Disclaimer: I don't own the wonderful characters of HYD/MG, but oh how rich
and fat I would be if I did.
Chapter 7: Let the Games Begin
"It's her! I could recognize that face from anywhere." Ah Si frantically paced back and forth in the living room running his fingers through his curly locks. Actually it looked more like he was trying to pull out his hair.
"Calm down, Ah Si," Ximen sighed as he pulled back the tab to another can of beer. The rich foam spurted out from the can spilling out onto the table. "I mean the resemblance is uncanny, but we can't be sure if she's the same person."
"Ximen's right. We should wait before we do anything stupid." Mei Zhou leaned back on his chair resting it on the two back legs. "I think we already freaked her out enough with our smooth moves this afternoon. I wouldn't be surprised if she thought we were some pervert stalkers. We should stay away from her for now."
"I've already thought of that. I sent out my best men to investigate her past."
Lei's body stirred on the couch where he appeared to be sleeping. Slowly his eyelids fluttered open. "What will you do if it is her?"
They all remained silent pondering over Lei's simple question. What would they do if it really was her? And if it wasn't? They pushed these thoughts to the back of their head. It could be a second chance and they couldn't risk screwing it up.
Mei Zhou snapped out of his daze. "So we all agree? None of us will make a move on her."
F2 just nodded in agreement while Lei slipped back into his peaceful slumber. They could all feel the rising tension in the room. Each had their own hidden agenda hidden from the others. The truth was they all wanted her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Shan Cai thrust open the heavy curtains letting the warm refreshing rays of the sun beat down on her pale complexion. It was only 7 in the morning, but already she had accomplished more than most people dreamed of in one morning. It was a morning like any other for her consisting of her daily morning routine. She was up at 5, washed up, and out the door for her usual 5 mile run through the local park a few blocks away. Then it was back home for a quick shower, change of clothes, breakfast, and out the door again to get to school. However, this morning she was able to go through her regimen much more quickly with a half hour to spare. Something was amiss.
She lifted her cup of tea to her lips letting the warm liquid slide down her throat. The time has finally come. I've dreamt for the day when I would be back here to face them. I made sure you would remember me intricately laying out all the groundwork for that night. Dao Ming Si was easy to lure into my trap. It was perfect the way you chased me through the street. All my data on you and Xiao Zi was correct. I knew you would draw Hua Ze Lei to me. He spends almost every night at the beach. Mei Zhou Ling and Ximen Zhong Er Lang. That took a little more craftiness. All I needed was to pay off the right people- the concierge, Cindy, and that bartender to play along with my act. I spent quite a hefty sum to get it right, but it was worth every penny. That look of shock on your faces upon seeing me at Ying De was priceless. Three years spent planning, calculating and studying your every move. Three goddamn years.
Shan Cai placed her cup onto the table and picked up her keys. She quickly scribbled down a list of instructions for the maid to take care. For one brief moment, she stopped in front of the mantle of the fireplace to take one last glance at a photograph. The smiling faces looked back at her without a care in the world. It was the only item in her entire apartment that vaguely revealed a bit of her human side. The décor of her abode left little room for weak sentimentality. The rooms were filled with expensive furnishings that lacked any real comfort or life draped in dark hues and cold steel or leather. Her home only emitted a sense of harsh cold and loneliness. Lovingly her fingertips grazed the familiar faces. A distant expression crossed her face reminiscent of more carefree days of her youth. However, this tiny glimpse into her soul did not last long. The small smile curled on her lips fell. Flashes of distant memories she had buried al long time ago slowly resurfaced. The day she received her acceptance letter into Ying De University. Her father insisting they go out and celebrate smiling happily as the sped down the winding road along the coast. The car swerving back and forth teetering on completely falling off. The sound of glass shattering all around her. Screams. Blood. The wail of paramedics approaching them. Finally there was darkness. She picked up the photo and placed it into a drawer locking away that part of her heart that could feel.
"You'll pay for what you have done."
Ring. Ring. Ring
"Hello."
"Good morning!" a overly cheerful shrieked over the phone.
Shan Cai pulled the phone away from her ear trying to check if her eardrums were still intact. She held back the urge to scream profanities into the phone, and quickly composed herself answering in an overly sweet tone she had learned to adapt to when talking to others. "Good morning, Xiao Zi. For what do I deserve the pleasure of such an early phone call?"
"Well, I wanted to catch you before you left for school. I feel really guilty about putting you in such an awkward position yesterday."
"Forget about it. It was nothing really," she coolly replied.
"No. I want to make up for it. How about I take you out for breakfast? We could talk and get to know each other a little better. I really hope you still want to be friends. It's hard for me to meet new people since everyone tends to shy away from me for hanging out with F4. They don't really welcome new people into the group. I'm not even quite welcome most of the time."
Shan Cai twirled a strand of hair in her fingers half listening to Xiao Zi ramble on the other hand. Inside her head, she laughed to herself. That girl was really annoyingly foolish. She may prove to be more useful than I thought. In the past, I probably would have welcomed the idea of making her a friend. Perhaps in another time and another place things would have been drastically different. That was then and this is now, though. Deep down in the deep recesses of her blackened heart, Shan Cai could feel a brief twinge of guilt at using such a trusting girl letting her former self emerge. She pushed these qualms aside and refocused her attentions at the task at hand. Xiao Zi would just be a casualty in the war between F4 and I. It's her own fault that she's too trusting of other strangers. If it wasn't me then it would have been someone else. Dumb bitch.
"Shan Cai? Are you still there?"
"Oh, I'm still here. I was just thinking about what you were asking. I would love to join you and F4 for breakfast. They seem like nice people and all."
A short pause came from the other end. "Great! I'm so glad you agreed to come. It'll be nice to have another woman at the table counteracting that testosterone driven table. I'll meet you in 20 minutes in the café at the same table as yesterday. See you then."
"See you then," Shan Cai answered in an equally cheerful voice. She picked up her purse and walked out the door.
While barreling down the streets towards Ying De in her car, Shan Cai found her mind drifting off once again. Do I feel remorse for what I will do? No. I've learned that emotions are for the weak. I've always claimed the upper hand by keeping my emotions in check. I've sacrificed my conscious to get where I am. The old Shan Cai would cringe at the things I've done to get where I am today. She was pathetically weak. She couldn't stand up to those boys that tried to rape her three years ago. She felt the walls of her heart tighten at the sound of Hua Ze Lei's cold dismissal of her existence. She even gladly forgave him that day letting her grudge slide with the simple gesture of his handkerchief being offered to her. I hate her for her sentimental heart. She was a waste of space. I killed that part of me a long time ago.
Within a few minutes, she pulled her convertible into her assigned parking space a short distance away from the entrance of the school. You could tell that the school was solely based on rank. The richer you were the better the spot you got. In this world, money spoke volumes. She peered forward seeing four silver BMW's pull up into four blocked out spaces. They all perfectly lined up one next to the other. Xiao Zi stepped out from the passenger side of the car beside Dao Ming Si. Her mouth was moving at an abnormally fast pace. Mei Zhou hopped out of his car and playfully draped an arm around Ximen's shoulder. Hua Ze Lei lethargically emerged from his vehicle with his usual hunched over indifferent posture. They group strode into Ying De like a lion pack with Dao Ming Si as the leader in front, Mei Zhou and Ximen in the middle, and Lei straggling behind. Xiao Zi wrapped herself around one of Dao Ming Si's arms prattling on and on into his ear.
She took one last look at myself in the rear view mirror making sure her face was immaculate. Something wasn't right though. She looked at the loose strands of hair that fell over her face and decided to plait her hair into two long braids. It would add just the right touch of innocence to her persona. She dabbed a little lip gloss onto her lips that turned into a forced smile. She stepped out of the car ready to meet them.
The slight clack of her heels made her entrance known the second she entered the room. It was really a common sight for her to have that kind of reaction. She had a certain charisma about her that would bring the rowdiest of rooms to a quiet hush. From behind her back, she could faintly hear the small whispers of her classmates spreading half truths about who she was that gave her the right to approach F4's table.
Xiao Zi looked up from her plate of food and grinned. "Shan Cai! I'm so happy you made it."
"Well I told you I was on my way," Shan Cai replied with a light angelic laugh.
Mei Zhou stood up and pulled out the empty chair beside him earning glares from Ximen and Dao Ming Si. "Why don't you sit here?"
She gladly accepted his offer and sat down in the chair allowing Mei Zhou to push her closer to the table. "Thank you.Mei Zhou, right?"
"Yeah, you remembered." He sat down beside her slightly blushing.
From across the table, Ah Si glared daggers at Mei Zhou, but he didn't seem to notice much since his eyes were fixed on the angel beside him. To him, they were in their own world. His heart lifted a little the moment he smelled the sweet waft of lavender from her. It was enough proof that it had to be him.
Lei slouched in his chair beside Shan Cai oddly more alert than usual. The moment he heard her soft footsteps approaching his entire body became invigorated.
"So, Shan Cai.is this your first time in Taiwan or have you been here before?" Ximen asked rather awkwardly trying his best not to sound desperate for information.
Shan Cai turned her attention towards Ximen and focused her mind on the prepared answers she had engraved in her brain. They were the perfect lies. "Oh, I was born here, but my family emigrated to the United States when I was young. My parents always wanted to come back, though. Actually this is the first time I've ever been back. I was lucky that I bumped into Xiao Zi a few days ago."
"So you came back with your parents?" Mei Zhou blurted out.
Shan Cai's face darkened. "No. I came back alone. My parents died a few years ago. I thought I could fulfill their wish by coming back here to live alone. They always said this place could our only home. Coming back here makes me feel like they are still with me."
"Sorry, I didn't know."
"It's ok. You didn't know."
"So, how did you guys meet?" Ah Si asked breaking into their conversation. He raised a suspicious eyebrow wondering how she had managed to be so close to him, yet so far for the last few days.
She redirected her attention to Ah Si focusing her eyes on his as she had done to the others, a technique she had learned to lure people in. "I bumped into Xiao Zi while I was out shopping. I didn't really know my way around and had no idea what was in fashion here. Xiao Zi happened to find me lost in a boutique trying to find the right clothes for school."
"Why didn't you tell me?!" his rising voice accused.
Xiao Zi slammed down her fork in annoyance. "I told you about Shan Cai a few days ago. You never listen to me do you? Don't you remember me telling about how I had made a new friend the day you decided to bail out on our date. I was annoyed at you, so I decided to go shopping to vent out my anger on my credit cards. I just so happened to meet Shan Cai there. I swear to god sometimes talking to you is like talking to a rock!"
Shan Cai covered her mouth giggling while Ximen and Mei Zhou burst out laughing. Even Lei, who appeared to be lost in his own world the entire time put out his thumb to turning it down.
"You two already act like a married couple." Shan Cai glanced from Ah Si to Xiao Zi. "I envy that you've found someone special."
Xiao Zi's scowl quickly changed into a beaming smile. She blushed a little. "Really?!" For the moment, she was appeased with the compliment. "So, do you have someone special, Shan Cai?"
A quiet lull settled at the table. F4 intensified their gazes on the girl anticipating her response that would make it or break their hearts. They were filled with doubt that a girl like her wouldn't be taken yet. What guy in his right mind would not go after someone like her?
A short pause followed. Shan Cai just blankly smiled. A light laugh exploded form her lips. "Me? There hasn't been anyone in awhile. I've dated a few men, but nothing serious."
Xiao Zi's mouth dropped in horror and shock. "What?! That's impossible. You're such a sweet, kind person. Any guy would love to go out with you." She crossed her arms against her chest forming a plot in her head. "How about I introduce you to some guys?"
Lei's heart beat quickened startling him. Why am I feeling this way? I shouldn't even be thinking such things, but the pause she took before answering Xiao Zi's question felt like years. I can't let myself feel this way. I can't betray her. There's only room for one woman in my heart.
Ximen's mind was racing with ideas at the sound of her confession of being single. She was fair game. Instantly his playboy mask was put on. "I'm surprised you don't have a boyfriend. It's a shame that a beautiful woman like you has to be all alone in a new place." On purpose, he lowered his eyes in a seductive manner releasing his pheromones.
Mei Zhou caught a glimpse of that look in Ximen's eyes. What is he trying to do? We all promised to leave her alone for now. That bastard, Ximen. He's probably already booking the hotel room in his mind. Two can play that game. "Why don't I show you around the city one day? I know where all the best parties and clubs are."
I can't believe those two, Ah Si fumed in his head. I won't let those two horny dogs steal her away. Damn Xiao Zi! Why did she have to be Shan Cai's friend. She probably thinks I'm into the idea of marrying that monkey girl. I've got to come up with something. Ah Si was about to open his mouth to say something, but Xiao Zi spoke up before he even got the chance.
"I didn't mean you 3 when I suggested introducing her to some guys. I was talking about respectable men," she jeered. She leaned across the table ignoring the rest of F4. "You don't want to go anywhere with these guys. "Stay away from these guys. Ximen has a policy of one week girlfriends. He changes them as often as he switches cars. Mei Zhou just goes for pretty girls with huge tits, no brains, and pretty faces. They'll just leave you like a bad one night stand. Sometimes I'm scared that talking to them would give me a VD, if you get what I mean? And Hua Ze Lei? Well, Hua Ze Lei is just plain weird. He's always quiet and sad looking. Just looking at him will tell you he's carrying a ton of baggage in that suicidal drug addict kind of way. Who sleeps that much? I think I'm lucky that all I got was this freak here with a sister complex and violent disposition."
"Hey! We're right here!" Mei Zhou jumped up sending his chair reeling backwards.
"We aren't that bad!" Ximen yelled trying to cover his ass. Although he couldn't help but feel it was partially true.
Hua Ze Lei remained speechless staring out the window. He ignored Xiao Zi's analysis of F4's personalities.
Ah Si smirked to himself in triumph feeling quite proud of Xiao Zi and how she managed to ruin Ximen and Mei Zhou's chances.
"I really don't need to be introduced to anyone, Xiao Zi. I can meet Mr. Right on my own. I've always been a casual dater."
"How about just a little help?"
"I don't think so."
"Please?! I know the perfect guy for you."
"Just leave her alone. She doesn't want your help. I don't see why you think you would be such a great matchmaker? The only reason we're together is because our parents arranged this engagement. Nothing can make me drag my ass down the aisle for you. Be sure that I'll never marry you, monkey girl!"
Xiao Zi's normal cheery disposition faded. He had taken it one step too far. Her voice was shaking. "You can be a real dick. All I've ever shown you was love and what do I get in return. A shitload of crap. You make it impossible for anyone but your precious F4 to love you. I can't stand the sight of you right now. I'll see you later Shan Cai. I need to be alone." In a huff, Xiao Zi stormed out of the café knocking innocent passersby out of her way like a tornado. Hell hath no fury like Xiao Zi scorned.
The school bells tolled signaling the beginning of the school day. "I've got class in an hour," Shan Cai slid out of her seat and strode out of the café with F4's eyes on her back.
F4 sat in their seats stunned. Trouble was brewing, but they were blinded by their own selfish desires. As Shan Cai wandered through the halls to her first class and F4 dispersed to go loiter in their own respective spots around school, one thought lingered in their minds. Simultaneously, they all secretly smiled to themselves pondering over their hidden agendas. Let the games begin.
Chapter 7: Let the Games Begin
"It's her! I could recognize that face from anywhere." Ah Si frantically paced back and forth in the living room running his fingers through his curly locks. Actually it looked more like he was trying to pull out his hair.
"Calm down, Ah Si," Ximen sighed as he pulled back the tab to another can of beer. The rich foam spurted out from the can spilling out onto the table. "I mean the resemblance is uncanny, but we can't be sure if she's the same person."
"Ximen's right. We should wait before we do anything stupid." Mei Zhou leaned back on his chair resting it on the two back legs. "I think we already freaked her out enough with our smooth moves this afternoon. I wouldn't be surprised if she thought we were some pervert stalkers. We should stay away from her for now."
"I've already thought of that. I sent out my best men to investigate her past."
Lei's body stirred on the couch where he appeared to be sleeping. Slowly his eyelids fluttered open. "What will you do if it is her?"
They all remained silent pondering over Lei's simple question. What would they do if it really was her? And if it wasn't? They pushed these thoughts to the back of their head. It could be a second chance and they couldn't risk screwing it up.
Mei Zhou snapped out of his daze. "So we all agree? None of us will make a move on her."
F2 just nodded in agreement while Lei slipped back into his peaceful slumber. They could all feel the rising tension in the room. Each had their own hidden agenda hidden from the others. The truth was they all wanted her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Shan Cai thrust open the heavy curtains letting the warm refreshing rays of the sun beat down on her pale complexion. It was only 7 in the morning, but already she had accomplished more than most people dreamed of in one morning. It was a morning like any other for her consisting of her daily morning routine. She was up at 5, washed up, and out the door for her usual 5 mile run through the local park a few blocks away. Then it was back home for a quick shower, change of clothes, breakfast, and out the door again to get to school. However, this morning she was able to go through her regimen much more quickly with a half hour to spare. Something was amiss.
She lifted her cup of tea to her lips letting the warm liquid slide down her throat. The time has finally come. I've dreamt for the day when I would be back here to face them. I made sure you would remember me intricately laying out all the groundwork for that night. Dao Ming Si was easy to lure into my trap. It was perfect the way you chased me through the street. All my data on you and Xiao Zi was correct. I knew you would draw Hua Ze Lei to me. He spends almost every night at the beach. Mei Zhou Ling and Ximen Zhong Er Lang. That took a little more craftiness. All I needed was to pay off the right people- the concierge, Cindy, and that bartender to play along with my act. I spent quite a hefty sum to get it right, but it was worth every penny. That look of shock on your faces upon seeing me at Ying De was priceless. Three years spent planning, calculating and studying your every move. Three goddamn years.
Shan Cai placed her cup onto the table and picked up her keys. She quickly scribbled down a list of instructions for the maid to take care. For one brief moment, she stopped in front of the mantle of the fireplace to take one last glance at a photograph. The smiling faces looked back at her without a care in the world. It was the only item in her entire apartment that vaguely revealed a bit of her human side. The décor of her abode left little room for weak sentimentality. The rooms were filled with expensive furnishings that lacked any real comfort or life draped in dark hues and cold steel or leather. Her home only emitted a sense of harsh cold and loneliness. Lovingly her fingertips grazed the familiar faces. A distant expression crossed her face reminiscent of more carefree days of her youth. However, this tiny glimpse into her soul did not last long. The small smile curled on her lips fell. Flashes of distant memories she had buried al long time ago slowly resurfaced. The day she received her acceptance letter into Ying De University. Her father insisting they go out and celebrate smiling happily as the sped down the winding road along the coast. The car swerving back and forth teetering on completely falling off. The sound of glass shattering all around her. Screams. Blood. The wail of paramedics approaching them. Finally there was darkness. She picked up the photo and placed it into a drawer locking away that part of her heart that could feel.
"You'll pay for what you have done."
Ring. Ring. Ring
"Hello."
"Good morning!" a overly cheerful shrieked over the phone.
Shan Cai pulled the phone away from her ear trying to check if her eardrums were still intact. She held back the urge to scream profanities into the phone, and quickly composed herself answering in an overly sweet tone she had learned to adapt to when talking to others. "Good morning, Xiao Zi. For what do I deserve the pleasure of such an early phone call?"
"Well, I wanted to catch you before you left for school. I feel really guilty about putting you in such an awkward position yesterday."
"Forget about it. It was nothing really," she coolly replied.
"No. I want to make up for it. How about I take you out for breakfast? We could talk and get to know each other a little better. I really hope you still want to be friends. It's hard for me to meet new people since everyone tends to shy away from me for hanging out with F4. They don't really welcome new people into the group. I'm not even quite welcome most of the time."
Shan Cai twirled a strand of hair in her fingers half listening to Xiao Zi ramble on the other hand. Inside her head, she laughed to herself. That girl was really annoyingly foolish. She may prove to be more useful than I thought. In the past, I probably would have welcomed the idea of making her a friend. Perhaps in another time and another place things would have been drastically different. That was then and this is now, though. Deep down in the deep recesses of her blackened heart, Shan Cai could feel a brief twinge of guilt at using such a trusting girl letting her former self emerge. She pushed these qualms aside and refocused her attentions at the task at hand. Xiao Zi would just be a casualty in the war between F4 and I. It's her own fault that she's too trusting of other strangers. If it wasn't me then it would have been someone else. Dumb bitch.
"Shan Cai? Are you still there?"
"Oh, I'm still here. I was just thinking about what you were asking. I would love to join you and F4 for breakfast. They seem like nice people and all."
A short pause came from the other end. "Great! I'm so glad you agreed to come. It'll be nice to have another woman at the table counteracting that testosterone driven table. I'll meet you in 20 minutes in the café at the same table as yesterday. See you then."
"See you then," Shan Cai answered in an equally cheerful voice. She picked up her purse and walked out the door.
While barreling down the streets towards Ying De in her car, Shan Cai found her mind drifting off once again. Do I feel remorse for what I will do? No. I've learned that emotions are for the weak. I've always claimed the upper hand by keeping my emotions in check. I've sacrificed my conscious to get where I am. The old Shan Cai would cringe at the things I've done to get where I am today. She was pathetically weak. She couldn't stand up to those boys that tried to rape her three years ago. She felt the walls of her heart tighten at the sound of Hua Ze Lei's cold dismissal of her existence. She even gladly forgave him that day letting her grudge slide with the simple gesture of his handkerchief being offered to her. I hate her for her sentimental heart. She was a waste of space. I killed that part of me a long time ago.
Within a few minutes, she pulled her convertible into her assigned parking space a short distance away from the entrance of the school. You could tell that the school was solely based on rank. The richer you were the better the spot you got. In this world, money spoke volumes. She peered forward seeing four silver BMW's pull up into four blocked out spaces. They all perfectly lined up one next to the other. Xiao Zi stepped out from the passenger side of the car beside Dao Ming Si. Her mouth was moving at an abnormally fast pace. Mei Zhou hopped out of his car and playfully draped an arm around Ximen's shoulder. Hua Ze Lei lethargically emerged from his vehicle with his usual hunched over indifferent posture. They group strode into Ying De like a lion pack with Dao Ming Si as the leader in front, Mei Zhou and Ximen in the middle, and Lei straggling behind. Xiao Zi wrapped herself around one of Dao Ming Si's arms prattling on and on into his ear.
She took one last look at myself in the rear view mirror making sure her face was immaculate. Something wasn't right though. She looked at the loose strands of hair that fell over her face and decided to plait her hair into two long braids. It would add just the right touch of innocence to her persona. She dabbed a little lip gloss onto her lips that turned into a forced smile. She stepped out of the car ready to meet them.
The slight clack of her heels made her entrance known the second she entered the room. It was really a common sight for her to have that kind of reaction. She had a certain charisma about her that would bring the rowdiest of rooms to a quiet hush. From behind her back, she could faintly hear the small whispers of her classmates spreading half truths about who she was that gave her the right to approach F4's table.
Xiao Zi looked up from her plate of food and grinned. "Shan Cai! I'm so happy you made it."
"Well I told you I was on my way," Shan Cai replied with a light angelic laugh.
Mei Zhou stood up and pulled out the empty chair beside him earning glares from Ximen and Dao Ming Si. "Why don't you sit here?"
She gladly accepted his offer and sat down in the chair allowing Mei Zhou to push her closer to the table. "Thank you.Mei Zhou, right?"
"Yeah, you remembered." He sat down beside her slightly blushing.
From across the table, Ah Si glared daggers at Mei Zhou, but he didn't seem to notice much since his eyes were fixed on the angel beside him. To him, they were in their own world. His heart lifted a little the moment he smelled the sweet waft of lavender from her. It was enough proof that it had to be him.
Lei slouched in his chair beside Shan Cai oddly more alert than usual. The moment he heard her soft footsteps approaching his entire body became invigorated.
"So, Shan Cai.is this your first time in Taiwan or have you been here before?" Ximen asked rather awkwardly trying his best not to sound desperate for information.
Shan Cai turned her attention towards Ximen and focused her mind on the prepared answers she had engraved in her brain. They were the perfect lies. "Oh, I was born here, but my family emigrated to the United States when I was young. My parents always wanted to come back, though. Actually this is the first time I've ever been back. I was lucky that I bumped into Xiao Zi a few days ago."
"So you came back with your parents?" Mei Zhou blurted out.
Shan Cai's face darkened. "No. I came back alone. My parents died a few years ago. I thought I could fulfill their wish by coming back here to live alone. They always said this place could our only home. Coming back here makes me feel like they are still with me."
"Sorry, I didn't know."
"It's ok. You didn't know."
"So, how did you guys meet?" Ah Si asked breaking into their conversation. He raised a suspicious eyebrow wondering how she had managed to be so close to him, yet so far for the last few days.
She redirected her attention to Ah Si focusing her eyes on his as she had done to the others, a technique she had learned to lure people in. "I bumped into Xiao Zi while I was out shopping. I didn't really know my way around and had no idea what was in fashion here. Xiao Zi happened to find me lost in a boutique trying to find the right clothes for school."
"Why didn't you tell me?!" his rising voice accused.
Xiao Zi slammed down her fork in annoyance. "I told you about Shan Cai a few days ago. You never listen to me do you? Don't you remember me telling about how I had made a new friend the day you decided to bail out on our date. I was annoyed at you, so I decided to go shopping to vent out my anger on my credit cards. I just so happened to meet Shan Cai there. I swear to god sometimes talking to you is like talking to a rock!"
Shan Cai covered her mouth giggling while Ximen and Mei Zhou burst out laughing. Even Lei, who appeared to be lost in his own world the entire time put out his thumb to turning it down.
"You two already act like a married couple." Shan Cai glanced from Ah Si to Xiao Zi. "I envy that you've found someone special."
Xiao Zi's scowl quickly changed into a beaming smile. She blushed a little. "Really?!" For the moment, she was appeased with the compliment. "So, do you have someone special, Shan Cai?"
A quiet lull settled at the table. F4 intensified their gazes on the girl anticipating her response that would make it or break their hearts. They were filled with doubt that a girl like her wouldn't be taken yet. What guy in his right mind would not go after someone like her?
A short pause followed. Shan Cai just blankly smiled. A light laugh exploded form her lips. "Me? There hasn't been anyone in awhile. I've dated a few men, but nothing serious."
Xiao Zi's mouth dropped in horror and shock. "What?! That's impossible. You're such a sweet, kind person. Any guy would love to go out with you." She crossed her arms against her chest forming a plot in her head. "How about I introduce you to some guys?"
Lei's heart beat quickened startling him. Why am I feeling this way? I shouldn't even be thinking such things, but the pause she took before answering Xiao Zi's question felt like years. I can't let myself feel this way. I can't betray her. There's only room for one woman in my heart.
Ximen's mind was racing with ideas at the sound of her confession of being single. She was fair game. Instantly his playboy mask was put on. "I'm surprised you don't have a boyfriend. It's a shame that a beautiful woman like you has to be all alone in a new place." On purpose, he lowered his eyes in a seductive manner releasing his pheromones.
Mei Zhou caught a glimpse of that look in Ximen's eyes. What is he trying to do? We all promised to leave her alone for now. That bastard, Ximen. He's probably already booking the hotel room in his mind. Two can play that game. "Why don't I show you around the city one day? I know where all the best parties and clubs are."
I can't believe those two, Ah Si fumed in his head. I won't let those two horny dogs steal her away. Damn Xiao Zi! Why did she have to be Shan Cai's friend. She probably thinks I'm into the idea of marrying that monkey girl. I've got to come up with something. Ah Si was about to open his mouth to say something, but Xiao Zi spoke up before he even got the chance.
"I didn't mean you 3 when I suggested introducing her to some guys. I was talking about respectable men," she jeered. She leaned across the table ignoring the rest of F4. "You don't want to go anywhere with these guys. "Stay away from these guys. Ximen has a policy of one week girlfriends. He changes them as often as he switches cars. Mei Zhou just goes for pretty girls with huge tits, no brains, and pretty faces. They'll just leave you like a bad one night stand. Sometimes I'm scared that talking to them would give me a VD, if you get what I mean? And Hua Ze Lei? Well, Hua Ze Lei is just plain weird. He's always quiet and sad looking. Just looking at him will tell you he's carrying a ton of baggage in that suicidal drug addict kind of way. Who sleeps that much? I think I'm lucky that all I got was this freak here with a sister complex and violent disposition."
"Hey! We're right here!" Mei Zhou jumped up sending his chair reeling backwards.
"We aren't that bad!" Ximen yelled trying to cover his ass. Although he couldn't help but feel it was partially true.
Hua Ze Lei remained speechless staring out the window. He ignored Xiao Zi's analysis of F4's personalities.
Ah Si smirked to himself in triumph feeling quite proud of Xiao Zi and how she managed to ruin Ximen and Mei Zhou's chances.
"I really don't need to be introduced to anyone, Xiao Zi. I can meet Mr. Right on my own. I've always been a casual dater."
"How about just a little help?"
"I don't think so."
"Please?! I know the perfect guy for you."
"Just leave her alone. She doesn't want your help. I don't see why you think you would be such a great matchmaker? The only reason we're together is because our parents arranged this engagement. Nothing can make me drag my ass down the aisle for you. Be sure that I'll never marry you, monkey girl!"
Xiao Zi's normal cheery disposition faded. He had taken it one step too far. Her voice was shaking. "You can be a real dick. All I've ever shown you was love and what do I get in return. A shitload of crap. You make it impossible for anyone but your precious F4 to love you. I can't stand the sight of you right now. I'll see you later Shan Cai. I need to be alone." In a huff, Xiao Zi stormed out of the café knocking innocent passersby out of her way like a tornado. Hell hath no fury like Xiao Zi scorned.
The school bells tolled signaling the beginning of the school day. "I've got class in an hour," Shan Cai slid out of her seat and strode out of the café with F4's eyes on her back.
F4 sat in their seats stunned. Trouble was brewing, but they were blinded by their own selfish desires. As Shan Cai wandered through the halls to her first class and F4 dispersed to go loiter in their own respective spots around school, one thought lingered in their minds. Simultaneously, they all secretly smiled to themselves pondering over their hidden agendas. Let the games begin.
