I guess I have a naturally kind face, so the girl wasn't wary of me. She replied, "I'm also alone. I work for a travel service company. Last week, I received a notice from the company that I would be transferred to Phuket to help the company expand its market."

I smiled and replied, "It's great that you can go abroad to gain experience."

"There's no way around it. I majored in Thai in college, and I'm the best at speaking Thai in the whole company. I really don't want to be too far from home!"

"You're quite contradictory. Didn't you choose Thai because you like the country?"

The girl sighed, "This is a long story... never mind, I'd better not talk about it..."

Although I was a little curious, I didn't ask any further questions. I felt that this was the least I could do, since it was our first time meeting. After thanking her, I didn't say anything more.

...

After a two-and-a-half-hour flight, the plane finally flew from Kunming to Bangkok. After the plane landed, Ye Zhi, who had been in business class, came over and helped me take the heaviest suitcase out of my luggage.

The girl sitting next to me gave me a slightly unhappy look, probably because she felt I had lied to her, since I had clearly told her before that I was alone; but she didn't say anything more, after all, this might be the only time we would ever meet in our lives.

I really didn't expect Ye Zhi to come and help me with my suitcase.

...

After exiting the plane and completing immigration procedures, Ye Zhi and I went to the baggage claim area. Actually, she didn't need to come with me, because she was only there for business and hadn't brought much with her. She was just worried about me, especially after learning that someone else had filled out my immigration card. Her worries weren't unfounded, because I couldn't read a single word of the signs written in English and Thai. If Ye Zhi hadn't led the way, I really wouldn't have been able to find the baggage claim area.

After waiting for a while, I finally saw my suitcase on the conveyor belt, and then said to Ye Zhi, "Everything is ready, let's distribute it here... Don't delay your own business."

Are you sure you can do it?

I laughed and said, "Even if I can't do it, there's always Brother Ping... He's been in Thailand for so many years, he's a real expert on Thailand."

"Have you contacted him?"

"I need to switch to this SIM card to make calls... Don't worry, it'll be fine."

"Then I'll be going now."

"Um."

After glancing at me, Ye Zhi walked towards the exit, where a local was already waiting for her with a sign. The two chatted briefly, and then Ye Zhi followed him. The moment her figure completely disappeared, I felt an unprecedented sense of loneliness. I knew that I would have to face everything alone from now on.

...

I'll go first.

I took off my coat and then found the SIM card I had prepared in China in my backpack. After connecting to the internet, I quickly sent a voice message to Brother Ping on WeChat.

As we had agreed beforehand, he should be waiting for me at the exit by now.

After waiting for about ten seconds, Ping Ge answered the voice call, and I quickly asked him, "Where are you? I've already got my luggage, it's near Exit 6."

"Michael, I'm so sorry... There's a typhoon here in Phuket, and all flights have been canceled. They won't be able to resume until tomorrow morning at the earliest... You should find a place to stay first, and I'll head over first thing tomorrow morning."

"I...I'm practically illiterate here, how am I supposed to find a hotel to stay in?"

"First, exchange some RMB for Thai baht. There are automatic exchange machines in the airport."

"Then what?"

“I’ll give you the hospital’s address. Find a hotel nearby to stay in first… Don’t think of this as too difficult. Many of the staff here can speak a little Zig. You can try to practice it yourself.”

I sighed inwardly and swallowed all my complaints. I just replied, "Okay, I'll send you a voice message if anything comes up."

"Okay, then you can start figuring it out yourself."

...

After ending my voice call with Ping Ge, I looked around blankly. It took me a while to remember to exchange some Thai baht. But I couldn't find the kind of machine that Ping Ge had mentioned that could do currency exchange. I ran to ask the staff nearby, but they could only say "hello". Even though I tried my best to gesture, they didn't understand what I meant.

I found a translation app and translated the text into Thai, but he still shook his head at me, indicating that he didn't understand. I didn't know which step I had done wrong either.

At this moment, I especially miss the girl who just sat next to me. If she could help me solve my current troubles, I would be willing to treat her to a seafood feast. But the connection between people is only so-so; we have been separated since we got off the plane.

I wiped my face hard with both hands, then stood helplessly in the middle of the crowd, looking at those unfamiliar faces and unfamiliar words; I have never felt so lonely as I have at this moment. I can't even do the simplest currency exchange, so where do I get the confidence to contact the outside world on my own?

...

The sky outside the airport was gradually darkening. During this time, I mustered up the courage to ask Chinese-looking people for help, but after talking to them, I found that they were either Korean or Japanese. The only Chinese couple I met refused to help, saying that they had to catch their next flight.

I felt like I was being swallowed up by this immense sense of helplessness... It was at that moment that I spotted a profile in the crowd that looked remarkably like Yang Sisi. My heart raced for a second, and then I snapped back to reality.

I know that wasn't Yang.

Sisi, I only gave myself that kind of mental suggestion when I needed her; I still remember when we came to Thailand a few years ago, she arranged everything perfectly for me, and I never encountered a predicament like this.

I'm really frustrated. In my current state, what ability do I have to make a name for myself in this completely unfamiliar country?

...

Although I know that if I wait patiently, I will eventually meet someone who can help me, I am still prepared to give up. I want to find a corner where I can rest and sit here for the night; even if it's just as punishment for my "lack of knowledge".

I've made up my mind that during this year in Thailand, I must master English, the international language.

It was at this moment that someone suddenly patted me on the back.

(End of this chapter) h/>/>