MG2018 - Compilation: One Shots

Five Years Later

"Can you believe it's been five years?" Shancai said as she poured Xiaoyou a cup of tea.

Xiaoyou smiled at her best friend and rubbed her pregnant belly. "So much has changed since we left Mingde, right, Shancai?"

Shancai surveyed the room. It had been a while since they were all together like this.

She caught Daoming Si's eye from across the room, and he winked at her before turning back to Ximen. No doubt they were exchanging parenting tips, as Ximen and Xiaoyou were expecting their first child together. Xiaoyou was still manager of Talent's Tea Shop, and under her leadership, she expanded the business to more locations across Shanghai. Ximen was a professor and taught the lost art of the tea ceremony.

As for herself and Daoming Si, they were busy running the Daoming group of hotels. Daoming Zhuang was in charge of all hotels outside of China, which was perfect since she loved to travel. Daoming Si oversaw all of the China hotels, which meant business trips never took him away from his family for very long. Shancai was in charge of all restaurants in the hotels, as the Daoming hotels were fast becoming popular for their unique restaurant offerings. Add to that raising two active children, and the Daoming household was often chaotic, loud, but full of love and laughter.

"Hey, stop running," Shancai called out to her two little ones, Daoming Mei and Daoming Yu. Xiaoyou laughed as she watched the two troublemakers cling to the legs of their uncle Meizuo. "And here you thought naming your daughter Little Flower would make her dainty and ladylike," Xiaoyou teased Shancai. She shook her head in amusement, "At least I got Yu right. His personality is as big as the universe, just like his father."

Meizuo was trying to bribe the kids with cookies, and Caina stood at a distance, laughing. He and Caina travelled the world constantly, fully immersed in the world of arts and philanthropy. They didn't have kids of their own and it seemed like that wasn't part of their plans, as they seemed fully content to be the fun aunt and uncle to their friends' kids.

"Has Lei arrived yet?" Shancai asked, and Xiaoyou shrugged. While the rest of them had caught up occasionally in the past five years, none of them had seen Lei since they left Mingde. He had immediately started his career as a concert violinist, going on a worldwide tour with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. This would be the first time he was coming home, and they all took it as an opportunity to gather today.

"Lei!" Daoming Si exclaimed as he spotted his friend at the doorway. They all turned to look at Lei, who seemed so different now. For one, his curly locks were gone. His hair was short and brushed away from his forehead. He seemed to carry himself differently too, in his navy coat and white turtleneck. Gone was the Lei who seemed to sleepwalk his way through college in his earth-toned ensembles.  In the time he was away, Lei had grown to become a man of the world.

"I've missed you all," Lei said, beaming at everyone in the room. "And I have some news."

He stepped aside and revealed a companion behind him. She was a beautiful woman with porcelain skin, long brown hair, and shining eyes. She held herself gracefully and elegantly. "I'm Chen Yao," she said with a smile that reached her eyes.

"My fiancee," Lei added, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close as the room erupted in congratulations. It was a flurry of hugs and handshakes as they settled down to listen to the story of how Chen Yao, a ballerina, had captivated Lei as they toured the world together, the orchestra providing the music for the ballet performances.

Hours passed but they all hardly noticed as they were busy catching up with each other's lives, trading stories over drinks and merriment. "Look, a meteor shower!" the children called from the window, and they all headed out to the garden to watch the night sky put on a show.

As everyone's eyes were trained up to the sky, Shancai looked around her. Chen Yao had her arm linked through Lei's, and he gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head. Meizuo had his arm around Caina's shoulder as she leaned against him. Ximen had his arms wrapped around Xiaoyou from behind, his hands resting on his wife's very pregnant belly. Daoming Si had their daughter on his shoulders, and Shancai carried their little boy in her arms. 

"Mama, look!" She followed her son's finger as it pointed to a shooting star, and Shancai's hand went instinctively to the necklace she wore around her neck. She stole a glance at Daoming Si, and saw that he was looking at her with so much love in his eyes. "I love you," he mouthed at her. "I love you too," she mouthed back. And with a smile, they both looked at the sky and thanked the gods they all found their happy endings.