Prosperity Tower.
Lu Zijing stepped out through the revolving door behind her, exhaling a long breath of relief. She tilted her face up toward the sunlight, her red lips curling into an unreserved smile that mirrored her soaring mood.
She’d finally landed the job!
Hundreds of applicants had competed for a single position—no surprise, given that this was the highest-paying company in Haicheng with the best benefits. Thank goodness she’d prepared thoroughly, or else… she wouldn’t have stood a chance. But luck had been on her side after all.
As she descended the steps, her phone buzzed in her bag at just the right moment. Instinctively, she paused, rummaging through her bag to retrieve it, her smile widening as she saw the caller ID.
"Zijing! Did you hear back? How did it go?"
On the other end, her best friend Gu Wei sounded both eager and anxious. After all, the competition had been fierce.
Zijing’s lips twitched mischievously. Playing along, she let out a dramatic sigh, her voice dripping with exaggerated sorrow. "Weiwei…"
"Zijing, don’t tell me you—"
Gu Wei’s voice faltered, unable to finish the thought. She knew how much Zijing needed this job. If she’d been rejected… her mother’s medical bills would—
"Gotcha! I start tomorrow!" Zijing burst into laughter, her eyes crinkling into crescents, a faint dimple appearing at the corner of her mouth.
"I knew it!" Gu Wei huffed in mock annoyance before breaking into a grin. "Zijing, to celebrate your new job, dinner’s on me tonight."
"Perfect! I was just wondering what to eat!"
"Then it’s settled."
"See you later!"
...
A sleek black Rolls-Royce glided out of the underground parking lot of the high-rise, moving at a steady, unhurried pace.
In the back seat, a man slowly lifted his head, revealing a face so strikingly handsome it could have been sculpted by the gods themselves—sharp, cold, and effortlessly perfect. His obsidian-dark eyes held depths as unfathomable as an ancient well, his nose straight and aristocratic, while his thin lips curved into the faintest hint of a smirk—amused, yet not quite.
But then, as his gaze drifted past the window toward the sidewalk, that fleeting trace of amusement froze. His expression darkened, shadows flickering across his eyes like storm clouds rolling in. A barely perceptible frown creased his brow, his features turning inscrutable.
*It couldn’t be her.*
He must have been working too hard lately—his mind was playing tricks on him.
"Mr. Huo," his secretary, Huang Lin, turned slightly in her seat, her tone respectful and measured. "Your mother called earlier. She asked that you pick up the young miss this evening."
Huo Yanjin gave a slight nod, then glanced at the expensive watch on his wrist, his voice cool and detached. "Head straight to the kindergarten." Better early than late—if he delayed, his ears would pay the price. Besides, it had been days since he’d last seen his daughter. He missed her.
Huang Lin hesitated. "But tonight’s dinner with Mr. Gu from Yuxiang Group—"
"Cancel it."
"Understood, sir."
...
Leaning back against the seat, Huo Yanjin closed his eyes, the shifting shadows from the window casting sharp contrasts across his aloof features, making him seem even more distant, untouchable.
Involuntarily, a stubborn yet strikingly beautiful face slowly surfaced in his mind.
Yaoyao, it's been five years. Surely you're not still angry with me?
"Oh, by the way, Mr. Huo, we've found a suitable replacement for Secretary Li's position. I've already informed her to start tomorrow," Huang Lin added.
"I trust your judgment."
Huo Yanjin didn’t open his eyes, maintaining his languid posture. Yet, despite his relaxed demeanor, the air of aristocratic aloofness around him remained undiminished.
Huang Lin’s lips twitched slightly. "...Thank you for your trust, sir."
Half an hour later.
"Daddy, I missed you!"
Feifei threw her arms around Huo Yanjin’s neck, planting a loud kiss on his cheek before nestling into his embrace with a pout.
Huo Yanjin couldn’t help but smile. The child was so clingy—he wondered who she took after. Probably... her, more than anyone else.
"Feifei, what would you like for dinner? Daddy will eat with you tonight."
"Daddy, did you miss me?"
Little Feifei gazed up at him expectantly, completely ignoring his question.
Huo Yanjin paused, then affectionately ruffled her hair, his rare gentleness softening his tone even further. "Of course I did. That’s why I came to pick you up before even finishing work."
"That’s more like it!"
