It was 8:02 a.m., and Xia Yuwei had already vacuumed a boardroom, scrubbed the elevator panel buttons (because, germs), and memorized 14 employee faces — just in case.
She wasn't just good at undercover work.
She was excellent.
Unfortunately, her acting skills stopped working the moment she ran into the very reason she'd fled Shanghai in the first place.
And now she was on floor 39 again — pushing her trolley of cleaning supplies like a soldier marching into battle.
"Morning, Miss Xia," said a bright-eyed intern, skipping past her.
"Don't talk to me until I've had disinfectant," she grumbled.
The intern blinked. "...Yes, ma'am."
She reached the corner office. The huge double doors to the Financial Head's royal cave.
Yuwei hesitated. Should she knock? Should she run? Should she fling her mop at him and scream TRAITOR!?
No. Professional. Calm. Agent mode. Spy face on.
She pushed open the door with one finger.
Yuxuan Chen was seated at his desk, flipping through reports like they owed him money. His tie was straight. His expression? Crooked.
"You're late," he said without looking up.
She entered, mop first. "You missed me already? I'm touched."
Zhao Lei, his ever-nosey assistant, popped in from behind a plant like a caffeinated squirrel.
"Boss, should I bring the emergency emotional support espresso?" Zhao asked.
"Out," Yuxuan muttered.
"Roger that."
The door clicked shut.
Yuwei set her bucket down with unnecessary force.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.
Yuxuan leaned back, steepling his fingers. "I'm still trying to decide whether this is fate or a prank organized by my ancestors."
She narrowed her eyes. "You think I planned this? That I wanted to see you again? In a place that smells like overpriced printer ink and unresolved trauma?"
"You're remarkably specific."
She looked around. "Nice office. A little cold. Like your heart."
"Still dramatic, I see."
"Still emotionally constipated, I see."
They glared.
The tension in the room could power a Tesla.
Then Yuwei smirked. "So, Mr. Financial Wizard, you married Bingbing? Had twins? Or triplets? Must be exhausting."
Yuxuan gave her a look. "What is it with you and imaginary children?"
"You look like someone's underpaid husband. That's all I'm saying."
Suddenly Zhao Lei knocked and poked his head in again. "Sorry to interrupt your aggressive flirting, but HR needs your signature, boss."
Yuxuan sighed. "Bring it."
Zhao Lei walked in, glancing at Yuwei. "You know, Miss Xia, you're the first janitor to insult the boss and survive more than ten minutes. Respect."
"Thanks," she said. "I take pride in my work. And my sarcasm."
Yuxuan signed the document, then looked up. "You're on cleaning duty here permanently now?"
Yuwei nodded. "Looks like it. Unless you cry to HR about emotional damage."
He paused, gazing at her for a second longer than was comfortable.
"Don't tempt me."
"Oh, please. I'm not even your type."
Zhao Lei whispered to the plant beside him, "Plot twist: she's exactly his type."
The tension melted into a strange silence. Not awkward. Not romantic. Just... intense.
Yuwei cleared her throat. "Anyway. Gotta go wipe the fingerprints off the boardroom of doom. Don't worry, I won't mop up your ego by mistake."
She winked and exited like a queen in sneakers.
Yuxuan watched the door close behind her.
Zhao Lei leaned closer. "So. Shall I start digging into her file, boss? She's... suspicious."
Yuxuan considered it. The strange questions she asked. The camera blind spots. Her sudden reappearance after all these years.
"No," he finally said. "Let her move freely."
Zhao blinked. "You sure? She could be a spy, a thief, or a corporate saboteur."
Yuxuan's lips twitched. "Or worse. My ex-girlfriend."
To be continued...