The night air was calm when Lin Qingyao returned to her apartment.
After parting ways with Mei Lin at the restaurant, she slowly walked up the stairs, her body heavy with exhaustion. The day had drained her—emotionally and physically.
She pushed the door open.
Click.
The quiet apartment welcomed her.
With a soft sigh, she slipped off her shoes and let them fall carelessly near the door. Walking a few steps forward, she dropped onto the sofa, her body sinking into the cushions.
"Ah… I'm so tired…"
She leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
But her mind refused to rest.
That moment in the morning…
That car.
That sudden stop.
And inside…
"There was someone…" she murmured softly.
She had seen a shadow. A presence. Someone sitting in the back seat.
But not his face.
She frowned slightly.
"Why does it feel… familiar?"
Shaking her head, she stood up.
"Stop thinking. Tomorrow is more important."
Inside her bedroom, she changed into comfortable night clothes.
The room was dim, lit only by a soft lamp on the table.
She sat down and slowly opened the drawer.
Inside lay a small diary.
Her fingers brushed over its cover before opening it.
She picked up a pen.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Then began writing.
"Today… something strange happened."
"I almost got hit by a car."
"I was scared… but also… I felt something familiar."
She paused.
Then smiled slightly.
"I got a job."
"Not as a designer… but as an assistant."
"It's not what I wanted… but I won't give up."
Her expression softened.
"Maybe this is the start of something new."
She closed the diary gently.
Click.
The light turned off.
The room fell into darkness.
Qingyao lay down on the bed, pulling the blanket over herself.
Within minutes, her breathing slowed.
She fell asleep.
At the same time—
On the balcony of a luxurious house, Gu Zeyan sat with a laptop on his lap.
The moonlight cast a pale glow over him.
His expression was calm, focused.
The faint sound of typing echoed in the quiet night.
But then—
His fingers paused.
That voice…
It echoed again in his mind.
"I—I'm so sorry!"
He frowned slightly.
"…Lin Qingyao?"
The name slipped unconsciously from his lips.
But he shook his head.
"…Impossible."
Closing the laptop, he leaned back, his eyes drifting toward the night sky.
The moon hung silently above.
The day ended.
Morning.
Sunlight streamed through the window.
Lin Qingyao woke up with determination.
"Today is my first day."
She quickly got ready.
A clean shirt.
Neatly pressed pants.
Simple, elegant.
She picked up the company ID card and clipped it carefully.
Looking into the mirror, she smiled.
"Let's do this."
The company building stood tall and impressive.
Ethereal Design Group.
Qingyao took a deep breath and walked inside.
As soon as she entered—
"Good morning!"
A cheerful voice approached.
A young woman with a bright smile stood before her.
"Hi! You must be Lin Qingyao, right?"
"Yes!"
"I'm Xu Yuna," she said, extending her hand. "HR assistant."
They shook hands.
"Nice to meet you."
"I'll show you around," Yuna said warmly.
They walked through the company.
"This is the design department."
"That's the marketing team."
"And over there is the meeting hall."
Qingyao looked around, amazed.
The atmosphere was professional… yet full of creativity.
Finally, they stopped in front of a large office.
"The CEO's office."
Qingyao's gaze lingered on the door.
"So… this is where he works…"
Yuna smiled slightly. "And your desk is right here."
Just outside the office.
A neat workstation.
"Your job is to assist the CEO," Yuna explained. "Schedule meetings, organize documents, follow instructions."
Qingyao nodded carefully.
"And one more thing," Yuna added. "We don't know much about the new CEO either."
"Really?"
"He's the former CEO's son. That's all."
Qingyao blinked.
"So… we're all meeting him for the first time today."
Yuna laughed. "Exactly. So whatever he says—just follow."
"Got it."
"Good luck!" Yuna said before leaving.
Qingyao sat down.
She arranged the desk neatly.
Files aligned.
Pen placed straight.
She took a deep breath.
Then stood up to greet nearby employees.
Everyone was polite.
Friendly.
Professional.
As she walked around, she suddenly noticed a familiar face.
"Hey!"
It was Zhao Liyun.
The girl from yesterday.
"You got in!" Liyun said happily.
Qingyao smiled. "Kind of…"
"What position?"
"…Assistant."
Liyun blinked, then smiled encouragingly. "That's still amazing."
"If you do well, you can move up."
Qingyao nodded. "I hope so."
"I work in that department," Liyun pointed. "If you need help, come find me."
"Thank you!"
They both smiled.
Suddenly—
Whispers spread across the office.
"The CEO is here…"
"I heard he's very handsome!"
"My friend saw him outside!"
Qingyao turned slightly.
Her heart began to beat faster.
Outside the glass doors—
A black luxury car stopped.
The same kind of car.
Her breath caught.
The car door opened.
A tall figure stepped out.
The sunlight fell behind him, making his face unclear.
Employees straightened.
The atmosphere turned tense.
Every step he took echoed through the entrance.
Qingyao stood still.
Her fingers curled slightly.
For some reason…
Her heart wouldn't calm down.
The man walked toward the entrance.
Closer.
Closer.
And then—
He stepped inside the company.
End of Chapter 3...