Ivy walked out of the building, the weight of the day still heavy on her mind. She replayed her strange encounter with Ling Xuan, the playful band leader who had effortlessly teased her, and their banter echoed in her thoughts. But none of that mattered now. What really made her heart pound wasn't her new celebrity friend it was Lu Cheng.
She had only heard whispers about him, but the mystery surrounding the CEO made her uneasy. He was always masked, distant, and, as the rumors said, dangerously unpredictable. The moment she accepted the role of his assistant, it felt like stepping into uncharted waters. Something about him felt...off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Ivy leaned against her grandfather's car, the cool metal grounding her. She had to prepare for tomorrow the real challenge. Today's lighthearted banter was nothing compared to what she was about to face.
The next morning, Ivy arrived at Spring Entertainment, earlier than ever. She took a deep breath before stepping out of her car, but her heart raced at the sight of the sleek black cars lined up in front of the entrance. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she realized one of them probably belonged to him. The infamous CEO, Lu Cheng.
"Morning," a voice greeted her.
She turned sharply to find a tall, lean man standing by the entrance. He was dressed in a sharp suit, his eyes as piercing as a hawk's. "I'm Lin Wei," he said without much of a smile. His tone was clipped and professional, the kind that made you feel like you were already in trouble.
"Oh, good morning. I'm Ivy Xu, the new—"
"I know who you are." Lin Wei's interruption was swift.
"Follow me. Mr. Lu Cheng is waiting."
Ivy swallowed hard, her nerves spiking as she followed Lin Wei into the building. It wasn't just the thought of meeting Lu Cheng that terrified her it was the way Lin Wei walked with such a rigid, military precision. She felt like she was being led to some kind of final judgment.
The elevator ride was silent. Every second stretched on like an eternity. Lin Wei stood like a statue, unbothered by the tension in the air, while Ivy fidgeted with her fingers, her mind racing. What was he like? Was the mask rumor true?
As they stepped out onto the top floor, her breath hitched. The place felt colder than the rest of the building. The walls were sleek, modern, but there was no warmth, no hint of personality. This was the lair of the most powerful man in the industry. A man who was almost... invisible.
She was ushered into a waiting room by Lin Wei, who left her there without a word. The silence was deafening. Ivy sat on the edge of her seat, trying to calm her shaking hands. Was she really ready for this?
Then, the door creaked open.
Another man entered slightly older, with a no-nonsense expression. "I'm Zhao Jun, one of the assistants. Mr. Lu Cheng is ready to see you now."
Ivy's legs felt like jelly as she rose to her feet. She forced herself to walk confidently, even though every step closer to his office felt like approaching the edge of a cliff. Zhao Jun didn't bother making conversation, and Ivy was too nervous to speak.
They reached the massive, dark wooden door. Zhao Jun knocked twice before pushing it open, revealing a minimalist office cold, sterile, like the man who sat behind the desk.
Lu Cheng.
His presence filled the room before she even laid eyes on him. He sat at the far end, his back straight, and a mask obscuring the lower half of his face. The only thing visible were his intense, calculating eyes, eyes that seemed to see through everything.
Ivy's throat went dry.
"Miss Xu," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. "You're late."
Her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't late, not technically. But his tone made her feel like she had already failed. This man's vibes is far different from how he was yesterday.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Lu Cheng. I—"
"No excuses." His words were sharp, cutting through her like ice. "In my company, there is no room for mistakes."
Ivy clenched her hands into fists at her sides, willing herself to stay composed. "Understood."
For what felt like an eternity, he simply stared at her. The room was suffocatingly silent, except for the ticking of a clock somewhere behind her. She could feel the weight of his gaze, as if he was stripping away every layer, every secret.
"You will report directly to my assistants, Lin Wei, Zhao Jun, and Cheng Rui," he finally said. "They will guide you through your tasks. Fail them, and you fail me. And Ivy Xu..." His voice dropped, almost to a whisper. "You do not want to fail me."
Ivy's pulse quickened, her breath coming in shallow waves. There was no warmth, no kindness in his voice only cold authority. She nodded quickly, unable to find her voice.
"Good," he said, dismissing her with a wave. "Now go. Your real work begins today."
As Ivy left his office, she felt a crushing weight in her chest. The fear of disappointing this man this masked enigma was more overwhelming than anything she'd ever faced. She couldn't mess this up. Not with him watching her every move.
Her first day had barely begun, and already, it felt like a battle for survival.