Luo Estate (1)

One Month Later:

To her utter hesitation, Shi Yen called Fang Qi, and the two met up for two more workshops after the first.

Fang Qi was unfiltered and genuine, speaking to her without reserve. He also never attempted to flirt or advance on her, which made it a bonus. She needed to surround herself with people other than her sister, Master Wong, Shizi, and those obligated to be kind to her.

It had been more than five months since she left the Underworld, and all she craved since then was normalcy.

Shi Yen would have recruited Fang Qi to work for her, but he was adamant about being loyal to his boss, which she still never figured out who he worked for. And Shi Yen wasn't one to ask questions because it would imply that she cared.

During lunch, Shi Yen asked Fang Qi. "Why do you bother hanging out with me?"

He took a bite out of his sandwich and shrugged. "Aren't we friends? Plus, everyone else that attends these workshops is rather boring. You've been a great deal of help. My boss even acknowledged my hard work with a brief nod of approval."

"He didn't say anything?" questioned Shi Yen. "Not even a 'thank you' for your hard work?"

Fang Qi shook his head. "No. Not really," he replied with a mouthful of food. "But I don't expect it."

Shi Yen wanted to scoff, but it wasn't like she was any better. "Who do you work for?" She asked, curious to know.

Fang Qi looked out at the window by their table and said. "Oh my, do you see that?"

Shi Yen looked over, and Fang Qi had gathered his things and bolted. "See you soon, Yen!" He said as he ran away.

Shi Yen's lips parted open, appalled. She was used to people running away from her, but the fact that Fang Qi outrageously stood up in front of everyone and dashed away was embarrassing. Why did he try to avert the question?

Nevertheless, she finished her lunch and went straight home. She decided to take the rest of the day off to prepare for the Luo Banquet.

When Shi Yen arrived home, Shizi greeted her with licks and a wagging tail. Shi Yen smiled, picking her up, cradling her. Shi Yen nuzzled her nose against Shizi's fur, and Shi Ailin had stepped down the stairs.

"She's been a good all day, but there will be times she's waiting by the door, hoping you would come through. I think it's adorable," Shi Ailin said.

"I think it is, too," replied Shi Yen. "But I want to train her to be more independent."

Shi Yen had been worried about Shizi because of her lack of interest in playing. Most of the time, Shizi only wanted to keep guard and follow everywhere she went, and whenever a stranger got too close to Shi Yen on walks, Shizi would immediately growl and bark.

Shi Yen carried Shizi to her bedroom and placed her gently over the bed. She then stepped into her bathroom, washing up, clasping a robe around her body. She approached her vanity, placing a generous amount of moisturizer.

She took out her makeup palettes, colouring in her eyelids. She blended the colours periwinkle, pink, and orange in her crease, and on her inner lid, she out on yellow, creating a sunset look. She topped it off with glitter, before putting all the rest. She finished her look with a soft pink lipgloss.

Shi Yen straightened her hair before slipping on a satin rose-gold dress; the dress hugged her curves, revealing the little space between her firm breasts. She completed her look by placing a golden band of a snake coiled around her upper arm.

She looked at herself in the mirror when Shi Ailin stumbled in her room; her lips parted slightly. "You look very pretty."

Shi Yen grinned slightly. "Thank you."

Shi Ailin walked in further. "Can you help me with my makeup? I want to look my best, and you always know how to do makeup better than me."

Shi Yen nodded. She gestured her sister to sit in front of her vanity as she placed golden eyeshadow with golden flakes and finished it with a simple wing on each one of her eyes. Shi Ailin looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. "I love it," she said.

Shi Yen stood behind her, looking at the two of them in the mirror.

"Are you nervous about tonight?" Shi Ailin asked her. "Actually, you're never nervous about anything. Forget, I asked."

Shi Yen chuckled. "I'm sensing that you're nervous about something. What is it?"

Shi Ailin frowned. "Being seen," she said, quirking her brows. But Shi Yen could tell there was more to it.

"You've been avoiding something," Shi Yen said sarcastically. "What is it, or should I say who is it?"

Shi Ailin smiled grimly and shook her head. "I'm not avoiding anything," she lied. "Let's go before my feet give out in these heels."

Shi Yen nodded. She then scooped up Shizi to take out of the room, filling her bowl with food and water in the kitchen to last the entire evening.

A driver waited outside for them, where they hopped in the car.

The venue that hosted the party was at the Luo Estate. Generally, many of the elite who are wealthy would hire a banquet to host such lavish events. But the Luo Estate was grander, more beautiful than any other venue they'd seen. And no doubt, the Luo's wanted to flaunt their wealth, seducing any daughters from High Society to be brides for their adult sons.

Shi Yen and Shi Ailin stepped from the car, looking up at the looming mansion ahead of them. It looked like a castle with a beautiful garden that loomed around, making it look somewhat less intimidating.

Shi Yen watched as Shi Ailin took a staggering breath before they walked towards the entrance.