When the Heartthrob Meets the Cold-Hearted Ex - Chapter 4

Early the next morning, Su Yang arrived at the company unusually early.

If her memory served her right, today was the first day Tang Yeran would be conducting his special feature research at Qianhe Games.

However, this had little to do with her at the moment. The initial research phase mainly involved moving between various company departments. As for the interview with her, the chief producer, it was scheduled for last.

So her enthusiasm for work today had absolutely nothing to do with someone’s arrival, it was purely due to her professional nature.

“Good morning, Director Su,” the receptionist greeted her while tidying up the desk.

It was only 8:30 a.m., far too early for the gaming industry, and the lobby was practically empty.

“Morning,” Su Yang replied as she approached the front desk, running her fingers over the polished marble surface and nodding in satisfaction.

The receptionist, quick to notice her reaction, added, “Don’t worry, Director Su. Yesterday afternoon, Director Xu had the entire company pause work an hour early for a thorough cleaning. Every workstation should be spotless by now.”

Su Yang’s expression remained neutral, but her tone noticeably brightened. “Good, very good.”

Her gaze flicked to the name tag on the receptionist’s lanyard. “Cheng Cheng, well done.”

The young woman beamed at the praise, watching her boss walk away and wondering if some VIP was visiting today. She resolved to be extra diligent with her tasks.

Since it was still early, Su Yang didn’t head straight to her office. Instead, she took the stairs, floor by floor, to inspect the premises.

The company had relocated here half a year ago, and once operations stabilized, she hadn’t personally checked the middle floors in a long time.

Now, after months, everything looked refreshingly new.

Pleased with the empire she had built, her inspection lasted half an hour. By the time she finished, employees had begun trickling in, filling the building with lively chatter.

Not wanting to disrupt their work, Su Yang returned to her office. The clock read 9:15, and she couldn’t help but scoff inwardly: Yesterday, he was all about professionalism, acting like the interview was his top priority. And now? Not even a shadow of him.

Of course, this was just a passing thought. Whether he showed up or when he arrived wasn’t something she needed to be informed about.

She booted up her computer. Regardless of Editor Tang’s work ethic, she, as the producer, had plenty of tasks waiting.

Two hours slipped by unnoticed. After reviewing some rejected drafts from the art department, Su Yang decided to discuss them with the art team lead.

She could’ve just messaged him to come to her office, but hey, movement was good for health.

As she reached the art department, she found it buzzing with activity.

This wasn’t surprising. During her visit to Yifeng Magazine yesterday, she had mentioned that the art department carried half of Qianhe’s weight, making it the natural first stop for research.

What was surprising, however, was…

“Editor Tang, these are the character designs I previously made for Ruan Ruan and Qianxun, but they got rejected. Feel free to look through them and take photos,” said Artist A, pulling up his folder of discarded drafts with a hint of pride.

Tang Yeran took out her phone and snapped several photos, not forgetting to compliment, “Your drawings are really beautiful. I love this one, this one, and this one, how could these possibly get rejected?”

Artist A was so flattered she could barely keep her eyes open from smiling, eagerly pulling up her proudest work. “Oh, it’s nothing, but our boss always demands perfection. This one got approved, but since it hasn’t been released yet, I probably shouldn’t let you take photos.”

“If you can’t take photos, why show it to her?” Artist B chimed in, carrying a stack of printed clothing drafts over to Tang Yeran. “Editor Tang, all of these have been approved. Director Xu said you can photograph any of them.”

“Wouldn’t just shooting the drafts be a bit dull? Editor Tang, you can take photos of my workstation too, I just tidied it up yesterday.” Artist C pulled her over to her desk, even striking a pose for the camera.

The team leader, unable to bear the blatant fawning, shoved a pack of snacks into Tang Yeran’s hands. “You devils, making her stand and take photos for so long. Tang Tang, sit here and rest for a bit. If you have any questions, just ask. Here, have some snacks.”

“You can ask me too, I’ve been with the company the longest.”

“If it’s gossip you’re after, I know all the best stuff.”

“…”

Xu You happened to pass by the art department with a cup of milk tea, only to spot her boss standing stiffly at the doorway, face frozen like a statue.

Following Su Yang’s gaze to the center of the crowd, she chuckled. “Who would’ve thought? Miss Tang has only been in our art department for such a short time, yet she’s already so popular.”

Su Yang withdrew her gaze slightly, her tone faintly sour. “She’s always been like this very well-liked.”

Always?

Pretending not to catch the implication, Xu You teased, “To what do we owe the rare honor of Boss Su gracing our art department? Is there something urgent?”

“What, am I unwelcome if there’s nothing urgent?” Su Yang’s peripheral glance swept over the art department again as she scoffed. “If I’d arrived any later, this entire department might as well have become someone’s personal harem.”

Xu You naturally didn’t think “someone” referred to herself and nearly laughed out loud.

“Why so bitter? Everyone appreciates beauty. Besides, we’re all artists here, it’s only natural to get excited around a pretty face. It’s purely an appreciation for aesthetics.”

“Purely appreciation? They’re never this enthusiastic around me.” Su Yang’s sharp gaze lingered on the crowd surrounding Tang Yeran. If looks could kill, daggers would already be flying.

“Pfft! Lao Su, you really are…”

Narcissistic.

Xu You swallowed the last word with great effort.

To be fair, their boss’s beauty was on par with the universally adored Miss Tang inside.

But with that perpetually icy expression of hers, who would dare approach her casually?

Of course, some truths were better left unsaid or at least sugarcoated.

“It’s different with you. You’re the one who signs our paychecks, our provider. Our feelings for you transcend shallow admiration for beauty; it’s a noble love for money. As they say, liking is indulgence, but love is restraint.”

The words were spoken with such sincerity that even Xu You himself nearly got goosebumps. Yet his proud and aloof boss remained completely unmoved. When he looked up again, she had already teleported to the art department.

“President Su.”

Su Yang seemed to carry her own cooling and noise-canceling system. The chattering sparrows of the art department instantly fell silent the moment they spotted her.

Noticing the abrupt change in atmosphere, Su Yang showed no expression as she slightly lifted her chin. “I’m here to discuss some matters with Xue Ling. Everyone, carry on with your work, no need to mind me.”

The named art team leader quickly stuffed her half-eaten snacks into a drawer and stepped forward, ready for instructions.

Tang Yeran observed how the previously enthusiastic young women had now all assumed serious, battle-ready postures, wondering just how intimidating Su Yang usually was in their daily lives.

Since she’d already gathered plenty of material from the art department, Tang packed up her things. “I won’t disturb everyone’s work any longer. I’ll go check out other departments.”

“No rush.” Su Yang’s words stopped Tang just as she was about to leave. “Authenticity matters in interviews. Rather than having everyone package polished statements for you, it’s better to observe the department’s normal workflow firsthand. Nothing we discuss will involve confidential information.”

Truthfully, Tang hadn’t planned to interact much with Su Yang during preliminary research, there was no need. But now that Su Yang had offered this opening, leaving would seem ungrateful. As for the implied suggestion that her interviews only skimmed the surface… surely she was overthinking it. Not everyone had ulterior motives.

Yet this time, Tang wasn’t being paranoid. Long-time Qiahe artists immediately noticed something unusual: Our normal workflow doesn’t involve the boss watching over us.

With lunch break approaching, Tang decided against visiting another department that morning. She pulled up a small chair to observe Su Yang’s discussion with the art lead.

Tall and long-limbed, Su Yang looked slightly constrained in the standard office chair, yet her cool, elegant demeanor remained undiminished. Her signature bun accentuated her delicate features, and her focused work expression was more beautiful than any painting. When speaking normally without sarcasm, her voice flowed like a refreshing spring.

“Most of those rejected drafts were actually good quality they could be reworked into a cohesive series…”

Even as a complete layperson, Tang found herself captivated.

But she didn’t forget her purpose, discreetly photographing the “normal workflow” while mentally organizing her notes. As she did, her thoughts wandered: Look at that figure, that presence. If this woman ever quit gaming for show business, she’d have no trouble succeeding.

So many things had changed over the years, yet Tang realized her aesthetic preferences had stayed remarkably consistent, no wonder she’d fallen for this person in her naive youth. These days though, some beauties were best admired from afar.

Su Yang wrapped up precisely at noon without encroaching on lunch break, exiting the art department with perfect composure. She’d noticed Tang taking several photos of her earlier and considered finding an excuse to review them, but someone beat her to it.

During the lunch break, team leader Xue Ling noticed the boss didn’t seem inclined to continue working and regained her lively demeanor. She stepped forward and took Tang Yeran’s arm.

“Tangtang, is this your first time visiting our company? Why don’t we have lunch at the company cafeteria? Not to brag, but our cafeteria facilities can compete with the best in all of City C.”

Before Tang Yeran could respond, the surrounding air suddenly turned several degrees colder.

Xue Ling: Is it just me, or does the boss seem unhappy when I praise our company’s facilities?

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