Wicked

Shi Yen had promised her sister that she would stop scheming since she created an incident that ended with a company filing for bankruptcy and the CEO in a messy divorce. And yet, she was going to do just that, thinking of it the moment Yuan Shun invited her out. But she didn't want to miss this opportunity.

Yuan Bank was the one that took everything from her after her parents died. They didn't let her pay anything off, forcing her to give them what she had. And she wanted to hurt them, but she had no opportunities, no real power aside from the Underworld. But the last thing she wanted to do was assassinate powerful people.

Mr. Yuan had passed away from health complications, leaving Yuan Shun with a hefty inheritance, making him one of the wealthiest men in the country.

Shi Yen didn't know what to do with Yuan Shun, other than just get to know him, to know her enemy.

They stepped down the porch of the Luo Estate, and Shi Yen called her uncle to pass Shi Ailin on the message that she had left the banquet, and won't be returning home until midnight. She semi-lied to her uncle that she left with a potential suitor, and he sent her a message back with a thumbs up for her efforts. Shi Yen rolled her eyes, chuckling shortly.

Yuan Shun and Shi Yen walked towards his car.

"What's your name?" Yuan Shun asked.

Many knew her by her full name: Shi Yenni. "Yen," she replied. Just Yen, for now, she thought.

"Yen," he repeated softly, almost as if he was glad to know it. It made her feel unnerved, but she took a deep breath, wearing a soft expression, despite it being against her nature. She didn't like to smile, but she tonight she would.

"My name--"

"I know who you are," she interrupted him.

Yuan Shun looked at her curiously. "Do you now?"

"Hm," she replied.

Yuan Shun unlocked his Balck Bugatti. Shi Yen smiled at Yuan Shun, pretending to be impressed.

Yuan Shun opened the passenger car door for her. Shi Yen hoped in, holding the lower skirts of her dress. He then walked around to the driver's seat.

Once he made sure she fastened her seatbelt, he then sped out of the twelve-car parking garage.

Shi Yen didn't know where he was going to take her. But she had a feeling that he wasn't going to try doing anything stupid after watching her knock a man unconscious like it was nothing.

"Where are we going?" she asked him as they drove away.

"Nanjing road," he replied.

Shi Yen widened her eyes, surprised. Nanjing road was a shopping street with vibrant stores, street vendors, and restaurants, but at night that street lights up the city, illuminating the small white towers and buildings. In some ways...it was a place for friends, family, tourists, and romantic 'dates.'

...

Yuan Shun wasn't sure what compelled him to take Yen from the banquet. He had his sights on her since he saw her at the nightclub, and it was strange. He didn't know her, but he wanted to know her. Every time she looked at him with a shy expression, or whenever she wrinkled her nose while she felt stuck at a response during their conversation, his heart would writhe in somersaults.

They parked near a hotel, and he led her down the street. He took her to a building that was built during the end of the Qing Dynasty, renovated with updates to the structure. It was a multi-levelled restaurant, and Yuan Shun, last minute, bought the seats to the entire upper level.

The servers quickly closed down the level, cleaning it up, urging some guests to stay in the lower level so that Yuan Shun and Shi Yen had the top floor with the view of a vast terrace.

He watched as Yen glanced around the entire space, with the empty tables adorned with white flowers. The lights then dimmed to Yuan Shun's request.

Shi Yen turned around as he lit some candles by their table. He then pushed back a chair for her, and she smiled at him, taking her seat.

He poured some red wine, and they saluted each other before downing it.

"Yen," he called out to her. She looked up at him with slightly parted wine-kissed lips, almost as if she was astonished.

He flushed, trying to compose himself. "How did you learn how to fight?" he questioned her curiously.

Shi Yen took a deep breath, grinning. "I learned from my Master when I was sixteen. He has been with my family for 30 years," she informed him.

Yuan Shun smiled back. "I'm very impressed," he said.

Shi Yen lifted a leg over her thigh, leaning against her chair. "Because I'm a woman?" she asked.

Yuan Shun shook his head. "Because you've honed the art of Wushu. I've never seen anyone, a man or woman, defend themself that quickly before."

Shi Yen rolled her eyes.

Yuan Shun chuckled slightly at her reaction. "It's true. I noticed how precise your form was, how straight your arm was when you extended your palm��the willow leaf palm—to fend off your assailant. You then quickly twisted his arm, bending it, almost like a pretzel, before you kneed his groin fluidly. With your right hook, you then punched him across the jaw. I don't think he was supposed to faint from that, but it goes to show how powerful that strike was."

"I'm assuming you, yourself, are familiar with martial arts?" she questioned him, sipping on wine casually.

Yuan Shun nodded. "My father trained my..." he drifted his words slightly, trying to find the words. "My father trained my brother and I."

"Your brother?" Shi Yen asked.

Yuan Shun smiled grimly. "Yes...He's gone."

Shi Yen's lips parted slightly. He lost a father and brother? She didn't know, and she was beginning to feel something...What is it? Empathy?

"I'm sorry," she found herself saying, genuinely. She knew what that was like.

Yuan Shun grinned genuinely. "No. I apologize for killing the mood."

Shi Yen found herself sympathizing with him. She leaned back in her chair, facing him. "Don't worry. I, myself, have some sad stories that can dampen any mood."

"I would like to hear them some time," Yuan Shun replied. But seeing as how that insinuated he wanted to see her again, he flushed and said, "I—I mean, if you want to."

"Cute," Shi Yen replied against her wine glass.

Yuan Shun flushed. The server then came down with their meals, serving braised pork chops, lobster tails, roasted chicken, steam vegetables, and fried rice.

Shi Yen beamed at the food, genuinely beamed. When it came to delicious meals, she can tend to be over-indulgent.