The female lead, named Su Chuyun, was as pure and kind as her name suggested—a girl whose every thought showed plainly on her face, soft like a cloud.
After graduating from university, she entered the Yan Corporation full of beautiful expectations for her future life and became Yan Huai Xu’s life assistant. Before starting the job, she had heard some rumors, like how picky and demanding her employer was, and that he had a willful and arrogant fiancée. Previous assistants had either lacked the ability or couldn’t handle the pressure and left one after another…
Thus, the female lead was nervous, but once she actually started working, the office environment was not as terrifying as she had imagined. In fact, the boss was quite handsome.
Su Chuyun was highly capable and took meticulous care of Yan Huai Xu’s daily life. At that time, they were simply superior and subordinate. Until one accident trapped them in the mountains. With his injury and the accumulated fatigue of years, Yan Huai Xu fell asleep—and slept soundly. When he woke up, he was shocked that he had managed to sleep, and Su Chuyun only then realized that her boss suffered from insomnia.
This became the turning point. From then on, with Su Chuyun by his side, Yan Huai Xu’s insomnia was cured without treatment, and their relationship unknowingly grew intimate.
However, the romance did not proceed smoothly.
Yan Huai Xu’s fiancée—the villainess played by Song Fu—noticed the female lead’s presence. This woman, who was difficult to get along with,
excelled at repaying kindness with demands. She constantly brought up her late grandfather to make Yan Huai Xu do this or that for her various purposes.
At the same time, this woman had an extraordinary possessiveness toward Yan Huai Xu. Perhaps aware that they only had a cold engagement contract without any emotional foundation, she could only cling to him with her own methods and held extreme hostility toward any other women around him. Yan Huai Xu had exploited this trait to make plenty of malicious women who approached him suffer.
But Yan Huai Xu forgot that the female lead was also within the villainess’s range of hostility.
The female lead clashed with the villainess multiple times. The villainess tried every trick to trip her up and schemed to get Yan Huai Xu to fire her.
To achieve her goal, she even humbled herself to say that she could take good care of Yan Huai Xu as well.
In the end, the villainess was clueless about chores—she screamed in terror at the fish on the cutting board and knew nothing about cooking. Yan Huai Xu ended up having a headache over her instead. This contrast only accelerated the warming of feelings between the main leads.
The villainess did not give up. She secretly met the female lead and magnanimously offered a check, but the female lead, with strong professional ethics, rejected it outright.
Yan Huai Xu happened to witness this scene. He was even more moved by the female lead’s resistance to money, but he also heard her vow that she would never be interested in a married man.
He realized he could no longer tangle with the villainess and decisively proposed canceling the engagement.
Yan Huai Xu believed he had been indulgent enough toward the villainess and had done his duty. On the day of the breakup, facing his tantrum-throwing fiancée, he asked: Haven’t you had enough of this child’s play? With that, he drew a clear line.
The villainess’s family was already on the decline, and after this, she was no longer in the same league as Yan Huai Xu. People who had long disliked her rushed to step on her. Unable to endure it, she simply left the country that had broken her heart and vanished from sight.
The sweet story of the main leads continued, but it had little to do with Song Fu anymore—her role ended at the breakup.
【This time it will definitely go smoothly!】 The System said confidently, as if it already saw Song Fu receiving an A rating in its bright future.
Spring passed briefly, like a hurried visitor, followed by the sweltering summer.
The sun, that standard object not to be stared at directly, unleashed its power mercilessly. People outdoors turned into close kin to vampires—either bundled up like rice dumplings under umbrellas or playing the survival game of getting baked alive away from shade. They sat in air-conditioned rooms all day.
On such a day, Song Fu was too lazy to go out and torment herself. She sipped her iced Americano, which was bitter as traditional medicine, and admired the ring on her left middle finger for the Nth time. “So pretty.”
The band resembled rolling ocean waves, inlaid with a circle of pavé diamonds, like blades of grass encircling a crystal-clear yellow diamond in the center. It reflected the sunlight, looking like a beautiful little flower bud.
Song Fu got inspired. After a moment’s thought, she sketched a few simple strokes on a blank page with her pen, outlining a little dress.
In this Small World, she had followed in her mother’s footsteps and studied fashion design, but the villainess had no passion for work and no intention of delving deep into the industry. Even designing this little dress was not for a portfolio or award—it was because a close girlfriend was about to have her graduation ceremony and begged her to design a dress.
To be reasonable, there was no time at all. It was almost…
That said, the female lead, as a university student, was also about to graduate and start work, but Song Fu had not heard anything about Yan Huai Xu recruiting a life assistant.
【Won’t something go wrong again?】
To reassure the System and ensure the plot unfolded normally, Song Fu pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
It connected instantly. “Hello, Miss Song.” It was one of Yan Huai Xu’s assistants, Assistant Zhang, whom she had met before.
Song Fu twirled the straw, stirring the ice in her cup, and drawled, “Has anything happened lately?”
Assistant Zhang hesitated. “Nothing special.” But he knew that if he didn’t tell this young lady something, she wouldn’t let it go. “We’ve been really busy lately. President Yan has been working overtime every day, practically living at the company.” He had to follow suit as an assistant, but fortunately, the overtime pay was never short.
Song Fu went, “Oh.” “Is he even eating properly? How can that be?”
Assistant Zhang didn’t dare comment on his boss’s life and glossed over it. “Miss Song, President Yan has been really busy these past couple of days and might not have attended to you. Are you…?” The first time he had received a call from Miss Song was because their boss hadn’t picked up during a meeting. She had been snarling then, completely different from their first meeting.
Song Fu let out an unhappy “Hm?” “You think I’m just here to make a fuss?”
Such a big hat landed on his head. Assistant Zhang’s heart jumped, and he denied hastily, “I absolutely didn’t think that. I was just worried you might be in a bad mood.”
Song Fu didn’t press further and muttered, “I’m worried about his health, okay?” She hinted circuitously. “With you five or six assistants, isn’t there even one in charge of his daily life?”
Assistant Zhang gave a dry laugh and answered honestly, “Actually, no.”
Song Fu made it explicit. “It’s not like you can’t afford it. What’s one more assistant?” She didn’t continue but found an excuse about going swimming. “Oh, right—tell Yan Huai Xu that I want to have dinner with him tonight.”
“Sure, sure.” Assistant Zhang agreed.
After hanging up, Song Fu set her phone face down and continued refining the details of the little dress on the paper.
She propped her cheek on her hand.
She wondered if he got her meaning.
Also, Assistant Zhang really shouldn’t act as a spy for the villainess. People who picked the wrong side had no career prospects.
…
This misunderstood Assistant Zhang.
He was a highly professional and perceptive worker who dared to do this only because he had Yan Huai Xu’s tacit approval.
After the call ended, Assistant Zhang exhaled at his phone, then opened a file named “Summary of Conversations with Miss Song,” converted the recent call recording to text for easy reporting to the boss later on what questions he had been asked.
He stared at his computer screen in thought. With this extra work, should he bring up a raise?
Glancing at the time—the meeting should have ended—he got up and went to the boss’s office next door to report.
“…In short, Miss Song is very concerned about your health and suggested hiring an extra life assistant.”
Assistant Zhang smiled. Not his first time reporting; he knew exactly how to phrase things to please the boss. “Miss Song said she wants to have dinner with you tonight. Shall I book a restaurant for eight o’clock and send you the location afterward?”
“Yes.” Yan Huai Xu was concise.
Assistant Zhang casually mentioned, “About the life assistant—should I bring it up with HR?”
This time, Yan Huai Xu did not answer immediately. He saw no need.
But that evening at dinner, Song Fu, ever persistent, brought it up again.
She pursed her lips. “You can’t even take care of yourself. It worries me.”
Yan Huai Xu: “…”
He pushed the sliced steak toward her, feeling that someone else was the one who couldn’t take care of herself.
“Really.” Song Fu was especially sincere—mainly because Yan Huai Xu’s insomnia had dragged on so long that, not to mention the mental torment, it would likely shorten his life in the long run.
Thus, the recruitment began.
Resumes poured in like endless pages of a book, varied and each with strengths. Following the principle of selecting the best, HR picked out several top candidates and scheduled interviews.
In charge of recruitment were HR and another assistant surnamed Zhao. Assistant Zhao was a standard smiley tiger. Every time he saw Song Fu, his smile never faded. He greeted her from afar with more enthusiasm than for his own mother, striding over quickly. “Ah, Miss Song, long time no see. What brings you here this time?”
“Not recruiting a life assistant?” Song Fu curved her lips. “I’m here to help vet them. Welcome, Assistant Zhao?”
Assistant Zhao first checked their boss’s expression. Seeing no objection from Yan Huai Xu, he replied, “Of course. It would be great if you’d help.”
The interviews proceeded as planned, but he soon realized he had spoken too soon—it was anything but good—
Miss Song seemed to come just to stir trouble. This one wasn’t good, that one was average. Finally, she picked a guy, praised him effusively, and acted like she wanted him hired on the spot. The interviewee, a guy who clearly couldn’t handle it, got flustered after two compliments, stared at Miss Song with dazed eyes, and even blushed. Please, get a grip?
Coming for an assistant interview and couldn’t even read the room.
As interview time wound down, Assistant Zhao glimpsed their boss’s darkened face from the corner of his eye, doubted his life choices, and quickly interrupted to end it.
Finally sending the candidate away, Song Fu still threw him a line with lingering relish. “Assistant Zhao, what did you think of that guy just now?”
Of course he was awful.
Assistant Zhao suppressed a sigh, forced a smile, and started beating around the bush. “This position is extremely important and crucial. We need to consider overall qualities and discuss in detail before a final decision. It’s not like I say yes and it’s done.”
She just wanted to know good or bad, but got a sermon instead. Song Fu: “…”
No matter. She knew the villainess’s opinion wasn’t in play anyway, but it didn’t stop her from stirring. “So you mean I don’t get a say?”
Assistant Zhao paled and smiled obsequiously. “I don’t get a say.”
Fortunately, Song Fu only teased once more and asked the truly key person. “What about you?”
Yan Huai Xu recalled the guy’s looks—very dark hair and eyes, the type Song Fu seemed to like. In a calm, factual tone, he reminded her, “You’re picking an assistant for me.”
“I know.” Song Fu felt inexplicable.
Yan Huai Xu flipped through the resume in hand, expression indifferent. “The previous one had better education.”
Song Fu pouted, unhappy. “As long as she cooks well, better than any education.”
With the boss speaking, Assistant Zhao’s talk of detailed discussion was unnecessary. The previous girl successfully got the job offer and, if all went smoothly, would start next Wednesday.
Song Fu’s pick was rejected, her displeasure plain on her face. She dutifully played the vicious villainess, storming out of the interview conference room first, leaving everyone behind, her high heels clicking sharply.
Then, five minutes later, in Yan Huai Xu’s office, she changed shoes and looked at her rubbed-raw spots, wanting to cry without tears.
Calling them beautiful torture devices was no exaggeration. Today’s biggest mistake was wearing these heels for the sake of momentum.
She slapped the table with a pa! sound. Her pretty little face scrunched up as she forced out, “I’m not satisfied with that assistant you chose.”
Yan Huai Xu put away the remaining band-aids into the medical kit. Upon hearing this, his expression showed no change. “Then don’t hire her.”
Song Fu choked on her words. The villainess might have liked that answer, but she didn’t. She still had her troublemaking task ahead, and it wasn’t right to chase away someone who hadn’t even started yet. She hesitated to speak, then finally came up with an excuse. “You’ve already selected her. If you just say no now, doesn’t that make me seem unreasonable? She came all the way for the interview and spent money on travel. She might even have booked a hotel…”
Yan Huai Xu placed her high heels back into the shoe cabinet. “The personnel department always reimburses related expenses for interviewees.”
The two stared at each other. Song Fu opened and closed her mouth, dazed. “That’s so humane? No wonder you capitalists won’t get hung from lampposts.”
Yan Huai Xu turned to look at her. “Thanks?”
“You’re welcome.”
Song Fu rubbed her still aching right hand and made a concession. “Fine. It was my idea to get an assistant anyway. Let her give it a try. Your health is the most important, after all.” She didn’t forget to issue a threat. “But if her work isn’t up to par, don’t blame me. How long is the probation period at your company?”
Yan Huai Xu replied, “Three months.”
Song Fu nodded with a serious expression.
The plotline had mentioned this: All assistants except the female lead left before the end of their probation periods.
That was her task deadline. She needed to pay extra attention.
Seeing Song Fu’s look of resolve, Yan Huai Xu fell silent for a moment. She clearly didn’t like the assistant but insisted on having her around. “There’s no nee…”
Song Fu clenched her fist. “Once she starts work, I’ll come over every day to keep an eye on her.”
Yan Huai Xu swallowed the rest of his “need” and changed it to, “Alright, up to you. Want me to drive you?”
Song Fu refused, citing their different schedules, and left dashingly. She had plans for afternoon tea with friends.
Alone in the office once more, Yan Huai Xu called the extension next door and instructed, “Add a layer of padding to the desk in my office.”
“Got it.” Assistant Zhang, who answered the phone, was dutiful as always. He didn’t ask why, because there was only one possible reason.