"As you all know," Chen Xi began, her voice steady and commanding, "my son will soon assume the CEO position. However, there's a rumor circulating about him."
"I doubt if it's really a rumor," Yuhan muttered under his breath before he could stop himself.
"What was that?" Chen Xi asked sharply.
"Nothing, ma'am," Yuhan stammered, his head dropping.
Across the table, Zixuan shot him a cold glance — the first since they'd met that day. Yuhan, almost relieved to finally catch his attention, smiled awkwardly.
"I'd like to address that rumor," Chen Xi continued, turning back to the others. "It's true. Chen Zixuan… can't perform."
The room fell silent — until Yuhan burst into uncontrollable laughter. The other candidates stared, horrified, while Zixuan's expression darkened.
"If you believe my son's inability to perform affects his ability to lead," Chen Xi said coolly, "then you're free to walk out now."
Yuhan finally stopped laughing, realizing the weight of her words — but before he could recover, one of the candidates stood up.
"How can he even be called an alpha?" the man said bitterly. "I worked this hard for nothing. You should have told us."
"You said you worked hard," Yuhan shot back genuinely confused, standing to face him. "So why throw it all away because of that?"
"'Because of that?'" the man echoed mockingly before walking out.
From outside, Su Mei sighed as she watched another candidate storm past her. Then another. Down to three.
Chen Xi turned to the remaining candidates. "Why are you still here?"
"At this point," one said flatly, "I just want to see who gets the job."
"I really need this job," said the second, eyes pleading.
Then Yuhan stood up abruptly. His chair screeched back, startling everyone. For a moment, no one understood what he was doing, until he dropped to his knees.
"I don't care what anyone says," Yuhan said, voice shaking but firm. "I've suffered for this job, and I'll keep fighting for it. I'll help your son be a man again—even though, to me, he's never been any less of one."
Zixuan froze. Something inside him softened — a flicker of warmth he couldn't bring himself to show.
Zhang Meiyue glanced at Chen Xi with a knowing smile, as if to say "I told you so."
"I guess we have a winner," Chen Xi said calmly.
Yuhan blinked, looking around in confusion as the other two candidates quietly packed up their things and left.
"Me?" he asked, pointing at himself, then grinned when he realized it was true.
"He's not really smart up here," Zhang Meiyue teased, tapping her temple as she and Su Mei burst into laughter.
"I don't like him," Zixuan muttered, standing abruptly and walking out of the room.
"He's usually like that," Chen Xi said with a sigh, watching her son go. "But don't worry — he'll warm up to you eventually."
Yuhan swallowed hard, his smile turning nervous as Chen Xi walked toward him.
"Welcome to a new world," Chen Xi said with a small smile after shaking his hand.
"Su Mei will send you the invitation for the upcoming event."
"Assistant Liang…"
"You can call me Yuhan," he said quickly, his tone respectful.
"What you said earlier — about helping my son. Did you truly mean it?"
"Of course. I always keep to my word."
"Then… will you help me?" Chen Xi asked softly, her hands closing around his.
---
Yuhan couldn't believe what had just happened. He turned back once more to take in the sight of the company — the place that might change his life, before heading out the doors.
Outside, he dialed Li Hao's number, trying to hide the excitement in his voice.
"Hello," he said, pretending to sound defeated.
"How was it?" Li Hao asked, his voice full of hope.
"Well…" Yuhan paused dramatically. "I got the job! I got it!" he screamed.
Li Hao screamed too, both of them laughing and jumping like children celebrating across the line.
"Well done, my love!" Li Hao cheered.
"And I also have another surprise for you," Yuhan said, grinning.
"What surprise?"
"I'll tell you when we meet," Yuhan teased.
They both laughed again before hanging up, their joy echoing through the line.
---
"What? A new apartment?! She gave you a new apartment just like that?"
"Well… not just like that," Yuhan said, scratching the back of his head. "She said I have to heal her son."
"Yuhan!!!" Li Hao screamed. "First you want to get revenge for Yueyue, and now you want to heal the person you're supposed to be revenging on? I don't understand you!"
"She offered me an apartment I couldn't refuse," Yuhan muttered.
"Didn't you read your company benefits? You're supposed to get accommodation for one year!" Li Hao said, throwing his hands in the air.
"But this one's forever," Yuhan said, his tone smug. "She said she'll handle the payment herself."
"Yuhan… where is the apartment?" Li Hao asked carefully, already dreading the answer.
"Some sort of… Skyline Apartments," Yuhan replied casually.
Li Hao froze, his eyes widening before he dropped dramatically to his knees. "That's luxury!" he cried. "Do you know how many celebrities live there? Even the Chen Empire owns shares in that building!"
He sighed dramatically, then smacked Yuhan on the butt. "You should've asked for a few shares while you were at it, but you did well, my boy!"
"So…" he added, grinning from ear to ear, "when are we moving in?"