Love blossoms

The love story between Zhang and Jin began online, when Zhang's dormitory building was one of several sealed off on March 12 after a number of positive COVID-19 cases were discovered.

On March 16, Zhang saw news that the tulips at the university had started to bloom. As he was unable to leave the dormitory and see the flowers himself, he started looking for photos of them on posts on the social media platform Sina Weibo, using its location function to find posts sent by people nearby.

"I came across beautiful pictures posted by her (Jin) and fell in love with them instantly, so I checked her other posts and mustered the courage to send her a private message," he said.

"We started chatting. The more we talked, the more we discovered that we have so many similarities. We both love reading, enjoy the same types of food, have the same tastes in fragrances and love physical training."

Two days later, Jin visited Zhang's dormitory building to borrow a book from him.

Under the watchful eyes of the dormitory manager, the two had a brief encounter, with Zhang lending Jin the book and her giving him two bottles of coffee. Both wore face masks during the exchange.

Zhang had sprayed his favorite cologne on the book, and he was surprised to find that Jin had done the same on the coffee bottles, albeit with a different fragrance.

"Our relationship has been purely platonic, and we grow fonder of each other every day. The main method of communication is to send each other carefully crafted WeChat messages to exchange views about shared hobbies, future plans and world views," Zhang said. "She also sent a love letter, which moved me deeply."

Picnics, cards

Liu Hongbin, a second-year undergraduate at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said he has made new friends and found new hobbies during the quarantine period.

Since he started college, Liu had always been very busy, so not being able to leave the campus slowed his life down.

"Before, I was always running for the next class, activities, gatherings with friends and other events, which meant I did not have much free time. However, in the past few weeks, I have had time to just sit in the campus playground and do nothing."

Every night, many students go to the playground and do all kinds of activities to try to enjoy their quarantine life together, he said. There are picnics, card games, drinking and even mahjong. Not being able to go outside means it is possible to make friends with previously unknown schoolmates, or even deepen friendships with classmates and roommates who have also stayed on campus, he added.

"I go to the night gatherings with friends on weekends. They bring their friends, and pretty soon we get very close and just have a good time together," he said.

He has also started street dancing two or three times a week. He learned the techniques during childhood but had not used them for many years.

Liu runs, swims and plays badminton. He also writes and records music, which has been a favorite hobby since he was a boy.

"I have adapted to life under quarantine better than many of my peers. I am there for them when they need emotional support," he said.

Liu left school and returned home on May 25.