The hum of the cafeteria buzzed around Lai as she settled into her chair, a plastic tray loaded with a colourful array of food before her. The clatter of cutlery and the murmur of conversations filled the air as she prepared to enjoy her lunch with her close colleagues, Na and Zhenya.
Lai smiled as she unwrapped her chopsticks, the scent of her favourite stir-fried noodles wafting up from the plate. Na, her lively and outgoing friend, sat across from her with a bowl of hot and sour soup. Zhenya, the calm and composed member of their trio, had opted for a colourful salad that radiated freshness.
"Hey, Lai! How's your morning been?" Na asked, taking a sip of her coffee.
Lai sighed, "Same old, same old. You know how it is. How about you two?"
Zhenya shrugged, her eyes sparkling. "The usual grind, but at least we've got each other to make it interesting."
