◎When you feel wronged and can’t hold it in, be sure to tell me.◎

The scenery at Guanyun Lake was at its best in June. The lush green grass stretched endlessly, the lake water was crystal clear, and sailboats dotted the surface. The sails, painted with a gradient of green, harmonized beautifully with the natural landscape.

The golf course was packed today, except for Area A, where only a few people lingered, enjoying the open space.

Yue Jincheng swung his club, hitting the ball cleanly into the hole with effortless precision.

Standing nearby, Yue Yunzong applauded. “Beautiful shot!”

Dressed in a light gray sports set, Yue Jincheng’s sunglasses concealed his emotions, making them unreadable.

A caddie approached to hand him a new ball, but Yue Yunzong gestured for her to stop, took the ball himself, and handed it to Yue Jincheng.

Yue Jincheng lowered his chin slightly as he accepted the ball, but instead of swinging again, he held it in his palm, seemingly casual yet exuding an air of disdain.

“Why not continue? Feeling the pressure?” Yue Yunzong teased, his smile ambiguous. “Big Brother should press on while he’s ahead and secure today’s victory.”

“If I don’t step back gracefully, how will others find the motivation to catch up?” Yue Jincheng replied coolly.

Yue Yunzong nodded repeatedly. “But with this score, catching up would be nearly impossible.”

Yue Jincheng tossed the ball to him. “Why don’t you give it a try?”

Caught off guard, Yue Yunzong bent awkwardly to catch it. Ignoring the double entendre, he chuckled it off.

The two brothers walked side by side across the smooth lawn, followed by an electric golf cart.

Yue Yunzong spoke, “The Investment Development Department has no current hiring needs. From a legal and compliance perspective, and for the greater good, my rejection of Jiaxi shouldn’t raise any objections from you, right?”

Yue Jincheng touched his golf club, the coolness of the grip grounding him. “I recall that at the beginning of the month, during the board meeting, the department’s manpower needs for the third quarter were approved.”

Yue Jincheng wasn’t interested in hearing hollow excuses. With a deft turn of phrase, he forced the truth out. By addressing the matter objectively and dismantling Yue Yunzong’s reasoning, any further attempts to evade responsibility would only make Yue Yunzong appear insincere.

“Jiaxi may no longer be part of the Yue family, but she was once. Shouldn’t you extend her some care and consideration? Big Brother, you know my actions prioritize the company’s interests. I believe Jiaxi, with her pride, wouldn’t want to become a controversial hire due to personal connections.”

“Since she was once family, how could you claim ignorance of her situation?” Yue Jincheng feigned surprise. “She graduated from Mingda University’s finance program—her knowledge base is undoubtedly solid. Whether as family or in your capacity as Vice President, shouldn’t you have at least reviewed her resume?”

Caught off guard by Yue Jincheng’s preemptive strike, any further explanation from Yue Yunzong would now seem negligent.

He asked, “Why are you so insistent on bringing Jiaxi into the group?”

Yue Jincheng replied, “Following normal hiring procedures, why would you assume it’s my insistence? Or is your resistance rooted in Fu Jiaxi herself? Would you treat anyone else with such impartiality?”

“Are you accusing me of having ulterior motives?” Yue Yunzong countered with a laugh. “Doesn’t the term ‘self-interest’ sit poorly on me?”

Yue Jincheng knew what he was implying and met his gaze calmly. “If I had selfish intentions, I wouldn’t have sent her to your department. Keeping her close to me would have been easier.”

Yue Yunzong softened his tone. “Personnel matters are handled specifically by Minister Jin. If he agrees, I naturally have no objections.”

This man was one of his trusted subordinates—a pawn Yue Yunzong intended to use to block Fu Jiaxi’s entry.

The group’s internal factions were complex, a mix of old and new. It had taken Yue Jincheng years to stabilize the situation and achieve the current semblance of peace.

Summoning storms and wielding absolute power were scenes confined to novels.

In reality, Yue Jincheng had his moments of insincerity, of weighing pros and cons, of feeling the chill of standing at the pinnacle, and of making sacrifices for the greater good.

But even the first step required crossing mountains. Yue Jincheng still felt anxious for Fu Jiaxi.

Her resume had been stuck with HR for a week without any updates.

However, over the weekend, Fu Jiaxi was unexpectedly notified to come for a written test and interview the next day.

The interview was lengthy but smooth. Minister Jin didn’t deliberately make things difficult, treating her according to standard protocols.

Three days later, she received an offer email:

“Miss Fu, welcome to Baifeng Group. We look forward to officially meeting you next Monday and are honored to work alongside you. Wishing you success and mutual strength.”

For a fleeting moment, Fu Jiaxi was lost in thought.

But soon, the generous salary package in the attachment dispelled any lingering negative emotions.

“Wow, this is Daddy’s company!” Yue Jiayi climbed onto her lap excitedly. “Mommy, are you going to work at Daddy’s company?”

“Yes,” Fu Jiaxi didn’t hide it. “Mommy needs to seize better opportunities and go to better places.”

“I know! And earn more money!” Yue Jiayi raised his hand enthusiastically.

Fu Jiaxi laughed, pinching his hand lightly. “Alright, all for you to spend.”

“When I’m older and earning money, I’ll let you spend mine.”

Overexcited, Yue Jiayi began doing somersaults on the couch.

Fu Jiaxi couldn’t help but smile. “Sweetheart, isn’t your celebration a bit too enthusiastic?”

A somersault later, he landed back in her arms. Yue Jiayi looked up at her, his eyes as pure as black grapes freshly scooped from mountain spring water. He said, “When other kids ask, I can tell them that my daddy and mommy also go to work and come home together.”

His innocent carefulness brought a pang to Fu Jiaxi’s heart.

She almost couldn’t bear to look into those eyes—eyes that brimmed with uncontainable moonlight and inexhaustible breezes. Eyes that carried expectations she couldn’t fulfill and whose hopes she couldn’t comfort.

________________________________________

The next day, Fu Jiaxi arrived fifteen minutes early to report.

An HR specialist escorted her to the Investment Development Department, where she would directly report to Minister Jin Ming.

Jin Ming was in his early forties, unremarkable in appearance, but his sharp eyes lived up to his name. Without airs of superiority or excessive enthusiasm, he called in one person to his office.

“This is Liu Yun, the head of the research team. Familiarize yourself with the basic workflow under his guidance.”

Liu Yun appeared to be around fifty, of medium build. Instead of the typical elite attire, he wore an old-fashioned stand-up collar shirt and silver-rimmed glasses, resembling a high school math teacher.

“Chief Liu, please take care of me in the future. My name is Fu…”

“That’s enough. First, read through the stack of company bylaws on your desk.” Liu Yun interrupted, his tone cold and devoid of warmth.

For the entire morning, Fu Jiaxi sat at the first workstation on the far right.

The dozens of employees in the Investment Development Department were busy with their tasks, paying little attention to whether she was new or not.

Her thermos was empty, and she glanced around for a refill.

“The tea room is straight ahead, then turn left.” The soft, crisp voice came from the workstation behind her.

Fu Jiaxi turned around. The speaker was focused on her screen, typing rapidly. She had short, layered hair, bangs, and a youthful appearance.

Looking up, she introduced herself briefly. “Yu Xiaomi.”

“Fu Jiaxi.”

“Nice name.” Yu Xiaomi was concise. “Alright, back to work.”

At ten o’clock, it was time for the department meeting.

Ten minutes before the start, people began filing into the conference room.

Fu Jiaxi hesitated. On her first day, should she attend?

Two dull thuds echoed as Liu Yun knocked on the table sternly. “Are you waiting to be late? Hurry up and join the meeting.”

“Right away!” Fu Jiaxi quickly gathered her notebook and hurried after him.

By the time she entered, the conference room was full, leaving only a seat near the door.

Fu Jiaxi waited ten seconds to ensure no one else was coming before preparing to sit.

“This spot is reserved for a recorder.” A cold voice rang out from the front of the round table. Xin Hui, dressed in a white satin professional skirt, was haughty and direct. “Please fetch a chair from the office.”

All eyes in the conference room turned to Fu Jiaxi.

She felt as if needles were pricking her back, a bead of cold sweat slowly trickling down her spine.

Suddenly, a gentle voice whispered, “Sit here.”

It was a young male colleague who had just entered. He winked at her and offered a friendly smile.

…

On the top executive floor of Building B at Baifeng Group, an assistant approached the president’s office with a cup of black coffee but was stopped by Jiao Rui at the door. “Is this for President Yue?”

“Yes, Secretary Jiao.”

“At this time, he should’ve already had his first cup.” Jiao Rui glanced at his watch.

“President Yue specifically requested a second cup.”

“…” Jiao Rui nodded. “I’ll take care of it. You go handle other tasks.”

It was rare for Yue Jincheng not to have a meeting in the morning, rarer still for him to neglect official duties. Instead, he stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the scenery.

Jiao Rui understood—his boss was likely thinking about Fu Jiaxi, who had just started working at the company.

“The Investment Development Department held their regular meeting this morning and assigned some routine tasks,” he cleared his throat and added, “Jiaxi also attended.”

Yue Jincheng turned slightly, fixing his gaze on Jiao Rui.

Jiao Rui continued, reporting what he had gathered. “Minister Jin assigned Liu Yun to guide her. Old Liu isn’t much of a talker, but he’s steady and calm. He probably won’t make things too difficult for her.”

His tone was tactful, meant to reassure his boss.

“I’ve read Liu Yun’s analysis report on the lead, zinc, and copper markets from last year. He has vision and foresight. For analytical work, being too restless is a flaw. Whoever works under him will undoubtedly learn something valuable.”

Yue Jincheng’s approving tone was objective, leaving Jiao Rui uncertain of his true intentions.

“Do I really look like someone who’s afraid others will give Jiaxi a hard time?” Yue Jincheng asked unexpectedly.

Jiao Rui’s heart tightened. “… “

Yue Jincheng pressed, “You seem very confident in your judgment.”

Jiao Rui regretted his slip of tongue. “No, President Yue. You don’t look worried at all.”

Yue Jincheng said coldly, “Your inability to stand by your assessment shows a lack of capability as my secretary.”

Jiao Rui wished he could bite his tongue. “… “

Yue Jincheng stepped toward the door, fastening the button of his suit jacket. “Let’s go check out the Investment Development Department.”

Jiao Rui: “…? “

Ten minutes later, they arrived at Building A from Building B.

Jiao Rui wanted to slap his forehead. It would’ve been better to fill the boss’s schedule with meetings than to come here.

Through the automatic glass doors, the office interior was fully visible.

Fu Jiaxi moved tirelessly between workstations like a fish swimming upstream—bending to listen, carrying coffee drinks. In just five minutes, she was criticized by one colleague, likely for getting the sweetness level of the coffee wrong.

She was tall and slender, her white dress accentuating her elegance. She resembled a narcissus flower—white and green, harmonious and serene—but the way she humbled herself made Yue Jincheng’s brow unconsciously furrow.

Jiao Rui knew his boss well.

This was already… uncomfortable.

“I’ll go talk to Minister Jin,” Jiao Rui offered proactively.

Yue Jincheng remained silent for two minutes.

His impeccably tailored suit emphasized his stern expression even more.

“No need,” he said finally. “Back to the office.”

________________________________________

The employee cafeteria at Baifeng Group was perhaps the most comforting place there.

With over a dozen dishes spanning both northern and southern cuisines, even the pickiest palates were satisfied.

During lunchtime, people gathered in small groups, seemingly oblivious to her presence. Fu Jiaxi, ever perceptive, blended in seamlessly, her posture relaxed and natural.

After serving herself rice and choosing some delicious dishes, Fu Jiaxi didn’t have much of an appetite. The cafeteria was spacious and tastefully decorated, but it lacked a certain warmth.

Carrying her meal box, Fu Jiaxi took the elevator straight to the rooftop.

Here, the space was vast and lofty, the wind and sunlight feeling real against her skin.

She sat on the stone steps with varying heights, her long hair swaying in the breeze as she gazed down at the cityscape.

“If you don’t eat soon, your food will get cold,” a familiar voice suddenly spoke behind her. But it was so familiar that Fu Jiaxi wasn’t startled or surprised.

She turned her head slightly, looking at Yue Jincheng, who held a white meal box in his hand. “Are you here looking for a lunch buddy?”

Yue Jincheng smiled faintly and walked over to sit beside her.

His long legs showcased his advantage; even in a suit, his movements were elegant and unrestrained.

“What are you eating?” Fu Jiaxi asked.

Yue Jincheng opened the lid.

Shrimp, greens, braised winter melon—exactly the same as hers.

“I was just five people behind you in line.”

Fu Jiaxi had no recollection of this.

It was precisely because he noticed her distracted state that Yue Jincheng had followed her up here.

“I thought presidents always had private meals,” Fu Jiaxi teased.

“There used to be, but today, you’re the main reason.” Yue Jincheng replied smoothly. “So I came to hear employees’ thoughts on whether后勤工作 needs improvement.”

Fu Jiaxi understood the underlying meaning—he was asking about her first day on the job.

“It’s fine,” she said. “No matter where you work, it’s always the same: first integrate, then reflect, and finally create your own conditions.”

The rooftop wind blew in waves like the sea, distorting reality and making it easy to lose focus.

At this moment, Fu Jiaxi’s eyes shimmered with a faint caramel hue under the sunlight, like amber hidden deep in a forest, carefully concealing itself.

Yue Jincheng felt both hesitant and pleased.

The person beside him hadn’t changed.

Resilient, beautiful, and with a sincere determination to give her all, Fu Jiaxi excelled at building herself a shelter from harsh weather, smiling brightly through it all.

Any attempt at comfort now would feel superfluous.

Especially coming from him in a position of authority—it carried an undertone of judgment and bias.

When the gust of wind temporarily subsided, Yue Jincheng finally spoke. “If you ever feel overwhelmed, be sure to tell me.”

Fu Jiaxi tilted her head. “Do you extend this level of care to every employee at the company?”

“Of course,” Yue Jincheng met her gaze. “But I can’t treat everyone equally.”

“Because I’m your ex-wife? Or because I’m the mother of your child?” Fu Jiaxi said. “You don’t want to lose face with someone connected to you, right?”

Yue Jincheng’s expression remained calm. “I want you to live well, in a way that you define as ‘good.’ If you truly minded my ‘favoritism’ toward you, you wouldn’t have chosen to join Baifeng. After all, if you couldn’t let go, seeing me every day would be torture and pain.”

He spoke calmly. “I know what you’re trying to convey—to not interfere, to not treat you differently, to not have high expectations of you, and to not hinder your new life.”

… On any level.

Fu Jiaxi’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, perhaps not expecting him to understand her so accurately.

Empathy and perspective-taking truly resonated deeply.

If only they had maintained such calmness amidst warmth in the past, perhaps things wouldn’t have ended up this way…

“Am I wrong?” Yue Jincheng interrupted her thoughts.

Fu Jiaxi collected herself, her lips curling into a faint smile. “Why does it sound like I’m the difficult boss now?”

Yue Jincheng shifted his gaze away from her lovely face. “I’m the boss, and I’m not difficult either. But Jiaxi, you’re Jiayi’s mother, the mother of our child. If you ever face difficulties, I will never stand idly by.”

She had weighed her options.

When Yue Jincheng took over Baifeng Group, they had already finalized their divorce. Since then, he had protected her and Jiayi well, ensuring no photos or images of them appeared in public. So joining Baifeng—aside from Yue Yunzong and Jiao Rui—no one else should recognize her.

A small ripple spread in Fu Jiaxi’s heart, but the rooftop wind quickly smoothed it away.

She declared her intentions openly yet carried a sharp, concealed blade within.

Yue Jincheng, magnanimous and clear-headed, bore a few dull wounds nonetheless.

Having received the attitude she sought, Fu Jiaxi felt relieved. Tilting her head, she raised an eyebrow at him teasingly. “Using your position for personal gain?”

“Yes.”

“Then, President Yue, please buy me a mango juice.”

“The president is allergic to mangoes. None of the cafeterias or break rooms in the company sell or stock mango drinks.”

Fu Jiaxi said, “Breaking promises, not caring for subordinates at all.”

Yue Jincheng retorted without hesitation, “As a subordinate, showing no respect for your boss.”

They stared at each other, a brief silence falling.

In their exchanged gazes lay understanding, empathy, mutual comprehension, wistfulness, and regret. Like fleeting fireworks in the endless night sky—vivid yet ephemeral, beautiful for a moment before vanishing into thin air.

After the two-hour lunch break, Fu Jiaxi returned to her afternoon tasks.

Running errands, photocopying documents, listening attentively, and subtly analyzing relationships—all while exerting effort and focus.

Halfway through the exhausting workload, when fatigue was at its peak, voices rang out in the office. “Alright, everyone, take a break. We have afternoon tea today!”

Everyone paused their work in surprise. “Wow, so much!”

“Secretary Jiao, you personally delivered the treats?”

“Secretary Jiao, you’ve secured another perk for us!”

A fully loaded double-decker cart arrived, filled with beverages, desserts, grilled skewers, and more.

Jiao Rui handled the flattery with ease. “It’s the height of summer. Everyone, balance work and rest. Help yourselves.”

Finally, while everyone was busy selecting their snacks, he discreetly carried a brown paper bag and placed it on Fu Jiaxi’s desk.

“Sister Jiaxi,” Jiao Rui whispered. “This is specially prepared for you by President Yue.”

Fu Jiaxi was momentarily stunned. “Ah, oh, thank you.”

She opened the bag and smiled.

Inside was a mango shaved ice dessert with sago pearls.