Fan Fiction: Meteor Garden Season 3 (Part 4)

 

Two months have passed. Dao Ming Si is happy working in a restaurant as an assistant cook. He gets a good monthly salary, more than enough for their needs and for a savings fund. San Cai has found a part time job in a local cafe. She would work there in the morning and be home in time for when her son comes home from school. 

The family was having dinner when San Cai asked her husband, "What are your plans for the New Year?"

"Not much. We stay here, and celebrate as the locals do. Would you want to go somewhere else? I mean, we do have some savings in the bank. Anything to make my beautiful wife happy, I would readily oblige." Dao Ming Si says.

"Fine with me. I pretty much love this neighborhood. Everyone is friendly. I just have to get used to people calling me Mrs. Liu." San Cai smiled.

"Me too, Mama. I don't understand why you had to change my name. Xiao Tang was nice, now I have to be called Qing Bian."

"Someday you will understand, my son. Just be thankful we are together and living a happy, peaceful life."

"Yes, Pa." Xiao Tang replied.

"Is there anything special you want me to make for the New Year celebration? San Cai asks Dao Ming Si.

"Oh yes. If you could please make me those cookies again. Like the ones you made for me for my birthday years ago?" Dao Ming Si gave San Cai a wink. 

"Just teasing, sweetheart. But if you could, that would be nice. That memory is etched in my heart forever."

"Awww.... " San Cai blushed.

The weeks have gone by so fast. It was the New Year's celebration in a couple of days. San Cai was busy in the kitchen, prepping a special meal for her family. She secretly made those cookies - the ones that she fashioned to look like Dao Ming Si. This time, her cookies were perfect. She kept them in an airtight box on the top shelf of the kitchen pantry. 

"Dao Ming Si will be so happy to have these cookies" San Cai said to herself.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Dao Ming Si is doing excellent work in his job as an assistant cook. His supervisor has been letting him make the restaurant's specialties by himself and he has done a good job. 

"You Hen!" Dao Ming Si's supervisor calls him. "A customer wants a bowl of Kong Oan. We don't have it on our menu, but this old lady wants it. She says she grew up here and she wants to taste the dish she enjoyed as a child. Do you know how to make it?"

"Yes I do, Lao ban. I know how to make that dish. Let me check if we have the ingredients I need." Dao Ming Si says.

"Okay, let me go back to the customer and let her know that we will prepare it for her. Looks like a rich little old lady. Promised to pay a lot. Haha." Dao Ming Si's boss exits the kitchen and goes into the main dining hall. 

Dao Ming Si starts getting the special dish ready. He remembers Auntie Jade making this dish for him and it has been one of his favorites too. In his youth, he'd  drive all the way from Taipei to Hsinchu just to eat authentic Kong Oan.

In about half an hour, the Kong Oan was ready to be served. Dao Ming Si calls the waiter to take the bowl to the waiting customer.

"This is what I have been missing!" The old woman was visibly satisfied with the dish. 

"Ma, they are just meatballs in clear broth. What's so special about it?" her son asked.

"When you have lived far from your hometown, there are things that may seem simple to you, but it is these simple things that bring back so many happy childhood memories." the mother replied.

"Sir, would it be too much for me to ask if I could meet the chef that prepared this dish for me? I want to thank him personally." the old woman asks the waiter.

"No problem, Madam. Let me call him." the waiter says.

"Liu You Hen! That woman whom you made the Kong Oan for wants to meet you. It looks like she enjoyed her meal." The waiter said.

"But I am not a chef. Let the boss meet with her. I think that would be more proper." Dao Ming Si says.

The kitchen supervisor goes out into the dining hall and meets the customer. "I am glad you enjoyed your meal, Madam. I am this restaurant's chief cook. It was my assistant, Liu You Hen who made the dish for you, but he is a little shy and sent me to speak with you instead." 

"Please let him know that I will be back soon. I hope he would be willing to make me another bowl of Kong Oan."

"No problem, Madam. We will make sure we have the ingredients in stock. Please feel free to drop by anytime." The supervisor then gives a respectful bow and heads back to the kitchen.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Spring Festival.

Dao Ming Si and family were watching the traditional Chinese dance performances in nearby Hsinchu park. Xiao Tang was enjoying every minute of it. Growing up in Spain, he never had a chance to experience a Chinese New Year celebration. 

"Mama, look at the dragon dance! How wonderful!" Xiao Tang was clapping his hands and smiling from ear to ear.

Across the park from where Dao Ming Si and family were standing was Meizuo and his mother. Dao Ming Si did not notice Meizuo was looking at him, like trying to figure out if he really was Dao Ming Si.

When the performances were over, Dao Ming Si and his family walked home. San Cai prepared sumptuous meal and Dao Ming Si and Xiao Tang were excited to savor the good food that San Cai prepared for them.

Meizuo had his gaze fixed on this family. He instructed his mother's nurse to stay with her for a few minutes, saying that he would be right back.

Meizuo discretely followed them to their house. He approached a neighbor and asked, "Is your neighbors' name Dao Ming Si and San Cai?"

"Oh no, Sir. They are Mr. and Mrs. Liu. The man is Liu You Hen and his wife's name is Pi Qi. Their little boy is Qing Bian. Lovely family. Very kind." The neighbor said. "Why do you ask?"

"I must have mistaken them for my friends who I have not seen for a long time. Sorry to bother you. I must go back now."

Just as he was about to turn around, he heard a familiar voice.

"Dao Ming Si! Aren't you done washing up? The food is ready!"

"I knew it!" Meizuo said. He knocked on the door. Once. Twice. On his third attempt, the door opened.

Dao Ming Si was surprised to see Meizuo at his doorstep.

"Meizuo?" 

Dao Ming Si received a punch in the face.

"You prick! So this is where you have been hiding all this time! You cut off all communications with me, Lei and Ximen for what? Is that how you treat your brothers? Since that day that you told us that you will cut ties with us, I despised you. I hated you so much, and I hate you still!"

"Dao Ming Si! Who's at the door?" San Cai rushed to her husband's side and was shocked to see Meizuo standing there.

"Meizuo, I am sorry. I did not turn my back on you guys. I just wanted to protect San Cai and my son from my mother. You don't know how much I miss being with you three." Dao Ming Si took a step forward and hugged Meizuo.

"My brother, please forgive me. I just want you to understand that I do not need money to have happiness. This is my life right now. I work hard for my family and we get by pretty well. I never regretted that decision of turning my back on the Dao Ming empire." Dao Ming Si had tears in his eyes. 

"Please, Meizuo. Would you come inside and meet my son? I have lots of things to tell you."

Meizuo nodded. He understood. "Ah-Si. I apologize for hitting you. I was just so upset because I thought you threw out our decades of friendship. Let me bring my mother back to the hotel and I will be right back, okay?"

"Okay. Be careful. I will wait for you."

Meizuo rushes back to where his mother was and said, "Ma, I have to take you back to the hotel now. Your nurse will be with you. I  need to go some place for a few hours, okay?"

"Don't tell me you met a girl? Meizuo, I am warning you!" his mother sternly said.

"Ma, I did not meet a girl. I am going to a friend's house. This friend who I have not seen in almost 7 years."

"Who is this friend?" Meizuo's mother asked.

"Ma, it is Ah-Si! He's here in Hsinchu. With his wife and child. I have to go and have a long chat with him. I will be back before the fireworks display starts. Promise." Meizuo gives his mother a kiss and then leaves.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Meizuo and Dao Ming Si had a very long talk. Meizuo was really happy to get to know Xiao Tang. 

"You have such a cute and smart boy. You are so lucky, Ah-Si." Meizuo said.

San Cai joined them after she has put Xiao Tang to sleep in his bedroom.

"Won't he want to watch the fireworks?" Meizuo asked

"I will wake him up. I promised him that." San Cai smiled at Meizuo.

"You cut your hair, San Cai."

"Yes, I did. Partly because we did not want people to recognize us, but unfortunately, you did." San Cai laughed.

"Guys, let me ask you this. All that time you've been away, have you had any news about your mother Ah-Si?"

"No. I still don't trust her. You know what she did before. I don't want San Cai and Xiao Tang to go through such hardships. Never again. As I have told Lei and Ximen, whatever goes on in the Dao Ming empire, the mansion, or my mother is no longer my concern." Dao Ming Si says.

Your mother is half paralyzed, Ah-Si. Isn't it about time you knew? Isn't it about time to forgive? Meizuo thought silently to himself.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back at the hotel, Meizuo's mother asked him how Ah-Si is. 

"He's a little gruff looking now, Ma, but other than that, he's fine. He's happy with his life. Oh, and his son is so cute. I am jealous. He's got a son and I'm not even married yet." Meizuo says.

"They live here in Hsinchu? Where?"

"Right across from Hsinchu park. The little house with a blue colored roof. You won't miss it. Their house is the only one with a blue roof." Meizuo smiled. "I'm going to take a nap, Ma. You should rest too."

"I will, son. Maybe a half hour more until I finish this TV show." His mother replied.

Soon as Meizuo closed the door of his bedroom, his mother started making a phone call. 

"Hello? Yes, it is me. I have some news for you. I am positive this is something you really need to know...."

Meizuo's mother was on the phone with Dao Ming Feng. She tells her that Meizuo met Ah-Si and that he just came back to the hotel after staying in his house for an hour. 

"Your son is in Hsinchu City. I don't have the exact address but I can give you landmarks on how you'll find the house your son stays in. You can rest now. No more searching. You will be reunited with your son very soon."

"Thank you. Tomorrow I will be in Hsinchu."

Dao Ming Feng puts the phone down. She starts crying. Yu Tien rushes in and asks, "Madam, are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Yu Tien, Ah-Si is here. He is in Hsinchu City. Will you ask the driver to take me there? 

"Madam, you surely know that he married San Cai, right? Are you ready to accept that?"

"I do not have any hard feelings about San Cai anymore. As long as I know that she takes good care of my son, I am fine with that. All's forgotten. All is forgiven."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Early the following morning, Meizuo goes to Dao Ming Si's house. He lets him know that he and his mother will be driving back to Taipei and will be leaving for Los Angeles next week. 

"San Cai! Can I borrow your husband for a while? We'll just be taking a walk around, maybe shop for some souvenirs too so I can take them back to L.A." Meizuo says.

"Go ahead, you big boys. Have fun!"

About half an hour after Dao Ming Si and Meizuo left, there was a knock on the door. San Cai was doing the laundry when she heard it.

He forgot his keys again. San Cai took a deep breath and said, "Alright, I'm coming! I know, I know. You forgot your keys again." 

She opened the door and her jaw dropped. It was Dao Ming Feng. On her doorstep. In a wheelchair.

"San Cai..."

"Madam." San Cai was trembling in fear.

"San Cai, please do not be afraid. I am here because I want you to know that I have been searching for my son, for you, and my grandchild for so many years. I know I have been hard on you, but please, believe me, I have learned to accept the life that my son wants for himself. For me, just to see him and his family, to know he is well, is enough for me. May I come in?"

"Yes, please, madam. Dao Ming Si went out for a walk with Meizuo. They will be back soon."

"Mama! Is breakfast ready yet?" Xiao Tang slowly goes down the stairs and takes a seat on the couch. He notices Dao Ming Feng and Yu Tien in the living room.

"Mama! This is the rich old lady that was staring at me outside my school in La Mancha. And this is the man who asked my name!" Xiao Tang was confused. "Why are you here? Who are you?" Xiao Tang asked.

"Xiao Tang, she is your grandmother. She's your Papa's mother. And he is Yu Tien, her secretary and trusted assistant." San Cai says.

"My grandmother? How can Papa have a mother like her? She looks very rich. Papa is a farmer. He's not rich. I am confused, Mama."

"Are you Dao Ming Tang?" Dao Ming Feng asked the boy.

"Yes I am, but my name has been changed. I am Liu Qing Bian."

San Cai takes Xiao Tang by the hand and gently nudges him to approach his grandmother.

"Xiao Tang...I am your grandmother. Your father chose to live his life differently. I have not been a good mother to him, but I am going to make it up to you. Can you give me a hug?"

Xiao Tang looks at San Cai who nods at him. Xiao Tang approaches Dao Ming Feng and hugs her. "I did not know I had a grandmother. I am happy. Should I call you Nai nai?" Xiao Tang asks Dao Ming Feng.

"Nai nai  sounds good to me." Dao Ming Feng smiled as she hugged her grandson once more.

This is the first time I've seen her smile. San Cai said to herself. She does not look scary at all when she smiles.

Xiao Tang sees his father coming in the door and says, "Papa! Come quick! Nai nai is here and she is waiting for you."

Ah-Si and Meizuo look at each other. "Nai nai? What the.." Meizuo says.

Ah-Si runs into the house and finds his mother there."

"Meizuo! Don't tell me you had this all planned?" Dao Ming Si was angry.

"I have no idea how your mother found out about where you live. I have never talked with her since I left for Los Angeles two years ago. I have never told anyone about me meeting up with you, except my mother...It must be my mother! She asked me yesterday who I was going to see and I said I am going to meet up with you." I am sorry, Ah-Si. My mom must have called your mother." Meizuo was apologetic.

Dao Ming Si runs to San Cai's side and snatches Xiao Tang away from his mother. "What are you up to this time? Just to let you know, I am not going back to that mansion, I do not want your riches. Leave me and my family alone!"

"Dao Ming Si! Are you blind? Can't you take a good hard look at your mother? She is paralyzed. She can't walk! All she wants is to see you. She does not mean any harm. Dao Ming Si, she is your mother! Please." San Cai was pleading.

"Papa, you made Nai nai cry. You always told me to love and respect Mama, to not make her cry. But Nai nai  is crying because of you. Why, Papa? Why are you so angry at her?" Xiao Tang asked.

Dao Ming Si looks at his sobbing mother. She has aged. She looks helpless sitting in that wheelchair. Is she really paralyzed or is she faking it? Dao Ming Si's mind was racing with so many different thoughts and emotions.

"She's faking it!" Dao Ming Si attempts to push his mother out the door. "Get out of my house! Dao Ming Si shouts angrily.

Meizuo grabs Dao Ming Si's arm and turns him around. "Ah-Si, your mother was in a vehicle accident. The damage to her spinal cord was irreversible. She is paralyzed from the waist down. She will never be able to walk again. I am sure Lei and Ximen wanted to tell you about this, but you did not listen. Ah-Si, 6 years has gone by. People change. For the sake of your son, please learn to forgive your mother."

San Cai could not believe Dao Ming Si is acting this way. She rushes towards her husband and slaps him in the face.

"Dao Ming Si! Do you have that much hatred in your heart? Can't you see beyond your anger? Your mother only wants to see you! All these years I have followed your wishes. I know your reasons, but this time, right this moment, could you please calm down and listen?"

Xiao Tang starts to cry. He has never seen his parents fight. San Cai comforts her son, "It is okay, my son. Everything will be fine. Papa just needs to sort some things out. Come with me to the kitchen. Lets get you a snack." 

"Yu Tian, please help me out the door. I guess I should just leave."

Just as Yu Tian starts to take his boss out the door, Dao Ming Si stops them.

"I would like to have a talk with my mother. Alone." said Dao Ming Si 

Meizuo moves towards the kitchen where San Cai and Xiao Tang are. Yu Tian follows.

"Ah-Si, I know I have done you wrong. I know I hurt you. The years we were apart has taught me so many things. Yes, you are my son but I do not own you. I do not own your mind, nor your heart. The things I did made me think that you would come back home, but it only pushed you farther away. I am so sorry, my son. I do not mean you any harm. I now know how much you love San Cai and I am fine with that. Believe me, being paralyzed and alone has made me change my perception of life."

"All I wanted was to live my life the way I want, Ma. I admit it was extremely difficult for me. I was pampered since the day I was born, so trying to earn money through manual labor was tough. But I learned the value of hard work. I now know that money isn't everything. A simple life with my family, having dinner together, watching my son grow up - these things are what made me complete." said Dao Ming Si.

"Will you forgive me Ah-Si?"

Dao Ming Si was quiet for a few moments.

"Ma, I know you understand that I may still have doubts, but yes, I forgive you. And I am truly sorry for making you worry about me."

Dao Ming Si gives his mother a hug. "Ma, please let me stay here in Hsinchu. This is where I want to raise my son. I promise to visit you in Taipei often. I can take San Cai and Xiao Tang with me when I visit, if that is okay with you."

"Of course it is okay. San Cai is my daughter in law. And that little boy of yours... my grandson... I would be so happy to see him play in the garden. I can get him all the toys he wants, I will have one bedroom in the house renovated for him, assign a team of bodyguards for him and maybe hire 4 or 5 nannies..."

"Ma! You will spoil him. Xiao Tang is not used to those things. Don't do that please. I have not even told him about the Dao Ming Corporation, and about me being an heir to the business. I will let him know in the future, but not too soon and not too sudden."

"Alright Ah-Si. But please do come and visit me soon. I will have to go back to Taipei now. Promise me you'll visit, okay?"

"I promise." Dao Ming Si says. "Yu Tian, my mother is ready to go home now. Xiao Tang! Say good bye to Nai nai."

"Bye, Nai nai. Please come back when Papa is not angry anymore." Xiao Tang gives his grandmother a hug and a kiss.

"Xiao Tang! Papa is not angry. He and Nai nai  just needed to talk." San Cai said. 

"San Cai, I am sorry. Please forgive me. Please take good care of my son and my grandson. And if you want to come and visit, you are very welcome to stay at the house." Dao Ming Feng said.

"It is all in the past, Madam. Don't worry." San Cai replies.

"From today onwards, you will need to learn to call me "Ma" okay, San Cai?" Dao Ming Feng smiled.

San Cai smiled back. "I will, Ma."

Dao Ming Feng then reaches up to touch Ah-Si's face. "I love you, my son."

"Love you too, Ma. Be careful."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

© Eileen L. Layno 01/02/2021

Part 1 - Click here

Part 2 - Click here

Part 3 - Click here

Part 4 - Click here

Part 5 - (The Finale) Click here

Fan Fiction: Meteor Garden Season 3 (Part 3)

 

The plane lands in Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya. It was a grueling 22 hour trip and Dao Ming Si and his family are exhausted. It was 5:30 p.m. local time. Dao Ming Si was wearing a baseball cap pulled down low, while San Cai had a head scarf on. Both were weating dark sunglasses too. The climate in Nagoya in December is really cold. It was around 5 degree Celsius and snowing. Good thing Hua Ze Lei advised them to dress warmly. 

"Mama, it is very cold here. Let's go back to La Mancha. I like it better there. It is always nice and sunny." Xiao Tang tugged at his mother's coat.

"Xiao Tang, Papa needs to do some business here for a while and then we will go to Taiwan where we will stay for a long, long time."

"Will it be this cold in Taiwan?" Xiao Tang asks.

"No, my son. It gets cold there too, but not this cold. Don't worry, we won't be staying here in Japan for long."

Dao Ming Si was looking for the blue Ford Transit van with license plate 64-13. Hua Ze Lei said it will be the vehicle that he will use to pick them up at 5:45 p.m. 

Dao Ming Si kept looking at his watch. Hua Ze Lei, don't be late!

Soon as he lifted his gaze towards the road, a blue Ford van appeared and stopped in front of them. The door slid open and Hua Ze Lei was inside.

"Get in! You guys might freeze to death!" Lei said.

They loaded their bags inside the van and climbed in.

"Thank God you're on time, Lei. I was worried about Xiao Tang. He's not used to this kind of weather." Dao Ming Si said.

"Of course I will be on time. I missed my little buddy!" Lei gave Xiao Tang a hug. "Hey, San Cai, you seem awfully quiet. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Maybe I am just tired from the trip. I just need some rest and I will be okay soon." Hua Ze Lei, I hope this plan of yours works out well. I am very, very, extremely worried."

"Buckle up everyone. Let's get you to your temporary home. I have a little surprise for you." He said, smiling.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

The house was pretty! It had all the amenities for a transient stay. It was neat, and the location was perfect. Lei opened the door and Dao Ming Si's eyes widened when he saw who was inside the house. He just could not believe it.

"Ximen!"

"Ah-Si!"

"Ximen, I..."

"I know, Ah-Si. Lei has told me everything. No worries, buddy. Brothers don't harbor ill feelings toward each other. I totally understand. Really." Ximen said.

"No, Ximen. I am truly sorry. I should never have cut communication with you guys." Dao Ming Si said.

"If apologies are acceptable, what do we need the police for?" Ximen smiled as he said this.

Dao Ming Si, Hua Ze Lei and Ximen all burst into laughter.

"Mama, I am sleepy. Where is the bedroom?" Xiao Tang asks.

"Oh, so this is the little Dao Ming Si. Haha. He looks exactly like you Ah-Si. I hope he did not inherit your temper though." Ximen kneels down to look at the little boy's face. "What is your name?" He asks.

"My name is Dao Ming Tang. Papa and Mama call me Xiao Tang. I am 5 years old. What is your name? Are you Papa's friend too?" Xiao Tang asked.

"Yes I am. You can call me Uncle Ximen."

"Okay, Uncle Ximen. I am really sleepy right now. Can we play tomorrow? You and Uncle Lei?" Xiao Tang says while rubbing his eyes.

"Sure! I would love to play with you." Ximen points San Cai to the second floor where the bedrooms are.

San Cai brings Xiao Tang in the bedroom, gives him a kiss and tucks him in. "Sleep well, my son."

San Cai goes back in the living room to join her husband, Lei and Ximen.

"Honey, will you please give us a few beers? We have a lot of catching up to do." Ximen calls out to someone in the kitchen.

"Honey? You mean your wife is here with you?" San Cai asked.

"Of course. I don't go anywhere without my honeybunch." Ximen says.

Lei had this impish smile on his face, eagerly awaiting for San Cai's reaction. Out of the kitchen, a woman holding 6 cans of beer on a tray comes out and says, "Hello, San Cai."

"Xiao You?!! You married Ximen? You are Ximen's wife?? How could you do such a thing? This man is a womanizer! He cannot keep to just one woman!"

Ximen stands up and and takes the tray from Xiao You. He puts the tray down on the table and puts his arm around Xiao You.

"San Cai, this woman is the reason I have changed my ways. She is a very patient and loving person. I have learned what commitment is all about when she accepted me to be her fiancee."

Xiao You blushed with Ximen's compliment. "San Cai, Ximen is a good man. Believe me. He loves me and I love him dearly too. He followed me all the way to Canada to win my trust. We dated for a few months and got married 3 years ago."

"See, San Cai? Nothing to worry about. 6 years can change a person, you know." Ximen gives Xiao You a kiss on the forehead. He then gives Xiao You a nudge. "Go ahead and help San Cai get their stuff inside their room, honey. I know both of you have a lot of catching up to do too."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Now that the ladies are not here, let's talk about the rest of the plan." Lei said.

"Right." Ximen responds.

"I'm listening." Dao Ming Si says.

"Okay, here it is. I got confirmation from my father's friend that he has the passports ready and will be sending it out through a courier service as priority mail. You, Ah Si, will assume the name of Liu You Hen, and San Cai will be Liu Pi Qi. Your son's passport will bear the name Liu Qing Bian. The passports are expected to arrive two days from now and it will be delivered to my office. Once I have the passports, I am going to arrange for your flight back to Taiwan." Lei said.

Ximen tells Dao Ming Si about his part in the plan.

"Ah-Si, you guys will be flying back to Taiwan with me and Xiao You. From that day onwards, you will be assuming your new identities. When we arrive in Kaohsiung, we will drive north to Hsinchu. I have already found a house for you to stay. It will be in the east district of Hsinchu City, close to the bus and train stations, and walking distance to a good elementary school for Xiao Tang. I have paid for two years rental of the house, so you won't have to worry about paying rent for a good two years. You don't have to worry about employment. I made arrangements for that too. You will be working in a restaurant that my friend owns. Just make sure that you already know how to fry an egg, okay Mr. Liu?' 

Dao Ming Si sits quietly. His mind was still unable to grasp all these things that his friends were able to put together in just a few days. These friends who he abandoned years ago. And yet, here they are, doing all these for him.

"Ah-Si! Are you listening?" Ximen notices Dao Ming Si's silence.

"Yes, I am. I am just overwhelmed with everything you have done for me and my family. I promise I will repay you guys. Just give me some time to save enough and I will pay you back."

Lei spoke again. "We are not finished discussing the plan yet, Ah-Si. Aside from the passports, the flight back to Taiwan, the house, the job, Ximen and I have agreed to give you NT$ 500,000 to help you start your life anew. Just promise that you invite us to your home for a few beers once in a while. We promise we will be discreet." Lei puts his hand on Dao Ming Si's shoulder. "Welcome back, Ah-Si."

"I cannot thank you guys enough. The only thing I can promise you right now is that I will raise my son to be a sensible, caring and respectful little boy. I want him to be himself, to chase his dreams and be happy. I don't want him to go through the things I had gone through when I was young. No more of that. You guys are the best "uncles" my son will ever have. Thank you, really." Dao Ming Si says with tears in his eyes. "Now if only I could see and speak with my other brother, Meizuo, I would be complete once more."

Hua Ze Lei and Ximen's eyes meet. There was something they would rather not let Dao Ming Si know. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"How have you been, San Cai? I missed you so much. I was upset when I heard that you and Dao Ming Si decided to stop any correspondence with all your friends, even with your parents."

"Xiao You, it was for our protection. I know you witnessed those awful things that happened before. All we want is a happy, peaceful, simple life and we did have that... except until lately, which is why we left Spain. Do you have any news about my parents? How are they? Where are they staying now? Still in our old house in Taipei?"

"They are fine, San Cai. I am sure they miss you like crazy. I paid them a visit a few months ago. They asked me if I had any contact with you, and if I did, they asked to me to let you know that they miss you and that they love you very much."

Tears started streaming down San Cai's face. 

"Ma... Pa..."

"San Cai, I don't understand why you and Dao Ming Si need to keep running and hiding. You have been away for such a long time and there are things that you really need to know..."

Just as Xiao You was about to proceed, Ximen was at the door, calling both San Cai and Xiao You to join them for a "welcome celebration."

The ladies go out of the room and join the men. Lei had some authentic Japanese food delivered to the house and all of them enjoyed the good food, the wine, and each others' company. Before they noticed, it was almost midnight.

Hua Ze Lei said, "I need to get back to my place. My father would want me to report for work early tomorrow. He hands Dao Ming Si a cellphone. "Here is a phone you can use, Ah-Si. My phone number is saved there already. If you need anything, call me."

Ximen and Xiao You likewise say their goodbyes, promising to check on them the next day. "Hey, we are staying at the hotel two blocks from here. I know Lei will be busy with work, so I guess me and Xiao You can take you guys around. I'd like to take your son to play in the snow."

"Sure, Ximen. Me and San Cai will just be here. You can drop by anytime."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The next morning, Hua Ze Lei calls Meizuo.

"Meizuo, its me Hua Ze Lei."

"Hey, man! You still in Nagoya? I can't believe you are up this early! What's up?"

"I found Ah-Si."

Meizuo fell silent for a while.

"So what? Don't you remember how he turned his back on us? On his family? With that awful temper of his, I am surprised he is still alive." Meizuo was feeling a mix of anger and resentment.

"Meizuo..."

"Oh please, Lei. After all those years of not trying to reach out to us? You still think he wants us to be his friends? You think I still want HIM to be my friend? Seriously, Lei."

"I will give you some time to sort out your feelings, Meizuo. I will call you again when you have thought things over."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Yu Tian reports to Dao Ming Feng that Dao Ming Si, San Cai and their son has left Spain. He is verifying if they crossed borders or if they flew out of Europe.

Dao Ming Feng is saddened by the news. She felt drained. Dao Ming Feng picks up her phone and calls someone.

"Hello, President Shui? I won't be able to be at the meeting today. I am not feeling well right now."

"Furen, I was expecting you to be there and so you could choose the best bidder for the project and sign the documents for the release of funds. This is a big project. Any delays will not be favorable for your business and mine."

"I am aware of that, President Shui. If you were in my shoes right now, I am sure you will understand. Give me a few days. I will call you again."

President Shui is upset. He needed this project. His company has not had a lot of contracts lately and this opportunity would help get his reputation back as a world class engineering and construction company. He thinks Dao Ming Feng was intentionally causing the delay. Maybe she is just trying to get rid of me. Maybe she is favoring another contractor. 

President Shui slams his fist on this desk. "That woman! She makes my blood boil!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Hua Ze Lei knocks on the door. San Cai opens it and lets him in.

"Hello San Cai. Where is Ah-Si?"

"He is upstairs giving Xiao Tang a bath. Let me call him. Sit down for a while and make yourself comfortable. Do you need anything to drink? Have you eaten lunch yet?"

"I'm good."

"Okay. I will call him. Wait a minute."

I have always been waiting for you, San Cai.

"Dao Ming Si!!!! Hua Ze Lei is here."

"I'm coming. No, no, Xiao Tang! Don't run on the wet floor! Ai-yo!"

"Uncle Lei! Xiao Tang went running down the stairs. We play today?"

"Sorry, Xiao Tang. I have work to do. But Uncle Ximen and Aunt Xiao You will take you out to play in the snow. Would you like that?"

"Yes, yes, YES!" Xiao Tang was jumping with excitement. "I will go get dressed and wait for Uncle Ximen." Xiao Tang runs up the steps and into the bedroom.

"Ah-Si, I would never have imagined you to have so much patience with kids! Haha."

"Wait till you have a child of your own, Lei. It is challenging to raise a child, but it a totally rewarding experience. What brings you here? Any news yet?"

San Cai serves them some fresh brewed tea and biscuits. She sits down beside Dao Ming Si.

"Yes. I have your passports with me. I have already informed Ximen and he is currently booking a flight for all of you. Are you ready to go home to Taiwan? Ah-Si? San Cai?" said Lei.

"I am." Ah-Si said.

"I am ready," San Cai said, nodding her head. "I am excited to see my parents again."

Lei warned San Cai to avoid meeting up with her parents first. "You have to be discreet. You never know if there would be someone who would recognize you. Maybe a phone call would suffice for now. I just hope your mother won't be screaming your name at the top of her lungs. I wish you could stay a little longer here in Japan though. I haven't shown you around yet." 

"Once we get settled and have saved a little, we can come and visit you here, Lei." San Cai said. 

I wish, San Cai. I really wish that to happen.

There was a knock on the door. Dao Ming Si looks through the peephole before opening the door.

"Ah-Si! Where is Xiao Tang? I promised to take him out today to play in the snow."  It was Ximen. 

"Xiao Tang, your Uncle Ximen is here. He will take you out to play!" San Cai calls her son to come downstairs. She was surprised that he was able to get dressed properly - all by himself. He had on a coat, scarf, bonnet and boots. 

"Good boy, Xiao Tang. You know how to dress warmly. Go ahead, don't keep Uncle Ximen waiting."

"Ah-Si, Xiao You will be coming over to hand you your plane tickets. I had to come here ahead of her because I promised your son that I will play with him."

"No worries, Ximen. Run along now. Have fun, Xiao Tang. Don't give your Uncle Ximen a hard time!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Lei was at the airport to send off Dao Ming Si, San Cai, Xiao Tang, Ximen and Xiao You.

"Call me when you get there. Have a safe trip. And Ah-Si, no more cutting communications from now on, okay?" said Lei.

"Understood." Dao Ming Si says.

"With the way this guy's brain is wired, you can never be too sure, Lei." Ximen smiled.

"Did I ask your opinion?" Dao Ming Si snapped at Ximen.

"Yes! He is definitely still our Ah-Si!" Ximen and Lei both laughed.

"San Cai, take good care of my best friend, okay? And always send me pictures of little Xiao Tang." Lei said and gave Xiao Tang a kiss.

"I will, Hua Ze Lei. Thank you. Take care of yourself too." San Cai gave Lei a quick hug.

"Bye, Uncle Lei. Visit me sometime. Let's play with my trains again."

"Go ahead, you guys. You need to check in now or you'll miss your flight." Lei said and waved goodbye to the group.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Dao Ming Si and his family have settled in their new home in Hsinchu and assumed their new identities as the Liu family. Dao Ming Si was doing well in his job and San Cai was happy and content being a wife and doting mother to her child.

Xiao Tang was enjoying school and has made new friends. He is growing up fast and is indeed the spitting image of Dao Ming Si.

It has been two months since they've arrived in Hsinchu and life has been good for the family. However, San Cai misses her parents so much she is so tempted to give them a phone call. She picks up the phone and dials...

Dong Mama answers. "Hui?"

San Cai kept silent. Just hearing her mother's voice was enough for her.

"Hui? Hello? Hmp! If you don't want to talk, fine!" Dong Mama hangs up.

San Cai felt tears running down her face. "Ma..." she says and sobs.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Meizuo, I want to go home to Taiwan to spend the New Year's holiday there. It has been so many years since I have been away. Would you please come with me and celebrate the Chinese New Year the traditional way? It is just not the same here in Los Angeles." Meizuo's mother was close to pleading.

"Alright, Ma. But we will go back right after the holiday. You know your doctors are here, and if you stay in Taiwan, they might require you to undergo the same medical examinations again." Meizuo said. "Shall I inform the butler in our house in Taipei that we will be spending the holidays there?" Meizuo added.

"No, my son. I said I want to celebrate the traditional way. I want to stay in my hometown, in Hsinchu." said Meizuo's mother.

"Hmm.. that's different. You think there'd be a lot of pretty girls there that I can hang out with?" Meizuo smiled at his mom.

"Meizuo! You are already engaged! Stop thinking what you're thinking!"

"I know, Ma. I was just kidding you."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dao Ming Feng instructs Yu Tian to set up a meeting with all the bidders for her construction project in Keelung. After two hours, everyone was in the conference room and Dao Ming Feng makes her entrance. Even if she was in a wheelchair, she still had the regal, powerful look of a hotel mogul. 

She starts addressing everyone in the room. "After careful thought and a lot of research, I have made my decision. I have chosen the Chen Builders Corporation to build my hotel in Keelung. Mr. Chen, you may proceed to my office for the signing of the contract. That's it. Thank you everyone for your interest in this project."

Dao Ming Feng motions Yu Tian to wheel her out of the conference room.

"You lying bitch!" President Shui shouts at Dao Ming Feng. "You made me believe that you will choose me, and then you pick this company that has yet to prove themselves in this industry!"

Dao Ming Feng turns around and says, "It is my hotel. My money. The decision to choose who will build it is still mine." 

President Shui storms out, pushing away everyone in his path. "You will have your day, Dao Ming Feng!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

© Eileen L. Layno 12/27/2020

Part 1 - Click here 

Part 2 - Click here 

Part 3 - Click here

Part 4 - Click here

Part 5 - Click here (The Finale)

Fan Fiction: Meteor Garden Season 3 (Part 2)

Back at the hotel, Hua Ze Lei was surprised to have 24 missed calls from his father. He calls him back.

"Pa, what's wrong? Why so many calls? I was just checking out the sights."

"Hua Ze Lei! I sent you over there to do business prospecting. Have you been slacking off? I need you to be more responsible and focus on your job."

"Yes, Pa. I understand."

"Lei, business right now is a little slow. I am worried because I built this business for you - for your future family. I don't want to see you begging in the streets. I don't even want to think that you do not like doing this work. Don't be like your friend Dao Ming Si who turned his back on his family's fortune."

"Who knows he might be living his dream life now? You know Pa, sometimes having money doesn't guarantee happiness."

"Listen to me Lei. Find yourself a nice woman and marry her. I need you to give me a grandchild. Who will inherit this fortune in the future if you do not have a wife and child?"

She is married now, Papa. The woman I love is now my best friend's wife. 

Lei pours himself a glass of whiskey and gulps it down like water. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

"Xiao Tang! Uncle Lei is here!" Lei knocks on the door of Dao Ming Si's home.

Xiao Tang opens the door and hugs Hua Ze Lei.

"Uncle Lei! I was waiting for you for an hour already. Come here and see my toy trains. You ready to play?"

"Sure! Where is your Papa and Mama?"

"Mama is in the kitchen. Papa is in the backyard getting some vegetables that Mama will cook for our lunch."

Xiao Tang and Hua Ze Lei enjoyed their play time together. Xiao Tang then asked, "How did you become Papa and Mama's friend? When we were living in our farm, Papa's only friend was Sha Gege. This is the first time I knew my parents had other friends." 

"Your Papa and Mama were my friends at Yingde University in Taipei. Your Papa was a popular guy on campus."

"Haha. How can Papa be popular? Does being a farmer make you popular?" Xiao Tang asked.

"Your Papa used to be r..."

"Hua Ze Lei!" San Cai shouted.

Lei was startled with San Cai's sudden loud voice. He knew Ah-Si and San Cai have not told their son anything about the life they had back in Taiwan.

"Your Papa used to be 'revolutionary.' He had the weirdest fashion sense."

San Cai gave a sigh of relief.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

The lunch that San Cai prepared was delicious. 

"My compliments to the chef!" Lei raised his glass

"Lei, don't flatter her too much. She's going to expect me to do that every time from now on." Dao Ming Si said smiling.

"Mama, Papa is teasing you again. Don't mind him. You always make good food." Xiao Tang said in defense of his mother.

"I know." San Cai said.

"You know I am just teasing you, sweetie." Dao Ming Si stands up gives San Cai a gentle kiss on the lips.

Lei felt a tug at his heart. It is not right to feel this way. 

They were having dessert when Lei announced that he was going back to Japan in two days. Dao Ming Si asked if he could stay a little longer so that they could spend a few more days together. Hua Ze Lei explained that his father wanted him back with positive results on his business trip. 

Dao Ming Si's phone starts ringing. "Excuse me, I have to take this call." 

"Hello? Sha Ge! How are things going?"

"Ah-Xing! Some 10 men in suits were in the vineyard today. They were asking who owns the place. I said that I am the owner then they started asking for documents of ownership. They do not look local, Ah-Xing. They look Chinese. It must be your mother's henchmen. They must be looking for you. I was able to threaten them with calling the police. They left in a hurry. Ah-Xing, I am worried for you."

Dao Ming Si dropped his phone in disbelief. His face showed fear.

"Dao Ming Si! What's wrong?" San Cai sensed that there is trouble.

"She is moving. She is looking for us. Her men are here." Dao Ming Si said.

"Your mother? Where? How did she know?" San Cai's face went pale.

"Ah-Si, I understand your anxiety over this news. Although I think that maybe 6 years has changed her, I still understand your fear and distrust. But if you really do not want to see your mother, if you fear she will do harm to you and your family, I can take you guys with me to Japan. She will not think of looking for you there." Lei said.

Dao Ming Si was quiet for a moment. He was trying to think of the best solution to keep his family safe.

"Lei, we have been friends since childhood. I would really need your help right now. Your offer of taking us with you to Japan seems to be a good idea, but I know my mother would be contacting you or your father asking about me. She has businesses in Japan too, and I know you know that."

"How can I help you then?" Lei asked.

"If you could use your influence and get us some passports under a different name, I think going back to Taiwan would be better. I can't fly in using my name. My mother will definitely find out about that. A passport with any random Chinese name for me, San Cai and Xiao Tang. We will go back to Taiwan. My mother will not look for me there. She would assume that we will be moving cross border in Europe. Taiwan would be the last place for her to search for me."

"I will try my best. It may take a couple of days, but trust me, I will do what I can. I will go back to the hotel now and start getting things moving. Xiao Tang, Uncle Lei needs to leave now. You be a good boy and take care of your Mama."

"I will, Uncle Lei. Please be back tomorrow if you can."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Later that night, San Cai could not help but cry. She was trying her best to stay strong, but the mere thought of Dao Ming Si's mother and her men are in Spain looking for them gave every fiber of her body an indescribable fear. 

Dao Ming Si took his wife in arms and gave her a tight, reassuring embrace. "Sweetheart, we will be fine. We have been through worst times, remember? Lei will not let me down, you know that. Don't cry anymore, please?"

Dao Ming Si holds San Cai's face, her delicate features still the same as when they were in Yingde. He tilts her face up until their eyes met.

"I love you." Dao Ming Si says and gives San Cai as soft kiss. So gentle, so delicate. He moves away a bit and wipes her tears. 

"San Cai..." he whispers. He starts kissing her again, more passionately this time. San Cai felt like she was going to melt in his arms. She responded to his kisses with equal passion. 

"Dao Ming Si... I love you..." San Cai embraced her husband as he lay her down on the bed. She slid her hand under his shirt and felt his muscular chest, his firm, toned abdomen. Dao Ming Si lay on top of her and they made love. It was an intensely passionate act of love, as if the quell all fear of the uncertain future and the journey they were about to take. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Meanwhile, back in his hotel room, Hua Ze Lei calls his father.

"Pa? I need to stay here a few more days. Let me just finish up on some business dealings and I promise I will bring back good news."

"Alright, my son. But please do not disappoint me. I know you are doing your best, but keep in mind that there are many competitors in the market. We have stay ahead."

"Understood, Pa. Oh, do you have the phone number of your friend who works in the Consular Affairs office? I believe his name is Lin Shen Xin?"

"I do, but why would you need his phone number, Hua Ze Lei? Are you in some kind of trouble there?"

"No, Pa. I met a few friends here and they are Taiwanese nationals. Their passports were stolen. They want to know how they could have it replaced."

"Oh. You almost gave me a heart attack. Wait, let me get that number for you."

"Thanks, Pa."

"Here it is - Lin Shen Xin, 0928-557-138. If you contact him, tell him I said hello."

"Great! Thank you Pa. I will be back there next week."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Yu Tian approached Dao Ming Feng with the news. "Madam, the vineyard does not belong to Young Master Dao Ming Si. I have sent some men over there to check out the property but they reported to me that only a middle aged man lives there and that he does not know a person named Dao Ming Si." 

"Yu Tian, how can that be? The last report you obtained for me was that Ah Si owns that place. He must have suspected he was being followed so he left. Where can we find him now?"

"I will keep on looking, Madam. Please do not worry. Let me call your nurse to take you to your bedroom. Please get some rest now."

"Find my son, Yu Tian. Please."

"Yes, Madam, I will."

As Dao Ming Feng slept, her subconscious mind replays the incident that happened 4 years ago.

Dao Ming Feng has just finished the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a five-star hotel in Keelung. Another future gem to the Dao Ming hotel chain. She was on her way back to Taipei when a tractor trailer lost control along the Sun Yat Sen Freeway and rammed full speed onto Dao Ming Feng's limousine, causing it to flip several times until it fell into a small ravine. 

Ambulance and police sirens were blaring. Dao Ming Feng was trapped inside her overturned limousine, unconscious and barely breathing. Her driver is dead. Dao Ming Feng was taken to National Taiwan University Hospital and is revived and treated for her injuries. 

The accident has caused damage to her spinal cord, causing permanent paralysis from the waist down. The doctors inform her that she will never be able to walk again and will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

Dao Ming Feng woke up screaming and crying. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

6:00 a.m. 

Dao Ming Si wakes up to his phone ringing. He gets up and walks away so as not to disturb his wife who was still sound asleep.

"Hello?"

"Ah-Si. Its me, Lei. I will be able to secure passports for you. I have spoke with my father's friend and he will do this favor for me. Here's the plan. The passports will be sent to my address in Japan. You will leave Xabia using your current passports and fly to Japan first. I am going to arrange for a place for you to stay in Nagoya while waiting for your passports to arrive. Once you have your new passports, I will help you book a flight back to Taiwan. I think it would be better to land in Kaohsiung airport rather than Taoyuan International. I will notify Ximen to meet you there if that would be okay with you."

"Sounds like a good plan, Lei. Thank you so much. I owe you one."

"What are brothers for? By the way Ah-Si, where do you plan to stay in Taiwan when you return?"

"Hsinchu. I want to stay in Hsinchu City. I want a good education for Xiao Tang and the best schools are in Hsinchu. And I am sure there will be lots of job opportunities there for me and San Cai."

"Okay, Ah-Si. I am going to make some calls again. You have to get ready to move out anytime. Don't worry about the plane fare to Nagoya. It's on me. I am also going to make sure that the place you'll be staying in will be close to my place so if you need any assistance, I can get to you the soonest."

"Thank you again, Lei."

"Can I call Ximen today to let him know? It would be wise to start including him in the plan."

"Yes, please."

"Alright. I will call you again soon. Will let you know how things are going. Be careful Ah-Si. Bye."

"Bye."

San Cai wakes up and says, "Was that Hua Ze Lei you were speaking with on the phone? What did he say? Can he help?"

"Yes. He already has a plan and it is pretty good. He said we should get ready to move out anytime. I will let you know about it after you make me breakfast. I am so hungry!" Dao Ming Si kissed his wife and smiled.

"Oh, you are ALWAYS hungry!" San Cai gets out of bed and heads out towards the kitchen.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Five days later, Dao Ming Si, San Cai and Xiao Tong are at Alicante Airport, waiting to board the plane that will take them to Japan. Lei left the day before and will be waiting for them to arrive at Nagoya.

"I hope and pray that this plan will work out well for us, sweetheart. I do not like to keep running and hiding. It is not good for Xiao Tang."

"I will pray harder. God will keep us safe."

Just as they were entering the gate, Dao Ming Si noticed 5 men in dark suits roaming the lobby of the airport. They seemed to be looking for someone. My mother's henchmen!

"Hurry up, San Cai. We need to board the plane. NOW!" Dao Ming Si lifts Xiao Tang and the couple safely entered the tube and finally got inside the plane. 

Within a few minutes, the plane taxied into the runway and took off. 

Their 20 hour journey has begun. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

© Eileen L. Layno 12/17/2020

Part 1 - Click here

Part 2 - Click here

Part 3 - Click here

Part 4 - Click here

Part 5 - Click here (The Finale)

Fan Fiction: Meteor Garden Season 3 (Part 1)

Dao Ming Si and San Cai get married in Barcelona and decided to start a new life there as husband and wife. They settled in Castile-La Mancha, and with the help of Sha Ge, Dao Ming Si finds a job at a vineyard and winery. They lived a simple, contented life. Dao Ming Si stood up to the plate and proved to San Cai that he can support her with hard work and manual labor. He wears his hair short now and has a neat stubble. San Cai gave up her long locks too. They hoped that their new physical appearance would keep them from being recognized. After all, Dao Ming Si is still the 3rd generation heir of the Dao Ming Corporation. In this new life, it is only Sha Ge who knows their true family background.

The couple has been blessed with a son whom they named Dao Ming Tang. Dao Ming Si and San Cai were so over the moon with their child. Xiao Tang as they fondly call their son, was their motivation, their driving force to do their best and save for their child's future. With the couple's hard work, they was able to save enough money from their earnings which they used to buy a small farm out in the country. 

Life was good until...

Dao Ming Feng sits facing the window, looking out at the vast expanse of her mansion in Taipei. She asks her secretary, Yu Tian, to get the red box from her dresser drawer. Yu Tian returns and hands it to Dao Ming Feng. She puts the box on her lap and slowly opens it. Yu Tian was surprised that the red box contained only one photo of her son, Dao Ming Si. She lifts the photo and places it on her chest. Dao Ming Feng sobs and whispers, "My son. Come home to me please." Yu Tian can feel this mother's yearning for her son whom she has not seen in years. 

"Madam, it has been 6 years. Do you want me to bring him here? I am aware that you instructed me to keep close watch on him but I don't understand why you don't want me to tell you anything about what I know."

"Have you really been keeping track of him? Where is he now? What is he doing? How is life for him? Tell me, Yu Tian. Please."

"Madam, Young Master Dao Ming Si and Miss San Cai have gotten married. They are in Spain, in a small town in Castile-La Mancha. Young Master Dao Ming Si was a farm worker for a few years. He now owns small parcel of land which they made into a vineyard. It is doing well and they get a lot of produce. They are living comfortably and their needs are met."

"My son? The heir to the Dao Ming Corporation is a farmer now?"

"Madam, Young Master Dao Ming Si looks happy and content with his simple life. He has shown maturity and is a responsible father."

"What do you mean? A responsible father?"

"They have a son, Madam. Little Dao Ming Tang. He is now 5 years old."

"I have to see him, Yu Tian. I want to see my grandson. Please find a way for me to see him."

"As you wish, Madam."

Yu Tian leaves the room leaving Dao Ming Feng alone in her wheelchair, sobbing.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A school bus stops in front of the picket fence. Xiao Tang gets off the bus, waves goodbye to his friends and starts running towards the house. 

"Ma! Pa! I'm hungry!" San Cai hugged her little boy and said, "Was Kindergarten class today that difficult to make you so hungry?"

"We sang and danced and we did some art work. Look, Ma. I painted a pretty flower picture!"

"That is so beautiful! Come on inside and have a snack. Let's show your Papa your painting."

As Xiao Tang was eating his snack, he said, "Mama, Papa, at school today there was a really rich looking old woman in a nice big black car who was staring at me while I was waiting for the bus. Then one man in nice clothes came to me and asked me my name."

San Cai and Dao Ming Si were stood there looking at their son, not knowing how to respond, with fear racing through their minds.

"What did you tell him, Xiao Tang?" Dao Ming Si asked.

"Nothing, Papa. I did what you always tell me to do - 'Do not talk to strangers.' I just ignored him and I stayed close to the bigger kids. The bus arrived anyway so I just got in. But that woman just kept on staring at me."

Dao Ming Si and San Cai felt a little bit of relief but it was obvious that they both had the same suspicion in mind.

Dao Ming Feng found them.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

That night, San Cai was crying. Thoughts of Dao Ming Feng trying to break up her family scared her. Dao Ming Si hugged San Cai to comfort her, even if he himself was very worried. 

"Let's move away from this place. I know how much you love our vineyard. But for our safety, I have decided to take you and Xiao Tang to Valencia. We will leave tomorrow night."

Dao Ming Si called Sha Ge and told him about what happened. He asked Sha Ge to look after the vineyard while they are away.

"Think of this vineyard as your own, Sha Ge. You know how much I love this land, but my family's safety right now is more important."

"Where are you headed? Ah-Xing?"

"Valencia, Sha Ge. I am sure we can rent a small house there. I have enough money to support us for few weeks."

"Please keep in touch, A-Xing. Let me know when you get there. I am praying for you. Give Xiao Tang a hug for me."

"I will. Thank you Sha Ge."

Dao Ming Si decides to take his family to a Xabia, a coastal town in Valencia. They rented a modest house and soon enough they were settled in.

"I will go look for a job in the morning, San Cai. There are lots of resorts and hotels in the area. I will see if they have any "back of the house" vacancies. Don't worry. We will be okay."

Luck was on Dao Ming Si's side. He was able to get job as a kitchen assistant in a seaside resort-hotel. He couldn't wait to go home and tell San Cai the good news. As he was exiting the hotel, he heard someone call his name.

"Ah-Si!"

Dao Ming Si froze. No one in Spain calls him by that name. He used his English name David Daumin ever since he established residence in Spain.

"Ah-Si! It is really you!"

Dao Ming Si turned around. He couldn't believe who he saw. It was Hua Ze Lei!

"Lei..."

They hugged each other. Two brothers who have not seen or heard from each other in years. Who would have thought that it was in this small town by the Mediterranean Sea that they would meet again.

"Lei, I am so sorry I had to cut communication with you, Ximen and Meizuo. I just want to break free from my mother. I do not like her meddling in my life again. I want to live the way I want to. I hope you guys understand the choice I made in life."

"I understand. WE understand. I am just so happy right now that I saw you. Two days ago I regretted my father's decision to send me here to check out some business ventures, but now I am thankful that he did! We miss you Ah Si! Oh, by the way, where is San Cai?"

"She is home. Do you want to come with me? I am excited to go home right now to tell her the good news that I got the kitchen assistant job and that I met you!"

"Sure! Let's go!"

Dao Ming Si tells Hua Ze Lei to hide first as he knocks on the door.

"San Cai! Come and open the door! I have a surprise for you!"

San Cai opens the door and gives Dao Ming Si a kiss on the cheek.

"What is this surprise? Did you get the job?"

"Yes. And there is something else."

"What?"

"Look who I found, or should I say, look who found me."

Dao Ming Si motions Lei to come out from hiding.

"Hua Ze Lei!" San Cai runs towards him and gives him a tight hug.

Dao Ming Si pulled San Cai away and said, "Hey, Lei! She is my wife now." 

San Cai gave both of them a frown and then all three of them laughed. 

"Mama, why are you talking to a stranger?" Xiao Tang appears from behind his mother with a puzzled look. 

"Xiao Tang, this is Mama and Papa's friend. His name is Hua Ze Lei. Lei, this is our son, Dao Ming Tang." 

"Ah, a spitting image of the once arrogant, spoiled brat Dao Ming Si!" Lei said. 

Dao Ming Si playfully hits Lei and said, "That was the me before. I've changed. I am very happy and fulfilled with my life right now." 

Lei gave his best friend a hug. "I am so proud of you Ah-Si. I know this is what you want. A peaceful life with the woman you love, and now you have a beautiful child. You have shown so much maturity. Really, I am so proud of you."

"Hey, you guys ready for lunch? Come and eat while the food is warm." San Cai calls out to Dao Ming Si and Hua Ze Lei.

"San Cai makes good food! No wonder you have such a good physique. And your son is really tall for his age."

"She tries." Dao Ming Si gives San Cai a wink. 

"Hmp!"

After the meal, Dao Ming Si leads Lei to the living room and hands him a beer.

"How's life, Lei?"

"I'm good. Still single though. Been busy with work. My father is getting old and is making me do most of the work now. I stay in Japan most of the time. Dad moved 70% of the business operations there. I still visit Taipei once every 3 months."

"Ximen? Meizuo? They good?"

"Yeah. Ximen stays in Kaohsiung. He recently got married and they established a import-export business there. I try to meet up with him when I am in Taiwan. Meizuo is in Los Angeles. His mom is old and sickly, so he is staying there for now. He's engaged to a fashion model, an American."

"I am happy they are doing well with their lives too."

"Ah-Si, I hope you don't mind me asking. Don't you miss your pampered life? Don't you miss your mother?"

"Honestly Lei, no I don't. I do not like to live in that mansion. I do not want to eat alone again. I do not want people telling me what to do, how to act and who to love. I am very content with what I have right now. I may look like a pauper to you, but my happiness is not with having money and sports cars. My happiness is here. With San Cai and Xiao Tang. Actually, we just moved to Xabia. San Cai and I have a vineyard in a small town in Castile La Mancha, but we had to leave because I think my mother knew we were staying there. I decided to move my family here, for their safety."

"Ah-Si, 4 years ago, your mother..."

"Lei, please. I do not want anything to do with her. After all the hurt she caused me and San Cai, I think it is better for all of us to keep our distance from each other."

San Cai joins them and holds Dao Ming Si's hand.

"Dao Ming Si, she's still your mother. I have forgiven her long ago. I am not sure if she will accept me as a daughter in law, but I am sure she misses you so much."

"No, sweetheart. If she can't accept you, do you think she will accept Xiao Tang? For me, you and my son are my only family. There is no one else."

Lei felt Ah-Si's hurt. He has not gotten over his mother's attempts to break up his relationship with San Cai. In his mind, Lei was certain that this is not the right time to tell Ah-Si what he needed to know. 

Lei changes the topic. "Hey, can I come back tomorrow and play with your son? He's so adorable. I wish I had one myself."

"Well, hurry up and get married. You're not getting any younger, Lei. Enjoy life! Don't you think it would be so awesome to have two or three little Hua Ze Leis running around in your house?" Dao Ming Si said.

"I haven't found the right one yet, Ah-Si. I am not ready for another heartbreak." Lei's was watching San Cai attend to Xiao Tang. What a good, doting mother she's become.  

Dao Ming Si said, "You can come over anytime you wish, Lei. I will start the new job next week. You can play with Xiao Tang and then we can catch up on our conversation again in the afternoon."

"Great! Thanks! I have to get back to the hotel now. My old man must be calling and asking if I have done the tasks he sent me here for."

"Okay. See you tomorrow, Lei." Dao Ming Si gives Lei a hug and a pat on the shoulder.

"You're always welcome here, Lei. Xiao Tang, say good-bye to Uncle Lei." San Cai tells her son to give Lei a hug.

"Bye, Uncle Lei. Will you come back and play with me tomorrow?"

"Yes, I will."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

© Eileen L. Layno 12/13/2020

Part 1 - Click here

Part 2 - Click here

Part 3 - Click here

Part 4 - Click here

Part 5 - Click here (The Finale)

My Best Ex-Boyfriend (最佳前男友) : A Series Review

Here I go again with my addiction with soap operas staring my favorite Asian superstar, Jerry Yan! I have actually watched this series four times and would love to have some free time to watch it all over again. Yes, it is that good!

My Best Ex-Boyfriend is a  Chinese TV series of 42 episodes, released in 2015. Before I go on discussing drool-worthy scenes in this series, let me start off by introducing you to the superb cast.

My Best Ex Boyfriend is a series that will make you want to binge watch till the end. Every episode has its twists and turns and plays with your emotions. Honestly, there were episodes which made me want to jump into the story!

Plot Summary:

Li Tang and Fu Fang Si were sweethearts in university. Cheng Xiang Nan was Fu Fang Si's classmate and no matter how hard she tried, she could not beat Fu Fang Si's talent in design. Her anger and envy took roots when they were still students.

After graduation, Li Tang and Fu Fang Si started a small fashion studio, called Fancy. Li Tang's father was not in favor of this and he disliked Fang Si because she declined an offer to work overseas, which in turn made Li Tang to decide to stay by her side and work on this small business instead of going abroad to work on the family business.

A year after starting the business, Li Tang sold the business which made Fang Si really upset that it made her decide to break up with him. 

Cheng Xiang Nan broke up with her boyfriend Yin Hao Ran because of her ambitions of fame and fortune once she gets her foot into the modeling industry. She said she will never get out of poverty if she continues her relationship with Hao Ran. This was also upon the prodding of her mother who wanted her daughter to become rich, whatever it takes. 

Fast forward to six years - Fu Fang Si has built a career on own, maintaining the same label, Fancy. She was invited by Yin Hao Ran to join a fashion show to present her creations. Cheng Xiang Nan is now a super-model in the industry and the top asset for Don Juan, a fashion company owned by Li Tang. Fang Si and Xiang Nan's paths cross again and the hatred flares up, especially when Xiang Nan ripped Fang Si's dress into pieces. 

Fang Si gets rave reviews from the show, secures a contract from Qiao Rui Si to market her designs. Suddenly, Li Tang appears. Fang Si and Li Tang's eyes meet, but would only cause Fang Si so much pain because Li Tang proposed marriage to Xiang Nan right there and then, shifting the media's attention from Fang Si to Li Tang and Xiang Nan.

Conflict after conflict arises, which would really make you want to watch the next episode and the episode after that. The series will show some dirty tactics of a well respected businessman, eliminating any small company that poses a threat. There is greed, lust for money and fame, misunderstanding, and the relationship between a father and his son. The series also highlights the determination and courage of Fang Si to get her label to be known. The relationship of lovers and ex-lovers are worth watching. It makes you really wonder who will end up with who.

I would really want to discuss more about the plot, but I would rather stop here, so that you will watch the series yourself. I promise you, it will be worth your time. 

My Favorite Dialogues:

Hao Ran: Are you waiting for Li Tang or just commemorating your past?

Fang Si: Actually, there isn't much to commemorate. Six years ago today, I texted him to end our relationship. Six years later, today, the pin he gave me is now broken.

Hao Ran: Fang Si, let bygones be bygones! How many six years does a person have? Fang Si, please put an end to what happened in the past today. Today, Cui Can went public. There is nothing you should feel sorry for about him! The broken pin is a sign from God that you should live for yourself!

Fang Si: For him, today is the end. For me, I will try again tomorrow.

Hao Ran: What?

Fang Si: As soon as sent that text, I regretted it. I sent him another text later, to tell him to wait for me here on the second day. I waited for him the whole day. My mom was with me too. But he suddenly disappeared, just like this time, and never showed up again. After losing the store, he kept waiting for me downstairs at my home. I didn't want to see him. I didn't give him the chance to explain, either. But when I actually sent that short text, I found myself in greater pain. I only lasted for four hours, and then I surrendered. I didn't want to leave him. 

Hao Ran: Fang Si, can you get a grip on yourself? He isn't worth it!

Fang Si: Its not about whether its worth it, or not! It's not about being willing, or not! I know he is selfish, childish and sometimes unreasonable! Actually, I'm not that strong either! I'm a coward! I haven't been able to admit that I can't leave him!

********

Li Tang: My dear Fu Fang Si and schoolmate! Do you know how furious you made me sometimes? I really hated you! I didn't want to see you again in my lifetime! Do you know how hard it was to handle you and get along with you? 

But I love you very much. So, will you marry me? 

I know that in the past, I was very childish and immature. I didn't do a lot of things well, and made you sad. I was a hateful person. I want to use the rest of my life -- I will definitely use my life to work hard and be very serious, not to be a childish person, and protect and love you. So give me this chance and marry me, alright? 

Let me put this ring on you. Will you be with this childish guy for the rest of your life? 

Fang Si: I will.

********

Xiang Nan: I heard Fang Si opened a new studio and that you helped her out a lot. I also heard you're setting up a press conference for her.

Li Tang: This is a private matter between me and Fang Si. Shouldn't it be none of your business?

Xiang Nan: You're right. You don't have Tang Huang, but you have Li Corporation. Boss Li is really wealthy. I wonder if your father found out you spent so much money on it what would he think?

Li Tang: My dad is now very supportive of my relationship with Fang Si. He already approved our marriage so the wedding should happen soon. Because we're working together, I should invite you, but because I fear you'll wreck the ceremony, I decided not to. Li Corporation and NSH's collaboration is about to hit the market soon. Hence, I think we should focus on our business.

Xiang Nan: Li Tang, don't act like you're calm. I ruined your father and I ruined you. You have lost Tang Huang. Fu Fang Si's many years of efforts have also gone to waste! You should hate me and hope that I will go down the eighteen stairs of hell.

Li Tang: Hate you? You are insignificant to me now. Boss Cheng, you still don't understand the current situation? Its only business between us now. Other than that, you are insignificant to me. 

My Review:

Jerry Yan once again plays the role of a rich kid - impulsive, childish, but with a soft spot in his heart for the people he truly cares for. His acting is commendable. He really gets into the character he portrays. I'm not saying this because I am a big fan of his. Jerry is a really good actor. In his role as Li Tang, he was able to pull off an image of a young entrepreneur who is charming, playful and cool, squashing the stereotype of a boss who is straight faced and wears a suit to work every day. As for his outfits in the series, some were quirky looking, although I accept it as such, because his business is in the fashion industry. 

This is the first soap opera where I got to watch Maggie Jiang. Such a pretty lady and likewise a great actress. Her facial expressions are perfect in every scene. Like Jerry, she really got into the character of Fu Fang Si. During some scenes when I could feel the hurt she suffered, I just really wanted to "get into the series" and give her a hug to comfort her. Maggie was the perfect choice for the role - charming, naive, but headstrong in her will to achieve her dreams. 

I was doubtful of Yin Hao Ran from the very start of the series. Ron Ng portrayed the typical "wolf in sheep's clothing." He did things that put Fang Si's career in trouble. He is a cunning businessman and would do anything for profit. It was only towards the end of the series that he made amends to his mistakes. 

Cheng Xiang Nan (Viola Mi) is the baddest villainess ever! I really wanted to pull her hair and drag her out of the series. Seriously! And all those evil things she did for money! She epitomizes that saying, "Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned." There really must be people like this in real life, and I hope I don't get to meet them! 

This series is all about lost love, misunderstanding, deceit, chasing dreams, filial piety, and rekindling a love that was never supposed to have been lost in the first place. It also gives viewers an insight of the problems that business executives face in dealing with market competition - sometimes up to the point that relationships are tainted, trust is lost, and love is set aside. 

I highly recommend you watch this series. I am positive that after you've watched it, you will believe that true love is worth the wait.

Hungry for more Jerry Yan? Check out these other posts:

1. The Forbidden Flower - Series Review + Memorable lines

2. Loving Never Forgetting - Synopsis + Series Review 

3. Meteor Garden Season 3 - Fan Fiction (5 Part Series)