The morning sun slanted between the narrow alleys, laying stripes of light across the pavement. Auntie Wu was already outside her shop, sweeping with more enthusiasm than efficiency, while Auntie Chu leaned on the railing upstairs like a permanent neighborhood security guard.
They didn't miss a thing. Especially not the tall black car that pulled up neatly beside the curb.
The door swung open, and out stepped Gu Ze Yan, crisp shirt, clean lines, every inch the picture of an executive who had accidentally wandered into a small alley.
"Sunny!" Auntie Wu's broom froze mid-air. Her eyes brightened instantly. "Your CEO has come to fetch you again!"
From upstairs, Auntie Chu joined in, her voice carrying like a gong. "Aiyo, Sunny! Look at this, being chauffeured to work. Already better than ninety percent of the husbands in this alley!"
Lin Qing Yun nearly dropped her bag. "Aunties—please! He's just giving me a lift!"
"Lift, ah?" Auntie Wu grinned knowingly, sweeping dust into a pile that didn't exist. "Aiyo, a man only gets up this early for one reason—true love!"
Qing Yun's cheeks burned pink. She ducked her head and slid quickly into the passenger seat before more comments could fly.
Ze Yan closed the door for her, perfectly calm, as if the aunties hadn't just broadcasted their entire neighborhood gossip column. But the way the corner of his mouth curved—ever so slightly—betrayed his amusement.
Inside the car, Qing Yun sighed, covering her face. "They exaggerate everything."
Ze Yan started the engine, voice smooth. "I didn't hear exaggeration. Only… accurate observation."
Her head snapped up, wide-eyed. His lips twitched, but he said nothing more. The silence stretched, filled only by the sound of the car gliding into traffic, until she turned to glare lightly at him.
"CEO Gu, do you enjoy teasing your staff before work?"
He answered without looking at her, the faintest smile at his lips. "Only the special ones."
Qing Yun had no reply to that. She turned toward the window, hoping the cool glass would calm the strange warmth in her cheeks.
At Luminar
Luminar's headquarters towered in polished steel, all clean glass and sleek lines that caught the pale winter sun. When the car pulled into the lot, staff members who were still trickling in for the day froze at the sight of their CEO stepping out alongside a young woman.
Ma Chen Rui, carrying his usual coffee cup like a stage prop, nearly choked. He rushed forward, voice pitched in mock horror. "Boss, what is this? Bringing someone to work? Are we expanding recruitment—or your personal life?"
Lin Qing Yun wanted to disappear into the nearest trash can. She bowed her head quickly. "Please don't misunderstand. I'm only here for temporary work."
Ze Yan didn't so much as blink. "She's assisting Shen Qiao today. Focus on your tasks."
Chen Rui's grin widened. "Of course, of course. Very inspiring leadership—leading by example."
Qing Yun's ears went red. Ze Yan, however, breezed past like Chen Rui was air, holding the door open for her.
--
Meeting Shen Qiao
Inside, Shen Qiao was already waiting. Her tailored blazer and sleek ponytail made her look sharp, but the warm curve of her lips softened it.
"Ah," Shen Qiao said the moment she saw them, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I remember you! The one where our CEO has been slipping off to every evening. No wonder I'm left to suffer through overtime alone."
Sunny burst out laughing, remembering their bookstore encounter. "Ms. Shen, don't blame him too much. He's a very loyal customer."
Ze Yan glanced at her, expression unreadable, while Shen Qiao clapped her hands together. "Perfect! Come, Qing Yun. I'll show you your station before your boss here steals you away again."
--
The morning passed in a flurry. Qing Yun translated reports with quick efficiency, arranged some schedules Shen Qiao had been too busy to polish, and even answered an email from an overseas partner in flawless English.
Employees whispered around her workstation.
"So capable… she caught every typo."
"No wonder CEO personally brought her."
"She's pretty too. Deadly combination."
Qing Yun pretended not to hear, though her ears warmed. Shen Qiao, however, leaned closer with a teasing grin. "Careful, Qing Yun. At this rate, you'll steal my job."
Qing Yun laughed softly. "Impossible. I'm only here temporarily."
"That's what people say right before becoming indispensable," Shen Qiao replied, winking.
--
Gossip
At noon, Shen Qiao dragged Qing Yun to the cafeteria.
"You have to eat with me," she declared. "Otherwise everyone will think I'm a tyrant boss."
Qing Yun smiled and followed, balancing a tray of rice and vegetables.
Halfway through, another tray landed opposite them. Ze Yan sat down smoothly, opening his chopsticks as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Conversations around them hushed, then broke into louder whispers.
"She's the girl from the bookstore, right?"
"Look at them—like a couple drama!"
"No way, our CEO eating in the cafeteria? Unbelievable."
Qing Yun nearly choked on her soup. "CEO Gu, isn't the executive lounge more comfortable?"
"I like it here," he said mildly, glancing at her tray. "Your vegetables need more protein."
The whispers grew louder. Shen Qiao covered her mouth, smirking like a cat. "Qing Yun, don't mind them. Temporary doesn't mean unimportant."
Qing Yun smiled awkwardly, but her heart gave a strange little thump when Ze Yan didn't deny a thing.
--
End of Shift
By late afternoon, Qing Yun finished her stack of translations and tidied her desk. She bowed politely to Shen Qiao. "Thank you for today. I'll be back tomorrow."
"Of course," Shen Qiao said warmly. "Don't let your CEO monopolize you."
Qing Yun laughed, slipping out at 4:45. She grabbed a quick sandwich from a corner shop, munching as she walked toward the bookstore café. The streets glowed faintly with neon just beginning to wake.
--
Evening Pickup
At eight, Luminar's last lights dimmed. Ze Yan closed his laptop, not bothering with after-hours calls, and drove straight to Haiyun Road.
Through the glass windows of the bookstore café, he spotted her. Apron tied neat, hair tucked behind her ears, smile bright as she handed books to a group of customers. The soft lamplight wrapped around her like a halo.
For a moment, he simply stood there, watching. A warmth spread in his chest—something deeper than admiration, softer than desire.
When her shift ended, he was already at the curb.
"You didn't have to come," she said, though her lips curved upward.
"I wanted to."
--
Car Ride Home
The car purred through the quiet streets.
Qing Yun toyed with the strap of her bag. "CEO Gu, your staff might gossip too much if they see us together again."
He didn't take his eyes off the road. "Let them. It saves me from explaining why I keep going to the same bookstore every night."
She blinked, cheeks warming. "You… really know how to tease."
"I'm only being honest."
She turned toward the window, pretending to watch the lights. But her smile lingered, soft and unshakable.
--
At her building, Auntie Chu leaned from her balcony. "Sunny! Bringing your CEO home again? Invite him up next time!"
Qing Yun covered her face, groaning. "Auntie Chu—please!"
Ze Yan only chuckled, deep and low, the sound rolling warm through the night.
He waited until she disappeared into the stairwell before driving off, the curve of his lips refusing to fade.