**The First Encounter**

If it wasn't for the huge black figure rushing toward him, pushing a luggage cart you'd only see at high-end hotels, and speaking fluent English, saying, "Do you need luggage transport service?" Li Tao wouldn't have believed he was really in Canada. Seeing the black guy in a red uniform with a big smile, Li Tao suddenly felt a bit uneasy. This wasn't his first time abroad; three months ago, he was complaining on the beaches of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, about kids suddenly appearing to force him to buy flowers. Six months ago, he was at a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, pulling stacks of Vietnamese dong from his backpack to brush off girls who approached them with feigned enthusiasm.

"So this is Canada?" Li Tao thought. Although he had passed the IELTS exam and obtained his study permit, an exam was just an exam. He had prepared thoroughly, even researching extensively online in the days before his departure, but now he still felt panicked, unprepared to speak English. No one had told him he would face this right after getting off the plane.

"Do you need luggage transport service?" the black guy asked again, even more insistently, his smile seemingly brighter.

Li Tao, overwhelmed, instinctively nodded.

"Alright!" Without giving Li Tao any time to reconsider, the black guy swiftly took his luggage, pushing the cart half a meter ahead of Li Tao, looking very professional.

Li Tao glanced around at the passing travelers, feeling slightly embarrassed as the black guy's red uniform and gold cart stood out in the crowded airport. "I hope I'm not getting scammed," Li Tao thought as he touched his wallet, which held only some leftover U.S. dollars from Cambodia. He had exchanged only a bit of Canadian money, with the rest of his funds locked in a bank account as proof of his study permit, allowing him to withdraw 600 CAD per month for a year.

Unlike Li Tao's anxious expression, the black guy chatted away while pushing the luggage, possibly explaining something. Finally, after about ten minutes, he stopped and smiled at Li Tao, who realized it was time to pay. Hastily, he pulled out a $20 bill and handed it over. The black guy's smile became even more genuine as he quickly unloaded the luggage and waved at Li Tao, "Have a great day."

Li Tao sighed with relief. At least it was just 20 dollars. He still didn't quite understand the point of the service, but he was glad that after paying, the guy didn't linger. "Consider it my first lesson in Canada, whether he was a scammer or not," Li Tao thought.

With the guy gone, Li Tao felt like he had blended back into the crowd, bringing him a sense of security. He wasn't someone who enjoyed being in the spotlight. He pulled out his phone; despite having enabled international roaming, the network was still slow. He messaged the driver he had arranged beforehand, letting him know he was out. About half a minute later, the driver replied quickly: "Wait for me at G3, and hurry up."

The driver's tone was starkly different from the cheerful black guy's, filled with impatience. Li Tao smiled wryly but didn't dare waste time. He hurriedly dragged his luggage to the meeting spot.

Toronto's late August nights were a bit chilly. Outside wasn't as special as Li Tao had imagined; the noisy voices and roaring engines made him feel trapped in a plastic bag, everything tinged with a sense of unreality. The air was filled with exhaust and cigarette smoke. Li Tao fished out a pack of cigarettes from China, wanting to light one but realizing he didn't have a lighter. Once you think of smoking, the urge only grows stronger. Just as Li Tao was about to overcome his fear of speaking English and ask a nearby old man for a light, a black SUV slowly pulled up.

"Are you Li Tao?" A young Chinese man poked his head out of the driver's seat. Hearing his native language restored Li Tao's sense of security, and he gave his first smile of the day. "Yes, I'm Li Tao. Are you Jack?"

"Yes, that's me. I've opened the trunk. Put your luggage in and be quick; I can't park here for long," Jack shouted.

Li Tao wasted no time, hurriedly loading his bags, nearly twisting his back in the process. This reminded him of the black guy earlier; compared to Li Tao's struggle, the guy had handled his luggage like a pack of tissues.

"Is it really a genetic difference? No wonder so many famous athletes are black," Li Tao mused as his thoughts spiraled. By the time he finally sat in the car, he was sweating.

"You're too slow; I almost got fined," Jack complained.

"Sorry," Li Tao mumbled, unsure of what else to say.

"First time in Toronto?" Jack asked, possibly realizing his tone had been harsh.

"Yes, it's my first time," Li Tao replied.

"The address you gave me, is it a relative's house or a place you rented?" Jack continued.

"It's a rented place. I contacted the landlord before coming; he showed me a video, and it looked good," Li Tao said, messaging his landlord to let him know he had arrived. The landlord replied quickly, saying he had prepared the room for him.

Li Tao felt a sense of warmth. It was his first time in Toronto, and he had flown in late at night without a blanket or pillow. He had asked if the landlord could help him buy some, and the landlord kindly offered some old ones for the night until he could buy his own.

"How much is the rent?" Jack asked.

"650 CAD per month, a bedroom with a private bathroom," Li Tao replied.

"Not bad; you found a good deal. Decent location too—there's a bus stop right outside, but you might want to consider getting a car eventually. By the way, since you're new here, you probably haven't eaten. I can take you to a grocery store; it's still open. As a fellow Chinese, this trip is free," Jack offered.

"Sure, thanks," Li Tao said, though he wasn't hungry, having eaten plenty on the plane. He just wanted to buy a lighter.

Soon, they stopped at a grocery store. Li Tao noticed the sign was in Chinese, realizing it was a Chinese store. It was nearly 9:30 p.m., and the store looked almost deserted. Li Tao gratefully glanced at Jack and said, "I'll be quick."

Jack waved. "Yeah, be quick, don't linger. And since you're in Canada now, you should give yourself an English name."

Li Tao thought for a few seconds. "Danny. Call me Danny."