The night had fallen, and the full moon hung high in the sky.
A gleaming white Jeep Wrangler moved slowly through the city streets like a stream of flowing light and shadow, finally pulling into Yuxiu Garden.
The engine shut off.
Xie Shuyu turned her head toward the passenger seat—Winnie the Pooh sat there, tilting its head at her. The gold-thread embroidery on its red T-shirt glowed warmly under the car’s interior lights, as if it were watching her with a gentle warmth.
“Childish..”"
She zoned out for a bit. Then Xie Shuyu got out of the car, scooped up Winnie the Pooh, and strode into the elevator lobby with brisk, graceful steps.
“Dad, Mom, I’m ho.”
In the living room, Zhao Su’e, who had been watching TV, hurried to greet her. “Xiaoyu, how co you’re back so early? Didn’t spend more ti with your boyfriend?”
Xie Shuyu lazily rolled her eyes at her mother while changing shoes. “When I used to co ho late, you’d send a ssage every half hour like you were on a mission.”
“That’s different—dating is serious business!” Zhao Su’e joked with a smile. Her eyes suddenly landed on the stuffed bear in Shuyu’s arms. “Eh? What new plushie did you buy this ti? Let hold it for you.”
“No need.” Xie Shuyu instinctively hugged it a little tighter and walked into the living room in her slippers.
Seeing this, Zhao Su’e instantly caught on, her face breaking into an “Auntie smile.” “This is from your boyfriend, isn’t it?”
Xie Shuyu paused, casually explaining, “It was a freebie from a mall event.”
Xie’s father, soaking his feet, turned around. “Yo, this Winnie the Pooh looks just like the one I gave you when you were a kid.” ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⚑fire
“It’s the sa cartoon character, of course it looks alike.” Xie Shuyu’s lips curled slightly, but her tone remained flat. “I’m going back to my room.”
“Thud—”
The door closed, followed by the sound of it being locked.
Xie Shuyu walked to her bed and gently set the bear down, handling it as delicately as if it were a treasure.
She murmured, “We’re ho.”
She reached out to fix its lopsided ear, her fingertips brushing over the soft plush surface.
She took out her phone from her bag. Imdiately, she saw a string of missed calls and unread ssages.
Deep breath.
Xie Shuyu didn’t check them right away. Instead, she opened Tang Song’s WeChat chat box and typed: “I’m ho. Drive safe—don’t reply. Just let know once you’re back.”
After a mont of thought, she picked up her phone and took a photo of the Winnie the Pooh on the bed, sending it along.
After all that, she sat down at her desk and started replying to unread work ssages and missed calls one by one.
This was the busiest ti for her, but also the happiest.
The branch expansion plan for Shimr Coffee was steadily progressing. Besides a few core cities, the surrounding regions of Yan City were gradually being added to the blueprint.
The new store in Quancheng had already been decided last year, but due to funding delays, it hadn’t launched. Now that the financing was complete, everything was finally on track.
So ti passed.
She seed to rember sothing.
Xie Shuyu quickly opened WeChat again and found a friend request she had previously ignored.
Liu Shasha—Tang Song’s high school classmate.
After accepting the request, they exchanged a few ssages. Soon, Liu Shasha sent over her resu.
With her smarts and EQ, it was clear what Liu Shasha was hoping for.
A pretty average junior college grad, with a major totally unrelated to her job experience, and likely lacking any real professional skills.
What Liu Shasha wanted was a stable, respectable job in Quancheng.
After a short mont of thought, Xie Shuyu made a call to a friend. In just a few sentences, she managed to get Liu Shasha an interview for an admin position at a city investnt-owned SOE subsidiary.
She then notified her of the result on WeChat.
After receiving an outpouring of gratitude from Liu Shasha,
Xie Shuyu stood up, pulled the curtains closed, undressed, and got ready to shower.
As her stockings fell, she suddenly realized her reaction today had been much stronger than she expected.
She stepped into the bathroom.
Warm water flowed down her snow-white skin, cascading along her graceful curves and splashing onto the tiles.
Steam filled the air as Xie Shuyu closed her eyes, scenes from earlier flashing through her mind.
Tang Song’s kiss, the touches in the movie theater, the bold and invasive kiss during the “Princess Hug Contest,” and finally, her own emotional loss of control.
This was the first ti she’d truly been swept away by emotion.
Tang Song’s young, energetic body and his burning passion had completely lted her reserve in that mont—she’d fully surrendered herself.
Maybe... this is what love feels like?
Her thoughts hadn’t yet settled.
“~~” The WeChat call ringtone chid.
Xie Shuyu glanced at the phone sitting on the shelf, briefly stunned.
It was a video call from Tang Song.
She picked up the phone and was about to hang up.
But she paused, pressed her lips together, and looked at herself in the mirror.
Her smooth skin shimred under the light with a dewy glow. Her tall, graceful figure stood like a poplar tree. Her narrow waist, full chest, and long legs outlined a flawless silhouette.
Even though she was no longer young, her strict body managent and dietary discipline kept her in excellent shape.
At the very least, Tang Song loved her body—that much she was sure of. She’d noticed it from the mont they t.
A faint smile curved her lips as she chose to answer the video call.
The screen lit up quickly, revealing that familiar handso face.
Her mood lifted and relaxed all at once.
“I’m ho...” Tang Song didn’t even finish his sentence before his eyes widened, staring at her damp hair, bare shoulders, and the bathroom background.
“Sister Shuyu, are you showering?”
“Can’t you tell?” Xie Shuyu raised an eyebrow and shifted the cara, letting him see the shower spraying behind her.
Tang Song took a deep breath. “I really can’t. Move the cara back a little—or maybe tilt it lower.”
“Pfft—” Xie Shuyu burst out laughing. Water trickled down her swan-like neck, pooling in a little hollow at her collarbone.
Tang Song’s heart pounded. “Sister Shuyu, you’re so beautiful... it’s just the fra is too small, I can’t see clearly.”
“Alright, I’m done ssing with you. I’m just glad you got ho safe. I’m hanging up.”
Xie Shuyu turned around to continue showering as she spoke.
Foam from the shower gel slid down the curve of her neck.
“Wait!” Tang Song pleaded. “We’re boyfriend and girlfriend—what’s a video call? I don’t mind. Wait a sec, I’ll shower with you.”
Xie Shuyu chuckled at his words. “Keep dreaming.”
Though she said that, she didn’t hang up. She casually set the phone on the shelf, cara facing the ceiling.
A mont later, Tang Song’s voice ca through the phone. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s shower.”
Xie Shuyu glanced at the screen, and her expression changed dramatically. Her mouth fell open as she instinctively took a few steps back.
A mont later, she couldn’t help but sneak another look at him on the screen, suddenly feeling parched.
Sculpted muscles, sharply defined eight-pack abs, and a faint V-line—
This...
She never expected Tang Song’s physique to be this outrageous.
Xie Shuyu took a deep breath and turned the shower to full blast, letting the forceful stream pound down on her.
She finally began to calm down, though the blush on her face lingered.
“Right, about your classmate Liu Shasha’s job—I’ve already made a few calls. It’s an admin position at the City Transportation Construction Group...”
Xie Shuyu quickly changed the subject, her tone light and casual.
The two of them kept chatting casually as they continued their showers.
The sound of running water gradually stopped.
“I’m done, heading out now.” Xie Shuyu picked up her phone again.
Tang Song’s face reappeared on the screen. “Dear Sister Shuyu, you really won’t let see? I let you see mine.”
A faintly amused, teasing smile appeared on Xie Shuyu’s still-blushing face. After a brief pause, she said, “Alright then.”
“Really? That’s aweso!” Tang Song instantly perked up, his eyes lighting up.
Xie Shuyu chuckled and flipped the cara, pointing it at the bathroom mirror.
Since she had just finished a hot shower,
the lens only captured the fogged-up frosted glass. But the vague silhouette behind the rising steam was more than enough to stir the imagination.
Then, a slender hand reached out from the mist and slid across the mirror’s surface.
The northern hemisphere bounced into view—snowy white and smooth like a mirror, hazy within the fog.
Tang Song’s Adam’s apple bobbed hard.
Next, the cara flipped again.
Xie Shuyu suddenly leaned close to the cara. Droplets clung to her lashes, and her gaze carried a playful tenderness. “Xiao Song, tomorrow’s October 1st. I’ll co to Jing County to see you. Let’s take my SUV and drive to the ginkgo scenic area, okay?”
“Okay!” Tang Song agreed instantly, clearly excited.
Xie Shuyu waved at the cara with a smile. “Then see you tomorrow. Get so rest tonight.”
“You too. Don’t stay up working.”
Xie Shuyu nodded seriously. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. That’s it then. Bye-bye.”
She had originally planned to work through the night again, but since Tang Song had spoken, she decided to follow his suggestion and indulge herself for once.
“Bye-bye. Oh, right—Sister Shuyu, wear black stockings tomorrow.”
Xie Shuyu’s smile froze slightly, and she quickly hung up the call.
After drying off, she wrapped her damp hair in a towel and returned to the bedroom to start her skincare routine.
A little after 10 p.m.,
the bedside lamp clicked off, and the room fell into a soft darkness.
Xie Shuyu nestled into the covers, her gaze landing on the Winnie the Pooh across from her. Her eyes held a barely noticeable softness.
After a mont’s thought, she reached out and pulled it into her arms, gently nuzzling its fluffy head. A small smile curved her lips.
With the sound of her steady breathing, she slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
......
October 1st, 2023, Sunday, 1326℃.
7 a.m.
Yan City, Qiyun Resort.
Crisp birdsong ca from outside the window, the air filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.
Lin Muxue sat up from the soft bed, casually brushing aside the hair draped over her shoulder and tying it into a neat low ponytail.
She lifted the blanket and got out of bed, walking straight to the window and pulling open the heavy curtains with both hands.
Sunlight flooded into the room, illuminating the entire space.
She changed into a Lululemon workout set, turned on her cara, and started filming her vlog for the day.
Morning workout, breakfast, makeup, outfit change...
“That’s it for today’s video Hope you liked it! Bye-bye~”
Lin Muxue let out a long breath, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
Bringing Xu Ning to the resort this ti wasn’t just for vacation—she’d landed a major brand deal.
It ca with a 50,000 yuan promo fee, plus a complintary three-day, two-night stay.
In all her years as an influencer, this was the biggest brand deal she’d ever gotten. Naturally, she’d dragged Xu Ning over without a second thought.
Qiyun Resort, located in the outskirts of Yan City, was a high-end destination known for its luxury and serenity.
And since it was the national holiday, the brand had capitalized on her popularity and elite image, spending a fortune to have her film short videos here.
Since the day before yesterday, she’d already posted three videos.
Each one precisely targeted her audience, showcasing the resort’s lavish anities while blending in her signature style.
After turning off the cara, Lin Muxue glanced at Xu Ning and urged, “Hurry up and pack—we’re heading back to Yan City!”
Xu Ning said quietly, “Xiaoxue, didn’t the boss say we could stay for a whole week? Why the rush? Everything here is free, you know...”
“Why so much nonsense? Get moving!” Lin Muxue huffed impatiently, but then her lips curved into a smug grin. “My husband’s got a present for —he said it’ll be delivered in Yan City today. You think I’m in the mood to stay here wasting ti with you?”
With that, she swayed her curvy waist and rounded hips and turned to leave, her steps especially sassy.
Hearing this, Xu Ning’s eyes filled with envy—and alongside it, a surge of hard-to-express disappointnt.
Maybe this is the power of making the right choice.
The two of them had started from the sa place.
But unfortunately, she’d picked a “fake rich heir” and got conned into being completely broke.
anwhile, Xiaoxue had t her Mr. Right—soone who loved her and could give her the best life.
Tang Song’s image flashed through her mind.
She silently prayed for Xiaoxue, hoping things would continue to go well for them.
9 a.m.
The two got into a Porsche 911 and headed into the city.
Lin Muxue wore a pair of oversized Gucci sunglasses, humming cheerfully along to the car stereo, in an utterly blissful mood.
“Ding-ling-ling—” her phone rang, cutting off the music.
Lin Muxue glanced at the dashboard display and answered.
“Hello? Sister Xiaoxue.”
A voice both familiar and slightly distant ca through the speaker, montarily catching Lin Muxue off guard.
“Hey, Zhenzhen, where are you now? When are you arriving?” Her tone was still calm, but her lips curled into a barely restrained smile.
“We got on the high-speed rail from Chang’an around 8 this morning. Should reach Yan City before noon.”
Lin Muxue raised her brows, itching with anticipation, but she kept her cool. “How about I treat you to lunch? I am your big cousin after all. You’re on my turf—of course I should take care of you.”
Now that she had achieved Sacred Body Mastery, she couldn’t resist the urge to flex in front of her younger cousin Lin Yuzhen.
“No need, I’m having lunch at a classmate’s place.” Lin Yuzhen paused before continuing, “Uncle asked to bring you a bunch of stuff. Why don’t you co get it from this afternoon?”
“Alright, see you this afternoon. Rest a bit once you arrive.”
“Okay, bye-bye.”
After hanging up, the music started playing again.
Lin Muxue turned her attention back to the window.
Beside her, Xu Ning opened her mouth, wanting to say sothing, but ended up swallowing the words.
Around 11 a.m., the two of them returned to the Lanfeng International Luxury Apartnts.
After tidying up a bit in their own rooms, they went downstairs to a Hong Kong-style teahouse for a lavish lunch.
Back in the apartnt suite,
Lin Muxue glanced at Xu Ning, then suddenly picked up her phone and said, “I just transferred you five thousand. If you want to go out during the holiday or buy sothing, up to you.”
Hearing that, Xu Ning was stunned. “I... I still have a bit of money. And next month, I’ll get paid by Xue Tang Culture.”
“Just take it. I don’t need it. You helped film a lot of videos during this brand trip—just treat it as your labor fee.”
“Thank you, Xiaoxue, you’re the best!” Xu Ning looked at the paynt notification on her phone, nearly tearing up with gratitude, and rushed over to hug Lin Muxue.
“Get off.” Lin Muxue shoved her away in disgust, but the joy on her face was impossible to hide.
The day before Mid-Autumn Festival, her first paycheck from Rongliu Investnt had arrived—74,000 after tax, plus shopping cards, mooncakes, and other holiday perks.
Now that she had just wrapped up this brand campaign, another 50,000 was coming in. Her available balance neared 170,000, not to ntion the five solid gold bars from Tang Song.
Lin Muxue felt like even peeing in the bathroom these past two days gave her confidence.
With a bit of cash on hand, the first thing she wanted to do was shop.
No rush to buy yet. She’d wait until she t up with her cousin Zhenzhen, take her shopping, and casually flex her spending power—that was more her style.
Right away, Lin Muxue started planning what she should buy.
She didn’t need more bags for now. With the First Snow, the Birkin, and the Himalaya, she already had the holy trinity. No need to waste money on extras.
The main focus was clothes and accessories.
Fall was here, the weather was cooling, ti to get stocked up on beautiful autumn/winter pieces.
She couldn’t afford haute couture, but at least needed a couple of designer items, right?
And watches—sure, the Overseas from Tang Song was great, but she couldn’t keep wearing just that one. Different styles of clothes called for different watches.
The more she thought, the less confident she felt.
In the end, she had only just ascended the throne as Empress Muxue—she still lacked true capital.
Soone who was ntioned in the sa breath as Jin ixiao and Su Yu, and she was still penny-pinching? No one would believe it!
E=('0^*)))喉
Saving money was tough. Xiaoxue sighed.
“Ding-ling-ling—” the phone rang again.
Lin Muxue snapped back to reality and glanced at the caller ID. Her heart skipped a beat.
[Liu Jiayi]
Why is she suddenly calling ?
She picked up quickly. “Hello, Jiayi?”
“Ah! I’m coming down now!”
“Uh... okay, sure, I’ll wait for you upstairs and open the door in a bit.”
After hanging up, Lin Muxue stood up and walked into the bathroom to neaten her slightly ssy hair.
Xu Ning quickly followed and asked curiously, “What’s up, Xiaoxue? Soone coming over?”
“My boyfriend’s gift just arrived. Just keep quiet later and don’t say anything stupid.”
“Oh, got it.” Xu Ning’s eyes flickered with curiosity.
They didn’t have to wait long.
“Ding-dong—ding-dong—” The crisp sound of the doorbell cut through the quiet of the apartnt.
Waiting at the entryway, Lin Muxue quickly opened the door.
What greeted her were three tall figures dressed in black.
Besides the poised and striking Liu Jiayi, there were two burly n in suits. Their gazes were cold, their presence intense.
Lin Muxue was montarily stunned, then pressed her lips together and put on a polite, reserved smile. “Jiayi, you’re here. Co in.”
She actually held great respect for this female bodyguard who drove for Tang Song.
Liu Jiayi’s background was mysterious. She didn’t say much, but every movent exuded a quiet strength. You could tell at a glance that she had real presence.
Technically speaking, Liu Jiayi could also be considered Tang Song’s assistant—just with a different focus: security and transportation.
Liu Jiayi nodded slightly and signaled to the two n behind her.
The two security guards imdiately positioned themselves on either side of the hallway, standing straight with arms at their sides, their movents perfectly synchronized—like statues.
The sound of leather shoes tapping on the wooden floor echoed crisply.
Liu Jiayi stepped into the room, eyes sharp as blades as she scanned the surroundings.
Xu Ning, caught by that sharp gaze, jumped up in panic and nearly knocked over the water cup on the table.
“This is my friend, Xu Ning.” Lin Muxue quickly explained, her tone laced with reassurance.
Then, her eyes landed on the heavy black-and-gold gift box in Liu Jiayi’s hands, and her heartbeat suddenly sped up.
A gift personally arranged by Tang Song—it couldn’t possibly be cheap.
She had been looking forward to this for days.
Liu Jiayi withdrew her gaze, handed over the box, and said with a calm and professional tone, “Assistant Lin, this is a custom gift from President Tang, delivered by Shengtang Security. Please verify receipt.”
“Oh, Jiayi, co in and sit.” Lin Muxue suppressed her excitent, took the gift box, and motioned for her to co into the living room.
Liu Jiayi hesitated slightly, seemingly not used to such settings, but still nodded silently.
Once the two were seated on the couch,
Xu Ning poured them hot water and then stood behind Lin Muxue, eyes glued to the black-and-gold gift box.
Lin Muxue took a deep breath, placed the box on the coffee table in front of her, and carefully opened it.
As the lid lifted, the first thing visible was a beautifully designed envelope.
On the front, embossed in gold letters, were the words:
“Welco to Your Exclusive Visa Infinite Obsidian Card.”
Lin Muxue’s gaze froze, her fingers paused midair, completely motionless.
As a graduate student in luxury goods who had studied English seriously and mingled in high circles, she naturally understood what those words ant.
A flood of information raced through her mind.
Like the famous Visa Infinite Black Card—a top-tier card in the Visa Infinite series, commonly referred to as the “black card.”
These black cards not only had extrely high credit limits but also ca with a host of exclusive services: private jet charters, five-star hotel bookings, VIP access to elite restaurants...
More importantly, Visa had strict naming rules for premium cards issued by partner banks, allowing nas like “Visa Infinite” plus a custom suffix.
Cards of this level were usually only available to the world’s wealthiest elite.
Realizing all this, Lin Muxue’s heartbeat grew faster, her breathing quickened.
As sharp as she was, she’d already suspected sothing the mont she saw that line.
But still—she couldn’t quite bring herself to believe it.
The entire apartnt living room fell into a dead silence.
Liu Jiayi sat to the side, her expression calm, but her gaze remained fixed on Lin Muxue’s face, as if trying to catch sothing from her reaction.
Xu Ning snuck peeks at the gift. Unfortunately, she couldn’t read English, so she could only anxiously watch Lin Muxue’s dazed expression, scratching her head in frustration.
A long while passed.
The sound of an exhale broke the stillness—Lin Muxue finally gathered her courage, her trembling fingers picking up the envelope.
A deep, luxurious black ca into view.
A finely crafted card lay quietly on a velvet pad, its surface glowing with a subtle, enchanting sheen.
Under the sunlight, the black card shimred with obsidian-like patterns.
Gold laser-etched lettering—"Visa Infinite Obsidian"—shone brilliantly.
Cardholder na: “MUXUELIN” (in handwritten-style platinum foil)
Beneath her na, the faint imprint of “TANG” appeared as a watermark, like a crest, marking the card’s unique affiliation.
Lin Muxue held her breath, her fingertip instinctively brushing over her na on the card, her gaze frozen.
“Assistant Lin, this card was custom-made by Kate Bank in collaboration with Visa. It’s specifically designed for personal assistants, and the features are extrely comprehensive.
All billing from the black card will ultimately be settled by the family office. In other words, you won’t bear any repaynt pressure personally.
However, that doesn’t an you can spend freely.
You must ensure that every transaction is made in your capacity as President Tang’s assistant, in service of him.
There’s a detailed explanation inside, and you can contact custor service anyti to learn more.”
Liu Jiayi’s voice was calm and professional, not a trace of excess emotion.
But to Lin Muxue, it hit her like a tidal wave before a mountain storm.
Her entire body sank into a kind of delirium.
Lin Muxue’s face flushed bright red, her legs trembled, overwheld by emotion. Her bladder tightened—she almost peed herself right there.
What is the most luxurious thing in the world? This was it!
User Comments
0 comments from readers