The President's Private Baby

Country A, City A. Ding Wanqing walked out of the hospital, her face etched with exhausted despair, the doctor's words still echoing in her ears... "Miss Ding, your mother's condition is critical. We recommend immediate surgery. With the successful kidney match, if you can gather 200,000 yuan within two days, we'll prioritize her treatment. Otherwise, we must attend to other patients." 200,000? Where could she find 200,000? Her mother had been ill for two years - the alimony they'd received when leaving that household was long exhausted. Should she return to beg again? She'd swallowed her pride multiple times to save her mother, only to endure vicious taunts from that woman and her daughter each time. As for the man who fathered her - he simply didn't care! But for her mother's sake, she had to try once more! Rushing into a street-side phone booth, she dialed a familiar number: "It's me..." "What now?" Ding Zhigang snapped impatiently. "Mom's dying." Her voice trembled with fury. "You abandoned us, now you'd ignore her life? Just 200,000! You won't even give me that?" "Wanqing, calm down..." Ding Zhigang began. It wasn't that he didn't care - but every time she came, his current wife was present. How could he hand over money? Besides, his company was struggling lately - even 20,000 required careful budgeting... "How can I calm down when she's dying?!" she screamed. "If she dies, I'll die too! We'll haunt you from the grave!" "Enough! Come to my office now," Ding Zhigang relented. Wanqing slammed down the receiver and raced to his company. Upon arrival, she was told he was in a meeting, forced to wait outside. After thirty agonizing minutes - just as she feared she'd been deceived - the office door finally opened. She sprang up, only to collide headlong with someone emerging. "Oof..." Pain shot through her. Was this man made of steel? "What are you doing?!" a voice barked. Before she could react, an iron grip seized her wrist, yanking her aside. She looked up to see Ding Zhigang - her biological father - manhandling her. Ignoring his daughter, Ding Zhigang groveled to the man she'd collided with: "Deepest apologies, Mr. Mu! Are you unharmed?" Wanqing froze, realizing from her father's obsequious manner that she'd bumped into someone formidable. Her gaze traveled up to meet a young man's piercing hawk-like eyes. Dressed in a tailored three-piece Italian suit, he exuded natural authority and chilling intimidation. His predatory stare made her stumble backward. The man's gaze swept over her with clinical detachment, raking from her face to her shoes before striding away without acknowledgment. Ding Zhigang trailed after him like a servile shadow, bowing repeatedly as if worshipping a deity. At the elevator, the icy-voiced aristocrat turned: "No need to escort me further, Director Ding." "Of course, of course..." The older man kept bowing. As elevator doors closed, Mr. Mu ordered his aide without glancing back: "Investigate that girl." Ding Wanqing followed Ding Zhigang into the office, the air between father and daughter devoid of casual conversation as they cut straight to the point. Zhigang pulled out his checkbook. "How much do you need?" "At least 200,000 for the kidney transplant and surgery, not including follow-up treatments..." Wanqing's voice tightened. "Give what you think is fair." He glanced at her before signing a check for 500,000 yuan. "This should cover it. The company's struggling lately—I can't offer more. Contact me directly next time." His tone turned clipped. "Don't come to the house. Your stepmother wouldn't approve." Wanqing snatched the check. "I'll pay you back!" She spun on her heel and stormed out. Half an hour after her departure, Zhigang's office phone rang. "Speak." "Chairman Ding." The deep baritone carried effortless authority. "President Mu!" Zhigang jolted upright, nerves crackling. Even through the receiver, the aura of Mu Tianyang—real estate titan and CEO of Mu Enterprises—commanded deference. Mu's tone turned conversational. "Still interested in our partnership agreement?" "Absolutely." Zhigang didn't hesitate. His crumbling company desperately needed this lifeline. "Let's discuss terms over dinner tonight." "Of course! I'll—" Zhigang's knuckles whitened. Hadn't Mu rejected this deal days ago? No matter—he'd sell his soul to salvage this. Mu chuckled, then dropped the blade. "I hear you have two daughters—Ding Caiyan and...Ding Wanqing?" Zhigang froze. So Mu had investigated within thirty minutes of their lobby collision. The Mu family's reach truly knew no bounds. "Bring her tonight." Mu's voice darkened with intent. "She intrigues me." The line went dead. Zhigang stared at the receiver, pulse racing. Every man in their circle understood what "intrigue" meant from Mu Tianyang. He'd previously paraded Caiyan before Mu, only to be dismissed. Now Wanqing—naive, untrained Wanqing—had caught the tiger's eye. A fleeting obsession, no doubt. But how long would the predator play before discarding his prey? His thumb hovered over the phone bank's cancelation button. When it buzzed an hour later, Wanqing's panic vibrated through the speaker: "The check bounced—" "Ah." Zhigang feigned regret. "Temporary liquidity issues. We'll resolve this tonight—join my business dinner." Silence. Then a choked whisper: "Mom can't wait—" "7 PM. My driver will fetch you." He hung up before her fractured breathing could sway him. The check's void notice already glowed on his screen—a 500,000-yuan gambit to trap his own flesh and blood. Wanqing was silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." After hanging up, she returned to the hospital to stay with her mother. At six o'clock, she called Ding Zhigang again. "Where's the dinner venue?" "I'll send a driver to pick you up," Ding Zhigang replied. "I'm at the hospital." Ding Zhigang paused briefly before hanging up. Wanqing sat on an outdoor bench at the hospital, waiting over ten minutes until the chauffeur arrived. Once in the car, she leaned back with closed eyes. Some time later, the driver roused her. Expecting their arrival, she instead found herself at a trendy salon. "What's this for?" she demanded. The driver explained, "The Chairman booked a western restaurant requiring formal attire. He specifically instructed me to have you groomed here." Wanqing glared at her plain outfit, resentment simmering. But for the 500,000 yuan, she'd endure it. Two hours later, she arrived at the restaurant ravenous. "Does the lady have a reservation?" the maître d' inquired. "Ding Zhigang." "This way, please." The host appraised her before leading onward. The restaurant's aggressive air conditioning made her bare shoulders prickle with cold. She resisted the urge to hug herself, maintaining proper posture. Approaching Ding Zhigang's table, she froze upon seeing another man's back facing her. Hesitantly, she called out uncertainly, "Dad..." Ding Zhigang sprang up with uncharacteristic eagerness. "You're here! Come join us." Her pulse quickened at the sycophantic smile her father wore - this was utterly abnormal. As the mystery man turned, lazy eyes sharpened with recognition. It was the man she'd collided with at the office that afternoon. "This is President Mu of Mu Group. Greet him properly," Ding Zhigang urged. Rooted in place, she mechanically uttered, "President Mu." Mu Tianyang's lips curved as his gaze traveled her body with deliberate slowness. She wore a strapless lavender cocktail dress, hair artfully swept to one shoulder, makeup accentuating her features. His eyes dipped to her exposed collarbones where a glittering crystal necklace drew attention to her décolletage. "Acceptable," he murmured approvingly, then told Ding Zhigang, "Come sign the contract at my office tomorrow." "Yes, of course!" Ding Zhigang beamed before ordering, "Wanqing, pour President Mu some wine." She shot him a wary look but complied, carefully filling the wineglass. As she finished, she found Mu Tianyang studying her. Forcing a stiff smile, she said, "Enjoy your drink, President Mu." When she tried to retreat, his hand closed around her wrist. Before she could protest, his other hand gripped her chin, thumb brushing her lipstick. "I dislike women who wear lipstick." Panicked, she wrenched free and scrambled to Ding Zhigang. "Dad-" Mu Tianyang sipped his wine, watching with detached amusement. Ding Zhigang pushed her into a seat. "The President was teasing. I need the restroom - start eating without me." "But-" She reached for him, but he already strode away. Wanqing saw he wasn't heading to the restroom but toward the restaurant exit, and realized she'd been sold off. She scrambled to her feet and bolted. Mu Tianyang remained seated, pouring himself another glass of wine. He sipped leisurely, savoring the vintage. As Wanqing rushed through the doors, two men in black suits - like gangsters from a crime film - seized her arms. "Let me go!" she screamed, thrashing against their grip. "We're Mr. Mu's associates," one growled. "You'll wait here, Miss Ding." Her head whipped toward the restaurant. Mu Tianyang was strolling toward them with infuriating calmness. Though she struggled violently, the men's vise-like holds never faltered. When Mu Tianyang stopped before her, he flicked two fingers. The men vanished like shadows retreating from light. His thumb traced her jawline. "Your father traded you for prime real estate worth 200 million. Do you feel honored by your valuation?" "You... monster!" "Shall we discuss your mother's medical treatment?" His voice turned clinical. "Your father's abandoned you both. Comply with me, and she'll receive tomorrow's surgery with top specialists, premium care. Defy me, and she'll be evicted by dawn." Wanqing's trembling intensified. After prolonged silence, her chin dropped to her chest in surrender. "No tantrums? No futile resistance?" His lips curved. "Wisdom suits you. It'll make this easier." Inside the luxury sedan, he demanded: "Age?" "E-eighteen," she stammered, shrinking into the leather seat. "Shouldn't you be in university?" His gaze raked over her threadbare dress. "Mom's illness... n-no money... had to quit school..." Her teeth sank into her lower lip until blood bloomed. He gripped her chin, forcing eye contact. "Stop that." His mouth crushed hers before she could protest. When she shoved at his chest, he pinned her wrists against the seatback. Her terrified whimpers only deepened the hunger in his kiss. Breaking away, he licked his lips. "Even sweeter than anticipated." "Please release me..." Tears streaked her cheeks. His laugh chilled the air. "Shall I cancel the oncologist's appointment then?" She collapsed against the seat, silent sobs shaking her frame. The car halted before a secluded villa. Dragged up the marble staircase, she barely registered the opulent bedroom before he flung her onto the bed. As his shirt hit the floor, she scrambled backward. "Don't! STOP—" He caught her ankle, yanking her beneath him. Fabric ripped. Her screams went unanswered. Afterward, he gripped her bruised face. "Look at me." Her vacant eyes stared through him, soul extinguished.