Annoyed

The next morning, Shi Yen placed a hand over her pounding forehead. She sat up on her bed, groggily opening her eyes. Shizi jumped on her lap, curling her body over her folded legs. Shi Yen ruffled her fur when she heard her sister walk in.

Shi Ailin had entered the room, holding a tray of what could be a cure for a hangover.

"I can't even think about food," said Shi Yen distastefully.

Shi Ailin chuckled. "What about cake?"

Shi Yen arched a brow as she looked at the piece of cake on a small plate.

"I went back to Fang Qi's house after I dropped you off home. It was a fun night, and everyone missed you. So I brought you back some cake," she said.

Shi Yen fell back on the mattress. "Why did I have to challenge Yuan Shun to a drinking contest. I missed out on a great night. I mean, have you seen Yuan Shun? He's huge. I should have known better."

Shi Ailin laughed. "What provoked you?"

"His smug and sure expressions. He also claimed to have a higher alcohol tolerance, so I challenged him."

Shi Ailin laughed again. "He's right."

"I know, but he's so irritating."

"I don't get it. Then why'd you kiss him…twice even?" Shi Ailin questioned. She understood that there was a hostile dynamic between them, but in some ways, they looked as if they were…hot for each other too. It was odd.

Shi Yen shrugged. "I did it to torment him."

"Why?"

"Because he's confused."

"What do you mean?"

Shi Yen took a deep breath, thinking about the time he kissed her in the car. "Yuan Shun is stuck between wanting me and not wanting me, physically. It torments him, knowing that he can't have me. So I'll do anything to make it worse."

Shi Ailin gave her a look. "I thought you were finally getting over this."

"When it comes to Yuan Shun, I'll do anything to torment him. Since there's nothing to be done financially, I suppose I have to take more drastic measures."

"Like what?" Shi Ailin questioned, widening her eyes.

Shi Yen didn't answer. She sat up, placing Shizi to the side as she swallowed a pain reliever and drank the tea Shi Ailin gave her. "I'll save the cake for later," said Shi Yen.

"All right," her sister replied, grabbing the tray to place downstairs.

Shi Yen then went over to the washroom to wash up and change before heading out. Since it was her day off, she was able to run some errands that didn't involve work. She stopped by to see Master Wong before she did some light shopping.

She then drove to Fang Qi's house.

Fang Qi opened the door with his bed-head hair as if he just woke up. He let her in, and she followed him inside. His house was a mess of empty bottles, unfinished meals, confetti, and other questionable things.

He went straight to the kitchen, pouring two cups of coffee, passing one of them to her.

"Thank you," said Shi Yen.

Fang Qi drank from his cup. "What can I do for you?" he questioned.

Shi Yen placed a gift bag in front of him. "I'm sorry for leaving early. I didn't even get the chance to tell you happy birthday." She had left before midnight and didn't get to participate in the fun.

Fang Qi chuckled. He took the gift bag from her. "I honestly didn't mind. Watching you and Yuan Shun was entertaining enough."

Shi Yen sighed deeply as she took a seat near the kitchen table. "I know what you're doing. And I know you want me to get along with your best friend. But it's not simple. You can get Shi Ailin and Yuan Xinyi to stay out of this. That includes yourself."

Fang Qi looked at her earnestly. "I just don't want to see either of you hurt, or hurt each other," he said.

"It's too late for that. He's already hurt me," Shi Yen told him.

"Even though Yuan Shun doesn't have a good reputation. He doesn't do anything without a good reason," Fang Qi replied.

Shi Yen looked away for a moment before turning back. "Open your present."

Fang Qi opened the bag, pulling out a pair of socks, a dark blue tie, and a pen. He lifted the pen, asking, "what's this?"

"Just in case you forget."

"Thank you," he grinned, putting his gift away.

Shi Yen glanced at the time before she stood up. "I have to go. Happy 26th birthday, Fang Qi!"

"Thanks again!"

Shi Yen approached the front door, when she opened it, finding an idling Yuan Xinyi.

"Ah—" Yuan Xinyi said, relief washing over her face. "I had seen another car. I wasn't sure who it belonged to."

Shi Yen then realized that Yuan Xinyi must have believed that one of Fang Qi's lovers accompanied him. She frowned. "He's alone right now," Shi Yen assured her.

Yuan Xinyi offered a grim smile.

Shi Yen was about to leave when Yuan Xinyi stopped her. "Can I have your number?" she asked.

Shi Yen nodded. They both pulled out their phones, exchanging contacts. Shi Yen meant it when she said she wanted to be friends with her. Despite being a Yuan, the girl made quite an impression on her the night before when they had the chance to speak before Yuan Shun interrupted them.

She then headed for the new estate, hoping Yuan Shun wasn't home.

...

Yuan Shun didn't know if he should be content or annoyed with how Shi Yen avoided him. When he visited the estate, she never came out to give him iced tea or lemonade like she did on most days, since the weather was still strikingly hot.

She never bothered to check up on his progress, or scowl and roll her eyes at him any time he was within her radius. Nothing. She had arrived before him, not leaving until night without acknowledging his existence.

"You look like you're about to detonate," a deep voice said behind him.

Yuan Shun grinned, turning around. He then shook hands with Luo Wanting, happy to see him.

Luo Wanting looked around his house, with the construction nearly finished. "Is this your new estate? It's a lot bigger than the main house," he said, observing with his eyes.

"Hm," Yuan Shun replied. "That's because I only own half of it."

Luo Wanting arched a curious brow.

"It's too long to explain," Yuan Shun said. "What's the reason for your visit?"

"Your grandfather visited me this afternoon," Luo Wanting said.

Yuan Shun knitted his brows. "For what?"

"He asked me if I was engaged yet," he replied.

"Typical," Yuan Shun said.

Luo Wanting was like a third grandson to grandfather Yuan and second favourite, after his late older brother. His grandfather used to pester him about marriage, but as long as Luo Wanting remained unmarried, there was no one to compare him to anyone. There was no excuse for his grandfather to say, "why can't you be more like Luo Wanting?"

"I'll remain unmarried until I get an idea that you have someone in mind," Luo Wanting said to him.

"I can't ask you to do that," Yuan Shun said.

"Hm. But I will, anyway. I'd rather wait," Luo Wanting responded. He then lost his train of thought until he remembered another reason he visited. "Oh, I remembered something. Rumours are circling about something you've been digging information for," he added.

Yuan Shun stilled, predicting what it might be about.

"The Queen of the Underworld is possibly alive. The Emperor is desperately looking for her, even though he pretends he isn't. But there's no concrete evidence of whether she's dead or alive. He's gone insane, fearing that she would come back. It's madness."

Yuan Shun widened his eyes. "Do they know who she is?"

"No," replied Luo Wanting. "But I'm going to find out."

"As will I," said Yuan Shun. "I won't stop looking until I find her."