Teasing the Icy President - Chapter 22 - The Strange Child

Dad is still in surgery. I hope I can get back in time to see him. Mu Qingtian gnawed on a chicken wing, lost in thought. It had been a long time since she last visited her parents. Work kept her busy, and saving money meant she rarely went home. Living alone wasn’t easy, but for the sake of her studies, her job, and her family, she endured it.

Fortunately, with Nie Shuangshuang’s companionship, she wasn’t completely lonely. Her home was sometimes tidy, sometimes messy, depending on her mood and schedule. Nie Shuangshuang often teased her, calling her a “silly goose,” but Mu Qingtian knew it was all in good fun.

Her thoughts drifted as quickly as the train sped towards Huaxiang County. The prospect of going home always lifted her spirits. With her father’s condition now under control, she felt a wave of happiness wash over her, pushing aside the earlier unpleasant exchange with the weird uncle. Her attention shifted to those around her.

It was then that Mu Qingtian noticed the child sitting next to her. A little boy, about five years old, sat restlessly, his eyes fixed on her chicken wing. They locked eyes, neither speaking. Surprised to find a child beside her, she realized he must be hungry. She offered him another chicken wing from the bag on the table. “What’s your name?”

The boy grabbed the chicken wing, devouring it hungrily, startling Mu Qingtian. Without looking up, he replied, “Junze.”

“Junze… Take your time, no rush. Where are your parents?”

Junze finally looked up, his innocent eyes meeting hers. “My parents haven’t lived together for a long time. I don’t know where they are.” He resumed his battle with the chicken wing, oblivious to Mu Qingtian’s widening eyes.

Was he an orphan? Abandoned? Mu Qingtian pondered, then asked, “Who brought you onto the train?”

“I don’t know. I just saw the train and thought it looked nice, so I got on.”

“…”

Mu Qingtian almost choked on her chicken wing.

“Uh, should I ask a train attendant to help you find your parents?” she suggested cautiously. Junze’s eyes widened, “Mom, are you trying to leave me?”

Just then, a train attendant passed by, overhearing Junze’s words. She gave them a curious look. Mu Qingtian quickly covered Junze’s mouth, whispering urgently, “Don’t say that…”

I haven’t even dated, let alone married or had kids! How could he call me mom? This is slander! Mu Qingtian forced a big smile at the attendant. “Kids say the darndest things. Please don’t mind him.”

Not only was she mistaken for a mother, but also accused of abandoning a child. She glared at Junze, who looked innocently back at her, then at the attendant, who lingered, seemingly awaiting an explanation. Mu Qingtian’s forehead began to sweat.

What to do? What if the attendant believed Junze? Would she be taken to the police office as a kidnapper? The thought terrified her. She needed to get rid of the attendant first. Smiling awkwardly, she said to Junze, “Kids shouldn’t say such things. Mommy loves you and would never leave you.”

Junze hugged her waist, affectionately calling her “Mommy,” sending shivers down her spine.

The attendant’s expression finally relaxed, and she moved on. The crisis averted, Mu Qingtian let out a sigh of relief.

Junze chuckled, continuing to munch on his chicken wing. Mu Qingtian found the child too mischievous and leaned closer, asking, “Who put you up to this?”

“I did,” Junze replied softly.

Mu Qingtian was taken aback. Kids these days were indeed precocious.

She reassured herself it was just a prank. Smiling, she offered, “How about I buy you more chicken wings, and you go prank someone else?” She didn’t want to be labeled a single mother!

But Junze was adamant. “Nope, it’s you. You’re responsible now.”

She stood there, dumbfounded. Was this child really so cunning? How could he be so much like Ye Ziqian? Mu Qingtian was at a loss. Such people, whether big or small, seemed to exist everywhere.

It seemed she was stuck. Even if she hadn’t given him the chicken wing, he would have targeted her. She considered calling the police but couldn’t bring herself to do it. As she hesitated, the train arrived at the station… and she still hadn’t decided what to do. Would she have to take him home?

“How old are you?”

“Four.”

Mu Qingtian shook her head. “What do you want? I have no money. I can’t support you.”

“I don’t want anything, just to be with you,” the boy said, trailing behind her.

Mu Qingtian sighed, carrying her bag. “Why me? I’m not even in a relationship, let alone married or with kids. You’ll ruin my chances of getting married.”

“You won’t get married anyway, so don’t worry,” Junze replied from behind, nearly causing Mu Qingtian to trip. Was it that obvious? She wasn’t just a bit chubby, was she? She glared at Junze. “If you curse me to stay single, I definitely won’t take care of you.”

Junze quickly ran in front of her, grabbing her hand. “You will get married, to a rich and attractive man. Please, kind mommy, take care of me.”

Goosebumps rose again… Mu Qingtian felt like lightning had struck her. She looked helplessly at Junze, who gazed back innocently, occasionally swinging her hand and affectionately calling her “Mommy…” Mu Qingtian was at her wit’s end. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, as if making a decision, then opened them and shook her head. Looking at Junze’s teary eyes, her heart softened.

The words “I can’t” turned into “I can’t not take you home…” Little did she know that adding a few words would alter her fate even more. When would this tragic life have an end?

With no tears left to cry, she took Junze’s hand. “Alright, alright, you can come with me for now.” She hoped to find an opportunity to pass this clingy little tail to someone else. Mu Qingtian consoled herself, feeling slightly calmer.

Holding Junze’s hand, she headed straight to the hospital in the county. Meanwhile, Ye Ziqian was staring down Manager Feng, his gaze cold and fierce. Manager Feng stood there, as if on pins and needles, unable to move. The president hadn’t spoken, so he dared not say a word, half-bowed, waiting for questioning.

Ye Ziqian slammed his phone on the table with a “bang,” startling Manager Feng. “Mr. President…” he stammered, not daring to continue.

Ye Ziqian didn’t care what he had to say. “Speak. Tell me what you know.”

Manager Feng’s legs were weak. Hearing this, he knelt down, perhaps due to his weakness, unable to stand even if he wanted to. “I don’t know what the president wants to ask?” Ye Ziqian raised an eyebrow, frightening Manager Feng into lowering his head. “I’ve sorted it out. It can still be recovered.”

Ye Ziqian remained silent, but Lu Zizhong spoke up. “At this point, you’re still saying that? If you don’t turn over a new leaf, aren’t you wasting your intelligence?”

Manager Feng hurriedly wiped his sweat. “I… I…”

Ye Ziqian directly instructed Lu Zizhong, “Call someone to deal with him.” At this, Manager Feng panicked, waving his hands. “No, Mr. President, I was forced. They have my family. I can’t say anything, or my family will be finished.” A grown man, he knelt there, crying, clearly tormented and on the verge of collapse.

Ye Ziqian frowned. “Where’s your family?”

“In Huaxiang County.”

“Why so far?”

“Because my hometown is Huaxiang County. So…” he said awkwardly, glancing at his boss. “They’re controlling my family there. I have to be cautious!”

Lu Zizhong reminded Ye Ziqian, “The little girl’s hometown is also in Huaxiang County. That’s where she went.”

“Oh?” Ye Ziqian hummed with interest. He hadn’t expected them to be from the same place. He wondered how the little fatty was doing now.

Manager Feng added, “Young Master An has set up a tight defense there, so…”

“So you can’t betray them?” Ye Ziqian finished for him.

“I have a wife and a son. They’re the most important people to me. I have to ensure their safety. I know I’m useless, threatened and turned into a lackey, but I was forced. Ever since working for An Shaochen, I haven’t slept well, feeling cold inside.” Manager Feng poured out his heart, seemingly seeking Ye Ziqian’s sympathy. But Ye Ziqian wasn’t interested in listening to this. He only wanted results.

“What do you propose?” Ye Ziqian asked coldly. Manager Feng, now able to stand, approached the desk, pleading with Ye Ziqian. “As long as my wife and son are safe, I’ll do anything. I don’t want to live under threat anymore. It’s too hard.”

“If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?” Ye Ziqian retorted lazily. If Manager Feng hadn’t been greedy for wealth and status, he wouldn’t have endangered his family. Ye Ziqian didn’t sympathize with such men. But given the gravity of the situation, he had no choice but to sympathize with Manager Feng and personally intervene. After all, this matter was crucial.

He might as well bring that little fatty back. What a nuisance, running around when there were still windows to clean. He impatiently waved his hand, instructing Lu Zizhong, “Let’s take a trip to Huaxiang County.”