You Can't Be Serious!

"What? You're kidding me right?"

In the corner of a small cafe were three women seated around a small table. In front of them were several different desserts from a strawberry creme brulee to a rose- flavored mille- feuille. Along with those plates were drinks for each of them, fruit tea, coffee, and Yakult.

Among the three women, one of them had an outraged face while the other rubbed her head in irritation.

"You got drunk after work and slept in someone else's bed?!"

The one with the outraged face was Hua Lee, a very cute woman with a babyface. She wore her hair in a pixie cut and bangs as well, not to mention, it was dyed in a gray ombre color. Among the three, she was the shortest but she was also incredibly fit having found a career in fitness and training. She wore a sky blue dress that revealed her toned arms and the skirt came up to her knees.

"Ah, Liu Yang, little Liu Yang, I knew that you like to get drunk but... this is going a bit too far. Rather than charge him with harassment, he could charge you instead, you know."

The other was Ruo Ming, a more professional- looking woman dressed in heels, a gray blazer over a white blouse tucked into her dress pants. Her hair was straight, reaching down her shoulders. She had sharp eyes alongside thin lips, making for a stern face.

She looked at Liu Yang, sighing as she put both hands on her temples.

"Really? Are you sure? Do you think he's going to sue me?"

Liu Yang spoke out with a bit of shock and fear, looking at her friend.

"I'm a lawyer... What do you think?"

Ruo Ming looked at her before taking a sip out of her glass of Yakult.

"Aghhhh... I gave him my card too! Should I even go back to his stall? Can I even go back to his stall? Damn it! I really liked the food too!"

She cried out, covering her face in both agony and embarrassment.

"There, there, have a bite of this creme brulee. Maybe that'll make you happy."

Suddenly feeling sorry for her, Hua Lee picked up a spoon and held it out to Liu Yang, who was still covering her face. Glancing at it, she took the spoon and immediately cracked the sugary coating, taking a large bite of it.

"Mmm, it's so good... But so was the food from that stall. I'm really going to miss it."

She savored the taste but ultimately relented, going back to the food stall.

Her two friends looked at each other before looking at Liu Yang, sighing at the plight of their friend.

"Agh, where did our dear Liu Yang go wrong? Such an angel reduced to this drunk old man", said Ruo Ming.

"Hey! Don't blame me! Blame the fact that I got such a crappy manager."

Liu Yang snapped back before taking another spoon of the creme brulee, her head dropped in defeat.

"Hah, I don't understand it, why couldn't I have ended up with a good boss?" she complained.

"What I don't understand is why you quit art? You were so good at it!"

Hua Lee chimed in, cutting a piece of the mille- feuille with her spoon. Liu Yang snickered and looked at her with doubtful eyes.

"Please, that was years ago. Besides, a career in art? That's not exactly going to pay the bills", she replied, dismissing the thought.

"Besides, I need you two to help me out here! What am I going to do about the Stall Owner?"

Rou Ming then looked at her with a contemplative look.

"Well, you did spend the night at a man's home. Wouldn't that be your first time?"

She pointed out this small fact which took Liu Yang a few moments to realize.

"Oh my god, I did, I really did! That really was my first time!"

She squealed in horror as her face turned red once more. This little nugget of information made her go through a cycle of embarrassment and shock. As for the two friends, they looked at each other and smirked.

"You know what, Rou Ming."

"What is it, Hua Lee?"

"Let's go to that stall and see what our little Liu Yang has been going on about."

They grinned at each other while Liu Yang raised her head and looked at them.

"What?"

Hua Lee leaned in, resting her elbows on the table.

"Since you keep praising the food, I thought we should go have dinner there. Besides, if that stall owner really doesn't want you there, we can find another place."

"I know, right? Liu Yang, if you're going to miss the food so much, why don't we go there together and enjoy your last meal there.

"Yes! Let's go finish up here and get going!"

"Wha- what?"

While her two friends started on their antics, the Stall Owner was simply busy, setting up his stall.

He was somewhat tall for his age, a young man in his mid- twenties. His face had an earnest expression and gave him a rather innocent look. Contrary to that, his body was a bit tan and quite muscular from the hard labor he endured while managing his stall.

It was always the same place at the same time and he arrived in a small truck, bringing over his supplies and whatnot. Everyone else was just as busy preparing for the night market but as soon as he arrived they all waved to greet him.

"Ah, Wang Li! You're here!" one of them shouted out.

Getting out of his truck, he began to unload it and put everything in his little plot of land.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be late?" he replied.

They all grinned.

"We thought you'd come later. After all, you did bring back that woman!"

He stopped and turned in around, with a slightly annoyed face. Though, he had a small smile, knowing that it was all a joke.

"What are you trying to say? I'm not trying to go to jail, you know", he replied.

"Ahhh, come on. She was all wrapped around you!"

"We're not saying you were going to do anything wrong! But you could've at least asked for her number or something."

Across the road was a stall manned by an old couple, both of their late fifties. One was putting up the signs and starting the stoves while the other was cutting up some fish cakes to fry. They both looked over to him, giving him a teasing smile.

"Stop it, you two. Nothing happened, I offered her some food and she went on her way."

He quickly set up his stall, warming up his grill and stovetop. He then opened up the various boxes which contained a range of meat and vegetable skewers. Beside the grill was a large countertop with several cutting boards.*

"You know they're right, Wang Li. We love all of the work you've done for us but we can all see that you're still young and smart. Rather than find someone, why not go back and finish school. get a better job rather than doing something like this."

Several stalls over was a place that grilled seafood, the owner of which was a man in his forties carrying a cleaver as he spoke.

Wang Li looked at him.

"This is something I've always wanted to do. School or not, I would've ended up here either way. Now come on you all, the markets starting up in a few hours."

He turned away, taking out the contents of his boxes and began prepping some other items. There was a helpless look on their faces as they all knew that he didn't want to speak any more of this.