It took a while before Ning finally reached the counter, where a tired-looking member of the kitchen staff held out a hand for his identification.
"I don't have one yet," Ning said. "I transferred in today, and administration said the cafeteria would know what to do until mine is ready."
The staff member's expression immediately relaxed.
"Heard about you. Go ahead."
"Thank you."
Ning accepted his meal and moved away from the counter. Though finding somewhere to sit turned out to be slightly more difficult.
Almost every table already had groups gathered around it, and it was obvious that most of the students had known one another for quite some time. Conversations continued easily across the room, with people shifting aside for friends before they even reached the table.
Ning had been warned that transferring this late would make mingling harder.
He looked around until he found someone sitting mostly alone.
