| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
Qiao Qiao wrinkles her face. “What are you talking about?”
“Obviously you’re standing to the right.”
Qiao Qiao gives him a look.
“What guy talk?” Chen Yi asked.
“Kid, you weren’t there either, right,” Ehlo ordered.
“Quit it already, man,” Jacky interfered, seeing Chen Yi’s expression. “Let’s get going with this game.”
“This is a good chance to know, okay?”
“Fine. Do it, but hurry.”
“What is he talking about?” Xiao Qiao asked Jacky.
Jacky claps his hands together. “Everyone, Ehlo and I had a little bet so could you please cooperate a bit and excuse Ehlo’s poor communication skills and public relations?”
“Hey!” Ehlo protested. “Are you trying to help me or insult me?”
The others laugh.
“As long as I get them together for you, what’s the difference?” Jacky returned.
Somehow, the others are standing in two groups at that time as was instructed by Ehlo earlier.
“They’re all yours, Mr. Huang.”
The others are laughing again, except some are forcing themselves to stop upon seeing Ehlo’s annoyed look.
“All right, before we start the game, I want to ask you guys something,” Ehlo continued.
“Get with it already,” Qiao Qiao urged. “We have a game to win.”
“Patient, girl, patient.”
Chen Yi pokes Qiao Qiao on the shoulder and whispers, “At least he’s calling you a girl and not…”
Before Chen Yi could finish, Qiao Qiao already shoved her right elbow to his stomach. But that doesn’t stop Chen Yi from getting down on his back and laughing it off. He ends up in a coughing fit that Achel has to come to his rescue with her water bottle.
“Oh…so this is all so funny,” Ehlo commented sarcastically.
When Chen Yi regains himself again, he puts on his smile again. “Not really, but it was…” He straightens up again when he sees Qiao Qiao starring at him with threatening eyes.
“Since we’re all here again, I’ll continue,” Ehlo snapped, still dripping of annoyance.
“Try to speed it up a bit, will you please, Mr. Huang?” Jacky urged.
Ehlo turns to give Jacky a glare before turning back to the others. “Okay. Who listened to Jacky’s segment on Tuesday?”
Half of them raise their hands.
Ehlo turns to Jacky. “You’re losing your fans.”
“I was rushing around to find Sonia and missed it,” Angela said.
“No need to explain, dear…”
Wei Ru gives Ehlo a sharp look before he could say ‘fiancée’.
Ehlo clears his throat. “Anyway, those who heard the segment must have heard the song, right?”
“You mean ‘Enchantment’?” Qiao Qiao asked.
Ehlo nods. “Yes. That’s right.”
“And?”
“I’m getting to the point, Missy.”
“So get there already.”
“Qiao, the faster he talks, the faster we get to play,” Jacky reminded her.
“Thank you for the support, Young Master Chu,” Ehlo said passively before clearing his throat again. “Okay, who could guess who he wrote it for?”
“He wrote it?” Chen Yi asked, surprised.
“He said it before the song came on.”
“Oh. I just turn it on like around the song came on and heard something about him signing off.”
“Okay. So who can answer my question?”
Xiao Jie has her hand raise up high while the others are still pondering things over.
Ehlo points at Xiao Jie. “He didn’t tell you, did he?”
“No, but I think I know what Jacky ge’s thinking about!”
“Good for you then.” He turns to the others. “Anyone else wants to take a shot?”
Wei Ru hesitates and then puts up her hand also. Qiao Qiao follows suit.
Ehlo turns to Jacky. “So not everyone knows.”
“I still can wait for the fan mail,” Jacky said.
“You’re sure to be my slave for a day, so no point in stalling for time. So far, only about 10% of your fans know.”
“All right, guys,” Xiao Qiao said, attempting to break them up again. “What’s the big deal?”
Ehlo turns back to the others again. “Last chance. If he loses, he will have to be my slave for one day.”
Chen Yi raises his hand up also, poking Achel in the process. Achel nods before raising her hand up as well. Bianca does the same.
“It wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t listen, right?” Angela remarked.
“All right, those who missed the song, step the farthest right,” Ehlo said.
Angela steps in that direction at that time.
“Okay, here comes Mr. Sleepy Head now. Let’s see if he can…never mind, he can’t save you. He was there too.”
Upon seeing Wallace, Cyndi walks over to him.
“Hey. How’s it going?” Wallace mumbled.
“I swear you make it sound like she lives the next town over, which she does but don’t you guys work together?”Ehlo teased.
“It doesn’t mean we talk much. I’ve been busy lately.”
“Okay, left, Mr. Huo.”
“Why?”
“Remember Tuesday night?”
“Oh….all right.”
Wallace steps left while Cyndi goes back to the supposed right group – which now turns into the middle group.
“And were you guys…” He points at Bianca, Chen Yi, and Achel. “…just worry about his well being instead of knowing for real?” He points at Achel. “Xiao Yu, who is it?”
“Uh…” Achel managed.
“She doesn’t know.”
“It’s for Xiao…”
“Go on.”
“Hey!” Chen Yi yelled out. “Stop bullying her.”
“Coming from your mouth?” Qiao Qiao snapped.
Chen Yi sneers at Qiao Qiao before turning back to Ehlo.
“Xiao Yu, say it,” Ehlo urged.
“It’s Xiao…” Achel tried again.
“Xiao Yue Lan,” Qiao Qiao finished.
Ehlo turns to Qiao Qiao. “I wasn’t asking you!”
“Why are you yelling at Qiao?!” Wei Ru exclaimed.
Ehlo turns on Wei Ru. “Why are you yelling at me then?!”
“Idiot.”
“Like I want to be one.”
Jacky steps up from behind Ehlo at that time. “All right, guys. Knock it off. I still lose, okay? Let’s get the game going.”
“How in the world is the song related to me though?” Xiao Qiao pondered, confused.
“He’s trying to get clever,” Ehlo explained. “Replace ‘lan’ with ‘lin’ and you’ll know why.” He turns to the others again. “All right, everyone. Game time!”
“You’re the one saying everything,” Qiao Qiao mumbled, annoyed.
“Problem?”
Qiao Qiao just gives Ehlo a look and walks over to Jacky. “You all right?”
“Yea, sure,” Jacky said quickly. “Why?”
“I heard Orchids talking about your parents giving you a hard time the other day when you were home.”
“It’s fine now. I told them many times already. I won’t change my mind just ‘cause they like Jo.”
“If she needs some fixing, I can take care of it.”
Jacky shakes his head. “No need.” He pats Qiao Qiao on the head. “Thanks, sis. But I got it.”
Ehlo walks towards them. “I thought you said I was wasting time. Why are you two loitering here?”
Qiao Qiao turns to Ehlo. “None of your business. And could you take the time used to court girls and invest it more into caring for your buddy?”
“I do care for him it’s just that he kept back-stabbing me.”
“He’s irritated about life, okay?”
Jacky puts a hand on Qiao Qiao’s shoulder. “Qiao, it’s all right. It’s not his fault.”
Wei Ru walks over to them. “Qiao, are you all right?”
“He started it,” Qiao Qiao said reluctantly.
“Qiao…” Jacky called out again.
Qiao Qiao could see Jacky’s look so she shrugs her shoulders and walks away from them.
Wei Ru turns to Jacky. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Jacky said – still in that scripted tone.
“Here we go with nothing going on around here again.”
She says that, but steps back with the rest of the girls as the guys get ready to start the game. That is aside from some of the girls that are actually involved in the game.
As Jacky and Sam are getting together with their teammates, Jacky recounts the team members again. Then he turns to the group watching. “Wallace, get with them. We’re short one.”
“Playing opposite Chen Yi?” Wallace asked.
“Scared?”
“No. But people don’t just play against Chen Yi like that.”
“You guys got Qiao and Johnny.”
“They also got you.”
“Come on now,” Bianca urged. “Where’s your sportsmanship?”
After a little more of hesitation, Wallace finally takes his hand out of his shorts pockets and joins Sam’s team.
Contradicting to his reluctant words, Wallace plays hard and rough during the game. He shows no mercy towards anyone of the other team, except for maybe Achel but it doesn’t help as much since Achel isn’t as strong as them. And it could possibly be Achel just wanting to play for fun since Chen Yi scolds at her many times for “letting the enemy pass” and how “she could have done better than that”. It is until Chen Yi makes the 5th basket that they decide to take a break.
Qiao Qiao sighs out in relief finally.
Ming Dao looks over at her. “You all right?”
“Yea. If we kept at it, I already strangled Chen Yi.”
Chen Yi walks by them at that time. “You can’t hate me ‘cause I’m good.”
Qiao Qiao gives him an annoyed look. “What are you talking about? I was talking about how you kept bullying Xiao Yu.”
“What’s it got to do with you anyway? Could you stop being nosy? She doesn’t mind getting yell at, you know.”
Angela walks up to them at that time. “Can it be my business then? She’s my sister after all.”
Chen Yi turns to see Angela crossing her hands and standing there with a frown on her face. He softens and smiles at her. “Angela jie, I was just making a point that Qiao’s just too nosy.”
Achel walks over to them at that time also. “How about we go inside and take a break instead of standing here?” She tugs on Angela’s arm. “Come on, jie.”
Jacky walks over to them at that time also. “Hey, sis, stop getting mad at Chen Yi. It’s not healthy, come on.”
Jacky hauls Qiao Qiao away from the scene before she and Chen Yi could find anything else to argue about. Wei Ru doesn’t know what’s going on, but she follows them also. Apparently, the others have already been leaving the backyard of Ming Dao and Sam’s place and are heading over to Jacky’s place already. Only some are left behind. But now that they’re leaving one by one, Chen Yi realizes that he’s the only one left. He stares around a bit more before heading back also.
*****
When Chen Yi passes through the door, he could see an interesting scene unfolding. He closes and locks the door quickly before taking several steps forward to stand between Angela and Achel.
“Psst…what are they doing?” Chen Yi asked, whispering to Achel.
Achel leans over to Chen Yi. “Ehlo ge’s making Jacky ge carry out his requests right now ‘cause Jacky ge lost.”
“That’s outrageous! He can’t be serious. I thought they were kidding.”
“It doesn’t look like it.”
Chen Yi is about to step forward and defend Jacky when Angela extends her hand out to stop him.
Chen Yi turns to Angela. “What?”
“Jacky won’t like it if you’re standing up for him like that,” Angela whispered to him.
“And Qiao can?”
“He treats her like a sister and she’s a girl after all. If he needs another guy to stand up for him, it’ll be a bit…”
“So?”
“At least watch and see first.”
Bianca leans into Angela’s left. “Why do you seem to understand him more lately?”
Angela sees Bianca’s teasing expression. “It’s not what you think. I just seem to know him better after working at the station with him.”
“Is that so?”
“What else do you want it to be?”
After that, they continue to watch the scene unfolds between Jacky and Ehlo.
“Okay, since that’s set, how about getting me some tea now?” Ehlo rattled out.
“You drink tea?” Jacky asked, putting on his amused look.
“No questions from servants. You will do as you’re told.”
Qiao Qiao steps forward from her spot between Ming Dao and Wei Ru at that time. “Knock it off already. It’s not funny. Let’s go find something to eat and go back outside to finish our game.”
“He did promise, you know. He said ‘deal’ like he was going to win the other night. You weren’t there.”
“Did we agree to witness?” Wallace jumped in.
Ehlo turns to Wallace. “But you knew it happened…if not, how would you know what I’m talking about now?”
“Forget it,” Jacky interfered. “Let’s get this over with. I’ll get you the tea.”
Jacky goes into the kitchen and prepares tea for Ehlo while Ehlo’s laying back on the sofa to rest.
“How come Wallace can defend him?” Chen Yi asked Angela.
“They’re always at odd,” Angela said. “It’s not strange for him to go against Ehlo.”
“I’m always at odd with Mr. Pervert too.”
“You’re younger than him. Even if he’s the most popular among us all, he also has dignity, so please don’t rob him of it.”
Chen Yi knows he can’t win with Angela so he walks into the kitchen and gets himself a drink instead.
Somehow, Chen Yi’s action has unfreeze the others from their spot – at least most of them. Wallace walks down the hallway to turn the AC higher while the others scatter apart, sitting at different places or finding something to drink instead of watching the scene between Jacky and Ehlo. Chen Yi is glad that the spell has been broken upon seeing activities happening again as he returns with two soda cans in his hands. He settles down at a chair and tries to enjoy himself when he sees Jacky coming back out. Achel takes the chance to step over where Chen Yi’s sitting on the floor and takes the other soda from him before stepping back to stand next to Angela. Angela is one of the ones still standing at their original spot. They continue to watch Ehlo as he drinks his tea.
“Ah…not bad at all,” Ehlo complimented. “I just got to thinking.”
“You can think?” Chen Yi said through his gritted teeth.
“Stop snapping at me,” Ehlo said to Chen Yi.
“It just seems someone gone too far already.”
“He was the one who made the deal. Why is it my fault when I win? Does it make him right if he wins?”
“If he wins, he would just shake his head and say forget it…unlike someone.”
“Hey!”
“Guys, stop arguing,” Jacky interfered for the umpteenth time. He turns to Chen Yi. “He’s right. I have to carry out my sentence now.” Then he turns to Ehlo with a smile. “What next, Your Highness?”
“Oh yeah, that reminds me,” Ehlo continued in his dominant tone – like nothing happened.
“Yes?”
“Since everyone’s making me the bad guy ‘cause you lost, how about a bargain?”
Jacky sits down next to Ehlo on the sofa before he dies trying to wait for Ehlo to “get to the point”. “What?”
“Two options. One, tell me all your secrets that I don’t already know. Or two, be my slave for the rest of the day.”
“That isn’t fair!” Qiao Qiao exclaimed.
“Life isn’t fair.”
“Qiao, calm down,” Jakcy said before turning to Ehlo. “I’ll take number two. Let’s go. Shout out your commands.”
“But…he…” Qiao Qiao protested again. She finally couldn’t take it anymore so she takes another step forward to face Ehlo. Her expression is so stern the rest of the people in the room seemed to be silenced by it. “You want to know some secrets that you don’t know? I’ll tell you one right now!”
Jacky jumps up from his place faster than anyone in the room can react and hauls Qiao Qiao out of the scene. He drags her to his room and shuts the door behind him before speaking up. She yanks her arm away from him.
“What are you doing?! He said he wants to know.”
“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about and besides, he’s just teasing me. He won’t go to the extreme of making me give him foot message or do heavy labor or…”
“It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t know what you’re going through right now and he still dares to call himself your best buddy.”
“Are you mad at Wei Ru for match-making you both?”
“Huh?”
“Are you trying to take your aggressiveness to the max so he wouldn’t like you anymore so Wei Ru could pull out? ‘Cause you can take jokes better than this.”
“I just…I…” Qiao Qiao sighs out in frustrated sounds.
Jacky feels that he needs to do it so he takes Qiao Qiao into his arm and pats her shoulder gently. “Go ahead and cry. I know you’re frustrated for both of us so you can cry for the both of us too. Getting mad at everyone won’t solve anything.”
Qiao Qiao stays still at first but then Jacky could feel her shaking because she’s starting to cry at last. “I don’t know…why things…has turned out…this way. I don’t want…things to turn out…this way. But…I…”
Jacky pats on Qiao Qiao’s shoulder. “It’s okay.”
“I hate myself for…being such a…coward…and for sending the wrong signal. What did I…do to Ehlo? I don’t even want him…to take it the wrong way, so that’s why I didn’t want…to socialize with him much, but…it happened. And…I don’t even like Chen Yi…why did I send the wrong signal his way? Now I can’t get out of the mess and I’m dating Ming Dao behind everyone’s back…and…”
“Stop beating yourself up already. It’s not your fault. You’re just being yourself. It was my fault for creating chances for you and Ehlo to get together ‘cause I know Ehlo likes you. And ‘cause he’s my friend so I want to help him have a fair chance. It’s my fault for misleading Chen Yi too since I thought you like Chen Yi but now that I know you more, I know that you’re just naturally friendly towards everyone and likes to hit them, but it’s not ‘cause you like that person.”
Qiao Qiao hits Jacky on the shoulder. “Are you saying I’m naturally violent?”
“Whatever you want to do, go ahead and beat me up. I deserve it.”
Qiao Qiao finally stops shaking so Jacky lets go of her.
Jacky smiles. “Ming Dao really missed his chance to reassure you, huh?”
Qiao Qiao hits Jacky on the shoulder again, trying to wipe away her tears at the same time. “It’s not funny.”
Jacky still has on that teasing smile. “Whatever you say, sis.”
Qiao Qiao notices the wet spot on Jacky’s shirt. “Sorry.”
“Used to it.”
“Many girls fall into your arms and cry their hearts out?”
“Hey!”
“Just kidding!” Qiao Qiao suddenly hugs Jacky again. He didn’t expect that so he doesn’t know how to react. “Thanks. You’re not my brother for nothing after all.”
Jacky pats Qiao Qiao’s shoulder. “That’s what I’m here for.”
Qiao Qiao smiles but then she feels foolish since Jacky couldn’t see it anyway.
“So are we ready to head out?”
Qiao Qiao nods into Jacky’s shoulder.
*****
At about the same time as Jacky pulls Qiao Qiao into his room, Wei Ru also takes the chance to pull Ehlo aside to a corner of the living room.
“What?!” Ehlo asked impatiently.
“Did you do that on purpose or were you just taking advantage of the situation?” Wei demanded.
“What are you talking about?”
“Arguing with Qiao and going overboard with Jacky.”
“If you don’t trust me, you can ask Johnny. He’ll tell you that I’m just teasing Jacky. I’ll knock it off in no time. Don’t worry.”
“Johnny isn’t around anymore. So much for a witness.”
Ehlo looks around the room and realizes Wei Ru’s right. He turns back to Wei Ru. “Where did he go? When did he leave?”
“Like around the same time we got back. He said he’ll be back after lunch.”
“Okay then.”
“Answer my second question.”
“What?”
“Did you try to aggravate Qiao on purpose? In case you need any reminding, you’re supposed to impress her, not aggravate her. There’s a big difference.”
“So what if I’m trying to push her buttons? I’m doing a test right now. If she can’t take it, then I’ll improvise my plan.”
“Easy for you to say. Improvise? By the time you do that, she’s already so mad at you that she’ll…”
“Will you calm down? I know what I’m doing, okay?”
“All right then, but I’m just worried for you.”
Ehlo smiles. “Relax.”
Wei Ru turns on her warning lookl. “This next week is the last week we’re staying here so I think you better hurry up with your decision. ‘Cause I can’t help you anymore.”
“Like I need help.”
“If you keep it up with your mouth running, yes, you do need help. You need someone to shut you up and keep you in line.”
“I did it on purpose, okay? Stop nagging, okay?”
“Okay then.”
Ehlo and Wei Ru go back to join the group after that. They see Chen Yi coming from the hallway that leads to Jacky and the other guys’ room. They guess that the others must have sent Chen Yi to investigate.
“Well?” Angela asked Chen Yi. “What are they doing?”
“Can’t hear clearly but doesn’t matter,” Chen Yi said. “I don’t think he’ll eat her alive in there.” He sees Ehlo coming back with Wei Ru. “Unlike someone…”
“Hey!” Ehlo shouted, pointing his finger at Chen Yi.
“I’m not going to be bothered with you anymore.”
As Ehlo’s about to strike back, they hear the door to Jacky’s room being opened. All of them turn to take a look.
Jacky smiles. “Sorry about that. Need to negotiate something with her.”
“Whatever,” Qiao Qiao muttered.
After that, Qiao Qiao heads down the hall to the restroom and Jacky joins them in the living room again.
“So…Your Highness, what should I get you now?” Jacky asked Ehlo.
Ehlo shrugs his shoulders. “I’ll think up of something later.”
“Okay then.” He looks around. “What happened to Johnny?”
As if by magic, Johnny opens the front door and enters at that time.
“Don’t tell me you guys are finished eating,” Johnny said upon seeing them all gathered at the living room.
“We haven’t even started yet,” Jacky informed him.
“You’re kidding? What about our match?”
“Probably going to drag until later today. But I think we got time. Anyway, I have something else to tell you.”
“What?”
Jacky turns around to seek out a certain party before turning back to Johnny. “Meet you at Seahorse Café around 8 tomorrow.”
“For?”
“Nothing.”
“Hey, what are you guys talking about?” Ehlo asked, eyeing them suspiciously.
Jacky turns to Ehlo. “This doesn’t concern you.”
“Hey, you’re my slave for the day. You have to obey my commands.”
“Your Highness, in case you need any reminding, you said either secrets or commands. This falls under the ‘secret’ category. And if you dare to spy on us tomorrow, don’t expect me to tell you anything anymore.”Jacky goes into the kitchen after that.
Ehlo turns to Johnny. “What’s with him?”
“How should I know?” Johnny asked back.
Qiao Qiao comes out at that time and enters the kitchen also when she sees Jacky there.
A few seconds later, Ming Dao’s cell phone beeps. Everyone turns to look as if any sound in the room is the source of their interest. Ming Dao checks the message carefully before getting up and going into the kitchen also. Bianca looks at Johnny. As if that’s a hint, Johnny and Bianca get up at the same time to go as well.
“Unbelievable,” Ehlo mumbled. “And if they’re not sharing some sort of secretes, I’m going to…”
“Quit being nosy,” Chen Yi snapped – seeing that no one else is around to stop him.
“Hey, I wasn’t talking about you.”
“So?” He glances at his watch. “Come on, Xiao Yu. We have to meet Tony and Yan at the shop later.”
“Eh…how come I don’t know about this?” Angela asked.
Chen Yi smiles. “Sorry, Angela jie, but we made some plans earlier. Didn’t know the game would drag this long.” Then he turns and yells into the kitchen, “Guys, I’m out of here! I guess we have to postpone the game”
“It’s all right,” Jacky said. “Looks like most of us needs some cool off time anyway.”
Chen Yi gives Jacky a “thumbs-up” sign before heading for the door with Achel.
The others look after them, not knowing what to say.
“Great day, isn’t it?” Sam said casually.
“Thanks to someone,” Wei Ru continued.
“Hey!” Ehlo objected.
“Guys, please,” Angela interfered.
Ehlo turns to Angela. “I thought you love to argue, what happened? You’ve gone soft?”
“I learnt my lesson cold and hard, okay?”
“Same here,” Sam agreed.
“What are we going to do now?” Xiao Qiao asked.
“Cards?” Ehlo suggested.
Sam wrinkles his face.
“Why not? Since the game’s out.”
“Fine then.”
Wei Ru looks around. “What happened to Wallace and Cyndi?”
“They left around the same time as Johnny.”
Ehlo looks around. “Johnny’s gone again?”
“Yea,” Angela replied.
Ehlo scratches his head. “Oh.”
They have no other choice but to sit around and play cards with Ehlo while Jacky and the others are in the kitchen preparing the food. Later, Jacky calls them in to eat. Everyone tries super hard not to drive the conversation into the danger zone. Even Ehlo doesn’t feel like stirring up any trouble like before. He also forgets to yell out his commands to Jacky. In fact, he regrets of his action. He wishes he hadn’t done the test. But then again, he had to, he reassured himself. If not, how would he be certain of things? He snaps out of his thoughts as Wei Ru turns to ask him something.
“What’s wrong?” She asked in a concern tone.
“Nothing,” Ehlo muttered absent-mindedly.
“Oh come on.”
“Do you want me to be loud and aggressive again?”
“No. What I mean is…”
“What?”
“I’m sorry I scolded at you earlier. I know I have no right to yell at you and…”
“t’s okay. I know you’re worried I lost my chance. But I thought it over.”
“What?”
“It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll tell you one day.”
“Trying to act secretive again.”
Ehlo smiles. “I promise I’ll tell you before you go back home next weekend.”
“Huang Yu Rong, don’t you dare lie to me.”
“I wouldn’t dare to, Miss Lai.”
© Wednesday, November 26th, 2008