Haifeng had grown used to a rhythm.
In his office, no one entered unless they were a direct subordinate.
Guests were first led to a reception room, vetted, and then forwarded up.
As for strangers?
Impossible. Security wouldn't even let them past the front gate.
Except… this time, he was wrong.
An outsider had slipped through.
"President Lu," said a soft, teasing voice. "Hello, I'm here for an interview."
He frowned.
The voice didn't ring a bell. He looked up—and saw a delicate, dazzling beauty standing before him.
No clue who she was.
"Miss," he said politely. "Human Resources conduct interviews. That's on the third floor. You've come to the wrong office."
He figured she had just gotten lost. He made a mental note to scold HR for sending interviewees without notice.
"I didn't come to the wrong place," she replied, half-smiling.
"HR told me to come here."
Haifeng blinked.
"What? HR told you to come… directly to me?"
"Why didn't anyone report this?" He frowned and reached for his phone.
"I'm going to ask what's going on."
His tone wasn't angry at her but directed at the HR department. He believed in strict order. If every team did what they wanted, the company would fall apart.
No rules, no structure. No structure, no empire.
Just as he was about to dial, the girl burst into laughter.
"Crybaby! Long time no see!"
Haifeng froze.
No one had called him that in over a decade.
His head snapped up.
Crybaby…
His childhood nickname.
Back then, he'd been bossed around by one person—the female tyrant.
She beat him up, took his toys, made him call her "older sister," and pushed him into ponds for fun. She named him Crybaby because he always ended up in tears.
And now…
Could it be… Ye Lingzhi?
"No way," he thought. "That she-devil wouldn't talk to me so sweetly.
And besides, Mom said she wouldn't be here for another week. It's only been two days!"
It must be someone else. It can't be her.
The woman stepped closer, playfully pouting.
"What's wrong, Crybaby? Don't recognize me?"
"I came here without even going home, and you've already forgotten me?"
"I knew it. You hate me now, huh?"
Haifeng's brain finally caught up.
"Wait… are you… Ye Lingzhi?"
She smiled wickedly.
"Hehe, not bad. You've got some brains, after all."
"Your big sis didn't spoil you for nothing back then."
"If you'd forgotten me—well, have you ever seen a fist this size?"
She raised her hand and shook a fist the size of a soup pot.
Haifeng flinched on reflex.
Yep. That's her.
The fake gentle act was gone. This was the real Ye Lingzhi—the fist-wielding, title-stealing childhood nightmare in a stunning adult package.
He felt a cold sweat run down his back.
She had always insisted on being called "big sister" even though she was younger than him.
And any attempt to resist? I met with a knuckle sandwich.
If she starts beating me in the office… the staff will never let it go.
His pride trembled.
A man's head can bleed, but his reputation? Never.
He sighed inwardly.
Why must she be so beautiful… but act like a bossy warlord? With that personality, who would dare marry her?
Lingzhi grinned as he shrank back slightly.
"How could I forget you?" he said, forcing a smile. "Even if I forgot myself, I'd still remember Ye Lingzhi."
"It's been over ten years. You look amazing. Why didn't you let me know you were back? I would've picked you up."
Inside, he was dying.
I've tried so hard to forget. But a fist that big doesn't fade from memory.
And now that she's here… pretending I don't know her isn't an option anymore.
"You liar," she teased.
"You didn't recognize me until I called you Crybaby.
You'd still be scratching your head if I hadn't said anything."
Haifeng coughed.
"Heaven and earth, I swear—my conscience is clear.
It's just… you've changed so much."
"There's a saying: 'A woman changes eighteen times as she grows up.'
You're so beautiful now, I didn't dare assume. Would've been awkward if I guessed wrong."
He tried his best to cover that he'd not recognized her.
But deep down?
This woman is a walking grenade—and I'm in the blast radius.