21 Birthday (1)

Shi Yen rummaged through her closet, looking for something to wear that night. She ran her hand through the hangers, desperately searching until she finally found it. Shi Yen grinned, pulling out a red dress.

She quickly put it on, pairing it with small hoop earrings, painting a matte cherry-red lipstick on her lips. She let her hair down, curling it with an iron. She then ran her fingers through her hair to loosen the waves.

She put on heels, walking over to foyer of her home, where her sister was waiting. Shi Ailin's mouth nearly dropped when she saw her.

Shi Yen smirked. "Are you ready?"

Shi Ailin gave her a slow nod, and the two of them headed to Fang Qi's house. Fang Qi had been waiting for Shi Ailin outside so that he could take her inside. Shi Yen walked behind them, by herself, entering his home.

Shi Yen looked around the house, crowded by guests. Her eyes widened. How did Fang Qi have so many friends?

She scanned the crowd, finding no one familiar. She decided to walk over to the small bar, requesting a drink. Shi Yen quickly downed it, wincing slightly at the strong taste of it.

She turned then around to find Yuan Shun arriving at the front door with a beautiful young woman next to his side. He wore all black from the neck down. His dark hair swept over to one side. He took the coat off the red-haired woman's shoulders, hanging it up for her.

Shi Yen narrowed her eyes, but she looked away. She then overheard some women talking about Yuan Shun. Shi Yen rolled her eyes and scoffed against the glass of her second drink.

She then felt someone tap her shoulder lightly. She turned around, eyes low-lidded, finding a handsome-looking man staring right at her.

"Yen," he said.

She creased her brows, wondering who he was. "Do I know you?"

The man chuckled slightly. "I'm Yao Jin. I was in your debate class during first year," he reminded her.

Shi Yen attempted to jog her memory, but she knew he wasn't memorable enough. Her University experience was hazy. She fast-tracked her classes, and she met people due to collaborative projects, but then she forgot about them the moment they handed in their final.

She shook his hand, smiling. "Hi," she said.

"H-hi," he said back shyly. "You look very lovely tonight."

Shi Yen was wearing a crimson-red dress with a deep v-neckline, revealing her breasts partly. She mostly wore it to piss off Yuan Shun, but this worked even better.

"Thank you," she said with a serpent smile.

He stepped to the side. "What are you doing now?" he questioned. Shi Yen proceeded to tell him about her company, and he told her about the business he'd been working on. They indulged themselves in more drinks, chatting about their lives and ambitions.

Yuan Shun, on the other hand, was pissed. He watched as Shi Yen did not even take notice of his arrival, and she began flirting with some spoiled brat.

"Brother, you're staring at her," Yuan Xinyi said as he faced her.

"What are you talking about?"

Yuan Xinyi locked arms with him. "That girl," she nodded her chin towards Shi Yen's direction. "That's Shi Yen? Isn't it?"

He looked at her curiously.

"Everyone knows who she is…and everyone knows what our family did to hers," she said smoothly, even over the sound of the music.

Yuan Shun released a breath. "How do you feel about it?"

"Do I feel guilty?" she questioned. "Heavens no, brother. To be frank, I don't give a fuck about what the Yuan's do or have done. We protect each other. Right? Shi Group would have done the same if the roles were reversed."

Yuan Shun nodded slightly, the guilt still visible on his face.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Shun," Yuan Xinyi said. "I know what you're doing even if Fang Qi doesn't see it because he's an idiot. But we're siblings, and I know you best."

Yuan Shun watched his sister. Despite their nine-year age gap, she did know him very well, aside from his late brother.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

"Maybe…but have you ever thought about what might happen if you lose at your own game? What if you fall in love with her? She already hates you, and imagine the power she'll hold over you if she gets an idea that you don't hate her in return."

Yuan Shun scowled. "I won't fall in love and I certainly won't lose."

He then watched as Yuan Xinyi's eyes widened, and she smiled at him slightly. "Don't look now, but she's watching us."

Yuan Shun stiffened.

Yuan Xinyi chuckled. "You do like her," she said.

Yuan Shun creased his brows. "I don't," he responded sharply.

His sister laughed—a rich laughter escaped from her. "Really, Shun. I can't believe this."

Yuan Shun didn't want to listen any longer, so he walked away, heading towards the bathroom.

Yuan Xinyi then glanced around, noticing that Shi Yen's date had walked away, too. She then decided to approach her.

"You and your boyfriend look lovely together," Yuan Xinyi said to her, stepping to her side.

Shi Yen grinned venomously. "He's not my boyfriend…but who really knows?"

Yuan Xinyi smiled and chuckled. "You're right."

"You came here with Yuan Shun?" Shi Yen questioned.

"Hm," replied Yuan Xinyi.

"What's your name?"

"Xinyi."

Shi Yen looked at her curiously. She looked deep into her amber-eyes, almost as if she'd seen right through her. Yuan Xinyi shivered. She'd forgotten that this was Shi Yen, a woman that doesn't let anything intimidate her. She had gone far on her own and everything and everyone was beneath her.

Yuan Xinyi straightened with confidence. "Shun is very handsome, am I right?" She said. "Indeed. All the ladies want him. It's a shame because I've seen you looking at him. And he wouldn't want someone like you."

Shi Yen looked at her blankly before she smiled. "You're very pretty," she said randomly.

Yuan Xinyi flushed. "R-Really? But…but...I'm not as pretty as you."

Shi Yen scoffed. "No, seriously. Your nails look so great, and I love your hair," she said, twirling a lock of her red hair.

Yuan Xinyi complimented her back, and they kept going on and on, and she'd forgotten what her mission was.