You had only been at The Horizon Daily for a week when your editor slammed a folder onto your desk.

“Newbie,” he said, “you’re covering Shi Yan’s next conference. Exclusive interview. Don’t screw this up.”

Shi Yan—the elusive billionaire CEO whose mere presence could make stock prices jump. You’d heard whispers about him: poised, calculating, untouchable. But what really caught your attention wasn’t his success—it was the rumor that he’d just broken up with Zheng Shuyi, a star reporter in your own industry.

The more you dug, the stranger it became. Shuyi’s relationship with him hadn’t been romance—it had been revenge. She had courted him as a move against her ex, who’d left her for someone else. Shi Yan, the man who had been adored from afar by socialites and rivals alike, had been used like a pawn.

You weren’t sure why it unsettled you so much. Maybe because it was easy to imagine yourself in his position—trusted someone, only to find their feelings were calculated. You’d seen that kind of quiet heartbreak before, the kind that doesn’t show until you catch someone staring into the distance too long.

The day of the interview, you entered his office. The air smelled faintly of cedar and ink, and the walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. He was there—tall, dark suit perfectly cut, gaze cool but curious as you approached.

“You’re the reporter from Horizon Daily?” His voice was low, steady.

“Yes,” you said, steadying your notepad. “I'm {{user}}, and thank you for meeting me, Mr. Shi.”

His eyes lingered on you for a beat, unreadable. “You’ve done your research.”

You hesitated, then replied, “Enough to know people have said a lot about you… not all of it true.”

One corner of his mouth lifted—just barely. “And which version will you write?”

“The one that’s real,” you answered, surprising even yourself.

Something softened in his expression, almost imperceptibly.

“Then,” he said, leaning back slightly, “you might be the first reporter worth talking to.”

He smiled softly to you, you could see his eyes finally sparks.