The first day of the handover

"Morning."

Shen Yi walked into the office with an easy stride and was greeted by the secretaries' astonished faces. He had expected as much and couldn't help smiling.

"Boss!"

"Oh my god! What's going on?"

"You're back?"

The entire Secretary Department erupted into excitement. No one even bothered with greetings before crowding around him, and Secretary Li was so moved that their eyes reddened.

"I'm only back for a few days to handle the handover."

"No! You can't leave this time! You have to stay with us until retirement!" Secretary Li clung to Shen Yi's arm, only half joking, and refused to let go.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Let's make the most of our time and get down to business."

Shen Yi helplessly poked Secretary Li's forehead. The grip on his arm loosened, and only then did Secretary Li let go with a reluctant huff.

Shen Yi walked naturally toward his workstation. He had been gone for three weeks, but his desk looked exactly as he had left it. No one had even touched the sticky notes on his monitor, as though they had all been certain he would return.

The familiar desk stirred a jumble of emotions in Shen Yi. He smiled and steadied himself against its edge. This wasn't the time to get sentimental. He needed to deal with the backlog first.

He looked up at his colleagues, who were still staring at him.

"Let's talk one at a time. Who wants to go first?"

Aside from Shen Yi, there were four people in the Secretary Department. It looked as though they had divided the work and managed to shoulder all of President Yuan's affairs.

Seeing how neatly everyone had organized the work filled Shen Yi with relief.

"Secretary Li, has anything unusual happened lately?"

"Well... President Yuan seems to have stopped drinking coffee lately."

Shen Yi paused. "President Yuan?"

"Yes. It's still from the same shop, the same Americano, but he hasn't touched a drop."

That was completely out of character. Yuan Chen never missed his coffee.

"What else?"

"He seems especially sensitive to the heat lately. He opens the window as soon as he gets in the car."

Shen Yi rested his chin on his hand and considered it. What could be causing that?

Just then, an unfamiliar fragrance drifted over. Ever since becoming an omega, his sense of smell had grown especially keen.

He drew Secretary Li's hand closer and sniffed it. "This isn't perfume. It's body lotion, right?"

"Yes, from that perfume brand."

"President Yuan doesn't like artificial fragrances, especially musky scents. They give him headaches. The lotion isn't strongly scented, but it might make him uncomfortable in an enclosed space like the car."

Understanding dawned on Secretary Li. Shen Yi smiled as he noted it down. "You don't have to stop using it. Just switch to something with a lighter scent."

So sensitive to smells, yet all you did was open the window for some air. President Yuan, your temper really has improved.

Shen Yi chuckled inwardly and continued taking notes. He knew President Yuan must have seen how hard the secretaries were working, which was why he had been so accommodating.

Afterward, Shen Yi spoke with Secretary Pang and Xiao Chen separately. They each described the difficulties they had encountered, and Shen Yi offered advice on every one.

Change was never easy. Helping everyone through the transition was Shen Yi's job now.

He had just finished speaking with Xiao Chen when footsteps sounded outside the door. Yuan Chen had returned from working off-site.

Shen Yi immediately stood, straightened his suit, and adjusted his ID badge. "Good morning, President Yuan."

Yuan Chen's steps faltered, and their eyes met.

Behind him, Chi Ziheng's eyes widened with delighted surprise. By contrast, Yuan Chen merely gave Shen Yi an expressionless glance.

The workstation that had stood empty for three weeks was finally occupied again. One person's return had instantly changed the atmosphere in the office.

"The meeting starts shortly. Get ready."

Yuan Chen made no mention of Shen Yi's presence and gave his instructions directly to Chi Ziheng. Chi Ziheng promptly acknowledged them and signaled for Chen Haoyu to prepare the meeting materials.

As soon as President Yuan arrived, the Secretary Department sprang into action. Shen Yi also sat down and began sorting through documents.

Before long, Chi Ziheng came over. He spun Shen Yi's chair around and gripped his shoulders, his gaze intensely serious.

"What's going on?"

"Easy, easy. You're going to crush my shoulders."

"How am I supposed to stay calm?!"

Although he kept his voice low, his eyes looked ready to shoot flames.

"You really became an omega?"

"Yes."

"You're kidding, right? You're still our boss!"

Chi Ziheng looked him up and down in disbelief. With every thought written plainly on his face, Shen Yi burst out laughing.

"Stop staring. It's embarrassing."

"Your skin does look better... though that's probably because you're in a better mood."

"You, on the other hand, look pretty exhausted, Chi Ziheng."

Chi Ziheng dragged over a chair and plopped down with his legs spread. He let out a deep sigh and raked an irritated hand through his hair. "I'm dying..." His voice was heavy with fatigue.

Shen Yi turned to take in the sight of him, then settled comfortably against his chair back. It was time to hear him vent.

"Do you have any idea how we survived these past few weeks?"

"Was it really that bad?"

"It feels like my lifespan is counting down... At this rate, I'll either get fired or work myself to death..."

"That's a bit dramatic."

"Who said just looking at President Yuan could perk you up? He's practically a death warrant!"

Chi Ziheng held his forehead and waved his other hand. He clearly had been put through the wringer.

Shen Yi thought for a moment and lightly tapped his armrest. Seeing how much Chi Ziheng had struggled filling in for him made him feel guilty.

He patted Chi Ziheng's shoulder, and Chi Ziheng abruptly looked up. His beautiful face was a portrait of utter despair. Shen Yi tipped his chin toward him.

"Come on. I'll buy you a coffee."

At the café on the first floor, they took their coffees into the lounge and sat down. It was quiet during working hours.

Shen Yi set an alarm for ten minutes before the meeting and began chatting with Chi Ziheng.

"It really hasn't been easy. President Yuan hasn't lost his temper, has he? He's demanding, but he doesn't lash out for no reason. You've worked alongside him, so you should have seen that."

"But President Yuan trusts you, boss. Us? We don't even get time to breathe." The conversation quickly turned into complaints about Yuan Chen: why did he insist on perfection, and why did he never rest? "Calling him a workaholic is putting it kindly. He's a work machine." Chi Ziheng said his nerves were stretched tight all day, and he had even started losing hair. He showed Shen Yi his hairline.

"Why haven't you hired a new special assistant?"

Shen Yi asked the most important question. No matter how capable the team was, dividing the duties among them like this wasn't a long-term solution.

"President Yuan hasn't brought it up, and we've been too busy to think about it."

"Don't you want to give it a try, Chi Ziheng?"

"Boss!"

Chi Ziheng's voice rose into a wail. Shen Yi pressed down his agitated hand.

"I'm not joking. You're meticulous, and President Yuan knows that. It's why he always takes you along."

"What kind of joke is that? You're giving me goosebumps."

"You're that opposed to it? Your annual salary would definitely go up considerably. President Yuan never skimps on compensation."

"No. Not even if you killed me."

Chi Ziheng shook his head firmly, making it clear he had already reached his limit.

Shen Yi took a sip of coffee. He had intended to recommend Chi Ziheng, but seeing how strongly he resisted, he would have to find someone else.

After finishing his coffee in silence, he turned toward the pouting Chi Ziheng and smiled at him.

"I'm staying until the day after tomorrow."

Chi Ziheng clenched his fists. "Why so soon?"

"No, I mean I'll finish everything I need to do before I leave. I'll find a candidate for the president's special assistant, though President Yuan will still have to interview them... Anyway, I'll have to ask you to hang in there a little longer."

"..."

"I'm sorry I couldn't help more."

The corners of Chi Ziheng's mouth slowly drooped, and he looked about to cry. Shen Yi softly said, "Thanks for all your hard work," and patted his shoulder.