Lin Xiaoyu reached home that night with her mind full and her heart even fuller.
She changed into her soft pajamas, tied her hair into a messy bun, and collapsed onto her bed with a long sigh.
But instead of relaxing…
She buried her face into her pillow and kicked her feet like a teenage girl in love.
Because finally —
finally —
Li Wenxun wasn't just her handsome, unreachable boss.
He was a man who looked at her with warmth.
He was a man who liked her back.
And maybe… maybe even more than she dared to imagine.
Still, Xiaoyu's heart whispered something else:
What now? What happens next? What if I mess everything up?
She closed her eyes.
Tomorrow would come.
And she would face it.
---
The Next Morning — A Strange New Feeling
When she arrived at the office, everything felt the same… yet nothing felt the same.
The front desk.
The coffee machine.
Her coworkers chatting loudly.
All normal.
But then—
"Good morning."
That familiar deep voice wrapped around her like a warm blanket.
She turned.
There he was.
Li Wenxun, in a crisp grey suit, hair slightly tousled, holding his morning coffee…
and giving her a smile that was too soft for just a 'boss.'
Xiaoyu's breath caught.
He stepped closer — not too close, but close enough for her heart to panic.
"You reached on time today," he said.
"Your dedication is impressive."
She wanted to melt into the floor.
"T-Thank you, sir."
He raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Sir?"
The tiny smile tugging at his lips said everything.
She blinked, flustered.
"I—I mean President Li— I mean Wen— I mean—"
He laughed softly.
"You can call me Wenxun when it's just the two of us."
Her entire soul evaporated.
---
A Little Jealousy Twist
During a team meeting, Xiaoyu sat beside her very chatty coworker, Mei Lin.
Mei Lin leaned close and whispered,
"Wow, the boss looks really handsome today, doesn't he?"
Xiaoyu froze.
She gulped, feeling an unexpected twist in her chest.
"…I guess?"
Mei Lin giggled.
"I would totally date him if he ever looked at me that way. Imagine having him as a boyfriend! Like a real corporate drama!"
Xiaoyu's eyebrow twitched imperceptibly.
She stared at her notes.
The feeling inside her wasn't nice.
It was something else…
A tiny… uncomfortable pinch in her chest.
Am I jealous?
No… no… maybe… yes.
Oh no.
She cleared her throat.
"Well, I heard he doesn't like noisy girls," Xiaoyu whispered without meaning to.
Mei Lin blinked.
"What?"
"Ah—nothing—I mean—just focus on the meeting!" Xiaoyu panicked.
Across the table, Wenxun glanced at her.
Only her.
And he smiled.
The jealousy melted a little.
---
After the Meeting — A Private Moment
Xiaoyu exited the room last, trying not to make eye contact.
But Wenxun gently tapped her shoulder.
"Stay."
Her heartbeat stumbled.
When everyone else left, he stepped closer — just enough to make her breath uneven.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
"Y-Yes."
He tilted his head. "You seemed upset earlier."
She froze.
How did he notice?
She quickly shook her head. "I wasn't—"
He cut her off gently.
"Xiaoyu," he said, "you don't have to pretend with me."
Her heartbeat whispered again.
He sees me… too clearly.
She took a tiny breath.
"It's nothing serious," she murmured. "I just felt… a little…"
He waited.
"…jealous," she whispered, cheeks bright red.
Wenxun's eyes softened instantly.
Gentle. Warm. Delighted.
"So you were jealous," he said quietly.
She covered her face. "Don't say it again."
He chuckled.
"Xiaoyu."
She looked up.
He leaned forward, voice low:
"You don't have to be jealous of anyone."
Her breath hitched.
He continued, even softer:
"Because I only look at you."
Her knees almost gave out.
---
The Slow, Sweet Realization
That evening, as Xiaoyu packed her things, she saw Wenxun standing near the office window, watching the city lights.
He turned when he heard her footsteps.
"Leaving?" he asked.
She nodded.
He walked toward her slowly, like he was matching her heartbeat.
"Xiaoyu," he said, "may I walk you out today?"
She froze.
Her mind shouted: YES PLEASE.
Her mouth said: "If… you want to."
He smiled.
"I do."
---
Ending the Chapter With Soft Romance
They walked out of the building side by side, the night breeze brushing against them.
Xiaoyu hugged her notebook close to her chest.
Wenxun walked quietly, hands in pockets, glancing at her every few seconds like she was something rare and precious.
At the entrance, he stopped.
"Xiaoyu," he said gently.
"I want to take things at your pace… but I also want you to know…"
She looked up.
He breathed out softly.
"I'm falling for you more every day."
Her heart trembled.
And under the warm streetlight glow, she whispered:
"Me too."
Wenxun smiled — the kind of smile that held meaning, promise, and something deeper.
Something that felt a lot like love.