Provoking the Obsessive, Cold, and Aloof CEO - Chapter 19

Ruan Taoran had already finished breakfast when Ruan Ruyue finally emerged, shuffling in her slippers and yawning lazily.

Ruan Taoran was impeccably dressed and made up. Her orange-toned makeup radiated vitality, while her white outfit struck a perfect balance between formality and casualness. Her hair was meticulously styled and adorned with a matching set of diamond hairpins, making her glow with radiant beauty.

As the “Roll King” on her first day of work, she had been grinding since dawn, even perfecting the curl of every strand of hair.

Ruan Ruyue couldn’t help but hum softly in annoyance.

Rao Man quickly pulled her over and pressed her into her seat. “Hurry and eat, or you’ll be late for work.”

“Who’s going to say anything if I’m late to my own family’s company?” Ruan Ruyue grumbled, her head still throbbing from last night’s drinking.

If it weren’t for this stupid job, she would have slept until noon.

Rao Man had anticipated this and prepared a hangover soup, watching as Ruan Ruyue sipped it slowly.

Ruan Feng frowned. “Maybe you shouldn’t go. How can you work with this attitude?”

Rao Man chimed in, “Exactly! That’s what I’ve been saying. Our family doesn’t need your salary anyway…”

“No, I’m going,” Ruan Ruyue insisted, as if suddenly snapping out of her drunken stupor. She gulped down the hangover soup.

Knowing Ruan Feng planned to send Ruan Taoran to Seraphine as a designer, Ruan Ruyue had relentlessly pleaded until her father relented and agreed to let her go as well.

With a degree in jewelry design and a gold medal from the S Country New Designer Competition, Ruan Ruyue’s resume was more than qualified. But Rao Man, concerned about the demanding work, had tried several times to dissuade her, to no avail.

Ruan Ruyue harbored a simmering resentment. She couldn’t understand why Ruan Feng had never mentioned the incident with the suit again after that night.

She was determined to outshine Ruan Taoran in everything. If Ruan Taoran was going to do something, she would do it too—and do it better.

Ruan Taoran glanced at the time, stood up, and said, “Uncle, Aunt, Elder Sister, I’m full. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Ranran, no need to rush,” Ruan Feng said, his tone softening slightly. “Wait a bit. The family driver will take you and your sister together.”

Rao Man’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure flickering across her face. She ultimately took a sip of her milk and remained silent.

Ruan Feng had already told her about Ruan Taoran’s connection to Ji Qingyun. With the Ruan Family currently seeking Ji Qingyun’s favor, Rao Man knew she couldn’t voice her disapproval of the “dead girl” for now.

Rao Man’s silence surprised Ruan Ruyue, who looked up and called out, “Mom—”

Rao Man wasn’t taking her side anymore, and Ruan Ruyue couldn’t understand why.

“No need. I’ll be late if I wait any longer. I’ll just grab a taxi,” Ruan Taoran said, politely declining. “Take your time, Elder Sister.”

“Hey, that won’t do! Taking a taxi on your first day of work? What will people think?” Ruan Feng interjected, stopping Ruan Taoran.

“How about this? I’ll have the family driver take you. Your elder sister can take a taxi later.”

The family originally had three drivers, each assigned to one of the three family members. However, one driver was currently on leave.

Since Rao Man and Ruan Ruyue didn’t work and only went out for shopping and social gatherings, two drivers had been sufficient. They hadn’t bothered hiring a replacement.

Now that everyone was starting work, the shortage was becoming apparent.

“Dad, what did you just say?” Ruan Ruyue asked, her voice incredulous. Hearing Ruan Feng suggest she take a taxi, she seriously wondered if her ears were playing tricks on her.

Rao Man froze, “How can she take a taxi? They’re so dirty! Xiao Yue can’t possibly ride in one.”

“Madam!” Ruan Feng shot Rao Man a warning glance.

Rao Man gritted her teeth and swallowed her objections. “Fine, I suppose. It’s just for work, after all. She’ll have to rough it a bit.”

Ruan Ruyue was stunned. What was happening? Had the world turned upside down? Ruan Feng protecting Ruan Taoran was one thing, but now even Rao Man wasn’t defending her?

She wolfed down her breakfast and jumped up. “I’m done eating! Let’s go, let’s go! We’ll all go together.”

She absolutely refused to take a taxi. Those seats had been used by countless strangers—dirty and smelly.

Ruan Taoran didn’t mind taking a taxi. When she lived abroad, she couldn’t afford them and always used public transportation. She wasn’t that delicate.

She could tell Ruan Feng and Rao Man were exchanging coded messages, but she didn’t press them. Without waiting for Ruan Ruyue, she grabbed her bag and headed out to catch a taxi.

Ruan Ruyue had never felt so humiliated. She pulled out her makeup bag and began applying her makeup in the car.

Fortunately, her skills were good. By the time they arrived at Seraphine, she had managed a presentable everyday look.

This was nothing like what she had imagined. She had envisioned her first day at work as the Eldest Miss, making a grand and glamorous entrance.

She couldn’t help but glare resentfully at Ruan Taoran. Taoran’s makeup was flawless, her hair meticulously styled and adorned with a pink crystal hairpin that caught the sunlight streaming through the car window, accentuating her delicate features. She looked like she had stepped straight out of a magazine.

“I don’t know what kind of spell you’ve cast on my parents,” Ruan Ruyue snapped, unable to contain her resentment any longer. “But once we’re at Seraphine, I’ll make sure you understand the difference between us.”

Ruan Taoran completely ignored her, not even sparing her a glance. She had never considered Ruan Ruyue a rival; her true opponent was Ruan Feng, the man she needed to defeat to reclaim Seraphine. Ruan Ruyue was merely a nuisance.

Instead of getting angry, Ruan Taoran cheerfully pulled out her phone, snapped a sun-drenched selfie, and sent it to Ji Qingyun.

First day at work! OOTD.

Oh, OOTD means “Outfit of the Day.”

The weather in Jiang City is perfect today—bright and sunny!

It’s getting colder in Auckland and it’s going to rain. Remember to dress warmly.

Ever since Ji Qingyun moved to Auckland, Ruan Taoran’s phone had been set to dual-time and weather mode.

She diligently shared daily updates, expressed concern about the weather changes, and occasionally sent selfies.

She needed to make sure Ji Qingyun remembered her. What if Ji Qingyun stayed in Auckland for too long and forgot about her?

She didn’t wait for Ji Qingyun’s replies, nor did she care if Ji Qingyun responded at all. She simply kept sending messages proactively.

She’s actually taking selfies and looking so cheerful? Ruan Ruyue’s teeth itched with fury at the sight.

She grabbed her phone and texted Rao Man: Mom, have you and Dad both gone mad? Giving that dead girl such preferential treatment while making me take a taxi?

Ruan Ruyue dared not be too arrogant or domineering in front of Ruan Feng, but she held nothing back with Rao Man.

Rao Man quickly replied: Don’t provoke her lately. Just bear with it for now. This will all pass.

Neither Ruan Feng nor Rao Man explained their actions to Ruan Ruyue. They knew their daughter’s volatile and impatient nature all too well, and feared she would spread the news if they told her.

Ruan Ruyue retorted: Bear with it? Until when?

Rao Man: Soon. Once she’s no longer useful, we’ll marry her off. You won’t have to see her again. Why waste your energy getting angry now?

Ruan Ruyue narrowed her eyes. “Marry her off? Is it still that Liu Yuming?”

Rao Man had previously introduced Ruan Taoran to Liu Yuming, the third young master of the Liu Family. He was also part of Ruan Ruyue’s social circle—one of her “fox friends and dog companions.”

She knew Liu Yuming’s fickle nature all too well. He was a womanizer who chased after new conquests daily.

More importantly, his family was steeped in tradition. He was a mama’s boy, and his mother had made it clear: any woman marrying into their family must be a devoted wife and mother, bearing sons until she succeeded.

Moreover, Liu Yuming was one of Ruan Ruyue’s devoted followers. She could use him to torment Ruan Taoran later.

The thought brought her satisfaction. She put down her phone, closed her eyes, and leaned back in her seat, refusing to give Ruan Taoran even a glance.

As Ruan Ruyue fell silent, Ruan Taoran’s phone buzzed with a message from Rao Man:

Ranran, Liu Yuming from the Liu Family, whom I introduced you to last time, was quite impressed with you. I’ve sent you his contact information.

He knows you’re working today and specifically said he’d pick you up after work so your date wouldn’t interfere with your job.

Such considerate men are rare these days!

The contact card’s profile picture featured a scantily clad car model posing against a luxury vehicle. Ruan Taoran’s eyes twitched at the sight. She didn’t add him as a friend, replying simply:

Got it.

She didn’t add the contact, but the other party reached out first, sending a friend request almost immediately. Ruan Taoran glanced at it and set it aside without accepting.

Soon, the car pulled up outside Seraphine, a modest three-story building nestled within the industrial park.

Bamboo groves surrounded the building, their lush greenery contrasting with the white walls and black tiled roof, a classic Huizhou architectural style that blended ancient charm with artistic flair.

Ruan Taoran’s gaze drifted into the distance. The last time she had been here, she was just three or four years old, visiting with her mother, Song Lingyu.

The memories had faded completely; she couldn’t recall anything clearly.

The Seraphine sign above the entrance was rendered in a traditional ink wash style, bearing Song Lingyu’s elegant calligraphy.

Yet everything had changed. The faces inside had come and gone, generation after generation. It was likely no one remembered Song Lingyu anymore.

Buzz—Ruan Taoran’s phone vibrated.

A message from Ji Qingyun popped up: an order confirmation for a set of pink diamond hairpins and earrings, with Ruan Taoran listed as the recipient.

As a jewelry designer herself, Ruan Taoran immediately recognized the diamonds’ exceptional quality, large size, and considerable value.

Another message from Ji Qingyun followed: To match your outfit today.

Ruan Taoran quickly replied: Have you had lunch, Sis?

It was 9:00 AM in Jiang City and 1:00 PM in Auckland, exactly lunchtime.

Still in a meeting.

Ruan Taoran nearly let out a groundhog scream when she saw the message.

Sister, please eat on time. It’s bad for your health.

Work will never be finished, but there’s only one you.

A cheerful, smiling bean-shaped emoji followed the message, its expression bright and endearing.

Soon, Ji Qingyun replied tersely, offering no further explanation.

In the Auckland conference room, Ji Qingyun flipped her phone face down and continued reviewing the documents before her.

The person next to her said, “Qingyun, Grandpa has always emphasized the importance of this case. He even asked about it when he messaged me yesterday.”

The speaker was Ji Yucuan, Ji Qingyun’s new “cheap” eldest brother, who had recently been currying favor with the Old Master and had been shoehorned into this case to burnish his credentials.

“I know,” Ji Qingyun replied coolly, glancing at the darkening sky outside. “It’s already afternoon.”

“Ah?” Ji Yucuan paused, surprised by her abrupt shift in topic, and quickly agreed, “Yes, it is afternoon.”

Ji Qingyun remained silent, her gaze fixed on the documents before her. Her pale, glass-like eyes darkened as she lowered her gaze.

It was already afternoon, yet her eldest brother and her grandfather could only repeat that the case was crucial and demanded constant attention.