Secretary Su Wants to Resign [Love Grows Over Time]

Su Shangfei is a determined young woman from a modest background who graduated from a standard university but possessed exceptional resilience and intelligence. Despite facing fierce competition from elite candidates with advanced degrees, she harbored a singular, obsessive goal: to secure a position at Guishang Group. Her motivation was not merely career advancement but a deep, personal necessity tied to her past. During her university graduation season, she had saved a significant sum of money through rigorous part-time work and frugality, dedicating herself entirely to this one opportunity while ignoring her roommate Meng Lu’s advice to cast a wider net. Her persistence paid off when she was selected for a leaderless group interview, where her sharp logical reasoning and ability to dominate chaotic discussions caught the attention of Mu Ruye, the Executive President of Greater China and team lead of Business Group One. Mu Ruye, known for his ruthless standards and having fired six previous hires, personally selected Su Shangfei, declaring that he preferred one capable person over many useless ones.

Upon joining the company, Su Shangfei faced a hostile work environment. Her colleagues, particularly veteran employees like Yao Na and fellow interns Shu Rui and Qiu Tian, viewed her rapid rise with suspicion and jealousy. They spread rumors, isolated her, and even maliciously deleted her work data in an attempt to sabotage her probation period. Su Shangfei confronted Wang Nan, a colleague caught deleting files, and presented irrefutable evidence. Although Mu Ruye did not intervene emotionally, he strictly enforced company policy, firing Wang Nan for dishonesty and teaching Su Shangfei the importance of professional composure over emotional outbursts. This incident marked a turning point in her integration, as Mu Ruye began to treat her not just as a subordinate but as a protégé. He provided her with a wardrobe allowance, promoted her early past the three-month probation, and entrusted her with mature clients, signaling his intent to build a loyal faction within the department.

Parallel to her professional struggles, Su Shangfei navigated a complex personal relationship with Mu Ruye. Their dynamic was defined by his cold, authoritative exterior and her quiet, steadfast support. Mu Ruye, burdened by family drama involving his illegitimate half-brother Mu Runnian and a father who favored the newcomer, often sought solace in Su Shangfei’s presence. He confided in her during vulnerable moments, such as after a tense family banquet, revealing a side of himself hidden from the rest of the world. Su Shangfei, aware of her role as his secretary and confidante, maintained professional boundaries while offering emotional stability. She noticed his health deteriorating due to stress and overwork, often preparing his coffee and ensuring he ate, actions that gradually softened his demeanor. However, she remained acutely aware that her position was precarious and that her ultimate goal was to achieve independence, not permanent dependency.

The narrative further explores the political landscape of the Mu family and Guishang Group. Mu Ruye’s father, Chairman Mu, returned from abroad with Mu Runnian, intending to elevate him within the company. This created a power struggle that threatened Mu Ruye’s position as the heir apparent. Su Shangfei assisted Mu Ruye in managing these external pressures, using her organizational skills to handle event logistics and her insight to navigate social interactions. Meanwhile, internal office politics continued to simmer. Shu Rui, humiliated by Mu Ruye’s public reprimand for his incompetence and sexist attitudes, resigned and attempted to leak confidential company data as an act of revenge. Su Shangfei helped mitigate the damage, demonstrating her value to the team and her ability to handle crises with grace. Her actions earned her the respect of remaining colleagues like Qiu Tian, who had previously been part of the clique against her.

As the story progresses, the relationship between Su Shangfei and Mu Ruye deepens beyond professional courtesy. Mu Ruye’s protective instincts become more apparent, as seen when he covers her with a blanket while she sleeps at her desk and insists on her resting when she is ill. Su Shangfei, in turn, begins to acknowledge her own feelings, purchasing a fragrance that reminds her of him as a gift of gratitude. The tension between her desire for professional autonomy and her growing emotional attachment to Mu Ruye forms the core of the narrative. She is no longer just the girl who desperately needed a job; she is a competent executive in her own right, challenging Mu Ruye’s authority with her sharp wit and earning his genuine respect. The story sets the stage for a future where Su Shangfei must balance her loyalty to Mu Ruye with her own ambitions, while Mu Ruye confronts the familial and corporate threats posed by his father’s favoritism and the return of his half-brother.