PART III
Little Brother
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.
Dozens of luxury vehicles lined the extensive courtyard of the antique white, three-storey stone mansion. A red Porsche SUV pulled into the courtyard and four teenagers exited - three girls and one boy. Sakura recalled being their age and feeling grateful just to get a chance to drive her father's Honda to make grocery runs. These kids were truly living the life. The girl driver threw her keys to a teenage boy sporting a stylish mohawk hairstyle. Sakura had surmised that he was valeting the cars.
This certainly was not your average family reunion. The poshness, the opulence, the classic towering columns and curving balconies... and she had not even made it past the front doors yet.
And are you crazy Sakura, or is that dragon statue over there sneering at you? Hoe-eee! It is sneering. It knows I don't belong here!
She slipped on her sunglasses as the Li teens walked past Syaoran's Land Rover SUV, pulling their suitcases behind them as they chatted with each other. Sakura did not miss the furtive glances they directed at the vehicle as Syaoran descended from the driver's seat. She wished she could say they were looking at him, but their gazes searched beyond the tinted windscreen to the passenger seat where she was currently sitting.
Her father and brother got out of the vehicle as well. Sakura did not budge as the men unloaded the luggage, and her cupcakes and flowers for Syaoran's aunt. Instead she continued to watch the Lis arriving. At the moment, two family units had arrived and the mothers were trying to rally the kids while the husbands sauntered into the mansion.
The women looked very proper and elegant even as they ran after two of their toddlers. They were both wearing ballet flats but she had chosen to wear heels today. Was she overdressed? As she thought about it, the teenage girls had worn slip-on flats and the boy had looked quite casual. Clearly, there was some dress code that she had not been informed about. The women waved to Syaoran and he waved back, saying something to them. He was standing within earshot of Sakura but she did not hear what he said because the sounds of her heart hammering in her chest were deafening.
"Sakura? Sakura."
Sakura's body jolted off her seat and she looked round at her passenger door. Syaoran was standing outside it with a smile.
"Huh?" she asked, dazedly.
"It's time to head inside," he told her, gesturing to their luggage.
Behind him, her brother and father were looking around at the landscape, and indeed the landscape was beautiful with the tall, sculpted and evenly pruned trees and shrubbery. She adjusted her sunglasses on her face and exited the vehicle with Syaoran's help - which she would not have needed if she had worn flats.
She sighed to herself.
"We try to have as few staff as possible at the family gatherings," he told the Kinomotos, in an apologetic voice. "We will have to take our own things up to the third floor. Luckily, there are elevators."
He took hold of his and Sakura's suitcases and led them inside the mansion. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior. It was filled with natural light from the many floor-to-ceiling windows. Syaoran exchanged a few brief greetings and nods with members of his family as he led them to an elevator. Just as they made it to the elevator, the teenage girls Sakura had seen earlier walked inside. They made to come out when they caught sight of him but he held up his hand.
"Go on," he told them. "Send it back down for me."
They looked at each other, unsure, but then nodded. As the doors closed, she caught their expressions of disdain. Was this going to be the norm that weekend?
"Kinomoto-sensei," said Syaoran to Fujitaka, who was re-adjusting Sakura's box of cupcakes in his hands. "We men will have a room together and Sakura will stay with my mother and two of my sisters."
"What?" said Sakura, her gaze focusing on him. "We're not staying together? You said we'll be together."
"We're unmarried," said Syaoran, like he was explaining something that was common knowledge. "We cannot sleep together. It would be improper."
Touya squinted.
"You don't think we all know you're well acquainted with the act of sleeping with my sister?"
Syaoran's cheeks flushed bright red. His eyes snapped to her father's unreadable stare and ricocheted off it onto the herringbone floor tiles. Sakura was still in too much shock from Syaoran's announcement to be embarrassed by her brother's words. Touya had a point. Given their history, it did seem silly to stay in separate rooms.
Syaoran put his fist to his lips and cleared his throat.
"Nevertheless, we must follow protocol and set a decent example."
Touya's brows raised.
"Sure."
"You said there were no rules I needed to know about," said Sakura, looking up at Syaoran.
"There aren't," he told her.
"How long did you know about our sleeping arrangements?" she asked him.
"Uncle texted me last week."
She frowned.
"Then why didn't you tell me before?"
She was amazed that Syaoran had the nerve to look confused at that moment.
"You get along with Mother," he said. "And my sisters are nice. What's the matter?"
The elevator doors chimed open. He took their suitcases inside, and as Touya walked past Sakura with his own luggage, Sakura directed a look of exasperation at her father who stood opposite her. He smiled in sympathy. Syaoran took her brother and father to their room first.
"Everyone will be poolside," he informed them. "We should dress for that. The first evening is rather casual as everyone is tired from travelling. I'll settle Sakura in, return to change my clothes, and then we'll all go down to the pool together."
With that, he took Sakura to her room. There were three suitcases near the door when he opened it.
"It seems my mother and sisters have arrived," he said, putting down her suitcase next to theirs.
He held onto Sakura's arms and smiled softly.
"My sisters are going to love you," he said. "You'll be friends by tomorrow."
"I can't wait to meet them," she told him, though she had doubts about his statements.
"I'll return for you in 30 minutes," said Syaoran. "Don't dress in anything provocative."
"Where are all these rules coming from?" she asked him, folding her arms. "All of a sudden, there seems to be a growing list when previously there was none."
"That's not a rule," he said. "However, it's the first time everyone is meeting you and it happens to be at a pool party. I want you to give off a favourable impression."
"Afraid they'll think you made a mistake?" asked Sakura, turning her back on him and laying her suitcase flat.
She sank to her knees and opened it. A second later, Syaoran was kneeling next to her. He had said nothing about a pool but Tomoyo had been to his Uncle's and had assured her that they will be at the pool this weekend. Yelan was absolutely right when she had said he expected her to just know things about how to operate in his life. But could she blame him when he had literally been in one relationship since he was a child?
"Hey," said Syaoran. "I said that, not because I think you'll embarrass me. The thing is my family, particularly the older women, tend to be overly nitpicky with brides-to-be. I don't want you to fall prey to their ways because I didn't warn you."
"Alright," she said, sorting through her clothes. "I understand. I just didn't know that you thought I dress provocative."
"I know you're not... intentionally," he said. "But the way you dress can be very alluring and you have mannerisms that are incredibly seductive."
"You think so?"
She did not tell him that a lifetime ago, Matsushita had coached each of her courtesans how to dress to maximise their individual attractiveness and personality. She was thrilled to know he still enjoyed her efforts to please his gaze. She had once lived for his once-over looks and nods of approval whenever they went out.
Syaoran kissed the crook of her neck.
"It's like you're always flirting," he groaned. "Which I like. But the women won't appreciate that around their husbands since they don't know you. And I don't want my cousins fantasizing about you though it really is inevitable."
She giggled.
"I'll try my best to dress demurely then."
He exhaled wearily.
"I'm a little wound up by you today, so I might just be saying all this for my own sanity," said Syaoran. "Your brother did not have to call me out earlier though. In front of your father, too."
"You don't have to worry about Otou-san."
"It still feels like he has not completely accepted me," Syaoran said.
"What? No. He was happy when we told him about our engagement."
"Perhaps. I do sense some reservation but I could be wrong."
"Well you are wrong," said Sakura, reassuringly.
"I want him to like me," said Syaoran. "And not only because you love me."
She caressed his cheek.
"He does like you. I promise."
Syaoran left her to get ready. Sakura decided that she would forgo a swim. She certainly did not want every inch of her body scrutinized by the Li women that afternoon. She opted for a slim fit and flare dress, with a sweetheart neckline. It had a pretty floral print and dainty tie details at the shoulders. She regarded herself in the full length mirror of the room and almost laughed. It was new and she did not realise until then that there was a high slit coming up to her mid-thigh. Syaoran was right. Her being provocative was not intentional. Nonetheless, the dress flowed nicely around her legs and it still felt appropriate for the pool.
She had just finished pulling her thick hair into a high ponytail when Syaoran returned with her family. She grabbed her sunglasses and mini straw tote, and he led them to a living space that was connected to the outside patio. There was a long table overflowing with wrapped presents. Fujitaka added Sakura's cupcakes and flowers to the pile.
"My aunt is around here somewhere," he said. "You can tell her which presents were yours later. But they're labelled so she would know in any case."
He took a rectangular box from the pocket of his navy Bermuda shorts and placed it on top of the cupcake box.
"New charms for her Cartier bracelets," he told Sakura.
Beyond the open French doors of the living space, many members of his family were lounging around the pool area. Pop music blasted from speakers thanks to the blue-haired DJ who was standing on an acrylic platform in the middle of the pool.
"Ready?" he asked her.
Chest heaving, she hesitated to answer. Kenichi's words of doom were in her mind. His words were in her mind too - he rarely had good things to say and they were his blood.
"You said we'll leave if they're mean?"
"We will," he reassured her. "But trust me to determine when it's time to go."
She nodded even as she looked back outside with apprehension. He slipped off her sunglasses and placed them in the pocket of his shorts. Then placing a hand on her upper back, he led her onto the patio paving, her brother and father following behind them.
It might have been Sakura's imagination but it felt like all eyes were on her; and she swore she could feel each and every one. A woman around her age seemed to choke on her strawberry cocktail as Sakura walked past her. They were not the purely nasty looks that Sakura had envisioned but rather a mixture of curiosity, reservation, shock and horror. She could practically feel herself being scanned as they each made their assessments of her. She grew worried when Syaoran drew her closer but when she glanced up at him, he did not look perturbed in the least. Just as the stares and indecipherable comments were becoming too much for Sakura to bear, a small ball of energy came pelting towards them.
"UNCLE!"
Syaoran bent low and scooped the little girl into his arms. She hugged him tightly and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
"Sakura, this is my little cousin, Shui," said Syaoran. "She likes to call me uncle."
It was odd seeing a child in Syaoran's arms but he seemed quite at ease with the situation. Sakura smiled sweetly at the little girl.
"Hello!" she greeted Shui. "It's nice to meet you!"
Shui tilted her head and looked her up and down. Sakura grimaced slightly. Even the child was judging her?
"You're the Japanese girl!" exclaimed Shui as though coming upon an exciting revelation.
Instantly, Syaoran's face became serious.
"She's 'Miss Kinomoto' to you," he said.
Shui deflated a bit at Syaoran's reprimand. Then she smiled and pushed against him, making him set her down.
"Father sent me to get you," she said, taking hold of his hand and pulling on it with all her strength. "Come Uncle!"
He followed her but Sakura could see that his mood had changed. If anything, it seemed guarded, which made her stomach queasy. Shui led them all to a set of deep, white armchairs at one of the circular tables surrounding the massive pool. A man with a neatly trimmed circle beard rose to his feet and smiled quite charmingly. There were other men lounging nearby behind him, drinks cradled in their hands. The men looked over at the small party as they approached and some offered small nods of acknowledgment.
Syaoran gave a small bow to the man who had stood.
"Nephew," said the man, his voice exuberant and magnetic. "You've certainly let the anticipation build. Half the day's gone."
Syaoran introduced the man as "Li Chao Yun or as we all call him Uncle Chao."
"This is my fiancée Kinomoto Sakura," he told Chao. "Her father Kinomoto Fujitaka. And her brother, Kinomoto Touya."
Chao greeted her family in Japanese, starting with her father. When he got to her, he held out his hand and Sakura placed her right hand in his. Something in his smile shifted and his eyes looked deeply into her own. A light flush blossomed on Sakura's cheeks. Was this where Syaoran got his penetrating, sensuous stares from? She was certain Chao was about her father's age but he did not feel like a father.
"I've heard a lot about you Kinomoto-san," he said. "In quite impassioned monologues... which I see now, did you less justice than you deserve."
"Please Li-san," she said, timidly. "You can call me Sakura."
He drew her hand towards his lips but Syaoran gently pulled her aside before his mouth could make contact with her skin. He sat her in one of the armchairs surrounding the table. Everyone else followed suit, with Uncle Chao wearing an amused expression on his face.
The men who were congregating nearby were having their own conversations but Sakura caught their glances on her every now and then. Uncle Chao made small talk about the weather, their trip there and Syaoran's progress at work. He questioned her father and brother about their life and professions as well. Finally, after several minutes of talking, during which Uncle Chao had gotten some of his younger nephews to bring them drinks, he turned his full attention to Sakura.
"I see why you were so eager to throw the first wife away," he told Syaoran, making the Kinomotos wince. "This one is water, just as I had suggested."
Sakura did not understand what he meant but just then, a man with neat, slicked back hair approached the table with a drink in his hand.
"Now I see what everyone's gossiping about on their phones," he said, making Sakura even more self-conscious because indeed many people were typing into their phones.
Are they really discussing me? Hoe-eee! What are they saying?
"Everyone, my brother Li Song Ren. Song," said Chao, nodding to his guests in turn. "This is Kinomoto Fujitaka, the father, Kinomoto Touya, the brother, and Kinomoto Sakura, the fiancée."
Song looked at them and sipped the drink in his hand without any attempt to seem friendly. Regardless, the Kinomotos stood and bowed to him in a show of respect. His eyes perused Sakura's form.
"I see you don't care for tall sons," Song said to Syaoran in Cantonese. Sakura sank into her seat, embarrassment weighing heavy on her shoulders. "Certain genes are diamonds, did we not teach you?"
He moved past them to sit in an armchair beside his brother.
"Speaking of diamonds," said Chao, boldly reaching for Sakura's left hand, which caused Syaoran's jaw to clench. "Look at her ring."
At first, Song did not seem to care but then he leaned forward to get a closer look.
"Is that the pink diamond that was mined in Australia? That was up for auction in Singapore at -" He glared at Syaoran. "You spoiled little..."
Chao laughed good-naturedly, and Sakura could not help but smile because his laughter was infectious.
"It was Xiao Lang then who outbid you?" Chao leaned into Sakura as though about to tell a secret. "He griped and moaned for days. He hates losing. But the nephew's pockets are deeper. Like father, like son."
Song really appeared to be sulking and Syaoran looked thrilled that he was in a bad mood. Her father picked up his drink and Song's brows knotted.
"Is that orange juice?" he asked, almost in revulsion.
"A fruit cocktail," said Fujitaka. "One of your nephews made it for me. It's quite delicious."
Song nodded in a way that said he understood the struggle.
"You don't have to lie about the taste. How long have you been sober?"
Syaoran pressed his fingers to his forehead and Sakura heard him mutter, "Idiot," beneath his breath.
"My entire life," replied Fujitaka. "I do have a sip of wine on special occasions. However, I prefer a clear head."
It was Chao's turn to appear taken aback.
"A university professor who does not drink? At all? Well that's unheard off. Like a professor who does not sleep with his C students. You do indulge...?"
"I do not," said Fujitaka, seriously.
"B students?" asked Chao.
Fujitaka's expression did not change. Song turned to Chao in confusion. Chao looked over at Sakura.
"Oh yes, of course you don't," he said to Fujitaka with a sly smile and an exaggeratedly proper tone. "They must be your daughter's age. That would be most unbecoming."
There was an awkward silence but neither Chao nor Song seemed to notice. Sakura sipped her Pina Colada, trying hard not to think about her father soliciting students for sexual favours in exchange for better grades.
A match sounded. To her left, Chao was lighting a cigarette. He held the gold packet in front of her and said, "Xiao Lang. A specially made blend from the Dominican Republic. Spicy taste, mild scent."
Syaoran plucked a cigarette from the pack and leaned behind Sakura. Chao rose to his feet and a match sounded again. When Syaoran pulled back, he had the cigarette to his lips. He pulled on it, and blew out slowly. Then he took another pull.
"Tastes like the other set from Nicaragua."
"Recent events suggest that when it comes to taste your palette is questionable," said Song, lighting his own cigarette after Chao tossed him the pack.
Syaoran took yet another pull on his cigarette as he stared at his uncle, his eyes narrowing.
"I didn't know you smoke," said Sakura, watching his practiced hand to mouth movements.
"Occasionally," he told her.
She said nothing and his attention snapped to her. He looked at the cigarette between his fingers.
"It bothers you?"
"I... I just didn't know," she said, feeling odd at her lack of knowledge.
"I'm sure you've smelled smoke on me before."
"Yes. I guess I thought others were smoking. Not you."
Syaoran signalled to a young man sitting behind Song. The man came over and Syaoran offered him the cigarette.
"Uncle Chao's personal stash," he said. "Thanks man. You know he can be stingy with it."
Chao did not seem the least bit offended. However, Sakura felt the harsh stare of Song on her face.
"I see she's the kind of woman who can't let a man have some fun."
"Uncle," said Syaoran, his tone warning.
"Not much difference from the last wife and we all see where she ended up."
"Uncle."
Song raised his hands in surrender, his cigarette tucked between two fingers.
"Marriage advice," he said, taking another puff. "That's all, nephew. Didn't Wei say we should give you some, the first time around? Two divorces would be absolutely ridiculous, wouldn't it?"
"I don't mind that Syaoran-kun smokes," said Sakura, trying to dissipate the rising tension in the air. "I was just surprised because he's never smoked in front of me before." She turned to Syaoran. "But you can smoke if you want."
"If he wants?" said Song, cocking his head to the side. He glanced behind him at the man holding Syaoran's cigarette. "The girl thinks he needs her permission to do what he pleases."
"Enough," said Syaoran. "Sakura, I do smoke now and then but I don't particularly like it. Uncle, I chose not to smoke today, because yes, it bothers my fiancée. So what? Move on from this topic."
Song reclined in his chair and blew a straight stream of smoke from his lips, his eyes slits.
"I've been meaning to ask you what mansion you will be using for your nuptial home," said Chao minutes later. "I heard you were renovating one of your father's?"
"Yes," answered Syaoran. "The one in Sai Kung."
"It's an amazing property," said Chao with unbridled enthusiasm. "I look forward to seeing it refurbished. It was something Zihao had planned to do. What's the estimated finishing date?"
"Two years from now."
"That's quick. Where will you be staying until then? I have a home available in the Mid-Levels."
Sakura looked at Syaoran nervously because she knew what was coming.
"I appreciate the offer but I have a new place in Japan. Tokyo actually."
"Japan?" said Song, sitting up. "You must be joking."
"I am not."
"Are you speaking about the investment condominium?" asked Chao.
"Yes."
"Well that's stupid," said Song. "What good businessman renovates a condominium for profit and then decides he's going to live in it? That loss-"
"Is mine," said Syaoran. "And I will bear it."
"We don't have to live there," said Sakura, again trying to soften the tension. "I can live in Hong Kong right away. It was an investment. It should be an investment. Not our home."
"The girl has more sense than you in this regard," said Song.
Syaoran reached out and clutched Sakura's knee which was peeking through the slit of the dress.
"Sakura is being very generous. She has a business in Japan and she cannot immigrate right now. I've already begun putting my affairs in order. This way, things will be easier for her."
"Did you say business?" said Song. "What do you have then? Let's consider... only a conglomerate that has been in our family for centuries. And... what is this "business" she has anyway? A Flat tummy tea line?"
A man behind Song half laughed, half snorted into his drink.
"Tummy tea?" asked Chao, looking at the drink snorter.
"It's a millennial thing," said Song. "I'll explain later. You are the CEO and as such you need to be situated in Hong Kong, Xiao Lang. Which is his name. Not this Syaoran-kun nonsense."
A dangerous silence swelled in the atmosphere and Syaoran's grip on Sakura's knee tightened.
"Mother gave me the name Syaoran when she sent me to study in Japan," he said, steadily. "Sakura is free to call me by whatever variation of my name she chooses. As for the business, I can run that from a basement in the middle of the desert. I want Sakura to have time to tend to her cupcake business. It's new but successful and I believe it will continue to grow exponentially."
"Cupcakes? Cupcakes!" said Song with contempt. "Am I the only one hearing this madness?"
Chao raised his hand.
"Song-"
"To be perfectly clear," said Song, overriding his brother. "You have a real estate empire, products including clothing, chemicals, medical equipment, electronics, and services not limited to advertising, financial, construction and entertainment, not to mention over ten subsidiaries to preside over, but Heaven forbid this girl can't cross the South China Sea to live with her would-be husband because she has to sell cupcakes. In Japan. Do we not have ovens in Hong Kong?!"
Sakura was always aware that Syaoran had a great deal of responsibilities but when Song laid it out like that, it seemed an impossible task. Yet when he was with her, most times it felt like she was the only thing on his mind even though that probably was not true. She had to agree with Song. It seemed silly that Syaoran would bend so much for her when it came to this particular matter as it might negatively impact his ability to work efficiently.
Syaoran was glowering at Song but when Sakura covered his hand on her knee with her own, his hard expression eased. She smiled at him and his grip on her knee loosened. He drew a deep breath.
Chao did not look pleased with the news he was hearing but he did not look as upset as Song.
"Song. I'm certain Xiao Lang will make his presence felt in Hong Kong," he said. "However, if it is not, if his duties suffer, I'm also certain that he will rethink his plans."
"I will adjust if need be," he told Chao.
"Why does she need to work exactly?" asked Song, picking up from where he left off. "What could she possibly contribute financially? Pocket change? She should focus on managing your household. Being a good wife so that we don't have to be here next year meeting another new family. But no, let's all indulge her prancing around and pretending to be a "hashtag boss babe.""
Mr. Drink Snorter snorted again making the other men chuckle. Even Chao could not help a small smirk.
However, Syaoran's countenance had become cold as ice. She could see he was close to erupting on his uncle and as much as Song might deserve it, she did not want such a thing to happen because of her.
Desperate to salvage her role as a wife and for the third time, dispel the tension among the group, Sakura said, "When we get marr-"
"We don't have to explain how our household will run Uncle," said Syaoran. "And Sakura is sitting right here. That's her name. Not, 'the girl.' If you have a question for her, you can look her in the eyes and ask her yourself."
Song took another pull of his cigarette.
"I would if I didn't like short, sensible answers. Which women rarely give." He gestured across the pool. "She should be over there. Not here."
Across the pool, there were groups of women lounging together.
"Forgive my brother, Miss Sakura, nephew," said Chao, and he nodded to Fujitaka and Touya who had been silently listening to the entire exchange between Song and Syaoran. "He's been drunk for 5 hours and he hasn't been laid in at least 28. We would not let you suffer with that gossiping brood. I for one am quite enjoying the honour of your company."
Suddenly, Fujitaka stood. Yelan was approaching them, dressed in a floor-length, abstract print orange and white kaftan.
"Fujitaka-sensei," she greeted. Then, "Kinomoto-sensei, Sakura-san."
They returned her greetings and Fujitaka waited for her to sit before he sat.
"What did I miss?" she asked. "Judging from my son's expression... much."
"You missed nothing Yelan," said Song, stumping out his cigarette on an ashtray. "For nothing spoken concerned you."
"Song," said Chao, his voice like a swift hammer. "As our nephew told you already, enough."
Surprisingly, Song's lips sealed tight and he said not one more word.
Syaoran leaned over and whispered into Sakura's ear as Yelan spoke with Fujitaka.
"Are you okay?"
She smiled. She was a bit shaken but Syaoran had been a solid shield.
"I'm okay."
"Pay no mind to Uncle Song. He's a naturally miserable man."
"Why is that?"
"Only he knows."
"I guess people can't be cheery all the time," she said. "But Uncle Chao is very nice."
Syaoran raised a brow.
"You think so?"
"Yes."
He shook his head.
"No. If I were you I wouldn't-"
"LITTLE BROTHER!"
Syaoran closed his eyes and his chin dropped onto his chest.
"Why do they insist on using the word 'little?'" he groaned.
Two identical women around Touya's age came running over to them and in a flash, Syaoran was smothered among four arms, legs and several kisses. His head popped up out of the chaos and he tried to push them away but they were latched on tight.
"Shiefa, your breasts are on my back!"
"Like you've never felt breasts before!" said the woman, hands akimbo on her green sundress. She had a short haircut and a long, thin ponytail reminiscent of a traditional queue.
The other woman with the shoulder length hair yanked up the hem of his shirt revealing his light abs. She slapped them twice.
"Still walking around with the perfect body while everyone else is getting fat!"
Syaoran jumped to his feet, smacking their hands away.
"Stop," he said, raking his hair back into place with his fingers. "Feimei, I mean it. Stop."
"Awww, are you shy?" she said in a cutesy voice.
"He's so sweet when he's shy," said Shiefa, using the same cutesy voice. "Look at those pink cheeks."
Her gaze landed on Sakura and she gasped.
"Xiao Lang, is this your-?"
"Yes," said Syaoran, glad that their attention had left him. "Shiefa, Feimei, this is Kinomoto Sakura, my fiancée."
Shiefa dropped to her knees in front of Sakura, and grabbed her hands.
"She's adorable! Isn't she, Feimei?"
Feimei gave a tight smile. She adjusted her blue blouse and clasped her hands in front of her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kinomoto-san," she said politely in Japanese.
Syaoran smiled and gave Sakura a look that said: See? I told you they were nice.
Two other women sharing the same face as Feimei and Shiefa also came upon the group.
One had a blunt bob and a small belly beneath her red maxi dress. The other had waist length hair and held a one year old in her arms. Mother and child were dressed in yellow.
Syaoran stared at the one with the belly.
"Fuutie... I didn't know you were with child. Again."
She chuckled.
"With child? You sound like grandpa."
She gave him a hug and Syaoran stuck his butt out to avoid touching her belly.
"How many times do we have to tell you? It's not radioactive, little brother."
"I'm not little," he said through gritted teeth.
"Of course not," she said, tugging on his waist band and slapping his cheek playfully. "We've been told what you're working with."
Syaoran flushed red and went stiff as a wall.
"W-what?"
"Fuutie's a liar," said Feimei. "We've seen you. We've seen what you're working with."
"No you haven't!" said Syaoran, outraged.
"Brother, you used to sleep naked and every morning, you woke up with an erection. Someone was bound to see."
"You should be proud Xiao Lang," said Shiefa. "It won't always come up that easily."
A pained expression on his face, Syaoran sank into his chair, his face falling into his hand.
"I just hope you know how to use it." She gave Sakura a grin. "Does he?"
A mortified Syaoran covertly pointed his thumb at Fujitaka and Touya, but Shiefa did not catch the hint.
"Look at that blush on her face! We have our answer ladies."
"Shiefa...!" said Syaoran.
Fuutie chuckled.
"Relax brother, we're just teasing. It's so easy to work you up."
"All pun intended," said Feimei.
Shiefa rose to her feet.
"Oh, let's not forget our manners. Fuutie, Fanren, this is Kinomoto Sakura, his adorable fiancée."
Fuutie glanced at Fanren, whose face was set like stone. But Fuutie smiled warmly and inclined her head towards Sakura.
"I've heard good things from Mother," she told Sakura. "My brother on the other hand, shares nothing with the ones who changed his stinky nappies. And trust me, they were stinky."
"Damn near diabolical," said Shiefa.
Syaoran looked to his mother, his eyes begging her to Stop Them NOW. But she just stared at him blankly.
"Xiao Lang, what do you have to say for your clandestine ways?" asked Fuutie.
"I've been busy."
"Too busy to tell us you were getting divorced and then had a whole new engagement?" asked Fuutie.
"You didn't tell me you were having another child," he said, pointing at her belly.
"Because you don't tell us anything anymore. We had to find out ten minutes ago that you are moving to Japan via text. And it wasn't even from your phone."
Syaoran glared at the men behind his uncles. Then, quietly, he said, "I knew Mother would tell you."
"You need to do better than that Li Xiao Lang," said Feimei.
"You're right..."
Fuutie turned to Sakura.
"Kinomoto-san, I have to ask, did dear brother even tell you about us or did he pretend he was an only child? He does that sometimes."
"No, he told me about you," said Sakura. "I know you're the eldest."
"Smartest too," said Fuutie.
"Oh please," said Shiefa.
"Father said so."
"Honey, you were twelve and cried easily. Bet he told you, you were the prettiest too."
"Girls," said Yelan. "You have other guests to meet."
She introduced them to Fujitaka and Touya, who in Sakura's opinion got a warmer reception than her. Syaoran rearranged the seating by bring over a couple benches to accommodate everyone.
"He's gotten big," said Syaoran, looking over at Fanren's son who was fussing in her arms.
"He's sleepy," she said. "I'm going to put him down. You want to hold him before I do?"
She slipped the baby into his arms and Syaoran laid him against his left shoulder. Then he rested his cheek against the baby's head. Sakura stared at him being so tender with the child. She was not certain why but as she watched him, nurturing and calm, she got a sudden urge to take him up to her room and ride him exactly the way he liked.
"You've always had the touch," said Fanren proudly, observing the now sleeping baby. "Baby whisperer."
Syaoran showed the child to Sakura.
"Look."
"I'm looking," she said, acutely aware of Fanren's apathetic stare. "He's beautiful."
"Do you want to...?" he asked Sakura.
"As I said, I have to put him down Xiao Lang," said Fanren, quickly taking the child back.
"Perhaps later she can hold him."
Fanren touched his arm and smiled before leaving with Feimei.
Syaoran and Sakura moved to the vacated bench Feimei and Fuutie had been using. Pleasant conversation, good drinks and snacks flowed. Syaoran had his elbow on the back of the bench and idly played with Sakura's ponytail, while she had a hand draped along his thigh. Everything felt peaceful and homely. Even Song's demeanour had improved.
Then Shui ran over to her father and exclaimed, "Look! It's Auntie Meilin!"
The blood drained from Sakura's face. Standing across the pool was indeed Meilin, dressed in an orange, broderie anglaise dress. She was surrounded by a group of four pretty women wearing similar summer dresses.
"Now this is an interesting development," said Chao. "Go on Shui. Bring her over."
Syaoran turned and directed a harsh stare at Chao but the girl was already running full speed in Meilin's direction. Sakura shot a worried look at Syaoran but he gave her a comforting hug around the shoulders. She would have liked it if he took her somewhere else. Anywhere else. She knew that she would encounter Meilin eventually but she just realised that she was not prepared as yet.
Shui came running back to them way ahead of Meilin and her cohorts.
"You should move," she told Sakura. "Auntie always sits next to Uncle."
"Sakura sits next to me now," Syaoran informed her.
"Why?" Shui demanded to know.
"Daughter," explained Chao. "Xiao Lang decided he does not like Meilin anymore. He decided he likes Miss Sakura now. So you won't see Meilin and him holding hands or kissing anymore. At least not in public. You know what they say about the first man through the door..."
"He's always got a key," said Song, downing a shot of tequila.
"Exactly!" laughed Chao.
Syaoran scowled and Sakura felt betrayed. She thought Chao liked her.
"Sakura is my future wife Shui," he explained to the confused girl. "Meilin and I are not married anymore. We haven't been for some time."
"Because of said future wife," said Chao. "You're leaving out the important bits, nephew."
He and Syaoran had a brief staring match which neither won because Meilin arrived, her entourage of women in tow. The vibrant orange colour of her dress, the demure square neckline made her seem like she was about to board a yacht. This was not the overtly sexy and sly woman Sakura had encountered at the mall. This Meilin was a sweet, feminine lady with elegant waves in her hair. Sakura glanced over at Syaoran in time to see him look her over. It was subtle, his admiration of her, but it stung.
"Meilin," he greeted, rising to her feet.
"Xiao Lang," she replied.
She greeted her family members and smiled politely at Fujitaka and Touya. However, she cast not one glance in Sakura's direction. Chao was quick to inform her of such.
"You're forgetting our most fascinating guest," he said gesturing in Sakura's direction. "Have you two ever met? I'm not caught up on the details of the affair."
Sakura stared at him. That was bold.
"We're acquainted," said Meilin, smiling tightly.
"Of course, you are," said Chao. "I'm certain you made sure of it."
Sakura had gotten her fill of awkward moments today.
"Good day, Li-san," she said.
Meilin drew a deep breath and she glanced at Syaoran. She gave a sharp nod in greeting to Sakura and walked over to the men lounging around a beverage cart.
"Is anyone going to offer me something to drink?"
All at once they fell over each other, making a big fuss about getting her a drink. The other girls followed behind her. Chao was eyeing Sakura with something akin to mild surprise.
"Do you want to take a walk?" Syaoran asked her.
"Yes, please," she answered.
He helped her to her feet and said, "Kinomoto-sensei, Sakura and I are going for a walk."
Hand in hand, she and Syaoran walked around the pool area before taking a detour inside the house. Syaoran took her to a garden space where they could barely hear the sound of the music from the pool. As they walked towards a fountain in the distance, he moved behind her and clutched her around the waist.
She elbowed him playfully.
"I can't walk like this."
"Should I carry you?"
"Nope!" she said, breaking from his grasp and running to the fountain.
He ran after her and collapsed against it seconds after she did. He pulled her into his arms and laid a palm flush against her cheek. He came in for a kiss but she fought against him, giggling as she resisted. She ended up on her back, with him propped up on his elbow at her side, his torso hovering over her.
"Thank you," she smiled, her giggles fading.
"For what?" he asked, brushing aside strands of hair from her face.
"Taking me for a walk. I know why you did it."
"Uncle was being a pest. He does things to get under one's skin."
"I thought he liked me..."
"Liking you has nothing to do with it. He has a cruel sense of humour."
Thin clouds drifted overhead.
"Your sisters don't like me. They don't want to."
"That's ridiculous."
"Maybe Shiefa does. But Fanren and Feimei don't. And Fuutie was only being polite."
"They would have said if they didn't like you."
"Would they?" She looked him in the eyes. "In Singapore you told me I should spell things out for you sometimes. I'm telling you, they don't like me. Can you think that maybe you missed their looks and tones that made that quite clear. Because I heard and saw it all. Don't you believe that? Don't you believe me?"
Sakura saw he was a little perplexed but he said, "I believe you. I'll talk to them."
"I don't want to cause strife between you."
"You won't. I'll talk to them. See if what you say is actually how they feel."
Sakura put her left hand over her chest, her gaze on the clouds.
"Before I was scared and anxious... now I just feel... really sad."
Tears welled at the corner of her eyes.
Syaoran kissed the apples of her cheeks.
"Why?"
"Your cousin... Shui. When you told her we were going to get married, that you and Meilin were no longer together... she looked at me as though I had shattered everything good in her world. I felt like a monster."
"That's not your fault. Every so often, there is an "It" couple in the family. That has been Meilin and me for years. The younger ones act like we're a living fairytale."
"The teens too," said Sakura, remembering the girls on the elevator. "I'll always be a mistress to all of them."
"It will take time for them to accept reality," he said. "But once they get to know you... there's no one who can dislike you once they know you. You're amazing."
"I don't know. First impressions are lasting."
"Then how is it that the most arrogant, disrespectful man you've ever spoken to, came to be your fiancé?"
Sakura giggled.
"He proved me wrong."
"I'm trying to prove your brother and father wrong. I have faith that one day, I'll be successful. Until then, I'll at least have you to love and accept me. You're my fairytale."
Sakura sat up and hugged him. He rubbed her back gently.
"Do you feel bad when you see... her?"
Syaoran brushed her chin with his knuckles and shook his head. Sakura did not know how to feel about that. If he felt bad, she might have thought it was normal or that he still had feelings which she would have to deal with. But he did not feel bad at all? Would he be able to divorce her one day and feel the same? Perhaps he read her thoughts, because he became grave.
"I know the full history of my relationship with her," said Syaoran. "And she knows it as well. To insist or pretend that we could have worked things out is silly. She does not see it now, but your presence in my life has done her a favour. The way I feel for you... feel because of you... I'd like her to feel something just like this. When she does, she'll understand why I could not stay married to her."
Oddly, this made Sakura feel better. Still...
"There's something about you two... it feels..."
"Familiar," said Syaoran.
"Yeah... like I didn't know you smoked. I'm sure she does."
He kissed her lips sweetly and Sakura cupped his cheek as she breathed him in.
"Facts and trivia of childhood," he told her. "That's what she knows. I could never let her in like I have with you. You're the only one who's ever known my heart. My adult heart. And there is no one who will know me more completely than you."
She arched into him and touched their lips together. He moaned softly, sinking down onto the grass. Their limbs entwined each other and they kissed until the sun set.
That evening, Syaoran met up with his sisters and mother who were sitting in another one of Aunt Lin's gardens. Sakura was in Uncle Chao's art gallery with her brother and father getting a tour from the host.
"Well, what do you think?" he asked, sitting down and grabbing a sandwich from the plate on the garden table. "Sakura's great, isn't she?"
"She is. You really outdid yourself with that diamond brother," said Shiefa. "That would be a family heirloom for generations."
He smirked proudly.
"Well it seems a bit extravagant if you ask me," said Fanren, feeding her son with a bottle. "Given the circumstances."
"Well it's a good thing nobody asked you," said Shiefa.
"All I'm saying is that it's not as if she's going to be some pristine virgin bride-"
"As if you were-?"
"Excuse me?"
"You were having sex with your husband since high school. But you're all sanctimonious now. Forever the Hypocritical Head Bitch in charge."
"Language, Shiefa," said Yelan. She turned her attention to Fanren. "Miss Kinomoto is going to marry your brother. Take care with how you refer to her."
"But Mother-"
"Whatever Sakura isn't going to be on her wedding day is my doing," said Syaoran, staring hard at his sister. "Not that it is any of your business."
"Little brother, she didn't mean anything by it," said Feimei, who was sitting next to Fanren. "But… have you considered the ramifications of marrying someone like her?"
"Great. Deputy Head Bitch…"
"Shiefa," warned Yelan.
"Fine fine!" said Shiefa, coming to stand behind the chair that Syaoran was sitting on. She clutched his shoulders. "Let's hear the wisdom of the party poopers, shall we? They're always so much better than everyone else's opinion."
"We're looking out for our only brother," said Fanren. "It's all giggles and romance now but have you considered that if this girl can cheat with him, she can cheat on him?"
"You think he hasn't considered that?" asked Shiefa. "This is Xiao Lang we're talking about. We can trust him with the family business but not with deciding who his bride will be? If he wants to marry the girl let him marry her. He's in love."
"Because love has worked out so well for you," said Fanren snidely, making Shiefa puff up in the face.
"It's the circumstances," Feimei told Syaoran. "I can't believe how you've treated Meilin…"
"Meilin and I have made peace with each other," he said. "That business doesn't concern you all either."
"Easy for you to say," said Feimei. "She spent a week at my condominium and cried each day."
"Oh, for goodness' sake," said Shiefa. "We all love Meilin but let's not pretend she's the sanest patient on the Li Ward. Xiao Lang has done his mess, and she has done hers."
Feimei shook her head.
"She was always loyal and faithful. And she would do anything for Xiao Lang."
"Anything isn't always a good thing."
"I supposed we just expected more from you," Fanren told Syaoran. "If my husband cheated and left me, I know you would be the first one threatening him with an untimely death."
"It's not the same," said Syaoran. "You two have children together."
"And you and Meilin had a strong partnership and friendship. Doesn't some small part of you think you've made a mistake? I'm sure she'll take you back. This can all be rectified."
Syaoran stood.
"I don't want to rectify anything and Sakura is not a mistake. If you can't accept that graciously, let me know now. I won't bother to invite you to the wedding."
Fuutie gasped.
"No need to be so drastic Xiao Lang. She's your sister."
"I don't care who anyone is," he said, raising his voice slightly. "Sakura is going to be my wife. None of you know her well enough to speak about her character. I do. And I know that I'm not going to find a better woman for me. I knew I would get pushback from others but can't my so-called sisters see that I am happy? Be on my side?"
Fanren seemed to falter briefly but she said, "Your newfound happiness might not last."
"Then I will be happy for a week or a month or a year. But guess what? They will be the most fulfilling hours of my life because she is a part of them."
Shiefa tilted her head, her gaze soft.
"You really are in love, aren't you?"
Syaoran looked down at her and nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You're in love with someone who made you just like Father," said Feimei, rising to her feet, her eyes shimmering. "What a woman she is to not tell a married man to go home to his wife. People would always say you were just like him, but he would always say, "No, my son's better than me." Is this what better looks like?"
She scoffed and walked away leaving a heavy mood in her wake.
Fanren got to her feet too.
"You're a grown man now Xiao Lang," she said. "You should have more sense than this. I won't support you blindly even though I love you."
She left and a pang of devastation hit Syaoran in the chest.
Shiefa hooked her arm around Syaoran's elbow and leaned into him.
"You have me brother," she said. "You were a good boy. You tried it the Li way and it didn't work. Let's try it your way now."
Fuutie reached for his hand.
"It's not that you cheated. That was wrong. But you got a divorce. After a year of marriage. And it's that you're remarrying so soon. It feels like you didn't try. Do you not value Meilin? Do you think she's disposable?"
"Of course not," said Syaoran. "But do you expect me to let Sakura wait for me longer than she already has? To make others comfortable?"
"It would be respectful. What's a couple years for Miss Kinomoto? She'll still be engaged."
"I'm not doing that Fuutie. I want to be her husband. This year. I won't have it any other way."
With that, he walked off because he never thought he would have to explain himself like this to them.
An hour later, he was sitting in a treetop, his spirits sagging.
Sakura was right. His own sisters could not accept her. What then would the outcome be with his family? Perhaps it was a good thing that he had decided to move to Japan. That would give them time to adjust as a couple, and Sakura would be miles away from their scrutiny and scorn.
"Can I come up?"
He looked down to find Shiefa. He nodded and she scaled the tree despite wearing her sundress.
"Sakura is looking for you," she said. "I told her you went for some air."
"Thanks."
They sat in silence for a while, the clinking of dishes and utensils permeating the air every so often.
"Shiefa... why aren't you angry like the others?"
"I understood why you married Meilin. Beloved Zihao's son had to marry the perfect Chinese girl and make the perfect Chinese babies to carry on the family name. But your life is your life. You have feelings that should be respected. And you've sacrificed so much already. I just want to see you smile. And today, I saw that more than in the past ten years."
Syaoran swung his legs off the tree branch and let them dangle.
"That means a lot."
She leaned forward.
"Does this mean I can come to the wedding?"
"Of course, you can," said Syaoran. "My words never applied to you."
Her face lit up.
"I knew it!"
"Knew what?"
"We always wondered who was your favourite sister." She threw her hands up in victory. "I just confirmed it's meee!"
Syaoran slapped a hand over his face.
"Really?"
They went inside and as he passed one of the living rooms, he saw Shui playing with some of the other children. He went over to her.
"Hey Shui, I don't mean to disrupt your play but can we speak for a moment?"
Instantly, she looked alarmed.
"Am I in trouble?"
"Why would you be in trouble?" he asked.
She made to say something but then said endearingly, "Nothing!"
He had his suspicions that she must have done something bad but did not pry. She came up to him and held his hand. He led her to the steps just outside the living room.
"Shui, I wanted to talk to you about what was said earlier today," he said sitting down on the top step. "About Sakura and me. And Meilin."
"Okay."
"I want you to know that Meilin and I... we care about each other. But we don't get along the way a husband and wife should. We had some disagreements and we became less and less happy living together. So we decided to end the marriage."
She nodded.
"Okay."
"Do you have any questions?"
"Are you happy now?" she asked.
"Yes. I am. And... Sakura is a big reason why I'm happy. How do you feel about her?"
Shui smiled wide.
"She has the prettiest eyes I've ever seen. Are they real?"
"Yes, they are."
"Everyone was saying they're fake but I knew they were real!"
Syaoran never wanted to roll his eyes more. That was what his family members were discussing?
"I know you don't know Sakura, but can you be open to getting to know her? She's a wonderful girl. Just like you."
Shui nodded vigorously. Syaoran ruffled the top of her head.
"Thank you Shui."
He made to get up when she said, "Will Father and Mother get divorced? They have disagreements too."
Fuck.
"No no no. No, Shui. Your parents will remain married. They are very-"
"I wish they would get divorced. Then they will be happy like you."
Syaoran's shoulders drooped. He did not know what to say but just then, one of his little cousins called Shui and she raced inside the house, face bright and animated. He promised himself then and there that his children would never wish for the same thing.
A/N
Hey Tomodachi. This chapter turned out to be extremely long, so the other half of it is coming soon in a new post as Part IV and everything else I promised last chapter will be in it chao's pov, sakura and meilin etc. Sofie, I couldn't thank you privately but thank you for your review of the last chapter!
PART V is the last part. It will be the Wedding and honeymoon/wedding night if you all want the latter. I can end it neatly at the wedding. Haven't decided yet. Part V may be out sometime in February.
I wanted to get this out to you for Christmas but let's just say the pandemic caught up to me. I'm better now though but please forgive any typos.
Stay safe, and Happy New Year 2022!
Peace, Love and Happiness!
Until Next Time,
Ja ne ^_^