Fun fact: in the show, Meteor Garden, Asi's name shows up on his computer when his friends are trying to download his business plan. His user name shows Dau Ming Sz, but English subtitles always show Dao Ming Si. Hmm. Food for thought.


Chapter 7

Xiaozi parked her Benz coupe in Huaze Lei's driveway, unsure why she was all but summoned to his house with a barrage of cryptic messages. She had heard nothing from Asi for days, but Dao Ming Feng assured her that the entire family felt terrible and sent their condolences. A huge bouquet of expensive flowers arrived at the hospital within hours after news broke about her father with a hand-written note from Asi saying how sorry he was and that he was specially thinking of her during this time. It was signed in bold script with a little heart over the "i."

Xiaozi pictured him smiling that irresistibly adorable smile, this time turned in her direction. She had the right to dream because Dao Ming Feng said that he was coming around. His feelings for Shancai were infatuation only, she had said. Shancai turned his head with her spunk, but his mother assured Xiaozi that she had that and much more. Xiaozi hugged herself and let out an eager breath imagining Asi running his hand through her hair while he kissed her neck. She pressed one hand against her heart to stop it from pounding. She imagined traveling the world with Asi and making love minutes before he gave a keynote address to a room crowded with top business executives. His eyes would lock onto hers as he spoke, and she would shiver and flush with memories of their passionate encounter. She blinked hard and looked around before she remembered where she was.

Xiaozi spied two other expensive cars and figured that F4 minus one had gathered. She initially dismissed Lei's calls because her family needed her, but when her father was moved to a comfortable room with internet, she knew that he was out of danger and listened to her messages. Lei's voicemails grew increasingly urgent without saying why he needed to see her.

Xiaozi's face brightened. Perhaps they were planning an engagement party for her and Asi and wanted to make the arrangements while her father recovered. Maybe Asi would video conference in, and the group of friends would plan something fun. She was desperate to see Asi and have him smile at her the way he used to at Shancai. Rummaging through her purse, she looked into her rearview mirror and freshened her make up. She wanted Asi to see her at her best.

Meizuo and Ximen stared at Lei open-mouthed while he outlined the situation and their plans to rescue Asi. They did not need to be told of Shancai's condition since she was vomiting at that very moment in the guest bathroom. They winced with each retch.

"So, she's…?" Meizuo ventured. Lei nodded.

Ximen ran his hand over his mouth, clearly shocked, before another question came to him.

"Asi knows?" Lei nodded again. Both friends groaned.

"He must be frantic!" Meizuo said.

"I'm sure he is," Huaze He Di said, "which is why we need to get that young man out of London as soon as possible. We must take care though. Dao Ming Feng is also planning her next steps. Much depends on Xiaozi and her willingness to help."

The doorbell, set to "Claire de Lune," sounded throughout the house.

"I've always liked that," Huaze Lan said coming out from the bathroom. "Sets a lovely sense of occasion, and we can use all the grace we can get. Lei? Why are you standing around? Don't let a servant open the door."

But Huaze Lei stubbornly stood his ground with his fists clenched.

"How is Shancai, Mother? Please answer that first."

"As well as can be expected."

"She's in no danger then? And the baby?" Huaze Lan shot a shrewd look at her son.

"Mother and child are well. I am the doctor in the family, Lei. Now don't leave that young woman standing outside. We want her amenable to our plans. This isn't going to be easy for her."

Lei nodded and strode to the door. As soon as he was out of sight, Huaze He Di crooked his finger and pulled his wife into a corner.

"He's in too deep, Lan," he whispered. "I'm worried about him. He really wanted this. He wanted to be a father and husband."

"A husband and father someday or with her?"

"With her, Lan. He loves her. You should have seen his face while you were with Shancai. He looked like he was going to jump out of his skin."

"Our cool and collected son? But he doesn't feel that way now that Asi knows, does he, He Di?" Her husband shrugged.

"He's giving her up to the one she loves most, and while I'm sure he feels the rightness of it, it pains him, I know. I'm proud beyond measure but worried as well." Huaze Lan slid into her husband's embrace and squeezed him around the waist.

"I am too, but he's doing the right thing, and I hope that's enough to heal his heart."

Lei opened the door to find Xiaozi standing there smiling brightly and clutching a trendy Hermes bag. The two faced each other, and Lei's solemn expression slowly leached the excitement from her face.

"What's happened?" she asked. "Why do you need to see me."

Lei ushered her in and closed the door quietly. Xiaozi followed the voices down the long hall.

"How far along is Shancai?" Meizuo asked Huaze Lan.

"Shush!" Huaze He Di said.

A choked gasp turned everyone's head, and they looked up at Xiaozi's white face and then looked away. Shancai came out of the bathroom at the same time looking even paler. Lei immediately guided Shancai to a comfortable chair and fetched a glass of water. Xiaozi watched him with cautious hope before turning to Ximen who shook his head. Crumpling into the nearest chair, she covered her face with her hands while her shoulders shook, her happy dream turning dreadful.

"But he wrote to me," she said, her voice muffled behind her hands. "She said that he was falling in love with me."

Surprisingly, Shancai walked over and put her hand on Xiaozi's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Xiaozi. Everything you and I were told is a lie. Dao Ming Feng lied to both of us, but Asi matters most now. She has him sedated and under guard in London. Will you help him?"

Looking up, Xiaozi stared at her in blank shock before scanning each face for confirmation. Seeing their sympathetic expressions, she opened her purse and pulled out an expensive linen handkerchief. Tossing her head, she put on a proud air, blew her nose, and closed her bag with a loud snap.

"So, she sent the flowers and forged the card? That witch! How dare she? Count me in. I'll help Asi. She won't make a fool out of me and my family, and my parents will agree once I tell them what happened." Shancai nodded and Xiaozi grabbed her hand. "I know he only loves you, Shancai. He always has. Forgive me for hoping."

"There's nothing to forgive. He does care for you and doesn't want you hurt."

Xiaozi nodded, caught Lei's intense stare at Shancai, and snorted.

"So, Asi cares for two women, and two men love you." Xiaozi cocked her head and stared behind Shancai. "Isn't that right, Huaze Lei?"

He shrugged and nodded.

"Yes, and she knows, but now we need to focus on Asi and how to help him. I'm thinking that a busy day at Heathrow might work."

"I can help with that," his father said.

"But he's weak from sedation," Huaze Lan said, "and will need at least a week of him being up and around before he's well enough for what we're planning."

"How do we convince Dao Ming Feng to stop when she's doing?" Meizuo asked.

"We need something to force her hand," Ximen said. "Something unexpected."

Huaze Lan raised her eyebrows at Xiaozi and nodded.

"I'm sure our clever young friend here can think of the obvious answer." Xiaozi smiled and wiped the last tear away.

"Of course," she said. "I'll fly to London to see my ex-fiancé. Dao Ming Feng will have to let him out if I fly there to spend time with him. I have every reason to now that the wedding's been 'postponed'."

"Wonderful!" Huaze He Di said. He looked around the room and rubbed his hands. "It's wrong, I know, to say that I'm enjoying this, given Asi's situation, but I'm looking forward to Dao Ming Feng getting what she richly deserves."

Xiaozi grabbed Shancai's hand and gave it a firm squeeze.

"Shancai," she said, "we won't fail. Your child needs its father, and you need your husband. We'll get him back."

"We promise," Lei said. "We promise."