to a restaurant if I don't need to. I'll be quick though."
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UW Student/Baker at Chinese Bakery.
homosexual.
single.
06/15/2001.
22.
Snake (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Julin Woo on Aug 10, 2021 15:34:21 GMT -8
Julin gestured in the general direction from where he had come. "Oh, yeah, go ahead. I'll wait by the elevators." He answered, giving Yingxi a smile. He nodded at the mention of pronouns, and gave another smile, but didn't say anything. He hadn't been super involved in the queer community so while he knew people that used 'they' existed, he hadn't actually met one until now. Perhaps if he had been in the GSA in high school he would have, and perhaps there were other classmates that used 'they' and he hadn't been paying attention. He'd try to be sure to use they as much as he did he/him for Yingxi, but also, if Yingxi spoke Chinese, he'd be perfectly happy using Chinese and getting to avoid pronouns all together. He hoped it wasn't weird that he didn't comment about the pronouns.
As he waited by the elevators, he played on his phone while quietly scolding himself about being such an awkward gay. He really needed to join a club or something, but between commute times, school, and work, he really felt like he had no time to commit to something like a club. Let alone one that just gave him a sense of community, and didn't involve improving a skill set or anything. And it wasn't like he could just... lessen his work hours. He was struggling to live here as it was. And, in high school, he'd tried the Asian-American club, but left after one session because the Koreans in the club had such completely different experiences from him he couldn't relate and got scared he'd be found out. So maybe one day he'd seek out his community, but it wasn't going to happen anytime soon, unless he got a really good raise. He wasn't about to ask for one significant enough to let him lessen his hours, though. He was lucky enough to be making what he was.
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UW Student.
Queer.
Single.
11/05/2003.
18.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Etienne.
Offline.
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Post by Yingxi Qiang on Aug 11, 2021 22:55:59 GMT -8
In an ideal world where getting food with their cute classmate had been planned in advance, Yingxi would have taken the time to at the very least fix their hair that was escaping its bun a little bit. However, they only ducked inside their apartment, depositing their laptop bag on the low bench that had a shoe rack under it and taking out their wallet, phone, and keys, and tucking them into their pockets. The didn't let themself look in the mirror because they were pretty sure that it would bother them to see the untidy hair, but they really didn't want to keep the cute classmate whose name they hadn't quite caught yet waiting.
They emerged from the apartment and hurried down the hall just a little bit, flashing a smile at their cute classmate as they got close to the elevators. Yingxi smiled again and said, "Um, just so I don't end up three weeks from now realizing that I still don't know it, um, what's your name? I know I've heard it in class, but all that's managed to stick is that you have a really similar name to someone else in the class, and I don't want to take a guess and be wrong."
Yingxi was a little bit anxious about asking, but they did their best to hide it, focusing instead on trying to seem friendly and like they wanted to hang out. They smiled again and pushed the elevator button, knowing that there was a good chance that they'd have to wait, but they were surprised when the elevator that they'd taken up was still there and opened immediately. They asked as they headed into the elevator, assuming that their classmate would follow, "Any thoughts on where you want to eat?"
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UW Student/Baker at Chinese Bakery.
homosexual.
single.
06/15/2001.
22.
Snake (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Julin Woo on Aug 19, 2021 17:15:37 GMT -8
"Oh shit." Julin said, putting his phone back into his pocket as he realized he'd never introduced himself. "Um, I'm Julin. I'm pretty sure our teacher chronically calls me Julian though so it's honestly probably good you asked." He paused a moment. "And yeah, we've actually met finally. Julian Vu is probably who you're thinking of? I just met him recently as we have... a lot of overlap this year and it went from funny to ridiculous after the sixth class." He waited a bit before continuing again, much more awkwardly this time, "Um... And my pronouns are he/him."
He thought a moment before saying, "I'm honestly down for anything, but I think subconsciously I was heading to hot pot." As the elevator opened and he stepped on, he allowed the natural break in conversation to create a pause to his next question. "Um, possibly a weird question, but do you speak Mandarin? Your name sounds... pretty Chinese. I spent some time in China so I got to learn some, and I'd love to have someone to keep it up with outside of like, things I say at work." He let out an awkward laugh, "But like, telling people to have a nice day, and how much their pastries and tea cost would only get me so far if I ever got to visit." He did occasionally toy with the idea of visiting China properly some day. He was now an American citizen, so he was allowed to do things like that. But his parents' paranoia still seeped into his brain every time he thought about visiting anywhere even remotely near North Korea. Like Kim Jong Un himself would know and order him to be seized and brought to a camp. He wondered momentarily if his uncle were even still alive. He never knew that uncle, he'd lived in the capital and travel was next to impossible in North Korea.
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UW Student.
Queer.
Single.
11/05/2003.
18.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Etienne.
Offline.
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Post by Yingxi Qiang on Aug 20, 2021 13:56:20 GMT -8
Yingxi grinned at him, laughing a little as Julin seemed so chagrinned about not giving his name, and said, "Nice to properly be introduced now Julin. Thank you! I'm pretty sure that Julian Vu is indeed the other person I'm thinking of."
Yingxi nodded and said, "I'm always down for hot pot, so that works for me unless you actually want suggestions of something else."
He smiled at Julin's awkward question and said, "Yeah, I'm from Xi'an, in Shaanxi Province. My family moved to the US about four years ago now."
He chuckled and added, "I guess I should be proud that my accent didn't give me away immediately. My dad taught English back in China though, and he's been teaching me since I was little, so I guess maybe he should be proud."
He switched to Mandarin and added, "And I'd be happy to practice with you if you'd like."
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UW Student/Baker at Chinese Bakery.
homosexual.
single.
06/15/2001.
22.
Snake (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Julin Woo on Aug 20, 2021 18:47:37 GMT -8
Julin smiled, "Great! Then we'll go for Hot Pot! Maybe next time I'll ask for suggestions." He said, before looking away and blushing. Why did suggesting there would be a next time feel like it was soon? Yeah they'd just met, but there wasn't anything wrong with trying to befriend a classmate and neighbor, right? He shook it off and looked back up at Yingxi. "Oh neat. I've never been there, but I've heard Xi'an is beautiful."
He nodded, "That would explain why your English is so good." He chuckled. "Maybe you're even better than me." He didn't have a strong accent when he spoke English, since they arrived when he was still young enough to learn English properly, and he was fluent in most everything except for the occasional academic text.
He returned his attention to Yingxi and grinned, replying in Mandarin, "Great! I'd really like that!"
The elevator deposited them on the main floor and Julin stepped out and looked to Yingxi. In slightly more shaky Mandarin than his previous sentences, he asked, "If you actually know where the restaurant is, maybe you should show me. Or else I'll need GPS."
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UW Student.
Queer.
Single.
11/05/2003.
18.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Etienne.
Offline.
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Post by Yingxi Qiang on Aug 21, 2021 11:34:06 GMT -8
Yingxi smiled at the suggestion of there being a next time for them to hang out. They hoped so, but they didn't know each other yet, so Yingxi would see. It would be nice to have a friend who lived near them though, and Julin seemed nice and cute so far. Yingxi dithered over what to say about Xi'an. It was beautiful, but their memories of it were mixed. Finally, they said, "I think that I'd eventually like to go back to visit as an adult, there are a lot of good things about it, but it wasn't the easiest place for me growing up. There are things that I miss though."
Yingxi thought about where they were going and replied in Mandarin, "I know where a hot pot restaurant is within walking distance, though if you have a specific one in mind, I don't know that we're thinkin of the same place."
Even though they hadn't gotten confirmation that that was where they were going yet, Yingxi started leading the way out to the street from the apartment buildings, figuring that pretty much anything would be in that general direction. Worst case scenario, they took a slightly circuitous route.
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UW Student/Baker at Chinese Bakery.
homosexual.
single.
06/15/2001.
22.
Snake (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Julin Woo on Aug 29, 2021 11:27:00 GMT -8
"That makes sense." Julin said simply, giving Yingxi a nod. There were very few things he even remembered about North Korea, let alone missed, but there were things that he gave up when his family left and now he missed. One of the big ones being he had very close friends in elementary school and now he had no way to contact them, let alone no way to even know if they were still alive.
"I don't have a... specific..? place in mind." Julin replied back in Mandarin, mimicking Yingxi's use of the word "specific" as best he could. He could guess what it meant based on the context, but it was a word he'd never used before so he wasn't completely sure. He followed Yingxi towards the restaurant, trying to think of what else to ask without going straight to personal questions that could risk being asked back to him and put him into a hole, or risk chasing them off.
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UW Student.
Queer.
Single.
11/05/2003.
18.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Etienne.
Offline.
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Post by Yingxi Qiang on Oct 17, 2021 15:02:27 GMT -8
Yingxi relaxed into the familiar walk. The hotpot place near the apartment building was a regular stop for them. Julin seemed skittish and uncertain, which was certainly something that Yingxi could understand. They contemplated what to talk about for a moment and then said, "So, I know that we're in at least one class together, possibly more than one. What are you majoring in?"
They figured that if Julin was taking the Queer Desires course, there was a good chance that he was majoring in something at least adjacent to what Yingxi was majoring in.
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UW Student/Baker at Chinese Bakery.
homosexual.
single.
06/15/2001.
22.
Snake (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Julin Woo on Oct 26, 2021 16:35:23 GMT -8
Julin was relieved Yingxi was able to make real conversation. He sure was blanking on how to do it. His mind only seemed to process there was a pretty human that was willing to hang out with him, and that plus trying to keep up his usual facade for people he's just met, and his brain was blank on the conversation starters. "Um, I'm majoring in social welfare, and minoring in gender, women, and sexuality studies. How about you?" He asked Yingxi.
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UW Student.
Queer.
Single.
11/05/2003.
18.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Etienne.
Offline.
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Post by Yingxi Qiang on Nov 28, 2021 13:48:51 GMT -8
Yingxi smiled, glad that their conversational hook seemed to have worked at least a little bit. Julin seemed shy, which Yingxi could easily enough relate to, and that almost made it easier for Yingxi to take a leader role in the conversation, especially knowing that they already had a fair bit of overlap in interests.
Yingxi replied, "I'm double majoring in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies and East Asian Studies, so we'll probably keep having classes together at least some since your minor is one of my majors. At least, as long as we aren't that far off from each other in school year. I'm class of 2024."
Yingxi didn't mention that they were only seventeen, had started undergrad at sixteen, wouldn't be turning eighteen until the next school year. They had appreciated being treated like an adult at school and among their peers there, and they didn't want to mess that up right away with a new acquaintance.
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UW Student/Baker at Chinese Bakery.
homosexual.
single.
06/15/2001.
22.
Snake (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Julin Woo on Nov 29, 2021 19:29:00 GMT -8
"Alas, I'm currently a junior. But I mean..." Julin paused, hesitating a moment before continuing. His mind sure was racing fast to the future considering they'd only met less than thirty minutes ago. "We live really near each other, so even once I've graduated..." He continued, much quieter, "... we can still hang out." He busied himself with his shirt sleeve, playing with an escaped thread. He wanted to speed ahead but then remembered Yingxi was the one leading them to food.
He let out a small cough to clear his throat and looked up, though not at Yingxi. "So anyway, um, East Asian Studies. I know the major exists, but like, besides the description of the classes, what is it? Like, what do you get to learn about?" It had been one of the majors he had considered before he declared his major. At first he hadn't been sure he could handle being a social worker, but then Lance had told him some of the best social workers he knew had their own traumas. The older man never elaborated if he also had traumas, but really it didn't matter. In that moment, he had been convinced and declared his major. He also wasn't sure that once he graduated he'd be able to just up and leave the bakery at this point; it had become a comfort job to him, and the owners often treated him as if he were their own kid.
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