Teasing the Icy President

“Hey, Nie Shuangshuang, what do you need me for?” Mu Qingtian said, changing her clothes with one hand while holding the phone with the other.

“It’s about that guy who tricked you last time. I had someone take care of him,” Nie Shuangshuang said casually, which was honestly quite impressive.

“What? You committed a crime? How could you do that? Oh my gosh, Nie Shuangshuang, your dad is the mayor, you can’t just act recklessly!” Mu Qingtian was really frustrated with this silly girl. How could she do something like this?

Mu Qingtian tossed her underwear into the washing machine. Seriously, she needed to find a time to give this girl a good talking-to. What she did was no different from when Ye Ziqian cut off that sleazy man’s hand without saying a word.

“Qingtian, what are you talking about?” Nie Shuangshuang sounded a bit confused by Mu Qingtian’s outburst.

“What do you mean what am I talking about? You’ve crippled him, what else can I say?”

“Come on, you got it all wrong! I just had someone give him a beating and then called the cops. He’ll probably get a few years or something,” Nie Shuangshuang was fiddling with her nails on the other end of the line, looking completely relaxed.

“Called the cops? They arrested him?” Mu Qingtian seemed to struggle to process everything that had happened. It left her feeling a bit lost.

“Of course! People like that are societal scum, the kind of losers that everyone wants to see gone. Do you think I did the right thing?” The final question from Nie Shuangshuang was surprisingly gentle.

Mu Qingtian couldn’t help but shout with excitement; it was such a satisfying turn of events. People like that absolutely deserved a lesson!

“Nie Shuangshuang, you really are your dad’s good daughter! That’s so satisfying! That jerk even tricked his own high school classmates; what can’t he do?” Thinking of this, Mu Qingtian felt a sense of relief. It was ridiculous to call her Qingtian; it was like sending her straight into a pit of fire.

“Exactly! Qingtian, when you’re job hunting, make sure to pick wisely, okay? Don’t get confused between good and bad.” Nie Shuangshuang’s voice revealed a hint of concern for her.

“Yeah, I got it. I have an interview at a casino soon, so I’ll talk to you later.” Mu Qingtian said, sounding somewhat rushed as she still hadn’t finished changing her clothes. It was really frustrating; she didn’t even have a decent outfit for her interview.

“A casino? You still dare to go?” Nie Shuangshuang’s voice rose in pitch. Her courage was impressive-barely two days after a near disaster at a casino, and she was going back!

“It’s fine! This time it’s at the South District Casino, and I heard the security there is really good. Plus, the pay is great, and they even provide meals! Finally, I won’t have to eat instant noodles anymore.” As she spoke, Mu Qingtian’s face lit up with anticipation. After so long working part-time, she hadn’t encountered a place that offered free meals.

“Oh, fine, with a woman like you, when food is involved, you usually lose your sense of caution. Just go ahead,” Nie Shuangshuang sounded resigned.

“Okay, let’s leave it at that. I’ll prepare, and if there’s any good news, you’ll be the first to know,” Mu Qingtian cheerfully hung up the phone.

She thought to herself: Life isn’t always full of hardships. As long as you try your best, everything will eventually get better. Take her situation now, for example. The past jobs? Let’s not even mention those-a closed chapter. But this time, she had truly landed herself a wonderful position.

Mu Qingtian glanced at the clock on the wall and snapped herself out of her wandering thoughts. She needed to focus. Her clothes needed to be neatly ironed, and she needed to be clean and presentable before stepping out to face the day.

“President, President Li has extended an invitation to dinner tonight,” Secretary Li said respectfully, standing in front of Ye Ziqian.

“The president already has plans to handle some matters tonight. Please inform President Li that he’ll invite him to dinner in a couple of days,” Lu Zizhong interjected on Ye Ziqian’s behalf.

“Understood.” Secretary Li could tell that their president wasn’t in the best of moods. Without saying anything further, she left quickly after noting the message.

“President, are we still heading to the South District Casino tonight?” Lu Zizhong asked softly.

Ye Ziqian lowered his hand from his temple, his brow relaxed slightly. “Today marks the fifth anniversary of the casino’s establishment. I think I should make an appearance.”

Lu Zizhong immediately straightened his back. He mentally calculated the time-had it already been five years since the South District Casino had first opened?

“All right, then. I’ll have Nan Yan and Qing Shan make the necessary arrangements,” Lu Zizhong offered.

“No need. Just the two of us will go tonight. I don’t want to make it a big, attention-grabbing ordeal. It’s just a visit, really,” Ye Ziqian replied. After working nonstop these past few days, he saw the trip to the South District Casino as an opportunity to unwind a little.

Lu Zizhong hesitated, an uneasy expression crossing his face. He glanced at Ye Ziqian, as if he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure if he should voice it.

Noticing Lu Zizhong’s expression, Ye Ziqian raised an eyebrow and said, “Don’t look at me like that, Uncle Zhong. I’m an adult now; I don’t need someone shadowing me every time I go out.”

“It’s not that… I’m just worried…” Lu Zizhong trailed off. While their visit wasn’t for business purposes, it wasn’t like Ye Ziqian didn’t have enemies.

“Uncle Zhong, you can leave now. Let me handle some company matters before we depart,” Ye Ziqian said firmly.

Sensing the shift in mood, Lu Zizhong knew better than to push further. If he lingered, it would only irritate Ye Ziqian further. Besides, Ye Ziqian’s temperament had been unpredictable lately-one moment calm, the next stormy. Since he was in the rare mood to relax by visiting the South District, it was best to let him have his way.

“Uncle Zhong, what’s the schedule for the president tonight?” Nan Yan asked hastily as soon as Lu Zizhong stepped out the door. Both Nan Yan and Qing Shan stood waiting by the entrance.

“No specific plans for tonight. You two can head back. We’re just having dinner out and then returning,” Lu Zizhong replied casually.

“Head back?” Nan Yan and Qing Shan exchanged puzzled glances. “But what about the president’s safety?”

“We’re not going anywhere else. There’s nothing to worry about,” Lu Zizhong reassured them before heading to his office, leaving Nan Yan and Qing Shan standing there, stunned. What was going on today? Why didn’t the president need their protection?

“Qing Shan, where are you going?” Nan Yan asked as he noticed Qing Shan preparing to enter Ye Ziqian’s office.

“I have something to report to the president,” Qing Shan replied without even turning back and walked straight into the office.

“President.”

Ye Ziqian looked up from his desk, glancing at Qing Shan.

“Miss Mu returned the suit you lent her yesterday,” Qing Shan said, his expression rigid and void of any emotion, like a blank sheet of paper.

“She returned the suit?” Ye Ziqian’s tone immediately jumped a notch higher.

Qing Shan nodded without elaborating.

Damn it! What kind of woman was this? She had the audacity to return a suit she’d already worn! That was disgusting.

“Throw it away!” Ye Ziqian said coldly. “And shut the door.”

Qing Shan, understanding Ye Ziqian’s rising anger, silently exited the room and closed the door behind him.

Outside, Nan Yan was still waiting.

“Qing Shan, what did you go in there for?” Nan Yan questioned.

“I wanted to check if the president was all right,” Qing Shan answered indifferently.

“And? What’s the verdict?” Nan Yan asked eagerly, his curiosity evident.

“Everything’s normal,” Qing Shan replied flatly before walking away.

“Everything’s normal?” Nan Yan muttered, confused, as he stared at Qing Shan’s retreating figure. How could she determine whether the president was fine or not?

In truth, Qing Shan had entered the president’s office on purpose, worrying that something might be off with Ye Ziqian. She used Mu Qingtian’s situation as an excuse to gauge his reaction. The president’s immediate burst of unprecedented anger confirmed that he was perfectly fine.

Later that night, Lu Zizhong personally drove Ye Ziqian to the South District Casino. This outing was kept entirely under wraps, and both men dressed inconspicuously. In their simple suits, they blended seamlessly into the crowd of casually dressed patrons, drawing no unnecessary attention.

However, the commanding aura radiating from Ye Ziqian was undeniable, causing people nearby to glance at him, unable to suppress their curiosity.

“Mu Qingtian, hurry up and help move the drinks to the back!” The manager shouted for Mu Qingtian.

“Coming!” Mu Qingtian tugged at her little suit that was getting caught on her body, feeling utterly frustrated. The moment she arrived for the interview, she had excitedly signed her nickname on the paper. So from the moment she got here, people were curious about her name, realizing there was someone with the surname “Nan.”

“Hurry up! The ball is about to start; we need to get the drinks ready.”

From a distance, Mu Qingtian could see the manager’s dark expression. She quickly ran over to him, wow, up close she realized the manager’s physique was quite peculiar.

“I’m talking to you. Don’t you know how to respond?” The manager looked as if he could eat someone alive.

Mu Qingtian instinctively shrank back.

“I heard you! I’m on my way now, please calm down!” She didn’t want to be scolded any further. Although this manager was of average height, he could nag just as much as an old lady.

“You better be quick!” Given the manager’s demeanor, if Mu Qingtian didn’t pick up the pace, he might just blow up.

Mu Qingtian sprinted to the back where a group of people were preparing the drinks, lifting and carrying bottles. The group of young men stared in amazement; this girl was impressive, working faster and more efficiently than the men!

“Mu Qingtian, you’re so impressive!”

Mu Qingtian wiped the sweat off her face with her sleeve, “It’s nothing!”

In no time, they had prepared all the drinks in the backstage area. Mu Qingtian was indeed lucky; on her first day of work, she got to experience the casino’s fifth anniversary celebration.

Looking at the flower baskets in the casino, she couldn’t help but smile. It turned out to be quite a formal establishment, with flower arrangements from the mayor and the director. The casino’s boss was probably a good citizen too.

Mu Qingtian stood there foolishly, watching the newly built stage where the host began discussing the “Three Good” plan, reflecting on the past and looking towards the future. As the final line struck, the crowd erupted in cheers, immediately igniting the enthusiasm of everyone present.

This was more than just a casino; it was clearly a ballroom!

As Mu Qingtian continued to observe the scene, someone’s behavior suddenly caught her attention.

She was watching from backstage, where others were handling drinks. However, one man’s demeanor seemed particularly shifty and suspicious. Mu Qingtian repositioned herself slightly, peeking out quietly to keep an eye on him.

She saw the man draw a small packet from his pocket and pour its contents into a glass of wine.

“Is he spiking it with drugs?” Mu Qingtian thought to herself nervously. She had seen similar scenarios in movies before-drugging someone gradually, eventually trapping them into addiction.

This guy… Was he really playing this kind of dirty game? Mu Qingtian felt a rush of excitement. On her first day here, she had stumbled upon something that truly called for justice. If she didn’t catch this guy, she would never forgive herself.

When the man stepped out carrying a tray with several glasses of wine, Mu Qingtian casually posed at the doorway, trying to appear nonchalant.

The man glanced at her briefly but walked right past without a second thought.

Oh, the nerve! He even dared to give her a disdainful look as he passed!

Mu Qingtian adjusted her collar. Damn it, this outfit was suffocating her. She took small steps to follow him, but the sprawling casino suddenly felt constricted and crowded, making it difficult for her to keep up with him. Maneuvering through the crowd felt nearly impossible.

“President Ye, the management in the South District really stands apart,” Lu Zizhong commented, holding a glass of red wine as he followed Ye Ziqian.

Ye Ziqian nodded lightly without saying anything.

“Here, you should have a drink too,” Lu Zizhong suggested, offering his glass of wine.

But Ye Ziqian raised his hand to stop him, declining the offer. Instead, he reached out and took a glass from the tray carried by a man-the same man who had been behaving so suspiciously earlier.

Mu Qingtian’s eyes widened in shock as she noticed Ye Ziqian enter her line of sight. Uncle!

“No, don’t drink that!” she wanted to scream, but a few couples dancing nearby blocked her path completely. She was trapped.

“Uncle, don’t drink it!” Although she yelled as loud as she could, the chaos of the casino drowned out her voice, rendering it inaudible to Ye Ziqian.

Watching him casually conversing with those around him while lifting the glass to take a sip, Mu Qingtian felt panic rise in her chest. Her heart pounded furiously as she shoved aside a man blocking her way and shouted, “Move!”

Using her full force, Mu Qingtian charged forward. The short distance of barely ten meters was an obstacle course of bodies, and she bumped into several people along the way. Each collision earned her angry curses in return.

“We should probably wrap this up and head back soon,” Lu Zizhong said, sipping his wine.

“Alright,” Ye Ziqian replied, lifting his glass.

“No! Don’t drink it!” Mu Qingtian shouted desperately.

Suddenly, with a loud “bang,” the wine glass went flying from Ye Ziqian’s hand. Mu Qingtian had slapped the glass down to the floor just in time. Reflexively, Ye Ziqian cupped his mouth with his hand-his lips had been grazed by the shattered glass.

Exclamations filled the air as Mu Qingtian’s dramatic intervention startled everyone nearby.

“What on earth…” one of the spectators murmured after being startled by the commotion.

“Little girl!” Lu Zizhong exclaimed, utterly taken aback by her sudden presence and actions.

Ye Ziqian raised his other hand, looking as though he was about to hit Mu Qingtian.

Mu Qingtian’s eyes were wide and red, panic flashing through them. She instinctively grabbed Ye Ziqian’s hand in a fluster. “Spit it out! Spit it out right now! It’s poisoned!” she shouted, her voice trembling. She had never encountered anything like this before, and tears were already welling in her eyes.

She pushed on his mouth with her hands, applying an urgent pressure. Ye Ziqian frowned down at her, his expression unreadable.

At that moment, Lu Zizhong sensed that something was amiss. His sharp gaze swept over the shattered wine glass on the ground. The redwood floor was now stained with a dark, inky color, and several men dressed in black suits were making their way toward them with deliberate intent.

“President Ye, this isn’t good!” Lu Zizhong warned calmly but urgently from behind him.

Ye Ziqian grabbed both of Mu Qingtian’s wrists in one swift motion. “I didn’t drink it!” he growled lowly.

Mu Qingtian froze, completely startled by his words. If he hadn’t drunk it, couldn’t he have said so earlier and saved her from panicking like a crazy old lady? She was just about to complain when Ye Ziqian suddenly wrapped an arm tightly around her waist.

“Don’t move,” he warned in a low voice, his tone deadly serious.

Lu Zizhong discreetly slid a stick-like object from his sleeve, adopting a defensive stance. Meanwhile, the rest of the partygoers were still obliviously dancing and swaying wildly to the music, completely unaware of the dangerous tension building on the sidelines.

Mu Qingtian held her breath, her eyes widening as she looked at Ye Ziqian and Lu Zizhong-what on earth was going on? Were these two filming some kind of action movie? And could they be a little less convincing if so? The way Ye Ziqian was clutching her waist was so tight she could barely breathe.

“Whoa!”

Just as Mu Qingtian was mentally complaining, Ye Ziqian spun her around abruptly and, with a swift, calculated move, delivered a powerful kick to one of the incoming men, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Lu Zizhong, meanwhile, raised his stick-like weapon and struck it against another man rushing toward them. Two pained cries rang out, followed by the sound of bodies hitting the floor.

Chaos erupted in the ballroom.

“Manager! There’s a situation-someone’s causing trouble, and a man’s kidnapped Mu Qingtian!” came the panicked shout of an onlooker who clearly hadn’t gotten the full picture.

“They dare touch one of my people?! Gather everyone! Let’s settle this!” The manager’s face darkened, his outrage flaring up. As dim-witted as Mu Qingtian sometimes seemed, she was still one of his employees, and in his territory no one would dare harm his own.

“Yes, sir! I’ll get our people immediately!”

Meanwhile, Mu Qingtian was being spun around and pulled back and forth by Ye Ziqian’s movements. She felt nauseous, like she might actually throw up. What was all this? Did Ye Ziqian seriously think she was some kind of human shield?

“President Ye, leave now!” Lu Zizhong urged as he stood protectively in front of them, pushing back the wave of attackers and inching them toward the exit.

“No need. It’s just a few guys,” Ye Ziqian said dismissively, his voice dripping with contempt as it reached Mu Qingtian’s ears. His tone left no doubt in her mind… this was no movie. Things were getting serious.

“U-uncle… what… what are you guys doing?” Mu Qingtian stammered, her voice weak as she leaned tightly into Ye Ziqian’s chest. Clearly oblivious to the gravity of the situation, she still had the nerve to ask.

“Shut up!” Ye Ziqian barked, his voice sharp and commanding.

Mu Qingtian clamped her mouth shut instantly, deciding it was best not to ask any more questions.

Ye Ziqian glanced at the wine glass beside him and swept it across the table, sending all the wine glasses flying towards the intruder.

“Ah!” Of course, there were also victims among them, like Mu Qingtian, who got splashed with wine all over her outfit.

“Who are you, daring to cause trouble here!” The plump manager finally appeared.

“Manager, manager, help!” Mu Qingtian’s desperate cry came a bit too early and was somewhat out of place.

The manager shot a glance at Mu Qingtian. “Brothers, take them out!”

“Ling Feng, the boss is here!” Lu Zizhong shouted loudly at the plump manager. This guy didn’t even recognize his own boss!

“Uncle Zhong!” The manager named Ling Feng rushed over as soon as he saw Lu Zizhong.

Then he recognized the man behind Mu Qingtian-the boss! Mu Qingtian watched the manager’s round face turn into a grimace, surprised. The manager had always been so arrogant; why was he acting so fearful now?

Ye Ziqian coldly glanced at Ling Feng, his piercing gaze making Ling Feng’s legs weaken a bit.

“Those guys are here to assassinate the boss. Eliminate them,” Lu Zizhong whispered, then discreetly tucked away the stick he was holding.

“Understood!” Ling Feng stepped in front of Lu Zizhong, looking at the few evasive men in black. “You dare to cause trouble in my territory?” he retorted lightly.

The manager was really acting gentle now! Mu Qingtian realized with a silly smile.

But then, Ling Feng’s next move made Mu Qingtian’s eyes widen. He suddenly lifted the counter beside him and, without catching his breath, slammed it directly at the men in black.

OMG!