Ever since the banquet, Su Xiaotang felt as though her relationship with Gu Yanchen had quietly edged a step closer.

At the office he was still the unsmiling CEO and she the diligent junior assistant, yet when their eyes met she always missed a heartbeat.

One afternoon the company organized a basketball match—Admin versus Marketing—and Su Xiaotang was pulled in as a cheerleader. Dressed in the squad uniform, pom-poms in hand, she shouted herself hoarse and felt ten years younger.

During the break she was carrying water to the players when she spotted a familiar figure on the sideline—Gu Yanchen, with Lin Zhou beside him. Her heart leapt; she lowered her head and pretended not to notice.

Don’t let him see me like this, she thought.

“Xiaotang, quit spacing out—give Zhou-ge his water!” Zhang Meng nudged her.

Zhou was the veteran of Admin and a decent three-point shooter. Su Xiaotang handed him the bottle. “Zhou-ge, water.”

Zhou accepted it, ruffling her hair with a grin. “Our Xiaotang’s the sweetest.”

Su Xiaotang smiled shyly, but a sudden chill made her look up. Gu Yanchen’s eyes were fixed on Zhou’s hand resting on her head—cold enough to freeze fire.

She instinctively stepped back. Zhou sensed it, followed her gaze, and quickly dropped his hand, giving an awkward chuckle. Without a word Gu Yanchen turned away; Lin Zhou followed.

Su Xiaotang stood rooted. That look—was it anger?

Could he be… jealous?

The thought turned her cheeks scarlet.

Back in the office she couldn’t settle. When her phone rang—Lin Zhou again—her stomach lurched. “President Gu wants to see you upstairs.”

She climbed to the 38th floor, rehearsing apologies.

Gu Yanchen sat behind his desk, face still frosty. “Working hours—who authorized a basketball court excursion?”

“It was a company event, Supervisor Wang asked us to cheer—”

“Admin is that idle?” he cut in. “Idle enough to hand out water and let people ruffle your hair?”

“He only sees me as a little sister—”

“Little sister?” Gu Yanchen’s tone was arctic. “I find his intentions questionable.”

She bit her lip. “President Gu, that’s my private—”

“While you wear the company badge, everything is company business,” he said evenly. “Stay away from that Zhou fellow.”

Dismissed, she walked out torn between indignation and thrill.

Zhang Meng pounced the moment she returned. “He was jealous—no doubt! Zhou’s harmless, but men in love lose all reason.”

Love? Su Xiaotang’s heart fluttered, but caution followed. She began avoiding the 38th floor, sending files via colleagues.

Three days later, she was in the pantry making coffee when a familiar voice sounded behind her.

“Avoiding me?”

She nearly spilled the cup. Gu Yanchen closed the door, cornering her gently.

“Why haven’t you come upstairs?” His voice was low, almost hurt.

“I’ve been… busy.”

He stepped closer until she could feel his warmth. “That day on the basketball court—I overreacted. I didn’t like seeing someone else touch you. It… bothered me.”

The confession sent her pulse skittering. His hand lifted to smooth a stray strand of hair.

“Su Xiaotang,” he said softly, “did I scare you?”

She shook her head.

A small smile curved his lips—the first she’d ever seen. “Then don’t call me President Gu anymore.”

“What should I call you?” she whispered.

“Yan Chen.”

The single word hung between them like a promise, and her heart answered with a thunderous yes.