Chapter 1: You’re Getting Married
“Big news! Do you know about the new executive assistant Fan Xia in our company? I heard she’s a top graduate from the Imperial Capital University, and she’s a woman.” In the administrative department of Shanhai Group, the vast office area was divided into orderly squares, but even this couldn’t diminish the employees’ enthusiasm for gossip.
Soon, countless people responded in the chat group: “A woman? I don’t believe it! Isn’t the CEO always avoiding hiring female executive assistants to avoid suspicion? If it weren’t for the previous male assistant getting older and wanting to go home to have a baby, why would the CEO find a new assistant?”
“It’s true, why would I lie to you? This morning, I went to report to the upper management with my supervisor, and I saw the new executive assistant with my own eyes, wow~~” The informant covered their heart, blushing at the memory of the new assistant’s appearance: “I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman, even ‘beautiful’ isn’t enough to describe her, my heart is racing!”
“Look at how inexperienced you are, is she really that beautiful? Can she be as beautiful as the current popular actress?” someone said in the group.
“Don’t doubt me, I secretly took a photo.” The informant shared the treasured sneaky photo in the group.
In the photo, Fan Xia appeared to be 25 or 26 years old, wearing a simple loose white shirt with sleeves casually rolled up to her elbows, her smooth long hair draped down. Her skin was pale, and her eyes were warm and affectionate. Just a casual side profile made her stand out among the group of suited executives and shareholders, her aura pure and otherworldly.
In a matriarchal society that typically focuses on consuming male beauty, handsome men are a dime a dozen, but beautiful women are truly the top-tier scarce resource.
“……” After the photo was posted, the chat group fell silent for a few seconds, then new messages and various emojis flooded in like a tidal wave.
“Ah ah ah! Help! Can someone so beautiful really exist?”
“Mind-blowing! Mind-blowing!”
‘Oh my god—my heart has been pierced!’
‘Ah ah ah—Executive Assistant Sister, please face me directly!’
“Get lost! Don’t fantasize about my wife-master!”
“To be honest, my wife-master is already in my bed!”
“Brother Xiao, you’re so shameless!”
Unlike the colleagues in the office who were frantically admiring her beauty, in a rather secluded corner, Wen Lan Sheng rested his chin on his hand. With his handsome and delicate features, soft black curly hair like seaweed, eyes that seemed to be soaked in moonlight when he smiled, and clean fingertips tapping lightly on the desk, he watched with interest as these men went crazy over Fan Xia in the chat group.
A bunch of flies who only dared to lust after a stolen photo in a private chat group, completely unaware that the fiancé of the subject was sitting right next to them, watching their clown-like behavior. Wen Lan Sheng felt no jealousy in his heart, but rather an inexplicable sense of pride.
The Fan Xia they could only dream of had been dating him since high school, and they were going to hold their engagement ceremony next month.
Wen Lan Sheng could almost imagine the embarrassed expressions on these men’s faces when he handed them the engagement invitations… Wen Lan Sheng laughed silently, a flash of contempt like looking at ants passing through his soft eyes, as he continued to work with his head down.
“You’re already familiar with the upper management environment, now let me show you the CEO’s office and your work area,” the CEO’s male private secretary, Zhuang Nian, said to Fan Xia with a smile.
Fan Xia nodded slightly, her smile polite and gentle: “Thank you for your trouble.”
“It’s, it’s no trouble, please follow me.” Zhuang Nian secretly gripped his folder tightly, surprised that even as a seasoned professional, he would stutter when speaking to a woman.
However… Zhuang Nian couldn’t help but steal another glance at Fan Xia. The pristine white shirt on her body gave her a clean and pure aura like water, yet it was strangely alluring and vivid. Every move she made seemed to exude a strong attraction, causing people to stop and look, unable to resist peeking again and again.
Who could have imagined that such a perfect person lost her parents at the age of thirteen and grew up in an orphanage? These past dozen or so years must have been filled with untold hardships.
Zhuang Nian, who had done a background check, felt a slight pity in his heart.
“This is our office area.” Zhuang Nian led Fan Xia into a spacious office. At the end of the office was a tightly closed, carved wooden door.
“This is the CEO’s office.” Zhuang Nian pointed at the tightly closed carved door. The thin misty morning light penetrating through the high-rise windows made it look even more heavy.
Fan Xia approached the door and noticed that the carvings on it were not the common Western patterns, but traditional Chinese landscape paintings of mountains and peaks. The natural coldness of the dark wood made one feel the heavy authority of the group’s power center just by standing in front of it, as if the mountains were about to roll over her at any moment, making it hard to breathe.
“The CEO attended a banquet last night, so she might come in a bit later today. You can familiarize yourself first.” After a brief introduction, Zhuang Nian gave Fan Xia some company manuals to study, while he prepared to start his daily work routine.
As a private secretary, Zhuang Nian was mainly responsible for some trivial daily tasks, and more for CEO Rong Xiu’s private activities. Although it sounds like just being an assistant, only those who have stayed by the CEO’s side know how difficult it is to be the secretary of a workaholic CEO.
Note: , visit:
Shanhai Group is the largest private hospital group in the country. In H country, public hospitals provide free medical care, but the quality of doctors is poor and bed space is limited. It takes half a month just to queue up for medical treatment. Therefore, the middle class and wealthy people generally choose private hospitals for top-tier medical services.
Rong Xiu is the youngest son of the original chairman of Shanhai Group. She has an elder sister, and the company shouldn’t have been inherited by a man, but her unreliable sister was arrested for bribery, which gave Rong Xiu the chance to take over.
In the three years since taking over the company, Rong Xiu’s meticulousness has been almost fanatical, her obsession bordering on harsh. But it’s precisely because of this that she, as a man, has been able to stand firm in a female-dominated society.
As usual, yesterday CEO Rong Xiu attended a banquet and drank alcohol, so she should come to the company after nine o’clock today. It’s only eight-thirty now, he has plenty of time to prepare. Confidently pushing open the door, Zhuang Nian’s appropriate smile froze on his face: “CEO?”
Fan Xia turned around and saw the heavy closed door being pushed open. Amidst the countless documents piled on the desk, Rong Xiu slowly raised her head, revealing her incomparably handsome face. She wore a well-tailored double-breasted peak lapel suit, her long slender fingers lightly resting on the keyboard, a silver watch on her pale, cold wrist reflecting cold, fragmented light in the morning beam.
At the moment Rong Xiu raised her head, Fan Xia’s gaze met her cold eyes. Then Rong Xiu’s gaze moved away from her, casually adjusting the rimless glasses on her high, straight nose bridge, her dark eyes revealing a forbidding and cold aloofness.
“Surprised?” She spoke calmly to Zhuang Nian, her voice slightly hoarse but deep.
“No, no, I’ll go make you a cup of coffee.” Zhuang Nian hurriedly ran out, but in his heart, he was wondering why this great Buddha came so early today? There’s no important meeting today, is there?
As soon as Zhuang Nian left, the entire office seemed desolate, with only Rong Xiu and Fan Xia. As Fan Xia was thinking about how to start the conversation, Rong Xiu spoke first.
“Just joined the company, are you getting used to it?” She closed her laptop, her evenly proportioned fingers casually resting on the smooth obsidian-like desktop. Her eyes were lowered, playing with the watch on her wrist, not looking at Fan Xia, seeming somewhat indifferent.
Fan Xia nodded slightly: “I’m getting used to it. Secretary Zhuang is very nice, he helped me get familiar with the company environment and helped me a lot.”
The fingers fiddling with the watch paused slightly, Rong Xiu’s lowered eyes lifted slightly. Even with the rimless glasses, it was hard to hide her superior, aloof, slender eye shape and clear eye color.
Looking closely, there was a tiny wine-red mole under her left eye corner. Her slender, slightly upturned eye tail was a bit deep. Up close, one could smell the cold scent of cedar on her. It was hard to imagine what kind of enchanting scene it would be if she took off her ascetic, restrained glasses.
“He’s a private secretary,” Rong Xiu said flatly, her tone as cold as thin snow in early winter.
“…Hm?” Fan Xia didn’t understand her meaning for a moment.
“Zhuang Nian is mainly responsible for my personal trivial matters. He can’t help you much with work. If you have any difficulties…” Rong Xiu adjusted her delicate rimless glasses again, her long, evenly proportioned fingers lightly supporting the frame, her lowered brows and eyes hiding her cold, ascetic gaze: “You can come to me… after all, you’re my junior from school.”
Fan Xia was slightly surprised, then her watery eyes overflowed with a shallow smile: “I thought senior had forgotten about a nobody like me, after all, we haven’t seen each other for so many years.”
“I’ve always remembered.” Rong Xiu said very softly, softer and lighter than the light penetrating through the glass window. If it weren’t for the cold expression on her face and her consistently emotionless eyes, one might have thought they heard a tender, passionate love confession.
“I didn’t recognize you at the interview site because I was afraid outsiders would think you got in through nepotism.” The education of a noble family’s young master kept her back straight throughout, as upright as a green mountain, just like her famous uncompromising and decisive style in the industry.
“Senior is always so thoughtful.” Fan Xia said, her voice filled with laughter.
“CEO, your coffee.” Zhuang Nian came in with the coffee.
Rong Xiu glanced casually at the coffee on the table and said indifferently: “Leave it there, go back to work.”
“Yes, then we’ll take our leave.” Zhuang Nian retreated with relief, taking Fan Xia along, and thoughtfully closed the door.
The heavy door closed, and the office returned to an enclosed space. With its predominantly black decor, it looked gloomy even during the day, like a quiet, thick night.
In this silent, dim night, suddenly a satisfied sigh was heard.
Rong Xiu’s back, as straight as a green mountain, slumped down, sinking into the black leather office chair. Her long, beautiful fingers rested on the Windsor knot at her collar, violently loosening the tie. The meticulously neat collar was wrinkled in several places, revealing the tightly constrained Adam’s apple.
“Fan Xia…” Rong Xiu leaned her head back on the chair, silently mouthing her name. The rimless glasses were casually tossed aside, her sleeves covering her narrow, cold eyes, revealing a perfect, delicate jawline. Her Adam’s apple, no longer suppressed and restrained, moved up and down freely. Beneath the ascetic, cold exterior, her palms were already damp with a thin layer of sweat: “I’ve finally waited for you.”
“Executive Assistant Fan, the company has an employee cafeteria with good food. You can try it at lunch.” As lunchtime approached, Zhuang Nian said to Fan Xia while playing with his phone.
“Xia Xia, how’s your first day at work? Let’s have lunch together, I’ll wait for you in the employee cafeteria.” A message came through on the phone, with Temperature Lan Sheng attaching a cute, pleading emoji.
Fan Xia paused her work and calmly replied: “It’s fine, see you at the cafeteria.”
At the same time, she responded to Zhuang Nian’s kindness: “Secretary Zhuang, aren’t you going?”
“I’m on a diet, I made a low-fat meal at home.”
“What about the CEO?” Fan Xia asked.
Zhuang Nian waved his phone: “I’m ordering for her right now. The young master from a noble family is picky about food and basically never eats in the employee cafeteria. Every day I have to order dishes she likes from her favorite restaurants.”
Just as he finished speaking, the door of the CEO’s office opened, and Rong Xiu walked out adjusting her suit cuffs.
“CEO.” As soon as he saw Rong Xiu, Zhuang Nian’s body stiffened: “What would you like to eat today? I’ll order for you.”
“No need, I’ll eat at the employee cafeteria.” Rong Xiu’s eyes were distant.
“This, aren’t you…?” Zhuang Nian said somewhat confusedly.
Rong Xiu finished adjusting her suit cuffs, her narrow eyes sweeping over him.
Zhuang Nian immediately shut his mouth.
“What are you having for lunch?” Rong Xiu looked at Fan Xia, his previously cold tone towards Zhuang Nian suddenly becoming gentle.
Fan Xia answered truthfully: “Going to the employee cafeteria.”
“Together?” His pale eyes held a questioning look.
Being able to have lunch with the top boss would be beneficial for future work.
Fan Xia nodded: “Sure.”
The two entered the elevator together, leaving behind a bewildered Zhuang Nian.
“Today is really strange, why is the CEO acting so abnormally?” Zhuang Nian muttered softly.
Taking advantage of the moment, Fan Xia sent a message to Wen Lan Sheng: ‘I can’t have lunch with you today, sorry, I’ll make it up to you when I get home.’
Wen Lan Sheng replied instantly: ‘Okay, I understand you have a lot to handle on your first day of work. I’ll make you something delicious when you get home.’ Along with a sad emoji.
“Chatting with your boyfriend?” Rong Xiu’s tone was characteristically cold, devoid of emotion.
Fan Xia put down her phone and looked at Rong Xiu. He was leaning lightly against one side of the elevator, his legs long and strong. The light from the top of the elevator shone on his lowered brows and eyes, casting a shallow shadow beneath his eyes, exuding an air of coldness.
Time seemed to return to seven years ago, to when she first saw him.
“Still Wen Lan Sheng?” Rong Xiu asked again.
Fan Xia was slightly surprised: “Senior, you know him?” She didn’t recall ever mentioning Wen Lan Sheng to him.
Rong Xiu’s voice was deep and indifferent: “Many people know him.”
Back in school, as many people who secretly loved Fan Xia, that many knew Wen Lan Sheng and had been humiliated by him.
Ding dong! The elevator arrived at the 15th floor employee cafeteria.
The group’s previous chairwoman, Rong Jin, in order to bring executives and ordinary employees closer, didn’t set up special counters and private rooms for executives, calling it ‘being close to the people’. But hardly any executives actually ate in the employee cafeteria, and those who did were just putting on a show.
Fan Xia casually picked up a few dishes and found that Rong Xiu’s taste was surprisingly similar to her own – green pepper with shredded pork, mapo tofu, both liked spicy food.
The two sat down amidst the surprised gazes of the surrounding employees, with Rong Xiu sitting directly across from Fan Xia.
In the bustling employee cafeteria, Rong Xiu, wearing a high-end suit, sitting with perfect posture, his back always straight, exuding the aura of a cold and noble young master, seemed out of place. It was as if a natural light shone on him, even his movements when picking up food were incredibly elegant, drawing people’s attention.
Until—
“Cough—” Rong Xiu picked up some green pepper with pork, a dish that shouldn’t have been very spicy, yet it made him choke on the spiciness, covering his mouth and coughing lightly. His cold, porcelain-like skin turned crimson.
“Be careful, have some water to wash down the spice.” Fan Xia unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and handed it to him.
Rong Xiu immediately took it, his soft fingertips touching her fingertips. He tilted his head back and drank large gulps of water, finally suppressing the spiciness. But because of being choked by the pepper, his cold eyes were filled with tiny, glistening tears, as if a perfect porcelain had developed a small crack, allowing a hint of human warmth to seep in, no longer seeming so unapproachable.
It was rare to see the once unreachable flower of the school show such a vulnerable side, and it was… quite cute.
Fan Xia moved all the spicy dishes away from him, lowering her eyes and smiling: “CEO, don’t eat these anymore, have some milder dishes.”
“Mm.” Rong Xiu gripped his chopsticks tightly, his thick long lashes hiding his eyes, covering the frustration in them. He had practiced just yesterday and could even handle the spiciness of flame shrimp, how did he revert to his old self today, unable to handle even a little spice?
But Fan Xia saw all of this, thinking he was embarrassed about his loss of composure earlier. She took the initiative to ease the situation: “Lan Sheng is like you, he likes spicy food but always gets choked by it, crying in discomfort every time.”
Lan Sheng… Hearing this name, Rong Xiu’s long-fingered hand involuntarily tightened.
They’re on such intimate terms, after all these years, why is their relationship still so good? Why hasn’t she ever changed her mind?
Rong Xiu secretly clenched his hand, feeling the constraining tie around his neck turn into a wet hemp rope, choking him.
“Look! Look! Isn’t that the CEO? Why is he eating in the employee cafeteria? I’ve been working at the group for three years and have never seen the CEO come here even once! Has the sun risen from the west today?!”
“Look at the woman opposite him, isn’t that the new executive assistant Fan Xia?”
“Oh my god, it’s really my wife-master, wow~~ My wife-master is even more beautiful in person than in the photo!”
A group from the administrative department huddled in a corner, excitedly whispering. Wen Lan Sheng sat quietly to the side, watching the people around him as if watching clowns perform.
“But to be fair, the CEO and my wife-master look quite good together, one a high and mighty flower, the other gentle and calm. Damn! I’m starting to ship them.”
Wen Lan Sheng silently frowned, his gloomy eyes looking at Rong Xiu in the distance. With his naturally superior appearance and top-tier family background, he looked extremely well-matched with Fan Xia, making Wen Lan Sheng himself seem like an outsider.
“What are you thinking? With Executive Assistant Fan’s educational background, how could she not have a boyfriend? The more excellent a woman is, the earlier she starts dating men, even in high school or college. She might even change boyfriends daily. How could she possibly still be single!”
The gloom in Wen Lan Sheng’s eyes faded, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. His Fan Xia had only had one man by her side from high school until now. She would actively reject any frivolous suitors, she only loved him! Only him! After that accident, her eyes only saw him! Even Rong Xiu had once been defeated by him!
“That may be true, but how can those young boys compare to the CEO? Not to mention other aspects, just considering family background, marrying the CEO would be equivalent to marrying the entire Shanhai Group. That’s tens of billions in assets, a fast track to success! What woman could resist such a huge temptation?”
“Hey, Lan Sheng, Wen Lan Sheng, what are you doing? Come back!” By the time the administrative department crowd reacted, they saw Wen Lan Sheng, who usually didn’t stand out much in the company, leave his seat and stride towards the CEO, completely ignoring the anxious calls behind him.
Fan Xia was lowering her head to eat when she suddenly felt a shadow cover her head, followed by someone affectionately hugging her neck from behind: “Xia Xia, so you’re eating here too.”
Wen Lan Sheng gently kissed her cheek from behind, the faint, gentle scent of iris lingering by her ear.
Fan Xia smiled, though a bit surprised, she still gently patted his hand and said softly: “This is the employee cafeteria, many people are watching, and the CEO is here too, let go first.”
“CEO?” Wen Lan Sheng raised his handsome face, his eyes widening when he saw Rong Xiu sitting opposite, exuding an unapproachable aura. He let go and sat down next to Fan Xia with reddened earlobes, saying somewhat shyly: “I’m sorry, CEO, I didn’t recognize you just now.”
Rong Xiu’s eyes swept over him lightly, watching as Wen Lan Sheng deliberately sat close to Fan Xia. His whole body seemed immersed in winter sea water, his narrow eyes hidden behind rimless glasses distantly scrutinizing Wen Lan Sheng, with a half-smile: “It’s fine.”
Wen Lan Sheng smiled: “That’s good, I thought you were angry.” When Wen Lan Sheng smiled, his eyes curved like crescent moons, as friendly and comfortable as the boy next door, a stark contrast to Rong Xiu’s naturally cold and ascetic style. But the seemingly neighborly Wen Lan Sheng was actually a soft knife, quietly placing a ‘easily angered’ hat on Rong Xiu’s head.
Rong Xiu’s eyes were cold, his long elegant fingers lightly tapping on the table: “I’m not that irritable.”
“That’s good, I overthought it.” Wen Lan Sheng pursed his lips, gently tugging at Fan Xia’s sleeve. Fan Xia turned her face towards him, and Wen Lan Sheng spoke in her ear, his voice soft but loud enough for all three present to hear: “Xia Xia, have you given the invitation to the CEO yet?”
A gentle sentence that sounded like a thunderclap in Rong Xiu’s ears. His long fingers instantly stiffened, a strong sense of unease surging in his heart.
“You’re… getting married?”
