Proposition

The next morning, Shi Yen went to work, and her phone rang incessantly. Her assistant took the call, approaching her urgently.

"Miss Shi! Em…Mr. Fang is here to see you," she informed her.

Shi Yen sighed heavily. "All right, send him in."

Her assistant trembled slightly. She didn't tell Shi Yen that Fang Qi wasn't alone.

Shi Yen didn't pay attention when Fang Qi slipped through the door with Yuan Shun trailing behind him. When she looked up at them, her eyes widened, her nostrils flared.

She stood up, striding towards them quickly. Fang Qi had the urge to run away and almost escaped until Shi Yen pulled him back in by the collar of his suit. She faked a smile at Yuan Shun and said, "Sorry, Mr. Yuan. I need to speak to Mr. Fang for a moment."

Yuan Shun raised a brow. "You two know each other?"

"Oh? He didn't tell you?" Shi Yen replied with a sardonic smile.

Fang Qi flashed his teeth innocently until Shi Yen let go of him.

"Yes," Fang Qi said. "I promise I didn't tell Shun that we know each other."

"Good," said Shi Yen through gritted teeth, snapping her head to face Yuan Shun. "I was beginning to think he sent you on those workshops to spy on me."

Yuan Shun scoffed with a playful grin. "Miss Shi. I would never use such lowly measures to spy on you," he said, stepping forward, meeting her eyes. "If I wanted something from you, I would have done it by now, fairly."

Shi Yen stared back at him, unwaveringly.

Fang Qi watched as the two scariest people he's ever known, throw a glaring contest at each other. Though to him, it seemed more like intense gazing.

Shi Yen then straightened her blazer, walking back to her office chair. She gestured at the seats in front of her desk, urging them to sit.

Fang Qi glanced at his watch. "Oh my, look at the time. I have to…em…meet with a bank investor. Yes. An investor…" He said, quickly walking away, shutting the door behind him. Shi Yen then glared at his retreating figure.

She turned her head to face Yuan Shun directly. "What can I do for you?" she questioned coolly.

Yuan Shun sat down with such refined grace that it made her feel uneasy. He lifted a leg over his thigh, interlacing his fingers. He was so tall that he made the leather cushioned seat look like a classroom chair.

"I have a proposition that would be to your benefit," he told her.

Shi Yen looked at him blankly. She then stood up, walking over, standing in front of him. She leaned back to sit on the edge of her desk slightly with her arms crossed. "What proposition?" she asked.

"I want you to invest in my bank," he told her. "I want to help you earn more money than you could think of."

Investing in Yuan Bank would help her more than it would help him. Shi Yen unfolded her arms; she then stepped forward, resting her palms on the armrests, leaning over him. "What makes you think I need your help?" she asked him coldly, meeting his eyes directly.

"I don't think you need my help." His eyes darted from her eyes to her mouth. "You can do anything on your own without relying on anyone. But you can become more, Shi Yen."

Shi Yen narrowed her eyes. "Are you only interested in helping me because you still have Shi Group in your power?" She clenched her jaw. "Am I supposed to forget? What makes you think I'd ever want anything from you?"

She watched as a flicker of guilt flashed across his eyes when he faced her. But it was only momentarily, replaced quickly with composure.

"Don't forget that it was Shi Group that destroyed many independent businesses, that overworked people to the bone. Shi Group almost brought down Yuan Bank to filth. I won't apologize for protecting my people, my family. Your family was overly ambitious; no one is capable of holding that much power. The downfall of your little empire was inevitable," Yuan Shun reminded her unkindly.

Shi Yen released her grip around the armrests, backing away from him. She had enough.

Yuan Shun stood up, towering her. "My offer still stands. If you ever need help with anything—let me know. I'll do it."

Shi Yen stared at him impassively. "I think I will be just fine alone. I see you as my rival, nothing else."

Yuan Shun tucked his hands in his pockets, stepping closer until Shi Yen pressed her back further into the edge of her desk. "Is this a declaration? You hate me so much that you would only want to compete rather than work together?"

Shi Yen gritted her teeth. "Yes, because you can't even begin to comprehend how much I hate you," she seethed.

Yuan Shun placed an arm on each side of her, circling her against her desk. His face neared hers. He was so close that Shi Yen could see the freckles on his face, like golden dust. His russet eyes were the deepest colour of cognac, like the devil's horns. His long dark lashes fluttered, nearly sweeping over his cheeks. "Then why'd you kiss me?" he asked her sensuously.

Shi Yen shrugged. "Maybe I wanted to taste one bad apple. Bitter was your kiss," she lied. It was sweet, fleeting, something to crave for, but she didn't want to admit that.

He gazed at her mouth again, nearing it. Breaths escaped their slightly parted lips, mingling softly. "It's a shame," he said low, held with yearning. Yuan Shun then backed away, Shi Yen's body growing cold from the space he filled earlier. "You can contact me anytime. Maybe to share a kiss or for business…it's your choice," he said.

Shi Yen clenched her jaw. "I'd rather not."

Yuan Shun paused when he began to back away. He shot her a roguish grin, a winning smile, before he left, shutting the door behind him.

Shi Yen exhaled a sharp breath. Her flush bloomed, and her chest hammered. She managed to contain these feelings she wasn't familiar with until he left.

Shi Yen sat down on her seat, resuming her work as if nothing happened.