I Was Sent Into A Shitty Urban Novel

The sun rose over the Yun estate in streaks of amber and gold, cutting through the windows of the east dining hall. The table was long enough to seat twenty, polished until it gleamed like glass. Silverware caught the light; the air smelled faintly of roasted coffee and buttered toast.

Jason entered late, as usual.

He wasn't the last to arrive—just late enough to be noticed.

Britney Yun was already seated near the head of the table, chatting lightly with their cousins. She looked effortless in a white blouse and soft blue silk skirt, like someone born to be admired. Across from her, Jessy scrolled through her phone, pretending not to care, while Jane read a folder of documents, half-listening to the conversation.

When Jason walked in, the air shifted just slightly — an invisible change that came whenever he appeared somewhere he wasn't expected to belong.

Elise Yun glanced up from her teacup. "Jason," she said with her smooth, unhurried tone. "I was beginning to think you'd skip breakfast, too."

"I was tempted," Jason replied, sliding into an empty seat. "But then I remembered how much I enjoy a good audience."

Jessy looked up, lips curving faintly. "Still trying to make an entrance, I see."

Jason met her gaze, unbothered. "If you call walking in on time an entrance, then maybe I should start charging for it."

A few muffled chuckles came from the younger cousins. Britney's expression didn't change, but her eyes flickered with amusement. Their father, Darius Yun, set down his paper and cleared his throat.

"Enough," he said mildly. "We're all adults. Let's try to behave like one family before the evaluation begins."

That earned a round of polite silence — the kind where everyone still smiled but no one actually relaxed.

Breakfast began. Servants moved quietly, pouring coffee and setting plates of fruit, eggs, and grilled fish along the table. Conversation turned toward projects and recent accomplishments — the subtle competition masked behind friendly updates.

Britney was the first to speak. "Our renewable division just signed a deal with the Eastern Trade Council. It's projected to increase our holdings by twelve percent this quarter."

The elders murmured approvingly.

Jessy followed smoothly. "The Yun Tech branch is finalizing negotiations for the city's new drone logistics contract. Once the papers are signed, we'll have exclusive aerial rights for three sectors."

"Impressive," Elise said with a proud smile. "And you, Jane?"

Jane looked up from her folder. "The education grant for our youth foundation was approved. We'll start expansion by winter."

Applause followed — light, refined, rehearsed.

Then all eyes turned, inevitably, to Jason.

He chewed a piece of toast like a man with all the time in the world.

"Jason?" his father prompted, voice calm but firm.

Jason looked up. "Oh, sorry. Wasn't sure if we were done listing achievements or giving speeches."

A few of the younger cousins snickered before quickly hiding it. Darius's brow twitched.

Britney smiled pleasantly. "We were just sharing updates. Surely you've done something notable, haven't you?"

Jason set down his cup and leaned back in his chair, voice light. "Eversage's new product has already cleared testing. We're preparing for large-scale release next quarter. Forecasts suggest it'll outperform Titan Skincare's best-selling line by thirty percent."

That earned a visible reaction. Even Britney's polite mask cracked for a second.

"Eversage?" one of the elders repeated. "Isn't that the company that's been all over the trade news lately?"

Jason nodded. "That's the one."

"Impressive," Darius said slowly. "Though you must understand — temporary success is easy. Sustaining it is the challenge."

Jason smiled. "That's why I make sure to win big before anyone can catch up."

The remark was sharp enough to draw quiet laughter from the younger table. Britney's tone stayed mild, but her eyes gleamed.

"Confidence suits you, cousin. Just be careful — sometimes pride has a short shelf life."

Jason raised his glass slightly. "Then I'd better enjoy it while it lasts."

It was a clean strike — a calm, verbal slap that left the table humming with unspoken tension. Even his father gave a faint, approving smirk before hiding it behind his cup.

As the meal went on, Jason's software app pulsed faintly under his sleeve. He ignored it at first, not wanting to break the flow — but when it buzzed again, more insistently, he glanced down at his wrist.

[Encrypted message received: SON FAMILY INTERNAL NETWORK]

Subject: Project Assignment – Confidential.

His eyes flickered, but his expression didn't change. He excused himself quietly, standing from the table.

"Leaving already?" Britney asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Business doesn't wait for brunch," Jason replied.

He stepped out onto the terrace, the cool air brushing against his face as he opened the message. The app decrypted it instantly.

[PROJECT FILE: PHOENIX INFRASTRUCTURE – PHASE I]

Objective: Oversee development of the East District eco-industrial park.

Estimated budget: 1.2 billion.

Funding provided jointly by the Son family .

Project status: Pending lead confirmation — you have been selected as Project Head.

Jason's eyes lingered on the final line.

Selected as Project Head.

He exhaled softly. This was the same project Alex Yun had been chasing for months — the one that was supposed to be his steppingstone to victory in the upcoming evaluation. And now, it belonged to Jason.

A small smile touched his lips.

"Looks like the weekend just got interesting."

Back inside, the conversations had shifted toward preparations for the presentations. Jason returned to the table, slipping back into his chair as if nothing had happened.

Jessy eyed him curiously. "You look awfully pleased with yourself. Did someone finally compliment you?"

Jason took a sip of juice. "Something like that."

"Do share," Britney said smoothly. "Or is it another one of your secret plans?"

Jason leaned forward slightly, his tone casual but cutting. "Let's just say… the project everyone's been whispering about lately? The one certain people were desperate to get their hands on? It might not be as out of reach as they think."

The table went quiet. Britney tilted her head. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

Jason smiled, finishing his drink. "You'll find out soon enough."

Jessy rolled her eyes. "Still love to act mysterious, don't you?"

"Only when it works," Jason said, standing up. "Thanks for breakfast. It was… enlightening."

He walked away before they could respond, leaving the table buzzing with quiet speculation.

Outside, Jason leaned against the balcony railing, staring out over the misty hills. The app blinked again, subtle light pulsing through the display.

[ECHO NOTE:]

Incoming attention levels from family members have increased by 47%.

Behavioral analysis suggests curiosity and mild resentment.

Recommendation: Maintain current ambiguity.

Jason smirked. "Yeah. Let them wonder."

The Yun estate stretched below him — elegant, vast, suffocating. Inside, alliances and grudges were already forming. Outside, his phone buzzed again with Eversage updates, Son family logistics, and a dozen threads waiting to be tied.

He glanced toward the horizon, where the sun was burning off the morning fog.