Morning sunlight filtered gently through the tall glass windows of the Gu Group headquarters.
The forty-eighth floor was quiet.
Unlike the bustling lower departments, the executive level maintained an almost intimidating silence. Every employee who worked here moved efficiently and spoke only when necessary.
Inside the CEO's office, the atmosphere was even calmer.
Gu Zhen sat behind a wide black desk reviewing a series of financial reports. His posture was straight, his movements precise and unhurried.
To anyone watching, he looked exactly as he always did.
Calm.
Focused.
Unshakable.
But Chen Liang knew better.
He pushed open the office door without knocking and walked in holding a thin file.
"Well," he said lazily, dropping into the chair across from the desk, "I have news about your mysterious girl."
Gu Zhen's pen paused for half a second before continuing his signature.
"Report."
Chen Liang raised an eyebrow.
"Straight to business, huh?"
He slid the file across the desk.
Gu Zhen opened it.
Inside were several pages of information.
Name: Lin Yue
Age: 22
University: Shengyuan University Top Architecture Program
Family background: Parents own a mid-sized architectural firm. Stable finances, no scandals, excellent reputation.
Chen Liang leaned back comfortably.
"She's basically exactly what she looked like."
Gu Zhen continued reading.
"She's an only child," Chen Liang added. "Parents adore her. Clean academic record. Top grades every year."
He tapped the page.
"No suspicious connections. No hidden scandals. No complicated relationships."
Gu Zhen's eyes scanned the final section.
Personality descriptions gathered from classmates:
Gentle
Intelligent
Kind
Quiet but confident
He closed the file slowly.
Chen Liang studied his expression.
"So?"
Gu Zhen looked calm.
But his thoughts were anything but simple.
Last night had been replaying in his mind repeatedly.
The warmth of her body leaning against him.
The absence of pain.
The quiet moment when she had opened her eyes briefly and thanked him.
For someone like him who had lived with a strange physical barrier separating him from women those few minutes had been strangely profound.
Chen Liang suddenly leaned forward.
"You're curious."
Gu Zhen didn't answer.
Chen Liang smirked.
"I've known you for fifteen years. I can read your face."
He tapped the file again.
"She's not from our social circle. No connection to major business families."
"Which means," Chen Liang continued, "this is probably the first time someone like you has ever appeared in her life."
Gu Zhen stood and walked toward the tall window overlooking the city.
Far below, traffic flowed through the streets like a living river.
His voice remained calm.
"Schedule a meeting with Shengyuan University."
Chen Liang blinked.
What?
"We're discussing the new architectural research partnership."
Chen Liang stared at him.
"You've been ignoring that proposal for two months.
Gu Zhen's gaze remained on the skyline.
"Schedule it.
A slow grin spread across Chen Liang's face.
"Oh.
"I see.
"You're not investigating her anymore
"You're going to meet her."
Gu Zhen did not respond.
But the faintest trace of amusement flickered in Chen Liang's eyes.
For the first time in years…
His cold, untouchable friend had finally encountered something interesting.