He Yuan was the eldest son of the He family and the first successor of Hengxing Group. Why the first? Because he had a younger brother, He Lin, who was only 12 years old this year.
About a month into the school year, He Lin was asked to bring his parents to school after getting into a physical fight with classmates.
His parents were abroad, so He Yuan hurriedly ended a meeting and rushed to the private school where He Lin studied.
By the time He Yuan arrived, the sun was setting. He followed He Lin’s temporary homeroom teacher, Teacher Qin, down the corridor. Just as they entered, Teacher Qin got a phone call. She apologized awkwardly, saying her roommate had forgotten the keys and she had to fetch them.
He Yuan wasn’t the type to act superior. He turned slightly and waited. Then he saw Lin Yue approaching in the golden light of dusk.
At that moment, Secretary Lin had soft, long wavy hair. She wore a short pink sweater and simple straight-cut jeans. A slight smile at Teacher Qin revealed her sweetness. Her skin was fair, her makeup light, her face smooth and round, and her clear almond-shaped eyes seemed like a pool of spring water.
Though slim, her figure was evenly proportioned, with subtle curves.
He Yuan had been in business for years and had a keen eye for people. This stranger caught his attention instantly. Though her eyebrows and features looked gentle, there was a streak of stubbornness—a resilience not easily discouraged.
In fact, his instincts were correct.
He recognized her immediately during the interview.
Only he knew his own feelings. He didn’t like mixing personal emotions with work. He had originally wanted Zhou Yunce to reject Lin Yue outright. But Zhou seemed to notice his hesitation and smiled: “Mr. He, do you know her? Would it be unfair to reject her just like that?”
That comment awakened him.
She had already come for the interview. Would it be fair to reject her solely because of his personal feelings?
He Yuan said nothing further. He attended the entire interview and only asked Lin Yue two questions.
Business as usual—she performed excellently. Though she wasn’t the best that day, her meticulous work style and honest, polite demeanor were exactly what He Yuan needed. Only two women were selected that day.
The other woman, with strong professional skills, was recruited by a deputy under him as an assistant.
He Yuan put the cup on a tray. Before reviewing files, he subtly glanced at Secretary Lin.
The blinds seemed stuck halfway up. Secretary Lin stood there studying them. Her previously waist-length wavy hair had been cut to shoulder length. She wore a simple but elegant beige blouse paired with a plum-colored pencil skirt. Apart from minimal earrings and a necklace, a symmetrical bow at her waist added a cute touch, brightening up his otherwise dull office.
Secretary Lin’s milk-white skin, glowing in the morning light, looked like a delicate painting. Her innocent face and perfect figure gave her an almost pure-but-alluring presence.
He Yuan picked up the tray. Noticing him, Lin Yue abandoned her struggle with the blinds and went to take the tray. “Mr. He, let me handle it.”
He Yuan silently handed it to her.
After washing the cup in the tea room, Lin Yue poured some warm water into He Yuan’s thermos and placed it on his desk, even though he was often too busy to lift his head all morning.
After finishing all these small tasks, Lin Yue returned to her desk to prepare for the next meeting, only to see that the blinds had been fully raised.
She instinctively glanced at He Yuan through the glass and slightly curled her lips.
She had done many small part-time jobs, but this position as Secretary to the CEO of Hengxing Group was her first formal job after graduate school.
She had met all sorts of people during part-time work, but only He Yuan stood out. Despite his high status, he had no airs. His manners reflected his wealthy upbringing—cultured and refined. Add in his excellent looks and temperament, and he was the center of attention for women throughout the company.
Rumor had it that before her, He Yuan had replaced three secretaries because their intentions weren’t proper.
But those were just rumors. Lin Yue didn’t care. She only wanted to do her job well and earn the salary the company offered.
The meeting lasted about an hour. The company had a cafeteria. When He Yuan was in the office, Lin Yue usually ate first and then brought lunch back for him.
But today, He Yuan’s assistant, Zhou Yunce, stopped her at the end of work.
Lin Yue turned slightly and greeted him with a smile.
“Secretary Lin, let’s have lunch together.”
Huh? Lin Yue looked around. Zhou Yunce’s two secretaries were glancing their way.
Lin Yue wanted to refuse but couldn’t find an excuse. Should she say, “I don’t want to go with you two”? That would make the situation socially awkward.
Zhou Yunce, though a bit weaker in wealth and looks compared to He Yuan, was still impressive in a crowd.
“Let’s go, Secretary Lin. I also want to discuss today’s meeting content with you.”
Lin Yue: “……”
She felt embarrassed. A vice-president-level person discussing meeting content with a small secretary like her?
In the end, Lin Yue went with them. She still didn’t know why Zhou insisted on taking her to lunch with He Yuan.
In the elevator, Zhou Yunce lightly nudged He Yuan’s arm with a half-smile.
He Yuan ignored him. At work, Zhou was serious, but outside, he was playful and carefree.
Zhou Yunce and He Yuan had been classmates for ten years. If the Zhou family hadn’t gone bankrupt, he’d have lived a carefree life too. Honestly, apart from He Yuan’s parents, Zhou Yunce was the only one who truly understood him. He had noticed something odd when Lin Yue was interviewed—He Yuan had acted differently.
Seeing Secretary Lin’s diligent and careful work, Zhou knew it wasn’t Lin Yue’s fault. Between a man and a woman, there could be only one other factor: feelings.
For years, He Yuan had been busy abroad preparing to take over the family business. He had no interest in blond or blue-eyed girls and had never been in a relationship. Many people wanted to date him, but he simply had no time—his days were filled with classes.
Zhou Yunce thought: A thousand-year-long iron tree finally blossoms. Whether as a friend or colleague, someone has to help water it.