The next morning, the city was bathed in soft golden sunlight, but for Lin Nian'an, it felt like walking into a battlefield.
She stood before the towering glass building of Gu Group, the reflection of the blue sky on its surface mocking her unease. Her hands were clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms. Every step she took into this empire of power felt heavier than the last.
She wasn't here to see Gu Chenyan.
She was here for herself—or so she told herself over and over.
The lobby was a sea of bustling professionals, all sharp suits and clipped heels. Yet when Lin Nian'an stepped inside, it was as if the world slowed down. Eyes turned to her—not because they recognized her, but because she didn't belong. The woman in the crimson dress from last night had transformed into a sleek figure in a pale blue blouse and high-waisted trousers, elegance and strength combined.
She walked straight to the front desk.
"I'm here for an interview," she said, voice clear.
The receptionist, a young woman with a perfectly practiced smile, checked her schedule. "Your name, please?"
"Lin Nian'an."
There was a pause. The receptionist's fingers froze on the keyboard for a second before she masked her surprise. "Yes, Miss Lin. Vice President Gu is expecting you. 48th floor, executive meeting room."
Vice President Gu?
Lin Nian'an's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected to be summoned so high up.
Still, she straightened her back, offering a polite nod before stepping into the elevator. As the doors slid shut, she caught her reflection: poised, composed, unreadable. Exactly the armor she needed.
The ascent was swift.
Too swift.
When the elevator dinged open, a private secretary awaited her—a middle-aged man with a professional demeanor.
"This way, Miss Lin," he said, leading her down a quiet corridor lined with floor-to-ceiling windows.
The executive meeting room was massive, its glass walls offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline. Yet Lin Nian'an barely noticed. Because at the head of the long table sat Gu Chenyan himself, in a crisp black suit, sleeves casually rolled up, tie loosened slightly—as if he'd just conquered the world and now found it all terribly boring.
He didn't look up when she entered, merely flicked through the documents in his hand.
"Sit," he said simply.
Lin Nian'an pressed her lips together and did as told, taking the seat directly opposite him.
The distance between them was both comforting and suffocating.
Minutes dragged by.
The only sounds were the ticking of the clock and the rustle of paper.
Finally, Gu Chenyan placed the file down and lifted his gaze to meet hers. His silver hair gleamed under the sunlight, eyes like a frozen sea.
"You applied for a position in the overseas projects department," he said.
"Yes," Lin Nian'an replied steadily.
"And you thought," he said, voice slow, almost lazy, "that you could sneak into my company without me noticing?"
Her heart thudded painfully. But she met his gaze without flinching.
"I applied through official channels," she said. "I'm qualified. If you're implying favoritism—"
Gu Chenyan's lips quirked in a humorless smile. "Favoritism?"
He pushed a different folder toward her—her entire resume, annotated in neat handwriting.
"You graduated top of your class, double degree. Worked at three internationally renowned firms. Fluency in four languages. Impressive."
Lin Nian'an stayed silent, unsure if this was praise or prelude to rejection.
Gu Chenyan leaned back in his chair, regarding her with an unreadable expression.
"You're overqualified for the position you applied for," he said.
Lin Nian'an tensed. Was he going to reject her?
"But," he continued, "I have a vacancy directly under me. Special Assistant to the CEO."
Silence fell like a hammer.
Lin Nian'an stared at him, stunned. Special Assistant to the CEO? That wasn't an offer—it was a leash.
"No, thank you," she said immediately.
Gu Chenyan's expression didn't change, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
"You misunderstand," he said, voice almost gentle. "It wasn't a request."
Lin Nian'an stood up, chair scraping back sharply. "You can't force me."
He rose as well, moving around the table until he stood just inches from her.
"I won't," he said softly. "But I can make you see that it's your best option."
She turned on her heel, ready to leave—but his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist.
"Let go," she said coldly.
He didn't.
Instead, he leaned down, his breath warm against her ear.
"You said you wouldn't make it easy for me," he murmured. "Good. I like a challenge."
Lin Nian'an wrenched her hand free, heart hammering. Without another word, she stormed out of the room, heels clicking furiously against the marble floor.
Gu Chenyan watched her go, a ghost of a smile playing at his lips.
This was far from over.
Meanwhile, outside the building, a pair of cold eyes watched Lin Nian'an leave through the revolving doors.
The man in the sleek black car made a call.
"She's appeared," he said into the phone. "Prepare everything."
The person on the other end chuckled. "So the game begins."
Unaware of the storm brewing around her, Lin Nian'an walked into the sunlight, head held high, determined not to let Gu Chenyan—or the past—dictate her future.
But fate, as always, had other plans.