The next morning, Qin Yue arrived at the Feng Corporation building at exactly 6:55 a.m.
The sky outside was heavy with clouds, the air thick with the promise of rain. She stepped into the lobby, clutching her bag like a shield. Inside, the building was hushed—only a few security guards and cleaning staff moved about.
The elevator doors opened to the top floor, and she stepped out to find Li Feng already in his office, perfectly put together in a charcoal suit, sipping coffee like he'd been awake for hours.
"You're early," he remarked, his tone unreadable.
"You said seven," she replied, trying not to sound defensive.
One eyebrow lifted slightly. "Good. At least you can follow instructions."
Qin Yue exhaled silently, reminding herself to be patient. This job was worth it.
---
By mid-morning, the first drops of rain began to patter against the massive glass windows of his office. Qin Yue was typing up a report at her desk when Li Feng's voice broke the quiet.
"Coffee."
She looked up. "You already have one."
"I said coffee, not a reminder of my current cup," he said, without looking up from the papers he was signing.
Her lips pressed together, but she rose and made her way to the break room. The company's coffee machine was sleek and intimidating, but after three failed attempts yesterday, she had figured it out. She poured the rich, dark liquid into a porcelain cup, steadying her hands before returning.
When she set it down on his desk, his gaze briefly flicked to her. "No sugar?"
"You didn't specify."
A faint glint passed through his eyes, but he said nothing, simply taking a sip.
---
The rain outside deepened, turning into a steady downpour. Qin Yue kept working, answering phone calls, typing letters, and running documents between departments. She didn't notice the time until she glanced at the clock and realized it was past one.
She reached for her bag. "I'm going to grab lunch—"
"Bring an umbrella," Li Feng said, his voice calm.
She blinked. "I don't have one."
He looked up, frowning slightly. "Then don't go out."
"It's just a little rain—"
"Miss Qin." His voice had a note of finality. "It's pouring. You'll come back soaked, and I don't have time to deal with a sick assistant."
Her chest tightened. For a moment, she almost believed he was worried—but then she told herself not to be ridiculous. He was just being practical.
Still, she stayed.
---
Later that afternoon, he had her sit in during a meeting with two clients. She mostly kept silent, taking notes, but once, when one of the clients asked a vague question about scheduling, she instinctively answered before Li Feng could.
His eyes flicked to her, and for a moment she thought she'd overstepped. But instead, he let her finish—and afterward, when the clients left, he said simply, "That was the correct answer."
Her surprise must have shown, because he added, "Don't expect me to say it twice."
---
By the time the workday ended, the rain had slowed but not stopped. Qin Yue gathered her bag, mentally preparing for the cold walk to the bus stop. But as she stepped out of the building, a black car pulled up beside her. The tinted window rolled down.
"Get in," Li Feng said.
She stared. "What?"
"You don't have an umbrella. I'm driving that way."
She hesitated, unsure if this was genuine kindness or some unspoken order. But the rain was still falling, and her shoes were already damp.
She slid into the passenger seat, keeping her bag on her lap. The car smelled faintly of leather and cedar, and the quiet hum of the engine was strangely soothing.
They drove in silence for a few minutes before he spoke. "You're not bad at your job. For a first week."
She turned her head, startled. "Was that… a compliment?"
He didn't look at her. "Don't get used to it."
And yet, there was the faintest trace of something—amusement?—in his voice.
---