Fan Fiction |
by Naomi
However, it was in Taipei, the busiest and most populated city of Taiwan, the city of business and money, where a mere few among the wealthiest of those living there, learnt to appreciate and treasure what others did not.
And on this night in the city of Taipei, two very special creatures lay awake under their own blankets, under their own roofs, under the moon and the stars. They stayed awake long past the hour of midnight, with their warm, innocent hearts beating passionately, while simultaneously thinking of and loving each other.
Shan Cai rolled around restlessly in her small single bed, with her toy bunny clasped in her hand, as if consulting her thoughts to it. “Dao Ming Si...that pighead! Today, I really said it to him! I said the three words: “I like you”. And that stupid smile of his was just so...extremely cute! Dao Ming Si, why do I miss you so much when I was with you only a few hours ago? I wonder if he misses me right now too. I wonder if he’s feeling lonely. I’m already feeling lonely in this little house. I wonder how lonely it is to live in such a huge mansion by himself...”
Dao Ming Si lay still on his massive king-sized bed, his thoughts filling the space of his huge, lonely mansion. “Shan Cai...that stupid woman! She...she finally said it! She said she likes me! And as she looked at me with that shy little face, she was so cute and her eyes were so innocent and beautiful. I really want to be with her right now. I hope she’s not feeling cold because it’s getting close to winter. I wish I could hold her in my arms all night and keep her warm. I wonder what she felt about our date today. I wonder what she did after I took her home. I wonder what we should do tomorrow...”
It was only the beginning...
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A chilling gust of air blew up Shan Cai’s hair as she rode her motorbike, the one Dao Ming Si bought her, through the Ying De University gates. The sudden drop in temperature reminded Shan Cai that it was almost winter and almost Christmas. Her first year at Ying De was coming to an end and so was F4’s third year. F4 has two more years left at Ying De before they join their parents in the business world. Shan Cai sighed, she was so different to them. Before meeting Dao Ming Si, her life was carefree and relaxed, apart from occasionally struggling with her parents to make ends meet. However, in just one year at Ying De, her life became much more sophisticated, frustrating and often entangled in love and heartbreak. Yet, she knew deep in her heart that it was through these difficulties that her life also became happier and more purposeful and fulfilling.
Meanwhile, F4 were sitting at a table in the Ying De Cafeteria, all feeling relieved from the recent commotion with the frosty Dao Ming Feng. They were planning how they should spend their Christmas holiday and were all eager to enjoy the winter season together.
“Winter in Taiwan is always boring. I think we should go to Japan for the snow,” suggested Mei Zuo, running his fingers through his new hairstyle. His hair was stylishly layered and not as dead straight as before. He said it enhanced the shape of his face.
“We’ve been to Japan so many times!” Xi Men objected, taking a sip of his cappuccino, “If we want snow, why not somewhere in America then? Or Europe?”
“We’ve been to America and Europe so many times too!” said Dao Ming Si, “I agree on Japan. Mum recently opened a Maple Hotel in Hokkaido with some of the best hot springs in Japan.”
“Well, that could be a nice change,” said Xi Men, “We always go to Tokyo and we’ve only been to Hokkaido once. This time we can stay at your new Maple Hotel.”
Mei Zuo readily agreed, “Yeah, I’m up for Hokkaido. Maybe I can meet a few Jap chicks or something. And Lei?”
“Let’s ask Shan Cai where she would like to go,” Lei replied, maintaining his deadpan face. “We’ve almost been all over the world so it doesn’t matter anyway.”
As if on cue, Shan Cai entered the cafeteria and walked over to their table, welcomed by their smiling faces. “Good morning handsome F4,” she teased, observing the other girls in the cafeteria who were obviously admiring F4 from afar. She yawned and walked over to Dao Ming Si.
“Didn’t you sleep well last night?” asked Dao Ming Si, pulling Shan Cai down onto a chair next to him. “You look so tired. Here, I got your breakfast for you,” he continued, pointing to the enormous tray of food infront of her.
“Thanks,” said Shan Cai, “What were you all talking about?”
“The Christmas holiday,” said Hua Ze Lei, “We were thinking of going to Hokkaido. What do you think?”
Shan cai grinned, “When did I say I was going on a holiday with you four?”
“It can be just you and I if you want,” Dao Ming Si teased, revealing his gorgeous dimple. Mei Zuo and Xi Men exchanged knowing grins.
Shan Cai looked down and continued eating, aware of the pinkness appearing on her cheeks.
“Anyway, so do you agree on Hokkaido?” Dao Ming Si continued, “And don’t say you’re not going because you don’t have money. You know that’s the last excuse I want to hear. In fact, I don’t want to hear it.”
“I don’t mind. You decide,” Shan Cai replied. Then she looked away and her facial expression turned serious. Shan Cai loved going to new places and a holiday with F4 was definitely very appealing to her. However, she was not so keen on spending Dao Ming Si’s money. She owed him enough already. Shortly, F4 and Shan Cai left the cafeteria and separated to their lectures or lessons, two of them with only each other in mind.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Shan Cai!” shouted a voice from behind her. Shan Cai was locking her books into her locker when she turned around and saw a scrawny male figure running frantically towards her, with a mixture of distress and disbelief plastered across his face. “Shan Cai, everyone is saying that you’re really going out with that Dao Ming Si now! Is is true?! Tell me! Is it? Is it?”
Shan Cai paused for a moment and replied, “Qing He, what’s the matter? Why are you shouting like that? You know I’ve been going out with him for a long time now.” She finished stacking her books and locked her locker, her eyebrows crossing with frustration at the preposterous Qing He. He sank down to her feet and began making loud wailing noises, causing the other students to stare at them with shock and disgust. Qian Hui and Bai He were also snickering at them from a distance, their noses pointed up condescendingly. All of a sudden, Qing He felt a strong hand clasp at his shoulder, whipping him around on his feet to face his triumphant competitor.
“Nouveau riché! What are you doing crying at Shan Cai’s feet?!” Dao Ming Si exclaimed, demonstrating his arrogant and intimidating manner. Shan Cai stood still and kept quiet, looking as startled as Qing He at Dao Ming Si’s sudden appearance. Then Dao Ming Si revealed a proud and confident smile, held onto Shan Cai’s hand and stated as-a-matter-of-factly, “Shan Cai is my woman. If you’ve got any problem with that, you can come and talk to me personally.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai were walking hand in hand around the campus late in the afternoon. Shan Cai was unusually quiet and Dao Ming Si began to feel awkward. Usually, they would be simply arguing loudly over a small matter and then laughing it off at the end before starting another argument. However, Shan Cai remained quiet as her eyes wandered around, looking absentmindedly at the familiar surroundings. They stopped at the entrance lane and sat down on a nearby bench where Dao Ming Si finally broke the silence.
“Shan Cai, you’re coming to Hokkaido with us, right?” he asked, not planning to give her a choice anyway.
“Yeah, of course,” she replied with a quick smile, and then continued with her blind gaze into the air. Her mind was currently rummaging for words to explain her thoughts to him.
“Shan Cai, why aren’t you talking?” he asked, “Is something wrong?”
“No, not really,” Shan Cai replied, knowing Dao Ming Si would not be satisfied with such an answer. She thought for a moment then sighed, “Dao Ming Si, I know you’ll think it’s really stupid, but I can’t just keep spending your money like this. I owe you enough already and I don’t know when I’ll be able to pay it back.”
“Pay it back?!” shouted Dao Ming Si, exasperated at the mere three words. “You stupid woman, when did I ever say you needed to pay me anything? And no matter how hard you try, you’d never be able to anyway!”
“Hey! I was just thinking about it! You asked me so I answered! And I already said that I know you’ll think it’s really stupid!” shouted Shan Cai, irritated at his insensitive attitude. It seemed as though they simply could not pass one day without arguing over a seemingly trivial matter.
“That’s because it IS really stupid!” he shouted.
Shan Cai looked to the ground and pouted, disappointed that they were, once again, unable to appreciate each other’s world. Between Dao Ming Si and herself was a very long bridge, and even though she had crossed it and entered his world, she knew she was still an outsider.
Shan Cai sighed and said quietly, “I just don’t feel it’s right for me to depend on you so much when I can’t do anything for you.” Deciding that she did not want to continue the argument, she withdrew her hand from his and stood up. “I’m going to work now.”
Dao Ming Si saw that she was saddened by his reaction and immediately pulled her back down onto the bench. “Shan Cai, I’m sorry. Don’t get upset,” he apologised, his voice gentle and affectionate. Then his mouth curved into a sweet yet teasing smile as he said, “But can’t I spend my unlimited allowance on my favourite person in the world?”
Shan Cai nodded with a smile, then rested her head comfortably onto his shoulder. Her heart melted when he said 'sorry'. His heart melted when she moved that fraction closer to him.
“I’m doing what I want to do. And besides,” Dao Ming Si continued, wrapping his powerful arms around her petite body, “Why would I fly off to Japan for a holiday and leave behind the person I want to spend the most time with? If you talk about money, then that would be the biggest waste of money!”
“What do you mean?” asked Shan Cai, surprised that “waste of money” even existed in the vocabulary of this overly wealthy young master.
“Because it would be pointless,” Dao Ming Si replied, “Holidays are meant to be fun! Shan Cai, anywhere without you is just pointless.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Five faces turned around and watched a smiling Dao Ming Si open the door and enter their room. It was an expensive and stylish karaoke lounge, a typical place where F4 would be a frequent customer. There were several glasses distributed over the round marble table, containing a variety of exclusive beverages. The lighting in the room was soft and dim but created a very modern and refined atmosphere. In the room were Mei Zuo and Xi Men, each with an arm around a girl they never saw before today, and Hua Ze Lei was sitting apart from them and staring blankly at his mobile phone. The appearance of things seemed normal again, but the essence of things has changed.
“What took you so long, Ah Si? And why are you smiling like that?” asked Mei Zuo, handing a small glass across the table to him. Surely, he knew the answers to both his questions already.
“Nothing. I was just talking to Shan Cai about our holiday before I came here,” replied Dao Ming Si. He sat down next to Hua Ze Lei and continued smiling to himself in a daze. His thoughts were at Italian Tomato where Shan Cai was working. So was his heart.
Xi Men withdrew his arm from around his girl-for-the-week and leaned forward to join the conversation. “If just thinking of Shan Cai makes him smile like an idiot, I wonder what he would be like if those two were –”
“Were off on a holiday by themselves in Japan!” Mei Zuo barged in with a broad grin, revealing his perfect teeth and smile. Withdrawing his arm from around his girl as well, he sat forward and continued prying, “What were you thinking, Xi Men? You sick-minded –”
“You didn’t even let me finish my sentence!” Xi Men interrupted him back, faking an innocent expression. “I was only going to say, if those two were together right now.”
Dao Ming Si just sat still, his face slowly turning into a supersize tomato. He knew that what his friends were saying was only too true. Even just thinking of his beloved Shan Cai made him feel warm and contented from inside out. He misses her the moment she turns around. Mei Zuo and Zi Men continued teasing him, taking advantage of their opportunity against the vulnerable and lovestruck Dao Ming Si. It was obvious among them that Dao Ming Si’s temper has decreased significantly, much to their appreciation. Meanwhile, the two girls stood up and left the room. Their presence or absence made no difference to F4 anyway.
“Lei, is something wrong?” Dao Ming Si finally asked, trying to divert the attention away from himself. “You're always quiet anyway, but you look really uncomfortable right now.”
Hua Ze Lei looked up to the concerned faces of his friends, a million feelings reflected in his gentle but mysterious eyes. “Jing isn’t marrying that French man,” he muttered slowly, “It’ll probably be in the media by tomorrow. But earlier today, she left a message on my phone saying that she cancelled the engagement and will come back to Taiwan soon.”
Dao Ming Si, Mei Zuo and Xi Men remained utterly silent, unsure of how to react and clearly dumbfounded by Hua Ze Lei’s unexpected news. Earlier in the year, when Teng Tang Jing returned to France, she was so determined and confident about her decision that no one could change her mind. Not even Hua Ze Lei. Although the true story in France between Hua Ze Lei and Teng Tang Jing remained a mystery to the rest of them, they were all very certain that she would not return to Taiwan. However, fate seemed to prove otherwise.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
At Italian Tomato, Shan Cai wiped down the last cake shelf and gathered her belongings ready. It was eight o’clock in the evening and she was extremely exhausted, hungry and desperate to go home. She locked the entrance and headed to her motorbike which she parked outside by a tree. It was cold and dark outside but the street was still crowded with people walking in all directions. There was someone waiting by her motorbike.
“Hi again, I’ve waited for you for hours,” said the man. He turned around and Shan Cai immediately recognised him. It was Ya Men, the man who pretended to be Dao Ming Si’s cousin and tried to convince her to stay with him instead. He was someone she never wanted or expected to see again. His sudden and awkward reappearance filled her mind with negative premonitions.
Shan Cai slowly took a few steps back and firmly declared, “You know that I only have Dao Ming Si in my heart. I’ve crossed the bridge into his world and I’m not leaving it.”
“Love can only last three years. Don’t you remember I told you that?” he asked.
“Of course I do,” Shan Cai replied, “And don’t you remember I told you that I want to find out for myself how long love can last?”
“Fair enough,” he said, “Take me to your house then.” Without hesitation, Ya Men climbed onto Shan Cai’s motorbike and handed her the helmet. “Come on, get on with me.”
“No, you get off for me!” yelled Shan Cai, trying to push him off her motorbike. “Why on Earth do you want to go to my house at this time?”
“No reason,” he shrugged, indifferent to her vain efforts to push him off. “Just give me the keys so I can start the motorbike.”
Before long, Shan Cai came to realise his unreasonable stubbornness and decided to stop pushing him. Furious and somewhat afraid, she pulled out her mobile phone and began dialling Dao Ming Si’s number, her 24-hour helpline.
“Hey, what are you doing, stupid?” Ya Men scoffed, “Don’t tell me you’re calling that arrogant fool.” He shook his head and snatched her phone from her.
“Yes I am. And don’t you call him an arrogant fool! Give me back my phone and my motorbike, you reckless bastard!” Shan Cai shouted angrily, lifting her arm to slap him. “And get lost!”
Ya Men caught her arm before she could slap him, shook his head again and chuckled to himself. Shan Cai wrestled free from his grip and seized her phone from him. He climbed off her motorbike leisurely and his mouth formed a sneering smile. “Alright, that’s it for tonight. Have fun with that fool. And see you later.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was Shan Cai’s first working shift at Italian Tomato without her best friend to talk to. She felt extremely lonely even though she had another worker with her. Shan Cai deeply missed Xiao You’s lively charisma and her listening ear. In the past few days, she had been tirelessly and assiduously settling matters with Dao Ming Feng and was unable to farewell Xiao You. She also knew that Xiao You was absorbed in solving her problems with Xi Men before she left Taiwan. However, Xiao You had left a number behind for her. Shan Cai was desperate to find out how Xiao You and her family were settling down on the other side of the Earth. She arrived home and immediately called her best friend, who arrived in Canada early this morning. According to Shan Cai, Canada was like an entirely differently world that was too distant and frightening to even imagine. It was a place she only saw on television.
“Is it Xiao You?!” Shan Cai hollered excitedly into the phone, “How is everything going?!”
However, only quiet, painful sobs could be heard coming from the other side of the phone line.
13-Jul-2004