Fan Fiction |
by ianne
Dao Ming Si walked down the middle of the road.
DAO MING SI (V.O.)
All things change, and we change them. But I found out, change itself changes, and it does so on its own, with or without us creating it. It’s fickle minded and unpredictable, there’s no guessing what change will bring or what will it take away. Change is fate. Great changes can only come from conflict. What seems to be an obstacle could very well be an opportunity. The trick is to keep faith, in ourselves and in each other, to get us through...
Dao Ming Si recalled events that happened after Shan Cai left New York.
INT. DAO MING NEW YORK OFFICE
INSERT – NAMEPLATE ON DOOR
XI YUAN (O.S.)
Mr. David Dao Ming Si – President
Xi Yuan stepped into Dao Ming Si’s office, uninvited naturally, and saw him signing papers.
DAO MING SI
(without looking up)
What are you doing here? Don’t you have a bar exam coming up?
Xi Yuan didn’t answer and marched up in front of his desk. Dao Ming Si’s eyes left the documents he’s signing and looked at her.
DAO MING SI
What? What’s with the little head nod thing?
Xi Yuan sat on a chair before his desk.
XI YUAN
Just you know….ss’up?
Dao Ming Si looked at her with a bored expression.
DAO MING SI
You have to talk a lot faster, I’m on a schedule here.
XI YUAN
Are you just going to sign documents in your office your entire life?
DAO MING SI
Now you’re just upsetting me. If you got nothing better to do, don’t take it on me.
XI YUAN
What’s your game plan then?
DAO MING SI
What are you talking about?
XI YUAN
Dude, you have a girl waiting for you halfway across the world. You got to have plans. You can’t seriously let her wait forever.
Dao Ming Si sighed and resumed his work. When Xi Yuan interfered, he hit her hand with his pen.
DAO MING SI
What’s your grand scheme to meddle with my affairs this time?
Xi Yuan debated in her head whether she should hit him back. Instead, she rolled her eyes and stood up.
XI YUAN
The annual stockholder’s meeting is a few weeks away. That’s something to think about.
She then turned around and walked to the door. Dao Ming Si, unsure of what she meant, called her back.
DAO MING SI
If you are going to wait for me to figure out what’s on your neurotic mind, we both know how long that’s gonna take.
Xi Yuan returned in his office.
XI YUAN
Ok, let me walk you through this, bonehead. You – president – power – decide.
DAO MING SI
You’re saying...Now that I’m president...I now got the power...ummm...to make decisions...
XI YUAN
Keep going, dude.
DAO MING SI
I can make decisions regarding the Dao Ming Group of Companies. So what?
XI YUAN
This year, there’s going to be a board election. Meaning, a corporate revamp.
DAO MING SI
How’s that going to help me?
XI YUAN
Man, you're dense. Get yourself elected as the chairman of Dao Ming Corp – Taiwan. That way, you are still with the Dao Ming Group of companies, but you get to be back in Taiwan.
DAO MING SI
Oh right. This presidency thingy does have its perks after all. But how am I going to get myself elected? As president, I may have a large percentage of the stocks, but only just as much as my mom’s, who is president also and currently in charge of Dao Ming Corp-Taiwan, she always has been.
XI YUAN
Not any longer, at least soon. You’re forgetting; my brother, your sis, and I, are also shareholders. Maybe not as much as yours and your mom’s, but if we vote for you...
DAO MING SI
With our accumulated votes, and also meaning our shares combined, I get to have more leverage than my mom. I’d be the CEO of Dao Ming Corp –Taiwan…
XI YUAN
And you can get on the next plane away from here. That was exhausting, wasn’t it?
Dao Ming Si became ecstatic. He stood up from his desk, grabbeds Xi Yuan by her shoulders and shook her in excitement.
XI YUAN
Whoa. Chill, dude. It hasn’t happened yet. And remember, don’t mention what we talked about now. Not to a single soul.
DAO MING SI
Why can’t I?
XI YUAN
What if your mom finds out about this plan? We have to take her out by surprise, that’s the only way this whole thing can work.
DAO MING SI
At least let me tell Shan Cai.
XI YUAN
No way. Especially not to Shan Cai, or F4 for that matter.
DAO MING SI
Why?
XI YUAN
That’s high risk. Even if Shan Cai has left, your mom is still wary of her. She could be monitoring all the communications you have made with her.
DAO MING SI
My mom is?!
XI YUAN
I don’t know. But we got to play it safe. If you slip about our plan in a phone conversation, letter or email, then you’re dead. You’re going to be stuck here in New York forever. That’s why I came here in your office to tell you about this and not in the mansion.
DAO MING SI
Ok, I won’t tell anyone. But are you sure this is foolproof?
XI YUAN
It’s a theory of mine, we’ll see if it works.
DAO MING SI
What?! Xi Yan!
XI YUAN
Ok, ok. As long as you don’t screw up again, this is almost a sure thing.
DAO MING SI
What do you mean again?
XI YUAN
The engagement call-off, remember?
DAO MING SI
Hey, you know I…
XI YUAN
Whatever. I almost got myself in your mom’s bad graces during that time. Luckily, I know how to rub her in the right way. She got to think she can still trust me. I’m your only in on her.
DAO MING SI
Alright. Hey, how will your brother and my sis know about this?
XI YUAN
Already told them. You got their votes.
DAO MING SI
That’s great! I get your vote also, right?
XI YUAN
I don’t know, we’ll see how you treat me.
DAO MING SI
Xi Yan!
XI YUAN
Just pulling your leg. Of course you’d get my vote. Why will I want to keep you around here?
DAO MING SI
Admit it, you’ll miss me when I’m gone.
XI YUAN
Don’t flatter yourself, punk.
DAO MING SI
Oh yeah, there will be no one who will take you on your verbal sparring and be the receiving end of your sarcastic banters. You’re going to start feeling smart or something.
XI YUAN
I’d survive.
INT. NEW YORK DAO MING OFFICE – CONFERENCE ROOM
At the board election during the stockholder’s meeting, Dao Ming Si got elected chairman of Dao Ming Corp–Taiwan. Meeting ended. Dao Ming Si, Dao Ming Zhuang, her husband, Xi Yuan and Dao Ming Feng remained.
DAO MING FENG
Of course, you know that your father, he has veto power. He can throw away the election results in the can.
Shock registered on the four faces left in the room.
DAO MING FENG
Really, did you think I haven’t anticipated something like this to happen? When Ah Si was made president, I made sure there’s a provision my husband still retains some power over the Dao Ming Group. I must admit, this was a smart plan of yours, but not smart enough. I’m always a step ahead of all of you, remember that.
(beat)
Well, see you all at dinner.
Dao Ming Feng left them unrecovered.
DAO MING SI
Did you three know about this?
Zhuang, her husband and Xi Yuan shook their heads.
DAO MING ZHUANG
Don’t cave in yet, we just have to talk to our father.
XI LIN
Father-in-law is a man of reason, he might listen.
XI YUAN
Auntie’s the beloved wife, he, on the other hand, is the estranged son. Who do you think he’d listen to more?
XI LIN
Xi Yuan, bow down your head, I think you got dirt on it.
(Xi Yuan bows down)
No, it's just the sign of the devil.
Xi Yuan rolled her eyes.
DAO MING SI
How could we have not known father holds veto power?
DAO MING ZHUANG
Well, mom made sure we wouldn’t, obviously.
XI YUAN
Damn it. If I have gotten my license sooner, I had been the company lawyer a lot earlier. I could have gotten my hands on the company’s legal documents and found out about this. I hate what I’m feeling right now.
DAO MING SI
That, my dear sis, is what we call regret. Feels good, doesn’t it?
XI YUAN
Whatever. We’d just have to lobby your dad. Start praying to God and wishing on your star, David, you need all the luck you can get for tonight.
INT. DAO MING NEW YORK MANSION – DINING TABLE
Under a quiet tension, the family was having dinner.
DAO MING CHENG
So, how was everyone’s day?
Nobody wantes to answer, so Dao Ming Cheng turned to the chatterbox among them.
DAO MING CHENG
How about you, Xi Yuan? How did your day go?
XI YUAN
It went.
DAO MING CHENG
Wasn’t today the stockholders’ meeting?
Dao Ming Si cleared his throat and nodded.
DAO MING SI
Actually, Pa, I was elected chairman of our Dao Ming Group of Companies–Taiwan.
Dao Ming Cheng looked at his son with an unreadable expression.
DAO MING FENG
I think you should veto it.
DAO MING SI
I don’t think dad should.
DAO MING FENG
We’re talking about our family business here, Ah Si. This is not some game.
DAO MING SI
I’m not playing any game. I have handled New York for quite some time now, and I have handled it well. I most certainly can handle Taiwan.
DAO MING FENG
That’s not in our companies’ best interest.
DAO MING SI
Not in your best interest, you mean.
DAO MING FENG
We both know your real motives for going back to Taiwan, and I’m not going to let you.
DAO MING SI
I--
Dao Ming Cheng slammed his fist on the dining table that made everyone jump.
DAO MING CHENG
That’s enough, both of you! You two might be the presidents of Dao Ming Corp, but I’m still the head of this family.
Dao Ming Feng tried to but in.
DAO MING CHENG
Feng Yue, our son is a full-grown man, stop treating him as if he’s still a young kid. And you, Ah Si, just because you are now president too, you can abuse your power and maneuver others to go along with you. Being president means hard work, and it includes making sacrifices. The company’s interests are always on the front burner.
(pause)
Alright. We will not continue this discussion over dinner.
DAO MING SI
But—
DAO MING CHENG
Ah Si, you want to take over Dao Ming Corp- Taiwan, the Group that your mom painstakingly managed and kept a success. Not just because you’re our son, we’d hand it over to you on a silver platter.
(beat)
Why we should anyway, convince me after dinner.
INT. BALCONY - NIGHT
Dao Ming Si waited for his father in the balcony. Dao Ming Cheng arrived with two glasses of wine and handed one to his son.
DAO MING SI
Isn’t this bad for you?
DAO MING CHENG
A glass of wine is also good for the heart.
DAO MING SI
Pa..
DAO MING CHENG
You know son, all these years, your mom and I only did what was best for you and your sister.
DAO MING SI
I know that, but I’m not a kid anymore. I can decide what's best for me and live my own life the way I want to; be able to marry the person I chose.
DAO MING CHENG
When your mom and I were young, our parents told us we will be marrying each other when we reached the right age. We knew we were going to end up together, that’s why we never looked at anybody else. It never crossed our minds that there was somebody else out there waiting for us, we knew we are the ones meant to be together. We shared the same dreams, we were headed at the same direction. We took over our family’s business, take good care of it like your grandparents did. And in return, it has been good to us. It gave us a life that most people could not even imagine they could have. We knew we were blessed. So your mom and I made sure that we will give you and your sister the same stable and good life your grandparents gave us. You may not agree with your mom’s methods, but she did them not for herself, but for you. She wants the best for you that’s why she tries hard to get rid of any obstacles that might prevent that from happening.
DAO MING SI
I understand…but pa, I have no intentions of turning my back on my family obligations. I still intended to fulfill them; I just want to do so in Taiwan. I’m an adult already, you need not look out for me as much as you have to before. And if you think about it, it’s a win-win. With me handling Taiwan, mom can finally stay here in New York. You two now have the chance to enjoy your marriage. And I can do the same with the woman I love.
DAO MING CHENG
You intend to marry her?
DAO MING SI
I do. I know she might not be the woman you think that’s best for me, but she is. I chose her.
DAO MING CHENG
Why her?
DAO MING SI
I ask myself the same question everytime. What made me decide to come to New York was actually because of her. I wouldn’t have if I was still my old self. She makes me want to be different, be better. And I want to spend the rest of life finding out why.
DAO MING CHENG
Is she going to choose you?
DAO MING SI
I tried asking her a couple of times in the past, but I haven’t got her answer. That’s why I want to go back to Taiwan, I need to know.
HALLWAY
On his way back to his room, Dao Ming Si saw Xi Yuan, who barely can keep herself awake, sitting on the top flight of the grand staircase. He sat beside her.
DAO MING SI
Hey, why are you still up?
XI YUAN
I’m waiting for the verdict. So, how did your judge-father rule?
DAO MING SI
He ruled in favor of his son.
Dao Ming Si recalled the last part of his conversation with his father.
BALCONY
DAO MING CHENG
As de facto president of Dao Ming Corp., I have all the reasons to veto your election as chairperson of the Dao Ming Group-Taiwan.
(beat)
But as your father, I won’t. If this is what you want,
DAO MING SI
It is. It really is.
DAO MING CHENG
Then I’ll do what’s best for you. You can go back to Taiwan. You have my blessings.
BACK TO SCENE
XI YUAN
(Relieved, then smiles)
I won my first case. I’m so going to be a kick-ass lawyer.
Dao Ming Si laughed at her. He then gave her a hug, to Xi Yuan surprise.
DAO MING SI
Thank you. Though you love to meddle, you actually helped. I know you hate me, but I’m going to miss you back in Taiwan.
They released each other.
XI YUAN
Aww, you are making me want to pretend to cry.
DAO MING SI
Well, I’m not going to miss you a lot. Just a little bit.
XI YUAN
That seems to be right. But I don’t hate you. It’s just that, you can be really annoying sometimes.
DAO MING SI
Right back at ya, sis. For what it's worth, you’re my favorite sister-in-law.
XI YUAN
Sweet...but I’m your only sister-in-law.
DAO MING SI
I don’t have much choice, do I?
They laughed and then Xi Yuan’s expression became serious.
XI YUAN
You go make Shan Cai the happiest girl in the world, ok?
Xi Yuan gave Dao Ming SI a peck on his cheek, much to his surprise.
XI YUAN
Good night.
She immediately stood up and left. Dao Ming Si smiled and shook his head. Knowing their truce was over, they can go back hating each other in the morning, coz we all know too well that that's how affection is shared in the Dao Ming household.
♫ And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City
Until you've seen this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And I thank the Lord there's people out there like you
I thank the Lord there's people out there like you
While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light
This Broadway's got
It's got a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tunes I might join in
I'll go my way alone
Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown in New York City
Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found♫