Fan Fiction |
by ianne
XI YUAN
Hey.
DAO MING SI
Hey yourself.
XI YUAN
Whatever. I was just trying to be nice.
DAO MING SI
Yeah right. Since when?
XI YUAN
Brother asked. And for Shan Cai, I like her. I want to be friends with her, and she wants us to get along.
DAO MING SI
You're talking weird. Why is that?
XI YUAN
You're mom called me.
DAO MING SI
That explains everything. What did she say? She must have heard about the meeting with the lawyers.
XI YUAN
Yeah, I told her all about it.
DAO MING SI
She must be very happy. She's getting what she wants.
XI YUAN
Of course she is. Her prodigal son is now back home and staying for good.
DAO MING SI
Why are you always taking her side?
XI YUAN
I'm just respecting my elders.
DAO MING SI
You're forgetting, you and your brother were also subjected to her self-righteous manipulation.
XI YUAN
What's wrong with getting directions and having a mentor to guide you through life? You don't have the answers to everything.
DAO MING SI
She is not guiding it, she's controlling it.
XI YUAN
You don't know how lucky you are to have your parents still around you.
DAO MING SI
You don't know what you are saying; they are not your parents.
XI YUAN
Yeah, I do know. I know what it’s like not to have parents. And your parents want and will do what's best for you.
DAO MING SI
What's best for them you mean. They don't know what's best for me, they just assume.
XI YUAN
Then stop them from assuming, tell them what's best for you.
DAO MING SI
For an aspiring lawyer, you can be so naïve. Like they would listen to me.
XI YUAN
Of course they would. Have you even tried? If you talk to them properly, they would.
DAO MING SI
Why are you always grilling me?
XI YUAN
Because you never answered my question.
DAO MING SI
What question?
XI YUAN
What are you doing here? And the answer "I live here" is not reasonable. Seriously. What's the reason you came back here?
DAO MING SI
My family needed me, ok? I'm trying to be a responsible and mature man, which I know is far from what you think of me.
XI YUAN
You know what your mom thinks of you? She still thinks you are that little boy who cries and comes to her with his whims and caprices. The boy who throws a hissy fit when he couldn't get what he wants. and when he does, he just discards them. The boy who rebels just to get attention, but runs back to her when he had enough. She still hasn't seen you as a full-grown man; Responsible, mature, and knows what exactly what he wants in life.
DAO MING SI
What's your point?
XI YUAN
Be a man. Be the man you said you now are, and show that to your parents.
DAO MING SI
Then what?
XI YUAN
Then tell them what you want you want. Don't just tell them you'd be deciding how your life goes; tell them what you have already decided.
DAO MING SI
And you really believe they would agree with me?
XI YUAN
Haven't you been listening to me? If they know what you want, they'd stop assuming for you.
DAO MING SI
They don't want what I want.
XI YUAN
But they'd do it anyway, because they know that's what best for you.
DAO MING SI
How do you know that?
XI YUAN
Because they love you. Your mom didn't tell you personally about your father because I or anybody convinced her not to, it's because she doesn't want you to worry. But you came anyway, even if you didn't want to.
DAO MING SI
Because I know they needed me.
XI YUAN
Exactly. Same goes for your parents. They might not want it, but they'd do it anyway, 'coz they know you need them to. That's family.
DAO MING SI
You really think so?
XI YUAN
I know so.
DAO MING SI
They are going to do the same for me?
XI YUAN
Hey, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. And you're in the Big Apple, my friend.
INT. DAO MING NY MANSION
Shan Cai arrived to see Dao Ming Si. But as usual, he isn't home yet.
SERVANT
If you want miss, you can wait for him upstairs at the den.
SHAN CAI
I will, thank you.
Shan Cai walked up the stairs and headed for the den. She passed by the master's bedroom and saw Dao Ming Si's father through the slightly opened foor. She entered.
INT. MASTER'S BEDROOM
A nurse was feeding Dao Ming Cheng through a tube. She saw Shan Cai and askeds for her help.
SHAN CAI
Is there any sign that he is getting better?
NURSE
In this case, you never know.
Shan Cai helped the nurse change the bedsheets.
NURSE
It's good you're here. Mr. Dao Ming rarely get long visits from his family.
SHAN CAI (V.O.)
Right, I only realize now Ah Si's father is rarely taken care of directly by the family because they are so busy with the family business.
NURSE
He can hear you, you know. You can talk to him. I'd leave you alone with him, I'd be back in time for his medication.
Shan Cai nodded. She watched the nurse close the door behind her, then returned her gaze to Dao Ming Cheng.
SHAN CAI (V.O.)
I never really thought how difficult and hard this crisis for Dao Ming Si's family until now. He was right to come to New York. But he can't look after his father because of their family business. Then I should be the one to help take care of him in behalf of Dao Ming Si, instead of me waiting for him and doing nothing.
SHAN CAI
Hi, I'm Shan Cai. Shan Cai is a type of weed that no matter how many times it's stepped on, come spring, it will grow again. You don't have to worry about anything, Dao Ming Si and the rest of your family are taking care of everything. All you need is to rest and get well soon. Everybody misses you already. I'd share my wild grass spirit with you, so that you'd recover.
EXT. CARNEGIE HALL - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING SHOT
INT. AUDITORIUM - BACKSTAGE
Mei Zhuo found Xiao Qiao talking to her conductor.
CONDUCTOR
So, Miss Yin, you'd be with us again next week?
XIAO QIAO
Um, no. I 'm only here for the month-long series. Tonight was my last performance.
CONDUCTOR
That's a pity. You should stay. You know Miss Yin, I'm not supposed to tell you this yet; but you are strongly considered to play third seat for the philharmonic. You'd be in Europe by next season. You'd have a wonderful future if you continue playing here.
XIAO QIAO
Thanks, but it’s not the future I want.
Xiao Qiao spotted Mei Zhuo. She bid goodbye to her conductor and left with Mei Zhuo.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - WOLLMAN RINK - NIGHT
Mei Zhuo and Xiao Qiao walked silently and watch the people skating at Wollman Rink.
MEI ZHUO
I heard you talking to your conductor just now. Why did you turn it down?
XIAO QIAO
You know why.
MEI ZHUO
I didn’t want you to go.
XIAO QIAO
Then why were you pushing me away?
MEI ZHUO
You make me happy more than I thought I can possibly feel. I want to do everything to make you feel the same way, even if I take the backseat from your cello. I know your music makes you happy.
XIAO QIAO
You can’t do that, aren't you my chauffeur?
They both laughed and was glad the tension was relieved between them, but became serious again.
XIAO GEN
You make me happy more than anything else in the world, Mei Zhuo. Wherever you want us to go, I’d follow.
Mei Zhuo smiled at the confidence Xiao Qiao was giving him.
MEI ZHUO
There are some things that a man should initiate.
XIAO QIAO
Like what?
MEI ZHUO
Telling you I love you.
Mei Zhuo leaned in forward and kissed Xiao Qiao. They then mount a hansom cab. Backdropped by the Cherry Hill fountain and beyond, they spend most of their carriage ride kissing.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK – BOW BRIDGE – DAY
Lei stood at the middle of the bridge. Jing walked up to him.
JING
Lei, please meet me at St. Patrick's Cathedral next week.
LEI
What for?
JING
I want to make up for Barcelona and the last time you waited at St. Pons Church.
LEI
Why next week?
JING
Because that's when I'm about to fly back to France. I'd wait for you inside the cathedral. If you come, I'd go back with you to Taiwan instead. If you don't, I'd go back to France and I promise I will never bother you again.
LEI
I won't be coming.
Lei walked away.
JING
I will still come and wait for you.
INT. DAO MING NY MANSION
Dao Ming Si’s father, DAO MING CHENG, woke up from his coma. It caused a stir in the Dao Ming mansion. Everyone was happy and relieved that he was finally ok. But then, the level of their happiness is brought down a notch after the doctor gives him a thorough check-up.
DOCTOR
Your father’s speedy recovery is nothing but miraculous. Most people who had an attack like he had never even make it to the hospital. It took him a while to wake up, but he actually woke up earlier than expected. He sure has the tenacity and extraordinary will power and strong spirit to recover. But, now that he is, I’m afraid that the attack weakened his heart forever and a possibility of relapse is imminent. And next time, he might not be so lucky. I’m prescribing him a set of medication he has to take on a regular basis from now on. He also needs to get his check-up twice a year. And it will be best for him to be no longer subjected to stress and work overload. In fact, as his doctor, I’d highly recommend his retirement.
EXT. MASTER’S BEDROOM
Shan Cai and Dao Ming Zhuang stood outside the master’s bedroom.
DAO MING ZHUANG
Shan Cai, thank you. I know you taking care of my father for us helped a lot in his fast recovery.
SHAN CAI
Don’t mention it, sis. It was the least I could do to help you & Dao Ming Si.
DAO MING ZHUANG
I know my father’s recovery is not the way we expected…
SHAN CAI
Don’t say that, what’s important is he is now out of the woods.
DAO MING ZHUANG
You and Ah Si….
SHAN CAI
I know. Maybe God has bigger plans for us than we had for ourselves. Perhaps it’s time for Dao Ming Si and me to stop breaking away from fate.
EXT. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN – ESTABLISHING SHOT
INT. INDOOR BASKETBALL COURT
F4 conversed while playing basketball.
MEI ZHUO
So, your old man is awake.
DAO MING SI
He is.
XI MEN
What do you plan to do now?
Dao Ming Si gave a slient sigh as he dribbled the ball.
DAO MING SI
Next month, I’m president of Dao Ming Corp.
HUA ZE LEI
Shan Cai’s visa expires a week before that.
DAO MING SI
I can’t let my dad go back to work.
MEI ZHUO
Looks like you can never really escape being Dao Ming Si.
XI MEN
Why? What wrong with Dao Ming Si?
Xi Men looked at Dao Ming Si and realized the answer to his own question and the absurdity of it.
XI MEN
(sarcastically)
Never mind I asked.
DAO MING SI
(mad)
Hey! You’re tired of living, aren’t you?
HUA ZE LEI
What Xi Men means, no matter what had happened or will happen, you are Dao Ming Si. Each time you escape, run away, or even you lost your memory, you find your own way back to be Dao Ming Si.
XI MEN
It wouldn’t hurt if you try to control your temper though.
MEI ZHUO
Yeah. And don’t be such a war freak.
Using both arms, Dao Ming Si headlocked Mei Zhuo and Xi Men.
DAO MING SI (V.O.)
Actually, I know what you guys are saying. There's nothing wrong if i chose to be me. The only way i can become a better person is by embracing who i am first, and not by becoming someone else.
F4 settled down and drank beer.
XI MEN
This was fun. I miss this.
HUA ZE LEI
You’re right. And it will be a while before all of us can do this again.
DAO MING SI
Before we all do the same things, hang out at the usual pubs, go to the same school, we’re all at the same place.
MEI ZHUO
Now, we’re pulled at different directions, living lives apart from each other.
HUA ZE LEI
Our lives are changing. We don't even have the time to get together as much as we used to, and it’s going to get less in the future.
DAO MING SI
Maybe F4 has finally reached its end.
XI MEN
Actually, there’s a saying; the more things change, the more they stay the same.
DAO MING SI
Why is that?
MEI ZHUO
Things change, we don’t. We just grow up.
HUA ZE LEI
F4 is F4, whatever becomes of us.
XI MEN
That’s right, doesn’t matter who we’re with or what we do...
MEI ZHUO
Together or apart, you are my brothers.
DAO MING SI
Yes, we will always be F4 in each other’s eyes.
They raised their beer cans for a toast.
F4
To F4!
♫Well it was ugly but we made it this far
Now the hangovers are worse but we get through them fine
I’m so glad that I have these friends of mine
It started out at a coffee shop in a most unlikely town
And there were casualties but we made it out anyhow
We stuck together through the good and bad times
I’m so glad that I have these friends of mine
And jobs, girls and obstacles did all but break us down
Night clubs and broken vans in every major town
And I’ve got your back, you’ve got mine
And you can always count on me for one last beer
We saw the world and the world seemed smaller
I know we’ve grown up just a little out of time
We're getting older but were still crazy
I’m so glad that I have these friends of mine♫