Something Beautiful and Wicked

From the corner of her eyes, Shi Ailin noticed Luo Tian sprinting towards her. He sat next to her with a grin on his face. "Ailin," he said. "I made this for you."

He lifted a bracelet made of seashells, offering it to her. Shi Ailin's eyes widened. "I…thank you," she said. Luo Tian then grasped one of her hands, slipping the bracelet on her wrist. "I've been collecting them since we arrived," he said.

Shi Ailin's lips parted. "Why?"

He faced her deep with his tawny eyes. "I want to court you, but only if you let me."

"I—" she replied, ready to reject him.

"Don't reject me. Not now. I know you don't feel anything for me right now, and that's okay. But I wanted to let you know what my intentions are. I have feelings for you, Ailin. It never stopped."

Shi Ailin furrowed her brows. She didn't understand him! Why the hell did he leave her years ago, then?

Luo Tian continued to sit by her side wordlessly until Luo Wanting shot them a brief glance before he stalked towards them. He appeared to be annoyed as his expression was stone cold and dismissive. "Miss Shi," he said formally. "Would you like to join me for a walk?"

Luo Tian furrowed his brows, curious as to why his brother asked to take Shi Ailin away, but he didn't overthink it.

Shi Ailin nodded shyly. "Yes. I will," she agreed. She stood up, dusting the sand from her body, joining his side. She then gathered her hands nervously as they walked along the shoreline.

He didn't speak to her for the first five minutes, but when they were away from everyone else, he said, "You look uncomfortable."

Shi Ailin pursed her lips. "I'm sorry, Mr. Luo. My head is a bit foggy right now."

"I understand," he replied. "I hope I can distract you from whatever it is that's bothering you."

Shi Ailin smiled. "Of course, Mr. Luo. Thank you," she said, not knowing what else to add. "You're not like as I imagined you to be. That's surprising."

Luo Wanting grinned curiously. The wind caressed his ash-blonde hair, making him look devastatingly handsome. "Why is that surprising?"

She shrugged, walking a few steps ahead. "I've been warned about you. There are rumours that you're not a nice person, the same as your brother, Luo Tian. But I heard you're more dangerous, and yet I don't feel scared at all." 

Luo Wanting paused. "And what do you think—about me?"

Shi Ailin sucked in a breath, turning her head to meet his eyes. "I'm not sure. Ask me again some other time," she teased.

He smiled.

Luo Wanting continued to keep her company for the walk, and she didn't feel any pressure, any dread.

Luo Tian's confession rattled her. It was something she'd longed to hear, and yet, not. It was confusing. And she didn't understand why he wanted her, but she'd be foolish to believe it; however, his words seemed so honest.

"Shit," she whispered.

Luo Wanting chuckled at her side. "I didn't think you were the type to curse."

Shi Ailin straightened her posture, walking prim and proper, holding her chin up high. "I usually don't. My mother always taught me that I should be kind, respectable, and to never have a foul mouth—to behave like a lady. She used to scold Yenni for her behaviour, but my mother eventually accepted the fact that Yen would be just like our father. I, on the other hand, wanted to be like my mother. She was so kind and compassionate; she never cursed, or at least, never around me, but there are moments where I wish I could just…"

"Express yourself?" he added.

"Yes," she replied earnestly. "I want to speak up whenever I can't seem to find my voice. I want to try something new. I want to drink, smoke, and fuck, like everyone else."

Luo Wanting burst out a laugh. He chuckled so hard that he had to hold his stomach.

Shi Ailin furrowed her brows, but then she began to laugh, too, for how ridiculous she sounded.

"I'm sorry, Miss Shi," he began. "You're very humorous."

Shi Ailin smiled.

"Forgive me," he said.

"There's nothing to forgive," she replied.

Luo Wanting paused in front of her. "Miss Shi. As much as I want to encourage you to try new things—as you should—you don't have to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. You can be you, and there's nothing you have to change."

Shi Ailin exhaled a staggering breath. "Then I'll do things that will make me feel comfortable," she replied. "But, I want to try the bad stuff too."

Luo Wanting grinned, broad and genuine. "You're very interesting, Miss Shi."

Shi Ailin's heart raced, but she took a deep breath, pretending as if she felt nothing. "You can call me, Ailin...or Ai."

"And you can call me Wanting, as I've instructed before."

Shi Ailin blushed. "Thank you, Wanting."

"It's my pleasure," he replied.

They circled back to return to the others. Shi Ailin gaped as she found Yuan Shun sitting on Shi Yen's shoulders and Fang Qi on Yuan Xinyi's shoulders in the water, playing a round of chicken fight.

It was the most absurd and entertaining thing she'd ever seen.

"Hold still!" instructed Fang Qi.

"I'm trying!" Yuan Xinyi shouted.

"Oh no, I'm going to fall over!"

Yuan Shun pushed Fang Qi over, and he fell backwards into the water, followed by a splash.

Yuan Shun then jumped from Shi Yen's shoulders, kissing her on the head and said, "You've done well to support me, my darling."

Shi Yen flushed.

Shi Ailin widened her eyes, a sad smile bloomed on her face. She'd never seen this side of Shi Yen.

"What's wrong?" Luo Wanting questioned.

"Nothing," she replied. "I just feel…happy." She then turned to him. "Let's join them!"

...

Later in the evening, Shi Yen snuck away with Yuan Shun for a late rendezvous, while their friends set up a birthday party.