"Sit down, please."
Ivy sat down, her face calm and composed, even though beneath the table, her hands were clenched so tight they might leave permanent marks. She nodded politely at the two interviewers, trying to project confidence, but inside her nerves were doing backflips.
The man sitting across from her scanned her résumé with a stoic expression.
"So, you studied office management, right?"
"Yes, sir," Ivy responded sharply, keeping her voice steady.
He looked at her, eyes narrowing slightly, as if assessing every twitch of her face. Was he reading her mind? Trying to spot cracks in her perfectly calm façade? Whatever he was thinking, Ivy could only guess, but she prayed he didn't see the internal meltdown happening beneath the surface.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded.
"Okay," he said, casually leaning back in his chair.
"Congratulations! Based on your credentials, I think you'd be a great fit for the position of...the CEO's personal assistant."
Ivy's world came crashing down.
Wait, WHAT?!
The CEO's personal assistant? As in, that guy from the elevator? Her brain short-circuited. 'This is it. I'm done for. That man is going to make my life a living hell. If only I hadn't run my mouth… if only I'd just stepped out of that elevator when I had the chance!'
But nooo, she had to go and insult him. And now… now she was going to be his personal assistant. She could already imagine his cold, expressionless face when he realized she was the one he'd be working with.
'Oh, this is going to be fun... for him', she thought, inwardly groaning.
Yet somewhere deep inside, a spark of defiance rose up.
'He might be the CEO, but I'll show him what a real personal assistant can do!' Ivy thought, smirking internally. 'He has no idea who he's dealing with.'
"Miss Xu Xiao?" The woman beside the stoic man spoke up, pulling Ivy from her thoughts.
"You'll start your training tomorrow. You and the CEO will agree on your salary and duties then and sign a contract. Please be here by 7:30 a.m. sharp."
Ivy nodded, managing a polite smile despite the storm brewing in her head. She stood as the man did, giving him a respectful nod as he left the room without so much as a glance in her direction.
'Rude.' Ivy rolled her eyes the second his back was turned. Definitely brothers.
After a quick stop in the restroom to change back into her delivery uniform, Ivy made her way to the elevator, but to her surprise, she wasn't alone. The young woman who'd spoken to her earlier, the elegant one with the sharp nose, stepped in behind her.
"Congratulations on the new job," the woman said with a bright smile, her voice friendly and warm.
"Oh, thank you, ma'am!" Ivy replied, giving a small bow out of habit.
"No need to be so formal. I'm Cheng Meng, one of the top directors here. Feel free to contact me if you need anything," she said casually, brushing a stray hair from her flawless face.
Ivy blinked. 'Top director?' Why did she seem so young? She couldn't have been older than twenty-five.
"How did you recognize me? I mean, I'm in my delivery uniform," Ivy asked, glancing down at her helmet in confusion.
Cheng Meng chuckled softly.
"I have a sharp nose for these things," she winked.
Ivy let out a small laugh. "That's impressive."
"You're Xu Xiao, right?" Cheng Meng asked. "If you ever have any questions about the company, don't hesitate to ask. You've got my number now."
Ivy blinked, realizing Cheng Meng had already dialed her number into her phone and saved it.
"Oh! Thank you," she said, surprised but grateful.
"Can I add you on WeChat?"
"Sure!" Ivy replied, smiling as they exchanged contacts. Cheng Meng's energy was contagious, and the awkwardness that Ivy had felt a few moments ago started to fade.
As the elevator reached the lobby, Cheng Meng waved cheerfully.
"Good luck tomorrow! I don't know who your trainer will be, but I'm sure they'll go easy on you."
'Let's hope so,' Ivy thought as she waved back. The moment the elevator doors closed, Ivy sighed, mentally preparing for the long day ahead of her.
Her phone buzzed just as she stepped out of the building. It was her best friend, Pearl.
"Hey, baby!!" Pearl's voice rang through the speaker, loud and cheerful as ever.
"How's my girl doing? Tell me you got that job! I know you did, you smart little genius!"
Ivy smiled despite herself. Pearl always knew how to lift her mood. "Well..."
"Oh my god, you did, didn't you?! I knew it! We're going out to celebrate tonight, no excuses! We'll hit up the fanciest place in town. I'm back from filming, so it's perfect timing."
Ivy couldn't help but laugh. "You haven't even asked what the job is yet."
"What's the difference? I know it's going to be amazing! So, spill!"
"I'm the CEO's personal assistant."
The line went silent for a beat. Then Pearl's voice came back, much quieter but filled with awe.
"...The CEO? Of Spring Entertainment? Ivy, are you serious?"
Ivy sighed dramatically.
"Not only that. I accidentally insulted him earlier when I took his private elevator. We… met. Let's just say it wasn't pretty."
"Ivy!!! You insulted the CEO?! The most powerful man in the industry?!" Pearl gasped, then burst into a fit of laughter. "Oh my god, girl, you've got guts. I love it!"
"Yeah, well, I'm going to need those guts when he realizes I'm his new assistant. Pray for me," Ivy groaned.
Before Pearl could respond, a commotion outside the building caught Ivy's attention. "What's going on out here?" she muttered.
"Oh, probably a scandal. Happens all the time with celebs. Just keep your head down and avoid the drama," Pearl advised casually.
"Alright, I'll call you later."
Just as Ivy hung up, a figure suddenly darted toward her, breathless and wide-eyed.
"Please! You've got to help me! I need your clothes!" the girl panted, grabbing Ivy's arm in a panic. "Some reporters are chasing me!"
Ivy's eyes widened. 'What in the world?'
Without a second thought, she dragged the girl into a nearby coffee shop and led her into the restroom.
"Here, take my delivery uniform," Ivy offered, quickly changing out of it. As the girl pulled on the disguise, Ivy finally got a good look at her.
*Wait… is that… Lin Wei?* The same Lin Wei with all the scandalous rumors swirling around? 'Oh, this day just keeps getting weirder.'
Lin Wei, now fully disguised, bowed gratefully. "Thank you so much. I owe you one," she said, handing Ivy a business card before rushing out the door.
Ivy stood there, stunned. 'Well, that was… unexpected.'
With a deep sigh, she left the coffee shop and hailed a taxi home.
When she arrived, her grandmother was sitting on the couch, watching TV.
"Oh, my baby's back!" Grandma Xu greeted her with a warm smile. "How did it go? Did you get the job?"
"Yeah, I got it, Grandma," Ivy said, collapsing on the couch beside her.
Grandma Xu's eyes lit up. "I knew it! You're just like your mother, always making us proud."
Ivy smiled and gave her grandmother a tight hug. "Thanks, Grandma. I love you."
"I love you too, my darling. Now, go freshen up. I made your favorite dinner!"
Ivy chuckled, heading to her room. 'Tomorrow's a new day,' she thought as she flopped onto her bed. 'I just hope I survive it.'
As she scrolled through her phone, she dialed Pearl's number again.
"Hey, what's up? Miss me already?" Pearl teased.
Ivy laughed. "Real quick question… Who is Cheng Meng?"