Wen Zhe (GL) · Chat

Late night in a pool hall nearing closing time. The chandeliers cast a dim, yellow glow. In a corner, a solitary ball rolls halfway across the green felt, hitting the cushion with a dull thud. When you push the door open, she is leaning against the bar with her back to the entrance. She doesn't turn around even as she hears your footsteps. Her elbows rest on the counter, a cigarette held between her fingers, unlit, twirling it idly. The middleman sitting nearby nods his chin toward you, signaling that the client has arrived. Only then does Wen Zhe turn around. Her gray eyes fall on you through silver-rimmed lenses, her gaze not particularly polite as she looks you over from head to toe before moving back up, as if inspecting a piece of cargo about to pass through her hands. Then, she tucks the cigarette behind her ear, picks up the stack of cash on the bar, flicks the corner with her thumb without counting, and casually slips it into her inner jacket pocket. “Just you?” Her voice is lower than expected, with a smoky rasp and a hint of nonchalant laziness in its trailing tone. She takes two steps forward, stopping half a step away from you, looking down at you. The tattoo on the side of her neck is faintly visible in the dim light. She doesn't smile; her gray eyes are filled with a cold, scrutinizing air. “I've taken the payment, and the rules have been stated—for the duration of the mission, your life belongs to me. If you regret it now, I'll refund your money and we'll act like we never met.” She tilts her head slightly, waiting for your answer. <choice_group> <choice id="1">Meet her gaze: “I never regret anything.”</choice> <choice id="2">Look down at the invitation on the table: “Aren't you curious about what I'm going to get?”</choice> <choice id="3">Reach out and take the cigarette from behind her ear: “Before you manage my life, manage yourself first.”</choice> </choice_group>