The invitation came late in the afternoon, just when Qin Yue thought the day couldn't get busier.
She had barely finished sorting the files for the finance department when Li Feng's assistant appeared at her desk. The assistant, a well-dressed woman with sharp glasses and a tone that could slice through steel, handed her a glossy envelope.
"President Li has instructed all department secretaries to attend tonight's company banquet," she said flatly. "Be present at the Silver Star Hotel, eight o'clock sharp. Don't be late."
Qin Yue blinked. "Me? But… I'm just—"
The woman adjusted her glasses, unimpressed. "Everyone means everyone. Don't embarrass the company."
And just like that, she walked away, leaving Qin Yue with the heavy envelope in hand.
Her stomach twisted. She wasn't prepared for this. A banquet at a five-star hotel? She barely had the money for her daily meals, let alone the kind of dress people wore to such occasions.
That evening, after rushing home, she tore open her small wardrobe. Inside, the clothes hung neatly, but none of them fit the scene she was about to face. White shirts, plain jeans, a couple of skirts—practical, simple, and cheap. Nothing glamorous. Nothing elegant.
Qin Yue sat on the edge of her bed, biting her lip. She wanted to skip, to feign illness, but the thought of losing her job kept her from that escape.
With a sigh, she pulled out the only semi-formal dress she owned. It was pale blue, modest, and simple. Not new, not fancy, but at least it was clean and well-kept. She smoothed the wrinkles with her hands, tied her hair back in her usual ponytail, and added a touch of lip balm to keep from looking too bare.
She stared at herself in the mirror.
It'll have to do.
---
The Silver Star Hotel glittered like a jewel in the night. Its grand lobby bustled with well-dressed men in sharp suits and women draped in flowing gowns. The chandeliers sparkled, the red carpet stretched endlessly, and laughter echoed against the marble walls.
Qin Yue felt small the moment she stepped inside.
Her pale blue dress looked out of place against the sea of silk and sequins. People gave her quick, assessing glances—some curious, others dismissive. She swallowed her nerves and clutched her small handbag tightly, reminding herself that she wasn't here to impress anyone.
She just had to survive.
"Qin Yue!"
The familiar voice of a colleague reached her ears. It was Xiao Lin, one of the junior assistants. She waved excitedly and hurried over, her bright red dress swishing as she moved. "I didn't think you'd come!"
"I… didn't really have a choice," Qin Yue admitted, smiling faintly.
"Don't worry. Just stick with me. These banquets are mostly for show anyway. People gossip, directors flatter each other, and the President—" Xiao Lin leaned closer, lowering her voice— "well, you'll see. He's always the center of attention."
As if on cue, a ripple spread through the crowd. Conversations hushed, heads turned, and all eyes shifted toward the grand staircase.
Li Feng had arrived.
He descended the steps with the kind of presence that commanded the room without effort. Dressed in a tailored black suit, his tall figure and sharp features seemed carved for moments like this. A faint, cold aura clung to him, but it wasn't unwelcoming—it was magnetic. The kind of power that drew people in, even as it kept them at a distance.
Executives rushed forward to greet him, board members shook his hand, and several women—beautiful, poised, confident—smiled in hopes of catching his attention.
But Li Feng barely spared them more than a polite nod. His expression remained unreadable, his eyes sharp as he scanned the room.
Qin Yue, trying her best to blend into the crowd, ducked her head. She told herself he wouldn't notice her—why would he, when he was surrounded by powerful figures and striking beauties?
But when his gaze swept over the crowd, it paused. Just for a fraction of a second. Long enough for Qin Yue to feel her breath hitch.
Their eyes met across the glittering hall.
Her heart raced.
Then, just as quickly, he looked away, resuming his stoic mask.
Qin Yue forced herself to exhale. Don't overthink. He probably didn't even recognize you in the crowd.
Still, the strange flutter in her chest refused to calm.
---
The evening unfolded in a blur of speeches, toasts, and polite conversations. Qin Yue stayed near Xiao Lin, nibbling on hors d'oeuvres and sipping water while others enjoyed expensive wine.
She was beginning to relax when a voice, dripping with false sweetness, called out behind her.
"Well, well, who do we have here?"
Qin Yue turned to see a tall woman in a glittering gold gown. Her makeup was flawless, her jewelry dazzling, and her smile… sharp.
"I don't believe we've met," the woman continued, though her eyes flicked over Qin Yue with thinly veiled disdain. "Are you one of the new interns?"
Heat crept up Qin Yue's neck. "I'm Qin Yue. Secretary in the administration department."
The woman's smile widened, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Oh? Secretary? No wonder your dress is… simple."
A few people nearby chuckled softly. Qin Yue's fingers tightened around her glass.
Before she could reply, the woman leaned closer. "Word of advice, dear—these events are for people who matter. Don't get too comfortable."
Her tone made it clear: people like Qin Yue weren't welcome here.
Xiao Lin bristled beside her. "That's uncalled for—"
But before the argument could escalate, another voice cut through the crowd.
Cold. Clear. Unmistakable.
"Ms. Zhao."
The crowd parted slightly as Li Feng approached. His presence alone silenced the whispers.
The woman in gold immediately straightened, her sharpness softening into sugary politeness. "President Li! I was just—"
"I heard," he interrupted, his tone flat. His gaze, sharp and icy, pinned her in place. "Do not mistake these gatherings as opportunities for ridicule. Qin Yue is part of my company. If you cannot respect that, you do not belong here."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Qin Yue froze, her heart hammering wildly.
Li Feng's words weren't loud, but the weight of them was undeniable. He didn't raise his voice, yet the warning was clear.
The woman's face turned pale. She forced a stiff smile, murmured an apology, and quickly retreated into the crowd.
Li Feng's eyes shifted briefly to Qin Yue. For a second, something softer flickered in them—something no one else would have noticed.
Then, without another word, he turned and moved back toward the group of directors waiting for him.
The crowd slowly resumed their chatter, though many stole curious glances at Qin Yue.
Xiao Lin gripped her arm. "Did you… did he just—defend you?"
Qin Yue's mind was a whirlwind. She couldn't process it herself. Why would someone like Li Feng, who barely tolerated her presence most days, bother to shield her from humiliation?
Her cheeks burned. She wanted to disappear, to shrink into nothing, but a warmth she couldn't suppress spread through her chest.
---
Later that night, when the banquet finally ended, Qin Yue slipped out quietly, grateful to escape the heavy stares. She walked down the quiet corridor leading to the lobby, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
But just as she reached the entrance, a familiar voice called out.
"Qin Yue."
She turned, startled, to see Li Feng standing a few steps away. His jacket was draped over his arm now, his tie slightly loosened, but his presence was no less imposing.
"President Li," she said quickly, bowing her head.
He studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he asked, "Why didn't you speak up earlier?"
She blinked. "What do you mean?"
"At the banquet." His gaze narrowed. "When Zhao insulted you."
Qin Yue fumbled for words. "I… didn't think it was worth causing a scene."
"Worth?" His voice hardened slightly. "Respect is not something you allow others to strip from you. Especially when you've done nothing wrong."
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
For a fleeting moment, his eyes softened, almost imperceptibly. "You should learn to protect yourself."
Her chest tightened. "I… will try."
A faint curve tugged at his lips. Not quite a smile—