Cracks in the Ice

Li Yichen was not a man who let emotions get the best of him.

He built his empire on control—every deal calculated, every decision precise. Nothing rattled him.

But as he returned to the ballroom, the echo of Jiang Wei's words refused to leave his mind.

"I'm interested in her."

His fingers curled into a fist at his side.

Jiang Wei was playing a game. Yichen could see it in his smug expression, in the way he leaned just a little too close to Ruolan, in the way his eyes lingered on her like he had some kind of claim.

It shouldn't have bothered him. It wasn't his concern.

And yet—

His gaze found her instantly.

She stood near the banquet table, Xinya at her side, a soft frown on her face as she absently stirred her drink. Her delicate features were framed by the loose waves of her hair, the glow of the chandeliers casting a golden hue on her porcelain skin. She looked soft, almost doll-like—utterly out of place in this world of cold ambition and ruthless power.

But Yichen knew better.

Ruolan wasn't fragile.

She wasn't like the women who threw themselves at him, desperate for wealth and status. She wasn't easily swayed, wasn't intimidated by him, wasn't afraid to challenge him.

Maybe that was why she got under his skin.

Maybe that was why he found himself watching her more than he should.

"You're acting like you don't care, but I know you, Yichen."

Mo Zixuan's words played in his head, irritating him further.

He didn't care.

He didn't.

And yet, when Jiang Wei approached Ruolan again, that familiar surge of irritation returned.

His feet moved before his mind could stop them.

Ruolan was mid-sentence when Yichen stepped in, placing a firm hand on the small of her back. She startled slightly, glancing up at him with wide eyes.

"President Li?"

His expression remained unreadable as he turned his gaze to Jiang Wei. "I thought I told you to stay away from her."

Jiang Wei smiled. "And I thought I told you I don't take orders from you."

Xinya, sensing the rising tension, let out a low whistle. "Well, this is getting interesting."

Ruolan sighed. "Both of you, stop it."

Jiang Wei's eyes flicked between them before his smirk widened. "Interesting," he murmured, tilting his head. "You're acting territorial, Li Yichen."

Yichen's jaw tightened.

Ruolan groaned. "You're both being ridiculous."

Yichen ignored her. His gaze remained locked on Jiang Wei's, his voice steady. "I don't play games."

Jiang Wei chuckled. "Oh, but you are." He leaned forward slightly. "You just haven't realized it yet."

Yichen's patience thinned.

Ruolan, clearly exasperated, stepped between them, placing a hand on Yichen's chest—probably without thinking. The warmth of her touch sent an unexpected jolt through him.

"Enough," she said firmly. "Jiang Wei, go bother someone else. President Li, you don't control who I talk to."

Yichen's gaze dropped to her, his expression unreadable.

She was right. He didn't control her.

So why did the thought of Jiang Wei lingering around her make his blood boil?

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Confusion and Frustration

Yichen didn't return to the ballroom. Instead, he found himself in one of the empty corridors, exhaling sharply as he loosened his tie.

He needed to clear his head.

He was acting irrationally.

Ruolan was nothing to him. She was just his assistant. Right?

Then why did it feel like he was losing control every time Jiang Wei was near her?

A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Care to explain what that was?"

Yichen turned to see Mo Zixuan leaning against the marble wall, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

Yichen exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I don't have time for your nonsense, Zixuan."

Zixuan hummed, stepping closer. "You don't have time? Or you just don't have the answers?"

Yichen shot him a glare. "I don't need answers."

Zixuan chuckled. "Denial is a beautiful thing." He studied Yichen for a moment before shaking his head. "You know, I've never seen you react like this before."

"There's nothing to react to."

"Sure. And I'm the Emperor of China."

Yichen clenched his jaw. "Drop it."

Zixuan sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But let me ask you one thing." He tilted his head. "What exactly are you going to do when someone else decides they want her?"

Yichen stilled.

Zixuan smirked. "Think about that."

With that, he walked away, leaving Yichen alone with his thoughts.

The problem was—

He already had.

And he didn't like the answer.