BOSF 040: Missing Him

Seeing the handsome guy, Shen Xiuqing was clearly excited. She completely forgot Li Lilian’s warning that “he has some issues” and knelt down, gently and carefully moving aside the surrounding origami, cautious not to crush them. 

“Hi, I’m Shen Xiuqing. I saw your work online…”

Xiang Yang wasn’t listening to her at all but noticed her careful handling of his origami, prompting a glance her way. Among the people he’d encountered, only Ji Yan had ever valued his work. Li Lilian didn’t care, and Xiang Jie just tossed his origami around carelessly. Frowning slightly in confusion, Xiang Yang instinctively stared at Shen Xiuqing.

If Xiang Yang didn’t speak or ignore others so blatantly, he seemed no different from anyone else. Shen Xiuqing assumed he was listening intently and continued chattering excitedly. 

“…So, I’d like to invite you to join our studio.”

Xiang Yang looked at her for a few seconds, still silent. Then, either having seen enough or losing interest, he turned back, continuing to fold paper as if no one else were there.

Shen Xiuqing was thoroughly ignored. She froze for a moment before reacting. 

“Huh? Did you… hear what I said?”

She waved her hand in front of Xiang Yang’s face, trying to get his attention.

He didn’t react at all.

Shen Xiuqing finally sensed something was off.

Li Lilian, who had been standing at the door, witnessed the scene and finally spoke up awkwardly. 

“Um… Miss Shen, I have something to say…”

Shen Xiuqing followed her back to the living room, where Li Lilian explained Xiang Yang’s condition.

It had been a long time since she’d dealt with this, and Li Lilian’s face showed that familiar expression of embarrassment, as if preemptively devaluing her son to avoid others’ judgment. 

“I’m sorry, Xiang Yang… his mind has some problems. So… he doesn’t really interact with people.”

Shen Xiuqing observed the mother’s expression, showing neither pity nor sympathy, just a friendly curiosity that wouldn’t offend. 

“I’m sorry, can I ask more? What condition does Xiang Yang have? Or what symptoms?”

After some probing, Li Lilian finally spoke, uneasily stroking Xiang Jie’s head. 

“He… he was born with autism.”

Xiang Jie, sticking close to his mother, became unusually well-behaved with a stranger in the house, trailing behind them like a little shadow, his big, curious eyes fixed on Shen Xiuqing.

Shen Xiuqing, aware they had a young child, was prepared. She pulled a lollipop from her bag and offered it to Xiang Jie. 

“Here, for you.”

Xiang Jie’s eyes lit up, but he looked to his mother for approval.

Li Lilian patted his head, smiling. 

“Take it and eat. Say thank you to Sister.”

“Thank you, Sister,” Xiang Jie said with a sweet smile, taking the lollipop and handing it to his mother to unwrap.

Shen Xiuqing patiently watched their interaction.

It was just a small gesture, but it seemed to ease Li Lilian’s guard. She began talking about Xiang Yang.

The conversation lasted an hour, and Li Lilian’s initial awkwardness faded. She spoke candidly. 

“So… I’m sorry, Xiang Yang probably… can’t meet your expectations.”

Shen Xiuqing fell silent for a moment, picturing the focused boy folding paper in his room. She ventured another question. 

“Can I see him again?”

“Of course.” 

Li Lilian, clearly not holding out hope, didn’t even try to dissuade her. Feeling at ease with Shen Xiuqing, she didn’t mind them being alone, leaving the door slightly ajar to tend to Xiang Jie.

Shen Xiuqing knelt beside Xiang Yang again but didn’t speak this time, quietly watching him fold.

Xiang Yang acted as if the extra person in the room didn’t exist, ignoring her completely. He was deeply engrossed in his task, transforming plain paper into intricate, vivid shapes under his fingertips.

Shen Xiuqing was certain he was the one she was looking for. Though she wasn’t an origami expert, she could tell his work was unique, not like common techniques—likely self-invented.

Watching him, she recalled Li Lilian’s words, which often belittled Xiang Yang, painting him as useless. But Shen Xiuqing saw otherwise in his origami. He wasn’t foolish—perhaps even quite intelligent. Communication, though, was likely the issue.

She couldn’t claim to fully understand autism, but it was clear that in this environment, most would see it as stupidity or incompetence.

She hadn’t corrected Li Lilian earlier, partly to avoid meddling in family matters and partly because most parents don’t take kindly to outsiders criticizing their parenting, even slightly, which could backfire.

But was Xiang Yang truly that hard to communicate with?

Shen Xiuqing was puzzled. Who had posted those photos online? They seemed close to Xiang Yang. She hadn’t asked earlier, and Li Lilian hadn’t mentioned it during their talk.

If such a person existed…

Curious, Shen Xiuqing scanned Xiang Yang’s room for clues. As an art professional, she knew the challenges of this path. Many artists were eccentric, more stubborn and dedicated than most, making communication crucial. Her job was to find talented individuals, connect with them, and help their potential shine. Their goal wasn’t to create great artists or chase fame and fortune but to support like-minded people, helping each other go further in art.

Suddenly, she noticed a few art books on the bookshelf. In the otherwise sparse room, they stood out. She stood, pulling out a book titled Monster Encyclopedia.

She recalled the online photos of a pterodactyl and an Eastern dragon. Were they based on creatures in this book?

As she was about to flip it open, Xiang Yang stood abruptly, snatching the book from her hands and clutching it tightly, as if afraid it would be taken.

Shen Xiuqing understood, chuckling. 

“I’m not trying to steal your book.”

But Xiang Yang didn’t appreciate the gesture, promptly ushering her out. His hand gently touched the book’s corner, as if worried it might be damaged or dirtied, his face a mix of anxiety and tenderness—raw, genuine emotion.

Shen Xiuqing only caught a glimpse of this before the door slammed shut in her face with a bang.

Li Lilian was mortified, rushing over to apologize. 

“I’m so sorry, Xiang Yang’s never so rude… he’s not usually like this…”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I touched his stuff without permission.” 

Shen Xiuqing waved it off with a smile, genuinely unbothered, and asked, “Auntie, did you know Xiang Yang likes dinosaurs?”

“Huh? I’m not sure… maybe…”

“Those books on the shelf—did you buy them?”

“The books? I didn’t notice… probably bought by the neighbor’s kid. They used to play together a lot…”

“Which neighbor? Can I meet them?”

“No… he’s gone off to university.”

Shen Xiuqing’s suspicions were confirmed, but she didn’t press further. Bothering a neighbor over this seemed excessive. Besides, while she admired Xiang Yang’s origami talent, his condition made communication challenging, and she couldn’t decide alone.

After leaving Xiang Yang’s home, she called immediately. 

“Hey, Teacher, I found him, but…”

The response on the other end made her pause.

“…Then let it go.”

“Teacher…”

“Xiuqing, I know you’re kind-hearted, but we’re not running a charity. The art world is tough—hard work is a given, and even ordinary people struggle to keep up. From what you’ve described, we’d need to communicate with him first before moving forward. How much time are you prepared to spend on him?”

Shen Xiuqing stood there, unable to answer. Reality could be harsh. Signing Xiang Yang would involve more than just communication—arranging lessons, fostering independent creation, and marketing him. Could he handle all that?

“But he…” 

Shen Xiuqing’s voice lacked confidence, but Xiang Yang’s focused, earnest face flashed in her mind. His love for his craft was undeniable, unaffected by external distractions and more dedicated than most. 

“He’s different.”

The teacher sighed over the phone. 

“I’m not trying to stop you, and I know you… Just think it over carefully.”

“Okay.” 

Shen Xiuqing hung up, feeling deflated. An idealist, she knew her flaw was seeing things too optimistically, believing hard work should yield rewards, especially for those at a disadvantage. What was wrong with that?

She checked into a guesthouse, temporarily setting the matter aside.

The next day, she visited Xiang Yang again. She felt she’d been too eager and hadn’t considered his perspective. Though unsure if communication was possible, she wanted to try again.

Li Lilian welcomed her, and even Xiang Jie seemed fond of this gentle sister.

Shen Xiuqing expected to hit a wall again, unsure if Xiang Yang held no grudges or had forgotten the previous day. He didn’t drive her out but also ignored her.

She spoke to him softly, even folding paper with him, trying to build rapport.

Watching his steps, she folded alongside him but often fell behind, only able to watch enviously yet refusing to give up.

The familiar scene seemed to stir something in Xiang Yang. Once, someone had taught him origami hand-in-hand. He finally seemed to notice another person in the room, slowing his folding to wait for Shen Xiuqing to catch up. He wasn’t a good teacher, didn’t even speak, just waited silently.

Shen Xiuqing noticed, glancing at him in surprise. She’d spent the previous day researching autism, knowing it was complex and challenging. But clearly, someone had left a mark on Xiang Yang’s life, pulling him from his isolated world. Though that person was gone and the impact limited, it still subtly shaped him.

She suddenly asked, “Xiang Yang, did someone teach you origami?”

After a long pause, he nodded.

Encouraged, she pointed to the bookshelf. 

“Those books—did he give them to you?”

Xiang Yang looked at the books and nodded again.

Shen Xiuqing felt moved, despite being an outsider. She could sense his emotions. 

“Do you miss him?”

This time, Xiang Yang didn’t nod. With all his effort, he expressed his longing. 

“Miss.”