MY BAD AGAIN! I'm late in updating…once again! Sorry guys! OMGOODNESS! THANKS SO MUCH ALL YOU WONDERFUL REVIEWERS! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU! Hehe… my number of reviews is currently 222 as I update this! I hope you guys won't kill me after this chapter! It may be a surprise to some of you –wink- HOPE YOU WOULD REVIEW! Arigato! Ja ne! Luv ya!

Angol

Hiro's face turned to immediate panic as soon as he heard that voice. Ann too, flinched and turned around with Hiro and Syaoran. They came face to face with Yelan Li. Yelan walked forward to them an expression that was neutral yet with obvious strictness and flare.

"What is going on?" she asked sternly.

Ann put on an immediate fake smile. Hiro looked away biting his lip. Syaoran gulped. Shingo and Eriol turned their heads also and looked at Yelan. Sakura could only look in horror.

"What happened?" said Yelan to her son in pure Cantonese.

"Get up," whispered Eriol to Sakura.

Shingo and Eriol helped the wobbly Sakura up. Yelan stared at the girl before her that caused the loud noise. Hiro gave a try hard grin and desperately hoped he hadn't forgotten how to speak Cantonese.

"Er, Auntie Yelan, long time no see! This girl is—"

"Hiro, it is not your turn to speak right now," said Yelan.

Hiro looked down, knowing a few words won't stop Yelan Li.

"Sorry," he said quietly.

Sakura had managed to get back up and now stood in the middle of Eriol and Shingo.

"Young lady, may I ask who you may be?" asked Yelen politely to Sakura.

Sakura looked at the frightening woman before her.

Oh no, she's talking to me! What am I going to say! she thought. This is SYAORAN's mother! She's so scary… it feels like I can suffocate in just her presence.

"Sorry, I'm, er, I'm—…."

Yelan turned to his son immediately.

"Xiao Lang, she is your friend?" she said sternly.

Syaoran stood up straight and formal.

"Yes mother," he said formally.

"Well then, please show her the way out," Yelan said.

Oh no, thought Ann looking at Sakura who's eyes widened at those words then looking down in shame.

Syaoran stood where he was looking briefly at Sakura and her saddened face before looking dumbly back at her mother. Weighing between his girl and mother was not an easy thing.

"XIAO LANG, did you not hear me?" snapped Yelan.

"Mother, this girl is very important to me!" exclaimed Syaoran seriously and firmly.

Yelan looked at Sakura then back at her son. Sakura stared with shocked eyes at Yelan. She gave a panicked look towards Syaoran.

Syaoran what are you talking about! Why are you saying this kind of stuff in front of your okaa-san! If you keep this up my reputation's going to be worse then ruined! Thought Sakura grimly.

Yelan stared at Sakura again this time an obvious "examination" going through eyes.

"Xiao Lang, you say she's very important to you? You do know what that means do you not?" said Yelan in her strong voice.

"I know mother," said Syaoran once again polite and formal.

"Wait a second!" said Eriol quickly. He knew exactly where this was going and it wasn't going to end pretty within this situation. "Auntie Yelan, this girl is our classmate from University. She's a good friend of all of us!"

"Hai, she's not any of those common girls off the street or anything," added Hiro.

"YOU TWO BE QUIET!" snapped Yelen. "What, COMMON GIRLS OFF THE STREET OR ANYTHING? I just want to know her family roots."

"Sorry," said Eriol and Hiro and looked down, knowing that they couldn't help Sakura.

"Now, Miss, What is your name?" asked Yelan giving a fake smile at Sakura.

"I'm, I'm, I'm………Ying… Ying Fa," stuttered Sakura.

"Miss Ying Fa, what is your father's occupation?" asked Yelan still smiling.

"Er, my father work as, as, as………" said Sakura not knowing what to say.

My dad works as a minor scientist/professor. But he hasn't even done any thing much in the line of new brilliant studies recently. How can I possibly tell her, Yelan Li, that? She thought.

"Dad work as……….as…………."

"Her dad is the president of scientific studies of the Yojunaka company," said Shingo looking at Yelan straight in the eyes. "Her dad is a president."

Sakura looked at Shingo in disbelief. Eriol and Hiro got the idea immediately and went with the flow.

"Er, YES! They study various things. They always change topics since they always do so much evolving in their researches… so the media has a hard time keeping up with them," said Eriol.

"They scored a special study recently, haven't you heard?" said Hiro his tone over cheerful.

Sakura breathed in deeply, not taking her eyes off Yelan as she listened intently to the three boy's stories.

Why do you guys have to lie? She thought. It's too easy for her to find out the truth!

Then, Yelan Li gave a smile. A sly smile.

"Since you are a daughter of a such a intelligent president, you would know how to play an instrument wouldn't you?" said Yelan. Then she turned to Ann. "My dear Annaka. You have grown into such a beautiful lady. Let's give a warm up for Miss Ying Fa. How about one of your fabulous pieces on the grand piano?"

Ann looked at Yelan. Yelan was an elder. She was also a very powerful woman. If she did not obey who knows what would happen? Ann smiled an awkward smile and nodded. Yelan nodded and leaded the way to the piano. As soon as her back was turned Ann frowned. She looked at Clow 4 and Sakura.

"Just play," whispered Eriol giving her a nudge. "You don't want to make things worse then where it's going already."

Ann sighed and followed Yelan. Yelan held up an elegant hand, gesturing to a grand piano on a small platform stage in the hall. Ann nodded once and went up onto the stage opening the piano. Piano playing was a hobby of hers. It was an easy job to please Yelan. But Ann had to think about Sakura. What if Sakura didn't play an instrument? She can't make Sakura look bad by playing something so good it's no match.

How about an easy graded one? Ann thought looking up at Yelan who had a maid brought her a seat.

Ann put her fingers to the keys and began playing an anonymous tune. Everybody in the room watched and listened. The music flowed. Ann ended the song and everybody applauded. She stood up and gave a small bow then went back down to Clow 4 and Sakura with Yelan behind her. Yelan looked at Sakura smiling.

"Miss Ying Fa? What instrument do you play?" asked Yelan.

Is she using my own friend against me? Sakura thought glaring at Yelen.

Clow 4 looked at Sakura having a feeling they were simply in trouble.

"Do you know how to play ANY instruments at all? The piano?" whispered Hiro.

Syaoran looked away from all of them. Out of all of them, he knew the personalities of his mother and Sakura the best. No matter if Sakura knew how to play an instrument or not, he knew this was going to end with a horrible bang later. He sighed shaking his head.

"The piano is such a common instrument. Lovely Annaka plays the piano and other instruments," continued Yelan. "I'm sure you can play too Miss Ying Fa."

She's using me against Sakura, Ann thought next to her brother. I'm so sorry Xiao Lang……….

"Er, Auntie Yelan, Ying Fa still have something to do back at home so I really should be taking her…………"trailed off Eriol.

Yelan glared with fire in her eyes at Eriol, making him shut up. Hiro was in panic again. Yelan came forward and took Sakura's hand.

"Surprise us and play us one lovely piece," she said and took her to the grand piano on stage in the ballroom.

Sakura stared at the piano then looked back at Yelen who had sat back down on the chair, looking straight at her. Sakura glared then sat down on the piano sit. Shingo came forward and stood next to Yelan.

"Auntie Yelan, Ying Fa hasn't prepared for this. She would be very embarrassed in front of all these people. Is this not a bit harsh?" said Shingo quietly.

"If she wants to join into the Li family she needs to brave. If she can't even have the strength to handle this how can she be my daughter in law?" said Yelan not looking at Shingo. She smiled at Sakura. "Miss Ying Fa, please start."

Sakura glared at her again.

Be YOUR daughter in law! Even if the sky falls down it won't happen you old hag! She thought angrily.

Clow 4 all looked at Sakura with panic filling their insides. Sakura glared hard and coldly for a few more seconds then took a deep breath as she placed her fingers on the cool piano keys.

BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM

Sakura slammed her fingers on any keys all over the grand piano making a large amount of horrible noise. Syaoran held down the urge to laugh. Eriol stared in horror. Hiro closed his eyes and shook his head once quickly with a disgusted expression. Shingo stared at the playing Sakura expressionless but very worried. Yelan stared at Sakura fuming while Sakura kept hitting anything on the piano.

Yelen stood up ferociously.

"IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL A JOKE?" she snapped loudly.

Eriol and Hiro looked at Yelan worriedly seeing the 'empress' wasn't happy at all. Sakura kept playing then pressed a last few single notes. At the last note she looked up at Yelea then back at the keys beneath her fingers. She began a soft tune with the right hand then started playing the well known tune "Fur Elise" skilfully and wonderfully on the piano. Yelan glared at Sakura breathing hard and crossing her arms.

Sakura spoke as she played.

"In a far away place people say, women, you try hard to please. But no matter what you do and no matter how you look they still look at you in that way. You try and earn their love but their soul has already flown away………."

Sakura played expertly then slowly ended the tune. She closed the piano and stood up. She looked straight at Yelan.

"A person. Do you have to decide whether you like them or not by whether they are rich or poor or how they look or where they work? What's so good about being able to play the piano or any other instrument? I'm telling you, I only know how to play this one piece. So what?" said Sakura giving a smile.

She walked off the stage to Shingo, Eriol and Hiro. Eriol lifted up his hand and Sakura gave him a high five as she walked towards Syaoran.

"Happy Birthday Syaoran," said Sakura trying to smile but her mood wasn't good to begin with. "I think I'll going home now."

Sakura turned to go but Syaoran held her arm.

"Wait," he said.

"Xiao Lang, it seems like you have forgotten your position in this family. Lying to me saying she is some kind of president's daughter," snapped Yelan going up to her son.

"I don't care if she's not some heiress and doesn't have money!" said Syaoran snapping back to his own mother.

"Be quiet!" snapped Yelan. "You are our family's heir. Because of this girl you go all rude and impolite. How can you explain this to your father?"

"I love this girl and I won't take any other!" said Syaoran stubbornly. Sakura stared at Syaroan shocked, a small blush creeping up her cheeks.

Yelan glared at her son, eyes flaring. She kept the glare as she slapped him hard on the face. Sakura gasped, shocked more then ever. (A/N: Ahhh gee she's always shocked!)

"Playing around has its limits!" snapped Yelan.

"Auntie Yelan please! Xiao Lang and me isn't—" began Sakura.

Yelan glared at Sakura as well.

"This is our family's business and it is none of your concern! Get out! Get out NOW!" shouted Yelan pointing to the exit.

Sakura looked down in shame. She couldn't help Syaoran at all. Syaoran was staring heatedly at his mother. Suddenly, he grabbed Sakura's arm and rushed towards the exit without a backward glance.

"WHAT IS THIS? SOMEONE STOP HIM!" yelled Yelan, fuming.

Two waiters were about to go after them when Hiro came over and neck locked the two with his arms. Shingo and Ann went over to Yelan and stood right in front of her.

"ARE YOU ALL BEING DISOBIDIENT!" she shouted, to the tip of her anger now.

"Auntie Yelan," said Ann but Yelan cut her off.

"Get out of my way," bit out Yelan more quiet now but very stern.

Eriol took Sakura's little gold bag and threw it at her.

"Sakura your stuff!" she shouted after her in Japanese.

Syaoran caught it and turned again. Shingo and Ann moved out of Yelan's way as Syaoran and Sakura went out the door. Out and away.

"STOP XIAO LANG! THIS IS AN ORDER XIAO LANG! STOP RIGHT NOW!" shouted Yelan.

But the two didn't come back. Yelan stood their breathing hard, heat practically radiating off her. She wasn't happy. Not happy at all.

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Syaoran had taken a car and parked beside a harbour. They leaned on the black convertible as they looked out at a large bridge and some late ships sailing by. Syaoran had given Sakura his jacket, covering her shoulders because she only had her thin dress.

"You play the piano really well," said Syaoran smiling breaking the small silence they had.

"You're happy about it!" snapped Sakura. "You didn't even try to help me when your mother tried to make a total fool out of me."

"Actually, when you just played anything on the piano I was really happy," said Syaoran chuckling.

Sakura looked at him in dismay.

"Even though my mother wanted you to be embarrassed. I knew you would be able to get out of it… and get out of it in a swift way as well," continued Syaoran looking at her intently.

Sakura looked at him with her emerald pools noticing his intense stare. Those swirl of amber that locked onto her made her shiver, not in fright but excitement.

"WHY are you always staring at me! Look the other way!" she snapped turning away from him a blush on her face.

Syaoran kept looking at her and she was starting to get uncomfortable.

"I really do love you, you know. Whether you know how to play piano or not or if you're rich or not. I don't care. I just like you the way you are," said Syaoran softly. Sakura didn't answer as she took in his words in the silence they had again.

"I want to go home," said Sakura not looking at him. "Take me home."

Syaoran turned away a little annoyed.

"NO. I'm not going to."

"NANI?" exclaimed Sakura.

"We have privacy now so we are going to do this NOW!"

"HUH?" said Sakura eyes widened.

"No! Don't get those 'ideas'! I meant sorting out our relationship! Not… THAT," snapped Syaoran.

Sakura giggled looking at the embarrassed Syaoran's cute face.

Clow 3 later on…

Clow 3 had discarded their tuxedo jackets and now were sitting at a bar drinking and laughing.

"CHEERS," they said and clinked their glasses together then taking a large gulp of their drink.

"Where's Ann? She's missing all the fun," said Hiro to Eriol.

"Aw, she's gone back home. I think she's trying to think up of something that can explain to father why she's not on the Li arrange marriage list anymore," said Eriol shaking his head.

Hiro sighed but then lightened up again.

"Tonight was way too cool. Wonder what Xiao Lang and Sakura's doing now?" said Hiro laughing then taking a drink. "Did you see Yelan's face when Sakura was playing the piano? It was so HORRID. UGLY!"

"Yeah and when they were leaving we actually stopped her doing her thing. It's way too hysterical," said Eriol laughing also.

"I think I better show up less at Xiao Lang's house now," said Shingo who was half drunk.

"Hai or she's gonna start shouting at us and giving us a huge lecture!" said Eriol.

They laughed and drank from their glasses.

"We've only ever seen her for 3 times and she hasn't changed at ALL. Remember the first time we were at Xiao Lang's house? The first time we saw each other?" said Hiro.

"How can we forget about that?" said Eriol giving a laugh. Then he ahemed and acted all elegant and started to imitate Yelan in a high pitched voice. "Xiao Lang. If you play with those friends again. Be careful or I might punish you!"

Hiro laughed and shook his head.

"She was so damn scary. It's not possible for her to be nice I bet. But today she definitely lost some reputation in the incident," said Hiro.

"Hey, we're people from the top 10 richest families in the country and even we can't get through to her. How can Sakura possibly do it then?" said Eriol. "I mean, Yelan might even get someone to go and murder her!"

"I can't believe Xiao Lang because of Sakura would rush out like that from his own birthday party. That must have really got on the empress's nerves. You never know what she might do," said Shingo grimly all of a sudden.

"What is she going to do? Really find someone to chop Cherry blossom up?" laughed Hiro.

"It doesn't really matter what. But we know she'll somehow get the two separated," said Eriol.

"Xiao Lang shouted at his mum practically having a fight. They have enough problems without the empress. Imagine with the empress involved now? I'm afraid for Sakura and him," said Shingo quietly expressionless.

Hiro and Eriol nodded. They hoped that nauseating feeling for their friends wouldn't stay long.

Good Yelan or Evil Yelan. I guess I picked evil for now! Hehe… This way things can happen! I know some of you would probably be mad at me for making her dislike Sakura! BUTTT! YOU MUST READ ON:) KEEP REVIEWING! I'll update ASAP… but some of you might know that being a sophomore is not easy –sighs- I've got sooo much work piled up its crazy! Well, till next chapter! Thanks so much again reviewers! I absolutely love you guys to bits!

Love Angol

Elaine Kwok