The New F4 Chapter 10 – The game's afoot

Everyone rendezvoused at Hua Ze Lei's house at 8:00.

Other than F3 none of the others have seen it and they were awed.

Upon entering the gates there were well-tended gardens leading to the house.

The house architecture was similar in structure to an old style Japanese mansion. The interior décor was much the same.

San Cai is staring also in amazement at her surroundings. She's thinking,

"So this is Hua Ze Lei's house! It suits him perfectly!"

Hua Ze Lei met them at the entrance to the house.

He gives his disarming smile, "Welcome to my humble abode! My home is your home!"

He shows them around the house, San Cai, Mimi and Qing He 'ooing and aahing', Dao Ming Si hung back of the group with Xi Men discussing the upcoming meeting with Wong Tin Ma.

Hua Ze Lei then shows them his most private place a small well-tended garden in the back of the house.

"Wow, your own little private Zen garden!" said San Cai but in her mind she is contrasting Lei's house with Dao Ming Si's.

"Not even a third of the size of Dao Ming Si's house but there is an atmosphere of serene calm and peace here." She thought.

Then she noticed in the garden was a very small shoot of a tree but the flowers and fruits blooming on it was very familiar.

When the group continued on she picked one of the fruits and took a tiny bite, her face puckered up from the intense acidity of the fruit.

She smiles fondly and watched Hua Ze Lei's receding back squinting her eyes thinking, "Hua Ze Lei, is there something you are not telling us?"

For this is the very same 'sour fruit' tree native to Ah Mei's home town, the place where San Cai stayed temporarily in her depression when Yeh Sha declared her love for Dao Ming Si.

Eventually Hua Ze Lei led everyone to the tea room and tells them to all take their place on the mats. He had prepared some tea for them.

Everyone is kneeling on a tatami mat around a small table. Hua Ze Lei is serving tea to everyone, after serving he kneels also.

Other than the F3, the others were nervous and anxious.

Qing He couldn't stop fidgeting until Xi Men yelled at him to keep still.

Mimi is too stunned and awed from the honor of being in one of the legendary F4's home, and being served tea by the very same one at that, to being anxious.

Hua Ze Lei noticing the mood wanted to do something to lighten things up.

He brings up his cup for a toast, "Here's to friendship!"

Everyone raised their cups and said "Friendship".

Xi Men then adds, "To victory!"

"Victory!"

Qing He excited yelled, "Jia You! Jia You! Jia You!"

Everyone laughing yelled also "Jia You! Jia You! Jia You!"

Then downed their cups of tea.

Hua Ze Lei being the gracious host refills everyone's cups asked, "Anyone nervous tonight?"

Qing He was the only one who raised his hand. Dao Ming Si rolled his eyes and Xi Men shaking his head. San Cai smiling at Qing He's discomfort.

"Hey, don't look at me that way!" Qing He telling Dao Ming Si. "I'm a lover not a fighter!"

Mimi choked on the tea she was drinking.

Everyone stared at Qing He then burst out laughing.

"What? What's so funny?" Qing He said pouting.

"Qing He, I know why we put up with you, you are our comic relief!" Xi Men said wiping tears from his eyes.

"Who's being funny!" Qing He sulkily said. Mimi is rubbing his back.

When everyone stopped laughing Hua Ze Le spoke up,

"Okay, everyone is going? No one wants to stay behind?" he looks at everyone.

Qing He was looking real ill but Mimi put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and he steels himself with a look of resolve.

Dao Ming Si now stands up looking serious, "Okay, this is it!" then looks at San Cai and steels himself.

"San Cai, I don't want you to come!" he said to her. Her eyes and mouth widen in surprise.

"Dao Ming Si, why don't you want me to come?" she demanded.

He sighs and looks uncomfortable but he's thinking "She looks so cute when she's upset!"

"Look, things might get out of hand and I don't …" he started saying.

She stares coldly at him, "I don't need you to look out for me I can take care of myself!"

Now he is getting a bit worked up also, "San Cai for this one time please, listen to my advice!"

She was about to argue with him when Hua Ze Lei spoke up, in his quiet tone he said,

"Ah Si let her come, for good or ill both of your paths are tied together now. Since you are involved in this she has to support you. So you should appreciate it!"

Dao Ming Si surprised by Hua Ze Lei's support of San Cai because he would think that he'd want her to stay.

But Hua Ze Lei is very perceptive, he knows San Cai being there will bring out the best in Ah Si, perhaps even in him also.

Exasperated Dao Ming Si throws up both his hands, "San Cai, you…"

San Cai is staring defiantly at Dao Ming Si.

But he drops his hands and smiles back at her shaking his head. He finishes, "…are just so impossible."

She smiles and starts walking out then said over her shoulder, "Did I ask for your opinion?"

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It was 9:15 P.M. at Wong Tin Ma's house. T3M is sitting in the dining room sipping their wines except for Mok Po Le who doesn't drink.

"Any last word from X?" Wong Tin Ma asked Po Le who shook his head no. Tin Ma then held up his glass to propose a toast.

"Well, friends, here's to an end of era and beginning of a new one!" Wong Tin Ma offering a toast.

"Aren't you being a bit premature with that? Why not a simple toast of luck or victory?" asked Lin Wai.

Wong Tin Ma sneered at that,

"One makes his own luck, and victory depends on only one thing!" pointing to himself.

Lin Wai snickers and shakes his head,

"Can't deny your optimism! But here's a better toast!"

He holds up his glass and speaks solemnly in English,

"But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger,
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot!"

Wong Tin Ma merely stares at Lin Wai and went, "Eh?"

Lin Wai tsks and shakes his head, "Hey, Po Le, why don't you propose a toast?"

Po Le held up his glass then said simply, "Cheers!" then downed his glass of orange juice.

Wong Tin Ma looks at Lin Wai who shrugs then both said cheers and down their drinks.

Lin Wai smacking his lips said, "Aye, indeed, The Game's afoot!"

Then all three headed out.

To be continued…