The morning light broke as the sun slowly rose. Chen Mengyao had already woken up early. After buying breakfast, she fetched a pot of water, brought a change of clothes for her mother, and only when everything was done did she notice it was just eight o’clock.
She went to the bedside, gently touching the still-sleeping Chen Xuening as she said softly, “Xuening, I have to go to work later. Stay with Mom in the hospital, don’t run around, okay?” According to the contract, she was to start work at the Lu Family at nine this morning. Since it was her first day, she couldn’t dare be late. Who knew what that unpredictable Lu Chen would do if she was.
Chen Xuening rubbed her sleepy eyes, looking at Chen Mengyao with a soft, childlike voice. “Okay, sister, then when will you come back?”
“I’ll be back tonight,” Chen Mengyao stroked her soft black hair. “I’ll bring you something tasty when I return.”
Hearing this, Chen Xuening immediately broke into a bright smile.
“Mengyao, be careful on the road,” their mother reminded gently from the bed. “And remember what I told you yesterday. Whether my illness can be treated isn’t important, but you must never let anyone bully you.”
Chen Mengyao nodded firmly. “Mom, I understand, don’t worry. I’ll take care of myself.” After saying this, she turned to leave. “Mom, you and Xuening remember to eat breakfast, I’ll head out now.”
“Be careful on the way,” her mother reminded again.
…
After leaving the hospital, Chen Mengyao first went to a nearby supermarket to buy some supplies needed for housekeeping, like aprons, gloves, dish soap, and laundry detergent. She knew the Lu Family surely had these things, but bringing her own made her feel more at ease. With her bag filled, she took a bus to Emperor Group.
Not knowing where Lu Chen’s home was, she could only go to his company first. The bus ride was steady, and before long she arrived at the towering Emperor Group building. Standing beneath it, Chen Mengyao felt for the first time how small she was.
Around her, stylish urban women in business attire exuded confidence and elite presence as they passed by. Compared to them, Chen Mengyao felt like a shabby little duckling who had never seen the world. This only made the pressure in her heart mount higher. She had already been nervous, and now her unease grew harder to suppress.
Taking a deep breath to calm the shame and uneasiness in her heart, she lowered her head and stepped timidly into the building.
Inside, she felt even more lost. The place was enormous, far beyond her imagination, and she couldn’t even determine which way to go. Looking around only made her dizzy, her heart pounding from nerves.
“Miss, hello, do you need help?” Just as she stood there bewildered, two beautiful receptionists walked up.
“H-hello, I’m looking for CEO Lu,” Chen Mengyao forced herself to speak despite her fear, stammering nervously.
One receptionist, dressed in a sleek OL suit, replied politely, “I’m sorry, our CEO Lu hasn’t arrived yet. You came too early.”
The other, a slightly shorter woman, kindly reminded her, “Miss, do you have an appointment? Without one, you won’t be able to meet CEO Lu.” This chapter was copied from novelping dot com without permission.
Their tone remained warm and patient, not at all mocking despite Chen Mengyao’s obvious nervousness. This reflected the professional standard of Emperor Group’s front desk. Of course, another reason was that they recognized the luxury brand of her dress—something they could only dream of wearing.
Blushing, Chen Mengyao shook her head awkwardly and said in a soft, timid voice, “No appointment.”
The two exchanged glances. The taller one smiled and said, “Sorry, even if CEO Lu arrives, we can’t let you in without an appointment.”
As receptionists here, they were used to women coming daily to demand to see CEO Lu. Just a couple of days ago, even the Liu family’s daughter had made a scene in the lobby before being thrown out by security. Luxury brand or not, not every woman qualified to see him.
“Then…” Chen Mengyao bit her lip and gathered her courage. “When CEO Lu comes, could you tell him my name is Chen Mengyao, and I’m here to work…”
The two glanced at each other again, curiosity in their eyes. Another woman enchanted by CEO Lu? The taller receptionist smiled. “Alright, if CEO Lu is willing to see you, we’ll definitely inform him.”
“Thank you,” Chen Mengyao let out a breath of relief and said sincerely, “I really appreciate it.”
“But CEO Lu may not come to the company today,” the taller receptionist added.
“What?” Chen Mengyao froze. If Lu Chen didn’t come, wouldn’t she be late on her very first day?
“Then… where does CEO Lu live?” she asked hurriedly.
The receptionist blinked. “We don’t know. But if you know any executives, maybe they could tell you.”
Her heart sank instantly. She didn’t know anyone in the company. Lowering her eyes, biting her lip, anxiety filled her gaze. She had never been late for school, and she certainly didn’t want to be late for her first day at work. Rules were rules—if she accepted them, she had to follow them.
Her only choice now was her last resort. Taking out her old keypad phone, she hesitated for a moment, then dialed. She had long since memorized Lu Chen’s number.
The receptionists exchanged surprised looks again. A girl dressed in such fine clothing was holding such an outdated phone? Could she be a rich heiress experiencing common life? Yet, her anxious look didn’t seem like an act.
Chen Mengyao pressed the final number. The phone rang, then a low, magnetic male voice answered, sounding lazy, as if just woken by the call. “Hello.” Faintly, the sound of women’s moans came from the background—more than one voice.
Chen Mengyao’s heart pounded, her grip on the phone tightening. Just as she was about to speak, Lu Chen’s slightly irritated voice came again. “It’s just past eight and you’re calling me. Very good. Whoever you are, you better have a reason. Otherwise…”
“W-wait!” Chen Mengyao blurted out in fear. Her soft, slightly hoarse voice trembled like a kitten’s mewl, pitiful to hear.
“Chen Mengyao?” Lu Chen paused, his voice easing a little. “What is it?”
She swallowed nervously, trying to steady her tone. “CEO Lu, I… I want to go to work, but I don’t know where your house is. I-I… I’m going to be late… so I had no choice but to call you…” Her voice shook more with every word, the last few barely squeezed out. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“Where are you now?” Lu Chen asked calmly.
Relieved, Chen Mengyao quickly replied, “I’m in Emperor Group’s lobby.”
“Heh, late already?” Lu Chen chuckled, his voice playful, almost mocking.
Her breath quickened. “Yes.”
“Do you want me to send someone to pick you up?” His voice carried clear amusement, as though teasing her.
Chen Mengyao froze, then shook her head quickly. “N-no need, just give me the address, I’ll go myself.”
Lu Chen snorted coldly. “Very well, you said it yourself. I’m at Yuhua Manor now. You’ve got fifteen minutes until nine. If you can’t get here by then, don’t expect a single cent of salary this month.” With that, he hung up.
“What…” Chen Mengyao’s eyes widened in shock, her face instantly pale. Fifteen minutes… could she really make it?
“Miss, Yuhua Manor isn’t very far from here. If you’re lucky, you might make it in fifteen minutes,” one of the receptionists said quickly, their tone far more respectful now. They had overheard the call and were stunned. This girl actually had CEO Lu’s private number and even access to his home. Clearly, she wasn’t ordinary.
“Th-thank you!” Chen Mengyao bowed her head gratefully, forcing a smile before hurrying out with her bag.
The two receptionists watched her slim figure vanish through the doors, their eyes filled with envy.
“Sigh,” the taller one muttered, “I’m so jealous. When will I ever get to go to CEO Lu’s house?”
The thinner one sighed too. “If only CEO Lu would choose me. I wouldn’t mind living in luxury cars and mansions every day!”
“Bah, stop dreaming. Let’s just focus on work, or our bonuses will be docked.”
“How is it dreaming? I may not be as pretty as her, but I can be seductive. Maybe CEO Lu would want a change of taste one day…”
“Please, the last thing CEO Lu lacks is women like you…”
The two women returned to their posts, still muttering enviously.
Meanwhile, Lu Chen tossed his phone aside, kicked away the pale limbs and bodies sprawled across his bed, and laid back down lazily. And Chen Mengyao… was still desperately racing her way there.