The next morning, I woke up before dawn.
I scrubbed myself raw in the shower, barely tasted my breakfast, and checked the clock every two minutes. When the bus finally arrived, I hopped on with no time left to overthink.
I had officially entered the working world.
As soon as I reached the office, I sent a quick message to my friends and approached the receptionist to ask where I could meet the department manager. She guided me to the fifth floor.
My heart pounded in the elevator.
I paused outside the door, took a deep breath, and knocked.
> "Come in," a voice called.
When I stepped inside, I saw a woman who looked strict at first glance—but as I greeted her with a soft "Good morning," she smiled warmly.
> "Welcome," she said, shaking my hand. "Congratulations on getting placed! That interview was tough."
I smiled, surprised by her kindness. She led me to our department and introduced me to the ten members who would become my teammates. Then she showed me to my desk.
As soon as I sat down, they gathered around like kids with a secret.
> "You're Zhou Ye?" one of them whispered.
> "Brace yourself," another said, leaning in. "The department head? Total tyrant. A demon."
> "Looks calm," someone added, "but cross him and you'll be scrubbing the office on weekends"
I blinked. "He sounds… interesting."
They all chorused together, > "He always says, 'Anyone who doesn't finish work on time is a donkey!'"
I raised an eyebrow. "I don't think he's strict—his mind just sounds… crazy."
Everyone burst out laughing.
But then... the laughter stopped.
They froze.
I turned—and a deep voice broke the silence.
> "I see the new employee has arrived."
Even my manager flinched.
I quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said,
> "I'm Zhou Ye, the newcomer, sir."
And when I looked up…
My heart dropped to the floor.
It was him.
The one person I never thought I'd see again.
The one who once made my heart flutter.
The one who broke it—without even knowing.
I had spent years imagining him.
Hoping to forget him.
And now, he was standing in front of me—as my department head.
I stared, silently praying: Please don't recognize me. Please don't remember me.
He looked at me for five seconds…
Then went straight back to his phone.
Relief washed over me.
Still the same phone zombie.
> "Why are you all standing here without doing your work?" he barked.
> "Sir! We were just welcoming our new colleague," they stammered. "We're going right now!"
He raised an eyebrow and walked away.
I stood frozen.
Someone nudged me.
> "See? We told you. Demon confirmed."
I replied slowly,
> "You all said he was strict. But this... this is crazy."
They stared at me.
> "Do you know him already?"
I blinked.
> "What? No! I was just saying that based on what you told me…"
They laughed.
> "Zhou Ye, you've got guts."
They gave me a pat on the back and returned to work.
But I wasn't laughing.
My mind was spinning.
I sat at my desk, watching him through the glass.
You… that phone will break one day. Or I'll bury it myself.
As he walked past, he suddenly slipped a little—then turned around to check if anyone saw.
I stifled a laugh and got back to work.
---
At 11 o'clock, it was break time. My coworkers invited me to join them in the cafeteria.
When I stepped inside, my jaw dropped.
The place was huge. It even had a buffet system. Not even our college canteen was this fancy.
I grabbed my favorite dish, sat down with everyone, and pulled out my phone.
> "I saw my crush," I texted in our group chat.
Not even a second passed before my phone exploded with notifications.
> "WHAT??"
"Where??"
"How is he??"
"Did he change???"
My coworkers stared.
> "Who are you texting? The notifications won't stop!"
I chuckled nervously.
> "Oh… just some close friends."
One guy smirked.
> "Was it a girl? Is she beautiful?"
My manager slapped the back of his head.
> "You'll never change, will you?"
I laughed.
> "My friends are already taken, trust me."
---
By 4 o'clock, the team asked me to host a welcome party.
I agreed and booked a restaurant table for twelve.
My manager glanced at me.
> "Why twelve?"
I hesitated.
> "Well… me, you, and the other ten. Is there anyone else I missed?"
One of them spoke up,
> "You forgot the most important one—our department head."
I nearly choked.
I looked at my manager.
> "Wait... I have to invite him?"
She smirked.
> "If you want to survive this job, pamper the devil. Go invite him."
> "You mean… me? Personally?"
They all nodded.
Sighing, I dragged myself to his office and knocked on the door.
His assistant stepped out.
> "Yes?"
I gave him a forced smile.
> "I'd like to invite Mr. Xiang to the welcome party."
He disappeared inside, closing the door without a word.
Behind me, my coworkers peeked around the corner, watching the drama unfold.
The door suddenly opened, and I accidentally kicked the assistant's leg.
He winced.
> "The head said you can go in."
I blinked.
> "Why?"
He gave me a serious look.
> "Just do what he says. And don't talk too much."
I forced a smile.
> "Yes, sir."
---
When I entered… there he was. Still glued to his phone.
What on earth is he always looking at?
I cleared my throat.
> "Sir, I'd like to invite you to the welcome party. Are you free?"
He didn't even glance up.
> "I'll come."
I raised my voice a little.
> "Sir?"
He looked up briefly.
> "What?"
> "Would you like something specific to eat, sir? Or do you have a preferred restaurant?"
> "As you wish. Just inform me once it's booked."
> "Okay." I turned to leave, but then—
> "Zhou Ye," he called.
My heart skipped.
I turned slowly.
> "Yes, sir?"
He stared at me.
> "When you leave, close the door."
…That's it?
I exhaled and walked out.
My coworkers were waiting like I'd just returned from battle.
> "Did he say yes?"
> "Yeah. He told me to inform him."
They gasped.
> "Zhou Ye! You legend! You're the first to survive a solo meeting with him!"
I blinked, still confused. My manager smiled.
> "Keep it up."
I sighed.
What in the world was happening here?