I was meeting up with Caina to talk about our relationship. I was waiting for her at a bar we frequented.

"Meizuo!" She called out as I looked up from my drink and smiled as she walked over and kissed me on the cheek.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked as she sat beside me.

"Caina, you know I like you right?" I said and she nodded.

"I like you too Meizuo. A lot in fact." She confessed and I smiled.

"But not completely." I stated and her eyes widened.

"W-w-what are you talking about? Of course, I do-"

"I know you're still in love with your ex no matter how much you claim to hate him." I say and she grows silent. I grasp her hand.

"It's okay Caina. I understand." I comforted.

"It's not just me isn't it?" She said which made my face scrunch up in confusion.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You're in love with someone else too. Aren't you Meizuo?" She teased and I laughed.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked and she nodded.

"So who's the lucky girl?" She asked and I blushed. She laughed.

"Would it happen to be that girl who I competed against the contest?" She asked and I laughed.

"No no! Shancai's is Ah Si's girlfriend or at least Ah Si assumes she is." I joked and she laughed.

"So who is- Oh, wait. Is it her? That girl who sat with your friends? She's Tengtang Jing's sister isn't she?" She said and I nodded with a smile.

"She's beautiful Meizuo and she seems like a great girl." She commented and I nodded in response.

"She is but I'm too late. She already likes someone else." I stated sadly and she gave me a comforting smile.

"You love her don't you?" She asks and I nod.

"So much. I don't know what I'd do without her." I confessed sincerely.

"Then fight for her. She needs to know how much you love her." She says and I shook my head.

"I'm scared of losing her. If I really tell her how I feel, I'll lose her. She's my best friend and I don't wanna lose our friendship over that." I said.

"Meizuo if you don't act now, you'll really lose her. Think about it can you really stand to see her being with another guy?" She asked.

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

I was meeting Shancai and Xiaoyou at the tea shop where they worked and Shancai was having trouble picking out Ah Si's gift for his birthday that was happening tonight. I had a few hours to spare and she was desperate.

"Shuijing, what would he like?" She asked me as Xiaoyou gave me my order.

"Shancai even if you give Ah Si a keychain from an amusement park, if it's from you, he'll die of happiness." I teased and Xiaoyou laughed.

"Shuijingggg. I'm serious!" She whined and I laughed as I sipped my milk tea.

"Wait a minute. Didn't you win the special prize at the Chinese Cuisine Culinary Competition? Any dish you cook must be valuable." Xiaoyou pointed out and I nodded.

"That's not a bad idea." I said as I nodded in agreement.

"They have famous chefs working for them. How can they eat the dishes I make?" Shancai complained.

"It's the thought that counts. You can also make some dessert." Xiaoyou suggested and Shancai thought for a bit.

"That's a good idea. I could bake some cookies." She said as she went to work on them.

"Xiaoyou aren't you coming too? I'm sure Ah Si wouldn't mind having you there." I said kindly.

"I would love to but I have a family dinner tonight so I can't go."She sadly replied and I nodded. I looked down at my watch. 5:18 pm. Ah Si's party was starting at 8 so I had to leave.

"Shancai, do you have a dress already? Do you want me to pick you up later?" I asked and she shook her head.

"No need. I'll go by myself Shui, I'll see you there." She said as she started mixing up the cookie batter.

"Okay. Don't be late! Bye Shancai! Bye Xiaoyou!" I said as both girls waved at me.

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

I drove myself to the Daoming estate and Meizuo had texted me that Shancai had just arrived as well. I walked to the direction of the dining room and saw the boys and Shancai standing in the living room.

"Hey guys," I said walking over to the boys who looked distressed.

"What's wrong?" I asked as my eyebrows quirked up in confusion. I turned to Shancai and gave her a hug.

"Hi, Shancai." I said kindly but my eyes slightly widened when I looked at what she was wearing.

"Why are you so formally dressed?" She asked as she looked at the 5 of us.

"We're not too formally dressed. You're the one that is...too underdressed." Meizuo pointed out as he looked at Shancai from head to toe. She was wearing a cream-colored long-sleeved dress with the sleeves pulled up to her elbows, nude-colored pumps, and a small matching handbag.

"This is my nicest dress." She pointed out and the boys sighed.

"Give her a break guys. She didn't know." I scolded as I walked over to stand next to Lei.

"It doesn't matter. Lei already expected this. Let's go." Ximen said as he and Meizuo moved towards Shancai.

"Wait. Tell me. Why should I wear something nice? Is there any special meaning to this birthday party?" Shancai asked, holding her hands up to stop Ximen and Meizuo.

"Ah Si's birthday party is a very important occasion in the Daoming family." Lei explained.

"How important is it?" Shancai asked.

"Politicians and people of stature will try to get along and benefit from the Daoming Group." Ximen said.

"Actually, the focus of Si's birthday party is not about Si himself, but his mom..." Lei added.

"Who's the real power behind the Daoming Group." Meizuo finished.

"Daoming Si's mom? But what does that have to do with whether I dress formally or not?" Shancai complained and Meizuo stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Ah Si's mom is a very scary woman." Meizuo said.

"She's hard to deal with, especially in scrutinizing young girls. As Ah Si's the only successor of the Daoming Group and he has brought a girl home...Your future together..." Ximen continued, placing his hand on Shancai's other shoulder.

"Future?" Shancai asked as Lei and I stepped forward.

"We're referring to your married life. Shancai, you're the first girl Ah Si ever brought home." Lei explained.

"His mom would scrutinize you as his fiancée. She won't see it any other way even if you say you're just friends." I added and looked at the young girl who looked scared.

"Fiancée?" She quietly asked before turning around to leave but Ximen and Meizuo grabbed her by the arms and started to bring her upstairs to Zhuang jie's room. Lei and I followed close behind them.

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

Meizuo and Ximen were rummaging around Zhuang jie's jewelry box to find a necklace for her to wear. They wanted her to change into something mine but none of the clothes I left here fit her because they were too small or weren't appropriate enough because some were really short and some were too revealing so I opted to do her makeup.

"Shancai, just wear this one. It suits you." Meizuo said as he held up a large silver necklace with a lot of charms and gems.

"It doesn't suit Shancai's age. It's too extravagant." Lei commented and I agreed as I continued applying some blush on her cheeks.

"How about this one?" Ximen said as he pulled ou a rose gold colored pendant with a gold plated sapphire gem in the middle.

"It doesn't go with Shancai's dress. No." Lei said. Shancai held up a hand for me to stop.

"Wait. I...Can I not wear any of them? I don't think I can pull it off with my background." She said.

"Have more confidence. You're the special prize winner of the Chinese Cuisine Culinary Competition." Lei commended.

"But we're just attending Daoming Si's birthday party. Do we need to be so formal?" She reasoned out.

"Shancai. Having similar social and economic status still matters to some people. Regardless if it's their family background or ethics, there isn't a very big difference. Ah Si's mom is especially strict in this area." Meizuo explained.

"Similar social and economic status?" Shancai repeated.

"Even though it sounds very traditional, Ah Si's family still holds this concept. So just pretend to be from a well-known family today for Ah Si's sake.Please." Meizuo pleaded as he put his hands together. Shancai looked unsure and scared so I grasped her hand.

"Don't worry. We'll be with you all throughout." I comforted her as she gave me a small smile. I put down the blush and lightly brushed her hair.

"This one suits you," Lei said as he held out a gold-colored chain with a small key pendant with miniature diamonds. I nodded in approval. I helped her up and straightened out her dress. I was a few inches taller than her but in heels, I was a lot taller.

"You look pretty Shuijing." She complimented as I fastened the necklace around her neck and smiled.

"She's right Shui. You look exceptionally gorgeous today." Ximen flirted and I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"Did you plan this with Meizuo?" Lei asked and my eyebrows squinted in confusion before slowly widening as I turned to Meizuo who was wearing a tuxedo in a similar color to my dress. I was wearing a blue off the shoulder metallic ribbed-knit midi dress with a light brown buckled belt in the middle with silver metallic leather pumps with buckles and silver hammered bird dangling earrings. My hair was curled very lightly and I carried a matching silver clutch.

"Copycat." I teased Meizuo as he pouted.

"Whatever. Let's go. Ah Si must be waiting for us downstairs." Ximen said as he exited the room followed by Lei who offered his arm to Shancai, leaving me with Meizuo.

"Ximen's right. You look lovely Shui." He complimented as he offered me his arm which I took with a smile as we headed downstairs.

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

Shancai went to freshen up a little bit so we all dispersed and socialized with the guests. A lot of people kept asking me about Jongin and if we were engaged. I answered as politely as possible that we were seeing each other but Jongin had yet to ask me to be his girlfriend. When the 20th person asked the same thing, I guess Ah Si could feel my annoyance from across the room as he dragged me away.

"You okay?" He asked as he gave me a glass of wine.

"Yeah. Thanks Ah Si." I said giving him a smile.

"Speaking of which where is he? Is he not coming?" He asked and I sighed.

"He's still in Korea, doing business. He should be back soon." I explained and he nodded.

"Where is that stupid girl?" He asked in irritation and I laughed.

"If you mean Shancai, then she's just in the bathroom." I answered and looked behind him to see Shancai walking toward us.

"She's here." I said before walking away and standing beside Lei to give them the privacy they needed. I was about to talk when suddenly I heard a glass break and a table fall. I whipped my head around to see that Shancai had fallen.

And at that exact moment, Ah Si's mom walked in.

Daoming Feng. The matriarch of the Daoming family and the driving force of the Daoming group.

My head whipped around to Meizuo and Ximen who walked closer and stood beside me and Lei. We looked at the scene in worry.

"Miss, who are you?" She asked Shancai who looked up at her. I quivered in fear and held onto Meizuo's arm. He looked back at me, squeezed my hand, and gave me a comforting smile.

"Sorry. I..." Shancai tried to explain but the fear was evident in her voice. Ah Si placed his glass on a nearby table and hurriedly helped Shancai up.

"Ah Si. Is she your friend?" She asked her son who held Shancai by the arm.

"Then please escort her out." She ordered but Ah Si remained where he stood, looking at his mother with disdain.

"Did you hear what I said?" She asked haughtily.

"I heard you. But sorry, I can't do that." Ah Si answered boldly.

"What did you just say?" She asked in disbelief.

"I want to take this opportunity to formally introduce you to someone who's very important to me. Her name is Dong Shancai. She's the girl that I like. I hope you can also accept her." Ah Si said to her as Daoming Feng continued to stare at Shancai.

"Do you realize what you just said?" She asked threateningly.

"I do." Ah Si answered.

"You do?" She answered in disgust.

"Mrs. Daoming. This girl is a student from Mingde University. She's close to us." Ximen interjected.

"That's right. It's not what you think at all." Meizuo defended.

"I didn't ask you. Shut up." She told the two boys and my grip on Meizuo's arm tightened in anger.

"Dong Shancai." She said as she turned to the girl in question.

"Yes." Shancai answered softly.

"Based on what I know, there's not a lot of people with the surname 'Dong' in the business world. I want to ask you what business is your father in?" She asked Shancai.

"My father is..." She started but Lei jumped in.

"The President of Huangpu Chamber of Commerce's Overseas Division. He's mainly responsible for the business in North Africa and UAE. It's understandable that you don't know him." He said and I smiled.

"That's true. My father is planning on investing in their company. We plan to expand our businesses beyond the US territory." I added.

"That's right. The companies he's handling would be publicly listed soon." Ximen added and Meizuo nodded in agreement.

"A girl who comes from this kind of family must have a lot of skills, such as playing musical instruments." Auntie casually stated which made me more nervous cause as far as I know, Shancai doesn't play musical instruments.

"Of course. Shancai can play the piano or violin." Ximen confidently stated.

"Then please play a song for our charity auction tonight. We can also treat it as an auction item. What do you all think?" She prodded as she looked at Shancai who looked more and more uneasy.

"Shancai is very busy with school lately. She didn't have time to practice. How about letting her play next time?" Ximen suggested.

"That's right. If you want to hear a song, Lei can play it for you. Or even Shuijing." Meizuo added and I nodded. Lei taught me how to play when I was young so I knew a thing or two.

"Social etiquette and skills are basic requirements for someone from such a family. Shancai. Please go ahead."She said as she gestured to the piano. Shancai walked over and took a seat in front of the piano. She stared at the keys for a moment and my nervousness grew so I walked over to Ah Si, grasping his arm.

"Ah Si. Take her away. She must be terrified." I whispered and as soon as Ah Si started to move, Shancai began to play. It wasn't a piece I recognized and neither did Lei.

"Humans. When you put more importance in the clothes they wear than the wisdom they possess when you put more importance to the expensive jewelry they wear than their righteousness, kindness, and bravery...When you're easily fooled by illusory comparisons and couldn't see the pure heart that's burning and beating right in front of you, you lost the right to have real human emotions." Shancai said as she played and played before coming to a stop. I smiled and looked at Auntie's annoyed face, knowing that Shancai had hit a nerve.

"Excuse me. What were you saying earlier?" She snottily asked Shancai who had turned to face the Daoming matriarch.

"Tagore once said, "Set the bird's wings with gold and birds won't fly over." A person's value is not decided by his social class and status. I don't come from a well-known family. I can only play this song. But so what? My heart is open and honest." She stated.

"Ah Si. Your friend's upbringing is very interesting. I'd surely find time to visit that President father of hers." Auntie sarcastically stated.

"I really don't care whose daughter she is. But you're our family's only son. Do you think you're a match for such an ill-mannered girl?" She asked Ah Si.

"I like her. Aside from her, I wouldn't accept any other girl. I like her. What can you do?" Ah Si challenged.

"It's not up to you. If I had to choose someone for you, it would be someone like Shuijing." His mother answered back and my eyes widened.

" Well tough luck Auntie, that will never happen because I refuse to be used as a chess piece in your little game." I said as I sipped my wine, earning a smile from Meizuo which I returned with a wink.

"Mrs. Daoming. Please stop. Daoming Si and I--" Shancai interjected as she stood up but was stopped by who had stood up and walked toward her.

"Since that's the case, I'll leave with her." Ah Si stated, grabbing Shancai's hand and turning to leave.

"If you dare to walk out this door, be prepared for the consequences." She threatened Ah Si who stopped.

"Ah Si." Ximen called out as he threw his car keys to Ah Si who expertly caught it.

"Thanks." He said before leaving with Shancai. I smiled and walked back to where the 3 were. I sighed as my eyes flickered to Daoming Feng. I could feel trouble brewing.

I just hope Shancai is strong enough to withstand her wrath.

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

After Ah Si and Shancai had left, we got the sense that we weren't welcome anymore so we got changed and headed for a restaurant we frequented for some drinks. I changed out of my dress into a plain white t-shirt under a green leopard print leather jacket, black skinny jeans, and some black suede zip-up high heeled ankle boots.

I sat beside Meizuo while Lei and Ximen sat across from us. We were all anxious and we watched as Ximen downed a glass of alcohol.

"My heart is not at ease." He admitted as he finished.

"I'll probably have nightmares from what happened tonight." Meizuo added as I placed my head on his shoulder and sighed.

"Can you even fall asleep? I wouldn't even dare to turn off the lights. I'm afraid that I'll hear a gunshot outside the window to punish me for helping Ah Si and Shancai." Ximen stated. I turned to Lei.

"Lei. When did Shancai learn how to play the piano? Why didn't we know about it? We were so nervous earlier." I asked him as he shrugged.

"I only taught her once. I'm not sure when she practiced by herself." He explained.

"But so what if she was able to play the piano? It still turned out that way today." Meizuo prodded.

"Do you still remember meeting Ah Si's mom in his house when we were high school seniors?" Lei asked as he turned to Ximen and Meizuo.

"I remember that story, you cut class to go ice skating." I jumped in and Meizuo shuddered beside me, picking up his glass and downing it all at once.

"I also don't feel good now." He said as I gave him a comforting smile.

"At that time, we only cut class and went ice skating and we were scolded that way. With what happened today, I'm not sure if Ah Si's mom will make Shancai..." Ximen said as he made a cut-throat gesture.

"Shancai even dared to have a direct confrontation with her." Meizuo added.

"I hope she can take it." I said.

"I wonder how they're doing now." Ximen asked as Lei downed his drink as well.

"Wherever they are, I hope they're okay." I added with a smile.

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

Meizuo was dropping me off at my house since I was too tired to drive. I didn't even notice I had fallen asleep until I felt Meizuo shake me awake.