Zhong's Machinery Co., Ltd. was an obscure, medium-sized company that had only been established a little over two months prior, renting half a floor in a building within the prestigious office district near the main avenue downtown.

Dong Wan had just graduated from Mingzhou Municipal University's journalism program, yet she became the receptionist at this fledgling company precisely because she couldn't stomach the backroom dealings and unspoken rules plaguing the media industry.

Fresh out of an ordinary family background, she was barely settled into an internship at a local television station when she received a thinly veiled sexual suggestion from an assistant director. She was instantly filled with righteous indignation, nearly slapping that ugly, repulsive face.

When the assistant director was rebuffed, he merely offered a cold smile. The result was that throughout her entire internship, she never once appeared on camera, while another female classmate, less attractive and academically weaker than her, became the darling of the screen simply because she had successfully charmed this assistant director.

Later, Dong Wan heard whispers that this assistant director carried significant weight; though his title was 'assistant director,' even the directors had to heed his word.

Subsequently, several people approached her with messages, hinting that they could help her neutralize the problem with the assistant director. Naturally, such favors were not granted freely, and the method of repayment was self-evident.

From that point on, Dong Wan’s heart turned completely cold. The person who eventually delivered the final message was none other than the station's General Manager himself. What stunned her even more was that his son had visited her before the General Manager did.

She saw it all clearly then. Utterly disillusioned, upon receiving her diploma, she immediately ripped it into shreds, vowing never to set foot in the media industry again.

She tried several other jobs subsequently, perhaps fate deemed her a harbinger of misfortune, because every position she took involved encountering a lecherous supervisor who incessantly harassed her, leaving her mentally and physically exhausted.

Fortunately, she finally found this company with a pleasant environment. Although the chairman was young, he never looked at her with suggestive eyes. Her direct supervisor was a woman, and more importantly, her direct supervisor was the chairman's wife.

Working here, although she attracted many admirers, she faced no harassment from management, nor did anyone leverage their authority to pressure her into compliance. She found contentment in this, even if the salary for the job felt meager considering her qualifications.

Closing time was approaching. Dong Wan glanced down beneath the counter at five bouquets of brightly blooming flowers of various colors. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. Since she started working here, she received a flood of flowers and invitations every day, many from promising, outstanding young men. Yet, not one had managed to stir her heart.

“Excuse me, is this Zhong's Machinery?” Dong Wan, momentarily distracted, heard a slightly magnetic male voice. She quickly looked up, fixing a polite smile on her face. “Hello, welcome.”

It was an unremarkable-looking male student, looking directly at her with bright, steady eyes. Dong Wan was used to men’s gazes and paid it no mind. Her attention was captured by the student’s uniform: First High School—her alma mater.

The boy stared at her blankly for a moment, then suddenly shook his head, making a clicking sound with his tongue, muttering something under his breath.

Dong Wan frowned slightly, thinking the boy impolite, but her smile remained undiminished. She asked, “How may I help you?”

The boy clearly noticed her slight displeasure and explained with a smile, “My apologies. I was just thinking about how high a salary the boss here must pay to secure a receptionist like you.”

Dong Wan let out a soft laugh, one different from her previous professional smile—it was clearly genuine. This boy was rather interesting.

The boy didn’t linger, asking instead, “Excuse me, where is the Chairman’s office?”

“You’re looking for the Chairman? May I ask what this is regarding?” Out of duty, Dong Wan had to inquire.

“I’m here for business,” the boy replied with a slight smile.

Dong Wan assumed he was joking and was about to speak when the Chairman’s secretary emerged and called out, “Secretary Park…”

“I know,” Secretary Park nodded, smiling at the boy. “Follow me.”

The boy offered a quick greeting to Dong Wan and walked inside.

Dong Wan felt a surge of curiosity. What was this boy’s identity?

The incident was merely a small ripple in her life, quickly forgotten.

Two days later, Dong Wan stood at the reception desk as a sharply dressed man in his early thirties, carrying a large bouquet of vibrant red roses, approached with a flushed, beaming face.

The moment Dong Wan saw this man, a headache started brewing. This man was a department manager at a large trading company whose offices were just upstairs. Since first seeing her, he had launched an unrelenting courtship, showing remarkable persistence.

“Good morning,” the man greeted with a brilliant smile. “Xiao Dong, you are as radiant as ever.”

“Mr. Zhao, it is business hours. Please do not disturb me,” Dong Wan said expressionlessly, a stark contrast to the gentle politeness she showed actual clients.

Undeterred by her cold reception, Mr. Zhao continued to smile. “There’s no one else around now. I figured you must be bored here alone, so I came to see you. Don’t worry, I won’t interrupt your work.”

Dong Wan was helpless against his shamelessness. Her ice-cold rejections, which worked perfectly in college, had zero effect on him. She had clearly underestimated the thickness of these corporate managers’ skins.

Furthermore, he made no physical moves nor used any lewd language, so she couldn't simply chase him away. Dong Wan chose silence, treating him as if he didn’t exist.

A flicker of triumph crossed Mr. Zhao’s lips. He knew exactly that she was too reserved, which was why he dared to cling to her so relentlessly. As for pride? If one could win over such a beautiful woman, what did pride matter?

He placed the flowers in front of Dong Wan’s counter. “I passed the florist just now and saw these blooms. They reminded me that you like flowers, so I bought them for you.”

Dong Wan shook her head and didn’t take them. “I don’t want them.”

“Accepting the polite gifts between friends is basic social etiquette, you know,” Mr. Zhao said, smiling.

Just as Dong Wan was about to reply, a voice laced with sarcasm drifted from the doorway: “I wonder if harassing the female staff of another company counts as basic social etiquette?”

Dong Wan looked over and was surprised to see the junior from her alma mater of two days ago leaning against the wall, looking pointedly at the man named Zhao with ill intent.

“Uncle, what era are you living in? Do you think pestering someone nonstop will win you a woman? Did you time-travel from the last century?”

Despite being mocked so directly, Mr. Zhao didn't become angry. He frowned and asked Dong Wan, “Do you know him?”

Before Dong Wan could answer, the boy walked to the counter and pressed the alarm button. “Security, there is an unidentified man on the 36th floor harassing my employee. Please come and handle the situation.”

Mr. Zhao’s face drained of color. If security actually arrived, he would instantly become the laughingstock of the entire building. He shot the boy a look of venomous resentment and, not daring to linger for another second, scurried away shamefacedly.

“And your flowers,” the boy snatched up the bouquet of bright red roses and hurled them toward the retreating man’s back, hitting him squarely on the head.

Watching the man flee in such utter humiliation, not even bothering to pick up the flowers, the boy burst into loud laughter.

Dong Wan couldn't help but chuckle, letting out a small laugh. After a moment, she said to the boy, “Thank you.”

The boy brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, a brilliant smile spreading across his face. “I’m thankful you didn't get upset that I ruined your good moment.”

Dong Wan covered her mouth with a smile, then extended her hand. “My name is Dong Wan.”

“My name is Zhong Yun.” The boy clasped her long, fair hand.

P: Gratitude to the brothers who voted for me last night, I am extremely grateful. The weekly recommendation slot competition is fierce; we still need more votes. After reading, please cast your valuable vote.