I grew up in northern China, moved to the U.S. for grad school, and eventually settled in the Bay Area to pursue a career in tech.

My commitment to honest expression

I’ve always loved creating — the kind that pulls you in deeply that time disappears, energy flows, and you feel connected to something beyond yourself. It leaves behind not just a finished artifact, but a quiet, lasting joy — a trace of your true self, captured in time.

I wanted to be a writer as a kid. I used to savor the last 30 minutes of every Chinese exam — the essay where I could say something of my own, even within the rules. I could always bend the prompt into something personal. I never liked sounding like everyone else. I knew I was good at it — and people noticed.

Then in high school, I picked up a guitar and started writing songs without really thinking about it. Words became lyrics, and writing turned into music. It felt natural. I stuck with it. Later, I took songwriting courses at Berklee — not for a career, just because I cared.

My writing looks for the quiet contradictions in everyday life — the things we all feel but rarely notice, or notice but don’t say. I look for what’s human: the vulnerable, the cracks, the randomness. For example: Shirley Goldfarb + Gregory Masurovsky by David Hockney. Perfect Day by Lou Reed.

My life values and how I love

In life, I’m grounded. I’m a good listener, and I genuinely care. One lesson I’ve learned — both through life and through making music — is the power of vulnerability. Those who dare to share their darkest, most fragile truths are invincible. I hate lying. I’d rather admit I’m weak than pretend I’m strong.

When it comes to relationships, I believe choosing well matters more than trying to “磨合.” Choose someone who’s emotionally available. Choose love over lust. Choose to speak up and tell the truth. Choose to become your best self. Choose to break the silence first. Choose to learn better ways to communicate. Choose to grow through difficult conversations, not avoid them. A book that deeply influenced me is It Begins With You by Jillian Turecki. It helped me recognize how my upbringing shaped me — and slowly, I began listening to my heart more, and relying less on brain.

I don’t think life has inherent meaning. I tested INFP the last time I checked — which might not be surprising. Though I’m a trained engineer with a decade of experience, I find myself increasingly led by intuition.

If any of this resonates with you, I’d love to keep the conversation going.

— Qi