Dinner was as usual, lively. Everyone looks as if they were so satisfied with their life that day. But I was there with a paper bag containing the shirt jacket, looking troubled as always.
I turned to the person sitting next to me. I feel bad as I didn't even know his name.
"Do you by any chance know Zhang?"
"Zhang?"
"Yes..."
"I am not sure if he is back. I'll give him a call..."
I waited.
老大你回来了吗?
Lǎodà nǐ huíláile ma?
Boss, are you back?
马上到了. 有什么事了吗?
Mǎshàng dàole. Yǒu shé me shìle ma?
We'll be there soon. What's the matter?
宝儿找你...
Bǎo er zhǎo nǐ...
Bao Er is looking for you...
那你们两个，在正门等着。 带几个人过来.
Nà nǐmen liǎng gè, zài zhèngmén děngzhe. Dài jǐ gèrén guòlái.
Then you two, wait at the main entrance. Bring a few people over.
班长！ 你买好吃的？
Bānzhǎng! Nǐ mǎi hào chī de?
Squad leader! You buy something delicious?
奶茶...
Nǎichá...
Milk tea...
你买了多少？
Nǐ mǎile duōshǎo?
How many did you buy?
我给基地里的每个人都买了。。
Wǒ jǐ jīdì lǐ de měi gèrén dōu mǎile..
I bought it for everyone in the base..
班长你是最棒的！
Bānzhǎng nǐ shì zuì bàng de!
Captain, you are the best!
好的，别忘了带一些人来帮忙
Hǎo de, bié wàngle dài yīxiē rén lái bāngmáng
Ok dont forgetbring over some people to help..
收到!
Shōu dào!
Roger!
The news of 'Milk Tea' brought chaos to everyone in the cafetaria. The joy radiated from their faces and excitement, I could not describe.
On the way to the main gate, I asked Lu, finally knew the name of the person who helped me contacted Zhang.
"Is Zhang a squad leader too?"
"Yes. He is our Squad Leader. We are Team 2..."
I nodded after registering that information in my head.
When we arrived at the main gate, there was a car waiting with boxes containing more than 50 milk tea.
The other base mates ran forwards to help carry the boxes. They looked very pleased with what they were getting as dessert that night. And I was busy locating Zhang.
It was not hard. In that windy night where everyone was wearing warm clothes, only one person was in white t-shirt and brown cargo pants. I waited, gripped the handled of the paper bag tightly, waiting for the right timing to approach Zhang. I became nervous because I recognized him.
He is the one who said, "不哭' in the elevator the other day.
The milk tea distribution operation ended quicker than I thought and Zhang quickly approached me, bringing over a milk tea for me, smiling as he stated in a joking tone.
你是怎么睡在那里的？
Nǐ shì zěnme shuì zài nàlǐ de?
How did you even fall sleep there?
I quickly passed him the jacket as the cold wind starts to greet again that night.
对不起，你今天没穿夹克就出去了……
Duìbùqǐ, nǐ jīntiān méi chuān jiákè jiù chūqùle……
I'm sorry that you went out without a jacket today...
He took the jacket and put it on as he passed me the milk tea he bought.
不，不用道歉……我只是怕你着凉
Bù, bùyòng dàoqiàn……wǒ zhǐshì pà nǐ zháoliáng
No, don't apologize... I am just scared that you'd feel cold..
每个人都说了同样的话...
Měi gèrén dōu shuōle tóngyàng dehuà...
Everyone said the same thing...
Zhang laughed at my statement before asking,
其他队友也给你他们的夹克......？
Qítā duìyǒu yě gěi nǐ tāmen de jiákè......?
Other teammates also give you their jacket...?
冬儿还拿了供应室的毯子。。
Dōng er hái nále gōngyìng shì de tǎnzi..
Dong er even took the blanket from the supply room..
That kid ....
那个孩子....
Nàgè háizi ....
我觉得你们挺有爱心的... 好羡慕
Wǒ juédé nǐmen tǐng yǒu àixīn de... Hǎo xiànmù
I think you guys are very caring... I'm so envious
你不是吗？
Nǐ bùshì ma?
Are you not?
I shook my head as a definite 'No'. I was unable to answer as I felt choked. But Zhang waited. He waited until I was able to swallow and answer his question.
我不是.
Wǒ bùshì.
I'm not.
喝奶茶。 你的不太甜..
Hē nǎichá. Nǐ de bù tài tián..
Drink the milk tea. Yours is very less sweet..
He changed the topic.
The milk tea really does not felt as sweet as it usually is. Changing the topic saved the day.
Zhang is very much the character I wish to be.
Sincerely,
Precious
