38 Packing

Shi Yen was sore after teaching her young group of students that morning, as she gave each of them free rein to use her as target practice.

She went home, slumping on the couch, closing her eyes to rest peacefully with several icepacks on her legs when someone barged in, disrupting her peace.

Shi Yen didn't want to open her eyes, so she kept them shut, but she could feel the stare of someone hovering above her.

She opened her eyes, and Yuan Xinyi was looking down at her with a wide smile. "I'm glad you're home!" she said.

"How did you know this was my day off?" Shi Yen questioned.

"You can't be oblivious to the records my brother he keeps on you," she said slyly. "He has your schedule colour coded."

Shi Yen groaned in slight pain as she shifted on the sofa. "I'd be hypocritical to say that I wasn't keeping tabs on him either because…" she couldn't come up with a good excuse. Why did she keep tabs on him? "Because I need to know when he's not here, so I can have some peace."

"Keep telling yourself that," Yuan Xinyi replied. "Now, come with me."

"Where?"

"We're going on a trip soon, and I need to get beautified. Please, Yen, can you come with me?"

Shi Yen stared at Yuan Xinyi blankly. Why did she want to be her friend again?

"There will be a massage included," Yuan Xinyi added with a wry smile.

Shi Yen achingly rose out of the couch. "Let's go."

Seeing her in slight pain, Yuan Xinyi helped her rise. "What happened to you, anyway?"

"My students are ruthless," Shi Yen replied. "But then again, people express what they are taught."

Shi Yen then straightened out her body. She was used to training sessions, so she stretched her limbs, and it did the trick.

She followed Yuan Xinyi, and they drove to the airport, calling Shi Ailin ahead of time to see if she'd join.

The three of them then headed towards the mall, where they went to a beauty salon that took them in immediately. They stripped down, wearing towels as they did facials and full-body massages.

"I would like a bikini wax," Yuan Xinyi requested the esthetician.

Both Shi Yen and Shi Ailin widened their eyes.

Yuan Xinyi lifted her head and looked at their curious glances. "What? Have you not done it before?"

Shi Yen and Shi Ailin shook their heads simultaneously.

"I heard it hurts," Shi Ailin replied.

"Not as much as you think," Yuan Xinyi said.

Her response made Shi Yen wonder how Yuan Xinyi was younger than them. She thought about it carefully. They would undoubtedly be wearing swimsuits. She shrugged and told the esthetician, "I would like one too."

Shi Ailin echoed the same words.

"How would you like it?" the esthetician questioned.

"All of it gone," Shi Yen replied boldly. She only wanted to try it since it was her first time waxing; she might as well get everything over with at once.

After she finished, Shi Yen was thankful she wore comfortable underwear and a sundress. She felt confined in pants, which is why she rarely wore them, but overall, it was painful in some areas and not so unpleasant in others.

They then did some heavy shopping afterward, with the assistance of people Yuan Xinyi brought with them for this purpose. They purchased some clothes, essentials, and groceries for the trip.

At the house, Shi Yen began to pack for the five days they were going to spend at Fang Qi's villa. She agreed to go because it's been some time since she did anything that wasn't illegal, that didn't involve work or teaching. Thinking about it, when was the last time she had a proper break?

Regardless, she continued to pack her and Shizi's things when she suddenly heard a knock on her bedroom door. Shi Yen stilled.

How was Yuan Shun brave enough to cross her territory?

She opened the door, and there he was, in his handsome glory, but his expression didn't hold any of his usual smugness.

"I figured I should knock since you carelessly welcomed yourself in mine, not long ago." Though his face remained dispassionate and aloof, his words did not stop from teasing her.

Shi Yen kept the door wide open, and she trailed back to her bed, folding her clothes. "Is there anything you want?" she questioned sharply.

Yuan Shun leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed. "I only wanted to ask if you were done packing so I can put your things in the back of my car before morning."

"Will you be leaving your car at the airport?" she questioned.

"Yes," he replied. "I am a friend of the owner, after all."

"Ah, Luo Wanting," she said. "Is he coming too?"

Yuan Shun's eyes narrowed. "Why would you like to know?"

Shi Yen sucked in a breath. "He's handsome, isn't he? So is his brother and Fang Qi, too," she mentioned. She wanted to strike a nerve in him. He had been distant with her lately, and it's been pissing her off. Why did he get to treat her this way and not expect her to punish him for it?

But Yuan Shun remained stoic and unmoved. "Yes, they're coming," he replied honestly. "And if you want to seek a certain companionship with any of them, I'd be happy to let them know."

Shi Yen faked a smile. "Thank you," she told him.

"It's my pleasure," he gritted out, detaching himself from the doorframe and leaving.

Shi Yen then chased after him. "Wait," she told him. Yuan Shun paused and stilled. He turned to face her impassively.

"I'm done packing," she told him.

Of course, he thought. Shi Yen would never chase after him for anything else.

He then went back to pick it up her things effortlessly, knowing it was heavy carry-on. "I will see you tomorrow," he said to her as if he didn't want to.

Shi Yen clenched her jaw and shut the door after he left, releasing a deep sigh. What was wrong with her?

She only hoped that this trip would go smoothly.