Yuhua Business Tower, Fanfu Suzi dia Co., Ltd.
“Alright, thank you, Sister Yunyun. I’ll head back to my desk now. Bye~”
“Bye!”
Walking out of the HR office, Xu Qing let out a relieved sigh and practically skipped down the hallway. Turning the corner, she arrived at the legal departnt’s section of the office.
Except for a few departnts and senior leaders, most of the company’s offices were open-plan. Employees were grouped by departnt in defined zones.
Smiling politely at colleagues whose nas she had yet to learn, Xu Qing sat at her desk.
The office itself was unremarkable in design, but the desks and chairs were comfortable enough.
“Hello! I’m Li Shubin, a legal specialist,” said the man sitting next to her, flashing a bright smile.
Xu Qing quickly responded, “Hello! I’m Xu Qing, the new legal specialist. Please take care of !”
“No problem! The manager ntioned you. Feel free to ask if you need help with anything.” Li Shubin, clearly delighted to et such a cute and pretty colleague, was incredibly warm and welcoming.
“Thank you, Brother Bin!”
Xu Qing then turned to greet her colleague behind her.
“Hello, I’m Guo Li from the New dia Operations Departnt.”
They exchanged a few pleasantries before Xu Qing adjusted herself in her chair, wiggled a bit to get comfortable, and opened her laptop.
Today was her first day at Fanfu Suzi dia.
Although she had planned to arrive early, the drama from the night before had been far too riveting, keeping her up until 3 a.m. She’d struggled to get out of bed that morning.
Luckily, the general manager was her schoolmate—and a friend of her close pal, Yanyan. Xu Qing had enough clout to make a quick phone call and go back to sleep until noon. After a shower and a al, she finally showed up at the office.
The best part? Tomorrow was the Dragon Boat Festival, which ant three more days to lounge at ho!
Xu Qing’s bright eyes sparkled as she glanced at her colleagues, all diligently working.
She discreetly pulled out the folder she had just received and took out her employnt contract.
Scanning the salary section, her face lit up with a grin.
7,500 yuan!
A 50% increase over her previous job, plus a higher base for her social insurance and provident fund.
Combined with her steadily increasing writing royalties, her savings would soon hit six figures.
Xu Qing’s eyes practically glowed.
I can’t even spend it all! There’s no way I can spend it all!
Tucking the docunts into her backpack, she opened her browser and resud catching up on the day’s juicy gossip.
The legal departnt at Fanfu Suzi only had three staff mbers, with no director, and was directly managed by the general manager, Guo Liyuan.
Being her first day, Xu Qing had no tasks on hand yet.
[Su Yu in Love]
[Wang Liyu & Chen Si Announce Relationship]
[Zhao Zhenyun & Ma Zizi Divorce Announcent]
Since early morning, the internet had been abuzz with gossip—a veritable Spring Festival Gala for the entertainnt world.
But because Su Yu’s statent was relatively vague, no one knew who she was referring to. Most online discussions focused on the other celebrity pairs, filled with accusations, speculation, and scandalous revelations.
The sheer drama satisfied everyone’s appetite for gossip.
Suddenly, Xu Qing froze, sensing a hush fall over the office.
She swiftly used a shortcut to switch her screen to a Word docunt featuring the company’s profile.
Feigning nonchalance, she looked up to see the general manager, Guo Liyuan, walking toward her.
“Qingqing,” Guo Liyuan called out with a smile, nodding toward her. “Co to my office.”
“Okay, sure!” Xu Qing quickly stood and followed her briskly.
Though they were friends outside of work, Xu Qing made sure to maintain a respectful deanor in the office.
Click— The door to the manager’s office closed softly.
Gesturing for her to sit on the couch, Guo Liyuan even poured her a cup of water.
Xu Qing took the paper cup, a little nervous. “Manager Guo… is there sothing you need from ?”
“Hehe, don’t be so formal. Just call Yunyun in private.”
Leaning against her desk, Guo Liyuan’s face lit up with excitent. “Tang Song just called. He’s coming to our company this Sunday to draft and negotiate the investnt term sheet. We’ve already discussed the basic agreent over the phone, and this is a huge boost for the company. I wanted to thank you in person for helping secure this investnt.”
The company had been in touch with nearly ten investnt institutions and investors. While they had received two term sheets, the terms were unacceptable—harsh performance guarantees, liquidation preferences, and deliberately low valuations.
These were common tactics among institutions.
Tang Song, however, had shown a genuinely positive and cooperative attitude, deeply impressing both her and the major shareholder. They had no intention of continuing their “ride a donkey while looking for a horse” strategy and decided to seal the deal.
“Congratulations!” Xu Qing bead. “Tang Song is such a great guy, and since he’s one of our alumni, I’m sure he’ll fully support you after becoming a shareholder.”
This was exactly what Shen Yuyan had instructed her to say at such a mont.
Guo Liyuan’s smile grew even brighter. “Tang Song praised you several tis during our call. Keep it up, Qingqing!
“Once the financing round is complete, I’ll draft an employee stock option plan. You’ll be the first to receive incentives.
“You’ll get 2% equity—offered by Director Liu at the lowest price as a token of appreciation.”
Hearing this, Xu Qing’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you, Yunyun! Thank you, Director Liu!”
Director Liu—Liu Fangbo—was the company’s major shareholder, holding 85%.
Originally a sole proprietorship, he had sold 15% equity to Guo Liyuan at a low price to bring her onboard and lead the short drama team.
As a legal specialist, Xu Qing understood stock options well.
She had even drafted similar incentive agreents for Youjie Dostic Services in the past.
She resolved to buy that 2% stake, even if it ant borrowing money.
The thought of becoming a company shareholder made her heart race with excitent.
Haha! I, Xu Qing, must be the chosen one!
Tang Song! You’re absolutely the male lead of my story!
Muah! Muah-muah-muah!
After chatting a bit more, Xu Qing returned to her desk, brimming with excitent and chatting cheerfully with her colleagues.
She opened WeChat and sent Tang Song a ssage:
[Xu Qing: “Tang Song, I just heard from Yunyun that you’ll be coming to our company on Sunday to finalize the investnt term sheet. Let treat you to a al then! And thank you for trusting !”]
Next, she ssaged her best friend:
[Xu Qing: “Yanyan, I’ve made it big! Tang Song’s investnt in our company is basically finalized, and the major shareholder is offering a 2% stock option incentive!”]
After sending the ssages, Xu Qing couldn’t contain her excitent, her legs bouncing under her desk.
Opening the “Second Dinsion’s Best Monts” group chat, she began spinning new story ideas.
Elite Lawyer Xu Qing: With her unbeatable charm and professional ethics, she won the favor of a publicly listed dia company, becoming a shareholder and unlocking new chapters in her life...
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"
Her phone vibrated, and a chat notification popped up. Read full story at novel⸺fire
[Tang Song: “Qingqing, just saying thanks isn’t sincere enough.”]
“Ugh, that annoying Songzi! Always teasing !”
Wait till I write him into my next novel and make him the butt of every joke!
Muttering inwardly, Xu Qing blinked her dark eyes and, with her cheeks slightly flushed, snapped a selfie.
Looking at the photo, she frowned. My hair’s a ss.
She adjusted her hair, tilted her phone for a better angle, and took a few more shots. Finally, she picked the best one, sent it, and replied:
[Xu Qing: “How’s that for sincerity?”]
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"
[Tang Song: subway-old-man-staring-at-phone.jpg]
[Tang Song: “Why resort to selfies out of the blue? Qingqing, how narcissistic are you? Fine, once I’m free, let’s find a cozy little motel. I’ll help you take a whole album.”]
“Ha! Ha! Ha!” Xu Qing’s mouth fell open in shock as her eyes widened.
I… I…
(ΩДΩ)
“Xu Qing, are you okay?” her colleague Li Shubin asked with concern. “Need any help?”
“N-no, nothing. Just saw so shocking gossip,” Xu Qing replied awkwardly with a forced smile.
Imdiately, other colleagues gathered around, eager to discuss the day’s juicy gossip. After all, today’s news had been a feast for gossip lovers everywhere.
…
Youjie Dostic Services.
“It’s no trouble at all. Your company is outstanding, which is why everything went so smoothly.”
“Alright, once both our financings are settled, let’s have a proper gathering. There are plenty of our classmates in Yan City too.”
“Mm-hmm, bye, Yunyun.”
Hanging up, Shen Yuyan sighed deeply, her emotions a mixture of envy and resignation.
The negotiations between Fanfu Suzi dia and Tang Song had been almost too smooth. Both sides ca in with full sincerity, resulting in an agreent that seed almost destined.
Tang Song’s terms were not only fair but even waived the performance-guarantee clause.
In stark contrast, Youjie Dostic Services was having a far less pleasant experience.
Despite multiple discussions about the content of the investnt term sheet, there was still no consensus.
The promises made by her senior Ren Mingyuan now seed like re lip service, as he deflected with excuses about differing opinions among the managent team.
At this point, Youjie had no other options.
This Saturday, they would head to Beijing together and et at Gongying Technology’s headquarters for final negotiations on Sunday.
It was likely both sides would need to make concessions, aiming to expedite the due diligence process and secure the funding as quickly as possible.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
The door to the office opened, and Li ixia stepped in.
“Yuyan, all the regional agency representatives have arrived in Yan City. I’ve booked the banquet hall for 7 p.m. tonight.”
“Got it, thanks.”
“Here’s the attendee list. I’ll go prepare for the evening.” Li ixia placed a folder on the desk and left.
Picking up the list, Shen Yuyan pursed her lips firmly.
Youjie’s self-operated stores were primarily located in Yan City and two nearby cities.
In other regions, they relied on agency operations, where external agents handled business allocated by Youjie’s platform.
Most of their clients ca from her self-managed dia accounts, which only covered areas around Yan Province. While the number of agents and business wasn’t substantial, it was the result of her two years of hard work.
It was this network that Gongying Technology valued, seeking a win-win collaboration.
Clenching her fists, Shen Yuyan gazed out at the horizon through the floor-to-ceiling windows, her heart full of hope and uncertainty.
I hope everything goes smoothly.
…
Lavande Hotel, Gongti Sanlitun Branch, Beijing.
Inside a spacious, brightly lit twin room, soft lighting created a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
Zhang Xintong rolled off the bed, quickly heading to the door.
Peering through the peephole, she opened the door with a cheerful, “Sister Zhong Yi, you’re here!”
Wen Ruan, adjusting her clothes, greeted with a smile, “Good afternoon, Zhong Yi.”
Zhong Yi nodded, handing over two bags. “These are business trip goodies from Director Liu—snacks, fruit tea, and desserts.”
“Thank you, Sister Zhong Yi! And thank Director Liu for us,” Zhang Xintong said, taking the bags gratefully.
Zhong Yi, an HR and administrative manager from the Beijing branch, and Director Liu, the general manager, were familiar faces from the company’s annual etings.
Compared to Yan City, Beijing was a more competitive market with more business opportunities.
Light and Shadow dia, now a 15-year-old company, was a leading player in Yan City’s dia industry.
Besides its headquarters in Yan City, it had branches in major first-tier cities, with the Beijing branch being the largest.
Zhong Yi smiled. “Director Liu will co by after his eting. You can thank him in person then. Alright, I still have to deliver these to iling and the others. Bye!”
“Bye~”“Bye~”
Click! The door shut softly.
Zhang Xintong placed the snacks on the coffee table and said with a grin, “Sister Wen Ruan, our company is being so generous this ti—business car pickups, high-end accommodations, and such fantastic afternoon tea!”
“It’s only fitting. This client is incredibly important. They spend at least 50 million yuan annually on advertising, with a significant portion of that being overseas campaigns. They’re crucial for Light and Shadow dia.”
“This Director Liu must be really capable to land a major client like igou Tech. I heard from colleagues that if this contract is successfully signed, Director Liu will be promoted to vice president at headquarters, overseeing advertising sales.”
“Yes, he’s quite capable,” Wen Ruan agreed, closing her suitcase and picking up clothes to change.
igou Tech, a fast-fashion cross-border e-comrce company backed by Smile Holdings, served over 150 countries and regions worldwide.
Through innovative business models and strategies, it had achieved remarkable success in the international market.
Last year, its net profit was $3 billion, ranking fourth on the global unicorn list.
That Liu Chuanzheng secured such a significant client ant his promotion to vice president was all but guaranteed.
But what impressed Wen Ruan more was the fact that Tang Song had worked at this company for three years.
According to Wen Ruan’s information, Tang Song’s technical skills were exceptional, and he had a stable job at igou Tech. Why he suddenly returned to Yan City was a mystery.
Hu Mingli once remarked that when Tang Song first ca back from Beijing, he seed utterly dejected—his energy and spirit completely different from his current confident self. He even looked like soone nursing a heartbreak.
Wen Ruan had tried to broach the subject indirectly, but Tang Song never gave her a straight answer.
This only deepened her suspicions.
She had co to Beijing this ti partly to probe further.
Even though she knew marrying Tang Song was a long shot, her female instincts and competitiveness drove her to figure out just what kind of woman could reject the man she wouldn’t dream of letting go.
Who dares dump soone like him?!
“Wow, Sister Wen Ruan, your figure is insane—a perfect Korean drama body!” Zhang Xintong exclaid as she watched Wen Ruan change clothes, her eyes filled with awe and admiration.
This was Zhang’s first ti seeing Wen Ruan in just her undergarnts.
Her exaggerated hourglass curves, ample bust, slender waist, and round hips ford an astonishing “S” shape.
Her voluptuous yet harmonious proportions were downright intimidating.
Zhang silently offered a mont of sympathy for her idol Tang Song.
At ho, Sister Wen Ruan will probably dominate him completely. Poor guy might not even dare lift his head!
“You should join in the gym,” Wen Ruan said casually.
“No way! I’m just not built for it,” Zhang said, glancing at her chest and hips before sighing in resignation.
Once Wen Ruan had slipped into a sleek black dress, Zhang Xintong eagerly suggested, “Sister Wen Ruan, let’s go to Sanlitun Taikoo Li tonight! You’ve lived here for nine years—you’re practically a local legend. Show around!”
Wen Ruan chuckled, shaking her head. “Sorry, I’ve already made plans to et a college classmate tonight. We haven’t seen each other in three years.”
“Oh? Is it a guy or a girl?” Zhang Xintong perked up, her curiosity obvious.
Wen Ruan raised an eyebrow. “Why do you care?”
“I’m just curious! It’s gotta be a girl. After all, Sister Wen Ruan, you have such an amazing boyfriend already. You wouldn’t be interested in other guys.”
“Not necessarily,” Wen Ruan replied with a cryptic smile, sitting down to touch up her makeup.
Zhang Xintong blinked and discreetly opened WeChat, ssaging Zhang Ziqi:
[Zhang Xintong: “Reporting in, Sister Ziqi. Sister Wen Ruan has a dinner date with a college classmate tonight—it might be a guy!”]
She even snapped a sneaky photo and sent it along.
Monts later:
[Zhang Ziqi: “Keep updated!”]
[Zhang Ziqi: ‘¥100 Red Packet’]
Zhang Xintong’s face lit up. She imdiately replied, “Understood!”
She had been devastated when she missed out on a Su Yu concert ticket last ti. Sister Ziqi had comforted her, adding her as a friend and promising that helping keep tabs on Wen Ruan might earn her future perks.
The chance to secure a concert ticket in the future was irresistible.
Staring at the shiny 100-yuan red packet, Zhang Xintong was overjoyed.
Tang Song truly is generous! A simple tidbit of intel, and he sends 100 yuan. Rich n are built differently!
The two won sipped fruit tea while discussing igou Tech’s marketing campaign for a while. Then Wen Ruan glanced at her phone, grabbed her purse, and stood.
“I’m heading out, Xintong.”
“Alright, bye, Sister Wen Ruan!” Zhang Xintong put down her cake, considering whether to secretly tail Wen Ruan and snap a few more photos.
Just then, another knock ca at the door.
Zhang Xintong checked the peephole and quickly opened the door. “Director Liu, welco!”
This was none other than Liu Chuanzheng, who was about to be promoted to Vice President at the company’s headquarters—a significant figure in their industry.
Wen Ruan smiled politely. “Good evening, Director Liu.”
Following him in was a flamboyantly dressed woman, Li iling.
Liu Chuanzheng, in his forties, radiated confidence in a shirt and trousers, his presence exuding leadership. His gaze swept over the room before lingering on Wen Ruan, his eyes fixated.
“Good evening, Wen Ruan. It’s been a while since we last t—the company’s annual eting in January, wasn’t it?”
Compared to six months ago, Wen Ruan looked even more mature and alluring, her charm flawless. Liu felt that his long-standing interest hadn’t been in vain.
Now, riding the high of his imminent promotion, he acted with far less restraint.
“Well, I’m glad to see you again,” Wen Ruan replied curtly, noticing the intensity in his stare.
At the annual eting, Liu’s intentions had been obvious but subtle. Now they were blatantly clear.
Still, she was about to leave Light and Shadow dia, so she didn’t bother engaging further—soon, they wouldn’t be working together anymore.
Liu grinned. “Perfect timing—it’s dinner ti. Since our colleagues traveled far to get here, let’s all gather for a al and catch up.”
“Sorry, Director Liu,” Wen Ruan said apologetically. “I’ve made plans with a college friend for dinner. I appreciate the invitation, but I’ll have to pass.”
Li iling leaned in, swaying her hips as she pouted. “Wen Ruan, you’re being a buzzkill. Director Liu personally invited you. Can’t your friend wait until tomorrow?”
“Oh, don’t make it sound so serious, iling,” Liu waved magnanimously. “How about this, Wen Ruan? Why not invite your friend to join us? We’re dining at Dadong Roast Duck near Jinbao Plaza.”
“No, thank you, Director Liu,” Wen Ruan replied with a polite smile. “I must be going. Goodbye.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned and left.
Her heels clicked down the hallway as the sound echoed.
Liu’s face darkened imdiately.
Li iling smirked at his reaction, gloating inwardly.
Hmph! Keep acting like that, Wen Ruan. You’ve just made an enemy of Director Liu. Let’s see how you survive when he cuts you off!
Hooking her arm around Liu’s, she said sweetly, “Director Liu, don’t take it to heart. Wen Ruan’s always been independent. Let’s focus on enjoying our al instead.”
Liu glanced at Li iling. While her looks and figure were average, her boldness was appealing.
Still, the thought of Wen Ruan overshadowed everything else, dampening his appetite.
…
"Honk, honk!"
A car horn sounded outside.
“Ruan Ruan! Over here!”
Hearing the voice, Wen Ruan turned to see a familiar face leaning out of a black Tesla.
“Jiao Jiao!”
The car door opened, and Wang Jiao stepped out in casual attire, arms wide open. She greeted Wen Ruan with a warm hug.
“Long ti no see, Ruan Ruan!” Wang Jiao patted Wen Ruan’s hip playfully. “Geez! I thought you were exaggerating in your social dia posts, but wow—you really bulked up! That gym ti paid off!”
“Cut it out!” Wen Ruan smacked her back. “I’m toned, not bulky!”
“Fine, fine, my mistake,” Wang Jiao laughed. “You just got here this afternoon, right? You must be tired. Let’s hop in and find a spot in Taikoo Li to eat and catch up.”
“Sounds good.” Wen Ruan climbed into the passenger seat.
The two parked at a nearby lot and walked to a Western restaurant with a terrace in Taikoo Li South District.
As the stunning sunset faded and night fell, they sat on the beautifully lit terrace, enjoying a few favorite dishes.
The breeze gently stirred Wen Ruan’s hair as she absentmindedly touched the greenery on the table. Her gaze drifted to the vibrant scene outside.
The dazzling lights of Taikoo Li intertwined with bustling crowds, neon signs, and rhythmic music, creating a lively urban tapestry.
The night in Beijing was still so vibrant and dazzling.
I hope it doesn’t disturb my heart again.
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