Gu Wanyin stared at the email on her screen, the words blurring for a second before they snapped into focus.
Leadership Immersion Program.
Thirty days.
Shared living arrangement.
Randomly assigned partners.
She laughed. One sharp, bitter sound that echoed in her empty office. Random. As if anything in Hengxin Corporation happened by chance anymore.
The new CEO, Ye Beichen, had been in the position exactly three weeks, and already he was rewriting rules like a child with a new toy. The board loved him—young, ruthless, the kind of man who turned failing divisions into gold mines. Wanyin had studied his file the night he was appointed. Thirty-two years old. Wharton MBA. Former head of Asia-Pacific for a rival conglomerate. No scandals. No weaknesses.
Until now.
The lottery draw was scheduled for the all-hands meeting in twenty minutes. She closed the email, smoothed her blazer, and checked her reflection in the dark computer screen. Hair in a severe knot. Makeup minimal. Expression unreadable. The armor was complete.
She had built this version of herself brick by brick. The youngest department head in Hengxin history. The woman who closed deals men twice her age couldn't touch. The one they called "Ice Queen" behind her back and "Ms. Gu" to her face, with just enough fear in their voices to make it sweet.
No one would take that from her. Not even the new CEO with his ridiculous team-building games.
The conference room was already packed when she arrived. Department heads in the front rows. Mid-level managers clustered together. Junior staff standing at the back. Ye Beichen stood on the stage, sleeves rolled up, looking like he'd walked straight out of a magazine spread. Dark hair, sharp jaw, eyes that scanned the room like he already knew everyone's secrets.
He probably did.
"Good morning," he said, voice smooth, commanding attention without effort. "Today we begin something new."
Wanyin took her seat in the front row, crossed her legs, and waited.
He explained the program. Thirty days. Shared apartment. No separate bedrooms. Meals together. Work together. The goal—break down silos, build trust, create leaders who understood every level of the company.
The room shifted uncomfortably. Someone in the back coughed.
"The pairs have been randomly selected," Ye Beichen continued, smiling like he was announcing bonuses. "Names on the screen now."
The projector flickered. Names appeared in pairs.
Her name came last.
Gu Wanyin — Ye Beichen.
The room went silent.
Wanyin didn't move. Didn't blink. She felt every pair of eyes turn to her, waiting for a reaction. She gave them nothing.
Ye Beichen's gaze found hers across the room. For a moment, something flickered in his expression—something that looked almost like satisfaction.
Random.
Right.
She stood slowly, smoothing her skirt. "Sir," she said, voice clear, professional. "May I request a reassignment? I believe a conflict of interest exists when the CEO participates directly."
The room held its breath.
Ye Beichen tilted his head, considering. "Denied. The program applies to everyone. No exceptions."
His eyes held hers. "Including me."
She sat back down.
The meeting ended. People filed out, whispering. Wanyin stayed in her seat until the room emptied. When she finally stood, Ye Beichen was waiting by the door.
"Ms. Gu," he said, voice low. "We should discuss logistics."
"There's nothing to discuss," she replied. "I'll be professional. I expect the same from you."
He stepped closer. Not enough to crowd her, but enough that she caught the faint scent of his cologne—something expensive, understated.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.
She brushed past him without another word.
In the elevator, alone, she allowed herself one deep breath.
Thirty days.
She could survive thirty days.
She'd survived worse.
But as the doors closed, she couldn't shake the feeling that Ye Beichen wasn't playing the same game she was.
And that he'd been waiting a very long time to make his first move.