Teasing the Icy President

“Master, how much for these two pieces of mouse skin?” Mu Qingtian casually picked up two pieces of mouse skin and asked the old man squatting opposite her. The old man, with cloudy eyes and smoking a dry pipe, knocked on his pipe and said, “Twenty-one each, young lady.”

Mu Qingtian couldn’t help but click her tongue, “Isn’t that a bit too expensive?” “What? You need to be reasonable. Go check other shops; they sell for a hundred each! You city folks can’t even find a mouse shadow. These are pure natural mouse skins from the countryside, good quality and affordable. If you don’t believe me, just put them down. I don’t haggle.”

He continued smoking, looking elsewhere. The market was bustling with people coming and going. Mu Qingtian stuck out her tongue, “Alright, I believe you. I’ll take these two. Wrap them up for me. Are they freshly skinned?” Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit her. It had to be realistic. She thought she was quite clever and chuckled foolishly.

The old man glared at her, “Freshly done, brought in just a few days ago. Don’t worry, I’ll treat them like they were skinned today. That’ll be an extra fifty.”

“What? What did you say?” Mu Qingtian’s eyes widened, “Why is the processing fee so expensive?” This was a rip-off. She shook her head. The old man remained calm, “Other places charge two hundred for processing. Go ask if you don’t believe me.” His composure left Mu Qingtian dizzy. She nodded, “I believe you, old man. Go ahead.”

He seemed honest enough, not like a bad person. “Mu Qingtian comforted herself, thinking it was like helping the poor, even though she was broke herself. With an optimistic heart, she smiled happily.

Little Junze watched coldly from the side, saying nothing. After Mu Qingtian made her purchase, they walked a bit further and got on the bus. Then he spoke, “While you were buying the mouse skins, I checked. Zhou’s Shop sells them for five each, with a three-yuan processing fee.”

Mu Qingtian couldn’t believe her ears, “Are you kidding me? Don’t scare me!” She warned him. Little Junze shook his head, “Why would I lie to you, Auntie? I got this from practical investigation.”

He looked at her defiantly. Mu Qingtian’s heart sank. She grabbed his collar, “Tell me, were you just trying to make fun of me? Why didn’t you say this earlier?” Logically, he should have said it before. Why now? It was so unfair. Both the big and the small were bullying her. Boohoo, why was her life so hard? She almost cried. How could she return them now? That old man definitely wouldn’t admit it.

Mu Qingtian hung her head. These damned mouse skins were infuriating. She was so conflicted that she couldn’t even scold Little Junze. He watched her miserable expression and secretly laughed. He loved to tease everyone around him, so even the kind-hearted Mu Qingtian who took him in couldn’t escape his pranks.

Fortunately, Mu Qingtian didn’t blame him or complain much. She was more worried about how to convince Ye Ziqian that she had caught the mice and not just bought two skins. If she could fool him, the money spent would be worth it. She shook her head, feeling a bit distressed, unsure how to lie.

After all, she was so clumsy. How could she lie? Mu Qingtian held her head in pain. What should she do? What should she do? Little Junze’s secret laughter caught her eye. She lightly hit him, “You little rascal, gloating over my misfortune. If I suffer, you’ll suffer with me. Hmph.” Mu Qingtian looked at him, feeling helpless. He was so annoying.

Boohoo, why was her life so hard… Mu Qingtian pitied herself again, but her gloom never lasted long. She quickly regained her optimism and carefree nature. Hmph, no matter what, she was a strong little stone. She wouldn’t give up on herself, no matter how tough things got. She’d face them bravely and never retreat. She clenched her small fists, her face determined. Looking out the window, she saw the beautiful sunlight and smiled, carefree. Maybe that’s why carefree people are always happy. Isn’t that right?

Ye Ziqian sat in his dim office, the curtains drawn. He had many worries lately and didn’t like the strong sunlight. But the lighting here was so good that even with the curtains, sunlight still streamed in, adding to his frustration.

Damn little fatty, always making me feel annoyed. For some reason, whenever I get annoyed, her image pops into my mind. This illusion made Ye Ziqian hate Mu Qingtian even more. Mu Qingtian, are you a jinx? Ever since you came, my luck has been terrible.

Where is she now? Damn it, I told her to catch mice. Where did she go? Impatient, Ye Ziqian called Mu Qingtian again, “Hey, where the hell are you? Speak up!”

Mu Qingtian was almost there when she got his call. It felt like holding a grenade, almost dropping her phone. Hearing his loud yelling, she felt a bit dissatisfied but suppressed it, “Don’t worry, I’m on the stairs. I’ll be there soon.”

“Stairs? Are you stupid? Don’t you know to take the elevator?” Ye Ziqian scolded her. Mu Qingtian replied, “I’m trying to lose weight. Don’t you want to see me slim?” She cautiously told the truth, fearing the worst. She felt like she was facing a disaster again.

But no matter what, she couldn’t afford to be fired. Otherwise, she’d be left with nothing. Boohoo, damn Ye Ziqian, please spare me.

Unexpectedly, Ye Ziqian sneered, “You, slim? That’s unimaginable. The earth would have to crack first.” Deliberately mocking her weight, Mu Qingtian got angry, climbing the stairs and arguing, “So what if I’m fat? It’s not that bad. Why say that? I’ll lose weight soon. Don’t laugh at me, mind your own business.”

She hung up, huffing. If he called her fat again, she’d fight him! Wait, she should have said that to him. Why did she hang up? Oh no…

Panting, she reached the fifteenth floor and pushed the door open. Little Junze had taken the elevator and was already in Ye Ziqian’s office, playing happily on the sofa. Ye Ziqian coldly watched Mu Qingtian as she entered and closed the door, “You finally made it up?”

“Am I late?” She deliberately checked her phone, pretending it was accidental. Mu Qingtian was getting craftier, but she had no choice. Ye Ziqian was so formidable; she had to adapt. From clumsy to clever, that was her goal.

She smiled at Ye Ziqian, but he still wore a cold expression, making her very unhappy. She wanted to punch him! Damn it, why always treat me like I owe you money? The medical bills were owed to someone else, not you. Why act like this? But seriously, what contract did we sign?

She wanted to ask, but Ye Ziqian spoke first, “Where are the mice you caught?” Mu Qingtian waved her hand, and a bag appeared on his desk, a foul smell wafting out. Ye Ziqian covered his nose, “What the hell, keep it away from the desk!”

Seeing him so scared, she couldn’t help but laugh. He was so timid. She had to scare him. With that in mind, she said, “These are the mice you asked for. But I thought it was too hard to bring whole mice, so I skinned them. Here are the skins, two of them! Check if you don’t believe me!”

Ye Ziqian’s face darkened. Mu Qingtian kept talking, but suddenly, she felt a chill. Ye Ziqian’s face was so dark. She broke into a cold sweat, “Um… President Ye, maybe I should… take them back!”

Ye Ziqian finally spoke, “Get rid of them!” He ran out, seemingly to the bathroom, leaving Mu Qingtian stunned.

What happened to him? She looked at Little Junze, puzzled. It was just mouse skin. Why was he so squeamish? Were rich kids all so pampered? Strange.

She scratched her head, unable to help laughing. She thought he had seen through her lie, but he was just grossed out. Great, she quickly grabbed the bag. Ye Ziqian reappeared at the door. She turned and said, “Um… can I take the mouse skins home?”

She was about to leave, forgetting Little Junze. As she reached the door, Ye Ziqian suddenly said, “Stop, you stay right there.”

He was curious how a girl could catch two big mice and skin them in such a short time in a place with no mice.

“Did you buy these mouse skins from the market?” Ye Ziqian frowned, reaching to check. Mu Qingtian quickly moved away, “Of course not. I caught them. Ask Little Junze if you don’t believe me.”

Little Junze ignored her, frustrating Mu Qingtian. He thought, “Hmph, lie for you? No way!”

Mu Qingtian was about to break down. Damn it, he wouldn’t even back her up. Too bad, he was a little ingrate. Hmph, forget it.

She grabbed the bag, “I have something to do. I’m leaving. You can’t stand mice, so be careful not to puke. Bye.” She dashed out, turning back to grab the door, “Take care of Little Junze. I’m leaving. Bye!”