The company lobby buzzed with the usual morning chatter, but Qin Yue felt the stares more than ever. Since Han Jin's public scolding of the staff, her presence had become a daily headline.
"She must have something on him."
"Look at her—just a poor girl. Why would the boss even care?"
"It's obvious. She's just his plaything."
Each whisper pierced her ears like needles. Qin Yue kept her chin down, clutching her bag tightly. Ignore it. Ignore it.
But today, one voice cut through the rest.
"Miss Qin," a honey-sweet tone called.
Qin Yue froze. Slowly, she turned to find a woman striding toward her. She was beautiful, dressed in a tailored cream suit, heels clicking confidently against the marble floor.
"I've heard so much about you."
Qin Yue blinked. "…You are?"
The woman smiled coolly. "Lin Jia. Special assistant to the Board of Directors. And… Mr. Han's old acquaintance."
Qin Yue's chest tightened. Old acquaintance?
Lin Jia's eyes swept her from head to toe, pausing briefly on Qin Yue's simple blouse and worn shoes. The faintest smirk curved her lips.
"So this is the girl he's been protecting," she said softly, almost to herself.
Heat rushed to Qin Yue's cheeks. "I—I'm just his assistant. Nothing more."
"Is that so?" Lin Jia's gaze sharpened. "Then you won't mind if I pay him a little visit."
Without another word, she walked toward the elevator.
Qin Yue stood frozen, her stomach twisting. Something about that woman screamed danger.
---
By afternoon, Qin Yue's fears proved true.
She entered Han Jin's office to deliver documents and found Lin Jia seated comfortably on the sofa, legs crossed elegantly, chatting with him as if she owned the place.
Han Jin glanced up briefly, his sharp eyes softening when they landed on Qin Yue. "Come in."
Qin Yue swallowed hard, placing the files on his desk. She tried to retreat quickly, but Lin Jia's voice stopped her.
"So this is the assistant?" Lin Jia tilted her head, studying her like a specimen. "She's… different from what I expected."
Qin Yue clenched her fists, forcing a polite smile. "Excuse me."
As she left, Lin Jia's laughter followed her out.
---
For the rest of the day, Qin Yue couldn't focus. Her mind replayed the scene over and over. Lin Jia was stunning, confident, and clearly belonged to Han Jin's world.
And her? She was just a girl barely holding her life together.
What am I even doing here?
---
That evening, Qin Yue stayed late again, finishing reports. Most of the floor was empty when Han Jin appeared at her desk.
"You're still here."
She jumped slightly. "I was just—finishing."
Han Jin set a cup of coffee on her desk. "Drink. You look like you'll collapse."
She stared at the cup, then at him. "Why are you doing this?"
He raised a brow. "Doing what?"
"Being… kind. Sometimes." Her voice cracked. "It doesn't make sense. Someone like Lin Jia—she's perfect for you. I'm… nothing compared to her."
The words slipped out before she could stop them. Her eyes burned. She quickly looked down, ashamed of her outburst.
Silence stretched. Then, suddenly, Han Jin's hand gripped her chin, tilting her face up to his. His eyes were blazing, intense.
"Don't ever compare yourself to anyone else," he said, voice low and dangerous. "Lin Jia is the past. She means nothing to me."
Her breath caught. His gaze was so close, so consuming, it made her dizzy.
"But you…" His thumb brushed her cheek unconsciously. "You're the one I can't stop thinking about."
Her heart pounded violently. "Han Jin…"
The sound of his name on her lips seemed to break something inside him. He leaned closer, his breath mingling with hers.
For a moment, the world shrank to just the two of them.
Then Qin Yue panicked. She pushed his hand away and stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor.
"I—I can't…" Her voice shook. "Don't play with me."
Han Jin's eyes darkened, but instead of anger, there was a flicker of pain.
"I never play," he said quietly.
Her chest tightened. She couldn't face him anymore. Grabbing her bag, she hurried out, her steps echoing down the empty hall.
Han Jin stood alone in the silence, fists clenched at his sides.
For the first time in years, he felt powerless.
---
The next morning, Qin Yue tried to avoid him, burying herself in paperwork. But fate had other plans.
At lunchtime, Lin Jia appeared at her desk, her smile sharp. "Mr. Han asked me to join him for lunch. Shouldn't you be the one arranging it?"
Qin Yue froze. "…Lunch?"
"Yes. With me." Lin Jia's eyes gleamed with triumph. "He personally invited me."
Qin Yue's stomach dropped.
Was Han Jin… testing her?
Or had she been foolish to think she mattered at all?
---
That evening, Qin Yue walked home alone, the city lights blurring through her tears. She hated herself for caring. She hated Han Jin for confusing her.
She stopped at a quiet corner, gripping her chest. "Why does it hurt so much?"
But behind her, a familiar car slowed to a stop.
Han Jin stepped out, his expression unreadable.
"Qin Yue." His voice was rougher than usual.
She turned, eyes red. "Go back to Lin Jia. She suits you more."
Han Jin froze, then strode forward, grabbing her arm. "Lin Jia means nothing. Stop running away from me."
Her tears spilled over. "Then stop confusing me!"
The rawness in her voice pierced even his iron heart.
For a long moment, neither spoke. The city hummed around them, but they stood in their own storm.
Finally, Han Jin whispered, "You're already mine, Qin Yue. Whether you admit it or not."
Her breath hitched. His grip on her arm was firm, but his voice—his voice trembled ever so slightly.
And in that moment, she realized—
The battle wasn't just hers.
Han Jin was fighting something too.
Something he couldn't control.
---