C3 Pressure

Shu Ann lay in bed, unable to sleep, her mind occupied with the events of the afternoon. On the way back, she was noticeably quieter than usual. After a long silence, Mooh Yang finally spoke up, "Do you know that guy, Jingyan?"

She hadn't met him, but the personal nature of the question made her reluctant to answer. However, his strange behavior tonight left her with an uneasy feeling. "No, I don't," she hesitated, then added, "He's a bit odd."

Mooh Yang seemed relieved. "Don't worry, I'll handle it. Customer service is a key part of our team's success."

Even with Mooh Yang's reassurance, Shu Ann couldn't shake her concerns. If she performed well and got promoted, she'd meet the big boss. Who knew if he'd remember her by then? Maybe it was time to consider switching companies.

Yet, having found a place she liked, any alternative seemed lacking. Shu Ann didn't want to leave. Oh well, she'd leave it to fate. After all, she was just a hacker—who would remember her?

"Yeah, with your charm, you'll never be short of 'customers,'" Shu Ann joked lightheartedly.

"Haha, I keep you all fed with my good looks and smiles. If you abandon me, I'll be left destitute in my old age."

"No way, by then you'll have saved up plenty for retirement."

"Ann, you're so heartless!"

Mooh Yang's teasing made Shu Ann laugh, pushing her unease to the back of her mind. Ah, forget it. She'd deal with whatever came her way. It wasn't like he could eat her, right? Time to sleep.

The next morning, Shu Ann was still groggy, reluctant to get out of bed. Her phone rang loudly, forcing her up despite her drowsiness.

"Hello..."

"Is this Miss Shu Ann? You've been hired by our company. Please report to Jingtai Company today or tomorrow," a gentle female voice informed her. Shu Ann was still in a daze, wondering if she was dreaming.

"Miss Ann? Is this Miss Ann?" The person on the other end sounded puzzled, wondering why there was no response for so long. She had dialed the right number.

"Ah, yes, it's me. I just woke up and was a bit out of it. I'll be reporting in today," Shu Ann quickly replied.

"Great, welcome aboard. Goodbye."

It wasn't until the call ended that Shu Ann realized she had landed the job on her first application! Her first job ever!

She forgot about the person she saw at the villa yesterday. But it didn't matter; she'd remember soon enough.

After the surprise, Shu Ann felt more awake. She got up, washed up, and decided to report in that afternoon to get familiar with the environment.

Meanwhile, in the villa, the study lamp had been on from night till day. Lih Jingyan finally relaxed his furrowed brow. His affairs weren't so easily exploited. If they dared to covet what wasn't theirs without the strength to back it up, he hadn't done enough to make them wary over the years.

After delegating tasks, Lih Jingyan turned off the video and rubbed his temples. The girl he saw that afternoon popped back into his mind. She seemed so ordinary, yet when she touched the computer, she transformed—calm, confident, and strategic.

She was different from the profile he had seen—quiet and unassuming, with no hint of weakness. A mysterious and contradictory girl indeed.

His assistant's occasional suggestions seemed worthwhile; perhaps a raise was in order.

Lih Jingyan rarely took a day off.

By the time he arrived at Jingtai, it was already 2 PM, right in the middle of the workday.

As soon as Shu Ann entered the company, she noticed the curious, gossipy looks from others. What was with those glances? Did they think she didn't notice them sneaking peeks?

Feeling uneasy, Shu Ann quickly squeezed into the elevator to the fifth-floor HR department. She'd never been here before, so why did it feel like everyone knew her? It wasn't like this last time she visited.

Shu Ann had a feeling trouble was brewing.

As she reached the HR department, she was about to knock when a balding man hurriedly tried to leave, half his body already out the door. Seeing her, he almost stumbled, but Shu Ann was about to help him when he quickly steadied himself by grabbing the coat rack. With a casual wave, he said, "Shu Ann, right? Come on in."

The now-relaxed balding man settled into his office chair, pulled out some documents, and handed them to Shu Ann with a friendly smile. "Everyone here is really supportive and friendly, especially to newcomers. You'll get used to it."

"Thank you, Manager." Even though the HR manager went out of his way to explain, that strange feeling lingered. It was odd for a manager to explain things to an intern like her.

The HR manager casually filed the documents away. "Shu Ann, head up to the 23rd floor. I hope you settle in quickly at Jingtai. Enjoy your work."

"Thank you, Manager. I'll do my best."

As soon as Shu Ann left, the HR manager took another look at the documents she had just filled out, muttering to himself, "Nothing special here. Why did the assistant move her to the secretary's office..."

Shu Ann pushed aside the odd feeling. Whatever was going on, she'd find out from her colleagues soon enough.

On another note, she still didn't know her exact position. While entry-level tasks usually involved copying documents and making coffee, the department you worked in determined what you learned. With that thought, Shu Ann felt a bit more excited.

"Ding." Shu Ann stepped out of the elevator onto the 23rd floor. It was eerily empty, with just three offices scattered around and a few desks in the bright lobby.

No one was there.

The elevator doors closed behind her, amplifying the feeling of solitude.

Though bright, it felt hollow.

"Ding." Suddenly, the elevator doors opened again, and Shu Ann took a few steps back to see who it was.

"Sorry for the wait, I had to step out for a moment," Zhou Yang said, adjusting his glasses. He seemed much more approachable than during the interview, appearing as a colleague rather than a stern interviewer.

After handing Shu Ann a stack of files nearly half her height, she quickly abandoned any unrealistic expectations. It was her first day at work, and she had assumed she'd just be setting up her desk and meeting coworkers. Suddenly, the future seemed busy.

As a newcomer, Shu Ann was ready to tackle any task without complaint. After all, these basics were things she needed to learn. But why was she here?

"Assistant Zhou, I think there might be a mistake. I didn't apply for a secretary position."

Zhou Yang's glasses glinted, "Didn't you say you'd contribute to the company in any role as long as it helped us grow?"

Had she dug her own grave with that statement?

"Yes, I just didn't expect the company to trust me so much."

"Good to know. Start with these tasks, and since you didn't bring anything today, you can set up tomorrow."

Zhou Yang pointed to a few desks in the hall. "The CEO isn't in today, so no need to be nervous. Sit wherever you like. You're the only secretary on the 23rd floor, so you'll need to adapt quickly."

"Got it, Assistant Zhou."

If the assistant is this intense, what must the boss be like?! Oh no, the boss—could it be Lih Jingyan? Shu Ann almost wanted to quit right then.

But quitting now wasn't realistic. A busy CEO like him wouldn't remember someone like her. She was overthinking it.

Trying to calm her racing thoughts, Shu Ann chose a desk by the window and began reviewing the files. Zhou Yang was considerate, giving her only minor tasks that didn't involve company secrets. Getting familiar with the "environment" this way was much better than just wandering around.

Leaning against the door with a cup of coffee, Zhou Yang was pleased with the new secretary. Although having a top student in administrative management work as a secretary seemed like a waste of talent, she'd soon realize that being Lih Jingyan's secretary was no easy task.

Shu Ann has a bit of a workaholic streak. When she's working on a case, she can go at it for a full day and night without relaxing, easily outlasting her opponents. So when she throws herself into her work, she completely loses track of time.

That is, as long as no one interrupts her.

As the elevator doors opened, Shu Ann put on a polite and courteous smile, ready to greet whoever was coming out.

A woman stepped out, dressed in a professional suit with a face so expressionless it made her seem more commanding than some men. She held a cold stack of documents in her hand and paused when she saw Shu Ann, quickly masking her surprise. "Who are you?"

The ice queen wasn't from the main office. Everyone there knew about the new intern on the 23rd floor, and Shu Ann felt a bit relieved.

"I'm the new intern, currently working here. The CEO isn't in today, but you can speak with Special Assistant Zhou if you need anything." That should be okay, right?

The ice queen nodded with a reserved air. "Anyone on the 23rd floor isn't just a pretty face. Work hard."

So, this ice queen must be quite competent.

"Thank you for the advice."

She nodded again. "I'll go find Special Assistant Zhou."

Before she could knock, Zhou Yang opened the door. He was surprised to see her and gave Shu Ann a reproachful look. "Manager Fu, here to submit the quarterly report?"

Fu Xiaoya nodded.

"The CEO isn't here today, so you can leave it with me. Bring it to the next meeting. You don't come by often, so make sure to enjoy yourself." Zhou Yang spoke with polite small talk, neither too familiar nor too distant.

Fu Xiaoya nodded again, glanced at the CEO's office, and turned to leave.

She nodded at Shu Ann in passing, acknowledging her presence.

"Next time, don't let just anyone in. Access to the 23rd floor requires an appointment. If they don't have one, call security to keep them out."

Sensing Zhou Yang's irritation and realizing her mistake, Shu Ann nodded. Zhou Yang remembered it was her first day and softened his tone. "You need to learn these things quickly. If you have questions, come to me, but don't make such basic mistakes in front of the CEO. You have great potential, and I hope you can stay and work with us."

Fu Xiaoya probably did something to annoy the boss. From the looks of it, Lih Jingyan isn't exactly an easy person to work with. He's so intimidating; if it weren't for his strong work abilities, he'd just be another guy from a well-off family. Who would pay attention to him otherwise?

Shu Ann thought about this as she absentmindedly picked up her work. Zhou Yang returned to his office, pondering for a while before deciding to call the boss. On the other end, Lih Jingyan was breathing heavily, probably in the middle of a workout.

"Boss, Fu Xiaoya was here earlier. Do you want to avoid her tomorrow?"

Lih Jingyan replied impatiently, "If you can't handle her, then just quit."

That was someone your family pushed onto you! As an assistant, Zhou Yang felt powerless. "Yes, Boss." Having a boss like this makes it hard to enjoy work!

Fu Xiaoya was placed here by the boss's family. Even though she was sent to a branch office to prove she's not just a pretty face, the boss still doesn't like her. So, making her disappear from the boss's sight while keeping it professional is quite the challenge for a mere assistant.

Since the boss is making things difficult for him, Zhou Yang decided to pass the challenge on to an intern.

"Shu Ann, come in for a moment."

"Assistant, you wanted to see me?" It's not even afternoon, and there's already so much to do. This job isn't easy. If she could be a hacker forever, Shu Ann would quit right now.

"Call the front desk and let them know that if Manager Fu comes by again, they should check with the boss first. Make up any excuse you need, just keep her off the 23rd floor."

That person might be a bit cold, but they're not that bad. Why does the assistant seem to dislike her so much?

"Okay, Assistant," Shu Ann agreed.

"Oh, and come in early tomorrow. Sort and organize the documents, and deliver the important ones to the boss."

No, she really didn't want to go. She couldn't deny that the pressure that man exerted on her was still very real.