Something Beautiful and Wicked

1"So what brings you to the province of Hunan?" the milk-white haired woman asked.      

Shi Ailin bristled in her seat. "First, can you tell us where do you think we're from?"     

The woman smiled, the lines around her eyes creasing warmly. "I do not know," she answered truthfully.      

"Then how'd you know we're not from here?" Shi Ailin questioned.      

"It's simple," she answered. "You aren't. Just like a couple of strangers, I've let inside my home before." The woman leaned forward. "You look just like her."      

"Like who?" Shi Ailin asked.      

"Who else?" She replied. "Same eyes. Same brown curls. Even the way you clench your fingers around your cup. You radiate everything about that woman."      

Shi Ailin pursed her lips. "Then why did you tell me I dishonour my family?"     

"Because you behaved recklessly. Though, I'd expected it once I saw you. She was like that, too."      

Shi Ailin knew she was talking about her parents. "How did you meet them?"     

The woman outlined her teacup with her finger. "You see, I have many wanderers that pass by, and they often find themselves on my land. It's a beacon, as well as a sanctuary. It belonged to my husband, and when he passed, I put up that fence," she said, drinking her tea. "Your mother showed up with her injured husband years ago, and she pleaded for our help."      

Shi Ailin gasped. "How long ago?"     

"Four years ago," she replied.     

Four. Not six. They were getting somewhere.      

"Was my father, all right?" Shi Ailin questioned.      

The white-haired woman sighed. "Yes," she replied. "But if you're here, I can't imagine they made it home?"     

Shi Ailin frowned and nodded. "I'm looking for them."     

The woman sighed. "I see," she said. "They stayed here for three months. They sold that dagger to earn themselves some money. I saw how difficult it was for your father to part with it. When I heard they were selling it at the auction, I wanted to purchase it because it reminded me of them."      

Shi Ailin pressed her lips into a thin line. "How would you purchasing it make a difference than I? You scolded me for it!"     

"I had an entourage with me that night. You didn't," she answered, watching Shi Ailin's expression downturn. "You see, my husband was a respected man in both the business world and within the Dark Forces, even at his old age. I was his—" she tried to find the word. "Consort. Even after his death, many of his men did me favours."     

Shi Ailin gaped. "I didn't think your organizations had a bond."     

"We don't," she said. "I hired their protection for the night, hoping I could retrieve the dagger."      

Shi Ailin felt down, and the woman noticed.      

"There's no point mulling over your choices now. You two must be worn out. You can use our showers, and I can look around for spare clothing, and if you'd like, you can take shelter here for the night."      

Luo Wanting bowed his head, and Shi Ailin mirrored him. "Thank you," they said. Luo Wanting then added, "Please accept monetary compensation for troubling you, Mrs..?"     

"Call me Nianzu," she said with a subtle smile. "And it's no trouble at all. I won't accept your money. I have plenty of my own. But if you don't mind, I could use you for a favour."      

Luo Wanting didn't hesitate to accept the deal.      

Nianzu escorted them to a guest room on the second floor. Inside, there was a four-poster bed in the middle with the bed sheets folded at the corner. There was a balcony, adorned with lush bonsai plants.     

Nianzu left and was quick to return with fresh clothes, informing them that everything they needed was in the guest bathroom.      

"I'm going to wash up first," Luo Wanting said neutrally.      

Shi Ailin nodded at him. When she watched him enter the bathroom, she slumped on the bed and sighed. He was still mad at her.      

Great idea getting us into this mess, Ailin, she thought to herself.      

She rolled over onto her side, looking at the nightstand. Her eyes widened. She found a plugged-in telephone, and she reached for it. She dialled her sister's number, and Shi Yen answered.     

"Ailin. That better be you," she said coldly.      

Shi Ailin shivered. "Yes. It's me. I'm sorry I called so late."     

"Where are you?"     

Shi Ailin glanced over the balcony. "At the edge of Zhuzhou."     

She sighed in relief. "You're still there? You and Wanting usually don't stay at the same place for more than twelve hours."     

Shi Ailin breathed out. "Yes. Well, we got ourselves into some trouble."     

"What trouble?" Shi Yen asked. "Do you need any help?"     

"No—no," she replied. "We're fine. I promise. We just found a new lead and have been looking harder into it."      

Shi Ailin heard her breath heavy against the phone.      

"Yen…" she called out.      

"Yes?"     

"I found father's dagger," she continued, running smooth fingers over the sheath.      

Shi Yen's breath caught. "The one father used to gut fish before we ate it as children?" she asked.      

Shi Ailin smiled, remembering those summer days. She tightened her grip on the hold of the dagger. "Yes," she said, "and remember when father used to make us take turns throwing it for target practice?"     

"I never forgot," Shi Yen said. "I've been looking for it."      

Shi Ailin's lips wobbled, and Shi Yen picked up the sound. "Ailin? What's wrong?"     

"I spent a ridiculous amount of money on this dagger, but it was worth it. It feels like I got another piece of him; it feels like I'm that much closer to finding them," she continued wistfully. "But I angered Wanting. I behaved recklessly and got us into some deep…"     

"Spit it out," Shi Yen encouraged.      

"Some deep shit, and I'm afraid I gravely messed things up."     

Shi Yen breathed out deeply. "Talk to Wanting first. I promise it will help. Every relationship has its arguments. Believe me. It's almost odd if it never happens. Sometimes I pick fights with Shun just to make our relationship a little spicy. He's very responsive that way. Even at night—"     

"All right, Yen. I got it," Shi Ailin laughed and said.      

"Sorry, that was too much information, but you got what I was trying to say?"     

"Yes," she replied, remembering something. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. The Dark Forces. Do you know anything about them? Wanting and I feel like mother and father may have entangled themselves with them. It's probably why they left Shanghai in the first place."      

For a few moments, Shi Yen didn't say anything. Shi Ailin almost hung up the call her to redial the number, but she heard her sister's faint breathing.      

"Yen?"     

"Yes. I've heard of them," Shi Yen answered. "They were big years ago, and they threatened our society. But I hadn't heard about them since father disappeared…"     

"It's all connected, somehow," Shi Ailin told her. "Be cautious, Yenni."     

"You too," Shi Yen said.      

Shi Ailin heard the shower stop. "Oh, I have to go."      

"All right. Make sure you call me tomorrow."     

"I will. Bye," she said, hanging up the call.      

Not long after, Luo Wanting exited the bathroom fully dressed.      

Shi Ailin stood. "How was it?" she mustered a smile.      

He didn't look at her. "It's your turn," he said mildly. He then turned around and left the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.      

Shi Ailin released a breath. She had to work on that.