Morning Teasing and the President's Good Mood

The next morning, Lin Chen practically floated into the office.

He had dark circles heavy enough to rival a national treasure's, his face was pale, and his steps were unsteady. Every step felt like walking on cotton.

The aftereffects of last night's "visual storm" had been far too intense. He had spent most of the night taking cold showers and counted tens of thousands of sheep, though he had no idea exactly how many. Finally, as dawn approached, he had managed to doze off for a little while, only for his alarm to drag him mercilessly awake.

I'm dying... I feel completely hollowed out...

Little Moon... you really are the calamity I was fated to face...

He slumped at his desk and entered his login password wrong three times. His brain was a lump of paste, incapable of thought.

Just as he was staring blankly at the computer screen, the familiar click of high heels approached and stopped beside his desk.

Lin Chen jolted upright and forced himself to look full of energy:

"Good morning, President Yan!"

Yan Qingyue wore a sharply tailored white skirt suit today. Her makeup was exquisite, and she looked radiant—a devastating contrast to a certain dark-eyed assistant whose soul seemed to have wandered beyond the heavens.

Her gaze landed on Lin Chen's pitiful face, and the corners of her lips curved upward almost imperceptibly. She was clearly in an excellent mood.

"Morning."

Her tone was flat, but if one listened closely, there seemed to be a barely perceptible note of pleasure in it. "Assistant Lin, you look... a little under the weather. Didn't sleep well last night?"

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly waved his hands.

"No, no! I slept very well! Maybe it's just... maybe I'm a little sensitive to unfamiliar beds, so I didn't sleep soundly!"

He had instinctively trotted out that all-purpose excuse again.

It's not like I can tell her I was up all night because of the video she (Little Moon) sent me, right?!

Yan Qingyue raised an eyebrow slightly, pretending to understand.

"Oh? An unfamiliar bed again?"

She drew out her words, her gaze roaming over his face with a hint of amusement. "I thought... you might have stayed up late chatting with your girlfriend last night."

Lin Chen: "!!!"

Girlfriend?! Why is she bringing that up again?!

A layer of cold sweat broke out on his back, and he quickly denied it.

"No, no! You're joking, President Yan. I... where would I get a girlfriend..."

His voice grew weaker and weaker.

I don't have a girlfriend, but I do have an online girlfriend, and she nearly killed me last night!

Yan Qingyue watched his eyes fill with panic and his expression struggle to stay calm, listening to his inner monologue. The pleasure in her heart was practically overflowing.

Very good. That was exactly the effect she wanted.

She sighed in feigned regret. "Really? That's a shame."

She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear, her tone carrying a hint of suggestive teasing.

"Looks like... I was overthinking it. I was going to say, if you really did have a girlfriend, I'd have to remind her to take care of her health and stop dragging our Assistant Lin into staying up late all the time~ After all... judging by how you look, you've been 'tormented' quite badly."

She deliberately emphasized the word "tormented" in that last sentence, a sly light flickering in her eyes.

Lin Chen's face turned red all the way to his ears, and his heart suddenly raced!

Tor... tormented?!

Does she know something?! That's impossible!

Or... is she just teasing me about working too hard?

But that tone... that look in her eyes... why does it feel so strange?!

His scalp tingled, and he didn't know what to do with his hands or feet. All he could do was laugh awkwardly.

"Hehe... you really know how to joke, President Yan... I... I just didn't sleep well, that's all..."

Seeing him so red-faced, flustered, and at a loss, Yan Qingyue was finally satisfied.

Mm, the aftereffects of the punishment were considerable, and she felt thoroughly refreshed.

She straightened up and resumed her usual cool expression, though she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.

"All right, get to work. There are a few urgent matters to handle today, so be efficient."

"Yes, President Yan! I guarantee I'll complete the task!"

As if granted a full pardon, Lin Chen hurriedly nodded, though he was wailing inside:

Double the workload again?! President Yan, couldn't you lighten my load a little when you're in a good mood?!

Yet, to his surprise, although Yan Qingyue still assigned him plenty of work today, her tone was much gentler than usual. She even offered a rare word of praise when he submitted a document.

"Mm, the reasoning in this report is fairly clear."

It was only a simple remark, but Lin Chen was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. He almost thought the sun had risen in the west.

All day, Yan Qingyue was visibly in a good mood.

She handled documents with extraordinary efficiency, her fingers flying as she replied to emails, and even when several troublesome clients called.

She showed exceptional patience and a gentle manner, leaving the people on the other end of the line somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.

Now and then, she looked out through the glass wall of the president's office and saw Lin Chen outside, dark circles under his eyes, working diligently.

Whenever he wore that silly, puzzled look because of one of her instructions, yet didn't dare ask about it, she couldn't help the upward curve of her lips.

The feeling of having him completely under her control, of being able to throw him into disarray anytime and anywhere, was simply... too amusing.

Lin Chen, meanwhile, struggled through the day amid deep waters and scorching fire, with occasional bouts of "boundless imperial grace."

As he dealt with work that seemed like it would never end, he also had to stay on guard against President Yan's sudden "concern" and "teasing." He was exhausted in body and mind.

When it was finally time to get off work, Yan Qingyue emerged from her office with her bag. As she passed his desk, she was still in a good enough mood to toss him a remark.

"You did all right today. Keep it up tomorrow."

Then she left at a leisurely pace, leaving behind a faint, pleasant scent of perfume.

Lin Chen watched her retreating figure and let out a long breath, feeling as though he had fought a hard battle.

It's finally over...

But... President Yan really did seem to be in a good mood today. Could it be because she saw Grandpa yesterday?

But why do I keep feeling like her happiness today... has something to do with me?

And the way she looks at me always feels strange...

He shook his head and stopped dwelling on it.

All he wanted now was to hurry home and catch up on sleep.

Meanwhile, Yan Qingyue had already returned home. Reclining lazily on the sofa, she opened the encrypted album on her phone again and looked at the video and photos she had sent last night, a victorious smile curling her lips.

It seems this method of "punishment" is remarkably effective.

It satisfies my own wicked amusement, leaves that guy restless, and even improves my work efficiency along the way.

Several gains in one stroke.

She began to consider seriously what more "creative" approach she should use next time to continue this "game" she was enjoying so much.

After all, she couldn't let such a good "toy" go so easily.