AN: Jai Li is coming up! There is mostly Mai Lin and Bu Po Shang in this one.
OCs: Director Hong Long, Mai Lin
Characters: Gong Xi/Kyoko, Qin/Moko, Lian/Ren, Shang/Sho, Director Shen/Director Sawara, Qi Shu Fang/Amamiya, Yang/Sho's manager, Mr. Du/Yashiro, Fei Li Hua/Erika, Mei Shen/Mimori, Qing Yuan/Natsu, Wei Xu/Mio, Luo Li/Lory, Zhou Mi/Reino, Jai Li/Kuu
Places: Taidong/Kyoto, Taipei/Tokyo, Taiwan/Japan
Wan Lixue character: Gong Xi/Mulan, Lian/Jun Cheng, Fei Li Hua/Li Mei, Shu Fang/Ling, Shang/Yi Chen, Qin/Zhi Feng
Extravagant Challenge: Season 2
Part 1: Meet Mai Lin
Part 2: The filming of Wan Lixue is officially finished
Part 3: Jai Li comes to visit Taipei. Why is Lian uneasy about it? Gong Xi shows off Lian at school (XD)
Part 4: Gong Xi gets a new Love Me Mission
~"Ai shi du xiu solo" Love is a solo show~ Ai shi Solo S.O.L.O!
Episode 4: Round Four, Stage Two, Part 5
The next day, Shang had been on his best behavior to Mai Lin's surprise. He didn't complain when he had to do yet another interview, another performance, another photoshoot. He didn't flirt with any of the the workers, to their dismay. It was all part of his plan. What didn't help, though, was the constant text messages and calls from Mei Shen. Shang even considered breaking up with her since there really was no use for her. Before, Shang was greedy about Mei Shen's generosity of always making him food and doing things for him like how Gong Xi used to. But now, seeing Gong Xi next to Lian, there isn't that twist in his stomach, that boiling in his blood. There was only a recognition of his old childhood friend with her talented boyfriend.
During his break for his photoshoot, Yang called his phone. "What is it?" He answered.
"Hello, is everything going well?" Yang asked.
"Of course, everything's fine. Why?" Shang accepted a bottle from one of the staff.
"I'm coming back tomorrow. There isn't any trouble with Mai Lin or Gong Xi?" She asked with concern.
"No. Like I said, everything's fine," He replied with annoyance. Shang sighed, glancing at the photographer who signaled him. "Look, I'm busy right now. Call me back later." Then he hung up, walking over to the set.
Yang stared at her phone in shock. The usual Shang would want to stall work by talking a little longer. But this Shang was in a hurry to get back to work. At the mention of Gong Xi, there was no anger or venom in his voice. Just annoyance. Does this have to do with Mai Lin, then? She wondered.
"What are you doing?" Mai Lin finally asked Shang once they sat down at Channel 8.
Shang leaned back in his chair and kicked up his legs on the spair one. "What do you mean?" he said innocently. He sipped the coffee she handed to him.
"You're being a good boy today. I think that's suspiscious," Mai Lin said, crossing her arms. "What are you up to?"
"Why would you say that? What if I just feel like being a good boy today, huh? Besides, it's none of your business. You're just a temporary manager. When Yang comes back, we'll have nothing to do with each other and there will be little to no chance that we'll ever see each other again. Don't even bother," Shang replied bluntly. "You just ruined my mood today."
Mai Lin stayed silent. Looking at her expression, Shang felt like apologizing about what he had said, but why should he? It's the truth. She shouldn't get emotional while she's doing her job. Yang is coming back tomorrow then after that, they won't see each other anymore. Why does he have this familiar feeling in his stomach of the thought of not seeing Mai Lin again? That expression on Mai Lin's face also looks familiar. Like remembering something you wished you could forget.
An hour later, they were back in the black car, sitting in silence. Shang leaned against the window, listening to his iPod while Mai Lin stared out her window. The car stopped to put in gas, so they had to wait in the car alone. Shang sighed, drumming his fingers on the arm rest of the door.
"Can you stop doing that?" Mai Lin said patiently.
"Huh, I can't hear you over the music," Shang mocked, drumming louder.
Mai Lin pulled off his headphones and ripped the plug from his iPod. She eyed the title of the song that he was listening to and recognized it as one of his songs. He looked at her in surprise as she gave him the most anger-filled glare he had ever seen besides Gong Xi's.
"I told you to stop doing that! Just once, could you listen to what people has to say! All you ever think about is yourself. You are the most narcissistic person in the world! Sure, you can continue sharing your pity story about your life being raised in a traditional inn that you call old-style and continue to get attention when there's others who didn't have parents or attention or a home growing up. They never had loved that they deserve and they keep wondering what they did wrong to have people abandoned them, why they're abused and neglected, carrying around scars that they won't let anyone see, holding a fake smile on their face like nothing is wrong. Just stop thinking about only yourself and be considerate!" Mai Lin snapped. Her face was red with anger, hot tears rolling down. She took in several deep breaths before calming down.
The driver came back, starting the car, and drove away from the gas station. He could tell that there was a tense atmosphere going on at the back. Something he didn't want to bother. After awhile, Bu Po Shang spoke up, "Where's your house?"
"Excuse me?" Mai Lin said.
"Where do you live? I'll have the driver drop you off." Mai Li was about to refuse but Shang gave her a look.
She sighed. "Fine. Down the street, then turn to the corner on the left..."
They pulled up to her apartment that was only several blocks away from Queens Records. "Thanks," she told the driver as she got out. She shut her door, followed by another slam from the other side of the car. Shang got out of the car and told the driver to park on the side and wait for him. The driver nodded and drove away. Shang slid his shades on then walked to Mai Lin's side.
"I'm just walking you home," Shang said innocently. Mai Lin glared at him but said nothing. Shang followed behind, pulling up his hood to cover his face. "This place isn't that bad," Shang commented.
"Er, thank you," Mai Lin muttered.
They reached her door on the 6th floor. She dug in her pocket for her key then unlocked the door. She paused before turning to Shang. She looked down and cleared her throat. "Uh, you want to come in?" she mumbled.
Shang couldn't read the expression on her face since her dark hair was blocking. "Sure," he said.
Mai Lin opened the door wide for both of them to walk through then quickly closed the door before anyone sees. Shang looked around the apartment, seeing many photo albums, cameras, lenses, and binders around her desk area. Her place had a homey feeling to it. The walls were tan, outlines with brown, with a few pictures of bright colored flowers hanging. At the corner of the room stood a shelf filled with pictures of different people, mostly at a wedding. Shang could easily spot Mai Lin in the middle.
"Who're they?" Shang pointed to the shelf.
"Oh, just some of my clients," Mai Lin said, setting down her bag by her desk.
He moved closer. He was about to ask where the pictures of her family was but stopped himself, knowing it was a bad idea after remembering what she said in the car. He wanted to know what happened between her and her family. But that would mean he would have to tell her his story. The parts that he hadn't told the media. Shang saw a loose picture on the ground, hidden underneath the shelf. He bent down to pick it up. Mai Lin stood next to him.
"That's me and my parents when I was 5," Mai Lin said distantly. "We were at the park that day and dad got us ice cream. The weather was so perfect that day."
"What happened?" Shang asked.
Mai Lin grimaced, gently taking the picture from him. "Mom and dad told me we were going to the park to play and ice cream. I was so happy. We hardly spent time together since they're always out working. When they would be at work, I always try to be on my best behavior when they leave me with a babysitter. They hadn't told me why they're home instead of out working. They just told me not to ask why and appreciate it. So I went along with it. After finishing my ice cream, mom said I could play on the playground with the other kids. They told me they would be waiting for me. I should have suspected something when they told me to bring my backpack with me to the park. My mom had packed my jacket and a couple of snacks. After a few hours of playing, I thought it was weird that mom and dad hadn't told me to come back, so I left the playground and walked over to the bench where I last seen them... They weren't there." Mai Lin paused. "I guess that's why me and Gong Xi got along fast. We're the same. We were abandoned and worked hard for others approval."
5 year old Mai Lin hid behind her bed as she tried to cover her ears from the shouting downstairs.
"This is none of your business!" Her father shouted at her mother.
"Think about our daughter-"
"That kid is just an extra mouth to feed. We work everyday and we're going nowhere. We have to do this!"
Her mother thought for a minute. "Fine," she said, "But after this is finished, we'll have nothing to do with each other. Hopefully, we will never see each other again."
Doors were slammed and a pair of feet stomped upstairs towards her room. The door opened and her mother's face popped in.
"Hey honey," she said sweetly, "want to go to the park today? I think daddy will buy us ice cream!"
Mai Lin's body started to shake. Shang wrapped an arm around and pulled her close. She buried her face in his shoulder, forgetting that they even fought.
"Since I was little, I was loved by my parents," Shang said softly, "and every time I saw Gong Xi cry, I didn't know what to do. I just stood there and watched. Because I was the only child, I talked to only Gong Xi and hung out with only Gong Xi. I never realized that others would hate her because of me. She supported my love for music and encouraged me to follow my dreams, even if it means she has to put aside her own. Growing up together, my parents trained us how to run the hotel when we got older. I never wanted to stay there all my life. Later, I found out that they wanted me to marry Gong Xi to keep the family business going. I was blinded from my selfishness and greed and used Gong Xi to survive someplace away from home. I tried telling my father that I wanted to become a singer but he discouraged me and told me I wouldn't get far. He... he hit me. After that, I left Taidong with Gong Xi." Shang held Mai Lin tighter. "I'm sorry I've been mean to you, Mai Lin," he whispered.
Right then, he decided, that Mai Lin was someone to trust.
Gong Xi stood in her bright pink Love Me outfit, ignoring the attention she was receiving. "My eyes!" Some passbyers would exclaim. She waited for Jai Li to show up in a limo. She was very nervous. This was the original actor of Jai Yue!
"I'm going to succeed in this mission no matter what!" Gong Xi told herself.
A limo drove up, causing many people to gather around. The security held them back as the chaffeur opened the door for the passenger. Jai Li stepped out. Here goes nothing...
~Zhe shi ai dang wu xin shang hai [gai zen me ban?] zhe shi ai dang pi qi geng gai [chu ni yi wai]~
~This is love when you don't hurt one intentionally [what can I do?] This is love when I changed my personality for you [out of your expectation]~
An: AHHH! 16 chappies and it's only been 4 eppies :P
Preview (bits and pieces):
"Nothing bad happened while I was away, right?" Yang asked.
"Shang, what are you doing here?"
"This girl tricked me! How..."
"Corn?"