The black car rolled to a stop in front of Lingfeng Media's main building. The polished glass shimmered in the early light. Bai Zhiqi stepped out, her tailored beige blouse and dark slacks giving her a sleek, understated elegance. Her long hair was tied in a low ponytail, her expression calm—but her knuckles were white around the strap of her bag.
She wasn't nervous. She was focused.
"Miss Bai?"
She turned at the soft voice. A tall woman with a gentle smile and shoulder-length hair stood by the entrance, holding a visitor's pass.
"I'm Lin Ke'er, Director Su's executive secretary. CEO Ji asked me to look after you."
Bai Zhiqi blinked. She'd expected a cold wall of polite formality—not warmth.
"Thank you," she replied.
As they walked into the elevator, Ke'er offered a sideways glance. "You're brave, you know. Walking into a place like this, with all the gossip flying around."
"I've been through worse."
"That's what makes you interesting," Ke'er said with a knowing smile.
The elevator doors opened on the 15th floor. It buzzed with energy—phone calls, keyboard clicks, and hushed meetings. Lingfeng's headquarters was nothing short of a warzone in heels and cufflinks.
"You'll be working under Director Su in operations," Ke'er explained. "For now, you're shadowing and observing. You'll have access to internal reports—nothing confidential, but enough to learn."
Bai Zhiqi nodded. "Sounds good."
She was introduced to her shared workstation near the windows. The space was bright and clean, and Ke'er had even brought a small cactus to place on her desk.
"Consider this your good luck charm. I'll show you the breakroom and the archives room later."
Just as Bai Zhiqi began settling in, a high-pitched voice rang from across the floor.
"Well, if it isn't the new recruit hand-delivered by CEO Ji."
A woman in her late twenties, dressed head-to-toe in branded pieces, approached with a confident sway. Her nameplate read: *Zhao Min - Senior Planning Associate*.
"Min," Ke'er greeted with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Zhao Min looked Bai Zhiqi up and down, her expression unimpressed. "Heard you're here to 'observe.' Must be nice, skipping interviews and background checks."
"I submitted my credentials," Bai Zhiqi replied evenly.
"Right. But connections speak louder than paperwork, don't they?"
Ke'er stepped in. "She's qualified, Min. Director Su approved everything."
Zhao Min shrugged and walked off. "Hope she keeps up."
Ke'er rolled her eyes. "Ignore her. She's always been salty about anything not in her control."
"Let her talk," Bai Zhiqi said calmly. "I'm not here to win approval."
Ke'er smiled. "Good. You'll do just fine."
Throughout the morning, Bai Zhiqi poured over vendor reports and past project audits. She kept her head low, listening, observing, memorizing names and roles. She asked intelligent questions, noted inconsistencies, and slowly got a feel for the web of Lingfeng's corporate politics.
Zhao Min, meanwhile, kept circling like a shark—hovering just close enough to nitpick.
At one point, she passed by Bai Zhiqi's desk and remarked, "Sweetie, those aren't your numbers to look at. Be careful, or you'll bite off more than you can chew."
Bai Zhiqi smiled without looking up. "Thanks for the warning. I don't bite unless someone hands me the bait."
Several heads turned.
Ke'er muffled a chuckle. "You're dangerous with words. I like that."
By lunchtime, a few of the other team members had started warming up to her. She wasn't arrogant, and she wasn't trying to impress anyone. That alone made her intriguing.
Over lunch in the lounge, Ke'er leaned over. "You know, you're lucky to have CEO Ji's backing, but I think you would've made it in here without it."
Bai Zhiqi looked at her for a beat. "I don't plan to lean on him. I'll earn my place."
Ke'er tapped her coffee cup with a smile. "Then welcome to Lingfeng, Miss Bai. Let's shake this place up."
And from her corner seat in the lounge, Zhao Min sipped her drink silently, her eyes narrowed.
It wasn't over. It had only just begun.