After a brief introduction and a few pleasantries, Ning Wan linked her arm through Ji Sihan’s and followed Xu Han toward the CEO's office. Zhouzhou craned her neck, her eyes following their retreating figures with pure envy. “Mr. Ji, personally escorting her on her very first day. Isn't this just like one of those stories? The domineering CEO and his pampered little wife?” Zhao Yu draped an arm over her shoulder and tsked. “You just don't get it, do you? She comes back from abroad and is immediately appointed CEO. The old guard at Yinghua would never stand for it. Mr. Ji showing up in person is a power move—it lets the shareholders know she has the Ji Corporation backing her.” Zhouzhou cupped her chin in her hands, completely smitten. “He's already paving the way for his darling wife. Mr. Ji is so devoted!” Zhao Yu’s voice dripped with envy. “If she weren't the chairman's daughter, a man as powerful as him in A-City wouldn't have given her a second glance.” Zhouzhou shook her head, disagreeing. “Ms. Ning is brilliant in her own right—highly educated, beautiful... But speaking of looks...” She turned to Shu Wan. “I just noticed, Wanwan, you and the new CEO look a little alike, don't you think?” “You know, you’re right,” Zhao Yu leaned in for a closer look. “There is a resemblance. But I think Wanwan is prettier!” Shu Wan’s face went white. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she muttered, pushing herself up and heading for the restroom. Watching Shu Wan’s frail figure retreat, Zhouzhou looked worried. “What’s wrong with Wanwan?” Zhao Yu scoffed. “What do you think? She probably can't stand looking like the CEO without having her fate. Simple jealousy!” Zhouzhou didn’t press the matter. She knew Zhao Yu was two-faced and decided it was best to drop the subject. Shu Wan hurried into the restroom and quickly fumbled for the pills that suppressed her heart pain. She swallowed them dry, without water. It took a long moment for her to compose herself. She finally turned on the faucet, splashed her face with cold water, and looked up at her reflection in the mirror. The illness had ravaged her, leaving her face pale, her frame fragile and sickly. And Ning Wan… Just as she was lost in thought, the restroom door swung open, and Ning Wan walked in, her heels clicking on the tiles. Her skin was smooth and flawless, with a healthy, rosy glow. She radiated an aura of elegance and nobility. And on top of it all, she was highly accomplished—a perfect blend of beauty and brains. It was something Shu Wan could never hope to match. When their eyes met, a wave of self-consciousness washed over Shu Wan, and she quickly lowered her gaze. She fumbled for a paper towel and turned to leave. “Wait.” Ning Wan’s voice stopped her. Shu Wan's heart hammered against her ribs. She froze, rooted to the spot, as if she'd been caught doing something wrong. She was the victim, the one used as a substitute, yet in the presence of the real thing, she felt an overwhelming sense of shame. Ning Wan walked up to her and offered a gentle smile. “You're an assistant in the CEO's office, aren't you?” Shu Wan fought to quell the turmoil inside her. Keeping her head down, she nodded. “Yes.” Ning Wan glanced at the watch on her wrist. “I have a general shareholders' meeting in half an hour. Could you please make me a cup of coffee and bring it to my office? I need something to wake me up.” Shu Wan knew Ji Sihan was still in the office, and a knot of resistance tightened in her stomach. But she hadn't resigned yet. An order from a superior was an order she had to follow. She could only nod in agreement, deciding she would just ask Zhouzhou or one of the others to take it in for her. “Thank you,” Ning Wan said before walking out, chin up, posture perfect—every inch the CEO. Her confidence and radiance stood in stark contrast to Shu Wan. In her illness, Shu Wan felt like a cheap knock-off of Ning Wan, utterly worthless. Shu Wan stood there for a moment, lost in a daze, before pulling herself together. She left the restroom and headed straight for the break room. She prepared the coffee for Ning Wan, making it to the chairman’s preferred taste, then looked for Zhouzhou or the others to deliver it. But they had already been called away to set up the conference room. She had no choice but to go herself. “Come in.” The voice from inside was soft and delicate, unmistakably Ning Wan's. Shu Wan knew how awkward this was going to be. She hesitated for a long moment before steeling herself and pushing the door open. The instant the door opened, the first thing she saw was Ning Wan sitting on Ji Sihan's lap. Though she had tried to prepare herself, the sight still made the hand holding the coffee tray tremble uncontrollably. Fearing they would notice, she quickly averted her gaze, forcing a neutral tone into her voice. “Ms. Ning, your coffee is ready.” Ning Wan looked slightly flustered. “Just put it on the desk,” she said. Shu Wan nodded, placed the cup on the desk, and turned and walked out without once looking at Ji Sihan. Once outside the CEO's office, her legs went weak, and she had to lean against the wall just to stay upright. That position… it was the way Ji Sihan had always loved to hold her. Even though they hadn't been doing anything, her mind was flooded with images of the two of them, intimately entwined. The ways he had held her… he would probably hold Ning Wan just like that. No, that wasn't right. The ways he had held her were merely echoes of how he had once held Ning Wan. Her entire existence was nothing more than that of a living substitute.