The next day, Yan Xixi arrived particularly early at the office. She drank some coffee and nibbled on some pastries in the company’s pantry while her colleagues gradually trickled in. Everyone chatted and laughed, and they were especially polite to the newcomer. Several female colleagues were fussing over their clothes and makeup in the coatroom, chattering away. "We have to perform well today. We absolutely mustn’t leave a bad impression right from the start..." "I heard this general manager is really something. Our Southwest Company’s performance was ranked first in the group last year under his leadership..." "More than that! Didn’t you read the company’s internal magazine? As of October this year, our company’s performance increased by another 30 percent compared to last year, again ranking us first in the group..." "If he weren’t so impressive, how could he have become a general manager at such a young age?" "He’s still young? Is he handsome?" "You’ll know if he’s handsome when you see him..." "Oh my god, if he’s too handsome, we’re in trouble! None of us will be able to concentrate on work." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelFirｅ.net "Stop swooning. He might be married already." "Sigh, that’s true. All the good men are taken these days..." As Yan Xixi listened to everyone’s chatter without interrupting, a faint sense of nervousness stirred within her. For some reason, she too was curious about this "General Manager" she had never met. What’s he like? Is he easy to get along with? Does he judge people by their appearance? But her contemplation didn’t last long, as it was time. She followed a large group of new colleagues toward the main hall. The hall was filled with young employees, standing in neat rows with almost military posture. The female colleagues all tried to stand at the front, in the most conspicuous positions, dressed to look particularly sharp and professional. This was one of their tactics: to present their best side to the boss. Winning favor early on would make things go smoothly later. Yan Xixi, however, stood in the last row. It was so quiet around her you could hear a pin drop. Just then, footsteps approached. Huang Ying and another deputy general manager strode in, accompanying a young man. All eyes instantly fell on the young man. He was tall, with exceptionally bright eyes that made him look particularly spirited and radiant. At first glance, he exuded an air of vibrant, youthful energy that naturally drew people in. The female employees couldn’t help but silently cheer. He really does have that ’tall, rich, and handsome’ vibe! Only when Yan Xixi saw the man clearly did her face turn deathly pale, and she almost cried out. But she remained motionless, keeping her head bowed low in the last row, not daring to look at him again. Huang Xiaojue! It’s really Huang Xiaojue! She’d never dreamed she would run into Huang Xiaojue in a place . If she’d had a choice, she never would have joined this company. But she hadn’t known any of this beforehand. She just kept her head down as low as possible. Fortunately, the male colleagues in front of her were tall and almost completely shielded her from view. "I’m Huang Xiaojue, and I’m honored to welcome so many new like-minded partners..." His opening words immediately won over the rookies, and thunderous applause erupted. "Our company is the standard-bearer of the group. We were last year, we are this year, and I hope we will be every year to come..." Yan Xixi didn’t quite catch everything Huang Xiaojue said. She only heard waves of applause and laughter. The workplace rookies instantly idolized him. To achieve results, a team truly needed such a strong figure—someone with real ability, who could be an idol and a spiritual leader. It was just that she’d never expected it to be Huang Xiaojue... Too unfamiliar. So unfamiliar she couldn’t believe it was the same person—no, no, no, the Huang Xiaojue in her memory wasn’t . That Huang Xiaojue was just an innocent, sunny young man. This man, though still radiating a sunny disposition, had lost that earlier innocence and carefree air around his eyes. Subtly, it had been replaced by a maturity and arrogance that seemed far beyond his years. Yan Xixi felt completely drained. The only thought in her mind was: I have to submit my resignation as soon as this meeting is over.