Monday Morning
Shen Wei arrives for his first official day at exactly 8 a.m., sharp. He quickly sets about organizing the space, checking the schedule, and preparing everything before CEO Zhao Yunlan's arrival at 9 a.m.—just like it's written in the preference portfolio.
"Good morning, Zhang," Shen Wei greets softly when she arrives and settles at her desk.
Zhang blinks at him, a bit startled by how composed and polished he already looks. "Good morning, Secretary Shen. You're earlier than everyone. I'm impressed."
Shen Wei gives her one of those smiles—subtle, warm, devastating. The kind that should be illegal before noon. "Please, call me Shen Wei. No need for formalities. We're all coworkers here, helping one another."
Zhang, it's too early to have a heart attack! she mentally scolds herself, quickly nodding in agreement to save face.
"I know you just got here," Shen Wei continues, "but could you please pass me all the backlog I need to handle from Secretary Da's absence? I want to get a look before CEO Zhao comes in."
"No problem, Shen Wei. But... it's a lot," Zhang says, worried.
"It's alright," he replies with a calm smile.
For the next thirty minutes, Shen Wei reviews the mountain of paperwork that's piled up. And yes—it's a mountain. He already knows he might need to work overtime, but that's fine.
At exactly 9 a.m., Zhao Yunlan walks in and goes straight to his office. He throws a quick glance toward Shen Wei's desk before disappearing behind the glass door. Shen Wei greets him politely, "Good morning," but receives no response.
Yunlan doesn't even acknowledge him.
As always, the CEO is cold and distant. Several coworkers exchange sympathetic looks—poor Shen Wei. Everyone already likes him. He's warm, respectful, helpful, and let's face it: drop-dead gorgeous. After his contract meeting last week, he already has an unofficial fan club.
At 10 a.m., Zhao Yunlan's voice comes through the intercom.
"Shen Wei, come in."
Inside, Yunlan doesn't look up from the documents he's reading. "What time is the meeting with Li Quin?"
"It's at 12:30 p.m., at the private dining room in a small restaurant downtown," Shen Wei answers, composed.
"Good. In the meantime, I want you to go through as many of the pending files as possible. I noticed you already started this morning."
Shen Wei's lips curve, just a little. A compliment, maybe? Maybe working here won't be as bad as I feared.
***
12:30 p.m. – Restaurant
"Over here, Mr. Zhao Yunlan and Mr. Shen Wei," a graceful woman waves when they walk in.
"You must be the lovely Miss Li Quin," Zhao Yunlan says with a smile that could make the sun blush.
Li Quin turns red instantly.
Shen Wei blinks, stunned for a moment. That smile... It's gentle. Genuine. Sweet. Completely unlike the version of Zhao Yunlan he's seen at the office.
So he does know how to smile, Shen Wei thinks bitterly, eyes flickering away.
The meeting ends right on time—thirty minutes sharp. Before parting, Li Quin invites them to her branch opening party that evening, and Yunlan accepts without hesitation. Shen Wei offers her a polite smile, but inwardly, he's already bracing himself for the event.
Back at the Office – 5 p.m.
The rest of the day goes by quietly. Shen Wei finishes paperwork; Yunlan continues working in his office. By now, the building is almost empty—most employees have gone home.
"Shen Wei, come in for a minute," Yunlan calls through the intercom.
"What can I do for you, CEO Zhao?"
Without looking up, Yunlan asks, "How much of the backlog have you completed?"
"I've finished about two-thirds," Shen Wei answers.
Yunlan looks up sharply, eyebrows raised. "Two-thirds?"
"Yes. You can double-check if you like," Shen Wei offers, his voice calm and unoffended.
Yunlan stares at him a beat longer before muttering, "Bring everything in. Then go get me a dark coffee and something sweet."
"Of course, CEO Zhao."
Shen Wei brings the completed files and then heads out. Fifteen minutes later, he returns with a dark roast, a raspberry almond crumb tart, and a berries and cream tart—neatly plated with a small fork.
He knocks softly before entering.
Inside, Yunlan is asleep on the couch. The day's stress etched faintly in his features, his jacket half-draped over his chest, documents signed and scattered in different piles according to its importance across the desk.
Shen Wei quietly places the plate and coffee nearby. Then, without thinking, he gently covers Yunlan with his jacket.
Just as he turns to leave, an arm pulls him down—suddenly, firmly—and Shen Wei finds himself pressed against Yunlan's chest, held in a warm, unconscious embrace.
His heart skips.
He's asleep... He must be... There's no way this man—this cold CEO—would ever hug him willingly. Shen Wei's thoughts turn bitter as he recalls their lunch with Li Quin earlier.
He tries to wriggle out, but the more he moves, the tighter the hold becomes. Finally, Shen Wei gives up and settles, cheeks burning.
Yunlan's scent—clean, dark, masculine—lingers in the air, and Shen Wei's body grows warm, his muscles relaxing into the comfort of the embrace. He gazes at Yunlan's sleeping face. Calm. Vulnerable. Almost... peaceful.
Why does this feel so safe? So familiar?
Within minutes, sleep claims him too—right there in Zhao Yunlan's arms.
Thirty Minutes Later
Yunlan wakes with a slow inhale... and freezes.
What the hell?
Shen Wei is asleep in his arms. His face is soft, lips slightly parted, body curled into Yunlan's like it's always belonged there.
A jolt of horror runs through Yunlan—he's the one holding Shen Wei tightly. Arms locked around him like something precious he can't let go.
Panic flares. He starts to pull back, muscles tensing—
"Mmm... don't move... it's cold... just a little more, didi..." Shen Wei murmurs, voice thick with sleep, arms tightening around Yunlan's waist.
Yunlan's heart clenches. His body won't move. Can't.
Instead, he stares down at the sleeping face nestled so close to his chest.
His wife.
Shen Wei...
Yunlan squeezes his eyes shut.
He's already losing control—of his heart, his mind, everything.
***
A/N: Phew! Finished with another chapter, hehehhe😆😁😍😘😘. I hope you guys likes it!😍😘😍😘 P.S. Closest picture of them I can get to match with the story~~~~