I met up with Jongin at this Italian restaurant that one of his friend's mom owned. I was dressed in a white collared button-up long sleeve shirt under a yellow sweater, some light blue skinny jeans, and white sneakers. He and I made an agreement not to wear such fancy clothes whenever we went out since we were just gonna talk and eat. I walked inside and saw him waving me over with a bright smile.

"Hey!" I said as I gave him a hug which he returned.

"Good to see you." He said as we sat down across from each other. The food was already set out on the table. There were two platters of pasta, Chicken Alfredo and Shrimp Aglio Olio. A large pepperoni deep dish was on the center of the table with some potato wedges and garlic bread on the side. I smiled as I inhaled the smell of the food.

"They smell so good! I should've went here ages ago!" I said as I started to mix the platter of chicken alfredo before forking up some and placing it on my plate. Jongin sliced through the pizza and placed a slice on my plate before getting one for himself.

"So do your parents know about our master plan?" I joked as I bit my pizza. It was so good. The cheese was melted and it just went so well with the pepperoni.

"Yeah I told them about it and they promised not to tell your parents. My question is, if you're best friends with the famous F4, why didn't your parents not think about setting you up with one of them?" He asked as he ate his pasta.

"Huh... I guess I never thought about that. I guess they think that I'll never see those boys as anything else but family. Well, not all of them." I answered with a shy smile as I reached for my soda.

"Ahah. That best friend of yours? Feng Meizuo was it?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yeah." I said as I drank my soda.

"So why haven't you told him you loved him?" He asked and I shrugged.

"I'm scared of being rejected I guess. I've been rejected my whole life by my parents and I don't think I can take another one from one of the most important persons in my life." I said and he gave me a comforting smile.

"I see. But what makes you think he won't like you back? You're smart, you're pretty, you're nice... Any guy would be lucky to have you. Damn, if you weren't in love with him, I'd make you my girlfriend." Jongin joked but I stood back in shock. Did he..like me?

"Jongin um.." I started but he held his hand up.

"I know okay? Stupid isn't it? I've known you for 2 days and I already like you. But I couldn't help it Shuijing. Yet I know, you don't feel the same way." He said and I gave him a sad smile.

"But hey, it's okay. I would rather have you as a friend than nothing at all. And if one day, you decide to tell him how you feel and he doesn't react the way you want him to, I'll be here okay?" He said and I nodded.

We continued to eat and just talk about random stuff like my modeling career and his training to become a singer. Jongin was actually a pretty amazing dancer in fact he even invited me to one of his dance recitals that was happening in a few months.

He's a great guy.

He's just not the one I'm in love with.

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

The next day, I met up with the boys at Ah Si's house to do some research on Shancai's opponents. Shancai was in the kitchen with Zhuang jie while we stayed in the basement.

"Zhou Caina is probably Shancai's most formidable opponent." Meizuo said as he read through the article about the said girl. Her father had founded the Double-X Real Estate Group. She had graduated from the University of California and was engaged to the son of the Tian Chinese Medicine venture.

"They're all her opponents." Ximen pointed out as I leaned in closer to Meizuo to read what was on the laptop.

"Junior champion of Chinese Delicacies Competition, finalist of Le Cordon Bleu Girls Competition..." Lei read out and my jaw slightly dropped. This girl was no joke.

"Even without those titles, Shancai is nothing compared to her." Ximen added.

"You're still drinking milk? Are you even listening to us?"Meizuo said as Ah Si downed the glass of milk in his hands.

"Do you want some? It's in the fridge. Get some for yourself." Ah Si nonchalantly said with his back faced to us, holding up the glass he finished.

"Is that supposed to be funny? If Shancai loses, don't come complaining to us." Meizuo added which made Ah Si stand up and look at the four of us who were huddled around Meizuo's laptop.

"Did you guys forget? She's the only girl that dares stand up to F4. What can't she do? I believe she can do it. Just wait and see Shancai surprises everyone." Ah Si said confidently and I smiled in agreement. I noticed Meizuo kept staring at Caina's picture.

"What is it Zuo?" I asked curiously.

"She's pretty don't you think?" He said and I felt my heart crack a little.

"Y-yeah. She is." I answered, trying to hide the sadness in my voice. I cleared my throat and sipped on my juice.

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

Over the next few days, I helped out Zhuang jie and Ah Si in training Shancai and did my best to help her out in whatever situation. She was doing so well and we all felt she was ready. She stayed at Ah Si's house most of the time.

At the moment, I was at Mingde with the guys. They just finished class and Ah Si was talking about Shancai's progress. To be honest, I wasn't really feeling the greatest and I haven't been able to get a good night's sleep since Dad keeps piling up the work I have to finish and Mom keeps pestering me to keep seeing Jongin.

"So Ah Si, how's Shancai doing?" Lei asked.

"It's going great. My sister and I are very confident. Shuijing told me that the chef also said that Shancai has made a tremendous improvement." Ah Si reported happily and I smiled.

"Really? Zhuang jie thinks she'll win?" Meizuo asked.

"Especially that dish called "The Bird Returns from Familiar Days." It's better than any dish I've ever had

made by famous cooks." Ah Si bragged as he thought of Shancai.

"Isn't it "The Swallow Returns from Familiar Days"? It's a famous poem by Yan Shu." Meizuo corrected which made me laugh.

"Whatever. It's just chicken. I don't understand what the fancy name is for." Ah Si dismissed.

"Food is not just for the taste buds, it's a form of cultural exchange. Shancai has really improved." Lei added.

"But even if she cooked rat poison, Ah Si would gobble it up right away." Ximen joked.

"Shut up. I'm very objective, okay? It's really tasty." Ah Si protested.

"Here. This is tasty too." Ximen said as he gave Ah Si the bottle of juice he was drinking.

"More importantly, this Zhou Caina seems to be the most likely to win." Ximen said as he continued to read on his phone.

"I read about her. She's smart, pretty, and elegant. I wonder if she has a boyfriend." Meizuo beamed and I felt Lei wrap an arm around me. I leaned closer and gave him a small smile as a sign of thanks. I've never heard Zuo talk about a woman like that before and he seems to really like her.

"Just wait and see. I don't care if she's Caina, Lina, Xiena, or even Madonna. Shancai's cooking skills will not disappoint you guys." Ah Si stated.

"Let's hope the judges will be able to see her true talent and appreciate her for being different." Meizuo said.

"Who said she's different?" Ah Si said but then he turned to look at me. He looked concerned.

"Hey Shui. You okay? You don't look so good." He said which made Meizuo and Ximen look to me. Lei had removed his cardigan and placed it over me in an attempt to keep me warmer as I hugged his torso while he rubbed my back.

"I'm not feeling that great. I'm just tired I guess. I haven't slept in 3 days because of my parents. Dad keeps giving me work after work after work. I just wanna sleep and cuddle with Kenny." I croaked out as I massaged my temples.

"Oh and don't even get me started on Mom." I said with annoyance.

"What did Auntie do?" Meizuo asked as he grabbed my hand and rubbed circles on it.

"I caught her shopping for wedding dresses and she sent them to my house. It seems like she wants me to hurry up and marry Jongin already." I said as I closed my eyes.

"Don't let her get to you okay? I'll drive you home if it makes you feel better." Meizuo offered but I shook my head.

"I'll be fine. I'm just gonna get some rest." I said as I stood up, my legs a little wobbly and handed Lei his cardigan back.

"I'll see you guys at the competition tomorrow okay?" I said as I walked out.

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

After Shuijing left, I turned to leave when Ah Si pulled me back and made me sit down.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"What are you doing?" Ah Si asked as my eyebrows raised.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Why are you so interested in Caina all of a sudden?" Ximen asked.

"I did mean what I said and she seems really interesting. I think I can actually like her when I meet her." I answered.

"You're a coward." Lei spat and I looked at him.

"What?" I asked.

"You're a coward. How can you like someone else when you can't even face your feelings for the girl you're in deeply in love with? Are you even a man?" Lei provoked and I stood up, wanting to punch him when Ximen held me back.

"Don't Meizuo." He warned and Lei continued.

"If you can't even face your feelings for Shuijing then don't bother telling her. You'll only end up hurting her and I won't let that happen. She's better off with that guy her parents are setting her up with." Lei said as he walked away and Ximen let me go.

"Lei's right Meizuo. Stop running away from your feelings." Ah Si said as he walked away and Ximen followed suit, leaving me alone in my thoughts.

'What now?'

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

THE NEXT DAY

I was gonna pick up Shancai at her house for the competition and she invited me in.

"Why hello Shuijing! How are you dear? You look so pale." Auntie said as she felt my forehead. I gave her a small smile.

"I'm fine Auntie. Just a little under the weather." I said as I covered my mouth with a handkerchief as I coughed. She frowned.

"This won't do! You need to eat my famous spicy noodles! Shancai, get a bowl quickly!" She said as Shancai nodded and hurriedly grabbed a bowl. I was about to protest when Auntie gave me a stern look.

"Don't say no. You are in my house and my daughter's friend which automatically makes you my daughter too." She said and I smiled sweetly. I sat down while Uncle gave me a glass of water and some utensils.

"Here you are, dear! Steaming hot." She said as she placed the bowl of noodles in front of me. I smiled as I smelled it. It was appetizing and looked so good. I grabbed my chopsticks and began eating.

"This is really good Auntie!" I complimented as I drank some of the soup and chewed on the noodles.

"Eat a lot okay?" She said as she turned to Shancai who was grabbing her bag.

"Shancai, why have you been so busy these days?" She asked.

"I'm competing in the Chinese Cuisine Culinary Competition." Shancai said as she put on her coat.

"No wonder you've been so busy lately." Uncle said.

"Shancai, that's awesome! Who's your teacher? The restaurant you work at?" Auntie asked.

"No, it's Daoming Si's sister. She and a chef that Shuijing knows has been helping me." She said as she nudged me.

"That's great. She seems to be very nice. How kind of you to help her out Shuijing." Auntie said as she gave me a smile. I smiled in the midst of chewing.

"Next time, invite her to our house. Your mom will cook them some food." Uncle suggested and I nodded in agreement.

"I can't do that. They're professionals. My food could never satisfy them." Auntie stated.

"That's not true. My mom's cooking is the best in the world." Shancai retorted as she gave her mom a hug.

"It's true Auntie. This is one of the best dishes I've ever eaten." I complimented.

"That's right. My wife's cooking is healthy and delicious." Uncle said and I smiled.

"Really?" Auntie asked and Uncle nodded.

"All right, Shancai, do your best at the competition today. Dad and I will watch it on the TV. All right?" Auntie prompted and Shancai nodded.

"Go!" Uncle said as they fist-bumped and I smiled.

'Shancai's so lucky to have grown up in a house like this. They may not have much but they're so supportive of each other and love is clearly overflowing.'

'I've never known how that feels'

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