Every Thursday, Ayo hosts a card game night. Four friends usually fill the table. Snacks and drinks cover every corner of the room.
每个星期四，阿约都会举办纸牌之夜。通常四位朋友围坐在桌边。房间的每个角落都摆满了零食和饮料。
This Thursday, one friend cancels at the last minute. He catches a bad cold. Ayo now has only three players.
这个星期四，一位朋友在最后一刻取消了。他得了重感冒。阿约现在只有三个玩家了。
The game needs four people to work well. Ayo checks his phone for anyone free tonight. Nobody answers his messages in time.
这个游戏需要四个人才好玩。阿约查看手机，看今晚有谁有空。没有人及时回他的消息。
He looks out the window, thinking fast. His new neighbor Sevda waters plants outside. He barely knows her. He walks over anyway.
他望向窗外，脑子飞快地转着。他的新邻居塞夫达正在外面给植物浇水。他几乎不认识她。但他还是走了过去。
"Hi, I'm Ayo, from next door," he says. "We're one player short for game night. Do you want to join us?"
“你好，我是阿约，住在隔壁，”他说，“我们玩牌之夜少一个人。你想加入吗？”
Sevda looks surprised, then smiles. "I never played this game before," she says. "But sure, why not?"
塞夫达有些吃惊，随后笑了。“我从来没玩过这个游戏，”她说，“不过好啊，为什么不呢？”
She sets down her watering can and follows him inside. Ayo explains the rules in two quick minutes. Sevda learns the game fast.
她放下水壶，跟着他走进屋里。阿约用短短两分钟讲完了规则。塞夫达很快就学会了。
By the end of the night, Sevda wins two rounds. The group cheers for the new player. Ayo saves her a seat for next week.
夜晚结束时，塞夫达赢了两局。大家为这位新玩家欢呼。阿约给她留了下周的位子。
"Same time next Thursday?" Ayo asks. Sevda nods and grabs her jacket. "I bring snacks next time," she says.
“下周四还是这个时间？”阿约问。塞夫达点点头，拿起外套。“下次我带零食来。”她说。
