Lin Shuyuan couldn't help but pull the collar of his clothes, and he just stood it up. It was only October, and the strong winds in San Francisco were already showing their power. He sat in the office all morning to rush for articles for "World Journal", and not only missed lunch time , and the temperature difference attack from indoor to outdoor almost made him turn back and go back again.
But his hungry state awakened his desire for survival. He didn't want to eat instant noodles anymore, so he gritted his teeth and rushed out of the editorial office. He jogged all the way and opened the door of the restaurant in front of him. He had already started in his mind. He was thinking about what he should have for lunch, but when he entered the room, the sight in front of him made him stunned.
The first reaction was to step back half a step, raised his head and looked at the sign outside the door, to confirm again that he was not looking in the wrong place; then he entered the room again, gaping at the bustling scene in front of him, and the sound of heated discussions was not spacious. The sound echoed in the space, as if you had entered a bar in the early hours of the morning - it was a good time.
The problem is that this is not a bar, but a Hong Kong-style tea restaurant; it is not early in the morning, but 2:08 in the afternoon; besides, today is Monday, a working day.
Lin Shuyuan couldn't help but open his mouth, with a face full of astonishment. He walked around in confusion, found an empty table, and sat down. Then the owner of the restaurant came over and greeted him familiarly, "Today's meal What? Is it still barbecued pork rice? If you want to eat barbecued pork, the roasted goose today is good, the fat is just right, not too fatty."
This is Cantonese, Cantonese with a slight accent. Around Chinatown, Cantonese can be spoken all over the world; of course, Chinese can also be spoken. The owner of this tea restaurant is a second-generation immigrant who still inherits some of the customs and habits of the first-generation immigrants. Compared with English, he is more familiar with Cantonese.
This place is only one block away from the editorial office of "World Journal" and less than five minutes' walk; the reporters of the newspaper can be regarded as regular visitors here. Lin Shuyuan has been working here for more than nine months, so he is very familiar with it.
"World Daily" is a Chinese daily newspaper with all articles written in traditional Chinese characters. As a third-generation immigrant, Lin Shuyuan’s listening, reading and writing skills are pretty good, but for speaking, he is still more accustomed to English. After all, his living environment and education are still dominated by English.
Faced with the boss's Cantonese order, Lin Shuyuan replied in English, "Okay, I'll follow your recommendation." This question and answer, in two languages, is not inconsistent at all. This is the difference between San Francisco and New York. The Difference – Although both cities are known for their cultural diversity and cultural fusion, they are in completely different ways.
"It was a touchdown, I told you, it was a touchdown."
"But he has already flown out of bounds. Doesn't it mean that going out of bounds does not count as a touchdown?"
"No, no, there are more rules for touchdowns, this must be a touchdown!"
"Nonsense, the referee made the call and I know it's a touchdown. I mean, why is this one a touchdown?"
…
The chatter of discussion came to an abrupt end. Everyone looked at each other, so that no sound could be made. A large group of people surrounded them, but there was suddenly no sound. It really felt like a dramatic joy.
This is why Lin Shuyuan was surprised just now. There were at least twenty people gathered in the restaurant, all of them young faces who looked like college students or high school students. Everyone was sitting in a group, talking loudly and expressing their opinions, vying for the best. They looked like college students discussing a group topic; not only that, all of them were wearing San Francisco 49ers home team uniforms, and the bright red jerseys were connected together, which had a great visual impact.
In a daze, Lin Shuyuan once again thought of yesterday's home game. The excitement and impassioned feeling still resonated in his chest.
"Where are they?" The owner of the tea restaurant noticed Lin Shuyuan's gaze and said enthusiastically and proactively, "A group of fans. You know, a Chinese quarterback appeared here in San Francisco, and his performance was amazing. Now the whole United States has become a sensation. Even I, who never watch sports, know this. It’s really not easy.”
The boss said with a smile on his face, his eyes and forehead were full of wrinkles, and his narrowed eyes were shining with pride and pride, "Three weeks ago, I started to arrange special activities for the game day and called on everyone to come together. Watch the game and at least cheer for our own people.”
"My son and daughter are in high school now. They said that young man was very powerful. Even their classmates started discussing it. Now in our neighborhood, these young people are also starting to be interested. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. But I welcome everyone who wants to come to my place to watch football." The boss said with a pleased expression, "You know, it's always not easy for Chinese Americans here."
Lin Shuyuan also followed the boss's gaze and looked over. A group of Chinese young people gathered together to discuss rugby. Such a scene was indeed too rare. In this number one sport in the United States, the presence of the Chinese-American community is always the lowest. Not to mention participation, even the number of spectators watching the game is really limited.
But now, change has finally begun.
"I'm thinking about buying a TV with a large screen and placing it on the wall, so that on every game day, everyone can gather together and cheer for that young man," the boss revealed. With a satisfied expression on his face, he said, "I heard that last week, two other bars also organized activities to watch the game together. Did you hear about it?"
Lin Shuyuan nodded, "Yes, I went over to report on it." Although there are still not many spectators participating so far, only a dozen people; but a single spark can start a prairie fire, and the audience is growing exponentially.
The boss nodded, "Someone has to organize it, and the community needs to unite."
"By the way, I remember that you are in charge of the sports column of 'World Journal', right?" The boss suddenly remembered this and patted Lin Shuyuan's shoulder enthusiastically. Without waiting for an answer, the boss couldn't wait. He raised his voice and shouted, "Come and ask him, he is an expert in this field."
expert?
Lin Shuyuan has a head full of black marks. It was in this year's rookie training camp that he really came into contact with rugby for the first time; of course, now that a few months have passed, he is no longer a rugby novice.
Facing the burning gazes of the group of young people in front of him, Lin Shuyuan explained, "In a football game, if the corner posts in the four corners of the end zone are collided by the football or the ball carrier, it is also a touchdown."
"Wow!" Everyone exclaimed in unison, and the expressions of sudden realization made people laugh; and the expectation in their eyes was full of hope, the hope of expanding rugby in the Chinese community, "Then there is this What about the first attack..."
Everyone swarmed over, eager to ask, and the restaurant suddenly became lively in the afternoon.
A lunch can only be solved in fifteen minutes, but Lin Shuyuan stayed for a full forty-five minutes today. Especially when he mentioned that he had interviewed Lu Ke face-to-face, the whole restaurant exploded with enthusiasm. I couldn’t stop asking questions——
"Tell me, how did Lu Ke do it? He is the first Chinese-American quarterback in the entire NFL, right?"
"Lu Ke has become the starting quarterback by virtue of his own abilities. Does this mean that we can also stand on the NFL field in the future?"
"How do you need to train to become a quarterback? I have no idea at all. I feel very good passing the ball. How do you define this?"
"Last time I saw on the Internet that Lu Ke was not yet twenty-two years old. Is it true? Then he is not the same age as me? God, what is he doing now, and what am I doing now? I just want to die. !”
"Wait, wait, you and Lu Ke talked face to face, what kind of person is Lu Ke?"
In unison, all eyes were focused on Lin Shuyuan's shoulders, full of eager expectations, falling heavily on Lin Shuyuan's shoulders. Just like Yao Ming joined the NBA, Sun Jihai joined the European League, and Liu Xiang broke the world record, every yellow man's breakthrough steps can always bring unlimited confidence.
For many third-generation immigrants, they have actually gradually lost their dependence and commonality with their motherland, and their daily lives have gradually integrated into the immigrant society of the United States; but in some special fields, such as competitive sports, differences in talent , after all, it still makes them realize that everyone is different.
Now, Lu Ke has become the first Chinese-American quarterback in the league to start. This has undoubtedly given many people confidence and truly made them realize: If Lu Ke can do it, so can they. This kind of encouragement and motivation cannot be described in words at all, it can only be felt quietly.
"I have read the 'San Francisco Chronicle' before. Lu Ke is a sunny college student. He seems to be no different from us, and he has a very cheerful personality. Is this true?" The young man who just asked the question further added , aware of Lin Shuyuan's doubtful gaze, he admitted frankly, "I like Lu Ke's playing style. I occasionally play rugby in school, but it's far behind compared to Lu Ke."
Change is seeping in little by little.
Lin Shuyuan smiled, "Yes, Lu Ke is a very special young man. In private, he likes to joke and is also very approachable. If you accidentally meet him on the street and you take the initiative to say hello, he will definitely be enthusiastic. Responding."
"What else, what else?" A pair of eager eyes urged Lin Shuyuan to continue sharing, which made Lin Shuyuan burst into laughter, "Actually, I have only met Lu Ke twice, so I am not an expert. "
"Twice is enough!" The young people shouted one after another. The excitement and excitement that could not wait gradually infected Lin Shuyuan, so he began to share his experience without hesitation. This meal was full of joy. He was so excited that when he left the restaurant, Lin Shuyuan's mood also brightened, and the fatigue of the whole morning was gone.
