Teasing the Icy President - Chapter 8 - Qingtian, Did You Get the Job?

Ye Ziqian kept his eyes tightly shut as he pulled out a Panda cigarette from the drawer. He picked up the ZIPPO lighter lying on the desk and lit the cigarette. How many years had it been now? He couldn’t even remember. Every year on this day, he’d find himself wandering into this restaurant owned by the Ye Family for a routine inspection. Was it really just to reminisce about someone?

Thin lips exhaled circles of smoke, obscuring his face, which betrayed no emotion. After a moment, it was as if he had resolved something. Ye Ziqian suddenly opened his eyes. Yes, that’s what he’d do.

With a firm press, he extinguished the barely smoked cigarette in the ashtray.

The lobby manager, wiping sweat off his forehead, maintained his usual composed and flawless look-graceful yet striking.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the two young women who had just been promised a free feast by President Ye. Bewildered beyond words, he couldn’t help but notice despite their young age, they sure can eat a lot.. Nevertheless, they had gone for the priciest items on the menu-lobsters, abalone, and the like.

“Qingtian, can you please slow down? Even if you’re rushing off to meet some guy, you don’t have to eat like this. Eating should be done one small bite at a time, not like you’re stuffing it all in. It’s so unrefined!” Nie Shuangshuang mumbled as she held a large lobster in each hand, stuffing a piece into her mouth while eyeing Mu Qingtian’s puffed cheeks.

“Nie Shuangshuang!” Mu Qingtian looked at Nie Shuangshuang’s hands in grievance. “At least leave me two, will you? Your hands are faster than my teeth!”

Mu Qingtian couldn’t figure it out. Nie Shuangshuang was the mayor’s daughter, after all. Was there any delicacy she hadn’t tasted? Yet for some reason, she always enjoyed competing with her over food. Whatever Mu Qingtian set her sights on, Nie Shuangshuang was sure to fight tooth and nail for it-just like the lobsters today, which Mu Qingtian had been craving for over half a month.

The lobby manager frowned. What was the relationship between these two girls and President Ye? Given how unrefined they were, could President Ye really have taken a liking to them? And to top it off, he was paying for their meal? Had his taste changed?

Unable to understand, the lobby manager decided not to dwell on it. Shaking his head, he resumed greeting guests in the main hall, his usual graceful smile firmly in place. His demeanor made every couple feel as though they were receiving heavenly service.

“Nie Shuangshuang, I have something to tell you,” Mu Qingtian said, her face beaming with joy, her brows raised, and her eyes sparkling proudly. She stared at Nie Shuangshuang with a playful glint, clearly delighted.

“Pfft, go ahead. What is it this time? Let me guess-you found another way to make money? Oh, by the way, how’s that side gig of yours going, Qingtian?” Nie Shuangshuang teased. She knew Mu Qingtian’s frequent hunger pangs were probably tied to her part-time job, but she couldn’t help enjoying the sight of Mu Qingtian squirm in embarrassment.

“Can we not talk about that?” Mu Qingtian replied, her face clouding with annoyance. It was as if somehow the fiasco with the side job was all Nie Shuangshuang’s fault.

“Why shouldn’t we talk about it? Qingtian, your charm is clearly at an all-time high! You should celebrate your love luck-I’ll help you by eating this last lobster,” Nie Shuangshuang replied, her hands moving swiftly to snag the last piece of lobster with precision.

“My lobster! Nie Shuangshuang, just wait!” Mu Qingtian grumbled indignantly, staring at the now-empty plate like it had betrayed her.

“Oh, Qingtian, my apologies-I stole your favorite dish again,” Nie Shuangshuang said without even a hint of actual regret, happily munching on the lobster as if it were the tastiest thing she’d ever eaten.

“Cut the act, Nie Shuangshuang! You’re not fooling anyone,” Mu Qingtian retorted, her disdainful gaze hitting Nie Shuangshuang like a tiny, pointed jab.

“Anyway, I said I wanted to tell you something. I might be getting hired by the Ye Family! They said they saw my résumé and thought I’d be a great fit for their administrative staff. They’ve asked me to come in for an interview,” Mu Qingtian revealed, while taking large gulps of silkie chicken soup. She eyed her slightly bulging belly and made a silent vow to start dieting right after this meal.

“You? At the Ye Family?” Nie Shuangshuang asked, blinking in surprise. She’d heard all the gossip about the Ye Family’s president being a total aesthete-it was practically a running joke. His assistants, secretaries, and even office staff were all known for being stunningly beautiful, with elegant figures and an aura of perfection. How on Earth would someone like Qingtian end up as their administrative staff?

“Qingtian? Are you sure the Ye Family is actually hiring you?” Nie Shuangshuang stared at her in disbelief, momentarily forgetting the half-eaten lobster still sitting in her hand.

“They haven’t hired me yet-they’ve just called me for an interview. But judging by the tone of the gentleman on the phone, it sounded like a done deal,” Mu Qingtian said confidently, as though the mere phone call had already solidified her future.

“Alright then, Qingtian. Best of luck!” Nie Shuangshuang said, her loyalty to her friend overriding any skepticism. Despite her doubts, she rooted for Mu Qingtian with a stubborn optimism.

That dinner ended up being the longest meal the pair had ever shared. After they finally finished eating, they flagged down a taxi on the side of the road and headed straight to Mu Qingtian’s tiny apartment to continue their gossip session late into the evening.

Meanwhile, Miss Yu sat in a high-end hotel room, staring at the money on the table with a bitter smile. Though the Yu Family lacked nothing in terms of wealth, Ye Ziqian had a way of flaunting his money in the most ungracious and insulting way-steamrolling the dignity of others as if they were beneath him, never sparing a thought for anyone’s feelings.

The rumors about Ye Ziqian appeared to be true: he wasn’t a man who knew how to love, nor did he have the ability to truly understand others.

Although the Yu Family was one of the leading families in the city-wealthy enough to rival anyone-they ran businesses that Ye Ziqian openly looked down upon, or perhaps even despised entirely. It wasn’t just an affront to the Yu Family’s status. It was a clear display of the gap between their values and Ye Ziqian’s arrogant, cutthroat nature.

Miss Yu let out a sigh. With her weaknesses firmly in Ye Ziqian’s grasp, she had no choice. She had long heard the whispers: any woman Ye Ziqian set his sights on was as good as his. There was no escaping him.

And now, it seemed her fate was no different. How bitterly ironic.

The next morning was a bright and serene one. No wind, no rain, just clear skies.

Mu Qingtian stretched lazily, relishing the warmth of her cozy blanket. With a small, contented sigh, she nestled back into her pillow and promptly drifted off again, dreaming of her upcoming interview at the Ye Family.

“Interview? Oh no!” Mu Qingtian shot up from the bed, wide-eyed and panicked. “Māyā!” she gasped, realizing she had completely forgotten about the interview. Glancing at the clock, her heart sank-she only had thirty minutes left. In a frenzy, she splashed some water onto her face and bolted downstairs without so much as a proper look in the mirror.

When she got to the bus stop, it was already packed with people. A buzzing sea of heads swayed back and forth as the crowd waited impatiently for the sluggish Route 2 bus, which felt like it moved at a retiree’s pace. Despite her petite figure and, let’s say, her “sturdier” frame, Mu Qingtian managed to elbow her way right to the front under the station sign. She couldn’t help but feel a spark of pride for that little accomplishment.

A loud screech of brakes suddenly echoed as an oversized, slightly beat-up bus pulled to a rough stop. Without missing a beat, Mu Qingtian lunged forward, gripping the doorframe as she heaved herself onto the bus in one swift-and admittedly not very graceful-motion.

Though not elegant, the maneuver bought her a precious minute to snag a seat. Every second counted, and Mu Qingtian wasn’t about to let it slip by.

After a bit of shoving and maneuvering, she found herself plopping down on a seat she’d been eyeing since the bus had approached. Letting out a long, relieved breath, she counted herself lucky for having secured a spot.

But as more people piled into the bus, the aisles became so crowded that Mu Qingtian felt her feet dangling off the edge of her seat-there wasn’t even enough space to plant them firmly on the ground. She endured this precarious position for what felt like an eternity until the bus finally arrived at Zhongxiao Road.

A quick glance at her watch made her heart sink. What should have been a twenty-minute ride had stretched into thirty. She was definitely going to be late now. Her frustration boiled over, and she gritted her teeth in anger.

Leaping off the bus, Mu Qingtian sprinted toward Fuyuan Building, the site where Ye Family was conducting interviews. Partway there, however, she slowed to a stop. Charging into an interview looking like a flustered mess wasn’t exactly the most professional approach. Taking a deep breath, she pulled her clothes straight, smoothing them down in an effort to hide her slightly protruding belly.

“I need to lose weight. I need to lose weight,” she muttered to herself encouragingly.

When she finally entered the lobby of Fuyuan Building, she was taken aback by what she saw. The place was bustling with people waiting for the elevators. Wow-so many people in such a busy, central location! The sheer number of companies housed here was enough to overwhelm anyone. Most of the people standing around were dressed impeccably in suits and formal attire, exuding an aura of success and authority. At first glance, it was clear that many of these professionals were high-level managers or executives.

Mu Qingtian straightened her own outfit again, trying to boost her confidence. It was a big day, and she needed to make a solid first impression-starting now.

Mu Qingtian glanced anxiously at the knockoff designer watch on her wrist. The ticking hands crept closer and closer to her interview time, and her heart raced with worry.

She cast her eyes toward the elevators and noticed that one had just arrived. To her surprise, there wasn’t a single person waiting to board.

Could the spirited Qingtian give up such a golden opportunity? Of course not! She dashed to the elevator at lightning speed and slipped inside just as the doors were closing.

“What?! It’s you?” Mu Qingtian’s jaw nearly hit the floor in shock. What kind of bad luck was this? Why on earth did she keep running into this walking disaster?

Ye Ziqian’s face was cold as ice, his gaze brimming with irritation as he glared at her. This girl was driving him insane. Of all the elevators in the building, she had the audacity to barge into his private elevator! Everyone in the Ye Group building knew this particular elevator was exclusively reserved for Ye Ziqian. How could she be so clueless?

“Shut up,” Ye Ziqian snapped, spitting out the two words curtly before falling silent again.

“Uh… uncle? You work in this building too? Does your company have an office here?” Mu Qingtian cocked her head, scratching her forehead as she spoke, utterly unfazed by Ye Ziqian’s stormy expression, which seemed ready to summon a downpour.

“I’ll say it one more time-shut up,” Ye Ziqian repeated in a simmering tone, his face darkening with frustration. How can this girl be so infuriating? When will she stop being such a nuisance? He fought back the urge to toss her straight out of the elevator. Her oversized baby face and that protruding belly… Could she be any more insufferable?

“Fine, uncle, fine! I’ll stop talking, okay?” Mu Qingtian muttered, unwilling to let this grumpy “weird uncle” ruin her otherwise good mood.

“What floor are you going to?” Ye Ziqian’s voice cut through the air. In the confined space, it seemed even louder and more commanding.

“Twenty-third,” Mu Qingtian blurted out instinctively, without even thinking it through. She immediately regretted her honesty. Why didn’t I say another floor? What if this strange guy tries something? I’ve only reached the eighth floor!

Ye Ziqian didn’t respond. His face remained unreadable, though his thoughts churned. So Uncle Zhong worked this out faster than usual. This girl arrived earlier than I expected. Looks like I’ll need to prep for the upcoming gathering sooner than planned.

“Ding.” The elevator chimed as it came to a stop on the twenty-third floor.

Before Ye Ziqian could say anything else, Mu Qingtian darted out like an arrow and rushed in the direction of the Ye Group. She needed to reach the Human Resources Department before the workday officially began.

The HR manager was already waiting in his office, prepared for her arrival. After all, it wasn’t every day that Uncle Zhong personally delivered instructions from the president to bring someone on board-particularly a young woman. Naturally, the manager had everything set up in advance, ready to welcome the candidate. The entire company was well aware of Ye Ziqian’s preferences: if he wasn’t spending time at the casino, his attention was likely on women. No-more precisely, beautiful women.

There came a polite knock at the door. Mu Qingtian stood outside, inhaling deeply to calm her nerves. Then, she plastered on what she believed was her sweetest, most winning smile.

“Come in,” the HR manager called out.

Mu Qingtian, wearing a smile, entered the office and immediately assessed the Human Resources Department manager sitting at the desk. With his dark, rough skin and slender frame, he seemed unqualified, severely below standard, almost like a refugee from Africa.

“Are you Mu Qingtian?” the manager asked doubtfully, scrutinizing her.

It wasn’t just that President Ye was always surrounded by beautiful people, but every female employee in the company also seemed to have both looks and figure. Yet, he couldn’t understand how this woman, lacking in both, had managed to get into the company. It must have been a direct order from Uncle Zhong. Perhaps she was a relative of his.

“Hello, manager, I am Mu Qingtian,” she said with a poised and gracious smile.

“Alright, follow me,” the manager said indifferently, leading Mu Qingtian to the editing room, which was dimly lit and primarily used for movie editing.

Curious, Mu Qingtian looked around the editing room, wondering if this was going to be her new workplace.

“Li-Jie¹, she’ll be working with you from now on,” the manager said, pushing the still-looking-around Mu Qingtian forward. Caught off-guard, she stumbled nearly falling, then flashed an awkward smile at Li-Jie.

Li-Jie, in her thirties, dressed in professional attire, showed no emotion on her face as she glanced at Mu Qingtian’s clumsy moment with a flicker of disdain that quickly disappeared.

“Okay, start by taking those files up to the 32nd floor,” Li-Jie ordered, pointing to a stack of documents without a hint of politeness.

“What?” Mu Qingtian paused, seeing the questioning look from Li-Jie, she swallowed hard and reluctantly bowed her head to the seemingly inevitable.

She had thought her job would involve sitting in an office!

However, it seemed that wasn’t the case. Without further thought, she picked up the documents and left. It was her first day at work, and she was eager to make a good impression.

Throughout the afternoon, Mu Qingtian kept busy, delivering documents to various floors. Even with the elevator, it was exhausting. Finally, as the day ended, she dragged her tired body, barely able to lift her legs. If not for the attractive salary, she would have left long ago.

She took out her phone in frustration, ready to vent her complaints to Nie Shuangshuang. “Shuangshuang? I’m exhausted! You have to take me out for dinner!” Mu Qingtian demanded without a shred of politeness. Sure enough, before she could even finish, she was greeted by the lion’s roar from the other end of the line.

“Mu Qingtian, are you kidding me? You’re the one at work, and now you want me to treat you?”

“Shuangshuang, can you be a little gentler with me?” Mu Qingtian said weakly. “You have no idea-I’ve basically become a jack-of-all-trades!” The situation was so exasperating she almost felt like crying. If it weren’t for the thought of money…

“What’s going on? Fine, fine, I’ll drive over to pick you up,” Nie Shuangshuang replied helplessly. But before Mu Qingtian could launch into a lengthy expression of gratitude, she heard a resounding click as the phone was hung up.

Mu Qingtian stared blankly at her phone, opened her mouth to speak, and then decided to close it again. She’d save her energy for the feast that awaited her.

Suddenly, the “melodic” sound of brakes screeching reached her ears. Squatting down by the advertisement board, Mu Qingtian snapped her head up. Sure enough, it was her dear Nie Shuangshuang at the wheel. Beaming with joy, Mu Qingtian dashed over and plopped herself into the passenger seat, causing the car to visibly sway.

“Lovely Shuangshuang, you’re here! Let’s cut the chatter and get straight to business, shall we?” Mu Qingtian said, rubbing her hand over her stomach. Her poor tummy had been grumbling at her nonstop, demanding attention and, most importantly, food.

“Oh my gosh, weren’t you just at work today? Shouldn’t you be the one treating me?” Nie Shuangshuang countered, eyeing the green glow of hunger shining in Mu Qingtian’s eyes.

“Don’t even start. My legs are practically worn down to twigs today. I’m going to eat a feast tonight to make up for it!” Mu Qingtian declared with unwavering determination.

Nie Shuangshuang shook her head helplessly, her gaze landing on Mu Qingtian’s slightly swollen belly. Sighing once more, she hit the accelerator and drove to Yi Pin Ju, the same restaurant they had visited last time. Judging by Mu Qingtian’s enthusiasm, it looked like Nie Shuangshuang was in for a costly outing.

On arrival, Mu Qingtian gave Shuangshuang a reassuring pat on the shoulder before confidently striding into Yi Pin Ju. She picked a cozy window seat and settled in, ready to enjoy both a sumptuous meal and the eye candy walking by. What a life of luxury!

“So, what happened exactly?”

“Don’t even ask. Today was a disaster-I was running up and down so much I felt like the world’s busiest delivery person.” Mu Qingtian waved her hand dramatically, as though she was revisiting an unbearable memory.

“That bad? Why not just quit?”

“It’s fine. I’ll just count all the running around as part of my diet regimen,” Mu Qingtian chuckled. After all, with money on the line, how could she possibly abandon this job?

Nie Shuangshuang rolled her eyes helplessly at the sky. “You’re still on a diet? With how you are acting, I bet you haven’t lost any weight and have probably gained a few kilos!” This guy heads straight for a feast after work; it’s no wonder he’s not slim.

“This is my last indulgence; from now on, it will definitely be vegetables and radishes,” Mu Qingtian declared earnestly, raising her hand and swearing to the light.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Mu Qingtian thought, if she really had to eat vegetarian in the future, wouldn’t she be saying goodbye to these meals? So today, she had to eat to her heart’s content!

With that thought in mind, she didn’t waste any time and went on a rampage, clearing the dishes from the table. She grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down in one go. Content, she let out a satisfied burp and looked across the table at the stunned Nie Shuangshuang, who was holding her chopsticks in shock.

“That was insane,” Nie Shuangshuang finally said, still seemingly dazed by what she had just witnessed.

Mu Qingtian, grinning foolishly and scratching her head, felt her cheeks flush. “Um, I got a little too excited…”

Before Nie Shuangshuang could respond, Mu Qingtian felt a churn in her stomach. Her complexion turned pale as she held her belly. “Shuangshuang, wait a moment; I need to use the toilet.” Her voice trailed off as she dashed toward the restroom.

With a loud bang, Mu Qingtian pushed open the restroom door, only to be greeted by a scene that was anything but appropriate for children-a couple was passionately kissing near the entrance. They seemed completely oblivious to her presence and continued indulging in their activities, which left Mu Qingtian in a panic.

Holding her stomach, she tried to suppress the urgency. “Ahem.”

The couple still acted as if she were invisible, completely ignoring her. Mu Qingtian furrowed her brows, extended her index finger, and poked the man in the suit who was lost in the kiss. He continued to disregard her, elegantly ignoring her existence.

Her stomach churned again, and she poked the man in the suit once more with more force.

The man, Ye Ziqian, turned to look at her with an unimpressed expression. His dark eyes were clear and bright, yet they emanated a coldness akin to eternal ice, enveloping the restroom in a chill.

Mu Qingtian forced a smile, glancing at the displeased Ye Ziqian. What a small world it was, running into him here of all places; it seemed a bit absurd to encounter him in the restroom.

“Um, I’m just going to slip past you; please continue,” Mu Qingtian said, not waiting for the couple to agree. She directly shoved the embracing bodies aside and hurried through the gap.

Ye Ziqian shot an unimpressed glance at the plump Mu Qingtian. Was his luck recently really that bad? Was it going to be difficult for him to go out now? Maybe it was time to start checking the calendar before leaving home.

Mu Qingtian hurried into the toilet, pulling down her pants just in time. Suddenly, the overwhelming pressure was released all at once-completely beyond her control. To make matters worse, an unexpectedly loud fart rang out, leaving her utterly mortified. It wasn’t that she hadn’t tried to control it-it was just too late.

Her cheeks flushed as red as if they were on fire. How embarrassing. Those two people outside-were they still kissing? Probably not. With a fart like that, no romantic mood could survive. She could practically hear the weather turning from sunny to cloudy for them.

Outside, the couple who had just been about to continue their moment froze mid-kiss. Ye Ziqian’s elegantly arched brows furrowed together as an ungraceful sound reached his ears. The moment was completely ruined. With a low curse, he turned on his heel and walked away.

The woman standing next to him, watching his retreating figure, cast a resentful glance toward the toilet and stomped her foot in frustration before leaving as well.

Inside, Mu Qingtian let out a sigh of relief as she finished her business. Humming a tune, she started to get up, but suddenly froze as if struck by lightning. A realization hit her like a ton of bricks-she had forgotten to bring toilet paper.

Her initial shock was replaced by a wry smile as she checked her pockets. To her dismay, she hadn’t brought her phone, either. This was a disaster-how could the heavens be so cruel to her?

“Is anyone out there?” Mu Qingtian called out tentatively, keeping her voice low. However, the silence confirmed her worst fears: she was the only one here. Damn it. Didn’t Nie Shuangshuang notice how long she’d been gone? Why hadn’t she come to check on her? Mu Qingtian was on the verge of complete mental collapse.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Ye Ziqian stormed into the office on the second floor and slumped into his chair. His perfectly fine mood had been utterly ruined by that chubby girl. Just thinking about it made his chest tighten with irritation.

As the room grew quiet, Ye Ziqian leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples with a hand. His gaze fell onto his wrist, and then his expression darkened-his bracelet was gone! Startled, he immediately searched all over his surroundings, but it was nowhere to be found. That bracelet had significant meaning to him, and the thought of losing it made his chest tighten even more.

Sitting there, he began to retrace his steps anxiously. Where had he been today? Suddenly, it dawned on him: the only place he’d gone that day, aside from his office, was the toilet. Could he have left it there?

Back in the toilet, Mu Qingtian sat there in utter despair. This was unbelievable-a restroom in such a grand restaurant, and yet they didn’t stock an essential item like toilet paper! If she ever got out of here, she would definitely leave feedback. But first, she actually had to get out of here.

Feeling hopeless, Mu Qingtian suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching from her direction. Yes, she was certain-they were heading toward the toilet. Her heart leaped with joy, and she thought to herself, If the person coming to rescue me happens to be a man, I’ll marry him on the spot!

Ye Ziqian pushed open the door to the restroom and immediately spotted a bracelet lying on the floor. He picked it up like it was a rare treasure.

“Brother or sister who just came in, could you please help me out?” Mu Qingtian called out earnestly.

Ye Ziqian raised an eyebrow, surprised that the chubby girl was still there.

“Uh… why aren’t you saying anything?” Mu Qingtian’s confused voice rang out again.

“What do you need?” Ye Ziqian, who had initially planned to leave, suddenly found himself intrigued. Was this chubby girl trying to hit on someone in the toilet?

The sound of Ye Ziqian’s voice made Mu Qingtian freeze. Her face turned beet red. Oh no, oh no, she thought. I was just joking earlier about offering myself-God, please forgive me!

“Umm… could you, uh, pass me some toilet paper?” she said awkwardly. At that moment, she wished she could just crawl into a hole and disappear. Even though she’d only met Ye Ziqian a few times, they at least knew each other, didn’t they? This was so embarrassing!

Ye Ziqian chuckled at her request. So, she’d gone to the toilet without bringing paper? His eyes gleamed mischievously, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

“Sure, wait there,” he replied smoothly before striding out of the restroom.

“I swear, I’ll never forgive him!” Mu Qingtian fumed as she sat in the car, her small face contorted in anger. That awful Ye Ziqian had promised to bring her toilet paper, only to disappear entirely without a trace. Thank goodness Nie Shuangshuang eventually realized something was off and came to rescue her from that dreadful situation.

“Pfft!” Nie Shuangshuang, who was driving, couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Mu Qingtian, stop complaining. To be honest, you did eat a lot earlier…” She shot her a teasing glance, her eyes brimming with amusement.

Mu Qingtian’s face flushed red with embarrassment. She decided not to say anything further and sank into silence.

At Fuyuan Building, a chubby girl with black-framed glasses stood near the elevator, huffing and puffing as she held a towering stack of documents. Her forehead was glistening with sweat, but her hands were too full to wipe it away.

With a cheerful “ding,” the elevator doors opened. Before Mu Qingtian could enter, a swarm of people surged out. Startled, she tried to step aside, but she couldn’t avoid them in time. She stumbled, and both she and her stack of documents came crashing to the ground.

“Ow!” Mu Qingtian yelped as a sharp pain shot through her arm. Around her, the papers scattered messily on the floor. A steady stream of people continued pouring out of the elevator, casting her quick, indifferent glances. Some looked at her with mild curiosity, but not a single person stopped to help her up.

“Are you alright?” A gentle male voice, as smooth as the stroke of a violin string, brought Mu Qingtian back to her senses. She raised her eyes slightly, only to meet a breathtakingly handsome face adorned with an understated smile. His almond-shaped phoenix eyes narrowed charmingly, while his thin lips curved ever so slightly. A gold-framed pair of glasses rested elegantly on his high-bridged nose. Her heart skipped a beat, leaving her momentarily dumbfounded.

“Miss, are you alright?” he asked again, his voice tinged with concern.

“Oh, yes, I’m fine. Totally fine,” Mu Qingtian stammered, realizing she had lost her composure. Her face flushed red as she grabbed the hand he extended toward her and rose to her feet. She hurriedly bent down to gather her scattered papers. Quietly, he helped her pick them up, then offered her a faint, polite smile before turning and walking away.

Mu Qingtian watched his retreating figure and let out a soft sigh. Such a gentleman.

Just as she was about to leave, the elevator nearby chimed, and its doors slid open. Out stepped Ye Ziqian, his hands buried casually in his pockets. The mere sight of him stoked a fire in Mu Qingtian’s chest. Without hesitation, she dashed in front of him, blocking his way.

“Ye Ziqian, how dare you show your face in front of me!”

“You think I want to see you?” Ye Ziqian sneered, narrowing his sharp eyes as a mocking smile played on his lips.

“You-!” Mu Qingtian was so enraged that she couldn’t find the words to respond. Her chubby cheeks flushed an even brighter shade of red.

Ye Ziqian gave her a quick glance, and a flash of contempt and disdain flickered in his eyes. Without another word, he strode forward with large, steady steps.

“Ye Ziqian, I will never forgive you!” Mu Qingtian yelled at his retreating figure, her voice resonating down the hallway.

He shrugged indifferently, as though her outburst didn’t concern him in the slightest. Mu Qingtian clenched her teeth furiously. How could there be such a vast difference between people?

Ye Ziqian leaned back in his office chair, his long legs propped casually against the edge of the desk. His almond-shaped eyes, sharp as an eagle’s, were nearly closed as if he were lost in deep thought.

“Boss, An Shaochen has arrived. He’s waiting for you in the conference hall,” said Lu Zizhong, standing respectfully to the side.

Ye Ziqian’s eyes snapped open, and a piercing, hawk-like gaze shot out, so sharp that even Uncle Zhong, who had worked by his side for almost ten years, felt a chill run down his spine. Uncle Zhong instantly straightened up, not daring to breathe too loudly.

“There’ve been frequent issues surfacing at my underground casino and bar lately. I strongly suspect An Shaochen has something to do with it,” Ye Ziqian said after a pause, his voice eerily calm and deliberate. “In fact, I’m fairly certain he’s planted someone within our organization as well.”

Uncle Zhong drew in a sharp breath. “I’ll conduct a thorough investigation,” he said immediately.

“This matter needs to be handled with the utmost secrecy,” Ye Ziqian instructed, his cold gaze locking on Uncle Zhong. “Make sure there’s no leak-none at all. Not even Nan Yan or Qing Shan can be informed.”

His eyes flashed with an icy glint, and an overpowering aura of dominance emanated from him-a pressure that seemed to radiate from every pore of his being.

Uncle Zhong had rarely seen him so grave. He nodded solemnly. It was clear that this time, the situation was exceptionally serious. There was no room for error.

Ye Ziqian rubbed his temples, frustrated and exhausted. Recently, accidents had been occurring in multiple underground casinos, and his bar had been under investigation countless times, completely disrupting its operations. He was certain that someone was pulling the strings behind all of this, and An Shaochen was a prime suspect.

In the conference hall, An Shaochen sat leisurely, a faint smile hanging on his lips. Despite Ye Ziqian keeping him waiting for a full half-hour, his demeanor remained entirely composed, not showing even a hint of impatience.

“Mr. An, have some water,” Qing Shan offered him a bottle. He accepted it quickly, flashing her a gentle smile, his aura calm and poised.

“Mr. An,” a low, casual voice drifted in from outside the door. Ye Ziqian walked in, his hands tucked into his pockets, a faint smile playing on his lips. Yet, the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes-it stopped just short, leaving his gaze cold and unreadable.

“I had some matters to attend to earlier; apologies for keeping you waiting, Mr. An. You wouldn’t mind, would you?” Ye Ziqian said coolly as he settled into his chair, his sharp eyes studying An Shaochen carefully.

“Not at all,” An Shaochen replied, his lips maintaining the same mysterious smile that barely wavered throughout. To anyone meeting him for the first time, he might come across as a refined gentleman. However, those who truly knew him understood the truth: he was a wolf cloaked in the guise of sophistication.

Ye Ziqian’s lips curled into a subtle, enigmatic smirk. His deep black eyes locked onto An Shaochen’s as if he were evaluating a rival. A worthy opponent, Ye Ziqian concluded internally. An Shaochen had a skill for masking his emotions and burying his true intentions. Ye Ziqian always felt a strange sense of admiration for opponents like him-a recognition of their sharpness. At the same time, there was an undeniable thrill in crushing such rivals.

The two men silently assessed each other, gauging strengths and strategies in their minds. Then, both exchanged polite smiles, a shared understanding simmering beneath their cool facades.

Meanwhile, Mu Qingtian found herself reluctantly standing outside the president’s office, frustrated beyond belief. If it weren’t for Li-Jie’s relentless persuasion and indirect threats, she would’ve refused to come to Ye Ziqian’s office altogether.

“Ziqian, you’re so naughty,” a flirtatious, inappropriate voice drifted from inside the office.

Mu Qingtian froze for a second, stunned by what she’d just heard. It was unmistakably a woman’s voice-soft, sweet, and dripping with seduction. She hadn’t expected to overhear this of all things. No wonder Ye Ziqian hadn’t responded to her knock; he was clearly… engaged.

Her disdain for Ye Ziqian soared as she processed what was happening behind the closed doors. Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. It cemented her perception of him: a typical playboy, the worst kind. How could someone so bold and brazen disregard all professionalism during work hours? Sure, he owned the company, but shouldn’t he still uphold some basic standards? Her irritation deepened as she imagined his gall and shamelessness.

Knock, knock. Mu Qingtian knocked on the door again, this time with much more force than before. Right now, all she wanted was to toss the stack of documents at him and leave. She didn’t care whether she was interrupting anything. It was work hours, and she had come there for business. Why should her professional duties accommodate his absurd private affairs?

“Come in,” a deep, hoarse voice responded from inside the office, carrying a tone that seemed oddly intriguing upon closer attention.

Without hesitation, Mu Qingtian pushed open the door. The scene before her instantly made her freeze. Sitting on the office chair were two people practically glued together. The woman, with her back to Mu Qingtian, had her arms wrapped around Ye Ziqian’s neck. Her voluminous, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her revealing outfit and seductive demeanor screamed sensuality.

Ye Ziqian’s hand appeared to be resting near her chest as the woman gasped softly, her voice laced with flirtation. He seemed completely indifferent to the presence of a third person in the room, continuing his actions with effortless composure. Clearly, he was a man of exceptional audacity.

“President, I’m here to deliver documents,” Mu Qingtian said hesitantly, ignoring the palpable tension and awkwardness that filled the office. The atmosphere felt suffocating, as if it carried an invisible pressure weighing heavily on her. She felt utterly out of place and could feel her cheeks burning as she avoided looking directly at the two individuals in front of her.

Mu Qingtian silently cursed herself for her lack of courage. What is wrong with me? she wondered. Shouldn’t they be the ones embarrassed? Why do I feel like I’m the one intruding on something scandalous?

Ye Ziqian glanced at Mu Qingtian with his desire-laden eyes, his expression tinged with an enigmatic hostility, as though he were assessing something beneath the surface.

“Hmm, leave.” Ye Ziqian said flatly, his tone carrying an air of detachment mixed with subtle mockery.

“Oh.” Mu Qingtian didn’t dare say anything else. She fled the office as though pursued by a ghost, slamming the door shut behind her with a loud bang. Standing outside the now-closed door, she couldn’t help but glance at it awkwardly, her face flushed. Wait… why did it shut so loudly? She had only meant to close it lightly.

“Um… I didn’t mean to slam the door just now. Hope you guys don’t mind,” she called out nervously, her round face poking awkwardly into the doorframe.

“Get lost!” Ye Ziqian’s icy voice cut through the air like shards of glass. It was so cold it seemed to seep into the bones, nearly sending chills down Mu Qingtian’s spine.

She shivered slightly. If I didn’t depend on Ye Ziqian’s paycheck to survive, no way would I be lowering myself to ask for forgiveness like this. She forced herself to calm down. Fine, he’s rich, and he’s in charge-I’ll let it slide. No big deal.

“Alright, fine. I’ll leave then. Carry on,” Mu Qingtian muttered from outside the door. But before she left, she couldn’t resist adding one last jab. “By the way, even rabbits avoid eating the grass around their burrows. You sure have quite the appetite, taking whatever comes your way.”

Before Ye Ziqian could respond, Mu Qingtian slammed the door again, even louder than before. Another bang echoed through the hallway.

In Ye Ziqian’s office, his expression was as dark as a storm cloud, cold enough to make the air chill. His thin lips were pressed into a tight line, and as he glanced at the woman in his arms, he felt nothing-no trace of interest, no spark, not even an ounce of patience.

“Ziqian…” the beauty in his arms cooed softly into his ear, her voice carrying a deliberate hint of seduction.

“What did you just call me?” Ye Ziqian’s face darkened further as he abruptly pushed the woman away.

The beauty stood there, stunned, her previously alluring demeanor vanishing in an instant. Now her face was painted with panic, and she stood frozen, unsure of what she had done wrong.

At that moment, what had once been her beauty now struck Ye Ziqian as repulsively unsightly. Her presence was nothing short of offensive to him. “Why are you still standing here? Get out!” he barked sharply.

Embarrassed and flustered, the woman bowed her head and hurried out of Ye Ziqian’s office-but not before doubling back to stammer out a clumsy apology, a move that only made Ye Ziqian’s frustration boil over. His mood, which had already been sour, was now thoroughly ruined by such a foolish and tiresome woman.

As Ye Ziqian leaned back in his chair, his thoughts unexpectedly wandered to Mu Qingtian. He was bitterly regretful about the mercy he had shown her before. Back at the underground casino, seeing her so pitiful, he had felt a brief flicker of compassion. But now? Now he realized that Mu Qingtian was nothing more than an unsophisticated, clueless idiot. In fact, not even a woman-just a bumbling, fumbling girl who didn’t have even a shred of elegance.

Ye Ziqian’s vexation deepened as he thought about the series of incidents that had recently occurred at the casino. He had always been utterly ruthless toward anyone around him who lacked loyalty or dared to stir up trouble. Why had he let an exception slip through?

—

Meanwhile, back in her own office, Mu Qingtian had just returned to her desk when her phone began to buzz furiously, practically bouncing across the table.

“Mu Qingtian! Are you wrapped up in some guy’s arms or something? Took you long enough to answer!” Nie Shuangshuang’s loud voice blared through the line.

“Wrapped up in a guy’s arms? More like watching a guy wrap someone up-” Mu Qingtian paused, suddenly realizing she was in no position to make such comments out loud. Glancing nervously at Li-Jie, she was horrified to see the older woman beaming at her with the kind of radiant smile that could rival the midday sun.

“Err… watching a guy wrap his arms around a woman…” Mu Qingtian quickly corrected herself. “Anyway, what’s up, Shuangshuang?” She was desperate to steer the conversation away from men. Nie Shuangshuang seemed incapable of discussing anything else.

“How’s your new job? Come meet me after work-I’m treating you to steak!” Nie Shuangshuang said lazily, her nonchalant tone almost making it sound like an afterthought.

“You know I eat steak in the most unladylike way possible. Are you really inviting me, or are you just planning to laugh at me?” Mu Qingtian quipped.

“Hey now, what’s that supposed to mean?” Nie Shuangshuang shot back theatrically. “I’m being serious here-this is me being considerate, and you’re treating me like chopped liver! I just want some steak and thought you’d join me. Besides, your ‘unique’ way of eating steak always cheers me up. But fine, whatever, we’ll skip the joking around. How about after work, I come pick you up instead? We’ll celebrate-you know, for surviving that last disaster and landing yourself a decent job.”

Mu Qingtian opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, she heard the faint sound of Nie Shuangshuang stretching and groaning in satisfaction. “Anyway, I’ll let you get back to work-I’m-” Click. The line went dead before she finished her sentence.

Mu Qingtian shook her head and sighed, placing her phone back down. Nie Shuangshuang was definitely full of energy-but at least her offer of steak was something to look forward to.

Mu Qingtian grinned at Li-Jie.

“You’ll get used to it eventually. It’s nothing strange after a while,” Li-Jie said coolly, her tone seasoned with the indifference of someone who had seen it all.

“Actually, I’m not all that surprised. What confuses me is-why do they seem even more energized when they notice I’m watching? Could it be that the president has some kind of performance-driven streak?” Mu Qingtian said seriously, tapping her forehead as though pondering an undeniable truth.

Li-Jie stared blankly at the quirky little girl in front of her, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Did you deliver the documents? What did the president say?” Li-Jie asked, switching topics as she regained her composure.

“He told me to get lost,” Mu Qingtian replied weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Hit a wall, huh? Don’t worry-if he didn’t fire you on the spot, that means you’re not hopeless yet,” Li-Jie said with a small smile, trying to offer some solace.

“Fire me? If I make a mistake, it won’t just stop at that. It’ll probably be worse-” Mu Qingtian shuddered as she pictured the impossibly handsome yet cold-as-ice president, a man who could only be described as devilishly intimidating.

“There’s still a pile of documents to process today. Let’s get to work; otherwise, we’ll have to stay overtime,” Li-Jie reminded her, noticing Mu Qingtian was zoning out. “Didn’t I hear your friend asking you to go grab food together earlier?”

“Uh, yeah, steak. Next time, I’ll find a good place to treat you, Li-Jie. But no steak-I’m not a big fan. Although… it is pretty tasty-” Mu Qingtian muttered as her cheeks puffed up from unconsciously scrunching her face, making her rounder face look even more chubby.

In an elegant and dimly lit steakhouse, the atmosphere was quiet and refined. Nie Shuangshuang and Mu Qingtian sat opposite each other at a small table, a single rose in a vase placed in the center.

“Mu Qingtian, you’re distracted-thinking about some guy, huh?” Nie Shuangshuang teased as her eyes wandered around the restaurant, casually scanning her surroundings.

“You’re thinking about a guy! Your whole family is thinking about a guy!” Mu Qingtian exclaimed, instinctively blurting out the retort. Shocked by her own words, she froze, staring dumbfounded at Nie Shuangshuang.

Nie Shuangshuang widened her eyes dramatically, her mouth arching into an exaggerated grin. “So you’ve got a sharp tongue, huh? I see some spicy personality in you-love it!” Her words carried an amused sincerity loud enough to catch the attention of a couple diagonally across the restaurant, who glanced over in irritation.

“Fine, I admit defeat-keep it down. That couple across from us is staring,” Mu Qingtian whispered, urging Nie Shuangshuang to lower her voice.

“Come on, spill it-what’s going on with you? How could you blurt out something that fiery? It’s amazing! You nailed it with the ‘your whole family’ comeback. I can’t wait to start using that myself,” Nie Shuangshuang said, as though dissecting fine art, savoring the exchange with almost academic diligence.

A waiter appeared, carrying a tray from afar and announcing loudly, “Miss, here’s your Australian steak-”

“Mine’s first!” Nie Shuangshuang snapped into action, unfolding her napkin and draping it over her chest as the waiter set the steak in front of her. Lifting the lid, the steak sizzled, releasing aromatic oil splatters that danced tantalizingly.

“You’re actually eating it rare? Aren’t you worried about food poisoning? Someday, I’m bringing you an entire cow-you might as well start gnawing directly on it!” Mu Qingtian laughed as she threw playful jabs at Nie Shuangshuang.

“I ordered a blue steak for you, too. You’ll have to try it. If you get sick tonight, I’ll sleep over and take care of you,” Nie Shuangshuang teased, sticking out her tongue cheekily at Mu Qingtian.

Mu Qingtian stared at the waiter, captivated by his graceful and practiced movements. Just as he was about to leave, she reached out and grabbed the sleeve of his uniform. “Excuse me-can you please take the blue steak I ordered and cook it to medium-well instead?”

Footnote:

1. -Jie(-姐): In Chinese culture, using “xx姐” (pronounced as “xx jie”) to address someone is quite common, especially in Mainland China and other Chinese-speaking communities. The term “jie” means “older sister” and, when used in this context, typically carries a sense of affection and friendliness. It indicates respect and amiability towards the person, similar to calling someone “sis” or “big sister” in English.