Something Beautiful And Wicked

Shi Yen's eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the sunlight that cast inside the room. 

She attempted to rise, but she felt an intense soreness on her left shoulder. "F.u.c.k.i.n.g hell," she cursed filthily. 

A laugh escaped from the man sitting next to her. "Easy," Yuan Shun said softly, a subtle smile crossing his face. "It seems like you're finally back." He reached for a pitcher of water to pour her a glass, and she gulped it down, then another and another. 

Shi Yen then took the time to survey the room; no one else was with him. 

"Where are they?" Shi Yen's voice croaked. 

"Who?" Yuan Shun responded.

"Never mind," she answered. "Where's Ai? How is she? Wait…how long has it been?"

Yuan Shun sighed. "Let's get you checked up, and then I'll give you all the answers," he said. 

Dr. Su Xiang came inside to check up on her. She told Shi Yen about her injury and the details of her recovery process. Shi Yen had to be diligent. When the doctor left, Shi Yen looked at her husband, waiting for the answers she impatiently wanted. 

"It's been a few days," Yuan Shun began, "When we took you in the hospital, the doctors said that you were delirious, and you were dying." He said painfully. "You suffered from fever, but you managed to recover while you were sleeping. Your sister was injured, but she wasn't hit anywhere vital. She was discharged yesterday. Luo Wanting took her home to get some rest."

Shi Yen pursed her lips, her eyes stinging. She could no longer hold back the emotions she felt. Everything he told her in addition to everything else was overwhelming. The shock she felt when Shi Ailin told her that Shi Ma was the one who betrayed them; the pain she felt when she thought she was going to die; the feeling of being utterly useless when she had to stay back and watch her friends finish her battle. But she was also relieved that it was over, that they were all safe. 

"You were holding back a lot, weren't you?" he questioned. 

Shi Yen faced him with a sad smile, sniffing. "You know I don't like showing my feelings." 

"You don't have to hide it from me," he said.

"I know," she responded, her tears falling from her eyes. She cried and cried until she couldn't anymore, and afterwards, she felt better. 

Yuan Shun dried her tears before they heard a knock on the door. 

Shi Ailin had cautiously stumbled in with Luo Wanting trailing behind. They sauntered towards her bed, and Shi Ailin was relieved to see her awake. 

"Yenni!" Shi Ailin said, "Shun told us you woke, so we came right away to see you!" 

Fang Qi and Master Wong had followed them into the room. Master Wong held Shizi, who was wagging her tail with excitement. 

"Dr. Su allowed us to bring her," Master Wong said. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine," she answered and meant it. 

"How are the rest of you?"

It was Fang Qi that answered. "We're all good," he said. "When we came, there wasn't much of a fight left. It seems that Lady Genji's organization was able to hold up until we arrived."

Shi Yen grinned. "To be honest, we were fortunate for her help." Shi Yen didn't want to think about it, but she wasn't sure what would happen if Wu Genji or Yuan Ning didn't switch sides. She knew that the other organizations were held up, but it was the fastest way to find Shi Ailin without wasting energy or resources. And they stumbled upon Shi Ma, who had them surrounded. 

"My uncle…?" she began to ask. 

"Dead," replied Luo Wanting. "We made sure of it, but I didn't doubt Yuan Ning's true aim." 

Shi Yen released a sigh. "Good," she answered. "I'm glad he was the one to do it…" she then trailed off. "Where is he?"

"He's in Wu Genji's hospital room. The doctors say she'll wake any moment now."

"Oh, good," Shi Yen said, glad that they were both doing well. 

"Yen…" Yuan Shun said. "My brother wants to talk to you. But if you're not comfortable with it, then it's no problem. You don't have to ever see him again." 

Shi Yen almost laughed, but she stopped herself, knowing how serious Yuan Shun was being. "Shun," she began. "He's my brother-in-law, and besides, my feud with him had always been mutual. I only want to move on."

Yuan Shun smiled, immense gratitude and admiration splayed on his expression.

He then left and returned with Yuan Ning, who had shaved his face, and combed and swept his ink-black hair aside. 

Her sister gave him a long sideways glance at his profile before she bent down to whisper. "I have a boyfriend, but I must say, Yuan Ning is more handsome than Yuan Shun…even Wanting. Don't you think?" 

Shi Yen smirked. "We should keep this between us. I don't think our men's egos can take it." 

Shi Ailin laughed and said aloud, "The rest of us are going to find some food. We'll bring you some back." 

"Thank you," Shi Yen whispered. 

Her friends then left the hospital room, including Yuan Shun, and Shi Yen was left alone with Yuan Ning. 

Shi Yen gestured to the empty seat by the side of her hospital bed. He took it. "I'm sorry for…um…" he tried to find the words to say it. "For hurting you." 

"I'm sorry for stabbing you in the c.h.e.s.t that one time," she replied. 

"I'm sorry for trying to kill you." 

Shi Yen smiled. "Many people tried to kill me," she said lazily. "And all of them failed, so I can't hold it against you." 

Yuan Ning returned the smile, and Shi Yen knew it was something he hadn't done in a long time. "You're a very kind woman," he said. "It's no wonder my brother was so protective of you. I thought that your marriage might have been…"

"For convenience?" Shi Yen finished for him. She shook her head. "I love him," she admitted. "Very much." 

Yuan Ning looked at her curiously, almost wondering how she was capable of it—of love. 

She read his curious expression and said, "Listen. I don't really know everything that's going on in your life, but I, too, experienced an unbearable amount of grief within a short time. And I don't want to compare our experiences, because both were tragic. But I can tell you that I was also consumed by revenge for a very long time, and though it motivated me to keep going on, it was more rewarding when I met Yuan Shun, and then I was able to let go." She thought about falling in love with Yuan Shun even when she still believed he had stolen everything from her—before he told her the truth. She thought about how she truly started living when she let go of her grudges and revenge. 

Yuan Ning lowered his ebony lashes as it swept across his cheeks. 

"It doesn't go away with time, but it does feel easier," she said. 

"Sometimes, it feels like it's difficult to breathe."

"I understand," Shi Yen replied with stinging eyes. "But, please," she breathed. "Stay for your family. For me. We're family now." 

Yuan Ning gave her a sad smile. 

"Have you seen your family?" she asked. 

He frowned. "I don't have the courage." He had been staying with Yuan Shun at his home, but he didn't dared visit the Yuan Estate—to face his mother and sister. 

Shi Yen grabbed his hand unexpectedly. "Go to them. It's a start. I promise." 

"Yenni!—"Yuan Xinyi started and paused, staring at the familiar man that sat next to her. Her expression dropped as if she had seen a ghost. Her mother came from behind. She carried a basket, dropping it on the floor, staring eye-wide. 

Yuan Xinyi shook her head, freeing herself from her daze. "Shun," Yuan Xinyi said, not wanting to imagine things. "I understand that you went through a near-death experience, but I didn't think it would add a few years to your life." 

If the mood had been softer, Shi Yen would have laughed. 

Yuan Ning stood up abruptly. "I—" he stuttered, but his mother had stepped closer, passing by Yuan Xinyi. 

"It's not Shun," she said, her lips parted wide. "I can remember my firstborn anywhere, anytime." 

"Ning?"

He smiled, sad and brilliantly. 

His mother's breath caught. "Is this for real?"

Yuan Xinyi stepped to their side, getting a better look at Yuan Ning. She gazed at him up and down, as if she couldn't quite believe it. He gave her a side-eye glance. "Hello, little red."

Her eyes widened, and then she fell into his embrace. The distinct difference between Yuan Ning and Yuan Shun was their voices. Yuan Ning had a rougher, coarser voice. His features were slightly older, but it added an agonizing beauty that most of the Yuan's possessed. 

His mother joined in the embrace, and then Yuan Shun sauntered in. He approached them, joining a now-complete family.