Chang’an District, RIDO Lounge Bar.
Clink!
Crystal-clear glasses collided lightly as Yu Sicheng took a sip of brandy, loosening one of the buttons on his shirt. He looked at Xie Shuyu and said, “Aside from the consumption downgrade and the constant pressure from large coffee chains, there’s another significant factor.
"Tea shops, fast-food restaurants, and convenience stores are starting to sell freshly brewed coffee. These cross-industry competitors have an advantage in store count, custor base, and distribution channels, further intensifying market competition. For example, Hongtu Catering Group, whom I’m here in Yan City to et, is planning to expand into the coffee business through their restaurant chain.”
As Jayi Coffee’s Vice President of Sales, Yu Sicheng had a keen understanding of the market, making him well aware of the challenges Shimr Coffee faced.
“I understand,” Xie Shuyu replied calmly with a nod. “Since 2020, I anticipated this trend, which is why I’ve been focusing on branding and differentiation.”
Early on, she had introduced light als and fruit teas, later adding baked goods and forming a collaboration with Light and Shadow dia. They leveraged short videos for marketing and developed a group al mini-program.
These efforts were all aid at standing out in an increasingly competitive market.
However, Shimr Coffee was constrained by limited funds and resources. Having reached a bottleneck, it was now on a gradual decline.
This was why she sought external investnt, hoping to leverage the investors’ ecosystem resources to revitalize the business.
Over the past six months, there had been interest from individual investors, such as Huang Yangming of Yunli Hotel, but the funds they could contribute were limited. Relying on multiple individuals ant highly fragnted equity and the need for a betting agreent, which could lead to significant risks down the line.
Jiang Yourong listened quietly while enjoying the sweet sushi and the aromatic grilled at. RIDO Lounge Bar’s food had always been to her liking, and tonight’s spread didn’t disappoint. While the other two showed little interest in the dishes, Jiang took the opportunity to indulge.
Her growing figure had its reasons.
At 9:00 PM, the sharp ringtone of a phone broke the conversation.
Yu Sicheng glanced at the screen and smiled. “Excuse , I need to take this.”
He stood and left the booth.
A short while later, he returned, looking sowhat apologetic. “Sorry about that. A friend wants to join us for a drink. She’s from Jayi Group as well. You don’t mind, do you?”
Setting down her chopsticks, Xie Shuyu smiled. “Of course not. Do we know her?”
Shaking his head, Yu replied, “She joined after you left. She’s currently an assistant in the President’s Office, specializing in coffee operations. This client is important, so she ca along with .”
“Oh?” Xie Shuyu’s interest piqued. “That’s fantastic. She’s more than welco.”
An assistant to the president of Jayi Foods Group would be a valuable contact.
Jiang Yourong’s eyes twinkled as she teased, “Sicheng, is this assistant male or female?”
“She’s female. We’re both staying at the Hilton nearby.”
From Yu’s expression, Jiang imdiately sensed sothing. With a grin, she quipped, “Could it be your girlfriend?”
“Well, yes,” Yu admitted with a sheepish smile. “We’ve only recently started dating, so it’s not public yet.”
Jiang was briefly taken aback before offering her congratulations. “Really? Congrats!”
“Congratulations, Sicheng. When you decide on a wedding date, let us know,” Xie Shuyu added, raising her glass. “This is wonderful news. Cheers!”
Though Xie Shuyu’s tone was cheerful, Yu couldn’t help but sigh internally.
She was the girl he had once had a crush on in college. After graduation, they ended up working for the sa company, even in the sa subsidiary. Their hos were close by, and their paths often crossed professionally.
By all asures, they had been fatefully connected.
But it was impossible. Xie Shuyu was like an ice block, never showing the slightest interest. Her world seed to revolve around work and nothing else, eventually leading to her departure and her decision to return to Yan City to start her own business.
As a successful man with clear life goals, Yu wasn’t one to change himself for soone else. He had long since let go.
He shared a brief account of how he and his girlfriend got together. Midway, his phone rang again.
After a quick exchange on the call, Yu said, “She’s here. I’ll go et her at the entrance.”
He rose and headed out, with the gazes of the two won following him. Monts later, they saw the server leading a young woman into the bar.
The newcor, in her early 20s, wore a white spaghetti-strap dress paired with sleek heels. She carried a delicate gold clutch and a black gift bag in her hand.
Her chestnut hair was styled beautifully, complented by immaculate makeup and tasteful accessories. Her look exuded youth and modern sophistication.
She waved at Yu and ran toward him, planting a kiss on his cheek. Clinging to his arm affectionately, she glanced toward the booth where the two won sat.
Jiang nudged Xie Shuyu and whispered, “I get the feeling this one’s here to make a statent. Could it be she’s worried you’ll steal her boyfriend and co to assert dominance?”
“Hey, stop joking around.” Xie Shuyu discreetly pinched Jiang’s waist as she stood up from the booth.
Given how young this assistant was, she clearly had so backing. For a key supplier like Jayi Foods, Xie couldn’t afford to create unnecessary friction.
The click of heels echoed as the couple approached.
“This is my girlfriend, Pei Ya,” Yu said.
“Xiaoya, these are my college friends, Xie Shuyu and Jiang Yourong.”
With a bright and confident smile, Pei Ya greeted them gracefully.
The four sat down in the booth. Yu poured a glass of sparkling wine for his girlfriend, and they clinked glasses again.
Setting down her drink, Pei Ya turned to Xie Shuyu with a smile. “Hello, Ms. Xie. I’ve heard so much about you at the company—our Marketing Manager at just 25. When I joined, even President Zhao specifically praised you.”
With a polite smile, Xie Shuyu replied, “You flatter . Just call by my na, no need for formalities. Xiaoya, you’re very impressive yourself—so young and already an assistant in the President’s Office.”
Pei Ya shook her head modestly. “Shuyu, please don’t say that. I owe my position to my family’s connections. I’m just a beneficiary of nepotism.”
Hearing this, Xie Shuyu’s gaze sharpened slightly, quickly understanding why Yu was with her.
At a publicly listed company like Jayi Foods, internal competition was fierce. For a VP like Yu, further advancent would be incredibly challenging.
As an ambitious man, Yu wouldn’t be content staying where he was. Given his charm, intelligence, and ability, his relationship with soone like Pei Ya made perfect sense.
They chatted briefly about Jayi Foods.
Suddenly, Pei Ya excitedly stood up, pulling a heavy black gift box from her shopping bag.
“Darling, I stopped by the mall near the hotel earlier and got you a present. See if you like it.”
She placed the gift box in front of Yu and gently opened it.
“This is an LV reversible Damier buckle belt. Your old belts look too dated. When we go out on dates, you should wear this—it’ll make your outfits look younger, more fitting for your cute girlfriend.”
Across the table, Jiang couldn’t help but roll her eyes, feeling slightly annoyed.
Was that a jab at our age?
“Thank you, Xiaoya. I love it,” Yu said with a smile, kissing his girlfriend on the cheek and accepting the gift.
He subtly glanced at Xie Shuyu, the faintest trace of satisfaction in his expression.
Before leaving, Pei Ya had ntioned wanting to et them, and he hadn’t refused.
At the core of it, he wanted the once-distant and rejecting Xie Shuyu to see what she had passed up.
Yanjing Tiancheng
Tang Song stepped into his walk-in closet, his gaze sweeping over the rows of neatly hung clothes.
As he glanced at each item, translucent panels displayed detailed material and size descriptions. Alongside, a 3D model of himself rotated on-screen, showcasing how each outfit would look when worn.
Additionally, semi-transparent windows popped up with recomndations based on the day’s temperature and the event he’d be attending.
Standing there, Tang Song let the AI system make suggestions and preview the fits. Excitent sparkled in his eyes.
As a tech enthusiast, he was well-versed in augnted reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and other XR technologies.
Devices like this were already trending in the market.
For instance, Apple’s Vision Pro, an innovative MR headset released last month, had just hit the shelves at a price of 29,999 yuan.
Using sensors, caras, and interactive displays, it achieved impressive AR effects.
Software solutions like Huawei’s Hetu Maps were also notable, offering centiter-level 3D mapping and AI-powered recognition with billions of data points per square kiloter, enabling lifelike rendering of virtual and real-world blends.
But such technologies were still in their infancy and lacked widespread practical utility.
Compared to that, the “Special Vision” augnted by [Tang Song’s Glasses] felt like the culmination of all future tech.
If this could be comrcialized—even with just 10% of its capabilities—it would revolutionize the industry.
In the ga Heartthrob Growth Plan, his company, Tangyi Precision, was already developing similar projects. With Qingning Tech’s ever-advancing AI technology, it didn’t seem impossible.
Tang Song changed into an outfit suggested by the AI: a white shirt, black trousers, and a Vacheron Constantin Overseas watch.
He looked into the full-length mirror, where a refreshed and sharply dressed young man stared back.
Above his reflection, a floating window displayed:
[Player: Tang Song | Role: President of Songi Fashion | Charm: 62]
[Mood: Happy | Outfit Score: 93 | Hairstyle Suggestion… | Improvent Advice: If eting soone you like, consider bringing a gift, such as…]
Tang Song chuckled. “This AI really knows its stuff.”
Following the AI’s suggestion, he rummaged through his cabinet, pulling out luxury gifts he’d purchased during a previous Impulse Shopping mission with Lin Muxue. They were finally proving useful.
With the gift bag in hand, Tang Song headed out. As he reached for his car keys in the foyer, a red warning popped up:
[Do not drive after drinking alcohol.]
He laughed softly, exited the apartnt, and took the elevator down to the ground floor.
A virtual navigation arrow extended from his feet, guiding him toward the exit. As he scanned his surroundings, halos outlined nearby plants, displaying their nas and descriptions.
Using a ride-hailing app, he booked a car and stepped out of the community gate.
At the bus stop, virtual station information floated in midair, showing the schedule for the next arriving buses. Joggers on the street had floating indicators above them displaying their walking speed, estimated age, and emotional state. A gentle reminder suggested he give way to avoid collisions.
Every passing vehicle his gaze caught was tagged with its details.
Even within the Yanjing Huating complex, there was a marker showing [Companion - Zhao Yaqian] and her current location.
The ride arrived promptly. As the car started heading south, Tang Song’s display projected the distance to his destination, estimated ti, live traffic updates, and navigation details.
Through the window, he admired the city’s dynamic architecture, illuminated by stunning naked-eye 3D effects.
Though he had lived in Yanjing Tiancheng for so ti, it was only now, aided by this tech, that he truly appreciated his surroundings.
“Swish!”
A dazzling red glow entered his field of view, and as he focused on it, a picture of Lin Muxue appeared.
A status indicator floated next to her:
[“Trial Subject” Lin Muxue | Status: Emotional High (Learning & Self-Stimulation Active) | Buff: Active…]
Tang Song’s eyebrow twitched. Seriously, Muxue? Do you get more motivated the more excited you are?
Amused, he grinned, picked up his phone, and connected his Bluetooth headset. Opening WeChat, he sent Lin Muxue a video call request.
“Ring-ring-ring—”
The ringtone sounded twice before the call connected.
On the screen, Lin Muxue appeared, her cheeks flushed red, hair in a casual bun, and barefaced.
“Tang Song, what’s up?” she asked, her voice a little excited.
Tang Song raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Nothing much. Just curious about what you’re up to.”
Lin Muxue’s gaze flickered as she nervously bit her lips. “I… I’m studying English. Since Slover Trust is a multinational company, I take training classes every three days to improve communication with my colleagues. I’m reviewing my lessons.”
“It’s the first ti I’ve seen you with a bun. Show your full look in the mirror.”
“Ah!” Lin Muxue exclaid softly, her eyes darting around. “My room’s a ss today. Let’s do it another ti.”
“I don’t mind,” Tang Song said nonchalantly.
Muxue froze, her lips parting as if to respond, then shut them again.
“Well, I’ve got sothing to do. Let’s chat later. Bye!” she said hastily, ending the call.
Tang Song chuckled under his breath, feeling even more cheerful.
A few minutes later, his WeChat pinged.
[Muxue: Selfie.jpg]
[Muxue: I tidied up a bit. Sorry about earlier.]
In the photo, she wore a sexy camisole and loose shorts. It was clear she wasn’t wearing a bra, as certain outlines were noticeable.
As neon-covered nightscapes flashed by the car window, Tang Song teased her through WeChat for a while before his ride arrived at a comrcial street.
“Sir, we’ve reached your destination.”
“Thank you.” Tang Song stepped out, following the 3D navigation arrow into the vibrant district.
The entire street seed wrapped in a dynamic, shifting layer of color. Static signs and storefronts ca alive, interacting with him as he passed.
His gaze landed on a glowing lounge bar in the corner, where a floating photo of Jiang Yourong beca increasingly prominent—her ample figure, especially, seed exaggerated like two hot air balloons.
Inside RIDO Lounge Bar
“Brother Sicheng, can you grab a wet wipe from my bag? My hands are dirty.”
“Mua~ Thanks, darling! You’re the best!”
“Shuyu, Yourong, cheers! Tell more about Brother Sicheng’s college days—I’m dying to hear!”
In the booth, Pei Ya’s exuberance filled the air.
RIDO Lounge Bar
Pei Ya continued showing off her affection with Yu Sicheng, insisting on dragging Xie Shuyu into the conversation and clinking glasses.
Jiang Yourong, now slightly tipsy, couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly. Standing up, she said, “You all carry on. I’m heading to the restroom, maybe stop by the bar to watch the performance for a bit.”
She patted Xie Shuyu’s shoulder and walked away from the booth.
Frankly, she needed a break. The young girl’s enthusiasm was overwhelming, as if both she and Xie Shuyu were rivals vying for her boyfriend.
Jiang Yourong smirked to herself. I’m a radiant, mature woman with plenty of admirers, thank you very much. And Shuyu? Don’t even get started—she’s on another level entirely.
Sure, they might be older, but that didn’t an they’d lost their edge. If they were to compete for a man, this little girl wouldn’t even stand a chance.
After using the restroom, Jiang washed her hands and found an open seat at the bar. She ordered a glass of lemon water and settled in, listening to the live music while mulling over her travel plans for the sumr.
“Nice vibe here. Do you co often?” a voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
Turning her head, Jiang saw a handso young man, probably in his 20s, staring at her with a hopeful expression.
She gave him a brief glance, her lips curling faintly before she turned back to her drink without responding.
Awkward, the young man chuckled and retreated.
But that didn’t stop others from trying. One after another, various n approached her, emboldened by the late-hour buzz of the bar.
By 10 PM, the lounge was at its peak energy, and Jiang Yourong, with her voluptuous figure and graceful deanor, sat like a beacon in the sea of night. Her presence naturally attracted countless admiring glances.
Exhaling sharply, fed up with the interruptions, Jiang stood and headed back toward the booth.
Near the entrance, she suddenly ca face to face with a man walking in.
He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and tailored slacks, his clean-cut silhouette revealing faint hints of well-defined muscles beneath the fabric. His posture was confident, exuding an effortless magnetism.
Beauty attracts everyone, Jiang thought, and she was no exception. Her gaze instinctively drifted to his face.
Their eyes t.
Jiang’s heart raced, her entire body tensing as if struck by lightning.
It’s him! It’s really him!
Though it had been over six years, she rembered him vividly. Back when she was one of six assistants to Director Jin ixiao, she’d had the chance to observe this man up close—his lifestyle, his work ethic.
Scenes from those days replayed in her mind:
The towering office building in Beijing, the president’s office, the poised and aloof Director Jin, and this man’s commanding aura.
Despite the passing years and slight changes in appearance, he remained unforgettable to her. After all, he was the only one who had ever shown Director Jin anything resembling submission.
“Hello,” the man said in a clear, pleasant voice.
Jiang felt her chest tighten as she stared at him, the friendly tone throwing her completely off balance.
Could he possibly rember ? , one of Director Jin’s assistants from all those years ago?
Her cheeks flushed as she said, “Hi… care to join for a drink?”
“Uh…” Tang Song blinked, visibly surprised by the offer. He noted the floating prompt above her head:
[Jiang Yourong, 33 years old, Associate Professor at Yan City Normal University. Friendliness: 90. Status: Surprised, Excited...]
[Tip: If you invite her for a deep conversation tonight after drinking, there’s a high success rate, and she wouldn’t mind.]
Tang Song raised an eyebrow, bewildered. He had planned to approach Jiang to increase her goodwill for the Scholar Instance, but her friendliness level was already at 90.
Was this love at first sight? He quickly dismissed the thought. She was a university professor, after all.
Sensing his hesitation, Jiang quickly clarified, “I just feel like we’ve t before. You look very familiar, so I thought we could chat over a drink.”
To Jiang, this was an opportunity to connect with soone who had left a deep impression on her—a man even Jin ixiao had treated with seriousness.
Tang Song’s eyes flickered with understanding. Jiang’s reaction didn’t seem like a casual flirtation; it was possible they had t in the past.
My old self... could it be?
Nodding, he said, “Of course, I’d be honored.”
This aligned perfectly with his goal of connecting with Jiang and accessing the Scholar Instance. Plus, it gave him an excuse to “coincidentally” run into Xie Shuyu.
“I’m seated with so friends over there. Would you like to join us?” Jiang smiled, her eyes gleaming as she gestured toward her booth.
As they walked, the dim lighting highlighted Tang Song’s sharp features, reigniting mories in Jiang’s mind:
The half-open door, the imposing man seated on the sofa, his icy gaze piercing through the room.
Now, though, the aloofness had lted away, leaving behind a warm and approachable deanor.
Outside the private booth, Jiang Yourong opened her mouth to speak, but Tang Song beat her to it.
“Shuyu! What a coincidence, you’re here too!” he said with apparent surprise.
Jiang froze mid-sentence, turning to stare at her friend.
Inside, three pairs of eyes simultaneously looked up.
Xie Shuyu blinked in surprise, quickly setting down her glass and standing. “Tang Song.”
In public, she always addressed him formally, never using the nickna “Little Song.”
Her eyes swept over him, and her heart skipped a beat. Compared to six weeks ago, he had undergone a significant transformation.
The look in soone’s eyes could reveal so much—emotion, depth, and confidence. Beneath the polished lenses of his stylish rectangular glasses, Tang Song’s gaze brimd with vitality and charm.
Across from her, Pei Ya flushed slightly, unable to resist a glance at the striking newcor.
He was tall and lean, his broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. His features were chiseled, with a straight nose and defined lips. His skin was smooth and radiant, his deep-set eyes exuding warmth, and his smile was utterly captivating.
But most of all, his deanor stood out—elegant, confident, and poised.
The gleaming Vacheron Constantin 4300V on his wrist didn’t go unnoticed either—a watch worth over 700,000 yuan.
Truthfully, this man left an excellent first impression.
Sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, Yu Sicheng raised an eyebrow and stood. “Shuyu, who’s this?”
Tang Song gave a polite nod. “Hello, I’m a friend of Shuyu’s. My na is Tang Song.”
The mont he introduced himself, Jiang Yourong’s mind went blank for a split second before erupting in a storm of realization.
Tang Song... That na!
Her mory flashed back to a golden ginkgo leaf bookmark resting in an open book on Director Jin ixiao’s desk. On it, delicate calligraphy penned the characters Tang Song.
At the ti, she had thought it was just a poetic combination of the nas of two historical dynasties.
But now... it’s his na!
Her thoughts raced as she connected the dots between the elegant and brilliant Director Jin and the man standing before her now.
Jiang’s emotions surged like a tidal wave. It felt as though she was brushing up against a grand secret, sothing monuntal.
Was her suspicion correct? Could there truly be such an astonishing connection between these two figures?
Whatever the truth, she would need to tread carefully, uncovering it piece by piece.
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