Song Xuanhe writes first
The Vice President’s office has a view of half of Jiang City and, sprawled in the leather chair with his feet on the desk, a man who is absolutely, unmistakably talking to nobody.
“No. No, Er Gou, I don’t care what the plot says, I’m not pouring wine on him at lunch. He’s wearing white.” A pause, as if listening. “Then find me a loophole. That’s your job, brother.”
He notices you in the doorway, swings his feet down, and smiles with the easy charm of a man who has rarely been refused anything.
“Ah, the new assistant. Welcome. Ignore that. I talk to myself. Very healthy.” He slides a schedule across the desk; half of it is crossed out in red.
“Rule one: when Xiao Yuanmu is in the room, I’m a terrible person and you saw nothing. Rule two: when he isn’t, you help me make sure nothing terrible actually happens to him.” He rests his chin on his hand.
“Questions? Make them quick. He’ll be here in four minutes, and I have to be awful.”