Fan Fiction |
by ianne
INT. AUDITORIUM
Lei, Mei Zhuo and Shan Cai watched Xiao Qiao perform. Concert was finished, and audience gave a standing ovation.
SHAN CAI
Xiao Qiao is amazing! Although I don't know a lot about classical music, it’s obvious Xiao Qiao is an excellent cellist.
Lei nodded in agreement. Mei Zhuo was of course proud of his girlfriend, but gave a sad solemn look afterwards.
BACKSTAGE
Mei Zhuo looked for Xiao Qiao. Before he can show himself to his girlfriend, he overheard a colleague talking her.
COLLEAGUE
It's a pity that you're only playing for a month. If you linger, you are a strong candidate to join the philharmonic in their world tour. You can get the chance to play in the best venues all over the world.
Xiao Qiao only smiles and might had said something, but already spotted Mei Zhuo and went to him.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - DAY
They walked around the park. Lei tried to lift Shan Cai's spirits up from being apart with the busy Dao Ming Si. They saw kids flying kites and remember the last time they flew one. They bought a kite and made it fly.
Shan Cai was having fun pulling the string and watching the kite soar.
LEI
A friend once told me, the feeling of flying a kite is like watching somebody from afar. Even though the distance is far apart, there's no feeling of despair because you know the string that you are holding in your hand is like a type of unbreakable faith. Even though he is at a far away place, there's a string inside your heart that connects you to him.
(looks at Shan Cai who is looking at him)
You remember telling me that, Shan Cai?
Shan Cai nodded and smiled, then looked back at the kite.
SHAN CAI
I understand now, Lei. Thanks.
Shan Cai continued playing with the kite. Lei walked a few feet away and sat under a tree. After a while, Shan Cai looked back at him and saw him sleeping.
INT. DAO MING NY MANSION
Dao Ming Si arrived and saw Shan Cai asleep on the couch. Ah Si gently woke her up, and then looked at her funny.
DAO MING SI
You were waiting for me the whole night.
SHAN CAI
I wasn't. I only dropped by. But you weren't home yet. I decide to cook dinner for you and leave afterwards. I just sat on the couch to rest for a while but I fell asleep.
DAO MING SI
You made dinner?
Shan Cai nodded.
DAO MING SI
Have you eaten?
Shan Cai shook her head.
Dao Ming Si took her by the arm and led them to the kitchen.
KITCHEN/DINING TABLE
Shan Cai took out the dinner she made and ate with Dao Ming Si at the dining table.
SHAN CAI
Actually, I was really waiting for you... I miss you lately.
DAO MING SI
(smiles)
I miss you too. Sorry I wasn't able to spend time with you these past few days.
SHAN CAI
It's ok. We didn't come to New York for a vacation.
DAO MING SI
But you should take the chance to see New York, it's not bad.
SHAN CAI
But I don't know my way around and my English is not that good.
DAO MING SI
I'd ask Lei or Mei Zhuo to accompany you.
SHAN CAI
No need. I don't want to constantly disturb Mei Zhuo and Xiao Qiao. And Lei, well, after a couple of hours outside, he wants to go back home and sleep. Because of the time difference, he actually sleeps longer.
DAO MING SI
That Lei, he only came to New York to sleep. Ah! Why don't you visit Xiao You in Toronto? It's practically a state away.
SHAN CAI
That's right. But I don't have a Canadian visa. Xiao You said though to call her if I come to New York. She can come down and visit me.
DAO MING SI
You call her tomorrow then.
SHAN CAI
I will. How's everything in your company?
DAO MING SI
The work needs to be done doesn't seem to lessen. We have meetings one after the other.
SHAN CAI
You're working well with others?
DAO MING SI
Of course I am. Except for Xi Yan. That girl always turns ten kinds of crazy on me.
SHAN CAI
Actually, I like her.
DAO MING SI
Shan Cai, not you too!
SHAN CAI
She is really cute. She's sweet to take me out the other day.
DAO MING SI
One day with her doesn't mean she's really nice. She's just pretending.
SHAN CAI
No, I don't think so. I feel that she's genuine and adorable.
DAO MING SI
That's because you are too trusting.
EXT. NYC FINANCIAL DISTRICT - DAY - ESTABLISHING SHOT
INT. DAO MING NY OFFICE - CONFERENCE ROOM
Xi Yuan on the phone speaking in French. Dao Ming Si listened in on her phone conversation. Call ended. Xi Lin came in.
XI LIN
Spoke with the lawyers?
XI YUAN
Yes, they are flying in Thursday from France.
DAO MING SI
Why do we need lawyers?
XI LIN
We need to sort out some legalities, a visit from the Securities and Exchange Commission is the last thing we need now.
DAO MING SI
Don't we already have a legal department to do that?
XI YUAN
Now is a not everyday circumstance. Besides, the lawyers I called are friends of your mom's, not just employees. We need all the people we can trust at this point.
INT. DAO MING NY MANSION
Dao Ming Si descended from the grand staircase in time for Lei & Shan Cai’s arrival with Xiao You. Before they’re done with their greetings, Mei Zhou and Xiao Qiao entered, with Xi Men.
SHAN CAI
Hi Xi Men! Good to see you. How come you're here?
XI MEN
Hi Shan Cai! Had a business summit in Boston, thought I might as well come down here. Didn't Ah Ai mention it to you?
They all looked at Dao Ming Si.
DAO MING SI
I forgot.
SHAN CAI
Oh really?
DAO MING SI
I really did!
They heard two voices of ladies talking in French. They turn their heads and saw Xi Yuan arrive, with Teng Tang Jing.
XIAO YOU
Hi Jing! Glad to see you again. I’m Xiao You.
JING
I remember. You were in my birthday party, right?
SHAN CAI
Hi! What brings you here in New York?
JING
Dao Ming Corp hired me as their lawyer. Didn’t Dao Ming Si tell you?
Everyone looked at Dao Ming Si again for missing them out in another important detail.
DAO MING SI
Hey, I have bigger problems than your melodramas.
They all loosen up and released all their tension in the air.
XI MEN
Hi Xiao You. Long time no see.
XIAO YOU
Not long enough.
Xi Men then greeted Xi Yuan.
XI MEN
Hi Xi Yan! They told me about you. Finally met you again. Remember me?
XI YUAN
Trying not to, player. Heard a lot about you too.
XI MEN
All lies, I'm sure.
XI YUAN
Probably. So, judging by the awkwardness, everybody knows everyone?
SHAN CAI
You knew Jing from?
XI YUAN
when I interned in their law office in France for the past a couple of summers. How about you?
Their gaze shifted to Lei. Mei Zhuo saved him by greeting Jing and introducing his girlfriend, Xiao Qiao, to her. Xi Men and Dao Ming Si followed suit. Jing greeted Lei. Lei evaded his eyes. They were cemented on their spots. Some exchanged polite smiles, and all hoped the ice would break. Soon.
EXT. NYC FINANCIAL DISTRICT - DAY - ESTABLISHING SHOT
INT. DAO MING NY OFFICE - CONFERENCE ROOM
Meeting with the lawyers. Zhuang, her husband, andJing were present. Dao Ming Si also saw Xi Yuan.
DAO MING SI
What are you doing in this meeting?
XI YUAN
I'm a lawyer.
DAO MING SI
barely.
XI YUAN
I'm also part of this company.
DAO MING SI
No, you're my mom's intern.
XI YUAN
Chill, dude. I'm going to find out the minutes of this meeting anyhow, so I might as well be here. Besides, I'm the one who hired these lawyers, no thanks from you.
The meeting commenced.
JING
In order for the Dao Ming Group to avoid future legal entanglements and unnecessary lawsuits, we have to settle the power positioning in the company. Technically, Mr. Dao Ming Cheng still is the president, but he is currently invalid. Madam Dao Ming Feng, on the other hand, is in charge of the Taipei offices. We can't keep clients and business associates hanging and second-guessing who is really in charge here.
DAO MING SI
What do you suggest we do?
JING
Actually, the solution is quite easy. We just have to give the name a face. And that face will be you, Dao Ming Si, being the heir apparent.
DAO MING SI
You are saying that I have to officially take over as president, as in like now?
JING
If your father recovers sometime soon, that wouldn't be necessary.
(beat)
But it has to be very soon. Your clients are getting impatient. We might have to do this sooner than you might have planned.
Distraught, Dao Ming leaned back on his chair.
DAO MING SI
I guess mom will get what she wanted all along. I managing the New York business, and making it impossible for me to be with Shan Cai in Taiwan.
XI YUAN
Well, if you gotten on board the Dao Ming group earlier, you wouldn't have this predicament.
XI LIN
Xi Yuan….
DAO MING SI
(sneers at Xi Yuan)
Why are you even talking?
XI YUAN
I'm just saying, if you had just started in the Dao Ming group when you were supposed to, you could still be back in Taiwan managing the family business from there.
Your mom won't be separated from her ailing husband to do the job her son failed to do, you won't have to be here in New York in the first place and we wouldn't be having this conversation--
XI LIN
Alright Xi Yuan, that's enough.
XI YUAN
Whatever. Reality bites.
Xi Yuan stands up and leFT. Jing and Xi LIN followED.
DAO MING ZHUANG
You're ok?
DAO MING SI
I dunno. Everything that I have been running away from has finally caught up on me. Was she right? I should have gotten on board the family business long ago. I'm the one who jeopardized the relationship of me and Shan Cai.
DAO MING ZHUANG
Don't beat yourself up. There was no way we could have known back then that all these are going to happen. Things could be a lot worse if you had accepted mother's plans for you before.
DAO MING SI
This is unfair. It leaves me at a dead end.
DAO MING ZHUANG
Why not demand from mom that the only way you would be president is if she allows you to marry Shan Cai?
DAO MING SI
Huh, that's pushing our luck. We both know how proud mom can get and unwilling to compromise, she'd rather me leave. My conscience wouldn't permit me to leave you with all the burden and responsibilities, and not be able to start your own family.
DAO MING ZHUANG
What about Shan Cai? You two have come so far to just leave it all behind.
DAO MING SI
A lot of times in the past, our love never failed us in the end. I hope this time, it won't fail us again.
♫And I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my sister standing by
I said Sister, here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this..
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love
But sister you know I’m so weary
And you know sister
My hearts been broken
Sometimes, sometimes
My mind is too strong to carry on ♫
EXT. CONFERNCE ROOM
Xi Yuan’s brother called her out.
XI LIN
Xi Yuan, you got to stop antagonizing David. You are only making matters worse.
XI YUAN
He deserves it. We are the ones who spent good years of our lives for this company and this family. Now he can just cash in on everything without him helping earn any of it? He wants to take part, it's too late. He's just ruining it for everyone.
XI LIN
You heard the Jing and the laywers, we can't do this without him. If you don't want everything we worked for going to waste, you got to convince him to stay like mother-in-law told you to do so. Stop driving him away.
XI YUAN
I don't have to, he is self-motivated enough to leave. He has no plans of staying, believe me. He's just finding a way to leave with a clear conscience, and will eventually leave us all hanging.