A cold, domineering CEO falls in love at first sight with a naive, young employee and secretly protects her before subtly making her his wife.

The atmosphere at Hang Viễn that day was heavy with tension and anticipation. Rumors of a company-wide inspection by a “major figure” spread like wildfire, forcing all departments to review their work and brace themselves for a sudden, uncompromising audit. The mysterious Mr. Chu (Chu tiên sinh), whose very name commanded reverence, was the focal point. Everyone understood this was no ordinary visit.

“Mr. Chu, welcome to our inspection. Please come in,” the greeting was polite but laced with deference.

Manager Mạnh seized the moment, his voice full of excitement: “This is a rare chance to shine! Who wants to come up with me and report directly to the leader?”

His eyes settled on Cố Giao (Tiểu Cố), the most proficient with the system. Though the initial choice was another, Manager Mạnh’s confidence in Cố Giao’s capability won out: “Alright, Tiểu Cố, you’re the one. I’m coming with you. Tiểu Cố is the most reliable one.” He instructed her privately: “Try to choose familiar sections for the system demonstration. Do not open the incomplete or high-risk areas. Understand?” Cố Giao replied softly: “Understood, sir.” But in her eyes, a resolute flame for professional honesty had been ignited, signaling an action that would break the rules.

(Development)

1. The Honest Act on Stage: Stepping into the conference room with Manager Mạnh, Cố Giao felt magnetically drawn to Mr. Chu. He was exactly as rumored—striking in appearance, possessing an imposing charisma that made him the absolute center of attention. Initially, Secretary Từ attempted to postpone the report. But Mr. Chu, with calm yet decisive authority, commanded: “Since they’ve prepared fully, let them go through it quickly. Don’t discourage the young people’s morale.”

Cố Giao began the operation. She deliberately hesitated: “Sorry, the network here is a bit slow. Let me try again.” And then, ignoring the manager’s explicit warning, her finger moved swiftly, clicking (or deliberately “mis-clicking”) on the notorious “Hoa Hưng Street and Housing Renovation” project—the highest risk area. The screen displayed abnormal data. Mr. Chu immediately questioned: “I recall the Hoa Hưng street project and comprehensive housing renovation were completed last November… Is this a basic data entry error, or is there something else at issue?”

He looked straight at Manager Mạnh: “This system was implemented to improve efficiency, but now it appears to be a tool to conceal problems and create a false sense of prosperity.” He concluded with an authoritative order: “I want to see your comprehensive report on this within one month.”

When Manager Mạnh angrily turned to scold her, Cố Giao simply bowed her head, using nervousness as a shield for her intentional act: “I apologize, Manager. I was too nervous. I couldn’t perform and only managed to mess things up.”

Mr. Chu watched her leave and said to Secretary Từ: “She’s timid, yet she dared to expose a hidden issue right under my nose during the system operation. She’s probably the most audacious person here. So, Tiểu Cố did that on purpose? The courage of the young is commendable, though her judgment in men seems poor. Call Mạnh Trường Quân and add two items to the corrective report: grassroots staff feedback on system operations and suggestions for an anonymous reporting mechanism, the more detailed the better.” He clearly saw through her courageous intent.

2. The Romantic Rupture: Stepping out of the company, Cố Giao saw Trình Mục, the Trình Second Young Master of the group, waiting. She was cold: “Explain what? Explain why you smell of perfume or why there’s a lipstick mark on your collar?”

“Cố Giao, if I lack the ability to make the Trình Second Young Master turn his head, it proves we have no fate together. We might as well part peacefully. Let’s break up.”

Trình Mục was driven to near-madness, pleading, citing their five years of pursuit, and the pressures of his job, even implying his actions were “for our future.” Cố Giao merely sneered, unconvinced by his excuses. She replied with a sarcastic jab, indicating she knew whose lipstick it was: “Next time, buy the pink one.” She turned and walked away, making a decisive and uncompromising statement.

3. The New Beginnings: At the headquarters, Cố Giao was summoned again. She discovered the calligraphy on the wall was by Principal Trần Tấn Nam of Bắc Kinh University—who had personally given her a congratulatory message. Mr. Chu questioned why she gave up the chance for advanced studies to join the company. She affirmed: “I have my own aspirations.”

Mr. Chu then deliberately kept her in the room to listen to the housing report, providing her a learning opportunity. He even cautioned her about her date with her boyfriend (Trình Mục) at a hotel, implying a casual lifestyle, which she hurriedly corrected.

However, she soon discovered Trình Mục planned to trap her into an engagement during his hotel birthday party, not for love, but to “create a spectacle to boost viewership” and “force her to show her attitude.” Her disappointment was profound: “He hasn’t thought about my situation or circumstances at all. A man that selfish only ever thinks of himself.”

4. A Career Shift: At the same time, Mr. Chu paid special attention to Cố Giao’s report on her hometown, Huyện Đường. He invited her to join the five-day inspection team. She knew this was a rare opportunity to realize her ambitions, despite the trip conflicting with Trình Mục’s birthday. She chose her career.

The next morning, Trình Mục chased after them, blocking the car and demanding she get out. Mr. Chu ordered Secretary Từ to call the police, publicly protecting Cố Giao from the harassment. Cố Giao coldly told Trình Mục they would talk when she returned.

During the trip, Mr. Chu assigned her the important task of leading the team on a survey tour. She took them to the abandoned Hướng Dương apartment complex, a stalled Hoàn Vũ Group project, and frankly pointed out that the cause was “stuck in some internal approval stage,” affecting the livelihoods of thousands of households. Mr. Chu was impressed: “Indeed, this girl has guts.”

5. The Hongmen Banquet: Upon her return, Cố Giao reluctantly met Trình Mục’s mother. The mother orchestrated a subtly hostile dinner. She criticized a fish dish and, by extension, Cố Giao, then presented a prenuptial agreement, wanting her to be a rich wife and quit her job. Cố Giao sharply retorted, using the fish dish to criticize the mother’s poor judgment: “A good tùng quế fish requires extremely pure living water… The dish wasn’t due to the wrong ingredient but the chef’s poor technique.” She decisively refused, reclaiming her dignity: “Having grown accustomed to tùng quế fish, I can’t swallow any other delicacy. Please tell your mother I’m ignorant and ungrateful for her kindness.”

6. The Closer Connection: Afterward, Cố Giao’s work was highly praised, leading to a new arrangement: weekly direct reports to Mr. Chu at the headquarters. The intelligent girl brewed him tea and successfully requested the reports be switched to online every Friday evening, which Mr. Chu agreed to.

This relationship further complicated when Cố Giao agreed to tutor Mr. Chu’s nephew, A Đoan, in physics. She came to his home, challenged the boy to a game, and quickly earned his respect. When Mr. Chu returned, she realized they were uncle and nephew, not father and son as she had mistakenly assumed. She awkwardly apologized, and he invited her to stay for lunch.

(Climax)

1. The Night of Reckoning: Her six-year relationship finally ended in bitterness. Trình Mục tried one last time to corner and embarrass her. Cố Giao rushed to a bar, drinking heavily to drown her fury. “Trình Mục, you are truly a scoundrel. We are over, do you hear me? Get lost!” In her drunkenness, she was harassed by older men, but bravely pushed them away.

Mr. Chu arrived to find her, concerned for his staff’s safety. He took her back to his private residence. The next morning, Cố Giao awoke, deeply embarrassed and worried about the “improper conduct.” She hurriedly apologized, assuming she had inconvenienced him.

Dì Lưu, the housekeeper, reassured her: “The Master is a man of integrity and would certainly not do anything inappropriate. I was the one who looked after you last night.” Cố Giao was relieved but felt even smaller for having suspected a righteous man like Mr. Chu. She apologized again, and Mr. Chu merely replied: “If you truly feel bad, drink less alcohol from now on.”

2. Public Defense: At the alumni gathering, Trình Mục appeared again. During a game, Cố Giao said her ideal partner would be “about three years older, no more than five years,” a comment immediately used to tease her about Mr. Chu, who was a full 12 years older. Trình Mục tried to pull her away.

Just then, Mr. Chu appeared. Cố Giao cried out for help: “Mr. Chu, save me.” He immediately intervened, publicly defending her with a sharp declaration: “Trần Second Young Master, you dare harass my staff? Try me.” He gave her his car keys, told her to get into the car, and left him to handle Trình Mục.

3. Naivety and Caution: During the Friday night online report, Cố Giao thanked him again, calling him a “caring leader” and affirming her complete trust, believing he was a perfect gentleman.

Mr. Chu turned his chair, looking directly at her: “Have you ever considered what might happen when a person of the opposite sex takes you home late at night?” He cautioned her about her naivety. He quickly moved the conversation to business, mentioning the Hướng Dương project and her impending move.

(Ending)

On Cố Giao’s moving day, A Đoan called, asking to help, and Mr. Chu appeared as well. Cố Giao was flustered: “How can I let my boss help me move?” Mr. Chu insisted: “Don’t be so formal. Today, I am just A Đoan’s uncle. You are a great teacher to A Đoan, so helping my student’s teacher move is only natural.”

While moving, Cố Giao accidentally bumped into his arm. He immediately took the box and said: “Take a break; we’ll handle this part.” A Đoan added: “Don’t just look at how handsome Uncle Two is. He served two years in the military; this small task is nothing.” Cố Giao couldn’t deny it: besides his reputation, Mr. Chu’s physique was nearly perfect.

After they finished, Cố Giao invited them to dinner. When the two were finally alone, Cố Giao looked at Mr. Chu’s back, her heart filled with turbulence. She sensed a change in his demeanor since that drunken night, unsure if it was pity for her heartbreak or a nameless affection.

Cố Giao took a deep breath, gathering the courage to meet his gaze. “Mr. Chu, do you h…” Her words caught in her throat, left hanging in the air, leaving the future open and uncertain.