Chapter 20: Jealous Is Inevitable
They arrived at the J.W. Marriot hotel at exactly seven o'clock. Their entrance made quite an impact with the reporters and photographers. Hua Zhe Lei smiled, nodded politely to all of them and refused to give out any comments. All the while, he was holding Shan Chai's hand tightly, trying his best to led Shan Chai away from the mob. Though she was shocked and dumbfounded, she managed to follow Lei's footsteps towards the venue of the function. Once inside the grand ballroom, Lei stopped and turned to face her.
"Daijobu desu ka?" asked Lei with a concerned look on his face.
"Ha? Hehehe.sorry Lei. I don't understand. Didn't bring the dictionary you gave me along. See, my purse is too small," smiled Shan Chai showing him her black, small purse.
Lei smiled and caressed Shan Chai's hand. "I meant, are you okay? You really should start to memorize normal, simple sentences in Japanese."
"Oh.sorry. I promise I'll try," said Shan Chai, grinning.
"Lei, why are they taking pictures?"
"I'm the heir of the four richest families in Taiwan. Obviously, they are very surprised to see me with a girl. You'll see the pictures in tomorrow's papers. I hope your parents won't freak out," explained Lei, gazing straight at her in a concerned look.
Shan Chai shook her head.
'I doubt they'll be upset about it.happy would be the right word for it. They would send me a telegram because of it.' "Emm. where would the others be?" asked Shan Chai, trying to swerve the conversation to another topic while scanning around the ballroom.
At the middle of the ballroom, a stage for the models to do their catwalk was set with beautiful decorations and fresh white roses along the catwalk plank. The stage where the models would appear has an arch of more fresh yellow and white roses with the same colored balloons at the side end. In between the arch, gold writings were clearly visible: Jimmy Choo Summer Collection.
"Lei, who is Jimmy Choo?" asked Shan Chai, still looking at the stage.
Lei turned his head to the same sight and replied, "He's a famous shoe designer. This show is about his new shoe collection for the summer. Jing loves his design. She has quite a collection of his. That is why she was so excited to do the show."
"Ohh." Shan Chai responded, awed and at the same time felt quite foolish for not knowing about the famous shoe designer.
Shan Chai looked at her shoe.
'I bet this one is expensive too. Could this be a Jimmy Choo's collection? If it weren't because of F4, I would've never dreamed that one day I'd be able to wear this shoe, this dress and ride fancy cars. This was all a fake to me. It's not me, but being me was the reason they all became my friends. Rich or poor wasn't the main principle of having good friends. I'm glad I had the chance to get to know them all. To get to know Lei.' she thought, glancing over at Lei.
"Shan Chai.there."
Lei's sudden utterance startled her from her thoughts. She looked over at the direction Lei was looking. Coming out from the backstage was Mei Zhuo and Xi Men, smiling and talking to each other happily.
'They probably went in there to say good luck to Jing. And I have a feeling they are 'sightseeing' at the same time. Playboys.'
"Aren't we going over to them?" asked Shan Chai when Lei just stood there, not making a move.
"They've seen us."
Not long after that, Mei Zhuo and Xi Men were already standing in front of them, looking at Shan Chai from up to down.
"What?" asked Shan Chai, suppressing her voice tone.
"Wow! You look magnificent Shan Chai. Astounding! No wonder you are the craze of many," spoke Mei Zhuo, looking over at Lei.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" asked Shan Chai, not entirely understand what it was all about.
"Nothing. So, both of you just arrived? They will start the show in another 15 minutes. Our seats are over there, the first row on the right. They already put the reserve signs up."
While Xi Men showed them where they'd seat, Shan Chai looked around for Ah Si. Not able to spot him anywhere, she asked, "Mei Zhuo, where's Ah Si? He has arrived, right?"
Mei Zhuo looked at her with concern. Even his face seemed to be quite serious. Not getting any answer from him, she asked again. Finally, he replied.
"He's here. At the bar. One floor down."
Shan Chai glanced over at Lei as if asking for his opinion. With an assurance smile, Lei nodded. Seeing that he had approved, Shan Chai excused herself to find Ah Si.
The bar was not so big. She could easily spot him. There is no other young, handsome bloke that was brooding over his drink other than him.
'He looked tense and out of space. Wonder what he was thinking. Is it because of me going off with Lei? Or is it because I broke our promise? I just hope he wouldn't scream at me in here.'
Slowly and cautiously, she walked over to Ah Si and sat at the stool beside him. She stared at him warily, afraid he would make any drastic reaction. Noticing that someone sat beside him, Ah Si glanced over at her but as quickly, he turned back to look at his glass, ignoring her. She wanted to say something to him when the bartender came and abruptly cut her to it.
"Miss, what would it be?"
Before she could politely decline, Ah Si stared at the bartender and snapped, "ARE YOU BLIND? SHE'S TOO YOUNG TO DRINK! GET LOST!!"
She was shocked to see him snapped so suddenly. Even the other customers were looking at them. The bartender quickly said sorry and left. His face was red either because of embarrassment or because of anger.
Shan Chai was stunned. She just looked at him. Usually she would snapped back at him for scolding innocent people like that, but tonight she decided to let him get away with it.
'He shouldn't have channeled his anger to other people like that. Well, I guess it was partly my fault. I can't blame him for it entirely. I hope he'll listen to me.'
"Ah Si, I am so sorry. Yeah. I know. If sorry were enough, what's the need for the police. But, I really am sorry, Ah Si. I shouldn't have blown you off like that. But." Shan Chai said, slowly and sincerely apologizing to Ah Si.
"Tell me one thing, Shan Chai. Do you really like him? Did you agreed to go with him even though you have promised me? Or was it solely his idea, without you knowing it? Tell me the truth. You owe me that much," inquired Ah Si, hurt in his voice and he was still not looking at her.
Shan Chai kept silent. She doesn't know how to answer those questions without making Ah Si's temper climbed even further up.
"I. I knew. He asked me first. I'm the one who told him to inform you about the change of plan. I. know I'm at fault. Please forgive Lei. You can be mad at me your entire life and I won't blame you for it, but please. don't break your friendship with Lei," pleaded Shan Chai, looking down at her own intertwined hands.
Hearing her shaky, pleading voice, Ah Si turned to look at her. Holding one hand onto her hands and the other lifting up her chin, he looked deep into her eyes before uttering the words next.
"Shan Chai. I could never hate you. I could never hate Lei either. You are my sweet sister and he was my best friend. I have known him for a very long time. if he's the one you like, don't worry, I won't stop you. You have my support. He's a good man. I know. Anyway, please don't tell about this. I don't want to let them know I've softened up. They wouldn't let go of it for a very long time! Promise me, little sis?" explained Ah Si, smiling slightly.
His answer was quite a shock. She didn't believe her ears at first. Focusing at his face, she could see the tenseness has lift off from it. It was now being placed by one of his sweetest smile. She could even see his cute little dimple. However, she thought she saw a glimpse of sadness in his eyes before he broke away from her gaze.
Putting down the money he owed for his drink and some tips, still holding on to Shan Chai's hand, he led her back towards the ballroom.
The show was about to start when they stepped in the ballroom. Finding their seats, they rejoined the others. Shan Chai sat between Mei Zhuo and Ah Si while Lei sat at the other end by Xi Men's side. She tried to steal glances from Lei, but to no avail, he just stared at the show booklet. Finally giving up, she paid her attention to the show. One by one, the models walked down the stage plank. Each one was beautiful, the clothes, the shoes and the model themselves. The sounds of clapping and music filled the room but she could still manage to hear scores discussed by Mei Zhuo and Xi Men for each of the models.
Tapping Mei Zhuo's thigh slightly, she whispered, "What would Jing's score be?"
Leaning near to Shan Chai's ear, he whispered back, "For her it will always be 11 over 10."
And he was absolutely true. Jing's turned was next and she looked wonderfully beautiful and stunning. She outshined the other models. No wonder she was the last one out. Even her shoe was far more glittered than the others were. The show ended subsequently after that. They waited for Jing outside the ballroom. While waiting, Xi Men was busy collecting phone numbers of the other models, while Ah Si was in a conversation with Mei Zhuo. Lei however, were sitting quietly at the sofa, reading a magazine.
Shan Chai was about to head towards Lei when she heard the others calling after her and Lei. Jing was finally out. She hurriedly went over to her.
"Jing, you were fantastic! Congratulations." she exclaimed.
"Thank you, Shan Chai. Thank you to all of you. You looked wonderful yourself Shan Chai."
"Enough chit chat, how about if we go over to VS to celebrate Jing's successful show? The chatting could resume over there," suggested Mei Zhuo, wrapping his arm over Jing's waist.
"You just want to get yourself alone with Jing. Anyway, sure. Let's go! Lei, come on! We're heading to VS," called out Xi Men to Lei, who was taking his sweet time walking over to them.
"Shan Chai, ride with me?" asked Ah Si quietly.
He stared at her, waiting for her answer. She was perplexed of the sudden request. Shan Chai turned her head to look over at Lei but he already made his way to the elevator with Xi Men. Finally nodding, Ah Si took her hand and walked towards the same direction as Lei, just right behind Mei Zhuo and Jing.
They arrived at the J.W. Marriot hotel at exactly seven o'clock. Their entrance made quite an impact with the reporters and photographers. Hua Zhe Lei smiled, nodded politely to all of them and refused to give out any comments. All the while, he was holding Shan Chai's hand tightly, trying his best to led Shan Chai away from the mob. Though she was shocked and dumbfounded, she managed to follow Lei's footsteps towards the venue of the function. Once inside the grand ballroom, Lei stopped and turned to face her.
"Daijobu desu ka?" asked Lei with a concerned look on his face.
"Ha? Hehehe.sorry Lei. I don't understand. Didn't bring the dictionary you gave me along. See, my purse is too small," smiled Shan Chai showing him her black, small purse.
Lei smiled and caressed Shan Chai's hand. "I meant, are you okay? You really should start to memorize normal, simple sentences in Japanese."
"Oh.sorry. I promise I'll try," said Shan Chai, grinning.
"Lei, why are they taking pictures?"
"I'm the heir of the four richest families in Taiwan. Obviously, they are very surprised to see me with a girl. You'll see the pictures in tomorrow's papers. I hope your parents won't freak out," explained Lei, gazing straight at her in a concerned look.
Shan Chai shook her head.
'I doubt they'll be upset about it.happy would be the right word for it. They would send me a telegram because of it.' "Emm. where would the others be?" asked Shan Chai, trying to swerve the conversation to another topic while scanning around the ballroom.
At the middle of the ballroom, a stage for the models to do their catwalk was set with beautiful decorations and fresh white roses along the catwalk plank. The stage where the models would appear has an arch of more fresh yellow and white roses with the same colored balloons at the side end. In between the arch, gold writings were clearly visible: Jimmy Choo Summer Collection.
"Lei, who is Jimmy Choo?" asked Shan Chai, still looking at the stage.
Lei turned his head to the same sight and replied, "He's a famous shoe designer. This show is about his new shoe collection for the summer. Jing loves his design. She has quite a collection of his. That is why she was so excited to do the show."
"Ohh." Shan Chai responded, awed and at the same time felt quite foolish for not knowing about the famous shoe designer.
Shan Chai looked at her shoe.
'I bet this one is expensive too. Could this be a Jimmy Choo's collection? If it weren't because of F4, I would've never dreamed that one day I'd be able to wear this shoe, this dress and ride fancy cars. This was all a fake to me. It's not me, but being me was the reason they all became my friends. Rich or poor wasn't the main principle of having good friends. I'm glad I had the chance to get to know them all. To get to know Lei.' she thought, glancing over at Lei.
"Shan Chai.there."
Lei's sudden utterance startled her from her thoughts. She looked over at the direction Lei was looking. Coming out from the backstage was Mei Zhuo and Xi Men, smiling and talking to each other happily.
'They probably went in there to say good luck to Jing. And I have a feeling they are 'sightseeing' at the same time. Playboys.'
"Aren't we going over to them?" asked Shan Chai when Lei just stood there, not making a move.
"They've seen us."
Not long after that, Mei Zhuo and Xi Men were already standing in front of them, looking at Shan Chai from up to down.
"What?" asked Shan Chai, suppressing her voice tone.
"Wow! You look magnificent Shan Chai. Astounding! No wonder you are the craze of many," spoke Mei Zhuo, looking over at Lei.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" asked Shan Chai, not entirely understand what it was all about.
"Nothing. So, both of you just arrived? They will start the show in another 15 minutes. Our seats are over there, the first row on the right. They already put the reserve signs up."
While Xi Men showed them where they'd seat, Shan Chai looked around for Ah Si. Not able to spot him anywhere, she asked, "Mei Zhuo, where's Ah Si? He has arrived, right?"
Mei Zhuo looked at her with concern. Even his face seemed to be quite serious. Not getting any answer from him, she asked again. Finally, he replied.
"He's here. At the bar. One floor down."
Shan Chai glanced over at Lei as if asking for his opinion. With an assurance smile, Lei nodded. Seeing that he had approved, Shan Chai excused herself to find Ah Si.
The bar was not so big. She could easily spot him. There is no other young, handsome bloke that was brooding over his drink other than him.
'He looked tense and out of space. Wonder what he was thinking. Is it because of me going off with Lei? Or is it because I broke our promise? I just hope he wouldn't scream at me in here.'
Slowly and cautiously, she walked over to Ah Si and sat at the stool beside him. She stared at him warily, afraid he would make any drastic reaction. Noticing that someone sat beside him, Ah Si glanced over at her but as quickly, he turned back to look at his glass, ignoring her. She wanted to say something to him when the bartender came and abruptly cut her to it.
"Miss, what would it be?"
Before she could politely decline, Ah Si stared at the bartender and snapped, "ARE YOU BLIND? SHE'S TOO YOUNG TO DRINK! GET LOST!!"
She was shocked to see him snapped so suddenly. Even the other customers were looking at them. The bartender quickly said sorry and left. His face was red either because of embarrassment or because of anger.
Shan Chai was stunned. She just looked at him. Usually she would snapped back at him for scolding innocent people like that, but tonight she decided to let him get away with it.
'He shouldn't have channeled his anger to other people like that. Well, I guess it was partly my fault. I can't blame him for it entirely. I hope he'll listen to me.'
"Ah Si, I am so sorry. Yeah. I know. If sorry were enough, what's the need for the police. But, I really am sorry, Ah Si. I shouldn't have blown you off like that. But." Shan Chai said, slowly and sincerely apologizing to Ah Si.
"Tell me one thing, Shan Chai. Do you really like him? Did you agreed to go with him even though you have promised me? Or was it solely his idea, without you knowing it? Tell me the truth. You owe me that much," inquired Ah Si, hurt in his voice and he was still not looking at her.
Shan Chai kept silent. She doesn't know how to answer those questions without making Ah Si's temper climbed even further up.
"I. I knew. He asked me first. I'm the one who told him to inform you about the change of plan. I. know I'm at fault. Please forgive Lei. You can be mad at me your entire life and I won't blame you for it, but please. don't break your friendship with Lei," pleaded Shan Chai, looking down at her own intertwined hands.
Hearing her shaky, pleading voice, Ah Si turned to look at her. Holding one hand onto her hands and the other lifting up her chin, he looked deep into her eyes before uttering the words next.
"Shan Chai. I could never hate you. I could never hate Lei either. You are my sweet sister and he was my best friend. I have known him for a very long time. if he's the one you like, don't worry, I won't stop you. You have my support. He's a good man. I know. Anyway, please don't tell about this. I don't want to let them know I've softened up. They wouldn't let go of it for a very long time! Promise me, little sis?" explained Ah Si, smiling slightly.
His answer was quite a shock. She didn't believe her ears at first. Focusing at his face, she could see the tenseness has lift off from it. It was now being placed by one of his sweetest smile. She could even see his cute little dimple. However, she thought she saw a glimpse of sadness in his eyes before he broke away from her gaze.
Putting down the money he owed for his drink and some tips, still holding on to Shan Chai's hand, he led her back towards the ballroom.
The show was about to start when they stepped in the ballroom. Finding their seats, they rejoined the others. Shan Chai sat between Mei Zhuo and Ah Si while Lei sat at the other end by Xi Men's side. She tried to steal glances from Lei, but to no avail, he just stared at the show booklet. Finally giving up, she paid her attention to the show. One by one, the models walked down the stage plank. Each one was beautiful, the clothes, the shoes and the model themselves. The sounds of clapping and music filled the room but she could still manage to hear scores discussed by Mei Zhuo and Xi Men for each of the models.
Tapping Mei Zhuo's thigh slightly, she whispered, "What would Jing's score be?"
Leaning near to Shan Chai's ear, he whispered back, "For her it will always be 11 over 10."
And he was absolutely true. Jing's turned was next and she looked wonderfully beautiful and stunning. She outshined the other models. No wonder she was the last one out. Even her shoe was far more glittered than the others were. The show ended subsequently after that. They waited for Jing outside the ballroom. While waiting, Xi Men was busy collecting phone numbers of the other models, while Ah Si was in a conversation with Mei Zhuo. Lei however, were sitting quietly at the sofa, reading a magazine.
Shan Chai was about to head towards Lei when she heard the others calling after her and Lei. Jing was finally out. She hurriedly went over to her.
"Jing, you were fantastic! Congratulations." she exclaimed.
"Thank you, Shan Chai. Thank you to all of you. You looked wonderful yourself Shan Chai."
"Enough chit chat, how about if we go over to VS to celebrate Jing's successful show? The chatting could resume over there," suggested Mei Zhuo, wrapping his arm over Jing's waist.
"You just want to get yourself alone with Jing. Anyway, sure. Let's go! Lei, come on! We're heading to VS," called out Xi Men to Lei, who was taking his sweet time walking over to them.
"Shan Chai, ride with me?" asked Ah Si quietly.
He stared at her, waiting for her answer. She was perplexed of the sudden request. Shan Chai turned her head to look over at Lei but he already made his way to the elevator with Xi Men. Finally nodding, Ah Si took her hand and walked towards the same direction as Lei, just right behind Mei Zhuo and Jing.