Shenzhen Morning, Z.Y Empire
The morning sunlight of Shenzhen scattered as it struck the glass walls of Z.Y Empire.
Anya Lu stood in the vast office lobby. Her head still felt slightly heavy from last night's baijiu, but the nervousness inside her was far stronger. Everything from last night felt blurry—almost erased—except for one thing that refused to leave her mind.
The faint memory of an expensive cologne.
"Anya! Over here!"
Huan Jing came running and hugged her tightly.
"See? You did it! From today onward, we'll be working together!"
"Yeah… but Jing," Anya said while adjusting her bag, her voice low, "I feel scared. I didn't do something wrong last night, did I?"
"Forget it!" Jing said, dragging her forward. "Focus on your job today."
🌸 Qian and Huan Jing: A Sweet Coincidence
As they headed toward the elevator, Huan Jing suddenly bumped into a tall, refined-looking man.
It was Qian—Zain's right hand and the company's COO.
The papers in his hands scattered across the floor.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Jing said nervously, bending down at once.
Qian knelt down as well to help her pick them up.
Their fingers brushed for just a second.
Huan Jing looked up.
There was a strange gentleness in Qian's eyes. He not give expression handed the papers back to her.
"Be careful, miss," he said calmly. "Everyone moves very fast here."
Huan Jing's cheeks turned slightly pink.
"Th-thank you, sir."
After Qian walked away, Jing twisted Anya's arm excitedly.
"Anya! Who was that? He's so cute and so gentle!"
Anya smiled faintly.
"Looks like your luck might shine too."
☕ Anya's Biggest Mistake
Anya was shown to her desk in the Creative Department.
Her very first task was simple—and terrifying:
"Take this coffee to the CEO."
"Anya, remember," the department head warned,
"the boss likes his coffee black, no sugar. And he does not tolerate delays—even for a second."
With a pounding heart, Anya prepared the coffee and headed toward the 50th floor—the same place where last night's 'driver bhaiya' ruled his empire.
Just as she reached the cabin door, her foot caught on the edge of the carpet.
Splash!
The cup slipped from her hands.
Anya squeezed her eyes shut, certain the coffee had fallen on the floor.
But when she opened them—
Her soul froze.
The coffee had spilled directly onto Zain Yan's white shirt… and over several extremely important documents on his desk.
Zain slowly rose from his chair.
His face was terrifyingly calm.
He glanced at the stain on his shirt—then lifted his icy gaze to Anya.
"Miss Lu…"
His voice echoed like it came from a deep, endless well.
"Is it your intention to turn my first day into my last?"
Anya trembled violently.
"S-sir… I—I'm so sorry! I'll clean it right now!"
In her panic, she stepped forward, trying to wipe his shirt with her handkerchief.
The moment she got closer—
That same cologne hit her senses.
The same scent from last night.
Her hand froze midair.
Her eyes widened.
"Y-you…?" she stammered.
"Last night… you were the driver…?"
Zain Yan's grip around Anya's wrist was firm.
The silence inside the cabin was so heavy that Anya could clearly hear her own heartbeat. Anger burned in Zain's eyes, yet there was also a strange glint—something Anya couldn't read.
🧤 A Strange Condition
"Sir… I truly didn't know that you were the CEO," Anya said, lowering her gaze. "I'll do anything to make up for my mistake."
Zain slowly released her hand and gestured toward the wet, scattered documents on his desk.
"These contracts were worth millions, Miss Lu," he said coldly. "An apology alone won't fix them."
He picked up a file from his desk and held it out to her.
"Within the next twenty-four hours, I want a complete new draft of all these documents. And yes—tonight, you're not leaving the office until the stains on my shirt and the damage caused by your mistake are both settled."
🍜 Lunch Break and Huan Jing's Gossip
In the cafeteria, Anya's face looked pale and exhausted.
Huan Jing was eager to narrate the story of her 'cute encounter,' but the moment she saw Anya's expression, she stopped.
"What happened? Did the boss scold you?" Jing asked worriedly.
"Scold me?" Anya let out a bitter laugh. "Jing, the fact that he let me live is already a miracle."
She told her everything.
Just then, Qian—the COO—passed by. He stopped, glanced at Huan Jing, and placed a small packet on the table.
"You got a scratch near the elevator," he said calmly. "Use this band-aid."
Huan Jing froze.
The moment Qian walked away, she squealed softly, "Anya! Did you see that? He's so considerate! Honestly, his right-hand man has better manners than your stone-faced boss."
🌙 Midnight Silence
It was already 11 p.m.
The entire Z.Y Empire was silent—except for the desk outside the CEO's cabin.
Anya was typing like a madwoman.
Suddenly, the cabin door opened.
Zain stepped out, now wearing a black T-shirt. He stopped beside her desk.
"Make coffee," he ordered.
"But sir, this morning you—"
"This time, don't spill it," Zain cut her off. "Serve it."
When Anya returned with the coffee, she noticed Zain carefully reviewing the drafts she had prepared.
There was a faint smile on his face—barely visible, almost unreal.
"You're not completely useless," Zain said, taking a sip. "Be ready at 8 a.m. tomorrow. We're going on a site visit. You'll come with me as my personal assistant."
Anya's eyes widened. "Assistant? But I'm from the Creative Department!"
Zain stepped closer. The familiar scent of his perfume once again made her dizzy.
"Until the stain of your coffee disappears from my shirt," he said quietly, "you'll do exactly what I say."
He leaned back in his chair and slammed a heavy file onto the desk. His voice was chilling.
"Miss Lu, this is the project our team has been working on for six months. Your 'coffee art' ruined all five hundred pages."
Anya felt the blood drain from her face. "Five hundred pages? Sir, but I—"
"I don't need excuses. I need results," Zain said, glancing at his watch. "Tomorrow at 9 a.m. there's a board meeting. I want every page retyped, reformatted, and placed on my desk—not yours."
His eyes hardened.
"If there's even a single comma wrong, consider your career over before it even begins."
⌨️ The Silence of Night and Exhaustion
It was 2 a.m.
The entire floor was dark—except for the small lamp glowing on Anya's desk. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, but her eyelids felt unbearably heavy.
'Monster. Devil. Stone-hearted!' she cursed Zain silently.
Suddenly, she sensed someone standing behind her.
She turned sharply—and saw Zain watching her, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat.
"Only 300 pages so far?" he frowned.
"Sir, I'm human—not a machine," Anya snapped, her exhaustion finally turning into anger.
Zain stayed silent for a moment. Then he took a cup of hot chocolate from the nearby machine and placed it on her desk.
"For the remaining 200 pages, there's even less room for mistakes," he said coolly. "Drink this. Otherwise, you'll fall asleep on the keyboard."
Anya watched him walk away.
She couldn't understand anymore—
Was this man punishing her…
or quietly taking care of her?