Chapter 21: The Truth
He stared at his glass that still has a quarter of wine left. Occasionally he would glance over the main entrance. Kept on a good watch whenever the door opened or closed. Waiting for the one he hoped would emerge soon. He looked over to his left, Mei Zhuo and Jing are having their secret, private conversation where Mei Zhuo was doing most of the whispering at Jing's ear. Once in a while Jing would give out her sweet smile, soft giggle and closed her mouth with her right palm whenever she would grin. Her politeness never leaves her, no matter where she was. A real aristocrat.
'Mei Zhuo and Jing are already in their own world. They looked so happy with each other's company. Would I have the chance to be like them? Living in the world full of love for one and another. Where nothing would break us apart? Would it be Shan Chai? Even if I already know that Ah Si and her are having a platonic relationship.I don't think Ah Si have that passionless emotion towards Shan Chai. I could see it in his eyes. His eyes would burn with jealousy whenever he saw me with Shan Chai and lit up when he have her for himself. What ever he is feeling, Shan Chai doesn't feel that way for him. That I am sure. She chose me over him today. Am I being a bad friend? I don't know. But one thing for sure, I will never give her up unless Shan Chai herself told me she only thinks of me as a friend and nothing more,' he thought.
He gave out a soft sigh, unheard by the loving couple next to him. Looking back at the door, he felt frustrated. She's still not there. Ah Si and Shan Chai are late. A half an hour late. He's not mad or jealous. He believed them. He believed Shan Chai. Worry was more the way he felt right then. They all came from the same venue, and their sit are still vacant.
Picking up the bottle of wine in front of him and refill his glass, he adjusted his sight towards Xi Men at the bar. A small smile formed on his face. His glass changed hands from left to his right hand. His eyes still fixed on Xi Men. Xi Men was trying his charm on a slender, sexy, brunette girl with pink top and black mini skirt that was skimpy enough for a 9 year old. The girl was obviously throwing herself at Xi Men and he noticed Xi Men hands were already on her hip. Xi Men evidently has won.
Taking another sip from his glass, he heard the door opened. He quickly gave a glance over it. Walking in from the door was the face of the person he was waiting for. Shan Chai and Ah Si walked in casually side by side towards their table where Mei Zhuo, Jing and he are seated. Lei adjusted his seat and took another sip. He was trying to act oblivious of their arrival. Shan Chai went straight over to Lei, trying to make him aware of her presence. When he seemed to be unaware of her, her expression changed from cheery to thwart. Quietly, she sat at the empty seat beside him and nudged his side softly, hard enough for him to notice it. Looking at her, he smiled slightly.
"Are you trying to outdone Lei's lateness with Shan Chai before, at your house? So, what would your excuse be? Don't tell me you bought something for Shan Chai as well. Get creative, man!" asked Mei Zhuo jokingly, aiming it at Ah Si after noticing the two approaching them.
Ah Si glared at Mei Zhuo. Before he could screamed out an unpleasant remark, Shan Chai butted in.
"Forgive us for being late. No, Ah Si did not buy anything for me. Exactly, we were searching something for Jing. Give it to her, Ah Si. It's nothing really, but the thought that counts, right? Congratulation for a job well done, Jing."
Shan Chai grabbed Ah Si's right hand and jerked it when Ah Si still stood statically, eyeing the laughing Mei Zhuo. As if he were just awake, he looked over at Shan Chai. Shan Chai glaringly looked at him and gestured him to hand over the gift they bought for Jing. Nodding, Ah Si took out a bouquet of red roses in his well-hidden left hand from his back and presented it to the shocked Jing.
"Congratulations," wished Ah Si.
Taking the flowers from Ah Si, Jing looked at him and over at Shan Chai. Smiling, she thanked them. Ah Si triumphantly smiled at Mei Zhuo, annoying him in the process before taking his seat next to Shan Chai. Lei watched the annoyed look on Mei Zhuo's face and the winning look on Ah Si's face with interest. He could not help to laugh at them. His sudden outburst laugh shocked all of the people at the table. They looked at him questioningly. As sudden as his laugh, his halted laughter also was the same.
"What is so funny until the straight-face Lei laughed out loudly?" asked Xi Men, walking over to them and sat at the empty seat between Mei Zhuo and Ah Si.
"That is what we all would like to know, too!" answered Shan Chai, still eyeing Lei suspiciously.
All of them stared at him, waiting for his reply. He looked over at them, one by one, with a blank expression as if nothing unusual has happened.
"Oh! I give up! He is just too unpredictable and mysterious," surrendered Ah Si looking a bit displeased.
The others just nodded slightly and looked away from Lei. Mei Zhuo picked up the bottle of wine and poured them inside Ah Si and Shan Chai's glass. Xi Men waved his hand to a waitress nearby and ordered another bottle of wine when he saw the amount of the current bottle has decreased slightly to finish.
"I agree with Ah Si! Anyway, let's make a toast to Jing for a successful show. Cheers!" announced Mei Zhuo, lifting his glass and clicked them with the others.
"Thank you all. You're all so sweet and Ah Si, Shan Chai, thank you for the wonderful flowers," thanked Jing, looking at all of them with grateful eyes.
Xi Men smiled mischievously at Ah Si and Shan Chai.
"Oooo. Shan Chai and Ah Si. buy flowers. together! How sweeeeet."
"Knock it off Xi Men," snapped Shan Chai, pouting and glancing over at Lei.
But it seems that Lei are totally unaware of the snide remarks Xi Men had made. Lei just drink his wine, sip after sip and stared at his glass like there was something very fascinating about it. Ah Si was glaring at Xi Men while Mei Zhuo and Xi Men just kept on laughing at the angry, blushing Ah Si. Shan Chai looked over at Jing and an understanding smile flashed at her. Jing muttered something like 'he'll be okay' silently. Shan Chai nodded and smiled, curious on how Jing understood what she was thinking.
"Jing, this morning we're all shocked to know that this two are actually in a relationship. Can you guess it? Both of them, together? Hey, Lei, you didn't know too, right?" announced Xi Men, pointing to both Ah Si and Shan Chai.
Hearing to the announcement Xi Men has just made, Jing looked over at Lei. A concerned look appeared in her eyes. Lei looked up from his glass, his sight turned towards Xi Men and smiled.
"I know," answered Lei, short, side glancing at Jing, knowing of her stare at him.
"You knew? Ohh.," said Xi Men with a hint of shocked in his voice.
"It's nothing. Really! We're just.," said Shan Chai trying to explain the truth to the others but was cut off by Ah Si.
"Not ready to show it yet."
Shan Chai looked over at Ah Si, disbelieved by what she just heard. Ah Si held her hand and gave a firming gripped. His eyes pleadingly ask Shan Chai to not utter another word. Finally understanding what Ah Si had signaled to her, though not fully understand the reason, Shan Chai gave an acknowledged nod. Ah Si nodded at her and let go of her hand.
"So, what are our plans for tomorrow? Hang out at my house?" asked Ah Si, smiling, swerving the conversation to another direction.
The others just nodded in agreement except for Shan Chai and Lei. Shan Chai straight away told Ah Si that she wanted to stay home to study for the upcoming exams and finishing up her hold up assignments. After a brief arguments between Ah Si and Shan Chai, the victory, as usual was hers. As for Lei, his short answer was as simple and normal to the others that Ah Si just shut up about it. Sleep was the usual answer he'll give to them whenever he wanted to be excuse to do anything with the others. There is just no point in arguing to Lei about his sleep. His 15 hours sleep. They just got used to it by now.
They talked, laughed and drink for another 2 hours before Shan Chai yawned. Wanting to go home first, she asked Lei to send her even though Ah Si gave a little protest but since Shan Chai persist that she wanted Lei to send her and glared at him, he gave in to her request. Since Shan Chai wanted to go home, Jing asked Mei Zhuo to send her home too. So, the two couples left Xi Men and Ah Si together at VS while Mei Zhuo and Lei promised to come back and continue their little get together.
~~~*~~~*~~~
After Lei sent Shan Chai home, he wanted to go back to his too but since he had promised he'll go back to VS and rejoined the others, he changed back his mind. He entered the club and was just about to go to his seat at their previous table when he heard Xi Men asked Ah Si about his relationship with Shan Chai. Lei stood still at the side of the wall, hidden from his two friends and listened to their conversations. Listened intently to Ah Si's answer.
"Tell me the truth Ah Si. What exactly is your relationship with Shan Chai?" asked Xi Men.
"What do you mean?" Ah Si answered back with a question, trying to act clueless about what Xi Men had asked him.
"You and Shan Chai are not lovers. I know, Ah Si. You can't lie to me. I have more experience about love than you. I would take back the bet if you tell me."
"Fine. I'll tell you. She's my sister. Happy? So, I win," proclaimed Ah Si with crossed-arms.
"I knew it! You are just pretending as a couple aren't you? Because of the bet, right? You don't win anything Ah Si! I take back the bet. not announcing you're the winner, master Dao Ming Si. Get that right!"
"What ever."
"So, you don't have any feelings towards her? Because I noticed she has some for someone else," said Xi Men, trying dig up more information from Ah Si.
Taking a sip from his glass, Ah Si sighed.
"I know. It's Lei. She told me tonight. At the bar at the hotel. I think I like her because it hurts every time she's with Lei and whenever she looked at him, I'm jealous. But I gave her my word that I will support her. By the way, my mother has already arranged me with someone else. I'm supposed to agree to it by next month, when I'm back to the States. That's why I'm using Shan Chai. I want my mother to accept Shan Chai as my little sister before I agree to her request. That would delay her plan," explained Ah Si, staring at his glass with a blank look.
"Do you think she'll approve? Don't you think you're getting Shan Chai into trouble with this proposal? Does she knows about it?" asked Xi Men, concerned.
"No, I haven't told her the truth yet. I don't think she'll be in trouble. It's a win-win situation."
"I hope you know what you're doing. This is the empress we're talking about, Ah Si."
Lei had heard enough. He doesn't like the idea of his Shan Chai being used by Ah Si and keeping the real reason for his idea of taking her to the States to meet his mother from herself. He emerged from beside the wall and walked over to Ah Si. Grabbing his shirt, Lei forced him to stand up.
"YOU'RE NOT USING SHAN CHAI FOR YOUR OWN INTEREST! TELL HER THE TRUTH!!"
"Lei, stop! What are you doing?" Xi Men tried to break free the quarrel that would happened.
Letting go off Ah Si's shirt, he stormed out of VS. Leaving Xi Men and Ah Si enraged by the sudden attack from Lei. Everyone in VS was looking over at them. Ah Si screamed at them to mind their own business before he, himself followed suit behind Lei. Xi Men put some money on the table and walked off as well. Xi Men called Mei Zhuo to tell him about the incident that had just happened and asked him to come over as fast as he can. Xi Men has a feeling there will be trouble. No one roughed out Master Dao Ming Si.
He stared at his glass that still has a quarter of wine left. Occasionally he would glance over the main entrance. Kept on a good watch whenever the door opened or closed. Waiting for the one he hoped would emerge soon. He looked over to his left, Mei Zhuo and Jing are having their secret, private conversation where Mei Zhuo was doing most of the whispering at Jing's ear. Once in a while Jing would give out her sweet smile, soft giggle and closed her mouth with her right palm whenever she would grin. Her politeness never leaves her, no matter where she was. A real aristocrat.
'Mei Zhuo and Jing are already in their own world. They looked so happy with each other's company. Would I have the chance to be like them? Living in the world full of love for one and another. Where nothing would break us apart? Would it be Shan Chai? Even if I already know that Ah Si and her are having a platonic relationship.I don't think Ah Si have that passionless emotion towards Shan Chai. I could see it in his eyes. His eyes would burn with jealousy whenever he saw me with Shan Chai and lit up when he have her for himself. What ever he is feeling, Shan Chai doesn't feel that way for him. That I am sure. She chose me over him today. Am I being a bad friend? I don't know. But one thing for sure, I will never give her up unless Shan Chai herself told me she only thinks of me as a friend and nothing more,' he thought.
He gave out a soft sigh, unheard by the loving couple next to him. Looking back at the door, he felt frustrated. She's still not there. Ah Si and Shan Chai are late. A half an hour late. He's not mad or jealous. He believed them. He believed Shan Chai. Worry was more the way he felt right then. They all came from the same venue, and their sit are still vacant.
Picking up the bottle of wine in front of him and refill his glass, he adjusted his sight towards Xi Men at the bar. A small smile formed on his face. His glass changed hands from left to his right hand. His eyes still fixed on Xi Men. Xi Men was trying his charm on a slender, sexy, brunette girl with pink top and black mini skirt that was skimpy enough for a 9 year old. The girl was obviously throwing herself at Xi Men and he noticed Xi Men hands were already on her hip. Xi Men evidently has won.
Taking another sip from his glass, he heard the door opened. He quickly gave a glance over it. Walking in from the door was the face of the person he was waiting for. Shan Chai and Ah Si walked in casually side by side towards their table where Mei Zhuo, Jing and he are seated. Lei adjusted his seat and took another sip. He was trying to act oblivious of their arrival. Shan Chai went straight over to Lei, trying to make him aware of her presence. When he seemed to be unaware of her, her expression changed from cheery to thwart. Quietly, she sat at the empty seat beside him and nudged his side softly, hard enough for him to notice it. Looking at her, he smiled slightly.
"Are you trying to outdone Lei's lateness with Shan Chai before, at your house? So, what would your excuse be? Don't tell me you bought something for Shan Chai as well. Get creative, man!" asked Mei Zhuo jokingly, aiming it at Ah Si after noticing the two approaching them.
Ah Si glared at Mei Zhuo. Before he could screamed out an unpleasant remark, Shan Chai butted in.
"Forgive us for being late. No, Ah Si did not buy anything for me. Exactly, we were searching something for Jing. Give it to her, Ah Si. It's nothing really, but the thought that counts, right? Congratulation for a job well done, Jing."
Shan Chai grabbed Ah Si's right hand and jerked it when Ah Si still stood statically, eyeing the laughing Mei Zhuo. As if he were just awake, he looked over at Shan Chai. Shan Chai glaringly looked at him and gestured him to hand over the gift they bought for Jing. Nodding, Ah Si took out a bouquet of red roses in his well-hidden left hand from his back and presented it to the shocked Jing.
"Congratulations," wished Ah Si.
Taking the flowers from Ah Si, Jing looked at him and over at Shan Chai. Smiling, she thanked them. Ah Si triumphantly smiled at Mei Zhuo, annoying him in the process before taking his seat next to Shan Chai. Lei watched the annoyed look on Mei Zhuo's face and the winning look on Ah Si's face with interest. He could not help to laugh at them. His sudden outburst laugh shocked all of the people at the table. They looked at him questioningly. As sudden as his laugh, his halted laughter also was the same.
"What is so funny until the straight-face Lei laughed out loudly?" asked Xi Men, walking over to them and sat at the empty seat between Mei Zhuo and Ah Si.
"That is what we all would like to know, too!" answered Shan Chai, still eyeing Lei suspiciously.
All of them stared at him, waiting for his reply. He looked over at them, one by one, with a blank expression as if nothing unusual has happened.
"Oh! I give up! He is just too unpredictable and mysterious," surrendered Ah Si looking a bit displeased.
The others just nodded slightly and looked away from Lei. Mei Zhuo picked up the bottle of wine and poured them inside Ah Si and Shan Chai's glass. Xi Men waved his hand to a waitress nearby and ordered another bottle of wine when he saw the amount of the current bottle has decreased slightly to finish.
"I agree with Ah Si! Anyway, let's make a toast to Jing for a successful show. Cheers!" announced Mei Zhuo, lifting his glass and clicked them with the others.
"Thank you all. You're all so sweet and Ah Si, Shan Chai, thank you for the wonderful flowers," thanked Jing, looking at all of them with grateful eyes.
Xi Men smiled mischievously at Ah Si and Shan Chai.
"Oooo. Shan Chai and Ah Si. buy flowers. together! How sweeeeet."
"Knock it off Xi Men," snapped Shan Chai, pouting and glancing over at Lei.
But it seems that Lei are totally unaware of the snide remarks Xi Men had made. Lei just drink his wine, sip after sip and stared at his glass like there was something very fascinating about it. Ah Si was glaring at Xi Men while Mei Zhuo and Xi Men just kept on laughing at the angry, blushing Ah Si. Shan Chai looked over at Jing and an understanding smile flashed at her. Jing muttered something like 'he'll be okay' silently. Shan Chai nodded and smiled, curious on how Jing understood what she was thinking.
"Jing, this morning we're all shocked to know that this two are actually in a relationship. Can you guess it? Both of them, together? Hey, Lei, you didn't know too, right?" announced Xi Men, pointing to both Ah Si and Shan Chai.
Hearing to the announcement Xi Men has just made, Jing looked over at Lei. A concerned look appeared in her eyes. Lei looked up from his glass, his sight turned towards Xi Men and smiled.
"I know," answered Lei, short, side glancing at Jing, knowing of her stare at him.
"You knew? Ohh.," said Xi Men with a hint of shocked in his voice.
"It's nothing. Really! We're just.," said Shan Chai trying to explain the truth to the others but was cut off by Ah Si.
"Not ready to show it yet."
Shan Chai looked over at Ah Si, disbelieved by what she just heard. Ah Si held her hand and gave a firming gripped. His eyes pleadingly ask Shan Chai to not utter another word. Finally understanding what Ah Si had signaled to her, though not fully understand the reason, Shan Chai gave an acknowledged nod. Ah Si nodded at her and let go of her hand.
"So, what are our plans for tomorrow? Hang out at my house?" asked Ah Si, smiling, swerving the conversation to another direction.
The others just nodded in agreement except for Shan Chai and Lei. Shan Chai straight away told Ah Si that she wanted to stay home to study for the upcoming exams and finishing up her hold up assignments. After a brief arguments between Ah Si and Shan Chai, the victory, as usual was hers. As for Lei, his short answer was as simple and normal to the others that Ah Si just shut up about it. Sleep was the usual answer he'll give to them whenever he wanted to be excuse to do anything with the others. There is just no point in arguing to Lei about his sleep. His 15 hours sleep. They just got used to it by now.
They talked, laughed and drink for another 2 hours before Shan Chai yawned. Wanting to go home first, she asked Lei to send her even though Ah Si gave a little protest but since Shan Chai persist that she wanted Lei to send her and glared at him, he gave in to her request. Since Shan Chai wanted to go home, Jing asked Mei Zhuo to send her home too. So, the two couples left Xi Men and Ah Si together at VS while Mei Zhuo and Lei promised to come back and continue their little get together.
~~~*~~~*~~~
After Lei sent Shan Chai home, he wanted to go back to his too but since he had promised he'll go back to VS and rejoined the others, he changed back his mind. He entered the club and was just about to go to his seat at their previous table when he heard Xi Men asked Ah Si about his relationship with Shan Chai. Lei stood still at the side of the wall, hidden from his two friends and listened to their conversations. Listened intently to Ah Si's answer.
"Tell me the truth Ah Si. What exactly is your relationship with Shan Chai?" asked Xi Men.
"What do you mean?" Ah Si answered back with a question, trying to act clueless about what Xi Men had asked him.
"You and Shan Chai are not lovers. I know, Ah Si. You can't lie to me. I have more experience about love than you. I would take back the bet if you tell me."
"Fine. I'll tell you. She's my sister. Happy? So, I win," proclaimed Ah Si with crossed-arms.
"I knew it! You are just pretending as a couple aren't you? Because of the bet, right? You don't win anything Ah Si! I take back the bet. not announcing you're the winner, master Dao Ming Si. Get that right!"
"What ever."
"So, you don't have any feelings towards her? Because I noticed she has some for someone else," said Xi Men, trying dig up more information from Ah Si.
Taking a sip from his glass, Ah Si sighed.
"I know. It's Lei. She told me tonight. At the bar at the hotel. I think I like her because it hurts every time she's with Lei and whenever she looked at him, I'm jealous. But I gave her my word that I will support her. By the way, my mother has already arranged me with someone else. I'm supposed to agree to it by next month, when I'm back to the States. That's why I'm using Shan Chai. I want my mother to accept Shan Chai as my little sister before I agree to her request. That would delay her plan," explained Ah Si, staring at his glass with a blank look.
"Do you think she'll approve? Don't you think you're getting Shan Chai into trouble with this proposal? Does she knows about it?" asked Xi Men, concerned.
"No, I haven't told her the truth yet. I don't think she'll be in trouble. It's a win-win situation."
"I hope you know what you're doing. This is the empress we're talking about, Ah Si."
Lei had heard enough. He doesn't like the idea of his Shan Chai being used by Ah Si and keeping the real reason for his idea of taking her to the States to meet his mother from herself. He emerged from beside the wall and walked over to Ah Si. Grabbing his shirt, Lei forced him to stand up.
"YOU'RE NOT USING SHAN CHAI FOR YOUR OWN INTEREST! TELL HER THE TRUTH!!"
"Lei, stop! What are you doing?" Xi Men tried to break free the quarrel that would happened.
Letting go off Ah Si's shirt, he stormed out of VS. Leaving Xi Men and Ah Si enraged by the sudden attack from Lei. Everyone in VS was looking over at them. Ah Si screamed at them to mind their own business before he, himself followed suit behind Lei. Xi Men put some money on the table and walked off as well. Xi Men called Mei Zhuo to tell him about the incident that had just happened and asked him to come over as fast as he can. Xi Men has a feeling there will be trouble. No one roughed out Master Dao Ming Si.