The chauffeur eased the car to a stop in front of Luminar System's headquarters.
The building rose like a blade of glass and steel, its logo gleaming against the cloudy sky. It was no longer the humble shared office from years ago; this was a true headquarters, independent, confident, alive with the buzz of hundreds of employees.
Inside the sleek lobby, staff tapped badges against turnstiles, voices murmured in steady rhythm, the scent of polished marble and fresh coffee drifting through the air.
Then the revolving glass door opened—
And Gu Ze Yan stepped inside.
Every head turned.
The employees were used to seeing their CEO in news features or leadership meetings, but in person, he carried a different weight—sharp suit, tall frame, the aura of a man who built this empire with his own hands. Usually, he was cool, untouchable.
But today—
Today, he was smiling.
And he wasn't alone.
At his side, walking with quiet steps, was a woman in a soft, simple dress. Her hair was smooth, her gaze calm, her presence elegant in a way that silenced even the busiest chatter. She wasn't flashy; she didn't need to be. Her very stillness drew every eye.
And the CEO? The CEO looked at her like a man carrying sunlight in his chest.
---
Whispers in the Lobby
"Wait—is he… holding her bag?"
"Did the boss just open the door for someone?!"
"Look at his face! That's not CEO-mode. That's puppy-mode."
"Oh my god, who is she? His girlfriend? His wife?"
"Shh, shh, don't stare—"
But everyone did.
Even the receptionist nearly fumbled the pen while greeting them, her eyes darting between the dazzling CEO and the serene woman at his side.
---
A Tour
Ze Yan's hand hovered near Qing Yun's back as he led her forward, almost protective, though he never quite touched.
"Let me show you," he said quietly, his voice filled with a boyish pride that surprised even himself.
He guided her through the open-plan tech floor, where rows of engineers glanced up from glowing monitors. Then the design wing, bright with color boards and sketches. Then the cafeteria, filled with the scent of espresso and butter croissants.
He paused at the in-house gym, folding his arms with casual authority.
Qing Yun glanced at the equipment, then at him.
"Do you use it?" she asked, voice flat, expression unreadable.
Ze Yan blinked, caught off guard. "…Sometimes."
From the treadmill corner, two interns nearly choked trying to hide their laughter. By the time gossip spread to the elevators, the story had already twisted into: The CEO got roasted by a beautiful mystery woman in front of everyone.
Ze Yan, however, didn't care. He was watching Qing Yun's profile, chasing even the faintest flicker of reaction.
---
Shen Qiao's Welcome
On the management floor, Shen Qiao stepped out to greet them.
"Finally!" she said warmly, clasping Qing Yun's hands. "Welcome back, Qing Yun. We've missed you."
Her voice was genuine, full of relief.
Ze Yan, however, lingered nearby like a shadow, unwilling to move too far. His eyes tracked every shift of Qing Yun's expression, as though afraid she might vanish the moment he blinked.
Shen Qiao arched a brow. "Boss, don't you have a company to run?"
Ze Yan's jaw tightened. "…I can sit in."
"Or," Shen Qiao teased, "are you planning to spend the day as Miss Lin's personal assistant?"
A ripple of laughter spread through the office.
Qing Yun said nothing, only offering Shen Qiao the faintest nod. That silence was answer enough.
Reluctantly, Ze Yan backed away, muttering, "Call me if she needs anything."
Behind him, whispers bloomed like wildfire.
---
Qing Yun's Task
Shen Qiao introduced her to a cluster of nervous interns.
"This is Miss Lin," she said with authority. "Learn from her."
The interns bowed, eyes wide. They had heard rumors but hadn't expected this—a woman whose presence was so calm it felt like still water, yet every word she spoke carried precision.
Qing Yun guided them through her method for organizing translation projects, breaking large tasks into small, manageable steps. She spoke gently, but with clarity that made even the most anxious intern lean forward.
Her fingers moved over the notes, her voice soft: "Don't rush. Accuracy is respect. Respect for language, respect for the reader."
By the end, the interns were whispering:
"She's incredible."
"So elegant."
"I thought she'd be intimidating, but she makes you want to do better."
From the doorway, Shen Qiao folded her arms, hiding her smile. Yes, she thought. This is the Qing Yun who can shine.
---
Lunchtime Scene
At noon, the gossip escalated.
Because the CEO showed up at Shen Qiao's office… carrying a tray of food.
Employees froze in the hallway as he walked by, perfectly unbothered, perfectly intent.
He set the tray in front of Qing Yun—black truffle pasta, steak slices still sizzling, and a cup of imported coffee that smelled like three paychecks. The rest of the cafeteria had plastic trays and paper cups; his looked like it came straight from a five-star hotel.
It didn't take a genius to know: Gu Ze Yan definitely didn't get this from the cafeteria.
She raised an eyebrow. "You're the CEO. Don't you think people are watching?"
He leaned down, close enough that only she could hear, his voice a low murmur.
"Good," he said. "Let them."
Shen Qiao coughed loudly, rolling her eyes. "Some of us still work here, you know. Please keep the drama to the cafeteria."
But the damage was done. By the time lunch ended, the entire floor buzzed with whispers: The CEO is in love. Absolutely whipped. Golden retriever in a suit.
---
Afternoon Gossip
"He carried her bag. I saw it with my own eyes."
"Did you see the way he looked at her? Like she hung the moon."
"I swear, I saw him smile—SMILE—when she said two words."
"Okay but who is she? Girlfriend? Secret wife?"
By mid-afternoon, a rumor pool had formed in the HR department. Bets ranged from "college sweetheart" to "hidden daughter of an investor."
None of them guessed the truth—that she was both more fragile and more precious to Ze Yan than anything they imagined.
---
End of the Day
As the sun slanted through the glass lobby, employees bowed respectfully while Ze Yan and Qing Yun walked out together.
The whispers didn't stop, but Qing Yun ignored them, her expression as calm as ever.
In the car, silence settled, broken only by the hum of the engine.
Ze Yan glanced at her, his voice low. "How was it?"
Qing Yun turned her gaze to the passing city, her profile sharp against the glass. After a pause, she said simply, "Not bad."
To anyone else, the words would sound cold, dismissive.
But to Gu Ze Yan, they were everything.
His lips curved into a smile, small but genuine, the kind of smile that had been absent for years.
Because "not bad" from Lin Qing Yun… meant the world.