The Cold-Faced CEO's Unparalleled Warm Wife

The morning sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting its glow over the steel forest of Lujiazui, Shanghai. The MK Group Headquarters towered resplendently in the morning light—a modern architectural masterpiece representing the pinnacle of China’s luxury industry. Su Momo stood before the building, staring up at the symbol of this commercial empire, and took a deep breath. At 25 years old, she was a graduate of a prestigious domestic art academy, majoring in fashion design. She had even interned at a top Parisian designer’s studio. Yet, at this very moment, she felt more nervous than she had ever been. The memory of that dramatic interview three weeks ago still lingered vividly in her mind. Determined not to be late, she had taken a shortcut that day, only to end up stuck in traffic. Forced to abandon her car, she dashed into the subway and sprinted all the way to the building. Just as she stepped inside, she collided head-on with a man in a tailored suit. "I'm so sorry! Really, I’m terribly sorry!" she stammered, panicking as she saw the coffee from her cup spill onto his undoubtedly expensive custom suit. She looked up and froze—the man had an incredibly handsome face, with sharp features and a piercing, icy gaze. Those pitch-black eyes seemed to conceal an impenetrable layer of frost. The man said nothing, only frowned slightly. A subtle, unreadable expression flashed across his face before he strode off without a word. It wasn’t until he disappeared into the elevator that Su Momo snapped out of her daze. She glanced at her watch and, brushing off the incident, hurried to her interview. What she didn’t expect was that this seemingly trivial encounter would completely change the trajectory of her life. The position she had applied for was a design assistant role. But after the interview, it was suddenly upgraded to a full-fledged designer position, with double the salary. While thrilled, she couldn’t help but feel perplexed. It all seemed too… coincidental. "Miss Su?" A gentle female voice pulled Su Momo back to the present. She looked up to see an elegant woman smiling at her. "I’m Zhou Ling from the HR department. Welcome to MK Group. Please follow me to complete your onboarding process." Walking through the spacious lobby behind Zhou Ling, Su Momo couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur of MK Group. The building's interiors exuded modernity and understated luxury. From the artistic decor at the entrance to the limited-edition handbags displayed along the corridors, everything seemed to announce the company’s prominence in the fashion world. "I’ve reviewed your résumé, Miss Su," Zhou Ling said as she led the way. "Your internship at Armand Studio in Paris is especially impressive. But I must warn you, our design department moves at a very fast pace, and the competition is intense. I hope you can adapt quickly." "I understand," Su Momo replied earnestly. "I’ll do my best—" Before she could finish, a commotion erupted at the end of the hallway. Several executives in suits walked briskly past, their expressions tense. Leading the group was a tall man whose presence immediately froze Su Momo in her tracks—it was the man she had spilled coffee on that day. "President Chu," Zhou Ling greeted him respectfully, stopping in her tracks. President Chu? Su Momo felt as though her ears were ringing. The man she had spilled coffee on was Chu Linfeng, the CEO of MK Group? Suddenly, everything made sense—his commanding aura, and even the abrupt changes to her job offer. Chu Linfeng also seemed to recognize her. He paused mid-step, his gaze locking onto her for a brief moment. In those dark eyes, a fleeting, complex emotion flashed by. "A new hire?" he asked coolly, his deep, magnetic voice resonating in the hallway. "Yes, President Chu. This is Su Momo, our new designer starting today," Zhou Ling quickly introduced. Chu Linfeng’s gaze became inscrutable. "Assistant Wang, have her report directly to my office. I need a word with her." The announcement stunned not only Su Momo but also Zhou Ling. It was extremely rare—unprecedented, even—for a new hire to be summoned to the CEO’s office on their first day. As Chu Linfeng walked away, Su Momo’s heart raced. She suddenly regretted taking that shortcut, regretted running into him, and, most of all, regretted accepting this job. But there was no turning back now. Bracing herself, she followed the path laid before her. Assistant Wang, a reliable-looking man in his forties, gave her a reassuring smile. "Miss Su, please don’t worry. President Chu may seem stern, but he has a deep appreciation for true talent." The elevator ascended to the top floor. As the doors opened, Su Momo was led into the CEO’s office—a space dominated by massive floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the Shanghai skyline. The sunlight poured in through specially treated glass, filling the room with a soft glow. The minimalist yet impeccably tasteful decor reflected meticulous attention to detail, each item carefully curated. Su Momo forced herself to stay calm, though her fingers twisted nervously. Her eyes landed on a set of architectural blueprints spread out on the desk, covered in meticulous notes. Clearly, Chu Linfeng’s perfectionism extended not only to others but also to himself. Moments later, Chu Linfeng entered. He seated himself behind the grand desk and fixed her with a piercing gaze. "Tell me, why did you want to join MK Group?" "I’ve always admired MK’s design philosophy," Su Momo replied, summoning her courage. "Your company excels in blending tradition and innovation. For example, last year’s ‘Oriental Rhythm’ collection perfectly fused Chinese traditional craftsmanship with modern design language. And your efforts in sustainable fashion, particularly in developing eco-friendly materials—" "Enough," Chu Linfeng interrupted, his sharp eyes narrowing. "That’s not what I’m asking. You should know this—why did your position change from assistant to designer? Who authorized it?" Su Momo froze. So, the change hadn’t been Chu Linfeng’s decision? Who, then, was behind it? "I… I don’t know," she answered honestly. "I assumed the company adjusted the position based on my qualifications…" Chu Linfeng’s gaze turned icy. "It seems someone’s starting to overstep their boundaries in this company." He rose, his imposing presence filling the room as he walked toward her. "Miss Su, I appreciate your honesty. But MK Group is not a place for someone like you." A chill ran down Su Momo’s spine. Was she about to lose this hard-won opportunity just because of that coffee incident? Clenching her fists, she wanted to defend herself but couldn’t find the words. Just then, the office door swung open. An elderly man entered—a figure exuding an air of wisdom and authority. Despite his advanced age, his demeanor was sharp, and his movements were composed. "What’s going on here, Linfeng?" the older man asked, his voice calm yet commanding. "Grandfather," Chu Linfeng greeted, his expression noticeably softening. Su Momo was stunned. This was the legendary founder of MK Group—Chairman Chu, a titan of the Chinese luxury industry. Chairman Chu glanced at Su Momo, then at his grandson, seemingly piecing the situation together. With a kind smile, he said, "Ah, this must be the new designer. I’ve seen her work from Paris—very innovative, especially her use of oriental elements. Linfeng, the company needs fresh talent. Don’t be so harsh." After a moment’s hesitation, Chu Linfeng nodded. "Assistant Wang, take her to the design department." As she left the office, Su Momo could feel Chu Linfeng’s eyes lingering on her. There was something unreadable in his gaze—something that made her uneasy yet curious. Outside, Su Momo realized her back was drenched in cold sweat. This turn of events was far beyond anything she could have anticipated. One thing was clear: she had inadvertently stepped into an unseen battle within this corporate empire. Noticing her unease, Assistant Wang offered a quiet reassurance. "Miss Su, there’s no need to worry. President Chu may seem distant, but he values sincerity and talent above all else. If you work hard and prove your worth, you’ll earn his recognition." Su Momo nodded thoughtfully. She knew the road ahead would be anything but smooth. Yet, no matter the challenges, she was determined to persevere and prove her value.