Disclaimer: i dont own MG or Hana Yori Dango.
piglet: of course, the other characters are here as well. i have been dying to write something with my dear ah si so how can i let this chance pass now? anyways, tnx for the review. about the thing with ximen's bro, i dont know it just popped into my mind when i when i was staring at vic's wallpaper in my pc.
Amyranth: i'm sorry for not reviewing your story yet but i would, i promise. thanks for reviewing mine though.
derksil: thanks for reviewing this story dont worry i'll update 'my only love' in two days or so.
Shan Cai bit her lip as she looked at the mansion before her. She pulled at Dao Ming Si's hand to stop him from entering the front doors of Hua Zhe mansion.It has been two weeks since Shan Cai and her Ah Si had been reunited. Two weeks in
which the couple had spent roaming Barcelona together, just as they did that first time six months ago. The two had happily lived in the present, forgetting everything else but their happiness. Their love.
But the moment they stepped back on Taiwan grounds, reality came rushing back in. Dao Ming Si leavinbg home. . . facing Dao Ming Feng. . . facing Hua Zhe Lei. . .
Lei. Just thinking about him caused Shan Cai's heart to pound hard. Her heart had always pounded for Lei, ever since that first day when Lei stopped to pick up that trash can.
Her heart bleed to be beside Hua Zhe Lei then. To steal glances at him while they sat beside each other on that rooftop and know he'll never see her the way she saw him.
But more than it ever bleed before for Lei, Shan Cai's heart bleeds even more now. Lei had been so very good to her. . . he had stood by her through out that painful period when Dao Ming Si had forgotten her. Rejecting Lei had been the hardest decision in her life. . .
A warm hand squeezing hers brought Shan Cai back from her musings. Looking up, she finds Dao Ming Si staring down at her with so much concern her heart lightened up a bit.
"Shan Cai?"
Shan cai hung her head and refused to meet Dao Ming Si's eyes. "I. . . I'm nervous about facing Lei. . . I know he promised me that it was okay and he even gave you the tickets but I. . ."
Cupping her chin, Dao Ming Si forced Shan Cai to lock eyes with him.
"I understand," Dao Ming Si started. "All our lives, Lei had stepped back to let me have what I want for he had never really wanted anything for himself except Jing. . . and you."
"Dao Ming Sii."
"When he lost Jing, we saw how much it had hurt him. Now with you, I dont think it's possible not to see he's hurting but we could prevent him from getting mad. And he'll surely get mad if we walk into that door and see you unhappy."
With those words, Shan Cai was reminded of what Lei once told her more than two years ago.
'In this world, there are two types of people who are mentally suffering from regrets. One are those who are not able to get the person that they love. The others are those who see their loved ones not being able to get any happiness.'
How ironic those words turned out. Lei, back then, didnt want Shan Cai to give up so she wouldnt regret. And now back together with Dao Ming Si, Shan Cai would never ever regret giving up. But by not giving up on Dao Ming Si, it leaves Lei himself regrettng.
Turning closely, Shan Cai stared at Dao Ming Si and that bedimpled smile of his.
Once upon a time, she had craved for nothing more but to have Hua Zhe Lei smile at her like that. But looking at Dao Ming Si's loving face, she knew as long as Dao Ming Si was at her side, everything would be all right.
Right now, all Shan Cai could do was believe that one day, everything would be all right for Lei too. One day he would be as happy as she was now. And that day would come when Lei finds that right woman for him. That woman who he can love as much as he wanted to love her. Surely that day would come for Lei. And when that day comes, that woman could surely erase every regret from his past.
Her mind cleared, Shan Cai finally returned Dao Ming Si's smile. It was truly a wonder how this pig head simple words could make so much sense to her.
Taking her hand, Dao Ming Si lead her into Hua Zhe mansion. They stopped suddenly when they ran into Lei himself.
"Ah Si. Shan Cai." Lei greeted in his normal tone, Shan Cai immediately noticed something different in him though.
Apparently Dao Ming Si didnt, he greeted Lei back in his usual way. "Lei, surprised?"
"I'm afraid Tian Li had beat you to it, Ah Si."
With the mention of Ximen's brother, Dao Ming Si's whole expression suddenly changed. He turned to look at Lei with an expression Shan Cai couldnt well point out.
"Tian Li?" Dao Ming Si asked still looking at Lei in that weird way.
"Yes. He called this morning and announced he's coming home tomorrow. His announcement caused quite a surprise on Ximen mansion," Lei explained expressionless.
Perplexed how odd the two were acting, Shan Cai went on and asked. "But shouldnt
this be some thing good? He's been gone for what, six years?"
"His coming home is not the surprise, Shan Cai." Lei smiled but Shan Cai noticed how it never reached his eyes. "He's getting married."
"Dated? Jing and Tian Li dated?"
Mei Zhou couldnt help but smile at his girl friend's incredulous reaction. She was so cute that Mei Zhou couldnt help leaning over and giving her a peck on the lips.
Xiao Qiao glazed over for a second then she realized where they were. "Mei Zhou! You're driving!"
"It's a red light," Mei Zhou explained but he couldnt help but wonder about his action though. He'd never been this affectionate to any of his past girlfriends. But then again, he's never been in love before.
Love. This feeling was still all new to Mei Zhou. These past few months of dating Xiao Qiao were the best times he had with a girl and when he had thought about losing her to her 'cello boyfriend' he had been insanely jealous. Now, two weeks after finding out the truth about the cello, Mei Zhou was pleasantly happy. He knew he was in love, only problem now was how to express that to Xiao Qiao.
Stealing a glance at her as he started the car forward again, Mei Zhou found Xiao Qiao deep in thought.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.
Xiao Qiao turned to Mei Zhou and smiled, "Nothing, I'm just thinking about Tian Li."
"Tian Li? Why are you thinking about Tian Li?"
Xiao Qiao laughed at Mei Zhou's outburst. "Mei Zhou, I know F4 has issues with him but-"
"We do not have issues with Ximen's brother," Mei Zhou corrected.
Xiao Qiao smiled at her boy friend's silly face. "Oh yeah? Let me remind you. Let's start with Dao Ming Si. I remember him throwing a fit when Dao Ming Zhuang said Tian Li should be F4's fifth member and replace Ah Si as leader."
"First of all, she was just teasing him. Second how did you even know that?"
"Let's just say I'm very interested with F4 ever since," Xiao Qiao said smiling. "Anyway, back to F4's issues with Tian Li." Mei Zhou snorted but Xiao Qiao chose to ignore it. "Ximen couldnt deny there had always been sibling rivalry between him and Tian Li. People have always compared them in every way."
"And Ximen's had always came better than him."
Xiao Qiao shrugged. "And there's Lei. Everyone knew Tian Li's feelings for Teng Tang Jing. I never knew till today that Jing actually went out with him but I'm sure that created more tension between Lei and Tian Li."
Reluctantly, Mei Zhou had to agree on that one. "Yeah. They started going out a year after you left. Jing was like Tian Li's first girlfriend and back then he was the only guy Jing ever dated seriously. They went out for three years! Before Jing never went out with anyone more than three times."
At that moment, the two arrived at Ying estate. Xiao Qiao turned to Mei Zhou just as he stopped in front of the Victonian-style mansion. Xiao Qiao asked if Mei Zhou would like to come in for a while, Mei Zhou shook his head, saying it was okay they'll be seeing each other again early tomorrow anyway.
"Then I'm going inside," Xiao Qiao said. Just as she turned the knob to stepped out of the car, Mei Zhou reached to grab her wrist.
Xiao Qiao felt her breath mingling with that of Mei Zhou's. He was that close. . .
"Xiao Qiao, I. . ."
Xiao Qiao could feel her heart beating wildly. This was it. Mei Zhou was finally going to say the words she had been dreaming of him saying to her since they were twelve.
"I. . . you. . . didnt tell me why you were thinking about Tian Li," Mei Zhou said instead, disappointing Xiao Qiao greatly.
He was obviously jealous. Xiao Qiao felt a little pleased that she could make Mei Zhou feel this way, she thought it meant he must care too at least. That's why she had tried teasing him about her 'cello' before. But now Mei Zhou knew the truth about her feelings, couldnt he go and say what he was feeling as well?
'Maybe his feelings arent as deep as I hope they are' Xiao Qiao thought sadly. Suddenly, feeling the tears forming at her eyes, Xioa Qiao lowered her head as she tried to free her wrist from Mei Zhou's grip.
"I was just thinking how lucky Tian Li's fiancee is. He loved Teng Tang Jing very much, this girl who replaces Jing in his heart must be just as special to him or maybe even more."
Mei Zhou would be surprise for sure but Ximen had so many things in his mind right now that he wont probably concentrate on their return.
After all, Tian Li was still Ximen's brother. He had been gone for almost seven years. Through out those seven years which he would call once in a while, every time just for holidays and such.
Tian Li. Lei thought how much he used to see Tian Li as a rival. He and Jing had quite a history together.
flashback
"Eh Lei why do you look so strange?" a twelve-year old Dao MIng Si asked.
Hua Zhe Lei didnt answer. He had just continued staring at the wall.
"Eh Lei?" Dao Ming Si tried once more.
"Ah Si, stop hounding Lei," Mei Zhou interjected. "Havent you heard the news about Jing and Tian Li?"
"Eh, what news?"
"They're been going out lately."
"Going out? What's that?"
Mei Zhou rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Are you twelve or are you two? Going out means they're dating," Mei Zhou said, emphasizing the word 'dating' lest Dao Ming Si still couldnt follow.
"Mei Zhou, I didnt ask for your opinion."
Mei Zhou just shrugged. He turned to Ximen and asked, "What do you know about this? Does Tian Li say anything at all?"
It was Ximen's turn to shrug. "It's not like we're close, Mei Zhou. I didnt even know about this until I heard my mother asked Tian Li about it."
Mei Zhou nodded. And F3 all turned to Lei. He was still sitting there like a statue. They could tell how Lei must be hurting. After all even at twelve, every one knew how much Teng Tang Jing meant to Lei.
But even then, Dao Ming Si had a unique way of cheering up someone.
"It's okay, Lei. If Jing likes Tian Li, then she must not have that much size than we originally thought."
Mei Zhou erupted in laughter, Ximen, on the other hand, was a bit annnoyed.
"Hey, he's still my brother, Ah Si! Besides, it's sense, you idiot! Sense, not size."
Dao Ming Si glared at Ximen then. But even as a friendly fight started, Lei was oblivious to F3. All he had been thinking was Jing. Jing dating Tian Li.
end of flashback
For three years, Lei had to-do with being second to Tian Li. When he and Jing, started going out, he had always consoled himself that it might not last. That maybe next week or so, Jing would break-up with Tian Li.
But the weeks had stretched to months and the months went on for years. Jing had continued seeing Tian Li that some people thought that the two might end up marrying each other after college.
Finally that long awaited news Lei was hoping for came mid-January 1993.
flashback
"Eh, Ximen, I heard Jing broke up with Tian Li."
Hua Zhe Lei, who was seated by the sideline while F3 played ball, suddenly perked up.
"Oh yeah," Ximen answered Mei Zhou while he makes a jump for three. The ball hit nothing but net. Then he turned to Lei's direction, "Lei, did you hear? Jing broke off with my brother. I had meant to tell you guys."
Dao Ming Si, taking the rebound asked, "What broke off?"
Mei Zhou effortlessly stole the ball from Dao Ming Si's hands. "You really are a blockhead. Breaking up means Jing wont be seeing him anymore."
Dao Ming Si growled, annoyed that Mei Zhou took his ball. "Mei Zhou, I didnt ask for your opinion!"
Mei Zhou ignored him and just made an impressive lay-up. Ximen quickly high-fived Mei Zhou, Dao Ming Si on the other hand marched towards Lei.
"I'm not playing anymore!" he announced. Sitting beside his best friend, he offered an encouraging smile, "Lei, Jing broke off with Tian Li, that means she wont be seeing him anymore."
F2, who appeared behind Dao Ming Si, errupted in laughter, earning a death glare from their leader. But Hua Zhe Lei remained silent. But he, who was fifteen then, wouldnt deny how this news made him happier than he ever had in the last three years.
end of flashback
Lei thought back to all things that happened next. Just a little more than a week later later, news of Ximen Tian Li leaving home became talk of the town. Jing showed an almost flippant reaction to Tian Li's departure but there had been something in her looks that didnt escape Lei's observant eyes.
But Lei had been contented enough to have her by his side, to have her spend more time with him than any other men around. This small-found happiness Lei had quickly died down though only after a few months as this time around it was Jing's turn to say she was leaving.
lashback
"Lei, you knew I had been thinking of studying in France before, right?"
A sudden pit formed in Lei's stomach. "Yes."
Jing smiled. "Well, I've called Paris University and asked if I could apply again. They said I could still study there though I have to repeat my first year."
Lei stared at Jing and wondered if Tian Li had anything to do with her decision. After all Jing had always wanted to study in France before she started going out with Tian Li. Dao Ming Si had even off-handedly commented that Jing probably changed her mind about France before since she didnt want to leave behind Tian Li.
But now Tian Li was gone, was that the reason Jing wanted to leave too? Was France just an escape? But of course, Lei couldnt ask any of this to Jing. Partly he was scared of her answer, partly it must be that he was just plain coward. So like before, he had sat back and hid the misery he felt all to himself.
end of flashback
Until now, Lei never knew about what happened between Jing and Tian Li. He had long decided to forget about it all but Tian Li's surprise homecoming made Lei think about the past. . . and his past, every thing about it, had meant Jing. . .
'Tian Li's finally coming home.' Lei thought as he watched the clock once more. In a few hours, Tian Li would land back in Taiwan.
'I wonder if this means you'll be coming back as well, Jing.'
Of course, Ximen knew his brother resented their father, just like he used to before. But after finding out the truth about their parents, Ximen had found himself understanding his father at last. He wished his brother could do the same too.
But then again, his brother's drift with their father wasnt probably the only reason he left home. For during that time too was when Jing finally called it quits with him. Tian Li probably wanted to escape Taiwan because of that too.
Ximen frowned. His brother was getting married that means he's over Jing, right? Because even though he never showed as much closeness to Tian Li than he did to F3, Ximen still cared for his brother, so it would be hard to see Tian Li and Lei fighting over Jing again.
Because eventhough Lei is still recovering from Shan Cai's rejection and say he no longer love Jing, he did loved her for almost 20 years, if Jing turned out to be his brother's mystery fiancee, it would be a big blow on Lei's soul.
'Please. Anyone but Jing, Tian Li.'
Just as that thought came to Ximen's mind, he spotted his brother. Of course, it was not hard to recognize him at once even after seven years, for his brother was like an older version of himself. The hair, the eyes, the facial features. . . all of it they both inherited from their father. But personality-wise though, the brothers were as different as night and day. His brother inherited their mother's artistic abilities and quiet nature, while Ximen took after their father's shrewd business mind and "playboy" ways. Anyone who didnt know better might even say it was Tian Li and Lei, not Tian Li and Ximen, are the siblings.
Raising his hand to try to get his brother's attention, Ximen suddenly froze.
'That girl. . . it couldnt be. . .'
But it really was her. It was impossible not to recognize her fpr she looked just the same as before. The same hair though a lot longer, more mature. . . the same lips though they were smiling happily unlike its sad curves before. . .
She had once called her pretty, but looking at her now, Ximen thought she wasnt just pretty. . . she was absolutely beautiful. . .
With her face glowing like that. . . but suddenly her happy expression froze as her eyes connected with his. That was when Ximen realized the man beside her, holding her hand.
Ximen could only stand there, unable to do anything as the couple came towards him.
Finally reaching him, the man. . . Tian Li. . . his brother smiled at him.
"It's been a while, little brother."
Ximen nodded dumbly while the girl in his brother's arms offered a small smile of her own.
Tian Li looked at the girl beside him and back to Ximen. "I know that you guys have met before, but let me introduce her again, Ximen." Pulling the girl closer to him, he continued, "Ximen meet Yang Xiao You, my fiancee."
AN: hope no one gets mad with the cliffhanger! this chap happens two weeks after that final episode of mg2. last chap actually happened 6 months ago, i hope no one gets confuse. pls review minna!