The taxi stopped in front of a small apartment building. Li Xiaoran groaned, juggling her suitcase and tote bag. Not exactly fancy, but it would do for now. At least it was temporary.
"Okay, Xiaoran… just a few weeks, then my brother's settled in university… and maybe life will calm down a bit," she muttered, dragging her stuff inside.
The apartment smelled like old books and lavender. She dumped her bags on the floor and opened her laptop. Job listings. Anything full-time would help her and her brother survive
.
Then her phone buzzed. A message from her friend:
"Xiaoran! Han Group is hiring a PA. High salary, crazy boss… but I think you'd be perfect."
She raised an eyebrow. "Crazy boss, huh?" She'd heard about him—Han Yichen, the CEO. Cold, scary, impossible to work for. Most PAs quit in weeks. Some even said he was terrifying.
But Xiaoran wasn't scared.
She skimmed the job description: patience, intelligence, dedication. That sounded like her. Sure, it would be tough. But maybe it was exactly what she needed.
She looked out the window. Han Group… long nights, intense office, the boss who never smiled. And somehow… she felt drawn to it. Not the money, not the fame… just something about it.
Okay, plan made. She'd apply. She'd do her best. And no matter what, she wouldn't give up. Life had thrown enough at her already.
Sliding her laptop into her bag, she stepped outside. The city lights flickered, the air was chilly, and for the first time in a while, she felt ready. Whatever was waiting… she'd face it.