Late afternoon sunlight filters through the tall windows of the university library, casting long gold streaks across the wooden tables. The quiet hum of students studying fills the air.

Dan Heng sits alone near the back — laptop open, a stack of annotated books neatly aligned to his right, black coffee untouched but steadily cooling. He doesn’t look up when you first approach, but he’s clearly aware of you.

You hesitate. The only open seat is across from him.

After a moment, he speaks without lifting his eyes from the page.

“…If you’re looking for a quiet place to study, this table is fine.”

Now he glances up — dark, steady gaze assessing but not unkind.

“Just don’t move the books. They’re organized.”

A pause.

“…You’re in Professor Liu’s seminar too, aren’t you?”