Not long after the noon recess bell rang, the B-section cafeteria at Sacred Heart Middle School was packed to the brim.
Zhang Yiyi, relying on her larger size, blocked the crowd behind her and allowed Xiao Xian to successfully break through and rush to the head chef's window, snatching up a piece of braised pork ribs, a bowl of stir-fried bean sprouts and kelp, along with two chicken legs.
By the time the two of them emerged sweating profusely with their rice and complimentary tomato egg soup, they found that the cafeteria had long run out of seats.
"Sit over here," said Zeng Xuerou, who was seated with a senior student in a corner of the cafeteria. She had a gym class last period and was dismissed fifteen minutes early, giving her the leisure to eat without rushing or waiting.
After Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi sat down, they both lamented how difficult it was to just get a meal. Zeng Xuerou let her dining companion leave early and shared some news with them.
