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These days, the employees at Minghan Group could all sense that Lu Yinghuai was in an unusually good mood. Even his personal assistant, who was always by his side, noticed it. Though Lu Yinghuai’s expression remained impassive, the assistant—having worked with him for years—could clearly tell the difference.

After finishing her report and leaving the office, a female secretary from the president’s office couldn’t help but ask curiously, “President Lu seems to be in a great mood lately. Assistant Yan, do you know what’s going on?”

Assistant Yan merely smiled. Matters of the boss’s private life were not for him to discuss. “I’m not sure about that, but if someone doesn’t finish her work today, I can’t say his mood will stay the same.”

Hearing this, the secretary quickly returned to her seat and put on a look of intense concentration. Despite Assistant Yan’s usual gentle demeanor, his years working under Lu Yinghuai had shaped his conduct; he was courteous on the surface but sharp underneath—a true smiling tiger.

Lu Yinghuai sent a message to Pei Huan, only relaxing once he’d confirmed she would come pick him up after work that evening.

This matter of being picked up from work began a few days ago. Lu Yinghuai had, by chance, seen an employee’s significant other waiting to collect him after work. The couple’s affectionate interaction had drawn envious glances. Though Lu Yinghuai said nothing at the time, that night at home he pestered Pei Huan, asking her to come fetch him after work, too.

Back then, Pei Huan was buried in the chaos of drafting a proposal. With Lu Yinghuai hovering nearby, she barely listened to what he was saying and agreed simply for some peace and quiet. Only after finishing her work did she recall his request.

“You want me to pick you up from work?” Pei Huan’s eyes widened.

“Yes.”

“Don’t you have your assistant pick you up every day?” she asked.

“An assistant isn’t the same as a girlfriend,” Lu Yinghuai replied coolly.

His words left Pei Huan both amused and exasperated, but in the end, she agreed. She had been busy lately, with the year’s end bringing even more work; she wanted to finish everything and enjoy a relaxing New Year.

That evening, Pei Huan got off work on time and arrived early at the Minghan Group tower. It wasn’t her first visit—she faintly remembered coming once before for a company project—but it was her first time here as Lu Yinghuai’s girlfriend.

She explained her purpose to the receptionist, who made a call to the president’s office. After hanging up, the receptionist gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, miss, President Lu is still in a meeting and can’t take visitors right now. Do you have an appointment?”

Pei Huan shook her head. The receptionist replied with professional detachment, “Without an appointment, you can’t see President Lu. I’m afraid I must ask you to leave.”

Pei Huan paused, then pressed on. “Could you please call them again and just say my surname is Pei?”

The receptionist agreed and called Assistant Yan once more.

Lu Yinghuai had just finished his meeting when Assistant Yan received the second call from the front desk, saying a woman surnamed Pei was asking for Lu Yinghuai. After hanging up, he told Lu Yinghuai, “President Lu, there’s someone downstairs to see you.”

“I’m very busy right now,” Lu Yinghuai replied coldly.

“The lady says her surname is Pei,” Assistant Yan added.

Lu Yinghuai’s steady stride faltered for a moment, a fleeting softness appearing on his face. Then Assistant Yan heard him speak.

“Let’s call it a day.”

Without even returning to his office, Lu Yinghuai headed straight to the lobby. As the elevator doors opened, he immediately spotted Pei Huan standing not far away. At first, his steps were measured, but soon impatience got the better of him and he broke into a jog, stopping only when he reached her.

Pei Huan, amused by his eagerness, teased, “What’s the rush? Your hair’s all messed up.”

She reached out to smooth his hair, and Lu Yinghuai stood quietly, allowing her to fuss over him.

Passing employees were stunned by the sight.

Was this really the same President Lu who was always so decisive and unyielding?

Someone even snapped a photo of the scene on their phone.

“Shall we go home?” Pei Huan asked.

“Yes,” Lu Yinghuai answered.

The two of them walked out together. The driver had already parked the car at the entrance, and Lu Yinghuai opened the back door for Pei Huan.

“What should we eat tonight?” Pei Huan asked.

Lu Yinghuai hadn’t decided yet, but suddenly Pei Huan’s eyes lit up as if she’d remembered something. “I heard you can cook.”

“Yes,” he replied with a nod.

“Then why don’t you cook tonight? I’d love to try your cooking,” Pei Huan said with a smile.

Lu Yinghuai never refused Pei Huan’s requests, and as luck would have it, there were groceries at home.

When he brought out four dishes and a soup, Pei Huan’s mouth watered at the sight. “I remember you didn’t know how to cook before.”

“When I was abroad alone, I learned a little,” Lu Yinghuai said lightly.

The atmosphere during dinner was warm and relaxed. After eating, they even washed the dishes together.

The night passed quickly, but neither of them knew that Pei Huan picking Lu Yinghuai up from work had quietly become a trending topic on Weibo.

It wasn’t until the next morning that Pei Huan, checking her phone, found out. The photo was blurry, but she could make out herself, on tiptoe, tidying Lu Yinghuai’s hair, while he looked uncharacteristically docile.

The photo’s haziness only added to its charm.

But since Lu Yinghuai was already a public figure—his striking looks and iron-fisted leadership having previously landed him on Weibo’s trending topics—the fact that he now appeared because of a romance was even more sensational.

The comments were a mixed bag, some unpleasant, others just idle gossip. Pei Huan scrolled for a long time, even discovering that some people had dug up her personal information. She stared at the screen in silence.

Just then, Lu Yinghuai’s arm slipped around her waist. His voice, husky from sleep, was especially alluring. “Why are you up so early?”

Pei Huan didn’t respond with her usual playful banter. Instead, her tone was grave as she called his name. “Lu Yinghuai.”

“Hm?”

“Our relationship is trending online,” she said calmly.

Lu Yinghuai took the phone she handed him, scrolling through a few posts. The last vestiges of sleep vanished from his eyes, replaced by a cold, piercing chill, as if he’d glimpsed something utterly unforgivable.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly.

Pei Huan was surprised—and amused—by his apology. “Why are you apologizing?”

“It’s my fault. I didn’t protect you, and now you’re caught up in this,” he said, guilt heavy in his voice.

Pei Huan cupped his face, her thumb gently tracing his cheek in a soothing gesture. “Don’t blame yourself.”

“I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry,” Lu Yinghuai promised.

Pei Huan smiled slightly. “Alright.”

The trending topic was quickly taken down, but everyone already knew Pei Huan was Lu Yinghuai’s girlfriend. When she arrived at work, people whispered about her, but she ignored it.

In the office, Tan Yan came over and asked, “Huan-jie, what do we do now?”

“I don’t know,” Pei Huan shook her head. “It’s my first time trending online. I’m a little flattered, honestly.”

Despite Pei Huan’s lighthearted tone, Tan Yan was still worried. “What if people talk badly about you behind your back?”

Pei Huan shrugged. “Let them. It’s not like they haven’t talked behind my back before.”

Tan Yan truly admired Pei Huan’s carefree attitude.

Because of all this, an economic talk show invited Lu Yinghuai to appear. The program had previously featured many industry leaders, and had invited Lu Yinghuai before, but he’d always declined. This time, however, he agreed. Assistant Yan had a faint idea why.

He told Pei Huan about it, and she was surprised. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Lu Yinghuai nodded.

The episode would air a week after it was recorded. On the broadcast day, Pei Huan waited in front of the television. When she saw Lu Yinghuai’s handsome face on screen, she couldn’t help but gasp.

The show was known for its unfiltered, raw footage—no post-production touch-ups. Many guests were exposed by the harsh lighting, but even under such scrutiny, Lu Yinghuai’s looks held up flawlessly.

The early questions were routine, and Lu Yinghuai answered them briefly but with poise. Even the host couldn’t hide her admiration.

Few people reached such heights at his age, and even fewer could remain so composed and adaptable, especially under the public gaze.

After the formalities, the host finally broached the topic everyone online was buzzing about. “We’ve heard that you’re in a relationship, President Lu. Would you mind sharing a bit about it?”

Lu Yinghuai’s expression didn’t change. In a cool tone, he replied, “I pursued her.”

The host was caught off guard by his answer and followed up with several more questions. Lu Yinghuai remained calm. “She’s a wonderful person. I fell in love with her at first sight back in my student days. She pulled me out of a time of darkness. It may sound old-fashioned, but I truly believe that it’s because of her that I am who I am today.”

He looked directly into the camera as he spoke, his voice earnest, and for a moment, a faint smile flickered in his eyes. Watching him, Pei Huan felt her heart racing faster.

“If she’s watching, I want to say thank you for coming into my life,” he paused, a gentle smile spreading across his face, “and also, I love you. Forever.”

After that, Pei Huan lost all interest in the rest of the interview. She stared at the screen, his words echoing in her mind. Turning to look at Lu Yinghuai beside her, she felt her eyes grow wet.

Seeing her reddened eyes, Lu Yinghuai was both concerned and amused. “Why are you crying?”

“Lu Yinghuai, how did I never realize how wonderful you are?” Pei Huan asked, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Patiently, he wiped her tears away, his voice tender. “It’s not too late to find out now.”

Pei Huan wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his chest, her voice muffled. “I’m never letting you go, Lu Yinghuai.”

“I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

That episode was quickly clipped and shared online, especially the part where Lu Yinghuai made his heartfelt declaration. Everyone who watched it said the pair were a match made in heaven, and most of the negative voices disappeared.

Life went on peacefully for a few days. One evening, as the two lounged on the sofa watching TV, Lu Yinghuai’s phone rang. He answered it with Pei Huan right there, but when the call ended, his expression had darkened. Noticing, Pei Huan asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It was a call from the Lu family,” he said, voice low.

“They want us to come home for dinner tonight.”