Lin Qingyao stood frozen in the middle of the road.
The black luxury car loomed inches away from her, its engine still humming faintly. Her heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear anything else.
Inside the car, in the back seat, a man sat with an air of quiet dominance. His long fingers tapped lightly against the armrest as his sharp eyes lifted.
"Why did you stop?" he asked coldly.
The driver hesitated. "Sir… there's a girl in front of the car."
The man frowned slightly.
He didn't even bother to look up.
"Then move her and continue," he said indifferently.
Outside, the driver quickly opened the door and stepped out.
Lin Qingyao snapped out of her shock as the door opened.
"I—I'm so sorry!" she said quickly, bowing her head. "I didn't see the car!"
The driver sighed in relief seeing she was unharmed. "Miss, please be careful when crossing the road."
"I will, thank you!"
Her cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment as she hurried across the road.
Inside the car—
Gu Zeyan's expression changed slightly.
That voice…
His fingers paused.
His eyes narrowed.
That voice…
A faint memory flickered in his mind.
Snow.
A confession.
A girl.
He leaned slightly forward.
"Wait."
The driver froze.
Gu Zeyan pressed the button, and the tinted window slowly rolled down.
Cool air entered the car.
His sharp gaze scanned outside—
But she was already gone.
All he could see was the back of a girl disappearing into the crowd, her figure small against the busy street.
His eyes lingered for a second longer.
"…Drive."
The window slid shut.
The car moved forward.
Lin Qingyao didn't dare look back.
She walked faster, pressing a hand to her chest.
"My heart is going to explode…"
After a few minutes, a tall glass building appeared before her.
She stopped.
Her eyes widened slightly.
The name of the company shone in bold letters:
"Ethereal Design Group"
The most prestigious design company in the country.
She clenched her fists.
"Never give up."
Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.
The reception area was elegant and modern.
"Excuse me," Qingyao said politely. "I'm here for an interview."
The receptionist smiled professionally. "Your name, please?"
"Lin Qingyao."
The receptionist checked the list. "Please go to the 5th floor, Room 503."
"Thank you."
Qingyao walked toward the elevator, her heartbeat slowly rising again.
The waiting area was already full.
Many candidates sat in neat rows, holding resumes.
Some looked confident.
Some looked nervous.
Some looked… defeated.
Qingyao quietly took a seat.
Just then, a girl beside her leaned slightly closer.
"You look nervous," she said with a friendly smile.
Qingyao blinked. "A little…"
The girl chuckled. "Don't worry. Everyone here is nervous."
They both laughed softly.
"I'm Zhao Liyun," the girl introduced herself. "I graduated from Shanghai Design Institute."
"Lin Qingyao," she replied. "Chinese University. Design major."
"Wow, nice!" Zhao Liyun said. "First time here?"
Qingyao nodded. "And probably not the last if I fail…"
"Hey, don't say that!" Liyun nudged her playfully. "If you speak, the nervousness disappears."
Qingyao smiled slightly.
"Thank you…"
Soon, a name was called.
"Zhao Liyun."
"That's me!" she stood up, then turned. "Wish me luck!"
"Good luck!" Qingyao said sincerely.
Before going in, Qingyao quickly asked the assistant, "Excuse me, when is my turn?"
"Four people after her."
"Oh… okay."
She stood up. "Where is the restroom?"
"End of the hallway, left side."
"Thank you."
Inside the restroom, Qingyao stood before the mirror.
She adjusted her hair carefully.
Smoothed her clothes.
Looked at her reflection.
"You can do it."
She nodded to herself.
Back in the waiting room, one by one, candidates entered… and left.
Most came out with disappointed expressions.
Qingyao's hands grew cold.
Finally—
"Lin Qingyao."
Her turn.
She stood up, took a deep breath, and walked in.
Inside the interview room, three interviewers sat behind a long table.
"Please sit."
She handed her resume and sat down.
They flipped through the pages.
"Introduce yourself."
"My name is Lin Qingyao. I am 24 years old. I graduated from Chinese University with a major in design…"
She spoke clearly.
Questions followed.
She answered each one carefully.
The interviewers exchanged glances.
Finally, one of them spoke.
"Your resume is impressive. You've won several awards and participated in many projects."
Qingyao's eyes lit up slightly.
But then—
"However… you don't have real work experience."
Her smile faded.
Another interviewer added calmly, "To be honest, you are not suitable for a designer position yet."
Her fingers tightened.
"I… I can learn quickly," she said. "If you give me a chance—"
They shook their heads slightly.
Qingyao lowered her gaze.
So… I failed again.
She was about to stand up—
"Wait."
She looked up.
"There is another position."
She blinked. "Another…?"
"We just received news today," the interviewer said. "Our CEO has resigned. His son will take over starting tomorrow."
Qingyao listened carefully.
"We haven't had time to assign a personal assistant for him."
They looked at her resume again.
"You worked as an assistant to your professor. That experience is valuable."
Her heart skipped.
"If you are willing… we can offer you a temporary position as the CEO's assistant."
Qingyao froze.
Assistant…?
Not design.
But—
She thought about her empty bank account.
Her repeated rejections.
Her dream.
Maybe… this is a chance.
She lifted her head.
"I'll do it."
The interviewers nodded.
"Good. Starting tomorrow."
"We will send you the details."
"Thank you!" she said, bowing slightly.
Outside the building, Qingyao stepped out with mixed emotions.
Her phone rang.
"Mei Lin!"
"HOW WAS IT?!" her friend shouted.
Qingyao smiled weakly. "I got the job…"
"WHAT?! REALLY?!"
"But… not as a designer."
"Huh?"
Qingyao explained everything.
Mei Lin went silent for a second.
"…You know what? A job is a job! We celebrate tonight!"
Qingyao laughed. "Okay."
"Same place?"
"Same place."
"Done!"
Meanwhile—
A black car stopped in front of a luxurious mansion.
Gu Zeyan stepped out.
The door opened before he even reached it.
"Zeyan!"
His mother rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
"You're finally back!"
His father walked over with a proud smile.
"Welcome home."
Gu Zeyan nodded slightly. "Father."
A third person stood nearby, grinning.
"Miss me?"
"Chen Hao," Gu Zeyan said calmly.
His high school friend laughed. "Still as cold as ever."
They all moved inside.
The house was warm and elegant.
"So," his father said, "you'll start work next week?"
Gu Zeyan shook his head. "No. Tomorrow."
His mother blinked. "Tomorrow?! You just arrived!"
"I want to see how the company is running."
His father chuckled. "Just like me."
His mother rolled her eyes playfully. "Exactly like you—work, work, work!"
Chen Hao laughed. "Auntie is right."
After some time, Gu Zeyan stood up.
"I'll go to my room."
Chen Hao followed him.
Inside the room—
Chen Hao leaned against the wall.
"So… did you meet Lin Qingyao after coming back?"
Gu Zeyan paused.
"…No."
Chen Hao smirked. "Interesting."
He added casually, "By the way, I'm working at your company."
Gu Zeyan raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Your mother arranged it," Chen Hao shrugged.
Gu Zeyan sighed softly.
At the same time—
In a cozy restaurant, Lin Qingyao sat across from Mei Lin.
"So your boss is the new CEO?" Mei Lin asked excitedly.
"Yes…"
"Rich, handsome CEO?" she teased.
Qingyao laughed. "I don't even know who he is."
"Tomorrow will be interesting."
Qingyao smiled slightly.
But somewhere deep in her heart—
That snowy dream…
And that familiar voice…
Refused to fade.
End of Chapter 2...