Chapter 4 – Noticed

By the third day, Qin Zhi knew the floor layout better than her own apartment.

She knew which hallway light buzzed faintly above the printer room, which intern liked to sneak in at 10:03 pretending to be early, and which senior assistant always walked too loudly in heels like she wanted the whole floor to know she existed.

She also knew exactly how long it took Lu Shenyan to walk from the elevator to his office.

Twelve steps.

Each one as controlled as the last.

He always arrived at 8:59.

Never early. Never late.

He never greeted anyone.

Never made small talk.

He didn't need to.

The room shifted the moment he stepped into it.

---

Today, Qin Zhi had arrived fifteen minutes earlier than usual.

She liked having a few quiet minutes to breathe before the pressure of the day started.

She went through the emails, printed the updated reports, made her checklist, and prepared his coffee—black, no sugar, no milk, just as requested.

The coffee cup from the day before still sat in the office, untouched except for the sticky note.

Not bad. Keep steady.

She hadn't mentioned it to anyone.

She didn't have to.

The note wasn't for the world.

It was for her.

And it had done something strange.

It made her want to do better.

---

At 8:59, the familiar ding of the elevator echoed down the hall.

Qin Zhi didn't look up.

She just stood, picked up the fresh cup of coffee, and waited.

Footsteps passed her desk. The air shifted again.

The black door opened. Closed.

She waited ten seconds, then knocked once.

"Come in."

---

He was at his desk again. Always in the same position. Always neat.

Today he wore a dark gray suit with the top button undone. A small change, but somehow it made him look even more refined.

He didn't look up as she walked in.

She placed the coffee on the same coaster as before.

His fingers brushed the cup. He paused for a second, then looked at her.

"Sit."

Again?

She didn't ask questions. She just took the seat.

He sipped the coffee.

Another pause.

Then a small nod.

He approved.

She wasn't sure why that one tiny gesture made her heart feel… steady.

---

"You've handled the last two days well," he said.

It wasn't a compliment exactly, but it wasn't criticism either.

"Thank you."

"I've had six secretaries in the past year," he said, setting the cup down. "Two quit. Two were fired. One transferred herself to legal, and the last one cried in the elevator."

Qin Zhi blinked. "I don't cry in elevators."

He looked amused.

Briefly.

"You shouldn't cry at all in this building," he said. "They smell weakness."

"I don't think I have any left to show."

He leaned back, arms crossed lightly.

"Where did you learn to handle people?"

She hesitated.

"My mother used to be a medical receptionist," she said slowly. "I used to help her file insurance claims. If you said the wrong thing to a patient, they'd scream. If you said the wrong thing to the insurance company, they'd deny treatment."

He said nothing, but she could tell he was listening.

"People who have power like to pretend they're not dangerous," she added. "Until you challenge them. Then they show you."

"And what do you think I am?"

He wasn't asking to intimidate her.

He was genuinely curious.

Qin Zhi met his eyes.

"I think you're dangerous. But not careless."

That made him pause.

Another long silence.

Then he looked down at his tablet again.

"You've got fifteen minutes to prepare for the client review at ten. I want the proposal summary trimmed to two pages. Get rid of anything that doesn't matter."

"Yes, sir."

She stood.

Just as she reached the door, she heard him speak again—quietly.

"I don't usually leave notes."

She turned slightly.

"I figured."

"Don't expect another one."

She smiled faintly. "I won't. But thanks for that one."

This time, he didn't reply.

But she swore she saw the corner of his mouth twitch—just barely.

---

Back at her desk, she opened the file and started editing fast.

Cut the fluff. Keep the numbers. Highlight the risk analysis.

She read every line out loud under her breath to make sure it flowed.

By the time 9:50 hit, she had printed two copies, clipped them neatly, and placed them on a silver tray outside his door.

Exactly at 10:00, the conference call light blinked on his tablet.

Qin Zhi stood at her desk, waiting in case he needed anything mid-call.

He didn't.

But halfway through the meeting, he opened the door and handed her a sticky note.

It read: "Print two more. Meeting extended."

Simple. Efficient.

She nodded and moved.

---

The rest of the day passed in quiet waves of pressure.

Emails. Calls. Meetings.

She didn't speak much, but she listened to everything.

She learned the names of important contacts, the codes used in project files, and even the way Lu Shenyan's tone shifted depending on who he was speaking to.

With investors, he was sharp. With board members, cool. With legal, brief.

With her?

Still unreadable.

But less cold.

Just slightly.

---

At 6:02 PM, she was the last one still seated outside his office.

He walked out carrying his briefcase, coat slung over one arm.

He paused by her desk.

She looked up.

"Tomorrow, 8:15," he said. "Earlier start."

"Yes, sir."

"Don't be late."

"I won't."

He turned to leave.

Then stopped again.

"You don't talk much," he said without looking at her.

"You hired me for that."

A short pause.

Then, quietly: "Good."

He walked away.

Qin Zhi watched the elevator doors close.

And for the first time since starting the job, she let herself lean back and breathe.

She hadn't just survived another day.

She'd been noticed.

Not praised.

Not complimented.

But seen.

In this company, that was enough.

For now.