Chapter Text
Jiang Cheng sighed as he stood from his desk. Setting your own hours was a blessing and a curse. Nie Huaisang vacated the premises hours ago while Jiang Cheng did more paperwork about his latest errand. This person was having him comb the damn gutters of this city.
As Jiang Cheng maneuvered around his messy desk, a rapid knock sounded against the main office door. His eyes slid to the frosted glass window, noting the presence of a small figure standing in the hallway.
“Mr. Jiang, the lights are on.”
Shit.
He proceeded to the door cautiously, wondering why a woman would be standing outside of an mercenary agency at 1am. As he came to stand on the other side, he cleared his throat.
“Operating hours are from 9 to 6. Come back then.”
There’s a moment of silence before the mystery woman responds. “We are returning customers.”
As he opens his mouth, another silhouette appears through the window. Broad shoulders, tall stature. He would stand a chance with a gun.
A gun that’s locked in his office safe.
“I would hate to break your window, Mr. Jiang.” She replies calmly.
His jaw clenched as his fingers worked to open the lock. Within seconds, the door swung to the side.
A woman of average height stood before him. Her body was covered in black, save for a pair of red bottom heels and a crimson hairclip to match. Her high ponytail swished with the movement of her head to stare at him. Her kohl-lined eyes seemingly stared into his soul.
The man accompanying her had a similar taste. Head-to-toe black clothes, save for a red handkerchief in his jacket. His hair was surprisingly long enough to pull into a bun, which he had secured with a regular hair tie.
Jiang Cheng merely stared at the pair. “You threatened to break my window.”
“You didn’t open the door,” She responded blandly, entering the office on quick feet. The man behind her followed blindly.
Jiang Cheng sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, it is late and I was heading out. We can set up an appointment for tomorrow if that suits your fancy…?” His voice cut off as he looked at them questionably.
“You may call me Ms. Wen,” She claimed as she dropped her purse onto a desk chair. Her gloves were quick to come off with it as she let them go. She was staring at him again, which made him feel some way.
“Okay, Ms. Wen. If you would-“
“No,” She responded, face neutral. “I am here to discuss business and we are within my operating hours. Your occupancy never truly takes a break, Mr. Jiang. Your employee may, but you never do.”
Ms. Wen took three steps toward Jiang Cheng before she was standing infront of him. A small red envelope seemed to appear in her hand as she waved it in front of his face. “Do not miss this appointment, Mr. Jiang. This opportunity will never come again.”
For a moment, he stares at her and the envelope. His voice comes as a whisper seconds later.
“What are you playing at?”
She merely blinked at him. “Take the envelope. Accept the invitation, Mr. Jiang.”
The man—bodyguard?—stood by Huaisang’s desk the entire time, waiting patiently for her to finish.
With a nagging feeling eating him apart, he snatched the envelope from her.
Ms. Wen’s lips seem to smile. “Thank you. We will be seeing you soon.” She snaps her fingers at the man, who grabs her purse and gloves. He handed them over, watching as she slid the fabric on.
She grabbed the purse, tucking it on her arm as she looked Jiang Cheng up and down. “Wear what is suggested. Goodnight, Mr. Jiang.” With that, she stalked out of the room, with the man on her heels.
Jiang Cheng slammed the office door shut behind them. He stalked into his private room where he slammed that door too. He took a seat and laid the envelope flat, only to stare at it for hours.
Nie Huaisang hummed as he entered the office that morning, putting his backpack on the ground beside his desk. As he stood straight, a screech left his lungs.
Jiang Cheng merely stood infront of him, eyes red and glassy.
“Really?” He sighed as he pressed a hand over his heart. “There was no reason to scare me that way. You’ll give me early set heart attacks, A-Cheng.”
The man stood in the middle of the office, almost ghostly looking. Huaisang snapped his fingers in front of his face, which did nothing. “What is wrong with you? Did you sleep on your desk again?” Huaisang tsked as he moved past him.
He looked around Jiang Chang’s office, noting the singular red envelope that had been torn open. His eyebrows raised as he hurried over to read the print. An address was printed at the top, with a date and a time stamp. Messy chicken scratch was imprinted on the bottom.
After all the time we’ve spent together, Jiang Cheng, I don’t want you missing my special night.
p.s. the answer is blood money
“ Hah? ” Huaisang screamed.