Provoking the Obsessive, Cold, and Aloof CEO - Chapter 15

Ruan Taoran didn’t know how to play golf, nor did she understand what a caddie was supposed to do. But following Ji Qingyun’s instructions, she simply went along.

The golf course was Feng Shanshan’s private property, reserved exclusively for them today. The caddies assigned to them were far more professional than Ruan Taoran could ever hope to be.

The caddie expertly introduced the course layout, the number and location of holes, the fairway’s moisture content and grass type, and the green’s speed and firmness.

Ruan Taoran didn’t understand much of it, but she remained attentive. Since Ji Qingyun enjoyed golf so much, she wanted to learn more about it.

Because she struggled to grasp the details, she focused with triple her usual intensity, her bright eyes fixed on the caddie, absorbing every word.

The sunlight caught on her eyelashes, casting tiny shadows that danced gently across her cheeks with each blink. A faint smile played on her lips, making her resemble a diligent student gazing up at a teacher from below the podium, eager to learn.

A gentle breeze stirred, causing the wisps of hair at her temples to sway rhythmically, inexplicably evoking the image of a fluffy, adorable little animal.

Noticing her keen interest, Feng Shanshan suggested, “Why don’t we let Miss Ruan take the first swing today?”

“Me?” Ruan Taoran paused, then heard Ji Qingyun’s voice: “She’s our caddie today. We’ll still toss a coin to decide the tee-off order.”

“A caddie?” Feng Shanshan’s eyes lit up with amusement. “That’s perfect! Miss Ruan can toss the coin.”

Feng Shanshan immediately understood the playful dynamic between the two women, but the socially naive Miss Shen clearly hadn’t grasped the nuance.

“Ranran, come play with us!” she insisted. “It’s just a casual game—winning or losing doesn’t matter.”

Feng Shanshan sighed inwardly. I regret bringing Shen Qiuxu today. It’s fine when I take her out normally, but this was a mistake.

To be fair, she hadn’t invited Shen Qiuxu. The young heiress, a golf enthusiast, had insisted on joining when she heard Feng Shanshan was coming to the course.

Feng Shanshan could usually handle others, but Miss Shen’s relentless persistence was impossible to resist.

“No need,” Ruan Taoran declined with a radiant smile. “I’m here to caddie for my sister today. I need to focus.”

“What’s the point of coming to the golf course if you’re not going to play?” Shen Qiuxu persisted.

Feng Shanshan tugged at her sleeve. My dear girl, you really don’t understand anything, do you?

Shen Qiuxu turned to Feng Shanshan, frowning in annoyance. “Why did you pull me?”

Feng Shanshan offered a polite smile. “Teacher Shen, I noticed some dust on your clothes. I was just brushing it off.”

A smile on her face, murder in her eyes. Miss Shen, shut your damn mouth.

Feng Shanshan felt like a complete fool. Despite being Shen Qiuxu’s boss, she was being treated like a servant by a spoiled heiress.

“No need, I’m not playing,” Ruan Taoran quickly declined, adding, “Being a caddy for my sister is fun. I enjoy it.”

When she smiled, the sunflower brooch on her chest seemed to pale in comparison. Her eyes sparkled like stars, radiating warmth.

“Alright, toss the ball,” Ji Qingyun said, placing the ball in Ruan Taoran’s hand. Her fingertips brushed against Ruan Taoran’s palm.

Her fingertips were cool, like jade. She wore no rings, only a platinum wristwatch that accentuated her slender, elegant hands.

Though her tone was neutral, Ruan Taoran noticed a subtle shift in the curve of Ji Qingyun’s lips after she spoke.

President Ji likes me. She’s keeping me in her thoughts. She may not say it, but she’s accepted me. Ruan Taoran couldn’t help but smile wider.

Ji Qingyun couldn’t resist reaching out to pat Ruan Taoran’s head. “Stop grinning like an idiot. Throw the ball.”

The top of her head felt soft, like petting a small animal. When Ji Qingyun withdrew her hand, she could almost imagine the scent of gardenias lingering on her palm.

A caddie, sensing the moment, approached to explain the rules for throwing the ball.

Ruan Taoran tossed the ball casually, and by sheer luck, it landed farthest from Ji Qingyun’s ball, granting Ji Qingyun the first tee-off.

Bathed in sunlight, Ji Qingyun’s golf attire accentuated her impeccable physique. Her hair cascaded down, framing her slender figure.

Her gaze, cool and detached, focused intently on the white ball. After briefly assessing the angle and trajectory, she drew back her club, the clubhead tracing a graceful arc.

With a powerful swing from her waist, her arm and club swung down in unison. Crack! The crisp sound of impact echoed as the ball soared in a perfect parabolic arc.

Ruan Taoran’s gaze didn’t follow the ball’s flight; instead, it remained fixed on Ji Qingyun’s retreating figure.

President Ji was truly stunning. Her poised gait hinted at a disciplined fitness routine.

Wealthy, self-disciplined, with an exceptional aura and flawless features—this woman seemed like the textbook definition of a protagonist, except for her icy demeanor, so cold it deterred anyone from approaching.

Ruan Taoran didn’t mind. When making friends, she never cared whether the other person’s feelings were genuine. Clear-headed, she never harbored any illusions about President Ji’s affections.

She might never be able to truly enter the heart of President Ji, whose family ties were so tenuous. But what did it matter? It was enough for her to be an indispensable presence in his life.

“That shot was perfect—angle and distance,” Feng Shanshan remarked. “President Ji is really putting us under pressure.”

“My turn,” Shen Qiuxu said, offering no further comment as she cheerfully went to position her ball.

As a die-hard fan, Shen Qiuxu inevitably forgot to let Ji Qingyun have his best shots, making Feng Shanshan’s eyelid twitch.

Ji Qingyun, however, remained unconcerned, chatting with Feng Shanshan about the investment while playing.

Having introduced Ruan Taoran to Feng Shanshan, Ji Qingyun owed her a favor. Refusing the investment now would be unreasonable.

Feng Shanshan wasn’t worried about the favor itself. Her concerns lay with the Ji Clan’s proposed terms and conditions. Though this was a rescue investment, she didn’t want to be shackled by investors, her hands tied.

Initially anxious, her worries gradually eased as she listened to Ji Qingyun’s tone.

The terms offered were unprecedentedly generous, so favorable that Feng Shanshan found little left to negotiate.

The Ji Clan, rumored to be the most rigid and rule-bound, had, while staying within the bounds of propriety, offered the best possible terms within their established range.

Feng Shanshan couldn’t help but glance at Ruan Taoran, fully aware of whose favor she had earned.

Miss Ruan’s importance on her guest list had just risen another notch.

Ruan Taoran followed Ji Qingyun as a caddie without complaint. Since professional caddies were handling the technical aspects, she focused on providing water and wiping sweat, a task that wasn’t strenuous at all.

She was remarkably diligent, wiping Ji Qingyun’s sweat and asking, “Are you feeling alright? Don’t push yourself too hard. Rest if you’re tired.”

She remembered President Ji had been receiving an IV drip at noon.

Ji Qingyun didn’t reply, but the tension in his eyes visibly eased. He simply said, “I’m fine.”

As they reached the next tee, Ruan Taoran felt her phone vibrating in her pocket.

Ji Qingyun and Feng Shanshan were deep in conversation. Having just wiped his sweat, he likely didn’t need her immediate attention. She glanced at the screen and stepped aside to answer the call.

“Xiaoxiao, why aren’t you asleep yet?” Ruan Taoran calculated the time difference; it was already late at night there.

“I visited your mother and spoke with her. The issue isn’t too serious. I’ll check on her again when I have the chance,” Ruan Taoran reassured her. “Get some rest. Don’t exhaust yourself—that would only worry your mother more.”

Lin Xiaoxiao replied, “I know. I just spoke with Mom, and she said everything’s fine.”

“I’m just calling to ask if you were the one who transferred my mom to Qingnan Hospital?”

“My mom also asked the nurse, who said she didn’t need to pay. Did you cover the fees?”

“How much does the VIP ward at Qingnan Hospital cost? You came back to China with hardly any money. Don’t overextend yourself…”

Ruan Taoran didn’t catch the rest of the words clearly. She offered a few vague reassurances to smooth things over, then hung up to let Lin Xiaoxiao rest.

The sun was already sinking in the west, painting the horizon like a brocade soaked in orange-yellow ink—a backdrop for an oil painting. The subject of this painting was Ji Qingyun, dressed entirely in white.

Her cold demeanor seemed out of place against the warm hues of the painting, yet she somehow blended in harmoniously. The warm light softened the sharp edges of her features, framing her cool, clear eyes.

Ruan Taoran hadn’t transferred her aunt to Qingnan Hospital. She’d heard about the VIP ward there—it was reserved for the ultra-rich and powerful, where expenses flowed like water.

The only person who would do something like this was President Ji.

President Ji was busy being unhappy, busy getting IV drips, busy keeping his basketball appointment, yet he still remembered such a small detail. He was meticulous in everything, like an eight-core processor handling every task with precision.

Moreover, Ji Qingyun acted without saying a word. Though her face and demeanor were cold, her actions warmed people’s hearts.

A patron like this deserved to be pampered. Ruan Taoran could treat her like a precious embryo, nurturing her with care.