Chapter 1

Chapter 1

On the day of Beijing’s first snow, I was on the top floor of Fu Corporation, working as a simultaneous interpreter.

Fu Shiyu sat at the far end of the long conference table, his fingertips tapping lightly against the surface.

After a full three hours, the meeting finally ended.

The Italian representative rose with a smile, took the initiative to extend a hand to Fu Shiyu, and said something.

Fu Shiyu gave a slight nod and shook his hand.

I gathered the shorthand notebook and voice recorder in front of me, my fingertips a little cold.

His executive assistant, Zhou Yun, walked over and handed me a thick envelope. His voice was even and measured.

“Thank you for your hard work, Miss Jiang. We’ll notify you once the time is set for next spring’s meeting with the German side.”

I took it. The envelope was much thicker than what our contract had stipulated.

“Thank you, Executive Assistant Zhou. Please thank CEO Fu on my behalf.” My voice remained steady.

Zhou Yun nodded, then turned and quickly caught up with Fu Shiyu.

Before the elevator doors slid shut, Fu Shiyu turned his head to give some instructions. He didn’t look in my direction once.

Three years.

I knew all his work habits. I could predict the direction of his decisions with precision.

But he probably didn’t even remember my full name.

When I walked out of the Fu Corporation building, the snow had grown denser.

I tightened my grip on the envelope, its edge digging into my palm.

Not far away, that black Bentley Mulsanne slowly merged into the traffic on Chang’an Street and disappeared from sight.

My phone vibrated. My best friend, Lin Wei, had sent me a message.

[Qing Bar tonight. I’ll warm you up.]

Looking in the direction the car had gone, I slowly typed back:

[Okay. I need to talk to you about something.]

Qing Bar was one of the hardest bars in the city to get a reservation at.

Lin Wei was a regular there, and also a curator with a modest reputation.

By the time I arrived, she was already waiting with a beautifully colored cocktail in hand.

The moment she saw me, she winked.

“Well, well. Our model worker actually didn’t stay late today? Young Master Fu finally let you go?”

I took off my coat, still dusted with snow, and sat down. Ignoring her teasing, I pulled the envelope from my bag and pushed it toward her.

“Do me a favor.”

Lin Wei opened it and glanced inside, then arched a brow.

“This much? Are you hiring a hitman?”

“Buying a dress.” I took a sip of the hot water that had just been served.

“Next weekend, the Sotheby’s Charity Gala. I need an invitation and an outfit that will make people remember me.”

Lin Wei froze for two seconds, then lowered her voice. “Fu Shiyu will be there?”

“Mm.” I nodded.

Fu Corporation was one of the main sponsors of the gala. He would definitely attend.

At events like that, bringing a female companion was customary, but he had always come and gone alone.

That was his world. I had never tried to step into it.

“You…” Lin Wei’s gaze turned complicated, filled with surprise and worry.

“It’s been three years. I thought you truly wanted nothing, that you were content being part of the backdrop.”

“I just want to change positions and see the view from somewhere else.” I watched the steam rising from the glass, my tone calm.

Lin Wei was silent for a moment. Then she picked up the envelope and stuffed it back into my hands.

“Keep your money. I’ll handle the invitation and the clothes. But Wanwan-”

She was rarely this serious. “A man like Fu Shiyu has thoughts as deep as the ocean. What kind of pretty women do you think he hasn’t seen around him? Have you thought this through? If you play with fire, it’s easy to get burned.”

I met her gaze and smiled.

“I’m not trying to play with fire.” At least, not yet.

I just didn’t want to keep being that silent shadow anymore.