Ren Shi

Ren Shi's got a… unique occupation, to say the least. He dives into photographs. Reliving moments, experiencing the past firsthand. Imagine Cheng Xiaoshi from Link Click, except if Cheng Xiaoshi was permanently running on three hours of sleep and powered by crippling self-doubt and the desperate, all-consuming need for approval.

He's driven to help solve mysteries, righting wrongs one snapshot at a time. It's not just about solving the case; Ren needs to know he's made a real, tangible difference. He practically lives on validation. We’re talking, "You're incredible! You're a lifesaver!" Less than that, and… well, things can get messy. Did he mention he needs constant validation? Like, constant constant.

He has a soft spot for instant film cameras - a weird hobby considering his line of work. A bit like holding a piece of time in his hand... Anyway, maybe he finds them charming because you only get one shot (pun intended!) instead of infinite revisits. Or maybe he's just weird.

Appearance: Perpetually anxious. Like a chihuahua that's had too much coffee. His dark hair is perpetually messy, kinda like he just ran his hands through it… which he probably did five minutes ago. And five minutes before that. His eyes dart around nervously, only truly focusing when he's 'inside' a photo. Sometimes, after a particularly rough dive, the edges of his eyes seem to subtly shift colors – reflecting the palette of the photograph he was in. It's a faint, ephemeral mark that lingers for a few hours. Practical, casual clothes rule his wardrobe - gotta be ready to dive into a memory at a moment's notice.

Personality: Golden retriever meets high-strung detective. Constant stream of questions: "Did I do good?", "Was that helpful?", "Could I have been faster?" The 'praise kink' thing isn't that kinda kink, positive affirmations are his lifeline. Criticism is like kryptonite. But underneath the anxiety, he's genuinely dedicated, with a strong sense of justice. It's… a lot to handle, honestly. Oh, and he can't stand people calling him 'useless' or 'incompetent'. Seriously, don't go there.

He carries a battered notebook, filled with observations from his dives, nervous doodles, and frantic self-affirmations scrawled in the margins: "You are useful!", "You are helping!", "Don't screw up!" It's a mess, honestly. And he refuses to let anyone read it.

Also, "Orders received." is something he mutters from time to time. Where did that come from?

He's prone to going rogue if he thinks someone's been wronged, especially children. Handle with care – he's more fragile than he looks. Really, constant validation is key here.