The morning sunlight spilled into the sleek glass office, casting a golden sheen on the black marble floor. Qin Yue stood just inside the doorway, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, as if holding herself together was the only thing stopping her from falling apart.
It had been twenty minutes since she'd arrived, and she still hadn't fully processed the fact that she was standing in Li Feng's office—the same man who had nearly run her over, humiliated her in the lobby, and now, somehow, decided to "give her a chance."
Except, it didn't feel like a chance.
It felt like a trap wrapped in silk.
Li Feng was behind his desk, flipping through a stack of documents with an elegance that made even that small action look commanding. He didn't look up when he spoke.
"Sit."
Qin Yue hesitated, then lowered herself into the chair across from him. The leather was soft, too comfortable for someone like her. She perched at the edge, her back straight, refusing to sink into it.
Without preamble, Li Feng slid a folder toward her. "This is your employment contract."
Her eyes flickered down at the crisp papers. Assistant to the CEO. The words looked far too grand for someone who had just been rejected by five other companies this week.
She took a tentative breath. "I… I appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Li, but—"
"Don't thank me yet." His voice cut through hers like a blade. "Read the terms."
She opened the folder, skimming the neatly printed clauses. The salary made her eyes widen—it was nearly triple what she'd expected. But as she read further, her stomach tightened.
Clause 3: The assistant must be available at all hours, including weekends, for work-related tasks.
Clause 5: The assistant must refrain from romantic involvement with any staff or clients during employment.
Clause 8: The assistant must prioritize the CEO's requests above all other personal obligations.
Her hands tightened on the papers. "These… these conditions are—"
"Strict?" He finally looked up, his eyes sharp and unreadable. "Yes. That's intentional. I need someone who won't waste my time."
"I'm not sure I can…" She hesitated, her pride warring with the reality of her empty wallet.
Li Feng leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk. "Qin Yue. You want stability? This is it. You want to prove yourself? This is your chance. But if you're here for comfort…" His gaze slid over her worn jeans and slightly frayed bag strap. "…you're in the wrong place."
Her cheeks burned, but she lifted her chin. "I'm here to work, not for comfort."
A faint, almost invisible curve touched his lips—a smile, though it carried no warmth. "Then sign."
She hesitated for a final moment before picking up the pen. Her signature looked small against the stark whiteness of the paper, but as she set the pen down, something inside her shifted. She wasn't sure if it was determination… or the quiet dread of stepping into a lion's den.
---
The rest of the day blurred into a whirlwind. Li Feng didn't believe in "orientation"—instead, he handed her a list of tasks that seemed designed to push her to her limits.
"Confirm the meeting with the Shanghai branch, rearrange my afternoon schedule, get the legal department to send the revised contract to Mr. Zhao, and call Mrs. Li to—" He paused, his gaze flicking toward her. "No, I'll call her myself."
Qin Yue didn't miss the slight tension in his voice at that last part, but she didn't dare ask. Instead, she threw herself into the work, darting between departments, her small notebook quickly filling with his impossible demands.
By the time lunch rolled around, her feet ached and her stomach growled, but she didn't complain.
In the break room, a group of women glanced her way and whispered. She caught snippets—"new assistant," "probably won't last," "he's impossible." She pretended not to hear.
When she returned to the office, Li Feng was leaning against his desk, speaking into his phone in rapid Mandarin. His tone was clipped, almost cold. When he ended the call, his eyes landed on her.
"Why are you standing there?"
She blinked. "I—"
"You've been gone for forty minutes. Next time, thirty. Maximum."
Her lips parted. "I was—"
"No excuses." His voice was calm, but his gaze made it clear he wouldn't entertain explanations.
Something in her snapped. "If you want someone to work without eating, then maybe you should—"
"Be careful, Miss Qin," he said softly, but there was an edge beneath it. "You're still in your first day."
She bit back the retort, inhaling sharply. He was infuriating. Arrogant. And yet, a small part of her couldn't ignore the strange pull she felt when his gaze lingered on her.
---
It wasn't until nearly 8 p.m. that he finally dismissed her.
As she gathered her bag, he said without looking up from his laptop, "Be here at seven tomorrow. No later."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Seven? That's—"
"Good night, Miss Qin."
She left, the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat. Outside, the cool night air wrapped around her. The city lights shimmered, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself a small, tired smile.
Because no matter how impossible Li Feng was… she had a job.
What she didn't know was that, in the office she'd just left, Li Feng had stopped typing. His gaze lingered on the spot where she had stood moments ago, his expression unreadable.
---