第六章：食堂里的朋友

After class at noon, Marco decided to go to the cafeteria by himself.

Last night, Lin Hao took him there. Today, he wanted to try it by himself.

He followed the students forward.

The cafeteria was next to the playground. As soon as he entered, he smelled many smells: rice, soup, stir-fry, and a little bit of chili.

There were many people.

Marco stood at the door and saw everyone first take a tray, then queue up. He also took a tray and walked to the back of the line.

The classmates in front quickly ordered dishes.

"This one, that one, and add an egg."

"Master, add some chili."

Marco listened hard. Soon it was his turn, and the auntie looked at him.

"What do you want?" the auntie asked.

Marco looked at the dishes in the window. Each dish had a name in front, but he didn't recognize some of those characters. He saw a dish with potatoes that looked very nice.

"I want this one," he said.

"This is spicy," the auntie said.

Marco understood "spicy." He wanted to say "no spicy," but he couldn't take out the chili separately.

Nervous, he said: "I don't want... this spicy."

The auntie looked at him. The students behind also looked at him.

Marco felt that his Chinese emergency kit was not enough.

At this moment, someone reached out from the side and pointed to another dish.

"Auntie, give him this one. Tomato and eggs, not spicy."

It was Lin Hao.

Marco breathed a sigh of relief.

The auntie smiled. "New student? Then eat this, it's safe."

Marco didn't understand the word "safe," but he knew he was safe.

Lin Hao also ordered a portion of braised pork, a portion of rice, and a bowl of soup for him. Marco swiped his card. The machine beeped.

"Success," Lin Hao said.

"I almost failed just now," Marco said.

"It's okay." Lin Hao walked forward with his tray. "When you can't read the dish names, ask first."

"Is this spicy?"

Marco repeated: "Is this spicy?"

"Right. It's safer than 'I want this one.'"

Marco looked at his lunch: tomato and eggs, braised pork, rice and soup. The colors were nice, and there was no chili.

"What is this dish called?" he asked.

"Tomato and eggs."

"Tomato... eggs," Marco said slowly.

Marco picked up a piece of egg and put it in his mouth. It was delicious, a little sweet.

"I like this one," he said.

Marco smiled.

Marco could use chopsticks, but not very well.

Lin Hao watched for a while and said, "Your hand is too tight."

"Tight?"

"It means too much strength. Relax a bit."

Lin Hao picked up his own chopsticks and demonstrated for him. "This bottom one doesn't move much, the top one moves. See?"

Marco watched carefully and then tried a few times.

He finally picked up a small piece of greens. But before it reached his mouth, the greens fell back into the plate.

Lin Hao couldn't help laughing. Marco also laughed. "It doesn't want to go with me."

"Maybe it doesn't know you yet," Lin Hao said.

Marco switched targets. He used his chopsticks to pick up a larger piece of egg. This time it was successful.

"Look!" he said.

"Not bad," Lin Hao nodded. "Start with eggs, improve slowly."

Marco ate the egg and felt that he had accomplished a big thing.

Then he ate the braised pork. It was delicious, a flavor he had never tasted before.

"This is also delicious," Marco said.

Lin Hao smiled and said, "I also love to eat these. These are more suitable for your taste."

After finishing the meal, Lin Hao asked, "Eat together tonight?"

"Can we?" Marco asked.

"Of course. I also need to eat."

Yesterday, Lin Hao was his campus buddy assigned by the school.

Today, he was more like his good friend.

When they walked out of the cafeteria, Marco looked back at the window.

Next time, he wanted to say himself:

"Auntie, is this spicy?"

Maybe he could also add:

"No cilantro."

Even though he didn't know what cilantro tasted like.