The moment the name flashed on Nuan's screen the entire meeting room froze.A single name but enough to shake the atmosphere.
" Zihan."
For a brief second, no one spoke.Then the whispers began.
" So… you're close enough for him to call you directly?"
The words were soft but sharp enough to cut through the silence.Nuan lifted her gaze slowly.Her fingers tightened around her phone.Before she could respond another voice followed, even more pointed.
" That doesn't look like 'just work' anymore."
That was it.A flicker of anger flashed across her face.Subtle but unmistakable.Anyone who knew Nuan knew one thing she hated being interrupted.And right now they weren't just interrupting her.They were judging her.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.Her eyes turned cold.Without saying another word
she declined Zihan's call.Then, looking toward the PR team, she spoke in a calm but controlled—tone:
" It seems he's free now."
A pause." You can call him."The PR team reacted instantly.They dialed his number putting the call on speaker.Everyone waited.
Ring..
Ring...
Ring....
Ring.....
No answer.A ripple of unease spread across the room.And then Nuan's phone rang again.The same name.This time she didn't hesitate.She answered it.Right there.
In front of everyone.Her voice is sharp it's clear and unrestrained.
" If you're free, why aren't you picking up the PR team's calls?"
The room went completely silent.I'm in a meeting right now,she continued coldly, "so don't call me again."
And with that she hung up.The sound of the disconnected call echoed in the room.No one spoke no one moved.Everyone was staring at her.Because this version of Nuan
was not the one they knew.One employee leaned slightly toward another and whispered: " Is that really… our Nuan?"
Another replied under their breath: " I didn't even know she could get angry like that…"
Then a third low voice knowing.People only get angry at the ones they care about.
That sentence hit harder than anything else.
At the head of the table Yuxuan's expression changed.Slightly barely noticeable.But inside his thoughts spiraled.
Care about?
Before anything could escalate further his voice cut through the room"That's enough."
Meeting adjourned. Everyone, back to work.
Chairs shifted.Papers gathered.People stood but not before stealing one last look at Nuan.As if trying to understand her.But just as the room began to empty her phone rang again.
" Zihan."
This time Nuan didn't answer in front of them.She walked out.Straight toward the restroom.The moment the door closed behind her she picked up the call.
"Are you enjoying this, Zihan?"
Her voice was low Irritated.On the other end
a soft chuckle."I knew you'd say that."
Nuan rolled her eyes.You're calling just to tease me, aren't you?." No, no,"he replied casually.I was worried about you.Nuan let out a dry laugh.As if I don't know you. I know exactly what kind of person you are.
A brief pause.Then he admitted it.
"Alright, fine. I was teasing you."
His tone turned playful." But when you get angry… it's interesting."
Nuan's brows furrowed.That's why I called again,he added.But it seems my Nuan has already calmed down.That word made her expression harden instantly.
"My Nuan?" she repeated sharply.
"Am I your property now?".Her voice turned colder.Don't call me that again.A beat of silence.Then she continued, more
composed:Anyway, talk properly with the PR team. Everyone's already under pressure.
There was a pause on the other end.Then a soft, teasing reply:
" Alright… but don't talk like that.You're making me blush."
Nuan blinked.Confused.Annoyed." Blush? For what? I didn't say anything like that."
Her tone turned flat.And save your acting for your shoots.Don't use it on me.Without waiting she hung up.Exhaling softly she turned toward the sink.Cold water splashed against her face.For a moment everything went quiet.
She thought she was alone.She wasn't.
Outside the office had heard everything.
Every word tone every pause.And among them Yuxuan.His expression unreadable.
He didn't say anything.Didn't react.He simply walked past her desk and placed a small sticky note on it.
" Come to my office once you're done."
When Nuan returned her eyes landed on the note.A strange unease settled in her chest.
One problem hasn't even ended and another has already started.Without delay she walked toward his office.The glass walls
were already opaque.Privacy mode.That alone said enough.She knocked lightly.
" Sir?"
No response.She stepped inside." What did you need?"For a moment there was silence.Then Yuxuan looked up.And the moment their eyes met it was clear.
Something had changed." How long have you been in contact with him?"
His voice was calm too calm.Nuan frowned slightly. " Who are you talking about?"
Yuxuan let out a quiet laugh." Do you really not know," he said,or are you pretending?.
His gaze hardened." Did you pick up acting skills from them too?".That did it.Nuan's patience snapped.She pointed at him.
" If your 'stupid questions' are finished—"
" Can I leave?"
The room turned colder instantly.Yuxuan stepped forward. " What did you just say?"
His voice dropped.That I'm asking stupid questions?.He pulled out his phone and showed her the image.Her hand with Zihan's hand.Held together." What is this?"
His eyes locked onto hers." Explain it to me, Nuan."
A pause.
" Is this why you were so busy that night?"
For a brief second her expression flickered.
Her pride took a hit.But she didn't show it.
" I met him for work."
Simple.
Yuxuan's jaw tightened."Then what does this mean?".He took a step closer.
" I heard your conversation too."
A pause.
" You seem… comfortable with him."
The words hung in the air.Nuan didn't react.
I don't know anything about that, Sir.Her tone turned distant.Professional.If there's nothing else, I'll leave.She turned but before she could take a step—
His phone rang.The PR team. " Sir! Sir!"
" Yes?"
Sir, I think the identity of Zihan's rumored girlfriend has been revealed!.
A pause.
You need to check his social media. Right now.Yuxuan's expression shifted." What?"
He immediately opened his phone.The screen loaded.And then he saw it.His eyes widened.
Shock.
Real.
Unfiltered.
Slowly—
he lifted his gaze.Toward Nuan.But what shocked him even more was her reaction.
Nothing.
No surprise.
No panic.
No confusion.
Just silence.Calm too calm.And that was far more terrifying than anything else.
Yuxuan's grip tightened around his phone.
What exactly… did he post?