Chapter 1: Late Arrival

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Xia Yangyang was only five minutes late, but the big boss whisked her into his office and lectured her for a full hour. When she exited the President’s office, her face was flushed, her eyes red and swollen. She looked as if she’d lost her soul, having clearly been crying. The entire secretarial department felt sorry for her.

Xia Yangyang was a new intern assigned to the secretarial office. Her duties involved writing press releases and organizing documents. However, for some reason, the president always seemed to have a problem with her. Every day, he found a reason to haul her into his office and scold her. Each time she emerged, she looked as distraught as she did now.

Finally, Xia Yangyang managed to sit down at her desk. Xiao Man, another intern, slid her chair closer, expressing her indignation. “The boss is really too much. He clearly sees you as an easy target,” she said, sighing. “Yangyang, how did you manage to upset him so much? The first thing he does after a business trip is lecture you?”

Xia Yangyang’s mind hadn’t recovered from the intense scene in the office. He’d been gone only two days, yet seemed to have boundless energy. If she hadn’t begged him tearfully, she might have been stuck there for another hour.

Xiao Man felt sorry for her, but could only pat her shoulder. “Take it easy, Yangyang. There’s only a week left of our internships. Just tough it out.”

Xia Yangyang, a junior studying Media Management at A University, was interning for a month during her winter break. She nodded in a daze.

Xiao Man’s sympathy deepened. “At tonight’s department dinner, we’ll help you brainstorm solutions. Don’t worry too much.”

Only then did Xia Yangyang snap back to reality. “A department dinner? Do I have to attend?”

Xiao Man whispered, “Of course! It’s hosted by Lin Yuanyuan, who’s apparently been promoted. More importantly, many senior colleagues will be there. We can’t snub them.”

Lin Yuanyuan, also an intern from the same university (though a different class), was rumored to have connections and had been “parachuted in” to an internship at Shengyuan Group—just like Xia Yangyang.

Xia Yangyang had spent the afternoon worrying because the president had told her to go straight home after work. After considering it, she decided to go to the dinner; otherwise, she feared she wouldn't be able to handle going home. She'd never imagined that such a seemingly frigid man would become so… demanding when alone with her. When he whispered those words in her ear, she was lost in pleasure, barely conscious. It would be better to pretend she hadn't heard anything.

So, after work, Xia Yangyang and Xiao Man happily attended the company gathering. Although Lin Yuanyuan was hosting, Xia Yangyang mysteriously became the center of attention. The conversation inevitably turned to why the boss disliked her so much. Xia Yangyang looked innocent. “I really don’t know why,” she said. Everyone felt even more sympathetic.

Halfway through the meal, Xia Yangyang’s phone rang. Seeing the number, her heart dropped. She moved to a corner and answered. Gu Qichen’s deep, magnetic voice filled the line. “Where are you?”