At The First Place

Another Me

I'm so afraid to fall in love with you
I tried to stop it babe if you only knew
This little heart's in pain just thinking of you
No I can't help falling in love with you
No I can't help falling in love with you
(Can't Help Falling In Love, Harlem Yu)

Why did I agree? Was it the memories of Meteor Garden that always soften me that made me relent? Or was it Ben who convinced me that it will be a good opportunity if I want to make a comeback?

When soft brown eyes meet mine across the hall, I had a distinct feeling that maybe this was the reason why. It seemed so long ago when I first heard her name from my sister. She was not someone to fangirl but that night she had excitedly talked about the girl who will lead the remake of the drama that changed my life. And although I have refused to cameo in the new version, I guess it was inevitable to meet her. Shen Yue.

As her team practically dragged her forward, I shifted a little closer to Ken. I was not good with meeting new people and something in Shen Yue's eyes made me suddenly more nervous than usual.

As introductions were made, all I can think of was how small she was. Throughout the recording for the program, I could feel Shen Yue's curious eyes at me. As if she was trying to figure me out. She, on the other hand, was a little easier to read.

She was smart. That one was obvious at once. She got the three out of the seven points our team had during the second round of charades. I also noticed that she had an easy infectious laugh.

She seemed to face challenges head-on as well because during the food game she was the first to volunteer to eat the extra spicy food. Darren was quick to deflect her though, saying she doesn't like such. When I volunteered after her, Ken frowned, saying I do not eat spicy foods either but in the end he nodded his assent.

Her direct answer when asked about kissing scenes told me she was not afraid to be herself either. How she would rather show her flaws just to make her partner comfortable.

But it had to be the final segment that would make a lasting impression on me. No one deserved to be hated for anything but I know of the sad truth of these sort of bullying happening all over the cyber world; still I could not imagine how Shen Yue would be one of those bullies's target. Just that afternoon alone, I have been impressed with her immense acting talent, her wit and her sweet nature. In the end, the way she faced about being bullied also told me this slip of a girl was an example of bravery and pure heart.

No non-sense. Unpretentious. Strong. Kind. She was a perfect Shan Cai.

That night I called my sister and told her as much. When she asked if I got her an autograph or at least took a picture for her, it was only then that I realized that Shen Yue never approached me to take pictures together. I then immediately regretted the fact that it didn't occur to me to do so either and now it would be next to impossible to ever have the opportunity again.

A little less than three weeks later, my assistant gave me a drama script to look over. I had been forwarded with about five offers of various projects since Ace VS Ace. There were two reality shows that I had immediately declined. Then two dramas. And one movie offer. All of these scripts, I was carefully reading. I was notoriously known as a perfectionist who would take my time studying every minute detail of every script that comes my way so when another drama offer came along when I was already in the middle of an already difficult decision-making, I bet my manager had groaned in frustration.

The Exchange of Luck.

When I turned to the next page, for some reason, my eyes zeroed in at once at two characters. A name. Shen Yue.