Fan Fiction |
by ianne
Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai arrived not at his run-down apartment beside hers, but at the Dao Ming Mansion. They stood at the front door.
SHAN CAI
Dao Ming Si, what are we doing here?
DAO MING SI
I told you we were going to my place.
The BUTLER came out to greet Dao Ming Si.
BUTLER
Young Master, Dinner is ready.
DAO MING SI
Come, let’s eat.
Dao Ming Si led her to the dining table.
SHAN CAI
But Dao Ming Si…
DINING TABLE
Dao Ming Si ate calmly while Shan Cai looked at him, anxious.
SHAN CAI (V.O.)
Dao Ming Si, what are we doing here in the mansion? I thought you left this house. What are you not telling me?
Dao Ming Si noticed she was not touching her food.
DAO MING SI
Why are you not eating? Here, this dish tastes good.
SHAN CAI
Dao Ming Si… What are we doing here?
DAO MING SI
This is my house, you’ve been here before.
SHAN CAI
Dao Ming Si… Don’t play around.
DAO MING SI
You eat first, we’d talk later.
INT. DAO MING MANSION – BALCONY - NIGHT
Dao Ming Si hugged Shan Cai from behind.
SHAN CAI
Dao Ming Si….
DAO MING SI
Shan Cai… Let’s get married.
Shocked, Shan Cai turned around to face him.
SHAN CAI
What? I mean – What?!
DAO MING SI
Let’s get married and we’d go to New York.
SHAN CAI
What?! When did that happen? We- we had plans, I was going to graduate, we were going to buy a house, we’re going to get a dog! W-what happened?! What changed?!
DAO MING SI
My old man collapsed. I have to go to New York, they need me. Shan Cai, I didn’t mean to ruin our plans, I didn’t want to…. Will you--
SHAN CAI
Dao Ming Si. This is all too much for me to process right now. I, um, I’m going to go home.
Shan Cai turned to leave and Dao Ming Si chased after her. Shan Cai began to run and head out the front door. She didn’t notice DAO MING ZHUANG who just arrived. Dao Ming Si ran after Shan Cai. His sister stopped him.
DAO MING ZHUANG
Let her go. She needs time alone to think about all this.
EXT. DAO MING MANSION – DRIVEWAY - NIGHT
Shan Cai stopped running and walked slowly.
SHAN CAI (V.O.)
What happened in there? Dao Ming Si going to New York….He used to talk about going to New York before, but whenever he did, he always comes back. But now, why do I feel that this time, he won’t be coming back. He’d be leaving me. If I’d go to New York, what will I do there? What about graduation? My parents? Dao Ming Si and I have just started to become a normal couple, now we might end up having a long-distance relationship. Am I ready for that?
It started to rain.
INT. SHAN CAI’S BEDROOM
While Shan Cai tried to get some sleep on her bed, she kept thinking about what happened, and repeating in her head what Dao Ming Si had said to her.
INT. YING-DE UNIVERSITY - DAY
Shan Cai kept thinking about her dilemma. While walking down the halls of Ying-de, she heard a familiar music that disrupted her thoughts. She followed the sound and ended up in the music room.
INT. MUSIC ROOM
Inside, she saw Lei playing the violin. Lei sensed her presence and stopped playing. Shan Cai recalled this scene from the past and entered the music room.
SHAN CAI
Wow, You know how to play the violin? Umm, that piece of music sounds so nice. What’s the title of that?
LEI
Did you know you disturbed someone?
SHAN CAI
Actually I came here to thank you for saving me that day, if it weren’t for you, I might have been…
LEI
If I knew you were so troublesome, I wouldn’t have saved you.
This time, they smiled at each other. Shan Cai approached and sat on the edge of the stage.
LEI
You remembered?
SHAN CAI
Of course I did. That marked the beginning of our friendship.
LEI
(smiles)
Silly.
SHAN CAI
What are you doing here in Ying-De anyway?
LEI
I took care of some things for my father with the school committee. I passed by the music room and saw an opportunity to play.
SHAN CAI
The call of the violin. You know, I never got to finish hearing that piece then. Will you finish playing it for me now?
Lei picked up his violin and started playing. As she watched him play, Shan Cai recalled her memories of the time she liked Lei and Dao Ming Si was her enemy.
when Lei and Dao Ming Si tugging her after she and Qing He suffered a series of hazing ...
when Lei told her about his handstand theory...
when they were dancing on the cruise ship ...
when they were a flying kite in the park...
when Lei played on her team during the basketball match to prevent her from getting expelled...
when their pillow fight at Xiao Zi’s villa...
when Lei picked her up at Italian Tomato...
when they sit beside each other on the rooftop looking at the sky...
EXT. YING-DE UNIVERSITY – ROOFTOP - DAY
Shan Cai and Lei were at the rooftop, sitting the same way they did in her last recollection.
LEI
Have you decided to go with Ah Si to New York?
SHAN CAI
You know about that?
Lei nodded.
SHAN CAI
I don’t know yet, I can’t decide. This is all of a sudden.
LEI
This is also sudden for Ah Si. He doesn’t want to go, but he has too.
SHAN CAI
I know that. I can’t ask him to forget about his family. But what about mine? When my parents moved to the fishing village, I could barely make it. What more if I was in New York? What am I going to do there?
LEI
Shan Cai, listen to me. When I went to France to be with Jing, I know it made her happy. I was happy too. But when I decided to go to France, I never thought of what I’m going to do when I got there. That’s why I ended up just waiting for Jing in the apartment to come home every day. I knew I can’t go on like that forever, so I decided to come back to Taiwan. But now I realized, my leaving also made Jing sad. It would have been better if I didn’t go there at all.
Shan Cai pondered about what Lei said.
SHAN CAI
Lei, what am I suppose to do?
LEI
I can’t tell you what to do. You have to figure out this on your own, this is your & Ah Si’s future.
SHAN CAI
All I really ask is for Dao Ming Si and I be a normal couple and do normal couple stuff; go on dates without having to hide, fight and make-up, get our own song...
LEI
Song?
SHAN CAI
You know what I mean. I want to have what normal couples have, however mushy or cheesy they may be. With Dao Ming Si and me, it's anything but normal.
LEI
If you decide to go to New York, you are welcome to use my apartment there.
SHAN CAI
Thank you, Lei.
(beat)
You know, I miss this.
LEI
You mean going to the rooftop? I do too.
SHAN CAI
Not just that, but this-- I miss us, we never hang out anymore.
LEI
Yes we do, at the pub.
SHAN CAI
Yeah, but we never had a real good talk in a long time. Just us, up until now, when you're already going back to Japan.
LEI
Really?
SHAN CAI
Lei, I don’t want you to think I only come to you when I’m in trouble and in need of help.
LEI
I don’t. I know you have to be with Ah Si and make up for the lost time.
SHAN CAI
Still, you are my dearest and the most important friend that I’d ever have. Without you, Ah Si and I wouldn’t be even together right now. But Lei, I don’t need you around during bad times only. I want you part of my life always, don’t fade into the background.
LEI
(laughs and pats her head)
Silly.
SHAN CAI
What I said is serious, I mean it. Everywhere I am, there you’ll be.
EXT. YING-DE UNIVERSITY – BACK ROAD
Shan Cai walked down the road. A convertible suddenly appeared. In it was Dao Ming Zhuang.
DAO MING ZHUANG
Get in the car.
SHAN CAI
But I have classes.
DAO MING ZHUANG
It’s ok, I have asked permission for you to leave already. Quick!
INT. DAO MING MANSION – DINING ROOM
Dao Ming Zhuang and Shan Cai sat at the dining table and drank wine.
DAO MING ZHUANG
How are you doing?
SHAN CAI
Ok, I guess, considering everything.
DAO MING ZHUANG
Have you talked to Ah Si again?
SHAN CAI
No, not really. He called to check on me the other night, but we haven’t really talked things out.
DAO MING ZHUANG
Actually, I was surprised about his decision to come to New York. Nobody asked him to, he just stepped up. I’m so proud of him. He had matured a lot, and that’s all thanks to you.
SHAN CAI
Sis, you always say that, but I haven’t done anything.
Dao Ming Zhuang smiled at her modesty.
DAO MING ZHUANG
Actually, the reason Ah Si couldn’t find the time to talk to you is because he started working at our company here in Taiwan. My mom sent me to take care of things here while she takes care of everything in New York. I got Ah Si to help me here, so he doesn’t have to go to New York, at least not right away. This will buy you time until both of you have come up with a solution.
SHAN CAI
Sis, thanks.
DAO MING ZHUANG
I should be the one thanking you. You shouldn’t be put through this, not after everything that had happened between you and Ah Si.
SHAN CAI
It’s ok. Like Dao Ming Si said, trouble finds us both easily.
Dao Ming Si arrived.
DAO MING SI
Shan Cai!
SHAN CAI
Dao Ming Si!
Dao Ming Si approached and kissed Shan Cai on her cheek.
DAO MING ZHUANG
I’d leave you to alone.
Dao Ming Si sat on the next chair. He faced Shan Cai and held both of her hands on her knees.
DAO MING SI
I’m sorry for not finding time to see you.
SHAN CAI
It’s ok. I know you have a lot going on. Actually, I’m also sorry for running off the last time I was here.
DAO MING SI
It’s alright. Shan Cai, I didn’t mean to ruin our plans.
SHAN CAI
You didn’t.
(laughs)
Look at us, apologizing to each other, it’s so not us.
Promise, next time, we no longer say sorry to each other. Agreed?
Dao Ming Si nodded.
SHAN CAI
How are you?
DAO MING SI
As good as I can get. Everyone’s getting together at the pub to see Lei and Xiao Qiao off. We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.
SHAN CAI
It’s ok. We should go.
Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai walked to the front door and they stopped.
DAO MING SI
(taps his pocket)
Shan Cai, I left my keys in my jacket. I’d go get it.
Shan Cai nodded and Dao Ming Si left. Shan Cai turned around and looked at the interior house as if it was her first time there. She recalled all her memories in the mansion: from being Dao Ming Si’s personal maid, the night at the balcony, talking to Dao Ming Si through his bedroom door and recalled what they said.
DAO MING SI'S BEDROOM DOOR (METEOR GARDEN 1)
DAO MING SI
Why give up? If I could give up, then very first time we broke up, I would have given up already.
SHAN CAI
Dao Ming Si, I understand now. We will be together.
At the end of her recollection, Dao Ming Si returned and they left.
INT. F4 PUB
Xi Men shared a drink with Mei Zhuo at the bar.
MEI ZHUO
Xi Men, what are you doing later?
XI MEN
By later, do you mean the past or the future?
Mei Zhuo gave Xi Men a puzzled look. Xi Men raised his glass and gave a toast to Mei Zhuo.
INT. XIAO GEN’S BEDROOM – SAME TIME
Meanwhile, Xiao Gen looked at a picture of her and Xi Men when they were young.
XIAO GEN
It will be great for everyone to be happy, but I think that’s impossible.
She recalled the times she had been with Xi Men since they saw each other again; when she first saw him with Xiao You at the party, at his house, and in the park.
XIAO GEN
No romantic relationship will make everyone happy. There will always be someone in the corner, feeling hurt.
EXT. F4 PUB - NIGHT
A legion of reporters blocked the pub entrance. Dao Ming and Shan Cai tried going through the back door but they also found press people waiting. No choice, Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai walked through them.
REPORTER
Good evening, Mr. Dao Ming. What’s the situation of Dao Ming Corp?
DAO MING SI
My family is doing well under the pressure of the circumstances. Everybody doesn’t have to worry, everything will be operating smoothly very soon, both here in Taiwan and New York.
REPORTER
People are asking about your mother, Dao Ming Feng, will she be coming to Taiwan soon?
DAO MING SI
I believe she will come here as soon as opportunity permits.
REPORTER
Then that means you’d be heading to New York so that she can come here?
DAO MING SI
Yes, that would be the case.
REPORTER
When will that happen? and who will be in charge of what you’d be leaving behind?
DAO MING SI
I might be leaving anytime soon. As for what I’d be leaving behind, I’d make sure they are well taken care of and I will be back for them as soon as I can.
Shan Cai hid behind Dao Ming Si and watched him answer the reporters.
SHAN CAI (V.O.)
I know Dao Ming Si is trying to not make me feel guilty if i choose to stay in Taiwan. But if he leaves for New York alone, who knows when will he back, if he’ll ever be back? Dao Ming Si doesn’t want to go to New York, but he has to. What if later he already wants to come back home to Taipei, but couldn’t because he has to stay in New York?
Could we take the risk of trusting fate? Fate always backstabs us in the end.
INT. F4 PUB
Xiao You arrived at the pub and sat alone at a table. Mei Zhuo pointed her to Xi Men. As Xi Men turned his head, he also saw Xiao Qiao approaching the bar. Mei Zhuo & Xi Men looked at each other and knew they have to "face the music" and "dance to the tune" already.
Xi Men stood up and approached Xiao You's table.
XI MEN (O.S.)
Miss, would you like to dance?
Xiao You looked up and saw Xi Men. He smiled at her and offered his hand. She smiled back and took his hand.
DANCE FLOOR
Xi Men and Xiao You slow danced. They were both looking at their feet and were silent for the longest time. Xi Men accidentally stepped on her foot.
XI MEN
Are you ok?
XIAO YOU
I’m ok.
XI MEN
I’m bad at this, so I usually don’t ask girls to dance. I’m sorry.
XIAO YOU
It’s ok. You didn’t hurt my foot.
XI MEN
I’m sorry, about the last time, what happened in my house.
XIAO YOU
It’s ok. You didn’t...know. It’s ok.
XI MEN
Xiao You...
XIAO YOU
Really. It doesn’t matter. What matters is, you and Xiao Gen. You caught up with her, right?
XI MEN
Umm...yeah. We, uh, I invited her to meet on top the building again.
XIAO YOU
R-really? W-when?
XI MEN
Later. I thought I should let you know first, before I go.
XIAO YOU
That’s...that’s great. Good luck.
Xiao You tried to be positive but already felt her eyes watering. She leaned her head on Xi Men’s chest so he wouldn’t see.
XI MEN
Xiao You, I...
XIAO YOU
(hush tone)
Say no more. Let’s just have this moment, ok?
Xi Men holds Xiao You closer.
XIAO YOU (V.O.)
Xi Men, it's the dream of being with you that helps make me strong. But in the deepest part of me, I'm still the Xiao You you found crying on the curb. So that's why, no matter how strong i have become, right now, i can't stop my tears from falling.
Xi Men caressed her hair. Xiao You wiped away her tear away before they wet Xi Men’s shirt.
XIAO YOU (V.0. CONT'D)
Because I treasure you too much, I don’t want to drag you down… Because I understand how you feel… But it’s time to take the first step...in letting you go.
♫Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now
And all the roads we have to walk along are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
I don't know how
Because maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me?
And after all
You're my wonderwall♫
BAR
Mei Zhuo and Xiao Qiao sat beside each other, not talking.
Mei Zhuo ordered another drink while Xiao Qiao’s glass remained half-full.
XIAO QIAO
I’m not going. I’m turning down the invitation.
MEI ZHUO
That won’t be good for your music. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime, you should grab it.
XIAO QIAO
I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to be anywhere. Not without you.
MEI ZHUO
Then we’ll go. Together.
Mei Zhuo held her hand. Xiao Qiao was surprised and had puzzled look on her face. They swing their bar stools to face each other.
XIAO QIAO
What?
MEI ZHUO
(smiles)
I’ll come with you.
XIAO QIAO
What about your company?
MEI ZHUO
One more year without my management won’t make much of a difference. The company runs itself. Well, my dad can run it himself. For now.
XIAO QIAO
One month. We’ll just be away for one month.
MEI ZHUO
But you can go on for the entire year.
XIAO QIAO
I don’t need to. I’m just in it for the experience. One month is good enough.
MEI ZHUO
You sure?
XIAO QIAO
Sure I’m sure.
They smiled, got off their seats and enveloped each other in their arms.
XIAO QIAO
We just compromised, didn't we?
MEI ZHUO
We’re relationship experts.
XIAO QIAO
We’re in a relationship?
MEI ZHUO
We are.
XIAO QIAO
So then I’m girlfriend number..?
MEI ZHUO
One. You’re my number one.
And they kissed.
♫If we can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with every day to make it better as it grows
With any luck then I suppose
The music never ends♫
PRIVATE BOOTH
F4, Xiao Qiao, Shan Cai, Xiao You, Qing He all sat in the private booth they did during F4's opening night. They decided to put the pub in Qing He's charge. Qing He was very ecstatic and started imagining all his “cool” ideas for the pub.
DAO MING SI
Hey, son of the super rich, don’t get too comfortable, it’s only temporary. Keep it as it is. I don’t want it to be all different when we come back.
SHAN CAI (V.O.)
The last time we were all like this was at my house and we were having a reunion. Now we are all here together to say goodbye.
One of them poured wine in all their glasses for their final drink and they all make a toast. They gave their blessings and well-wishes to each other and promised to be all back there again when all of these were over.
DAO MING SI
Come, finish your drinks and let’s close this place. We got to get home. These three...
(points to Lei, Mei Zhuo and Xiao Qiao)
...have an early flight tomorrow.
♫Closing time
Open all the doors and let you out into the world
Closing time
Turn all of the lights on over every boy and every girl
Closing time
One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer
Closing time
You don't have to go home but you can't stay here♫
They finish their drinks. Then they all started walking out of the pub. Dao Ming Si was the last one to leave and he stopped for a while at the door. He turned around to have one last look at the pub. It’s already dark except for the neonlight sign shaped as F4. He stared at it for a while until someone called him and said let’s go. Dao Ming Si switched the sign off and closed the door behind him.
♫Closing time
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from
Closing time
This room won't be open till your brothers or your sisters come
So gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end♫