Tianhai Group, S City

“Xiao Chen, how’s that task I gave you coming along?” Xia Siyu asked.

“Chairman Zang needs someone urgently at her office. If the new secretary doesn’t show up soon, the staff will start breathing down my neck again.”

The previous secretary had resigned after marrying into a wealthy family, choosing to become a full-time househusband rather than continue working.

Just thinking about it gave Chen Wenting^[1]the original name of this character is 婉婷 which would be translated as Wanting, so I changed it to wenting so it could be distinctive from the word wanting. a headache. She sighed, looking utterly miserable. “It’s not looking good. That was the thirty-first candidate Chairman Zang rejected.”

Xia Siyu comforted her, “Hang in there, Xiao Chen. Maybe the next one will be the right fit.”

The problem was, their boss—this famously icy beauty—had standards that were impossible to pin down.

She wanted someone with an exceptional academic background, extensive work experience, a good family environment, a strong moral character, and on top of all that good looks.

If not for knowing Chairman Zang personally, and if not for the fact that this was just a secretary position, Chen Wenting would have thought they were holding an event to find suitors for their boss.

But no, that was not the case. She had to find someone who met all these absurd requirements and also satisfied their notoriously picky CEO. It was like trying to achieve the impossible.

Chen Wenting glanced at the stack of resumes in her hands and let out a deep sigh. “Let’s hope so. If I can’t find someone soon, I might have to resign.”

“It’s not that serious. You haven’t done anything wrong. If you really can’t find anyone, just tell Chairman Zang. I doubt she’ll blame you.”

Chen Wenting shuddered at the mere thought of facing their boss and shook her head vigorously. “Chairman Zang is terrifying. I can’t even talk to her properly. Siyu, sis, I’ll be counting on you to speak on my behalf.”

She pressed her palms together in a pleading gesture.

Xia Siyu chuckled at her exaggerated expression and agreed. Having worked at the company for six years, she had personally witnessed Chairman Zang’s rise to power. She knew what she was really like in her personal life. But for newcomers like Xiao Chen, it was understandable to be intimidated.

Reassured, Chen Weanting returned to her task, albeit still looking troubled.

“Xiao Chen, what do you think of this one?” Xia Siyu suddenly pulled out a resume from the pile and slid it across the desk. “Maybe you should give him a shot.”

Chen Wenting glanced at it absentmindedly, until her gaze landed on the attached photo.

The man in the picture was breathtaking.

His features were sharp and well-defined, his eyes dark and expressive, carrying a flirtatious gleam. A tall nose bridge, lips curved into a confident yet approachable smile. It was the kind of face that would leave an impression.

She carefully scanned his credentials. Half a minute later, she placed his resume on top of the pile and murmured, “Maybe this time, we’ll actually succeed…”

——

“Chairman Zang, we’ve selected a candidate for the secretary position,” Chen Wanting said as she knocked lightly on the door.

“Come in.”

Bracing herself, Chen Wenting swallowed nervously before stepping inside.

She cautiously placed the documents on Zang Ling’s desk. “These are the latest candidates. Please have a look.”

Am I really that scary? Zang Ling thought.

She was bewildered by the younger woman’s obvious nerves. She found it puzzling but maintained her usual frosty expression. Setting aside her current work, she reached for the documents. “You can go now. I’ll have someone notify you later.”

Chen Wenting exhaled in relief, as if she had just escaped from enemy territory. She even bowed before hurrying out.

The moment the door shut, Zang Ling’s rigid posture collapsed. She pressed her fingers against her face, rubbing it vigorously.

Keeping a straight face all day was exhausting.

Leaning back in her chair, she swiveled toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, her chin slightly raised as she gazed down at the bustling commercial district below. A proud smirk played on her lips.

Tianhai Group’s headquarters was one of the tallest buildings in S City. The company raked in billions every year and had even been recognized as an outstanding enterprise by the government. Just six years ago, Tianhai had been on the brink of bankruptcy, and everything had changed the moment she took over as CEO.

I really am amazing. Zang Ling’s smirk widened as she casually swung her crossed leg up and down.

Back then, so many people had opposed her, but now? They all depended on her.

Heh.

If anyone in the company saw this smug expression, they’d be utterly shocked. Their cool, elegant boss being this… unserious? But, of course, with her stunning looks, even such an expression would probably just make her seem adorable.

The silence of the office was suddenly interrupted by an odd cackling sound.

Startled, Zang Ling immediately straightened up, scanning the room suspiciously.

Strangely, the moment she got up, the noise disappeared.

Did I imagine it? Still skeptical, she sat back down, Only for the sound to return as soon as she turned again to look out of the window proudly. And the moment she turned to investigate, it vanished again.

Zang Ling glanced out the window. 

Broad daylight. No chance of ghosts.

Then she remembered—there were security cameras here. She could just check the footage on her phone.

Feeling reassured, she pulled up the recording on her phone.

And fell into silence right afterwards.

Turns out, I was the fool all along.

The replay showed her standing up, spinning around suspiciously, and then sitting back down like a complete idiot, paired with an absurdly silly laugh.

Expression blank, Zang Ling shut off the screen, and swore that for the rest of her life, she would not let anyone hear her laughing like that.

Right, time to work.

She stretched lazily, picked up the stack of résumés on her desk, and was just about to start reviewing them when her phone rang. It was a special ringtone she had set for family.

Zang Ling glanced at the caller ID…

Mother Dearest.

Her first instinct was to ignore it, but since the phone kept ringing, she worried it might be urgent and reluctantly picked up.

“Mom, what is it?”

A gentle voice came from the other end. “Lingling, it’s almost noon. Remember to come to our usual spot for lunch, okay? Your dad and I are waiting for you.”

That’s the reason for the call?

There won’t be some random guy waiting there again, right…?

Zang Ling was skeptical. Ever since she turned 26, her parents had been aggressively pushing her to get married. They’d constantly hint at it, mentioning who had already settled down, whose kids were already a few years old, or who had a boyfriend or fiancé…

Zang Ling, however, remained unfazed.

She didn’t have high standards for a future partner, but there was one absolute must: he had to make her completely and utterly obsessed with him.

Ahem. In other words, he had to be very, very good-looking.

And he had to make her heart race. Though, to be fair, she had no idea what that felt like. After all, she had been single ever since birth and could very well stay that way forever.

She wouldn’t mind.

Her career was her most important partner, and she was doing just fine on her own. Who needed a man anyway?

“You’re sure there won’t be anyone else at lunch?”

Jiang Qiongyin’s voice wavered. “O-of course not, sweetheart! It’s just a family gathering. Why would we invite anyone else?”

Zang Ling sighed. “Mom, you know… I still have things to take care of at work. I won’t be able to make it for lunch, but let’s meet up for dinner instead, okay?”

Jiang Qiongyin sounded disappointed. “Alright then, but make sure you eat properly at work, okay?”

“Mm! You too. Love you, world’s best and most beautiful mom—” Zang Ling’s voice softened, but just as she was about to hang up, she suddenly heard her father speaking in the background.

“Qiongyin, lie down and rest. Why are you still insisting on going out for lunch? We’re going to the hospital later, no more excuses. Did you tell Lingling to come home?”

Her mother replied softly, “Why would I tell Lingling? I’m perfectly fine. There’s no need for a hospital visit.”

“What do you mean fine? You’ve fainted several times this month! I know you don’t want to make Lingling worried, but she’s going to find out sooner or later.”

Mom’s sick?

And she’s been hiding it from me?

Zang Ling frowned and immediately spoke up. “Mom, we can’t take your health lightly. How about this? I’ll come home right now, and we’ll go to the hospital for a full check-up.”

“Lingling, you heard that? But don’t you still have work…”

Zang Ling didn’t hesitate. “It can wait.”

“That’s settled then. I’m on my way.” Before her mother could respond, she hung up, grabbed the black blazer draped over her chair, and dialed another number while slipping it on.

“Yes? Chairman Zang.”

“Yan Feng, I have something urgent to handle. Let Chen Wenting from HR know that she doesn’t need to recruit for the secretary position anymore. Just pick someone from the résumés she sent over earlier.”

Yan Feng, the head of the PR department, was temporarily acting as her secretary.

“Understood. Should I also postpone the 1 PM meeting?”

“Move it to 9:30 AM tomorrow.” The check-up might take a while, so she wanted to allow extra time.

“Also, could you drop off the documents on my desk at my place after work? I’ll reimburse you for the travel expenses.”

Yan Feng chuckled. “No problem. It’s an honor to work for you.”

By the time their conversation ended, Zang Ling had already reached the lobby. Employees who saw her sharp, icy expression thought she was in a bad mood and quickly got out of her way, pretending to be busy.

She didn’t notice them at all.

All she could think about was getting home and talking to her mother. How could she be so careless about her own health?

Zang Ling sped all the way home, arriving at 12:30 sharp.

Jiang Qiongyin’s face lit up when she saw her daughter. “Lingling, you’re back so soon! I told you I’m fine.”

Zang Ling’s expression was stern. “Madam Jiang, I am formally reprimanding you.”

Jiang Qiongyin was stunned. She stood frozen, unsure of what to do. “W-what did I do?”

Zang Xiuming, her father, noticed the tension and quickly stepped in. “Lingling, don’t talk to your mother like that. Apologize to her.”

“I’ll apologize after I say my piece.”

Zang Ling stood firm. “Mom, you can’t just ignore your own health. You and Dad are my only family. If something happened to you, what’s the point of me working so hard?”

The moment she finished speaking, Jiang Qiongyin’s eyes welled up with tears. She sobbed, “Lingling, Mommy knows she was wrong… Mommy loves you…”

Zang Ling didn’t comfort her. Instead, she turned to her father and said, “And Dad, you too. If Mom’s unwell, you have to tell me immediately. You can’t just let her brush it off. And if you’re not feeling well, you better not hide it from me either. Got it?”

Zang Xiuming looked ashamed and lowered his head.

“Lingling, we know we were wrong…” Jiang Qiongyin said nervously, glancing at her daughter’s serious expression. But the next second, Zang Ling’s lips curled into a smile, and she blinked playfully.

“Mom, Dad, did I scare you?”

She wrapped an arm around each of them and sincerely apologized. “I’m sorry for being harsh just now. I won’t do it again next time.”

“As long as you both understand.” She added.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Jiang Qiongyin and Zang Xiuming exchanged relieved glances. Ever since their daughter became a CEO, her presence had grown more and more intimidating. When she was serious, she was downright terrifying.

But now that she was smiling, it was surely relieving

Jiang Qiongyin wiped her tears and casually said, “Oh, Lingling, you know the neighbor, Auntie Li? Her son has a girlfriend, right? They’re getting married next month.”

“Oh. Congrats to them.”

Jiang Qiongyin subtly hinted, “He’s the same age as you, 26, but he’s already settling down. Don’t you think it’s time for you to… find someone too?”

Zang Ling hung up her coat in the hallway and shrugged. “Haven’t met the right person.”

“What exactly counts as ‘right’?” Zang Xiuming asked curiously.

“Well—”

Zang Ling’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “He has to be good-looking.”

Zang Xiuming was speechless.

“What’s the point of looks?”

“Well… at the very least, he’d make me want to eat a few extra bowls of rice.”

Zang Ling answered completely seriously.