The fluorescent lights of the new company cast a sterile glow across the open-plan office, but they did nothing to dim the striking presence of Kou Yuehan. She stood at the reception desk, her posture straight and elegant, a tailored gray blouse tucked neatly into a dark pencil skirt. Her hair was pulled back into a low bun, revealing a face that was both refined and warm—a face that had known love and stability. She clutched her leather handbag with both hands, a habit from years of conservative reserve.
“Hello, I’m Kou Yuehan. I was told to report to the HR department on the third floor.”
The receptionist smiled and directed her toward the elevator. As she walked, her heels clicked against the polished floor, a rhythmic sound that drew glances from several cubicles. She was aware of the attention but kept her eyes forward, a faint, polite smile on her lips. This was a fresh start, she reminded herself. A chance to prove she could carry herself with dignity in a new environment.
On the third floor, a middle-aged man in a slightly wrinkled blue shirt was leaning against the doorframe of the break room, a disposable coffee cup in his hand. His name was Wang Ge, a veteran of the company for over a decade. He watched Kou Yuehan emerge from the elevator, and his eyes traveled slowly from her shoes up to her face. He took a sip of coffee, letting the liquid linger on his tongue.
“New colleague?” he called out, his voice casual and friendly.
Kou Yuehan turned. “Yes. I’m Kou Yuehan. I’m joining the marketing team.”
“Ah, come in, come in.” He waved her over, his face creased with a practiced smile. “I’m Wang Ge. I’ve been around here forever. Anything you need, just ask. The newbie orientation can be confusing, but I’ll help you get settled.”
“Thank you, Mr. Wang. That’s very kind.”
“Just call me Brother Wang. Everyone does.” He led her past a row of desks, pointing out the printer, the supply cabinet, and the restrooms. “This is your cubicle—right next to mine. I’ll be your unofficial mentor for the first week. Don’t be shy.”
Kou Yuehan felt a slight relief. A helpful senior colleague was exactly what she needed. She placed her bag on the desk and sat down, adjusting her skirt beneath her thighs. The chair was standard, but she made it feel like a throne.
As the morning passed, Brother Wang brought her a stack of documents and a cup of water. “Hydration is key,” he said with a wink. “You’ll be reading a lot. Let me know if you need anything.”
She thanked him and took a sip. The water was cool and unremarkable. She thought nothing of it.
At lunchtime, Brother Wang invited her to join a small group of colleagues at a nearby restaurant. She hesitated—her husband, Shi Yilei, often texted her around noon to check in—but the colleagues were welcoming, and she didn’t want to seem aloof. She agreed.
At the table, Brother Wang ordered several dishes and a bottle of baijiu. “A little welcome toast,” he insisted. “Just a sip to celebrate.”
Kou Yuehan protested weakly. “I don’t usually drink during the day.”
“It’s just a token. Come on, everyone’s getting one.” He poured a small glass and pushed it toward her. She looked at the clear liquid, then back at his smiling eyes. She took the glass and drank it in one gulp. The burn was sharp but brief.
Brother Wang smiled wider.
Back at the office, she felt a strange warmth creeping through her chest. She thought it was the alcohol. She drank more water from her cup, not noticing that Brother Wang had earlier refilled it from a different bottle, a clear liquid he kept hidden in his drawer. A few drops only—enough to stir, not to overwhelm.
As the afternoon wore on, the warmth deepened into a low, dull heat that gathered in her belly. She shifted in her chair, crossing and uncrossing her legs. The fabric of her pantyhose rubbed against her thighs, and she felt a sudden, unwelcome awareness of her own body. Her breasts, normally forgotten inside her bra, seemed to become heavy, sensitive. She pressed her thighs together, trying to suppress the feeling.
A vivid image flickered through her mind—an image of a naked man, strong arms, a torso she did not recognize. She blinked, startled. Where had that come from? She shook her head and tried to focus on the spreadsheet in front of her. The numbers blurred.
Brother Wang’s voice came from beside her. “Everything okay? You look a little flushed.”
She looked up, and his face seemed too close, his eyes too knowing. She swallowed. “Just a bit warm. It’s the alcohol, I think.”
“Open the window. I’ll get you some cold water.” He returned with a fresh cup. She drank deeply, but the heat inside her wasn’t thirst—it was something else, something that made her heart beat faster and her skin tingle. She caught herself imagining his hands on her shoulders, sliding down. She jerked upright, horrified.
*This is ridiculous. I’m a married woman. I love my husband.*
But the thought only made the fantasy more shameful—and more intense. She felt a pulse between her legs, a wetness that should not be there. She excused herself to the restroom and stood in front of the mirror, staring at her own reflection. Her cheeks were pink, her pupils slightly dilated. She looked almost… excited.
She splashed cold water on her face. *It’s just nerves. New job. New people. That’s all.*
When she returned to her desk, Brother Wang was on the phone, but his eyes followed her. He hung up and said, “Almost quitting time. Let me walk you to the elevator.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I insist. You’re my new prize student.” He grinned.
She allowed it, feeling a pull she didn’t understand. When the elevator doors opened, he stepped in with her, hitting the lobby button.
“See you tomorrow, Kou Yuehan. We’ll have a productive week.”
The doors closed. Alone in the metal box, she felt a wave of dizziness, and for a moment she wondered if she was coming down with something. But the feeling was not sickness—it was a dark, eager hunger, a hunger that made her think of her husband’s body in a way she never had before. She pressed her hand against the cold wall, breathing deeply.
*What is wrong with me?*
She stepped out into the evening air and walked toward the subway, her steps unsteady, her mind clouded with unwelcome desire. Behind her, from the third-floor window, Brother Wang watched her go, his expression unreadable.
He turned back to his desk, picked up her discarded water cup, and threw it into the trash. Tomorrow, he thought, he would increase the dose.