" Well… I suppose everything is settled now,"Linyue said lightly as she stood up from her chair, smoothing the crease of her outfit with effortless grace.I'll take my leave, President. From now on, everything regarding me is in your hands. I'm officially part of your company now.
She turned to leave.But— " Wait."
Yuxuan's voice cut through the air, low and firm.Linyue paused mid-step but didn't turn immediately.
" How can you just walk away like that?" Yuxuan continued, his tone no longer polite, no longer distant.You started something so finish it. What exactly were you trying to say about Nuan?
Only then did Linyue slowly turn back.A faint smile lingered on her lips—half amused, half knowing. " What is there to say? "she replied casually.If I really start talking about her… I might never stop.She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharpening.
"But if you want something simple…"
A pause.
Then, softly—
> " The Nuan that people think they know… isn't the real Nuan at all."
The words landed quietly but they echoed.
Yuxuan's brows drew together." What does that even mean?"he asked.If you don't want to tell me everything, then at least give me something useful. Don't speak in riddles.
Linyue let out a small laugh.
" Fine,"she said.But information isn't free.
She leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on the table.If you tell me something about Zihan… then maybe I'll tell you something about Nuan.
Yuxuan's expression instantly turned cold.
"That's not happening."
His voice was sharp controlled.We don't discuss anyone's personal matters in this company. That's against policy. And even if I wanted to—there's nothing more to say. I know exactly what everyone else knows about Zihan nothing more.
Linyue shrugged lightly.
"That's fair."
Then she added, almost casually and how would you know, anyway?
A brief pause.
" Nuan is the one who knows everything. But unfortunately… she smirked faintly, I can't exactly go and ask her."
Yuxuan's gaze sharpened slightly.
" Tell me something,Linyue continued, her tone turning more serious.With such a huge controversy going on… why hasn't Zihan shown up even once? "
Yuxuan didn't hesitate this time.
" he didn't need to."
His answer was simple.
" he handled everything herself. We only stepped in a little. That's why he didn't come here."
Then he leaned forward slightly.Now, are you done asking questions? Or are you finally going to tell me what you were hinting at?"
Linyue fell silent.
For a moment, she seemed lost in her own thoughts.Then she whispered a single word.
"Why…"
Yuxuan frowned.
" Someone who lacks nothing…"Linyue continued slowly, as if speaking more to herself than to him.Money, fame, talent… someone who has everything.
Her eyes lifted toward him.
" Why would a person like that choose to become an executive assistant?"
Silence filled the room.
That's what I keep thinking,she added.And as for how I know her.
A faint smile returned.
"There wasn't a single person in university who didn't know Nuan."
Yuxuan's expression hardened slightly.
" That doesn't make sense,"he interrupted. " Did something happen? Is that why everyone knew her?"
Linyue burst into soft laughter." No, no, nothing like that " .She waved her hand dismissively.It's much simpler.
A pause.
She was just… that talented and that beautiful."
Yuxuan didn't react immediately.But his fingers tightened slightly on the table.
" Nuan was extremely popular among the guys,"Linyue continued, her voice almost nostalgic now.And beside her…
A faint smirk appeared.
" Her boyfriend—Zihan—was incredibly popular among the girls."
The air froze yuxuan's pupils shrank slightly.
"…What did you just say?"
His voice was lower now tighter.Linyue looked at him, unfazed.
"What's there to be so shocked about?"
She leaned back casually.
"The surprising part is something else."
Yuxuan didn't speak.He just stared and waiting.
" Zihan had no interest in acting at all," Linyue said. " None."
"But Nuan was in the acting club and because of her… Zihan joined too."
A slow silence followed.
" But then…" Linyue's tone shifted slightly.
Second year something changed.Her smile disappeared. " They separated."
Yuxuan's jaw tightened. " And after that…"
Linyue exhaled softly.Nuan became a completely different person.The words sank deep.Yuxuan leaned back slowly, his mind already racing.
"…You were close to her?"he asked.
Linyue laughed again but this time, there was something softer in it. " No, no."
She shook her head.I was just a… quiet admirer.A faint smile.I liked her.I wanted to be like her.I was her junior… and I just ended up learning things little by little.
Yuxuan didn't respond immediately.
Then he said— " None of this feels real."
His voice carried doubt now.Everything you're saying—it sounds strange.
He paused.
" Nuan is talented. She is different. And yes… she's beautiful."
His eyes darkened slightly.But is she really that famous? Enough for everyone to know her?.And if she is… then why is she living like this now?.His gaze sharpened.
"Why a small apartment?.Why this life?"
Then, almost unconsciously, he added—
" There's something about her… A way she controls her emotions…"
A pause.
"…That doesn't feel ordinary."
Linyue smirked." You noticed that too?"
Then she suddenly nudged him lightly.
"Also… don't say she's not beautiful."
Yuxuan frowned slightly.You've only seen the version she shows you, Linyue continued.She never wore glasses before.
Her dressing style? Completely different.And honestly…She leaned closer, lowering her voice—
> " I think she hides her beauty on purpose."
Yuxuan let out a short laugh.
"That's ridiculous."
"People use makeup to enhance their beauty—not hide it."
Linyue shook her head slowly.That's because most people want to be seen.
A pause.
Her eyes gleamed faintly.But maybe… Nuan doesn't.
Silence.
Then she straightened up.Well, I've said enough.She turned to leave.You didn't tell me anything in return, though. That's a loss for me. " Wait."
Yuxuan stopped her again.
" Just one last thing."
His voice was steady but his eyes weren't.
If everything you said is true…
A pause.
Then …what exactly is your relationship with Nuan's ex-boyfriend?.
Linyue turned back slowly." This?"she said softly. " It's simple I joined the acting club because of Nuan But when I got there…"
"She was already gone."
Her expression softened slightly.And that's where I met Zihan.A faint smile appeared.
He's a good person.I don't know what happened between them but whatever it was…
She exhaled.
" I ended up falling for him and because of him… I chose acting as my career."
She shrugged lightly.
"That's all."
Then her eyes sharpened again.If you don't believe me…
> "Find out the truth yourself."
And with that she turned and walked out.
Outside the office was buzzing.
" Honestly, they look so good together!"
" Right? Totally made for each other!"
Linyue paused, glancing toward the group.
What's going on? she asked casually.An employee replied eagerly—
"Zihan is here!"
"And Nuan is with her—in the cafeteria."
At that exact moment yuxuan stepped out of his office.The chatter died instantly.His presence alone was enough.He looked at Linyue.
"What are you asking about?"
"You were busy just now. Suddenly you're free?"
Linyue smiled. " Zihan is here."
Her eyes gleamed.
"Finally… I get to meet her."
Yuxuan's expression changed slightly.
"…Zihan is here?"
A pause.
"Where?"
An employee grinned.Sir, Nuan and Zihan are having lunch together in the cafeteria.
Something shifted.Inside Yuxuan something didn't sit right.Nuan said she doesn't like eating with others…Then why—
Without another word he turned and started walking.
Fast.
Linyue followed beside him, watching quietly after a few steps—She spoke.
" President…"
Yuxuan didn't stop but he glanced at her.
" Where are you going?" she asked lightly.
"They're already in the cafeteria."
A pause.
Then her voice dropped.
Sharper.
> " Do you… like Nuan?"
Yuxuan completely stopped.For a moment—
The world seemed to go silent.His expression froze.His thoughts scattered.
His heartbeat unsteady.Because for the first time—
" He didn't have an answer ready."