Chapter 1 — Coffee & Catastrophes.

The elevator doors slid open with a metallic sigh, and Lin Xiaoyu burst out like a late-delivery courier.

“Excuse me! Sorry! Coming through—” she gasped, clutching a paper cup that was way too full.

Monday morning at Raheja Innovations Shanghai Branch was not kind to her. Especially when the universe had already conspired: the alarm failed, her roommate borrowed her hairdryer, and her train card got rejected — twice.

Now, all she wanted was caffeine and invisibility.

But fate had other plans.

As she darted toward her desk, trying to sip her latte, she didn’t see the tall figure turning the corner with a file in hand.

The collision was silent for half a second—then splash!

The entire latte decorated a crisp, white report folder.

She froze.

He froze.

Then he slowly looked down at his soaked sleeve.

Li Junhao.

Her boss.

The man who made power suits look illegal.

Xiaoyu’s brain short-circuited. “Oh—my—gosh— I’m so sorry! I didn’t— I mean— I saw—but not really—”

Junhao blinked once, calm as ever, his tone low and even.

“It’s fine, Lin Xiaoyu.”

He handed her the dripping report. “But I believe you owe me a new copy… and a coffee.”

Her heart stopped. He knows my name?

“Y-yes, sir! Right away! I’ll reprint the report. And buy—uh—coffee. What kind?”

He started walking away, voice casual over his shoulder.

“The same one you just wasted on my sleeve.”

He’s joking.

He just made a joke.

Oh no, he’s handsome when he jokes.

Mei Ling, her best friend and colleague, peeked over the cubicle wall as Xiaoyu slumped into her chair.

“You spilled coffee on the boss again?”

“Again?! That was one time—and it was iced tea!” Xiaoyu hissed.

Mei Ling grinned. “You’re either his nightmare or his destiny.”

Xiaoyu groaned into her palms. “Destiny doesn’t come with dry-cleaning bills.”

Two hours later, Xiaoyu arrived at Junhao’s office door clutching two cups of coffee — one black, one latte. She knocked softly.

“Come in,” came the smooth reply.

He was seated by the window, laptop open, sleeves rolled up, the city skyline reflecting off his glasses.

He looked like a magazine cover.

Xiaoyu placed the coffees on the table carefully. “Sir, here’s your coffee. And the new report.”

He glanced up.

“You didn’t have to bring me one too.”

“Oh! I—um—thought it’s polite?” she said, instantly regretting it.

He raised an eyebrow, half-smiling.

“Then you’re very polite.”

The silence stretched.

Her heart thudded.

She fiddled with her pen like it was a lifeline.

Finally, Junhao spoke.

“You’re doing good work, Lin Xiaoyu. I’ve noticed your ideas in the recent project pitch.”

Her eyes widened. “You… did?”

He nodded. “Next time, try to present them yourself. Don’t hide behind your team.”

His words were simple, but to her, they felt like a fireworks show.

Her mind screamed, Did he just encourage me? Compliment me?

When she left his office, she could barely walk straight.

Mei Ling caught her halfway down the hall.

“Why do you look like you just met a K-drama lead?”

Xiaoyu whispered dramatically,

“Because I think I just did.”

That night, Xiaoyu opened her WeChat and created a new private group:

[Operation Boss Crush 🫣💔]

Members: Mei Ling, and… well, just her.

She typed:

“Step 1: Don’t spill coffee.

Step 2: Don’t stare at him during meetings.

Step 3: Definitely don’t fall for him harder than I already have.”

She hit send and sighed.

Little did she know — in his penthouse office, Li Junhao was staring at the second coffee cup she left on his desk, smiling faintly.

He’d already added her to his favorite contacts list.

“She’s trouble,” he murmured.

“Adorable trouble.”

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