By the third day after waking up, Jiang Yue had come to a few conclusions:
1. Her luck was worse than she thought.
2. Her new parents were scarily loving and doting.
3. If this novel wanted to break her, it would need to try harder.
She still wasn't used to answering to "Yue'er," but the warmth in the Jiang household made the adjustment easier. Their genuine affection softened her edges, even though the original Jiang Yue clearly hadn't earned that kind of devotion in the novel. Ruelle couldn't help wondering if her presence had altered the script… or if love, when given freely, could rewrite any story.
But she should've known that peace was temporary.
It always was.
Because that morning, she received a call from her "father's secretary," saying that since she was now awake and healthy, she needed to go sign off on a charity endorsement arranged under her name, something the old Jiang Yue had apparently agreed to before her accident.
"I'll have a car waiting," her father had said gently. "Don't overthink it. It's just a short elevator ride and a few handshakes."
A short elevator ride, he said.
A simple formality, he said.
What no one mentioned was that the location happened to be in the headquarters of Liu Corporation the home base of Li Zhenkai, the male lead of the novel.
Aka: Cold-hearted CEO.
Aka: Walking iceberg in designer suits.
Aka: The man Jiang Yue had desperately chased in the original book.
And the man who would never, ever look at her with anything other than contempt.
Jiang Yue scoffed to herself as she adjusted her heels outside the gleaming glass building. "Let's just sign the papers, avoid any tragic staircases, and leave quietly."
The building's entrance was a sea of polished marble, glass walls, and intimidating efficiency. Everyone looked like they were walking on deadlines and caffeine.
She made it to the elevator without a problem, ignoring the suspicious stares. She wasn't in full glam mode today, she was dressed in a simple cream blouse tucked into a navy skirt, her hair tied in a loose braid. But somehow, people still stared.
Maybe because she looked like someone who'd tripped into a K-drama and couldn't find the exit.
The elevator dinged.
Empty.
Perfect.
She stepped in, sighing in relief as the doors slid shut.
She didn't even check the numbers. The assistant had told her the floor. All she had to do was ride up.
And then… fate happened.
The elevator stopped at the next floor.
She didn't think much of it, until he stepped in.
Li Zhenkai.
Black hair, sharp jawline, Armani suit, and the kind of gaze that could freeze time itself.
The temperature in the elevator dropped ten degrees.
Jiang Yue froze.
He didn't even glance her way. Just stepped in like he owned the world, which, technically, he did.
Ruelle's heart thumped loudly. No way. This is how we meet? No dramatic slow-motion? No dramatic orchestral music? Just her in an elevator with the male lead who looked like he hadn't smiled since birth?
Okay, she told herself. Act normal. Don't stare. Don't fumble. Just—
The elevator jolted slightly as it ascended.
She wasn't ready.
In her nervousness, she shifted her weight—and her heel got caught in the elevator.
Time slowed.
Her foot twisted.
Her body tilted.
And just like that, she slipped.
"AH—!"
She slammed into his chest-first, face smacking right into what had to be the most expensive fabric ever woven. Her bag flew out of her hand and landed with a loud clang. Her shoe? God knew where that went.
For a long, horrible second, all she could hear was the whir of the elevator.
She didn't dare move.
Please let this be a dream. Or a prank. Or death.
But then !!!
A cold, clipped voice sliced through the silence.
"Miss Jiang."
She slowly peeled her face off his chest.
He was looking at her now. Barely. A glance colder than arctic rain.
His voice, when it came again, was razor sharp. "Are you in the habit of using elevators to attack people?"
"I—I slipped!" she said, scrambling back.
One bare foot. One heel missing. One arm flailing. Graceful as a dying ostrich.
Li Zhenkai looked down at her like she was a gum on a $10,000 shoe.
"I see."
That was it.
I see.
Not are you okay?
Not do you need help?
Just I see, followed by a silent judgment so strong it could scorch the artic rain..
Jaing yue wanted to cry, Or evaporate, Or preferably both.
She bent to retrieve her bag, only to accidentally whack her head on the elevator wall.
"Ugh!"
Still no reaction.
She tried to laugh it off. "Honestly, I'm not usually this unlucky. Or clumsy, or unluckily clumsy. This is just… special circumstances?"
His eyebrow twitched, just slightly.
Then the elevator dinged.
The doors slid open.
He stepped out, perfectly poised, not even glancing back.
Before the doors closed again, he paused and looked over his shoulder.
His eyes met hers.
"Next time, watch your step. This building isn't responsible for injuries caused by foolishness."
The doors shut.
And just like that, he was gone.
Jaing yue stood there, breathless, humiliated, barefoot, and stunned.
"…I hate this novel."