Through It All
Chapter Five

Disclaimer: Do not own F4 (Though I wish we did) or any cast members of "Meteor Garden"

San Chai found herself a lot happier in the months after that party. F4 was carefree, reckless, but they took good care of her. She gained 3 more friends as well as 3 big brothers. It just happened these guys were sons of the top four families...most didn't show it that bad but that Dao Ming Si! What a crude guy! She was packing her things hastily. The guys wanted to fly to Japan for the weekend...how typical of them to decide this morning. No matter. She was eager to leave the house. Her parents were home. Something about her father having an affair...who knows what it will explode into this time.

On his way to pick up San Chai, Xi Men and Mei Zuo talked about the role she had taken up in their lives.
"I love her personality. She's so tiny yet she yells louder than Ah-Si!" Mei Zuo said.
"Honestly, I never met anyone like her. She's something alright. She makes me think of what is important in life. She keeps us in line and took us down from the high pedestal we were so used to since we were little."

"Yeah, she did. She's not like the girls at Ying-De or the one's our parents try to set us up with. She cares for us even though she has problems of her own."

"She's special. She has a grasp on reality. Plus with her, she can keep Ah-Si's temper in check. Seems like Ah-Si has met his match since his sister left."

Ximen and Mei Zuo laughed.

"San Chai Xiao Jie (Miss San Chai) good morning. Where would you like to be taken today?" Ximen opened the car door for her. She giggled and playfully punched him. "San Chai? Why don't you take your sunglasses off? I want to see that melon face of yours!" Mei Zuo taunted. She threw her purse at him. "Ouch. I mean that lovely angel face!!" San Chai paused for a minute, then pushed her sunglasses up. "You're parents are home again?" Ximen asked gently glancing at her puffy eyes. She nodded. "Mother wants a divorce, but they both decided it would be bad for the company. I get to hear them scream about each other's affairs now," San Chai told them softly. Ximen could commiserate. His own family was a mess of infidelity as well, but he had found other ways to deal with the disappointment. He skillfully put his arm around her small frame. At the airport Ah-Si was less tactful "San Chai! Don't cry so much! You're ugly enough. You'll never find a husband if you keep this up." This remark earned him a swift kick in the shin, and as the group laughed they knew she would be okay. F4 booked the entire flight, and San Chai boarded the empty plane with a frown. "You guys are so wasteful! We don't have to sit alone you know. Other people don't carry the plague."
"Yes mother, we know," Ximen called as he headed towards the kitchen nook for a drink. On the way there San Chai sat next to Lei watching him sketch. She leaned over and added things here and there, and they laughed at their depiction of a pineapple-head Ah-Si, a casanova Ximen, and an ridiculously built Mei Zuo.
"Lei? Why the sudden trip? Not that I don't want to relax in the hot springs you're so fond of...but why the rush? You guys told me this morning, but the plane is empty. You're influential and all but not that quick."
"Hm. Can't hide things from you can we? Will you just trust me? Have fun and forget about everything. You finished your last set of finals!" Lei assured her.
"WOOHOO San Chai will be at Yingde with us next year!! Actually a reason to go to school!!" Mei Zuo shouted.
"You guys can't consider waltzing around the campus as going to school. You have to attend class once in a while." San Chai sighed.
Lei noticed that San Chai lost herself in thought. "How am I going to tell them I plan to study abroad next year?" she wondered.

They retired to their rooms when it got too hot on the beach, and around 4 o clock a large box with pink ribbons and fresh lilies adorning the top was delivered to her room. "Dress for dinner at 7. We'll meet you in the hotel's Sakura Salon." It was Lei's handwriting, but she could tell from the dress in the box he had sent it. Lei had exquisite taste. Probably because he knew her so well and because he was so artistic. She didn't take long to get ready. She never liked primping herself anyway. She let her hair down and walked out onto her balcony while she brushed it. They had gotten her a room with a breathtaking view of the water. She ran her hands over the dress laid out on her bed. A sheer layer of pale pink material lay on top of a white slip. The straps of the dress and the scalloped bottom of it were outlined with pearly cherry blossom-shaped beads. She had just zipped up the knee-length dress when there was another knock at the door. Three smaller boxes were brought in. Each a different size and color. She smiled. Those guys were spoiling her. She'd have to scold them about wasting money later. She had plenty to wear! The first box she opened revealed a pair of satin shoes the color of her dress. The note read: "Not too tall so you don't hurt yourself! ~Ximen" The next box she opened contained a small purse. She wasn't suprised it was a perfect match right down to the beads. "For girlie things. I've got good taste right? Mei Zuo" The last box was flat and she gasped when she saw the necklace within. Her sharp eye recognized diamonds immediately. His scribbles read, "It cost a lot of money so you better like it! Dao MIng Si" That idiot! What was F4 planning? Why all the splendor??