Monday mornings were always busy.
Cheng Xin worked in content operations. Early that morning, she was searching for a topic, flitting through the comment sections of popular posts like a little bee darting between flowers. After messing up her bangs for the umpteenth time, she finally settled on a topic. Taking a deep breath, she gently lifted the corners of her mouth, revealing the faint dimples beside her lips.
Just then, someone lightly tapped her shoulder.
Turning around, she saw her work bestie, Yan Xiyue.
The young woman had cool tea-brown hair and a slightly plump figure. Whenever she smiled, her eyes curved into two little crescents, making her particularly endearing.
“Want some?” Yan Xiyue offered her a box of cookies. “I bought these cat’s tongue cookies after seeing a video blogger recommend them. They’re seriously delicious.”
Before Cheng Xin could answer, a hand quickly reached over from the side. “If they’re that good, let me have one. I’m starving anyway.”
“Damn it, Zhao Lin! I haven’t even agreed yet! Are you a pig? Why are you eating so many? Xinxin hasn’t even had any! You’re driving me crazy!”
“Hey, these really are good. Don’t be so stingy. All right, all right. I’ll buy you two boxes to make up for it. Send me the link privately, and I’ll order them right away,” Zhao Lin said with a cheeky laugh.
Watching the two of them bicker, Cheng Xin lowered her head and smiled.
Anyone with eyes in the office could tell that Zhao Lin was interested in Yan Xiyue, and Yan Xiyue wasn’t particularly opposed to his advances either. The two were currently caught in that ambiguous stage of flirting and testing each other’s feelings. It was just a matter of who would make the first move and finally confess.
Catching sight of Cheng Xin smiling from the corner of her eye, Yan Xiyue couldn’t help blushing. While Zhao Lin wasn’t paying attention, she reached over and gave Cheng Xin’s arm a little pinch.
That was for enjoying the show.
After finishing her cookie, Cheng Xin figured she needed to perk herself up before tackling the copywriting ahead. She picked up her cup and got up to make herself a shot of espresso in the pantry. Yan Xiyue had just finished her coffee too, so she accompanied her.
“Classmate Cheng Xin, do you know you’ve committed a serious offense today?”
As soon as they entered the pantry, Yan Xiyue immediately began “lecturing” her good friend.
“Have I?” Cheng Xin looked at her with a pair of innocent almond-shaped eyes. “I was only smiling because I remembered something funny. I didn’t mean anything else.”
Her voice was soft and unhurried, as gentle and sweet as a flowing stream.
“What was so funny? Go on, tell me.” Yan Xiyue shot her a sideways glance, her expression practically saying, Go ahead. I’ll just stand here and watch you make something up.
“Hmm.” Cheng Xin deliberately pretended to think for a moment. “I just remembered someone complaining to me not long ago that office romances are like palace maids and eunuchs pairing up out of desperation. Not even a dog would want one.”
As she finished speaking, Cheng Xin even nodded firmly, successfully turning her best friend’s face as red as a monkey’s backside.
“Oh, so that’s how it is, Cheng Xinxin! You look so innocent and well-behaved, but you’re actually full of mischief! I’ll teach you to laugh at me!” Yan Xiyue lunged forward to tickle her.
Cheng Xin, who was ticklish from head to toe, immediately admitted defeat and begged for mercy.
Only when she saw that Cheng Xin was laughing so hard she was nearly in tears did Yan Xiyue mercifully withdraw her hands.
Sipping her freshly brewed coffee, Yan Xiyue watched the warm sunlight stream through the glass window and fall across Cheng Xin’s fair, luminous face. Perhaps because she’d just been laughing, her cheeks still carried a natural, healthy flush. Her lips were gently pressed together, and her dimples appeared and disappeared with the slightest movement.
Unfortunately, the oversized black-framed glasses perched on her nose somewhat spoiled the overall effect.
Still, Cheng Xin was genuinely beautiful. She possessed an effortless purity and brightness, a natural beauty that needed no embellishment.
She spoke softly and gently, and her personality was even more remarkable—shy, sweet, and obedient.
Who would have thought that someone like her had never been in a relationship?
According to Cheng Xin’s own explanation, both her parents were teachers, and they’d been rather strict with her since childhood. Having seen too many girls neglect their futures because of premature romances, they absolutely refused to let their daughter go down the wrong path.
Besides, a student’s primary responsibility was studying. Dating at a young age was nothing but a distraction from one’s proper duties.
Once she entered university, her parents stopped interfering. Unfortunately, Cheng Xin simply never met anyone who made her heart flutter. Despite her quiet, obedient appearance, she was actually hopelessly obsessed with good looks. Back when she was studying, she had even deliberately chosen pretty girls to befriend.
If she was that particular about her friends, how much more demanding would she be when choosing a boyfriend? And so, she had remained resolutely single until now.
But in Yan Xiyue’s opinion, none of those were the biggest problems. The real issue was that Cheng Xin was far too much of a homebody.
Apart from going to work, she stayed home. Aside from the occasional departmental dinner, it was practically impossible to get her to go out. Whenever Yan Xiyue asked what she did at home, Cheng Xin would say she read novels, played games, and watched videos.
Yan Xiyue had asked whether she didn’t get bored. Cheng Xin replied that she found her days incredibly fulfilling. Having no one disturb her made her feel content and relaxed. She even felt there weren’t enough hours in the day.
How on earth was an ultimate homebody who barely stepped outside supposed to meet a man who made her heart race? Unless love came knocking in the form of a home invasion.
Oh well. Everyone had their own way of living. If Cheng Xin was happy, Yan Xiyue wasn’t in a position to criticize her.
Just then, the phone in Yan Xiyue’s pocket vibrated twice.
Still drinking her coffee, Yan Xiyue pulled out her phone. The moment she saw the group chat messages, her eyes widened.
Seeing this, Cheng Xin, who had also finished making her coffee, leaned closer. “What’s wrong?”
Yan Xiyue practically shoved her phone screen in Cheng Xin’s face. “You never check the group chats, so you wouldn’t know. There were already rumors that General Manager Huang’s sex scandal had caused a huge uproar. Especially after his mother-in-law came to the company and made such a scene a month ago. Headquarters has been dissatisfied with him for ages and wanted to replace him.”
“But nothing happened over the past month, so we thought General Manager Huang had successfully weathered the storm. Who would’ve thought they’d actually replace him after all?”
Cheng Xin carefully read the comments in the gossip group.
She knew about General Manager Huang’s situation too. Apparently, he was quite capable at his job, but his private life was a complete mess. Having reached middle age, he’d suddenly encountered his so-called true love and insisted on divorcing his wife. His mother-in-law was so furious that she’d stormed into the company and caused a huge scene. Everyone in the office had enjoyed a feast of gossip that day, even someone as out of the loop as Cheng Xin.
“Now that General Manager Huang is gone, what about that woman…?” Cheng Xin asked softly.
“Of course she’s leaving with him. After all, they’re true love.” Yan Xiyue’s voice dripped with sarcasm. She couldn’t stand cheating scumbags and homewreckers.
“Forget it. Let’s not talk about them. Did you see the message from Xiao Yao in the marketing department?” Yan Xiyue raised her eyebrows at Cheng Xin.
“Mm.” Cheng Xin nodded. “They said the newly appointed executive president is the heir to the group. His name is Xie Jing.”
“Xie Jing. Even his name sounds like he must be incredibly handsome. Tsk, tsk. Is a domineering CEO straight out of a novel about to step into real life?” Yan Xiyue looked positively dreamy.
“Uh…” Cheng Xin hesitated. Although she enjoyed reading novels, she knew perfectly well that those flawless CEOs depicted in fiction practically didn’t exist in reality. For one thing, most real-life executives couldn’t even pass the looks test. Men like General Manager Huang were far more common.
But seeing that Yan Xiyue was already lost in her fantasies, she chose to remain silent.
After all, whether the CEO was handsome or not had absolutely no effect on her modest monthly salary of a few thousand yuan.
Meanwhile, on the twenty-eighth floor of Jisheng Group’s Yicheng branch.
Xie Jing stood before the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the distant river scenery while speaking to someone on the phone.
“Xie Jing! You left just like that without even saying goodbye? Who’s over there in Yicheng that’s worth Young Master Xie rushing off in such a hurry?” His childhood friend’s sarcastic voice came through the phone.
Xie Jing chuckled. “There are too many things that need handling here in Yicheng, so I came over first. I’ll treat you all to a meal the next time I’m back.”
“Hmph.” The person on the other end sounded unconvinced. After two seconds of silence, he began questioning him again. “You left in such a hurry. It doesn’t have anything to do with Zhengming’s younger sister, does it? The poor girl just likes you. She hasn’t even done anything. Surely you don’t have to avoid her like the plague?”
“What does she have to do with anything?” Xie Jing laughed helplessly. “I already made things clear to her. I’m not planning to date anyone for the time being…”
“Stop! Hold it right there! What do you mean you’re not planning to date anyone for the time being? You’ve never had any plans to date anyone! I’ve realized that you and Xiao Zhengming are complete opposites. His girlfriends are like chives in autumn—cut one batch down, and another grows right back. And you? You’re like a patch of barren, salty soil. Not a single blade of grass can grow.”
“It’s a good thing we live in the real world and can’t cultivate immortality. Otherwise, someone like you would probably ascend to immortality in minutes by cultivating the Path of Emotionlessness,” the voice on the other end remarked with feeling.
Before Xie Jing could respond, the voice continued.
“All right, brother. I won’t say anything more. You just focus on being a big-shot executive over there in Yicheng. When the rest of us have some free time, we’ll come over as a group and make you treat us to something expensive.”
The man’s voice was carefree and teasing.
“All right,” Xie Jing agreed.
“Oh, right! Remember that gift I bought you when I went to Tibet? The one that’s supposed to attract your destined partner? How could you leave something so important behind when you went to Yicheng? Anyway, I’ve already had it express-delivered to you. It’ll arrive tonight. Don’t forget to sign for it. Bye!”
With that, the man hung up before Xie Jing could reply.
Xie Jing: “…”
Shao Wenzhou had always been this ridiculous. Because he was single himself, he bought things supposedly meant to attract romantic luck wherever he went. And buying them for himself wasn’t enough. Practically every single person around him received one, including Xie Jing.
Shaking his head with an amused smile, Xie Jing turned and walked back to his desk. He sat down and quickly immersed himself in work.
It had to be said that although Huang Youchong’s private life was a complete disaster, his professional abilities were genuinely impressive. After taking over his responsibilities, Xie Jing hadn’t encountered any particularly difficult matters to handle.
Before he knew it, noon had arrived. His assistant knocked and entered, asking whether he needed lunch ordered and if he had any dietary preferences.
Looking up, Xie Jing regarded the assistant calmly. “If I remember correctly, Jisheng generally provides three free meals a day. There’s no need to order anything specially. I’ll eat in the cafeteria at noon.”
“…Understood, President Xie.” The assistant nodded.
Before long, a piece of news began circulating through the various group chats where Jisheng’s overworked employees gathered.
The newly arrived President Xie would be dining in the company cafeteria at noon today. Anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of His Handsome Majesty should seize this rare opportunity!
Cheng Xin had originally arranged to go with Yan Xiyue to a small alley across the street at lunchtime to try the newly opened Chongqing noodle shop.
But now, Yan Xiyue couldn’t care less about noodles of any kind. She grabbed Cheng Xin and headed straight for the cafeteria on the second floor.
The operations department where Cheng Xin and Yan Xiyue worked was located on the twelfth floor of the office building. The two women stepped out of the elevator, chatting and laughing, just as the elevator opposite them gave a soft ding.
Immediately afterward, a figure dressed in a sharp business suit slowly emerged from the elevator. The man was tall and straight-backed, easily over 185 centimeters by her estimation. He had black hair, cool-toned skin, prominent brow bones, and narrow, elongated phoenix eyes with slightly upturned outer corners. His lips were gently pressed together, and his entire demeanor exuded a cold, distant elegance, like snow resting atop a sheer cliff.
Those broad shoulders, that narrow waist, that noble and refined bearing—he was the very definition of daddy material.
Cheng Xin’s eyes widened slightly.
With just one glance, an exhilarating background soundtrack suddenly began playing in her mind.
True Love Arrives!
*
Author’s Note: That’s right! I’ve started a new novel! Yayyy!
This new story is somewhat similar to quick transmigration, but it’s actually about a young couple role-playing different characters. Think of it as a sweet little summer romance that’s hot (and spicy!👀) in every sense of the word. It’s also a work where I’m freely indulging my personal tastes and fantasies. If you like it, please keep following the updates~
P.S. The female lead hasn’t exactly fallen in love with the male lead at first sight, okay? It’s pretty obvious that, at this stage, she only likes his face. Hahaha.
Xie Jing: “If you look past my face…”
Cheng Xin: “I can’t look past it.”