The Zhen Group headquarters stood in the center of the city like a giant tower of glass and steel. The building reflected the morning sunlight so brightly that people passing by often stopped to look at it.
For Mei Lin, however, it was not something to admire.
It was her new workplace.
Standing at the entrance with a folder in her hands, she took a quiet breath before stepping inside. The lobby was enormous, filled with polished marble floors, tall ceilings, and employees moving quickly from one place to another.
Everything about the company felt powerful.
And intimidating.
"Miss Mei Lin?"
A voice pulled her attention back.
A young man walked toward her with a friendly smile. He looked relaxed compared to everyone else rushing around.
"I'm Zhang Ming," he said casually. "President Liang's assistant."
Mei Lin nodded politely. "Nice to meet you."
Zhang Ming looked at her for a moment before laughing softly.
"You don't need to look so nervous," he said. "You're not entering a battlefield."
Mei Lin forced a small smile.
It definitely feels like one.
Zhang Ming checked the time on his watch and then gestured toward the elevators.
"Come on," he said. "The boss is waiting."
The elevator ride to the top floor felt longer than it actually was. Mei Lin quietly stared at the numbers changing above the door while trying to calm her racing thoughts.
This job mattered to her.
She needed stability.
Most importantly, she needed to provide a better life for her son.
When the elevator doors finally opened, a completely different atmosphere greeted them.
The executive floor was quiet.
Too quiet.
Employees moved carefully, speaking in low voices as if they were afraid to make noise.
Zhang Ming leaned slightly toward her and whispered jokingly, "Welcome to the kingdom of ice."
Mei Lin blinked. "What?"
"You'll understand in a minute," he replied.
They stopped in front of a large office door made of dark wood. The nameplate beside it simply read:
President – Liang Zhen
Zhang Ming knocked twice.
"Come in."
The voice from inside was calm but carried a natural authority.
Zhang Ming opened the door and stepped aside, letting Mei Lin walk in first.
The office was huge, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the entire city. Sunlight filled the room, reflecting off the sleek black desk in the center.
Behind that desk sat a man.
Liang Zhen.
He looked exactly like the powerful CEO people described.
Tall, sharp features, perfectly dressed in a dark suit, and eyes so calm they almost felt unreadable.
He didn't smile.
He simply watched as Mei Lin approached.
For some reason, the moment their eyes met, a strange feeling passed between them.
Liang Zhen slightly frowned.
Something about this woman felt… familiar.
But he quickly pushed the thought aside.
"Your name," he said.
His voice was steady and direct.
"Mei Lin," she answered respectfully.
He glanced at the documents in front of him before speaking again.
"You're the new secretary."
"Yes, President Liang."
For a few seconds, silence filled the room.
Mei Lin could feel his sharp gaze studying her carefully, as if he were trying to figure something out.
Liang Zhen himself didn't understand why his attention kept returning to her.
A faint scent lingered in the air.
Soft.
Strangely comforting.
It made his chest feel unusually calm.
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Assistant Zhang."
"Yes, boss?"
"Explain her responsibilities."
Zhang Ming nodded quickly.
"Of course."
He turned toward Mei Lin with a grin.
"Basically, you'll manage schedules, prepare documents, and make sure our fearless leader here doesn't accidentally work himself to death."
Liang Zhen shot him a cold glance.
Zhang Ming immediately straightened. "I mean… professionally assist the president."
Mei Lin almost smiled but managed to hide it.
Liang Zhen closed the file in front of him.
"You can start today," he said simply.
"Yes, President Liang."
As Mei Lin turned to leave the office, Liang Zhen's eyes followed her for a brief moment.
A strange feeling stirred inside him again.
He couldn't explain it.
He had met countless employees before.
But none of them had ever made him feel like this.
Something about Mei Lin felt unusually important.
Meanwhile, outside the office, Zhang Ming whispered dramatically, "Congratulations."
Mei Lin looked confused.
"For what?"
"You survived your first meeting with the Cold CEO."
She glanced back at the closed office door.
Inside, Liang Zhen was already returning to his work, his expression calm and distant once again.
Yet somewhere in the back of his mind, a quiet thought lingered.
Why does she feel so familiar…?