Classes have yet to start and Arlan was determined to be further ahead in his Mandarin so he wouldnt have to struggle as much as he would. Before coming to Taiwan he had already started learning, so he was at least a little confident. However, learning another language is hard when you don't have anyone else to practice speaking with you. You wouldn't be able to immerse yourself in it completely.
So, in his department's building at the open third floor where he could feel the cold air passing by, he had his notes open once again on one of the studying tables that they provided. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA6zaBh8rF
This time, he was practicing writing the basic Chinese characters when Ing-Wen decided to sit in front of him. "Practicing again? I know you came here to Taiwan to study but you can also have fun too! It would be such a waste if you don't experience everything! Classes haven't even started yet."638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChvQnm2Yrk
Arlan gave his Taiwan big sister figure a bright smile and said, "I have time to experience more when I'm following around students visiting during tours."
Ing-Wen furrowed her brows and nodded slowly, eyes uncertain. "Well, that's true, but how about making more friends? You're such a nice person! It would be a shame if everyone doesn't get to meet you!"
With a nervous laugh, Arlan scratched his cheek. "I don't think I'm that easy to get a long with."
He was nice, yeah, but sometimes people found him so nice that they made it a habit to take advantage of his kindness. He was aware of that now, though. As much as possible, he doesn't want it to happen again.
When Ing-Wen saw that Arlan wasn't going to stop studying any time soon, she sighed and left her seat. "I'm going to go back to my desk. Come by sometime, okay? I'll keep the office open for you!" 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTO4vIXd2q
Going into that office filled with other professors and the main desk of the school's director? Nope, he wouldn't do that unless he had the real guts! The only person he knew in there was Ing-Wen.
"Maybe next time, Ing-Wen!" Arlan gave her a wave goodbye and watched as she disappeared into the hallways. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGAM1aVUXp
When he checked his phone he realized it was already time for lunch. He packed up his pencil case, powerbank, phone, and notebooks inside of his sling bag and walked towards the elevator. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38JvPfdtRF
So he could always go into the College's cafeteria. It held a large variety of different kinds of meal sets. So many options and cuisines that your mouth would water at the very sight of them. You wouldn't even know which one to choose. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eW7wk4d44
But Arlan didn't have that kind of budget so he passed right by the cafeteria's entrance and went to the 7/11 store that was situated on top of it. Always save money, everyone. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ToeDSnwOJ
7/11 was truly his hero when it comes to saving money. He got so much food in their microwavable meals for a lower price compared to the one's in the cafeteria and it was still as nutritious and delicious. There was a lot more food inside of it compared to the microwavable meals back in his country, and it was more healthy too.
Also he didnt have to read any signs or menus when he was in 7/11 and he didn't have to talk to the cashier just hand in the food he wanted and pay the right amount as displayed in that cashier machine thing. He still wasn't confident in his Chinese so he didn't want to accidentally do something embarrassing while trying to buy stuff in the cafeteria. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeepUurvKT
Just when he was about to put a mouthful of his microwavable meal into his mouth, he felt a tap on his shoulder and his heart jump out of his chest for the nth time since he's arrived to Taiwan. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VGkqgYN8c
Arlan didn't know why he was disappointed to see his roommate Adam when he turned around. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG06zTJJ8T
"Dude, you get scared too easily!" Adam had flinched his hand away as if he was burned when Arlan began convulsing in his fear.
Yeah, he was aware of that. The people back at home knew that too and did their best not to sneak up on him lest they accidentally give him a legit heart attack.
When Arlan finally got his breathing in control he took in a deep breath and asked, "Did you need something?"
"Nah I was just going to ask if that really is what you're going to eat for lunch because this is the third time I've seen you eat that."
Arlan sighed and finally took a bite of his lunch. When he swallowed the first bite after chewing he spoke without looking at his roommate. "It's cheaper than the food at the cafeteria."
"What?" Adam looked at him with disbelief. "So you're just going to continue eating microwavable food for the rest of your four years here in Taiwan!? What are you doing to your body!"
"I can't afford to spend more money on stuff like that."
Adam took a seat in front of him and gave him a look of pity. "Poor thing. I can buy something for you. Just for today. I feel like giving you something. You need to eat healthier real food or else your body is going to turn into mush."
"No, it's okay." Arlan couldn't accept offers like that. What if they made it as if he owed them something? Also, he barely knew his roommate. Why was he so friendly?
"You should really listen to your friend or your body really will turn into mush."
WHY WAS THAT VOICE SO CLOSE TO HIS EAR? Arlan collapsed to his side as his soul left his body from the fright. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUad7DOVY0
"YOU KILLED HIM!" Adam screamed in horror, eyes wide.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWCxvafBwp
Wei-Ting laughed so hard he almost doubled over. "I will never get tired of this!"
Beside Wei-Ting was the same friend that had called him back when they first met. He was a little shorter, but clearly had the same vibe. For one thing, instead of bright blue hair, his hair was bleached blonde, and... he wore eye contacts? That definitely wasn't his natural eye color. It was too light grey.
"Wei-Ting, ting xia." Wei-Ting's friend crossed his arm and made a 'tsk' sound as if scolding him.
Adam picked him up and shook him. "Arlan! Are you alright?"
Arlan gave him a small comforting smile and patted his arms. "Adam, I'm fine. I was just scared for a moment, that's all!" this was embarrassing. He didn't mean to act so exaggerated. This really wasn't good for his heart. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINGMgitQew
"I'm sorry, Arlan!" however, Wei-Ting needed to stop laughing first before Arlan can actually start believing in his apology.
Wei-Ting's friend pulled the blue-haired man back and gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry! He stupid!" he had a thick accent and it was clear that he didn't practice his English as much as Wei-Ting did. It was cute.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7nidWXVDl
Arlan made sure to give him a big smile. "It's okay."
For some reason, Wei-Ting smacked his friend on the head out of nowhere and started spouting Mandarin so fast that Arlan couldn't catch a single word. They spoke too fast! What's the point of learning the words when Arlan couldn't even hear them properly.
Adam patted him on the back. "I'm going to go back to the dorm, if that's okay with you." it was very okay with him.
"Sure."
His Malaysian roommate waved goodbye to the blonde and blue-haired men and exited the convenience store.
"Arlan." Wei-Ting took the seat that Adam had previously occupied, his friend no longer in site. He probably had something to do or whatever.
"Yes?" Finally he was able to eat his food in peace.
"Would you like to eat dinner with me tonight? I got some extra money and I have no one to eat with." he was saying this all with a bright smile on his face. Even the fluorescent light makes his blue hair shine like a halo.
Arlan swallowed his rice and asked, "What about your friend? He's not going to eat with you?"
"Kuan-Lin? No, he has something to do."
Still, Arlan wasn't sure. "You shouldn't waste your money. I'm okay with eating the same thing for dinner. I'll pay my own food."
"But I want to eat the yummy food at the cafeteria." Wei-Ting whined. He was starting to resemble a small child despite his extreme tall height.
"I don't have the money to buy that food, Wei-Ting..."
"That's why I said I would pay for you!" 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMukkpbUaF
Wei-Ting must have a lot of money to spend if he was willing to buy a meal for him just because he didn't want to eat alone. Still though, he didn't want to accept the offer because he felt that it wasn't necessary. So, he went silent. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjbqb19L2I
When the taller man realized that he wasn't going to accept his offer any time soon, he sighed in disappointed and dug into his pockets to reveal small tickets. Meal tickets to be more exact. Meal tickets to the cafeteria.
"These meal tickets are dated for tonight. If I don't use them it's going to go all to waste. I can't exactly eat two meals by myself, can I? I wouldn't be able to finish it."
Those were meal tickets. Arlan's eyes sparkled at the pieces of paper that Wei-Ting was waving in front of him. Meal tickets meant that it wasn't the student's money being used to pay and they got to eat at the cafeteria with a specific meal price and it was always at NT70. That was already a lot of money! 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMYxecHw0j
"Well," Arlan said looking away as he poked at his microwavable meal with his chopsticks, "It would be a waste if the tickets aren't going to be used by tonight... I guess I could eat with you."
Wei-Ting grinned like a child who was able to convince his mother to buy the toy that he wanted. "Great! I'll wait for you at the entrance to the cafeteria tonight!" he stood up and stretched his limbs, making himself look even taller than he already was. "I usually eat around seven. Let's eat at that time?" 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVMOEfeZ60
Arlan nodded, his eyes not leaving the meal tickets that were still tucked inside of Wei-Ting's fist. "Okay."
"See you there! Oh, I forgot." Wei-Ting brought his backpack to the front and dug inside. "I wanted to give you this." he took out a small book and handed it out to him.
It was a guide book for Mandarin. Arlan's eyes sparkled yet again at the item that was held out. He wanted to buy one but he didn't have enough money to even start thinking about going inside of a book store.
"It's been on my shelf for too long. I don't really need it so I thought it would be more helpful to give it to you instead."
Arlan took it gratefully and felt it in his hands. "Its condition is still so good! It's as if it's brand new! You really know how to take care of your books." he was so happy! He had a guide now! "Thank you so much, Wei-Ting!" 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH2smIQ5d0
Wei-Ting grinned and adjusted his bag straps so that it rested properly on his back. "No problem. Thanks too for emptying out my shelf even if it's just a little bit." he placed his hands in his black skinny jeans and said, "So cafeteria at seven?"638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUDmXvfuwu
"Mn!" free things were always the best kind of things. With a wave of temporary-goodbye, the two of them separated. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbMkgmwOnd
Arlan's heart was beating fast again, but it was probably because he was so happy to receive such a nice gift.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1UjZCpUSE
A/N:638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCA0AzIzw9
Don't you just love free things? I do. Unlike Arlan though I will never turn down an offer to get free stuff hahah. Of course, it would have to be from someone that I trust. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfBFZH8SkE
Come chat with me on twitter! I'm @KnifePenguin638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPjLnREqLj
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkjRc0Y05s
