Something Beautiful and Wicked

In the weeks that followed, Shi Yen had made and executed the preparations to renovate the house. She hadn't planned to move in since her current home was her childhood home. But it wouldn't hurt to have a second place to unwind, to be alone if she felt like it. She loved her sister, but there were moments where she wanted absolute privacy.     

Her weapons were cramped up in the closet of Master Wong's apartment. Her leather clothes and Underworld 'outfits' were also stored in a garbage bag in her closet that was in desperate need of ironing. Some parts of her missed the fear and excitement she had in the Underworld. Shi Yen missed the glorious nights of fighting, of running from the police, of hiding in the undergrounds of the streets.     

There were things she did that she was not proud of, and there were good things that she did, too, but she had done well to hide it. If the organizations knew she was doing something that did not benefit them, then they would assume she was soft and weak. So she did her best to act as a double agent.     

Shi Yen went to visit the estate, wearing a sundress that ended at her knees, due to the late spring weather. She took Shizi with her to run around the field since she had grown accustomed to doing what she wanted without straying far from Shi Yen.     

Shi Yen decided to visit Yuan Shun to look at his project, which was progressing pretty quickly. He hired many people to be working around the clock, but there was no sign of construction.     

Shi Yen found Yuan Shun around the back of the estate. He was digging into the ground, shirtless, sweat gleaming down his muscled torso. She tried not to look farther down than his chest when he faced her. His black hair was damp, sweeping over his russet eyes.     

Noticing her long pause and hard stare, Yuan Shun shot her a cocky grin. "Appreciate what you see?"     

Shi Yen took a deep breath, ignoring his comment. "Why didn't you start on the new house?"     

Yuan Shun dug the shovel into the ground, resting an arm over the handle. "I have plans for the rest of the land. It's rare to have this much green space in the city. Might as well transform the yard, too."     

Shi Yen snarled.     

"I know that you want me to finish sooner so that I'm out of your sight. But, Yen, you should accept that you'll be seeing more of me," said Yuan Shun.     

She hated how he referred to her by her first name as if it was something familiar, natural. She took a step forward, "Just stay out of my way, and maybe—in the future—I won't have the desire to sneak at night to slit your throat!"     

"Yen, if you ever want to seek me out at night. I'd highly encourage it," he replied slyly.     

Shi Yen flipped him off.     

Shizi then came running down a hill after chasing a squirrel, approaching the two of them. She sniffed Yuan Shun and began wagging her tail, breathing hard. Shi Yen's eyes widened in surprise as she rolled over to let Yuan Shun rub her belly.     

Shizi didn't allow just anyone to give her belly-rubs. It took her weeks to let Shi Ailin.     

"Shizi," Shi Yen called out.     

Her dog ignored her calls, allowing Yuan Shun to caress her fur.     

"Traitor," Shi Yen said.     

"Shizi, is her name?" Yuan Shun questioned.     

"Yes."     

"Very fitting," he said.     

Shi Yen began to walk away. The wind caressed the folds of her dress, brushing her dark hair over the end of her delicate waist. Yuan Shun watched as Shizi rolled over again and followed Shi Yen as a dedicated servant does to a master.     

Yuan Shun enjoyed teasing Shi Yen, but it was just a simple flirtation. And yet, he was afraid that it'd become more than that.     

He was already starting to think of her more often, and he didn't like it.     

…     

Shi Yen went back to the house, helping the men she hired to do some of the renovations. They tore down walls and plucked the floorboards.     

Shi Yen saw the potential of the house, and she spent the afternoon choosing whether to replace the floors with wood or marble, or a combination of both. On the upper level, Shi Yen was sweeping the floor, when she caught sight of Yuan Shun in the backyard, planting, still shirtless.     

To her utter reluctance, she went to the kitchen to make some iced tea for everyone. She then went back to the yard, holding a tray of drinks. Shi Yen made sure Yuan Shun's tea had less ice, so that'd it be warmer than the other drinks. She didn't want him to think she cared.     

She served it to his men and, lastly, to him.     

Yuan Shun took it, raising the glass thankfully before he drank it in one gulp. He seemed to have enjoyed it before he said, "Thank you, Yen, darling."     

Shi Yen clenched her jaw. "Just make sure you stay hydrated. The sun is too hot today."     

Yuan Shun looked at her with disbelief—actual disbelief. He didn't tease her about why she may care if he was hydrated or not. And she didn't. Shi Yen didn't want to deal with the consequences if he were to faint in the yard. But he stared at her with astonishment or something else she couldn't pinpoint.     

Shi Yen took one more glance at him. Her eyes dropped to his waist, at the sharp lines of where his lower abdomen met his obliques. She then walked away from him, a smile blooming on her lips.     

It looked as if she managed to crawl beneath his skin. He had been teasing and messing with her since they first met, and she finally understood why he'd done it. It was fun.