Hard work after winning the lottery

Those words, like a silent bomb, exploded in Hua Yun's ears.

She replaced Deputy Director Zhao as President Zhou's female companion.

Attend tonight's Starlight Night.

This is your last work task before leaving the company.

For a few seconds, Hua Yun's mind went completely blank.

She even thought she was hallucinating.

The surroundings were deathly silent. All eyes were on her, filled with curiosity, sympathy, and a hint of something else... jealousy.

Her first reaction was to refuse.

It was almost an instinctive remark that came out.

"I can't do it, Secretary-General Ying."

Her voice was very soft, but it carried a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

She didn't want to go.

It took her a whole month to finally decide to uproot the dream of "Zhou Yanjin" from her world.

She didn't want to push herself back into that abyss that had once captivated her and broken her heart at this final moment.

That wasn't a reward, that was torture.

It seems Yao had anticipated her reaction.

There was no surprise on his face, but his usually sharp and calm eyes now revealed a rare earnestness.

"Hua Yun, I know this is sudden and difficult for you."

He spoke in a very low voice, just enough for the two of them to hear.

"But now, only you can help the company and Mr. Zhou get through this difficult time."

"You understand the importance of the Starry Night better than I do. President Zhou can't be without anyone by his side, and certainly not a stranger who doesn't know the situation."

"This concerns the Zhou family's reputation, as well as the public opinion surrounding future cooperation with the Su family."

It should be known that every word Yao uttered was like a precise nail, striking Huayun's Achilles' heel.

She may not care about Zhou Yanjin, but she cares about the Zhou family.

This is where she struggled and poured her heart and soul into her work.

She cared more about Ying Zhiyao.

Although this chief secretary was strict, he was also the first person to recognize her abilities and give her a chance.

When she made a mistake and was reprimanded by Zhou Yanjin, he stepped in and took part of the responsibility.

She kept this kindness in her heart.

Seeing Ying Zhiyao's tightly furrowed brows and bloodshot eyes, Hua Yun's hardened defenses began to crack.

"Consider it... doing me a favor."

It should be noted that Yao's voice carried a barely perceptible hint of weariness.

"Complete this last task perfectly, and then leave gracefully."

Leave looking beautiful...

These five words, like a feather, gently scratched at Hua Yun's heart.

Yes, she didn't want to leave in disgrace.

Instead of spending ten days at your workstation, like a thief, slowly removing all traces of yourself.

Why not tonight, at this highly anticipated event, draw a grand and decisive conclusion to your career?

From that time on, the gods in the clouds and the ants in the dust never crossed paths again.

After a long silence.

Hua Yun slowly raised her head, meeting Ying Zhiyao's expectant gaze.

She nodded slightly.

"it is good."

In a word, the dust has settled.

Yao's tense nerves visibly relaxed.

He immediately ordered Li Wei, "Take her to the styling studio! As quickly as possible!"

For the next hour, Hua Yun felt like a puppet with a pre-programmed routine.

She was surrounded by a group of people and ushered into the company's top-tier styling lounge, which was reserved for executives.

The cool brush brushed across her cheeks, taking away the last trace of color from her face, and then applied a flawless, exquisite makeup.

The hairstylist's fingers danced through her hair, transforming her usually casually tied-up long hair into a relaxed yet elegant French updo, with a few wisps of hair falling beside her neck, adding a touch of femininity.

Finally, it was a starry blue evening gown.

The dress was a backup plan personally selected by Ying Zhiyao, designed by a top Italian designer. It was as if the entire Milky Way had been shattered and woven into the silky fabric.

As the cool, smooth skirt brushes against my skin, and the zipper at the back is gently pulled up.

Hua Yun stood in front of the huge floor-length mirror, almost unable to recognize herself in the mirror.

The woman in the mirror has a slender figure and a graceful swan neck.

The starry blue dress accentuated her snow-white skin, and her delicate collarbones gleamed under the light.

On that familiar face, the eyebrows and eyes remained the same, but the perfectly applied makeup removed the usual naivety and fatigue, giving her a breathtaking, aloof beauty.

strangeness.

An unprecedented sense of unfamiliarity enveloped her completely.

It was as if another soul was standing in the mirror.

An elegant, composed, and beautiful woman... who is a match for anyone.

"Time is up."

Li Wei's voice rang out from outside the door, pulling her back to reality.

Hua Yun took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

The CEO's private lounge.

Zhou Yanjin had changed into a custom-made black suit and was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the brightly lit city below.

His back was as straight as a pine tree, exuding an oppressive aura that kept strangers at bay.

Hearing the door open, he slowly turned around.

When his gaze fell on Hua Yun, something flashed quickly in his deep, cold eyes.

It was a hint of...unconcealed surprise and amazement.

Although it was only for a moment, so fast it was like an illusion, Hua Yun still managed to capture it.

Zhou Yanjin's gaze slid from her face to her neck, then to the dazzling starry dress, and finally back to her eyes.

He didn't say anything.

But that brief silence carried more weight than any words.

Yao stepped forward at the opportune moment and explained in a low voice, "President Zhou, Director Zhao has suddenly developed acute appendicitis, and the situation is urgent. I have taken the liberty of deciding that Hua Yun will temporarily accompany you to tonight's banquet in her place. She is quite familiar with your preferences and habits."

Zhou Yanjin's gaze returned to Hua Yun.

Examining, exploring, and a complex emotion that is hard to decipher.

After a long pause, he finally managed to utter a single syllable.

"Um."

There were no further questions asked, nor were there any comments.

It seemed that who his female companion was was irrelevant to him.

Hua Yun felt a slight pang in her heart, but then quickly regained her composure.

That would be best.

She told herself.

From the 66th floor to the underground parking garage, we took the president's private elevator.

There were only three people in the small, enclosed space.

Yao stood in front, with Hua Yun and Zhou Yanjin on either side, about half a meter apart.

The air was so quiet you could hear each other breathing.

Upon entering the limited-edition Rolls-Royce Phantom, Yao wisely took the passenger seat.

In the spacious back seat, only Hua Yun and Zhou Yanjin remained.

The car drove smoothly into the night, and the atmosphere inside the car was silent and awkward.

The two remained silent the entire way.

Hua Yun stared straight ahead, sitting upright with her hands neatly placed on her knees, her knuckles turning white with tension.

She could clearly smell the crisp and familiar scent of cedar wood emanating from the man beside her.

This taste had appeared in her dreams countless times.

And at this moment, it lingers in my nostrils, as real as a form of torture.

She didn't dare turn her head, but she could catch a glimpse of his silhouette reflected in the car window out of the corner of her eye.

Its sharp outlines and cold, hard lines are even more captivating than what you see in magazines.

Is this the result of 395 days of looking up to each other, and only this silent companionship?

Hua Yun gave a self-deprecating smile.

It's okay.

She said to herself.

This is just a task.

An employee who is about to leave the company is fulfilling her final duties.

Play the role of a silent, beautiful, and trouble-free "vase."

Then, take the money and leave.

As my thoughts raced, the car slowly came to a stop in front of the magnificent hotel.

The car door was opened by a waiter, and outside was a blinding flash of camera lights and a cacophony of voices.

Zhou Yanjin got out of the car first, then turned around and stretched out his arm to her inside the car.

A standard, gentlemanly gesture of invitation.

Hua Yun's heart skipped a beat.

She looked at the hand with its distinct knuckles and an expensive watch, and at the powerful forearm wrapped in top-quality fabric.

She knew she had no choice.

She lifted her skirt, gracefully bent down to get out of the car, and then gently placed her slightly cool fingertips on it.

In that instant.

Her fingertips, through a thin layer of expensive suit fabric, clearly touched the outline of his arm.

That wasn't the temperature I was imagining.

Instead, it's real, solid muscle with a scorching heat.

Hard and powerful.

It felt as if an electric current had instantly surged through her limbs and bones from the point of contact.

At that moment, her heartbeat completely spiraled out of control.