Provoking the Obsessive, Cold, and Aloof CEO - Chapter 11

Ruan Taoran surveyed the office. The black, white, and gray decor mirrored Ji Qingyun’s own austere and somewhat cold demeanor.

Yet against one wall stood a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, densely packed with books.

Ruan Taoran glanced at the titles. Many were original English editions of business textbooks, alongside a selection of historical works.

A complete set of the Zizhi Tongjian looked intimidating, yet the spines showed signs of wear.

Knowing it would be impolite to touch someone else’s belongings, Ruan Taoran refrained from handling the books, merely glancing at them before settling onto the sofa.

Han Yue brought over a cup of coffee and placed it within Ruan Taoran’s reach. “Miss Ruan, President Ji’s meeting should conclude around eleven.”

Ruan Taoran took a sip. The coffee was infused with floral notes and a subtle hint of tea.

Surprised by this unexpected flavor profile, which seemed at odds with Ji Qingyun’s usual tastes, Ruan Taoran looked up with a smile. “President Ji enjoys Geisha coffee?”

“No, I thought Miss Ruan would appreciate this flavor,” Han Yue replied. “If you don’t like it, we also have Blue Mountain and Musk blends. I can have it changed for you.”

“No need, I quite like it,” Ruan Taoran said casually, then asked, “Which blend does President Ji prefer?”

She didn’t know much about Ji Qingyun’s preferences, and learning more couldn’t hurt.

Han Yue didn’t answer directly, instead saying warmly, “Do you enjoy tea? We have several varieties here. I’ll brew a pot for you.”

Ji Qingyun’s office was frequented by business elites. The younger ones preferred coffee, while the older ones favored tea. Both the coffee beans and tea leaves were of the highest quality.

Watching Han Yue leave, Ruan Taoran realized she wouldn’t get any information out of her today.

Ji Qingyun was different from Rao Man. While Ruan Taoran could win over Butler Zhou with a few well-placed words, the same approach didn’t work on Han Yue.

As Ji Qingyun’s personal assistant, Han Yue kept her lips sealed and clearly understood Ji Qingyun’s management style.

When Han Yue returned with the tea, her responses to Ruan Taoran were flawless, but she revealed absolutely nothing about Ji Qingyun’s situation.

Just then, Ruan Taoran’s phone vibrated in her pocket. It was Lin Xiaoxiao calling.

“Ranran, are you still in Jiang City? I need to ask you for a favor.”

Lin Xiaoxiao’s voice sounded strained. Ruan Taoran replied, “What kind of relationship do we have? Just tell me what’s wrong.”

Lin Xiaoxiao was Ruan Taoran’s best friend from their time in S Country.

The Ruan family only covered Ruan Taoran’s tuition, maintaining a semblance of support for her education. They provided no living expenses, which Ruan Taoran knew Rao Man and her daughter had pocketed.

Instead of arguing, Ruan Taoran worked part-time to support herself. She met Lin Xiaoxiao, another struggling student, while working.

When Ruan Taoran returned home, Lin Xiaoxiao gave her all her savings, which Ruan Taoran used to prepare the tens of thousands of yuan in red envelopes for Butler Zhou.

“My mom had a heart attack and is hospitalized at Jianghuan Hospital. Could you check on her for me?”

“When I call her, she keeps saying it’s nothing, nothing at all. If the neighbors hadn’t found her this time…”

“Please check on her and see what’s really going on. I’m afraid she’s hiding something from me again.”

Lin Xiaoxiao’s voice was frantic, on the verge of tears.

As the only child in her family, she had lost her father early in life. Her mother had raised her single-handedly and even sent her abroad for her studies.

“Okay, I’ll go check on her right away,” Ruan Taoran reassured her. “The fact that she could call you means she’s stable. Don’t panic.”

“Ranran, I don’t want to trouble you, but I really don’t know who else to turn to. I don’t have anyone I trust in Jiang City.”

“I’m so scared. I didn’t even know she had a heart condition. How could she keep this from me…?”

Ruan Taoran glanced at the time. It was 9 PM in China, but midnight in S Country. Lin Xiaoxiao wouldn’t get any answers tonight and would likely spend the night sleepless.

She grabbed her handbag and stood up, moving swiftly but keeping her voice calm. “Xiaoxiao, I’m heading over now. Try to stay calm.”

As she pushed open the door, she ran into Han Yue.

“Assistant Han, the thermos in the office contains rose-infused rice wine. Please tell President Ji about it after his meeting.”

“I have an emergency and need to leave immediately.”

After speaking, Ruan Taoran hurried toward the elevator.

Han Yue quickly caught up. “Miss Ruan, let me swipe the executive elevator for you. It’ll be much faster.”

After swiping the elevator, she pressed further. “Miss Ruan, where are you headed? Would you like a ride?”

She added, “President Ji is in a meeting right now, and I don’t have anything urgent to attend to. It won’t be any trouble at all.”

Besides Han Yue, Ji Qingyun had four other secretaries. Her absence for a short time wouldn’t cause any issues.

Han Yue wasn’t usually this enthusiastic with people, but she always felt there was something different about Miss Ruan.

In her years working for Ji Qingyun, she had never heard the president give advance instructions to bring someone directly to her office.

After receiving those instructions, Han Yue had waited three days for the rumored Miss Ruan to arrive. Why was she now rushing off so quickly?

Ruan Taoran initially wanted to decline, but hearing Han Yue’s urgency, she agreed. “Thank you, Assistant Han. Please take me to Jianghuan Hospital.”

Given the emergency, Han Yue drove her own car, a silver-white Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Ruan Taoran had intended to sit in the passenger seat, but Han Yue quickly stepped ahead and opened the rear door.

Flustered, Han Yue scrambled to remove the items from the back seat. “Miss Ruan, please wait a moment while I put these in the trunk.”

It was a light green golf club bag.

Although the morning commute wasn’t too congested, the long drive meant they didn’t arrive until forty minutes later.

After purchasing a fruit basket at the entrance, they checked in at the nursing station in the inpatient ward, providing Lin Xiaoxiao’s mother’s name to obtain her room number.

Han Yue remained by Ruan Taoran’s side, carrying another fruit basket.

Ruan Taoran had initially suggested she return to the office, but Han Yue insisted she wasn’t busy and, having come this far, wanted to visit the patient as well.

Upon entering the room, Ruan Taoran saw the woman in the innermost bed. Dressed in a hospital gown, with snow-white hair and an IV line in her arm, she looked nothing like the woman in the photos Ruan Taoran had seen. The person before her was far too gaunt.

Despite the shock, Ruan Taoran maintained a bright smile as she approached to greet her. “Aunt Bai, I’m Xiaoxiao’s friend. She asked me to check on you.”

“Xiaoxiao’s friend?” The woman seemed surprised and quickly reached for a nearby chair. “Please, sit down.”

Ruan Taoran wouldn’t let her lift a finger. She swiftly moved to pull out the chair for Han Yue before settling into her own seat.

“If I’d known you were coming, I would have prepared a proper welcome. This is hardly a way to treat a guest, and now you’ve even brought a gift,” Bai Feng said, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

“I should have visited you sooner, Aunt Bai,” Ruan Taoran replied warmly, already unwrapping the fruit basket and peeling an apple for Bai Feng. “I was just afraid of interrupting your busy schedule.”

“Xiaoxiao is doing wonderfully abroad. She studies hard every day, and all our classmates love spending time with her.”

“Dating? No, she’s not seeing anyone yet. She says the first thing she’ll do when she’s ready is ask you for your approval.”

“Exactly! She talks about her mother constantly, praising you like you’re a celestial being.”

“You look beautiful now too. Your smile is so warm and inviting—you should smile more often.”

Ruan Taoran never gave insincere compliments, but her words carried such genuine warmth that they could make anyone’s heart bloom with joy.

Their conversation started with Lin Xiaoxiao and quickly expanded to planning Ruan Taoran’s next visit to their home.

Han Yue listened from the side, her gaze drawn to Ruan Taoran.

She wore a soft yellow dress, and her pearl hair clips shimmered, yet nothing could outshine her radiant smile.

The elderly patients adored such sweet-talking young women. The hospital room, once heavy with gloom, now buzzed with laughter and cheer, a stark contrast to the lifeless atmosphere when they had first arrived.

Han Yue’s phone rang. Glancing at the two women chatting animatedly, she hurried out to answer the call.

“President Ji.”

“Yes, Miss Ruan personally brewed that pot of rose-infused rice wine.”

“She’s already left. I’m with her at Jianghuan Hospital.”

“President Ji?”

Beep beep beep—the line went dead.

Han Yue froze for a moment. Could President Ji have misunderstood something?