He stared at the painting of him, his mother and sister at the lobby at the very same hotel he checked in to a few days ago. He was met with the same manager. Wow, he can barely recognize himself, in that painting. He knew he was handsome but that painting did not do him justice.

"Sir, the family suite is ready." The manager approached him, handing him the key card. The manager still can't believe that this scruffy looking guy is a Daoming, let alone the same Daoming in that huge painting in the front of the lobby.

"Right. Thanks."

"Do you have any luggage sir?"

"Just me, myself and I." and with that Daoming Si walked off to the elevators.

The manager shook his head, even with clothes and hair looking like he was scavenging through a thrift shop, there was no doubt the walk of that young man carried the air of privilege and old money. He was again instructed to keep his stay confidential and that should anyone aside from the approved list of people come by to visit, immediately decline and say that the young heir wasn't in town.

The manager has heard of rumors that the reason the used-to-be dashing young bachelor was being low-profile the past few months was because of a broken heart. He really cant wrap his head around that, since he knew the Daoming Si can pretty much have any woman he wants. He imagined that the lady must be some hot model with legs for days.

Daoming Si entered the family suite and immediately threw himself on the bed. He was supposed to meet Ximen and Meizuo here but its still too early. Its only 7:30am, those two are practically zombies before 10am. Lei was staying at one of the suite rooms in the same hotel, but he's not answering his calls.

He brushed off the hair that strayed off his bun. Wow, he know he needed a haircut, but he really needs a haircut. He rolled off the bed and went to the spacious bathroom and glanced at his reflection. It no longer surprises him that his image has gone down the drain. He stopped caring for his looks.

His cellphone rang interrupting his thoughts. "Lei! I called you several---"

"Shut up and Listen!" an all-too familiar voice interrupted him. "Where are you and what are you doing there?!" They say some people have looks that can kill. This is the voice version.

"Zhuang-jie. I miss you too."

"Sanya? Really? You are supposed to be in Shanghai where you were supposed to be in London!"

"And I miss your nagging."

"Daoming Si! What are you doing there? You are supposed to have a board meeting at 10!"

"I'll just dial in. No big deal. They dont really need me anyway. Ma will only refute any decision I make."

"It's because the decisions you've been making lately are not in favor of us!" he heard his sister sigh, and said in a softer voice "It's Sanchai all over again, isn't it?"

Daoming Si frowned. For months his sister avoided talking about Sanchai. It was like a taboo subject that need not be discussed. He knew that he was being sensitive before, any mention of Sanchai often puts him in self-loathing and anger. Anger at himself, at how he was so stupid to even think that sacrificing his love would finally let his mother understand him. All his life he wanted his mother's affirmation that he, as a Daoming, can stand on his own and is a capable heir. He grew up, he had to. His mother is not an easy opponent. And Sanchai became a pawn in her game of chess. The business world is changing, and his mother, no matter how capable she was, cannot keep up with the times. He had to step in to save their asses. And when he did, he did it on auto-pilot. In a matter of weeks, he gained the nickname "Bull". Everything that needed structure, from finance to manpower, he thundered through head-on and delivered beyond expectations. Now that their stocks have risen and investors are coming in left and right, he handed the reigns over to Zhuang. She knew why he did it. She knew why after all his efforts, he finally let himself go, and neglected his own name and went in search for Sanchai. It was too late, but he wasnt giving up.

"What do you mean?" confused at how that comment came out of the blue.

There was a pause and a clearing of throat. "Well, What other reason could bring you to Sanya?"

"What are you talking about? How does Sanya associate to Sanchai?"

"Oh. Nothing. Just a thought."

"Are you hiding something from me?'

Zhuang coughed "Pfft, you are changing the subject. Meeting at 10. Dont forget."

"Way to change the subject, jie. Bye."

He hang up, still confused at his sister's offhanded comment about Sanchai. What did she mean?

Another ring interrupted his thoughts, he glanced at his phone then realized that it was the doorbell. Dummy, he thought. Must be those three jerks finally decided to visit their friend and check if he's still alive.

He sauntered to the main room and hastily opened the door. "It's about time."

Lei, holding a bottle of wine, looked at him, unfazed. "Wine?"

"At 8am? Why not?"

Lei looked at his friend. "Haircut. You need a haircut."

"Everybody has been telling me that. Myself included. Just drop it." Ah Si poured himself a second glass.

Lei was feeling nervous at opening the subject of Sanchai to his friend. He knew what Ah Si went through and is still going through.

"If I were Sanchai, I'd run away from you. You look like a muggler."

Daoming Si frowned and froze, the wine glass halfway to his lips. "You're the second person to randomly talk about Sanchai today."

"Is that bad?"

"No, I dont know. I'm just curious."

"About?"

"Well, in the past year eveybody has been avoiding talking about her around me. Of course, I'm bound to notice, I'm not stupid--"

"Hmm.."

"--well maybe I am, but why the sudden reunion here? We could have had a party in Shanghai."

"Because something came up."

Ah Si cocked an eyebrow. "Go on, I'm listening. This better be worth the hassle of coming back to Sanya."

If Lei was nervous, he hid it well. He has been thinking about it the whole night. Unsure how to open the subject of Sanchai to Ah Si without a fist fight. Meizuo suggested they all tell him together, but Lei insisted that he needed to come clean first. He did afterall have a bigger hand in this mess.

"I know you dont want to talk about it. But I also know it is why you came back to China. Its been a year Ah Si, even longer, what if things changed?"

"What are you talking about, Lei?"

"Remember London?"

Ah Si's frowned. How could he forget? It was the very last time he felt his heart beat.

"Why?"

"You..We... looked everywhere for her. You tried to find her..."

"Cut the crap, Lei. What is this about?"

"Ah Si.. I'm sorry.. I didn't mean for this to happen.. Things spiraled out of control. When I got the call--"

Suddenly the door burst open and Meizuo and Ximen entered the suite.

"Ahhhh there he is! Finally F4 in one room!"

"Wine? Seriously? You didnt have to go that far Lei." Ximen teased, but one quick glance at Ah Si stopped him. "Still no haircut?"

"Stop it."

"Ah Si, how was the flight?" Meizuo nonchalantly asked as he sat at one of the arm chairs by the window.

"What is wrong with you three? You all ask me to come and all you talk about is my hair! And what is this that Lei is talking about?"

"I miss the pineapple." Ximen shrugged and helped himself with the wine.

"Did you tell him?" Meizuo asked.

"I was about to, until you two came in."

"Dont let us stop you. We're here to help."

Lei rolled his eyes at them and turned to Ah Si. "Maybe tonight. I'll tell you everything tonight. I promise."

"Eh? Why not now?" Ah Si stood and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Because--"

"Ah Si, I think me and Meizuo will wait for you both at the restaurant downstairs. You and Lei need to talk."

"What? Why? I wanna watch!" Meizuo whined.

"What are you, five? Let's go!"

They came and went like a whirlwind. The room was suddenly silent. Lei was grateful for the interruption, it bought him time to compose his thoughts.

"Lei? What is this? What's going on?"

"Ah Si..I'm sorry. I.. I know where Sanchai is."

---

Xiao Yu stared back at him, Unsure of how to feel about his long explaination.

"So, you knew all along?" she asked, not trying to mask her sarcasm.

"Yes." Xing He can only bow his head, unable to meet her gaze. He had explained his version of how he came to know about Sanchai and her family hiding in Sanya and how he helped in the matter. "We couldnt tell you, we couldnt risk letting any of them know. Lei was the only one aside from her knew where Sanchai is."

"Her?"

Xing He took a deep breath and resigned himself, "Zhuang-jie."

"She knew?!" Xiao Yu was incredulous. It felt like a story right out of a manga.

"Yes. Lei was able to transport Sanchai out of London and away from Daoming Feng with Zhuang-jie's help. They chartered a private jet under her name, so it wont look suspicious. Zhuang-jie didnt want Sanchai to be left alone after what happened with Daoming Si. What we didnt count on was Ah Si looking for Sanchai as soon as she was gone. He was making such a circus out of it, calling the police and stuff. Zhuang-jie was the one who kept it under control. She was also behind Sanchai's placement in Sanya. Mrs. Dong knew all along, and we all wanted to help. So here we are. We never really meant for it to go this way. If only Daoming Si...."

"Stop, it doesnt matter now." Xiao Yu closed her eyes and massaged her temples, a sudden headache forming. She understood what they had to go through to protect her friend, she just felt betrayed and left out why she wasnt told about it. She also knew that they did it because she was dating Ximen, and he was close to Daoming Si.

"I'm sorry.." Xing He looked up at her, his hands wringing in nervousness.

"I'd like to meet her."

And what better timing, just as Xing He was about to answer, the door to the cafe opened and a petite girl in oversized suit top and shorts came in, her hair down, cheeks flushed from the wind outside. He waved at her, there's no turning back. This has got to be the weirdest reunion ever, he imagined it to be a bit more emotional and dramatic. Just this morning he was standing confidently in a room with businessmen and trying to appear unfazed at his mistake at not bringing the right contract. Yet, here he is, in a coffee shop with a bunch of other people around them, and in a middle of a reunion no one would have thought to happen.

"Xing He!" She called, as she walked to their table. As she got closer, her eyes widened when she realized who the person was on the other seat. "Oh my.."

"Sanchai?" Xiao Yu stood up, unsure how to address her old friend. "Or is it Ming Xi?"

Sanchai stood there, rooted on the spot unable to move. She looked at her friend, her best friend, who she grew up with since forever. She did not realize tears were already falling until she had to blink them away.

At a loss for words, Sanchai reached to hug her friend. They both stood there hugging each other, uncaring at the looks from the other customers.

"Uhmmm.. guys.." Xing He tapped their shoulder. "You might want to take a seat. People are watching."

They giggled, and just like that, they were all transported to being like teenagers again.