“What are you staring at, Zhou Si? There’s no one at the door.”

Wu Xiaoyu shot Zhou Si with a curious look. Normally, Zhou Si would be glued to her phone around this time of day, but today… She kept glancing at the entrance like she was waiting for someone.

Trying hard to contain her excitement, Zhou Si whispered, “Secretary Yan and Chairman Zang aren’t here yet.”

“Huh?” Wu Xiaoyu blinked, confused. “And what’s that got to do with anything?”

Zhou Si gave her a look of utter disbelief. “Wait… you don’t know?”

“I’ve been on leave for the past five days. I literally just got back today. What happened while I was gone?”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t even check the company group chat?”

Wu Xiaoyu groaned. “Please. You know how it is. I was on vacation. Who’s got time to check work stuff? I muted that group ages ago.”

“Stop beating around the bush, Si, just spill already.”

“I was just asking.” Zhou Si chuckled a little apologetically. “Alright, alright. Lemme fill you in. You know the new secretary—Secretary Yan?”

Wu Xiaoyu shook her head honestly. “What about him and Chairman Zang?”

“You’re not gonna believe this,” Zhou Si leaned in, her voice dropping low. “A few days ago, Chairman Zang publicly announced their relationship.”

Wu Xiaoyu’s expression instantly shifted to something between shock and curiosity. “Wait… you mean like… that kind of relationship?”

Zhou Si nodded frantically, and replied, “Exactly! Everyone’s guessing Secretary Yan must have known Chairman Zang for ages. I mean, come on, how else do you bag someone like her in just a few days?”

Realization dawned on Wu Xiaoyu, and she murmured, “No wonder Chairman Zang’s been single all this time… so it turns out she’s into women…”

Zhou Si was confused, “???”

“What are you talking about? Secretary Yan’s a guy! And an absolutely gorgeous one at that.”

Wu Xiaoyu scratched her cheek awkwardly. “I don’t know… you kept calling him ‘Yan,’ and for some reason I just assumed…”

“No, no, hold on—I’ll show you a picture. He and Chairman Zang are practically a power couple straight out of a drama.”

She whipped out her phone and pulled up a photo.

Even though it was just a side profile shot, the man in the picture absolutely demolished most of the so-called “pretty boys” from the entertainment industry.

“Right?” Zhou Si said proudly. “A perfect match, huh?”

“They really are…” Wu Xiaoyu admitted. “But wait, what’s this got to do with you practically jumping out of your seat today?”

Zhou Si grinned. “Today’s their first official day out as a couple. Aren’t you even a little curious to witness that moment?”

“I mean, sure, Secretary Yan’s easy on the eyes. But he’s still just an ordinary guy. He can’t possibly compare to Chairman Zang’s background,” Wu Xiaoyu said, skeptical. “Plus, didn’t someone mention in the group chat that Chairman Zang’s got another admirer? That Yuan family heir? Now that’s a real power match.”

Zhou Si snorted in disdain. “Pfft. Yuan Haolang? Please. That guy’s nothing but an arrogant pretty face. All talk, no class. I don’t care how rich he is—he’s got zero character. I just don’t see Chairman Zang ending up with someone like him.”

“You might have a point there. But honestly, Si, you sound like you’ve really taken a liking to Secretary Yan.”

“Just wait till you see him in person. Whether he and Chairman Zang end up together or not, that’s their business. It’s not like we can do anything about it anyway. Might as well enjoy the view while it lasts, right?”

Wu Xiaoyu nodded in wholehearted agreement. “Yeah, there’s no way we’re getting involved in Chairman Zang’s love life. Best we can do is sit back and enjoy the drama.”

She was about to say more when Zhou Si suddenly squealed, eyes lighting up. “They’re here!”

Wu Xiaoyu immediately looked toward the door.

And there they were.

A man and a woman, walking side by side, like a pair straight out of a painting. The man was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, every inch the perfect gentleman. The woman beside him had stunning, striking features—an absolute showstopper.

Together, they didn’t just walk into the room, they turned it into a runway.

Wu Xiaoyu finally understood why Zhou Si was acting like a fangirl on steroids. When those two appeared together, it was like the air around them turned cleaner, brighter. It was almost unreal.

Even after the pair had walked past them, Wu Xiaoyu was still in a daze.

Zhou Si snickered. “Now you get it, don’t you?”

“Oh, I get it alright… But wait…wasn’t Yuan Haolang waiting for Chairman Zang in her office? If they head upstairs now, they’re totally going to run into him. And if what you said about his ego is true… letting him see this is going to be brutal.”

“Hold up…how do you know that?” Zhou Si blinked in surprise.

Wu Xiaoyu held up her phone. “Group chat update.”

Zhou Si leaned over for a look, frowning. “Weird. I didn’t even see anyone go upstairs. How’d that guy get in without us noticing?”

“I was wondering the same thing…”

They exchanged a glance.

And for some reason, both of them shivered.

The more they thought about it, the creepier it felt.

——

Meanwhile, Zang Ling strode ahead, her face perfectly blank, so blank that anyone watching might’ve thought she was angry.

But in truth… she was panicking.

Her brain kept replaying that embarrassing moment from this morning: waking up groggy, completely forgetting there was a man staying in her house, and walking straight out in nothing but underwear… only to come face-to-face with Yan Wenshu right at the corner.

Ugh, kill her now.

Was he going to think she was some sloppy, careless woman?

Okay, calm down, calm down… What did that dating manual say again?

Maintain a sense of mystery. Be your authentic self. What else…?

Right. Confidence.

Just pretend nothing happened. If anyone’s going to feel awkward, as long as it’s not me, it’ll just have to be someone else.

Zang Ling instantly regrouped her composure, tilting her head slightly to glance at the quiet man beside her. In a low voice, she asked, “How about we grab lunch together later?”

Yan Wenshu gave a soft “mm” in agreement, then hesitantly asked in a small voice, “Just then… Did I do something wrong?”

Zang Ling froze, staring at his anxious expression, her heart immediately flooding with guilt. Why was I acting all prideful for? Look how scared I made him.

Sins. Sins.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” her voice suddenly softened, “…it’s me. I just felt awkward talking to you.”

“What happened this morning… It was my fault for not paying attention. Honestly, I didn’t know how to face you after that. You know, as a girl, I still have some sense of embarrassment.”

Yan Wenshu’s gaze fell on the faint flush rising on her cheeks. She said it so naturally, but her body language had already given her away.

He couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

“I was wrong too. I shouldn’t have left like that.”

The two of them stepped into the private elevator. In the quiet space, Zang Ling couldn’t help but sneak a look at Yan Wenshu. Now, it was just the two of them.

She glanced over at the surveillance camera in the corner — broken since last week. She had meant to get someone to fix it, but had gotten too busy and forgotten. Who would’ve thought it’d actually work out in her favor.

Zang Ling thought to herself, It’d almost feel like a waste not to do something in these perfect conditions.

“Yan Wenshu,” she called.

Yan Wenshu lowered his head to look at her. She lifted her face seriously and asked, “Can I… hold your hand?”

“Just for a while!”

Before he could even reply, she quietly slipped her hand into his.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Zang Ling beamed. “No need to be shy~”

The moment their hands intertwined, Yan Wenshu’s first thought was, her hand was really soft. Smooth and delicate. It made him blank out completely, frozen in place.

“Yan Wenshu, your hands are so good-looking. You could totally be a hand model!” Always remember to compliment.

“And your hands are so big, they can completely wrap around mine.”

Zang Ling happily held his hand, speaking solemnly, “I declare — from the moment I started liking your face, I’ve now fallen for your hands too.”

Always gotta express sincerity.

She’s doing pretty good, right?

Zang Ling’s voice pulled Yan Wenshu back to his senses. He slightly loosened the fingers he’d unconsciously curled, allowing her to tug him along.

“…Thank you.”

As soon as the words fell, the elevator doors slid open.

Zang Ling let go of his hand. Yan Wenshu felt the lingering warmth on his palm gradually fade, leaving a faint trace of disappointment in his heart.

It’s no big deal, he told himself.

Yan Wenshu unconsciously slowed his steps, quietly following behind Zang Ling. But she suddenly stopped, turned around, and briskly walked back toward him.

Yan Wenshu stared blankly as she came to his side. Acting like nothing happened, she gave him a smile. Her lips only curled up slightly — no dimples, no exaggerated expression — yet somehow, it felt brilliantly bright.

“Let’s go together,” Zang Ling chirped.

She seemed genuinely happy. Why? Just because they were walking together? Yan Wenshu found it strange, but what was even stranger… was how his own mood lifted without warning.

[Host, when are you planning to accept her?]

The system’s mechanical voice suddenly appeared. Yan Wenshu paused his thoughts, no longer dwelling on it.

He understood what the system meant.

His time was running out.

Yan Wenshu’s gaze darkened. He turned to look at Zang Ling, just about to say something when he saw her eyes abruptly shift away from him, staring intently ahead.

A part of him felt relieved, another part… oddly annoyed.

Yan Wenshu looked up, wanting to know what she was staring at. Only to see Yuan Haolang.

That long-suppressed memory and hatred surged back to life. He would never forget the way this man had towered above him in his past life.

[Yan Wenshu, can’t blame anyone but yourself for being unlucky. Who asked you to be the one Xiaomeng cared about? But thanks to you, Xiaomeng and I got back together so quickly. When we get married, I’ll even save you a glass of wedding wine. You just stay put here and be good.]

Yan Wenshu’s mind blurred. Just because of that, he had spent the rest of his life unable to escape that cage.

Seeing his emotions spiral, the system hurriedly spoke up, [Host, you’ve already been reborn. Don’t let everything go to waste now!]

Yan Wenshu stared at Yuan Haolang, bit down hard on his lip, and spat out each word, [I. Know.]

The system shivered out of nowhere, hugging itself tightly, and thought, Male lead, good luck to you.

From the CEO’s office, the window facing the secretaries’ desks was wide open. Yan Wenshu could clearly see the moment Yuan Haolang noticed them. The man’s expression changed instantly, rage flooding his face.

Hold it in.

Yan Wenshu’s brows knitted tightly. His fists clenched hard at his sides, veins bulging, showing how much effort it took to restrain himself.

Yuan Haolang glanced at his phone. It’s already this late and that woman Zang Ling still hasn’t come!

After being kicked out by security that day, he had gone home to complain to his mother. He was adamantly against Zang Ling becoming his wife. Who’d want to marry a woman with violent tendencies like her?

But his mother’s response was, Zang Ling is excellent. Her children will have excellent genes. If you really don’t want her, then marry Yurong instead.

Yuan Haolang was even more reluctant. Wang Yurong was strict, nowhere near as pretty as Zang Ling. Sure, he needed marriage to gain more power from his parents, but marrying a control freak? No thanks.

He still wants to stay with Xiaomeng even after marriage.

So after considering everything, Yuan Haolang could only bear it and continued to choose Zang Ling as his fiance.

He was frustrated, the first thought that came to his mind was How dare Zang Ling reject him?

Zang Ling should’ve known better. Choosing a poor and useless boy who’s got nothing but his looks over him, who is so perfect in every way?

She’s just mesmerized by that pretty boy for now, when she finally snapped out of it, she would understand that he, Yuan Haolang, is the perfect man she needed.