“Shine is a world-class fashion magazine launched ten years ago by the Fashion Media Group. With its keen fashion instincts, the magazine captures and drives contemporary trends, delivering the latest fashion news to readers everywhere…”
During the new hire orientation’s corporate culture segment, the HR rep was holding forth with enthusiasm.
Chen Yi, sitting in the audience below, felt drowsiness wash over her. She stealthily turned her head and stifled a yawn.
Finally, that part wrapped up. Yu You’an, a fellow intern from the editorial department, came over to say hello. After some introductions, Yu You’an asked, “Chen Yi, why weren’t you listening to the HR intro just now?”
Chen Yi mustered a fake smile. “Didn’t sleep well last night. Too tired.”
In truth, she thought: Listen to what? She’d heard this spiel practically her whole life.
She’d been in elementary school when Shine launched. Her mom had busted her ass planning it for ages. Every single issue from the startup days was still stacked in their home study. And the entrepreneurial sob story? Her mom trotted it out every time she chewed Chen Yi out for being a good-for-nothing. Chen Yi’s ears had practically grown calluses.
Yu You’an seemed like an outgoing type, and with no one familiar in this strange new company, she didn’t want awkward silences. So she latched onto Chen Yi for chit-chat.
“Chen Yi, what’s your major? I’m from Hua University’s journalism program.”
Hua University was top-tier, with a stellar reputation, and its journalism department was the crown jewel.
Chen Yi praised her sincerely. “That’s impressive.”
Yu You’an smiled shyly. “Just good at cramming for exams, really. What about you?”
Chen Yi blurted out, “Professional NEET.”
Yu You’an blinked in surprise.
She didn’t press, assuming Chen Yi might be embarrassed about her school or major, and switched topics. She gushed about her passion for Shine and laid out her whole “chasing dreams” journey. When she finished, her eyes sparkled expectantly at Chen Yi.
“Why’d you come intern here?”
Chen Yi had no inspiring tale to share with Yu You’an.
Truth was, her family had forced her into it.
A few days ago, her mom had asked about her post-graduation plans. Chen Yi said she had none. Maybe her slacker vibe had pushed Mom over the edge, because Mom had promptly shipped her off to work here.
“Why do I have to get a job?” Chen Yi had whined. “We don’t need my measly paycheck.”
Her mom shot back, “What else are you gonna do? Lounge at home gaming all day? What kind of future is that? You gonna game forever?”
Chen Yi: “Sure.”
Why not? Games were awesome. Way better than working.
“Mom, I’ve told you—I’m pursuing a legit career. You’re in fashion; how don’t you get what young people are into these days?”
“Gaming’s a career?!”
They were on the verge of a blowout when Dad stepped in as peacemaker with a suggestion.
“How about this,” he said. “Let Yi Yi intern at the company for a bit. If she shapes up, dives in seriously, and still hates it after experiencing the industry, then she can choose her own path.”
Mom mulled it over, tacked on a bunch of conditions, and finally agreed.
Unlike the fired-up Yu You’an, Chen Yi had zero interest in fashion.
This was just a necessary detour on her path to victory by other means.
“Chen Yi?” Yu You’an said, noticing Chen Yi dodging again. Worry creased her brow. “Did I ask something I shouldn’t have?”
The girl had such an innocent look—soft and fresh, like her name suggested. Paired with her student-y outfit, she seemed utterly harmless.
Chen Yi softened. She glanced around, spotted the next slide on the screen, and winged it. “Oh, I’m here for her.”
Yu You’an followed her gaze.
The screen featured an intro to Shine’s current editor-in-chief.
Unlike standard corporate headshots, Fashion Group’s personal photos had flair. No stiff suit-and-tie mugshots on white backgrounds. This was a candid shot.
At a glitzy runway show packed with elites, she sat front row in spring-summer haute couture. A sharp V-neck structured top blouse sparkled with precisely cut rhinestones; tailored suit pants draped with effortless grace. All in whites, her hair swept up in an elegant chignon. At first glance, she radiated elite iciness.
Like a silver blade, crisp and unyielding, she sat poised amid the runway’s flashing lights, her gaze deep and wintry as fresh snow.
“Xu Yan!” Yu You’an gasped, her face lighting up with adoration. “You like her too?”
Chen Yi had no clue who Xu Yan was. Until today, she’d ignored the family business entirely, let alone its employees.
Playing along, she hummed in agreement and doubled down. “Yeah! I’m obsessed!”
“Like, die-without-her obsessed.”
Yu You’an’s eyes went wide. After a beat, she clapped a hand over her mouth, glanced around furtively, and whispered, “Don’t worry, Chen Yi. Your secret’s safe with me.”
She pumped a fist. “You got this. I’m rooting for you!”
Chen Yi: “…”
Wait.
She might’ve overplayed it.
Before Chen Yi could backpedal, Yu You’an nudged her arm. Chen Yi looked up instinctively. A woman in a black base-layer top and dark leather skirt, boots clicking, brushed past.
A faint rose scent trailed her, mingling with suede leather notes and a hint of medicinal tang—lingering tenderly between woody and vanilla undertones.
A distinctive perfume.
Chen Yi followed the fragrance upward. The woman had just taken a file from a colleague and turned, her gaze landing on Chen Yi. What had been neutral coolness sharpened to frost; she frowned, brows knitting.
“It’s Xu Yan!” Yu You’an whisper-squealed after she passed. “Oh my god, I actually saw her in person!”
Chen Yi thought, Crap.
Her future boss had totally misunderstood.
So after orientation ended that day, Chen Yi’s first move was to grab a coffee and loiter outside Xu Yan’s office, hoping for a chance encounter to clear things up.
“What are you doing?” The voice came from behind.
Chen Yi jumped and spun around.
Xu Yan stood a meter away, coffee in hand, eyes like ice.
“Uh, Teacher Xu—I just meant that I like—”
Before she could finish, a colleague with a camera strolled up, eyed the scene, and chuckled. “Well, well, Xu Yan. Another admirer?”
Xu Yan: “Shut it.”
She glanced at Chen Yi.
“This is a workplace.” A warning edged her tone. “Don’t do anything irrelevant.”
With that, the door shut. Xu Yan and the photographer went inside to discuss work. Before entering, the photographer even winked at Chen Yi.
Chen Yi clutched her warm coffee, feeling chilled to the bone.
Back at her desk slacking off, she saw fans asking about her internship.
She replied:
Good news: Boss is a babe.
Bad news: Babe probably hates me.
But that wasn’t the real issue.
The big deal? Her current favorite game was updating at noon. As a gaming content creator, she wouldn’t miss fresh hands-on content for the world.
Lunch done, Chen Yi slipped away from the group, found an empty meeting room, drew the blinds, and connected to Wi-Fi.
Miracle, launch!
