Liu Xin stood outside the towering glass facade of Jinhai International, her heart doing tiny somersaults under her blouse. The building looked like it could house gods, not people. Tall, silver-edged, and uncomfortably sleek, it reflected the morning sun like a blade. It was her first day.
Not just any first day.
She had fought tooth and nail to land a job in the company's elite Event Planning Division. While most of her classmates were still nursing unpaid internships or waiting tables to fund their creative dreams, Liu Xin had climbed into the heart of a corporation so prestigious, its name alone made her parents beam with pride.
Now, standing at the entrance, she exhaled. "You worked for this. You deserve this."
Inside, the lobby was even more intimidating—marble floors so polished they reflected the ceiling lights, a minimalist water feature quietly gurgling beside a giant digital board showing upcoming projects and events. It felt like walking into the headquarters of success itself.
She walked up to the reception, gave her name, and was quickly directed to the 22nd floor for orientation.
She got in the elevator, eyes flicking between the glowing numbers and her reflection in the mirrored walls. Neat ponytail, fresh blouse, heels that were already starting to pinch. Perfect.
Only… the elevator didn't stop at 22.
With a soft ding, it glided to a halt on the top floor.
Panic fluttered in her chest. "No, no, this isn't—" She pressed the emergency button to stop the door, but before she could react further, someone stepped in.
Tall. Dark suit. Air of command.
Liu Xin froze.
Wu Jian.
The CEO himself. Her brain short-circuited.
He didn't acknowledge her. Not even a glance. His attention was on the screen in his hand, his presence sucking the air out of the elevator like a vacuum. The space suddenly felt much smaller.
She side-eyed him carefully. Chiseled jaw, hair that looked like it cost more than her monthly rent, and a scowl carved into his expression like a permanent fixture.
She had heard the rumors—cold, brilliant, terrifying. A man who didn't tolerate mistakes. Or emotions. Or, apparently, eye contact.
Her inner voice couldn't resist.
He probably files HR complaints against smiling too loudly.
The elevator chimed again. He stepped out without a word. The doors closed behind him like steel jaws.
"Well," she muttered, still alone in the mirrored box. "Nice to meet you too, bossman of doom."
The elevator dropped her off on 22 at last.
There, a bubbly HR intern greeted her with a welcome kit and a rapid-fire tour. She met the Event Department's team leader, was handed a planning tablet, and led to her temporary desk near the conference wing.
It wasn't long before her manager approached, eyes wide.
"You're Liu Xin, right? We've had a change. You're being reassigned."
Liu blinked. "To…?"
"The CEO's office. He's overseeing the 20th Anniversary Corporate Gala personally. He asked for someone with 'fresh perspective and grit.' And well—he picked you."
Her mouth dropped. "But… I've only been here thirty minutes!"
The manager shrugged helplessly. "You're on his radar now. Good luck."
Liu Xin was too stunned to protest. Before she knew it, she was back in the elevator. Back to the top floor.
Back to him.
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