What If

Exists

Because of you, I believe love exists

What if there is a greater power that exists to bind things together, to weave events as it should - precisely at the right place and time. If this being exists, she would probably be called Fate.

Spring 2001. Taoyuan, Taiwan

Mrs. Liao was a single mother who raised two kids on her own since she was in her late twenties; now she was a middle-aged woman known around her neighboorhood as someone who adheres to superstitions and believes in fortune-telling.

Her son who shared the same dimples as hers, has been the talk of their small neighborhood since he won a nationwide modeling competition the year before.  Mrs. Liao is very proud of her hard-working son who had her late husband's looks but none of his temper. So when her Ah Zhen told her yesterday that a producer called him to audition for an upcoming drama, Mrs. Liao quickly sought out her trusted shaman.

The shaman said her son will bring her great luck and advised to have him use the screen name Yan Cheng Xu. For the Rising Sun. A few weeks later, her son debuted as the male lead of a drama called Meteor Garden.

Summer 2001. Hunan, China

Mrs. Shen's greatest gift in life is her beloved daughter. Her sweet and cute Yue/Moon princess.

Mrs. Shen and her daughter were known by their neighbors as the mother and daughter who did everything together. They were inseparable.

That was why one late afternoon, little Yue was sleeping with her head on her mom's lap while mother waited for the premier of a new drama. The little girl stirred just as the shadowed image of four men appeared on screen.

"Who are they?" a sleepy Yue asked.

"They are called F4." But even before the opening credits began, little Shen Yue was sleeping again.

November 2017. Shanghai, China

Darren Chen, of the new F4, watched Producer Cai discuss something to one of the directors of Meteor Garden 2018. Beside him, was the new Shan Cai. He whispered to her, "I think Producer Cai must have read the news."

"About what?" Shen Yue whispered back.

Darren Chen took out his phone, typed a name and dozens of articles appeared immediately.  He handed her his phone while explaining, "Jerry Yan and Lin Chi Ling was spotted together in a gym in Malaysia. After ten years, they seem to have rekindled their romance."

Darren watched as Shen Yue looked at the picture. Jerry Yan's face was barely visible beneath the black cap. But it was no mistaking the original Dao Ming Si. Neither was Lin Chi Ling's profile.

Shen Yue only shrugged at Darren as she returned his phone. "Jerry Yan and Lin Chi Ling getting back together after ten years, why would that be a problem to Producer Cai?"

Darren was not sure but he heard the producer was upset Jerry was seen with Ms. Lin.  The producer wanted to have Jerry, who had been in showbiz hiatus since 2015, to cameo in their remake. This media exposure had pre-empted what Producer Cai must have planned.

All of these, Darren whispered to Shen Yue.

Her eyes went wide. The idea to meet the original F4 leader seemed to excite her.  Heck, it excited Darren himself.  "But will he cameo though? I thought Dee-jie said it was very unlikely."

Darren had to grudgingly agree. It was common Taiwan industry knowledge that Jerry Yan for the past few years have been enjoying a peaceful life away from the media's eyes. It would be very hard to convince him to appear in their version.

December 2017. Taipei, Taiwan

Jerry Yan's sister knew her brother's eccentricities more than anyone. She knew how much it bothered him to have people stucked on their phone while having dinner. When her brother first invited her and her husband over at his Taipei condominium, she had prepared herself of the dreaded confirmation about Lin Chi Ling. But they have been half an hour to dinner, and so far Ms. Lin's name has yet to be brought up.

While her brother was currently engrossed with a business proposition with her husband, she snucked a look at her phone. Before she knew it, she was watching a few clips of her new favorite drama.

At her brother's sudden nudge, she quickly set down her phone.

"Sorry! Sorry! I was feeling left out with you guys."

Her brother's eyes flicked towards her phone. It was paused at Chen Xiao Xi wearing a big pink mascot.

"I guess the female lead is inside that mascot?" her brother mused.

She smiled. "Yes. Her name is Shen Yue." Her smile grew bigger, "Coincidentally, she is the new Shan Cai." In a rush, she added, "Have you re-considered Angie Cai's offer?"

Her brother's eyes flicked back on her phone. For a second, she saw curiosity in his eyes and thought he will play the video so he might see this new Shan Cai. But he only shook his head and simply answered "no". 

After, the three of them talked for two more hours. A little about Shen Yue and her drama. Some more business proposals. But nothing about Lin Chi Ling.

May 2018. Beijing, China

Jerry Yan who will soon guest in a reality show about taking care of kids stopped by a bookstore near his Beijing apartment. He was in his usual all-black attire with black cap and black mask. As he passed a young girl wearing yellow, out of years of habit, he lowered his face, hoping he will not be recognized.

Shen Yue, for some reason, had the biggest urge to stop by a bookstore. She had no real title in mind so she ended up picking a few random stuff. She averted her eyes as she passed by a man in black on her way towards the cashier. Her book choices were all about the cosmos, of stars, and of fate.

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To those wondering, yes Jerry only started using his screeen name Yan Cheng Xu for Meteor Garden.  Before MG, he was still using his birth name. And it was true that it was a fortune-teller who advise his mom to have him use this specific name.

See you all tomorrow for "See/Know"  It will be a sort of " double" chapter. Thanks for reading!