London, Kensington.
Six in the morning.
The sky outside the window was still a murky, leaden grey, a typical British overcast and rainy day.
Mist clung to the windowpane, sluggishly drifting.
"Buzz—"
The phone on the bedside table vibrated once; it was the silent alarm she had set.
Lin Muxue opened her eyes instantly, let out a soft sigh, threw back the covers, and sat up.
Her first action was to grab the phone and unlock the screen.
She first scanned for any unread ssages from Tang Song, then habitually opened the notes app and began quickly reviewing the day's schedule.
This was a habit she had developed after starting to learn from Director Jin. Every day's schedule was planned down to the minute.
After a quick glance, she finally put the phone down, got out of bed, and walked into the opulent, English-style bathroom.
Brush teeth, wash face, then begin a ticulous skincare routine in front of the mirror.
Foundation, eyebrows, lipstick...
She applied a simple yet effective workday makeup that brightened her complexion.
In the mirror, she looked radiant, her skin glowing. The initial confusion and tension from when she first arrived were gone from her eyes, replaced by a sharp, capable clarity forged by the intense schedule.
Today marked the fifteenth day since she left Tang Song and followed Director Jin to London.
A full half-month!
Heaven knows how she had gotten through these past two weeks.
From New York to London, her life had shed all leisure and play. Its content had transford into global financial briefings, business etiquette classes, asset managent case studies, and endless docunt reviews.
Director Jin's presence was like a sharp sword perpetually hanging over her head, keeping every nerve tense, allowing not a mont of slack.
Her entire being was in a state of heightened intensity.
But she had to admit, the growth under this pressure was absurdly fast.
What she had learned in these two weeks felt more substantial than what she had absorbed in the past three months.
It wasn't just that daily conversation had long since switched to English.
Those financial terms, complex contracts, and cross-border emails that used to give her a headache were now becoming increasingly manageable.
Judging by Director Jin's occasional hints, it shouldn't be long before she could "graduate and return to the team," back to Tang Song's side.
Thinking of this, Lin Muxue sighed at her reflection in the mirror.
*Sigh...*
As Tang Song's personal assistant, being away from him for so long...
Her little heart was about to lt into a puddle.
Next ti they t, she felt she could probably draw a map of the world's four oceans with her tears.
Patting her cheeks, Lin Muxue reached up and tousled her fluffy hair, trying to style it into sothing casually chic.
Then, she curved her lips upward, practicing a standard, not overly exaggerated, professional smile.
A new day was about to begin.
Co on, Luna! You're the best! ^_^
Entering the walk-in closet, she changed into a set of dark grey professional attire.
In the mirror, her eyes were clear, her posture straight, the very image of a standard, capable elite.
Lin Muxue couldn't resist raising her phone and recording a short morning vlog in the mirror.
She could edit and post it later when she had ti.
In fact, if it weren't for the mountain of pressure that was Director Jin, given the sights and scale of her "British tour," she felt she could post three or four non-repetitive videos a day.
From New York to London, the venues she entered and the people she t with Director Jin, combined with her own photogenic looks, were perfect material.
It wasn't appropriate to be too high-profile in real life, but occasionally curating an online persona and satisfying a little vanity was acceptable, right?
Leaving her room.
The living room on the second floor was quiet.
Lin Muxue tiptoed into the study, which was Director Jin's usual workspace.
She walked around to the back of the long desk piled with docunts, turned on the computer, and logged into the encrypted email.
In the inbox lay thousands of emails from all over the world.
Although it was Saturday and she could take it easier, for the vast capital empire of TangJin, there was essentially no pause button.
Her job was no longer simple forwarding, but filtering.
She needed to quickly scan through those dry English financial reports and project docunts, circling key data with a red pen: the latest changes in access policies for the European photovoltaic market, valuation loopholes in the core assets of a company targeted for acquisition, even the subtle shift in attitude of a certain European parliantarian in a public speech...
These were the things Director Jin had taught her to look for.
"Hoo..." Lin Muxue took a deep breath and began to read and take notes with focus.
Beside her hand lay a copy of "Macroeconomics" filled with notes, her current, non-negotiable "bedti reading" every night.
7:30 AM.
A neatly organized, well-highlighted "Weekend Global Financial News Digest" was already printed and placed squarely in the most prominent position at the center of Director Jin's desk.
Only after finishing all this did she relax slightly, turning and heading to the dining room.
Breakfast was already prepared.
Habitually, she picked up her phone and opened the cara.
The lens flipped, framing the misty view of Kensington Palace Gardens outside the window and a corner of the villa's minimalist yet luxurious dining room.
In the foreground were an English newspaper showing only the "Financial Tis" masthead and a cup of steaming, sugar-free Aricano.
The composition was cool, the lighting deliberate, filled with that top-tier elite atmosphere that made people feel "I don't understand, but it looks impressive."
Perfect!
While eating her breakfast, she opened her social dia feed and began composing a post.
Soon, a new update was posted.
[Good morning, London. Money never sleeps. Weekend mornings are for review and reflection. Recharging, ready for next week's new battles. Ps: Hoping for so good wine at the Barclays private soirée this afternoon. Cheers. (#coffee)]
Click send.
Almost instantly, likes and comnts began pouring in.
"Wow! Goddess is so aweso!"
"Is this the life of top-tier investnt banking? So high-end!"
"Luna sis, take with you!"
Looking at the screen filled with admiring and fawning comnts, a satisfied smile curled at the corner of Lin Muxue's lips.
In the past, she might have enthusiastically replied to each one.
But now, she just casually scrolled past without interacting.
Her perspective had long since changed.
Imdiately after, another social dia post caught her attention.
[Shirley: [Picture] (An extrely high-quality close-up of a tal work badge engraved with: Xuanji Optical World · Chief Ecosystem Officer - Shen Yuyan)]
Caption: [What's past is prologue. Thank you for the company's trust. A new station, Xuanji Optical World. Ps: Many friends have been privately ssaging lately asking about my situation. The handover has been too busy to reply to everyone individually. Here, I'd like to thank everyone for your concern. Stay true to the original aspiration, forge ahead with determination.]
Lin Muxue's heart skipped a beat.
In the past, Shen Yuyan's social dia feed was famously "asexually cold and detached."
Even when she originally jumped ship to beco a special assistant at Rongliu Capital, she hadn't posted anything boastful.
That woman's mind ran deep, always deliberately lying low, afraid of giving anyone a handle.
But now...
She was so blatantly, so ostentatiously flaunting her new position's work badge?
Even using this kind of humble-bragging tone to respond to friends' concern?
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
This posture was clearly announcing to the outside world: she was secure.
Lin Muxue knew this old rival too well.
For soone like Shen Yuyan, who wouldn't release the eagle without seeing the rabbit, if she didn't have so substantive, irreversible, deep progress with Tang Song, she would absolutely not dare to be this high-profile.
Had she... succeeded?!
That damnable Scheming Yuyan!
Taking advantage of being out of the country, sneaking in and feasting on Tang Song's flesh all by herself!!
She was probably even handling so of *her* work on the side.
Lin Muxue angrily stabbed the sausage on her plate with her fork. The once-delicious breakfast instantly lost its appeal.
Right at that mont.
A series of light, rhythmic footsteps, accompanied by low conversation, ca from the direction of the gym down the hallway.
Lin Muxue's heart tightened. She swiftly switched back into her proper, professional "Luna mode," put down her knife and fork, and stood up.
At the end of her line of sight, two figures in form-fitting workout clothes were walking side by side.
Director Jin wore a set of custom-made charcoal-black workout gear. The tailored, high-tech fabric perfectly hugged her golden-ratio figure, which had not an ounce of excess fat, only tight, fluid lines.
A few strands of sweat trickled down her slender neck and collarbone, exuding a kind of cool, disciplined, and sophisticated healthiness.
Even fresh from her workout, the aura around her remained so powerful it was almost intimidating.
Beside her, Wen Ruan wore a grey-green long-sleeved top paired with high-waisted black leggings.
Her E-cup bust and peach-shaped rear wobbled tantalizingly with each step.
Her curves were full and intensely defined, like an exaggerated hourglass figure from a Korean webtoon.
"Director Jin, Sister Wen Ruan. Good morning."
Lin Muxue quickly stepped forward to greet them, a perfectly asured smile on her face, handing over disinfected towels.
"Morning, Luna." Wen Ruan responded with a smile, her body radiating the unique post-workout flush and warmth, mature and voluptuous.
The three of them took their seats.
The villa's butler and staff imdiately approached, serving the two won their specially prepared fat-loss, muscle-gain breakfasts:
low-temperature slow-cooked salmon, avocado and spinach salad, and two glasses of specially blended vegetable and fruit juices.
Secretary Jin took a sip of warm water, her gaze sweeping over Lin Muxue as she said in an even tone, "Luna, coordinate with Shangguan. Notify the flight crew this morning to apply for the flight route. Next Wednesday, we fly back to the Imperial Capital."
Lin Muxue's hand, which was buttering a piece of bread, paused. Her heart raced wildly, and joy nearly spilled from her eyes.
But she fiercely suppressed the urge to grin, striving to maintain composure: "Understood, Director Jin. Is it for the [Xuanji Optical World] headquarters inauguration ceremony?"
"Mhm." Secretary Jin set down her water glass. "The ceremony is next Friday. I need to be present. Wrap up the remaining tasks in London over the next few days. You can return to President Tang's side afterward. You've perford well."
"Thank you for the praise, Director Jin!"
Lin Muxue almost wanted to drop to her knees right then and there and shout "Long live!"
Liberation! Going ho!
Shen Yuyan, you just wait, this Empress is returning to the palace to reclaim her throne!
Secretary Jin gave a slight nod, neither approving nor disapproving of her excitent.
Then, she turned her head, her gaze settling on Wen Ruan, who was eating her salad beside her. "Wen Ruan, the first phase of your visiting scholar program in London is also nearing its end. It's just right to take my private jet back together. We can discuss the future collaboration between [Nebula International] and [Xuanji Optical World] in the dia sector on the way."
Wen Ruan's hand holding the fork tightened slightly, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
But looking into those eyes that seed to see through everything, her heart was a tumult of mixed feelings.
Clearly, Director Jin knew about Su Yu's little maneuver.
To be honest, she really would have liked to fly back with Su Yu.
For no other reason than that while Director Jin was beautiful, she was also aloof and untouchable.
But now, having accepted so much resource tilt and favor from Director Jin, she had absolutely no grounds to refuse this kind of "convenient" invitation.
"No trouble at all," Secretary Jin seed to see through her thoughts, the corner of her lips curving upward as she added aningfully, "Ultimately, we are all on the sa side."
From then on, the conversation at the table naturally shifted back to work, mainly focusing on [Nebula International]'s overseas layout. The atmosphere was professional and efficient.
Shangguan Qiuyas approached respectfully and gently placed a phone beside Secretary Jin's hand. "Director Jin, your phone. There are unread ssages."
Secretary Jin gave a slight nod, her expression calm as she picked up the phone.
A light tap of her fingertip unlocked the screen.
The mont her gaze fell on the screen, her breath hitched almost imperceptibly, but her face remained impassive.
[Tang Song]: [Heart emoji] [Hug emoji]
[Tang Song]: "Up? It's Saturday, relax a bit. London's fog is too heavy, easily dampens the mood. If you miss , or if you're just bored, ssage anyti."
[Tang Song]: Love you (sticker)
Looking at these lines, a subtle warmth mixed with a tingling sensation quietly shot through her heart.
Secretary Jin's fingertip hovered over the screen for half a second.
While continuing to listen to Wen Ruan discuss so data point, she typed a quick reply with one hand: "Just finished morning exercise, having breakfast. Thank you for your concern, President Tang."
Lately, Tang Song's mouth seed to have been dipped in honey, sickeningly sweet.
From ti to ti, he would send so high-EQ flirting lines, or report on the weather in Yancheng, inquire about her als, and even share snippets of his daily life.
He was just too considerate.
For her, this feeling was extrely novel and interesting.
She, who used to only receive reports, had now also developed the habit of occasionally swiping open her phone to check ssages.
After a mont's thought, she put down her knife and fork.
With a composed expression, she opened the cara, found a perfect angle, and took a slightly more casual, yet still breathtakingly beautiful "boyfriend's perspective" selfie.
Click send.
The entire process was smooth and seamless, appearing completely normal. To an onlooker, it would seem like she was rely replying to a work email.
"Buzz buzz—"
[Tang Song]: "That's a bit against the rules, beautiful, dear Ms. Smile."
This laugh seed particularly abrupt in the quiet dining room where only the slight clinking of cutlery could be heard.
Realizing her lapse, Secretary Jin imdiately reined in her expression. Her long eyelashes lowered slightly as she turned the phone screen down and gently placed it on the pristine white tablecloth.
But upon closer inspection, one could notice her expression had softened considerably. She even cracked a witty joke with Lin Muxue.
......
Beside them.
Wen Ruan picked up her glass, took a sip of the green vegetable and fruit juice, and slightly lowered her eyelids, masking the peculiar look on her face.
She subtly angled her own phone and glanced at the screen.
The screen was lit, still lingering on her chat interface with Tang Song.
[Tang Song]: "Miss you so much, Zhuang Zhuang. The air in Yancheng doesn't even sll sweet without you here. When you get back, you have to make it up to properly."
[Wen Ruan]: "Hmph, cut the crap. Are you lacking little lovers in Yancheng? Why don't you say you'll co find after you go to Shen City? Afraid your Bai Yueguang will feel uncomfortable? When I get to Shen City, I'm pulling Zhang Yan over first, and I'll sleep with her! I'll even send you a little video then, useless boyfriend. [Wicked laugh]"
[Tang Song]: "You can add . The three of us together could just play Landlord."
[Wen Ruan]: "What's fun about Landlord? Open up your horizons, little brother! How about pulling your Bai Yueguang over? Then we can make a full table for Mahjong. East, West, South, North winds. Whoever loses has to move on top by themselves. How about it? Tempted? Dare you?"
[Wen Ruan]: "Tsk~ I gave you the chance, but you're the one who's can't handle it. [Mocking] Nyeh nyeh nyeh]"
That dog-man Tang Song was absolutely chatting with multiple won simultaneously.
And it probably wasn't limited to Director Jin; it might even include Su Yu.
This playboy really had so skills!
Co to think of it, his mouth really had sothing to it, both loved and feared.
Wen Ruan couldn't help but press her thighs together, a restless itch in her heart.
She really wanted to fly over right now and rub his face against... down there!
She was practically dying of craving!
However, she had also noticed that Tang Song was getting more and more formidable.
At the beginning, she could still rely on trash talk to gain the upper hand.
Last ti at Shengyuan Fine Neighborhood.
Even with Xiao Jing and Yanqing there, she had ended up being taught a harsh lesson in the end.
If it were a one-on-one fight... *tsk*, the scene was too beautiful to imagine.
It seed... she really needed to consider finding a reliable ally?
Employ so tactical coordination?
The mont this thought erged, Su Yu's previous words, half-teasing, half-provocative, suddenly jumped into her mind.
Her mind involuntarily conjured up the female superstar's cool and peerlessly beautiful face, her perfect comic-book figure, and that voice praised as "kissed by God."
The scene of Su Yu, drunk and transcendent, back in Modu was still deeply imprinted in her mory, having given her a massive impact.
It was hard to imagine what kind of maddening spectacle such an ethereal, otherworldly beauty would present in bed.
Thinking about it really made her itch to try...
Wen Ruan sharply shook her head, rubbing her own flushed cheeks.
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