"Are you fine? You're never this nervous," Chen Xi asked, stretching one hand to hold her son's as she drove.
"You're a confident man, Zixuan, and I know it," she continued with a calm smile. "The company will be yours soon, and I want your assistant to be someone who truly befits you."
"I didn't know I looked nervous," Zixuan replied, forcing a small smile.
Moments later, the sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of the company building. Several attendants hurried over to open their doors. Chen Xi tossed the car key to one of them, instructing him to park it properly in the company's parking lot before she turned toward the entrance with practiced grace.
The instant they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The air seemed to grow heavier, especially around Chen Xi, whose presence alone could silence a room. She was an alpha, admired and feared in equal measure.
Employees quickly straightened up, pretending to focus on their work as the receptionist sprang from her seat to greet them with a deep bow.
From the department store floor, Su Mei caught a glimpse of the chairman's arrival and immediately alerted the upper offices. She hurried downstairs, smoothing her skirt as she rushed to intercept them.
"Chairman," Su Mei said breathlessly as she reached them before the elevator closed. She bowed deeply, clutching Chen xi's handbag to her chest as she followed them in.
"The candidates are waiting for you," she added, glancing between mother and son as the elevator doors slid shut.
Inside, an awkward silence filled the confined space. Su Mei shifted her weight slightly, then glanced sideways, only to find Zixuan doing the same.
For a brief moment, their eyes met, sharp and unspoken, like two rivals daring each other to blink first.
"There's one special one among them," Su Mei said as they stepped out of the elevator.
"Even Zhang Meiyue approved him," she added.
Chen Xi stopped mid-stride, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor as she turned to Su Mei.
"Zhang Meiyue?" she asked, surprise flickering in her eyes.
Su Mei nodded, her expression firm.
"He must be something then," Chen Xi murmured, interest lacing her tone.
Su Mei gave a small smile as she reached for the meeting hall door and pushed it open. The faint hum of conversation from inside stopped immediately as the chairman and her son entered.
Chen Zixuan and his mother walked in with Su Mei trailing behind them. The candidates immediately stood and bowed as the two entered, the atmosphere tightening with reverence. Once they took their seats, silence filled the room.
Yuhan had promised himself he would act indifferent when he saw Zixuan — calm, unbothered, in control. But his confidence faltered the moment Zixuan walked past him without even a glance. Not a flicker of recognition. Not a single sign they'd ever met.
Yuhan scoffed under his breath, louder than he intended. Heads turned. He forced an awkward smile and bowed slightly in apology.
"So this is how you want to play," he thought, his eyes narrowing at Zixuan, who sat there as if Yuhan didn't exist — composed, unreadable, and utterly unreachable.
"Call me Meiyue," Chen Xi said calmly, signaling to Su Mei.
Su Mei tapped the earpiece in her ear. "Send a message to Director Zhang. Inform her that the chairman is in Executive Meeting Room 3," she instructed before ending the call with a quiet tap.
Soon enough, Director Zhang walked in, her presence calm yet commanding, an ethereal aura that drew quiet respect from everyone in the room. She exchanged a brief glance with Chen Xi, a silent greeting that spoke of years of understanding.
"This final interview will be open," Chen Xi began, her tone firm but measured. "We will be selecting one of you today."
Director Zhang stepped forward, reading from her tablet as she listed each candidate's strengths and weaknesses. The room was silent except for her clear voice.
Yuhan listened intently — his name came up on the favorable side, praised for his courage and quick decision-making, traits of a capable assistant.
"There is one question I would like to ask before we conclude," Chen Xi said suddenly, her eyes locking on Zixuan.
Zixuan's brows tightened, his expression giving away that he already knew where this was going.