Chapter 17: Food, Puppies and Ribbons

- Street Food Market -

The car stopped at a highway rest area that was supposed to be "a quick break."

That was the lie they told people who didn't have Chen Rang in their backseat.

The moment the doors opened, Thailand rushed in- heat, smoke, the smell of grilled meat and frying oil, sweet coconut, spicy chili, and the loud, living chaos of a roadside market that wasn't just a market.

It was a festival in miniature.

Lantern bulbs hung in rows like tiny suns. Vendors shouted over one another. Kids ran with skewers in their hands. A man fanned a grill so hard it looked like he was trying to summon spirits. Somewhere in the distance, a speaker played a song that sounded like happiness wrapped in percussion.

Mrs. Lang stepped out first, stretching dramatically like she'd survived a war. "Alright! Food break. Nobody runs. Nobody gets lost. Nobody-"

Paola vanished.

Mrs. Lang's head snapped. "PAOLA?!"

"Right here!" Paola yelled from three stalls away, already holding something shiny and suspiciously sticky.

Mrs. Lang shut her eyes. "Of course you are."

Mr. Lang got out last, calm as ever. He looked around at the bustling chaos and sighed like a man who had accepted that peace would never return.

Nathan stepped out and immediately became what he always became in public spaces: calm center. Still. Alert. His eyes swept across the crowd, counting heads instinctively.

Knight stayed close without being told- shoulders loose but posture protective, already scanning for threats like this wasn't a street food market but a battlefield.

Ping hopped out and inhaled deeply.

His eyes widened like a child witnessing heaven.

"Food..." he whispered, clutching Snowball with reverence. "Nate... FOOD."

Nathan's gaze softened faintly. "Yes."

And then-

Chen stepped out like a conqueror arriving to claim his kingdom.

He didn't walk.

He announced himself.

He flung both arms wide, face tilted upward, taking in the smell like it was a sacred blessing.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN," he boomed, loud enough for nearby strangers to turn and stare, "WELCOME... TO MY DOMAIN."

Knight groaned immediately. "No."

Mrs. Lang blinked. "Chen-"

Chen pointed at the market with holy devotion. "THIS is not a pit stop. This is destiny."

Jenn stepped out quietly behind them, adjusting her bag strap with calm precision. She took one look at Chen's expression and murmured, small and factual, "He's going to start something."

Nathan replied without looking at her, "He already did."

Chen spun around, eyes glittering. "I DECLARE A STREET FOOD COMPETITION!"

Ping gasped. "A WHAT?!"

Paola screamed in joy. "YESSSSS!"

Knight pinched the bridge of his nose like he could physically stop his headache from forming. "Dad, can we leave him here."

Mr. Lang reply already searching for food. "No."

Knight glared. "Why not."

Mr. Lang replied calmly, "Because he will become the market's leader within five minutes."

Chen was already marching forward like a general, dragging Ping and Paola by the wrists as if recruiting soldiers.

Nathan began, "Chen, don't-"

Too late.

Chen climbed onto a slightly raised step near a stall and held up a skewer like a microphone.

"ATTENTION!" he yelled.

A vendor actually clapped. Someone laughed. A kid stared at him like he was fascinating.

Chen pointed at Nathan like he was crowning royalty.

"Nathan is the judge!"

Ping clung to Nathan's sleeve instantly, nodding fiercely. "Nate is judge."

Knight muttered, "We're doomed."

Chen raised his hands grandly.

"THE RULES!" he announced. "Rule one: whoever eats the most wins."

Ping shouted, "I WILL WIN!"

"Rule two: whoever handles spice without crying wins."

Ping froze. "..."

Chen smirked. "Rule three: bargaining challenge."

Jenn's eyes lifted. Calm. Dangerous.

Chen stared at her for half a second.

Then quickly added, "Rule four: Jenn's not allowed to participate because she's scary."

Jenn blinked once. "Unfair."

Chen pointed. "Exactly! Fear is fair!"

Knight tried to step in. "There are no rules. We're just eating."

Chen swung an arm around Knight's shoulders with terrifying affection. "You, sir, are participating whether you like it or not."

Knight shoved him off. "Don't touch me."

Chen dramatically clutched his chest. "Rejected by my own brother."

Nathan finally spoke, quiet and absolute. "Everyone stays together."

"Yes, Dad," Chen replied instantly.

Nathan stared at him. "Don't call me that."

Chen grinned. "Yes, Dad."

Nathan exhaled slowly, clearly reconsidering every life choice that led here.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

🍢 Battle 1: "THE SKEWER WAR"

The first stall was grilling pork skewers so perfectly they glistened like temptation.

Chen slammed his hand down. "TEN."

The vendor blinked. "Ten?"

Chen nodded violently. "TEN."

Ping shouted, "TWELVE!"

Paola screamed, "FIFTEEN!"

The vendor stared at the children, confused and delighted.

Knight stepped in before the vendor's entire stock was purchased. "Six. Total."

Chen looked betrayed. "You hate joy."

Knight deadpanned. "I love survival."

Nathan handed skewers out like rationing supplies.

Ping bit into his skewer and nearly cried from happiness. "Nate... this is the best thing I've ever eaten."

Chen inhaled his in two bites like a starving wolf, cheeks bulging. "WE MUST EAT EVERYTHING."

Paola leaned closer to the vendor conspiratorially. "Do you have sweets."

Knight sighed. "There it is."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

🌶️ Battle 2: "THE SPICE CHALLENGE"

Chen saw a stall with bright red sauce and instantly became possessed.

"OHOHO," he whispered like a villain. "Spice."

Ping's eyes widened. "That looks scary."

"It looks delicious," Chen corrected, already ordering. "Give me the spiciest one you have."

The vendor grinned like he'd found his victim. "Very spicy."

Chen waved dismissively. "I am born spicy."

Knight leaned in. "You cried eating pepper last week."

Chen scoffed. "Lies. Historical revision."

Nathan glanced down. "Little one, don't."

Ping, unfortunately, had pride.

Ping puffed his cheeks. "I can do it."

Nathan's brows lifted. "Ping-"

Ping lifted his chin. "I'm not baby."

Chen clapped dramatically. "YES! THAT'S THE SPIRIT, LITTLE BRO! COME SUFFER WITH ME!"

Jenn looked at the stall, then at Chen, then at Ping.

Her calm voice came out flat. "This is stupid."

Chen declared loudly, "Stupid is my lifestyle!"

Mrs. Lang arrived at that moment, saw what was happening, and screamed, "ABSOLUTELY NOT-"

Too late.

The vendor handed out bowls.

Chen dug in first.

He took one bite.

For a full two seconds, Chen looked like victory itself.

Then... his eyes widened.

His face turned red like sunrise.

His soul left his body.

But he refused.

He swallowed like a warrior swallowing death.

"I'm... fine..." Chen rasped.

Knight stared. "You're sweating."

Chen's smile was a lie. "It's... flavor."

Ping took a bite next.

At first, he tried to look brave.

Then his eyes filled with tears instantly.

"IT'S SPICY-" Ping squeaked, voice breaking, "WHY IS IT ATTACKING ME?!"

Paola cackled. "PING'S DYING AGAIN!"

Mrs. Lang shrieked, grabbing water like a mother saving a nation. "MY BABYYYY!"

Ping sobbed dramatically but kept chewing because his pride was stronger than his tears.

Knight muttered, impressed and horrified, "He's actually eating it."

Chen wheezed. "He's... worthy."

Then Jenn took a tiny bite.

No tears.

No cough.

No reaction.

She chewed slowly, calmly.

Everyone turned to stare at her like she was a myth.

Chen's voice cracked. "Jenn..."

Jenn swallowed. "It's fine."

Ping screamed, "HOW IS IT FINE?!"

Jenn replied, still calm, "You're weak."

Ping gasped like he'd been stabbed.

Chen looked at her like he'd just witnessed divinity.

Knight leaned toward Nathan. "She's terrifying."

Nathan's lips twitched faintly. "Yes, she is."

Chen slammed his bowl down dramatically, coughing like a dying opera star.

"I RESIGN!" he screamed. "I AM NOT BUILT FOR THIS LEVEL OF VIOLENCE!"

Ping, tears streaming, yelled, "I DIDN'T RESIGN!"

Nathan took Ping's bowl away quietly. "Yes, you did."

Ping tried to protest.

Nathan gave him water.

Ping accepted it instantly and drank like a betrayed hero.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

🥭 Battle 3: "DESSERT REDEMPTION"

To restore peace, Nathan guided them to the dessert stalls before Chen could declare another war.

The desserts were bright, sweet, harmless- exactly what Ping needed.

Mango sticky rice.

Coconut pudding.

Thai roti drizzled in condensed milk.

Ping's eyes turned starry.

"Nate..." he whispered. "Can we buy everything."

Nathan, who was incapable of denying Ping's tragedy after spice, replied calmly, "One."

Ping pouted.

Nathan bought two.

Ping's pout vanished immediately.

Chen tried to snatch Ping's roti mid-bite.

Ping slapped his hand so hard the vendor laughed.

Chen gasped, offended. "ASSAULT!"

Ping yelled, mouth full, "MINE!"

Paola leaned forward, licking condensed milk off her fingers like a villain. "Ping, give me one bite."

Ping hissed, protective. "NO!"

Paola shrieked. "BIG BRO! HE'S BEING MEAN!"

Nathan took one look at Ping.

Ping instantly handed Paola a bite with trembling betrayal.

Paola grinned smugly. "Thank you."

Ping glared at her. "I hate you."

Paola laughed. "No you don't."

Jenn quietly ate her coconut pudding and watched them like she was studying a case.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

💰 Battle 4: "THE BARGAINING DISASTER"

Chen spotted souvenir bracelets- little braided charms with tiny bells.

He decided he would win bargaining.

He marched up to the vendor like a businessman.

"Hello. I would like to purchase this," Chen announced, pointing dramatically. "For... five baht."

The vendor blinked.

Knight whispered, "Oh no."

The vendor smiled. "Twenty baht."

Chen's eyes widened. "TWENTY?! That's robbery!"

The vendor smiled wider. "Thirty."

Chen recoiled. "IT INCREASED?!"

Jenn stepped in quietly, holding her little bag with both hands.

She looked up at the vendor with calm politeness.

"Auntie," Jenn said softly. "He is... stupid. Please forgive him."

Chen's mouth dropped open.

Jenn continued, voice gentle. "We will buy two. What price is fair."

The vendor's entire face softened. "For you... ten each."

Chen stared in betrayal. "SHE CALLED ME STUPID!"

Jenn blinked innocently. "It worked."

Chen clutched his chest. "I'M IN PAIN."

Knight muttered, "Good."

Nathan paid without comment.

Ping immediately wanted a bracelet too.

Nathan bought him one.

Ping declared it "proof" that Nathan belonged to him.

Chen gagged loudly.

Mrs. Lang took photos.

Mr. Lang sipped juice he had brought along, like this was the reason he lived.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

As they finished, Chen stood dramatically in front of Nathan like a final boss.

"Bro," Chen declared, eyes shining. "You haven't enjoyed anything."

Nathan replied, calm, "I enjoyed leaving the car."

Chen slapped a skewer into his hand like offering a sacred relic. "EAT."

Nathan stared at it.

Knight watched, amused.

Ping stared like it mattered.

Paola stopped chewing.

Jenn paused.

Even Mrs. Lang looked expectant.

Nathan sighed like a man surrendering.

He took one bite.

For one second, he looked exactly the same.

Then his eyes softened- barely. Almost invisible.

But Ping saw it.

Ping screamed, "HE LIKES IT!"

Paola screamed louder, "Big Bro LIKES IT!"

Chen jumped like he'd won a world championship. "YES! HE HAS JOY!"

Knight rolled his eyes but smiled.

Nathan looked at Chen, voice dry. "You're loud."

Chen nodded proudly. "I'm the happiness department."

Nathan didn't deny it.

When they finally walked back to the car, everyone was full, sticky, smiling, and louder than before.

Paola had sauce on her cheek and refused to wipe it because she said it was "a warrior mark."

Ping clutched Snowball in one hand and his bracelet in the other like sacred treasures.

Jenn held her coconut pudding like a queen.

Chen declared himself the winner of every category.

Knight threatened to throw him into a ditch.

And Nathan- calm in the middle of it- followed them back with quiet steadiness, watching their chaos like it was something precious.

Because it was.

This was what family sounded like.

Not silence.

Not perfection.

But laughter so loud it could fill even the longest road.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

They'd barely made it back to the car before Mrs. Lang entered her final form.

"Everyone hold hands," she declared, tone absolute. "We are leaving. No one disappears. No one wanders. No one-"

Paola slipped her small hand out of hers like a professional escape artist.

Mrs. Lang didn't even notice immediately.

She was too busy straightening Ping's shirt like Ping hadn't just survived a spice battle and cried like a fallen hero.

Ping clung to Nathan, cheeks still a little red, Snowball tucked under one arm like a wounded soldier.

Chen, still chewing something illegal, whispered, "I'm expanding my black market at the next stop."

Knight sighed like his soul was leaving his body.

Nathan counted heads out of habit.

One. Two. Three-

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Mrs. Lang clapped her hands again. "Alright, Paola-"

She turned.

She blinked.

She turned again, like Paola might be hiding behind the air.

Then her gaze slowly slid to Nathan.

Nathan's gaze slid to her.

A silent exchange. Two people realizing the same horrifying truth.

Mrs. Lang's mouth opened.

"...Where," she said very softly, very dangerously, "is Paola."

The world froze.

Even the market noise seemed to lower in fear.

Ping looked around, confused. "Paola?"

Jenn, holding her dessert cup, paused mid-bite like a scientist watching an experiment fail.

Chen's eyes widened. "Oh."

Knight's head snapped around. "No."

Nathan didn't panic. He simply looked around again- calm, sharp, scanning.

Mrs. Lang didn't scan.

She erupted.

"PAOLAAAAAAAAA!"

The sound was so loud a vendor dropped a skewer.

Mr. Lang, leaning against the car, sighed like this was expected. "It took longer than I thought."

Mrs. Lang spun to the children like a commander interrogating soldiers. "WHO LOST MY DAUGHTER?"

Ping instantly pointed at Chen. "HIM!"

Chen gasped. "WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME?!"

Knight pointed at Ping. "He was sitting next to her."

Ping screeched. "SHE WAS NEVER NEXT TO ME!"

Jenn lifted her eyes calmly. "...She left."

Everyone turned to stare at her.

Jenn continued, small voice flat and factual. "She's Paola. She leaves."

Mrs. Lang grabbed her own hair. "MY CHILD IS A DISAPPEARING MAGICIAN!"

Nathan started walking immediately. "She can't have gone far."

Knight followed without question, posture tightening. "Chen, if she's missing because you traded her for snacks-"

"I WOULD NEVER!" Chen shouted. Then paused. "...Unless the snacks were rare."

Knight's eyes narrowed. "CHEN."

Chen threw both hands up. "I'm joking! I swear! She's just... tiny and dramatic!"

Mrs. Lang grabbed Ping's shoulders. "Ping. Where did you last see her."

Ping blinked rapidly like his brain was buffering.

Then, hesitantly, he raised one finger.

"...She said she saw a puppy."

Mrs. Lang's face went blank.

A beat.

Then she screamed again, "OF COURSE SHE DID!"

Knight's jaw clenched. "Puppy. Good. That narrows it down."

Chen started sprinting. "I WILL FIND THE PUPPY ZONE!"

Nathan caught his collar. "Not alone."

Chen pointed dramatically at the crowd. "Bro, this is my moment. I'm fast."

Nathan let go.

Chen vanished into the market like a missile, screaming, "PAOLA! COME BACK OR AUNTIE WILL DIE!"

Mrs. Lang staggered like she might actually faint. "I will die."

Mr. Lang replied calmly. "No, you won't."

Mrs. Lang whirled on him. "HAROLD, MY BABY IS GONE!"

Mr. Lang already looking around, "She's not gone. She's shopping."

Mrs. Lang looked like she might murder her husband on the side of the highway.

Nathan moved through the stalls with controlled speed, eyes scanning every corner. Knight stayed beside him like a shadow, sharp and restless.

Ping shuffled after them, guilt written all over his face. "Nate... I didn't mean to lose her..."

Nathan squeezed his hand gently. "You didn't."

Jenn followed last, quiet as ever, not even hurried- because Jenn already knew the truth.

Three stalls later, Knight stopped abruptly.

Nathan stopped too.

Because there she was.

Paola.

Sitting on a low stool like she owned the entire market.

A small vendor had placed a tray in front of her.

Paola was eating sweet roti with condensed milk like royalty- face sticky, hair messy, posture proud.

Beside her, a basket of tiny puppies squirmed.

Paola had one puppy tucked against her chest like she'd adopted it legally.

She looked up, saw them all, and beamed.

"Hi!"

Mrs. Lang's soul visibly returned to her body.

Then immediately left again.

"PAOLINA LANG!" she screamed. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

Paola blinked innocently. "I found love."

Knight muttered, "Of course."

Chen appeared out of nowhere, panting dramatically, hands on knees. "I SEARCHED EVERYWHERE-"

He stopped when he saw Paola.

"...You were eating?" he whispered, betrayed.

Paola smiled brightly. "Yes."

Chen clutched his chest. "I ALMOST DIED FOR YOU."

Paola pointed at the puppy. "Look. Baby."

Chen immediately melted. "Oh my God."

Mrs. Lang marched forward, ready to scold with the power of heaven.

Paola held up the puppy like a shield. "Mom. He needed me."

Mrs. Lang froze.

Her eyes narrowed.

Her voice dropped.

"...You are not taking a puppy."

Paola's lips trembled. "But-"

"No."

Paola turned to Nathan, eyes wide, voice sweet. "Big Bro."

Nathan looked away instantly. "No."

Paola turned to Knight with full dramatic despair. "Knight... please."

Knight crossed his arms. "No."

Paola gasped. "YOU HAVE NO HEART!"

Chen whispered, "Let her take it..."

Knight glared. "No."

Paola huffed, offended beyond reason, then kissed the puppy's head dramatically like a tragic heroine.

"Goodbye," she told it. "Remember me."

The puppy licked her face.

Paola sobbed like she'd lost her first love.

Mrs. Lang grabbed her hand firmly. "Back to the car. Now."

Paola allowed herself to be dragged away, still waving at the puppy like she was departing for war.

Chen followed, whispering, "I respect your romance."

Paola sniffed. "Thank you."

Nathan walked behind them, calm again now that the missing child had been located.

Knight leaned closer to him and murmured, "She disappeared in less than a second."

Nathan replied softly, "She's talented in escaping."

Ping clung to Nathan's sleeve again, relieved, still guilty. "Can we tie her next time?"

Nathan didn't answer immediately.

Because Mrs. Lang, dragging Paola to the car, shouted over her shoulder like a threat to the universe-

"Next stop, I'm putting her on a leash!"

And Paola screamed back, "I'LL BITE IT!"

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Next in A Trip Called Family

They ended the day laughing-

Full, loud, untouchable.

But the night would be quieter.

And in that silence... something unspoken would come too close to ignore.

Next Stop: When the Noise Fell Quiet

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───