Chapter 036: The King Falls as Autumn Chills—Part Two

The Wang family was not prominent, but over two generations of diligent work, they managed to open a six-star hotel—Elyse. The presidential suite on the top floor of this hotel was where the heroine and hero first had their intimate encounter.

It was said that the heroine was bullied by a supervisor, and the hero, enraged, gave a cold, sinister smile and ordered his subordinates, “The weather is turning; it’s time for the Wang Corporation to go bankrupt.” Thus, the six-star hotel painstakingly built by the Wang family over two generations collapsed and was ultimately acquired and merged by the Heavenly Group, where the hero worked.

The hero, Huo Ruler, was ranked among the world’s top ten golden bachelors. Countless women lost their minds over him, but he had never been involved in any scandal, leading many to speculate that he was impotent. Of course, this rumor was shattered when the heroine appeared.

The two were entangled for nearly two months, during which the heroine was often unable to even get out of bed. Eventually, she became pregnant with the child destined to inherit the throne. The vicious rival appeared to cause trouble, leading to the heroine’s miscarriage. Heartbroken, she fled, and the CEO chased after her while his sweetheart kept running.

After several twists and turns, the heroine became pregnant again, gave birth to a child, married the hero, and they lived happily ever after. In the meantime, the Wang Corporation had already gone bankrupt.

Now, as the daughter of the Wang family, Yue Yixian’s mission was to prevent the family’s bankruptcy.

Rumor had it that Wang Xiaoya was also one of Huo Ruler’s admirers. Upon learning that her friend Ouyang Zining had gotten close to Huo Ruler, she became consumed by jealousy, began plotting against them, and eventually, when the CEO was displeased and autumn came with cooler weather, the Wang Corporation went bankrupt.

After understanding the general plot, Yue Yixian felt uneasy.

Did she lose her mind back then, to write such a novel?

Thinking about the original protagonist’s actions, Yue Yixian sighed in resignation. Silly child, you didn’t realize you’d already lost because of your surname. Who told you to be a Wang?

“Heavenly Group is coming to recruit next week. I must pass the interview,” Ouyang Zining said, clenching her fists with determined eyes.

Their school was a renowned national university, specializing in training outstanding chefs for hotels and restaurants. Every year, it produced countless talents for top establishments worldwide.

The three of them formed a group: Ouyang Zining specialized in pastry; Wei Wan’er in Western cuisine; and Wang Xiaoya in Chinese cuisine.

Who knew why three people from different majors ended up together?

“Mm, let’s do our best,” Wei Wan’er’s eyes sparkled.

“Xiaoya, are you joining us?” Ouyang Zining turned to ask.

Yue Yixian stroked her chin, “Sure.”

She wanted to go and see; perhaps she might run into Ke Yuandao.

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

Yue Yixian wandered around the campus, but never caught sight of Ke Yuandao.

On recruitment day, countless students dressed in professional attire, carrying lunchboxes in hand, swarmed toward the hotel’s recruitment booth they had long admired.

Yes, their university was quite unique. While others brought resumes to interviews, students here brought their own culinary creations. The interviewers tasted each dish, and only those whose food impressed them were allowed to proceed to the next round.

Ouyang Zining and Wei Wan’er, each carrying a heavy food box, gathered together and chattered endlessly.

“Zining, what did you make?”

“Strawberry mousse,” Ouyang Zining replied shyly, opening the lid of her food box.

As she opened it, white cold air wafted out, and triangular slices of strawberry mousse were arranged neatly inside. The white mousse layers were filled with tempting strawberry jam, topped with a beautiful strawberry, radiating a message: “Eat me, eat me!”

“It looks so delicious,” Wei Wan’er almost drooled.

“It’s alright,” Ouyang Zining smiled.

Yue Yixian remained expressionless. Her culinary skills were honestly lacking, so this morning she secretly grabbed the mille-feuille cake made by Aunt Liu and brought it along.

The tasting began, and the three successfully passed the preliminary round thanks to their dishes.

The tasting panel gave Ouyang Zining’s strawberry mousse extremely high praise.

A judge wearing gold-rimmed glasses took a bite and was moved, “I’m deeply touched. It’s been so long since I’ve tasted such a delicious and refreshingly unique strawberry mousse.” He even removed his glasses and wiped away the tears that glistened at the corner of his eye.

“The texture is smooth, the strawberry jam is exceptionally well-made. With one bite, I feel transported to a sunlit strawberry field filled with the scent of strawberries.”

“It’s like being buried in delicious strawberries. The taste is superb.”

Hearing these comments, Wei Wan’er exclaimed, “I wish I could try a bite, too. Such highly praised strawberry mousse.”

Yue Yixian: …

Wait, did none of them find the interviewers’ comments a bit over-the-top?

Moved to tears?

The interviewer smiled and handed them a number card, “You three are a group. Proceed to the next assessment.”

Ouyang Zining was a bit nervous, “Is there another round?”

“Don’t worry, it’s just a few simple questions,” the interviewer, impressed by Ouyang Zining’s strawberry mousse, reassured her.

He added, “Our CEO will personally conduct the assessment.”

“What?” Wei Wan’er’s eyes instantly turned into hearts.

“If I had known President Huo was judging us, I would have dressed up prettier,” she lamented.

“President Huo? Will he give me money to spend?” Ouyang Zining, always obsessed with money, asked.

Wei Wan’er: “Uh, Zining, don’t be so money-minded, okay? Xiaoya, say something to her.”

“I think Zining’s right. Will he give us money to spend?” Yue Yixian nodded in agreement.

She remembered that the heroine in the novel loved money above all else.

The assessment room was next to the tasting area. After several rounds, it was their turn.

Yue Yixian entered and instantly saw Chen Qi, sitting in the center radiating the aura of a—no, a domineering CEO.

Yes, her childhood friend and sworn brother was once again playing the sidekick.

Yue Yixian had no idea what Ke Yuandao was thinking; he hadn’t intended to make her the protagonist, nor had he planned to make himself the hero. Instead, he let Chen Qi be the male lead. Did they have some secret between them?

Sitting in the middle of the assessment panel, Chen Qi—no, President Huo Ruler—frowned when he saw Yue Yixian enter, “Who let her in?”

The other assessors, initially confused, followed his gaze and immediately understood.

This Miss Wang had been infatuated with their CEO since high school. Who would have thought that after graduation, instead of joining her family’s hotel, she would apply to their company?

“She passed the tasting round earlier.”

Huo Ruler’s frown deepened at this reply. “Let’s begin. Why do you want to join the Heavenly Group?”

Wei Wan’er’s eyes sparkled as she answered first, “Because you’re handsome, President Huo!”

Ouyang Zining: “I heard the salary is high, the benefits are great, and there’s paid annual leave!”

Yue Yixian: “I just wanted to have a look.”

Everyone: …