I should really quit my job, Shen Yuan thinks, cleaning a pair of pliers with a damp cloth. He could become, like, a florist? He likes flowers. Probably not enough to be a florist, but it’s not like this is his dream job either. And both require getting your hands a little dirty. Even less, if you're good at it.
Unfortunately for Shen Yuan, he's very good at his job.
The body, previously belonging to a man that had taken Shen Jiu's one rule of "no human trafficking or I'll remove all your teeth and then work my way down" for a bluff, was in the process of being removed from his work station after his 8 hour shift. The walls and floors needed scrubbing. The florescent lights were giving him a migraine.
He hasn't seen the sun in three days. That was partially his own fault for reading that entire webnovel over the weekend but still.
He could feel the new cleaner glaring a hole in his back as he cracked his aching neck. At this point, he's certain the entire syndicate (outside the inner circle) thinks there's a singular Mr. Shen. They had watched A Simple Favor last Thursday nightand Shen Jiu found the twin plot twist hilarious, cackling at his younger brother's sour expression while one drowned the other onscreen. He then proceeded to ask their leader if was also a brother f*cker. Yue Qingyuan had smiled in a chagrin manner and, in lieu of responding directly, told Shen Yuan to go to bed early. He’d be "getting an assignment in the morning".Shen Yuan is forever thankful his bedroom is all the way on the opposite side of the compound, where he doesn't have to risk hearing his brother and their childhood friend.
Sighing, he turned around to confront the mob character, ready to defend his honor. He stopped in his tracks. What f*cking Sports Illustrated cover did this guy just walk out of? Also, why is he so young!? I'm filing a complaint to HR!
"What are you, like 20? Can you even legally drink?" he bluntly asked, taken aback. How can someone have entire constellations contained in their eyes? This isn't a f*cking romance anime!
The kid continued to scowl for a moment in silence before responding, the lag due to picking up on the lack of hostility in his tone that would usually be associated with this face.
"I'm 23 and nothing about this situation is legal...Sir," he paused, waving his hand around to indicate the red room, before reluctantly adding the last part through his teeth.
Irritated, Shen Yuan rolled his eyes at the attitude. "Sir? Who am I, Shen Jiu?" This guy was lucky his face was so nice to look at. If he actually was Shen Jiu, he would've removed that hand. Seriously, what is he even doing here? Shouldn't he be on a build board somewhere advertising the $250 face cream that Liu-ge says he doesn't use?
The young man stared at him in confusion, brow furrowed. Shen Yuan noticed he had exceptionally long, dark eyelashes.
A mascara ad. sh*t, do they have a department for that? The beauty industry definitely launders money somewhere. Maybe Shang Qinghua would know?
But then he'd have to talk to Shang Qinghua.
"I'm not," he deadpanned. "I'm Shen Yuan."
The mob paled and stammered a reply. "O-oh! I'm sorry, ah, Mr. Shen!"
"It's fine, kid, really. I don't take it personally."
"Yes he does!" Came the most grating, agitating voice of Shang Qinghua, jumping the last 3 steps of the staircase on his way to Shen Yuan's cluttered desk. Dropping off a stack of paperwork before turning to scurry back up to civilization.
"Ignore him. We all do."
"Hey!" Echoed from the top of the stairs before a door slammed.
"Oh yeah, what's your name?" he asked, forgetting that the mobs always know him before he knows them.
"This one's name is Luo Binghe," he bowed respectfully in greeting. The abrupt switch up in personality took Shen Yuan off guard. He quickly stepped forward to lift him up by the shoulders. The young man's cheeks were dusted with a light pink. Cute!
"Who'd you piss off to get sent to the dungeons with me?" Shen Yuan asked jokingly.
Luo Binghe averted his eyes, clamming up.
"Ah," Shen Yuan sighed again. My brother. "Nevermind. Better question, how'd you end up mixed up with the underworld?"
"M-my mother is sick." Luo Binghe's breath caught as if holding back a sob at the reminder. "Has been for a long time. Since I was ten...and m-medical bills are expensive. I had to drop out of school to support her and it just—it got out of control."
Shen Yuna nodded sagely, hand on his chin as he listened to the tragic lore drop. "And the debt collectors are even worse, huh?"
"Yes, sir," he spoke lowly, starry eyes downcast. "I m-mean, Mr. Shen!"
Shen Yuan had heard enough. "Tell you what, you seem like a sweet kid, Binghe. Want me to get you a better job on the surface? I can ask the leader if there's an opening on the business side?" Shen Yuan thought aloud. "You definitely have the face for PR. And Qi Qingqi would keep you off my brother's radar. Plus, I'm sure the pay range is decent."
All of a sudden, Luo Binghe was panicking. "Please don't, Mr. Shen! It's not bad down here! Actually, I like it! Really like it!"
Shen Yuan gaped at him. "You like cleaning up bodies?"
"I'm good at cleaning!"
Hmm. "Are you good at paperwork?"
"Yes! I can also cook!"
f*ck, he'll give the kid a raise. He's too pitiful and Shen Yuan burns water!
"I've been thinking about getting an assistant. Would you be interested? I pay well."
He watched in horror as tears welled up and spilled over that beautiful face.
"Please, oh my god—why are you crying? Binghe, calm down there's really no need for this," he reached out to pat the young man's shaking shoulders.
"I'm just so happy! Mr. Shen is too kind!" he hiccuped. How is his crying face even more beautiful!? This is the real crime!
Even though they were the same height, Shen Yuan couldn't help but reach out to pet Luo Binghe's head in an attempt to calm him. This poor, white lotus. All mixed up in the wrong place with the wrong people. Gege will help you!
"It's okay, it's okay. Work hard and you'll be rewarded." he soothed, feeling like a good mentor already. "Binghe can call me Yuan-ge."
This will be just like having a loyal disciple like in cultivation webnovels! Wow, he can't wait to rub this in Shang Qinghua's face.
"Yuan-ge!" the younger wailed, reaching up to grip the edge of Shen Yuan's long sleeve, keeping his hand to Luo Binghe's head in a gentle caress. His face turned towards the ground, seemingly embarrassed at the action. Adorable!
With his face obscured, Shen Yuan didn't see the savage grin stretch across Luo Binghe's angelic face.
