The sharp chirp of her alarm jolted Li Meilin awake, slicing through the fragile web of dreams that had barely held her. Her lashes fluttered, and for a moment, she lay still, staring at the faint cracks on her ceiling. It wasn't dawn yet; the room still held the pale gray of early morning.
The alarm blinked at 5:00 a.m. She had set it deliberately two hours earlier than usual, because today wasn't like the others.
Today, Li Meilin had an important interview at Su Corp.
She sat up slowly, a little groggy but alert, because the thought of what was at stake refused to let her drift back to sleep. Her heart knocked softly against her ribs. The reality of the opportunity seemed too vast, almost out of reach — and yet, she was determined not to stumble.
Li Meilin dragged herself from bed, wrapping her robe tightly around her slender frame. The apartment was quiet, almost oppressively so, the silence of a place lived in by someone who carried her battles alone. No clutter, no sound, no evidence of comfort. Just neat surfaces and the faint scent of old coffee.
Her morning routine felt sharper, more precise today. She let the water from her shower run longer, scrubbing away not just the sleep but also the lingering doubt. When she stepped out, the bathroom mirror caught her reflection: damp hair, clear but tired eyes, and a resolve that felt larger than her twenty-three years.
Clothes had been laid out the night before. She slipped into a cream blouse that hugged her delicately, the buttons neatly pressed, paired with a tailored pencil skirt that gave her a professional edge. It wasn't designer, but it was immaculate. She had chosen it because it said: competent, serious, prepared.
Breakfast was hurried but necessary. Li Meilin fried an egg she nearly ruined because her hands shook slightly, then crunched on toast as the egg cooled on the plate. Coffee steamed in her cup, dark and bitter, burning her tongue when she sipped too quickly. The nerves made her clumsy, but she pushed past them. Hunger wasn't important, but showing up sharp-minded was.
By the time she applied light makeup, fastened simple pearl earrings, and slipped on her heels, the sky was warming with streaks of pink. She picked up her modest black handbag, exhaled slowly, and whispered, "You can do this, Meilin."
Then she stepped out of her apartment and locked the door, ready to face the new day.
The Su Corp Headquarters building came into view long before Li Meilin reached the steps. The structure soared against the city skyline — glass, steel, and ambition molded into one. The sunlight caught its mirrored panels, throwing brilliance across the streets below.
Pedestrians slowed as they passed, some glancing up with admiration, others with envy. To work here was not just employment. It was power.
As Li Meilin walked toward the entrance, her reflection shimmered across the vast glass doors. For a brief second, she didn't recognize the woman staring back at her: posture upright, chin lifted, eyes carrying the weight of someone who had fallen and still chosen to rise.
Inside, the lobby was cathedral-like. Smooth marble floors reflected the polished light from crystal chandeliers. Potted plants lined the edges with quiet elegance, and the faint aroma of fresh lilies lingered. Employees moved with brisk efficiency, heels clicking and voices lowered, the hum of business vibrating in the air.
Behind the reception desk, a secretary lifted her head, expression polite but reserved.
"Good morning. You must be Ms. Li Meilin?" The secretary asked, glancing down at her laptop with a smile before facing Li Meilin once again.
"Yes." Li Meilin's voice was calm, but her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. The secretary had just stated her name, so what were the odds? Was she the only one coming in for an interview?
Li Meilin willed her heart to stay calm.
"You're expected." The secretary rose gracefully, her blazer crisp. "The Personal Assistant to CEO Su will see you now. Please, follow me."
The words snagged in Li Meilin's mind. The Personal Assistant to the CEO? She had thought she would meet with HR or perhaps a department manager. But to be summoned straight to the man who stood next to Su Yichen himself… It made her pulse leap.
Still, she nodded, following as the secretary led her toward the elevators. Each step echoed the truth she couldn't ignore: this wasn't a regular interview.
Far below, in a restroom tucked near the PR department, two junior staff lingered by the sinks, whispering as they adjusted their lipstick.
"Did you hear? The CEO's PA is personally interviewing someone today."
The other frowned, glancing over her shoulder. "For what role? HR usually handles entry-level."
"Exactly," the first whispered. "That's why people are talking. If Director Zhao Junhao himself is doing it… then whoever it is must be special."
The two exchanged loaded looks, curiosity and envy sparking between them, their voices fading into echoes against the marble tiles.
The elevator stopped with a soft chime, and the secretary led Li Meilin through a hushed corridor lined with heavy doors. They paused before one, the plaque on it reading: Personal Assistant to the CEO.
The secretary knocked lightly.
"Come in," a deep voice commanded.
She opened the door and gestured for Li Meilin to step inside before leaving.
The office was clean, functional, with a modern minimalism that mirrored authority without extravagance. Behind the desk sat Zhao Junhao, sharp-eyed and impeccably dressed in a charcoal-gray suit. His presence filled the space — calm, controlled, with the aura of someone who had learned to command without raising his voice.
Li Meilin dipped her head. "Good morning, sir."
"Ms. Li?" His gaze swept her from head to toe, not leering but assessing, precise.
"Yes."
"Sit."
"Thank you." Li Meilin stated, her gaze doing a subtle sweep around the cool office.
It was time.
'I'll give my best and not mess this up.' Li Meilin promised with a decisive exhale.