CHAPTER 2

The New Ruler of the Company

The entire building of the perfume company in Beijing felt different that morning.

The usual lively chatter of employees had turned into quiet whispers. Everyone was tense. Curious. Nervous.

Because today… the new owner of the company had arrived.

The luxurious black car that stopped outside the building earlier was still the topic of discussion in every department. The rumors that had spread across the company for the past few days were now becoming reality.

The new CEO.

Lu Se Cheng.

The name itself carried weight in the business world. Even people outside the perfume industry had heard about him.

Young. Powerful. Dangerous.

At only twenty-eight years old, he had already built a business empire under the Lu family name. Many companies he acquired had either grown rapidly under his leadership… or disappeared completely if they failed to meet his standards.

He was known for three things.

Cold decisions.

Sharp intelligence.

And zero tolerance for incompetence.

Rumor said he had once fired an entire management team in one single meeting.

Rumor also said that if someone wasted his time, they would not last a week under him.

Inside the company lobby, the employees gathered in a small meeting area as management prepared to formally introduce the new CEO.

But one person stood silently among them.

Shi Yan.

His calm eyes hid the storm inside his mind.

Because the moment he saw the man step out of that black car earlier…

His heart had nearly stopped.

Lu Se Cheng.

His former high school nightmare.

The boy who once made his school life unbearable.

Shi Yan clenched his fingers slightly.

Why is he here…

Why does it have to be him…

Before his thoughts could continue, footsteps echoed in the hall.

Everyone immediately straightened their posture.

The tall figure of Lu Se Cheng walked into the room surrounded by a few assistants and board members. His black suit was perfectly tailored, emphasizing his tall and imposing figure.

His sharp facial features looked almost sculpted.

Cold.

Expressionless.

Unapproachable.

His deep eyes slowly scanned the room.

The pressure in the air instantly doubled.

Many employees lowered their heads instinctively under his gaze.

Then he finally spoke.

His voice was calm, deep… and completely emotionless.

“I will keep this short.”

The entire room became silent.

“I am not interested in meaningless formalities.”

His gaze swept across the employees again.

“If you work sincerely and follow my standards…”

“You can continue working here.”

A short pause.

Then his voice became colder.

“But if you cannot work hard…”

“Submit your resignation letter to HR.”

The sentence fell like a blade in the room.

No sugar-coating.

No polite introduction.

Just a clear warning.

Then without another word, Lu Se Cheng turned around and walked away toward the executive floor.

The meeting ended before anyone could even react.

For several seconds, the employees stood frozen.

Then whispers exploded everywhere.

“Oh my god…”

“He’s even scarier than the rumors…”

“Did you see his face?!”

“I feel like I’ll get fired any day!”

Some looked terrified.

Some were shocked.

Some were already panicking about their performance reviews.

But among them, Shi Yan stood silently.

His eyes were fixed on the direction where Lu Se Cheng had disappeared.

His thoughts were chaotic.

Does he remember me…?

The question repeated again and again in his mind.

But a moment later he slowly shook his head.

No.

Impossible.

His fingers tightened slightly as he tried to calm himself.

I changed everything.

My name.

My personality.

My appearance.

The old boy who used to lower his head and endure everything silently… no longer existed.

Shi Yan’s eyes slowly became firm.

That weak person… was Gu Yan.

But now—

He was Shi Yan.

Confident. Calm. Unafraid.

He would never allow anyone to bully him again.

Even if that person was Lu Se Cheng.

After taking a deep breath, Shi Yan turned and walked toward his desk.

Work was still work.

And no matter what their past was…

Right now, he had a responsibility.

He was the personal secretary of the CEO.

Which meant sooner or later…

He would have to face him.

Shi Yan opened the files on his desk and began organizing the company’s project documents, financial reports, and development proposals.

Every paper was arranged perfectly.

Every detail prepared carefully.

Because if there was one thing Shi Yan was known for in the company…

It was professionalism.

Soon, a thick stack of documents rested neatly in his arms.

CEO briefing materials.

Strategy reports.

Product development files.

Everything the new CEO would need to review.

Shi Yan looked toward the elevator that led to the executive floor.

His heart beat slightly faster.

For a brief moment, memories from high school flashed in his mind.

The laughter.

The humiliation.

The cold eyes of Lu Se Cheng from years ago.

Shi Yan slowly exhaled.

Then his expression returned to calm.

That was the past.

And this…

He adjusted the documents in his hands.

This is the present.

With steady steps, Shi Yan walked toward the elevator.

Because whether he liked it or not…

The next person he had to face—

Was the new ruler of the company.

Lu Se Cheng. 😈

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