Chapter 10: Being Accepted
"I don't understand what is taking Ah Si this long? What is so hard about picking up a girl from her house to the college?" mumbled Mei Zhuo while eyeing the chocolate mousse cake Xi Men was eating.
"They were supposed to be here an hour ago. His fail ness to be punctual has made my dear Jing had to go to that class empty handed."
Xi Men nodded and continue taking another bite of the cake with his fork.
"Will you stop eating for a while? Don't just fill your mouth with that cake. Talk to me, man."
"This cake is delicious. I responded to your comment with that nod before. Stop bothering me. Anyway, there is your dear now," answered Xi Men.
Mei Zhuo turned his head towards the direction Xi Men gestured and his face lit up. He kept on smiling until Jing sat right in front of him. Taking Jing's hand and kissed it, he said, "My darling Jing, I missed you. Without you by my side, I feel so empty and lonely. I can't bear to be without you even for one second. Jing dear."
"Oh please! Stop it, man. You are making me lose my appetite! Sometimes, I wished the old Mei Zhuo would be back! He is much more fun than the lovey-dovey new Mei Zhuo. Jing, what have you done to my brother?" gusted Xi Men, putting down his fork.
Seeing that Xi Men has put aside his fork, Mei Zhuo let go of Jing's hand and grabbed the cake, running away from him before Xi Men could realize what had happen. With only one bite, he finished the balance of the cake.
"Hey, you're right! This cake really is delicious," teased Mei Zhuo while making his wacky dance just to annoy Xi Men.
"Why you."
Knowing he has been tricked, Xi Men chased Mei Zhuo but he bumped right into Ah Si, who had just made his way to the café's outdoor table where the others are waiting.
"HEY! Watch where you're going!" exclaimed Ah Si.
"Sorry, man. It was Mei Zhuo. He ate my cake! You are lucky Mei Zhuo that Ah Si's here. If not, you'll be sorry you tricked me like that. By the way Ah Si, why are you late? And where is Shan Chai?"
"She's with me. Sorry Jing, for bringing her here this late. Something happened and she was crying when I reached her house. I let her calm down first before bringing her here. And I still have no idea why she cried."
Looking behind, he spoke softly, "Shan Chai, come on. Jing's here. Talk to her, okay?"
The others waited patiently for Shan Chai to emerge from behind Ah Si's back. Shan Chai was a mess. Her hair was not properly tied up, her eyes are red and puffy, and streaked of dried tears could be seen on her face. Jing stood up and headed towards Shan Chai. She hugged her and led her to the empty seat.
"Now, now. what's wrong Shan Chai? Are you sick?" asked Jing, concerned.
Shan Chai shook her head. She was more relaxed and calmed now. Looking at Jing's concerned face, she said, "I'm sorry Jing, for not being able to attend today's class. It's just that, my parents had to move away today because my father had been posted to a new store out of Taipei. I have never been left alone before. So, I got upset. I'm sorry if I made all of you worry. I know it's not a big deal and all."
"That was it? That was the reason you cried your heart out? I have been living alone since my sister got married and Jing too had been living alone for the past 5 years at a different county. You never heard us heart broken," cried out Ah Si, insensitively.
"Will you shut up, Ah Si! You do not live alone in that house. You have 20 servants to take care of you. And if I'm not mistaken, when Zhuang Jie got married, you locked yourself up in your room for a week!" told Xi Men.
Jing gave Ah Si a stare before he could explode by the statement Xi Men made. That made him only able to glare at Xi Men and Mei Zhuo who are giggling at him, and conceived his anger. Even Shan Chai found it funny to see Ah Si being shut out by Jing.
"Now, I will take Shan Chai to the washroom to clean her up and I want the three of you to behave. That means, Ah Si, I want Xi Men and Mei Zhuo to be in one piece. Not even a scratch! Do you understand?" warned Jing.
Ah Si did not utter a word or a nod to the warning and kept on staring at the two.
"Dear, may we follow along? I don't think we're safe here with him," asked Mei Zhuo. Xi Men nodded in agreement.
"Where is Lei when I need him?" sighed Jing.
"Ah ha! I knew I forgot something! Lei left a message at my voicemail yesterday. He's at Japan. His father had a stroke last night and he took a flight back straight away," explained Xi Men.
The news shocked everyone. Even Ah Si was shocked out of his anger. "Is his father okay now?" asked Ah Si with a note of worry in his voice.
"I don't know. I can't get through. He switched it off. Even his Japan number can't be reached. I've left a message to him so that he'll update us with the latest news," answered Xi Men.
"He'll contact us. I know he will. Come on now Shan Chai, let's go."
~~*~~~*~~~*~~
'Lei are not here. At the time that I need him the most, he is not here. Come on Shan Chai. It's not like he knows my parents are moving. Anyway, he's going away because of his father's health. Would I feel happy if I knew he ignored about his father's illness? He'll be back when his father is okay. By the way, my problem is not that big. I can handle it. I am weed Shan Chai! I will never give up until I try my best!'
"Shan Chai? Do you hear me? Well, what do you think?" asked Jing again when she didn't get a response from Shan Chai.
"Huh? What is it again? I didn't catch the question."
"I'm asking you to live with me if you feel uncomfortable or insecure of staying alone at your house. Well?"
Combing her hair, she looked over to Jing who was still waiting for her answer. 'She has just known for two days, and yet she offered me to stay with her just because I was being depressed about my parents. As easy as that. I am so glad this beautiful angel wanted me to be her friend because I can never see myself this lucky of having a friend like her. I never taught rich people can be this kind.'
"It's okay, Jing. The first day is always the toughest but I'll manage it. Don't worry about me. I'll work overtime, therefore I won't be alone at home that long. At least I will have other thing to think about and have more money to save," declined Shan Chai politely.
"I won't force you, but the offer is still open. Whenever you feel down and lonely, you are always welcomed to my house. You looked great now. Let us go and find the boys, before they get themselves into trouble, especially with Ah Si."
Shan Chai smiled at the statement Jing had made. She could imagined how Ah Si would yelled at the two. They went back to the others, unexpected to see that the three of them were chatting quite seriously.
"I thought the two of you would've been pancakes by now. Emm. I am very pleased to see that you guys really behaved. So, what are you talking about behind our backs?" teased Jing.
"We have just got a call from Lei and it seems that his father would have to go through a bypass operation. The doctor says that one of his veins was clogged and has to be cleansed. He has to stay at Japan and take care of the company, together with his parents until his father recovers fully from the operation," explained Mei Zhuo.
"I hope his father would recover fast," uttered Shan Chai.
"Why? So that he would come back to Taiwan faster? So that you could spend your time with him?" barked Ah Si.
"What is wrong with you!? I have no other meaning than what I have said!! Stupid!" squalled Shan Chai.
"Here we go again." whispered Xi Men to Mei Zhuo, smiling. "Stop arguing the two of you! Ah Si, apologized to Shan Chai. You have no right to snapped at her like that. Why must the two of you act like cats and dogs every time you're together?" sighed Jing, shaking her head.
"She started it! Why must I." Ah Si stopped mid sentence when he saw Jing stared at him.
"Okay, okay. Shan Chai, sorry."
"That's better. Now, let's go over to my house to hang out," said Mei Zhuo.
"Sorry, I can't. I have work at two. So, until we meet again. Bye!" excused Shan Chai.
"Wait a minute. There are still hours before your shift. Come on, Shan Chai. Anyway, you don't have a ride, right?" stated Xi Men.
"My scooter is still here. I don't want to interrupt your fun time together."
"Shan Chai, we would love to have your company as well. Ah Si, you ride with Shan Chai and Mei Zhuo will take your car. I will drive his," instructed Jing.
"But Jing, I don't know how to ride that scooter," protested Ah Si with a sour face.
"Well, you can always be the passenger behind." suggested Jing teasingly.
The others just giggled at Ah Si's reaction. They can't believe that Dao Ming Si was going to ride a scooter and furthermore, being the passenger.
"In that case, Ah Si, let's go. You heard what the lady had said." teased Shan Chai.
"Grr." growled Ah Si, not happy being teased by Shan Chai and ordered around by Jing.
'This is going to be one fun ride.hehehehe.'
"I don't understand what is taking Ah Si this long? What is so hard about picking up a girl from her house to the college?" mumbled Mei Zhuo while eyeing the chocolate mousse cake Xi Men was eating.
"They were supposed to be here an hour ago. His fail ness to be punctual has made my dear Jing had to go to that class empty handed."
Xi Men nodded and continue taking another bite of the cake with his fork.
"Will you stop eating for a while? Don't just fill your mouth with that cake. Talk to me, man."
"This cake is delicious. I responded to your comment with that nod before. Stop bothering me. Anyway, there is your dear now," answered Xi Men.
Mei Zhuo turned his head towards the direction Xi Men gestured and his face lit up. He kept on smiling until Jing sat right in front of him. Taking Jing's hand and kissed it, he said, "My darling Jing, I missed you. Without you by my side, I feel so empty and lonely. I can't bear to be without you even for one second. Jing dear."
"Oh please! Stop it, man. You are making me lose my appetite! Sometimes, I wished the old Mei Zhuo would be back! He is much more fun than the lovey-dovey new Mei Zhuo. Jing, what have you done to my brother?" gusted Xi Men, putting down his fork.
Seeing that Xi Men has put aside his fork, Mei Zhuo let go of Jing's hand and grabbed the cake, running away from him before Xi Men could realize what had happen. With only one bite, he finished the balance of the cake.
"Hey, you're right! This cake really is delicious," teased Mei Zhuo while making his wacky dance just to annoy Xi Men.
"Why you."
Knowing he has been tricked, Xi Men chased Mei Zhuo but he bumped right into Ah Si, who had just made his way to the café's outdoor table where the others are waiting.
"HEY! Watch where you're going!" exclaimed Ah Si.
"Sorry, man. It was Mei Zhuo. He ate my cake! You are lucky Mei Zhuo that Ah Si's here. If not, you'll be sorry you tricked me like that. By the way Ah Si, why are you late? And where is Shan Chai?"
"She's with me. Sorry Jing, for bringing her here this late. Something happened and she was crying when I reached her house. I let her calm down first before bringing her here. And I still have no idea why she cried."
Looking behind, he spoke softly, "Shan Chai, come on. Jing's here. Talk to her, okay?"
The others waited patiently for Shan Chai to emerge from behind Ah Si's back. Shan Chai was a mess. Her hair was not properly tied up, her eyes are red and puffy, and streaked of dried tears could be seen on her face. Jing stood up and headed towards Shan Chai. She hugged her and led her to the empty seat.
"Now, now. what's wrong Shan Chai? Are you sick?" asked Jing, concerned.
Shan Chai shook her head. She was more relaxed and calmed now. Looking at Jing's concerned face, she said, "I'm sorry Jing, for not being able to attend today's class. It's just that, my parents had to move away today because my father had been posted to a new store out of Taipei. I have never been left alone before. So, I got upset. I'm sorry if I made all of you worry. I know it's not a big deal and all."
"That was it? That was the reason you cried your heart out? I have been living alone since my sister got married and Jing too had been living alone for the past 5 years at a different county. You never heard us heart broken," cried out Ah Si, insensitively.
"Will you shut up, Ah Si! You do not live alone in that house. You have 20 servants to take care of you. And if I'm not mistaken, when Zhuang Jie got married, you locked yourself up in your room for a week!" told Xi Men.
Jing gave Ah Si a stare before he could explode by the statement Xi Men made. That made him only able to glare at Xi Men and Mei Zhuo who are giggling at him, and conceived his anger. Even Shan Chai found it funny to see Ah Si being shut out by Jing.
"Now, I will take Shan Chai to the washroom to clean her up and I want the three of you to behave. That means, Ah Si, I want Xi Men and Mei Zhuo to be in one piece. Not even a scratch! Do you understand?" warned Jing.
Ah Si did not utter a word or a nod to the warning and kept on staring at the two.
"Dear, may we follow along? I don't think we're safe here with him," asked Mei Zhuo. Xi Men nodded in agreement.
"Where is Lei when I need him?" sighed Jing.
"Ah ha! I knew I forgot something! Lei left a message at my voicemail yesterday. He's at Japan. His father had a stroke last night and he took a flight back straight away," explained Xi Men.
The news shocked everyone. Even Ah Si was shocked out of his anger. "Is his father okay now?" asked Ah Si with a note of worry in his voice.
"I don't know. I can't get through. He switched it off. Even his Japan number can't be reached. I've left a message to him so that he'll update us with the latest news," answered Xi Men.
"He'll contact us. I know he will. Come on now Shan Chai, let's go."
~~*~~~*~~~*~~
'Lei are not here. At the time that I need him the most, he is not here. Come on Shan Chai. It's not like he knows my parents are moving. Anyway, he's going away because of his father's health. Would I feel happy if I knew he ignored about his father's illness? He'll be back when his father is okay. By the way, my problem is not that big. I can handle it. I am weed Shan Chai! I will never give up until I try my best!'
"Shan Chai? Do you hear me? Well, what do you think?" asked Jing again when she didn't get a response from Shan Chai.
"Huh? What is it again? I didn't catch the question."
"I'm asking you to live with me if you feel uncomfortable or insecure of staying alone at your house. Well?"
Combing her hair, she looked over to Jing who was still waiting for her answer. 'She has just known for two days, and yet she offered me to stay with her just because I was being depressed about my parents. As easy as that. I am so glad this beautiful angel wanted me to be her friend because I can never see myself this lucky of having a friend like her. I never taught rich people can be this kind.'
"It's okay, Jing. The first day is always the toughest but I'll manage it. Don't worry about me. I'll work overtime, therefore I won't be alone at home that long. At least I will have other thing to think about and have more money to save," declined Shan Chai politely.
"I won't force you, but the offer is still open. Whenever you feel down and lonely, you are always welcomed to my house. You looked great now. Let us go and find the boys, before they get themselves into trouble, especially with Ah Si."
Shan Chai smiled at the statement Jing had made. She could imagined how Ah Si would yelled at the two. They went back to the others, unexpected to see that the three of them were chatting quite seriously.
"I thought the two of you would've been pancakes by now. Emm. I am very pleased to see that you guys really behaved. So, what are you talking about behind our backs?" teased Jing.
"We have just got a call from Lei and it seems that his father would have to go through a bypass operation. The doctor says that one of his veins was clogged and has to be cleansed. He has to stay at Japan and take care of the company, together with his parents until his father recovers fully from the operation," explained Mei Zhuo.
"I hope his father would recover fast," uttered Shan Chai.
"Why? So that he would come back to Taiwan faster? So that you could spend your time with him?" barked Ah Si.
"What is wrong with you!? I have no other meaning than what I have said!! Stupid!" squalled Shan Chai.
"Here we go again." whispered Xi Men to Mei Zhuo, smiling. "Stop arguing the two of you! Ah Si, apologized to Shan Chai. You have no right to snapped at her like that. Why must the two of you act like cats and dogs every time you're together?" sighed Jing, shaking her head.
"She started it! Why must I." Ah Si stopped mid sentence when he saw Jing stared at him.
"Okay, okay. Shan Chai, sorry."
"That's better. Now, let's go over to my house to hang out," said Mei Zhuo.
"Sorry, I can't. I have work at two. So, until we meet again. Bye!" excused Shan Chai.
"Wait a minute. There are still hours before your shift. Come on, Shan Chai. Anyway, you don't have a ride, right?" stated Xi Men.
"My scooter is still here. I don't want to interrupt your fun time together."
"Shan Chai, we would love to have your company as well. Ah Si, you ride with Shan Chai and Mei Zhuo will take your car. I will drive his," instructed Jing.
"But Jing, I don't know how to ride that scooter," protested Ah Si with a sour face.
"Well, you can always be the passenger behind." suggested Jing teasingly.
The others just giggled at Ah Si's reaction. They can't believe that Dao Ming Si was going to ride a scooter and furthermore, being the passenger.
"In that case, Ah Si, let's go. You heard what the lady had said." teased Shan Chai.
"Grr." growled Ah Si, not happy being teased by Shan Chai and ordered around by Jing.
'This is going to be one fun ride.hehehehe.'