Chapter 1: The Newly Appointed President

"Hold on tight!"

"Qiao Qiao, be good, I want more," the man's deep, husky voice coaxed gently.

Outside, dazzling neon lights spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entwined couple in their glow.

Qiao Xu pleaded weakly, her delicate voice a fatal poison to the man.

"No more, Ah Si—I’m so tired!"

"Baby, your stamina’s too poor. We need more training. Cooperate, and you won’t suffer!"

——

Secretary Office, Xuxing Corporation.

Qiao Xu lay sprawled across her desk, reaching to silence the alarm on her phone and remove her sleep mask.

She rubbed her eyes and exhaled a heavy breath.

Why did she dream of him again?

Wake up, Qiao Xu. He hates you.

At the next workstation, secretary Fang Kexin leaned over, pulling off her headphones.

"Xu Xu, I heard a new president is parachuting in. He’ll be here soon. I wonder if he’ll be even more of a slave driver than the last one."

Qiao Xu, listless, remained slumped over her desk. "I don’t know, but I heard he’s very aloof and extremely skilled."

Fang Kexin wore an expression as if the sky were falling. "Cold-blooded, iron-fisted type? Then we’re doomed—endless overtime, endless meetings."

Ye Yurou, wearing holey sneakers and carrying three iced coffees, rushed in.

She set the coffees down and quickly changed into high heels. "Kexin, Xu Xu, hurry—change shoes and fix your makeup. The new boss’s car is downstairs."

"Oh my god, HRD, ADM, and CSO are all downstairs to greet him. Let’s get upstairs fast."

The three of them were presidential secretaries at Xuxing Corporation. There was also a presidential assistant, but he transferred with the previous president.

Qiao Xu touched up her nude-pink lipstick, tied her long hair into a low messy bun, and slipped on black high heels.

Their office was just below the president’s suite. Afraid of running into the new boss in the elevator, the trio wordlessly chose the stairwell.

As soon as they steadied themselves outside the president’s office, the elevator chimed.

"Ping!"

Qiao Xu watched as a man emerged, surrounded and clearly at the center of attention. Her smile froze, panic flickered in her eyes.

How could it be him?

"President Xu, these three were the previous president’s secretaries: Fang Kexin, Qiao Xu, Ye Yurou," the HR director introduced them to the new boss, then turned to introduce him.

"This is President Xu Si'an, transferred from the overseas headquarters as our new executive president."

Qiao Xu stiffened and, with the other two, greeted him, "Hello, President Xu."

Xu Si'an responded with a cold "Mm."

Qiao Xu breathed a sigh of relief, reassuring herself that he probably hadn’t recognized her.

Damn it, how unlucky could she be? Her new boss parachuted in, and he turned out to be her ex-boyfriend of four years—the one she had dumped.

He was also the leading man in the dream she’d just had.

The HR director, respectful, said to Xu Si'an, "President Xu, the previous president’s assistant has transferred, and the new assistant is still being interviewed. If you have any work arrangements, please instruct the secretaries for now."

Xu Si'an nodded, "Thank you for your hard work."

He strode past the secretaries into the president’s office. The HR director gave them a 'good luck' look and left.

The three exchanged glances and resignedly entered the president’s office.

Xu Si'an stood at the desk with his back to them.

His tailored black suit showed off a tall, perfectly proportioned figure. From behind, he was the epitome of restraint.

Only Qiao Xu knew the hidden side of this man.

"Anything but restrained," she murmured.

Xu Si'an suddenly turned, startling Qiao Xu.

He spoke calmly, "I am Xu Si'an. From today, I take over as executive president of Xuxing Corporation."

"We will work together, but I have only one rule: don’t act on your own initiative."

All three responded in unison, "Yes, President Xu."

Xu Si'an circled the desk, unbuttoned his jacket, and sat.

"Let’s reintroduce ourselves. You first."

Qiao Xu saw him point at her. She froze for a few seconds before stepping forward.

"Hello, President Xu. My name is Qiao Xu, twenty-seven years old, graduate of Secretarial Studies at Locheng Jiu Commerce University. My daily duties include managing the president’s schedule and arranging business trips."

She stepped back. Fang Kexin quickly followed, "Hello, President Xu, I’m Fang Kexin..."

Half an hour later, the three left the president’s office, Qiao Xu feeling dazed.

Ye Yurou called her several times before she snapped back. "Xu Xu, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing. What were you saying?"

Fang Kexin hooked her arm around Qiao Xu’s. "We were saying President Xu is so handsome—he’d make a perfect male model with that figure."

"His face is flawless from any angle, his neck is long, his fingers... my god, he must be very skilled in certain areas."

Qiao Xu muttered softly, "He’s abnormally skilled."

"Huh? Xu Xu, what did you say—abnormal?"

"Nothing."

Inside the president’s office, Xu Si'an took a pack of gray Capilong cigarettes from his suit pocket, opened it, and lit one.

His phone buzzed on the desk. He answered.

"Ah Si, you’re back in the country?"

He Yanxun, on the other end, was incredulous—this man returned without a word and went straight to Xuxing Corporation?

Xu Si'an replied with a quiet "Mm." "Can’t I come home?"

He Yanxun: "Of course you can. But why Xuxing? Do you know Qiao Xu’s there?"

He Yanxun was his childhood friend—they grew up in the same pair of pants, so to speak.

"Don’t mention it. I don’t recognize that name."

He Yanxun snorted, "Hard-headed as ever. You don’t know that name? Then explain the violet and little sheep tattoos on the inside of your left arm."

Xu Si'an exhaled smoke. "Do I owe you an explanation? Nothing else, I’m at work."

He hung up, stubbed out the half-finished cigarette.

Even his brand of cigarettes had changed; this one wasn’t any good.

He touched his left arm through the suit.

Violets were her favorite flower. The little sheep—because Qiao Xu was an Aries.

In the secretary’s office, Qiao Xu lay on her desk, picking at her freshly manicured nails.

Xu Si'an—

Long time no see.

It’s been four years. He must have dated, right?

No, probably married by now.

Four years ago, his mother said he had a fiancée and the engagement was imminent.

Four years have passed—he must have children already.

"Xu Xu, Xu Xu."

"What is it, Yurou?" Qiao Xu felt warmth on her cheek. She wiped it—it was a tear.

Pathetic, Qiao Xu. You were the one who left him.

Ye Yurou saw her reddened eyes and was startled. "Why are you crying? Did something happen?"

Qiao Xu rubbed her eyes. "I’m not crying. I was up late last night, my eyes are uncomfortable."

"What’s going on?"

Ye Yurou hesitated. "Oh, just now the HR director sent a notice—there’s no suitable assistant for now, so one of us will temporarily take on the assistant duties, with a raise."

"Who’s going?"

Qiao Xu shook her head. "Not me. You two can do it."

She wasn’t desperate for money. Fang Kexin needed it more—she and her boyfriend were planning to buy a home.

Ye Yurou hesitated, "But Xu Xu, among the three of us, you’re the most qualified. You were practically half an assistant for the last president."

Qiao Xu offered a random excuse, "President Xu is a bit intimidating. I’m scared."

The man coming down the stairs paused.

Intimidating? She was afraid of him?

[New book preview: The male lead is cold outside but emotionally fragile and obsessive, possessive, loving the heroine yet resenting her for abandoning him. The heroine is a prickly hedgehog—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. Both are venomous with words, loving and hurting each other. When the truth behind their breakup is revealed, the male lead pursues her in his own brooding, awkward way!]