Chapter Two: A Strategist & his Secret

Lu Meng straitened the books on his desk and sighed deeply. He was most surprised, if not irritated and Lu Xun's ability to get the job done quickly. Ku Meng had thought is would take more than a day, so he could spend some times with a Lady…

In secret of course, for it wasn't his wife that he had in his rooms. No, this lady was much more beautiful and seductive, her manner suggestive and flattering. Lu Meng groaned, he could be in so much trouble if anybody found out. Like that idiot Lu Xun. The boy was clever, but overly demanding and could ruin Lu Meng's secrecy. The man sighed and scratched his head.

Lu Xun was a clever boy, and he would probably investigate the incident. Whatever happened, however exceptional the boy was, Lu Meng couldn't let anybody find out, but he wasn't prepared to stop seeing the beautiful lady. So it would have to Lu Xun that had to go.

::GASP::

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Lu Xun woke up with a start, and realised several things at once. He was in his own room, in his bed, and his pile of copying to do was done.

He got out of bed and walked to his desk. Each page was filled with neat writing, and on the top of the pile was a note.

'Hey Lu Xun,

Hope you had a good rest, you look cute when you sleep!

Anyway, hope this helped!

Sun Shang Xiang xx'

Lu Xun smiled and put the note in a small box that was under his bed, filled with letters from friends and a few from his mother. He never received any from his father, and if he did, he'd probably chuck them in the fire.

He sat down and remembered what she written. She'd put kisses at the end. It was probably like a sisterly love, like a kiss on the cheek.

The thought of Shang's lips anywhere on him made a shiver go down his spine. He shook his head, clenched his fists and tried very hard to ignore that thought. Lu Xun looked around as a knock on the door broke his thoughts.

"Come in," he called, kicking the box of letters back under his bed. Lu Meng walked in, a large stack of paper in his arms.

He dumped them on Lu Xun's desk and grabbed the other papers.

"You are to copy out the four books of rules in full, with the side notes that I have written, by tomorrow afternoon - let's say about two o'clock," With that he left the room, slamming the door behind him. Lu Xun sighed and put his head in his hands. The rule books had at least 500 pages each, and Lu Meng's side notes were at least ten pages.

Lu Xun scowled as someone else knocked on the door.

"What!" he snapped, and immediately felt ashamed as Shang Xiang came in, hopping.

"Sorry," she said, her face falling, "I'll go," Lu Xun grabbed her arm and pulled her onto his bed.

"No, I'm sorry, it's just," he gestured to the work that filled his desk. Shang's mouth dropped open and she hopped over to the chair.

"You are never going to get this done Lu Xun, even if I and my body guards help you,"

Lu Xun closed his eyes and sighed; he was a failure, just like his father had always said. Lu Meng had said that if anything important was late, Lu Xun would be fired. Xun had a feeling this was something 'important'. He could feel tears in his eyes and he bit his lip. He would not let Shang see him cry.

An arm pulled him close. He could smell her perfume, drifting around. Shang kissed him on the head and smiled sadly.

"I'll talk to father, and do some snooping, this is not fair!" she kissed him on the cheek and stomped off muttering to herself. Lu Xun stood still, and touched the spot where she'd kissed him. Maybe it would work out…

He then remembered the amount of work he had to do; otherwise he wouldn't see her again. He sat at his desk and began writing…