The Unexpected Job

Outside the office door, a woman in a professional suit stood with a dazed expression, her faith seemingly shattered.

Landing a job at this top-tier company had initially filled her with joy.

Especially the meteoric rise to becoming the CEO’s personal assistant—it felt like a dream come true.

But now...

The woman lifted her head, her empty gaze fixed on the bright, limestone-colored ceiling above.

She couldn’t wrap her head around why her daily task was to make endless calls to a single phone number.

What kind of assistant’s job was this?!

For a moment, she teetered on the edge of frustration, but quickly pulled herself together.

Whatever.

If her sole duty was making calls, so be it.

At least the paycheck was ridiculously fat.

Not bad at all~

Besides, the number had finally been answered today. That meant no more standing awkwardly next to the CEO, dialing endlessly and swapping SIM cards like some kind of telecom zombie.

Just as she was reveling in this thought, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She pulled it out and saw the caller ID: "SUPER BOSS."

Glancing back at the CEO’s office behind her, she hesitantly answered.

"Hello, Boss..."

"Get in here."

Two words. Then the line went dead.

She had no idea what was going on, but something about the CEO’s tone felt... off.

Turning, she pushed open the office door and stepped inside.

The first thing she noticed was that the CEO wasn’t her usual self.

Normally, Qing Mo was the picture of icy detachment—cool, composed, utterly unflappable, as if the entire world moved at her command.

But right now?

Her hand, still gripping the phone, was slammed against the desk, veins stark against her fair skin.

A flush crept over her usually pale complexion, her breathing ragged, chest rising and falling rapidly.

At first glance, she looked furious.

But a closer look revealed something more complicated.

Anger was there, yes—but so was urgency, excitement, frustration, and...

Anticipation?

The assistant wasn’t sure if she was seeing things. She didn’t dare rub her eyes in front of the CEO.

Burying her confusion, she approached the desk and asked softly,

"CEO, what do you need?"

Qing Mo didn’t answer immediately. She took several deep breaths, steadying herself, before tossing the phone onto the desk and leaning back in her chair.

"Keep calling," she said coldly.

"Until he picks up."

"...Understood."

The assistant took the phone, careful not to show any discontent. She positioned herself where she could quickly hand it over if the call connected, yet stay out of the CEO’s way.

And so, she resumed her miserable task.

Meanwhile, Qing Mo remained in her chair, breathing still uneven.

Her delicate hands rested on her thighs, fingers slowly curling into fists—so tight her nails dug into her palms.

She knew this call was just another one of Lin Yu’s whims, whether he was in a good mood or a foul one.

But...

This feeling of being dismissed, toyed with...

Her tongue, a shade redder than most, darted out to moisten her dry lips.

How...

Exhilarating.

...

At the "Noob Express" pickup station, a girl tore open a package and pulled out a long, black object.

Nervous, she glanced around before pressing a button.

"ZZZZZT!!!"

Violet electricity crackled between the silver metal prongs, fierce and intimidating.

Satisfied, she exhaled in relief.

You really got what you paid for.

Remembering the two cheap stun guns she’d bought for 19.9 yuan on "Chop-Chop Shopping," she shook her head.

Pathetic.

The leakage current from her grandpa’s electric foot-massager (a freebie with his health supplements) probably packed more punch.

Tucking the stun gun into the deep inner pocket of her padded coat, she sniffled, her nose red from the cold, and trudged home through the heavy snow.

After just a few steps, she spotted a figure in white.

Tall, lanky, hands stuffed in pockets, his blond hair dusted with snow as he ambled aimlessly, like he was searching for something.

Her heart skipped—but then she realized this was her chance.

Might as well get his WeChat now instead of going through the hassle later.

Smiling sweetly, she started forward—then stopped.

Something occurred to her.

She backtracked to the pickup station and positioned herself in front of its glass door, studying her reflection.

A moment later, she pressed her lips together, nodded solemnly—then broke into a grin.

Heh (oˇ?ˇo)!

Still got it!

Though...

Her gaze dropped. She lifted her arms slightly, taking in the faded black coat and the jeans that had long since lost their original blue.

She sniffed again, suddenly worried he’d judge her for looking so... thrifty.

The thought dampened her mood.

Before her hospital stay, she’d had plenty of cute dresses and winter outfits!

But after being discharged, none of them fit anymore.

Now, with money tight, she had to make do with hand-me-downs from her older sister’s childhood.

But this wouldn’t last forever!

Her cheeks, pink from the cold, warmed with hope.

Her sister was about to take her exams. She’d promised that once she got her scholarship, they’d go shopping—new clothes, no compromises!

One day, she’d get into the same school, earn an even bigger scholarship.

So her sister and mom wouldn’t have to struggle anymore.

Her eyes drifted back to the guy ahead, his hair nearly white from the snow.

Unconsciously, her gaze lingered on his thick, pristine coat.

After a beat, she forced herself to look away, focusing instead on his face—the kind that screamed "trouble."

Hmph!

A guy who stared at her like that?

She wouldn’t even need fancy clothes to wrap him around her finger.

With a dismissive pout, she marched forward.