Chapter 3: first day

Before the large glass doors of Sheng Global Industries, Lianna stood and let her gaze travel up the imposing height. Squaring her shoulders, she reminded herself mentally that this was her first real job, and she could do this. How hard could it be? She had survived the interview; now she just had to get through the next year.

As soon as she stepped into the busy office, a bright-eyed woman greeted her and introduced herself as Sophie. This was a petite young woman who wore an inoffensive smile, veiling the weight of what she would utter next.

"You're the new assistant for Mr. Sheng, right?" Sophie said in a hushed tone, looking around cautiously. "I hate to say this, but. you're unlucky. Everyone who's gotten this job has been fired after the first three days. Mr. Sheng is a perfectionist, and he's hard. If you wish to hold this job, you will have to be perfect. One small mistake, and you are out."

Lianna's confidence faltered for a moment. Three-day firing? She had barely gotten off the elevator, and the stress was already crippling her. But Lianna was determined. She had much to prove, and not only to her father, but also to herself.

She threw a weak smile in Sophie's direction. "Appreciate the warning. Will watch my step."

Sophie nodded sympathetically and led Lianna toward the executive floor. "Good luck," she whispered, disappearing down the hallway.

---

Mr. Sheng's office was sleek, minimalistic, cold-just like the man himself, Lianna quickly realized as she stepped inside and met him for the first time.

He sat behind a huge desk, typing something on his laptop, but the moment he heard the door opening, his gaze flew up and locked with hers. He was young, probably not much older than she was, with sharp features and a cold, calculating gaze. His name was Sheng Rui, the CEO of the company. Without wasting even a single second, he dove into business.

"You must be the new assistant," he said, the chill in his voice rivaling that of his stare. "Coffee. Black. No sugar, no cream. Now."

Lianna was taken aback by his candidness, but she nodded and quickly scurried out to do his bidding. She couldn't afford to fumble on her first task, not when her job was already hanging by a thread.

She was back in a few minutes with his coffee, setting it on the desk in front of him. Sheng Rui took one sip and immediately grimaced.

"This is terrible," he snapped. "Redo it. This time, use exactly one tablespoon of coffee grounds per six ounces of water. And make sure the temperature is just below boiling."

Lianna reined in the growing irritation in her throat and nodded silently, snatched up the cup, and left the room. Returning the second time, he took a sip; though saying not a single word, the slight assent of his head showed she had done it right.

He spoke again, never once looking up from his work. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors from your coworker about everyone who has had this position being fired after three days."

Lianna tensed but said nothing.

Sheng Rui leaned back in his chair; his dark eyes settled on her with an almost cruel curiosity. "Let me clear things up. I've never fired anyone. They all quit."

Lianna's breath caught. Quit? She had assumed it was Sheng's impossible standards that drove them away, but to hear it so plainly.

"They couldn't handle the intensity of the job," he said, his voice slicing through her confidence like a blade. "Frankly, you don't look like someone who can handle it either. You're fragile, weak. If you want my advice, I suggest you quit while you're ahead."

These words pierced Lianna's chest, yet rather than folding, she stood tall, meeting his cold gaze with one of her own. Pride would not let her back down. She was going to show him exactly how capable she was.

"Sir," she said, the edge of her voice even while there was a storm brewing inside her, "you have a meeting in an hour. It takes forty minutes to get there. I suggest you pack everything you need."

He lifted an eyebrow, interest piqued by her defiance. "I don't have a driver."

"That's because it is my job to drive you," Lianna responded as she rolled her eyes, showing her irritation only just below the surface. "So, if you would be so kind as to hand me the keys, we can get under way."

She could have sworn she saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes, but in the very next instant, it was gone. Saying nothing more, Sheng Rui tossed her the car keys, and Lianna left the room, her heart pounding at the realization that she had just challenged her boss in the first hour of her first day.

---

The drive to the meeting was almost in total silence. Lianna concentrated on the busy streets of the city, while Sheng Rui was reviewing documents on his tablet at the back seat. Every now and then, she would glance up into the rearview mirror to check on him, wondering what he was thinking; his face was stoic.

Once they arrived at the meeting, she followed him in, taking notes as he led the discussion with a confidence that matched his position. She watched him work, and she could see why he was so successful-he was brilliant, no doubt about it, but his cold demeanor made it impossible for her to figure him out.

Sheng Rui didn't say much on his way back to the office after the meeting. It almost felt like the air had been sucked out, and Lianna was on edge by the time they reached the door. Then, something unexpected happened as they walked inside.

"Not bad for your first day," Sheng Rui said in a hushed tone, loud enough for her to hear. A slight trace of a smile pulled at the corner of his lips before he disappeared into his office.

Lianna just stood there, shocked, frozen. Did he just. compliment her?

As she walked to the break room for lunch, she felt several employees staring at her in wide-eyed wonder. Sophie, the coworker who warned her previously, approached with incredulity written on her face.

"Did Mr. Sheng just compliment you?" Sophie whispered, her head bent low lest anyone overhear the exchange. "That's impossible. He never compliments anyone. Ever. He only yells at people."

Lianna shrugged, as if to say, "Oh, well," but inside she was equally shocked. "I guess I'm lucky today," she managed to stammer out, still trying to comprehend what occurred.

---

After lunch, she returned to her desk, and that was when she felt the job was really far from over. Sheng Rui seemed intent on testing her limits, piling more tasks on her and setting impossible deadlines. She could feel his eyes on her, just waiting for her to slip up. However, he made such deliberate attempts that she turned more insistent to work and refused to give him the pleasure of quitting on the spot.

She was totally exhausted by the end of the day. Every muscle in her body ached, and her mind was reeling from the intensity of the day. She had barely reached her home when she collapsed onto her bed, hardly having the energy to keep her eyes open. She had survived day one, but barely.

With a heavy sigh, she shut her eyes, excused from the chaos that awaited her come morning.

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