Assistant Duties

Su Ning was originally a well-behaved personal assistant, but by a twist of fate, he ended up in bed with his boss’s financial backer. That one night turned him into the domineering man’s assistant and bed partner. Their unequal contract lasted five years. In those five years, Su Ning witnessed all kinds of lovers come and go by the man’s side: A double-award-winning actor with a spotless reputation, a fresh-faced actress who rose to fame overnight, a beautiful screenwriter with the title of “talented woman”… But no matter how dazzling they were, they were all just fleeting visitors in the man’s life. Lying on the bed with teary eyes, Su Ning looked up at that familiar yet distant handsome face and couldn’t help but wonder: Just who could be the one to finally make this restless man settle down? But that curiosity wasn’t the point. The next day, with an aching back but a clean body, Su Ning quietly counted the stash of private money in his wallet. Life was still the most important thing. As for those impractical little feelings of his… they were better left unsaid. Why make a fool of himself?

Original Publisher

Unknown

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Assistant Duties "Assistant Duties" promised an intriguing office romance, and while it had moments that initially hooked me, the overall experience left me feeling somewhat disappointed. The premise of a boss-subordinate relationship with a playboy CEO and a seemingly naive assistant held potential, but the execution faltered in several key areas. ### First Impressions I was initially drawn in by the refreshing dynamic between the main characters. There was a sense that the MC, despite his affections for the ML, possessed a rational mind and wasn't simply a "love brain." This gave me hope for a more nuanced and engaging story than the typical trope-filled BL novel. The initial setup felt new and exciting. ### What Works Well The beginning of "Assistant Duties" does have its strengths. The office setting is decently portrayed, and the power imbalance between the characters creates a certain tension that kept me reading. I was interested in seeing how their relationship would evolve, and the initial portrayal of the MC as someone who, while infatuated, still maintained a sense of self-preservation was promising. ### Areas of Concern Unfortunately, the novel takes a noticeable dip in quality as it progresses. I found the character development to be inconsistent, particularly with the ML. His sudden shift from a seemingly indifferent playboy to a devoted lover felt jarring and unearned. The MC's character also suffers, becoming increasingly passive and frustrating to read. The plot becomes increasingly cliché. The characters act out of character in ways that don't make a lot of sense, and the story descends into the usual low quality BL tropes. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Several plot points near the end felt contrived and nonsensical. The white moonlight/kidney storyline feels like a forced attempt to create drama and tension, but ultimately falls flat. The misunderstanding surrounding the MC's kidney and the ML's supposed involvement felt completely out of place and unresolved. The twist of the ML's white moonlight being the MC felt like a cheap attempt at emotional payoff that didn't land. ### Final Verdict While "Assistant Duties" had a promising start, its inconsistent character development, nonsensical plot twists, and reliance on tired tropes ultimately detracted from my enjoyment. The initial novelty fades quickly, leaving behind a story that feels rushed, uninspired, and ultimately unsatisfying. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone looking for a well-developed or emotionally resonant BL novel.