Six Years (1)
Six Years (1)
He began to sleep when he felt Shi Yen mount and kiss him. He responded to her quickly, kissing her back, running his thumb over her ear, locking their mouths together. It was dark, and Yuan Shun couldn't see her well, but he remembered the sensitive parts of her body.
He grasped her waist tightly, and she sighed against his mouth. He ran his hand over her smooth neck to get a better angle at her lips. Shi Yen pressed her body deeper onto his, and Yuan Shun touched every part of her body that wasn't covered with fabric.
After a long time, Shi Yen parted from him, panting long and deep as if they ran a marathon. She then rolled over on the side of the bed. Her breathing settled until it deepened.
Yuan Shun flipped onto his side, watching the moonlight cast over her face. He caressed her cheek, thinking about what happened years ago.
…
SIX YEARS AGO:
Yuan Shun stared out his office window, gazing over at Shi Group. He was lost in thought, running his thumb over the enamel pin of a wolf his father gifted him.
He heard someone enter the room, knowing who it was.
"Brother, you are very brilliant," Yuan Ning said. "I knew you had it in you. It'd be soon enough that Shi Group would crumble and beg us for mercy."
His older brother patted his shoulder. Yuan Shun turned, facing Yuan Ning, who mirrored a different expression than his. He had dark hair and russet eyes like him, but his features were harder and older than his.
"I did what I had to do to protect the family," Yuan Shun replied.
Yuan Ning didn't loosen his grip on his shoulder. "As you should. Father would be very proud of you. We're family, and we protect each other."
Yuan Shun set his jaw, feeling the slight guilt. He couldn't help but feel some dread.
Yuan Ning tapped his cheek. "You did great," he said. "I credit you for our success, and we're going to celebrate tonight. Cheer up." He smiled and began to walk away. "I will see you later, Shun."
Yuan Shun smiled grimly. He released a breath when his brother left, taking a bottle of an amber-liquid, taking a shot. He heard the door knock. "Come in," he said.
His assistant came in. "Mr. Yuan," he said, slightly nervous. "There is a man who's come to see you. He says it's urgent."
"Tell whoever it is to go away," he snapped.
His assistant leaned in to whisper. "Sir. It's Mr. Shi Yan of Shi Group."
Yuan Shun widened his eyes. "Did anyone see him enter the building?"
"No," his assistant replied. "He called ahead, and I made sure he came through another entrance."
Yuan Shun nodded. "Thank you. You did well. Send him in."
His assistant nodded. He then allowed Shi Yan in with another man joining him before he disappeared.
The two men were both heavily clothed in black. Shi Yan appeared to be as distant and cruel up close than when Yuan Shun used to see him from afar. Shi Yan wore a hard and harsh expression. His hair and eyes were the deepest colour Yuan Shun had ever seen.
Yuan Shun gestured him and his companion to take a seat, but they continued to stand, causing him to tremble by their rigidness and reserve.
"Can I help you?" asked Yuan Shun, trying not to show fear through his voice and body language.
Shi Yan narrowed his eyes, crossing his hands over his abdomen, not saying anything. He only stared at Yuan Shun, unnerving him.
"If this is about what I did against Shi Group, there is no way I am going to take it back. You no longer hold the power you cared so much about. Your ambition caused you this, and if you came to warn me that I shouldn't have done what I did, then I want to tell you, to fuck off kindly." It took every ounce in Yuan Shun not to faint from what he dared to say. He glanced at the man behind Shi Yan, mirroring the hard expression of his boss.
Their silence was tearing him apart, but he didn't show it.
"I didn't come to warn you," Shi Yan finally spoke, with a rough edge to his voice, sharp as a knife. "The empire I built is falling apart, but it isn't your fault."
Yuan Shun widened his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is that you have been misled and I have been betrayed," Shi Yan scoffed, causing Yuan Shun to stir.
Yuan Shun didn't reply.
"Mr. Yuan," Shi Yan continued formally. "Do you really believe I would go after your bank over something as petty as wanting more power? No. That is why I went for your advice and counsel for my business. I genuinely wanted to collaborate."
Yuan Shun couldn't believe what he said. He gaped. "Mr. Shi…I—I don't understand."
"No, you wouldn't. You're still a boy. How old are you?"
"24," Yuan Shun replied.
Shi Yan smiled briefly. "Even so, there are still things you don't know that I don't even know." He sighed. "The only one that's responsible for what's happening with my company is on me, for trusting the wrong people, for not seeing it coming."
Yuan Shun frowned.
"I have been framed," Shi Yan admitted outright. "I didn't do what I am accused of, and I'm seeking those who are responsible, but I'm afraid I don't have much time left."
Yuan Shun furrowed his brows. Shi Yan was speaking so sinisterly that it shook him to the core, but he restrained himself. Could he truly believe him? Was he telling the truth? Did Shi Yan not do the things against Yuan Bank, and that it was someone else who did it to frame Shi Group?