Robert Wu had a problem. His daily routine of going to school and coming home to do his homework was making him tired of life. It wasn't as if his life wasn't good. By all accounts, his parents made enough money to buy him all the food and entertainment he wanted. However, there was only so many times he could play the same video games without wondering why he had no life. 
 
His biggest hang-up was that he was extremely introverted. He didn't make friends easily because he had a mortal fear of public speaking. Five years ago, his parents had uprooted him from a slow life in Taiwan where he was introverted but not as introverted as he was today. They had taken him to Fayetteville, Arkansas, a place that didn't exactly cater to his desires like going to bubble tea shops after school, so he was forced to make his own boba at home. The closest thing they had was a sushi restaurant but it wasn't like that was a place to hang out either. So, his fear of public speaking intensified as he was unable to make himself understood in English. 
 
Waiting in the lobby for a new match another user appeared on his screen. "Rockstar_Bob" had joined his lobby  
 
"Hi, there!" said Rockstar_Bob in an overly friendly way. 
 
Robert sent a wave in the chat. 
 
But no reply came after that, even after a minute. Robert stood up, walked over to the TV and turned off his PlayStation 5. This is why I don't like interacting with others, they somehow always manage to turn me into a fool.  Robert wondered. He put on his tennis shoes and strode outside into the autumn sun. The leaves were orange and the air was crisp. His neighbor, Mr. Crawford, whom he had never spoken to, was walking his golden retriever. 
 
He opened his mouth to call out a greeting. Just do it. Just pretend like it's ESL class! Robert urged himself. 
 
"Hello!" Mr. Crawford called out. He had seen Robert before he could get a word out. 
 
"M-morning," Robert replied in a soft whisper. 
 
"Morning? It's five in the evening!" 
 
Then Mr. Crawford's golden retriever darted towards Robert, licking and pouncing on him. 
 
"Jīn máo xún huí quǎn," Robert muttered. "Is mean ‘golden retriever' in Chinese." 
 
"Oh, great! You know, I spent ten years in China. I can speak Chinese too," Mr. Crawford exclaimed. Immediately, Mr. Crawford began chatting about how he had studied abroad in China and worked in Beijing after graduation, and how he missed going to bubble tea shops after work. Immediately, Robert knew he could totally relate to this man whom he had been avoiding the last five years. At this moment Robert admired Mr. Crawford, his words flowed like water, and his face lit up like a shopping mall Santa Claus.  
 
Robert's hands began to sweat and tremble at the idea he was about to propose to Mr. Crawford, "Will you come eat hot pot with my family tomorrow night? We'll even get you bubble tea! And no cost is required!" 
 
"Wǒ hěn lè yì," Mr. Crawford said, shaking Robert's sweaty hand. "I'd be delighted."