Provoking the Obsessive, Cold, and Aloof CEO - Chapter 9

With the details mostly finalized, Ruan Taoran’s design drafts needed only minor adjustments before being showcased as part of Date’s summer collection in the display windows.

The group continued chatting over tea for a while longer. Mr. Hou, who had an administrative meeting to attend, excused himself first.

Shen Qiuxu had taken a liking to Ruan Taoran. Their initial encounter in class had been fleeting, but as they talked, her admiration grew.

Ruan Taoran genuinely loved design, her passion radiating through her entire being. She was vibrant, spirited, and brimming with creativity.

Finally, Feng Shanshan had to interrupt their conversation. “It’s getting late, Director Shen. You have the charity gala tonight. Shouldn’t you start preparing?”

If she hadn’t intervened, Shen Qiuxu might have pulled Ruan Taoran to sit beside her.

Shen Qiuxu was known for her eccentricities. She typically dismissed countless designers, yet today she had taken a shine to Ruan Taoran.

Flicking a strand of hair behind her ear, Shen Qiuxu said coolly, “What’s there to prepare for?”

“I know you’ve always disliked social events, but you’re the face of Date. Many people will be attending tonight specifically to see you,” Feng Shanshan said, her tone helpless.

Tonight’s charity auction features a few unique pieces by Shen Qiuxu, which are expected to fetch high prices. She’ll inevitably have to socialize.

“Alright, alright, I get it,” Shen Qiuxu said, her interest waning. She loved designing and teaching, but she loathed these social obligations.

She had only agreed to meet Ruan Taoran today after Feng Shanshan’s repeated pleas.

She had no desire to meet some pampered heiress backed by a wealthy patron, but Ruan Taoran had turned out to be somewhat different than she’d expected.

Shen Qiuxu was clearly being perfunctory, leaving Feng Shanshan no choice but to press further. “Go back and change into something elegant. Dress more formally.”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” Shen Qiuxu raised a hand. “This is custom-made Suzhou embroidery, using the finest materials. Isn’t that formal enough?”

Feng Shanshan fell silent. She could charm her way through any social situation, except when dealing with Shen Qiuxu.

Shen Qiuxu had a knack for undermining her, cutting her off with a single, dismissive remark.

Feng Shanshan couldn’t criticize Shen Qiuxu’s outfit directly, so she resorted to coaxing. “Everyone will be wearing evening gowns. You’ll stand out and clash with the atmosphere.”

Shen Qiuxu shrugged indifferently. “So what if I clash? Why should I care?”

Feng Shanshan pinched her fingers together and let out a long sigh. “Fine, I can’t argue with you. Do whatever you want.”

Miss Shen was beautiful, her outfit was stunning, but her aristocratic temper was more than most people could handle.

Ruan Taoran remained silent, but Miss Shen had already taken the initiative, standing up and twirling around. “Miss Ruan, what do you think? Is there anything wrong with this outfit?”

The qipao wasn’t a traditional, form-fitting style. Instead, it was made of brocade satin embroidered with intricate floral patterns that shimmered under the light.

She wore no jewelry, only a dark ebony hairpin, yet exuded an air of refined elegance.

While the outfit was meticulously crafted, it would indeed look out of place at a formal banquet.

But after Feng Shanshan’s failed attempt to dissuade her, Ruan Taoran dared not voice her true opinion. Instead, she played along, saying, “Teacher Shen, you look absolutely stunning.”

To make a compliment genuine, one must praise the details. Otherwise, it’s as good as saying nothing at all. “Especially the crane soaring through the clouds embroidery, which perfectly complements the auspicious cloud pattern on your ebony hairpin.”

“The fabric is exquisite too—shimmering and radiant. And the cut is perfect, accentuating your figure beautifully.”

“Especially these shoes,” Ruan Taoran continued, “they’re simple, not jarring, and don’t overshadow the outfit. The pearl accents add a touch of elegance and enhance your overall poise.”

Simply saying “beautiful, beautiful” would have sounded perfunctory. But such detailed praise must mean it truly is beautiful.

Shen Qiuxu beamed, turning to Feng Shanshan to show off. “See? I told you this outfit was perfect.”

Feng Shanshan didn’t respond directly to Shen Qiuxu’s remark, but smiled and said, “When Miss Ruan starts teaching public speaking classes on how to compliment people, I’ll be sure to enroll.”

“I mean every word sincerely,” Ruan Taoran insisted, studying Shen Qiuxu again. After a moment’s pause, she added, “It’s just… it’s missing something.”

Merely praising the outfit’s beauty wasn’t enough; she needed to offer constructive criticism. Only then would she be a truly discerning observer.

After a moment’s thought, Ruan Taoran removed the floral brooch from her own lapel, leaned closer, and pinned it to Shen Qiuxu’s outfit.

Her eyes sparkled with admiration. “It needed a little embellishment. Now it’s perfect. Teacher Shen, you look absolutely stunning.”

Feng Shanshan’s office had a full-length mirror, so Shen Qiuxu immediately stood before it to admire herself.

The more Shen Qiuxu looked, the more satisfied she became. “This brooch is the perfect finishing touch. People with genuine aesthetic sense are truly different—they have a certain flair.”

Feng Shanshan retorted, “Don’t think I can’t hear you implying I have no taste.”

Shen Qiuxu replied, “How could I dare? You’re my superior.”

Feng Shanshan: “……” Saying you wouldn’t dare, yet every word is a backhanded remark, as if you want to argue to the heavens.

Ruan Taoran had exceeded her goals for the day. She had finalized the collaboration with Date and even met Shen Qiuxu, putting her in an even better mood.

As she headed downstairs, she received a call from Ji Qingyun. The moment she answered, she heard only four words: “Wait for me at the entrance.”

Moments later, the black Maybach pulled up in front of Ruan Taoran.

Ruan Taoran got into the car. “Sister, why are you picking me up again?”

“I told you, it’s on my way,” Ji Qingyun replied coolly.

She lowered her head to review documents on her tablet, her brow furrowing at several glaring errors in the figures.

By the time she reached the end, her expression had darkened completely. How dare they send me such a riddled mess?

With a click, Ruan Taoran twisted open the bottle cap and reached out. “Sister, it’s hot. Want some water?”

Ji Qingyun looked up, her eyes meeting Ruan Taoran’s bright, deer-like gaze. The younger woman’s eyes sparkled with a radiant smile, tinged with a hint of cautiousness.

She had noticed Ji Qingyun’s anger and was using her own gentle methods to soothe her.

“If they made mistakes, just have them fix it. Getting angry isn’t worth it,” Ruan Taoran said, placing the water in Ji Qingyun’s hand with a dazzling smile.

It was a bottle of peach-flavored sparkling water.

The driver glanced at Ji Qingyun’s expression in the rearview mirror but dared not speak.

Having worked for President Ji for so long, he knew that when she was angry, everyone fell silent like cicadas in winter. No one would dare plead on behalf of others.

But Ruan Taoran’s words were cleverly phrased. She wasn’t pleading for the others; she was expressing concern that Ji Qingyun’s anger wasn’t worth the trouble.

Ji Qingyun accepted the water, took a small sip, and nodded slightly. “Mm.”

Then, frowning at the sparkling water in her hand, she remarked, “It doesn’t taste just like peach.”

“I added lime,” Ruan Taoran said. “I put it in this morning when I left home, and it’s steeped just right now.”

Ji Qingyun took only one sip and didn’t drink any more. Sparkling water simply wasn’t to her taste.

Yet Ji Qingyun wasn’t angry. Instead, she felt the peach flavor seemed to have calmed the restlessness in her heart.

The driver paused, surprised. Had his attempt to plead her case actually worked this time?

When he handed back the sparkling water, Ji Qingyun’s gaze fell on Ruan Taoran.

Ruan Taoran was still wearing the same outfit from the morning: a soft yellow dress, delicate pearl hair accessories, and a faint blush on her cheeks. Her eyes sparkled with joy, radiating a cheerful mood.

“A successful day?” Ji Qingyun asked.

“Yes! My design drafts were basically approved,” Ruan Taoran replied, her face beaming.

Ji Qingyun couldn’t help but glance at her again, though she felt like something was missing.

She didn’t dwell on it, but that evening, she suddenly realized what was missing.

Shen Qiuxu’s qipao was adorned with a fresh camellia corsage.

If she remembered correctly, this corsage had been on Ruan Taoran earlier that morning.

Feng Shanshan spotted Ji Qingyun and quickly pulled Shen Qiuxu forward, raising her champagne glass in greeting. “President Ji.”

Shen Qiuxu hesitated, tugging slightly to free herself, but Feng Shanshan held firm. Reluctantly, she followed.

Ji Qingyun’s lashes lowered slightly, concealing her expression.

Feng Shanshan, ever eager to fill a silence, continued with a smile, “President Ji, will you be bidding today? Several pieces are Director Shen’s exclusive designs.”

At a charity auction, one was expected to make a gesture, and Ji Qingyun had always been generous in such matters.

A high price for Shen Qiuxu’s work would also reflect well on Date.

As Shen Qiuxu moved, the camellia corsage on her qipao swayed gently, releasing a faint fragrance of gardenias.

Her lips parted slightly, and a soft voice drifted over, “I will bid.”