Chapter 1my first day
I was still fast asleep when I heard my mother shouting from somewhere near my bed.
“Chenxi! Get up! It’s your first day at work. You don’t want to be late!”
I slowly opened my eyes, still half-asleep.
My first day at work.
Oh, right.
I completely forgot.
I shot out of bed so quickly that I didn't even notice my feet had gotten tangled in the blanket.
The next thing I knew—
Thud!
I landed on the floor.
“Ouch!”
I sat there for a few seconds, staring at the bed as if it had personally betrayed me.
“Great. First day at work, and I’ve already embarrassed myself before leaving the house.”
I quickly got up and rushed into the bathroom.
I didn't have time to complain about the pain. If I was late on my first day, I was sure my new coworkers would never let me forget it.
After a quick shower, I hurriedly got dressed, fixed my hair, grabbed my bag, and rushed downstairs.
The moment I reached the dining room, I realized everyone was already there.
My younger brother, Yifeng, was sitting at the table in his school uniform, eating breakfast like he had all the time in the world.
Beside him was my little sister, Yutong, who was also dressed in her high-school uniform.
And, of course, the two of them were already arguing.
“Give it back!”
“It’s mine!”
“You took it first!”
“I took it because you weren't using it!”
I stopped at the entrance and stared at them.
Same house,Same parents,Same argument every morning.
Honestly, I didn't know how they still had the energy to fight with each other every single day.
My family had long since gotten used to their little dramas.
“Look who's finally awake,” Yutong said when she noticed me.
Yifeng looked at me and laughed.
“First day at work and you're already late?”
“I'm not late!” I quickly defended myself. “I'm still early.”
My mother looked at the clock.
I followed her gaze.
My confidence disappeared.
...Okay.
Maybe I wasn't that early.
Yutong covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
“Big brother, you look like you just escaped from a disaster.”
“Eat your breakfast.”
She laughed even harder.
I sighed and pulled out a chair.
Normally, I would have sat down and eaten with them, but today wasn't a normal day.
It was my first day at work.
I had spent weeks preparing for it, and now that the day had finally arrived, my stomach was filled with nervous butterflies.
I glanced at the clock again.
The bus.
I couldn't miss the bus.
I quickly grabbed something to eat and stood up.
“I have to go.”
My mother looked at me. “At least finish your breakfast.”
“I'll eat on the way!”
“Chenxi!”
I was already halfway to the door.
“I'm going to be late!”
Behind me, I could hear Yutong laughing.
“Good luck on your first day, Big Brother!”
Yifeng called out after her.
“Don't get fired!”
I turned around.
“Both of you, behave yourselves!”
They laughed.
I shook my head with a smile and hurried outside.
My first day at work had officially begun,and somehow, I had a feeling that this day was going to change my life in ways I couldn't possibly imagine.
I ran down the street as fast as my legs could carry me.
The bus was already waiting at the stop.
“No, no, no! Please don't leave!”
I could see the driver preparing to close the doors.
I ran even faster.
And then—
Bang!
I crashed straight into someone.
“Ah!”
My body stumbled backward, and I quickly looked up.
The first thing I noticed was the coffee cup in his hand.
The second thing I noticed was the coffee now splattered across his clothes.
My heart stopped.
“Oh my God.”
I looked at the stranger's shirt, then back at his face.
And that's when everything around me seemed to disappear.
He was... handsome.
No.
Not just handsome.
He had the kind of face that made you forget what you were doing.
For some reason, I couldn't look away.
And he was staring at me too.
Neither of us said a word.
One second passed.
Then another.
I don't know how long we stood there staring at each other. It felt like five minutes, even though it probably wasn't.
Why am I staring at this stranger?
I finally snapped out of it.
“I-I'm so sorry!”
I immediately reached for some tissues in my bag.
“I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm really sorry. Let me clean that for you.”
I moved closer and tried to wipe the coffee from his shirt.
But before I could, he suddenly caught my hand.
I froze.
His hand was warm.
“It's okay,” he said calmly.
I looked up at him again.
“You don't have to worry about it.”
For some reason, hearing his voice made me forget how to breathe.
I stared into his eyes.
Why were his eyes so beautiful?
“Are you okay?”
His question brought me back to reality.
“Y-yes! I'm fine!”
He released my hand and gave me a small nod.
Then he simply walked away.
Wait.
That's it?
I watched him walk away.
“I'm really sorry!”
I called after him.
He didn't turn around.
“I'm sorry!”
I stood there for another second, completely confused.
Who was that man?
And why was my heart beating so fast?
Before I could think about it any longer, I heard the familiar sound of the bus approaching.
“Oh no!”
I ran toward the bus and quickly climbed inside.
I found an empty seat near the window and dropped into it, trying to catch my breath.
But instead of thinking about my first day at work, my mind kept going back to the stranger.
His face.
His eyes.
His voice.
The way he had grabbed my hand and calmly told me not to worry.
I sighed and looked out the window.
I really hoped he wasn't angry with me.
After all, I had spilled coffee all over him on the first day I met him.
Although...
I couldn't deny it.
He was really handsome.
And kind of cute too.
I immediately shook my head.
“No, Chenxi.”
I covered my face with my hands.
“He's a stranger. You shouldn't be thinking about him.”
I lowered my hands and stared out the window again.
But somehow, I still couldn't get his face out of my mind.
And I had no idea that the stranger I had just bumped into...
was the very same man I was about to meet at my new workplace.
Finally, after some time on the bus, I arrived at the office building.
I stepped off the bus and looked up.
And up.
And even further up.
The building was so tall that my neck actually started hurting just from trying to see the top.
“Wow…”
It was beautiful.
The glass walls reflected the morning sunlight, making the entire building look even more impressive.
I still couldn't believe it.
I was actually going to work for Yunhai Group, one of the biggest companies in the city, known for its technology, investments, and international business.
And today was my first day as a Junior Business Development Associate in the Business Development Department.
I smiled to myself.
I had worked so hard to get this opportunity.
I couldn't let my nervousness ruin it.
After standing there for another minute admiring the building, I finally took a deep breath and walked inside.
The moment I entered, I was stunned.
The inside was even more beautiful than the outside.
Everything looked so clean, elegant, and organized.
I couldn't help but imagine myself sitting behind my own desk, working on projects and finally beginning my career.
Just thinking about it made me happy.
I moved forward, trying to figure out where I was supposed to go.
That's when I noticed a few people standing nearby.
They looked just as lost as I felt.
I walked closer.
“Excuse me. Are you guys new employees too?”
They looked at me and nodded.
“Yes.”
I immediately felt relieved.
Thank goodness. At least I wasn't alone.
“I'm Jiang Chenxi,” I introduced myself.
The guy beside me smiled.
“I'm Zhao Minghao.”
The other one smiled too.
“I'm Wen Jiarui. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you both.”
We talked for a few minutes, and I slowly started feeling more comfortable.
“Since we're all new here,” I said, “we should help each other out from now on.”
They both smiled.
“Deal,” Zhao Minghao said.
For the first time that morning, I felt like maybe my first day wouldn't be so bad.
A few minutes later, a woman approached us.
She looked elegant and professional, but she had a warm smile that immediately made me feel less nervous.
“Good morning. Are you the new employees?”
We quickly stood up straight.
“Yes, ma'am.”
She smiled.
“My name is Su Meilin, and I'm the Human Resources Manager. I'll be taking you to your department and helping you settle in.”
We all bowed politely.
“Thank you, Miss Su.”
She nodded and gestured for us to follow her.
As we walked behind her, my nervousness slowly returned.
My palms were beginning to sweat.
My heart was beating faster.
Why was I suddenly this nervous?
I took a deep breath.
It's just a job.
Walk in, introduce yourself, and do your best.
Simple.
Right?
Well...
It didn't feel simple at all.
When we finally reached the Business Development Department, Miss Su opened the door.
“Everyone, these are our new employees. They'll be joining the Business Development Department as Junior Associates.”
We stepped inside.
Immediately, several people looked toward us.
Then they smiled.
“Welcome!”
“Welcome to the company!”
“Nice to meet you!”
I quietly let out a breath.
Everyone seemed so friendly.
Maybe this wouldn't be as terrifying as I had imagined.
Miss Su introduced us to the staff, and we introduced ourselves one after another.
I was finally starting to relax.
Then—
Click.
The door opened.
Everyone turned toward it.
I casually looked over.
And froze.
My heart nearly stopped.
No.
It couldn't be.
I stared at the man standing in the doorway.
The same dark hair.
The same calm expression.
The same eyes.
The same man whose coffee I had accidentally spilled all over his shirt that morning.
No way.
I wanted to disappear.
I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.
Why was he here?
Miss Su smiled and turned toward him.
“Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to our CEO, Lin Yunchen.”
My eyes widened.
CEO?
The CEO?!
The man I had accidentally spilled coffee on...
was my new CEO.
I slowly lowered my head.
Yes, Chenxi.
You've done it.
You haven't even started working, and you're already going to get fired.
I remembered Yifeng's words from this morning.
Don't get fired.
I almost wanted to laugh.
Of course he had to say that.
I just didn't expect it to happen this quickly.
Yifeng, you were right.
I really am going to get fired.
And on my first day, too.
