Chapter 1

Gu Xi had been reborn.

A year ago, she should have died in that car accident. Instead, she had unexpectedly awakened in the body of someone on the brink of death.

The first thing she did after leaving the hospital was ask about Su Xingwei.

After her assistant’s accidental death, the young chairwoman of Xingsheng Group had become a completely different person; ruthless in everything she did, she had gone through three assistants in a single year, and the board had plenty to say about it.

Gu Xi knew she shouldn’t have come back. She had finally picked up a life that should have been lost long ago; she ought to have gone far away and started over somewhere no one knew her. But she couldn’t let go of that person.

Today was the day she came for the interview.

The butler was already waiting at the villa entrance. Her gaze lingered on Gu Xi’s face for a moment before quickly returning to normal as she offered a polite smile.

“Hello, Miss Mu. Please follow me.”

Gu Xi had been here many times before and knew the butler well. But now she was Mu Wanyan; a stranger here, here to interview for an assistant position.

Along the way, the butler carefully briefed her.

“Young Miss has very high standards, so it may be difficult. But Xingsheng Group’s reputation speaks for itself, and the salary and benefits are among the best in the industry. Many people want in but never get the chance. If anything makes things difficult for you, Miss Mu, please bear with it.”

The old Young Miss Su had only been a little spoiled, and Gu Xi had been more than willing to indulge those small whims. But now everything was different.

Mu Wanyan said gently, “I understand. It’s all for work, and I’ll do my best.”

The butler led her to the second floor and straight to the study at the end of the corridor.

“Young Miss, the person here for the assistant interview has arrived.”

“Come in.”

Mu Wanyan nodded at the butler and pushed the door open.

Su Xingwei was lounging against the back of her chair, her gaze fixed on the computer screen, not even lifting her head.

They had clearly agreed on a second interview today, yet Su Xingwei was wearing a dark blue silk nightgown instead. Her long hair spilled casually down her back, the neckline cut just above her chest, revealing a delicate collarbone and a faint glimpse of pale skin.

Mu Wanyan’s eyes accidentally flicked over it, and she quickly looked away; her ears turned slightly red.

“Hello, my name is Mu Wanyan. I’m here to apply for the position of private assistant. This is my resume; please have a look.”

As she spoke, she placed the resume on the desk.

Su Xingwei picked it up, flipped through a few pages at random, and finally looked up at Mu Wanyan.

The girl before her was dressed in a white shirt and white slacks, her hair tied back in a simple ponytail. Her features were neat and clean, her skin fair, and she gave off a cool, gentle air.

Then Su Xingwei’s gaze settled on her eyes. They were very clean eyes; bright and clear, with black and white sharply defined.

Someone else had eyes like that too, and when they looked at her, they always carried a gentle light.

Su Xingwei unconsciously tightened her grip on the resume. Her gaze slid quickly across Mu Wanyan’s face and away. The face in her memory had refined features and startling beauty, while this Mu Wanyan was only pleasant and easy to look at.

She tossed the resume back onto the desk and returned to her usual lazy manner.

“Graduated from a top university, two years’ experience at a foreign company; your resume is perfect. But my requirements may be different from other people’s. How long do you think you can stick with it?”

As she spoke, she curved her lips, though there was no warmth in her eyes. “If you think being my assistant is just easy clerical work, you can leave now.”

Mu Wanyan did not answer immediately. Her gaze swept quickly over Su Xingwei’s face.

She seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight.

Lowering her eyelids, she said steadily, “I can prove it with time.”

Su Xingwei seemed to hear a joke. She let out a scoff. “The last one said the same thing, and in the end, she ran faster than anyone. Pretty words aren’t enough. I’ve warned you; don’t cry when the time comes.”

After a pause, she added, “You’re hired. Start work today.”

Mu Wanyan froze. “Today?”

Su Xingwei rested one hand under her chin and leaned forward, her peach-blossom eyes fixed on her with an unreadable expression. It was as if, if Mu Wanyan dared to say no, she would be fired on the spot.

“Any problem?”

“No problem.”

Mu Wanyan answered without hesitation.

“Mm.”

Su Xingwei withdrew her gaze. “Now go make me a cup of tea and bring it here. If you don’t know where the teaware is, ask the butler.”

“Yes.”

Mu Wanyan turned and walked out. Her steps were still steady. It wasn’t until she shut the study door behind her that she stopped, leaning against the corridor wall to catch her breath for a moment.

The calm she had been maintaining a moment ago shattered instantly.

Su Xingwei really was even more impossible to read than the rumors said.

Mu Wanyan quickly gathered herself and went to the kitchen to make tea. She knew perfectly well where the teaware was, but she still had to go through the motions. After all, she was supposedly here for the first time; she shouldn’t seem too familiar.

Soon enough, Mu Wanyan returned with the teacup and placed it in front of Su Xingwei.

Su Xingwei took a sip and frowned. “Too strong.”

Mu Wanyan did not argue; she silently took it away and brewed another cup. But after only a light taste, Su Xingwei stopped drinking.

“Too weak.”

Her tone carried clear impatience.

Mu Wanyan brought a third cup. This time, the tea’s color was clear and bright; not too strong, not too light.

At last, Su Xingwei had nothing to complain about. She looked at Mu Wanyan with a measure of scrutiny.

“You’re obedient.”

Standing beside the desk, Mu Wanyan remained composed. “It’s part of my job as an assistant.”

At that, Su Xingwei’s lips lifted slightly.

“Come take a walk with me in the garden.”

Mu Wanyan didn’t know what she was plotting this time, but she followed her to the dart area in the back garden.

There were still a few darts stuck in the board, all very close to the bullseye, but each one missing by a little.

Su Xingwei stopped just outside the white line and picked up a dart from the tray.

“Go take those down.”

“Yes.”

Mu Wanyan turned and walked toward the board.

Before, Su Xingwei had also often dragged her to play darts, though she had never been as accurate as Mu Wanyan.

Just as Mu Wanyan raised her hand, she heard a whoosh. Something flew past her ear, stirring a cool breeze. Looking at the dartboard, there was another dart in place.

“Still not quite accurate.”

Su Xingwei said with some regret. Meeting Mu Wanyan’s gaze, her eyes carried an excited light.

“Did I scare you, Assistant Mu?”

Mu Wanyan was starting to understand how the first three assistants had left. Su Xingwei clearly did not want an assistant, but the company’s rules required her to have one. She made things difficult on purpose; she was trying to drive people away, even treating it like a game to pass the time.

“No.”

Mu Wanyan’s voice remained steady, showing no trace of fear. She turned, removed the darts, and returned to Su Xingwei’s side.

Su Xingwei raised a brow. “Interesting. Want to try?”

Mu Wanyan lowered her eyes. “I can’t.”

Su Xingwei stared at her for a while, then suddenly stepped closer and leaned in by her ear.

“You’ve got guts. But why are you afraid to look at me?”

She was too close; her warm breath brushed against Mu Wanyan’s ear, making it itch.

“I’m not afraid to look at you.”

Su Xingwei studied her new assistant carefully, and her gaze eventually settled on Mu Wanyan’s reddened ear. A flicker of interest flashed in her eyes.

“Tonight, you’re going to a dinner engagement with me. Can you drive? Ask the butler; she’ll take you to the garage.”

With that, Su Xingwei tossed the dart into the tray and walked off without looking back.

Mu Wanyan let out a slight breath and hurried after her.

On an autumn evening, darkness fell especially early. The streetlights were already on, their warm yellow glow spilling across the road.

Mu Wanyan got into the driver’s seat and adjusted the rearview mirror and seat.

Su Xingwei had changed into a black suit skirt set, making her look even sharper and more efficient. She had been dozing with her eyes closed, but after the car had driven for a while, she suddenly opened them and glanced sideways.

Mu Wanyan’s grip on the steering wheel was proper and restrained, almost familiar.

Su Xingwei turned to look out the window at the streetscape racing backward, her lips pressed lightly together, and for some reason she suddenly felt irritated.

She really must be crazy.

The car eventually stopped outside a private club. The storefront was modest, the decor understated but tasteful, and there were many luxury cars parked at the entrance.

Su Xingwei got out of the car and said casually, “Stay close to me; don’t say anything unnecessary.”

Mu Wanyan answered and followed behind her.

The private room was on the second floor. When she pushed the door open, two people were already seated inside: a female boss who looked about forty, and a middle-aged man with a somewhat heavy build.

When they saw Su Xingwei enter, both of them stood and greeted her with smiles.

“Chairwoman Su is here. Please, have a seat.”

“President Liu, President Wang, sorry to keep you waiting.”

After Su Xingwei took her seat, the lazy smile on her face faded a little.

Mu Wanyan stood quietly behind her, listening as the three of them exchanged pleasantries.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew lively. President Liu stood with a wine glass in hand, his face full of ingratiating smiles.

“Chairwoman Su, come, let me toast you. We couldn’t have finished that project last time without your help.”

Su Xingwei lifted her glass and clinked it against his, but did not bring it to her lips. Instead, she turned to Mu Wanyan and handed the glass over.

“You drink it for me.”

Mu Wanyan froze slightly. “I don’t drink.”

Su Xingwei leaned back in her chair and looked at her with a half-smile.

“That’s part of your duty as an assistant.”

She held the glass out again, her tone casual but leaving no room for refusal.

“If you don’t drink, you can leave right now.”

Author’s Note:

Warm reminder: this novel is a rich-family melodrama.