Prompt Me

MGFFF: The Promise

Author's Note:

Hello,

This story was written as part of the Meteor Garden Fan Fiction Festival that is run by DramaLindy on Instagram. It's an alternative scene from Episode 23. Thanks for letting me play, Lindy!

Special shout-out to lindaisfangirling for helping me format it for submission. You da best. <3

- J.

***

The wind was roaring in her ears and her lungs were burning as she quickly ran through the cafeteria doors, down the numerous steps and across the grassy quad. She finally blinked and the unshed tears she had been holding back suddenly opened like a dam as they streamed down her cheeks. She roughly scrubbed them from her face but more tears simply took their place.

"Shancai!"

Her heart ached when she heard his concerned voice calling out to her, but she didn't stop; she ran faster instead.

One day. One day as Daoming Si's girlfriend. That was how long it took for her to break the promise she had made to herself. The promise to shut out the naysayers and doubters. The promise to be happy with him. The promise to be strong and fight for what she wanted.

It had started out fine at first. A few whispered remarks about her and Daoming Si officially dating. How lucky she was, how handsome he was, how envious they were.

But the moment he briefly stepped away, the comments grew ugly and malicious. Try as she might to steel herself and ignore them, she couldn't help but feel the sting of every unkind word.

How could Daoming Si date someone so average and plain?

Dong Shancai is a poor nobody trying to date above her.

Shancai's only dating Daoming Si for his money and he's stupid enough to let her.

I bet she's easy and Daoming Si's just using her for sex. How do we know Li Zhen really made up the story about Shancai and that foreign guy?

I give it one week before Daoming Si dumps Shancai and goes back to his other girlfriend – the tall, beautiful, fashionably dressed one that used to come by the school looking for him.

God, she hated herself for being so weak, for allowing those nasty whispers and judgmental stares to get to her. But she couldn't help it. She was average. She was plain. She was a poor nobody trying to date above her. He was Daoming Si: distinguished heir to the formidable Daoming empire, richer than Croesus, obscenely tall, incredibly athletic, outrageously handsome, wickedly smart, and dangerously charming when he wanted to be... was she really supposed to believe that he had chosen her out of all the other girls at Mingde and that he wouldn't come to regret that decision?

Shancai finally stopped running when she reached the familiar rooftop of the engineering building. Slowly slumping to the ground, she leaned her back against the wall and shut her eyes tightly as she fought to regain control over her emotions. Ironically, life was much easier when Daoming Si was the bane of her existence; at least then, she could fight to ignore him. Now, he was quickly becoming the center of her world and it terrified her.

Mere minutes passed before a warm presence suddenly invaded her personal space. Her watery eyes fluttered open and there he was, crouching in front of her, his handsome face etched with concern. 

"I thought I lost you when I passed the reflection pool," Shancai sniffled, her voice raw as she folded herself into a small ball and retreated even further from him. 

Daoming Si's heart broke as he took in her beautiful tear-stained face and defeated posture. His Shancai was obviously tormented for some reason and he desperately wanted to know why so that he could help her. He could sense that she was rebuilding that wall he had worked so tirelessly to tear down and fear gripped him when he considered the possibility that she may shut down and refuse to open up to him. He should be used to it by now, she did it so often before, but this time was different – they were officially together and he didn't think his heart could stand it if she didn't let him in.

He raised his hand and slowly rested it upon her cheek, his thumb gently wiping away her stray tears, his voice gentle as he said, "Silly girl. I told you that even if you run to Mars, I'll chase you there too." 

The whisper of a smile that tugged at her lips made him feel about ten feet tall.

"Do you want to tell me what happened? I went to talk to Ximen and Meizuo for one minute and the next thing I know you're gone."

Shancai's chest tightened. How could she tell him about those vile comments in the cafeteria? Would he think she was a coward for letting others sway her feelings? Did she dare tell him that she felt woefully inadequate? Would he judge her? Wouldn't he be very disappointed that she was exhibiting weakness rather than fighting like the strong weed he always believed her to be?

"Hey." He took both her hands in his and brushed a light kiss on her fingers. "Let me in, Shancai. Please." His deep brown eyes implored her to rely on him and she couldn't help the small shudder that escaped her lips.

The urge to share her innermost thoughts and seek refuge in his strong embrace was suddenly overwhelming. They had fought so hard to get to this place, to be together – didn't she owe him her honesty? Her trust? Her heart? And so she buried herself into his chest and bared her soul to him, sharing her fears and her doubts as his arms tightened around her, slowly learning to let him help shoulder some of her secret burdens. She heard his furious indrawn breath, felt the frustrated anger emanating from his body, but she understood that those things were not directed at her; they were directed at those who were unkind... petty... mean-spirited. Those who would rather tear others down and inexplicably add negativity to the world rather than make it a better place.

"Shancai, don't let those people affect your happiness. Don't give them the time of day. You can't change their minds and you shouldn't have to – you're kind, you're caring, you're beautiful, and you have the right to live your best life. And that best life is with me. I promise I will make you happy. I will always be with you and I will always protect you. You believe me, don't you?"

As she gazed upon his determined face, Shancai felt his strength and resolve gradually encompass her, and she gladly gave in to it. Her heart warmed with gratitude and something else she wasn't quite ready to identify. She believed him. She believed he could do anything. She believed she could finally let go with him.

Shancai nodded shyly and her heart leapt when Daoming Si's face lit up at her response. He rested his forehead on hers and teasingly said, "That's my girl. Whose opinion matters most?"

She pulled away and smiled up at him.

"Yours?"

He shook his head slowly as his tender gaze held onto hers.

"Ours."

Her heart melted at his words but before she could respond, he had captured her lips in a deep stirring kiss, banishing any remaining doubt in her mind as to his feelings for her.

Ours – her heart fluttered at the sound of that.