Fan Fiction |
by ianne
When Xi Yuan saw Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai enter, she halted them.
XI YUAN
What are you doing here?!
DAO MING SI
You stupid woman! I answered that already! Are you that bored to keep asking me that?!
XI YUAN
Dude, zip it. What I’m trying to say is--
DAO MING FENG (O.S.)
Ah Si!
Dao Ming Si, Shan Cai and Xi Yuan turned to Dao Ming Feng’s direction, who was at the top flight of the grand staircase.
XI YUAN
--You’re mom has arrived.
Shan Cai was stunned. Dao Ming Si gave a furious look at Xi Yuan as if to say, “Why didn’t you inform me earlier?”
XI YUAN
(whispering in a harsh sarcastic tone)
Yeah, I tell you when your mom calls, but I don’t tell when she’s back.
Dao Ming Feng walked down the grand staircase and then towards them.
DAO MING FENG
Ah Si! What’s the meaning of this? What is that poor girl doing in my house?!
XI YUAN
Auntie, I’m the one who--
DAO MING FENG
Xi Yuan, I put you in charge of this house. You disappointed me. You leave me with no choice.
XI YUAN
What do you mean?
DAO MING FENG
Miss Shan Cai, since you are here, you might as well be the first to learn about this. Ah Si, my only son, is to become president of the Dao Ming Group. It will be announced by the end of the month, so will his engagement to Miss Xi Yuan.
DAO MING SI, XI YUAN
What?!
DAO MING SI
(to Xi Yuan)
I thought there was an agreement, you said this won’t happen!
XI YUAN
There was! Is! Auntie, we have an agreement. What’s the meaning of this?
DAO MING FENG
We did. But you didn’t hold up to your end of the bargain.
XI YUAN
Wh-What?
DAO MING FENG
You promised to get rid of Shan Cai.
DAO MING SI
Ma-–
DAO MING FENG
If there’s anything you want to talk about your engagement, I’d be at the study. And you, Shan Cai. I’d suggest you leave, like you should have done a long time ago.
Dao Ming Feng walked back up the stairs.
DAO MING SI
(to Xi Yuan)
No wonder you get along with my mom so well. Both of you were behind all these. You’re just as manipulative as her.
But you’re a lot worse. You tried to gain everyone’s trust, especially Shan Cai’s. And now you’re backstabbing us.
XI YUAN
Whoa. That’s unfair. I didn’t know about this, I never planned to manipulate or backstab anyone!
DAO MING SI
You can’t fast-talk your way out of this one. You had an agreement with my mom to get rid of Shan Cai!
XI YUAN
Did I?! You know what, I’m not going to stand here and be verbally attacked by you. I’m going upstairs to your mom and fix this. Shan Cai, I’m really sorry. I know we’ve only began to know each other but you got to trust me on this. I know nothing about the engagement.
DAO MING SI
If apologies work, what’s the use of the police?!
SHAN CAI
Dao Ming Si.
DAO MING SI
Don’t tell me you believe her?
SHAN CAI
This is not the first time your mom did this. It’s not that hard to believe that your mom orchestrated this all by herself. She tried to use Xi Yuan too.
XI YUAN
Thanks, Shan Cai.
Xi Yuan left them.
DAO MING SI
Shan Cai, I’d do everything to fix this. This engagement won’t take place, I promise you that.
Shan Cai nodded. Dao Ming Si hugged her.
DAO MING SI
Wait for me, I’d go up and talk to my mom. I’d be back for you.
Shan Cai smiled convincingly and Dao Ming Si went up.
STUDY ROOM
XI YUAN
My brother and you had an agreement. You can’t break your word.
DAO MING FENG
You’re the one to talk. You broke your agreement with me. You promised to get rid of Shan Cai.
XI YUAN
I didn’t. You told me to convince your son to stay. And that was you asking me for help, not making an agreement. I’m not getting anything out of it.
DAO MING FENG
Ok then, let’s make the agreement now. If Ah Si stays, there won’t be any engagement.
Dao Ming Si entered the study.
XI YUAN
That will be up to him.
DAO MING SI
I will stay, as long as there won’t be an engagement.
XI YUAN
Dude, grow up. You’re not an eight-year-old anymore. You’re just going to accept her terms?
DAO MING FENG
Ah Si will stay and be president of Dao Ming Corp. I think there’s nothing more to discuss then.
XI YUAN
Oh there is. I know you. You’re not going to give it up that easy. There will be no engagement. If that engagement pushes through, I and my brother will pull out of Dao Ming Corp.
DAO MING FENG
You wouldn’t do that. Your family business only thrives because of its Dao Ming connections.
XI YUAN
You want this engagement to happen not just to get rid of Shan Cai, but because you need me and and my brother to stick around. You can’t run this empire without us, even if Ah Si stays. If we go, Dao Ming Corp will be crippled just the same.
DAO MING FENG
Do you really think you can manipulate this whole situation to your advantage?
XI YUAN
I learned from the best. We appreciate your help then, but there’s no way I’m letting you bulldoze me or my brother ever again.
DAO MING FENG
You—
XI YUAN
You took advantage of my family’s situation back then, now I’m returning the favor. As long as there will be no engagement between me and your son ever, my brother and I will stay with the Dao Ming Group. The reason you offered us your help before is because you need my family business too. You need us, and you know that.
DAO MING FENG
Alright. But this doesn’t mean anything unless Ah Si stays--
DAO MING SI
I will stay.
XI YUAN
What?
DAO MING SI
Not because of any agreement, but because that’s the decision I made for myself. I will fulfill my obligations to this family.
DAO MING FENG
Good. Very Good. You seem to be growing up son. But Shan Cai can’t stay. She must go back to Taiwan.
DAO MING SI
Nothing happens to her, her parents, or any of the people around her.
DAO MING FENG
I won’t bother. As long as you give me no reason to.
XI YUAN
But you owe her a favor. It was her who took care of uncle while we’re all busy with the family business. She’s responsible for uncle’s quick recovery. Whatever Shan Cai asks, you’re going to give it to her.
DAO MING FENG
Fine, I don’t want to owe her anything. This discussion is over.
INT. ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL
Jing was waiting for Lei to arrive. She was at the front row pew and kneels down to pray.
A CATHEDRAL PERSONNEL approached Jing.
CATHEDRAL PERSONNEL
Excuse me, miss. I’m sorry but our cathedral is closing.
You can come back tomorrow if you want.
Jing nodded and slowly stood up. She somberly walkeds up the aisle, straight out of the cathedral.
EXT. ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL – DUSK
Jing watched the doors of the Cathedral close behind her.
She then turns around and walk to the stairs. After a couple of steps down, she noticed a man sitting a few steps down from where she was. She looked carefully at the man’s back and realized it was Lei. She continued walking down the stairs and sat one step up beside Lei.
JING
You came. I’m happy that you did. I was waiting for you inside the Cathedral like I told you I would. I thought you weren’t coming when you didn’t come inside.
LEI
(not looking at Jing, speaks somberly)
In the past, it was about what you wanted……this time, it’s about what I want.
JING
(stares at Lei for a moment)
What do you want?
Lei turned his head towards Jing. For the first time in New York, he looks at her straight in the eye, with the same expression he had when he spoke to her in Barcelona.
LEI
(calm but firm)
Not this.
Lei turned his head away from Jing. He stood up and left.
Jing was still sitting down. When Lei was far gone, a tear drops on her right eye. She wiped it off, stood up, and walked down the stairs.
INSERT – PLANE TAKING OFF FROM THE AIRPORT
♫ i wish I had what I need to be on my own
'Cause I feel so defeated and I'm feeling alone
And it all seems so helpless and I have no plans
I'm a plane in the sunset with nowhere to land
And all I see it could never make me happy
And all my sand castles spend their time collapsing
Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
Let that be enough ♫
EXT. STUDY ROOM (DAO MING MANSION)
XI YUAN
What happened in there? I already managed to call off the engagement. You got your door of opportunity to get out of here, why did you slam it shut?
DAO MING SI
You really want me to leave, don’t you?
XI YUAN
Yeah. You don’t belong here. Your life is not in New York, it’s in Taipei.
DAO MING SI
I’m not going to stoop to my mom’s level and play the manipulation game with her.
XI YUAN
I did. That’s the only way to get to her, to beat her at her own game.
DAO MING SI
Perhaps. But I don’t want a chance to run out of this house only to be forced back in here again. I tried running away many times before. Maybe my only way out is in. My mom will not make an agreement where she doesn’t get a thing that she wants. She’s not getting the engagement already, thanks to you, by the way. I was wrong about you.
XI YUAN
My, it must caused you pain to utter that last sentence.
DAO MING SI
Just a little internal bleeding, nothing sleep and regret won't cure.
XI YUAN
You know how to throw your curveballs now, huh?
DAO MING SI
I learned from the best.
XI YUAN
You’re welcome. Not that I did it for you, it was for me too. You know what, you’re really being mature about all this. I’m actually on the verge of not disliking you. The decision to stay was very adult of you.
DAO MING SI
Honestly, coming to New York made me realize I still have a lot of growing up to do. I should face my responsibilities, there’s no use running away from them.
If I want to start a family with Shan Cai, I should first learn how to deal with my family now. It’s not all about providing a good life. I don’t want my kid to resent me like I resent my parents. I should learn how to be a part of a family before I create my own.
XI YUAN
You’re part of this family, it’s your family.
DAO MING SI
It’s yours too. Thank you for what you did back there. Shan Cai was right to trust you. At least now, Shan Cai and I only have to worry about being apart.
(beat)
So, you don’t mind me sticking around?
XI YUAN
It’s your funeral. As long as you stay out of my room and don’t eat my cereal, we can call a truce.
(beat)
But you know, meeting you and the rest of F4 again, Shan Cai and all your friends made me realize that I haven’t figured life out like I thought I already had. Life has lots of surprises and a lot of things can still happen. I have plenty to learn about myself and the people around me. I forgot how good it is to have people I can count on aside from family. After my parents died, I cut off all people in my life. But now, I have friends again in Shan Cai and you all.
DAO MING SI
Look at us, we haven’t shouted at each other for the last five minutes, it's as if we almost like each other. This truce could work out after all.
XI YUAN
Yeah...brother. Just for the record, you staying is your idea, not mine. I don't want your fans hating me.
Xi Yuan pat Dao Ming Si once on his right shoulder.
DAO MING SI
Sis, they already do. '
Dao Ming Si gave Xi Yuan a sisterly hug. From downstairs, Shan Cai saw them through the railings. She didn’t get mad or jealous, but formed a sad smile on her face and walked away.
XI YUAN
You know that we’re still going to bicker.
DAO MING SI
Yeah, because you still going to meddle.
XI YUAN
I aim to meddle. That’s what little sisters do with their older brothers, be a constant pest.
DAO MING SI
I’m the older brother? You’re older than me, you’re the big sister!
XI YUAN
I’m not! You’re older!
DAO MING SI
Hey, just because you’re shorter in height, doesn’t mean you’re younger.
XI YUAN
Yeah, but that doesn’t make me older too.
DAO MING SI
What’s your age?
XI YUAN
You don’t ask a girl her age, that’s impolite!
DAO MING SI
You just don’t want to tell because you’re older.
XI YUAN
Whatever. Hey, you should go to Shan Cai, you need to spend all her time left here together.
DAO MING SI
Oh yeah. I’m going, four-eyed-old-maid-big-sis.
Dao Ming Si left an infuriated Xi Yuan.
INT. LEI’S APARTMENT BULDING - ROOFTOP - NIGHT
Shan Cai went up the rooftop. She was surprised to see Lei there and he was doing a handstand. Lei heard her footsteps and became aware of her presence. He brought back his feet to the ground and sat down.
She approached Lei and sat beside him. She looked at him and Lei was staring straight ahead. She noticed he got that same sad far away look he had back when she first knew him.
SHAN CAI
In the past, I always had your shoulder to cry on. This time, you can lean on my shoulder to cry.
Lei slowly placed his head on Shan Cai’s shoulder and Shan Cai held him.
Dao Ming Si looked for Shan Cai in Lei’s apartment. No one was answering the door. He headed to the rooftop and saw Lei and Shan Cai. But like Shan Cai, he didn’t get mad or jealous. He formed a sad smile on his face and walked away.