Li Hao kicked the bed, where Yuhan lay wrapped tightly in the blanket like someone mourning.
"It's been forever since you've been like this," Li Hao said, half laughing. "You act like you were rejected… by a guy who you failed at getting to like you."
Yuhan peeked out from under the covers, shot him a side-eye, then quickly buried himself again.
"Get up already. It's been days," Li Hao said, tugging at the blanket. "The orphanage even called, and I had to lie– told them you were busy attending some fancy event you could only dream of."
He finally yanked the blanket hard, dragging Yuhan half off the bed.
"The final interview is the day after tomorrow, and you're still acting like this? Will you even be able to avenge Yueyue at this rate?" Li Hao said, purposely pressing the nerve he knew would wake him up.
And it worked.
Yuhan sat up immediately, hair a mess, eyes burning with sudden determination.
"Chen Zixuan!" Yuhan shouted, teeth gritted, fists clenched as he raised one hand in determination.
D day of the final interview—
Yuhan and Li Hao were squeezed into the bathroom, steam fogging up the mirror. Li Hao was washing Yuhan's hair, scratching and rinsing with small splashes of water every few seconds.
"Hold still," Li Hao said, pouring another bowl of water over his head.
"Careful, you're drowning me!" Yuhan protested, shaking his head like a wet cat.
When they were done, Yuhan wore the same suit he had used since the first stage of the interview. He adjusted the collar again, checking his reflection anxiously, while Li Hao stood behind him fixing his hair with careful fingers.
Yuhan turned to li hao wanting to reach out and grab Li Hao's hand for courage, but before he could, Li Hao quickly hid his hands behind his back, grinning.
"Go, go, go, my dear friend," Li Hao said, pushing him gently toward the door.
Yuhan took a deep breath, clutching his bag, and stepped out, heart pounding, ready to face whatever waited for him.
Yuhan boarded a taxi and stared out the window, the morning sunlight brushing over his face as the city whirled by. His heart was a mix of nerves and excitement — today could change everything.
When he arrived at the company, the familiar busy energy greeted him at once — footsteps echoing, phones ringing, voices murmuring across the hall. He straightened his suit and walked to the reception desk.
"Good morning," he said politely. "Is Su Mei around?"
The receptionist looked up with a warm smile. "Hold on a second," she said, picking up the phone.
"Someone's here asking for you," she spoke into the receiver.
"Who is it?" came Su Mei's voice on the other end.
The receptionist covered the mouthpiece and looked at Yuhan. "May I have your name, sir?"
"Liang Yuhan," he said clearly, pronouncing each syllable.
She repeated it into the phone.
"Ahh! I've been waiting for him!" Su Mei's excited voice burst through the receiver. "Please, direct him upstairs!"
The receptionist smiled and pointed toward the elevator. "She's expecting you. Top floor, 14b."
Yuhan nodded, clutching his bag tighter. As he stepped into the elevator, his reflection in the metallic door looked back at him — nervous, but ready.
Yuhan punched the button for 14B, the elevator doors sliding shut as he drew in a slow breath, his heart thudding with anticipation. He didn't know what awaited him beyond those doors, but it felt like something life-changing was waiting.
A soft ding announced his arrival. The doors parted, revealing a quiet, polished hallway. Unsure of which direction to take, Yuhan stepped out cautiously, his eyes darting from one office to another.
"You're here," a familiar voice called.
He turned to see Su Mei approaching with her usual bright smile.
"Yes," he replied, matching her tone with a polite smile of his own.
"This part of the building is the executive floor," Su Mei explained as they walked. "Offices of the top-level staff. The chairman wanted the final evaluation held in one of the meeting halls here."
She stopped in front of a large oak door and pushed it open. The air inside carried a weight of authority. A long round table dominated the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs. At the far end stood a single seat—larger, sharper in design—clearly reserved for the owner.
"Two of the candidates are already here," Su Mei whispered, leaning closer as the door slid shut behind them. "The chairman and her son will be arriving any minute, so hurry and take your seat."
Yuhan nodded quickly, whispering a soft "thank you" before stepping inside.
The room felt heavier now, charged with quiet tension. Two candidates were already seated at the long round table, flipping through their folders or scrolling on their phones. Yuhan approached with his usual polite smile, pulling out a chair beside them.
"Hello," he greeted them lightly as he sat down.
They glanced up briefly, one nodded, the other just hummed in acknowledgment. Yuhan's heart thumped against his ribs as he tried to calm himself, his hands resting on his knees. The large chair at the far end of the table remained empty, like a throne waiting for judgment.