---
Lin Yue stood frozen, her fingers clutched around the dish in the sink, warm tears sliding down her cheeks and landing in the water with soft plops.
She cried her heart out, shoulders trembling, the sound of her sobs muffled by the gentle flow of water.
Her hands remained under the faucet, pretending to wash the dishes, as her world quietly crumbled inside.
Her chest heaved with silent grief, pain knotting her throat with every breath.
Why... Why does he look at me like I'm no one? Like he doesn't even recognise me? What did he mean?
Just then, she heard footsteps approaching.
She gasped and quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve, dipping her fingers into the water again to keep up the illusion.
A tall man entered the break room, humming softly as he walked to the water dispenser.
His voice was deep and calm as he greeted, "Hey there. New face?"
Lin Yue blinked, turning slightly to acknowledge him. He had a casual air, with neatly styled hair and a cool demeanor.
"Yes," she said softly. "Just joined today."
The man poured hot water into his cup and leaned against the counter. "I'm Ma Zhen. Been here a while. Don't worry, you'll get used to the pace soon enough."
"Lin Yue," she introduced herself.
Ma Zhen chuckled. "Pretty name. You're on the cultural architecture project, right? That one's a big deal. CEO's really invested in it."
She nodded, staying quiet.
"Welcome. You picked a hell of a time to join us. The CEO's personally watching over the project."
"Is it that important?" Lin Yue asked politely.
"Oh, yeah," he said with a small laugh. "Cultural architecture bid. We're up against some giants. But the boss is... intense. Doesn't smile. Doesn't laugh."
She tilted her head, with curiosity. "Sounds strict."
"Very," he confirmed. "But fair. He takes care of us. When he wasn't around the last few months, the whole company felt like it was missing a backbone even with the chairman around."
Lin Yue smiled faintly. "Then he's a good man."
Ma Zhen looked at her for a second, then nodded. "Yeah, just… don't get on his bad side. He's scary when people make mistakes."
He chuckled, grabbing his thermos. "Be careful, Lin Yue."
"I will. Thank you."
He gave her a wave and walked out. Lin Yue watched him leave, then lowered her eyes. Slowly, she placed a gentle hand over her small bump.
"Did you hear that, baby?" she whispered softly. "That's your daddy they're talking about..."
Tears trickled down her cheeks again.
"Should we really keep chasing after someone who pretends not to know us?" Her voice cracked. "Or should we just go back home... and live quietly with you?"
Her hand trembled. The ache in her chest wouldn't fade.
After a few deep breaths, she wiped her eyes again and composed herself.
---
When she returned to her desk, Du Liyao was reading a file seriously. Lin Yue quietly placed her washed dish into her bag and sat down.
"Yueyue, your eyes look a little puffy," Du Liyao said, frowning.
Lin Yue blinked. "Probably just something in my eyes. I'll be fine."
"Hmm." Du Liyao nodded, then perked up. "By the way, Team Leader Zhang asked for you. Said she wants to speak with you."
Lin Yue stood, brushing her skirt. "Thanks."
She walked over to the small glass office at the corner. The walls were clear but the privacy of its positioning kept conversations discreet. Lin Yue knocked.
"Come in," came Zhang Qian's voice.
Lin Yue entered. Zhang Qian looked up from her desktop screen and gave her a cool nod.
"I was informed by HR that you're the artist Yue—the one whose gallery opening had all the Masters in attendance."
Lin Yue blinked, surprised. "I… yes."
"Impressive," Zhang Qian said with a nod as he handed her a file.. "We need a visual concept sketch based on the theme outlined in this document. Can you handle it?"
"Yes, I can," Lin Yue replied confidently, accepting the file.
"Good. Take your time, but not too long. We're on a deadline."
Lin Yue exited the office and returned to her desk.
She sat down, she opened the file and immersed herself in reading.
---
On the top floor, Liang Yexuan's office was quiet except for the soft shuffling of papers.
He was signing documents when Jin Shu knocked and entered. "Young Master, Miss Su Meilin is here. She wants to see you."
"Tell her I'm busy," Liang Yexuan replied without looking up.
"I told her that, but she insists on waiting."
A faint frown creased his brow. "Let her wait then."
Jin Shu bowed slightly and left.
Outside the office, Su Meilin stood elegantly, dressed in a delicate cream-colored blouse and a tailored skirt.
Her makeup was perfect, her hair pinned up in soft curls. In her hands was a beautifully wrapped dessert box.
On her way to Liang Congromerate, she had made a detour to one of the most exclusive dessert shops in the city.
---
Su Meilin at the shop, she'd approached the shop assistant after standing a bit under the sun.
"Sorry, Miss," the shop assistant said with a polite bow, "but we serve on a first-come, first-served basis."
Su Meilin clenched her designer purse tighter. "Do you know who I am?"
The assistant's eyes were kind but firm. "No Miss, but the owner doesn't allow exceptions."
Heat rose to her cheeks as others glanced her way. She forced a sweet smile. "I'll wait, then."
She waited over two hours in the sun.
By the time she left the shop, her makeup was half-melted, and her pride wounded.
Still, she clutched the box tightly, thinking maybe Liang Yexuan will feel her love.
She reapplied her makeup in the car before stepping into Liang Conglomerate with grace.
---
Now, in the corridor, she saw Jin Shu approaching.
"What did he say?" she asked, lips trembling beneath her calm expression with hope.
Jin Shu kept his tone neutral. "The Young Master says he's busy. You may wait if you want."
Su Meilin's heart ached. He won't even see me?
She swallowed hard and held out the dessert. "Please give this to him. Tell him I brought it. I'm not feeling well, so I'll leave."
Jin Shu accepted the box, and Meilin turned away, chin held high.
But her steps were heavy.
Downstairs, two female employees saw her walking past.
"Wasn't that Su Meilin?"
"Yeah! She's so beautiful. I heard she's our CEO's fiancée."
"Wow, so romantic... she even came to visit during work hours."
Su Meilin heard them and her cheeks tinged with pink with pride as she walked past with a soft smile like the perfect gentle fiancée.
At least the world still saw her as someone special to him.
---
At her desk, Lin Yue heard the murmurs.
"Su Meilin came today?" one of the designers whispered.
"They say she's gorgeous in person. Looks like a perfect match with our CEO."
Lin Yue lowered her head as if working, but her ears caught every word.
"They're the power couple of the business world."
Lin Yue clenched her pen, her throat tightening.
She placed her hand over her stomach.
Power couple... she repeated silently. 'But what about the memories we shared? What exactly was wrong?'
---
Jin Shu walked in, holding the delicate dessert box.
"Young Master, Miss Su asked me to bring this. She said… you to eat it."
Liang Yexuan glanced up briefly, his eyes cold and unreadable. "Throw it away," he said flatly, returning to his papers.
Jin Shu hesitated. "Or you can eat it," Liang Yexuan added indifferently.
Jin Shu gave a small sigh, quietly stepping back out with the untouched dessert.
---