The next morning, Su Xiaotang rose at dawn.

She hovered in front of her wardrobe for ages, finally choosing a pale-blue dress under a neat white blazer. Light make-up completed the look—professional yet lively.

Arriving at Shengshi Tower forty minutes early, she deliberately slowed her pace as she stepped through the revolving door, terrified of colliding with another VIP.

The receptionist already knew her. With a smile, she handed over an ID badge. “Miss Su, HR is on the 36th floor—please check in first.”

The onboarding process went smoothly. The HR officer was patient, outlining company rules before leading her to the 35th-floor Administration Department.

An open-plan office hummed with the clack of keyboards. A dozen employees worked at individual stations.

“Xiaotang, this is your desk.” The department supervisor, a gentle woman in her thirties named Wang, pointed to a window seat with a sweeping street view. “Follow me for any questions.”

No sooner had Su Xiaotang sat down than Supervisor Wang placed a thick stack of files on her desk. “Recent minutes and departmental handbooks—familiarize yourself. In a moment you’ll deliver coffee with Zhang Meng.”

“Yes, Supervisor Wang.”

Zhang Meng, a bubbly colleague about her age, introduced herself at once. “Hi! We’ll be partners in crime.”

In the pantry Zhang Meng demonstrated the espresso machine. “Admin’s busy but friendly. One rule—” she dropped her voice, “don’t go to the top floor unless summoned.”

Su Xiaotang’s heart skipped. “President Gu?”

Zhang Meng grimaced. “Last month the marketing director mis-placed a decimal; President Gu tore him apart. The man resigned the next day. Also hates lateness, hates coffee spills—”

Each word tightened the knot in Su Xiaotang’s stomach; she had already broken two of those rules.

“But don’t worry,” Zhang Meng added cheerily, “he rarely comes down.”

They loaded two trays of coffee and began their rounds. When they reached the 38th-floor executive offices, Su Xiaotang’s knees shook.

“These cups are for Assistant Lin. President Gu’s must be hand-poured Blue Mountain—no sugar, no milk,” Zhang Meng whispered. “I’ll go in; you wait.”

Zhang Meng emerged moments later, empty-handed and exasperated. “President Gu wants a pour-over today. I’m swamped—can you run it in? Last door on the left.”

Could she refuse?

“Just knock, place it down, and leave,” Zhang Meng urged, already hurrying away.

Su Xiaotang balanced the delicate cup, hovering a fist before the heavy oak door. What if he remembered her? What if he fired her on the spot?

The door swung inward. Gu Yanchen stood there in white shirtsleeves rolled to the elbow, file in hand. He paused, eyes locking on hers.

Air solidified.

Su Xiaotang’s mind blanked; the cup wobbled dangerously.

“G-good morning, President Gu.”

His gaze flicked to the coffee, then back to her face. “In.”

He pivoted; she followed like a marionette.

The office was vast, monochrome, floor-to-ceiling windows framing the city. Gu Yanchen sat behind the desk, attention on documents.

Su Xiaotang set the cup beside him. “Your coffee, President Gu.”

She turned to flee.

“Su Xiaotang.”

She froze. “Yes?”

He leaned back, fingers drumming the desktop. “Yesterday you claimed to be meticulous.”

Heat flooded her cheeks as yesterday’s disaster replayed. “I—I’ll work very hard to be careful.”

“Really?” A brow arched; his glance dropped to her feet. “Your left shoelace is undone.”

She looked—sure enough, the lace trailed across the carpet. Mortified, she whispered, “Sorry, sir.”

Twice in two days she’d embarrassed herself in front of the CEO.

Gu Yanchen merely waved a hand in dismissal.

Su Xiaotang escaped, heartbeat thundering.

Back at her desk Zhang Meng pounced. “Well?”

“I think he remembers me.”

“Normal—his memory is scary. Just do your job.”

Yet Su Xiaotang spent the entire day on tenterhooks. At five o’clock, Supervisor Wang stopped her.

“There’s an evening reception at the Park Hyatt—cooperation dinner. I need someone on-site. You’ll go.”

“A reception?”

“Six p.m. sharp. Look for Manager Li—he’ll brief you.” Wang handed her an invitation.

Su Xiaotang phoned home, changed into a simple black dress after a quick stop at the mall, and arrived at the hotel.

Crystal chandeliers, clinking crystal, and hushed deals filled the ballroom. Manager Li stationed her at the registration table.

She felt like a sparrow among peacocks.

A statuesque woman in red silk swept up, ignoring the guest list. She looked Su Xiaotang over with open disdain. “So you’re the new assistant who delivered coffee to President Gu this morning?”

“I—yes. And you are?”

“Zhao Man, Marketing Director.” Arms folded. “Don’t imagine a little stunt will catch his eye. He’s seen every trick. Behave yourself, or you’ll regret it.”

Before Su Xiaotang could respond, Zhao Man sauntered off.

Moments later the entrance stirred. Gu Yanchen appeared in midnight-blue suit, city lights glinting off his shoulders. Conversation dipped instinctively.

His gaze drifted across the room, landing on Su Xiaotang. She dropped her head, pretending to arrange name tags.

She felt the weight of that stare linger, then lift.

Her pulse raced.

Moments later Gu Yanchen murmured to Lin Zhou, “Bring the administrative assistant over.”