The program ended on a quiet Friday, exactly thirty days after it began.
No fanfare. No ceremony. Just an email from HR at 8:02 a.m.
Leadership Immersion Program concluded. Thank you for your participation. Feedback survey attached.
Wanyin read it at the kitchen island, coffee in hand.
Ye Beichen was beside her, reading the same message on his phone.
He set it down.
"So that's it."
She nodded.
"Back to separate offices."
He looked at her.
"Or not."
She met his eyes.
The apartment felt different this morning. The guest room bed was still made up, but it hadn't been slept in for weeks. Her things had migrated—slowly, then all at once—to his closet. His ties hung next to her blouses. Her skincare on his bathroom counter. Their toothbrushes side by side.
Domestic.
Permanent.
She had stopped pretending it was temporary somewhere around day fifteen.
He reached for her hand.
"Stay."
She didn't hesitate.
"I already did."
He smiled, slow and real.
The day unfolded like any other, but everything felt sharper.
They rode to work together. No more pretending it was just carpooling.
In the lobby, employees nodded. Some smiled. No whispers.
On the executive floor, Li Xin's desk was occupied by a new assistant—bright, eager, carefully vetted.
Wanyin paused.
"She started Monday."
He nodded.
"Good choice."
The board meeting at 10 a.m. was routine. Q4 projections. Budget approvals.
When it ended, the chairman lingered.
"Ye. Gu. A word."
They followed him to his office.
He closed the door.
"The numbers are excellent. Better than projected."
They waited.
"The board is… pleased. With both of you."
He cleared his throat.
"Personally and professionally."
Wanyin felt Ye Beichen's hand brush hers.
"Thank you, Chairman."
The old man smiled, rare.
"Keep it up."
Back in the hallway, Ye Beichen pulled her into an empty conference room.
Closed the door.
Kissed her against it.
Slow.
Deep.
When they pulled apart, she was breathless.
"We're official now."
He laughed.
"We've been official for weeks."
She smiled.
"It feels different when the world knows."
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Does it scare you?"
"Yes."
"Good."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Fear keeps us sharp."
She kissed him again.
That night, they cooked together.
Nothing fancy.
Just pasta.
Wine.
Music low in the background.
After dinner, they sat on the balcony.
City lights below.
She leaned against him.
"Thirty days ago, I thought this was a trap."
He wrapped his arms around her.
"It was."
She looked up.
"For both of us."
He nodded.
"I thought I was hunting you."
She smiled.
"And I thought I was surviving you."
He kissed her forehead.
"We were both wrong."
She was quiet for a moment.
"What happens now?"
"Now?" He pulled her closer.
"Now we build something real."
She rested her head on his chest.
"No more countdown."
"No more countdown."
The program had ended.
But they were just beginning.
And for the first time in her life, Gu Wanyin wasn't afraid of what came next.
Because whatever it was, they would face it together.
Not as CEO and director.
Not as rivals or allies.
But as partners.
In every way.