Agent

The Wei family estate was the kind of place that made you feel poor just by breathing the air. It smelled like beeswax, old money, and desperation. Wei Xun sat at the head of a dining table so long he practically needed binoculars to see his parents at the other end.

"Xun," his mother started, her voice sounding like a violin string about to snap. "The daughter of the Lee Group is back from London. She’s refined, she’s brilliant, and she doesn't throw water on people. We’ve set a dinner for Friday."

Xun poked at a piece of wagyu beef that cost more than Xiao Shen’s scooter. "Can’t. I’m busy."

"Busy with what?" his father thundered, his face turning a shade of purple that matched the curtains. "You haven't been to a board meeting in three days!"

"I’m currently undergoing a spiritual awakening," Xun said, deadpan. He didn't look up. "I’ve joined a cult that worships ancient delivery deities. We believe that true enlightenment can only be found in the bottom of a cardboard pizza box. If I marry a Lee, the gods will smite my bank account. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

"Wei Xun!" his mother gasped, clutching her pearls. "Stop this nonsense. You need a wife. You need an image. You need—"

"I’m actually already seeing someone," Xun interrupted, the lie sliding off his tongue with dangerous ease. It was the only way to get them to shut up. "But I can't introduce him yet. He’s very... sensitive. He’s a high-level covert operative for a secret agency. If he shows his face in public, the government might collapse. It’s a whole thing. Very romantic, very dangerous. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go save the world. Or buy a smoothie. One of the two."

He stood up, ignoring his father’s screaming, and vanished out the door before they could ask for a name.

Fast forward to 3:00 PM.

Wei Xun didn't do "waiting," but here he was, sitting in the back of his Maybach across from a middle school. He looked like a secret agent himself, wearing an oversized trench coat and dark glasses, peering through the tinted windows.

"Is that her?" he asked his driver, pointing at a small girl with a backpack shaped like a giant piece of toast.

"That is indeed Meiling, sir," the driver sighed. He had been through a lot this week.

Xun stepped out of the car, looking entirely out of place among the sea of tired parents and yellow school buses.

He marched straight up to Meiling, who was currently arguing with a friend about which BL character was the "ultimate green flag."

"You," Xun said, looming over her like a fashionable shadow.

Meiling looked up. Her eyes went from 0 to 100 in two seconds. She recognized him. The hair, the arrogance, the 'expensive' vibe—it was the man who was ruining/saving her brother’s life.

"You’re the Arrogant Bastard!" she squealed, clutching her straps.

Xun winced. "I prefer 'The Benefactor,' but sure. Listen, kid. I have a proposal. Your brother is stubborn. He’s a feisty little stick who refuses to admit he likes my company. I need him to work for me. Not as a delivery guy—that’s a waste of his temper. I want him as my personal secretary. And my friend. Mostly the secretary part so I can boss him around legally."

Meiling crossed her arms, her inner businesswoman waking up. "Xiao Shen doesn't take orders from anyone. Why should I help you? He’s already stressed enough."

"Because," Xun said, leaning down to her level, "if he works for me, I’ll pay his salary in advance. He can quit his other four jobs. You can go to that elite summer art camp you keep looking at on your phone. And," he added, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I’ll give you the exclusive, behind-the-scenes tea on every single moment of drama between us for your... whatever it is you write."

Meiling froze. This was the ultimate bribe. Information. Content. Real-life tropes.

"Deal," she said, shaking his hand with terrifying intensity. "But you have to make him think it was his idea. Or at least, make him so annoyed he has no choice but to say yes."

"Oh, I’m very good at being annoying," Xun smirked.

An hour later, Xiao Shen was trudging up the stairs to his apartment, his knees popping with every step. He opened the door, expecting the smell of spicy dumplings. Instead, he smelled... expensive cologne?

"Surprise!" Meiling shouted, jumping up from the sofa.

Shen blinked. Sitting at his tiny, grease-stained kitchen table was Wei Xun. He was currently trying to figure out how to open a packet of 50-cent instant noodles as if it were a complex puzzle box.

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" Shen hissed, his voice trembling with the effort not to commit a crime.

"Your sister invited me," Xun said, finally tearing the packet open and sending dried seasoning everywhere. "She’s a very hospitable young lady. Unlike some people. We were just discussing your career path."

"My career path is none of your business!"

"Actually, Ge," Meiling piped up, looking incredibly innocent. "Mr. Wei says he’s in a legal bind. Apparently, his family is trying to force him into a marriage with a woman who hates cats, and he needs a... personal assistant? Someone to handle his schedule and act as a buffer. He offered a salary that would literally pay for my college and your retirement."

Shen looked at Meiling, then at Xun, who was now trying to eat a piece of raw noodle.

"I’m not being your secretary, Xun," Shen said, pointing at the door. "I’m a delivery guy. I don't do spreadsheets. I don't do 'buffers.' And I definitely don't do you."

"I don't need spreadsheets," Xun said, standing up and closing the distance between them. He was so close Shen could see the gold flecks in his eyes. "I need someone who isn't afraid to tell me I’m being a brat. I need someone who makes the day less... gray. Plus, I already told my parents you’re a secret agent. It would be really awkward if you didn't show up at the office tomorrow in a suit."

"You told them what?"

"You’re my secretary, Shen. Starting tomorrow. 8:00 AM. If you’re late, I’m buying this apartment building and turning it into a parking lot for my cat."

"You wouldn't!"

"Try me," Xun whispered, a challenge in his eyes that made Shen’s stomach do a backflip.

Xun turned to Meiling and gave her a sharp wink. "See you tomorrow, Little Bully."

As the door clicked shut, Shen turned to his sister, who was already typing furiously on her phone.

"Meiling! What did you do?"

"I just secured the bag, Ge!" she shouted, running into her room. "Now go buy a tie! You’re about to become a main character!"

Shen collapsed onto the floor, staring at the ceiling. He was 22, he was broke, and he was officially the secretary to the most annoying man in the world.

"I'm going to kill him," Shen whispered. "I'm definitely going to kill him."

But for the first time in months, he didn't feel tired. He felt electric

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