Something Beautiful and Wicked

When Shi Yen arrived home, she immediately washed up and changed with the help of Yuan Shun. By the time she finished, her friends had stopped by and gathered in her living room.      

"Yen!" Shi Ailin said, "How are you feeling?"     

Shi Yen approached an armchair to take a seat. Yuan Shun sat on the armrest next to her. "I'm fine," she answered.      

Shi Ailin looked relieved until she realized that all of their friends had come over. She then looked at her sister with a questioning gaze.      

Shi Yen wore a thin-strapped shirt, revealing her heavily bandaged shoulder, and Shi Ailin remembered how badly in shape she was when they took her to the hospital. She wondered why her sister invited them over when she should still be recovering.      

"I received some valuable information in regards to Shi Yan and Shi Chyou," started Shi Yen. "I spoke with Wu Genji, and it's possible they may be still alive."      

Everyone, but Shi Ailin was shocked. Shi Ailin only looked at her, dazed. It was as if a part of her knew, but she didn't want to accept it because the possibility could give her false hope.      

Wu Genji, who was sitting next to Yuan Ning, then told Shi Yen's circle about the information she knew and the conversation they had. She filled them in with every detail.      

"It's only a theory," Wu Genji added. "But there are also many other factors that can rule out the possibility. For example, if they were fleeing, most likely, people were out to get them, and they were being followed. If Shi Ma failed to kill them, then that means they managed to jump into the sea. But if other pursuers tailed them, it's not difficult to spot a couple of parachutes falling out of the sky. Most likely, those pursuers noticed. And around that part of the sea, there are many ships and fishing boats, so it wouldn't be difficult for sailors to notice and save them. If that were the case, then it wouldn't take that long for their pursuers to follow them to shore." Wu Genji paused to see if everyone else was following what she said.      

She then continued. "If they managed to escape from their pursuers, then it's about survival: money, food, and shelter. It's difficult to meet those needs when they're constantly on the move. It's been six years since then. If those pursuers didn't kill them, then it's starvation or some illness. If you start looking for them now, you'll only be chasing ghosts."      

Shi Ailin stared at the straightforward and blunt woman. Wu Genji was good at telling the hard truth when they needed to hear it.      

Wu Genji then took a deep breath. "But, I don't know them," she said. "If they're persistent and optimistic, it's possible that they've overcome each of those obstacles."      

"Is it possible that those pursuers—as you mentioned—would hunt them for all these years?" Shi Ailin inquired.      

Wu Genji glanced at her. "Yes," she said. "Your parents pissed very powerful people off. If that's the case, then people of every region are looking for them. Wherever they go, someone is searching, following. There is a heavy price on their heads. If they were good at covering their tracks, then it would nearly be nearly impossible to catch up."      

Shi Ailin frowned.      

"However," Wu Genji began again. "I'm guessing that they are slowly making their way back to Shanghai. If you want, you can wait it out until they return. But most likely they won't make it. Those hunters will make sure they won't step foot back in this city, or they're afraid that they'll follow them to you, Shi sisters. Which is why it may be taking them so long travelling from town, to city, to province."      

Shi Ailin sucked in a sharp breath after hearing what Wu Genji said. Some part of her hated herself. This whole time they've been on the run while she was at home, doing nothing.      

"Don't be hard on yourself," Luo Wanting read her expression and said. "You couldn't have known. Besides, they went missing since you were nineteen. There was nothing you could do at that time. They wanted to protect you; they wanted you to live your life."      

Shi Ailin's eyes stung, but she held back her tears.     

"I'm going to look for them," Shi Yen said, noting the way Shi Ailin looked. "Dead or alive, I want to find them. I want closure." Yuan Shun looked at his wife with half-surprise, and Shi Ailin realized that Shi Yen didn't talk to him about this before the meeting. But Yuan Shun didn't say anything, most likely because all he wanted was to support his wife.      

Shi Ailin stood up abruptly. "I'll go," she said.      

Shi Yen widened her eyes before she narrowed them. "What? Stop trying to be brave, Ai."      

"I'm not," she countered. "You are. Look in the mirror. You're so pale that you look like you can pass out the moment you encounter an ounce of danger. You still need to recuperate."      

"You got injured too," she said.      

"My wound was shallow, unlike yours. I can move just fine. Your shoulder was wrecked. You won't be able to use that arm for some time, and if you do, then the damage can be permanent."      

Shi Yen was at a loss of words. In some ways, her sister was right, but she would hate herself for sending her on a perilous journey to find their parents, who could be dead.      

"No," Shi Yen said.      

Luo Wanting stood up. "I will go with her," he said, bowing his head in front of her. "I want to do this. I will protect her since I failed to do so during our last mission. My brother can look after the company during my absence while Ailin and I go look for them."     

Shi Yen darted her eyes between Luo Wanting and Shi Ailin before she released a deep sigh. She then smiled. In some ways, Luo Wanting and Shi Ailin were more reckless than she and Yuan Shun ever were, when she thought they'd be more level-headed.      

"This is a dangerous mission," she reminded them. "If this is what you want, then, by all means, go. But you must be prepared."      

Both Shi Ailin and Luo Wanting nodded. "We'll bring them back."      

Shi Yen grinned. "That won't do," she said. "You can begin the search while I recover, but Yuan Shun and I will catch up with you two. We'll all bring them home together."      

Shi Ailin smiled.      

Yuan Ning, who remained quiet the entire time, stood up. "I can provide you with some tools and connections to help you start," he offered.      

Both Shi Ailin and Luo Wanting looked at him sceptically. Shi Yen knew that her friends wouldn't trust him, wouldn't forgive him just yet for what he'd done, even though she was already over it. But she appreciated them for always looking out for her.      

"That'd be fantastic, Ning," Shi Yen said. "Thank you."      

Yuan Ning gave her a gentle nod before he sat back down next to Wu Genji.      

Shi Yen then rose from her seat, approaching Shi Ailin and Luo Wanting. "If you two ever need help in any way. Please contact us immediately. We'll drop everything and come right away."      

"Of course," Shi Ailin replied. "Meet us, half-way?"     

"Half-way," Shi Yen replied. "Now, go. Ning and Genji will help you two."      

Shi Ailin then bent down to whisper. "Can they be trusted?"      

Shi Yen nodded without hesitation.      

That's all it took for Shi Ailin to be convinced. Shi Yen understood Yuan Ning and Genji more than anyone else. Both of them were cornered, used as special pawns. They survived tragedies, walking down a dark path, and now all they wanted to do was atone.      

Shi Ailin and Luo Wanting went to meet with Wu Genji and Yuan Ning, who filled them in with more information they had, along with tips and tools they should bring with them.      

Shi Yen then dismissed the rest of her friends since she was initially going to be the one to go until they changed plans.      

Afterwards, they devised a plan, and then they parted ways with them.      

Luo Wanting and Shi Ailin went home, packed, and then they left for their journey.