Lam Zhi Fung/Alex - *Julian Cheung* A hopeless romantic that never gave up on his girlfriend. But a tragic ending causes more struggles for them to get together.
Cheung Ying/Jade - *Noel Leung* A strong-willed girl when it comes to love. She would sacrifice her life to save her boyfriend.
Kwok Yiu Ngon/William - *Nicky Cheung* He owes his life to Zhi Fung. He's a devoted friend but has problems finding the right girl.
Lai Hiu Fun/Lily - *Annie Man* Cheung Ying's best friend. She's more nonchalant about life and death overall. Which makes her very careless when it comes to her own life.
Cheung Hung/Kevin - *Ben Wong* Cheung Ying's cousin who happens to be madly in love with her. He thinks she would make a perfect wife, therefore starts obsessing over her.
Special Camio Appearance by Joyce Tang as Lam Zhi Bing/Jamie - She is Alex Lam's sister. A brat that he can't get off his back. She's lovable to some people while others find her more...different.
Other characters:
Cheung Yim Lai - Cheung Ying's father
Lam/Lee Siu Ni - Lam Zhi Fung's mother
The year is 1940, China is being attacked by Japan. In the city of Shanghai,
lays a wealthy family. The great Cheung Yim Lai, a powerful head ganster of the
Dragon Gang, is in charge. He worked hard to be ahead and in his late fourties,
he is more confident of his stature. His 'company' smuggles illegal drugs as
well as medicine into the city. He expects the best from his employees and
expects even more from his daughter Cheung Ying (Noel). She is absolutely
spoiled by him, but his only concern for her is that she is dating Lam Zhi Fung
(Julian). The boy was no good for his high status daughter, there were so many
choices. She's so stubborn that even he can't control her, but in due time.
The city was busy as normal, with people in suits running here and there. On the sidewalk was a happy couple that seem to be oblivious to their surroundings. Holding hand in hand smiling as they talked. "Zhi Fung ah, do you have to go?" the girl's face stopped smiling as she thought about her beloved going to war up north the stop the Japanese's invasion.
He suddenly stopped and turned to face his girlfriend "Ying Ying, I thought we said not to talk about this for the next three days." he was leaving then and wanted a peaceful goodbye with his girlfriend. She looked up and pouted her lips. He smiled at her cute face "I promise that I will write everyday. And when I return, I will marry you." He pulled her hands up to his face about to kiss it when she pulled back.
"You just ate that greasy Peiking duck earlier and you want to kiss my hands?" Ying Ying showed a disgusted look as she pulled her hands behind her back, hiding them.
He licked his lips, still tasting the oil "I thought you liked Peiking duck?" he attempted to pull her hands out to kiss them but she was quicker than he. "Fine, I'll kiss your face instead, that way you'll smell like duck!" Zhi Fung chased after her when she ran away squeling like a child.
Ying Ying laughed as she tried to run faster, it was too hard in her high heels and blue dress. Her matching hat fell to the ground when the wind blew by. She stopped to pick it up but a male hand was quicker. "Siu Jei, your father wants to see you."
Her face was solemn. Zhi Fung ran up behind her as he wrapped his hands around her waist. "I got you! Where's my kiss?" he instantly noticed that she wasn't happy. He looked up to see her father's driver.
"I'll be there." she waited for the driver to leave. When he did she turned to face her boyfriend "Zhi Fung, I'll be back."
"Its okay, it must be important. Just as long as he doesn't forbid you to see me, Im fine." he knew Ying Ying's father dispised him. Her father couldn't stand the fact that they were spending so much time together.
She shook her head vigorously "I promised to keep you company for the next three days. I won't break it. I'll meet you at your home." She smiled broadly as he reluctantly nodded.
Fung waved goodbye as he watched her get in the black limo and disappeared towards her big mansion. He was deep in thought when a strong hand tapped his shoulder "Hey! She's gone, what are you looking at?" It was his best friend Kwok Yiu Ngon (Nicky Cheung).
"Wah, you scared me!" he exclaimed while clutching his heart in exaggeration. "Well, looks like you just finished a date?" he eyed his friend up and down noticing his shirt was out of place.
Ngon just shrugged and attempted to shove his white shirt back into his black slacks. "Yeah, well she was alright."
Fung shook his head with disappointment "When are you going to be serious about a girl?" He put his arm around his friend playfully as he led him down the street.
"When she learns that just because I sleep with her, it doesn't mean that we're a couple!" Ngon laughed as his own joke while Fung continued to shake his head.
"One day you're going to meet a girl that will make your knees weak and she will have no interest in you whatsoever!" his words were like a curse to Ngon as he looked at Fung with shock.
"Don't curse me!! I like my life. Anyways, what girl can resist the charm of Kwok Yiu Ngon?" He put up his chin in arrogance.
Fung burst out laughing as he looked at his friend's face. "You are too much!"
Back at the Cheung Mansion, the car pulled up at the gate as it opened for the daughter of the owner. Inside was a huge fountain that was in the center of a circular driveway. Once the car stopped, Ying Ying opened the door of the car and ran inside. Never acknowledging any of the servants, she marched straight up to her father's library. He spent most of his time there doing work so she knew exactly where to find him. Without knocking, she opened the door to find him at his desk working. "You wanted to see me?" She crossed her arms as she looked at him.
"Well, hello to you too my little girl." he said sarcastically. They were not in good terms due to her last blowout about dating Zhi Fung. "Come over here, I want to take a good look at you. I haven't seen you for over two weeks." he gestured for her to come closer.
Ying Ying put her arms down and walked over slowly. "There, you happy, can I go now?" she turned to walk out the door when her father slammed his hand on the desk. So loud that it made her shiver with surprise.
"I will not take this kind of attitude! Iam your father and I demand to be respected!" his glare was so cruel that it made Ying Ying back down.
She slowly returned to his side "Im sorry. I didn't mean to be rude, but I don't want to hear that talk about not seeing Zhi Fung again." his face softened seeing that her tone of voice had changed. She kneeled down to his side "Daddy, I really care for him. I just don't want you to separate us." her eyes were as earnest as could be.
"I know, sweetie. I just think that you could do much better than him." Seeing her sad face made him softened, but then he thought of something as his eyes lit up "Guess who's coming to visit in a week?" She looked at him puzzled.
"Your cousin, Cheung Hung (Ben Wong). He's a well established lawyer now. Graduate of the University of London." he was boasting about 'him' again, she rolled her eyes and got up.
"You remember what he did the last time he came to visit?" her father laughed as he recalled their little incident. "Its not funny! He made me take a picture with him and he framed it. Showing off to everyone that I was his 'girlfriend'. That was so lame!"
He stopped laughing "Well, he just had a crush on you thats all. Of course, who wouldn't? My daughter is beautiful." She wrinkled her nose when he said that "But not when you do that." she stuck out her tongue. It made him laugh harder than before.
"If you don't have anything else to say, Im going to go now." she said carefully not to hint that she was going to see Zhi Fung.
He nodded "okay, go see your boyfriend." Grinning like a little girl with a lolipop, she skipped out of the room. Leaving her father to his own thoughts. He would try to split them up if its the last thing he does. Cheung Hung was a much more better choice that that little Lam boy. He sat back on his leather chair thinking of what to do to get Ying Ying to have a change of heart.
She ran down the stairs with a huge smile on her face. "Bye Yuk Jei, don't make dinner for me. I won't be back!" she exclaimed as she skipped out the door.
Back at Zhi Fung's humble little shack in a poor city. With chickens cackling outside the alley. His mother was the only relative he's got. Beside his girlfriend, she was his life. "Mom! Im home!" his mother smiled as she looked at her son coming through the small door. "Guess who came." Fung stepped back and appeared Ngon.
His mother's face fell when she saw him. She disapproved of her son making friends with this guy. He had the worst reputation in the whole city. "You guys staying for dinner?" she asked as she continued to twist wontons.
Fung felt the tension as he attempted to sooth his mother's harsh tone. He put his arm around her shoulders lovingly and whispered "I will leave if you don't want to see him"
Feeling embarrassed that her son was the bigger man, she shook her head "Its okay, if he's your friend, I will try to be nice." it was the least she could do.
He smiled "You want to stay for dinner, Ngon?"
"Sure." he didn't realize that his best friend's mom wasn't fond of him.
There was a sudden knock on the door. Zhi Fung got up to open it. All he saw was a bouquet of flowers. "Who.." before he could finish his question, Ying Ying moved her head to side showing her face. "Hey there, stranger!"
"Auntie!" She smiled as she walked through the door and presented the flowers to Zhi Fung's mom.
"Oh, Ying Ying, you didn't have to. Its just my birthday." she glanced at her son who looked shocked. 'Oh my gosh, I totally forgot!' he thought to himself. She saw it in his face as he attempted to smile.
Ying Ying took out a little velvet box from her hand purse, "This is from me and Zhi Fung." his mom smiled as she held the box and opened it. There was a beautiful black pearl necklace.
"Thank you, my dear. But Im sure it was all your idea right?" she raised her eyebrow at her son.
Ying Ying giggled as she looked at her boyfriend's face. It was bright red, she knew he forgot but never reminded him. He pulled her to the side and whispered "Why didn't you remind me?!"
She grinned "Why do I have to remind you?"
"What are you two whispering about over there?" his mother asked suspicously as she tried to put on the necklace.
"Let me help you, mom." he ran over to her side to help her. "Ngon, why are you so quiet over there. Still thinking about your girlfriend?"
Ngon glared at his friend, he hated that word "No, Im just resting." he said through clenched teeth.
"Well, you kids chat, Im going to boil these." pointing to the wontons, Lam Thai got up and took it to the tiny kitchen.
"Let me help!" Ying Ying rushed to her side as she helped her carry the platter of goodies. The elder lady smiled, she liked her very much. She wasn't the least bit snobby, considering her father was a rich man.
Zhi Fung stole a glance at his girlfriend and winked at her "Nice one." he called out.
The four had a nice and comfortable
dinner as they ate away. Ending the night with a homemade baked cake by Ying
Ying. She was sad when she left their little home, just two more days and he was
to leave for the war. Fung walked her home as he always did, they were quiet for
the longest time. It was different, both knew there was only one thing that made
them worry so much. Ying Ying shivered as a gust of wind flew by. He quickly put
his trench coat on her, it was a gift from Ying Ying. She hesitated to say
goodbye when they reached the gate of her home. He understood as he reached down
to kiss her cheek. The smiled as they separated into their own direction.
Chapter 2
Ying Ying slowly walked through the double doors to her home, her head was
facing the ground. "Well, is this how you welcome an old friend?" It
was Hiu Fun (Annie Man), her old best friend. Ying Ying looked up at the
familiar voice.
Her face quickly brighted, she ran to her friend like a little girl. "Oh my
gosh, why didn't you tell me you came back!!" she glanced at her friend up
and down. She was wearing a red dress, her hair in curls draping her cute face.
"My, don't you look nice. Got a new boyfriend?"
Hiu Fun raised her eyebrows "You mean I have to have a boyfriend to look this nice?" she put out her arms elegantly. The girls giggled as they embraced. "Come on, I have so much to catch up with you." The raced each other upstairs where they were greeted by Mr. Cheung. "Uncle." Hiu Fun said politely as they slowed down.
"Don't be so polite. Your a friend of Ying Ying, which means you're welcome here anytime." The girls smiled to each other as they walked to Ying Ying's room.
In the room the girls sat on the bed, which was had a beautiful lace canopy in lavendar as it fell over the matching bed sheets. "Do you have a place to stay yet?" Ying Ying asked as she took off her jewelry.
Hiu Fun shook her head "But I know I want to live on my own." Ying Ying gave her a worried look "No, its just that I finally have my own space. For years, my parents breathed down my neck. Of course Im gonna take this chance to have fun." she nudged her friend "You should too."
"Its harder than you think" she said sadly. "With my boyfriend going away to the army. How could I think about anything else."
Hiu Fun eyes wide with shock "You have a boyfriend? Since when?"
"Oh thats right, you never got to meet him. Sheesh, its been that long since we've talked?" Ying Ying could have sworn her friend knew. "It just started a year ago. He's a sweetheart."
"What rich family is he from?"
"He actually lives down the street in one of the alley apartments. We met one day when I was buying clothes and he was working in the store but I thought he was a customer. When he followed me around to see if I needed help, I blew up at him thinking that he was stalking me or something." She giggled at the thought "Boy he was upset."
Her friend looked at her with concern "The day Cheung Ying stoop so low for a poor guy. Tsk tsk tsk, it must be love." they grinned at each other knowing that it was. Hiu Fun looked at her watch, "Oh my, its really late. I have to catch my train!!"
"What? You're leaving already?" She stood up to block her friend from leaving.
"I have to go to Hong Kong. My parents are really worried." She said sarcastically while rollingd her eyes. "I'll be back in a few days. Don't worry." Hiu Fun started towards the door. "I won't be able to meet your boyfriend just yet."
Nodding her head "Okay, let me know when you come back! I'll pick you up myself." they gave a quick embrace as Ying Ying watched her friend run off.
Ying Ying stood on her balcony, waving goodbye to her friend. She let out a sigh as she returned to her room, ready to sleep.
Hiu Fun glanced at her watch over and over again as she strolled quickly down the street to the train station. She was so busy looking at her watch that she didn't notice a couple was walking by. She bumped hard into the guy, making him fall to the ground.
"Hey! Why don't you bring your glasses along. Are you blind or something?" he exclaimed angrily. The girl beside him ran over to help him up.
"Im sorry, Im in a rush." she said sympathecially, the guy appeared to be drunk.
It was Yiu Ngon, he wrapped his arm around the girl, who looked like a prostitute the way she was dressed. Black long tight dress, the usual. He took one good look at Hiu Fun, she was very cute. "Oh, its okay. As long as its a pretty girl that bumped me."
She rolled her eyes at his weak attempt to flirt. "Anyways, I have to go." turning herself around as she rushed off.
"Hey, what's your name?!" forgetting about the girl holding him up, he thought out loud "I wonder how she would be in bed." he laughed at the thought. Suddenly remembering the girl next to him. "Hey, you can go now. I paid you." he waved his hand motioning for her to leave.
"Nice try buddy, now pay up." he reluctantly pulled out a wad of bills. Blinking uncontrollably as he began to wobble. 'Too much to drink' he thought. The prostitute took advantage of him being unsober as she grab the money from his hand and ran off.
He had a slow reaction to what has just happened "Hey, thats mine!" He shook his head to try to focus on where the girl went. He saw a male running after the girl, although his face was all a blur. He recognized the voice, it was Zhi Fung. Leaning against the wall of the sidewalk for support, he slowly approached the two.
"Look if you don't give that back, I'm going to report you to the police." Fung said threating the girl. She seemed to be stubborn about it as she refused to move.
He suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the police department "Okay, if you want to be tough about it."
She struggled to get loose from his grip "Okay, but he still hasn't paid me." Fung glanced at his friend who finally approached them. Shaking his head in disappointment as he pulled out a ten dollar bill and gave it to the girl. She looked at it in disgust "He said twenty dollars." She crossed her arms as she looked at Ngon.
"I said five, if you don't take the ten, Im not gonna give you crap!!" Ngon said drunkily.
Still holding out the ten dollar bill, Fung looked at the girl "Are you gonna take it?" She stood there for a few seconds and finally snapped the bill from his hand.
Putting his hands on his hips, Fung glared at his friend. "What did I tell you about going out with these girls? They just want your money."
"Well, its not like I don't have any to spare." he said quietly.
"What?" he walked over to his friend and grabbed his arm. His friend fringed at his touch thinking Fung was going to hit him. Instead he pulled Ngon's arm around his neck to support him. "Let's go loverboy." he said sarcastically.
"You know, we're going to war soon. I might as well have a round of fun before we go and get shot." they were close to Fung's home when they stopped.
"Don't say that around my mom. She's already sensitive about this!" he whispered loudly to Ngon. He continue to lead his friend into his room. "You sleep on the bed and I'll sleep on the ground."
His friend smiled through his drunken face "You're so nice to me. Im gonna repay you one day." his face was so funny that it made Fung laugh.
He pushed his friend's head playfully. "Yeah, you said it."
The next day was a gloomy one. Rain falling with spuratic movements, it was pouring one minute and sprinkling the next. Ying Ying stood outside the gate to her home. Wearing a deep purple suit dress that fell below her knees, she looked beautiful. Holding her large black umbrella as she looked for Zhi Fung. He was to meet her there and its been over an hour.
Her father pulled out from the driveway. Seeing his daughter in the rain he called out from the backseat "Ying Ying, its cold out here. Why don't you wait inside?" She glanced over to acknowledge her father but didn't say anything. "At least put on a jacket!"
"I will." she proceeded back into the home. Glancing back to see if her father's car was out of sight, she quickly ran back to her place. In time to see Zhi Fung come running to her. He was drenched from the rain. She ran up covering him with the umbrella as she wiped his wet face. "Don't you have an umbrella?"
He nodded his head. "Yes, if you count a broken one." she gave him a stern look. "Im sorry. Ngon was drunk last night and he woke up throwing up all over my bedroom. So I had to clean it."
"You know, Im surprised you didn't catch any of his bad habits. You've known him for so long." she shook her head as they walked to his home.
"He may not be a good person, but he's a great friend." he smiled as they walked down the raining street together. There was no one in sight. As they approached the alley, there was a huge puddle that seemed to be a few inches deep. Ying Ying stopped as she looked at it, preparing herself to get wet. Fung stopped her and without saying anything else, he picked her up and crossed the puddle. Noticing her sweet smile, he couldn't help but return it "Im already wet." he explained.
He put her down when they reached his home. "Whats that smell?" covering her nose she looked inside. "Smells like herbal medicine or something." He opened the door to find his mom cooking a pot of chinese herbal medicine. "Auntie, are you sick?" she asked in concern as she walked over to Lam Thai.
"No, no. Im fine. Its just that his friend" she nodded to Fung "wasn't feeling too good. So I thought this would be good for him." The couple smiled to each other as the sat down on the chairs.
"Zhi Fung, your clothes are still wet, why don't you go change them first?" he touched the damp clothes and nodded.
When he got in the room, he found his friend still crawled out on the bed deep in sleep. Knocking Ngon's head with his knuckles "Hey, sleepyhead. Time to get up!" He heard some grumbling noise coming from Ngon's mouth.
Leering at his friend as he suddenly thought of an idea. Holding onto the end of the blanket, Fung yanked it from his friend in one tug. The blanket fell to the ground revealing a naked Ngon. "Ah!!! Oh my gosh, Im blind!!" Fung cried out as he covered his eyes.
Ngon realizing that his butt was bare, he pulled the blanket from the ground in attempt to cover his body. "What are you doing?"
Laughing as he pointed to his friend "I didn't know you sleep naked!!" his laughing got louder while looking at his angry friend.
"What's going on?" Ying Ying ran inside to see what happened. All she heard was Fung screaming then laughing. Fung suddenly stopped as he covered the door with his body, blocking the entrance.
"No, a girl shouldn't see this." he said solemly. His eyes moist from the tears of laughter.
She eyed him suspiciously "Why can't I see?" Ying Ying went on her tippy toes to see, but again he blocked her sight.
"He just saw me naked thats all." Ngon said while yawning and still covering his body.
"Eww...you're right. I didn't need to see it." she giggled as she walked back to the living room.
Ngon eventually rised to clean up and joined the three for breakfast. Fung would often start giggling as he thought about what he saw earlier that morning. Ying Ying would nudge him in the ribs when he started to laugh. But she would eventually join him as she thought about the situation. "Oh, stop! It wasn't that funny!!" Ngon blurted out when the two couldn't stop laughing.
That day flew by as Zhi Fung and Ying Ying went out for lunch, a movie and eventually dinner. He had set up a little picnic for her at her favorite area. The Meadow Lake where they would often take long walks together. The rain had stopped earlier and the couple was enjoying their last visit. This time she couldn't contain her tears as she let them out, crying openly to her boyfriend. "I don't want you to leave." she said sadly as she wrapped her arms around his stomache.
Fung put his arms around her protectively "I told you. I will return. Thats a promise I intend to keep." He placed his fingers on her chin as he pulled it up. Her eyes meeting his "Now are you going to keep your promises?"
She moved away from him "What promises?" she teased.
"Oh, is that how much I mean to you?" he looked away.
"Im just kidding. I promised that I would write to you, call you and..." she paused. He slowly turned to her.
"And what?" he asked smiling even bigger now.
She gave him her puppy eyed look "I forgot." He playfully turned around and started to walk away. Pretending to throw a tantrum. Laughing while running after him, Ying Ying ran in front of him to face him "To marry you." He stopped and smiled.
"Thats what I was waiting for." he pulled her into his chest, holding her tight. It was his turn to get sentimental.
His hug was so tight that it made her whimper "You're hurting me." he loosed up his grip, not realizing that he was hugging her with all his might.
"Im sorry." he said softly.
He stroked her straight hair as they continue to embrace and rocked slowly. They
stayed that way for while until it got late. Reluctantly, they parted ways. They
had promised not to say goodbye. He only wanted to remember her happy, therefore
he forbid her to see him off the next morning.
Chapter 3
Ying Ying sat on her bed, she didn't sleep the whole night. She glanced at the
clock and it read 7am. His flight was at 7:30, she knew they had promised not to
say goodbye. But she wanted to see him so bad. Debating with herself whether or
not she should go. She finally decided to get dressed and see him one last time
before he left.
At the army base, there were so many men dressed in soldier uniforms with their
loved ones. Hugging as they cried for their sons, brother, uncle and husbands.
Zhi Fung too, was saying goodbye to his mother. His best friend by his side,
Ngon looked restless as he watched his best friend. He had no loved ones, they
all died in a huge fire years ago, leaving him a great amount of money. Thus
explaining his cash flow that never ended.
Fung looked around, still hoping that he could see Ying Ying. But he knew that she wouldn't come, they had promised each other. The loud blare sound of a horn blowing out at the soldiers, calling them to their destiny. "Five minutes til take off!" A loud voice said through a speaker.
Time was getting closer, he looked at the crowd desperately looking for Ying Ying. "Fung, come on, we gotta go." Ngon rushed him as he gave one last glance behind him. At the same time, he saw her limo pull up. She ran out, smiling broadly at him. He dropped his baggage and ran to her also smiling. They embraced tightly for the last time.
He kissed her lightly on the lips "I'll be back." she nodded through tears as she watched him run off waving. She stood back as she tried to hold down her hat. The wind blowing hard as the helicopters lifted up from the ground. She suddenly noticed his mom.
"Auntie, can I take you home?" she asked with concern.
The elder lady shook her head "No, I want to take a walk."
Ying Ying nodded understandingly, she knew they needed time to themselves to cope with the ordeal. She walked slowly back to the car and got in. Leaning her head back on the seat she sighed. "Siu Jei, I believe your father wants you to pick up someone." the driver said.
She sat upright and looked at the driver with a puzzled look "Who?" she totally forgot. It was her cousin, he was coming that day.
"Your Biu Gor, Cheung Hung."
She leaned her head back "Oh, thats right." she looked outside through the window gloomily.
The car came to an uprupt stop. She didn't even notice that they were in the airport. "We're here already?" The driver turned back to face Ying Ying as he nodded. He got out the car to open her door.
She dragged her foot as she walked inside the airport. Looking around for her cousin, she glanced from one suit dressed man to another. "They all look the same to me." she said to her driver. Getting a little irritated as she pushed herself to look for him. The last time she remembered, he wore braces and his glasses were ugly black plastic. He said they were very stylish in London, but she knew he was lying.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a deep voice "Ying Ying!!" a handsome guy walked up to her. Wearing a brown suit with a matching hat. He gave her a warm hug as he pulled of his hat. His teeth was perfect and his metal rim glasses made him look distinguished.
"Biu Gor?" she asked in surprised, he's changed so much. At least on the outside.
She continued to stare at him in awe, when he started laughing "I don't look that different do I?" turning away as she blushed at herself.
"Yes, you do actually." Looking at his suitcase, she realized that they were standing there for a while "Oh, we should go now. Daddy would love to see you." The driver took his luggage as he walked beside her.
"So how have you been?" they chatted about their experiences, forgetting about her worries.
When they got home, Mr. Cheung was ready to greet his nephew. "Well well well, my haven't you grown up!" he hugged him affectionately. "Don't you think so, Ying Ying?"
She shrugged her shoulders "Im tired, so Im going to go to sleep now. I didn't get to last night." She began to walk up the stairs. The two men didn't seem to mind as they continued to talk about politics and business.
Ying Ying slept through most of the day, when she was disturbed by a knock on her door. She glanced at the clock beside her bed that read 6pm. Too lazy to open the door she yelled "Come in!"
It was Cheung Hung "Biu Mui, your father said you were still sleeping so I decided to bring you some food." He held up the platter as he sat beside her bed.
"I don't want to eat." she said, covering her head with the blanket.
"Its not good to not eat." he pulled down her blanket, placing the platter on her bed.
"Okay, I'll eat it. But can you leave, please?" she said with a touch of annoyance.
He placed his hands up in defense "Okay, I'm going." he walked out her door and shut it.
Sighing as she placed it on the ground and went back to her nap.
At the army base in the north, the men were separated into groups of 10. They were to camp with each other in large tents built for 8, so it was a little more than crowded. Luckily, Fung and Ngon were teamed up in the same group. Each group had a captain that watched over everyone like a hawk. They had too many attempts to flee the campsite at the sound of bombs nearby. Many have already died at the warsite. The men went through tough training as they prepared themselves day and night.
A month later, the grueling preparation gave the men new meaning to life in hell. They were only allowed one hour of personal time. Fung spent most of it writing to Ying Ying. He was a little disappointed when he only recieved a letter a week from her. He understood it was hard to keep track since all he does is train for war. What else was there to talk about? She briefly explained her cousin's visit and her best friend Hiu Fun coming to visit. Little did he know that her father had hired a special person to copy her handwriting and write to him. While the mail she sent out to him were kept in his desk drawer. Each letter was at least three pages long. Her father knew that eventually, Fung would get the hint that she didn't want to write to him.
He was writing to his girlfriend one day when the sound of distant bomb made him jump. It was closer now, suddenly the horn came on and the men inside the camps jumped up ready to fight for their country. They put on their gears as they ran out in perfect lines, preparing themselves to be assigned to a position.
The captain called out name by name as he told each man where to go. Fung and Ngon, once again were placed together. The two friends smiled at each other in relief. Fung wanted his friend by his side. Since the death of his family, he's changed into this sex-crazy guy. Not the friend he once knew and admired. Fung hoped of one day talking his friend into changing back.
They were sent off in brown and green trucks as the soldiers sat together in tight spaces. Fung kept a tiny picture of Ying Ying inside his locket that she gave him. He often looked at it to remind him to stay strong. Life there was so depressing and seeing his fellow soldiers being sent back to the hospital from injuries and bombs made him feel less strong.
When they got to their sights, it was more like a cemetary. Barely any people were there, most of the homes were damaged by the bombs. The worst sight was seeing tiny children running around looking for their parents. Fung looked at one girl in a tiny white dress, barefoot as she ran up to him. "Have you seen my mommy?" she asked. Her eyes were big with fear.
He bent down to talk to her, "I don't know. but maybe you should try that area?" he pointed to a cleaner tent where injured civilians were placed. The little girl thanked him as she ran off in that direction.
"You know, her parents could be dead." Ngon said to his friend as he tapped him on the shoulder hinting him to move on.
Fung looked at his friend sadly "I know." he sighed as they continued on their way.
"You know what Im craving for right about now?" Ngon asked, trying to change the subject.
Knowing his friend, Fung knew exactly what he as thinking of "A girl?"
Smiling while shaking his head, Ngon said "Nope, Chicken breast and chicken legs." the guys laughed to each other. Fung shaking his head as he knew the meaning behind it. His friend always had the charm of making the worst things sound good.
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