Autumn has just begun and yet the trees and bushes already have no leaves. Moreover, it has become cold. But when Yibo left the house this morning, the sun was shining and its rays were so warm that he decided to ride his motorcycle to work today.

For two years now, Yibo has been working in his parents' company. Once it was a small company that operated a home shopping business, where they sold mainly products from abroad. And precisely because they were the only ones offering this in this country, and because customers got these products cheaper through them than if they had to order them abroad, the small company grew bigger and bigger quite quickly.

Now the company is one of the top 3 in the whole country. Not only do they offer many products from home and abroad, but they also have their own transportation company, which is used to bring the ordered products directly to the customers. But they also have their own shopping channel, photo studio, restaurant and two café houses.

And in order for everything to run smoothly in such a large company, there are many different departments. One of these departments, which is especially important, is the marketing department. And it is in this marketing department that Yibo works as a manager. Two years ago, however, it was not as easy for him to get started as he initially thought.

He had just finished his studies when his parents told him that he would be taking over as head of the marketing department immediately. However, since Yibo had been prepared for this his whole life, he actually felt up to the task and was even looking forward to it.

But already on his first day at work he noticed that his new employees and colleagues were not very enthusiastic about the fact that they would now have a 22 year old inexperienced new boss who only got the leadership of this department because he is the son of the general management.

In private, people talked about Yibo as the inexperienced, spoiled rich greenhorn, because of whom a good man lost his job. Yet the previous head of the marketing department had not lost his job. He had only been transferred to another department in an equivalent position and had himself agreed to this transfer.

Yibo wasn't impressed by the talk about him and the sometimes really unfriendly behavior towards him. Instead, he told himself that he would prove to them that he was just the right person for the job. It took a few weeks, but he managed to convince his new employees and colleagues bit by bit.

With his new innovative ideas, creativity and new ways of thinking, he brought a breath of fresh air into the marketing department. For too long, they had all been following the same routine, with no changes and nothing new. But thanks to Yibo, this changed and through him, the colleagues and employees in his department suddenly felt inspired again and also developed new concepts and ideas.

The marketing department finally received a new boost and a lot of praise. Suddenly, Yibo's employees and colleagues were no longer against him, but were happy that he was now there.

Yibo achieved success and created a good mood in his department. But Yibo's good mood at that time, especially in the first six months, was just an act. Not that he wasn't happy that they were so successful. He didn't show any signs of it. But inside Yibo was anything but happy.

He had achieved what he wanted to achieve. But his heart could not rejoice. Because his heart was longing for Zhan, with whom he spent that one unforgettable night. He was full of longing for Zhan, even if they only had this one night together.

Again and again, Yibo found himself clicking through all the profiles of people on various social networks with the name Zhan. Always in search of this one Zhan. Because Yibo didn't know more about him than his first name, his age and his appearance. More than once he was annoyed that he didn't ask him for his last name or where he lives, studies or at least his cell phone number.

At that time, he visited the club where he met Zhan almost every weekend. Always hoping Zhan would show up there again.

It cost Yibo a lot of strength to concentrate on the here and now. And finally, it took him even a half year to stop thinking about him all the time, or to stop looking around everywhere all the time, always hoping to see Zhan somewhere. And only after a year, Yibo was ready to give up hope of seeing Zhan again someday.

Time did not stand still and life went on. In addition, Yibo had his hands full with his job. He had to direct his full attention to it and should no longer constantly hang with his head in the clouds and hope to see his dream man again someday. After all, it was only one night they spent together. Even if this one night meant more to Yibo than he could put into words.

Only sometimes did he talk to his best friend about Zhan and the night they had together. His best friend Seungyoun never complained about Yibo's whining. Instead, he could even understand Yibo. Since he too had a similar experience to Yibo that night. For he met a man that same night who he also couldn't get out of his head. So they were fellow sufferers.

When Yibo arrived at the company that morning, he first had to go to the big meeting that is held every Friday with all the department heads. He sat in the big conference room and mostly just listened. The things he had to report were briefly and succinctly explained and so he just sat there for the rest of the time, hoping it wouldn't take more than an hour.

But this morning it was a little different. First, each department head got 5 minutes to speak and then Yibo's father addressed Yibo, his big brother Hai Kuan, and the head of HR. "As you know, the recruitment interviews are taking place today. I want you guys to be there." Said Yibo's father.

"I can try. We have another important meeting today and we still have to prepare a presentation." Replied Yibo.

"Attendance is mandatory! Recruitment interviews start at 10 am!" Yibo's father's voice boomed through the room. With that, Yibo's father made it clear that he would not tolerate any back talk, nor would he accept any excuses.

Yibo nodded. But in his mind he cursed. His father had always been like that and Yibo hated it. He was never someone Yibo could talk to in peace. Everything he said was constantly judged and condemned by his father. And it didn't matter if it was about work or at home in private. His father always made him feel like he wasn't good enough.

Yibo and his father never had an intimate relationship. He was just the second born son, which was never really planned. Although he never told Yibo that directly, but indirectly he had hinted at it again and again. And that is probably also a reason why Yibo is not in the management floor, like his big brother, but in the basement in the marketing department.

Yibo also had nothing to expect from his mother. For years, she has been nothing more than a functioning alcoholic. She rarely comes to work anymore because she prefers to go shopping and enjoys having some champagne or wine. And when she does come to work, she often sits idle in her office. At home, she and Yibo also hardly ever speak to each other. But that's also how Yibo prefers it.

Yibo has known since he was a teenager that being rich doesn't mean they have fewer worries than other families. He loves his parents and is sure they love him too in their own way. But he can get along just fine without them. Because of their work, they have rarely dealt with him anyway, so the bond between them is not very strong.

When Yibo returned to the conference room shortly before 10 am to attend the employment interviews, there were already over 40 people sitting in the waiting room. Yibo sighed because he knew there would be more and he certainly wouldn't get to do his work today. Instead, he would waste his time sitting in on the recruitment interviews, knowing that he would have no say in the matter anyway.

Promptly at 10 am, the recruiting interviews began. While Yibo and the head of the HR department sat silently at the table for most of the time, Yibo's father and big brother asked the applicants the same questions over and over again. They had already had to take a recruitment test in advance and all those who passed the test were invited to the interview today.

After two hours, there was a break of half an hour. Yibo hurried back to his department, checked on the progress of his coworkers, helped out briefly, and then had to return to the conference room. He made one last attempt to persuade his father that he doesn't need to be present for the rest of the talks.

But Yibo's father reacted as he had expected: "No! You stay here! After all, we're looking for someone for your department, and we're looking for a Personal Assistant for you, too!"

"What do I need an assistant for?" Yibo asked, confused.

"It's to make your work easier."

"I don't need an assistant for that. I'll be fine."

"But we'll find you an assistant! There will be no discussion about that!" Yibo's father replied harshly. Yibo assumed that this assistant was more likely to monitor all of Yibo's activities and then report them to his father. Because he had done the same with Yibo's brother after rumors arose that he was dating someone.

But as far as Yibo knew, there were no such rumors about him. Besides, he wasn't dating anyone. He didn't even flirt with anyone. After all, he has no time for it anyway.

At 3 pm, there were only a handful of applicants left. And when Yibo looked at the applicant profile of the next candidate, his heart almost stopped when he saw the picture and read the name. "Xiao Zhan! 23 years old. Recently living here in Beijing."

"What the hell?" Yibo muttered, staring at the picture.

"Oh oh yeah, we picked him as a possible candidate for the position of your Personal Assistant." Said Yibo's brother.

"What, him? Xiao Zhan?" Asked Yibo in an almost trembling voice.

"Yes. He has already worked in a company as a Personal Assistant for a year, so he is best suited for it. Why? Do you know him?"

"I um..." That was as far as Yibo got. For the candidate Xiao Zhan entered the conference room.

When Yibo's and Zhan's eyes met, Yibo saw that Zhan was also surprised to see him. Yibo's heart began to flutter restlessly. Thousands of questions seemed to shoot through his head. Restlessly, he slid back and forth in his chair. He hoped Zhan would not reveal that they knew each other. Because Yibo's father can't know that Yibo is gay.

Zhan sat down and smiled. "Before we start, I have something to ask you." He said.

"And what is that?" Asked Yibo's father.

"Please don't consider my application."

"And why not? You applied here, didn't you? You even took the recruitment test."

"Yes, but only because my father forced me to."

"And why did he do that?" Yibo's brother asked.

"Because he thinks I would be a good fit for this company. But I don't see it that way. Besides, my father can't judge that at all."

"Who is your father?"

"My father is the chief justice of the Federal Supreme Court."

"Of the, of the Federal Court? Judge Xiao is your father?"

"That's right."

"And he wants you to work here. Here? As a personal assistant for my son?"

"Yes."

"You do realize that no one would disagree with your father, right? I mean he's the toughest judge, isn't he?"

"Well, it's a matter of negotiation. With good arguments and solid evidence, he'll negotiate."

"But we have neither. You are far the best candidate for this job."

"Mhhh, so what do we do now?"

"Well, I'd say you give our company a chance."

"I don't know."

"Look here. This is my son Yibo and he's the head of the marketing department. He can really use your help."

"That's right. I can really use your help, Zhan!" Said Yibo very insistently. Zhan looked at him thoughtfully, as if considering how to respond without revealing that they knew each other.

"You can at least try it." Said Yibo's father calmly.

"All right. I'll give it a try. But if I don't like it..." Began Zhan.

"Oh you'll like it Zhan, I'm sure." Interrupted Yibo.

Now that fate seemed to have taken pity on Yibo, he wanted to use this second chance to get closer to Zhan. He didn't know how to do that yet. But he would at least try. Because still Zhan makes his heart flutter. And this time it would not end after one night!