Liu Xin had never been ambushed by a grandmother before.
The woman who swept into the room looked like the kind of person who attended high-society charity galas and orchestrated family dynasties in her sleep. Her pearl earrings shimmered with every movement, and her posture held the regal stiffness of someone who expected the world to arrange itself around her. Her eyes, sharp and bright despite her age, were currently focused with laser precision on Liu Xin.
"Miss…?" she asked, her smile polite but curious.
"Liu Xin," she replied automatically, standing a little straighter. "I work with CEO Wu."
"'Work with'?" The grandmother raised a finely shaped brow. "What an interesting phrase. I've known Jian'er long enough to know he rarely lets people into his inner circle. And certainly not young women with such lovely bone structure."
Liu Xin tried not to flinch.
Wu Jian, on the other hand, was a statue of calm. "Grandmother, this is Liu Xin. She's our event planner. She's handling the anniversary gala."
Madam Wu clicked her tongue. "An event planner? For a private boardroom meeting?" Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "How modern."
Liu Xin opened her mouth to clarify—then stopped. Something in Wu Jian's eyes told her not to.
This was a test.
A game.
And she wasn't going to fold.
She smiled instead. "We were finalizing theme direction. CEO Wu prefers to make decisions efficiently, even if that means working late."
The old woman gave a knowing hum. "How diligent." Then, turning toward her grandson: "Why haven't you introduced her before? She's charming."
Wu Jian's voice was neutral. "Because she's not relevant to your matchmaking plans."
"Yet," the old woman countered smoothly.
Liu Xin coughed into her hand. "Should I excuse myself?"
"Oh no, no," Madam Wu said quickly. "Stay. I insist."
Wu Jian gave her a warning look, but his grandmother merely smiled, folding herself gracefully into one of the leather chairs.
"I came to remind you about the Sunday luncheon. The entire family will be there. And now that I've met Miss Liu, perhaps she'd like to attend too?"
Liu Xin choked on her breath. "I—what?"
"Grandmother—" Wu Jian's voice held a sharper edge.
"I'm joking, I'm joking!" she said with a wave of her manicured hand. "Mostly."
Liu Xin wasn't sure if she should laugh or run.
After a few more minutes of polite conversation (which felt more like a fencing match), Madam Wu finally stood. "Lovely meeting you, Miss Liu. Jian'er, try not to scare this one away. She's got more spine than the last three combined."
Once she was gone, the silence she left behind was deafening.
Liu Xin slowly turned toward Wu Jian. "Do you… often use your employees as decoys?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he poured himself a glass of water from the sleek crystal carafe at the edge of the room.
"She would've assumed something regardless," he said finally. "You just saved us both a very loud argument."
Liu Xin crossed her arms. "I hope I at least get a bonus for playing 'fake girlfriend'."
He looked up, surprised. Then—a laugh. Dry, short, real.
"You're not the type I expected," he admitted.
She tilted her head. "And what type did you expect?"
"Quiet. Nervous. Eager to impress."
Liu Xin snorted. "I don't impress easily. And I've worked too hard to be anyone's pawn."
He studied her with a rare stillness. "That's why you're still here."
She opened her mouth, but something in his gaze stopped her.
There was no flirtation in his expression. No amusement. Just… clarity.
And something fragile beneath it. Something worn.
Before she could place it, he turned away. "Prepare for the vendor walkthrough tomorrow. I'll join you at 9 AM sharp."
---
The next morning was a whirlwind.
Liu Xin barely had time to grab a croissant on the way in before she was leading a five-person team through the event space, clipboard in hand and nerves of steel on full display. Wu Jian walked a few steps behind her, speaking rarely, observing everything.
She had to admit—he wasn't just some figurehead CEO. He caught flaws no one else noticed. A hairline crack in a decorative column. A delay in the lighting transition. Even the echo pattern under the rotunda.
Most bosses nitpicked. He sharpened.
They were halfway through the venue when a reporter's voice called out from behind a floral display.
"CEO Wu! Miss Liu! A quick word?"
Liu Xin blinked. "Miss Liu"?
The man thrust a microphone forward. "Rumors are flying after last night's sighting. Are you the new power couple at Jinhai?"
"What?" Liu Xin sputtered.
Wu Jian stepped between them with the smoothness of a shield. "No comment."
"But your grandmother—"
"No comment." His voice was ice.
The man backed off, but not before snapping a few photos.
Liu Xin whirled on him once they were out of earshot. "What was that?"
He didn't flinch. "The price of visibility."
She glared. "This is my career. I don't want to be some headline distraction."
He held her gaze. "Then show them what you are."
It was the closest thing to encouragement she'd ever gotten from him. And it rattled her more than she wanted to admit.
---
Later that evening, back at the office, Liu Xin was packing up her files when a soft knock came at the door.
Wu Jian.
She straightened. "Something wrong with the walkthrough summary?"
He shook his head. "No. You handled it well. Better than expected."
She blinked. Was that a compliment?
He stepped into the room. For once, he didn't look like the untouchable CEO. The tie was gone. Sleeves rolled. And his expression...
Tired. Human.
"I owe you an apology," he said quietly.
Liu Xin froze.
"I put you in the middle of something without warning. That wasn't fair."
She stared at him, genuinely surprised. "You're actually saying sorry?"
He nodded once. "Don't get used to it."
She laughed. "Too late."
Then, more seriously: "You know… if you ever told her the truth, maybe she'd understand."
He looked away. "Some truths hurt more than silence."
Before she could ask what he meant, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen, and his jaw tightened.
"I have to go," he said.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
His eyes met hers—dark, distant, guarded.
"My past doesn't like to stay buried."
And then he was gone.
Liu Xin stood alone in the dimming office, heart thudding.
The iceberg was cracking.
And something was about to rise from beneath the surface.
To Be Continued...