Boyfriend

Luo Wanting stayed true to his words.

He reminded Shi Ailin just how much she wanted him, and yet she still refused to say it out loud.

They never went beyond kissing, but occasionally, he would run smooth, tantalizing circles around her thigh while watching television. But once the core of her body got excited, Luo Wanting would withdraw his hand, pretending as if nothing happened.

He was teasing her.

And Shi Ailin couldn't help but think of Luo Tian's words: 'He takes things that belong to others because he likes the game, the chase.' Was it true?

Luo Wanting was a mysterious man, and she didn't know everything about him, but there was something else beneath his serpentine charm that he most likely didn't allow others to see. And some part of her wanted to discover everything about him.

Shi Ailin sighed as she prepared Luo Wanting a bag of his medicine, ointments, and anything he needed to take home that morning. He had recovered on the outside of his body, but on the inside, he was still sick and weary. But the two weeks were up.

Some part of her didn't want him to leave, but he had to return; otherwise, his absence would be too suspicious. Luo Wanting said he'd never gone on a trip for more than a week because he had to return to his work with the airline.

Before he left, he kissed her and said gently, "Thank you, princess." He then stared at her, as if he wanted to tell her something, but he shook his head and said, "Come to me whenever you need me."

Shi Ailin then sent him off, welcoming the silence once more.

To keep her mind off things, she went to her parent's bedroom as she folded her father's clothes, placing it back where it belonged. She then opened the top drawer, finding a photo of her parents.

She took it out, brushing the slight collection of dust over the frame. Her brilliant father didn't smile. He had jet-black hair, depthless coal-black eyes, and he wore a cold and indifferent expression, but Shi Ailin remembered he was happy when the photo was taken. He was also helplessly in love with her mother, and they weren't shy of affection in front of her and Shi Yen. But to everyone else, he had put up his public façade. He was the one person you shouldn't fuck with, as it was that critical.

Her mother had chestnut-brown hair and walnut eyes, like hers, and she smiled broadly in the photo while holding onto Shi Yan's arm. They were both so elegant, powerful, and regal. Her mother was charitable, kind, and loving—it was difficult for Shi Ailin to believe that her mother was the former Empress of that the same world Luo Wanting is involved in.

It was a complete shock to discover their secret lives.

Shi Ailin picked up another photo, looking at all of them reminiscently. The last one she saw puzzled her. She stared at it, transfixed.

She then closed the drawer, leaving the room abruptly. She went to her bedroom, turning on the lights. She then collected some online news articles she had printed. She pinned all of them on her wall, looking at it from a wide view.

Shi Ailin thought long and hard before started to search the Internet, trying to teach herself the simplified version of aerodynamics. After realizing that it was impossible, she then discovered that she had to see Luo Wanting sooner than she wanted for answers she'd been longing for.

…

Shi Yen was showing her students how to treat Wushu as if it were a dance. It required effort and flexibility on the arms, legs, and core. Sometimes there were leaps involved, connecting with the flow of movements.

Her students mimicked the dance, and Shi Yen felt a thrilling sensation flow through her.

In the middle of her teaching session, she had paused abruptly because she saw Yuan Shun enter the studio front door. Her eyes widened.

Yuan Shun approached Master Wong, bowing his head, greeting him. They began to speak, leaving her puzzled. Did they know each other?

She blushed. Master Wong was like a second father to her. Was this one of those formal introductions men typically do for their girlfriends? Shi Yen shook her thoughts. They didn't even label their relationship yet.

"Master Shi," said a young girl from her side. "Is everything all right?

Shi Yen glanced at her students who were standing poised, watching her. She smiled awkwardly at them. "Give me a few moments. In the meantime, do some more warm-ups."

Her students obliged, positioning themselves, performing their earlier routines on their own while Shi Yen snuck away. She then approached Master Wong and Yuan Shun, who were whispering to each other.

She pulled Yuan Shun aside. "What are you doing here?"

"You forgot your lunch," he said, picking up the bag he had kept on the bench behind him.

"You could have given it to me at work later!" she said.

"Oh?" he replied. "Now you want me to visit you at work? When I attempted to last time, you kicked me out within a minute, not wanting people to spread gossip, even though you're one of my executives. Being kicked out was more scandalous than being in the same office as you!"

"Are we doing this now?" she rubbed her temple, sparing a glance at Master Wong, who watched with an amusing smile.

Shi Yen took the bag from him. "Nevermind. Thank you," she said.

Yuan Shun grinned triumphantly before Master Wong interrupted.

"Your partner, significant other, boyfriend—whatever you call it—introduced himself to me formally," Master Wong said to Shi Yen.

Shi Yen's eyes widened. She looked at Yuan Shun to find the truth, and a deep flush crossed his face. She helplessly flushed too.

"This is quite a sight, Yenni," said Master Wong. "I'm shocked that you have someone." She scowled at him.

Yuan Shun then shook Master Wong's hand before heading out.

He brushed a kiss on Shi Yen's forehead and said, "I'll see you later." She was breathless.

Master Wong gave her a knowing look when Yuan Shun left. She sneered, "Don't look at me like that." And he smiled.

Shi Yen then turned around to return to her students, resuming their training for their morning session.