The city never seemed to sleep, not really. Even in the early morning, the streets hummed with movement: the steady rhythm of footsteps on pavement, the distant honk of impatient taxis, the occasional murmur of a street vendor setting up for the day.
Shen Yuqi navigated through the crowd, her heels clicking sharply, clutching her portfolio as if it contained the very essence of her life. Today was important, maybe the most important day she had faced in months.
She didn't notice the café on the corner, or the man stepping out of it, until her shoulder collided with something solid.
Coffee splashed across her papers and onto the man's crisp white shirt. A startled gasp escaped her lips. "Oh my gosh! I-I'm so sorry!"
The man looked down at the stain, then back at her, his gray eyes calm, unreadable. He didn't flinch, didn't scold her, didn't even seem irritated. Instead, he gave a faint shrug, almost as if the spilled coffee were a minor inconvenience in his otherwise controlled life.
"It's fine," he said casually, voice even, almost bored. "Accidents happen."
Shen Yuqi blinked, flustered. "I… I really am sorry. Let me—"
"No need," he interrupted lightly, turning away as though the encounter were already forgotten. But there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes before he vanished into the crowd.
Shen Yuqi froze, staring after him. Her heart pounded in a mix of embarrassment and… curiosity. There was something about him that lingered in her mind long after he disappeared. He didn't yell, didn't scold her, didn't even demand an apology. And yet, she felt as though his glance had somehow pierced straight through her, seeing her in a way no stranger had ever done.
She shook her head, trying to focus. Today was the interview, the one that might finally change everything. She had rehearsed the answers, memorized her resume, and gone over every possible scenario in her head. She could not afford to be distracted, not by spilled coffee, not by a stranger, not even by curiosity.
Shen Yuqi straightened her blazer and took a deep breath. She had prepared for this moment, yet now, standing in front of the polished glass doors, nerves gnawed at her confidence.
The receptionist smiled politely. "Ms. Shen Yuqi? They're ready for you."
Shen Yuqi followed the hallway, noting the immaculate design, the soft hum of air-conditioning, the subtle scent of fresh flowers. Her footsteps echoed softly as she approached the large glass doors of the office. She hesitated briefly, straightened her back, and pushed the door open.
And there he was.
The man she bumped into.
Her stomach sank. The same sharp gray eyes, the same calm, commanding presence. Her heart raced in a way she didn't understand. How could this be the same man? How could the universe orchestrate this coincidence twice in a day?
He looked up casually from the documents on his sleek black desk. His gaze met hers, but there was no flicker of recognition. No hint of the coffee incident. Just a faint, polite nod.
"Can I help you?" he asked, voice neutral, almost distant. Shen Yuqi froze. Was he pretending not to remember her? She swallowed hard, forcing her voice to steady. "Uh… yes. I'm here for the executive assistant interview."
Li Wei tilted his head slightly, maintaining his air of calm indifference. "Right. Please, have a seat."
Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched her portfolio. His calm, unreadable demeanor was intimidating, yet strangely magnetic. She opened her mouth to speak, but his eyes, still sharp and unreadable, held her in place.
He glanced over her portfolio with efficiency, his eyes scanning every detail. "Decent credentials," he said casually. "Let's see if your performance matches them."
Shen Yuqi's mind raced. How could someone be so composed? So perfectly in control? He exuded power effortlessly, yet there was something beneath the surface she couldn't quite place — a subtle amusement, a quiet watchfulness, a depth that drew her in even as it unsettled her.
She took a seat, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. Every instinct in her told her to be careful, to stay professional, to not let herself be distracted. And yet, she couldn't ignore the strange pull she felt toward him.
The man, unbothered, started the interview.
Li Wei asked the standard questions: background, experience, organizational skills. His voice was calm, measured, almost disinterested. But Shen Yuqi noticed the small ways he observed her: a tilt of the head, a brief glance when she hesitated, a faint smirk when she answered correctly.
She caught herself stealing glances at him. He was different from anyone she had ever met. His composure was intimidating, yes, but there was a subtle charm, a quiet allure in the way he carried himself. She felt both drawn to him and wary of him, and that combination made her pulse quicken.
At one point, he leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. "You're confident," he said softly. "But confidence without composure can be dangerous. Don't let yourself fall into that trap."
Shen Yuqi swallowed, unsure how to respond. He wasn't scolding her, not exactly. But every word felt like a test, a measurement of not just her abilities but of something deeper — perhaps her character, perhaps her resolve.
As the interview continued, Shen Yuqi became acutely aware of Li Wei's presence. There was a quiet dominance in the way he conducted himself, a nonchalance that made every casual word seem deliberate. She felt as if he were observing not just what she said, but how she moved, how she thought, how she responded under pressure and yet, there was no overt intimidation. No sharp reprimands, no sarcasm, no impatience. Just calm, piercing observation. It unsettled her, and at the same time, it fascinated her.
"Well…" he said finally, leaning back in his chair, expression unreadable, "I suppose we'll see if you can keep up." Shen Yuqi's chest tightened. There was something about those words, so simple, so nonchalant, yet carrying a weight she couldn't define. It was both a challenge and a tease, and it left her mind racing long after the interview ended.
She left the office building, her legs slightly unsteady. The city seemed louder now, the colors brighter, the sounds sharper. She replayed the interview in her mind, overanalyzing every word, every glance, every small inflection in his voice. Was he impressed? Annoyed? Amused? She couldn't tell. And that uncertainty, that sense of intrigue, made her heart race.
Shen Yuqi walked to the nearest café, needing a moment to collect herself. She sipped her tea, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. And yet, even in the comfort of the familiar café, her thoughts kept drifting back to him, the man who didn't seem to notice, or perhaps pretended not to notice, her at all. Something told her this was not the last time their paths would cross.
As she left the café, a shadow passed across her path. A familiar figure, gray eyes scanning the street, expression unreadable. A soft smirk touched his lips, and Shen Yuqi felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Looks like fate isn't done with me yet," she whispered to herself.