The applause in the conference room gradually subsided.
The midday winter sunlight stread into the conference room, adding a scorching warmth to the still intensely heated atmosphere.
After more than three months of running around and hard work, the Third Stage Growth Plan mission was finally completed.
It really wasn't easy.
During this period, he personally completed the branding of Songi Apparel, established a design center, built a supply chain system, and achieved monthly sales exceeding 100 million yuan.
He also invested in three companies with unicorn potential.
That sense of control and achievent from turning blueprints into reality step by step made his blood boil with excitent even now.
He didn't imdiately check the details on the system interface.
Tang Song stood up, a bright smile curling at the corners of his lips as he looked around.
He shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with everyone present, one by one.
"Chairman Tang! President Xie! Everyone!" Fang Zhiyuan walked over, his face glowing with health and excitent, his voice trembling with emotion. "To celebrate our historic cooperation, we've reserved a banquet hall downstairs! Please do us the honor of joining us for lunch today!"
"Okay." Tang Song nodded slightly.
Everyone laughed and chid in agreent, and the group marched out in a grand procession.
In the luxurious Chinese restaurant.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled brilliantly.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, the crisp sound of champagne glasses colliding intertwined with everyone's laughter and conversation.
Xie Shuyu and Shen Yuyan accompanied Tang Song on either side, one dignified and steady, the other fresh and capable.
They complented each other perfectly, handling everything with ease.
Tang Song occasionally chatted with others, occasionally took a sip of champagne, his every movent filled with an indescribable elegance and casualness.
As the luncheon drew to a close.
After coming out of the restroom, Tang Song ca alone to the quiet terrace outside the restaurant.
Finally having ti to calm his mind.
He first took out his phone to check—there were already many unread ssages and one missed call.
It was from Qiuqiu half an hour ago;
it had only rung once before hanging up.
So he hadn't noticed it.
Tang Song thought for a mont and called back directly.
The call was answered almost instantly.
"Hello, Qiuqiu."
Qiuqiu's sowhat faint, delicate voice ca through the receiver: "Are you finished with your work?"
"Yeah, just finished lunch." Tang Song's voice carried a hint of laughter. "What's up? Is sothing wrong?"
"It's... it's nothing really." She paused, her voice soft. "I just wanted to ask, are you returning to Yancheng today?"
"Yeah, flight at 5 PM, should arrive around 7." Tang Song looked up at the sky, his tone still calm. "Everything here is done, I should go back."
There was silence on the other end for a mont before Qiuqiu whispered again: "I might not be back until Sunday. The housing procedures are too troubleso, many places require my personal signature."
"I know. No rush, just stay in Rongcheng and spend good ti with your aunt."
"Mm."
Another period of silence.
"Is there anything else you want to tell ?" he asked.
"......"
"Did you miss ?" Tang Song couldn't help but laugh, his voice carrying a gentle tease. "I missed you too, Qiuqiu."
An extrely light breathing sound ca from the other end, as if she was shy, or perhaps biting her lip.
After hanging up.
Tang Song shook his head sowhat helplessly.
This designer friend of his was really extrely inarticulate.
Even though they had reached this point—he had kissed her, touched her.
She still couldn't loosen up, always pausing and falling silent whenever these topics ca up.
But it was also quite cute.
He had completely discovered that this aloof designer who appeared icy on the outside was actually a genuine "love-struck fool" at heart.
For example, during those two days at her hotown.
During als, she would always wait for him to pick up his chopsticks first before quietly following suit.
When he drank soup, she would softly remind him, "Be careful, it's hot."
She always carried a thermos cup, asking him every half hour if he was thirsty.
Even just walking on country paths, she would subconsciously position herself on the outer side near the road, afraid that he might get splashed with even a little mud by occasional passing electric bikes.
Tang Song sotis even couldn't help but think.
If he used even half the tactics he used on Campus Belle Shen on Qiuqiu.
She would probably be completely broken.
Tang Song put away his phone and leaned lazily against the cool railing of the terrace, looking down at the bustling unfamiliar city beneath his feet.
After a mont, he opened the system interface.
First, he looked at the rewards from the Growth Gift Pack.
Xuanji Optical World actual control rights.
Seeing these seven words, a blazing light erupted in Tang Song's eyes.
Xuanji Optical World—this super project led by Tang Yi Precision, jointly created by giants like Qingning Technology and Smile Holdings, aid at defining the "next-generation human-computer interaction portal"—was one of the future strategic cores of the entire Tang Jin system.
As a digital enthusiast and tech fan, Tang Song was extrely interested in such cutting-edge technology.
Moreover, he had previously experienced the final version of AR augnted reality through Tang Song's Glasses in the Academic Genius dungeon.
He had always fantasized about creating it in reality.
And Xuanji Optical World was a way to realize that dream.
Currently, although he could control Rongliu Capital, Rongliu was after all just a minor shareholder among the many investors in Xuanji Optical World, holding less than 4% of shares.
Even though he had unlocked communication permissions with Ouyang Xianyue, he couldn't excessively interfere with its internal operations.
But now, with this permission unlocked, he could wantonly control this enterprise.
Then, he looked at another item: Tang Song's Sticky Notes.
This one was quite interesting, sowhat similar to the previous Whispers of Humanity, but he didn't know when it would trigger.
After taking stock of the rewards, Tang Song clicked on the 3D character to check the personal information panel.
Player: Tang Song (89' Charm)
Role: Songi Apparel - President
Height: 185CM, Weight: 80KG
Constitution: 83, Stamina: 84, Agility: 84, Comprehension: 87
...
Charm value 89 points.
Only 1 point away from the milestone of 90 points!
Tang Song exhaled lightly and opened the Mission Center.
In the central area of the interface, lines of golden text leaped out:
In the past growth plans...
You started with consur brands (Songi Apparel), completed the role transition from "employee" to "entrepreneur," and built a sustainably profitable retail system.
Relying on your extraordinary vision, you firmly laid out in the AI and smart hardware tracks, successively investing in core enterprises like Smart Chain Future, Yimai Technology, and Ling Chain Technology, forming your unique industrial insight and investnt logic.
Now, what you face is no longer the growth of a single enterprise, but the interconnected upgrade of capital, industry, and social structure. The final stage growth plan will help you delve deeper into "consumption" and "technology," to understand the essence of markets, the flow of human nature, and the balance of power.
Fourth Stage Growth Plan Mission
① Songi Matrix Upgrade: Fully digitalize the Songi Apparel brand system, build a "AI retail" next-generation business ecosystem, achieving matrix expansion and intelligent evolution of the brand system. [Incomplete]
Retail system upgrade (Establish a brand direct-operated flagship system, forming a closed loop of "content co-creation experiential retail"...) Digital foundation construction (Fully integrate CRM ERP SCM BI four major systems, forming a unified brand middle platform...) AI strategy integration (Integrate AI industry chain node enterprises led by your investnts, creating a complete "smart apparel ecosystem closed loop"...)
② Xuanji Optical World Technology Debut: Officially assu the position of Xuanji Optical World Chief Executive Officer (CEO), lead the mass production and comrcial launch of the first-generation smart glasses product, achieving the leap from laboratory project to global tech brand. [Incomplete]
Integrate core resources (Build cross-border technical teams, form complete technical patent barriers and closed loops...) Promote application scenario implentation (Collaborate with top content and platform parties to create phenonal applications...) Comrcialization and industry chain implentation (Promote the construction and optimization of global supply chains...)
Mission Reward: Growth Gift Pack *1
This stage's mission was different from previous ones.
The system no longer just gave single targets.
Instead, based on his previous growth path and strategic layout, it actively selected two most representative fields—"consumption" and "technology."
Having him deeply involved in the Songi Apparel and Xuanji Optical World projects as the "lead protagonist."
Simultaneously, it would aggregate and loop all the industries he had invested in—AI, smart hardware, retail supply chain, content ecosystem...
Finally constructing a truly aningful "industrial ecosystem network."
This also held profound significance for his personal growth.
He quietly finished reading all the information on the system interface, his gaze as calm as the sea.
Yet within his chest, a subtle tremor was spreading.
His mind was shaken.
He still rembered initially undergoing the "Listen to Advice Transformation," obtaining his "First Personal Vehicle - Wuling Hongguang," and excitedly starting the first stage growth plan mission.
Unknowingly, he had reached the final stage.
His charm value was also about to break through 90, reaching the final milestone.
Tang Song gently closed his eyes.
Outside the terrace, the afternoon wind of Rongcheng carried a faint osmanthus fragrance and the scent of golden sunlight, brushing past his cheeks.
Faint laughter and clinking glasses still ca from the banquet hall.
At this mont, everything around seed to beco distant.
Past events were like clouds and smoke, scene by scene, slowly drifting through his mind.
An indescribable sense of fulfillnt, accompanied by a deeper loneliness, quietly surged in his heart.
"President Tang."
A soft call ca from behind.
A faint citrus fragrance wafted over as Shen Yuyan stood by his side.
Her voice carried a bit of caution and concern: "Are you alright? Are you feeling unwell sowhere?"
Tang Song slowly opened his eyes, his gaze turning to her, but he didn't speak.
Those bright, profound eyes showed no emotional waves, yet held a pressure that made one dare not look directly.
Being looked at like this, Shen Yuyan's heart tightened.
She gently bit her lip, about to say sothing.
But Tang Song suddenly spoke: "Campus Belle Shen."
"Uh..." Shen Yuyan was stunned;
it had been a long ti since she heard this address.
"Smile."
Although sowhat confused, Shen Yuyan reflexively curled up the corners of her lips.
Revealing a standard sweet smile, eight teeth neat and white.
Tang Song let out a "pfft" laugh.
He casually reached out and patted her buttocks with moderate force.
"Too fake."
After saying this, he turned and strode toward the direction of the banquet hall.
Leaving behind a completely bewildered Shen Yuyan.
...
By Huanhua Creek, at Jinli Villa.
Shen Yuyan carefully folded Tang Song's last ironed shirt neatly and placed it in the suitcase before slowly straightening up.
Revealing a standard sweet smile, eight teeth neatly aligned and white.
Her heart was still filled with an indescribable emotion.
She clearly understood that owning such a heavily guarded private residence by Huanhua Creek in Rongcheng.
Represented not just money, but also an unfathomable power.
Arriving at the study door.
She gently knocked and pushed the door open.
An elegant ink fragrance greeted her.
Tang Song was standing before a huge desk, wielding a brush and splashing ink.
His posture was straight as a pine, his expression focused and calm.
The afternoon sunlight, passing through the carved wooden lattice window, slanted onto him, enveloping his entire person in a soft, warm halo.
A peerless gentleman like jade, unmatched in the world.
Looking at the scene before her.
Shen Yuyan's gaze couldn't help but beco sowhat dazed, her heart skipping a beat.
An uncontrollable palpitation surged again.
Tang Song stopped writing and looked up, "What is it? Shirley."
Shen Yuyan quickly snapped back to reality, a blush rising on her face: "President Tang, all your things have been packed. There's still an hour and a half before the flight takes off, we should probably leave soon."
"Mm." Tang Song put down the brush and went to wash his hands nearby.
Shen Yuyan hesitated for a mont before speaking: "President Tang, your handwriting is really beautiful, could you give this piece to ?"
Tang Song raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Sure, when you leave Rongcheng, co here and take it."
"Okay, thank you, President Tang!" Shen Yuyan blinked, smiling sweetly, as if she had beco that youthful, beautiful, confident, and radiant campus belle again.
She still had so finishing work for the Ling Chain Technology investnt case here and wouldn't be leaving with Tang Song.
The two went out and got into the Bentley Mulsanne waiting outside.
Shen Yuyan looked at Tang Song's calm, handso profile.
She licked her lips, quietly shifted to the right, and slightly turned her body.
Her soft hand tentatively landed on his leg.
When Tang Song looked sideways at her, she moved closer, breathing in his clean, pleasant scent.
Using a professional tone as if reporting work, she said softly: "President Tang, regarding the eting with Mayor Li, I've sorted out a few more key details..."
Her voice was gentle and pleasant, seemingly serious and proper.
But her right hand was not well-behaved.
Tang Song just smiled and didn't say anything.
The Bentley Mulsanne drove smoothly on the highway to Shuangliu International Airport.
The cabin was filled with quietness and ambiguity.
After finishing her work report, Shen Yuyan thought for a mont and whispered: "President Tang, I need to go to Shen City this Friday, and over the weekend I'll attend the 'Smart Hardware Ecosystem Summit' hosted by Tang Yi Precision. It's a personal invitation from Ms. Ouyang's side, I'm reporting it to you in advance."
Tang Song's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded: "That's fine. My personal investnt work here is almost finished. In the future, I probably won't need you much either."
"Ah?!"
Shen Yuyan's eyelids twitched violently, her entire body's blood seeming to freeze.
She had never forgotten that the core essence of her position as "Chairman's Special Assistant" was to serve Tang Song's personal investnt business.
Originally, receiving a personal request from Ms. Ouyang to represent Tang Song and Rongliu Capital at major etings had brought her life to a peak, a ti of high spirits.
And now... Tang Song ant he wouldn't need her in the future?
Her voice was gentle and pleasant, appearing completely proper on the surface.
What should she do?!
An unprecedented panic overwheld her.
"This... President Tang... I..."
Shen Yuyan's face turned sowhat pale, her mouth opening as if she wanted to say sothing, but not knowing where to start.
The cabin was filled with quietness and ambiguity.
Shen Yuyan's body instantly tensed.
Tang Song's calm voice sounded in her ear:
"After my personal investnt work ends, my next focus will be on the Xuanji Optical World project. Your trip to Shen City for the summit happens to be perfect timing, you can use this opportunity to deeply understand..."
His words continued.
But Shen Yuyan felt as if she had narrowly escaped disaster.
In those few seconds just now, she truly experienced falling from heaven to hell, then being pulled back to heaven.
She also suddenly realized.
Everything she currently possessed was bestowed by him.
Whenever he wanted, he could take it back at any ti.
Feeling Tang Song's movents, her body trembled slightly as she looked at this forr schoolmate with a complex gaze.
She had actually been playing that kind of "now close, now distant" ga with Tang Song.
Utilizing her forr campus belle halo.
She enjoyed his desire for her, yet always refused to truly give herself to him willingly.
She hoped to use this thod to make him maintain the freshest, strongest desire to conquer her forever.
Tang Song's calm voice sounded in her ear:
"After my personal investnt work ends, my next focus will be on the Xuanji Optical World project. Your trip to Shen City for the summit happens to be perfect timing, you can use this opportunity to deeply understand..."
When they first t, she could see unconcealed desire and impulse in his eyes.
But later, this feeling beca increasingly subtle.
By the ti they reunited in Rongcheng, her biggest impression was that Tang Song had "leveled up" again.
She now completely couldn't understand what her boss was thinking.
That sense of anxiety about potential loss, the urgency of impending loss of control, grew stronger and stronger.
...
The Bentley slowly stopped in the drop-off area of the VIP departure level.
Tang Song didn't get out imdiately but turned to look at the scheming campus belle beside him who had been silent.
He smiled and asked knowingly: "What's wrong?"
She enjoyed his desire for her, yet always refused to truly give herself to him actively.
"Work hard, Assistant Shen." Tang Song patted her.
Pushed the car door open and got out.
Passing through the exclusive security channel, he entered the VIP lounge.
Tang Song sat down in a less crowded corner.
After admiring the spectacular sight of huge planes taking off and landing on the tarmac outside the window for a while, he then opened his phone.
Handling accumulated emails while waiting for boarding.
"Buzz buzz———"
A WeChat ssage popped up.
Qiuqiu: Tang Song, have you arrived at the airport yet?
Tang Song smiled slightly, replied "Already here, don't worry," then casually took a photo of the tarmac outside the lounge window and sent it over.
Continued handling work.
After a mont.
"Buzz buzz———"
Qiuqiu: "Oh, then are you thirsty?"
Tang Song: "Not thirsty, there are drinks in the lounge."
Another mont later.
Qiuqiu: "Then are you hungry?"
Tang Song: "There's food in the lounge. And there's customized airplane food on the flight too."
Another mont later.
Qiuqiu: "Oh."
Looking at this series of sowhat random concerns, Tang Song's heart stirred.
After pondering for a mont, he didn't reply via WeChat but directly called Qiuqiu's voice chat.
The phone rang several tis before being answered.
Faint airport announcent sounds could be heard in the background.
Tang Song asked directly: "Are you at Shuangliu Airport?"
The other end fell into prolonged silence.
After a long ti, Qiuqiu's voice, carrying so guilt, ca through: "Yeah, at..."
Tang Song sighed helplessly, but his voice was filled with indulgence toward the young girl.
"Alright, as expected, why didn't you tell directly?"
"I was afraid... of disturbing you..."
Tang Song stood up, walking outward as he said: "I'll co find you now, the flight still has over half an hour before boarding, let's et at the Starbucks entrance in the departure hall."
The VIP lounge's automatic door slowly opened, the outside noisy chatter and announcent sounds instantly pouring in.
He walked forward against the flow of people, his steps hurried.
His outstanding height, appearance, and aura made him stand out like a crane among chickens in the crowded crowd, attracting many passengers to turn and look.
He ignored these, heading straight to the bustling public departure hall.
His eyes quickly scanned through the bustling crowd.
Soon, his vision caught a soft erald green light.
The Dream Flower Seed was emitting a faint halo, seemingly having grown a bit more than before.
Qiuqiu was still wearing that figure-flattering autumn-winter outfit, her beautiful orange-brown long hair casually tied into a high ponytail.
She held a large tote bag, standing sowhat uneasily at the Starbucks entrance.
Occasionally standing on tiptoe, looking toward the direction of the VIP passage.
When their eyes t, her cool eyes were filled with anxiety.
"Alright, just as I expected, why didn't you tell directly?"
Tang Song called out, jogged over, and stood before her.
"Why do you always co over on your own without saying anything?"
The VIP lounge's automatic door slowly opened, the outside noisy chatter and announcent sounds instantly pouring in.
Last ti, it was delivering breakfast early in the morning braving the cold wind;
this ti, coming alone to the airport to see him off.
Making him, a scumbag, feel moved.
"Sorry, I..." Qiuqiu lowered her head at his words.
As she spoke, she flusteredly pulled the tote bag in front of her, carefully taking out an exquisitely packaged bag from inside.
"This, for you."
"This is...?" Tang Song took it puzzledly, opening it.
Qiuqiu was still wearing that figure-flattering autumn-winter outfit, her beautiful orange-brown long hair casually tied into a high ponytail.
Inside was a whole piece of bright red spicy cured sausage, and a large package of oily and fragrant five-spice dried tofu.
Occasionally standing on tiptoe, looking toward the direction of the VIP passage.
"You said it was delicious back in the village." She gently bit her lip, as if whispering a secret. "So I asked relatives to pack so for to bring back, you can eat it on the way."
Tang Song was stunned for a few seconds, looked at the "local specialty" in his hand, then looked up at the clumsy "young girl."
His heart felt as if sothing had gently bumped into it.
Then, he didn't say anything more.
Just stepped forward, reached out, and embraced her entire person into his arms.
Qiuqiu stiffened at first, then slowly leaned in.
Making him, a scumbag, feel moved.
The tip of his nose caught a faint floral scent, mixed with the shampoo fragrance from her hair, gentle and enchanting.
Crowds surged past them, announcents echoed one after another.
But at this mont, the entire airport seed to stand still.
"This is...?" Tang Song took it puzzled, opening it.
A rich aroma mixed with smoky and spicy flavors assailed his senses.
Inside was a whole piece of bright red spicy cured sausage, and a large package of oily and fragrant five-spice dried tofu.
He held her hand, strolling along the bleak, quiet country paths in winter.
They went together to pay respects at her grandmother's grave, burning paper money, adding soil.
After leaving, to distract her.
He showed her the stray dogs chasing each other on the ridges.
Poked the grunting fat pigs in roadside pigsties with sticks.
Just stepped forward, reached out, and embraced her entire person into his arms.
Her entire being seed imrsed in the warst hot spring water, all the hard ice slowly lting away.
After a long ti.
The two slowly separated.
Boarding ti was very close.
Qiuqiu saw him off to the entrance of the VIP security channel.
Qiuqiu's face blushed, feeling the sense of security of being held by him.
Tang Song saw "reluctance" and "pitiful" in her gaze.
He sighed, reached out, and ruffled her smooth orange-brown long hair.
"Is there anything else you want to say to ?"
Qiuqiu pursed her lips, a coy expression appearing on her coldly beautiful face.
After a mont.
In an uncertain tone, she asked softly: "After returning to Yancheng, can I... can I still continue to bring you food?"
Tang Song was taken aback, "Of course, anyti."
At dusk when cooking smoke rose, he ate the most authentic farmhouse dishes with her—sausage, tofu pudding, green vegetable fried eggs...
Her entire being seed imrsed in the warst hot spring water, all the hard ice, slowly lting away.
Tang Song turned and strode into the security channel.
Only after walking deep into the channel, about to turn a corner, did he seem to sense sothing and looked back.
Beyond the crowd, amidst the noise, Qiuqiu still stubbornly stood in place.
She stood on tiptoe, looking over the surging crowd, trying hard to look in his direction.
Her face no longer had the usual aloofness and restraint, leaving only clean and pure smiles.
At this mont, she seed to have beco that little girl in the dream who finally waited for her daddy.
Tang Song's final impression of this city was also frozen in her smile.
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