8:55 AM.
The entire staff of Z.Y. Empire stood in a perfectly straight line, almost like a school assembly.
Some people were breathing heavily, some had trembling hands, and everyone shared only one fear:
"The new boss is arriving today… THE ZAIN YAN."
One girl whispered nervously,
"I heard he's incredibly handsome… and he lived abroad for 15 years."
Another added,
"Handsome? Yes. But they say he's a merciless man. He never made a single friend in school or college. Just studied, worked, and stayed cold. People call him a heartless wolf."
Someone else mumbled,
"He's the son of our previous boss. And if we thought our old boss was strict… his son is ten times worse."
Aanya leaned slightly toward Huan Jing and whispered in her ear,
"At this point, I miss our old boss. At least he didn't make rules like this. The new one glued a list of rules on the wall like warning posters!"
Huan Jing sighed dramatically.
"What can we do? We all have to work under him now."
Just then, the receptionist softly announced:
"The CEO has arrived…"
The elevator chimed.
A cold gust of air seemed to sweep through the corridor.
His footsteps — slow, steady, confident — echoed like authority itself.
First came Tiang, the Vice-President.
Then Manager Li.
And finally… Zain Yan stepped out, dressed in luxury, his presence sharp enough to cut through the silence.
Everyone's heads instantly bowed.
No one dared to meet his eyes.
The assistant raised his voice clearly:
"All employees, greet the CEO."
Together, everyone bent respectfully and said:
"WELCOME, CEO ZAIN YAN."
The receptionist stepped forward and offered him a bouquet.
Zain glanced at it with a cold, annoyed expression.
His voice held the tone of someone whose time was more valuable than air itself:
"These things are unnecessary. They only waste time."
Aanya thought immediately,
Then why did you make us stand here? You wasted our time too… heartless wolf.
She stiffened when she realized he was staring directly at her.
Did he hear my thoughts? Oh no… no no no.
Zain spoke again, his gaze sweeping the room with chilling calm.
"I only appreciate people who work. If anyone shows even a hint of laziness, they may leave this office immediately."
His eyes returned to Aanya for a brief second — sharp, unreadable… as if he was silently measuring her.
"From today, I am your permanent CEO," he said. "I expect discipline. And I expect rules to be followed."
Aanya swallowed hard.
No… this man is not normal.
He really is a heartless wolf… he can kill someone with just a look.
Aanya, do NOT make mistakes. Stay far away from this man. He looks like walking trouble.
Suddenly, Zain stepped toward her.
Aanya froze.
Please God… don't let him hear my thoughts again.
He placed the bouquet into her hands.
"Miss Aanya Lu, right?"
Aanya nodded quickly.
"You will decide what to do with this bouquet."
And without waiting for her reply, he walked away.
Tiang and Manager Li followed him.
Huan Jing stared with wide eyes.
"Girl… what was THAT? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
Aanya whispered,
"He… he looks at me like he'll eat me alive…"
Everyone around them began whispering.
"Do they know each other?"
"Why only her?"
"Did she get special treatment?"
Aanya pushed her glasses up nervously and shook her head.
"No! He must have seen my ID card. And I was standing right in front. Anyone else in my place would have received the bouquet. That's all."
The staff nodded slowly.
"Hmm… yes, maybe you're right."
They laughed a little and went back to their departments.
Meanwhile, in the CEO's cabin, Zain examined the luxurious interior.
The plaque on his desk read:
"Zain Yan — CEO"
Tiang leaned against the table, smirking.
"So? How's your new cabin?"
Zain replied calmly, without emotion,
"Not bad."
Tiang gasped playfully.
"Hearing praise from you is like bringing the moon to earth."
Zain's lips twitched — not a smile, but close.
"You're right about that."
Tiang asked more seriously,
"So… how do you know Aanya? Please don't tell me you're interested in her."
Zain looked away.
"I saw her name on her ID card. Don't overthink."
Then quietly, to himself,
"But she didn't want to be a designer… Then why did she become one…?"
The scene shifted.
Xuyan burst into Zhenyu's room angrily.
"How could you make that boy the CEO?! That position belonged to my son!"
Zhenyu sighed.
"Calm down first."
"How can I calm down? You promised he'd never return to China!"
Her husband replied firmly,
"Your son never wanted this weight. He wanted to be a famous singer — and he succeeded. Besides, Father transferred all property to Zain. Unless he himself chooses otherwise, nothing can change."
"And he didn't even greet us properly," she snapped.
"He must have come for a reason," Zhenyu murmured.
"And his name is not Jiarui anymore. It's Zain Yan."
Xuyan clenched her fists.
"That boy is my biggest problem. I won't let him live peacefully."
Back in the office, Aanya sat at her desk with her hands on her head.
"He kept staring at me… like a wild wolf. As if he would bite me any moment."
Huan Jing slid her chair closer.
"What happened? Why are you so scared?"
Aanya whispered,
"It's nothing…"
Huan Jing smiled.
"You know that guy who saved you from falling the other day? The one in the black shirt? That was our boss — Zain Yan."
Aanya blinked.
"I completely forgot about him… What a coincidence."
Huan Jing continued excitedly,
"Anyway, tomorrow is Sunday. Shall we go for drinks?"
"Sorry," Aanya said softly. "I have to help at my father's restaurant. You know how much debt we have."
"How much is left?" Huan Jing asked.
"Two crores…"
"What?! So much?"
Aanya nodded.
Huan Jing immediately transferred two lakhs to her account.
"Take this. It might help."
Aanya quickly returned the money.
"No! This is your savings. You'll need it someday."
Huan Jing's voice softened.
"So you don't consider me your friend?"
Aanya hugged her tightly.
"You're my soul sister. But this money is yours. If something ever happens to you… if you can't walk or work… then I'll take it. Not before."
"Nothing will happen to me!" Huan Jing laughed.
"What will you do without me?"
Both laughed together.
Just then, Zain and Tiang entered the office floor.
Aanya and Huan Jing immediately pretended to work.
Zain's eyes locked on Aanya — unblinking, intense, unreadable.
While Tiang glanced at Huan Jing with mild curiosity.
Zain's gaze lingered on Aanya like a silent claim… as if he was seeing someone he had lost once.