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Cover of There's Something Wrong with the Chief Vol. 1

There's Something Wrong with the Chief Vol. 1

by Yang Su

Why Read This?

A richly layered danmei with incredible character development spanning years of separation and reunion, combining martial arts action with devastating emotional depth and one of the most compelling slow burn romances in Chinese web fiction.

Synopsis

The Qielan Clan’s youngest assassin, Xiahou Lian, needs to get inside the aristocratic Xie family. He manages to gain a post serving Xie Jinglan, the family’s youngest son. However, the boys’ friendship soon undercuts Xiahou Lian’s treacherous ruse, causing him to make a choice that will follow him long into adulthood… Xiahou Lian, the Qielan Clan’s youngest assassin, needs to get inside the aristocratic Xie household for his next assignment. He secures a post under Xie Jinglan, the family’s youngest son, and all players are in position. Yet as the date of the planned assassination approaches, the two boys find that they’ve become fast friends. Thus, Xiahou Lian takes a course of action that will haunt him for years to come… As fates turn, Xiahou Lian is reduced to working as a dog for the chief of the Eastern Depot, a Ming dynasty spy agency. But the chief is the very boy Xiahou Lian once saved! What’s more, he seems more charming than resentful. There’s definitely something wrong with the chief…

At a Glance

4.13 ★ Goodreads
Spice Level🌶️🌶️mild
Endingspoiler
PairingM/M
Romance Pacingslow burn

Top Tropes

forbidden lovechildhood sweethearts reunitedsecret relationship

Mood

intenseangstydramaticdarkbrooding

Book Details

Goodreads Rating

4.13 ★

Page Count

364 pages

Published

2025

Primary Genre

Fantasy

Pairing

M/M

POV

Multi-POV

Romance Pacing

Slow Burn

Cliffhanger

spoiler

Audiobook

Available

No

Tropes

RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

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Mood & Vibe

Mood

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Characters

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Spice Details 🌶️

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child abuse (referenced)sexual assault (referenced)human traffickingviolencegraphic violencemurderaddictionslaverydeathgoredrug usedubious consent

World & Setting

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Reading Context

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