Teasing the Icy President

The scorching sun hung in the sky like a fiery ball, baking the earth and spreading waves of heat across the entire street.

Standing at the entrance of the pedestrian street, Mu Qingtian saw no one approaching her.

She and Nie Shuangshuang had agreed to meet at the street corner today, but here Mu Qingtian was, enduring the blistering 39-degree Celsius heat without a single shaded spot, waiting for that troublesome girl for a full half hour-and Nie Shuangshuang was still nowhere to be seen.

Just as she reached for her phone to call and check, someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind.

Turning around, sure enough, it was that girl. “Why are you always late whenever we agree to meet? Young miss, it’s a sweltering 39 degrees today! I was about to pass out from heatstroke waiting here! Don’t you have even a bit of conscience?” Mu Qingtian complained, glaring at Nie Shuangshuang.

“Ugh, I had something come up just now, that’s why I’m late. I wanted to call you originally, but I forgot,” Nie Shuangshuang said sheepishly, her big, glossy eyes brimming with a hint of guilt.

“Let me guess, another rich and attractive man caught your eye and kept you glued to your chats, huh?” Mu Qingtian teased her.

Nie Shuangshuang was the quintessential hopeless romantic-always swooning over rich and attractive men. Anytime someone online boasted about his wealth or exotic travels, she’d be utterly captivated.

“Come on, don’t make things up!” Nie Shuangshuang protested awkwardly, clearly embarrassed.

It seemed like Nie Shuangshuang had, once again, been lured into chatter by some rich and attractive guy.

“Alright, let’s stop standing out here in the heat. Come on, I’ll treat you to Häagen-Dazs as my peace offering, okay?” Nie Shuangshuang said in an apologetic tone.

“Wait, Häagen-Dazs? Isn’t it like seventy-something per cup? That’s so expensive!” Mu Qingtian’s expression instantly shifted to one of awe and longing. As a child from a struggling family, she had always been frugal, never indulging in something as pricey as a fancy ice cream. Especially now, with her mother unwell and medical bills piling up, every bit of income she earned had to be sent home. Luxuries like snacks were out of the question-and she’d even been cutting back on her daily meals.

“Come on, that’s the least I can do to show my sincerity! Now, let’s go,” Nie Shuangshuang said, grabbing Mu Qingtian’s hand and heading toward the Häagen-Dazs shop just a short walk away.

“Two Häagen-Dazs, please,” Nie Shuangshuang said to the clerk at the counter.

“Sure, just a moment,” the clerk replied after taking the payment.

“Miss, here are your Häagen-Dazs. Please enjoy,” the server said, gently placing two cups of Häagen-Dazs into the hands of Nie Shuangshuang and Mu Qingtian.

Mu Qingtian stared at the Häagen-Dazs, something she had secretly longed for ages to try but had never dared to splurge on. She held the cup in her hand with a mix of elation and reluctance, hesitating to take her first bite.

“Hey, what are you daydreaming about? If you don’t eat it soon, it’ll melt! That’s money going to waste, miss!” Nie Shuangshuang said, eyeing Mu Qingtian with confusion as she stared, transfixed, at the expensive dessert in her hand.

“Oh, haha, it’s just… it’s my first time eating something like this. I guess I’m just overwhelmed,” Mu Qingtian explained, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. While her figure was only slightly chubby, her soft face and faintly rounded cheeks made her adorable dimples stand out whenever she smiled-a feature that people often found absolutely charming.

“Here, try mine! Mine’s even yummier, I promise.” Nie Shuangshuang held her cup out toward Mu Qingtian’s mouth as if offering her a spoonful. Then, just as Mu Qingtian began to lean forward, Nie Shuangshuang pulled it back.

“Ha! Did you really think I’d let you have my Häagen-Dazs? Hahaha! You fell for it again!” Nie Shuangshuang teased with a burst of laughter, doubling over in amusement. Her mischievous voice rippled through the air as she teased her friend mercilessly.

“You! Hmph!” Mu Qingtian pouted in mock anger, her cheeks puffing slightly, then bolted after Nie Shuangshuang. “Don’t you run! I’ll catch you for sure!”

But chasing after Nie Shuangshuang was no easy task-after all, Nie was a member of the track and field team back in school. Her speed was unmatched, and Mu Qingtian, with her limited athletic ability, didn’t stand a chance at keeping up.

The two darted around playfully, dodging passersby as laughter echoed between them. But in the chaos of their little chase, Mu Qingtian failed to notice a slick watermelon rind carelessly discarded on the ground ahead of her.

Who even leaves a watermelon rind lying around in the middle of the street?! It felt like a deliberate trap, but the result was unavoidable-her foot slipped just as she lunged forward. Fortunately, she didn’t fall or get hurt, but her cup of precious Häagen-Dazs launched into the air.

As Mu Qingtian regained her balance and quickly glanced around, Nie Shuangshuang stopped mid-run. The two of them scanned the area frantically. Where was it? Where had the Häagen-Dazs gone?

Looking to their left and right yielded no answers. And when they finally turned back to look behind them, they both gasped in horror.

Walking toward them, glaring menacingly, was one of the local hooligans. His rough demeanor and sloppy attire gave away his less-than-friendly nature at a glance. This was no ordinary passerby; trouble was brewing.

“Qingtian, run! Hurry!” Nie Shuangshuang shouted in a panic. Her voice cracked with urgency as she darted away, running at full sprint with the kind of speed she hadn’t tapped into even during her track and field practices. She didn’t even stop to wait for her friend.

Mu Qingtian, on the other hand, felt an immediate sense of doom settle over her. Athleticism had never been her strong suit-running, in particular, had always been a painful task she avoided at all costs. Yet, there was no choice; her survival instincts kicked in, and she started to run with all her might, despite the overwhelming frustration she felt at being left behind by Nie Shuangshuang-again.

“Stop right there! Don’t run! Hey, you! I said stop!” The hooligan’s furious yells boomed from behind her with increasing intensity. His voice dripped with threat and determination, and the sound alone kept Mu Qingtian’s legs in full motion.

She ran recklessly through the crowd, occasionally glancing back to gauge the distance between them, her heart racing faster with every step. Fear of being caught gripped her tighter and tighter, and her only thought was: Don’t let him catch me! Whatever happens, I can’t let him catch me!

Bang! The impact sent a jolt through Mu Qingtian, leaving her slightly dazed. Whatever she had collided with felt incredibly solid. Could it have been a telephone pole?

As her eyes slowly lifted, she realized it wasn’t a pole-it was another person. A very tall and imposing man, no less.

Standing beside him were two other men, both looking rather uncomfortable. Their expressions hovered somewhere between awkward and aggrieved-though they were hard to describe with words.

“I-I’m so sorry!” Mu Qingtian stammered, her face flushing bright red with embarrassment. She had no idea what else to say, nor how to diffuse the situation.

“You-you!” One of the burly men beside her started to admonish her, but before he could finish, the tall man interrupted him.

“Why is that man chasing you?” His voice was calm yet icy, falling upon her from above.

Mu Qingtian raised her head cautiously to meet the speaker’s gaze. What she saw stole her breath-his face was sharp and striking, with deep, chiseled features that seemed carved by an artist’s blade. From her angle, she could even see his alluring Adam’s apple moving subtly as he spoke. Instinctively, she gulped, trying to steady herself.

But it wasn’t just his appearance that overwhelmed her-it was his piercing gaze. When his cold, sharp eyes finally locked onto hers, it felt as if she had plunged into an arctic abyss. A sudden chill ran through her, making her shiver despite the sweltering heat of midsummer.

This was Ye Ziqian, the president of Ye Group, a man infamous in the corporate world for his ruthlessness and unparalleled power. A figure feared across the business world, known for running his empire with an iron fist while commanding an air of authority impossible to ignore.

“Uh, well, if you look at his head, you’ll see…” Mu Qingtian finally managed to respond, though her voice faltered with obvious discomfort.

Ye Ziqian shifted his gaze to the arriving hooligan, whose head was oddly marked.

“That…” he mused, his dark eyes narrowing. “Did you do that to him?” His tone was low and cold, his rich, velvety voice resonating with an edge of danger, like aged wine hiding a sharp bite underneath.

“What? No!” Mu Qingtian replied hastily, her cheeks still flushed. “I was messing around with a friend, and during our chase, I accidentally slipped on a watermelon rind. I fell hard and, well-thank goodness I didn’t hurt myself-but my seventy-something-yuan Häagen-Dazs went flying! And-well-it landed right on that guy’s head. What a waste, right? A perfectly good cup of Häagen-Dazs just ruined like that.”

Her words left Ye Ziqian momentarily speechless. It wasn’t just what she said-it was how completely unapologetic she seemed about hitting the hooligan, instead fixating on her wasted dessert. There was not a shred of remorse for the chaos she’d caused.

What kind of girl was this, he wondered. Her ability to remain so composed-or so oblivious-was baffling.

“Oh,” Ye Ziqian replied flatly, his lips curving ever so slightly into a smile, though the expression didn’t reach his eyes.

“Stop running! I’m going to catch you!” The hooligan’s furious voice grew louder as he charged toward Mu Qingtian, his face twisted with rage. Just as he was about to grab her, Ye Ziqian’s two bodyguards, Nan Yan and Qing Shan, stepped in and intercepted him.

“Let me go! This isn’t your business-stop meddling and let me go!” the hooligan barked angrily, thrashing his arms. But Nan Yan and Qing Shan seized his arms firmly, leaving him unable to move.

“Keep still, kid,” Nan Yan said curtly, his grip steady and unyielding.

With the hooligan restrained, the scene finally settled.

“Nan Yan, give him a hundred yuan as compensation. And don’t ever bother this girl again,” Ye Ziqian said in a deep, calm voice.

“Yes, young master.” Nan Yan pulled out a hundred-yuan bill and handed it to the hooligan.

“Behave yourself!” Nan Yan barked sternly before giving the money.

“Yes, yes,” the hooligan mumbled, and the sight of the hundred yuan immediately lifted his spirits. He grabbed the money and dashed away cheerfully.

“Alright, you’re safe now. You can go,” Ye Ziqian said without sparing Mu Qingtian a single glance. He adjusted his luxurious Italian handmade suit and prepared to leave.

“Wait! I’ll pay you back for that hundred yuan. Just give me your address or contact information. I’ll return the money as soon as I can,” Mu Qingtian said earnestly, stepping in front of Ye Ziqian to block his path.

“No need.” Ye Ziqian gently moved her aside with his hand.

“Also, you might consider losing some weight. You were a bit heavy when you pressed on me.” Ye Ziqian turned to leave without looking back, his words piercing.

Mu Qingtian stood there, stunned, watching him go. Stung by his remark, she turned her head and shouted bitterly, “Hmph, fine! I won’t pay back your stupid hundred yuan!”

She spun around and walked off with a huff.

“Qingtian, are you alright?” Nie Shuangshuang approached, trying to comfort her.

“Hmph! You’ve got some nerve showing up here. When things got dangerous, you ran faster than anyone else, and now you’re pretending to care?!” Mu Qingtian scowled at her angrily.

“Come on, I promise I won’t do that next time,” Nie Shuangshuang said with a sheepish smile.

The two friends continued walking together, their earlier tension melting away as they put their arms around each other.

The next morning, Mu Qingtian’s phone rang.

“Ah, it’s the boss.” She groggily opened her eyes and answered the call.

“Hello, boss! I’m on my way to the office,” Mu Qingtian blurted out, still half-asleep. Known as the Queen of Tardiness, she overslept almost every morning.

“Oh, no need. You don’t have to come in today-or ever again. You’re fired. Your severance has already been deposited into your salary account,” her boss said curtly over the phone.

The words hit Mu Qingtian like a bolt of lightning. No! She couldn’t lose her job-her parents’ medical bills depended on her paycheck.

“Boss, wait! I promise I’ll never be late again. Please, just give me one more chance. One last chance, okay?” Mu Qingtian said, her voice trembling and her eyes welling up.

“No. Your position has already been filled. You’ll have to find another company,” came the flat response before the call was abruptly disconnected.

Mu Qingtian didn’t even have time to plead further.

She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling in silence, her mind blank. After what felt like forever, she picked up her phone and scrolled through her contacts. Over and over, she searched, but she couldn’t find a single person who could offer her a job immediately.

Suddenly, Mu Qingtian remembered an old classmate who seemed to be doing quite well recently, though she wasn’t sure exactly what kind of work they did. Without hesitation, she gave them a call to inquire about any job opportunities.

The classmate, ever straightforward, quickly introduced her to a cleaning job at a casino. The position offered a monthly salary of 5,000 yuan.

Thinking it over, Mu Qingtian reasoned, “I don’t gamble, and cleaning isn’t such a big deal.” So, she decided to accept the offer.

The classmate took her to a secluded spot on the northern side of the urban area. There, they introduced her to a man with a thick, scruffy beard, then promptly left.

The bearded man glanced at her and said, “Go ahead and change into your work uniform inside. Your job will be to handle the casino’s cleanliness.”

Mu Qingtian entered the changing room and pulled on the uniform, only to be utterly shocked when she saw herself in the mirror. The outfit was both revealing and uncomfortably tight-fitting. It clung to her body in all the wrong places, accentuating her fuller figure in ways that made her incredibly self-conscious. There was no way she could step out dressed like this. She sat frozen in the changing room for what seemed like ages, unsure of what to do.

Suddenly, the door swung open. The bearded man peered inside and barked, “You’re dressed already-what’s the holdup? Get out there and get to work!”

Reluctantly, Mu Qingtian emerged from the changing room, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She awkwardly adjusted the hem of the uniform, which only reached the tops of her thighs, feeling extremely out of place.

The uniform’s V-neck design made things even worse. Mu Qingtian muttered under her breath, “What kind of cleaner wears something like this?!” The thought of doing her tasks in such an impractical and revealing outfit filled her with frustration. She tugged at the neckline of the uniform in an effort to cover herself but to no avail.

Summoning her courage, she hesitantly approached the bearded man. “Boss K, what should I work on next?” she asked, trying to sound professional despite her discomfort. Deep inside, she desperately wanted to blurt out, “Can I get some extra fabric and make myself a proper uniform?”

Boss K stroked his scruffy chin, his expression changing as his eyes roamed over her. Then, in a commanding tone, he said, “Put your hands down.”

“Huh?” Mu Qingtian blinked in confusion, unsure of what he meant. But not wanting to upset her new boss on her very first day, she grudgingly obeyed and let her hands drop, leaving the neckline of her uniform exposed.

It didn’t take long for her to realize his true intentions. To an onlooker, her outfit was unavoidably revealing; her uniform seemed more like a costume than something meant for work. Her full figure made certain features too difficult to ignore-the low-cut neckline emphasized her chest, while her short skirt left her smooth, rounded thighs entirely exposed.

Her doll-like face, naturally flushed with a rosy hue, combined with the snug uniform, painted a picture she hadn’t intended. But to Boss K, the sight seemed to evoke a much less professional response. His gaze darkened, and his entire demeanor turned unsettling.

Mu Qingtian could almost feel Boss K’s inappropriate attention like a weight hanging in the air. Her discomfort escalated, yet she remained frozen, unable to voice her unease. All she could think was how badly she wanted to curl up and disappear.