Chapter 1: CEO’s Heartthrob Value: 99% — A Premeditated Departure

In the sweltering heat of summer, the sun had been mercilessly scorching the earth since dawn, making every passerby truly feel the torment of the season.

Even the short five-minute walk from the subway to the office left Su Shangfei, wearing ten-centimeter stiletto heels, feeling the heat beneath her soles, her entire body damp with sweat. Only after stepping into the cool, air-conditioned Guishang Tower did she finally breathe a refreshing sigh of relief, the irritation in her heart fading away.

As the personal secretary of Mu Ruye, Executive President of Greater China, Su Shangfei was well-known throughout Guishang Group. Along her way, executives and employees from all departments greeted her warmly with smiles:
“Good morning, Secretary Su!”

Known for her strict professionalism and composed demeanor, Su Shangfei responded with only a polite nod and a faint smile:
“Good morning.”

At the elevator, Manager Wang from the marketing department was already waiting. As soon as Su Shangfei clocked in and passed the security gate, he hurried forward and offered a paper bag containing hot coffee, a sandwich, and pastries.
“Good morning, Secretary Su! I brought you breakfast.”

With her arms crossed, Su Shangfei made no move to accept it, her body language radiating clear rejection.

Having worked in the corporate world for years, Manager Wang could read between the lines. He quickly withdrew the bag and tried to ease the awkwardness with a laugh:
“Haha, my bad! Someone as refined as you must be very conscious about maintaining your figure. Next time, I’ll bring a healthy meal!”

Only after he pulled back did Su Shangfei turn to him and say,
“I appreciate the thought, but I rarely eat breakfast. No need to trouble yourself, Manager Wang.”

Manager Wang had no other choice—he wouldn’t have humbled himself otherwise.

All week, his advertising proposal for the new product had been repeatedly shot down by President Mu, three versions in total, each met with harsh criticism. He felt completely lost, and that confusion trickled down to his team. Vague instructions led to wasted overtime and endless revisions, leaving the team frustrated and demoralized.

Realizing morale was dipping and fearing delays in the product launch—which would surely land him in hot water with the CEO—Manager Wang needed a solution. But he didn’t dare approach Mu Ruye directly. So he went the roundabout way, hoping to get insights from the trusted secretary:
“Secretary Su, you’re so kind. Could you give us a little hint? What exactly is the president looking for? That way we can align better and avoid making him—and you—deal with so much.”

Just then, the executive-only elevator opened. Su Shangfei stepped in with elegant strides, turning to face him, her expression icy and unreadable.

The elevator, being Mu Ruye’s private lift, was strictly off-limits to others. Manager Wang could only watch helplessly as she entered, not daring to stop her.

But then, a “ding” sounded. The doors reopened, and Su Shangfei’s pale, slender hand was on the “open” button.

Manager Wang turned back eagerly, hope lighting up his face like someone grasping a lifeline.

Su Shangfei spoke rapidly, clearly having thought it through already:

“The spokesperson doesn’t match the company’s brand image. The product’s core selling point isn’t highlighted. The media placement is too narrow. Our company already has enough recognition, but your department is still using outdated brainwashing techniques from the market development phase. Isn’t that a bit behind the times? Sure, following old methods may be safe, but it’s also uninspired. President Mu values innovation—he expects to see something fresh and exciting.”

Manager Wang broke into a sweat. He’d assumed it was just a minor issue in the proposal. Now, hearing Secretary Su’s thorough analysis, he realized just how flawed the plan was—and why Mu Ruye was so upset.

If even Secretary Su could point out so many problems, the president’s dissatisfaction must have reached its peak. If not for her kindness today, he might’ve lost his job without even knowing why.

Mu Ruye was infamous for his sharp tongue and harsh critiques. He’d made his subordinates tremble more than once.

Su Shangfei was used to cleaning up after him, constantly smoothing things over to keep operations running smoothly.

Seeing how shaken Manager Wang was, she kindly added:
“President Mu often says you’re one of the company’s veterans—experienced and accomplished. He has high hopes for you and your team. Submit a revised proposal to me by the end of the day after tomorrow, and I’ll pass it along.”

Grateful beyond words, Manager Wang nodded eagerly:
“Thank you, Secretary Su! I’ll never forget this. I owe you big time!”

Everyone said she was like a cold AI—strict and detached. Who would’ve guessed she had such a kind side?

After seeing Manager Wang perk up, Su Shangfei finally let go of the button. Checking her watch, she noted it was almost the start of office hours.
“Take care, Manager Wang.”

He beamed:
“Take care, Secretary Su!”

But while he was smiling, Su Shangfei couldn’t find it in herself to be happy.

She knew all too well that Mu Ruye had long wanted Manager Wang gone, considering him rigid and outdated, lacking innovation, and unable to manage talent. He intended to replace him with his subordinate Meng Yan after the new product launch, along with a major shake-up in the marketing department.

That’s why she was initially so cold when Manager Wang tried to take shortcuts.

But eventually, she changed her mind. He was a long-time employee, after all. If he was going to leave, she at least wanted him to go with dignity.

And above all, this product launch involved the painstaking effort of hundreds of people across departments. She couldn’t afford to let it fail—not even a little.

Because Manager Wang had delayed her, she barely made it to the president’s office on time. Passing through the main workspace, she was handed a performance report by Manager Xiao of the admin team. After a quick review, she took it to her private office.

As soon as she sat down, the intercom buzzed. A cold voice echoed through both her office and the outer speaker:
“Bring in a cup of coffee.”

Liu Xuejing, the assistant seated outside, had been working in the president’s office for six months. But since Mu Ruye only trusted Su Shangfei, all major and minor tasks fell to her, leaving Liu with little chance to interact directly with the president.

So when she heard the request, she dared not overstep. Instead, she organized the files and knocked on Su Shangfei’s door:
“Sister Shangfei, here are the signed documents. President Mu said he’d like a coffee.”

Su Shangfei accepted the files and instinctively walked toward the break room, only to pause at the doorway. She turned and said:
“Come learn how to make it with me.”

Liu hesitated, recalling how the president had once scolded her for ruining good coffee beans:
“Sister Shangfei, last time he said my coffee couldn’t compare to yours. He said I was wasting his beans…”

Su Shangfei smiled helplessly and pulled Liu along:
“President Mu is just picky about food and drink. Once he’s used to something, it’s hard to change. But nothing stays the same forever. If one day I’m no longer around, he’ll have to adapt and form new habits.”

Liu didn’t pick up on the hidden meaning, thinking it was just encouragement:
“Don’t joke like that, Sister Shangfei. You’ve been with him almost six years. He can’t live without you! Honestly, if anyone’s job is secure, it’s yours. You’ll probably be with him for life.”

Su Shangfei’s expression darkened briefly before she smiled again and gave some tips:
“His tone just now was curt and irritable. He probably skipped breakfast or had a rough morning. Bring some biscuits or chocolate with the coffee—it’ll lift his mood.”

Liu gawked in awe:
“Wow! I didn’t hear anything unusual. How can you tell all that from just one sentence?”

As they walked toward the president’s office, Su Shangfei explained:
“Experience. Once you’ve seen and heard enough, it becomes instinct. Just leave the coffee and snacks on the table and leave quickly. Don’t linger—or you’ll risk getting caught in his storm.”

Liu nodded quickly:
“Thanks for the heads-up!”

Inside, Mu Ruye sat straight at his expansive desk. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, and his meticulously styled hair was flawless. Beneath his gold-rimmed glasses, his dark eyes scanned document after document.

Hearing the door open and two sets of heels approaching, he looked up in mild surprise.

Mu Ruye’s refined, handsome face was particularly striking, but his furrowed brow and faintly annoyed tone made him seem both severe and intimidating:
“Didn’t I tell you to rest at home? Why are you rushing to work?”