Chapter 2: Don’t Cry
Tang Yu’an, clutching the teddy bear in his arms a little tighter, arrived at the base of a towering building with a nervous heart.
After he returned the call, the man hadn’t expressed any dissatisfaction, only asking him to come as soon as possible to discuss the specific job details.
Seeing the blue logo of the Interstellar Security Bureau outside, a symbol of freedom, he finally confirmed that this was indeed a legitimate job.
A pie falling from the sky could easily crush someone. Such a high salary definitely had a catch.
But the mission had to be done. He explained his purpose to the receptionist. After confirming his identity, a lady led him to the elevator, explaining in detail how to get to the office, and even handed him a cup of coffee.
“Welcome aboard.”
The receptionist’s smile was bright, but Tang Yu’an had a nagging feeling of walking into a trap.
He hadn’t even spoken to anyone yet, how was he already on board?
Could it really be a scam…?
The lady glanced at the bear in his hand. “Your teddy bear is so cute.”
There were too many eccentric characters in this building. In her years of work, most of the people she saw daily had their quirks, but their abilities were so strong that the leadership indulged them.
She had gradually gotten used to it. She would skillfully help take pictures of those who insisted on striking dramatic poses at the entrance, and she could calmly process expense reports for those who would tear down walls and doors at the slightest provocation.
This time, she finally encountered a handsome young man who seemed quiet and approachable. She had to seize the opportunity.
Tang Yu’an felt pinned to the spot by her overly enthusiastic gaze. Finally, he softly squeezed out two words: “…Thank you.”
He wanted to ask something more, but the elevator doors closed.
The ascent was fast but smooth, the coffee in his hand barely rippling.
He didn’t like the bitter taste of coffee, but since it was a gesture of kindness, he took a sip. It contained milk and sugar, surprisingly not unpleasant.
Following the receptionist’s directions, he arrived on the twenty-sixth floor. Passing through the corridor and hall, he found the office door wide open.
He knocked lightly twice.
A young man’s voice, different from the one he spoke to on the phone, called out, “Come in.”
He entered. The minimalist style made the office appear very clean. A tall, dark-haired man stood before the floor-to-ceiling window. Although his clothes were loose-fitting, they were well-tailored, likely custom-made.
His posture was relaxed but not sloppy. Turning around, he revealed a handsome face.
Just as Tang Yu’an was about to ask if he was in the wrong place, the man’s expression shifted in an instant from confusion to surprise, then to realization. A restrained smile appeared on his face, shattering the initial air of aloofness.
“Are you here to report for duty?”
The man on the phone, who said his surname was Pang, had only asked him to come for a discussion. How had it suddenly become reporting for duty?
What was the difference between this and forced conscription?
But the mission was there, and he couldn’t refuse: “I suppose… so.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the coffee in his hand was taken. Tang Yu’an was momentarily stunned, watching as the man naturally took a sip from his coffee.
“Tastes good, thanks.”
What was going on? Did he think he brought it for him?
Well, it was what it was. Tang Yu’an didn’t want to create unnecessary awkwardness, so he just smiled and said nothing.
The following words made him feel even more that things were going in a strange direction.
“From now on, you’re my assistant. Don’t worry about the salary; it’s the highest tier. Working hours are also flexible, depending on the superiors’ notifications. Just follow me… and you don’t have to bring me coffee anymore. I…”
Tang Yu’an gradually understood that he was being mistaken for the new assistant. This was definitely a misunderstanding. Just as he was about to explain, a third person entered the room.
This man wore a neat black suit, his face kind, slightly weathered from years of work.
He looked at the two of them. “You’re both here?”
This was the man from the phone call.
He first handed Tang Yu’an a business card: “Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Pang Jin, and I’m the director of the Strategic Processing Center at the Interstellar Defense Department.”
Then he added, “I’m not a scammer.”
Tang Yu’an started to blush.
Fortunately, Pang Jin didn’t dwell on it and turned to the other man, introducing him: “This is also a new member of the department, Wei Langxing. He has rich work experience, and you’ll be colleagues from now on… Langxing, meet Xiao Tang. He’s new here, so remember to take care of him.”
The man called Wei Langxing interrupted him: “Wait, isn’t he the assistant you arranged for me?”
Pang Jin didn’t know where he got that idea. “I did mention getting you an assistant, but didn’t you vehemently refuse? Saying you’d drive away anyone I sent?”
Why did he seem so accepting now? A sudden change of heart? Young people these days were so unpredictable.
Unfortunately, the opportunity had passed. He didn’t need an assistant anymore.
Suddenly realizing the truth, Wei Langxing felt petrified for the first time. His naturally calm demeanor made him accustomed to having everything under control. He rarely made such a blunder.
But he couldn’t be entirely blamed. Pang Jin had been persistently trying to assign him an assistant. He assumed he was being called in for a fait accompli.
He had intended to reiterate his refusal, making his stance clear to Pang Jin. But the moment he saw the young man walk in, that thought took a detour and was swallowed whole.
The gentle eyes held almost no aggression, the hair on his forehead slightly curled. His clothes looked well-worn, the jacket faded. He clutched a teddy bear, looking like he had come seeking refuge with his few meager possessions.
It seemed… he really needed this job. He even brought coffee, probably afraid of displeasing him. His lips were slightly pursed, seemingly uncomfortable in the unfamiliar environment, like a lost little animal huddled in a corner.
Wei Langxing usually didn’t need caffeine, but his hand seemed to move on its own, taking the coffee and tasting it.
It was too sweet for his liking, but seeing the subtle nervousness in the other’s expression, he took another sip and decided it wasn’t bad.
Now, he wanted to punch his past, confused self unconscious.
Wei Langxing, usually eloquent, stammered for the first time: “Then… then this… this coffee is…”
Tang Yu’an looked up slightly. “The receptionist gave it to me.”
Thunderstruck, Wei Langxing wanted to jump out the window.
Empathizing with his embarrassment, Tang Yu’an tried to salvage the situation: “But I don’t like coffee, so you can have it.”
“I’m so sorry, I’ll pay you back…”
“No, no need…”
Having watched the spectacle for a while, Pang Jin finally decided to intervene and end this farce: “It seems you two have hit it off. That’s good, teammates should help each other…”
The topic was brought back on track. Wei Langxing belatedly realized something was amiss: “Teammates? What team…? And what Strategic Processing Center? Is there even such a department?”
“Newly established by the higher-ups. I’m the director, and I called you here to inform you that you’ve been reassigned.”
Pang Jin patted his shoulder, entrusting him with an important task: “I’m forming a close-knit team to handle all sorts of unclassified emergencies. Congratulations, you’re the captain.”
It sounded impressive, but it was basically creating a ragtag team to deal with miscellaneous tasks.
Before Wei Langxing could fully process his reassignment and forced captaincy, he realized something:
“This team you mentioned, it’s for field work, right?”
Pang Jin didn’t understand why he was stating the obvious. Would he let such a hard-won talent gather dust?
“Naturally.”
“You’re kidding!” Wei Langxing’s voice didn’t rise, but it carried an undeniable air of authority. Whenever he spoke in this tone, those around him knew he was extremely displeased.
He glanced at Tang Yu’an. “How can he do field work?”
This frail body needed proper care, not constant exposure to danger.
The topic had circled back to him. Tang Yu’an wondered if he should be offended. It sounded like he was utterly incompetent.
But he truly didn’t know what abilities he possessed that made Pang Jin specifically seek him out. Faced with the doubt, he lowered his gaze.
Wei Langxing paused, then continued: “I don’t mean anything by it, but he clearly hasn’t received any training. What if something happens during field work? Pang, are you trying to get him killed?”
With one sentence, he transformed from a boss to a scheming villain. Pang Jin clicked his tongue: “What are you talking about? You’re getting more and more unruly! You have no idea what he’s capable of…”
“Even if he’s capable, lack of combat skills disqualifies him from field work. Don’t you understand the regulations?”
“You brat, daring to lecture me! I won’t indulge you today!”
The two began to argue back and forth. Tang Yu’an stood silently to the side, as if everything had nothing to do with him.
He was merely a quiet observer, neither interjecting nor arguing, only blinking occasionally.
In his view, there was no need for him to speak up for himself.
Pang Jin wanted to recruit him, and although Wei Langxing seemed domineering, his rank was lower than Pang Jin’s, so his words didn’t matter. He would definitely stay and complete the mission.
After arguing for a while, Wei Langxing turned to persuade the person in question: “Are… are you short of money? It’s okay, you can tell me.”
Without waiting for Tang Yu’an to answer, Wei Langxing continued on his own: “I can help you find other work. Trust me, it’s too dangerous to stay here. This job isn’t suitable for you. You can go to the logistics department for technical support…”
Tang Yu’an didn’t hear what he was saying because the system activated again.
[Beep—Plot rejection factor detected. Automatically triggering skill – “Pitiful Appearance”.]
What the heck?!
It wasn’t that he hadn’t triggered associated skills based on the character card attributes before, but they were mostly practical things like “Temporary Invisibility” or “Quick Dodge.” What was this “Pitiful Appearance”?
Tang Yu’an didn’t feel any changes in himself. He looked up questioningly, meeting Wei Langxing’s gaze.
Why was this person frozen?
He raised an eyebrow inquiringly, as if pulling the man’s mind back.
Wei Langxing’s expression turned evasive: “I… I didn’t bully you! I was just stating the facts. I was trying to help you… Don’t cry.”
