Something Beautiful and Wicked

Shi Yen was everywhere; in his thoughts, his dreams, in the ads as he drove towards work.     

There were billboards of her plastered in the busy corners of the streets. A big part of Yuan Shun felt delighted to see it, like a supportive friend or a proud significant other…     

Yuan Shun shook his thoughts.     

He continued to drive towards work, where he met with top clients and made some conference calls. He drowned himself in work, and he wondered where Fang Qi was.     

…     

Fang Qi was sitting in the corner of the break room, snacking on a fruit bar. He hadn't had a break in hours, days, and he was desperate for some time for himself.     

Yuan Shun had been overworking everyone hard, and he most likely will keep this up until they were bone and dust.     

He wondered if something happened between Yuan Shun and Shi Yen that made him this way. He was hoping that they had resolved some issues so that he can live in peace, but instead, he'd been enduring worse suffering than he imagined.     

"Mr. Fang," said a woman, "Mr. Yuan is looking for you."     

Fang Qi grimaced and scarfed down the rest of his fruit bar and stood up, stretching out his aching back. He winced before he stalked towards Yuan Shun's office.     

He knocked on the door out of courtesy before stepping in. Yuan Shun was deep in paperwork that he barely noticed Fang Qi until he cleared his throat.     

Without looking up, Yuan Shun said, "I need you to stay back tonight."     

"Again?" Fang Qi questioned. "I've already worked 60 hours this week."     

Yuan Shun glared at him. "We are the financial advisors of oil companies, markets, automotive companies, tech companies, all of it. We serve millions of customers daily. Does it look like we have any time to rest?"     

Fang Qi frowned. "You need a break," he suggested.     

"What? Stop talking nonsense," Yuan Shun replied, flipping a page in his work.     

Fang Qi took a seat in front of Yuan Shun's desk. "Listen. I have a countryside villa that isn't occupied at the moment. We can invite our friends to stay there for a few days."     

"There's no time for a vacation," Yuan Shun replied.     

"C'mon Shun. You haven't taken any of your vacation days, and you're the boss! Did you know that most bosses leave the country at least once a month for a holiday?"     

"Those guys are sore thumbs," Yuan Shun replied.     

"True, but it's also a great stress reliever, which is why they go on those holidays."     

"So?"     

"Your sister will definitely come."     

Yuan Shun ignored him.     

"So will Yen."     

He paused to look at Fang Qi. "I doubt that. Yen is always busy, as am I."     

Fang Qi then called Shi Yen at that moment, and she picked up. "Yen? Can you clear your schedule for the end of the month? We are going on a trip! Yes. Yes. Right. Okay, bye."     

Yuan Shun inwardly groaned. He was sort of…jealous by how close Fang Qi and Shi Yen are. But he didn't want to dwell on it. If Fang Qi and Shi Yen wanted each other, they would have been together by now; and if that's not the case, then they can get together if they wanted to.     

"Yen is coming. Don't you want to come?"     

"No," Yuan Shun replied. "Enjoy your vacation."     

Fang Qi frowned. He then stepped towards the door to leave, but he paused and grinned. "You know I've been thinking…Yen is beautiful, isn't she? Years ago, she made it clear we'd only ever be friends, and I respected that. But she's so compelling. Don't you think? I want to ask her to be my girlfriend."     

Yuan Shun's eyes widened for a moment before it masked with composure. It was a bluff. It had to be. Fang Qi's never had a girlfriend before; he's only ever fucked women. He wouldn't ask her, would he? And if he did, he wouldn't take her seriously.     

Shi Yen must be protected from that fool!     

Yuan Shun pretended to check his schedule. He observed it carefully and said, "I think I shouldn't have much work that week. Perhaps I'll go."     

Fang Qi smiled. "Good. It's settled then; I'll make the arrangements."     

Yuan Shun eyed him coldly before Fang Qi slipped away.     

He released a deep sigh, resuming himself in work.     

…     

Shi Yen noticed that Yuan Shun wasn't home. He'd been arriving late more, so late, that she wasn't able to catch a glimpse of him in the morning or night.     

She stepped into the living room, pacing back and forth on what to do. She then reminded herself that she was Shi Yen, and it wasn't in her nature to fear.     

She checked if Yuan Shun's double doors were locked: they weren't.     

Shi Yen opened them and snuck through.     

It was dark and quiet. She thought to check Yuan Shun's office to discover his secrets, and she found nothing but papers associated with his Bank.     

She then snuck up the stairs, looking for his bedroom. He had several vacant guest rooms until she found the one that looked liked the one he slept in. She turned on the lights inside.     

His bedroom was as simple as the rest of the house: white walls, dark sheets, and plain furniture.     

She checked his dressers, his nightstand, his desk, and found nothing of extreme value. He was clean.     

She kept looking when she found photos of Yuan Shun and his family. She picked up a frame that, noticing a family of five. There were Yuan Shun and Yuan Xinyi, their mother, along with older, taller figures that looked like him.     

Shi Yen stared at the image, recalling that he'd lost both his father and brother. She staggered back slightly. What was she thinking?     

She was so tired of fighting this internal battle. She was sick of trying to choose between hating him and forgiving him. He had suffered just as much as her, and she felt like she should start being more considerate, as Master Wong wanted.     

Shi Yen sighed.     

She put the picture frame away when she heard, "Looking for something?"     

She froze.     

Shi Yen slowly turned to face Yuan Shun. She didn't hear him coming! His face was expressionless, devoid of emotion. She couldn't tell what he was thinking.     

He stepped forward, briefly glancing at what she had tucked away. His expression darkened. "What were you doing?"     

Shi Yen didn't answer.     

He then lifted her chin quickly but gently to face him. His expression was so cold and dark that she knew something was bothering him, tearing him apart. She had this instinct to ask him what's wrong, to assure his feelings. But she couldn't give in.     

He gazed at her, and she didn't tear her eyes away for a moment; she held it.     

Yuan Shun brushed a thumb over her lower lip as his eyes dropped to her mouth. He looked at her dazed, filled with longing and want. Shi Yen almost forgot to breathe.     

"What were you doing here?" he questioned again, staring at her lush lips.     

Shi Yen swallowed hard. "I must confess," she whispered. "That I came to look for your secrets, to discover them and use it against you."     

"You won't find any," his hand glided across her cheek. "I have nothing to hide, Yenni."     

Shi Yen narrowed her eyes as if she didn't believe him. But she didn't care; she was too entranced by his intense focus on her eyes and lips. She took a sharp breath as he neared her. Her senses buzzed and tingled with anticipation, yearning.     

"You should go," he said deeply, stepping away from her suddenly.     

Shi Yen gathered her arms and nodded. "Sorry for intruding," she apologized. She then dashed away, trying to cool the warmth of her burning cheeks.