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

Chapter 9: That Feeling

"I'm only agreeing to this because I don't think I could intrude on Xiao Yo anymore than I have," San Chai insisted.
"It's not much. Don't worry about it." Lei led her into a well-lit loft. He agreed to oblige by the cost limits San Chai had set, but he'd gone over them significantly. Lei could get carried away at times when it concerned spending on San Chai, and she never failed to both appreciate and scold him for it. He spent the last few days personally picking out the furniture, wall hangings, and every last detail was mulled over.
She surveyed her new home and gasped at the splendor of it all. "LEI! How DENSE do you take me for? I know this cost too much. We agreed to modesty! I'm not a charity case. I WILL pay you back. Why don't.." she started to whine, but he cut her short.
"Hungry? Let's go get some food. Why don't you change and we'll grab lunch." Lei sunk down into one of the red sofas and fingered the cell phone in his pocket before deciding against calling the F3. He wanted to soak in some private time with her and figure out what to do next.

"Unbelievable! He never listens. None of them do. One day they'll know how hard it is to earn money! Haha, who am I kidding." San Chai mumbled to herself as she browsed the selection in her closet. She wasn't surprised that her clothes were tucked away in a bottom drawer to make room for brand new things, all picked by Lei. In a snappy fifteen minutes she was ready to go. She washed her face and threw on a white sleeveless tank and lavendar skirt. She smiled at herself in the mirror tracing the small flowers embroidered on the bottom of her tank. "Certainly can't deny the guy's sense of style. It's good to be with him again." she mused. San Chai pulled a daisy from one of the many vases scattered in her room, tucked it in her hair and was out the door.

"Eat. You're so skinny. It's not healthy. I bet you've been having too much ramen."
"Lei, you're skinny too! Stop nagging me. Let's both eat." San Chai had already started devouring her food. He was right of course, a good meal was hard to come by with her limited funds and double work shifts..
Sipping his coffee, Lei gathered his thoughts and asked "So what do you want to do?"
"I want to go to school. I miss the bustle of classes, and I need to get a degree if I'm going to be self-sufficient."
"I've already registered you at Yingde. But that's not what I'm talking about." He had an unbreakable habit of setting things up for her that she didn't request of him. As the image of Ah-Si floated around in his mind, a chill ran up his back. Ah-Si is like a brother to me, why don't I like the idea of him being engaged to her. Her parents are right, he does have the best financial backing. Besides, at least it's someone she knows, someone we all know. When did I become so protective of her. Lei tried desperately to bury the twirks in his heart and convinced himself that she really needed to give the dating a try. He knew how much Ah-Si liked San Chai despite what the dumbass said and did. The resurging feeling...what is...why do I always... He struggled to identify the knot his emotions were bound in. At least this way she can be back in our lives, my life. She needs stability and someone to care for her, maybe Ah-Si is that one.

Lei gave her a fantastic list of points to consider. He wanted her to fold back into the old life. "That's fine. I'll be going back smarter, wiser, bolder, stronger. I can handle much more, and if I want to I can always leave." she thought.
The conversation died down, and San Chai chewed her dessert slowly, lost in thought. He's right. At least it's a friend. Wait..can I really consider that guy a friend? Lei's a friend. I'm not engaged to Lei...I... Exactly what are my feelings for him? Ack. Enough useless thinking. Finally she blurted "If you think it's best. If YOU really want me to try I will. I probably won't get any peace if I don't agree anyway. I'm doing this because I trust you. I'm doing this because I miss our friends, but if ANYTHING goes wrong, I quit."

Back at the apartment San Chai sat herself at the grand piano. It'd been a long time since she last practiced. Elegantly, she straightened herself up and began to play Marriage d'Amour. She loved it best because it was the first song Lei had played for her on the violin, and she wondered if he remembered minor details like that.
"Her favorite song. The only one she never messes up on." Lei noted to himself. What's she thinking? He gazed at her delicate form, her fingers dancing along the keys, her hair swaying with the slight movement of her head, and the knot re-emerged.