Yuan Shun

Shi Yen hopped into her car after washing up and changing from practice. Instead of heading to work, she went to a leadership workshop that she attended once a month to help strengthen the skills she needed as a business owner.

She took a seat, listening to the spokesperson when she noticed the person next to her was speedily taking notes that she was nearly sure he was going to create holes through his notebook from the pen. Shi Yen wasn't much of a note-taker. She felt like she learned better listening, absorbing, and memorizing information.

"Rats!" the man next to her said. Without looking at her, he continued, "Sweetheart, do you have an extra pen?"

Straight-faced, Shi Yen replied, "I'm not your sweetheart."

The man next to her smiled broadly, "Sorry, miss. Do you have a pen—" His smile died once he saw her. "Yen?" He questioned.

Shi Yen's eyes widened when she got a good look at him. "Fang Qi?"

Fang Qi smiled. "It's really you!"

"Shhh," people said to him, trying to quiet him.

"Shhh," he said back at them with furrowed brows.

Shi Yen suppressed a laugh.

Fang Qi was a friend she had in high school until graduation when they parted ways to live separate lives.

Shi Yen reached for her purse, taking out a black pen she carried. She then passed it to him. "Be more prepared next time!" She whispered.

"Fine. I will, thank you," Fang Qi replied, continuing to write down his notes. It would be easier to use a tablet, recorder, or laptop, Shi Yen thought. But the workshops didn't allow technology to record them.

They then continued to listen until intermission. "Did you catch that last part?" Fang Qi asked.

Shi Yen sighed, telling him what she remembered. She then asked, "Why is that important? These workshops are not entirely informative about running a business, only a team."

Fang Qi looked at her directly with his dirty-blonde hair swept over his startling blue eyes. "Well, my boss has high expectations, so I can't disappoint him. I have to work as hard as I can."

Shi Yen's lips curved slightly upward. It's the same expectations she had for her employees.

After some silence, he asked her. "What are you here for?"

"Well, I wanted to learn how to build relationships with my employees. I'm not very good at that," she admitted.

Fang Qi's lips parted slightly. "Oh, that reminds me of someone I know," he said. "I've heard many things about you, Yen. I wonder if you met my boss—probably not," he mumbled. "He's doesn't meet with people often. But I think he'd like you."

That made her curious.

"I'm proud of you, Yen. I know it's been hard for you and Ai," he said.

Shi Yen smiled. "Thank you," she replied genuinely. Fang Qi was a good person, had always been.

He was silent for a moment before he said, "How is your sister?"

Shi Yen glanced at him. "She's very well. I promise."

Fang Qi grinned. "I'm glad."

Fang Qi may be one of the few people who don't see her or Shi Ailin without shivering. Her family was ruthless in the business world, and because she was their daughter, many assumed the worst of her. If anyone ever offended a Shi before, they had to face many complications inflicted upon them. So she kept up with the pretense, and whenever they stumble upon her, they become ashen, paralyzed. But not Fang Qi.

The intermission was over, and the workshop went on. After the workshop ended, Fang Qi followed her towards the exit, asking more about what he's missed. Shi Yen reluctantly obliged, even though she wasn't sure why she felt like helping him.

She then stepped into her car, as Fang Qi leaned his elbows over the window. He then tossed her a piece of paper with his phone number. "Let me know if you want to attend any more of these workshops together," he said.

Shi Yen glanced at it. "What are your intentions?" she questioned straightforwardly, looking at him with narrowed eyes.

Fang Qi flashed her a wide grin. "I want to catch up,"

"Really?" she asked.

Fang Qi chuckled. "Yes, Yen. I promise."

Shi Yen's lips unconsciously curved upward. "That's good to know," she replied. "I will consider it then." Shi Yen then placed on her sunglasses and sped off towards the company.

Fang Qi watched as the car drove off. He then dialled a number, calling his best friend and boss, Yuan Shun.

A deep voice from the other line answered.

"Shun. When are you returning to the country?"

"I'm already home," he told him.

"Well, why didn't you tell me?" asked Fang Qi.

"Because you're annoying," replied Yuan Shun. "And I needed some peace."

"Well. That hurts!"

...

Back at the company, Shi Yen had consumed herself in work, filling out papers, reading documents, organizing a schedule, responding to phone calls and emails, anything to keep her distracted.

She wondered if Master Wong had noticed how her stamina has declined since she was breathless after an hour of training. Master Wong told her ever since he became her teacher was to treat her body as a temple. And yet she had failed to do so since she left the Underworld.

During her time in the Underworld, she avoided drinking and smoking to keep her body perfectly shaped, and she only did if it was necessary to blend in through the small mouth of her mask. However, since she left, she picked it up more often, anything to numb the pain that she felt lingering, and anything to fill the void.

Revenge and the Underworld had given her purpose, and she gave it up, leaving it behind for her sister, for Master Wong, and for herself.

When she finished her work, she headed home, changing into something her sister would disapprove of. She then slipped out of the house alone and headed towards a nightclub owned by an old acquaintance.

…

Yuan Shun finally returned to the country after a month of business travels. Instead of meeting with friends and family, he went straight to an acquaintance's nightclub to drink away the weight he felt from his duties and responsibilities at a vibrant atmosphere.

He had a lot on his mind, and yet, the music and the alcohol did nothing to stir him awake. But it had always been like this. So what did he expect? Nothing much, he thought. He only desperately needed a drink.

At the bar, he drank out of a thick transparent glass, only a quarter filled with alcohol. He downed it, and his acquaintance then stepped to his side.

"Shun. Are you enjoying yourself? You rarely make an appearance. I've tried many times before."

"I'm enjoying myself," Yuan Shun lied bluntly.

"Well, let me know how I can make it more eventful, and I will make it happen," said his acquaintance, the club owner.

"Thank you," replied Yuan Shun.

The club owner left, and Yuan Shun decided to take another shot. He had a high tolerance with alcohol, so he wasn't affected even after taking a few too many glasses.

He glanced around the club, which was a mistake because he was trying to avoid being seen. However, his eyes lingered over at the dancing couples, at the subtle narcotic exchanges, at people pouring alcohol over the guest's mouths from large bottles. He then wondered why he was even here.

When he was turning back around, his eyes paused at a certain booth, under dim lighting. A woman was watching the thick crowd while she drank out of a glass.

Yuan Shun didn't understand why, but he'd never felt so fascinated—drawn. She wore a thin-strapped red velvet dress; she wore a bright red lipstick on her lips that complemented her pale, glistening skin. Her hair was a thick black veil, and her eyes were feline, almond-shaped, and purely dark. She had a slight flush on her cheeks.

She leaned back with a laziness that told him she was confident in being alone, not wanting to be bothered. And yet, he felt like bothering her; he felt like interrupting her peace.

He turned over to the Bartender, requesting two more drinks.

The Bartender was wiping down glasses as he followed Yuan Shun's gaze, eyeing the woman.

"I wouldn't bother with that one, sir."

Yuan Shun furrowed his brows. "With what?"

"With that woman, you were looking at," he replied.

Yuan Shun glanced behind him once more, stealing a glance. "Why not?" he asked the Bartender.

"Because she's got a sharp tongue, a strong wit, and she's a she-devil."

Yuan Shun scoffed against his glass. "That doesn't sound bad at all. I have heard worse about myself."

"Still," replied the Bartender. "Don't assume she will fall for your charms. She will make it seem it's working, but it wouldn't. She only takes things for her own benefit. I've seen it happen to many of our unfortunate guests."

Interesting, Yuan Shun thought. He then glanced towards the booth and the woman collided her gaze with his; their eyes met. Her eyes narrowed as she downed her drink quickly, watching him intensely.

Yuan Shun then looked away, placing cash towards his tab, standing up, walking out of the club. He realized the Bartender was right. Yuan Shun was not inclined to engage himself with her and not due to fear, but because of something else entirely. He could have sworn his heart felt some excitement.