Honest Mistake

Prologue

When Xue Yang arrived at Y-Tech it was business as usual. He opened the folder on the table and looked through Xiao Xingchen's profile. It wasn't ordinary in the least. He was older than him by a few years, but he had started off as a student of law. He was actually qualified to be a lawyer and Xue Yang was impressed. He had been working with Wei Wuxian since the start of Jiang Software just as he had worked alongside Lan Wangji in building Y-Tech. 

Xue Yang sat behind his sleek mahogany desk, fingers drumming against the polished surface as he skimmed through Xiao Xingchen's resume. His office, perched high in a glass skyscraper, was a blend of modern elegance and understated luxury—just like him. The room was dimly lit, with a skyline view that glowed against the evening sun, casting a warm amber hue across his sharp features. A slight smirk played on his lips as he waited for his next interviewee.

The office door swung open with a quiet click, and Xiao Xingchen stepped in, a figure of serene grace against the backdrop of polished glass and steel. The room was sleek, with floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the city skyline, casting rays of warm, golden light that seemed to spill onto him, outlining his form in a soft, almost ethereal glow.

He was dressed in a tailored, dark blazer over a crisp white shirt, the collar unbuttoned just enough to suggest ease without losing professionalism. His long, dark hair was tied neatly at the nape of his neck, a few strands escaping to frame his delicate, angular face. For a moment, he paused at the threshold, his eyes taking in the room with a calm, measured gaze, as if he were assessing the space, not just entering it.

Xue Yang, lounging behind his desk, felt a jolt of surprise as his eyes landed on Xiao Xingchen. There was something effortlessly poised about the way he carried himself, like a figure straight out of an old ink painting but brought to life in the sleek modernity of the present day. His steps were light, purposeful, each one carrying him closer, yet there was an underlying calm, a steadiness, as if he had all the time in the world.

As he approached, Xue Yang couldn't help but notice the way the light caught Xiao Xingchen's eyes—bright, clear, and quietly confident, like the glint of sunlight on polished glass. He had an air of quiet strength, understated yet impossible to ignore, a presence that filled the room without demanding attention.

For a fleeting moment, Xue Yang was caught off guard, his usual smirk slipping just a fraction before he quickly recovered, leaning back in his chair with a playful tilt of his head. As Xiao Xingchen met his gaze, Xue Yang could feel a current of something electric pass between them, something that made him sit up just a little straighter, his curiosity piqued.

"Mr. Xiao," Xue Yang said, his voice smooth, leaning back in his chair as if he had all the time in the world. "Welcome. Please, have a seat."

Xiao Xingchen nodded politely, slipping into the chair across the desk. "Thank you, Mr. Xue."

"Xue Yang," he corrected, with a playful glint in his eye. "No need for formalities—unless you're into that sort of thing," he added with a chuckle, watching Xiao Xingchen's expression carefully for a reaction.

Xiao Xingchen blinked, unfazed. "Xue Yang, then," he said with a slight smile, though his tone remained professional. "I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me."

"Oh, I should be the one thanking you," Xue Yang replied, leaning forward slightly. "I've been skimming through your portfolio. Impressive, really. I can see why my team was eager for me to meet you." He picked up a pen, twirling it between his fingers, his gaze fixed on Xiao Xingchen. "Though, I have to ask... do you always look this good when you code, or is it just for interviews?"

Xiao Xingchen's eyes flickered, taken aback for a moment before he composed himself. "I'm sure my work speaks for itself," he replied evenly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Xue Yang chuckled. "Straight to the point, huh? I like that." He shifted, crossing his legs. "Well, let's see if your skills are as sharp as your looks. Tell me, Xiao Xingchen—what would you say is your biggest strength as a programmer?"

Xiao Xingchen met his gaze calmly. "Algorithms," he said simply. "I have a strong background in data structures and algorithm design. I've also worked extensively with machine learning models and AI frameworks. Efficiency is key, and I focus on writing clean, optimized code."

Xue Yang's eyebrow arched, intrigued. "Oh? Interesting," he said, trying to hide how impressed he was. "You know, I've been in this industry for a while. I built this company from scratch, and let's just say I know my way around a line of code or two." He paused, flashing a grin. "Maybe we should do a quick test. A little back-and-forth, if you will. I'll throw a problem at you, and you can impress me."

Xiao Xingchen nodded. "I'm ready when you are."

"Confident. I like that," Xue Yang said, and then launched into a technical problem—a complex sorting algorithm with multiple constraints. "Think you can solve that?"

Xiao Xingchen's eyes brightened, his fingers itching to code. He thought for a moment, then began explaining his approach. As he spoke, Xue Yang could see the gears turning in his head, the way he broke down the problem into manageable parts, efficiently and concisely. The confidence in his tone, the ease with which he navigated through potential pitfalls—it was clear that this was someone who knew exactly what he was doing.

Xue Yang leaned back, listening intently, his earlier playful demeanor fading as he found himself genuinely impressed. Xiao Xingchen's solution was elegant, efficient, and far more refined than he had expected. He could sense the passion in every word, the meticulous care in how he addressed potential edge cases. When Xiao Xingchen finished, Xue Yang was silent for a moment.

"I have to admit," Xue Yang said slowly, a genuine smile forming on his lips, "that was... impressive. I thought I might have to dumb things down, but you're a lot sharper than you look."

"Thank you," Xiao Xingchen replied, his smile soft but unwavering. "I take my work seriously."Xue Yang's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a newfound respect in them. "I can see that. Maybe even as seriously as I take flirting."

Xiao Xingchen's lips twitched. "I'm here for the job, not a date."

"Who says you can't have both?" Xue Yang shot back, grinning. But when Xiao Xingchen didn't immediately react, he raised a hand, chuckling. "Alright, I'll behave. For now."

He straightened up, placing the pen down and folding his hands together. "In all seriousness, Xiao Xingchen, I'm impressed. Your skills are solid, your approach is clear, and I like that you didn't let me distract you." He leaned forward, his voice softer but more genuine. "I think you'd be a great fit here at Y-Tech. What do you say? Want to be a part of something... bigger?"

Xiao Xingchen met his gaze, his expression thoughtful. "As long as I can contribute to meaningful projects and bring my best to the table, I'm in."

Xue Yang's smile widened, and for once, there was no teasing, no flirtation—just a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Oh, I think we're going to get along just fine."

"I'm excited to make a fresh start here. My experience at Jiangs had been stagnating towards the end and I want to explore new horizons," Xiao Xingchen responded seriously. 

"I'll give you a three months' probation, however. You will get all the benefits of a regular employee, but you can leave during this period at a moment's notice. That's because A'Xian is unwilling to let you come here for good. But if you like Y-Tech better he can't claim back," Xue Yang explained. 

"You know Wei Wuxian?" Xiao Xingchen exclaimed. 

"I am friends with Hanguangjun," Xue Yang explained. 

"Well, then I can tell you honestly. My priority now is leaving Jiangs. I haven't thought of what comes next but I want to sincerely give Y-Tech a try. I appreciate your offer very much," he assured. With that they shook hands. 

The moment Xiao Xingchen left, Xue Yang looked at his hand which just held Xiao Xingchen's. He brought it up in front of his face and caressed himself with it. His eyes flared getting excited.