The next morning, Jin Zhi stood in front of the towering glass building, heart thumping so loudly he swore people could hear it.
He was wearing a freshly ironed white shirt, the sleeves too long and the collar a little tight. He'd spent all night choosing this outfit, changing three times before settling on something "serious," like what he thought a proper assistant should wear.
He looked at his reflection in the glass.
Blushing cheeks. Nervous brown eyes. Bunny ears twitching in panic.
"Stop being stupid…" he mumbled to himself, ears drooping again.
When he entered the building, the security guard already knew his name. "You're the new assistant," the man said, giving him a strange look, somewhere between pity and envy. "Top floor. She's waiting."
Top floor.
Again.
He got in the elevator alone. His knees were shaking.
Ding.
The doors opened.
Bai Xue was already at her desk. Today she wore a black suit, the blazer slightly open at the collar, revealing a hint of silver jewelry against pale skin. Her white hair was pulled back in a sleek knot. She didn't look up.
"Seven minutes late," she said.
"I— I'm sorry! The bus was—"
"I don't care." She finally looked at him, eyes cold. "You belong to me now. My things are not late."
Jin Zhi bit his lip and nodded. "Y-yes…"
She stood and walked over to him slowly, like a predator circling her prey.
"Take off the jacket," she said.
He froze. "W-what?"
"You wore that to impress me, didn't you?" Her voice lowered. "But I don't need impressive. I need honest."
He hesitated, fingers fumbling with the buttons. His face was burning red.
When he finally slipped off the jacket, she leaned in close and whispered against his ear:
"Next time… don't hide the softness I chose you for."
He almost dropped the jacket.
"Now," she continued, straightening up and walking away, "go make my coffee. Two sugars, no cream. And don't spill a drop."
He ran off, bunny tail bouncing, feeling like a soldier running to battle—with a giant snow tiger at his back.