CHAPTER FIVE - A SET UP

After Li Hua leaves, Li An walks over to Yi Chen "did you and your girlfriend have an argument"

Yi Chen "she is not my girlfriend...and also mind your business" he walks away

Li An "Ooo...kay" happy, brimming with joy.

1:43pm

Li An is on a phone call with her friend, she just told her that, Li Hua isn't Yi Chen's girlfriend.

Li An's friend "for real"

Li Am "mm-hmm"

Li An's friend "that's such good news, now it's your chance to shoot your shot"

Li An "I don't know, I'm still sceptical about the idea, so what if she isn't his girlfriend, that doesn't mean he doesn't have one...I mean look at that guy, it's impossible that he is single"

Li An's friend "nonsense.... the reason hot people are single, is because no one believes that they are single, that's how it works. And this girl, that has been coming to see him since you started working there, is not his girlfriend and no other lady has come to see him, therefore the answer to this equation is CHEN DOES NOT HAVE A GIRLFRIEND. This is your chance honey, take it"

Li An sigh "okay...when should I do it"

Li An's friend "right now"

Li An "what"

Li An's friend "as soon as possible, it's already the weekend fix a date with him. Ask him out"

Li An "isn't that moving.... too fast"

Li An's friend "FAST! .... something you've been waiting, hoping and wanting to do for the past month.... now it's too fast"

Li An sigh

Li An's friend "you can do this girl...he could get a girlfriend during the weekend, who knows....so go get your man"

Li An breaths in and out "wish me luck"

Li An "good luck, don't worry you'll be fine...call me later and tell how good it went" They both giggle and end the call.

Li An comes out of the back room where she was talking to her friend. Yi Chen just finished attending to a customer and she approached him with caution.

Li An "Yi Chen, I want to talk to you"

Yi Chen ignores her

Li An "Yi Chen, could you please...just this onetime"

Yi Chen "I'm listening"

Li An gulps "can you go on a date with me this weekend" scared

Yi Chen says nothing for about a minute and a minute is long time in these kinds of situations. Li An had already accepted she was going to be rejected, maybe he is thinking of words to let her down nicely, that's why he is taking so long.

Yi Chen "sure"

Li An surprised "really"

Yi Chen "yes"

Li An trying to hide her happiness

Yi Chen "however, I am not free this weekend and next two weeks is packed. So how about today, at 8"

Li An "today" stunned

Yi Chen "mm-hmm, or do you have other plans"

Li An "no, no, it's nothing" in her head {oh my goodness, I have a date with Bo Wen this evening...what do I do.... oh well I'll just leave him hanging. He'll understand, it's not like he has a choice anyway} smiles "today is fine, so I'll see you at 8.

Yi Chen "sure"

Li An "but where are we eating at"

Yi Chen "ummm...how about..."

Li An cuts him short "how about you give me your number and text me the place"

Yi Chen silent for a while "sure"

Li An gives him her phone and he inputs his number. Li An then saves his number as Chen with a heart emoji, Chen saw this and she immediately hid her phone. "Look at the time" does a nervous laugh "it's past 2, guess it's time for me to get off work" she takes off her apron and carries her bag "goodbye and see you tonight" she leaves the café.

Yi Chen smirk.

8:30pm

Li An is waiting at the restaurant Yi Chen texted to her.

Li An worried and anxious, wondering why he wasn't there yet. Her phone rings and she pick up.

Li An's friend "is he there yet?"

Li An " no..." pause "what if I've been stood up. Cause come to think of it, it's kind of odd for a guy who has been giving me the cold shoulder for the past month to suddenly agree to go on a date with me. Maybe he is doing this as a warning, to put me in my place"

Li An "ohh no, now you are just over thinking things. Don't worry no one has stood you up, he'll come, I know he'll come. My instincts tell me so and you know they're never wrong, so don't worry"

Li An sights Yi Chen walking into the restaurant "oh-oh-oh, he's here"

Li An's friend "see, I am never wrong"

Li An "yeah-yeah-yeah, I'm hanging up now"

Li An's friend "have fun"

Li An "bye" hangs up. Starts waving her hand, so that Yi Chen could find her. Yi Chen spots her and starts walking towards her table, she is very happy, and her smile is wide. He arrives at her table.

Li An "Good evening, Chen" looks at him from head to toe, because he was still wearing his work outfit "Chen, you are still dressed in your work clothes, did you come here from there" happy, feeling special, thinking Chen was late because of work and didn't have time to change, and hurried over, because of how much he cares. "It doesn't matter, please sit. Waiter" she calls the waiter

Yi Chen "still standing with a cold expression

Li An "why aren't you sitting down

Yi Chen doesn't respond

Li An gets a cold feeling

Yi Chen "I am not here to dine with you"

Li An "what"

Yi Chen "I am here to say but one thing to you.... please change this character of yours, it's disgusting."

Li An shocked

Yi Chen "Normally I don't talk to women like this, I respect women.... women who respect themselves. But you have no dignity or respect for yourself, and that is why you deserve this. I don't know if you are dumb or just stupid, but why can't you let go...I don't want you. You were lucky enough to find a man who was ready to sacrifice anything just to have you and you treated him like crap. You stood him up just to be with someone who doesn't want you. At least now, you'll know how he felt about how you treated him. Women like you are the worst, forcing yourself on the wrong people and when it all goes south, you begin to wonder where it went wrong. Pull yourself together and straighten your act. I have spoken to Bo Wen, he won't be expecting anything from you anymore, neither should you." He turns to leave "and I also I blocked your number, so never think about texting or calling me...if you try to use another number, I'll block that one as well" he walks away.

The waiter comes to Li An's table "sorry I took time, what would you like to order, miss"

Li An lost, zoned out.

The Waiter "miss...hello"

Li An was shattered and hurt by the things Chen said to her that evening. She left the restaurant without eating and went home to cry.