A Meeting with a Wandering Mind and the President's "Revenge"

On Tuesday, Lin Chen walked into the office with faint dark circles under his eyes.

He had barely slept the night before. Half the reason was that he was worried about whether Yan Qingyue had taken the "clue" he had given her seriously; the other half was the excitement and anxiety of having a system task hanging over his head.

System bro, give me a hint. Has President Yan investigated it or not? Does my task count as complete?

The system gave no response.

He sat down at his desk listlessly and noticed that the mood in the department was especially tense that day.

Several executives were going in and out of the president's office, and Yan Qingyue's expression seemed even colder than it had been yesterday.

Looks like she did investigate? And things aren't looking good?

Lin Chen guessed inwardly, hoping his information had been useful while also fearing it might bring him even bigger trouble.

At ten that morning, an emergency meeting was called at short notice to discuss the unexpected developments in the Xinghai Technology acquisition.

Lin Chen attended again as the meeting's note-taker.

Clutching his notebook, he slipped into the conference room with his head down and sat in the farthest corner, doing his best to make himself inconspicuous.

Yan Qingyue sat at the head of the table in an impeccably tailored iron-gray skirt suit that made her complexion look even fairer and her bearing even more cold and imposing.

She was listening to the risk control director's report, her brows tightly knitted and her fingertips tapping unconsciously on the table. Clearly, the situation was serious.

At first, Lin Chen took notes diligently, but as he listened, his gaze was drawn involuntarily to the figure at the head of the table.

Perhaps it was because he had not rested well the night before, or perhaps the meeting was so tense that he needed to unwind. His attention began to drift, and thoughts he should not have been having started bubbling up in his head again.

President Yan's outfit today... seems to show off her figure even more than the ones before?

The way it cinches at the waist... those lines... tsk, tsk, give the designer an extra chicken leg!

But why does she look so pale? Didn't sleep well last night? Well, yeah, with this kind of crap happening...

Yan Qingyue was concentrating on several suspicious movements of funds in the risk control report when she suddenly heard his inner monologue. Her fingers paused in their tapping for the barest instant.

She raised her eyes, her cool gaze sweeping seemingly casually across the corner of the conference room.

That guy had his head down, apparently taking notes diligently, but in reality...

She continued listening to the report, but a trace of almost imperceptible irritation quietly rose within her.

Lin Chen knew nothing of this, and his thoughts continued to wander.

Speaking of which, President Yan really does have a great figure... she usually dresses too conservatively to tell, but today's outfit seems a little tight?

Especially... around the chest... it looks like the buttons are about to give out...

Whoa, that size... I really couldn't tell normally!

I thought she was the cold, abstinent type, but who knew she had so much going on!

I wonder what style she's wearing underneath... black? Lace? Or... hehehe...

Yan Qingyue, who was drinking water, suddenly choked and broke into a violent coughing fit. A rare flush appeared on her icy face (from choking).

"President Yan, are you all right?"

Several executives immediately asked after her with concern.

"I'm fine."

Yan Qingyue waved a hand, forcibly suppressing the discomfort in her throat and the nameless fire in her heart. Her gaze shot toward the corner again like an icy blade.

Lin Chen shrank back in fright and hurriedly lowered his head, pretending to write.

Holy crap! What happened? Did I say something wrong?

Why did she suddenly look over here? That look was terrifying!

Did I accidentally say what I was thinking out loud just now?!

Impossible! My mouth didn't move!

Listening to his panicked inner monologue, Yan Qingyue was so angry her teeth itched.

That guy!

What kind of nonsense filled his head all day long?!

He was a little clever at work, and his luck was eerily good, but that personality... he really needed to be taught a lesson!

She took a deep breath and forced herself to refocus on the meeting, but the seed of a thought of "revenge" had already been quietly planted in her heart.

Since he was so "curious" and had so much "energy" to let his thoughts run wild, she would just have to make him... a little more uncomfortable.

The meeting ended in an extremely oppressive atmosphere.

The risk control department reported its preliminary findings: Wang Kun was indeed highly suspicious. There had been multiple unusually large transfers through his personal accounts, and he had connections to several underground banks.

There were also several irregularities in Xinghai Technology's accounts that were difficult to explain.

The acquisition was urgently halted, and a more thorough due diligence investigation would follow.

Yan Qingyue swiftly and decisively assigned the next round of work and adjourned the meeting.

Everyone left with grave expressions. Lin Chen gathered his things too, ready to slip away.

"Assistant Lin."

Yan Qingyue's voice suddenly rang out, stopping him.

Lin Chen's back stiffened, and he slowly turned around.

"President Yan, was there anything else you needed?"

Yan Qingyue looked at him, her face expressionless, though her gaze seemed a little softer than before (an illusion).

"Everything discussed in today's meeting is among the company's highest-level secrets. You are not to breathe a word of it to anyone."

"Yes, President Yan! I understand! My lips are sealed!"

Lin Chen immediately gave his assurance.

That scared me to death. I thought she was going to hold me responsible for the rumor... looks like I'm in the clear?

"Mm."

Yan Qingyue nodded, seemed to think for a moment, and added casually, "Also, that information you provided last night... was very valuable. You've earned some credit."

Lin Chen was delighted.

"You're too kind, President Yan. I just happened to hear it. It was the least I could do!"

YES! I earned some credit! Does that mean the system task is almost complete?!

Yan Qingyue watched his eyes light up in an instant and the way he tried to suppress his delight. Then she changed tack, her voice seeming to take on a hint of (feigned) weariness and... a barely noticeable closeness?

"Are you free tonight? There are some details about this case I'd like to hear more of your... 'impressions' on, in private."

She deliberately stressed the word "impressions" and looked him straight in the eye. "Let's talk over video. It'll be more convenient. How about nine?"

Lin Chen: "!!!"

Tonight? Video? President Yan is asking me to video chat?! In private, too?! To hear my impressions?

Is... is this a sign she's going to put me in an important position? Or is she going to interrogate me in depth? Should I agree?

But... if I turn down the president, will I die a horrible death?

"I'm free! Of course I'm free!"

His survival instinct made him nod immediately. "Just say the word, President Yan. I'm always online!"

"Good."

The corner of Yan Qingyue's lips seemed to curve upward, so quickly it could have been an illusion. "Then it's settled. You may go."

Lin Chen walked out of the conference room in a daze, feeling as though he were walking on clouds.

President Yan asked me to video chat! Just the two of us!

Even if it's for work... this is still a first since heaven and earth were created! Am I about to reach the pinnacle of life?

He had no idea that he had already stepped, bit by bit, into a little trap carefully laid by a certain grudge-holding female president.

At eight fifty that evening, Lin Chen was already sitting in front of his computer, checking his hair and background again, both nervous and expectant.

At nine sharp, the video call invitation came right on time.

Lin Chen took a deep breath and clicked accept.

The screen lit up, and he instantly held his breath.

On the other end of the screen, Yan Qingyue seemed to have just taken a bath. Her hair was slightly damp and fell loosely over her shoulders. Without her usual meticulous makeup, she looked a little less sharp and a little softer at home.

She wore a silk slip nightdress, its champagne-colored fabric glowing with a delicate sheen as it followed the curves of her body. The neckline revealed her delicate collarbones and a tantalizing curve that was just barely visible.

Unlike last time, she did not cover the camera. Instead, she showed it all openly, as if this were merely an ordinary work discussion from home.

"Good... good evening, President Yan."

Lin Chen felt his tongue knotting, and he did not know where to look.

Holy crap! This is killing me! President Yan is... is at home?!

Wearing... wearing that?!

Who could withstand this?! This is even more exciting than seeing her legs last time!

Is she doing it on purpose?!

No, she might just be more casual at home... I can't let my thoughts run wild!

I'm here to talk about work! Work!

Yan Qingyue watched the guy on the screen, who was visibly flustered, his ears bright red and his eyes darting everywhere except toward her. Listening to his incoherent inner monologue, she curved her lips in a pleased smile.

Good, it had worked.

"Mm, good evening."

Her tone was calm, as if she had not noticed his embarrassment. She picked up a document. "Regarding those movements of Wang Kun's funds connected to Xinghai Technology, I've marked a few points I have questions about. Take a look first..."

She got down to business, speaking at a steady pace and laying out her points clearly.

Lin Chen's brain, however, had already turned to mush.

He could almost smell the faint scent of body wash coming from her, while a vivid, alluring sight filled his eyes and her cool, professional analysis reached his ears...

The extreme experience of ice and fire left him squirming in his seat, utterly unable to concentrate.

Help... what did she say? Movements of funds?

What movements? All I can see is... ahem... sinful, sinful!

The fabric of that nightdress looks so smooth... I wonder how it feels... stop!

Lin Chen! Stop those dangerous thoughts of yours!

How can she still analyze the problem so calmly?

Am I the only one whose thoughts are running wild?!

Yan Qingyue appeared focused on her explanation, but in truth, she took in every bit of his inner struggle with her "ears."

Mm, it looked like someone would be losing sleep tonight.

That was what happened when he provoked her.

Let him see but not touch, his heart itching unbearably, unable to sleep all night.

A sly smile flickered in Yan Qingyue's eyes as she continued using her calm, unruffled voice to torment the young assistant on the other side of the screen, whose mind had long since become a monkey and a horse running wild.

For Lin Chen, this night was destined to be incomparably long.