Chapter Text
Childe looked at the perfect side view of the man through the crosshair of his sniper rifle, inwardly lamenting about what a loss this would be to mankind that this person was going to disappear, and under his hands no less.
There was a bit less of a thrill than there usually was at this thought – why? He didn’t know. He just knew that he wasn’t as excited as usual when he was about to pull the trigger.
However, before he could pull the trigger, the man glanced in his direction, causing Childe to quickly fall back for the nth time today.
He didn’t know if he was being too sensitive or if he was just unlucky every time, but he’d been glanced at or something happened to block his view of the CEO.
Childe clicked his tongue and kept his gun quickly, locking the case back up. He’d missed his chance today already, and CEO Zhongli’s schedule was precise down to the minute.
Hefting the case onto his back, Childe leisurely made his way down the stairs, whistling.
Childe racked his brains. The only time that security wasn’t tight was when Zhongli was in the office, which was why Childe had made his way to the rooftop of an adjacent building.
The assassin glanced at the car that was driving away carrying his target, clicking his tongue.
Before he could move his gaze away, a pasted flyer behind the glass door of the building in front of him caught his eye.
Childe’s face formed a grin. Lucky!
-
Childe, who had passed the bodyguard selection test, was utterly confused as he stood in line with a bunch of ladies who were checking their hair and makeup. Just why was he here?
He’d been ushered into this place without a single instruction given to him when he reported for work. He originally thought that this was a part of the screening process, but with the look of the women here who were here with him, that didn’t seem to be the case.
Before he could ask them what was happening, the door opened.
Like magic, the ladies who had previously been restless and almost frantic were instantly the picture of calmness and efficiency, leaving Childe with his mouth parted in disbelief.
Childe looked at the door, where a very familiar visage appeared before him.
What was Zhongli doing here???
Childe thought back to the vaguely surprised look that the receptionist had previously, as well as the strange look she shot him, then realized that she had probably been mistaken when she heard that he was here to report for work…
The CEO, Zhongli, looked like god’s most perfect creation, but Childe knew from first-hand experience that people didn’t take him at face value. Not only was he the CEO of one of the top fifty companies in the world, but the man’s work ethic also meant that no one under him took any time to rest while he was in their presence.
There was a sharpness to his eyes that caused your hair to stand on end. But at the same time, one couldn’t help but feel admiration for him.
Childe, who had done his homework about everything regarding the mysterious CEO, Zhongli, reeled his emotions back in as he tried not to let anything show on his face.
“Good morning, Mr. Zhongli,” the ladies all greeted. They bowed neatly, with their right hand placed on their stomach. Their motions looked practiced and smooth.
Of course, that being the question, Childe, who did not follow suit, instantly stood out.
Childe wanted to cry but had no tears.
He was being a shame to the name of ‘assassins’ everywhere! Not only had he gotten noticed by the target, he also couldn’t blend into the situation!
Someone tell him, just what were these people doing?! In what world did potential workers have to act like these insane females!?
Childe quickly bowed like the rest of them, but he could already feel Zhongli’s eyes on him.
The line of potential secretaries straightened up, staring straight ahead.
At this moment, all Childe wanted to do was cry out that he was here for a bodyguard position, not whatever was happening here.
But that would just attract more attention to himself. Childe was trying to slide under the radar, not pull the spotlight to himself!
Zhongli nodded at them, greeting, “Good morning.”
Childe could practically feel the anticipation in the room. They were practically holding their breaths at the thought of being picked by Zhongli.
On the other hand, Childe was praying to Zhongli to just slide over him. Surely his ‘incompetence’ earlier would have struck him from the position?
Zhongli walked across the line, and Childe’s heart thudded with every step closer that Zhongli took down the line towards himself.
Zhongli’s shadow stopped right in front of himself.
“Come with me,” Zhongli said to Childe before walking into his office.
Childe, “…”
…This wasn’t how the script was supposed to go down!