A STAR IS BORN

[ Author’s note: AAE Disc 17: Shan Mei is on her hospital bed, reading magazine. Xiang Zhe is in his car at the hospital entrance calling Shan Mei asking whether convenient to visit her. She tells him not necessary, her Pa will be with her soon. Xiang Zhe, looking dejected, drives off. BREAK.
The story now continues, with Scene in aeroplane.]
***

Had he gone too far with his hurtful words? Xiang Zhe questioned himself over and over again.

Shouldn’t he have heard Shan Mei out, instead of rejecting her outright in his office? He was so consumed with such insane jealousy, he was not prepared to be rational.

When he saw her unconscious on the sofa in the recording studio, his heart almost stopped beating. He regretted his earlier boorish action and wished he could turn the clock back.

At the hospital, wasn’t he prepared to forgive her for going off with You Zhen? Sitting beside her bed, he had clasped onto her hand so tight all night willing her to just open her eyes and give him the chance to ask her for her forgiveness, to tell her he didn’t mean any of the things he said in his office, or the night before. How could she believe he’d let her go? It was just a mild threat hoping she would abandon her plan to meet You Zhen. She was his life! Without her, he was nothing. “Oh Shan Mei, you are the most important thing in my life”

One moment Xiang Zhe was remorseful, the next moment he became frustrated with anger.

How could she be so childish? Running off just like that, without any warning! Just a letter of apology saying she was too sick to come to work, and asking him to accept her resignation with immediate effect. NO, he was not prepared to accept it!

The hours were going by slowly. He tried to close his eyes to catch some sleep, but sleep was not coming. He had not been able to sleep for the past one week, ever since the night he found Shan Mei waiting in the rain for You Zhen. The air stewardess, noticing his restlessness, came to ask whether he needed anything? He was fine! He closed his eyes to feign sleep, so he could be left alone to his own thoughts.

Soon he did manage to drift into a hazy state between waking and sleeping that was as close as he could come to sleep.

When he became aware of his surroundings, he had no appetite for the breakfast that was being served. Coffee would see him through.

At the airport, he rented a ‘self-drive’ and straight away drove to Shan Mei’s Gugu’s house. When he arrived it was still early. He walked around the house, and saw Gugu through the kitchen window. He made sign to her to let him in.

Gugu led Xiang Zhe out to the back garden. Over coffee Gugu confirmed Shan Mei arrived 2 days ago but she was still reluctant to explain anything except ask her for permission to stay on indefinitely. She had never seen Shan Mei so miserable, distressed and confused. Xiang Zhe asked to talk to Shan Mei but Gugu did not think it was a good idea at all. Shan Mei appeared dazed most of the time, and was in no right frame of mind to see anybody, especially not someone she was so close to, in Seoul. Wasn’t she running away from something in Seoul? Xiang Zhe was stunned by this revelation. He cradled his aching head with his hands. He was too tired to grasp the meaning of Gugu’s words. He didn’t want to go away without getting the real story out of Shan Mei. Wasn’t he there to convince Shan Mei to return? Didn’t they always make up after their tiffs? Didn’t Shan Mei like him anymore? Wasn’t he her Xue Zhang anymore?

His eyes, red with lack of sleep and unshed tears, pleaded with Gugu to help him.

Gugu’s heart softened, taking in Xiang Zhe’s pitiful state and nodded slightly. She had always liked the boy. Actually she was curious and wanted to know too.

She knew Shan Mei would not divulge anything if she saw Xiang Zhe there. It would be best for Xiang Zhe was to remain quietly in their Study. She would get Shan Mei down to the parlour to try to get the reason why she left Seoul? If Xiang Zhe felt there was need to talk further with Shan Mei after he heard her explanation he should come back another day. Gugu then took Xiang Zhe to the Study room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Gugu went to the stairs and called out,
“ Shan Mei, come down for breakfast.”
“Auntie, I don’t want breakfast, I’m not hungry.”
“Come down anyway. I want to talk to you.”

Finally, Xiang Zhe heard Shan Mei’s voice in the parlour. He wanted to rush out and hold her close, kissing away her tears, smoothing down her hair, and telling her everything was going to be alright. But he knew that was not going to happen.

He heard Gugu’s ultimatum to Shan Mei, if she was not going to tell her anything she would have no alternative but send her back to Seoul. She thought Shan Mei was a big girl, but was now acting childish like a spoilt brat, and Gugu didn’t think she would have the patience and time to handle that.

Shan Mei had never seen her Gugu act and talk like that before.

Suddenly she was crying.
“Gugu, if I tell you, promise you won’t ever divulge any part of this conversation to Pa. Everything has to be secret?

Gugu sensed something was very wrong, and quickly asked Shan Mei
“Are you pregnant?”

When Xiang Zhe heard this, he became so manic he wanted to punch through the wall. His mind immediately flew to You Zhen and he promised silently to himself he would personally kill that louse!

“How could you think like that? I am still your sweet and innocent baby!”

“If not, then why do we have to keep everything secret? You are the one who always end up telling him everything!”

“Remember 6 years ago when I came to Cambridge to study English for a term at King’s College? Sometime earlier, this girl Xu Ying Mei’s father died in an accident at construction site in the countryside Pa was overseeing. Pa felt sorry for her, and wanted to be responsible for her welfare. She told Pa she wanted to go to University in Seoul, so Pa brought her back to Seoul and that was when all the problems begun. She wanted to take my father away from me. She wanted to take Brother You Zhen from me. In fact she arranged for some hooligans to attack me. The hooligans who wanted to look real also attacked her too. And all along I thought she saved my life. Pa thought I was jealous of her, so he tried to humour me by sending me to Cambridge.”

“Then?”

“Back in Seoul when we started uni, it was no better. She stole my work papers most of the time. Some she used as her own, others she threw away or destroyed. She used her womanly wiles to make You Zhen Ge believe her! No one believed me.”

“What an idiot? What about MBS, where Xiang Zhe was ?

“That was worse. She made most people believe I was slow and forgetful. Many times she deleted information from my discs, or added stupid errors to the scripts I was editing. One time she even planted my mobile phone in the news room when I was reading the news. Most of them were taken in by her sex appeal and pretentiousness. You Zhen Ge was acting no better. When I tried to make him see her in her true colours, Ying Mei complained to him I was jealous of her because You Zhen Ge loved her and not me.

When she knew Xue Zhang and I were dating, she told me outright she would take him away from me. In the beginning I trusted Xue Zhang because I believed him to be strong and different. The truth wasn’t like that. You Zhen Ge was also aware of the situation because Ying Mei’s seduction plan was always the same: use all kinds of wiles to get close to the man, going out on dates to show her seductive nature, then finally getting the man drunk then use sex. You Zhen Ge told me that was what happened to him, and from his observation Ying Mei was using the same tactics on Xue Zhang. Soon she would try to get Xue Zhang drunk and put him in a comprising position.

Gugu, you know. If it’s physical sex the man wants, then I am out of this game. I don’t think I want any part of it. If Xue Zhang is so blind he cannot see the way Ying Mei is hurting You Zhen Ge, he deserves her.

Anyway I couldn’t understand Xue Zhang. He kept complaining I was always only caring towards You Zhen Ge. Didn’t he realise he was the one creating this situation? He kept dating Ying Mei, even though Ying Mei told him she wanted him and not You Zhen Ge. Because of this You Zhen Ge became so heartbroken he didn’t want to live. Auntie Shen begged me to help You Zhen Ge. I had to go and help, even if I had to sacrifice the love I have for Xue Zhang, because of the favours we owed them. And I did care very much for You Zhen Ge as a brother. Since Ying Mei had ignored him, I was the one left picking up the pieces. In turn I had to neglect Xue Zhang. Why did Xue Zhang say he liked me and would wait for me, then turned around and dated Ying Mei, even meeting all the time at his apartment.”

“Maybe your Xiang Zhe treated her as good employee?”

“There are many good employees in MBS very hard working. Could Xue Zhang tell the difference? He was not getting the full support of the back room staff because they said he couldn’t even tell that Ying Mei was pretending to work hard only in front of him. Why didn’t he date the other hard working employees too, or invite them to his apartment? Ying Mei was the one who told me personally Xue Zhang was the one who told her he had broken off with me?? Why would he tell Ying Mei that unless he wanted her to know he was free to date her? Right?”

“Even if that was the case, and you were not prepared to enter into any physical relationship with any man, you didn’t have to run away. Just tell that foolish Xiang Zhe right off !!??” And Gugu held Shan Mei in her arms.

“Because that’s not the end of the story, but the beginning of a nightmare !”

“More nonsense from this trashy girl ? I can’t believe it!” By now, Gugu was getting really fed up with Xiang Zhe, and her initial sympathy for him fast evaporating. Men were always such fools !

“Apparently before she came to Seoul, she was co-habiting with this gangster Mr. Pei and she worked as one of the hostesses in his club. When she was in Seoul, Mr. Pei came too. She continued to work as hostess in his club in Seoul.

She didn’t want anyone to interfere with her plans to become the best news anchor in Korea, she snitched on him to the police a few times to keep him behind bars. He knew too much about her past.

Recently using sex again, she got the man to agree to harm me so bad I would never recover. The man actually agreed. But when he realised Ying Mei wanted to get rid of me because she wanted to be Mrs. Yin Xiang Zhe, he contacted You Zhen Ge to take me to him, so he could confess to me personally. The night we were supposed to meet up with the gangster Mr. Pei was the night Xue Zhang found me waiting in the rain for You Zhen Ge. He told me he would give me up if You Zhen Ge showed up. I suppose he thought we were going off to a love motel or something.” In the study, Xiang Zhe could imagine her pout. He hit himself hard on the head, because that was exactly what he had thought. That night he couldn’t sleep a wink. He was drinking, smoking and brooding the whole night in his sitting room, all sorts of crazy thoughts running through his mind.

“Then?” Gugu asked while smoothing a lock of stray hair behind her ear.

“So we met up with Mr. Pei. He had seen me a few times on TV. He realised I was innocent and there was no reason for him to harm me. He warned us that Ying Mei, being the ambitious and evil person she was, wouldn’t give up so easily and would try to hire someone else to do her dirty work for her. Like the last time when she first arrived in Seoul, she hired some petty hooligans to attack me and pretended they were out to attack her, so she could elicit sympathy from You Zhen Ge. And all along, I treated her as someone who saved my life.

Mr. Pei still wanted Ying Mei back. He’d wait for his chance. He understood You Zhen Ge no longer wanted Ying Mei when he found out how deceitful and manipulative she was. Mr. Pei understood we were caught in her web of deceit because we were too kind, honest and innocent people.

The man said once Ying Mei decided she wanted Yin Xiang Zhe, she would stop at nothing to get him, including harming him.

Gugu, you must understand, even though Xue Zhang look full of confidence on the outside he is really an innocent. Before he returned to Seoul to join MBS, he was only involved in his own little world, cocooned in Cambridge. He won’t understand the evil in the real world, controlled by gangsters.
I love him too much to want to see any harm come to him. So I leave Seoul. I didn’t want to be his burden.

Who knows, may be he wanted Ying Mei too? Otherwise why would he always take her out, and have her at his apartment ? He cannot say he has no choice. No one can force another person to do something he doesn’t want to do.”

By this time, Shan Mei was again getting agitated, taking a video cassette out of her satchel she had left on the armchair.

“I am not talking nonsense and You Zhen Ge is not acting jealous. I took this tape away from him. He was going to turn it to the police. The tape showed Ying Mei tampering with Yong Xi senior’s car brakes. Yong Xi senior is the top anchorwoman of MBS. Ying Mei wanted that anchor spot, so she harmed Yong Xi senior.

You Zhen Ge went almost crazy asking himself how he could have loved and shared the same bed with such a woman.? He now wants to emigrate overseas to forget. He felt he had let us all down terribly especially his mother who had warned him from the outset that Ying Mei was not a good person.

Now you understand why you must not breathe a word of this to Pa. Due to his compassionate nature he was the one who brought Ying Mei to Seoul to give her a fair chance in life. Instead, he had inadvertently placed a monster in our midst. He would never be able to forgive himself if he ever knew of the ‘harm’ Ying Mei brought to his precious daughter.

That night after we met Mr. Pei, You Zhen Ge wanted to kill himself. He always thought Ying Mei so beautiful and brave saving me from the hooligans when in fact she was the one who arranged for them. What if I was raped by them? He cried so hard he wanted to leave MBS right away. He kept saying he couldn’t face me ever again. That night, I had such a hard time, trying to get him safely home, before he did anything crazy. By the time we reached home, I was soaked all through in the heavy downpour.

The next morning I went to work even though I was running a fever. I tried to inform Xue Zhang You Zhen Ge wanted to resign and asked him to please try to persuade You Zhen Ge to stay. Before I could say anything, he threw me out of his office, and told me never to go to him again with my personal problems.”

By now, Gugu felt very angry with Xiang Zhe. She was also very concerned for her niece’s sanity of mind. She didn’t want Xiang Zhe to see Shan Mei again, she thought she would finish the job for him. “Do you love Xiang Zhe?”

“I love him very much. I’ve never loved anybody before in the same way. It made me realised the love I had for You Zhen Ge was the brother/sister kind.”

“If Xiang Zhe comes and asks you to return to Seoul, would you go ?”

“I don’t think I want to be a burden to him any more. I want to start afresh on my own.”

“If he comes and asks you to marry him, are you going to accept ?”

“No way, I’ve got to get that Ying Mei out of my system. He’s got to be absolutely sure of what he wants and whom he wants. If it’s not Ying Mei, it could be somebody else?”

“When will you be sure ?”

“Maybe in 2 years time or more?”

“Can a man wait 2 years ? What if another Ying Mei comes along ?”

“Again, it is a matter of choice. If he decides it’s me he wants, he will choose to wait. If he chooses another girl, then I will wish him happiness.”

“What if he is married before the 2 years are up ? What will you do ?”

“I’ll remain by your side, to keep you company. Wouldn’t you like that? You always said you wished I could spend more time with you.”

“You’re sure you won’t regret it if you lose Xiang Zhe to another girl ?”

“Why should I ? Obviously he loves her. I will want to wish them happiness. As for myself, even if I love him so much, it is not necessary that I must have him. I’ll have our sweet and loving memories to cherish forever.

Gugu, I love you so much. Can I now have breakfast? I am feeling hungry.”

Gugu hurried Shan Mei upstairs to wash up first. After breakfast, they would leave for the restaurant, after first stopping by the wet market. “Wear something sweet. I have a feeling today is going to be your lucky day”

As soon as Shan Mei skipped up the stairs, Xiang Zhe came out from the Study room. Gugu could immediately see the anguish and utter shock that Xiang Zhe has just been through. But she was not ready to indulge him further.

She quickly handed him the video cassette tape, saying he could do with it whichever way he liked. She didn’t want her niece to be further hurt by all these traumatic circumstances which were not of her doing and beyond her control. The very fact that Shan Mei managed to survive so far with so few scars was due to the spiritual protection from her dead mother.

Gugu hurriedly pushed Xiang Zhe out of the door suggesting he try to see Shan Mei tomorrow. Meanwhile, she told him to keep away from the restaurant.
Thank you!

=======

After her outpouring to Gugu this morning, Shan Mei felt so much better and lighter.

Gugu understood, and supported her idea to stay on indefinitely.

Suddenly the day seemed brighter. Shan Mei was all excited when they reached the wet market. When she saw all the lovely fresh fruits on display, especially the peaches, she felt like buying out the whole stall. Gugu laughingly reminded Shan Mei the last time she was here, she stuffed herself with so many peaches one day, she became so violently sick she never ate another peach for the remainder of her stay.

In the kitchen at the restaurant she said she wanted to learn to make the sushi that Xue Zhang always said was so delicious. The kitchen staff had always been very fond of her, and was eager to teach her anything she wanted to learn.

After the busy lunch time crowd had gone, Gugu and Shan Mei went back home to rest. They found a red long stemmed rose at their door. Gugu was surprised, but Shan Mei just picked up the rose, became quiet and lost in her thoughts, as if the rose held some kind of message. Gugu looked at Shan Mei closely as they entered the house.

Back in her room she twirled the stalk around a few times, then gave the bud a light kiss. So he was here??!! Good!

She had made up her mind to stay in London and start afresh on her own. She didn’t want to be a burden to Xue Zhang anymore.

Xue Zhang had the right to choose his own friends. She shouldn’t be so covetous about it. She must learn to let go. While chopping and dicing some vegetables in the kitchen this morning, she had decided she would treat her time at MBS as another meaningful chapter in her life.

She would embark on a new phase. She was ready to face Xue Zhang if he came. She must be strong and not cry. She hadn’t really decided what she was going to do in London. She would help out in the restaurant a week or two, then decide. That was it !

===

The long soak in the hot bath did relax her. She was back to her chirpy self, serving customers during dinner time, flitting from table to table. A man who appeared to be a regular customer went up to Gugu. “Madam Lady Boss, isn’t that girl in the blue top now serving at the end of the room Miss Zhen Shan Mei, the broadcaster at MBS in Seoul?” She looked over to Shan Mei, then back to the man, nodding “That’s right. She is my niece Zhen Shan Mei. She is in London for a long holiday. Do you have anything interesting for her to do, Manager Chung?”

Smiling at Lady Boss “we were just talking about Zhen Shan Mei, when we noticed her across the room. Can you ask her to see me after we have finished our dinner ? We need someone for 3 months, and she is just the person we need for tired eyes.” He handed her his name card from his wallet, then walked back to his dining table.

======

Xiang Zhe was still in deep shock and anguish when he steered the car away from Gugu’s house. He drove around the area aimlessly, his mind all blank.

He needed a cigarette really bad to untangle his mind. He stopped by a park overlooking the river Cam, drawing on his cigarette incessantly. He had always prided himself on being alert and strong and immune to women’s seductive ploys. But it seemed he wasn’t, was he? Every time Xu Ying Mei challenged that he was afraid to take her out, he fell for it. What an utter fool he had been. He was slowly being manipulated by Xu Ying Mei who saw through his insecurities, he didn’t realise she was the one slowly driving a wedge between him and Shan Mei, and he had told Shan Mei he was not happy with her for going out of her way to care for You Zhen although he always forgave her in the end because that was her compassionate nature and he simply could not remain angry with her.

He himself had put Shan Mei in such a dangerous predicament. If anything should happen to Shan Mei, he knew he wouldn’t be strong enough to carry on. She was the only who could bring sunshine into his heart because she was the only one who could make him smile.

Believing the fact that Xu Ying Mei’s presence was pivotal to the success of Morning Of Eve, he had tried to humour her. She was aware of the power struggle between him and his step-uncle. She used this fact to her devious
advantage, always blackmailing him subtly for dinner dates, etc. He was so blinded by his abhorrence of his step-uncle, he played right into Xu Ying Mei’s hands.

Now he understood why Xu Ying Mei was always trying to ply him with drinks whenever they were out. At least, he was alert enough to keep sober, only because he didn’t want to drive under the influence of alcohol, otherwise only God knows what the consequences would have been.

Of course, his sweet and innocent Shan Mei was no match for a devious schemer like Xu Ying Mei.

How could he have let Shan Mei down so badly when she trusted in him implicitly. Shan Mei always reported to him whatever went on between herself and You Zhen. No wonder she didn’t want to have anything more to do with him?

How could he convince her to return to Seoul with him and to him after all the hurtful things he had said and done? In spite of the promises he made ?

He leant back against the car seat, his eyes closed in torment, his face tired with the strain of the past week. His mind too frenzied to think coherently.

He must have drifted off to sleep. When he awoke, the sun was high and he felt hot and bothered. He’d better get back to the hotel to see what was on that tape.

Shan Mei was right; they had a monster in their midst. At least You Zhen fared better than him. You Zhen could drop and forget everything and try to make new life for himself in another country.

As for Xiang Zhe, he had lost Shan Mei. What was the point in carrying on, if she was not by his side? She was the only one he wanted? Was she going to believe him ?

“Shan Mei, you are my one and only love, are you getting my telepathy message?”

But life must go on !

He picked up the phone: “Zian Da, it’s me. I want H.R. Department to issue a letter of dismissal to Xu Ying Mei right away. The dismissal is to take effect immediately. Make sure Finance Department pays her all the compensation she is entitled to.”

“But, but she is the 7 p.m. anchor for the next 2 weeks. I won’t be able to make immediate replacement for Morning Of Eve as well??!! If she must go, can’t we give her the normal 30 days’ notice?”

“Zian Da, I mean instant, do you get me? You are the News department’s supervisor, are you not ? Don’t tell you can’t arrange alternative? And I am giving this order as the director of MBS. I don’t want to see her at MBS when I return !?”

TBC

Chapter 2

Shan Mei let herself out of the car. Not waiting for Xiang Zhe, she walked to the park slowly making her way towards the riverbank. She stared into the waters as if mesmerized by the sunbeams dancing on the flowing waters. Not wanting to worry Gugu, she agreed to have a sensible talk with Xue Zhang when he was waiting for them outside of Gugu’s house this morning.

Xiang Zhe, with dreadful heaviness in his heart, his hands in his trouser pockets, followed close behind. Looking around, he thought this park overlooking the meandering river would make such a great lovers spot if they were here under romantic circumstances. He simply shook his head slowly, readying himself for Shan Mei’s explosive temper. He slightly smiled inside himself, remembering the many times he was at the receiving end of her bullet-speed missiles!

He walked up to her, all his plans of persuasion plotted out last night on his hotel bed went awry. He simply turned her around to face him and asked very solemnly “Are you through with your tantrums? Are you ready to go back to Seoul with me?”

Shan Mei stared back at him silently with an angry and defiant look that shot him down at once.

Xiang Zhe’s heart immediately crumbled.

“Shan Mei, I’m sorry, so very sorry for my bad behaviour and hurtful words. I didn’t mean any of them. You must believe me! I was at that time simply seized by such insane jealousy of You Zhen. I thought I had meant nothing to you, after all this time. My immediate reaction was to lash out all my frustrations on you. I’ve regretted my words the minute you left my office.

I thought I would let the matter rest for one night, I was going to make up with you the next day. How can fate deal me such a bad hand? When I found you unconscious in the recording studio I rushed you to hospital. But you didn’t want to see me when I phoned to enquire whether it was okay to visit you at the hospital. Just like that!! You walk out of my life without even a last goodbye!!! Do I really mean so little to you???” He was close to tears.

Shan Mei’s big round eyes, had softened and were now brimming with unshed tears. Despite her earlier resolution to remain calm and strong, one big teardrop appeared and slowly rolled down her face, followed by another and another. She couldn’t trust herself to stay longer, so she sobbingly cried out “You mean too much to me that’s why I have to leave!”

She started to run away, but Xiang Zhe soon caught up with her. He wasn’t going to be brushed off like that. He wanted answers, and boy, was he going to wring answers out of her even if he had to twist her stubborn neck hard.

“If that’s the way you feel, shouldn’t you be staying by my side to help me along, instead of leading me half way round the world to find you. It can be quite tiring you know especially if you intend to do that every time you throw a tantrum?” Xiang Zhe gave her one of his tender looks.

Shan Mei wavered with a smile, then remembered her resolution. “People say I am not capable or beautiful or clever enough for their Director Yin. Their Director Yin is one of those rich playboys, and you know, rich playboys are not my type. Ying Mei is the one who can help you along. You don’t need me at MBS. I will become only a burden to you.
Xue Zhang, please go back to Seoul, don’t waste any more time on me. I have decided to stay on in London.”

Xiang Zhe caught on to one of her arms “It’s as simple as that? You still don’t believe I am sincere about you? I don’t care what other people think or say. I want only you and no one else. Can’t you get that into your little head? The reason I am taking it slow with you is because I don’t want to rush you. You are very young, still such a baby yourself, just starting out with your career. I want you to enjoy yourself with your friends, your life before I tie you down. Because once we are married, I am going to lock you up in my heart and not share you with anybody, understand ?”

“Yeah, if we manage to get married!” and Shan Mei pouted unbelievingly.

“Are you doubting me?” asked Xiang Zhe guilelessly.

“Yes and No! There are so many beautiful, eligible and clever women after you, how can you be sure I am the one? I don’t want you to ever regret so I suggest we don’t make any hasty decisions. I want to stay in London for a while and see what I can make of myself. If I return to MBS, people will always say I made it because of you. I have confidence I can make something of my life by myself. At least I want to try.”

“How long?”

Xiang Zhe was praying silently, please don’t say two years.

“Two years”

Xiang Zhe thought it would be the most unbearable 2 years of his life. He was dreading the torture.

“During this time, we keep contact to the minimum giving ourselves the space to see what we want. If after the two years, you still feel I am the one you want, and I feel the same, we will take it from there. I want you to set your mind free. Don’t keep dwelling on me or the past. Your main responsibility now is to make sure you continue the legacy of your mother and try to make MBS the premier broadcasting station in Korea, understand?”

Xiang Zhe was becoming very emotional. [Silently in his heart: “Oh Shan Mei, your words just make me love you more. You never once cursed about Xu Ying Mei and my foolish behaviour. You are always so generous in giving and forgiving. I love you, love you, love you, please never forget that” ]

“What about you? You promise not to look at another man, during this time? ”

“Same as you won’t look at another girl” and she smirked mischievously.

That incorrigible Shan Mei!

The clouds cleared and sunshine dazzling like Shan Mei’s smile came shining through.

Xiang Zhe pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head, feeling the silkiness of her hair under him, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair like a man gasping for his last breath. One hand embraced Shan Mei closer to him, the other stroking Shan Mei’s arm soothingly, he whispered “I respect your wishes and really admire your determination. You are really the strong one. How am I going to manage without your wise counsel, your caring, and your radiant smile for the next two years?” Xiang Zhe was already dreading the gloomy outlook.

After a while of just holding and not talking, they moved towards the car, both their minds thinking of the same thing, like Gugu’s worry if Xiang Zhe did not take Shan Mei back to the restaurant soon, she would call the police.

Without asking for her opinion, Xiang Zhe stopped by the restaurant along the River Thames they patronised to celebrate her last night in London six years ago. He led her to the same table. It was surprising how the tiniest details of their times together came so easily into their memories. Shan Mei thought she was the only one remembering all the details, but it seemed Xue Zhang had never forgotten too.

Had she been too harsh in her demand or too hasty in her judgement? Never mind; two years would pass quickly. At least this test of time would only strengthen their love, if it was truly love that Xue Zhang felt for her. She had to be sure!

Shan Mei excused herself to put a call through to Gugu to let her know everything was fine. Nooo !!!,,,,,, she was not going back to Seoul with Xue Zhang, she was going to U.K. Immigration Office to get her working visa as discussed with Manager Chung last night!

“Xue Zhang, can you please drop me off at the U.K. Immigration Office, I need to be there at this time before going back to the restaurant”

In response to quizzical look from Xiang Zhe, Shan Mei smiled sweetly “to collect my working visa”

“A Job…? So soon ..? You barely arrived 3 days ago. How come ?”

“It came … because of this sweet smile” and flashed him her most dazzling smile in a most beguiling pose. Xiang Zhe’s heart almost stopped beating. He just held his breath. This Shan Mei always knew how to get him where it mattered most. Shan Mei told him not to wait, she’d make her way to the restaurant on her own. He insisted on waiting, and told her he would be around the corner at the Waiting Bay.

While waiting, his mind was in turmoil again. Yesterday morning she was still locked in her room. This morning she was at the Immigration Office collecting her working visa? Didn’t such visa take time to process? When did she get a job offer and what kind of job was it and with whom? This person or company having such influence that a working visa could be arranged immediately?

He looked dejected, because surely now Shan Mei wouldn’t return to MBS, no matter how convincing his arguments would be. He hadn’t banked on flying home alone. Especially after what he overheard yesterday; he was more determined than ever to be her knight in shiny armour, to protect her, at all costs and at all times.

Very soon Shan Mei appeared at the side of the car. She had a sweet smile and jubilant look on her face. As soon as she got into the car, she burst out

“Thank you Xue Zhang for waiting. And thank you for being here for me. You’re the best.”

She gave him a long, lingering look from under her eye lashes, the fingers on her left hand tapping on her cute little handbag. She was weighing something in her mind. Suddenly, she said. “Come to the restaurant, I’ll give you a very special treat” then smiled secretly to herself.

Xiang Zhe was beside himself with excitement, then stopped himself, didn’t Gugu ask him to stay away from the restaurant? Well, this was invitation from her favourite niece, he couldn’t refuse her, could he?

Gugu was so relieved to see Shan Mei in such high spirits, she welcomed Xiang Zhe in, and they exchanged conspiratorial looks. The restaurant was quiet with most of the lunch time crowd gone. Shan Mei disappeared into the kitchen, and shortly came back with a plate full of sushi rolls. After putting one into his mouth, his face looked so sated with ecstasy, Xiang Zhe exclaimed “Super delicious!!”

“Really???” Shan Mei squealed with delight “I made them myself !!”

“I want some more”

“Don’t be greedy. You haven’t even finished these”

“I mean I want to take some back to Seoul, to sustain me through, since you have decided to desert your poor Xue Zhang. I’ll be leaving tonight. Can we spend the afternoon together?”

“I’d like to, but I have to go home and pack. I’m moving into a new apartment in the city provided by my new employers. It’s closer to my place of work”.

“After you finish, let me know. I’d want to take you there and help you unpack. After which I will leave for the airport.” Anticipating her hesitation, “Shan Mei please don’t refuse me this request”.

And he looked so miserable, Shan Mei didn’t have the heart to say No. Didn’t Xue Zhang realise she wanted to see him too, not knowing when they would next meet, if ever?

Soon, Xiang Zhe left the restaurant saying he had some last minute things to settle before flying out tonight.

The phone rang as soon as he entered his room.

It was Zian Da sounding frantic. It seemed Ying Mei refused to accept the letter of dismissal and wanted to wait for his return. She threatened to bring this matter to the Labour Tribunal. MBS’ legal team had advised Zian Da everything was legal and Ying Mei had no case against them in any redress.

Xiang Zhe expected this. He told Zian Da he would be arriving Seoul tomorrow, giving him his flight details. He asked Zian Da not to send company car to airport, but to send You Zhen instead as he wanted to talk to him privately. At the mention of You Zhen, Zian Da informed Xiang Zhe that You Zhen had tendered in his resignation this morning. Xiang Zhe said nothing for a minute, then stressed that Zian Da must make sure You Zhen was at airport. This was not personal request, but Director Yin’s order.

After hanging up, Zian Da, over at the other end, was scratching his head. What was going on? He shook his head in confusion, then went to look for You Zhen to give him Xiang Zhe’s message personally, since Xiang Zhe said it was very confidential. No one was to know, not even Yong Xi. Zian Da was sure all this secret going-on had something to do with Shan Mei. Did she insist Xiang Zhe sack Ying Mei so she could be main host of MOE and also news anchor? He didn’t even dare ask Xiang Zhe whether he was flying back with Shan Mei. He would have to wait to see.
==

Xiang Zhe was really, really tired with the whole mess. He lay down on the bed to rest a bit. He kept questioning himself why Shan Mei’s father had to be so kind. By being true Samaritan, he had brought all this ugliness into Shan Mei’s innocent world. The only good that came out of it, was sending Shan Mei to London. It was their destiny to meet.

Many girls had tried to catch his attention. He had never been interested in any one of them, including Yong Xi and the daughters of his father’s friends living in U.K. He kept to himself in his own world, and did not participate at all in any college activity unless it was necessary. Until one day an angel with curly hair pinned down by hair clips like a doll, came crashing down on his car.

He offered her a lift home, so he would know where she lived; or what about giving her lift to the doctor the next day, she refused him outright. When he tailed her by driving his car slowly behind the bus she took, he saw her returning to campus, most probably back to her English class. To him, she was a very special girl, she didn’t want to encourage stranger like himself. He had, since that fateful meeting, been waiting for chance to see her again ‘to turn stranger into friend’. But he never saw her around.

Until one day his chance came. While checking the College Students’ Mail Box, he found a letter from Korea addressed to her. He immediately went to the building for English Studies for Foreign Students and waited for her. After enjoying a café latte with her, he became even more eager to befriend this sweet girl, so natural and unspoilt. She was not impressed at all by his good looks, or ready to accept favours from strangers. In bringing the letter to her, she repaid the favour by buying him a café latte. She had rejected him 3 times: first time his offer to drop her off home, the second his offer to accompany her to the doctor, the third his invitation to a meal. If her gugu didn’t know him, most probably he would not have been successful in convincing Shan Mei to accept him as her friend.

That was why he treasured her and their friendship beyond anything else in this world, because she truly accepted him not because of his looks or status, but for whom he was, her Xue Zhang Yin Xiang Zhe!

His life had been so filled with sadness and misery, he wanted his time now only to be full of the sweet dazzling smile that this girl so easily gave. Her beautiful smile was all he could think of so, every day he tried to do things with her to keep her smiling and laughing all the time. Very soon he was sharing in her spontaneous laughter too, which had never ever happened before. May be sometimes he did manage a smile but he had never laughed. There was nothing worth laughing in his life, until he met Shan Mei.

TBC

Chapter 3

Shan Mei’s call came through at 5 saying she was ready. Xiang Zhe debated whether to get Shan Mei a present but quickly decided against it. He didn’t want Shan Mei to have anything in her possession to remind her of the unpleasantness of this past week.

Because he still remembered his way around London quite well, he had no difficulty in finding the address Shan Mei had written on a slip of paper. He kept the paper in his pocket.
==

When Uncle Zhen came to see Xiang Zhe in his office last Friday, bringing with him Shan Mei’s resignation letter and one month of her salary to return to MBS in lieu of one month’s resignation notice, as instructed by her,

“Director Yin, I am so sorry about Shan Mei going off without notice. But she looked so distraught, I couldn’t do anything except agree to her request.”

“Was she feeling better?” Xiang sounded concerned.

“She didn’t care what the doctor advised. She simply insisted on being discharged two days ago. She wanted to go to London. I just saw her off at the airport this morning.”

“Do you know how long Shan Mei planned to be away?” Xiang Zhe asked casually, though his heart was feeling something else.

“I’m not sure because Shan Mei didn’t confirm anything, but I assume it is a brief trip because she has packed lightly.”
==

When Xiang Zhe collected Shan Mei from Gugu’s house, she had with her one large suitcase and two cartons; he guessed she must have been busy shopping all afternoon. She had a whole big suitcase full of clothes. There was house ware for the apartment which GuGu made sure she had, not forgetting Shan Mei’s favourite coffee, Shan Mei’s favourite tea, Shan Mei’s favourite jam, etc., etc., as long as it was Shan Mei’s favourite, it got thrown into a carton. One carton very soon became 2 cartons.

Looking at the scenario in the new apartment, Xiang Zhe forgot about MBS and Seoul for the time being. He smiled blissfully, they looked like a pair of newly-weds settling into their new home. Just then, as if right on cue to his train of thoughts, Shan Mei walked through the kitchen door with coffee and English tea biscuits on a tray. Xiang Zhe sniffed in the rich aroma of Shan Mei’s favourite coffee, sighing contentedly “this is the life. This is how it is going to be, for us!”

Sitting across each other at the coffee table, with Xiang Zhe finally savouring his first cup of coffee made by Shan Mei and never once taking his eyes away from her, Shan Mei suddenly became very shy. She held onto her cup of coffee uneasily, without actually drinking from it, her eyes downcast.

Xiang Zhe smiled and thought, “You shy baby!”

Xiang Zhe very quietly slid around the table, came to sit beside Shan Mei and laughingly asked her “is there something in your coffee?”

“Huh?” Shan Mei answered blankly and not even noticing Xiang Zhe was next to her.

“You haven’t drunk your coffee at all !”

“Er…Oh!” And she quickly gulped down the coffee. She was so embarrassed she didn’t look Xiang Zhe in the eye.

Xiang Zhe laughed then sat back against the sofa contentedly, caught one of her hands in his, turned to look at her, and asked softly, “are you going to tell me something about your new job ?”

“Ugh, Ugh”, shaking her head

“And why not?”

“Because it is only for three months. But I am going to do my best.”

Xiang Zhe was suddenly fully alert “Which means, after the three months you will most probably return to MBS?"

“I’ll most probably be married by then” Shan Mei impishly joked.

“How come?” Xiang Zhe jerked up to an upright sitting position

“I’m going to work with some of the most gorgeous Korean hunks.”

Xiang Zhe knew he was a winner too in the ‘gorgeous looks’ department so he was mildly amused. “How many?”

“Fifteen only, not including those who are not Korean” sounding innocent.

“What ????!!!!” Xiang Zhe went ballistic.
What was this girl trying to do to him?

“What kind of job is that?” he demanded to know outright.

Seeing his face and eyes blazing with furious jealousy, Shan Mei couldn’t hide a sweet smile. Served him right for his hurtful words.

“Aiyo Xue Zhang, if you continue to act like this, I’m not going to see you off at the airport.”

“Were you going to go with me to the airport?”

“Of course”

“To make sure I got on that plane, so you would be free to do what you like with your 15 gorgeous hunks?” he fumed…. “You did promise me you were not going to look at another man for the next 2 years or…”

“Why would I want to look at another man when I have got my Xue Zhang, the best one in the whole world right here” and she patted at her heart…

Xiang Zhe immediately calmed down and smiled. [ He thought “she is always good at sweetening me up after getting me all ruffled and fuming. Like that time when he complained she had mentioned You Zhen’s name more than 20 times in the car on the way home; after alighting from the car, she told him she liked him. That imp! ”] “Please don’t do that to me again. You know I cannot behave rationally when I am around Miss Zhen Shan Mei.”

They looked at each other, suddenly Shan Mei burst out laughing. Xiang Zhe joined in. “You looked like some ferocious tiger wanting to eat me” Shan Mei pouted.

Xiang Zhe looked sheepish and ruffled Shan Mei’s hair. “Sorry”

“Seriously, what do you have to do?”

“I won’t be sure until tomorrow. But one thing I can be sure of, I’ll be good, I’ll behave, I won’t be cry baby, I’ll discourage all the men’s attention, and I’ll not look at any of them. Happy ?”

“Not yet, two more things still missing: you’re allowed to think only of me, to like only me, no one else”. He looked and sounded very serious.

“Okay, I’ll think only of you, to like only you and no one else. Happy now?”

“Yes, happy now” he laughed satisfactorily and happily, like a little boy being handed his candy.

He was hoping after the three months, his cry baby would miss him so much, she would come running back to Seoul. When that happened, he would insist they marry immediately, so there would be no chance of her running off without him again, or give any of those gorgeous hunks any chance to develop further friendship with her.

Xiang Zhe held onto her hand as they left the apartment, for the airport. They would have a romantic dinner at the airport, Xiang Zhe thought to himself and secretly smiled. He liked it here in London. Shan Mei was more carefree and relaxed, didn’t worry who saw them together, didn’t protest when he held her hands, maybe he should move to London too.

TBC

Chapter 4

Yong Xi and Zian Da both sat down across from Yin Snr in his private sitting room, waiting for Yin’s grilling.

Yin Snr was very worried about Xiang Zhe’s behaviour after Xiang Zhe returned from London a month ago. He was aware there had been major staff reshuffle at MBS News Department. What happened?

“Zhen Shan Mei resigned unexpectedly and went off to London immediately after resignation.”

“Wasn’t she the girl Xiang Zhe met in London and had introduced to me as his fiancee at the 20th anniversary MBS founding day?”

Both Yong Xi and Zian Da nodded.

“After Xiang Zhe’s return from London, he dismissed our news anchor Xu Ying Mei. Xu Ying Mei wouldn’t leave and threatened to take legal redress. Later on, due to whatever reasons, never disclosed by Xiang Zhe, Ying Mei left quietly. It was rumored she had underworld connections. Also she pursued Xiang Zhe relentlessly, although at one stage she was supposed to be engaged to one of our top camera men.

This camera man had also resigned but had agreed to stay on for a further 3 months until a qualified replacement could be recruited. He would be emigrating soon to New Zealand. No amount of persuasion would make him stay.”

Zian Da apologised to Yin Snr admitting may be it was his fault that Ying Mei became so bold in her actions and obsession with Xiang Zhe.

He used to arrange lunch or dinner meetings for Xiang Zhe and Ying Mei so that they could discuss how to improve poor ratings for Morning of Eve. May be Ying Mei felt she had chance with Xiang Zhe. Yong Xi stared at Zian Da incredulously.

“Zian Da, you did that even though you knew Xiang Zhe was interested in Shan Mei?” Yin Snr asked.

“I thought Xiang Zhe needed a capable and beautiful wife”

Zian Da kept quiet and lowered his head.

“I spoke to Mr. Jin of Wen Rong Heavy Industries. He told me he only watched Shan Mei and no one else. He is her fan. Shan Mei is someone with endearing charisma and substance. It was a big mistake to accept her resignation. Was that why Xiang Zhe went to London to convince her to return? “ Yin Snr said, looking at Zian Da.

Both Yong Xi and Zian Da kept quiet, but exchanged furtive glances with each other. The situation was not as simple as it looked. Since Xiang Zhe returned, he had not spoken to either of them unless it was related to company business. He had even purposely gone out of his way to avoid them. Arriving very early to office, then staying very late into the night.

In response to Yin Snr’s enquiry, Yong Xi felt Shan Mei would make the ideal partner for Xiang Zhe. At first, Yong Xi herself couldn’t accept but getting to know Shan Mei better, Yong Xi realised Xiang Zhe made the right choice. Xiang Zhe came with too much emotional baggage. Shan Mei, so sweet, innocent, uncomplicated and extremely caring in nature managed to get through his protective armour. And Xiang Zhe loved her because she accepted him for who he was, not what he represented. To Shan Mei, Xiang Zhe was her Xue Zhang, not some heir or boss of MBS.

Yong Xi hadn’t heard from Shan Mei, but knew she would surely be staying with her Gugu who lived on the outskirts of London. She owned the famous Arirang Korean Restaurant in London.

While Zian Da drove Yong Xi home, he got an earful from Yong Xi “How could you ever think of throwing Xiang Zhe and Ying Mei together? How could you even think Ying Mei was beautiful? You men, all so hopeless, bah!” “There is no comparison between Shan Mei and Ying Mei at all. If you look at Ying Mei too long, you become sick of her looks. Haven’t you ever noticed how pretentious she is? Shan Mei is different. The longer you look at her, the more beautiful and attractive she becomes. Can you understand the total loss of face for the Yin family and the tragedy for Xiang Zhe if Ying Mei got her way? Mind your own business the next time!”

Zian Da told Yong Xi, “I thought Ying Mei was your crony.”

Yong Xi gave him a hard stare, “that Ying Mei was too ambitious for her own good. After the car accident, I always felt very uneasy around her. Around that time, I realised Ying Mei had been up to many dirty tricks in the office.”

Zian Da was shocked and wondered why Yong Xi never confided in him sooner. They remained silent for the remainder of the journey. Both were very worried about Xiang Zhe. If ever Xiang Zhe lost Shan Mei, they would never be able to forgive themselves.

A week later, Yin Snr met up with Xiang Zhe in his office to let him know he was leaving with Xiang Jie the next day for London to look over some boarding schools and drop by King’s College for Xiang Jie’s future enrolment. Xiang Zhe opened his mouth to say something. On second thoughts he decided against it, and went back into his ‘silent-mode’ shell. Confirming they would be away 10 days, Yin Snr quickly made his way out. Xiang Zhe’s angry look and stony stare didn’t encourage anybody to make small talk.

Yin Snr was curious and eager to get to know this Shan Mei better. Xiang Zhe had never before mentioned any girl by name, let alone introduced him to a girl, as his fiancee. [Was Xiang Zhe dropping hint this was girl of his choice?]. Not only that, at the anniversary luncheon table, Xiang Zhe was so caring and proud of Shan Mei, and was smiling, joking and in good mood, something which they had never seen. Yin Snr liked Shan Mei as soon as Xiang Zhe introduced her to him. He was all smiles throughout the anniversary luncheon, thankful that such a sweet girl had finally caught the fancy of his son. All their previous match making efforts had come to zero. Xiang Zhe had not been moved at all by the rich and beautiful girls in Seoul. How could a mere slip of a girl lead his hard-hearted son on such a chase ?

Chapter 5

It was Xiang Jie’s first trip out of the country and he was excited. He rarely talked much so it was difficult to tell. Yin Snr could because the boy simply couldn’t keep still in his seat.

Father and son were exhausted after the long flight and went straight to rest after they were escorted into a beautiful suite at the Ritz. That night Yin Snr decided to drop by Arirang for dinner and try his luck. The restaurant must really be quite well known because the taxi driver had no problem in understanding and finding the place.

They were shown to a table by a charming lady all dressed up in a traditional Korean hanbok. She must be Shan Mei’s Gugu. He looked around the restaurant but didn’t see any girl he could recognise as Shan Mei. It would be easy to recognise Shan Mei because of her dazzling smile.

Father told son to enjoy his dinner slowly. Shortly, a noisy group came in, they looked familiar. Xiang Jie whispered to his dad that they were Korean footballers. He recognised a few famous faces. As they were sitting down at a table specially reserved for them, a little girl breezed through the door, waved to the group, then went up to the Korean lady at the counter. Yin Snr immediately recognised her as Shan Mei.

He got up from his seat, approached the counter and tapped the girl on the shoulder; at the same time calling her name. Shan Mei spun around and was greatly surprised by what she saw.

She immediately acknowledged Xiang Zhe’s father with a bow and smile “Chairman Yin? What a surprise?”. As Yin Snr pointed to where he was sitting, Shan Mei riveted her eyes towards that direction but only saw a boy, about 15 years old, no sign of Xue Zhang. She was somewhat disappointed, but she didn’t show it. Shan Mei introduced Gugu to Yin Snr, saying he was Xue Zhang’s father and that young boy must be Xue Zhang’s younger brother.

Shan Mei accompanied Chairman Yin back to his table. Yin Snr introduced Xiang Jie to Shan Mei. “How do you do Miss Zhen?” Shan Mei laughed, patted the boy on the head, and told him to address her as ‘sister’. “Miss Zhen” coming from a boy made her sound so old. Very soon the 3 of them were chatting away like old friends. Yin Snr was surprised. He had never heard his younger son talk so much and talking so animatedly with someone he met the first time. Usually he was very quiet and reserved.

Someone from the footballers’ table waved to Shan Mei. Shan Mei excused herself and went over. She took a small note book out from her back pocket and jotted down some notes, then made her way back to the Yin’s table.

Xiang Jie was getting excited and fidgeting in his seat. He pulled Shan Mei down closer to him and quietly asked whether Shan Mei knew them – weren’t they Korean footballers? Shan Mei told him they were the Korean National team here for practice run-up to International Football Cup. The man she just spoke to was her boss and the team manager. Xiang Jie wanted their autographs, because he was a big fan of one of the footballers there. Upon hearing this, Shan Mei gestured Xiang Jie to quiet down.

She went over to her boss, said something to him quietly, they all turned to look at the Yin’s table. Yin Snr acknowledge their presence with a nod, and continued with his dinner. Shan Mei came back and told Xiang Jie if he was free tomorrow he could spend the day with her and watch her at work. Xiang Jie was beside himself with excitement, looked at his dad and said he didn’t want to hear a ‘No’ from him.

Shan Mei couldn’t help laughing. That look and those words reminded her so much of Xue Zhang when he wanted things his way. At that moment, Shan Mei knew she was captivated by Xue Zhang’s little brother and she would be proud to be his good ‘sister’ making up for Xue Zhang’s coldness towards him.

=====

The next day they gathered at the football pitch adjacent to the CableTelevisionNetwork (CTN) Building to film a match the Korean team was playing against one of the local clubs.

After initial introduction, the team members also treated Xiang Jie as their kid brother, and were only too happy to pose for group photo before start of match. This was beyond Xiang Jie’s wildest dreams and he was ecstatic. After the successful match, they all hugged him, claiming he was their lucky mascot. He sat down in a corner while waiting for Shan Mei to finish her work.

By the time they arrived back at the hotel, it was almost 6 and Yin Snr was waiting for them in the suite. Xiang Jie was busy showing his Dad all the photos he took with his Digicam, and the souvenirs they gave him and he could not stop talking about Lee Chung Woon, the team’s star striker and the most handsome.

Yin Snr persuaded Shan Mei to stay for dinner. They would order Room Service, and Shan Mei could tell him more about her job. It was almost similar to what she did at MBS, except here she was the only one doing the pre- and post-production work. She was very lucky the colleagues at CTN’s production unit were all eager to help and teach her.

Yin Snr was not at all surprised – she had such an engaging personality and as his good friend Jin had pointed out, she had substance and charisma, which he totally agreed. Father and son decided to visit the schools on the days Shan Mei would be in Holland with the team, so they could spend as much time as possible together. Gugu’s hospitality was beyond reproach. Everything was special, nothing came straight from the menu.

Shan Mei’s boss being very understanding gave her 2 days off so she could go sight seeing with Xiang Jie and his father.

Xiang Jie and Yin Snr got to watch another match between Korea and Manchester City before their return to Seoul.

On the plane, Yin Snr couldn’t help but think of Shan Mei. She never once mentioned Xiang Zhe. It also appeared she was not missing her days at MBS. He saw first hand how the team members idolised her, especially when she never stopped cheering them on regardless. On the pitch, she made meticulous notes, together with accompany photos, for their subsequent review.

She concentrated 100% at the job on hand and never allowed herself to be distracted. Xiang Jie somehow seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation and never tried to disturb his sister.

Father could now understand why Xiang Zhe had fallen so easily and deeply for Shan Mei. She was so natural and completely unspoilt, so innocently sweet and helpful, openly honest, hard-working, never complaining once about anything. If only he had a daughter like her.

“I think Shan Mei wants her ideal partner to be strong in character, not necessary rich or handsome.” She might look delicate, but actually very strong in character. What was the word? Of yes; “Substance”, like Jin said

Chapter 6

Two floors of the Exhibition Hall were reserved for the exhibitors, Upper for test screening, the ground for Commercial Business, at the One Day Film and Television Programme Sales Convention.

John White from BBS accompanied Xiang Zhe throughout his meeting with the Head of Children’s Programming. By the time, he completed viewing the children’s programme he had indicated interest in, it was almost 4 o’clock. He went searching for the CTN pavilion.

The CTN area was very lavishly laid out. His starving eyes saw Shan Mei immediately. She was leaning across the table deep in conversation with a very distinguished looking Japanese man sitting opposite her. The man nodded, as if in agreement to most of the things she was saying. The man was obviously another invited trade visitor like himself. After a CTN usher escorted the man to the viewing room, Shan Mei moved among the tables and guests checking that things were in order.

She looked very elegant in a light aqua-coloured Chanel-styled light wool 2-piece suit. He glanced over her. She seemed to have lost some weight. Then his eyes sought out the anklet. It was there ! A lock of hair kept falling onto her forehead. He was so tempted to run over and smooth it behind her ear for her.

He had been parking himself at a secluded yet vantage spot where he could observe Shan Mei without her knowing, enjoying tea and finger sandwiches. He would wait for her to finish her tasks, then surprise her. He had taken the Convention as an excuse to come to London, when 2 months ago, Shan Mei had informed him in a brief email that she had joined CTN. He just wanted to come and see her. He had missed her so much, missed everything about her.

The exhibitors were packing up. Xiang Zhe thought he would wait a few more minutes before going over to where Shan Mei was clearing up her things. Just then a man beckoned to Shan Mei. She then went to collect her coat and they left together with a group of CTN visitors. He heard one of them suggesting dinner at the hotel where he was staying

Shan Mei fumbled hastily with her seat belt. She jumped out of the car as if anxious to get away from him

“Thank you for the ride, Mr. Dutton. It saved me a lot of time. I have a lot of reports to complete at home”

Michael got out of the car and went around to meet Shan Mei as she stood facing him.

“I thought we agreed on Michael.”

“Alright Michael, thank you again.”

“Aren’t you going to invite me up for a cup of coffee?”

“It’s late. Besides it’s not the thing for Korean girls to do, entertain men at home without a chaperone.”

“Even if the man is serious?”

“What do you mean?” Shan Mei couldn’t understand the drift.

“I mean I have been trying to invite you out since the first time I met you. But now having worked with you for quite a while, I feel I know you quite well, even though we have never been out. Shan Mei, I want a serious relationship that will eventually lead to marriage?”

“Michael, please don’t joke with me! I have been told that you have so many gorgeous ladies running after you all over the world, the only reason you are still unmarried is you don’t know which one to choose ?”

“I am not interested in any of them!”

“Michael, frankly speaking, I admire you very much on a professional level and I’d like to keep it at that. I’m learning a lot from you about the business. We make a great team. In fact, I’d like to make it the best. So let’s keep matters simple, and no complications, okay??

“Alright, I’ll accept that for the time being if that’s what you want. Anytime, there’s a change of heart, just let me know”

By this time, they were sitting on one of the garden benches scattered randomly in the small but neatly landscaped garden.

“I must be honest with you. There is actually someone in Seoul. Most people think I am not capable, beautiful or good enough for him. There were some misunderstandings, and that being my first serious relationship, I didn’t know how to handle it.”

“What happened?”

“He said he liked me and would wait for me. Meanwhile he went out with this other clever and beautiful girl who told me personally that they were together and Senior was the one who told her he had broken up with me. I didn’t want to get hurt, so I left.”

“And you ran away to London?”

Shan Mei nodded. “I wanted to start afresh on my own.”

“And did he come looking for you?”

“He did. I felt he didn’t know what he wanted. Maybe I was just a novelty to him. Maybe he has never romanced a simple girl from a humble family. All his girls were from high society. I suggested a 2-year wait. If he was still serious about me, we would decide from there!”

“Good decision. This guy in our line of business?”

“Yes”

“Shan Mei, though I haven’t met him, I can tell you he is a complete idiot for letting you go. I hope he never lives to regret it. His loss is our gain! You are such a beautiful person, but where broadcasters go, you are that “pot of gold” every talent scout wants to sign up. You are new at the game, your potential hasn’t been developed and fully utilised at all. Just you wait, when you complete the training programme with us, you’ll be streets ahead of the pack in Seoul.”

“Michael, thank you for your kind words, but I am aware of my limitation. How can some one who has worked in the TV/radio station for 2 years with only mediocre results, be suddenly superstar after just 3 months of training? In fact, someone once said I shouldn’t be in this business at all, because I was not serious or dedicated enough. I couldn’t even keep punctual time.”

“Well, all I can say is that guy needs to have his head examined. At CTN, everyone only has praises for you. You’re the most hardworking. You never waste a minute of your time. 6 – 10 doing your normal work, 10 – 1, taking private English tuition, after that you carry on till late. Sometimes I wonder how you do it. And they all love you! Shan Mei, please don’t be defeated by your bad experience. I think there were some people out there who were so jealous of your talent and popularity that they did their best to make you feel like a worm. Very soon, you’ll turn into the most colourful and beautiful butterfly!

Shan Mei, look at me. I am going to let you on to a secret. I never tell such confidential matters to my staff but I feel those people had cut you down so badly, you deserve to know. Last year when I was in Seoul to screen over the newscasters currently working at the various stations, believe me, you were the only one we wanted. Just our luck you were in London working with the Korean football team who happened to be using our ground facilities. Otherwise I would have gone looking for you in Seoul this Spring. We had started already working on an offer for you.

Do you know why western-managed stations are held in such high esteem for their excellence in programming. We choose each and every of our talent very carefully. In Asia, we know they go for ‘beautiful looks and personal connection’. This way they can never achieve the high standards comparable to the West.

Shan Mei, you have great ideas, you have an innate feel of what the audiences want, you have that very elusive X factor. I believe in you.”

Michael looked at Shan Mei for a minute, then continued, “Go, finish the project we discussed 2 weeks ago. I don’t care even if you don’t sleep tonight, I want the Project Outline on my desk first thing tomorrow morning. Remember to keep the budget low. Depending on outcome of directors meeting, I may consider letting you produce all 8 episodes. Run along now, and Shan Mei, don’t waste too much time mulling over what might or might not have been in Seoul. Concentrate on the present. Goodnight, my beautiful princess!”

He gave Shan Mei’s cheek a pinch, then tenderly pushed her along. With a careless wave, Shan Mei turned and started to run for the door. Michael watched indulgently at her receding back. As soon as she disappeared into the lift, Michael shook his head in amusement, then made his way towards his car.

Xiang Zhe came out of the shadows on the other side of the high sculptured hedge. He had been restlessly sitting on the garden bench intending to wait for Shan Mei to arrive home. He didn’t expect to be 3rd party to their conversation. “Who is this Michael fellow?” He was curious. He decided John White at BBS would be his best source of information. As he slowly drew on a cigarette he had just lit, he made his way out of the garden towards the main road to try to get a taxi back to the hotel. Tonight, he was not getting to see his Shan Mei; didn’t he hear, she would be busy working. He couldn’t get out of his mind what the Michael fellow said about him being an idiot and that his head needed to be examined?

At the hotel lobby Xiang Zhe ordered from Reception a hotel limo for 5 a.m. tomorrow. He had to see Shan Mei before she went to work. Better be there early and wait because he heard that Michael guy said she started work at 6.

Chapter 7

As soon as Shan Mei came though the main door of her apartment block, Xiang Zhe saw her. Underneath her heavy coat she had on a cute little black woolen suit, with a white silk blouse and the same string of tiny seed pearls she had on yesterday, complete with black high heel pumps. Her hair was tied up in a curly bunch, her face had on only the barest trace of makeup. Her matching tote bag looked bulky. She looked so chic! And simply so adorable!

Xiang Zhe called out “Shan Mei, Shan Mei?” When Shan Mei turned towards the direction of the familiar voice, he smiled broadly and gave her a slight wave, then made his way towards her. Shan Mei couldn’t believe her eyes, or contained her excitement or her tears.

She ran towards him, crying and laughing at the same time “Xue Zhang, Xue Zhang is it really you ? You are here because you got my telepathy message?” Dropping her bag, she fell into Xiang Zhe’s open arms. Hugging him, Shan Mei demanded Xiang Zhe pinch her, so she realised it was all real and not a dream!

“Won’t a kiss be better?” He cupped Shan Mei’s face between his hands, held it up as he looked longingly down into her eyes, he planted a tender and lingering kiss on her forehead. He was so reluctant to let go of her.

Shan Mei was hugging onto Xiang Zhe “I was missing you so much, missing your words of comfort, your words of encouragement and wishing you were here! I am so nervous because this morning I have to submit a very important Project Outline to my boss. Even though I worked all night on it, I am afraid it may not be good enough for what they have in mind. See,” pointing to her short jacket, under the heavy coat, “I even put on the 4-leaf clover brooch you gave me a long time ago for good luck!”

“Come, get into the car. It’s too cold talking out here. I’ll drop you off at work. We can talk on the way.” He put her bag into the car, he then helped Shan Mei off her overcoat before they climbed into the car.

“Shoosh, Xue Zhang, don’t talk. Just hold me tight so I really know it’s you. How can you suddenly be here at 5.30 in the morning. This is madness!”

“You’re right, it’s madness. You’ve been driving me so crazy I wasn’t able to sleep a wink the whole night. In fact I ordered the limo for 5 this morning so I could catch you before you leave for work. Do you always start work so early?” Shan Mei nodded silently. “I’m leaving for Seoul tonight by 11 pm flight. Is there any chance to have dinner together ?” Even if she couldn’t make it for dinner, Xiang Zhe felt he was already blessed, holding Shan Mei like this in his arms, breathing in her sweet scent, playing with her soft and cute chignon, chatting away so happily, all past grievances forgotten.

“I’ll try to be home by 6 this evening.” Very sweetly and beguiling, Shan Mei suggested they have dinner at her place, after dinner Xue Zhang could leave for airport from her place. Xiang Zhe couldn’t ask for better arrangement: “How can I refuse such tempting offer?” Shan Mei tilted her head to an angle and gave Xiang Zhe a sweet smile

“Now that you are smiling again, I am not that worried about your project. Even if it doesn’t work out, you are not to cry. Remember, you still have me, your very loyal fan –Y-”. He looked at her with his crooked smile.

“Xue Zhang, thank you for being here, for brightening up my day. And here’s a reward for being my loyal fan.” Shan Mei gave him a peck on either side of his cheeks. “See you this evening, Bye?” With that Shan Mei alighted from the car, after Xiang Zhe helped her back into her heavy coat. She made her way to the CTN building, turning around once more before entering the grand entrance, to give Xiang Zhe a big smile and a final wave.

Xiang Zhe slowly got back into the car, wondering unbelievingly how he could bear to let Shan Mei go. That Michael fellow was right! He was a complete idiot. In the car, he was basking in the sweet memory of Shan Mei in his arms, all other things and questions running through his mind were of no consequence. Yet he felt uneasy. He thought his team at MBS was very efficient, creative, and professional. Apparently not, looking at Shan Mei. He had never seen her so happy and relax, except the time they spent together at Cambridge. She wasn’t cranky nor did she complain about starting work so early; she must be enjoying her work. And Shan Mei, being the trusting and innocent baby she was, didn’t even question what Xiang Zhe was doing in London, taking for granted it was the most natural thing for him to show up at her door at 5.30 in the morning, just when she felt it was necessary for her to see him!

Was it telepathy? Were they truly connected in this way ? After a few times Shan Mei received roses from him, she told him the first time she found a rose at her front gate. She couldn’t sleep that night, as if someone was calling out to her at her front door. She went outside and found the rose. Later she realised it was him. Oh, he must remember to order from the hotel florist a rose for this evening. Meanwhile he must prepare for this morning’s meeting with John White.

Later that morning while Xiang Zhe was at BBS to finalise and sign contracts for the programmes he had purchased, Shan Mei was at her desk in CTN calling her Gugu, informing her Xue Zhang was in town but would be leaving this evening for Seoul. She had invited him to dinner at her place. So Gugu please arrange the needful. Dinner was at 6. Did Gugu still remember code to her electronic lock?

Chapter 8

Xiang Zhe and John enjoyed a great lunch at one of the newly established French restaurants around Sloane Street. Xiang Zhe made mental note of the shops along the street, all very exclusive boutiques. He would browse around the area later and see what he could buy for his angel. When they were enjoying their dessert and coffee, Xiang Zhe very casually asked John whether he knew the Director of CTN Asia/Pacific ? John must have admired this guy very much. Xiang Zhe didn’t even need to probe, John was only too happy to divulge all the details.

“That must be Michael Dutton you are asking about. Actually he is SIR Michael but Michael doesn’t like using his title at all. He is distantly related to the Royal Family. Michael doesn’t use his family connections for any of his business dealings although his family owns almost 10% of prime real estate in London. He keeps a very low profile, and is very well known and well liked in his own right. He is almost 36 years old, still a bachelor. Hasn’t found the time to settle down, not because there is a lack of beautiful candidates. He is simply too busy jetting around the world taking care of his businesses!

In fact, I am still trying to get him to agree to a luncheon date with me since 3 months ago! I’ve heard he is ultra conservative where it comes to choice of bride. One of his college mates at Cambridge related that Michael once insisted while they were out drinking and he was getting quite tipsy, that his bride must be a virgin. Unfortunately for Michael, there are not many girls left in that department.” After hearing all this, Xiang Zhe realised Shan Mei was exactly the type of girl Michael wanted. He suddenly complained of a splitting headache and feeling downcast, he was in no mood to shop.

Xiang Zhe was resting on his bed, thinking over what John had disclosed during lunch. This Michael Dutton sounded like a great catch. He didn’t look bad too from what Xiang Zhe could make out last night. Was Shan Mei aware of Michael’s personal background ? Xiang Zhe was adamant Shan Mei would be too engrossed in her work to take notice. Even if she was aware, she couldn’t care less. Didn’t that happen to him? Even though he was the Boss, and heir to one of Korea’s more prominent families, Shan Mei still blasted him whenever she felt he did wrong or acted hypocritical, “Oh Shan Mei, I miss you. I miss your straight talking! I miss your angry look! I miss your sweet smile! I miss your everything.” She looked pretty even when she was angry, he thought aimlessly.

Xiang Zhe fell asleep still thinking of Shan Mei’s pretty angry look that time he finished her lunch at campus at Cambridge.

Shortly before 5, Xiang Zhe woke up. He took a leisurely bath, trying to plan what he would say to Shan Mei, but gave up. Shan Mei was too unpredictable to let him plan. He’ d better play it straight now that he realised he had serious competition.

Shan Mei let Xiang Zhe in when he arrived at her apartment exactly at 6. Shan Mei expected this because he was always a stickler for punctuality. He handed Shan Mei the rose and silently mouthed I LOVE YOU hoping she would catch on, and not think he was making faces at her. They stood there looking at each other with their sweet but shy smiles. All of a sudden, as if by tacit agreement, they moved towards each other’s outstretched arms, and embraced tightly, holding the same position for at least a few minutes, Xiang Zhe burying his face into Shan Mei’s soft silky hair breathing in the familiar fragrance, the scent he couldn’t get enough of this morning when Shan Mei was in his arms. Shan Mei turned her face onto its side letting it rest on Xue Zhang’s chest. She could hear his heart beating fast and irregular.

Finally they drew apart. As Shan Mei didn’t give him her peck on his cheek, he was afraid to make the first move in case he received scolding from her. He had been dying to kiss her but he didn’t dare try any of his tricks as he couldn’t fathom Shan Mei’s mood.

What to do now? Except follow Shan Mei into the kitchen. Shan Mei got him a glass orange juice, while she settled for peach juice. He made a mental note that Shan Mei liked peach juice. No wonder she never drank the orange juice he used to order for her. Xiang Zhe got the feeling they were acting like 2 polite strangers, as they were moving around in the apartment. How to get some familiar reaction out of Shan Mei? He grabbed a hat he saw lying on the sofa, and held it out to Shan Mei as if begging for food.

“Aiyo, what’s this ? You don’t have to beg. I’ll be feeding you tasty food in a minute.”

“I’m not begging for tonight’s dinner, only begging for more sushi”

“Huh?”

“You gave Father 3 boxes the last time he was in London with Xiang Jie. He finished 2 boxes and was going to start on the 3rd, without letting me know. Xiang Jie took pity on me and kept the 3rd box for me. Father was so upset saying if I wanted Shan Mei’s sushi, I should fly to London for them. So here I am waiting for your super delicious sushi.” He then winked at Shan Mei.

Shan Mei gave a delightful laugh and showed Xiang Zhe the sushi she was going to pack for him after dinner.

“How many boxes?”

“3”

“Do you have enough to make 4? Father is surely going to ask for 2 boxes.”

“Then you tell him to fly Shan Mei back to Seoul to make sushi for him every day!”

Suddenly the room temperature felt warm. Xiang Zhe’s eyes grew big and bright, his smile wide, his actions bold, he looked at Shan Mei

“Do you really mean it? Shan Mei, here, look at me. Tell me!! We can leave together tonight. Since we are going to enjoy your sushi everyday, you have to stay over at the house to make sushi, which means if you stay at the house, we can marry…..”

“Oi, Oi, Oi, we were talking of sushi, no one mentioned anything about marriage! Stop talking nonsense otherwise we won’t have time to enjoy our dinner.” Xiang Zhe smiled slyly. He tried to sample some food on the table. Shan Mei gave his hand a smack, he gave Shan Mei his besotted look! Shan Mei couldn’t remain aloof – she gave him a brilliant smile. Shan Mei was retrieving some food from the microwave oven, Xiang Zhe sneaked up behind her and gave her a hug, both arms wrapped around her waist. Shan Mei tried to wriggle free as Xiang Zhe was about to plant a kiss on the back of her nape. Just then the phone rang. Xiang Zhe cursed under his breath!

Shan Mei ran to answer the phone. It was Michael. When Xiang Zhe heard this name, he was not at all happy. He picked up a cushion from the sofa and wanted to punch into it, when Shan Mei signaled to him to be quiet! Michael rang to let her know the Project Outline she submitted had been accepted at the directors’ meeting this evening. He wanted Shan Mei to prepare the 1st Episode Script and Direction and have it ready for approval tomorrow. Shan Mei advised Michael the tour agency recommended by her Gugu had agreed to be the main sponsor for her series. Michael was very pleased with her active involvement in securing sponsorship and ended the call by praising her highly.

Upon hanging up, Shan Mei ran towards Xiang Zhe and hugged him excitedly. “Xue Zhang, you’re the best, you’re definitely the best. ” Xiang Zhe was dumb founded wondering what he did to deserve such a spontaneous hug, not that he was complaining.

“Because of you, my first Project Outline is accepted. Tomorrow I need to submit 1st Episode Script and Direction. Wow!”

“Wait, wait, wait a second. You mean you not only prepare and read news, you can plan Project Outlines, you are also in charge of Script and Direction? Hey, you mean you learnt so much in so little time over here?”

“No, Xue Zhang. I was always good at all these even in Seoul. Remember my university contest when I won over Ying Mei? I planned and outlined part of the production. At MBS, Ying Mei always stole my Outline papers and made it appear as if they were her work. I didn’t want to fight with her because of You Zhen Ge. If taking my papers would make her love more and treat better You Zhen Ge, then she should take them. That’s why I was sometimes late for production meetings. I had to think of new themes and had only short time to quickly research in library and prepare rough outline notes again. Then at night had to spend time to prepare the actual proposal.”

Xiang Zhe was silent, so raked with guilt. He gathered Shan Mei close and embraced her tenderly, his eyes above Shan Mei’s head glistened with unshed tears. He continued to stroke her soft hair lovingly while his chin rested on her head. He was supposed to protect her, instead he admonished her that time she arrived slightly late for meeting, and for not having her proposals ready in time thinking she was out with You Zhen. He wrapped his arms tighter around her, never wanting to ever let her go. He had been a complete fool.

“Michael is my boss and he is very happy. We are aiming for low budget production, the working team to consist of myself and a small camera crew. Uncle Jose is head of camera crew. I worked with him from the beginning during KFA days. We did some beautiful work for the Korean football team. I trust him implicitly.

Come, Xue Zhang, let’s eat and talk at the same time. You have to leave for the airport in an hour’s time”

“Shan Mei, let me hold you like this just a little longer. Tell me more…” Xiang Zhe coaxed her in a soft honey-coated voice.

“Michael says most probably when I have my script and directing outlines approved, we will leave for location shooting at the end of the month. We’ll spend one month traveling around trying to complete 8 episodes. Very tight schedule. Michael will let me know whether I can handle the production as well. He will make decision after reviewing the films I produced for the Korean football team in Europe 3 months ago. Yippee! Xue Zhang, thank you again for being here for me, encouraging me, giving me strong support and the determination to do better.”

“Oh Shan Mei, my sweetheart, please don’t make me feel worse by saying that. You know the way I behaved, all that nonsense about being famous broadcaster and the hurtful things I said to you before you collapsed and was admitted to hospital. Even if I was jealous of You Zhen, that didn’t give me the right to vent my anger on you. You being such a generous person, you never once complained to me how mean Yong Xi and Ying Mei treated you. That Zian Da is no better. And you were so right. I should have used company money to train in-house talent rather than use the money to hire big name presenters. Now, we’re back to Square 1; as you know, that big name presenter gave us so much trouble. Now I feel lower than a worm!”

Shan Mei put a finger to Xiang Zhe’s mouth to silence him.

“Xue Zhang, please don’t punish yourself with such guilty thoughts. It’s only because of you, and what you said, that I decided to start afresh on my own. And look what has happened and where I am heading? If you didn’t say those things, I would most probably still be treated as blurry, forgetful, slow Shan Mei at MBS, only making it at MBS because I had the protection of the Director of Planning. Thank you again.” Xiang Zhe wanted to cry.

Now that Xiang Zhe was away from the MBS office and seeing the way Shan Mei was working so happily, he began to see her situation at MBS before she ran away to London in a clearer light. If she was all those negative things the staff at MBS News office had claimed, how could she be voted Most Popular Newcomer in Television by viewers, and her Music Stage Show was most popular show on MBS, and she was so well liked by almost all colleagues working around the Station, except a few in her own department?

“Come, See? I asked Gugu to make this especially for you. Taste good?”

“Emm…”

“Please finish all. I have also packed 4 sushi lunch boxes for you and Uncle Yin. Oh dear, I forgot about Xiang Jie. I didn’t get him anything.”

“Don’t spoil that kid. Before he used to hide or remain quietly behind his mother whenever he saw me. Now, due to your spoiling him, he is cheeky and sometimes talk back to me..”

“That’s good! That’s some form of communication? Isn’t it?”

“This soup is delicious,” purposely avoiding to answer her question.

“Do you want some more ?”

“May be just a little bit more.” I don’t want to spend the entire night going to the toilet on the plane! I only want to sleep and have sweet dreams of you !”

They were enjoying their coffee. Xiang Zhe went over to his overcoat and took out a box from one of its pocket and handed it to Shan Mei. She squealed with delight and asked whether she could unwrap it. It was a multi coloured crystal butterfly. “It’s so beautiful”

“Just like you”.
Thinking in his heart what that Michael had said about Shan Mei becoming soon the most colourful and beautiful butterfly.

“Thank you Xue Zhang.” She rested her head casually on Xiang Zhe’s shoulder and lifted the butterfly up against the ceiling light, letting the light capture the multi faceted iridescence. Shan Mei became so fascinated by the reflections. She turned towards Xiang Zhe who had been watching her with indulgence; she smiled her shy sweet smile and pecked him on his cheek.

Chapter 9

Over at MBS, since Xiang Zhe returned from London, the weather forecast outside and inside the building was the same: most times cold, sometimes cloudy and stormy.

Xiang Zhe was moody most of the time. He also lost his temper several times a day over the slightest provocation. More frightening was when he would sit quietly and not utter a single word. Without any directives from him, no staff member would dare make decision.

Xiang Zhe was in foul mood because after a few days’ of careful observation and totally unbiased appraisal, he discovered the whole team’s performance was mediocre at best and lacking in initiative. Only Li Qingxi and Shen Qi Tong of News Department weren’t afraid to voice their opinion. Weren’t they the ones who recognised Shan Mei’s potential right from the start ?

They fought for Shan Mei without realising Shan Mei scored the highest % of viewer rating for that week. And how could Zian Da and Yong Xi vote for Xu Ying Mei when her rating was low and topic not suitable at all for the time slot. If all team leaders started to act so irresponsibly and unprofessionally, how could the Station stay competitive ? No wonder they were always losing out to rival stations in ratings war.

And how could they be so oblivious to the hanky-panky going on in their own department ? If they were so into favouritism, how could the less favoured dare to voice their grievances ? Like what Michael said “Asian-managed TV stations were into ‘glamour and cronyism’ big time. Because of their cronyism his Shan Mei had suffered unfairly at their hands. No wonder Ying Mei could carry out all her mischievous schemes without any one finding out. And if he was not wrong, he suspected Zian Da was trying to pair him off with Ying Mei. Xiang Zhe shook his head in mirthless humour. This Zian Da was a hopeless judge of character. Luckily for him, Zian Da was not successful in his match making schemes, otherwise Xiang Zhe would have ended up with a gangster’s moll!

Zian Da could never understand what Xiang Zhe saw in Shan Mei, always hinting the pairing was incompatible! The only time he was considerate of Shan Mei was to ensure she was not moved over to Xiang Zhe’s step uncle’s department, even with her little bit of talent. So Zian Da sent her to MBS Radio to do the radio news reading and other radio programmes, giving her minimum television exposure.

Holding his hands to the sides of his head, trying to rub away his headache and tiredness, Xiang Zhe couldn’t wait to see Zian Da’s and Yong Xi’s reaction when CTN bring Shan Mei to Korea. During his two days stay in London; 1st day quietly observing Shan Mei at the Sales Convention, and then seeing how hard and competently she was working on the 2nd day, it was obvious that MBS had lost its brightest STAR, and Xiang Zhe himself had contributed to this loss big time, by his stupidity.

If he had not taken Xu Ying Mei out, she wouldn’t think he was interested in her. She would stick to You Zhen who in turn would not get into such hopeless state that Auntie had to beg Shan Mei to help You Zhen out. Due to her kind and caring nature, she agreed. If You Zhen was okay, Shan Mei in turn would have time for him and there wouldn’t be any need for his jealous fits.

If Xiang Zhe did not know of Xu Ying Mei’s obsession it would not have been so bad. Time and again, using various tactics, Ying Mei forced Xiang Zhe to accept her. He should have rejected her advances once and for all, right from the beginning. And not letting her drop by his apartment whenever she liked, using work as an excuse. He was the boss of MBS, not an ordinary worker in the production unit.

Where was his sense of good taste? Taking out a woman who was in an intimate relationship for a few years already with his top camera man. Where was his brain ? How come he couldn’t work out something so simple? It took Shan Mei with her simple logic to open his eyes. “Oh Shan Mei, I am so very sorry. I have hurt you so bad. ” And Shan Mei was right. If it was his intention to reward an employee who worked hard, why didn’t he reward any of the other staff members who had also worked hard ? To be truthful, if he dared admit it and accept his responsibility, he thought he was a little bit influenced by Zian Da. Xiang Zhe prayed to the good God and thanked his loving mother, they would never, ever let such a terrible thing happen to him. Shan Mei was the one they sent and he silently promised he'd never look at another woman again. !

===

Re-organisation of the various departments was necessary but easier said than done. Zian Da definitely had to be removed from the training centre. He always doted on Yong Xi, and Yong Xi being prima donna of News Department would not welcome any competition graciously unless it was her crony!
.
If there was no solution soon to this quandary, the station would definitely suffer, especially when CTN came in with their Korean language programmes full on with Miss Zhen Shan Mei at its helm. And Miss Zhen could definitely create waves. She proved that with her “pack of scoundrels” news episode.

Shan Mei might be out of the country for now but she could easily recover instant fan loyalty. After she left MBS for London, the station received tons of mail from her fans, television viewers and radio listeners alike, wanting to know what happened and where was Zhen Shan Mei. Zhen Shan Mei was the main reason they watched MBS.

The viewers had always been mesmerized by her charisma and megawatt smile. Even the mighty Yin Xiang Zhe was no exception !!!

Chapter 10

Assistant Director Jin Enqi took the first available opportunity to complain to his brother-in-law, Chairman Yin, that Xiang Zhe was acting like an immature kid again. Maybe the job he was asked to handle was beyond his capabilities ? That was why Xiang Zhe was trying to find fault with everyone at the station. Assistant Director Jin reminded Yin Snr MBS was a listed company, not a private company where Xiang Zhe could run through it and do whatever he pleased. If the shareholders knew Xiang Zhe was not competent enough, they could easily remove him. Yin Snr was aware of Assistant Director Jin’s motives.

For the time being, Yin Snr was not worried about MBS. He was more concerned for Xiang Zhe’s mental state. What happened in London that Xiang Zhe was behaving so out of character, or should he say, back to previous character where he kept to himself and wouldn’t open up to anyone?

The day he returned from London, he was in such high spirits, sharing Shan Mei’s sushi lunch boxes with the family. When he described the lovely dinner Shan Mei prepared for him before his departure, Father could feel the pride and love his son had for Shan Mei. He thought all was well. He suspected may be with Shan Mei away in London, Xiang Zhe was feeling lonely?

Father went to Xiang Zhe’s office again, “Xiang Zhe, why don’t you come home and share dinner with Father? I’ve ordered your favourite dishes for tonight from the Korean restaurant near our house.”

Xiang Zhe again gave all sorts of excuses, but after much persuasion and seeing his father’s tired look with worry for him, he agreed. Father and son had never spent any such time together like this. The unassuming stepmother and kid brother did not join them. Just father and elder son. Xiang Zhe knew Shan Mei would be happy for him, if she knew he was spending such time with his father. Finally Xiang Zhe felt throbbing headache and very heavy in the head, and wanted to leave.

“Why don’t you spend the night here? It’s dangerous to drive under such circumstances. Auntie can get you some tea to ease your headache.” Xiang Zhe refused. He was afraid Shan Mei might call, and if he was not in, she might suspect he had gone out fooling with girls. He had to be home.

Yin Snr shook his head in pity and asked Xiang Zhe whether it was customary for Shan Mei to call. Xiang Zhe kept silent. Father still waiting for answer. Xiang Zhe shook his head slowly. Father could see his eyes bright with unshed tears. He finally admitted Shan Mei never called. He felt so abandoned. Shan Mei didn’t care for him. Now, she had her Michael (who was Michael?), she didn’t need him and who could blame her, after he broke her heart into such tiny pieces by his foolish action. He deserved to be shot!

Father’s heart was breaking up seeing his son in such tormented state. He immediately called Shan Mei on mobile. Shan Mei’s cheerful voice came through and when she responded to Yin Snr’s query that it was convenient to talk, now she was just about to have coffee break. Yin Snr went straight to the point.

“Shan Mei, Xiang Zhe is now drunk in my house. I have asked him to stay the night here as it would too dangerous to drive back to his apartment.

Another thing, because he is alone by himself at the apartment, I worry he may feel lonely, so I ask him to move over and stay here. I’ve already built a very special extension for him where he could still enjoy his privacy.
What do you think ?”

“I think this is a most lovely and practical thought. Someone is there to see to his well being. Has Xue Zhang agreed ?”

“Shan Mei, can you please talk some sense into him, as he is now looking at me as if we are hatching some conspiracy to run away together ?”

“Okay Uncle, please put him on. Hello! Xue Zhang are you feeling alright?”

Xiang Zhe, on hearing Shan Mei’s voice, gentle and full of concern, immediately felt his worry load almost gone, and tried to elicit further sympathy from her.

“I have a terrible headache, but I will still try to drive myself home.”

“Xue Zhang, do you want me to worry about you when you are driving yourself home? Of course you can take a taxi, but you’d still need someone to take care of you if you become sick at home. If I am there I can come and look after you, but I’m not. So will you let someone else help me look after you?” Shan Mei was talking in such a sweet way as if cajoling a 3-year old instead of a 30+-year old man. Yin Snr could see a smile breaking out on Xiang Zhe’s face, he became very relieved and quietly left the room. Xiang Zhe felt Shan Mei’s words like honey coating all around his heart.

“Okay, I will spend the night here. I know you are very busy with your new projects, I don’t want you to worry.”

“Since you know I am a very busy and important girl, you must keep me free from even the tiniest bit of worry, ok?”

Xiang Zhe laughed.

“So why don’t you move over to the new extension your father had arranged for you ?”

“I didn’t know about this. I haven’t even seen it, so how can I move there ?”

“You know I always worry whether you remember to take your 3 basic meals a day. If you live there I don’t have to worry any more.”

“So does this mean if you don’t have to worry, you don’t think of me anymore?” Shan Mei could imagine his lips gathered into a slight pucker.

“Aiyo, how can you say that ? It means I don’t have to waste time thinking ‘worry thoughts’. I can use the time to think only of ‘loving thoughts’. Won’t you like that ?”

“Only if you are thinking of me and no one else !” he pouted

“Why don’t you go see the place? Call me back okay to let me know your feeling and decision. Please go now. Xue Zhang,..I… I miss you.”

“I miss you too, very, very much.” Xiang Zhe sighed. Why did she have to wait till now to tell him that? Was it true or was she just throwing him a bone now that she knew he was going to do everything according to her bidding ? He wanted to believe her so badly. Was she keeping to her words, and not seeing anyone ? Not seeing even that Michael fellow ?

He went to look for his father and told him he wanted to look at the place Shan Mei was talking about. Yin Snr was so pleased he immediately asked his wife to prepare tea for relieving headache so they could have it later after viewing the extension.

Careful planning had gone into the construction and interior design of the extension. It was very spacious, much larger than Xiang Zhe’s present apartment. Yin Snr knew his son’s weakness was Shan Mei. All he had to do was include Shan Mei in the planning and he was sure Xiang Zhe would accept.

Walking through the unit, they came to a smaller en suite tastefully decorated in feminine colours and style. Xiang Zhe looked at his father questioningly.

“In case Shan Mei visits, there is no need for her to complain no room to spend the night.”

Xiang Zhe smiled and his big eyes rolled about as if he was hatching some secret scheme. His whole expression changed, as if a burden has finally been lifted and banished to a far away land. He sat down on the sofa and immediately phoned Shan Mei. On hearing her sweet response, he got excited and told her about the en suite his father had prepared for her. The whole unit was completely furnished, only things missing were his personal effects. Shan Mei was very pleased and persuaded Xue Zhang to move to the new place tomorrow.

“If there’s a private line, please let me have the number. I’ll phone tomorrow 9 p.m. your time to see how you are settling in. Tonight, take hot shower than go straight to bed.” Xiang Zhe very quickly agreed to everything. After bidding each other loving goodnight, Xiang Zhe turned to his father and thanked him, with a grateful expression. He realised his father understood his vulnerability as far as Shan Mei was concerned, and he also tried to ensure his relationship with Shan Mei was trouble free.

His stepmother, after knocking on the door, entered with special tea, and also a set of his father’s night shirt. He then told his father he would move some of his things over tomorrow. The elder couple bade Xiang Zhe a good rest and left him on his own.

Xiang Zhe was now alone in the new apartment. While sipping his tea, he went again into Shan Mei’s en suite to carefully inspect the room to see what he could add to it. After sitting there for a while, he had a brilliant idea. Tomorrow he would go to Shan Mei’s home and ask her father to let him have one or two of Shan Mei’s personal possessions, like hair clip, so he could put it in Shan Mei’s room. Whenever he missed her, he could go look at her things and pretend she was there. Great, he would do just that !

After hot shower, he managed to fall asleep rather quickly.

Yin Snr, also sipping tea in his own private sitting room, was deep in thought and happy with tonight’s developments. That Shan Mei was an extremely intelligent girl. He just spoke those few words, she already grasped his meaning straight away and knew how to follow through with subtle persuasion. Shaking his head he laughed softly. Between the 2 of them, they managed to break down Xiang Zhe’s defenses in less than 30 minutes whereas, before Xiang Zhe met Shan Mei, Xiang Zhe wouldn’t have budged an inch no matter what. He again smiled with satisfaction.

Chapter 11

Gui Cheng answered the door and on seeing Xiang Zhe, he was so happy. He called to his wife to prepare another set of breakfast for Xiang Zhe.

At breakfast Xiang Zhe informed them he would be moving to his father’s house today because they had been worried about his well being and recent loss in appetite.

He wanted to ask for some personal items of Shan Mei to keep in his house for company. The couple felt sorry for him since Shan Mei went away to London. Auntie immediately went upstairs to get some of Shan Mei’s hair clips and one of a pair of dolls that Shan Mei had kept from when young. Shan Mei liked the music coming from the doll very much. Xiang Zhe smiled on seeing the doll. Except for the blonde locks, the doll looked so much like Shan Mei, especially her sweet full lips in a pout.

In the car Xiang Zhe had a strange feeling they were anxious to see him off after Shan Mei’s things were given to him.

At his apartment, after shower, he changed into fresh clothes and packed a small suitcase full, then went off to office.

Today he walked with lighter steps and looked at people with softer heart.

He couldn’t concentrate totally on his papers. His mind kept going back to what Michael Dutton said about Asian managed broadcasting stations. What could he do? Would he be given free hand to carry out the necessary changes ?

He took Peter Rabbit in his hand, twirled him around a few times; he was sorely tempted to run away himself too and join Shan Mei in London.

But Shan Mei would be the first to send him back, to accuse him of shirking his duties and acting irresponsibly, demanding that he be strong. Only now he realised fully what a strong character Shan Mei had, and he had mistook it for stubbornness. He too had to be strong for his and her sake !
===

Next morning near the Zhen residence.
Xiang Zhe asked company driver to park car at a vantage point and wait.

30 minutes later he saw Uncle Zhen and his wife loading cartons onto 4WD, then drove off. Xiang Zhe’s driver followed at a discreet distance.

They arrived at the park Shan Mei and he frequently went to when he first returned from London. What was up?

After Uncle drove his 4WD into the park grounds, Xiang Zhe signaled the driver to stop. He got off. Telling the drive not to wait for him, he made his way to the park. Very soon he espied Uncle’s 4WD parked behind the park’s noodle shop. It looked like the couple was getting ready to open shop. Xiang Zhe scratched his head and couldn’t fathom the logic of this.

He waited and observed from a distance. Soon, a group of people approached the shop, sat down and ordered noodles. Uncle and his wife began serving their customers, looking so happy, joking and laughing easily with their customers and appeared to enjoy their work. Xiang Zhe looked confounded and couldn’t understand why they didn’t tell him about their new venture ?

As he made his way to the taxi rank, he decided he would drop by the noodle shop ‘accidentally’ one of these days for noodles, and be ‘surprised’ by them. He shook his head slightly and laughed softly to himself. What were those two seniors up to ?
====

Chapter 12

Xiang Zhe needed to search for some information from MSN but he had left his laptop in the office. He must remember to have his computer from his apartment re-installed in his new place.

He knocked on Xiang Jie’s door. After letting his older brother in, he became very nervous. This was first time Xiang Zhe had come to his room. The room looked like a small open plan apartment with bedroom, study, game room and TV section all neatly and tastefully separated.

On one of the walls was plastered a big blown-up photo of football team line up. Xiang Zhe walked up to it to get a better look….wasn’t that Shan Mei and Xiang Jie ? Shan Mei was in tracksuit and trainers. She looked so adorable and inviting with her brilliant smile in that pose. Xiang Zhe turned to Xiang Jie, without uttering a word, raised his eyebrow questioningly ? Xiang Jie became more nervous, and started shifting slightly from one foot to the other, eyes on the floor, “that time in London, sister took me to watch her at work. When I asked, they all agreed to take photo with sister’s handsome kid brother !”

“Huh?”

“Even sister said I looked more handsome than you” Xiang Jie looked at Xiang Zhe defiantly.

“Oops, sorry, sister said never to let you know. This is little secret between sister and myself.” Covering his mouth instantly on discovering his indiscretion.

“Do you want me to box your ears ?” Xiang Zhe couldn’t understand why he always felt like causing his younger brother bodily injury? He was normally not a violent person. May be he should give Xiang Jie a good thrashing once and for all, may be then this urge would disappear.

“Yeah, go ahead and box me, but it won’t stop those guys from trying to steal your girl friend.”

“What do you mean ?”

“I knew they were nice to me because they tried to date sister. I told sister this. She told me not to worry, she would never go out with anybody she didn’t want to, no matter what !” Xiang Zhe gave Xiang Jie an indifferent look, but his insecurity and jealousy were creating havoc in his mind.

Xiang Zhe let the matter slide. He took out a slip of paper from his shirt pocket and asked Xiang Jie to search the info for him. He then sat down on the sofa opposite the photo wall and kept looking at Shan Mei in the photo. Why must she keep smiling like that ? Suddenly he realised that her mouth was like some kind of magnet. When she smiled it was like sunshine, calling out to him to enjoy the sun. Whenever she pouted, it seemed like those luscious lips were inviting him to kiss or bite them. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head vigorously to clear his mind.

Xiang Jie called his brother to the computer screen to see which were the points he wanted so he could access for more details. After scanning down the screen quickly he pointed to several titles and confirmed he wanted info on them. As he stretched up to walk away, he saw a Peter Rabbit + Friends Pencil holder on Xiang Jie’s desk and asked him where that came from ?

“ A present from sister.”

“When ?”

“When she was in town last week.”

“What ?” Xiang Zhe shrieked.

Step mother came running, trying to get Xiang Jie out of the way.

Xiang Zhe mumbled an apology, shot out of the house and into his car, then sped off to Shan Mei’s house. No answer, so he zoomed off to the park.

It took all of his control to act as if it was the most natural thing for him to stroll in the park at 2 p.m on a workday and stop by the shop for noodles.

As soon as he approached, Auntie saw him “Xiang Zhe, what a pleasant surprise? Very hot, eh ? Come over, here’s a glass of refreshing juice I specially made for this kind of weather.”

Xiang Zhe took several gulps to quench his thirst, his silent anger slowly dissipating. He complimented how delicious and cooling the drink was, and asked where the old man who used to run the shop was? Auntie told him they have taken over the shop on the old man’s retirement, and while refilling Xiang Zhe’s glass, suggested he try her special noodles. Xiang Zhe nodded, picked up his glass of juice and automatically made his way to sit at Shan Mei’s special table. Noticing this, auntie wondered whether this was coincidence, or did he really remember ?

In truth, staring straight ahead beyond the horizon, Xiang Zhe’s mind was actually recalling every detail of one particular day very clearly, like a movie camera unfolding its frames before his eyes.

It was their first real date. Shan Mei came with new hair style, gone were her girlish curls. She also changed her style of dressing. No more satchel, but a cute little handbag which she swung loosely about as she walked beside him. As soon as he saw her, he had felt something different in her. He kept asking her but she didn’t want to tell. The present he was giving her if she accepted him as her date was expensive ‘ramen’. It was here, in this shop, at this very table, Shan Mei sitting opposite him that they each enjoyed their ‘ramen’, happily chatting away, slowly sipping their coke and saying ‘ramen never tasted so good’! Her demeanor became more serious as the day progressed. Thinking about this, Xiang Zhe suddenly got up, went to the vending machine and bought 2 cans of their favourite coke. He was playing with his unopened can of coke, sometimes deep in thought, other times grinning to himself as if recalling some funny incident. Auntie was aware of all this. After she brought him his bowl of noodles, she continued to observe him. After a while, she felt really bad for having kept the secret of the noodle shop from him. But it was Shan Mei’s wish !

Gui Cheng and Auntie left him to his own reverie, while they served their other customers.

Xiang Zhe also glanced across to the boardwalk where Shan Mei specifically requested him to take a mental photo of the scenery with setting sun, and never to forget it. At that point she shouted her farewell to You Zhen wishing him happiness and blessings from henceforth. Like she wanted to bury that chapter of her life with the setting sun. As if when the sun arose the next day, it would be new beginning for her. She was trying to convince herself of ‘letting go’ all day, wasn’t she? She did let go, didn’t she ? She started anew with a new grown-up image. Xiang Zhe didn’t realise it at that time she wanted to let him know she had outgrown her teenage crush and childish past, by asking him never to forget the scene. Wasn’t she trying to tell him something?

Standing on the boardwalk behind her, nevertheless, he had felt an inexpicable relief in his heart. When he returned to Seoul, he had wanted to see what her plans were. If she wanted to return to London to her Gugu’s place, he would have returned with her. Now that she had convinced herself to give up on You Zhen and wanted to be a broadcaster in Seoul, he would stay back for her. It was here that Xiang Zhe decided he would accept his father’s proposal that he join MBS.

He had wondered why they spent the whole day at the park? All along she had planned for a sunset burial? It was only in retrospect that he could see it all so clearly.

Would things have turned out differently for them? Like, if he had followed his heart and pursued her relentlessly instead of dithering around, disregard the insecurities and demons he was fighting with, realised Shan Mei had really gotten over her childhood crush of You Zhen, and rushed her into marriage? What if? What would it have been like?

But for Shan Mei, her destiny would have been the same. If she was not the queen of his heart, she would still end up being queen of Michael’s heart. Broadcasting would be her destiny, the only exception being: Xiang Zhe could only give her Korea, which Michael could offer her the world !

Before he could sicken himself further with such depressing thoughts, he remembered his purpose in coming to the shop – he was looking for Shan Mei.

He went over to the counter to pay. Uncle refused to accept adding Xiang Zhe was most welcomed to have noodles every day at the shop for free. Auntie brought over the 2 cans of Coke he had left behind on the table.

Xiang Zhe carelessly asked whether Shan Mei knew they were now running this shop. Uncle laughed out loudly and said “What do you mean whether she knows about this? This is actually her idea, may be to keep me busy and out of mischief now that I’m a married man. In fact Shan Mei was in town about a week ago to sign the transfer papers. She rushed in and rushed out, like a hurricane.”

Saying he had to rush back to work, promising to come as often as possible and if they had special menu kimchi to please call and let him know, Xiang Zhe then made his way home.

Chapter 13

So Shan Mei had really been in town. She didn’t even bother to phone him, but made time to meet up with Xiang Jie. Tiny pangs of jealousy were eating at him.

He would have to endure his brother’s unbearable face if he wanted to cajole some info out of him. He must remain calm and not try to frighten the kid.

Xiang Jie let his elder brother in, when Xiang Zhe called to him from outside his bedroom door. Xiang Jie was busy printing out the information that Xiang Zhe had earlier requested. Xiang Zhe automatically went to sit down on the sofa opposite the photo wall. He just kept staring at Shan Mei in the photo. Xiang Jie stole a glance at his besotted brother and wondered when had his sofa become his brother’s favourite sitting spot?

Suddenly without any warning and not even taking his eyes away from Shan Mei in the photo, he asked “where did the two of you meet?”

“You mean last week?”

“Yes”

“Right here in this house. She dropped by the house on her way to the airport. I was just getting in from school, otherwise I would have missed her too. No one was home. I showed her your place when she asked about it. She left something in there in her room, and said you’d be sure to find it since you were always telling her how you would check on the room every day to make sure everything was in order. That Peter Rabbit present was to make up for no present from her last time you were in London.”

Xiang Jie handed his brother the stack of printed papers, held the door open for his brother signaling for him to leave. As soon as he shut the door, he shrugged his shoulders, hoping his brother would appreciate the present he had just given him. Only reason he was giving him that present, he didn’t want Xiang Zhe to sneak into his room whenever he felt he wanted to sit on his sofa!!

When Xiang Zhe was back in his own apartment, he immediately opened the door to the en suite, stood there akimbo and took in the view of the room to see whether anything was out of its normal place. No?? He opened doors, pulled out drawers, checked under pillows and cushions, checked inside pillow cases and checked under sofas, nothing!

He was getting impatient and frustrated. This Shan Mei was another cheeky brat.!

He stood there in the middle of the room scratching his head, when he remembered the row of low drawers in the wardrobe. In the last drawer, he saw something neatly wrapped in soft delicate tissue paper. Aha! Xiang Zhe very carefully took the package out of the drawer, flip the folds away. A very light blue sheer chiffon nightgown! He hung it out before him and the vision almost took his breath away. Layers and layers of lace and chiffon with the tiniest pair of lace and silk panties to match. He sucked in his breath.

She used to be so timid and shy. Suddenly, now so bold and suggestive ? “Is this the new Shan Mei? I’ve got to find out what’s on her mind.” He sat there holding the garment, without really thinking about anything in particular, except admiring the beautiful creation. He carefully folded the set in its wrapping and placed it back inside the drawer. He smiled wickedly to himself !

===

Xiang Zhe decided to get some work done instead of mooning over some nightgown.

First, he had to make out a little note “to lovely Ramen memories” –Y-,
Then went into Shan Mei’s room with the 2 cans of Coke. He placed them on the table, the note under the cans.

Flipping through the stack of printed papers from Xiang Jie, he noticed one sheet particularly colourful in between. He pulled it out, his eyes grew big and bright. It was close-up of Shan Mei from that football photo. He stared at it a while, and then started grinning. “Today, God has been very kind to me.” He put the printed photo aside, for framing later. “That kid is picking up one teasing trick after another from Shan Mei”, he couldn’t believe it.

Seeing Xiang Jie at the dinner table, he put out his hand to ruffle his hair. Thinking his elder brother was going to hit him on his head, he dodged. Xiang Zhe fumed at him. “What’s the matter? Can’t I give you a pat on the head ?”

“How would I know? You only ever give me hard slaps on the head !”

Yin Snr looking on, was pleased beyond words. He didn’t care whether they were slapping or patting, at least they were interacting.

Xiang Zhe relaxed into a smile saying he only wanted to give a 'thank you' pat. Xiang Jie acknowledged silently.

Father was curious to know what transpired, but prudently kept quiet. Dinner proceeded.

Xiang Zhe finished dinner quickly. Tonight, he felt Shan Mei might call.

===

Chapter 14

Laying his head against the back of the sofa in his own private sitting room, Xiang Zhe closed his eyes to rest. He was cradling the telephone. After a few moments of silence, he let out a heavy sigh.

Comparing to what Shan Mei could do and how hard she was working, with anyone in MBS Planning, Programme or News departments, there was no one more capable or diligent than Shan Mei.

At the outset, wasn’t Zian Da trying to pair him off to Ying Mei saying how beautiful, capable and clever she was. If Zian Da knew most of the project story outlines submitted by Ying Mei were actually stolen from Shan Mei what would he say now?

What would he also say if he knew Ying Mei was the one who tampered with Yong Xi’s car brakes ? If Yong Xi had sustained permanent injury ? Luckily that gangster Mr. Pei was not that bad a person.

After You Zhen met him at the airport when he flew in from London, he requested You Zhen to contact Mr. Pei, he wanted to meet with him that same night. At the meeting he told Mr. Pei about Ying Mei’s criminal act. Mr. Pei did not disbelieve his story because he believed Ying Mei was capable of doing such criminal acts and had, in the past, engineered more despicable acts. Xiang Zhe promised not to pursue the matter of Yong Xi’s car with the police, but Mr. Pei had to immediately take Ying Mei away from MBS studio, from Seoul, and make sure she never returned to Seoul again, otherwise the criminal case would be reopened. They would keep the original video cassette tape. He didn’t want any harm to come to Shan Mei. For now she was safely out of the country.

Later on at Xiang Zhe’s apartment, in spite of his persuasion, You Zhen was adamant he wanted to leave Seoul. May be in time he might come back. For the time being, he couldn’t face Shan Mei after putting her through so much unhappiness and trauma.

Xiang Zhe told You Zhen, “Kim You Zhen, no need to worry about Shan Mei. Lucky girl, she just got herself a great job. The job only requires her to be around 15 gorgeous hunks for 3 months.”

You Zhen and Xiang Zhe laughed together so hard and so long, tears came out of their eyes. Their Shan Mei usually felt so shy and uncomfortable around men, even among the two of them, not in front of You Zhen in some ways, but definitely so in front of Xiang Zhe. The only times she forgot her shyness were when she was angry with him! How was she going to manage facing fifteen strange men???

You Zhen reminded Xiang Zhe to treasure Shan Mei forever and never to let her down. Even though she was too shy to voice it, Shan Mei’s love for him was so true and so deep, she never once wavered. No matter how far away Shan Mei was, her Xue Zhang was always on her mind, he must believe it.

Xiang Zhe sighed again. He had to believe it!

The silence in the room was abruptly broken by the shrill ring of the telephone on his lap. He instantly picked it up to answer, without any preamble,

“Shan Mei, where are you ?”

Shan Mei gave a sweet laugh. Oh God, it was so good to hear his deep, husky voice, filled with such concern.

“Oh Xue Zhang, we have been trekking through rain forest terrain for the past 6 days filming an interesting documentary.”

“Another one of your great ideas ?”

“Only a small part of it, yes. We are teaming up with Discovery Channel to do this. We just returned to civilization this morning. I spent all day, first scrubbing myself clean, then sleeping on a normal bed. Oh, nothing felt so good !!!”

“Not even my kiss ?”

“What kiss ? When have you ever kissed me ?

“I think this is oversight which can easily be remedied the next time I see you”

“I am not falling for any of your tricks again.”

Xiang Zhe could imagine her pout at the other end of the phone, and laughed expectantly to himself.

“I found something in your room today. I want to know what you intend to do with it ???”

“For your girlfriends, if they sleep over. You have spare nightgown for them ?”

“Shan Mei, why must you always tease me with such bad jokes ?”

“Okay, I’m sorry. Actually when I was in Seoul just over a week ago to meet up with a sponsor wanting to advertise their new line of lingerie, they gave that to me as a present. Because I had to rush off to Los Angeles to catch a connecting flight to Brazil, I didn’t want to carry that thing with me into the forests. The sponsor’s place was quite close to your father’s house, so I thought I’d borrow storage space in your home for the nightie, until I’m back in Seoul.”

“You mean you were not planning to wear that nightgown for me?”

“Have you seen that nightie ? Why would I want to hide myself from you under so many layers of fabric ?”

“Does that mean you’re not going to wear anything, at all ?”

“Well, it will all depend on your performance!!”

“Miss Zhen Shan Mei, I guarantee I’ll perform to your complete satisfaction!” his voice all laughing and full of innuendos.

“Mr Yin Xiang Zhe, what are you insinuating ? Waa, Stop it !”

“You were the one who started the naughty talk !”

“Okay, okay, I’ll be serious. CTN has received a confidential report that most broadcasting corporations in Korea will be undergoing major restructuring. This doesn’t look good at all.”

“The major studios will be alright, for the time being.”

“Xue Zhang, do you want to bid for CTN’s channelling rights ? I am already feeling very uncomfortable, knowing my face will appear on your rival’s TV screens. I’ve explained the situation to my boss Michael. He promised to come up with some kind of solution.” Shan Mei's voice, full of cajole, sounded very concerned.

“Shan Mei, is your boss Michael good looking ?”

“Xue Zhang !!! What has this got to do with MBS bidding for CTN’s channelling rights! Be serious !”

“I’m dead serious. I want to know. I’ve got to know, otherwise I can’t think straight ?”

“Okay, if you must know. He is better looking than David Beckham ! Satisfied, now ?”

[What was that about curiosity killing the cat ?]

The line went quiet. Shan Mei wondered whether Xue Zhang was still on the line. He was rubbing his forehead with his fingers trying to rub away his frown.

“Xue Zhang ? Xue Zhang ?”

“Shan Mei, there is nothing I want more, except for you to be my bride, than to see your face flashing across MBS’ screens once again.”

“Okay, if that’s the case. Do go discuss with your father. Find out what went wrong with the previous bid, etc. etc. As soon as we have some details, we will try to work something out. Xue Zhang, it’s late, please go to sleep. Goodnight !”

“Hey, wait a minute. I’ve been missing you so much all this time. You call to talk about business and nothing else. Didn’t you miss me ?”

“How can I miss you when you’re not doing your managing job properly ?”

“What do you mean ?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be always keeping and managing your things so neatly in your room, right ?”

“Yes ?”

“How come you still haven’t found the real present I left in your room for you ?”

Xiang Zhe was in high spirits again.

“What is it ? Where did you hide it ? Tell me, please ??”

“Well, I didn’t put it my bedroom, or in the bathrooms. There are not a lot of things in your room. I’m sure you can find it easily. Good night! I miss you !”

Before Xiang Zhe could say anything further, Shan Mei had already hung up. He wasn’t going to call her back. She must be exhausted after the jungle trip.

He’d better go look for his father as Shan Mei suggested. He shook his head and grinned unbelievingly – she was now a deal maker ?

What else next ??!!??
(tbc)

Chapter 15

“Good day, brother Yin, hello Xiang Zhe”

“I was in Xiang Zhe’s office when you called him about today’s special kimchi. No wonder you haven’t been calling me for chess games lately.”

“You came just in time. Shan Mei’s Ma made some delicious kimchi today with new recipe. Take a seat and we’ll have the noodles ready for you in no time.”

Yin Senior, on looking around and nodding his head in approval,
“This is really a beautiful spot, so serene and peaceful. Working here must seem like no work at all but simply enjoying the beautiful scenery and gentle breeze.”

“You’re so right! When Shan Mei first told me she wanted to take over a noodle shop for us both to manage, we though she had gone crazy, and asked her why she wanted to work us so hard.”

“Yeah, why would she want a noodle shop?”

“Shan Mei explained this place held very special memories for her. It was her first real date with this fellow and apparently he treated her to noodles at this shop. Later when she realised she had fallen in love with him, she would often come back to this place, sit at the same table, order the noodles, and while eating she would re-live the sweet memory of that day. On the day when she signed the transfer of ownership papers, she just stayed here until nightfall. We didn’t know what was going through that silly girl’s mind. Finally, she became too overwhelmed by her feelings of love for this man, she simply pledged she would give only to him, and to him alone her first date, her first kiss, her wedding night, her first everything!

That night the sky was so clear and full of stars. Shan Mei was really affected by the whole quietness of the place. Looking at her, we finally understood the significance and beauty of her gesture. That night my wife and I pledged to make this noodle shop venture a success.

I was so proud of her. My little girl has grown up, understood the kind of love between a man and a woman, such sincerity, such dignity and such loyalty and such a generous nature. Oh, my precious daughter. She is so soft hearted and such an innocent baby, I am reluctant to give her hand in marriage to anyone except may be to you Xiang Zhe. I know you will love and cherish her always. I thought you and her were going …??? I don’t know what happened? She came back from the hospital, packed a small bag, and then flew off to London the next day.”

“Don’t worry Uncle, I promise you I’ll love Shan Mei always and always be by her side.” In his heart, he was also promising his ‘first everything’ to her.

“Brother Zhen, my son is even more innocent and naïve. Shan Mei wants to wait 2 years, and see what he does? He sits and waits 2 years. He never thinks someone may sneak along and take Shan Mei away. He is so trusting.”

“Hey, that’s not fair. Shan Mei loves Xiang Zhe so much she is only thinking of his happiness. In case Xiang Zhe decides he wants someone else. Xiang Zhe has 2 years to think it over without Shan Mei close by to influence his thinking. Waa! Where can you find a girl like that ?”

“Okay, I’m sorry. Actually I’m frustrated that Xiang Zhe is so slow he didn’t grasp his chance. And what made Shan Mei suggest 2 years wait, I don’t understand? Otherwise we would be grandparents by now, right, brother ?”

The 2 elders nodded in agreement, laughing and slapping each other on the backs.

===

After the wonderful noodles, all four continued to enjoy the wonderful scenery and the special tea made for them by Shan Mei’s Ma. Yin Snr was also pleased and surprised to learn business at the noodle shop was very good. Gui Cheng was surprised too. They didn’t care whether business would be good or not. Shan Mei’s aim was to keep the place going regardless. She could easily upkeep the place now she was getting paid in Pounds. They charged very reasonable prices. Business during the weekends and holidays was so good that Shan Mei finally convinced them not to open on Sundays. She didn’t like the idea of too many people sitting at her special table.

“She has a special table? Which one ? Yin Snr asked because the tables all looked the same to him

“We’re sitting at it now. Ha Ha. The silly girl”

Suddenly they turned to look at Xiang Zhe questioningly.

Xiang Zhe turned red in the face and began looking every where except at the elders. The wide grin on his face said it all.

Yin Snr felt a sudden urge to hear Shan Mei’s sweet voice. He couldn’t be bothered to work out the time difference. He put his phone on “Loudspeaker” mode and dialed Shan Mei’s number. Yin Snr put a finger to his mouth to signal silence to the other 3 listeners who had now moved closer to the phone on the table getting to listen to the conversation with 100% concentration.

“Hello” a sleepy voice answered.

“Good morning, Shan Mei. This is Uncle Yin. Are you free to talk?”

“Uncle Yin? Good morning. I don’t have to report for work till this afternoon. Is there anything you want ?”

“Has Xiang Zhe been in contact with you recently ?”

“No ? Is something wrong ?” Her voice became alert, all of a sudden full of concern.

“No, not really. I have been working him so hard these past few months, I wanted to make sure he has not been slacking by chatting with his lady love.”

“I didn’t realise the chairman of Wen Rong Group has now become the official slave driver of MBS.”

“Ha, he has a good life. Day time he’s at the Station, then we work at home till midnight every night.”

“Aiyo, Uncle Yin, how can you overwork him this way? If anything should happen to my Xue Zhang, I’ll hold you fully responsible.” Xiang Zhe shook his head and grinned broadly when he heard this.

“Okay, okay. I’ll let him finish off at 11 instead of midnight. Happy? He can use the hour to think of you”

“Ahem, I’m afraid he’ll use the hour to think of some other girl, not me! But it doesn’t matter. Now, I don’t have to feel guilty when I think of some of those gorgeous guys they have running all over London.” Xiang Zhe looked agitated.

“You cheeky brat. If Xiang Zhe hears this, he’ll be heart broken.
Okay, Shan Mei. Enough joking for now. I’m missing my future daughter-in-law very much. I want to see you. I want to come to London next week. Do you have free time?

“I’ll be off work Friday, Saturday and Sunday next weekend. But I’ve promised to go away with some friends for the weekend. We were supposed to spend Saturday night at some music festival, then only drive back to London Sunday evening.”

“If I arrive London Friday morning, we can spend Friday together, but I have to fly out of London on Sunday night.”

“In that case, I’ll check with my friends to see whether I can get a lift back to London Saturday night or Sunday morning.”

“OK, we’ll decide like that. I’ll phone you after I checked into hotel. By the way, what can I get you from Seoul ?”

“Uncle Yin, there’s no need to bring me anything from Seoul. I already have everything I need here. Please save the trouble. I’m so excited. Tomorrow I’ll be on air International News Segment prime time slot. And now you tell me you’ll be visiting. Yippee! I’ll work very hard to clear as much work as possible, so I have plenty of free time to spend with you.”

“Good, you just do that. I’ll see you next Friday. And I’ll be watching out for you on TV. Good luck. I’ll be bringing you a present from Seoul.”

“Thanks, Uncle Yin. Take good care and regards to everybody.”

Upon hanging up, Yin Snr shook his head happily.

“Oh, it’s so good to hear her voice. I can already picture her sweet smile.” The others nodded in agreement, while Xiang Zhe grinned broadly and secretly to himself, lost in his little world.

Yin Snr then turned to Xiang Zhe, “By the way, you are the present I’m bringing to London for Shan Mei. Remember to arrange everything as you just heard, making sure we arrive in London Friday morning.” Xiang Zhe nodded, biting his lower lip, looking so boyishly happy, and a mischievous look apparent in his eyes.

Yin Snr also reminded Xiang Zhe to arrange for extra TV screens and cable service around the noodle shop since Shan Mei will appear on CTN soon.

Looking at Xiang Zhe, his father remarked

“Luckily I called Shan Mei just in time. Don’t know what kind of friends she’s going to spend the weekend with. May be some good looking guy from her office. Xiang Zhe, if you are not careful, or fast enough, you may well miss out on Shan Mei’s first kiss, not to mention all the other ‘firsts’ on the menu. The only thing Shan Mei will leave you will be a life time supply of kimchi noodles”, and the elders laughed loudly at his embarrassed look !

Yin Snr got up, preparing to leave, patted Gui Cheng on the back. “Don’t worry brother. You take care of the noodle shop and I’ll take care of our daughter” and laughingly waved goodbye to the Zhen couple. Xiang Zhe, in very good mood, followed closely behind, his mind busy planning London itinerary and how he was going to make Shan Mei pay for his jealous fits and sleepless nights.

Chapter 16

As soon as they checked into their opulent suite, the Yins immediately went to their separate rooms to freshen up.

Yin Snr then phoned Shan Mei who promised to be at the Ritz in 30 minutes. He would wait for her in the Palm Court for tea. Yin Snr had a smile and told Xiang Zhe not to appear until Shan Mei had settled down comfortably.

Shan Mei had just finished pouring the second cup of tea for Uncle Yin, when Xiang Zhe approached them. “Hello Shan Mei” giving her his most beguiling smile. Luckily Shan Mei had already placed the teapot on the table, otherwise she would have surely dropped it.

Shan Mei lost her composure for a minute and didn’t know what to say. She looked from father to son, and then back to the father, pouting her lips, she chided “Cheat !” The men laughed in unison.

“Shan Mei, where are your manners ? Aren’t you going to thank me for the present I brought you ?”

“Well, I was just thinking whether I should accept.”

Her big round eyes sparkling with mischief, continued
“Your present resembled too much that horrid Director Yin at MBS. I am afraid if I take this present home, I’ll end up having deep frowns on my face like Director Yin.”

“Ha, ha, ha,” Yin Snr laughed out heartily “Thank you, Shan Mei. I thought I was the one giving frowns to Xiang Zhe every time he saw me” .

Xiang Zhe sat down for tea after an extra place was set. Xiang Zhe contributed to the conversation with ‘ughs’ and ‘nods’. He was too busy concentrating on Shan Mei.

Shan Mei felt very embarrassed under Xiang Zhe’s undisguised scrutiny.

Was Xue Zhang trying to embarrass her intentionally ? She had no way of knowing because he was only looking, not talking. Uncle Yin was suddenly quiet too

To break the awkward silence, Shan Mei asked whether CTN International News Prime Time was available in Seoul. She knew the time difference made it inconvenient for most people to watch in Korea.

Xiang Zhe looked at her and smiled, taking a sip of tea from his cup before slowly replying “I couldn’t recognise my Shan Mei at all.” He purposely placed special emphasis on ‘my Shan Mei’, then watched for her reaction. Oh, she looked cool, but she was definitely reacting because she suddenly rested her left hand on the table, her fingers silently tapping away. Xiang Zhe fought hard to keep his excitement under control.

Yin Snr only managed to comment how good the English tea was and wanted to buy a couple of packs to bring home. Then he very discreetly wandered off in the direction of the hotel delicatessen. Xiang Zhe immediately slid his hand across the table to place it gently over Shan Mei’s hand that was resting on the table. Leaning his upper body forward towards Shan Mei and looking intently at her, he asked very softly “Did you miss me?”. Shan Mei bit her lower lip lightly and shyly nodded her head, without really lifting her eyes to his.

Xiang Zhe sighed heavily. It was always like this for them. After any lengthy absence, they always started off acting like polite strangers. How come those movies that he watched; after long absence the love struck couple always without hesitation flew into each others arms, embracing tightly and kissing wildly and madly. “When is it going to happen this way for Shan Mei and me?” he wondered perplexed.

With his hand still covering Shan Mei’s hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze, not letting go, willing her to look up at him. When she didn’t, he gently coaxed her. “Shan Mei, look at me,” as he gave her hand another gentle squeeze. When she finally did, he saw unshed tears swimming in her eyes, and she was fighting for control to will them away.

He also looked at her directly hoping she could see the depth of love he had for her in his eyes. Slowly his squeezing turned to calming strokes “It’s okay now.” Shan Mei smiled at him, the urge to cry gone. “Brave Shan Mei, you have done well today.”

And suddenly it seemed so natural for them to be sitting down in the middle of London, enjoying tea together.

“How was I different on CTN?” she hesitantly and shyly asked.

“If I didn’t see your face but heard the voice, I wouldn’t have recognised you. Your English now has that poshy English accent. It sounded very good with your so natural style of delivery. Zhen Shan Mei, [Xiang Zhe rubbing at his frown] you have been keeping me awake most nights.”

In answer to Shan Mei’s questioning look “ I have installed a large flat screen across the wall facing my bed. I’m lying in bed watching you. Only wishing the real thing was there next to me!” and he gave her a wicked wink.

“Xue Zhang !!???”
She blushed profusely, looked around embarrassed to see whether any one overhead.
==

Chapter 17

Xiang Zhe was getting fidgety. He wanted to be alone with Shan Mei.

“I want to take you for a drive. Have you had enough tea? Shall we make a move?”

“What about your father?”

“Forget him. He must have gone off to make eyes at your Gugu. He is the unofficial sales promoter for her restaurant. He tells every one who is visiting London to make sure to stop by Arirang. The lady boss is simply the best. What charm have you Zhen women put on us Yin menfolk ?

“Yin Xiang Zhe, you and your silly talk!” and started punching his upper arm. After a minute Xiang Zhe swung his hands up and caught Shan Mei in a tight embrace and kissed her on her cheek. Shan Mei went beet root red. Xiang Zhe laughed triumphantly, grabbed hold of her shoulders and led her out to the hotel’s parking bay at the entrance.

Xiang Zhe had already rented a self drive for the weekend. And he insisted on driving Shan Mei to wherever she had to go. So they drove back to Shan Mei’s apartment because she left her mobile at home and now she had to call the girls for more precise road directions for Xue Zhang. The directions to the fairground in Brighton were too complicated, eventually they decided that Vicky come to Shan Mei’s place as originally arranged and Xue Zhang would follow in his car.

“Vicky, is it possible to book another room this late?”

“Not possible, love. My cousins wanted a room but was told the place was completely booked out. We’ll see if we’re lucky enough to get a last minute room cancellation. If you feel it inconvenient to share room, we’ll have to leave Saturday night very late. Our last programme only finishing around midnight.”

Shan Mei laughed at Xiang Zhe’s look of confusion and non-comprehension. What was going on? Shan Mei explained they were going to perform at a music festival strictly organised for amateurs.

Six months ago Vicky from her office recruited her to join their band as they needed more members because they wanted to form Girl version of The Shadows for this Brighton Music Fest. If they didn’t win, Xue Zhang could take Shan Mei home early. If they made it through, they would have to stay back till late.

Xiang Zhe let out a sharp whistle ?? and caught Shan Mei by the waist and held her there.

“When did you learn to play the guitar ?”

“A few days after I joined the KFA team. It was supposed to be good remedy for crazy minds and lonely hearts!”

“So, where’s your guitar?”

“With Vicky. Too bothersome to lug around when we usually practise at her place or at the office auditorium when no one’s using it.”

“Are you any good?”

“Don’t know. You tell me, after you hear me play tomorrow. No high expectations, please. We are all amateurs. We’re going there for the fun.”

Xiang Zhe was still holding on to Shan Mei and he looked into her face, her eyes. Is this his Shan Mei ? In barely 10 months, she has morphed into a multi-talent that he could hardly recognise, as his other Shan Mei was supposed to be shy and blur and slow. He slowly placed a kiss on her forehead. She still tasted sweet and smelt really good.

“By the way, Xue Zhang, thank you very much for the extra TV screens. Pa told me about them”

“And you were going to keep the noodle shop a secret from me?”

“Didn’t want you to get a big head, thinking you were so important.”

“You mean you didn’t want me to know you care so much for me?” as he looked directly and searchingly into her eyes.

Then stepping back, still holding her, he looked at her and asked indulgently “Any other secrets you’re keeping from me?”

Shan Mei smiled mischievously and after wriggling herself free from Xiang Zhe’s arms, she ran away from him, turned around to face him, held out an index finger upright and laughingly squealed “Only 1”.

Xiang Zhe chased after Shan Mei around the tiny apartment and caught up with her easily. He held her tight and demanded Shan Mei tell him, otherwise he was not letting her go. His arms felt like a vise.

“Okay, Okay. Let’s sit down first. I’m very tired.”

Xiang Zhe instantly became worried. Was he too rough that he was hurting Shan Mei? He immediately led her to the sofa and they sat down side by side.

“Now, what’s this one secret?”

“Have I ever asked you to tell me any of your secrets?” Shan Mei enquired sweetly and matter-of-factly.

“I have no secrets.”

“Yeah? what about your dates with Ying Mei and the time she came to your hotel room, and the times she visited you in your apartment? You never told me about any of those. If I didn’t see her enter your hotel room, you wouldn’t have told me too.”

“That was different. I didn’t think it was necessary for you to know.’

“Yin Xiang Zhe, same goes here. I don’t think it’s necessary for you to know. Most things are 2-way. You always want to know other people’s secrets, but you’ll keep yours to yourself. Until you learn to share your secrets with me, I’m not sharing mine with you.”

“I guess I asked for it. I like it when you stand up for yourself. It suits you.. When did this change take place ?”

“The day I walked out of MBS”

Although Xiang Zhe was stewing silently he was not getting any answers from Shan Mei, he was finding the newly independent Shan Mei an enigma. The old Shan Mei wanted to avoid confrontation at all costs, this new Shan Mei seemed to be subtly relishing it. She just seemed so different and just about motivated by everything.

To be honest he didn’t know how to handle the new Shan Mei. He wanted his crybaby back!! No matter, whether old or new Shan Mei, she still had the ability to keep him awake all hours of the night, most nights.

Like tonight, he knew he would be too excited to be able to sleep. He wanted to see Shan Mei with a guitar, no less, on stage performing. Even when he was at Cambridge, he did not have the courage to play on stage despite the many requests from the College Music Society. All his years at Cambridge, he had only had an audience of 1 – Zhen Shan Mei, and she was the only audience he wanted.

Xiang Zhe suddenly found Shan Mei standing in front of him, holding out a hot face towel to him. “You’ll feel much better after a good rub with this”. Xiang Zhe just looked at her too surprised for words, took the towel and wiped his face with it, honey coating around his heart. His angel was acting like a loving and caring wife. So s w e e t !

After which Shan Mei suggested dropping by for dinner at Arirang, to see whether they would meet up with his father.

Chapter 18

The next morning, over breakfast in their suite, Yin Snr told Xiang Zhe not to worry about him. He planned to meet up with some friends later in the day.

More important for Xiang Zhe to stay with Shan Mei and get to know her friends to see whether they were of good influence. She was still too innocent and naïve to know the ways of the world.

And if the festival finished too late, it would be wiser to spend the night in Brighton rather than drive back to London.

Putting his teacup down, he looked at Xiang Zhe closely then asked directlly:

“Are you getting any ‘firsts’ from her?”

Xiang Zhe nodded while finishing off his toast.

Yin Snr beamed broadly “Like what?”

“Like today. First time I will hear her play the guitar. First time she will be playing in public. First time she will be performing in a competition.” And he laughed at his father before grabbing his jacket and heading for the door. His father saw him out, shaking his head; [“this boy is so shy”].

When Xiang Zhe arrived at Shan Mei’s place, she was just finishing breakfast. She gave him a cup of coffee, then went off to change. When she came out of her bedroom, all ready to go, Xiang Zhe put down the magazine he was flipping through, and looked at her appraisingly and appreciatively. She had on a light wool twin set with matching coloured bell bottoms. This was simple chic at its best. “Blue becomes you. You should wear it more often.”

“Same blue as the colour of the suit you bought for me the first time you introduced me to your father. This colour only for important occasions.”

Just then, the door buzzer came on. Vicky was on the intercom, saying they would wait downstairs.

===

Besides Vicky’s group, there was another group of 10 that made up their entire group. Shan Mei was all excited, they looked like groupies following some rock star!

After the initial introduction, Vicky and the rest of the girls hung on to Xiang Zhe, and wanted him to be involved in some way when Shan Mei told them he also played the guitar.

Xiang Zhe looked to Shan Mei seeking rescue. She just pretended she didn’t understand. He cursed under his breath, he should have guessed the cheeky brat would be up to her tricks. After a while, Xiang Zhe felt he would be better off sticking together with the boys. That was a mistake too. The boys couldn’t stop asking his advice on how to get Shan Mei to accept a date with them, assuming Xiang Zhe was Shan Mei’s cousin or something. In the west, any ‘couple’ wouldn’t act so polite with each other.

From them, Xiang Zhe also learnt many men in and out of their company had tried in the months since her arrival in London to date her, but Shan Mei had no difficulty in evading them. They were beginning to wonder whether she liked men, or whether she was one of those ‘lesb…’ Xiang Zhe couldn’t hide his amusement.

Xiang Zhe found it frustrating. All these guys going ga-ga over her, yet she seemed to be unconcerned and unaware, which made her twice as alluring and attractive. Her naturalness and infectious smile was too captivating for her own good.

He hoped the girls wouldn’t make it beyond the first stage. This way, he could whisk Shan Mei away and not have these men ogling at her. Yet, how could he be so selfish? It would be nice for Shan Mei if she won something. He knew he could never think rationally where Zhen Shan Mei was concerned.

The grounds were packed with musicians. Some were there to play, many were there to watch and have fun. Soon it was Shan Mei’s turn to perform. The girls went on stage.

Xiang Zhe didn’t know what to expect. He had never heard the girls play. In fact he didn’t even know Shan Mei could play the guitar until yesterday, and she was such a shy baby. Wolf whistles whizzed through the air. Then they were strumming away in frenzy, very Shadowish. Xiang Zhe got carried away, very soon he too was gripped with excitement. They were really very good, and when it came for Shan Mei to do her bit of solo, the crowd went wild. Xiang Zhe’s throat went dry. Shan Mei wasn’t aware of him or anybody else, just totally immersed in her guitar and the music. Xiang Zhe was just blown away.

He rushed up to hug her when she was making her way down from the podium, he helped her with her guitar. He couldn’t help but give her a lingering kiss on the cheek, and whispered “from your loyal fan”. Shan Mei could only smile back shyly. She was too shaken to be able to say anything. She had never done anything quite like this. The closest thing she had ever done music-wise in public was stand next to the piano and watch Xiang Zhe play, not counting the Music Stage Shows she used to host at MBS.

They shrieked for joy and hugged each wildly other when it was announced through the P.A. system they had gone through.

Shan Mei became too excited and tired. She began stroking at her heart to ease its knotted tightness. She needed a lie-down. Xiang Zhe drove her to the hotel where she had a room reserved. The place was absolutely packed; they didn’t have the extra room that Shan Mei wanted.

Shan Mei bit her lip, not sure what to do next.

Since Shan Mei’s room had already been paid for, Xiang Zhe just took the key and escorted Shan Mei to the room. He gave her a reassuring squeeze and a comforting look.

The room was very big, with big-sized sofas, and king-sized bed. Xiang Zhe brought in the overnight bags. Actually, both of them were tired. Xiang Zhe didn’t sleep much last night. Shan Mei told him to take the bed and rest, she said the sofa looked big and comfortable enough for her. And she would prefer returning to London after the performance tonight. Xiang Zhe, sensing her discomfort, did not dare suggest otherwise.

She had no idea how long they slept. When she awoke, her watch showed 7.30. She glanced over to the bed. Xiang Zhe was still sleeping. He must have been so tired. She crept around the room silently, then to the bathroom for hot shower and change of fresh clothes. When she came out, Xiang Zhe was sitting on the bed looking at her in a strange way. She avoided his eyes and reminded him they have to be back at the festival grounds by 9 latest. While walking past her to the bathroom, Xiang Zhe couldn’t stop himself from ruffling her hair and saying, “ you look so gorgeous with damp hair.”

After leaving the hotel, Shan Mei didn’t want to eat claiming she was not hungry. She told Xiang Zhe to grab a burger that he could eat while they were performing. He just did as he was told. He was aware Shan Mei had avoided looking at him since this afternoon when they had to share a room. Didn’t Gugu once told him Shan Mei was uncomfortable with the presence of a man in her bedroom. Not even You Zhen was allowed in her room.

He started thinking. What if they were married ? Would Shan Mei banish him from the bridal chamber, until she became accustomed to his presence ? So, despite all that ‘Miss Chic’ and confident appearance, she was still his Miss Shy and Innocent. He couldn’t help but conceal a knowing smile.

Tonight she was in tight jeans and knee high boots, which would be their get-up if they made it to the finals. She wore another blue coloured long sleeved top. Xiang Zhe never thought he would think it of his childlike Shan Mei, but tonight he did – she looked very, very sexy!!!

If looks mattered, Shan Mei would have walked away with 1st prize. But the group didn’t do bad at all on their first outing. They won 2nd place and had a grand trophy to show for it.

Vicky asked Shan Mei to bring it back to London with her. She didn’t want it stolen with so many strange people hanging around the place. Before leaving Brighton, Shan Mei left the hotel room key with her just in case they could use an extra room later that night.

As soon as they arrived back in London, Xiang Zhe helped to carry the things up to Shan Mei’s apartment. Gave her a peck on the cheek before rushing off, saying he would see her tomorrow.

Downstairs, in his car, he let off a long audible ‘whew’. Then he slowly smoked his first cigarette of the day, deep in thought, absentmindedly stroking his chin.

He had to watch himself. The whole evening he had great difficulty in keeping his raging emotions under control.

If he didn’t run off just now after seeing Shan Mei home, he wouldn’t have been able to keep his hands off her. There was something about her tonight – ethereal yet sexy, a very lethal combination. He was aware he couldn’t take his eyes off her the whole night especially when she was up there playing her guitar. She was so into her music, she wasn’t even aware of the reaction she was getting from the crowd. Xiang Zhe wanted to bundle her up and run away as far as possible from the noisy crowd. He wasn’t prepared to share his Shan Mei with any of them.

Silently, thinking:
She had missed her dinner.
Was she eating now that she was back in her comfort zone ?

Did he frighten her ? She didn’t say anything when he told her he was leaving. She simply nodded her head, keeping her eyes down.

She kept her eyes down most of the time today. Was she still shy or was she keeping secret from him? Was it that one secret she was not prepared to disclose to him ?

Did disclosure of that one secret matter so much to him ? What if she never let him know ? He must figure out a way to find out !

Xiang Zhe, rubbed his eyes, breathing “Oh Shan Mei, do you know, you’re killing me”

When Xiang Zhe finished his cigarette, he seemed to have regained some of his cool. He started the car and drove off. He wasn’t looking forward to tomorrow.

Chapter 19

After dropping Shan Mei off at her apartment, Xiang Zhe drove himself back to the hotel. He was in the sitting room, in front of the television, fiddling with the remote control. He wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just CTN to see if he could catch Shan Mei somewhere.

Yin Snr didn’t say anything. He noticed Xiang Zhe was very quiet and acted strangely. When he asked how their day went and why they didn’t stay over night in Brighton, all he got to his questions were monosyllable answers.

When he asked what the progamme was for Sunday, Xiang Zhe simply said they would be leaving for Seoul by 11 p.m. flight. The father shook his head in exasperation. Something must have happened. He needed to bail Xiang Zhe out of another sticky situation, again ??!!

On Sunday morning, Yin Snr woke up early. His things were all packed. Yesterday he did a lot of shopping. He was watching TV just waiting to phone Shan Mei later in the morning. The child must be so tired from yesterday.

Xiang Zhe was still in his bedroom, sulking, the elder Yin presumed because he could hear him moving about.

In truth, Xiang Zhe woke very early too because he could hardly sleep last night. Visions of Shan Mei kept flashing before his eyes. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw her face so beautifully enrapt and in tune with her music, and when she looked up for a brief moment, she smiled at him so enchantingly.

Thinking back to Brighton. Xiang Zhe hadn’t slept as soundly as he did in the hotel room in Brighton. He was totally relaxed knowing Shan Mei was there.

He was wondering whether Shan Mei slept well last night. Did she dream of him, like he was always dreaming of her ?

He must remember to play it cool if they do meet up today. He didn’t want to frighten her away. Wasn’t she aware how her presence affected him in an excitable way ?

He would leave it to Father to arrange something with Shan Mei. He must have caught on something was not right. His father simply adored Shan Mei, likewise, Shan Mei never refused his father anything. His father, forever the model of discretion, would smooth things for them, right ?

He put his ear to the door. His father was still watching TV. It was already 10 o’clock. Why wasn’t his father calling Shan Mei yet?

Then his phone rang. It was his sweet angel calling to thank him for driving her down and back from Brighton. Vicky and the girls just called from Brighton and were so disappointed to hear he would be leaving for home this evening. Xiang Zhe gave a low laugh that sounded like a growl and asked

“How is my idol doing?”

“Please stop teasing me. I’m just an amateur”. Shan Mei was shy.

“Yeah, an amateur who played like a pro. You were really something, this I’ve to admit.”

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Tremendously. I would have liked to stay the night. I didn’t mind sharing room with you. You were the one who was uptight about the whole arrangement.” He wasn’t going to let her know the reason he slept so well was because she was in the same room.

“You wouldn’t understand. If those girls knew, they would tease me no end. Do you want me to be the butt of their jokes?”

“Of course not !”

“Have you had breakfast yet?”

“Talking to you is the best breakfast !”

“Be serious!”

“I’m serious. If only you realise how serious I’m about you, you’re sure to ask me to loosen up!” Oh, touching on dangerous grounds….

“What plans do you have for today? I know you are leaving tonight.”

“Don’t know. I’ll ask father later. But I’m sure he’ll want to see you. Did you just wake up?”

“When Vicky called. Gugu asked how about having a meal at her place, call it what you like late brunch or early dinner ? Be there at 5, if it is okay for you? I assume you are driving? I’m going back to sleep. Last night, I was too excited. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Because of the competition ?”

“Because of you, Xue Zhang.”

“You’re going to pay for that remark, little girl. We’ll come and pick up you at 4, plenty of time to drive down to your Gugu’s place. Now, go back to sleep.”

When they got off the phone, Shan Mei’s “Because of you” was still spinning around in his mind. Did that mean she was softening up and ready to call off the 2-year wait? As soon as she confirmed it, he would ask her to marry him immediately and give her no time or chance to change her mind.

May be he should go shop for a ring later? Who knows, may be today was going to be his lucky day? With this in mind, he was hopping around the room, twanging on an imaginery guitar, trying to imitate one of those poses of hers. He went in front of the full length mirror to take a good look of himself, imagining Shan Mei was there, beside him. He went all dreamy.

Finally, he came out of his room. His father was still watching TV. What was the matter with him? Was he also trying catch some shots of Shan Mei?

He told his father about Gugu’s invitation and the rest of the arrangement. He told his father he wanted to go shopping. Yin Snr told him to go by himself, he had already done his.

Xiang Zhe was moving about the suite, whistling !!!

Yin Snr stole a glance at him. He couldn’t help smiling. Looked like the boy was formulating a plan of his own !!!
==

Chapter 20

After Xiang Zhe walked through the door, he handed to Shan Mei a large paper bag from a well known record shop. She took out a pile of paper sleeves from it, and smiled happily. She very quickly went through all the guitar tablatures that Xiang Zhe bought her.

He reminded her to keep practicing those, because those were all his favourite songs or tunes. Next time she would need to play something from the selection. Shan Mei nodded and laughed happily. She left them on top of the bookshelf, then turned around to Xiang Zhe to give him a ‘thank you’ peck on one of his cheeks.

They didn’t want to keep Yin Snr waiting in the car, so they very quickly locked up the apartment and left.

The drive to Gugu’s place was very pleasant. Gugu prepared a sumptuous meal, all enjoyed thoroughly. They spent their time talking over coffee, and tea for Yin Snr. Shan Mei sadly said she would miss the place very much when she left. She had received notice from headquarters that the ground facilities in Seoul were all ready, she would be based there as of July.

She couldn’t understand why they couldn’t continue to beam in to Korea from UK or all the other supporting transponders. She was getting used to life in London and was so reluctant to leave. She was going to miss all the good friends she made. They had all been marvelous to her.

Xiang Zhe looked at her, then said with a relief. “That’s good. Now I’ll just need a car ride and not a plane ride to see you. Shan Mei looked at him with a frown and pouted. He knew she felt worried, about returning to Seoul.

At the airport, Shan Mei was back to her old happy self. She had such a great weekend, and she thanked them for coming to visit. She really appreciated it knowing how busy they were with their work. Yin Snr hugged Shan Mei to his side as they walked around the airport hall, like father and daughter, while Xiang Zhe took care of checking in. He quietly told her he had a surprise present for her when she returned to Seoul. She looked at him “not Xiang Jie, this time?” They both laughed out so loud Xiang Zhe could hear them as he was just catching up with them.

“Hey, what’s so funny?” Xiang Zhe asked breathlessly.

They both answered at the same time “Secret!” The senior and the young girl looked at each other then at Xiang Zhe and burst out laughing heartily again.

Yin Snr wanted to sit down for some tea, telling the two of them to leave him alone, as he wanted to read the magazine he just bought from the airport bookstore.

Xiang Zhe then took over hugging Shan Mei, they continued to walk on, sometimes pointing here, sometimes pointing there, not really looking at or for anything in particular.

They stopped at a quiet spot where they could watch the planes arriving and leaving, through the tall floor to ceiling glass panes. He was soon filled with the despondent thought that he would be flying out. The time away from her had been torture. She was silently dreading the fact that he would soon be out of her life till don’t know when. She had missed him terribly and was so reluctant to see him leave, but she must keep her stand, and not be a cry baby. They stood there and watched in silence, Xiang Zhe’s arm casually draped around Shan Mei’s shoulders.

After what seemed like a long time and much deliberation, Xiang Zhe turned Shan Mei to face him. He put both his hands on her shoulders. “Shan Mei, look at me,” he murmured softly. When she did, he slowly drew her close, then bent his head to place his lips on hers, gently caressing them, silently willing a response. Shan Mei was taken by surprise, she felt shy, what was he doing?, yet her lips wanted to respond of their own accord.

When it came it was soft and sweet. Everything a first kiss should be. Her lips parted slightly under his. Xiang Zhe explored her mouth hesitantly with his tongue, not wanting to frighten her. He slowly lifted his head, his mouth trailed along the side of her face, with light feathery kisses until he came to her closed eyelids, when she felt the lightest of kiss on her eyelids. Xiang Zhe caressed her lips again, and Shan Mei reached up and put her arms around his neck, a grin showed on his face, and he ever so softly whispered into her ears “Happy Birthday, my sweet Shan Mei”

She looked up, her eyes watery, smilingly and shyly acknowledged “you remembered?”

“Forever. Didn’t I say I wanted to spend every year of your birthday by your side?” and looked at her with such love overflowing, Shan Mei’s tears were threatening to flow. Then he took out from his inside jacket pocket a short white gold chain link attached to a perfect round pearl pendant encircled with a ring of tiny round peridot crystals and gave it Shan Mei. “It’s so beautiful. What is it ?”

“It’s a fob. Give me your mobile.” He attached the chain link end of the fob to Shan Mei’s mobile leaving the pearl and peridot pendant hanging, then looked at her with soft loving eyes. “I know you’ll be very busy when you’re back in Seoul, but I’ll be by your side. Just remember to call if you need anything, won’t you? Just remember, that’s good enough”

Shan Mei hid her face against Xiang Zhe’s chest, and sobbed quietly into his shirt. “Xue Zhang, you are too good to me.” He understood her meaning, there was no need for further words, and he embraced her tightly, clinging onto her warmth.

After a while, they went in search of Father. Before that, Xiang Zhe took Shan Mei to the Taxi Service Counter to order a taxi for her ride home.

On the plane, Xiang Zhe managed to fall asleep very quickly soon dreaming of the so sweet a kiss that he and Shan Mei shared.

“Must be having sweet dreams” his father thought, because he noticed his son was smiling in his sleep. His face in sleep was completely relaxed, his usual lines of worry seemed to have vanished to don’t know where.

Chapter 21

Shan Mei was busy packing. Just how much she had managed to accumulate since her arrival in London barely 10 months ago. Some things she could throw away, but the friends she had made were simply too precious to discard.

She got little souvenir items from Chinatown Korean shop for her friends, and hoped she hadn’t forgotten any one. Those close, like Vicky and the gang, Polly and Cassie, she told them it would be alright for them to stay with her if they ever visited Seoul.

CTN arranged for courier to pack and ship her things back to Seoul. CTN Korea already arranged an apartment for her near her work place.

Michael was really a darling, making sure everything was smooth going for our sweet Shan Mei. He was in Seoul several times during the past 2 weeks to ensure publicity kit for the press and VIPs on the official launch of CTN Korean language full on cable service was all ready. He got impatient with SGS the channel provider a few times. They simply were not used to his way of doing things. He wanted everything done perfect, including promo material for their star, Miss Zhen Shan Mei. Just telling their event coordinator to be aware Miss Zhen Shan Mei usually wore blue or aqua coloured clothing, so they should be conscious the background of the event venue would not clash with Shan Mei’s colours took almost an hour to get through to their heads.

Shan Mei was back in Seoul at the 3rd week of June and immediately went to work at CTN, at the SGS building, setting up her work station and meeting with the major sponsors. Her language tutor, Professor Higgins, a retired English language professor from Cambridge, also came with her. He was given a contract to provide support services to CTN-KE English Language Section. Of course his main job was tutoring Miss Zhen.

Everybody at MBS was very surprised and then excited, especially Li Qing Xi, Shen Qi Tong, Chen Sui, Zhao Di, and MBS production teams, those with News and Radio broadcasting, when they saw CTN’s full coloured double-page advertisements in all the major local newspapers. From the 1st of July CTN-KE would provide Korean language service as well as continue with their international, regional and local English language service through SGS’s dedicated channels. Miss Zhen Shan Mei, specially trained in London, would head their local Korean language News and Programme section, as well as main anchor for CTN’s English language local news.

Those not in sympathy with Shan Mei in MBS News Department, namely the News Controller, sitting-on-the-fence Zian Da and Yong Xi in News and training department, the Morning of Eve producer and Assistant Director Jin Enqi and his cronies were very surprised.

They wondered how could an international cable network be appointing Shan Mei to run a network. They questioned her capability? Barely a year ago she left MBS for London. During her time at MBS, she was famous for making mistakes in front of the camera and in the news office. At her last production meeting before she left MBS, didn’t she get blasting from Director Yin for being late for meeting and non-completion of project, saying people like her shouldn’t be in the television business because she didn’t take her work seriously enough and couldn’t keep punctual time? They had never seen Director Yin reprimanding a staff member so harshly. Yong Xi was aware Shan Mei was very popular but getting along well with people was one thing, being able to handle a job well was another thing.

They shook their heads in mocked amusement. Obviously, CTN-KE had very low standards or expectations for their Korean language programmes, and a lot of cash to throw around. If not, they wondered how CTN-KE expected to make profits with Shan Mei on board, giving her such an important responsibility. Even MBS' own Director of Planning, Mr. Yin Xiang Zhe so well educated was having headaches running MBS. They laughed in derision, and couldn’t wait for 1 July to see how Zhen Shan Mei was going to make a mess of things. Of course a person could improve on her performance given time, but how to expect big improvement in less than a year!

In the privacy of his office, Xiang Zhe was impressed and excited with the coloured double-page advertisements. CTN was going all out not only to promote their services but their local head, Miss Zhen Shan Mei. He couldn’t wait for the 1st of July, barely a week away, to see for himself if what Michael said about Shan Mei was true. That this beautiful butterfly was finally emerging from her chrysalis !

==

Chapter 22

Time passed very quickly.

CTN Korean language entertainment programmes were very well received.

Everyone in the broadcasting industry was amazed by Shan Mei’s outstanding performance in the English-language and Korean language sections. Shan Mei’s Korean Kinship series were very popular. Because it was a weekly programme the viewers anticipated it with great eagerness. It garnered the highest % viewer ratings for each week. Luckily for the other stations, CTN’s Korean language TV entertainment programmes only available four hours a day. Viewers were already asking for more of Shan Mei’s programmes and longer viewing hours.

They were the new kid on the block, barely 5 months old, yet they were turning in such huge profits. They had more sponsorship deals than they could handle. Michael was ecstatic. He gave Shan Mei a free hand to select her choice of programmes for dubbing from their very extensive library in the States. She was invaluable. If she was his wife, no one could poach her away –- but it was all wishful thinking!

Xiang Zhe had extra TV screens installed in his office. He left instructions that all of Shan Mei’s programmes to be taped so he would never missed anything even when he was attending meetings.

Michael had been absolutely right! Now that Shan Mei had been polished by experts, one could easily see the brilliance shining forth. Something hard to pin point about her. Was it that elusive X factor mentioned by Michael ?

When Xiang Zhe played Shan Mei’s tapes together with the best from MBS, they all paled in comparison to hers. It was hard to believe Korean Kinship was Shan Mei’s debut production in scripting and directing. A lot of research had gone into its story outline. Everything about the series was superb. She was such a natural. It seemed as if viewers were accompanying Shan Mei to visit her long-lost relatives for the first time.

He remembered when he first joined MBS, one of the producers told him the programmes must show a lot of flesh to attract viewers, and that Xiang Zhe was too idealistic in his approach. He would send an office memo to this producer, if he was still working with the Station, requesting him to go through Shan Mei’s Korean Kinship. It was 100% family viewing and entertaining as well. No questionable morale issue, yet it was the best against all the other stations. It would appear Shan Mei shared a lot of Xiang Zhe’s ideals, in their approach to many things in life.

According to Nielson survey, the viewers rating for Shan Mei’s programmes was well in excess of 60% on average, with Korean Kinship getting 70+%. CTN-KE also had on its books the highest number of Internet subscribers for the Korean language service. No exact figures on internet income were available, a rough guess would put the figure as 'astounding'.

Behind the scenes, SGS was trying to poach Zhen Shan Mei for their own Station, they had already sent their recruiting agent to talk to Shan Mei. She suggested to Xiang Zhe to email Michael with this info at the appropriate time. This info would reflect negatively on SGS in the eyes of CTN.

Shan Mei being so busy, she didn’t have time for anything or him or her parents, or the noodle shop. So Xiang Zhe made it his habit to drop by the noodle shop at least once a week to see what he could help out with, since this noodle shop was specially procured by Shan Mei in memory of their first date!

==

Chapter 23

Tonight, Xiang Zhe dressed himself with utmost care.
Shan Mei would be waiting for him at her father’s house. This was where Shan Mei, Michael and himself were supposed to meet for dinner.

When Shan Mei telephoned Xiang Zhe in early November about dinner with Michael, she sounded so casual and natural, as if having dinner with Michael was a daily occurrence.

But he must remember to keep his emotions, especially his jealous fits, in check. This was a business meeting.

Michael was already there, going through some of Shan Mei’s old records. He stood up at once when Xiang Zhe arrived. After introduction, the two men eyed each other sizing one another up and down. Michael was tall, about an inch taller than Xiang Zhe. He really did look like David Beckham except better. His baby blue eyes, short wavy blond hair and dimpled smile made him look much younger than his 36 years.

No wonder Shan Mei was so in love with her Senior, mused Michael. This guy was a real hunk. Michael noticed his shyness, so similar to Shan Mei’s, was his most endearing quality. No wonder he landed himself in such ‘women’ mess.

Michael understood Xiang Zhe’s position perfectly. Wasn’t he himself in the same sort of predicament? Women just couldn’t help falling for him left, right and centre, and simply wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer when he rejected their advances politely. Sometimes when he got so fed up he had to be rude. What happened then ? They turned around and insinuated he was gay? Let them, who cared, anyway !

Nursing pre-dinner drinks and hedging around for a while, Shan Mei announced dinner was ready and came and escorted them to the table. The table setting was perfect, the food so divine and the wine smooth as silk. Half way through dinner, Michael had to comment since he couldn’t help it. He always thought Korean food was all hot, spicy and kimchi, nothing at all like the delicious morsels he had been tucking into his mouth for the past 30 minutes. He could eat like this every day for the rest of his life and gave
Shan Mei a suggestive wink. She laughed and topped Michael’s glass with more wine. Xiang Zhe was having a hard time trying to keep his anger and jealousy under control. [“Zhen Shan Mei, wait till I get you all to myself. You’re going to pay for this”].

Michael was aware of Xiang Zhe’s jealousy towards him. He was not going to let the man get away so easily, after all the things he had said to Shan Mei. Michael knew it was him who said those hurtful things otherwise Shan Mei would not have taken them so seriously and painfully to heart, that she had to run away to London. Although it was now all water under the bridge…but…..Let the man sweat a bit !

After dinner all 3 were in high spirits and good mood. Xiang Zhe insisted they try the red wine he had brought over. Shan Mei went to prepare a strawberry fruit platter that went very well with Xue Zhang’s very delicious fruity red.

Shan Mei steered the conversation to the real issue of ‘channelling rights’ as she knew none of the two was prepared to make the first move. After a while they became engrossed in finding some kind of common ground. Shan Mei quietly left the men to their deal-making, cleared the table and washed up. She brewed some South American coffee. The aroma was too intoxicating for the men, they looked up expectantly to Shan Mei for their ‘fix.’ Like puppies hanging on to their mummy, so funny!

Shan Mei busied herself by putting the bouquet of roses that Xue Zhang had brought, into a vase. She then took the vase upstairs. Xiang Zhe was fully aware of Shan Mei making her way upstairs with his flowers. He was besides himself with happiness and somehow lost track on Michael’s last point. “Sorry. I missed the last part”

Michael smiled to himself knowingly. “Boy, this chap is bitten real bad!”
He could also see Shan Mei was truly and simply oblivious of the power she had over them two poor mortals. For Michael himself, it was not so bad. If Shan Mei wanted him, she had him, if not, it was alright. He enjoyed a fantastic work relationship with her. In this way, everything was uncomplicated. He couldn’t ask for better. But for her Senior, he wasn’t so sure. This chap was so obviously in love with her ………

After a while, they both came to a silent mutual understanding that Michael would help MBS secure CTN’s channelling rights for Korea, after their 3-year agreement with SGS expired. Michael realised he had no choice. If he didn’t, after Shan Mei married Yin Xiang Zhe, CTN-KE might one day lose Shan Mei back to MBS.

As if on cue, Yin Snr called Xiang Zhe on his mobile, wanting him to bring Shan Mei to see him. Michael also felt he had had an exhausting day and wanted to return to the hotel to rest. They dropped Michael back at his hotel. Seeing how easily Michael hugged and kissed Shan Mei on her cheeks and on her lips, Xiang Zhe was both envious and jealous.

Chapter 24

After dropping Michael off at his hotel, Xiang Zhe continued driving to his father’s place.

Xiang Zhe was silent in the car. His mind was too chaotic with doubt and jealousy. He was hoping Shan Mei being the chatterbox could somehow sooth his nerves. Instead Shan Mei was quiet too. Xiang Jie had been telling her his elder brother was acting strange lately. The slightest aggravation and he would let off like a loose cannon.

From the corner of her eye, she could also tell Xiang Zhe had been slyly stealing glances at her. In his eyes, had she changed? Was she now resembling the kind of no-nonsense career woman in look and behaviour, the kind she always found intimidating and hoped she never become ?

On the contrary, Xiang Zhe’s heart kept doing double sommersaults. He was finding it extremely difficult to control his thoughts and his words. Since he saw Shan Mei when she opened the door to her house this evening, she was looking more and more beautiful. How could a person change from being beautiful to being so beautiful in a matter of hours?

These few hours in her house also showed the easy relationship both Michael and Shan Mei enjoyed, making their professional life so charmed and trusting. It was obvious they wanted the best for each other. It was obvious too, Michael was helping MBS because of Shan Mei. Michael wouldn’t want to do anything to upset Shan Mei. Seeing them together no wonder they were so successful. Michael discussed everything with Shan Mei and asked for her opinion, or how she saw the situation from her standpoint. No matter how trivial the information contributed by Shan Mei was, Michael felt it was enough feedback for him to work from. Yes, he treated her like an equal. Xiang Zhe must learn more from Michael about the secret of sharing.

And what a gracious and entertaining hostess she made this evening. It would appear his Shan Mei had now become her own woman, in her own right, under nobody’s shadow !

They arrived at his father’s house. Before leading Shan Mei to the front door, Xiang Zhe gave her a gentle squeeze. He caught her face between his hands, so she could see into his eyes, so revealing with love for her. He whispered “thank you” and gently kissed her forehead. Shan Mei was overcome with emotion by the tender kiss, which held so much meaning, and she gave him a reassuring smile.

Father was waiting for them. He told them auntie was getting ready supper for them. Meanwhile, may be Xiang Zhe would like to show Shan Mei his new apartment ?

In the en suite that was supposed to be Shan Mei’s room, Xiang Zhe told her he had a present for her, opened the wardrobe and pretended to pull out the drawer with the nightdress. Her cheeks became red and flaming hot. She felt shy, she started to walk around the room stopping by the dresser. She ran her fingers over her hair clips and her much-loved musical doll. She asked what the 2 cans of coke were doing on the table and not in the fridge. She picked up the note from under the cans. “Fan mail, again ?” asked Shan Mei with a sweet smile, remembering all his other little notes. Xiang Zhe nodded boyishly, “from the noodle shop”

Shan Mei went out to Xiang Zhe’s sitting room, he followed behind. She saw the printed photo of herself taken at the football pitch. She lifted it up, looked at it a while and smiled. As she replaced it on the table he sneaked up behind her and whispered into the hollow behind her ear “thinking of the handsome footballer who was trying to date you?"

“Don’t listen to anything Xiang Jie says! He thinks any guy who looks at me is going to date me. What nonsense ? I am not even beautiful. The most I am is ‘cute’, right ? Where am I going to get the captivating power ?”

“The power is in your smile! Miss Zhen Shan Mei.”

At the CD and Cassette tape cabinet, Shan Mei saw a whole shelf lined with cassette tapes and CDs, the covers of which were labeled Zhen Shan Mei. She lifted her eyebrow? Xiang Zhe pushed her towards his bedroom, opened the door, and pointed to the TV screen on the wall opposite his bed. Images of Shan Mei were flashing across the screen. “Think I couldn’t find the present you hid among my other tapes ? Where you are concerned I don’t give up so easily. I almost turned the room upside down….but thank you very much for it. The tape is my daily dose of vitamin supplement. I especially liked the part where you were in Hawaii trying to do the hula and so many NGs because your sarong kept coming loose every time you tried to sway a bit. They are all hilarious. I can understand why Korean Kinship is so eagerly anticipated. I never miss an episode.”

“I told Uncle Jose to edit the blooppers into a separate tape. I’ve got another 2 to give you, but you’ve got to promise not to duplicate any copies. I feel strange with you doing that. After all, it is company property”

They went out to the dining room to enjoy supper with Yin Snr and his wife, even though they were not quite hungry. Yin Snr had a happy and satisfied look on his face. He had seen them walking in, hand in hand. Father was muttering to himself Xiang Jie would be upset when he wakes up tomorrow and realised that he had missed their visit.

During the meal, Father was very interested to hear what Shan Mei had to tell him about her job at CTN. Father was very impressed with CTN so far. He never missed Shan Mei’s news sessions. “Mr. Dutton has been the most wonderful teacher. There isn’t a thing he won’t explain carefully to me so I understand the reason behind every decision he makes. He wants me to work at the backrooms too so I understand what makes a great television station. I’m so thankful to him. He really has taught me a lot, many on the job skills I didn’t learn at college.

And Uncle Jose has been teaching me a lot since our KFA days. Uncle Yin, you remember Uncle Jose? He is the one leading the camera crew.”

Father was truly amazed how they managed to run their network so efficiently with so little staff. Shan Mei confirmed their computer system was their most costly and labour intensive department, but it was generating sizeable revenue from their internet subscribers.

“Apart from the technical staff, all employees in the computer room work in teams, to ensure we respond as fast and as best as we can to our subscribers enquiries. These fresh graduates really work well together. Though the teams are supposed to cover their geographical areas, they assist the other teams who may be very busy at any one time.

Whenever our Ambassador vans visit any one area, we need extra hands to help with enquiries coming in from that one concentrated area. We receive all sorts of enquiries from these areas and we try to help as best as we can. Since our Korean Kinship programmes, we have been asked to help our viewers locate their long lost kins at the places we have filmed at. I was quite surprised and skeptical in the beginning, but our search has been quite successful. The most satisfying search was the one where one Korean family in New Zealand put us in touch with another family in Papua New Guinea and the grandmother who made the orginal search request finally managed to locate her long lost half sister in Solomon Islands.

In fact, Korean Kinship will be taking the grandmother from Changhong town in Ch’ungch’ong Namdo province to Honaira in the Solomon Islands to film this reunion.”

After they finished supper, it was late; Father didn’t want to detain them further. And when Xiang Zhe was ready to drive Shan Mei home, he caught her hand in his as they were about to leave. He drew her into his arms and gave her a tight hug and a soft kiss on her lips. His eyes were dark; Shan Mei couldn’t make out what thoughts he was hiding behind his eyes. After he released her, together, they stepped happily outside into the garden.
==

Chapter 25

Xiang Zhe insisted on seeing Shan Mei into her house since he knew her parents were spending the night at their other house. He wouldn’t like to leave her alone. He helped her clean up the coffee making paraphernalia and when everything was done, he asked whether he could have some more of that fantastic coffee. He led her to the sofa, making her sit next to him, then draped his arm around her shoulders. They drank and enjoyed the coffee in companionable silence.

Suddenly he asked very quietly whether she put the roses in her room.

“What do you think?” she fired back with a mischievous smirk. With a serious look, she thanked him sweetly for the roses he had been sending every day to the noodle shop, since his return from London in June, with instructions the roses for Shan Mei’s special table.

“You could have put the roses in your father’s room! Who knows?”

“Well, you are not going to get to go up to my room to confirm, if that’s what you are angling for?”

“I’m not angling for that. I’m angling for something more sustainable like a kiss. I don’t know when you’ll have time for me again. I hear you are having staff shortage. All settled ?

“Not for the time being. Michael wasn’t too sure with most of the people he saw. He tried recruiting from Japan, but he found none who was suitable. All had to go according to his stringent criteria. I suggested two who just graduated from mass communication. We are all so overworked”

Shan Mei was quiet. She was tired. She very slowly placed her head on his shoulder, he rested his head on hers. Arm wrapped tighter around Shan Mei. Soon there was silence. Both of them had fallen asleep just like that; sweet smiles on their faces as if enjoying beautiful dreams.

After don’t know how long, Shan Mei awoke startled feeling herself in unfamiliar surroundings. Xiang Zhe also woke at the disturbance. What happened ? He was drifting off so blissfully in dreamland, dreaming Shan Mei was next to him, her sweet fragrance pervading his senses.

They both stood up, then turned to look at each other, Shan Mei’s eyes wide with accusation, Xiang Zhe’s sheepish with happiness. Just as Shan Mei was going to open her mouth, Xiang Zhe immediately placed a finger on her lips to prevent any utterance. He then mimicked Shan Mei’s voice and pout. “How long have I been asleep? I don’t like people watching me sleep like this. Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Shan Mei angrily pulled his finger away, then suddenly burst out laughing. Xiang Zhe laughed along too.

They then tried to out-stare each other but soon gave up, and burst out laughing again so hard, they were hugging each other tightly and continued laughing. Xiang Zhe suddenly stopped laughing, caught her face between his hands, with love pouring out of his eyes, he told Shan Mei he loved her, then bent to kiss her lips. After the initial shock, she pushed him away. The atmosphere was too electric ! “Now is not the time to do such thing.”

“I just woke up from a beautiful dream, with the girl I love in my arms. Isn’t it natural that I want to kiss her and tell her I love her? What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing wrong except we are alone in the house. We have feelings for each other. I am not used to this kind of situation. Don’t you understand ? It can be frightening”

“I understand, I wasn’t going to let anything go out of control.”

“One can never tell”

Shan Mei then gave Xiang Zhe a peck on his cheek to show he was forgiven and all was forgotten, when she saw his sorrowful look.

He sat back down on the sofa. He looked at Shan Mei, patting the space next to him on the sofa. She ignored him, taking the armchair opposite the sofa. “Tell me, has Michael ever proposed to you?”

“Don’t be silly and start talking rubbish again. Michael is married to his career. Don’t read anything too deeply into his actions. He is by nature a very affectionate and demonstrative person. Everybody likes him because he is so casual and not snobbish at all. He is very genuine. Once you get to know him, you’ll love him too. I care a lot for him because he is Michael, not because he is fabulously rich.”

“So you are aware he is rich.”

“Of course. He invited the whole Korean football team to his castle for a weekend stay before the team left London. His mother told me they have another castle in Ireland. ….. The whole gang also met his mother. I was not the only one. His wealth means nothing to me. You think if he was not a nice guy, I would be his friend? And if you ever hear gossips about Michael and I, there’s no need for you to react. There’s nothing going on and there never will be.

“But at dinner tonight didn’t he say he enjoyed your cooking so much he wanted it every day for the rest of his life ? And I was embarrassed by the way you two were carrying on !” he frowned

“Michael was just teasing you because he knew you were my Senior.
I already told Michael the closest relationship for him and me is him being godfather to my children. He loves the idea. So actually he’s going to be some sort of ‘family member’.”

“ So if Michael gets to be godfather to your children, does that mean I get to be father to your children?”

“I don’t think sooo, because I remembered you once told me you didn’t want to have any children.”

“I’ve changed my mind since that time because I’ve now found the woman I want to have babies with”

“Okay, that’s great…..You do your thing and I’ll do mine”

“Shan Mei, please……..??? Hey, Where are you off to?”

“Going to get changed. May be we can walk to the park and watch the sunrise ? There are some fresh towels in the bathroom if you want to freshen up”

“Go change, I’ll just sit here and wait.”

Coming down the stairs, Shan Mei noticed Xiang Zhe’s tired look, with his eyes shut, he was slumped against the sofa. Her heart ached. She knew he was under constant pressure at MBS. The ratings for MBS’s programmes were like a roller coaster ride. One week ‘up’ followed by some weeks of ‘downs’, especially now that CTN was doing so well.

She silently crept back upstairs to make a hot face pack. She went back downstairs, placed the hot towel on his face and gently massaged his face with it. Xiang Zhe didn’t move, only sighed softly with pleasure. This was heaven! He could feel the nearness of Shan Mei. He stretched out his hand and rested it on her waist. When he felt her moving away he tightened his hold.

“Don’t go”

“You like it?”

“Emm..m..m..”

“I’m just getting another hot pack”

“Hurry back.”

When Shan Mei was preparing the 2nd hot pack, heating it in the microwave oven, Xiang Zhe removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt collar, getting ready for his angel’s magical ministration. He again closed his eyes, this time more relaxed. Shan Mei repeated the face massage with the hot towel. A little while later, after Shan Mei removed the face towel, he felt completely refreshed, honey coating around his heart. He bounced off the sofa, grabbing his jacket, he took hold of Shan Mei’s hand tightly in his, and they walked out of the house towards the park. They sat side by side on a bench, his arm around Shan Mei’s shoulders, to watch in silence as the sun rose. So peaceful!

Chapter 26

Tonight was very cold. Shan Mei had just finished preparing a hot water bottle and slipped it under her quilt, when her hand phone rang.

She didn’t have time to utter any word, when she heard Xue Zhang’s wail coming through.

“Zhen Shan Mei, you’re a liar, you’re a cheat, you don’t keep your promise. How can you do this to me?” Xiang Zhe was sobbing accusingly down the phone. His words were slurred. “How come he is so drunk ?” Shan Mei was asking herself.

That morning, Xiang Jie had phoned from Cheju Island telling her he and his parents were in their house on Cheju Island to clean up getting it ready for the New Year holidays. There was no one at home, so who could have provoked Xue Zhang?

Shan Mei called back Xiang Zhe on his mobile. Again all she could hear was “Go away. You’re a liar, I don’t like you”. Then the line went dead. Now, what had she done? It was a cold night outside. Where was he? Where could he be? He was grown up, why was he acting like this at 2 o’clock in the morning?

She hurriedly threw on some clothes. She’d try his father’s house first. Sure enough the maid who let her in confirmed Master Xiang Zhe was in his apartment throwing a drunken temper. She was afraid to go in. Shan Mei asked her to prepare some hot ginseng tea and bring it to his quarters.

She saw Xiang Zhe slumped against his sofa. Two empty alcoholic bottles were on the floor, he was half way through a third bottle. She snatched it away. Xiang Zhe looked at her in a blank stupor, focusing but not actually focusing.

“What are you doing here? Go away, you liar!” slurring away.

Shan Mei was having a hard time trying to calm him down; loosening his shirt, but Xiang Zhe was fighting her off. The maid came in with the tea and quickly left quietly. She had never seen Master Xiang Zhe like this, and she didn’t want to be at the receiving end of his temper. Looked like a tempest was coming. Let Miss Zhen handle him.

Shan Mei tried to get some ginseng tea into him. He evaded all her sweet talk and cajoling efforts. When she managed to get some into his mouth, he violently threw up on her. She became so vexed, she gave him a tight slap on his face. That sobered him up a bit.

Somehow she managed to remove his shirt which was soiled, then got a wet towel to wipe him clean. She managed to get him to lie down on the sofa. She gave his face and hands a thorough second hot wipe. His eyes were shut and he was quiet, not the raving lunatic a short while ago.

Shan Mei let out a soft tired sigh of relief. She was covered with his vomit. She went for hot shower. Luckily there was that nightgown she had left here in her room some time back. After changing, she took her dirty clothes to the maid and asked her to please clean, have dried and ready when she would leave early tomorrow morning.

“What got into him?” Shan Mei just sat on the floor by the side of the sofa Xiang Zhe was lying on, her head resting next to him. She must have dozed off because some time later, she was shaken awoke by Xiang Zhe asking her what she was doing there. He was still groggy, his eyes bloodshot. He was rummaging around for his alcohol. When Shan Mei refrained him, he became furious, slurring his speech “go back to your Michael, go prepare for your wedding” and if Shan Mei hadn’t caught his fist in time, he would have smashed it into the table.

“What are you talking about? Who’s getting married? What’s up with Michael ? I’m getting married? This is the first time I’ve heard about it? Who told you?”

“Tonight’s news on CTN. The Dutton family preparing for New Year wedding. I saw Michael, at his castle, very happily accepting congratulations from well wishers. Was that why when I invited you to spend New Year holiday with me on Cheju Island, you declined saying you have prior commitment? Why didn’t you just come out and tell me instead of letting me hear from the news like a fool?”

Shan Mei was shaking her head in disbelief and laughing softly at the same time, taking in his drunken pout. “It’s Michael’s identical twin brother David who’s getting married. I have been invited to be one of the bridesmaids. This was decided months ago when I was still in London. David heads their family trust, and the Dutton family Trust is one of the major shareholders of CTN-UK, so I guess that was why he was on the news.” The silly goose.

While she was saying that, she was feeding Xiang Zhe with more ginseng tea. He seemed to have sobered up a lot, and was beginning to look sheepish.

“Xue Zhang, you must be feeling tired. You are smelling really awful too. Go take a shower then go to rest. Why do you have to drink so much?” she asked in exasperation. “You know you always get massive headache after drinking. I don’t like it when you get sick.

I’ll not stay here any longer, since you don’t like me at all. I’ll go check whether my clothes have dried. After I’m changed, I’ll leave.”

As Shan Mei was getting up to leave, Xiang Zhe awoke from his stupor and he noticed for the very first time she was wearing the very beautiful nightgown. He was so absorbed in his own self pity he hadn’t noticed anything. He had always wondered how she would look in such a sensuous creation. Now, she was here in front of him, yet all he did was threw a big drunken tantrum. Served him right if she never talked to him again.

He quickly got up and blocked her way “I won’t allow it”

“Huh?”

“Not allowed to change”

“So you want me to go home in taxi like this?”

“Shan Mei, I know you’re teasing me again, right ? Please ? I am so, so sorry. I thought I had lost you, after all your promises that you won’t look at another man, that there is nothing between Michael and you, etc. No one told me Michael has an identical twin? You know I can’t think rationally where you are concerned. If you leave now, I won’t go wash up, and as soon as you leave I’m going to start drinking again.”

“So you are not just that horrid Director Yin, you have also become a horrid blackmailer?” she asked smiling sweetly pretending to be angry.

“I have to use whatever tactics are necessary to make you stay, so that after I wash up and smell good, I can show you how truly sorry I am. Wait right here, okay?”

“Xue Zhang, go take your shower, but come back soon. I think we need to talk.”

After a long, hot shower, Xiang Zhe became more his old self. He came close to Shan Mei, and asked her whether he smelt good and clean? Of course Shan Mei then became aware of her state of dress (or undress?) and felt shy all over, when Xiang Zhe was admiring her openly.

“Xue Zhang, tonight…..erh..you..I..I was really frightened by your behaviour tonight…..”

“Oh, Shan Mei, Please forgive me. Just imaging my life without you is enough to kill me. You have given me a small taste of what happiness can be like. I was looking forward to the day when I can share my life completely with you, sharing in everything, then when I heard about the wedding, I was totally devastated.”

“I know because of your past, you didn’t have to put anybody’s feelings into consideration. You were not answerable to anyone. As long as you wanted to do it, it was not necessary for anyone to know. But we are talking of a partnership here. We have to consider whether our actions will hurt the other party.

You should know me by now. Once I give my word, I will not go back on it. You are very clever in your business dealings. When you are in your boardroom, what you want, you get done, what you don’t want, gets swept away. But we are talking of trusting human relationship here.”

“What can I do ? I’ve never wanted nor needed friends. I like being alone. You’re the one who have always been good at reaching out to people.”

“Be responsible in this partnership! My happiness is your top priority, you won’t do anything to hurt me, same here from me, your happiness is my top priority, I won’t do anything that will hurt you. All decisions are made for mutual common good”

“Shan Mei, since you put it that way, I now understand. And you are right about the way I behave. Before I never thought I had to consider someone’s feelings because I never thought I would have to share my life with another person. Now the situation has changed, so my attitude must change too, right?” he asked softly.

After a brief pause he continued, “Please forgive my bad behaviour tonight. I find it difficult to share my inner most thoughts with another person. You are the first person I want to share my private thoughts with. I realise I must open up more, so you can help me ease my burden. Thank you Shan Mei for being here for me always. I was afraid Michael will take you away from me one day, because he shares with you the kind of relationship you speak about ….partnership. I must learn.

Even though you look so beautiful tonight, I also now realise, no matter how beautiful the nightgown is, if you are not the one wearing it, I can’t appreciate it. Please believe me, to me you are the most important person in this world. I don’t want to and can’t live without you?”

Shan Mei, heart breaking with silent tears, immediately drew him close to her bosom, hugging him, tenderly stroking his head, and gently chided “Oh, Xue Zhang, stop thinking and talking like a fool. Promise me you won’t ever go on a drinking binge like tonight. Do you know how much my heart aches seeing you like this?”

“I promise I will never hurt you ever again by my foolish jealous tantrums. I love you too deep. [Didn’t his jealous outburst over You Zhen got him into the current tortuous 2-year respite? Waa, why always so irrational where Shan Mei was concerned?]

They remained there simply embracing each other, like giving their strength to the other. Still stroking his head, her voice full of concern, Shan Mei tenderly asked “Your head feeling better?” He nodded into her bosom. He loved it whenever she held him close to him, and he wished this endearing feeling could go on and on, forever.

Then he lifted his head, his eyes so sad with regret, looked into her watery eyes, “Why don’t you get some sleep? Go sleep on my bed. I’ll take the sofa. I don’t want you to be alone in your room. I’ll drive you back early in the morning.” Xiang Zhe murmured softly to Shan Mei, she nodded shyly in assent.

And he gave her a tender kiss on her forehead, pushing her lovingly towards his bedroom.

[tbc]

Chapter 27

This year’s Annual Broadcasting Industry Award Ceremony was underway.

Celebrities, dignitaries and invited guests from the various broadcasting corporations were out in full force. Major international broadcasters too.

Outside the auditorium, all eyes and cameras were eagerly awaiting the arrival of Miss Zhen Shan Mei, local anchor and TV host of America/UK-owned CTN.

It was highly expected that Miss Zhen Shan Mei would win in all the 7 categories she was nominated for. Internet voting 50%, Judges 50%. Internet voting was accepted since 10 a.m. this morning, and direct viewer voting in her favour, at last count at 6 p.m. this evening, had already surpassed 90%, giving her almost 50% of the possible 100%. Not any one person nominated was anywhere near her 50% in some of the categories she had been nominated, like, Most Popular TV Personality, Best News Anchor Local News, Best News Anchor Foreign Language News, Best Host for Local TV Documentary. Shan Mei’s Korean Kinship was nominated for 6 other categories.

Suddenly a loud roar came from the excited onlookers along the red carpet, as a few stretched black limos pulled up at the entrance. Miss Zhen Shan Mei had arrived with Sir Michael Dutton, Director of CTN Asia/Pacific. The rest of the CTN entourage, comprising many guests from the US and UK, followed close behind. Cameras were flashing all over the place.

Shan Mei gave the adoring crowd her brilliant smile and small waves of her hand before entering the auditorium. There was a hush as she entered, and all heads turned around to look. A gasp escaped from the audience, as they saw Shan Mei making her way down to the rows of seats towards the front led by an usher.

She was dressed in a traditional Korean hanbok, all afloat in very light blue delicate silk organza with white, rose, lilac and purple organza layering, her hair all pulled back and styled in traditional Imperial look, and she had on the most natural of make-up. She looked so breathtakingly lovely, with the aura of an angel floating down the stairs.

Xiang Zhe had been waiting all night to catch a glimpse of Shan Mei. Normally he avoided such events. The only reason he was there was he realised tonight was going to be a big night for his angel.

He had never seen Shan Mei in traditional costume. He had never seen any one more exquisite. Or more irresistible !

Shan Mei wore no jewelry except the butterfly brooch set in pearls, rubies, emeralds and diamonds that Xiang Zhe had specially commissioned, then specially delivered to her father two days before the award ceremony asking him to please forward on. Xiang Zhe smiled sweetly and secretly inside himself, not forgeting his anklet on her right ankle now hidden away from view.

As the evening progressed, rightfully, Shan Mei walked away with 7 top awards in the categories she was nominated. CTN spokesperson, Sir Michael Dutton was glowing with immense pride at their STAR.

All night he had been hovering protectively around Shan Mei especially when she couldn’t control her tears at each Acceptance and ‘thank you’ speech. Each time he accompanied her up to the stage to collect an award, the auditorium broke out in deafening applause – Shan Mei was at her dazzling best, and Michael’s infectious smile and handsome blond looks were just as lethal as Shan Mei’s. Xiang Zhe grudgingly had to admit they made a very striking and beautiful couple. If Michael did not have an understanding with Shan Mei and himself, Xiang Zhe would not have believed there was nothing going on between the two of them, and would have died of instant jealousy right there and then.

All of a sudden he loathed the sight of Michael. He wanted to run up to Shan Mei, to hold her tightly and protectively in his arms and kiss away those tears. Only he had the right to kiss away those precious teardrops, no one else !

The whole night Xiang Zhe kept his eyes only on Shan Mei in his besotted sort of way, not at all the stern look of MBS director, hoping that she might somehow look his way, even once. Zian Da tried to distract him. If he continued to look at Shan Mei in that way, the whole of Korea would soon know with so many alert newsmen snooping around. Helplessly, Zian Da uttered the magic words: “do you want Shan Mei to get angry with you?” brought him back to ground zero.

Xiang Zhe looked at Yong Xi and Zian Da with no interest at all, thinking some people did have such short memories. Weren’t they anticipating the chaos Shan Mei would create at CTN-KE, bearing in mind her track record at MBS? Tonight Yong Xi could not sing enough praises of Shan Mei, after all, she was her Senior and did contribute in some way to her success. Zian Da was pleased too because he used to be her team leader.

They all attended the cocktail party to celebrate the successful end to the ceremony. Xiang Zhe hated all this, but he had to see Shan Mei. The CTN party was surrounded by press and Organising VIPs. He couldn’t edge in sideways. Michael saw Xiang Zhe and went up to greet him. He pulled Shan Mei along. Xiang Zhe could only stand there, acknowledged her presence with a nod and his shy smile, taking in the stunning beauty of Shan Mei at close quarters, hopelessly lost for words. Shan Mei reciprocated with a shy nod and her most dazzling smile. Her eyes misted. Michael went off to get himself a drink giving them a few private moments together. Xiang Zhe was grateful. He told her softly she looked simply too beautiful for this world. Would it be alright to call her later tonight? “2 a.m.” was her soft, shy reply.

Before Shan Mei was reclaimed by Michael to meet another company interested in sponsorship deal, she quickly clasped Xiang Zhe’s hand with a brief handshake, at the same time pressing a little piece of paper into his palm. A ripple of current passed through them as their eyes locked fleetingly. So fleeting, yet imbued with such profound love !

Xiang Zhe was all excited. He quickly escaped to a quiet corner to read her ‘from the desk of Zhen Shan Mei’ personal little notepaper. On it she had simply written “Xue Zhang, Thank you. So miss you” and signed off with a little colourful butterfly sticker. “That child” he could not help shaking his head and grinning broadly. He folded the note carefully and put it into the inside breast pocket of his jacket.

After that, Xiang Zhe left the party a very happy man. While driving home, he was experiencing the same euphoria he felt the first time when Shan Mei surprised him with her sudden declaration that she liked him, only him and no one else, he must believe it, one night when he dropped her off home after their date. He was bursting with waves of happiness. It meant in her heartYou Zhen was truly history and gone with the wind !

Tonight he would be able to file another vision of Shan Mei to the back of his mind, which was already packed full with the most unforgetable and tantalising images of her.

At home, he had whisky and cigarettes on hand while waiting for 2 a.m. to come.
==

The following morning, Seoul’s leading entertainment tabloid speculated whether Miss Zhen Shan Mei would be the one to finally ‘NET’ Sir Michael? Two full pages were dedicated to comprehensive report on the Dutton family history, their connections to the Royal Family, their vast family fortunes and extensive business holdings and their family homes all over the British Isles and summer homes on islands in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. There were also pictures of the New Year wedding of his elder twin brother.

At the Award Ceremony and after-party last night, the way Sir Michael hovered so protectively around her, it appeared as if he was utterly smitten with Zhen Shan Mei. In that exquisite hanbok, looking the way she did, any man would be smitten with her. They made a beautiful couple and matched each other perfectly.

Since his Cambridge days, Sir Michael had escorted some of the world’s most stunning beauties, on many occasions, but none had managed to hold his attention. Unbelievably handsome, academically brilliant, extremely charming and rich beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, what else would a girl want?

A bit was written about Zhen Shan Mei. With looks as innocent and fresh as the morning dew, smiles as dazzling as the morning sun, gentle and friendly nature as smooth and sweet as honey, shy and blushing like a virgin bride, she would make any husband proud. She grew up in a one-parent family. Her father was a retired project contractor/manager for one of Korea’s larger property developers. Before univeristy, she spent a term at Cambridge taking their English Language course. She graduated from university with a Mass Communication degree. Her lecturers and fellow students highly praised her for her scholastic achievements, friendly and generous nature. She enjoyed tremendous popularity. She even won a scholarship at uni. Immediately after graduation, she joined MBS. At university, she never dated and was never into boys, although she had two brothers who were already graduated from university. They weren’t aware whether she had a boyfriend after she left university, or while at MBS or after she flew off to England.

After reading the morning’s newspaper, Yin senior looked at his elder son, very concerned, asking him whether this Michael Dutton could be trusted.
“Is he making some kind of exchange? MBS gets CTN channeling rights, he gets Shan Mei?”

Xiang Zhe, with needles and pins going through him, didn’t think Michael was that sort of a person. Last night he managed to speak to Shan Mei after her CTN celebratory party. She sounded her normal happy self. But the article in this morning’s tabloid was causing self doubts in him again…..

Seeing his father and elder brother’s worried looks, Xiang Jie decided to phone Sister.

“Hello, who is it?” answered Shan Mei in a sleepy voice.

“Good morning sister, it’s me. You awake?”

“Just about, anything the matter you’re calling so early?”

“Well, first of all, I want to congratulate you on your win. You’re fantastic.
Then I want to see whether it’s true, you’re going to marry this megarich guy, Sir Michael.”

Shan Mei laughed down the phone. Father and Xiang Zhe could hear her laughter. She wanted to know where he heard the nonsense.

“Haven’t you read this morning’s Entertainment Weekly? Two pages on you and that Michael Dutton. Now, Elder Brother can’t eat, and feeling sick.”

In answer to a question from Shan Mei, Xiang Jie replied ‘”Yes, very sick.”

After talking some more, Xiang Jie suddenly let out a loud yelp, saying no matter what, he wanted to go. After some small talk, he bade Shan Mei goodbye with a “see you later.”

Father looked at him. Younger son told them Sister said there was no truth whatsover in the tabloid article. Sister didn’t care how rich Michael was, she just wasn’t interested. She didn’t have the tabloid with her so she wouldn’t know what nonsense they wrote. And she sounded worried when she heard Elder Brother was ‘very sick’.

Father asked, “How can you make up such lies?”

“No, I wasn’t lying.” He looked at his Elder Brother, “you’re very sick of the news article, right?”

Xiang Zhe nodded his head and gave a short laugh. He rubbed a tear that was beginning to form at his eye with his knuckle. [“This brat is just as cheeky as that Zhen Shan Mei!”]

“If we are lucky, sister may drop by with her parents later, after her meeting is through, to pay Elder Brother a visit.” When Shan Mei told younger brother she might visit later, her mind was going back to one cold night last December and how Xiang Zhe over-reacted to some unconfimed news.

And, sister had invited him to go with her in April, as her assistant, when she would be going to Yanbian, some autonomous region in Jilin, in China, to make a reconnaissance of the area for another “Korean Kinship” episode. Looking at his father, he added “Dad, it’s only 4/5 days. Okay?” Yin Senior nodded his head.

Before leaving the dining table, younger brother passed a casual comment. “If someone proposes in time, maybe that someone will get to tag along as ‘fiance’!”

Chapter 28

Since the Award Ceremony, SGS and CTN had been inundated with requests for more information on Zhen Shan Mei.

After a special meeting, CTN agreed to allow SGS to host a one-hour Special on Zhen Shan Mei.

The guests invited were those who had a hand in helping Shan Mei on the road to CTN.

The first guest was Manager Chung of the Korean football team who trained in London about 1-1/2 years ago. Shan Mei worked for them for 3 months. Great girl! They introduced her to Sir Michael Dutton of CTN who was at that time recruiting for CTN’s Seoul office.

Everybody said Sir Michael Dutton was Shan Mei’s Svengali. So how did he discover her?

He spotted Zhen Shan Mei when he was in Seoul 2 years ago to recruit. She was at that time one of the segment hosts of a morning show, on a local TV station. He extended his stay in Seoul by a few days so he could catch her on the morning show. He was going to come back to Seoul at a later date to make her an offer.

The TV hostess wanted to know whether Sir Michael had any other names on his short list. “Yes” came his swift response. One from America and one from England. The two young ladies are extremely well qualified, but they lack the certain X factor which Shan Mei has. It’s difficult to describe that elusive quality, but once you’re in her presence, a person becomes affected. Finally, the board of directors agreed that Shan Mei was the one with the quality CTN was looking for.

One day an associate in their London office went up to him telling him the girl whose image he always had on the big video screen in the CTN conference room was in the football pitch with the Korean football team. He immediately phoned their Manager Chung to arrange a meeting.

“Sir Michael, does that mean before you approached Miss Zhen with an offer, CTN already has decided that Miss Zhen was to head CTN’s Korean network?”

“Yes! Although it may sound presumptuous on our part, but I was prepared to remain in Seoul until I could convince Shan Mei to accept our offer. When I saw her smile flashing across the TV screen, and her eyes lighting up in sync with her smile, we wanted her. Later, when I visited the university she had studied at and had a good long talk with the dean and some members of the faculty, I was more convinced than ever she was the one!”

However, it must be stressed that if Shan Mei did not come with all the necessary prerequisites, CTN would not have accepted her in their training programme right away, but would have to spend more time getting her ready.

CTN was not looking for someone just to fill in a presenter’s job. They wanted someone, with a certain personality and capable of heading their Korean operation. Ultimately, it was all Shan Mei’s own talent and hard work. He was not truly her Svengali, but a boss who always exacted the best performance from his staff. He shook his head, laughingly wondered how she managed to survive, working 16-18 hours a day when she was in London. Yes, she was a tough little girl!

“Sir Michael, what about the recent rumours floating around that your relationship with Miss Zhen is more than professional? Is Miss Zhen in love with you?” Michael let out a delightful laugh. He wanted to know too but was too afraid to ask Shan Mei. “The man who gets to marry Shan Mei would surely be the luckiest man in the world.”

The next guest was someone who worked very closely with Shan Mei, the head of their camera team, and whom Shan Mei always referred to ‘Uncle Jose’. There were rumours that they had enjoyed a ‘love affair’ because all his shots of Shan Mei had an elusive and endearing quality, as if seen through a lover’s eyes ?

Jose laughed and wished it was all true. “ The affair is not with me or any body else but the camera ! We shoot her at the angle where her smile is the most radiant and the camera does the rest. We get the desired results each and every time.”

People said Jose was also very protective of her ?

“Of course. Though we have traveled almost around the world to film, she is still an innocent babe. Mamas have been lining up trying to get her to be their daughter-in-law, men have been pursuing her like crazy; many have even proposed. So I take it upon myself to keep the wolves at bay.”

“ Any serious offers ?”

“Plenty, but so far, I have considered none of them. They are all not good enough for her.”

“How is that?”

“They all talk of their fortunes, their high and mighty positions in society, their academic achievements, etc., etc., but I don’t think our Shan Mei is interested in any of that.”

“How can you tell?”

“I can feel it in the way she plays her guitar, I feel it in her music, I see it in the far away look when she plays, so deep for one so young.”

“We know you are the one who taught her to play the Spanish and flamenco guitars. Is Shan Mei going to play something for us tonight?” Xiang Zhe was wondering how come Shan Mei never told him she could play the flamenco guitar as well ? Was that the one secret she said she was keeping from him ?

“You’ll have to ask her.”

The TV hostess thanked them all for appearing in the first part of the show.

During the second part of the show she would be interviewing Miss Zhen Shan Mei herself.

Shan Mei made her way to the seat the TV hostess had arranged for her.

She looked poised and elegant, in a light aqua-blue plain pants suit, on her jacket was pinned a large beautiful teardrop shape South Sea pearl brooch.

“Miss Zhen, since your return from London, have you been on any dates?”

“My work load is so heavy. Sometimes, I work as long as 16 hours a day, I don’t even have enough time to sleep, where is there time to date?”

“We all agree you are one of the most successful, beautiful and elegant ladies around Seoul. The press has been going all out to match you up with several of the most prominent and successful bachelors in town. You must have many suitors. How is it you still managed to remain unmarried?”

“The press can write all they want, but no one has asked me yet” she laughingly answered.

“Miss Zhen, what attributes are you really looking for in a partner? When the bachelors know SGS was going to do an interview with you, they have asked us to put forward this question. You want your partner to be rich, handsome, famous, or does he have to be a professor or a doctor?”

“I’m not out to look for those qualities that you have mentioned. But if the one I choose happens to possess all those qualities, then I consider myself very blessed. For me the most important thing I think I would look for would be ‘feel’ and ‘strength’. Looks, fortune and status do not mean anything if there is no special feel between 2 people.”

“Which means ‘the feeling of love ?”

“Feeling of strong friendship, feeling of trust, feeling of caring, and definitely feeling of love. The person must also be strong of character, I have to entrust my future happiness to him.”

Xiang Zhe was suddenly very quiet and very serious. Rubbing his forehead out of habit, and concentrating on the telepathy message he was trying very hard to send to Shan Mei.

They then discussed the kind of future direction Shan Mei was planning for the network. And the percentage of locally produced programme vs imported programmes?
What kind of sponsors was she looking for?

The TV hostess very excitedly turned to Shan Mei “Miss Zhen, our producer had just given me a message. Mr. Lee Chung Woon of KFA who said he met you in London 1-1/2 years ago is on his way to our studio, to officially announce to the audience his intention to date you.”

“Mr. Lee, you’d better hurry if you want to catch Miss Zhen before the programme ends. After which she will be on her way to the airport. She will be leaving tonight for the Aleutian Islands. So let’s give Mr. Lee our support”

Shan Mei could only acknowledge with smile, hoping that Mr. Lee would be delayed by traffic jam etc.

Xiang Jie was shouting and jumping about in the Yin’s residence’s TV room excitedly. “That’s him, that’s the guy who wanted to date sister. See, I knew it all along.”

“Be quiet,” Xiang Zhe hissed dangerously back at him.
==

Chapter 29

Shan Mei was musing to herself, was it wise to meet up with Xue Zhang for dinner? Since his jealous outburst last December over Michael, she was afraid to see him alone, anxious he might do something stupid to jeopardise the negotiations between CTN and MBS regarding channelling rights.

She was staring at the crystal butterfly sitting on her table that Xue Zhang had sent to her Seoul office by special courier 4 days after CTN’s launch of their Korean language service. When she received the butterfly, she had wondered why he didn’t show up at the cocktail party to mark the CTN-KE launch. She had ensured his name was on the VVIP Invitation List. This butterfly was bigger and more exquisite than the one he gave her in London.

The night after the award ceremony, he had really phoned at 2 a.m. They didn’t talk much, except his repeating how beautiful she looked and he was so happy and proud for her with her many awards. He teased her about being ‘cry baby’ and wished it was he who was beside her up on that stage. He had missed her so very much. He then advised that he would arrange for a display cabinet to be delivered to her office. Since then he had gifted to her crystal butterflies for every one of her successes. She now had a cabinet in her office to display these beautiful works of art!

He wasn’t aware she knew his birthday would be the day after tomorrow. Since she would be out of the country, she wanted to surprise him with a dinner date before her departure for Guam 2 days later. Some place discreet. Where?
==

Xiang Zhe has just managed to get Zian Da out of his office. Zian Da had been trying to prise info of Shan Mei out of him for the last 30 minutes, after he saw SGS’s recent Special on Shan Mei, and Lee Chung Woon’s intention to pursue her, and the recent write up of Shan Mei and Sir Michael. He had been keeping tab of the CTN viewership % rating since they started Korean service, and it had been very good. Shan Mei was getting a lot of press time too. He couldn’t believe this was the same Shan Mei who used to work with them. She sounded so articulate, looked so confident and self assured, yet so sweet and innocently shy. Even he was beginning to fall under her spell.

Xiang Zhe, hiding a smile, didn’t look concerned at all, and was just so proud Shan Mei was doing so well. In fact Xiang Zhe reminded Zian Da he used to say Shan Mei and he were not compatible, he thought Xiang Zhe needed someone beautiful, capable and clever ? Remember ?

Xiang Zhe teased him mercilessly; from Shan Mei’s face now on the TV screen didn’t he let the most beautiful one get away? From the ratings didn’t he let the cleverest one get away? Acknowledging Shan Mei’s personal win of 7 top awards at the recent award ceremony, didn’t he let the most capable one get away? She was an ace in front of and behind the cameras, judging by the awards she won: 4 for in front of camera work, 3 for behind camera work. Zian Da didn’t say another word and simply left Xiang Zhe’s office down-hearted to look for Yong Xi. He needed her comforting.

Shan Mei had greatly surprised Zian Da with her success. At the back of Zian Da’s mind, Shan Mei was still the immature little girl who made frequent mistakes in the newsroom, but due to Xiang Zhe’s protection [according to his thinking], managed to pull through each time unscathed.

One time, she wasn’t even afraid to voice her displeasure with Xiang Zhe in front of other staff members regarding possible retrenchment of programme presenters in favour of signing up superstar presenters. How could Xiang Zhe be taking that kind of nonsense from her when he wouldn’t even consider any excuses from other department heads for poor performance?

Xiang Zhe always relied on him for advice, how come he went his own way where Shan Mei was concerned? He had created many opportunities for Ying Mei to be alone with Xiang Zhe, how come he was unmoved by her intelligence and sophistication?

What had Xiang Zhe seen in Shan Mei, that even Yong Xi lost to her? Not only Xiang Zhe, but that top guy from CTN London. He had said at the TV interview, when he was in Seoul to recruit some one to front their Korean network, Shan Mei was the only broadcaster he was impressed with. That would mean, Shan Mei was performing better than he? How could that be when he was team leader and was far more experienced than anyone in the MBS newscasting department? For the morning show, Xu Ying Mei was the main host, and Shan Mei was a minor host of a small segment of the programme. How come that CTN director was not impressed with Xu Ying Mei? What criteria did they use? Zian Da shook his head perplexed. He simply couldn’t understand their logic.
==

Phone in Xiang Zhe’s office rang, it was Shan Mei’s Ma inviting him over to their house for dinner tomorrow night at 8 because she was making special kimchi and special soup. Xiang Zhe was so delighted.

When Xiang Zhe arrived the next evening at Uncle Zhen’s house, no one answered the door. He thought he got the day wrong. He tried the door knob, it wasn’t locked so he went in. No one seemed to be in. He didn’t dare go too far in to the house, but sweet music was coming from the stereo somewhere? He was about to take out his mobile to make a call, when who else but Miss Zhen Shan Mei appeared from the kitchen !!! Xiang Zhe almost dropped the bottle of cognac he had brought for uncle.

She gave him her sweetest smile and dragged him in. Shan Mei was in casual wear, her hair in plaits, she looked like the Shan Mei he saw the first time in Cambridge , except this time more beautiful, and minus her curls and hair clips. He was overwhelmed beyond words, he didn’t expect to see her, he thought she would be too busy.

Dinner was already laid out. He was ready to enjoy this dinner, because he need not have to rush off anywhere.

He asked about her parents. They would be staying over at the other house.
Shan Mei was ladling out some soup, giving him the cue to sit at the table. Instead he wanted to help out at the kitchen.

As he sat down, he noticed a single long stemmed rose on the dining table and wondered who gave it to her ? Shan Mei sat down, looked at him with unfathomable eyes, sweetly thanked him for the rose that was delivered that day and that Ma had brought back from the noodle shop, and all the other roses delivered daily to the shop. And she gave him another of her beguiling smiles. Xiang Zhe was tingling all over inside.

They chatted comfortably away, not mentioning about CTN or MBS. His father had asked about her, he told Xiang Zhe to remind Shan Mei she was supposed to visit him after her return to Seoul, to collect a very special present he had prepared for her. She laughed and said she was wary of his ‘special presents’. Last time it was ‘his son Xiang Zhe’, she was afraid this time it might be ‘his other son Xiang Jie’. Xiang Zhe laughed as well saying his father wouldn’t dare. Shan Mei explained that since now MBS was negotiating for CTN channelling rights, she didn’t want to be seen to be too closely associated with the Yin family, until the actual signed MOU was in Xiang Zhe’s hand, which should be any one of these days. She hoped he understood the delicacy of the situation. He nodded. Why didn’t he think of that?

After dinner, Shan Mei brewed some Brazilian coffee, which Xiang Zhe couldn’t get enough of. Since she would be flying out early tomorrow morning to Guam she didn’t want any alcohol, but if Xiang Zhe wanted to have some wine, she had a great red somewhere. He would take it only if she would have some. So they both went searching.

With uplifted glass, Shan Mei toasted sweetly and sincerely “Xue Zhang, Happy birthday to you tomorrow. I wish you all the health, love and happiness in the world.” Xiang Zhe was pleasantly surprised. He had never told her his birth date. He was delighted. In fact he had never celebrated his birthday, since his father left them for the other woman. He became quiet and Shan Mei was berating herself silently for being insensitive reopening old wounds. Her heart was hurting for him too. She quickly put down her glass of wine, went up close to him, and with both her hands caught his face in them and planted a very light, light kiss on his lips. Xiang Zhe looked at her in surprise, the old Shan Mei would be too shy to do something like that even if she wanted to, then he grinned. His eyes were becoming red. Shan Mei went to her handbag on the counter and brought out a small box and handed it to Xiang Zhe. He looked at her happily enquiring, “Birthday present?” She nodded indicating he was free to open it.

With excited anticipation, he unwrapped the paper and carefully opened the box. Inside was a pair of cufflinks the same design as the anklet he gave her, except setting of the stones was reversed: his peridot being engulfed by 2 pearls. Xiang Zhe could only stare at them, too emotional to say anything, swallowing hard, his pulse beating wildly. When he looked up to Shan Mei, she could see traces of a tiny teardrop wanting to escape from one corner of his eye. Shan Mei edged closer to where he was sitting, very gently and tenderly wiped the trace of water from his eye. He immediately clung on to Shan Mei at the waist and buried his head into her shoulder, his body shaking. He felt so loved yet before this evening he was wondering whether Shan Mei truly cared for him ?
==

They were both in Seoul but she seldom called and only met that time for dinner when Shan Mei introduced him to Michael and this other time when he got drunk over another stupid jealous tantrum. And all the other times briefly when they both attended the same functions. During such brief occasions, they merely exchanged polite pleasantries. Yet he had to control his jealousies when he saw many of the other scions from some of Seoul’s most powerful families fawning over her for attention. He must rid himself of his insecurities and trust Shan Mei implicitly.

That day after the award ceremony, he thought she would drop by his house with her parents. Her parents did visit, and apologised Shan Mei couldn’t make it at the last minute because she was still sitting in at the meeting that had been going on since the afternoon, with her American guests. But she had asked Ma to prepare most nutritious abalone congee for Xue Zhang, saying he was not feeling well. Pa and Ma brought over a big pot, with lots of other side dishes. The whole family enjoyed the congee, Yin Senior kept saying it was so delicious. Stepmother wanted the recipe. Ma simply made fresh fish and pork stock as the soup base with some Chinese herbs added, then made the abalone congee with the soup base. Very nutritious for Xiang Zhe who had to work so hard at the TV station. Xiang Zhe had at least 4 bowls; each time he spooned some congee into his mouth, honey was coating around his heart that was already filled with secret delight.

Apart from business dates, he had heard it was impossible to get Zhen Shan Mei to accept private dates. Every morning, he would leaf through the newspapers’ social pages to search for photos or gossips of Shan Mei out with so and so on private dates. So far the only photos he had seen of her were all taken at business functions, the most prominent one being the full page of photos of her, Mr. S. D. Sung and Michael Dutton when CTN-KE launched its Korean services and Korean Kinship, Bansung being the major sponsor and VVIP guest. He was invited to the launch too, but he skipped it, not trusting himself to behave if he saw that Bansung guy fawning over Shan Mei.

A week before CTN-KE’s official launch, that Mr. S.D. Sung had been all over the newspapers almost daily, telling news reporters the superb quality of the programmes to be aired through CTN-KE and the amount of advertising money Bansung was prepared to spend on programmes through CTN-KE.

Didn’t You Zhen once told him that he was forever on Shan Mei’s mind, and he had to believe it.
==

She gave him a few minutes to gather himself together, then asked whether he wanted her to put the cufflinks on for him? He was too overwhelmed. Still remaining silent, he nodded. Shan Mei sat there putting the cufflinks first on one cuff then on the other.

Xiang Zhe caught her hand not wanting her to move away. They sat there each immersed in their own thoughts, serenaded by the beautiful, haunting music in the background. Xiang Zhe didn’t trust himself to speak. If he opened his mouth now, he would surely ask Shan Mei to marry him. He had the ring in his pocket, he had had it with him since the day he bought it in London. He just couldn’t put pressure on her, she was just starting out on a brilliant career. He couldn’t be so selfish. He loved her too much. He wanted her to enjoy her success, even if it was for a little while.

“Shan Mei, thank you for this very beautiful night, which I never expected. I’ll never ever forget it. I want to be able to spend all my forthcoming birthdays with my one and only Zhen Shan Mei”, and he turned round to caress her cheek lovingly, his hand shaking and lingering. He didn’t trust himself to do more.

Chapter 30

A fund raising event was being televised ‘live’ by SGS TV Station. This event was to raise funds to resettle the sudden influx of asylum seekers who had been fleeing across the borders, at an alarming rate.

Many film and TV celebrities, socialites and dignitaries were involved in all aspects of the charity drive.

The organiser of the event had sought the assistance of Miss Zhen Shan Mei to appeal for more funds. Miss Zhen had promised to appear in the final segment of the show.

With just two more hours to go before the end of the show, the emcee of the show announced that Miss Zhen Shan Mei’s flight had just touched down at the airport and was on her way to the studio to help co-host the last hour of the show. The organisers were banking on Zhen Shan Mei’s popularity as she had last month won the Most Popular TV Personality of The Year Award. They hoped her loyal fans would support her in the appeal.

As soon as Shan Mei appeared on the stage making her appeal speech, all dedicated phones at SGS were busy ringing with incoming calls, and the amount so far raised increased rapidly by the minute.

Fifteen minutes after Shan Mei was on stage, the presiding emcee made a startling announcement. An anonymous donor had pledged 20 Million Won for Zhen Shan Mei to sing and play the guitar. Shan Mei tried to excuse herself off by claiming she didn’t have her guitar with her. Xiang Zhe had anticipated Shan Mei would make this sort of excuse. He had sent his personal assistant with his guitar and the pledge to SGS prior to the arrival of Shan Mei.

Miraculously, a guitar appeared before Shan Mei’s eyes. A single long stemmed rose accompanied the guitar. Him ? Again pledging his support? She tied the rose to the microphone stand with a handkerchief, the one she had received years back from loyal fan ‘Y’, which she retrieved from one of her pockets.

As she held the guitar in one hand, she said on behalf of the asylum seekers she would give her all to thank the generous donor. Her sweet shy smile came on.

After plucking a few chords for testing, she began strumming away, what appeared to be a medley of Xiang Zhe’s favourite tunes from the tablatures he had given to her the day after Brighton. Her fingers seemed to be flying among the strings effortlessly.

She moved her position slightly, then started singing ‘I give You My All.” She finally ended her performance with a brief medley of his other favourite tunes interspersed with an old favourite ‘Have I told You Lately That I Love You?’ All the while Xiang Zhe was staring at the screen, his hands clasped over his mouth, totally immersed, totally blown away by her voice, the music, the sensational Shan Mei. At this time, he was shaking his head, rubbing his left eye with his left knuckle and smiling in disbelief….What a girl ? He should say “child woman” recalling the bewitching expression on her face, the look of a woman so fulfilled with love and bliss.

He was still overwhelmed with emotion recalling the special meaning of the lyrics to that song which he had silently dedicated to her at one of their MBS company outings. He was choked with unshed tears. At that point, he knew he loved Shan Mei even more, a love beyond description, and he was also sure of Shan Mei’s love for him, just as intense. Although she had never once declared openly she loved him, her ‘acts of love’ held deeper meaning as she was usually so shy around him, and very cautious with her words when it came to her innermost feelings.

The viewers before their TV screens must have been just as captivated because the calls kept coming in non stop with more donations, and more requests for her to sing another song.

Shan Mei was exuberant yet exhausted by her concentration. She had not prepared herself for this.

As the Won amount displayed on the board kept rising, she thanked her loyal fans for their support.

The emcee made another surprise announcement. The heir apparent of Bansung Group, Mr. S. D. Sung, a strong support of CTN-KE, also pledged 50 Million Won for Shan Mei to dance with him, and he was already on his way to the SGS TV station.

Xiang Zhe, sitting in front of the TV at home, was livid upon hearing this news. What was the matter with these guys? Didn’t they realise Shan Mei was his and they should all keep away? His father was right. He had to do something fast, otherwise his precious jewel would be stolen from him !

Shan Mei apologised to the presiding emcee that while rushing from the airport to the TV studio she sprained her ankle somehow and thought it prudent not to add further strain to the ankle by dancing. Since Mr. Sung was so generous with his pledge, Shan Mei would like to substitute with a tune on her flamenco guitar, and the station would try to arrange a tango partner for Mr. Sung if he had no objection. She had never played publicly but would do so in the name of charity.

Shan Mei always traveled with her flamenco guitar. Mr. Sung was agreeable, and when he came on stage he was beaming his big wide smile, just as famous as Shan Mei’s. He thanked her profusely with a hand shake; he took a while to disengage his hand. Xiang Zhe was cursing under his breath. He hadn’t got over the shock his Shan Mei could really play any of the classical guitars, now he had to contend with another supposed-to-be rival ?

The emcee announced the show would close with Shan Mei’s number and last minute donations by phone would be accepted up to midnight that night.

The whole studio auditorium was quiet. Safe to say the viewers watching the show were waiting with bated breath to see what this little girl could do!

Spotlight was on Shan Mei, with her flamenco guitar in one hand sitting on a high chair in one corner of the stage, and another moving spotlight on the dancing couple. The stark background, Shan Mei’s immaculate rendition and her lovelorn expression so perfectly matched the mood of the music, and the couple dancing so beautifully across the stage in harmony to the tempo, the TV viewers was enthralled. Xiang Zhe was absolutely blown away! The entire Yin family was mesmerized !

Yin Snr was so emotionally swept away, he immediately exchanged some phone calls with his cronies who were top government officials outlining his plan to raise further funds for the asylum seekers, after tonight’s show. He would donate substantially for Shan Mei to play at a mini concert to be organised by him, guaranteed ticket sales and anticipated door collection would bring in Billions of Won in donations. The Government department simply had to okay the event and open up 5 public parks.

Xiang Zhe somehow got drift of his father’s plans, but he couldn’t care less. He simply couldn’t take his eyes off Shan Mei. He could feel the passion in her music and her play. Was this the kind of music they would make together once they were married? He knew that night he would be kept awake by watching both replays in the privacy of his room !

==

Chapter 31

Workers were busy working and walking around the park.
The stage was set up very simply and all lit up brightly in and around the stadium. This was a no-frills 2-hour long mini concert, the sole purpose was to raise further funds to resettle the asylum seekers.

20,000 tickets, 2-tiered pricing, stadium seating were all sold out just one day after they were offered to the public. Mr. Sung of Bansung bought out half of the top priced tickets, while the rest of the top priced tickets were taken up by Korean Football Association.

Because of Yin Snr’s public image, many top corporate figures made several pledges and assisted gratis in various areas re the staging of this event. In less than a week all logistics were put into place. Xiang Zhe oversaw the entire operation to make sure everything would go smooth.

When MBS first approached Shan Mei with the idea, she was worried CTN wouldn’t let her do it. Xiang Zhe took it upon himself to put forward the proposal to Michael and thought it would be goodwill for CTN too. Michael agreed to the arrangement at once, and also suggested that Jose and the boys fly out from London to be there to back up Shan Mei. This was too good to be true.

In fact Michael liked the idea very much. He wanted to see what MBS could do. The MOU for cooperation and CTN channelling rights was already signed and sealed, just waiting for official announcement.

After discussing with Shan Mei, the layout for the stage was finalised by Uncle Jose. Jose with Shan Mei in tow had briefing with the camera crew regarding the best angles to shoot and whether the lighting was okay. Of course, as they went along Jose explained the whole process to Shan Mei, making this another training exercise for her in her work as production team member. This was the first time Xiang Zhe saw the two of them working together and at once felt their closeness. Instead of being jealous, he told himself to be thankful. During the time when he couldn’t be by her side, at least there were these wonderful and helpful people to see her through, and these were the people so inherent to her present success!

A private area at the back of the stage had been partitioned off, for resting and refreshments.

At 7.30 p.m. sharp the show commenced. Apart from the organising chairman, President Yin who was on stage to present his mock cheque to the Relief Fund’s organising chairman, several other large sponsors came on to present their own mock cheques. Even Michael’s family trust pledged a sizeable sum.

They expected substantial collection at door at the 5 open parks spread across the city, where people were still trying to pack in. An atmosphere of excitement pervaded the city.

After the cheque presentation ceremony was over, Shan Mei gave a little touching speech about democracy and asked for a 1-minute observance of silence for those who perished in the flight across the border.

Lights dimmed, with only a spotlight on her at her stand in the middle of the stage, Shan Mei started playing lightly, increasing the pitch and intensity gradually, she was completely lost in her own little world, laying bare her soul-stirring life story of love found, lost and then regained (?). Jose, standing behind her immediately detected a newer, deeper maturity in her play and wondered what had brought this on. No one who was there could overlook her inference of a passionate awakening. Has Shan Mei fallen in love ? Who was the lucky guy ? Jose looked around wondering ? Sitting in the VIP area was a host of eligible bachelors ! Which one ?

Xiang Zhe was in the rest room back stage. He was just about to drink from his can of Coke when he was suddenly so overcome by her rendition he stood agape. He felt she was playing to him, and to him alone. He was drowning, drowning in the music, Shan Mei taking him with her on her emotional roller coaster ride. He silently cried, he now believed she truly loved him. No more self doubts ?

As if in a trance, he thought he heard, in the distance, thunderous ovation that was roaring throughout the stadium. “Oh, my beautiful Shan Mei, you are my love !” He stood there stunned.

Shan Mei came running in like a little girl. She looked like a little girl, dressed in blue denims, blue top, white sneakers, her hair tied up in a pony tail. Her face was red with excitement and hot with perspiration. She saw Xue Zhang standing, holding a can of Coke. She ran up to him, grabbed his can and took a few gulps from it. Laughing deliriously she put down her guitar and hugged Xue Zhang. He awoke from his reverie, then began raining kisses on Shan Mei’s face, at the same time, taking a hankie from his pants pocket to wipe away her perspiration. Holding her head to his chest now tight with emotion, he asked “this is the one secret ?” not really meaning whether it was the flamenco guitar or her silent declaration of her love for him. Shan Mei simply nodded, and such happiness overflowing from her, that she was able to share such an enchanted moment with her Xue Zhang.

Jose and his boys continued the flow with their playing. 20 minutes later Shan Mei was back on stage. She played several solo numbers, then was joined by Jose, then finished several numbers with the whole group, reviving the camaraderie they had shared on location shooting.

The concert was nearing its end. Three other guitars were already put in place. Two standing by Shan Mei and one at front of the stage. Shan Mei put aside her flamenco guitar. A signal from Shan Mei, and Xiang Jie ran up to stage to stand next to her. They each strapped on their guitars.

“Mr. Yin Xiang Zhe ? Mr. Yin Xiang Zhe ? You are wanted on the stage.”

That was Shan Mei calling out for him. What was she up to? He ran towards the stage, and up the short flight of steps, and gesticulated breathlessly in a fun way “What’s up?”

Shan Mei pointed to the guitar sitting on its stand beside a standing microphone at the right corner up front of the stage : “that’s yours.”

Smilingly he shook his head, in good humour and carried away by the bouyant mood, he grabbed the guitar and strapped it across his chest. Shan Mei smiled and gave him a V sign. He gave her a wink that held a wealth of meaning. Soon they were singing and stomping away following the music sheets and words displayed on the gigantic display screens. Xiang Zhe remembered the times in London when he and Shan Mei always stopped by the buskers in the streets, enjoying their music, never once imagining one day he and Shan Mei would be together like this on stage. Many had come with their guitars and very soon the whole stadium was in a state of arousal with singing and music. 50,000 other people or more in 5 other parks in the city were participating in same revelry, like some kind of rally.

Below the stage, watching from the front row, Yin Snr was bursting with pride. He never expected to see both his sons up there. Only Shan Mei could pull off this sort of stunt. When Father and Elder Son came back from London last June, and Xiang Jie heard about Shan Mei’s feat at the Brighton Music Festival, he nagged his dad that he too wanted to learn the guitar. Yin Snr was thankful he didn’t refuse his younger son. And Shan Mei had encouraged Xiang Jie to open up, trying to include him in almost all her activities whenever possible.

Zian Da standing along one of the aisles was open-mouthed with admiration. That Shan Mei was simply awesome. No womanly wiles, no funny tricks, simply by being her sweet natural self, she had the 3 Yin men eating out of her palms.

Despite the various calls for encore, Shan Mei rounded the performers together on stage to bid a final goodnight. All were hugging each other. Mr. Sung was just getting ready to come on stage, when Shan Mei made her getaway with Jose and the boys, making Xiang Jie responsible for packing away her guitars.

Xiang Zhe took upon himself to announce the concert had ended. And apologised for the hasty departure of Miss Zhen Shan Mei because she had to escort her colleagues to airport to catch flight back to London.

All the VIPs present came up to Yin Snr to congratulate him on the astounding success of the concert. It was a brilliant idea. What a coup to be able to get Miss Zhen Shan Mei to perform. They would get the other ‘big guns’ to pledge further donations. They were sure the total amount collected could easily exceed the target set.

Meanwhile Uncle Zhen passed message to Xiang Zhe that Shan Mei had left word with him that all the workers staying back to dismantle the stage and clean up, would be treated to supper of kimchi noodles at their shop, gratis Shan Mei. Xiang Zhe smiled in appreciation. That was his Shan Mei, always thinking of others.

After his father left with Xiang Jie for home, he loaded Shan Mei’s and his guitars into his car before he did anything else. Xiang Jie was nagging him not to forget. He had to take a breather to relax. He took out a cigarette and lit it up. Zian Da, sitting next to him, began stating the obvious; that tonight many of those most eligible bachelors were out in force, eyeing Shan Mei, especially that Mr. Sung from Bansung. He was too obvious in his interest of Shan Mei. Xiang Zhe pulled the freshly-lit cigarette out of his mouth, mindlessly blowing smoke circles into the air, his mind preoccupied. He threw the cigarette on the ground, crushed it out with his shoes. Still remaining silent, he gave Zian Da a bleak look, then walked off, his shoulders slumped, his hands pushed into the back pockets of his jeans.

He went to check on the dismantling work in progress. Then he went over to the noodle shop to help out. The workers who were there told Gui Cheng they really enjoyed the noodles. Xiang Zhe told Uncle to go home and rest. He and his assistant would stay back to pack and clean up. Before Gui Cheng left, he reminded Xiang Zhe that Shan Mei would be back later that night; she had one carton of food supply to take back to her apartment.

Chapter 32

Her father had remained back to serve the workers. Shan Mei was really so grateful to have such understanding and supportive parents.

Making her way towards the shop, she noticed it was in darkness. Only the street lights along the asphalt paths of the park were on and bright enough. In the semi shadow of the shop, Shan Mei could make out the silhouette of a man busy packing and clearing away.

“Pa, thank you for helping out.”

“Emm..” came a grunt

Shan Mei saw a rose on her special table. “Xue Zhang left a rose again ? He really is the most adorable fool !”

Picking up the rose, she held it to her nose. It smelled sweetly wonderful. She bent further towards it, as if wanting to capture the fragrance completely and bottle its essence forever in her heart. His gesture was lovely, his thought lovelier still. The meaningful fragrance was so very intoxicating.

In fact she was still deliriously drunk by tonight’s turn of events. She never expected such feverish response from the crowds, from the participants and from her heart. She was utterly exhausted by the physical exertion, but seeing Xue Zhang’s exhilaration and constant straying of his eyes towards her when they were carried away by their music and singing, she wanted the show to go on and on.

They kept searching for each other’s face, eyes, mouth and hands, sending unspoken messages of love and longing to each other. She was so seduced by the senses, she kept forgetting what she was supposed to be singing. Little Xiang Jie noticed her wandering mind, and tried to cover up for her by singing louder. The little dear !

Still lost in her thoughts and reminiscing, she wasn’t even aware of a pair of eyes following her as she walked along the boardwalk at the edge of the lake. She stood against the wooden railings, swinging the rose gently from side to side. She gazed up towards the clear star-lit sky, the rose now held very close against her heart, she rested awhile then gently whispered “you’re so beautiful” to nothing and no one in particular. The man watching from the shadows couldn’t help admiring her beauty and grace, the pulse at his throat throbbing wildly

She was still leaning against the wooden railings, musing and secretly smiling to herself, she continued to inhale the sweet fragrance from the rose for a few silent moments. Completely enrapt in the perfect stillness of the night, Shan Mei suddenly shouted out across the waters: “Yin Xiang Zhe, I love you and miss you very much, missing you so much. Are you getting my telepathy message ?”

Suddenly Shan Mei was grabbed from behind in a tight bear hug. Before she could scream out loud, a familiar voice whispered into her ear, “Of course I did. I sent the same message to you a few moments before you came. We’ve always been close telephatically. We’re so close that we never really left each other even when you were oceans away. Shan Mei, I love you so much. I‘ve been missing you like crazy.”

Xiang Zhe then loosened his grip. He reached out and turned her shoulders slowly until she faced him. He took a deep breath and caressed her cheek.

He had thought of nothing except Shan Mei from the moment he saw her on the stage with Jose this evening.

Shan Mei very quickly recovered from her shock wondering where did he appear from? She lightly pushed him away. His eyes were bright and his mouth curved into a delicious smile. His crisp dark hair was windblown, a lock fell across his forehead. Shan Mei had never seen him looked more handsome. “What are you doing here?”

“Just trying to kiss my girl, letting her know how much I miss her” and gave her his besotted look.

Shan Mei wasn’t going to be tricked by him. “Where’s Pa ?”

She hasn’t even begun to clear her head, when Xiang Zhe pulled her back into his arms again so he could look at her. “I told your Pa to go home and rest, to leave the clearing up and packing to me. He told me you would return to collect your things after your saw Jose and the boys back to the hotel.”

Xiang Zhe pulled Shan Mei closer and cradled her face in his hands. He looked deep down into her eyes, big and round in wonderment, now drowning in unshed tears.

“Marry me, Shan Mei?!! I don’t want to wait anymore. I can’t!!” he choked hoarsely. “I love you too much and I’m missing you terribly.”

[ In his mind, Xiang Zhe thought this was the perfect place to put to rest all demons from the past. It was here that Shan Mei shouted her farewell and blessings to You Zhen for his future happiness. And it would be here that Xiang Zhe would promise to love and cherish Shan Mei forever. From this very walkboard, one sad memory came to an end, while a bright and happy future would await them as they walk together down the Path of Love ].

He then stroked her cheek ever so gently, his hand shaking with tenderness, and bent his head to kiss her. While his mouth caressed hers, Shan Mei forgot all the reasons why she wanted them to wait. She lost herself in the magic of his touch. Feeling her body slowly relaxing, Xiang Zhe deepened his kiss and pulled her tighter against him. As Shan Mei slid her arms around his neck, Xiang Zhe coaxed her lips open and his tongue twined with hers. Shan Mei’s sweet response and soft moans of pleasure drove Xiang Zhe insane. He kept murmuring incoherent words of love, one moment kissing her lighly, another moment pulling at her lips, and another kissing her deeply. They came up for breath, both their eyes dark with passion, brimming with unshed tears. With sheer exuberant joy, Shan Mei tightened her arms around him, but the words wouldn’t come, she simply nodded and nodded, teardrops threatening to flow.

Xiang Zhe let go of Shan Mei slowly and reluctantly, not daring to take his eyes away from her radiant face, afraid if he did so, Shan Mei would disappear into thin air. He held on to her left hand, brought it up to his mouth, he pressed his lips gently to her fingers. Meanwhile he quickly took out the ring he bought in London and which he had always been keeping in his trouser pocket, he slid it onto Shan Mei’s ring finger. It fitted perfectly.

Shan Mei was too overcome with the intensity of her love for Xiang Zhe, to say anything, just staring at it, realising in one fleeting moment, this was the culmination of an almost 8-year journey. This important fact was not lost on Xiang Zhe too.

His lips captured hers again. Sighing blissfully, Shan Mei opened her mouth to his once more. This time, he plundered her mouth with the pent-up privation and need of a thousand fruitless nights of waiting for her. He hungrily savoured her sweetness and warmth and gave her back his passion and strength. They didn’t talk.

After what seemed like ages, and both fully sated with their love and passion, they drew apart, Shan Mei’s lips all red and swollen. Xiang Zhe ran his fingers tenderly around her mouth, and wanted to kiss her some more.

With strong willpower, he pulled away. Instead, he placed his arm protectively and lovingly around her shoulders, her arm wrapped tightly around his waist, they silently made their way back to the shop, their happiness overflowing.

They began loading the boxes into Xiang Zhe’s car, locked up the shop, then made their way to the car.

In the car, they looked silently at each other with so much happiness, their eyes reflecting and reveling in the promise of endless love. Xiang Zhe placed his right hand over Shan Mei’s left hand, as if making sure his ring could never escape. He leant towards Shan Mei to taste the sweetness of her luscious lips once more. He started the engine, very slowly he released the hand brake, very gently he eased the car onto the asphalt pathway, and soon they were on the main road speeding towards the direction of Shan Mei’s apartment.

Their hearts beating in unison !
With the promise of another joyous tomorrow !
But tonight, the magic of the night was theirs !
==

Chapter 33

“Oh, No!” Xiang Zhe hissed under his breath. Shan Mei sat up alert “What’s the matter?”

“Paparazzi!”

Xiang Zhe recognised MBS roving reporter’s van. As he approached he also saw the SGS van, and many other news reporters with their camera crew standing around the area keeping vigilance.

He asked Shan Mei to keep her head down. He would turn into the condominium next to hers, and from there drive back to where they came from.

They decided to make for Shan Mei’s father house. This time they were more cautious. As they approached they saw a few unfamiliar cars parked there. Shan Mei kept her head down, Xiang Zhe continued to drive on, making his way towards his father’s house.

As they walked into the main hall of the house, the place was brightly lit up. Yin Snr was still up, too excited to sleep. He had been on the phone with his friends, one after another. Some had been calling with news that the auditors, at last count, confirmed door takings at all the 6 venues came to an unbelievable large amount surpassing expected target, others called to confirm they wanted to pledge to the cause.

This was the first time Yin Snr was personally involved in spearheading a charity drive. He never expected the satisfaction he would derive from it. The whole thing looked so simple – Xiang Zhe such a capable coordinator, he was not the Director of Planning all these years for nothing, right? And Shan Mei? Her charisma had people dipping into their pockets so willingly !

Just then Father saw Xiang Zhe walking in with Shan Mei, he holding on to her hand so tightly and grinning like Garfield who had just lapped up his bucket of cream. The couple sat down thirsting for some tea. “Anything happened?” asked Yin Senior curiously.

“Yes, the paparazzi teams were waiting outside Shan Mei’s condominium and at her father’s place, so we decided to check whether the coast was clear
here. Luckily it was! What happened to the phones ? I tried calling so many times to check. Busy signal all the times.”

“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing since I arrived home.”

The phone was ringing again. Apparently another congratulatory call from the way Yin Snr was happily carrying on.

Xiang Zhe wanted some coffee. He took Shan Mei into the kitchen, so she could make some coffee for them. From the food carton, she managed to put together a few light snacks. They were famished.

After Yin Snr hung up, he came to join them at the dining table. He ate a bit and praised Shan Mei profusely. She was getting really embarrassed. He went to his study and returned with a big brown envelope. He pushed it towards Shan Mei and told her it was his special present for her, the one he had prepared since last June. On opening, Shan Mei found a big bunch of keys and some important looking documents which looked like a title deed to a landed property in one of the most exclusive areas of Seoul. Shan Mei was flabbergasted, and in her bewilderment, said she couldn’t accept something so valuable.

According to Yin Snr, the value of the house was nothing compared to the joy she had managed to bring to the Yin family. If one happy face meant one house, then she should be getting three. She should treat this as his pre-wedding present to her. Inside was also name card of an interior design company he had commissioned to handle the renovation work. Getting it ready for their wedding ? Don’t wait too long, he was getting impatient for grandchildren ? Shan Mei turned to look at Xiang Zhe not knowing what to say or do.

“Thank Father for the timely present, just like a good daughter-in-law” he looked at her ignoring her embarrassment.

Then he turned to his father “Father, Shan Mei has tonight accepted my proposal of marriage.” Laughing sneakily he grabbed hold of her left hand which she had hidden under the dining table, and showed it to his father. “We still haven’t told Shan Mei’s father.”

Yin Snr was too happy for words, his eyes resting on the ring on Shan Mei’s left hand. Without thinking, he immediately called Shan Mei’s father on the mobile.

Gui Cheng’s sleepy voice came on. “Brother Zhen, it’s me. Xiang Zhe just told me that Shan Mei has agreed to marry him. Our prayers have been heard. They wanted to come and see you but your house was surrounded by paparazzi……Yes, yes, come to my house tomorrow morning, we have to celebrate…..You think of a way to throw the news hounds off your trail?…Yes, she is spending the night here…alright, alright, goodnight!”

Father turned to the children. “Okay, it’s late now, go to rest. We’ll discuss further when Shan Mei’s father comes here tomorrow. Tomorrow being Sunday, we are all free.”

Xiang Zhe led the way to his apartment. In Shan Mei’s room, he switched on the lights, then the aircon. He showed her the set of new towels he had kept in one of the dresser drawers. The nightgown, after being laundered, was also stored in the dresser. Both of them didn’t mention one word of his appalling behaviour one night last December. In the adjoinging bathroom, her favourite toiletries were all there. “Xue Zhang, you’re the best” one sweet smile from her was enough to send him to heaven.

“You must be so tired. After washing up, go to sleep. Just leave the room door open in case you are scared.” His hands cradled her face. He looked deep into her eyes. “Thank you, Shan Mei” he murmured softly before kissing her tenderly on her lips. He couldn’t trust himself to linger even though he couldn’t bear to leave her there just like that. As he made his way out, he stopped at the door and asked mischievously “do you need help with your bath?” She pushed him out, stuck her tongue out at him then quickly shut the door.

Xiang Zhe stood there staring at the door, shaking his head in amazement. He couldn’t believe his Shan Mei, without one word of argument, did as she was told. He walked towards his bedroom scratching his head, not really believing her obedience. “What’s she up to?”

Over at the other side of the room, as soon as she shut the door, Shan Mei leant against it, breathing heavily, her heart beat racing, her mind in utter chaos. She had been too confused to argue. What had she done ? She had agreed to marry him! Being his wife would not be easy. With so many women drooling and swooning over him. Would she be able to control her jealousy? Or overcome her vulnerability? Could she trust him to keep to his promises? “Oh Xue Zhang, I love you so much, please don’t ever break my heart.” With a soft sigh, she went to take a long, hot shower.

She felt much, much better after that. Confidence returning, she was in the mood to even dare take a look of herself in the full length mirror, to admire the gorgeouss nightgown. She had to admit, her milky white complexion went very well with the bluesy hue of the chiffon, or should she say the bluesy hue brought out the lustre of her milky white skin. Now she understood why Xue Zhang said the colour blue was becoming on her. She must seek his advice more often, thinking of the beautiful and elegant 2-pc suit he gifted her for MBS 20th anniversary !

She left the room door open, then crawled into bed. Her Xue Zhang was just a room away. She felt so blessed, so loved, so protected.

The first sunlight of the day seeped through the lacy curtains. She felt something hot on her face. She opened her eyes and stretched out her arms. Xue Zhang’s face was propped on his elbows at the side of the bed, his eyes staring at her. She sat up immediately.

“Did you sleep well my lovely bride-to-be?” Shan Mei simply nodded her head.

“Do you want to wake up now?” Shan Mei nodded her head, too shy for words.

“Do you want to read this morning’s papers to see what they wrote about last night’s concert?” She nodded her head, this time a smile appearing.

“Do you want to give me a kiss?” Shan Mei shook her head, all shy and confused with his teasing.

“You’re a spoil sport. Can’t you humour your husband-to-be a bit?”

“After we are married, my husband can have all the kisses he wants whenever he wants.”

“Really? You promise? Let’s get married right away.”

She got up and wanted to shower. Xiang Zhe lent her his tightest fitting T- shirt, but on her it was still grossly oversized, the hem coming down over her knees. He was laughing very hard, kept saying she looked so adorable. Xiang Zhe suggested since it was still very early and the morning so beautiful may be they could drive over to the new house and take a look.

The house was very spacious with 2 and a half storeys, laid out over sizeable grounds, commanding a panoramic view of the valley below.

Shan Mei on inspecting the upper floor, commented in horror that his father must be expecting lots of grandchildren. There were 5 bedrooms not including the master bedroom suite! Xiang Zhe answered with a suggestive smile and a wicked glint in his eyes.

“Xue Zhang!!! And I thought you said you didn’t want children” she pouted.

“And I also said I didn’t want to get married,” he reminded her.

“You also said you were a happy man. Does that mean you are now so unhappy, wanting a wife and children?”

“Now, I’m a blessed man.” And he pulled her towards him, his hands circling her waist, looking adoringly into her face “and it’s all because of you, my darling. Because of you, I understand with love I need never be lonely again, with caring it means I want to be by your side forever.”

They loved the house, and both agreed they would ask the ID company to submit plans and proposals for renovation work. Xue Zhang to be in charge of this project.

Later in the morning, Shan Mei’s father arrived at Yin’s family home, after managing to evade some of the reporters still waiting around their area. He bought a few changes of clothes for Shan Mei. He was beaming from ear to ear, patting Xiang Zhe on the back. “Don’t disappoint me, son. I’m giving you my precious daughter, you’d better give me a grandchild soon.”

At the end of the day, they all agreed the wedding to be held in July, giving them just a little less than 4 months to prepare. Xiang Zhe wanted an earlier date, but Shan Mei needed to plan her work schedule at CTN. Xiang Jie was all excited, but he must not leak the information out, not until an announcement had been made in the press by the couple themselves.

The concert was already one-day old news, why were the news reporters still hounding her for interview? It has been very tiring for her, these 9 months, since her return to Seoul, not that she was not grateful for their interest, but the press had been too intrusive into her personal life. She’ll have to face them tomorrow.

Xiang Zhe told her not to think too much. He had already instructed their P.R. Department to call a press meeting at MBS tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. to give latest run down on the concert. After that if they wanted more information, they should go to the appropriate government department handling resettlement of the asylum seekers.

This would give her ample time to get into her office before the reporters call on her. Caressing her cheeks, Xiang Zhe told her not to worry. He guessed the whole maelstrom most probably about why Chairman of Wen Rong Group was so generous in donation and efforts? Love Affair? Jose was especially there accompanying her, love affair? Bansung’s Mr. Sung’s support for her so obvious and strong, love affair? Their whole objective was to try to create non existent juicy gossip to increase newspaper sales.

Shan Mei couldn’t control a giggle. If she was supposed to have the time and the energy to be conducting so many parallel love affairs, she wondered who was running the network ?

“Yeah” Xiang Zhe chipped in, with a twinkle in his eyes, “you ask them exactly that!”

And he grabbed Shan Mei for a quick kiss.

Chapter 34

“Hello Senior, Xiang Zhe here.” Michael at the other end of the line really liked to be addressed as ‘senior.’ Why didn’t they think of it sooner. It was only after hearing Shan Mei address Xiang Zhe as ‘senior’ that he felt there was this certain kind of intangible closeness. After all, he was Xiang Zhe’s senior, he was ahead of him at Cambridge by a few years!

“Yes Junior, I heard the concert was extremely successful. I saw the footage that Jose brought back. I’ve asked him to duplicate a copy for you. You are a man of your words.” Jose said MBS made one master copy only. The master to go to CTN, no one else, that being the condition set down by CTN.

“Senior, thanks. Thanks also for your generous donation. The Government Resettlement Department will send you a letter of acknowledgement any one of these days. They told my father they really appreciated your goodwill gesture.

Anyway, I want to let you know that Shan Mei has just accepted my proposal of marriage.”

“You lucky dog!!! Make sure you don’t make her cry any more. Otherwise I’m going to blow MBS apart.”

Laughingly Xiang Zhe countered “you make sure she doesn’t nag. I don’t know where a tiny bundle like her gets so much energy to nag all day ?”

“Come on, Junior, you don’t need me to teach you what to do every time she opens her mouth! I’ve noticed the way she harps on about things. Many times I was so tempted to kiss her luscious lips just to shut her up. After a while she got the drift. Now, she wouldn’t even dare waste a second of her time nagging at me. She does that in her emails. Any date set yet?”

“Shan Mei decided on July, giving her enough time to plan properly for her CTN schedule. Of course I would prefer an earlier date. Senior, I want a favour from you. This thing has been niggling at the back of my mind for a long time. The last programme Shan Mei did for MBS was “Musical Postcard” on radio. Before the programme finished that night, she fainted and I sent her to hospital. After that, she went off to London, the rest of the story I am sure you’re aware of. “Musical Postcard”, a bi-weekly radio show she hosted was her favourite programme. Is there a way CTN can release Shan Mei so that she can host this radio programme again? Once a week? It’s radio so I thought there would be no conflict with her television appearance. There will be no printed publicity or whatever other than the radio. I want to give her this as her birthday present. And also to lay to rest some demons. I don’t want to leave unresolved even the tiniest bit of misunderstanding from the past. So Senior, are you going to help your juniors?”

“Such a romantic gesture. I couldn’t have done better. Tell you what, email me the details of the programme, and I’ll see what I can do. I’ve just thought of something. One thing you must promise, no sponsors for this programme, so I can convince the other directors it’s some kind of civic-minded service for the community that CTN wants to cooperate with MBS now that we have selected MBS as our channel provider after our contract with SGS expires. Sounds reasonable explanation, eh?

How come Shan Mei hasn’t told me she’s getting married?”

“Give her a couple more days, okay? She’s even too shy to acknowledge to herself I’m her future husband. She’s still trying to convince herself that I have proposed, and she has accepted. Sometimes I wonder what goes on in that little head of hers? She’s such a baby. Thanks for your help, Senior. I’ll shoot the email off to you within the hour.”
===

One early April morning.
Just as he was approaching the dining room for breakfast, Xiang Zhe heard his father and younger brother discussing the trip to Yanbian at the end of April with Shan Mei. Xiang Zhe wondered why Shan Mei never told him about it? She was now his fiancee, he had the right to know her movements. He was so disappointed he was not invited along. So, his brother was going along as her assistant? What a laugh? What did he know? Even though Yanbian was considered autonomous region for ethnic Koreans in N.E. China, these Koreans spoke in Korean dialect, Xiang Zhe was sure his younger brother wouldn’t understand, nor did he know the Chinese language.

That night, Xiang Zhe purposely invited Shan Mei to dinner to the open air pier restaurant where they had celebrated her 26th birthday, to put her in good mood. At the end of the meal when they were having coffee, he asked Shan Mei whether she could take a few days off at the end of April to take holiday with him on Cheju Island. The rape flowers at that time of the year would be in full bloom, making the island seemed as if covered by yellow carpet. So beautiful!

Shan Mei looked interested but apologised. “It may appear to you that I am reluctant to visit Cheju with you, having already refused your first invitation last December. I have a Korean Kinship project at the end of the month.”

She looked at Xiang Zhe in an undecided sort of way, before continuing,
“Actually I want to invite you along for this project, but you’re the DoP of MBS. I’m afraid to take you away from your office for 4-5 days. Also, there are too many other considerations to take into account.”

Xiang Zhe’s heart was pumping. His opening gambit worked. “Away 4 or 5 days? If I plan to make myself free for 4-5 days at the end of April to have holiday with you on Cheju, of course I can spend that time with you some place else. Where are you going? Will I be in the way?”

“I’ll be in Yanbian in N.E. China to reconnoitre the area for a KK episode. Korean Travel Bureau has especially asked me to do the episode, to assist them in opening up the area as a potential tourist destination. After KK episodes on the Aleutians and other South Pacific islands, KTB registered a significant rise in travel by Koreans to these regions. KTB expects great potential, seeing Yanbian is so near to South Korea and has the famous scenic Changbai Mountains.

I’ve invited Xiang Jie along as my assistant. If you come along, you’ll have to come along as KK crew. I was thinking it wouldn’t be fair and advisable for you to come under CTN banners.”

“Advisable or not, I’m the one to decide! If I get to go on a trip with my beloved Shan Mei, even if I get to go along as your cleaning maid, I’ll gladly tag along.” He then caught on to her hands, giving her his besotted look, and his most delicious smile, just to make sure she would seriously consider the matter.

By the time they finished their coffee, Shan Mei seemed happy and relaxed. From her seat, she looked up to the sky full of stars. “What a beautiful night” she mused, softly murmuring to herself whether the nights would be just as beautiful in Yanbian?

When they reached Shan Mei’s home, Xiang Zhe wanted to see her up to her apartment. Shan Mei suggested he go straight home. “It’s really late. I’ve got some work to do and won’t have time to entertain you!”

“Can’t the work wait till tomorrow? I’ve missed you so much.”

“Now that you’re coming along to Yanbian with me, as financial controller, I’ve got to let Michael know, then re-arrange all necessary paperwork.”

Xiang Zhe caught Shan Mei in his arms, big wide grin on his face, happy sparkle in his eyes, “is it true? I get to go along?”

Shan Mei nodded her head. “Yes, April 25-29. Let my secretary have your passport and 2 photographs by the end of the week, okay?”

Holding her close, kissing her tenderly on her lips and her face, his heart was bursting with joy, “Oh, Shan Mei, thank you, thank you. Just let me see you to your door. I’ll be good, I promise to go right home and sleep.”
==

The KK crew consisted of Shan Mei, Xiang Jie was her assistant, and had to take care of all personal arrangements and paperwork. Xiang Zhe went along as financial controller, which meant taking care of all money matters. He was given cash in Won and Chinese Renmenbi. An executive from KTB went along to assist in the reconnaissance. An Jun Mao, childhood friend whom Shan Mei considered as her brother, came along as photographer. An Jun Mao had joined CTN-KE 3 months after Shan Mei returned to Seoul with CTN-KE. Jun Mao was well known for his scenic and still life photography. If teamed up with You Zhen, they would make a formidable pair. The crew was each given a handphone, because their Korean mobile lines not usable in Chna. For security reasons, no one was allowed to go off on his own, during their time in China.

Their local guide was a pretty Chinese Korean girl. As soon as she laid eyes on Xiang Zhe, she was smitten and jumped at every opportunity to assist him, disregarding the ‘star’ of the group. Xiang Zhe was trying to avoid her, silently seeking his younger brother’s help to act as shield. Xiang Jie himself was busy, trying to get as much info into Shan Mei’s laptop as possible. The driver of their tour van doubled up as security guard. He looked tough and extremely muscular, like an ex-PLA soldier. When KTB rep stressed the importance of Zhen Shn Mei, the driver took it as his personal responsibility to ensure the safety of Miss Zhen. He followed her around everywhere, much to Xiang Zhe’s consternation, leaving them no privacy.

As they travelled along, Shan Mei frequently stopped randomly, wanting to meet several families, big time and small time traders, asking interesting questions to get an idea of the way they lived. When they were up at Changbai, Jun Mao was busy clicking away. The scenery was simply breathtakingly beautiful out of this world. They went to look for any family that had lived around the area for several generations. Shan Mei wanted to carry out on the spot real interview. Xiang Zhe saw how well Shan Mei and Jun Mao worked together. On their next trip to Jilin for filming, they would not be coming back to Changbai. The detour took up too much time.

During their second night in Yanbian, the KK team was invited for dinner with Comrade Ding, the Yanji City mayor. The mayor officially had one wife. In fact, he had 4 other sub-wives. The whole family came along. His eldest son was 32 years old, while his youngest child was a mere baby of 8 months, still nursing in her mother’s arms. Shan Mei came to the dinner, dressed in a tailored figure fitting version of the blue coloured standard worker’s uniform. She had on her plain, favourite teardrop pearl brooch.

When Xiang Zhe had asked Shan Mei, at the outset of the trip why she was not wearing her engagement ring, she told him it was too precious to be worn for such a trip in case she lost it. She had heard there were petty snatch thieves lurking around Yanbian street corners, it was a relief Xue Zhang could come along on the trip as ‘Money Man’.

After dinner, except Shan Mei and Jun Mao, the driver drove the rest of the team back to their hotel. Xiang Zhe was agitated. He wanted to know why they couldn’t stay back with Shan Mei, and kept giving the tour guide and driver flake for leaving. He was told Shan Mei had been granted a private interview at the city major’s private office. During dinner, Xiang Zhe had noticed the open interest the mayor’s eldest son had shown in Shan Mei. He wanted to know who would be responsible if anything happened to Shan Mei. The tour guide laughingly remarked Miss Zhen would be so lucky if the Mayor’s son was interested in her. The mayor’s son was looked upon as king in N.E. China. He had an inestimable fortune, due to his vast holdings of the finest ginseng roots, deer antlers and other highly valuable Chinese herbs. He was also not bad looking, and was educated in Moscow and America. He was an excellent horseman and archer, having represented his province or country in international competitions, including the Olympics.

The tour guide told them, this evening at dinner, as soon as Ding Jr saw Miss Zhen appear in the worker’s uniform, he already stated his intention to woo her. He had never met anyone more beautiful and with such good taste. The ladies from other TV stations and newspapers who usually came to interview them always tried to show off their expensive designers’ clothes.

Xiang Zhe didn’t want to hear more. Back at their hotel, when the tour guide tried to wheedle a date with Xiang Zhe in the lobby lounge, he lost his patience with her, and accused her of not doing her job properly. How could she let Miss Zhen go off on her own? Wasn’t it the understanding, at the outset of the tour, that none of them could go off on their own? They had to stay in a group. Even if the mayor wanted to grant Miss Zhen a private interview, she should have let them know, so they could discuss it among themselves, to reach a consensus. The pretty tour guide was shocked. All along she had thought this Money Man was so easy going and quiet, never making any noise, even though he realised the group was overcharged every time they ate anywhere or bought anything. Shouldn’t he be thanking the heavens their Miss Zhen had deeply impressed Ding Junior?

The next morning at breakfast, the tour guide noticed the Money Man in deep conversation with Miss Zhen. Miss Zhen smiled lovingly at him, as if letting him know nothing was amiss. Then only would the Money Man take his breakfast. Before their tour van took off, he again told the driver and tour guide that they had to let people know the KK team only travelled together and if anybody wanted to go off on his own, he had to be informed.

On the day of departure, the tour guide couldn’t bear to see Xiang Zhe go. The girl was crying wanting to know whether she could visit him in Seoul, at the same time trying to press her personal papers into his hands. Xiang Zhe was enbarrassed and didn’t know what to do, looking to Shan Mei for rescue. Shan Mei hid a smile with her hand. The KK team was amused,

Xiang Jie was fed up. Eventually, he went up to the girl. If she wanted to visit Seoul, she should not be asking his brother. She should be asking the ‘Boss, Miss Zhen’ who also happened to be Money Man’s wife!!! The girl looked confused and thought she was being teased. How come no one said anything before?

==

Chapter 35

After the Yanbian trip, Xiang Zhe hadn’t seen Shan Mei for the past month; she was either busy pre-recording or out of the country to reconnoitre suitable locations for so many of her forthcoming programmes. He was glad. He didn’t want her to return to Yanbian for filming, she should only go after their wedding in July. And he would make sure that mayor’s son, Mr. Ding would be aware of Shan Mei’s new marital status, by sending him a wedding announcement card, after the wedding. (Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei weren’t to know that Ding Junior would assist them greatly in the procurement of Chinese herbs some day in the future)

Xiang Zhe wanted to hear his angel’s sweet voice. “Hi, it’s me. Just call to see whether there’s any where special you want to go for your birthday next week?”

“I’ll be having special lunch with my parents at the noodle shop. You can come but only on one condition. That you please do not come with any of your expensive presents.”

“Why not? I love giving you presents. Please don’t deny me this little pleasure.”

“Remember you once told me the first time I left London that knowing you was my best present? At that time I thought it was spoken in jest. I didn’t realise it was so prophetic. It’s absolutely true. Knowing you is my best present. Marrying you will mean I can keep the treasured present forever. You are my treasure and that’s all I want and will ever need.”

“Can the treasure come looking for his treasure keeper tonight? I’ve missed you so much. Will you be working at the office, or back in your apartment? I’ll bring along your dinner. Call me later okay?”

For the rest of the day Xiang Zhe was sporting that silly besotted grin on his face. He was her treasure! Wow!!! Zian Da knocked on the director’s door, no answer. He pushed the door slightly open. He saw his junior staring at Peter Rabbit so intently that he didn’t even hear his knock, he backed off. That Xiang Zhe in this state would not be able to digest any bit of information intelligently. Even if he told him the world was coming to an end, he was sure Xiang Zhe would still smile and said it was okay.

Xiang Zhe wondered how he could ever think the Peter Rabbit figurine he was now staring so intently at was not suitable a present for him? He shook his head, spotting a silly grin on his face. These past 8 years he hadn’t spoken to a person as much as he had talked to Peter Rabbit. All the things he wanted Shan Mei to know, he told to Peter Rabbit. That time in London, every morning, on waking, he would give Peter a caress on his cheek, the same way he would want to caress Shan Mei if he had the chance. Every time he was stuck with a class assignment problem, he would hold Peter Rabbit in his hand, trying to coax some inspiration out of him, Shan Mei’s smile going through his mind.

Back in Seoul, every morning, in his office, at his desk, he would wish him “good morning”, then give him the usual caress. He had instructed his secretary Miss Lee that no one was allowed to touch it, not even the cleaning lady. That time when Shan Mei did her first test interview and couldn’t hide her tears, Xiang Zhe took Peter Rabbit in his hand, telling him Shan Mei’s soft heart was as soft as Peter’s rabbit fur. Was this the reason Shan Mei loved Peter Rabbit? Her nature was so like a rabbit? Soft, shy, happy, friendly, non-agressive and quietly working busily!

Zian Da went looking for Yong Xi. After serious discussion, they decided they would have to put their best efforts to work to help Xiang Zhe. After all, they almost spoiled things for him. Now that the day of his marriage to Shan Mei was fast approaching, this Xiang Zhe was most of the time either in dreamland, or supervising renovation work of his new house. They would have to shoulder most of the planning and programming responsibility, trying to make sure MBS wouldn’t come out too badly. Let Junior enjoy his long overdue happiness.
===

Tonight, 7th June, Xiang Zhe was very excited. He insisted on collecting Shan Mei at 6 for birthday dinner and he didn’t want to hear a ‘no’ from her. After she let him in when he arrived punctually at her apartment, he gave her a rose and a lingering kiss, his eyes were full of mischief? Because she was not allowed to ask questions, she began to nag.

Okay? She had nagged long enough, a full 5 minutes since she got into the car. He decided to put some advice into action. He stopped the car by a roadside carpark, turned around to face her, pulled her into his arms and gave her a long, soft kiss. Gosh, that tasted good!! But he must not linger. He gave her a satisfied grin, restarted the car and eased back onto the main road. Shan Mei was so shocked, she couldn’t say anything. When she got back a bit of her old semblance, she couldn’t help smiling sweetly and secretly to herself. That Xue Zhang was getting to be a very good kisser!

She couldn’t help stealing a sideway glance at him, then started giggling. She took a hankie from her handbag, focusing her attention on Xiang Zhe, began wiping away the lipstick mark left on his mouth. His heart was beating away riotously, but he had to concentrate on the road. Very soon he made his way into MBS carpark. Shan Mei was curious but she was not allowed to ask questions, remember? She just smiled sweetly.

He led her to the radio recording studio. Did Xue Zhang have some business to finish off at the studio before their dinner date? She saw her previous colleagues for the Musical Postcard show there. They started hugging one another and dancing around the place with squeals of delight. Suddenly they stopped dancing, they told Shan Mei she was the host for tonight’s Musical Postcard. They gave her the theme for tonight’s show. They found one of her old poetry books, and pointed to the postcard carousel on standby. Without fully realising it, she took her book, went with Xue Zhang into the room next door. She was stunned! She could expect a lot of things but never this ! “Oh Xue Zhang” she silently cried “you’re the best!” Tears were threatening to spill over, she looked at her treasure with such love, a smile wavering.

He pulled her into his arms, his voice hoarse with emotion “Happy birthday my sweet Shan Mei. This birthday present came from Michael and me. We love you, but remember I love you most.” He gave her another kiss, this time on her forehead, and told her she must not cry. He gave her the present to make her smile, not to make her cry. Then they sat down on the sofa, Xiang Zhe’s arms cradling her shoulders, so she could go through her poems to select one. From tonight onwards, she was to host this show once a week, permission already given by CTN.

Shan Mei’s 28th birthday ! Without spending a cent, the way his angel preferred, he had managed to give her so much joy. Even the most flawless diamond would not have been able to elicit such pure outpouring of love and happiness from her heart.

After the show Xiang Zhe suggested dinner at some place fancy; Shan Mei wanted to go home. She still had not calmed her mind regarding tonight’s special birthday present. She was so overwhelmed. She wanted to make special sushi rolls for Xue Zhang.

Someone had earlier in the day delivered a bottle of champagne and a few boxes of chocolates for her at the office. She gave Xiang Zhe a quizzing look, he innocently shook his head. Must be that Michael? They spent the night watching a romantic movie on VCD, sipping champagne, eating chocolates, snuggling quietly within each other’s arms on the sofa, ….oh so blissful. Shan Mei’s body was warm and soft beneath his hands and the sweet fragrant scent of her hair brushed his nostrils as she lay with her head against his shoulder ……..suddenly, Xiang Zhe looked down at Shan Mei, and out of nowhere enquired huskily in her ear as his embrace tightened, “Want to nag me some more ?”

Hammering him playfully on his chest, her cheeks turning rosy, she chided “Xue Zhang, you’re a naughty boy,” then she buried her face in the crook of his neck. A little while later, she lifted her mouth to give him a shy kiss on his jawline, “Xue Zhang, thank you.” Her eyes were closed and she luxuriated in simply being close to him. He couldn’t hide a contented smile.

Automatically, he pulled her tighter into his embrace, his chin buried in her silky hair, he was totally lost in her sweet fragrance and her love. Then his lips went searching for her lips. Their lips met, touched, parted, sighed and sealed against each other again and again.

She was so beautiful; he could feel the heat rise in his body. God, how he loved this girl and she loved him. Xiang Zhe growled deep in his throat and pulled Shan Mei closer and tighter against him. He was not looking forward to leaving his beloved Shan Mei tonight.

He heaved a sigh of disappointment, his breathing raspy and heavy.

Thank goodness, the wedding was just a month away!

*****Happy*****Happy*****Happy*****

Epilogue

For the perfect wedding night, please continue with
Miss Judy Chen (Taiwan) AAE2 Wedding Night
Translated by Carina Lee
Or
AAE Sequel: Tale Goes On - Wedding Night Special
Author: Irene
(available on AAE Club website)

+++

Following will be their life, after their wedding night.
Starting with AW-1, right to the end at AW-110 (AW = After Wedding)
Enjoy !
Thank you, Cynthia Muak

Dear Fans, A Star Is Born, Part II will return on 1 July 2006