Trip (1)

Early in the morning, right when the sun began to rise, Yuan Shun shut the trunk of his car and walked around to seat himself in the driver's seat.

He turned on the engine, glancing at Shi Yen, who looked out the window with her arm hanging out lazily. Her head titled back in the seat next to him, running idle fingers across the ledge.

Shi Yen had her feet casually propped next to the dashboard, with the skirts of her sundress sliding down to her hips, revealing too-much legs and skin. She was too casual, too careless, and so very beautiful, Yuan Shun thought.

Shi Yen would never be his, and that was the harsh reality.

Yuan Shun put on his sunglasses and turned up the radio for some music to fill the silence between them.

Shizi curled up in the back seat, and they sped off towards the airport.

When they arrived, Yuan Shun unpacked the trunk and passed it to the steward who put their stuff away into the private jet.

Shizi followed Shi Yen into the jet, and Yuan Shun trailed after them, meeting the others who have already settled in.

The Luo brothers were sitting with his sister, and Fang Qi took what should have been Yuan Shun's spot. So he then sat next to Shi Yen, by the window, since their pet occupied the seat next to Shi Ailin.

Shi Yen pushed her aisle seat back, closing her eyes to rest. Yuan Shun watched as her chest rose and fell, slowly falling asleep. Deep asleep, she then shifted, turning over to the side that faced him.

Yuan Shun realized that she must not have had an adequate amount of sleep the night before. He felt the cool breeze escape from the air conditioner, so he stood to grab a blanket from the compartment and placed it over Shi Yen. He ignored the glances of the others, and looked out the window, as they ascended the sky.

When they were close to arriving, Yuan shun heard Shi Yen shift next to him. He turned to find her looking up at him with dazed, dreamy eyes.

She clutched at the blanket and lifted herself to face her sister, who was deep in her mobile game of solitaire.

Shi Yen registered the space around her. "How long has it been?" she questioned.

It was Yuan Shun that answered without looking at her. "Two hours."

Shi Yen reached for her bag to take out a snack and some water, munching on it with her renewed energy.

Not long after, they landed in the countryside with white beaches, abundant trees, and deep blue waters. They took separate cars, heading over to Fang Qi's villa.

Shocked by how huge the house was, Shi Ailin stepped to Fang Qi's side as they walked down the beach path, and asked, "why don't you live here?"

"I come here for leisure, not for work. Besides, I let the farmers live here year-round since it's not occupied, but I requested to come here or this week," he said.

Shi Ailin's lips parted open. "That's very nice of you to let others live here," she said.

"Hm. It's really nothing," Fang Qi said. "Why waste such a beautiful space when others can enjoy it, too? I'd be an ass to leave it empty."

Shi Ailin smiled at him, and behind them trailed a very jealous Yuan Xinyi and Luo Tian.

The house looked like a Spanish-styled home. It was vast and white, with red-brown shingles on the roof. Plants adorned every window, and the house was decorated with luxurious furniture.

"You are free to explore the entire estate," Fang Qi said, "However, the women will sleep on the west wing while the men sleep on the east." He then smiled slyly, "there are no rules in the house, especially when it comes to the bedroom."

Yuan Xinyi rolled her eyes. "Good to know," she replied sarcastically.

"Don't worry, you won't find me warming your bed," he said to her.

"Good. Because I'll keep it locked anyway," Yuan Xinyi snapped back.

The others began to go their separate ways and rooms as Yuan Xinyi and Fang Qi continued to argue back and forth.

Shi Yen carried her stuff up the stairs, leaving Shizi down below to eat her meal. She claimed a room that had a beachside view with the sun casting through her window brightly. She began to adjust and settle in her room, and afterward, she changed into a tight-fitted lilac sundress that accentuated the curves of her body.

Shi Yen left her long hair unbound and loose despite the hot weather, and she stepped down the stairs to see if any of the others were done. It was only Yuan Shun and Fang Qi that finished settling down while the others were still busy.

Fang Qi stepped into view with what looked like orange juice in a glass, but she had an inkling that it wasn't just orange juice. He offered the drink to her.

"Are we day drinking now?" she questioned Fang Qi.

"Yen," he replied with friendly warmth, "Why must there be an appropriate time to drink? Can't it be anytime during the day?"

"I guess," she said. "But I'm going to have to pass for now. Otherwise, I'll fall asleep in the middle of the day. But I can join you tonight," she said too loud for Yuan Shun to hear.

"Perfect," Fang Qi said. He then walked off when he caught a glimpse of Luo Tian, and he began talking to his friend.

Yuan Shun was looking out of the screen doors, towards the beach, with a hand tucked in his pocket while the other hand swirled his drink. He appeared to be rooted in thought, not wanting to be disturbed.

Shi Yen watched him, contemplating whether or not she should say something to him, even if she didn't know what to tell him. Although, he didn't seem to be in the mood for teasing or flirting, and she felt—she didn't know what to feel about it.

When she delved the courage to say something, she noticed that Luo Wanting had approached him from behind. Yuan Shun smiled broadly and performed a very male handshake with him before they started talking.

So he wasn't in a bad mood, after all, was he?

Her thoughts were shaken when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned slightly to see Yuan Xinyi, clad in a beautiful green sundress that complimented her cherry-red hair. Her russet eyes glowed with the natural lighting casting over her.

Yuan Xinyi was so very beautiful and young that it made Shi Yen want to protect her from a man like Fang Qi.