February

At the beginning of February, the spring chill still lingered. Spring in the capital had arrived earlier than in previous years. When the man casually walked into the hall with a cigarette in his mouth, all eyes instantly turned to him.

This banquet, organized exclusively for the financial magnates of Beijing’s business circle, hadn’t seen a new face in a long time—especially not someone as strikingly handsome, suave, and self-assured as this man.

He was tall and imposing, dressed in a meticulously tailored British-style suit that perfectly outlined his flawless physique. The shirt beneath was carelessly unbuttoned at the top two buttons, revealing glimpses of his pale, flawless skin, which added an air of allure. A few of the wealthy heirs and heiresses at the event couldn’t help but entertain the thought of going on a date with such a refined man. However, rumors about him kept them at bay; no one dared to approach.

The man didn’t spare a glance at the people sizing him up. He casually found an empty seat and lit his cigarette, indifferent to the whispers around him.

Nearby, a few playboys and socialites who didn’t discriminate between genders were chatting without restraint.

“Damn, he’s so handsome! Just my type. I heard he’s only 26. Do you think I can get his contact information?”

“Forget it. Aren’t you afraid he’ll mess you up? His personality’s horrible, and he’s obsessed with money. He climbed to where he is now by stepping on other companies. Didn’t you hear? He even drove his own brother into becoming a fool just to fight for the family inheritance. He’s from a poor background, dragging along a bunch of destitute relatives to make a fortune. With a bad background and worse character, how can you even consider him? The Wen family heirs are refined and noble—any of them are better than him. If you’re interested, I can introduce you to one of them!”

“Yeah, don’t just focus on his looks. A man like that is heartless and unfaithful. He’d sell you out, and you’d still have to smile and count the money for him.”

Chu Shangluo heard the gossip behind him. Taking a slow drag on his cigarette, he turned his head to glare at the reckless young men behind him. Though his eyes seemed to hold a smile, a sudden icy chill emanated from him, instantly silencing the group of troublemakers.

At that moment, a handsome young man holding a wine glass sat down across from Chu Shangluo. Clinking his glass lightly against Chu Shangluo’s, he asked, “What brings you here? Did they finally invite you this year?”

Chu Shangluo looked at his friend, Gu Yao, and replied, “They wouldn’t invite me. Old Chen asked me to come, as a favor to him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t waste my time being the thorn in everyone’s side.”

“That’s true. Old Chen values talented young people. With how much your net worth skyrocketed last year, it’s no wonder he wants you to mingle with them more.”

Chu Shangluo smiled without saying a word.

Gu Yao looked at Chu Shangluo’s dashing face under the light and sighed. “It really is boring. The people in this circle don’t respect self-made individuals like us, and no one wants to hang out with me. Honestly, it was pretty awkward sitting alone until you showed up. Seriously, what kind of world is this? They look down on self-made people but fawn over those second-generation heirs who just idle their days away.” He pointed toward a group of young men surrounded by others not far away. “Those spoiled brats from the Wen and Su families, living off their family wealth, have somehow become the stars of the show.”

Chu Shangluo didn’t respond, leaning lazily on his hand with his chin propped up, his gaze drifting toward a mahjong table in the distance.

At the table sat a few young heirs, one of whom had a tall, cold-looking man with an air of superiority standing behind him. The man’s demeanor was starkly different from everyone else at the banquet.

Following Chu Shangluo’s gaze, Gu Yao remarked, “Ah, that young heir is Jiang Jia, and the man behind him is his secretary, Ren Jiaoming. Have you heard of Secretary Ren? He’s incredible. Whether it’s his work capabilities or that stunning face, he’s top-tier in this circle. And he’s insanely loyal. When Jiang Jia’s father passed away, the company didn’t collapse—do you think it was thanks to that useless young master? No, it was all because of Secretary Ren.”

Chu Shangluo’s eyes stayed on Ren Jiaoming’s elegant, aloof face as he twirled his wine glass, chuckling. “Loyal, huh… I don’t quite buy it.”

“Oh, come on. Sour grapes^[1]Sour grapes meaning: used to refer to an attitude in which someone adopts a negative attitude to something because they cannot have it themselves., is it? Just because your secretary betrayed you doesn’t mean everyone’s secretary is unreliable. By the way, have you found a new secretary yet?”

Chu Shangluo didn’t answer, but Gu Yao didn’t mind and continued, “See the young man on Jiang Jia’s right? The pale one with that sort of sickly beauty? That’s Wen Yan, the youngest heir of the Wen family. Don’t you think he looks a bit like you?”

Chu Shangluo glanced briefly at Wen Yan and then returned his gaze to Ren Jiaoming. He casually said, “Not as good-looking as me.”

Gu Yao nearly choked on his wine. “Sure, you’re better-looking, but you two aren’t even the same type! Wen Yan is a delicate beauty, while you’re what—over six feet tall and constantly at the gym? With those chest and abs, you could punch three of him with one swing!”

Chu Shangluo, still intrigued, kept his eyes fixed on Ren Jiaoming. The man’s graceful and aloof demeanor didn’t seem like someone who’d willingly play the role of a secretary.

Just then, a loud “clack” broke the moment as a mahjong tile fell to the ground with a sharp, icy echo. What followed was Ren Jiaoming grabbing the unruly Jiang Jia by the collar and yanking him out of his seat.

Jiang Jia, humiliated, struggled and shouted, “My dad’s dead! I don’t need you telling me what to do! If I want to play mahjong, I’ll play mahjong. Who the hell are you to control me?”

The commotion drew a crowd, with Gu Yao dragging Chu Shangluo to the front row for a better view.

Chu Shangluo crossed his arms, observing Ren Jiaoming up close. The man’s refined appearance, pale skin, and breathtakingly good looks were one thing, but it was the aura of untouchable purity that made Chu Shangluo want to test the limits. Even Ren Jiaoming’s no-nonsense, hands-on approach resonated with his preferences.

Ren Jiaoming’s expression remained unchanged as he effortlessly pinned Jiang Jia against the wall, ignoring the young master’s flailing tantrum.

Unlike other secretaries who feared their bosses, this one had clearly taken control. Jiang Jia yelled for a while but eventually realized that no one around him was willing to help—they were all just enjoying the show. Left with no choice, he finally shut his noisy mouth.

Ren Jiaoming looked at him and politely asked, “Young Master, shall we go back?” His tone was courteous, but the authority in his words left no room for argument.

Chu Shangluo moved away from Ren Jiaoming, feeling his heart race at the cold tone of Ren Jiaoming’s voice.

Jiang Jia, embarrassed and unable to lose face, whimpered, “Fine, I’ll go, but I need to say goodbye to a few of the ladies first. Please let go of me.”

Ren Jiaoming released him and said in a neutral tone, “Apologies.” He then turned and walked away, his gaze briefly meeting Chu Shangluo’s. They exchanged a short but intense look before Ren Jiaoming quickly averted his eyes and walked off as if nothing had happened.

Chu Shangluo, however, noticed a small maroon mole near the corner of Ren Jiaoming’s eye. It looked like an addictive poppy, and it was etched deeply into Chu Shangluo’s mind.

Soon, the lively atmosphere dispersed, and everything returned to its usual calm. Chu Shangluo stood up to leave, but Gu Yao grabbed his arm. “Where are you going? Our seats are over there.”

Chu Shangluo brushed off Gu Yao’s hand. “Suddenly lost interest. I’m heading back. As long as Old Chen knows I showed up, that’s enough.”

Gu Yao called after him, “Hey, what about me? I’m all alone now!”

The evening of February still carried a biting cold. Chu Shangluo leaned lazily against the parking lot entrance, a cigarette between his lips, the smoke swirling around his face. His eyes, beautiful yet distant, radiated a sense of untouchability.

As the cigarette neared its end, Chu Shangluo shivered slightly and saw two figures approaching—one tall, one short. The shorter one walked ahead, angrily muttering, while the taller one trailed calmly behind, his presence emitting an icy aura, as if he couldn’t hear the commotion at all.

Chu Shangluo extinguished his cigarette and, as Ren Jiaoming walked past him, he called out with a smile, “Secretary Ren.”

Ren Jiaoming stopped, his face expressionless as he regarded the man in front of him, who carried an air of aggressive beauty. Chu Shangluo’s gaze swept over Ren Jiaoming’s striking features before settling on the pale wrist exposed beneath his sleeve.

Without thinking, Chu Shangluo reached out and grasped it. The coolness from Ren Jiaoming’s wrist seeped through, like water, instantly cooling the heat rising in Chu Shangluo’s chest.

He looked into Ren Jiaoming’s composed, beautiful eyes and said, “Secretary Ren, why waste your time with a useless person like that? How about becoming my secretary instead?”

Ren Jiaoming’s icy eyes reflected Chu Shangluo’s ambiguous face. With a swift motion, he gripped Chu Shangluo’s wrist with his other hand.

Suddenly, Chu Shangluo inhaled sharply and released Ren Jiaoming’s wrist. Without saying a word, Ren Jiaoming rejected Chu Shangluo’s offer through his actions.

Chu Shangluo rubbed his reddened wrist, watching Ren Jiaoming’s retreating figure, and couldn’t help but recall the sensation from just moments ago. It was an indescribable flutter, lingering at the core of his being, refusing to fade.

In a romantic story, this moment might be called love at first sight.

One week later, in the Chu Corporation building.

Chu Shangluo sat wearily on the office sofa, putting down the documents in his hand and rubbing his brow. His assistant, Lin Zhi, said, “Boss, the HR department will find a new secretary soon.” Chu Shangluo waved his hand dismissively, “No need to look. They should be here soon.”

Just as the words left his mouth, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and Young Master Jiang stormed in, his eyes red, angrily confronting the man on the sofa, “Chu Shangluo, you snake! You screwed me over! Give me back my father’s company!”

Lin Zhi was about to call security, but Chu Shangluo gestured for him to leave. “You can go.” Lin Zhi looked at his boss with concern and walked out, brushing past the coldly exuding man as he left.

Chu Shangluo turned his gaze to Ren Jiaoming, who had just entered, and, while looking at Jiang Jia, spoke, “How is it that I screwed you over? I simply legally acquired some stock.”

Hearing this infuriating remark, Jiang Jia charged forward and grabbed Chu Shangluo’s collar. “You bastard! Give me my things back!”

Ren Jiaoming stood quietly to the side, unmoved.

Chu Shangluo, growing tired of the scene, twisted Jiang Jia’s arm and pressed his other hand to his head, forcing the younger man down onto the desk, leaving him with no chance to resist. In the next moment, Chu Shangluo’s wrist was seized.

Ren Jiaoming gripped his wrist and said coldly, “Mr. Chu, it’s not appropriate to resort to violence.”

Chu Shangluo, enduring the pain in his wrist, looked directly at Ren Jiaoming, “It was your young master who made the first move. Secretary Ren, you’re being too biased.”

Soon, Chu Shangluo could no longer speak due to the pain. He, who regularly lifted weights in the gym, didn’t expect Ren Jiaoming, with his delicate frame and slender wrists, to have so much more strength.

Ren Jiaoming swiftly pulled Jiang Jia away from Chu Shangluo, and after a few harsh coughs, Jiang Jia, rubbing his neck, shouted, “Chu Shangluo, are you trying to strangle me?” He lunged again.

Ren Jiaoming released his grip and turned to Jiang Jia, saying, “Wait for me outside.”

“What the hell? I’m not going anywhere!” Jiang Jia snapped, but Ren Jiaoming’s cold stare made him shrink back, and with an angry huff, he stormed out.

Chu Shangluo returned to the sofa and, looking at his bruised right wrist, smiled. “Secretary Ren, you seem to have a thing for my right hand. You squeezed it here yesterday, and today, again. Who’s covering the medical expenses?”

Ren Jiaoming looked at him coldly. “Mr. Chu, if you have something to say, say it directly. Our company is too small to be of any use to Chu Corporation.”

Chu Shangluo glanced at Jiang Jia, who was waiting outside, and said, “That kid is ungrateful. What’s so great about your loyalty? But here, things are different.”

Ren Jiaoming stared at the confident man, a flicker of disgust passing through his calm eyes, but his face remained impassive.

Chu Shangluo stood up, walked in front of Ren Jiaoming, and stared at the face he found so captivating. He reached out and gently stroked the small, sexy mole at the corner of Ren Jiaoming’s eye, his warm breath brushing against Ren Jiaoming’s face. “I need a secretary like you.”