Author's Note: I present to you all, the highly anticipated chapter...

Disclaimer: I do not own Mulan or any character from Mulan. I only own my fictional characters.

Chapter 8: It's Time.

The next day, Shang went on with his usual routines. He attempted to talk to Mulan and knocked on her door, but she wouldn't say a word to him. After many attempts, he gave up and he went off to work, however, he barely could even concentrate that day. His frustration and sadness was clearly shown on his face that even the Commanding General in chief had dismissed so he can rest up after seeing that he went through a rough night. As much as Shang didn't want to, he had to. An order was an order. After all, he did have a higher rank than Shang.
As Shang slowly rode off back home, he felt that he had to confess everything to Mei. It was the only way he could possibly feel any better. He switched routes and headed towards Mei's house. As he rode on to her house, he felt nervous. Sweaty palms, butterflies in his stomach.

"What if she'll hate him for confessing his feelings?"

He shuddered and stopped thinking of how she would react. Before he knew it, he was already in front of her house. He tied his horse to a tree and went towards the house. He knocked patiently and waited for Mei to open the door.

"Shang!" she said surprised as she opened the door "What are you doing here?"

Shang sighed and looked at Mei.

"I need to talk to you" he pleaded.

"Mei-Ying" yelled out a voice from inside the house. "Who's at the door?"

Mei's eyes widen as she came out of the house and closed the door.

"Can we talk tomorrow?" she whispered nervously.

Shang sighed once more and looked into Mei's eyes.

"Please, Mei. I need to -"

Shang stopped talking as he looked up. A small middle age stood by the door. Mei looked back and groaned.

"Mama!" she exclaimed.

The woman smiled and walked towards the two adults.

"Mei-Ying, why don't you bring in your friend" she said kindly.

"But Mama -"

"Lee Mei-Ying!" the mother protested.

Mei rolled her eyes and mumbled to Shang to come inside. Shang bowed to the lady as they went inside.

"I'll get the tea!" Mei's mother said as she hurriedly walked to the kitchen.

Shang grinned as he looked at Mei

"Your mother seems really nice." he told Mei as she grabbed Shang by his arm.

"Yeah, yeah, but you need to leave!" she said nervously.

But before Mei could kick Shang out of the house, Mei's mother walked in with the tray of tea.

"Pardon me for not introducing myself sir, but I'm Zhao Ling." she said as she smiled.

Li Shang removed his helmet and excused himself for not removing it earlier.

"I'm General Shang. General Li Shang"

Zhao dropped her frayed and gasped.

"Mei-Ying! How could -"

"MOTHER! I think you should go and get the dumplings." Mei said loudly as she made eye contact with her mother. Zhao excused herself and left to the kitchen.

"Excuse my mother Shang" she said apologetically.

"It's fine" he replied "But seriously, we have to talk."

Mei nodded her head and gestured him to continue.

"See, after these months we've spent together, I've felt very close to you" he began.

Mei frowned as she kept hearing Shang speak.

"And well, uh well" he stammered.

"Well what?" Mei curiously questioned.

"Well I think I'm somehow in love with you?" he said softly.

Mei's eyes widen as she heard Shang's words

Before she could even say a word, Zhao came in running and yelling.

"Stop! Stop!" she yelled

Shang stood up and looked at her.

"This can't be happening!"

Mei looked at her mother in disbelief.

"Mother please!" she protested.

Zhao disregarded her daughter.

"Young man, you will have to leave our house at once!" she said sternly.

Shang was confused and didn't even know what to do.

"Mama, stop!" Mei pleaded once more.

Zhao shook her head and glared at her daughter.

"How could you! Dishonoring our name more than what it has been already!" she yelled out. "For once, can you stop getting involved with the Li family?"

Mei stood up and looked at her mother.

"Mother, I'm a grown woman already. and I think it's time to tell Shang the truth..." she said softly.

Shang looked at Mei and raised his eyebrow.

"Truth? What truth?"

Author's Note: I think all of you probably are going to form an angry mob and run after me. I decided to leave this chapter as a cliffhanger. ;D I suppose I'm a wanted woman because I'm not updating any time soon. ;) Muahaha. I love messing with all of you. =)