At six in the morning, as dawn broke, Su Wan was already awake.
She dug out the only somewhat presentable white dress she owned, washed her face, and used the cheapest skincare products to freshen up. Standing in front of the tiny mirror, she took a quick glance at herself. The redness on her cheek hadn't fully faded, so she lightly brushed her hair over it, her fingertips grazing the warm bruise. A wave of sadness hit her—her aunt's slap was always swift and vicious, just like the exploitation she had endured from them, with no trace of compassion. Taking a deep breath, she quietly whispered to herself in the mirror, "Su Wan, just make it through the year. Once the debt is paid off, you'll be free to chase your dream of becoming an illustrator."
Without any high heels, she wore a pair of faded canvas sneakers. After switching buses three times, she finally arrived at the base of Yaoshi Group's headquarters at 7:50 a.m. The towering skyscraper, over a hundred meters tall, pierced the sky, its glass curtain wall reflecting a cold, hard light under the morning sun. The security guards at the entrance wore perfectly pressed uniforms, and the employees coming and going were all in sharp suits, exuding professionalism and confidence—so different from Su Wan, who wore canvas shoes and carried an old cloth bag. She instinctively gripped the employment documents in her hands, her fingers turning white from the pressure. She felt a wave of self-consciousness and inferiority. Everything here was so polished, so pristine, making her feel like an ugly duckling that had mistakenly wandered into a flock of swans. She could hardly breathe without feeling cautious.
Tightly clutching the documents, she stepped into the lobby. After giving her name, she was escorted by the receptionist to the exclusive elevator to the top floor. As the elevator ascended quickly, Su Wan could see the streets of Xinghai City below shrinking. Her heart pounded faster, nerves on edge. She repeated in her head, "Don't mess this up. Whatever happens, don't mess this up. This job is your only way out."
When the elevator doors opened, a sharp, cold scent hit her face. The top-floor office area was spacious and bright, with minimalist yet luxurious decor. The floor was covered in glossy marble that made no sound when she walked. Ling Yao's office was at the farthest end, and the solid wooden door looked like an invisible barrier, isolating everything outside and making Su Wan's heart skip a beat.
"Miss Su, Mr. Ling is waiting for you inside," the receptionist said respectfully before turning and leaving.
Su Wan took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The deep, indifferent voice rang from inside, carrying an undeniable authority that felt like a block of ice thrown into her chest, making her nerves tense instantly.
Su Wan pushed the door open and walked in. Her eyes were met with a vast office, the floor-to-ceiling windows offering an expansive view of the city. Inside, there was an expensive-looking ebony desk and leather sofas. A faint scent of cedar lingered in the air, matching the scent that seemed to cling to Ling Yao. That smell reminded her of their first meeting at the restaurant—his deep purple eyes filled with emotions, a memory that still made her heart race.
Ling Yao sat behind the desk, not even glancing up, engrossed in reviewing some documents. He was wearing a white shirt, the cuffs rolled up to reveal his toned forearms. His silver-gray hair was meticulously styled, and the sharp contours of his side profile were accentuated by the morning light. He looked like a cold, beautiful ice flower blooming in the winter—a stunning sight, but one that emanated an unmistakable chill.
Su Wan stood there, unsure of what to do, and awkwardly said, "Mr. Ling, I'm here."
Ling Yao finally looked up, his violet eyes scanning her, taking in everything from her faded dress to the canvas shoes on her feet. His brow furrowed ever so slightly. "As my exclusive assistant, is this how you intend to represent Yaoshi Group?"
Su Wan's cheeks immediately flushed red. She lowered her head, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her dress. She knew her clothes were inappropriate for the occasion, but she didn't have extra money to buy new ones. A mixture of embarrassment and frustration flooded her, but she could only endure it silently. "I'm sorry… I don't have suitable clothes."
"This is not an excuse." Ling Yao set down his pen, his voice cold. "Starting tomorrow, dress more appropriately. The cost for new clothes can be reimbursed." He paused for a moment, then added, "But remember, this will be deducted from your debt."
Su Wan bit her lip, tasting a faint metallic tang of blood. Of course, his kindness had a price—every bit of "generosity" came with a tag. She forced a bitter smile inwardly. She was nothing but a tool for him, someone mired in debt, easily disposable. Without arguing, she nodded, "Understood, Mr. Ling."
"Come here." Ling Yao gestured to her.
Su Wan hesitated for a moment but slowly walked toward the desk. The closer she got, the more the cold cedar scent became overwhelming, blending with the faint, almost animalistic scent of something wild emanating from him. It made her heart race, and instinctively, she wanted to retreat. The air felt dangerous, like encountering a wild beast in the forest—her survival instinct urging her to escape.
Ling Yao's gaze landed on her cheek, noticing the still-healing bruise. His expression darkened. "What happened to your face?"
Su Wan hadn't expected him to notice, and her heart sank. She instinctively averted her gaze. How could she tell him that her aunt had slapped her? It was too humiliating, and she didn't want anyone, especially him, to know. "It's nothing, just an accident." Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling slightly.
Ling Yao studied her evasive eyes but didn't press further. Instead, he took out a thick stack of documents from his drawer and threw them on the desk. "This is the employee handbook and assistant guidelines for Yaoshi Group. You need to read through it and memorize it by the end of today. Tomorrow, I will conduct a test. Get even one word wrong, and I'll deduct 500 from your debt."
Su Wan picked up the file, the weight of it almost as heavy as her arm. The dense text on each page made her dizzy. Memorize all this in one day? It was impossible! Unable to stop herself, she asked, "One day... I can't finish all this."
"Can't do it?" Ling Yao raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with threat. "Then, according to the contract, you'll start paying back the 800,000 debt immediately."
The 800,000 felt like an enormous mountain, and the weight of it took Su Wan's breath away. She choked on her words, swallowing the lump in her throat as her eyes stung with unshed tears. She knew there was no way out; she could only nod. "Understood, Mr. Ling."
"Also," Ling Yao continued, "my office must always be kept clean. The coffee should be freshly ground, brewed at 65°C, with three parts sugar, no milk. Breakfast should be prepared fresh by 7:30 a.m., no takeout. At 3 p.m., prepare fresh fruit, cut into small pieces with the pits removed."
His requirements were so precise that every single one highlighted Su Wan's shortcomings. She didn't know how to make a proper breakfast, let alone brew coffee at the perfect temperature. A wave of helplessness washed over her. Why was he putting her through this? He could easily hire a professional assistant, so why choose someone who couldn't do any of it? Was it all just to get back at her for spilling coffee on his suit that day?
But she dared not refuse. Taking out her notebook, she began jotting everything down. Each scratch of the pen on paper felt like an added weight to her heart—frustration, helplessness, and sorrow all mixed together.
Ling Yao watched her write, an almost imperceptible smile flickering in his eyes. He didn't really care about the coffee temperature or the breakfast style; he just needed an excuse to keep her close, to immerse himself in the calming scent of greenery that lingered on her. Ever since he'd learned she accepted the job, the restless heat inside him had been somewhat alleviated, allowing him to sleep more soundly.
"Go to the assistant office outside," Ling Yao waved his hand, his voice once again icy.
Su Wan almost felt like she had been granted a pardon. She grabbed the thick stack of documents and left his office, heading to the small office next door. It wasn't large, but it was fully equipped with a computer and printer. She had just sat down when there was a knock on the door, and in walked a woman in a professional suit with meticulous makeup. The name tag on her chest read "Lin Wei."
"You're Su Wan?" Lin Wei looked her up and down with a sneer and a touch of disdain. "I can't believe Mr. Ling would hire you as his assistant. You don't even have decent clothes."
Su Wan's heart sank. Of course, she would be looked down on because of her background. She clenched her fists, telling herself not to care, but Lin Wei's words