Irritated

"Miss Han."

Qin Zhen's voice cut through the ambient hum of the ballroom, firm and commanding as always.I turned, my expression calm and neutral, the perfect picture of a prim and proper secretary.

But as I did, I caught another gaze on me.

Jiang Yuxi. She was watching me with a subtle but unmistakable flicker of surprise.

Understandably so.This was not how I usually looked when we met for coffee.

I had deliberately chosen a black, unassuming gown, something designed to let me blend into the background, to maintain my role as an accessory to Qin Zhen's power rather than a player in my own right.

It was practical, efficient, forgettable.

Her dark eyes flickered across me, not in admiration—just an evaluation.

She was studying me. What I wouldn't give to have those eyes look at me not with this interest, or study but to look at me with with pleasure as she's-

> "A Mr. Luo is looking for you, sir," I informed Qin Zhen smoothly, keeping my tone professional. Shutting down my brain from those inappropriate thoughts.

He gave a brisk nod, not questioning how I always seemed to know everything before he did.

> "I'll handle it."

With that, he strode away, disappearing into the throng of high-profile guests.

And suddenly, Jiang Yuxi and I were alone.

"When you said you were a secretary," Jiang Yuxi finally said, her voice as cool and composed as ever, "I didn't think you meant Qin Zhen's."

There was no hostility in her tone, but there was something else—something curious.

I shrugged, tucking my hands behind my back.

> "I didn't think mentioning my boss was relevant."

I tilted my head slightly, letting my eyes flicker over her in deliberate assessments.

> "On the other hand, you and him seemed a little too close for my liking."

Not jealous at all.No, of course not.

Logically, I knew there was nothing going on between them.

Jiang Yuxi wasn't the type to entertain men like Qin Zhen and Qin Zhen wasn't the type to waste time on romantic distractions.

Still—it annoyed me.Which made no sense at all.

Jiang Yuxi arched a delicate brow, clearly not understanding the weight behind my words.

Or perhaps she was deliberately ignoring it.

> "We're acquaintances." She took a sip of her champagne, unfazed. "We get along sometimes."

I hummed, pretending to think about it.

> "Hmmmn. I see."

I was about to say something more—maybe push a little, tease a little, test her reactions—but then, from the corner of my eye, I saw her.

A waitress.Pretty.Slender.

Exactly the kind of woman who wouldn't mind my advances tonight. My gaydar is never wrong. And more importantly?

She wasn't Jiang Yuxi.

I had spent the last few weeks carefully, delicately placing myself in Jiang Yuxi's orbit and yet—what if she was straight?

What if I was wasting my time?

What if I was reading too much into these small moments?

For all my confidence, for all my calculated maneuvering, there was one truth I couldn't deny:

I didn't know if she would ever see me the way I wanted her to.

So why not have some fun?

> "Excuse me, Miss Jiang," I said smoothly, fabricating some excuse to leave.

Before she could react, I was already walking away.

I approached the waitress with easy charm, slipping into conversation like it was second nature.We spoke for a few minutes—meaningless chatter, empty compliments, playful teasing.

She was responsive.

Interested.

I didn't have to try too hard.

And then, with a simple nod, we slipped out of the ballroom.

No one noticed, and if they did no one cared after all we were just extras in the backdrop of someone else's grand stage.

That was the thing about nights like this—people did things in secret, stolen moments that no one ever talked about.

The moment I pulled the waitress in by the waist, I felt it—

That familiar thrill, the powerful satisfaction of being the one in control.Her body molded into mine easily, soft in all the right ways, her breath warm against my lips as she giggled.

> "Bold, aren't you?" she teased, fingers curling onto the back of my hair.

I smirked.

> "I've been told."

And then I kissed her.Slow. Confident. Deliberate.She sighed into me, her hands sliding up my arms, gripping onto my shoulders.

And fuck, I had missed this.

Missed the feeling of a woman pressing against me, responding to my touch, melting under my hold.

Missed being able to pull someone in without effort, without hesitation—because now, I finally had some muscle back on my body. I could finally manhandle women properly again.

And that?That was a win.

She giggled again, breaking the kiss just enough to whisper—

> "You're dangerous."

I grinned against her lips.

> "You have no idea."

And then I kissed her again, little miss pretty waitress unbottons her shirt.

Man, I love women.

---

Meanwhile, Back in the Ballroom…

Jiang Yuxi was irritated, she didn't like not knowing why.She had let Han Li's abrupt departure slide without comment at first.

Because why should she care? Han Li wasn't important.She was just a secretary.

Just a passing acquaintance. Who is funny, occasionally charming but a nobody.

And yet—

For some reason, the sight stayed with her.

A slight, nagging annoyance—

One she didn't quite understand.

---

Meanwhile, in the System Core…

> SYSTEM 404: [CHECKING HOST STATUS...]

SYSTEM 404: [HOST HAS LEFT THE BALLROOM.]

SYSTEM 404: [HOST HAS ENGAGED IN AN UNNECESSARY SIDE QUEST.]

SYSTEM 404: [HOST IS CURRENTLY MAKING OUT WITH A RANDOM WAITRESS.]

DAPHNE: [WILL YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP]