Chapter 20: Heating Up
Water was splashed about as the girls played around in the springs with Mei Zuo and Ching He. Leave it to that playboy to work his way towards the female baths. Nonetheless, they were all having a blast and laughing jovially. It was getting warmer as the sun began to set, and Mei Zuo offered to get some drinks for the group. Flexing his muscles, he pushed himself up from the steaming waters.
"O Ching He, you're the only guy and here are 3 beautiful girls. Aren't you nervous?" Xiao Zi teased.
"Nnnervous? No. We're good friends right? Haha.." Ching He sputtered.
"Xiao Zi don't get him all worked up. Ching He is a really sweet guy," San Chai offered.
"Well, he IS a guy and we ARE three attractive girls. I was just pointing out a fact." Xiao Zi smirked as she waded towards Ching He.
"O Ching He, I bet you're quite the charmer aren't you?" She started to stroke his arm seductively, but Ching He quickly flushed red and slipped under the waters. Xiao Zi burst with giggles. When it became obvious that Ching He wasn't going to come back up, she began to panic. San Chai kept a level head and dove down to lift him. She was submerged for a while, and Xiao Zi was frantic.
"Ching He!! San Chai!!!! San Chai!!!" Xiao Zi screeched.
Lei and Dao Ming Si strolled around the gardens near the baths in a sort of awkward standoff. A much needed man to man talk was being avoided, and Lei wished he could be soaking in the warmth of a spring rather than have this silent showdown with his best friend. When they heard Xiao Zi's panicked screams, the two boys took off in a sprint. Dao Ming Si's mind filled with horrible scenarios, and Lei's heart skipped a beat as well. They followed the sound of Xiao Zi's sobs, hoping that San Chai was alright.
"Xiao Zi, calm down and get some of the guys over here. Calm down," Jing shushed.
San Chai had managed to drag Ching He out but it was hard work, and she was fighting to catch her breath. A skilled Jing did CPR on Ching He, and he coughed out a mouthful of water. San Chai, relieved that he was safe, laid down to rest, placing her hands over her chest and closing her eyes. The pounding of feet announced the arrival of Ah Si and Lei.
"San Chai!" "San Chai?" They cried. Scurrying over to where she lay, each took a spot next to her.
"What?" San Chai's eyelids fluttered open and she found the two staring intensely at her.
"You're okay. What happened?" Lei asked.
"Stupid woman! You scared us!" Dao Ming Si sighed.
"Ching He got overheated. Xiao Zi is a bit panicky, that's all. Why would you think something happened to me?" she inquired innocently.
Ah Si slapped his forehead, and Lei chuckled a bit. "Nevermind, let's get you up," Lei offered his hand to her. San Chai pushed it away and pointed towards the limp Ching He. "You guys should really help him to the house."
The rest of the late afternoon was spent relaxing in the house, since Ching He needed to recuperate too. Ximen had the chefs prepare a few dishes from the BBQ and soon plates of food were lined up along the kitchen counter, buffet style. The chatter was animated and cheerful, as everyone enjoyed fruity cocktails and hearty food. San Chai had a few small helpings, then decided to bring a plate to Ching He. She spent a couple of minutes talking to her friend before heading back to the dining area. Unexpectedly, she felt someone grab her arm, and she was pulled into a bedroom.
"San Chai," Lei closed the door gently behind him. The scene by the springs today had given him a scare, and thankfully he had finally gained enough nerve to at least tell San Chai how he felt. If he was going to wish her the best with Ah-Si, he wanted it to be sincere, holding nothing back.
"Lei, what's going on?" San Chai was sitting on a plush bed in one of the many guest rooms at Ximen's estate. She looked at the boy with eyes full of concern, trying to remember the last time she felt so awkward around him.
"San Chai I think we need to talk," he started.
"Okay, what about?" She hated when he started a conversation with that sentence. It always signaled a serious discussion, and San Chai hoped he wouldn't bring up the subject they had left unfinished on the boat. She really didn't want to hear anymore about Jing. She cringed hearing his next sentence.
"What made you think Jing and I were dating?" Lei asked.
"I um..told you…I sort of saw you two…kissing," San Chai felt her face heating up. She was never comfortable with public displays of affection, but to make it worse, this was Lei, her best friend.
"That was a misunderstanding." Lei crossed the room and sat down on the bed next to her.
"What do you mean?" San Chai turned to face him, feeling thoroughly confused now.
"San Chai, we've always been the closest of friends right? You and I have no secrets from each other. I would give my life for you to be happy, you know that," Lei held her shoulders firmly, willing her to understand the sincerity of his words. San Chai nodded slightly, her eyes wide in bewilderment. She tried to say something is response, but Lei put a slender finger to her lip.
"San Chai, I am not in love with Jing. Maybe I was a long time ago, but I am not any more. She helped me become the person I am, but the other night she helped me find something more valuable. San Chai, I am in love with someone, but I just didn't know it. Jing showed me that," Lei continued.
"Lei…" San Chai couldn't make sense of the feelings somersaulting inside of her, but she needed to tell him how she felt about him. She wanted to tell him that he was probably the most important person in the world to her, but she didn't know if it was love. Lei wasn't done with what he needed to tell her, and he forced himself to say it all at once for fear the chance would pass him by again.
"Fish face, you are my best friend. The other night, I realized that over time I had fallen in love with the most wonderful person. I fell in love with you, the girl whose tears shatter my heart and whose smile can bring out the sun," Lei leaned in closer to her face as he spoke, until their foreheads were touching. He kissed her brow, then wrapped his arms tightly around her small body. After a while, he let go to hear her response. Looking warmly into her brown eyes, he wished with his whole being that she loved him too.
"Lei, thank you. I don't know what I did to be blessed with someone as caring as you in my life. I don't think I deserve it all, your generosity, your loyalty, your…love. I…don't know what to say…" San Chai bowed her head and a trickle of tears flowed down her cheeks. Lei's confession made her feel light headed and blissful, but somehow she still wasn't sure of what to do.
"San Chai, you deserve more than I could give you, but I'd willingly spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy. Will you let me be with you like always? More than just a friend?" Lei pleaded with her, and she smiled, seeing that this was what fate was pointing her towards. Nothing could go wrong with Lei by her side.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," San Chai bowed her head as tears of joy trickled down her cheeks. Lei pulled her into his embrace, stroking her hair gently. It was a moment worthy of all eternity. If San Chai had doubts before, the sensation that shot through her when Lei leaned in for a gentle kiss made them fade away. She felt her knees weaken, her face blush, and her heart race all at once. As they slowly laid down on the bed, she felt relieved to know that there would always be a pair of strong arms to hold her tight.
[FINALLY!!!! Aren't they SLOW as hell? So Lei fans everywhere rejoice…for now. I have a VERY important question for my readers...END it here? or carry out one more twist???]
NeRd ::cackles::
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Water was splashed about as the girls played around in the springs with Mei Zuo and Ching He. Leave it to that playboy to work his way towards the female baths. Nonetheless, they were all having a blast and laughing jovially. It was getting warmer as the sun began to set, and Mei Zuo offered to get some drinks for the group. Flexing his muscles, he pushed himself up from the steaming waters.
"O Ching He, you're the only guy and here are 3 beautiful girls. Aren't you nervous?" Xiao Zi teased.
"Nnnervous? No. We're good friends right? Haha.." Ching He sputtered.
"Xiao Zi don't get him all worked up. Ching He is a really sweet guy," San Chai offered.
"Well, he IS a guy and we ARE three attractive girls. I was just pointing out a fact." Xiao Zi smirked as she waded towards Ching He.
"O Ching He, I bet you're quite the charmer aren't you?" She started to stroke his arm seductively, but Ching He quickly flushed red and slipped under the waters. Xiao Zi burst with giggles. When it became obvious that Ching He wasn't going to come back up, she began to panic. San Chai kept a level head and dove down to lift him. She was submerged for a while, and Xiao Zi was frantic.
"Ching He!! San Chai!!!! San Chai!!!" Xiao Zi screeched.
Lei and Dao Ming Si strolled around the gardens near the baths in a sort of awkward standoff. A much needed man to man talk was being avoided, and Lei wished he could be soaking in the warmth of a spring rather than have this silent showdown with his best friend. When they heard Xiao Zi's panicked screams, the two boys took off in a sprint. Dao Ming Si's mind filled with horrible scenarios, and Lei's heart skipped a beat as well. They followed the sound of Xiao Zi's sobs, hoping that San Chai was alright.
"Xiao Zi, calm down and get some of the guys over here. Calm down," Jing shushed.
San Chai had managed to drag Ching He out but it was hard work, and she was fighting to catch her breath. A skilled Jing did CPR on Ching He, and he coughed out a mouthful of water. San Chai, relieved that he was safe, laid down to rest, placing her hands over her chest and closing her eyes. The pounding of feet announced the arrival of Ah Si and Lei.
"San Chai!" "San Chai?" They cried. Scurrying over to where she lay, each took a spot next to her.
"What?" San Chai's eyelids fluttered open and she found the two staring intensely at her.
"You're okay. What happened?" Lei asked.
"Stupid woman! You scared us!" Dao Ming Si sighed.
"Ching He got overheated. Xiao Zi is a bit panicky, that's all. Why would you think something happened to me?" she inquired innocently.
Ah Si slapped his forehead, and Lei chuckled a bit. "Nevermind, let's get you up," Lei offered his hand to her. San Chai pushed it away and pointed towards the limp Ching He. "You guys should really help him to the house."
The rest of the late afternoon was spent relaxing in the house, since Ching He needed to recuperate too. Ximen had the chefs prepare a few dishes from the BBQ and soon plates of food were lined up along the kitchen counter, buffet style. The chatter was animated and cheerful, as everyone enjoyed fruity cocktails and hearty food. San Chai had a few small helpings, then decided to bring a plate to Ching He. She spent a couple of minutes talking to her friend before heading back to the dining area. Unexpectedly, she felt someone grab her arm, and she was pulled into a bedroom.
"San Chai," Lei closed the door gently behind him. The scene by the springs today had given him a scare, and thankfully he had finally gained enough nerve to at least tell San Chai how he felt. If he was going to wish her the best with Ah-Si, he wanted it to be sincere, holding nothing back.
"Lei, what's going on?" San Chai was sitting on a plush bed in one of the many guest rooms at Ximen's estate. She looked at the boy with eyes full of concern, trying to remember the last time she felt so awkward around him.
"San Chai I think we need to talk," he started.
"Okay, what about?" She hated when he started a conversation with that sentence. It always signaled a serious discussion, and San Chai hoped he wouldn't bring up the subject they had left unfinished on the boat. She really didn't want to hear anymore about Jing. She cringed hearing his next sentence.
"What made you think Jing and I were dating?" Lei asked.
"I um..told you…I sort of saw you two…kissing," San Chai felt her face heating up. She was never comfortable with public displays of affection, but to make it worse, this was Lei, her best friend.
"That was a misunderstanding." Lei crossed the room and sat down on the bed next to her.
"What do you mean?" San Chai turned to face him, feeling thoroughly confused now.
"San Chai, we've always been the closest of friends right? You and I have no secrets from each other. I would give my life for you to be happy, you know that," Lei held her shoulders firmly, willing her to understand the sincerity of his words. San Chai nodded slightly, her eyes wide in bewilderment. She tried to say something is response, but Lei put a slender finger to her lip.
"San Chai, I am not in love with Jing. Maybe I was a long time ago, but I am not any more. She helped me become the person I am, but the other night she helped me find something more valuable. San Chai, I am in love with someone, but I just didn't know it. Jing showed me that," Lei continued.
"Lei…" San Chai couldn't make sense of the feelings somersaulting inside of her, but she needed to tell him how she felt about him. She wanted to tell him that he was probably the most important person in the world to her, but she didn't know if it was love. Lei wasn't done with what he needed to tell her, and he forced himself to say it all at once for fear the chance would pass him by again.
"Fish face, you are my best friend. The other night, I realized that over time I had fallen in love with the most wonderful person. I fell in love with you, the girl whose tears shatter my heart and whose smile can bring out the sun," Lei leaned in closer to her face as he spoke, until their foreheads were touching. He kissed her brow, then wrapped his arms tightly around her small body. After a while, he let go to hear her response. Looking warmly into her brown eyes, he wished with his whole being that she loved him too.
"Lei, thank you. I don't know what I did to be blessed with someone as caring as you in my life. I don't think I deserve it all, your generosity, your loyalty, your…love. I…don't know what to say…" San Chai bowed her head and a trickle of tears flowed down her cheeks. Lei's confession made her feel light headed and blissful, but somehow she still wasn't sure of what to do.
"San Chai, you deserve more than I could give you, but I'd willingly spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy. Will you let me be with you like always? More than just a friend?" Lei pleaded with her, and she smiled, seeing that this was what fate was pointing her towards. Nothing could go wrong with Lei by her side.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," San Chai bowed her head as tears of joy trickled down her cheeks. Lei pulled her into his embrace, stroking her hair gently. It was a moment worthy of all eternity. If San Chai had doubts before, the sensation that shot through her when Lei leaned in for a gentle kiss made them fade away. She felt her knees weaken, her face blush, and her heart race all at once. As they slowly laid down on the bed, she felt relieved to know that there would always be a pair of strong arms to hold her tight.
[FINALLY!!!! Aren't they SLOW as hell? So Lei fans everywhere rejoice…for now. I have a VERY important question for my readers...END it here? or carry out one more twist???]
NeRd ::cackles::
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