CHAPTER THREE: WHISPERS IN GLASS WALLS

Lin Wei sat quietly in the high-ceilinged waiting area of Tiaorun Development Group, her file of credentials resting on her lap. The polished marble beneath her feet reflected the luxury around her—bright lights, mirrored panels, and the constant hush of power moving through polished shoes and tailored suits.

She wasn’t the only applicant. Four others sat nearby—two of them rehearsing lines under their breath, one checking her makeup in her phone, and one man staring blankly at the wall. No one looked at anyone else.

When her name was finally called, Lin Wei rose calmly and followed the assistant through a corridor of frosted glass.

The interview was clean, structured, and respectful.

Two HR executives sat across from her. A third person, Li Wen, who didn't introduce himself, remained standing behind them, tablet in hand, his gaze unreadable.

“You graduated from Country W National University?” one of the executives asked.

“Yes,” she replied evenly.

“You worked privately as a house manager and personal assistant for the Jin family?”

“Yes. I handled schedules, confidential errands, reports, and filing.”

The executives exchanged glances.

“You’re composed. Methodical. Quiet.”

The other added, “We have a few open administrative spots, but nothing permanent. If you’re open to a trial placement—”

“She’ll be contacted,” Li Wen cut in calmly. “Dismiss her.”

Lin Wei blinked once, surprised by the abrupt end. But she rose, bowed respectfully, and left the room without a word.

---

Upstairs, in an office hidden behind mirrored walls, Sheng Tiaorun stood in silence.

“She didn’t hesitate,” Li Wen said, standing beside him after the meeting. “Not once. No fidgeting. No bragging.”

“She’s not like the others,” Tiaorun replied quietly, though his expression remained still.

Li Wen tilted his head. “Do you want to—”

“Assign her.”

“Sir?”

“As my second secretary,” Tiaorun said. “No announcement. Quietly. First thing tomorrow.”

Li Wen didn’t question it. But he made a note.

---

The following morning, a low murmur moved through the executive wing like a passing breeze.

“A female secretary?” someone whispered at the coffee machine.

“For him?”

“He’s never kept one before. Not since—well, you know.”

“I heard she came in just yesterday. No recommendations, no agency. Just walked in.”

“She must have something.”

Whispers trailed behind Lin Wei as she walked down the corridor toward the executive floor, guided by Li Wen himself.

She didn’t know what had changed overnight or what's happened. She had received the call early that morning—report to Level 27, executive office wing. Second secretary position. Signed under Sheng Tiaorun.

No explanation. No offer letter. Just quiet placement.

When the doors opened, she stepped into a space of glass, stone, and silence.

Li Wen led her to a minimalist desk near the CEO’s office door.

“You’ll be working here from now on,” he said. “As of now, your primary duties are organization, correspondence, and screening select communication. First secretary handles client-facing operations. You’ll stay internal.”

Lin Wei nodded once. “May I ask… why me?”

Li Wen didn’t answer. He simply looked at her, blinked once, and said, “You were chosen. That’s enough.”

---

Inside his office, Sheng Tiaorun glanced briefly at the security monitor as she settled into her new desk.

She didn’t smile. She didn’t look around like she was impressed. She simply got to work.

He turned away from the screen.

No one needed to know that the moment he saw her in the elevator — silent, composed, unknowingly radiant — something inside him quieted.

But he would never show it.

Not to her.

Not to anyone.