Trip (2)

"Fang Qi asked Ai and me to pick up some things for him, while the men stay behind to cook. Do you want to come with us?" Yuan Xinyi asked her.

"Yes," Shi Yen answered. She'll take any distraction.

Shi Yen then joined her sister and Yuan Xinyi as they took a car to drive an hour to find a shopping center. They had to pick up a box of wine, a cake, and some decorations. Shi Yen then put the pieces together. "Is it someone's birthday?" Shi Yen questioned.

"Hm," Yuan Xinyi replied. "Shun turns 30 in a couple of days."

"This week?" Shi Yen questioned, alarmed.

"Yes," Yuan Xinyi confirmed. "But it's a surprise. Fang Qi is throwing a party in two days, so don't tell Shun."

Shi Yen was stunned. "All right," she told her. "I won't say anything."

"Me too," Shi Ailin added.

The three of them continued to pick up some extravagant things from Fang Qi's list before they headed back to the villa.

Once they arrived, Yuan Xinyi turned to face Shi Yen and Shi Ailin. "I guess we'll put away the stuff first and then join the others."

They nodded, following her towards Fang Qi's cellar to hide all the birthday things. They then went to find the men barbequing meat and vegetables to eat for the evening, with the sun setting in view.

But they were shocked to find some guests they didn't know, have come over.

Fang Qi had a woman on his lap, whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

Shi Yen watched the strain in Yuan Xinyi, and she pitied the girl. "Listen," Shi Yen whispered to her, "I don't know much about love, but if he soon doesn't show any appreciation towards you, then do this: torture him, seduce him, and capture him until he yearns for you. You don't deserve to be second, Xinyi, but if he wants you, don't make it easy for him."

Yuan Xinyi looked at her with unshed tears. She sucked it back in, taking a deep breath. "I won't make it easy," she replied.

Shi Yen flashed her teeth. "Good."

Luckily, Fang Qi invited other men too. She gestured Yuan Xinyi to a tall, handsome, and golden-skinned man. "Flirt with that one," she told her.

Yuan Xinyi nodded bravely. "I'll talk to you later," she told her.

Shi Yen turned to look for her sister, but she seemed to be swept away by both Luo brothers in a conversation, leaving her dumbfounded.

She then decided to fill her belly with a meal before she drank anything. She wolfed down some sweet ribs, potatoes, and salad before she went to find herself a drink.

When she circled back to join the others, she saw Yuan Shun walking with his arm hung over a woman's shoulder casually. He was smiling and talking to her as if they shared secrets between them and relished in the fact that no one else knew.

She hiccupped, not understanding why the sight made her angry. She then went to find herself another drink.

Drunk and flushed, Shi Yen was getting rather annoyed with everything.

She could see Fang Qi eyeing Yuan Xinyi, and yet another woman was still on his lap. Shi Yen didn't understand men at all. She then stormed his way and lifted the girl from him.

"What are you doing?" Fang Qi questioned.

Shi Yen faced the random woman. "Go away," she said to her harshly. The woman jumped, gathering her things and running away.

"You're making a scene, Yen," he told her.

"Shush," Shi Yen warned him, waving a finger in the air. She then leaned over him, "or do you want me to pull your ears like I used to whenever you didn't listen to me?" Her eyes glinted murderously.

Fang Qi trembled. No. He couldn't deal with that pain again, but he was a man! He must stand up to her. "Don't tell me what to do," he said.

"Come with me," She said, pulling his hand forward, dragging him into the house.

"Where are you taking me?" he questioned.

Shi Yen didn't answer. She continued to pull him with her abnormal strength. They went inside the house, trailing up the stairs when Shi Yen tripped. "Oomph," a sound escaped her.

Fang Qi's eyes widened. "Are you okay?"

Shi Yen gritted her teeth. "It hurts…but I'm okay."

Fang Qi immediately lifted her in his arms. "Which room is yours?" he asked her.

Shi Yen told him, and he took her inside, shutting the door.

…

Yuan Shun went to check if Fang Qi was going to survive Shi Yen's wrath. But when he walked in, he saw his best friend sweep her off her feet. And he took her up to her bedroom. He followed them and hovered over the door, when he heard, "Oh my god!" coming from Shi Yen.

He clenched his fists to his sides and left.

…

"Oh my god!" Shi Yen exclaimed. "Can't you be more fucking gentle?" she yelled at Fang Qi.

"Well, if you would have kept still, then I wouldn't have dropped you. Luckily, you landed on the bed!"

Shi Yen gritted her teeth. She hissed, stretching out her leg.

Fang Qi sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "Now, can you tell me what this is about?"

Shi Yen didn't face him; she remained silent.

"You weren't pissed at me tonight, you were pissed at someone else, but you're taking it out on me!" Fang Qi said.

"I was kind of pissed at you," she replied, averting the real question.

"Yes, but were angry about something else. Tell me, Yen. You don't usually act this ridiculous."

Shi Yen didn't answer, and his words stung true.

Fang Qi's annoyance dissipated. Years of friendship had dawned on his expression. "I'm not going to press on the subject. All I can say is that you need to figure it out. Avoiding what you already know won't make things easy."

Shi Yen winced. "Like we're not all doing that?" she replied.

"What do you mean?" he questioned.

"Never mind," she said. "You're right. I'm sorry."

Fang Qi shot her a small smile. "I understand you, Yen. So you must cheer up tonight. We'll start again tomorrow."

Shi Yen gave him a sad smile. "Thank you," she replied.

At that, Fang Qi gripped her shoulder.

"Make sure Shizi has her own room tonight," she told him.

"I'll do that right now," he said and left.

Even though he was an idiot, Shi Yen knew that she could rely on Fang Qi for advice and friendship. That was the reason why she pulled him away. She needed that scolding from him.

Shi Yen then shut her eyes and fell asleep.