Fan Fiction |
by Naomi
“Ah Si, did Shan Cai bash you up last night?” asked Mei Zuo, starting the meeting with his cheeky grin.
“Of course not,” replied Dao Ming Si, “She loves me too much to hurt me. Oww! Shan Cai, don’t hit me! It hurts!” He rubbed his sore head dejectedly. “Stupid woman!”
“Did it really hurt?” Shan Cai asked worriedly, falling for his trick. “I’m sorry.”
Dao Ming Si frowned. “Humph.”
“I’m really, really sorry.”
“If apologies are any use, then why do we need the police?!”
Shan Cai grinned. “You love me too much to take me to the police.”
Dao Ming Si rolled his eyes. “Xiao You, save me from your best friend. She’s too stupid.”
Xiao You shook her head. “I’m on her side. Maybe Xi Men can help you.”
Shan Cai made a loud gasp like she suddenly remembered something. “Xiao You, where did you sleep last night?!”
“Umm, in one of the guest bedrooms,” Xiao You replied, returning a confused look. “What’s wrong?”
Xi Men laughed and rested an arm around her shoulders. “Xiao You, isn’t it obvious? She’s scared that you slept with me.”
“DID YOU?!” Shan Cai hollered, ready to start a wrestle.
Mei Zuo held her back and said with his voice of wisdom. “Miss Mu Ye Shan Cai, pardon me if I’m wrong, but according to my watchful eye and meticulous calculations, I am aware that you yourself slept in your boyfriend’s room last night and for many nights in Hokkaido.”
Shan Cai’s face took on a crimson hue. “That’s...that’s different,” she stuttered, “Xi Men is...is not...her boyfriend!”
Xiao You smiled and reassured her over-protective best friend. “We were all in different rooms, Shan Cai, except for you.”
Hua Ze Lei chuckled to himself, followed by a big, loud yawn. “Ladies and gentlemen, we might need to take another day off if we don’t start the actual meeting now.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Shan Cai listened to Dao Ming Si and finally moved back into his mansion, provided that she could sleep in her own room. Xi Men took the chance to offer his home to Xiao You, and despite all of Shan Cai’s frantic protests and threats, Xiao You moved in with him. Shan Cai resumed her position as Dao Ming Si’s ‘personal maid’, but because Yu Sao had gone back to New York, he made sure that she did not wear the maid uniform or do any housework. Instead, he told Shan Cai that her task was to fully obey his orders as his personal maid, keep within a metre’s distance from him, and occasionally do some very ‘personal’ chores. But if Shan Cai actually obeyed the naughty Dao Ming Si, then pigs really can fly.
Much to Shan Cai’s delight, Dao Ming Si bought the ‘hut’ she had been renting, fetched her parents from the fishing village and helped them settle in. He had offered to buy them a large house and pay for all their living expenses, but Shan Cai, being Shan Cai, disagreed and threatened to move out of his mansion. So he listened to her, and after more of her protesting and begging, he secured high-wage employment for her parents at a fancy downtown shopping mall. Much to Dao Ming Si’s delight, Shan Cai was pleased with him.
It took only three days to do all the moving and settling, and by the end of those three days, everyone began to think that Ya Men’s attack actually did them a huge favour. Anyhow, it was a very sweet turn of events.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Once again, Hua Ze Lei sat at the rooftop of Ying De University, looking pensively out at the dark, cloudy sky. It was a very cold morning and every breath coming from his mouth created a misty patch before him. He regretted leaving his bed so early. In his hand was a small white envelope, and inside it, was an invitation card that had triggered his frustration. Jing’s parents were organising another grand ball for her and had invited the families of several wealthy Chief Executive Officers, the whole of Ying De University, as well as a large group of news and entertainment reporters. This time, it was not to celebrate her birthday, which was still a few months away. It was much greater. Much more important. On that evening, Jing will officially become the CEO of the Teng Tang Corporation. The winter was too cold. Too lonely.
“Hi!”
Hua Ze Lei spun around in shock. Besides Shan Cai, no one else would come to find him at the rooftop. But he knew that the voice did not belong to her. Instead, it belonged to the girl he met in the auditorium three days ago. He fumbled for words. “Umm, hi. Can I help you?”
She giggled shyly. “No, I’m fine. Why do you think I need your help?”
Hua Ze Lei shrugged and motioned for her to sit next to him. He watched her clumsy movements, trying to lift herself up onto the railing. He offered out a hand but she was too shy to take it, and after a while, she managed to climb up. Hua Ze Lei smiled, wondering why this girl seemed to be like a second Shan Cai. A less aggressive one, though.
“Why did you come here?” he asked curiously, studying her expressions.
“I like quiet places and I thought this might be one.”
Hua Ze Lei nodded. To his amazement, he found that this girl was even a bit like himself. “What are you doing here in Ying De while your family is in Hong Kong?”
“I got a scholarship. In high school, I always wanted to study in Taiwan so I learnt Mandarin. My family used to do some business here and sometimes they took me with them. That’s how I fell in love with this place.”
“Do you have any relatives in Taiwan?”
“Just my cousin’s family, I think.” Then she pointed to the envelope in his hand. “Are you going to the ball?”
His heart throbbed. “Of course. F4 has been friends with Jing since kindergarten.”
The girl nodded. She tried to avoid eye-contact, keeping her face down and fidgeting her fingers nervously. Hua Ze Lei tilted his head and was almost certain that he saw a tiny smile playing on her lips.
“Miss Teng Tang is so perfect,” the girl said dreamily, “I’ve read all about her in magazines and I’ve seen her photos in lots of advertisements. She’s so beautiful, intelligent and talented. It’s hard to believe that we’re both humans.”
Hua Ze Lei sighed. If only this girl knew that Jing had imperfections too, just like all humans. “Are you going to the ball?” he returned her question.
The girl looked straight into his eyes for the first time. “No.”
“Why not?”
She looked down again. “I...I can’t go.”
He tilted his head again, and this time, was almost certain that he saw her cheeks growing red.
“I...I don’t have any pretty dresses,” she mumbled, “In fact, I don’t know if I have...any dresses.”
Hua Ze Lei had to grit his teeth to prevent himself from bursting out laughing. “I believe that,” he said jokingly, “And I would believe it if you tell me now that you’re actually a boy.”
She stuck out her tongue at him girlishly. Hua Ze Lei shook his head in defeat and gave up trying to understand her. This girl, who practically appeared out of nowhere, managed to surprise him again and again. “You know what, little girl? If you didn’t wear such boyish clothes, you’d be an angel.”
“Don’t call me little girl,” she scolded him playfully, seeming more confident now, “You’re only three years my senior. By the way, what’s your name, little boy?”
“Hua Ze Lei. Call me Lei.”
She gave him a very warm, friendly smile. “Lei little boy, I’m Xia4 Xiao3 Qing2. ‘Xia’ for summer. ‘Xiao’ for morning. ‘Qing’ for clear, sunny weather.”
Hua Ze Lei returned her smile. She even had a girly name. “Xia Xiao Qing little girl, do you bring the summer sunshine to everyone you meet?”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Lei! Over here!” cried Mei Zuo, waving his hand in the air. F3, Shan Cai and Xiao You were eating breakfast at the Ying De cafeteria. Suddenly, five pairs of eyes bulged simultaneously when they saw another girl following closely behind Hua Ze Lei. They shared Hua Ze Lei’s first impression of her; a petite, shy girl, slightly shorter than Shan Cai, and who, despite a girly face, looked somewhat more like a boy.
“Umm, Lei?” Xi Men lifted an eyebrow. “Who’s this little bo– girl?”
Shan Cai could not take her eyes off the girl. Among the six of them, she seemed to be most overwhelmed by her presence. Strangely, the girl was staring back at Shan Cai with an equally unexplainable expression.
Hua Ze Lei shifted sideways and moved the girl forward. “Don’t be so shy,” he whispered. “This F4’s leader Dao Ming Si and his girlfriend Shan Cai. This is Xi Men and Xiao You and here’s Mei Zuo. Everyone, this is Xia Xiao Qing. A new girl in first year. She’s from Hong Kong.”
“Hi everyone,” she said cheerily, “Just call me Qing Qing.”
Shan Cai stood up from Dao Ming Si’s lap and walked over to the girl. “Where did you live in Hong Kong?” she asked in a language which F4 did not understand.
“Causeway Bay,” Xiao Qing replied in Cantonese, “My family is still living there.”
F4 gaped at the two girls in an indescribable state of shock and confusion. Xiao You, although confused, did not look as shocked. “Shan Cai’s from Hong Kong,” she explained to them.
“WHAT?!” F4 shouted in unison, “Shan Cai’s from Hong Kong?!”
Shan Cai sat down and began pondering about their new friend. “Xia Xiao Qing,” she said, more to herself, “Where have I heard this name before?”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Put...down...those...scissors! I SAID PUT DOWN THOSE SCISSORS!” Mei Zuo was standing on top of the cash counter, half-screaming-half-grinning at a young girl who was looking at him cunningly with a pair of scissors in her hand. She was a Mandarin-speaking Japanese girl, around his own age, a brunette with huge, round eyes and an annoying little brat.
“Just let me cut it! Kira can’t do it today!”
“I SAW HER WHEN I CAME IN!”
“She’s busy with the baby!”
“BUT SHE USUALLY CUTS MY HAIR!”
“I can cut it for you this time!”
“YOU ALMOST CHOPPED MY EAR OFF!”
“Almost...but I didn’t!”
A woman came running towards them and took the pair of scissors from the girl’s hand. “Aisha, why don’t you go and play with the baby? Or maybe you should go home. Your parents would start worrying about you.”
“Kira, can you please cut my hair?” Mei Zuo pleaded.
“Kira, can I please cut his hair?” Aisha pleaded. With an evil smile, she picked up another pair of scissors.
Mei Zuo, who was still standing on top of the cash counter, backed himself against the wall. “Girl, stay away from me!”
“Come on, baby,” she faked a seductive voice, “I’ve never seen such a handsome man with such beautiful long hair.”
“KIRA!” Mei Zuo had never been so terrified.
“Aisha...alright, you can cut his hair,” Kira said helplessly, “But I’m holding no responsibility. Mei Zuo, give Aisha a chance.”
“KIRA! I DON’T EVEN KNOW HER!”
“Aisha is our family friend. She has some talent,” said Kira, turning around, “And I need to feed my baby before he cries again.”
Mei Zuo jumped off the counter and walked towards the exit.
“What are you doing?” asked Aisha.
“Leaving.” He turned around for a last look then his expression softened. The Japanese girl was still standing there with a pair of scissors in her hand, but almost in tears. “Look, girl, “ he began uncertainly, “I don’t know you. You don’t know me. Don’t get upset that I won’t let you cut my hair.”
“I promise I’ll cut it nicely,” she pleaded, “Please let me try. Your hair is so long anyway.”
Mei Zuo thought for a moment, then his infamous cheeky grin appeared. “Listen, I’ve got a ball to go to so my hair better look good. I’ll let you cut it on one condition.”
“What?”
“Give me your Saturday night.”
Aisha’s mouth dropped open. “WHY?!”
“I want you to be my partner for the ball...so that if people ask me what happened to my hair, I can blame you on the spot.”
“Umm, but...like you said...I don’t know you...you don’t know me.”
“Wear a white dress. I’ll pick you up from here at six o’clock.”
“But this is a hairdressing boutique!”
“I don’t know where you live. This is easier.”
“Okay, okay, fine!” Aisha said quickly, trying to hide her excitement, “Can I cut your hair now?”
“Are you excited about the ball or cutting my hair?”
Aisha giggled quietly and but Mei Zuo could tell she was blushing. Without another word, he sat down obediently and looked into the mirror, watching the crazy Japanese girl chop away his hair. He had to feel his ears every few minutes to make sure they were still there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“SHAN CAI!” Dao Ming Si flung open her bedroom door and glared at her menacingly.
Shan Cai jumped and quickly buttoned up her blouse. “Dao Ming Si! How many times have I told you NOT to barge into my room like that?!”
“Don’t shout at me, you stupid woman! Don’t you see that I’m ANGRY?!”
“PIGHEAD! What did I do wrong this time?!”
“The police rang me and said that Ya Men is discharged! They said YOU basically just let him off!”
Shan Cai shrugged. “I don’t want him to be in prison. I’ve forgiven him already. He can be a nice person, you know?”
“A NICE PERSON?! He tried to rape you and now you’re telling me he’s a nice person?!”
“Dao Ming Si! You tried to do the same thing to me before!”
Dao Ming Si blushed furiously. “THAT...that...that was...different! And that...that was...ages ago! I was...jealous...of...of Lei!”
“Ya Men was jealous of YOU!”
“Shan Cai! What if he tries to do it again?!”
“Mei Zuo, Xi Men and Lei have already bashed him up. I’m already living with you. He won’t dare to come near me now!”
“Why are you speaking on his side?!”
“Why do you hate him so much?!”
“BECAUSE HE’S ALWAYS CAUSING PROBLEMS BETWEEN US!” Dao Ming Si walked out of the bedroom and slammed the door behind him, unable to understand his girlfriend’s simple and forgiving nature.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Ah Si, stop being so stubborn!” cried Mei Zuo, “We’ve got to start planning for Jing’s ball tomorrow night.”
“Looks like you’ve already started,” Dao Ming Si replied grumpily, gesturing to Mei Zuo’s hair.
F4 spent the evening hanging out at VS and Dao Ming Si was still sulking about Shan Cai. Mei Zuo’s hair was not very different to the way it was before. It was only slightly shorter, the layering was touched up and there were some brown streaks. He knew that Aisha was definitely not a hairdresser, and despite the way she had pleaded to cut his hair, she did not dare to try any crazy styles on him.
“Have you got a dress for her yet?” asked Xi Men, exasperated, “And a pair of shoes? A handbag? What about your own tuxedo? Have you even thought about what colour you two will wear?”
“Xi Men, why are you so interested about my life?” Dao Ming Si asked dryly, “What about you and Xiao You? Or have you forgotten about her already?”
Xi Men rolled his eyes. “Ah Si, just listen to me. Mei Zuo, Lei and I have decided that F4 and our girls will all wear white. Do you agree on that?”
“Whatever.”
Hua Ze Lei stood up and explained quickly, “Guys, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you all at the ball tomorrow night. Ah Si, please sort things out with Shan Cai before it’s too late.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hua Ze Lei pulled his Mercedes Benz onto the driveway and looked curiously at the tall buildings in front of him, surprised by their appearance. They were modern, stylish apartments with beautiful furnishings and obviously expensive maintenance fees. He knew that he was in an upper class area and the street was not far from his own mansion. Hua Ze Lei climbed out of the car, grabbed a large bag from the trunk and looked up at the dark sky. It was a clear winter’s night and he felt happy to know that the stars were still shining down on him. He entered one of the buildings and glanced briefly at the address he had scribbled on a piece of paper to check that he was at the right location. He walked into the lift and moments later, he came out at the top floor of the building.
Hua Ze Lei stopped in front of a door labelled ‘81’. It was the entrance to one of the penthouses. After hesitating for a few seconds, he brought his hand up to the doorbell and pressed it. For the first time in his life, he was completely clueless to what was happening. The door opened and revealed the face of Xiao Qing, her eyes widening as she realised who the visitor was.
“Umm, Lei? How did you know I live here? What are you doing here?”
“Just visiting,” he said with a smile.
“Come in. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”
Hua Ze Lei sat on a sofa, looked around the apartment and was met with another surprise. Strangely, it was very empty, with only the basic necessities for a home and very few decorations. Considering the expensive-looking exterior, the interior was nothing like he had expected. “Do you live here alone?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she replied, handing a cup of tea to him, “It’s not my apartment though. I’m only borrowing it while I study in Ying De. Lei, how did you know I live here?”
“It’s the address you registered with Ying De.”
Xiao Qing nodded briefly. “I’m sorry. I know it looks nice outside but it’s not very comfortable in here. To be honest, there’s not much I can afford. Most of the things I have are borrowed.”
Hua Ze Lei smiled and finally began to understand his surroundings. “Qing Qing, you really do surprise me again and again.” He handed her the bag he had brought in with him. “It’s for you.”
She giggled. “Looks like you’re surprising me!” She reached her hand inside the bag and carefully pulled out a large box. She took off the lid, and before she could say another word, she froze.
Hua Ze Lei studied her expression with amusement. “I’ve told Jing that you’re coming to the ball tomorrow night. You can’t say no.”
Xiao Qing gently lifted out the beautiful, white, knee-length dress and stared at it endearingly. It had thin straps, a sheer layer of fabric flowing loosely over the white satin bodice, and sweeping chiffon layers down to the knee. She shook her head regretfully. “Lei, I can’t take this from you. I barely even know you.”
He pulled another box out of the bag, took off the lid and lifted out a pair of white stilettos. The crystal beads on the stiletto straps sparkled under the dim lighting of the room. Next, he took out a small white handbag which matched the shoes and the dress. “You’re taking these as well.”
“Lei, these things are too expensive and there’s no reason why you should be giving them to me.”
“Do you have jewellery and make-up? If you don’t, we’ll go and buy some now.”
“I do have jewellery and make-up,” she said quickly, “I’m not a boy, you know? But Lei, I really can’t –”
“You have to or I’d have no partner.” Hua Ze Lei stood up and walked towards the door he came through only a few minutes ago. “I’m leaving now,” he said with a yawn, “I’m getting sleepy. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock tomorrow evening. Promise to be my angel.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Xiao You walked out of her en suite and gasped when she found Xi Men sitting on her bed. He was gazing at her so adoringly that her cheeks began growing bright pink. She was trying on the dress he had bought for her to wear at Jing’s ball but she did not expect him to be in her bedroom. It was another beautiful white dress, but very different to the one Hua Ze Lei gave to Xiao Qing. It was shorter, tighter, strapless and had a small satin rose on the left side of the beaded neckline. It was obviously the type of dress Xi Men would see Xiao You wearing in his dreams; confident and sexy, with minimal fabric.
“Umm, Xi Men, do I look pretty or ugly in this dress?”
“A bit of both.”
“What do you mean?”
Xi Men grinned sheepishly. “Pretty ugly.”
Xiao You’s mouth dropped open. She climbed onto the bed and began wrestling him, pushing him down and pinning him to the blanket. She giggled as she realised that she had just placed herself in a very vulnerable position, wondering what Shan Cai would do if she knew.
“Xiao You, I was only kidding. You’re the most gorgeous girl in the world.”
She gave him a charming smile. “I don’t believe you.”
Xi Men reciprocated her smile. “Then I’ll prove it to you.” He pushed her down onto the bed and rolled on top of her.
Xiao You began panting nervously. “Xi...Men, I thought...we made it clear...that we are only...good friends andmmwwrrgg –”
Before she could finish her sentence, Xi Men had sealed her mouth with a strong, tantalising kiss. He held her face firmly, resisting all her attempts to push him away. On her third attempt, Xiao You gave up. Of course she loved him. But for the first time in her life, she began to believe that he loved her too.
Xi Men slowly withdrew from the kiss and placed his hand over her mouth. “Xiao You, I’m sorry but I’m not letting you speak now. I want you to listen to me. I can’t turn back time and I can’t change my past. But from tonight onwards, you’re my first true girlfriend and we’re starting our future together.” He lifted his hand off her mouth, and seeing that she did not speak, he took her silence as consent and sealed her in his loving kiss again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Shan Cai opened one eye and glanced at the clock beside her bed, mumbling an inaudible complaint about the time. It was early Saturday morning. Something very bright shone into her opened eye, and moments later, she opened her other eye to see more clearly. “Oh my goodness!” It was long. White. Gold. Shimmering. She was ready to cry.
In the middle of the room was a stunning white Victorian evening gown, modelled on a velvet-covered stand. It was a two-piece design with a strapless corset and a long, flounced skirt. Shan Cai climbed out of bed and stood in front of the gown, breathing in each staggering inch of beauty and elegance. She ran her fingers along the shimmering gold embroidery of the princess line that sloped over the bust and down to the waist. At the waist, the corset ended, and there began the rich, generous layers of the skirt which flowed down in full length. There were, in fact, many layers, each giving a lifting effect to the next, until the outermost layer of the skirt was spread out like a half-opened umbrella. This outermost layer was finely embroidered with the most delicate and beautiful Victorian patterns, winding tiny gold and white laces into flowers and stars from the waist down to the lower hem. Even the hem was edged with a soft ruffle of sheer white fabric, hanging just above the carpeted floor.
Shan Cai pulled opened the curtains and let the morning sun enter her bedroom. She watched in awe as the dress bathed itself in the golden rays of sunshine, glittering, sparkling and shimmering before her. She walked over to her dresser and found a new set of make-up, a pair of lovely gold stilettos, a matching handbag, a pair of long, white evening gloves and a beautiful diamond tiara.
Shan Cai smiled and blinked away the tears in her eyes. She was ready to be Dao Ming Si’s princess tonight.
13-Jan-2005