The first thing I saw when I stepped into Ming Xu's office was the size of it.
The second thing I noticed… was him.
Tall. Sharp. Perfectly pressed black suit. His hair so neat it looked like even the wind wouldn't dare touch it. And those eyes—cold, calculating, like they could see straight through me.
He didn't even look up from his laptop when he spoke.
"You're late."
I froze. "It's 8:59—"
"Which means you're four minutes late." His tone was so flat it didn't even sound human. "My assistants arrive at 8:55."
I forced a smile. "Noted, sir."
Noted, and mentally added to my list of 'Reasons to Quit'.
He finally looked at me, and I swear the temperature in the room dropped.
"Coffee. No sugar, no milk, exactly seventy-eight degrees."
I blinked. "…You want me to measure the temperature?"
"That's your problem, not mine," he replied without a single change in expression.
I bit back the urge to ask if he had a personal army of coffee scientists. Instead, I grabbed my notepad, marched out, and headed to the pantry.
Five minutes later, I returned, holding the cup like it was a peace offering.
He took one sip, set it down, and said, "Seventy-six degrees."
I gaped. "You didn't just—"
"I did."
My brain screamed Is he a human thermometer?! but my mouth stayed shut.
The rest of the morning went the same way.
— Print this, but on cream paper, not white.
— Schedule this meeting, but make sure it's at exactly 3:07 p.m.
— Bring me a pen, but not that pen.
By noon, I was convinced Ming Xu didn't hire an assistant—he hired a victim.
When lunch finally rolled around, I stood up from my desk, ready to run for freedom.
"Where are you going?" his voice cut through the air.
"Lunch?" I squeaked.
He glanced at his watch. "You have exactly twelve minutes. If you're late, don't bother coming back."
Twelve minutes?! Was I supposed to hunt, cook, and eat in that time?!
Still, I ran. And when I returned, panting and with two seconds to spare, I caught the faintest smirk on his face.
That's when I realized—
This man wasn't just strict. He enjoyed this.
And for some insane reason…
I couldn't wait for tomorrow.
Cliffhanger:
Just as I sat down, my phone buzzed with an internal call.
"Ming Xu wants you in the boardroom. Now."
Boardroom? My heart skipped a beat.
What could possibly be waiting for me there?L