novelraw Chapter 219: Tangzong Entertainment and the Fearsome Little Xue
Chapter 219: Tangzong Entertainment and the Fearsome Little Xue
The streetlights emitted a dim, yellow glow.
The bustling flow of people and cars never ceased.
Click, click, click… The rhythmic clatter of high heels echoed on the pavement.
Lin Muxue, wearing Valentino triple-ring stilettos, stood nearly 1.8 meters tall. Her impeccable figure and calm demeanor exuded confidence. She casually looped her fingers through the handles of a Hermès Birkin bag, her body draped in a sensual Louis Vuitton dress. Her upright posture and elegance were accentuated by her long, straight legs that gleamed under the light.
She was standing in the Bund district, where history and modernity intertwined.
She seemed like a modern woman straight out of an old-time movie, radiating independence and confidence unique to women of the present day, drawing every eye her way.
“Ms. Lin, I’ll park the car nearby. Call me if you need anything.” The driver, with his stern features, gently closed the car door and bowed slightly.
Lin Muxue tilted her head faintly, nodding lightly. “Mm.”
Nearby, a few people who had been chatting about Xu An and Zhang Chengjun gradually fell silent.
The three women standing by the roadside slightly opened their mouths, staring in astonishment at the Little Xue who had just stepped out of a Maybach.It was still the same person, yet something felt completely different.
When Lin Muxue used to hang out with them, no matter how much she tried to show off, it always came across as hollow.
But now, she exuded a sense of genuine confidence.
Decked out in luxury brands, complemented by the upscale car and personal driver, she truly seemed like a real socialite.
“Zichu, Weiwei, Chenchen, good evening.” Lin Muxue smiled faintly as she strolled up to the trio, looking down at them with a condescending gaze.
These three women were, after all, "old acquaintances." They had met back when Lin Muxue worked as a part-time model.
Even among “fake socialites,” there were distinctions.
Lin Muxue fell into the category of office workers or influencers who, motivated by vanity or social networking needs, built a facade of affluence through luxury purchases (real or fake) and participation in elite gatherings.
Her “old friends,” however, were freelancers who crafted their socialite personas to elevate their perceived worth by flaunting their upscale lifestyles. They often flitted across China’s major cities, occasionally running into Lin Muxue for joint outings.
Because these women earned high incomes and spent extravagantly, they often looked down on Lin Muxue’s thriftiness. From time to time, they would mock her in group chats or even face-to-face.
“Good evening, Little Xue.” The three gave her a simple greeting, their gazes darting over the subtle details of her outfit.
The Vacheron Constantin watch on her wrist, the Bulgari necklace around her neck…
D**n! Could this stuff actually be real? ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel★fire.net
Lin Muxue “hmphed” inwardly, the corners of her mouth twitching upward in delight.
Yu Ge’s eyes sparkled as he stared intently at the newly arrived woman, his gaze brimming with excitement.
What an absolute stunner!
Compared to her, Weiwei and the other two paled in every way.
Beyond just her figure and appearance, it was her aura that set her apart.
He nudged his good buddy Xu An with his shoulder, waggling his eyebrows meaningfully in Lin Muxue’s direction.
This was a surprise find for the evening.
With a celebrity like Xu An in tow, there might actually be a chance to reel her in.
After all, she was hanging out with Weiwei’s group, so there had to be an opening.
Yu Ge patted Weiwei’s shoulder enthusiastically, his excitement evident. “Weiwei, is this beauty a friend of yours? Come on, let’s all go for a drink together!”
Lin Muxue raised an elegant brow. “And who are these two?”
“They’re friends of Weiwei’s, Yu Ge and Xu An,” Chenchen replied proactively.
Xu An removed his sunglasses with a slight motion, raised his head, and waved with a smile. “Hello, I’m Xu An.”
His features were soft yet handsome, his height around 1.8 meters. Dressed in a gray casual shirt, his tall and lean figure appeared well-proportioned.
As an entertainer, his physique, fashion sense, and grooming were all on point, with no glaring flaws.
When he straightened his posture and removed his sunglasses, he looked strikingly attractive.
Weiwei and the other two were visibly intrigued.
Faced with a man of this caliber, they wouldn’t mind making a move themselves.
Lin Muxue merely nodded indifferently before shifting her gaze away.
Yu Ge’s eyebrows shot up, and he chuckled. “Miss, you don’t recognize him?”
“Oh? No, I don’t.” Lin Muxue’s tone remained calm.
She wasn’t the type to swoon over looks. Sure, Xu An was handsome, but what did that have to do with her?
Yu Ge’s mouth twitched. This woman seemed tough to crack—so aloof!
Beside him, Chenchen added, “Xu An’s a celebrity. He plays the second male lead in the currently trending drama Pear Blossoms Before Snow.”
When Lin Muxue heard this, her eyes flickered slightly, and she turned her gaze toward Xu An.
A celebrity?
She rarely watched dramas or followed stars, so she wasn’t familiar with these things.
Still, if he was a celebrity, she could always snap a couple of pictures later to flaunt.
Noticing her curious look, Xu An smiled and winked.
Handsome, well-built, and a professional entertainer, he was brimming with confidence in himself at the moment.
“Let’s go! With such a lively crowd tonight, we have to drink a little more!” Yu Ge rallied everyone, leading them to the entrance.
The group passed through an artistic gateway and took the elevator straight to the 7th floor.
The moment they entered the bar, a red ambiance of desire, passion, and temptation engulfed them. Seductive paintings on the walls and table designs mimicking high heels added a unique charm to the space.
Dynamic music filled the air, and dazzling lights danced in interlocking patterns.
Lin Muxue took the lead, stepping out onto the enormous terrace.
Looking out, the full splendor of the Bund unfolded before her eyes.
The soft, deep red lights intertwined with shimmering golden hues, painting the space with a hazy, dreamy atmosphere. It was as if the surroundings themselves came with a built-in beauty filter.
The group settled into a booth, a gentle breeze from the river brushing past.
Lin Muxue placed her bag close to her side, lightly flicked her wavy hair, and tilted her delicate face upward, seemingly aglow with a radiant light.
Her dazzling Bulgari diamond necklace, striking Vacheron Constantin watch, delicate and exquisite features, and elegant, curvaceous figure instantly made her the center of attention.
She drew many admiring glances from the crowd.
Yu Ge couldn’t hide his envy, nudging Xu An with his shoulder and whispering in his ear, “Man, this woman is a total knockout. Didn’t you strike out with that big-chested classmate tonight? If you can score with this Little Xue, I guarantee you’ll forget all about her.”
Xu An licked his lips, his heart fluttering as he stared at the alluring and elegant Lin Muxue.
Earlier today, his high school crush and long-time “White Moonlight,” Cheng Qiuqiu, had come to Shanghai. Xu An had gone out of his way to clear his schedule and spent the entire day showing her around.
After dropping her off at her hotel in the evening, he had tried to segue into staying for a chat and a nostalgic stroll down memory lane.
He had assumed that, given their history and his current achievements, things would naturally progress to the next level.
But to his surprise, she flat-out rejected him.
So here he was at the bar with Li Shengyu, looking for some fun.
Unexpectedly, he had encountered this stunning beauty. Her figure and poise were exceptional, radiating the aura of a high-class, well-educated woman—a perfect "White Rich Beauty." She sparked a strong sense of conquest within him.
The three women nearby were also green with envy.
Chenchen said sourly, “Little Xue, let us take a look at your Hermès bag, will you?”
She was quite knowledgeable about Hermès bags. One of her ex-boyfriends had bought her a second-hand Hermès bag once, and she still flaunted it every chance she got.
Now, she was itching to verify whether Little Xue’s bag was real or fake.
The idea that Lin Muxue, known for her thriftiness, could suddenly afford such luxuries was unbearable. She wanted to dig deeper to see if all these expensive items were legitimate—especially since Little Xue had a history of buying counterfeit goods.
“Sure.” Lin Muxue glanced at them with a smile and handed over the bag.
The three women huddled together, carefully examining it.
Their expressions became increasingly vivid as they scrutinized the item.
They were seasoned luxury enthusiasts, well-versed in identifying the real from the fake. Seeing the actual piece, they quickly determined the truth.
The top-tier leather had a unique fragrance, with a full and lustrous grain.
Hermès leather goods were hand-stitched, with high precision in every detail. The Birkin 30 featured distinctive twill stitches that flowed naturally, with perfectly aligned and subtle needlework.
From the hardware to the engravings, the gold-stamped logo, and the chevre leather lining...
After a thorough inspection, they were 100% convinced—it was genuine!
“Little Xue, let’s see your watch too. This Overseas 2305V—I saw a friend’s once, but not in the rose gold version,” Zichu said, swallowing hard as her voice turned dry.
Seeing their reactions, Lin Muxue couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement, even as her brow twitched slightly.
She raised her snow-white wrist and gracefully unclasped the watch.
After a moment’s thought, she didn’t hand it to them directly. Instead, she held it out for them to see up close.
This watch had been a gift from Tang Song. It was a matching “couple’s watch” with his, carrying great sentimental value. If one of these petty women left a scratch on it, she’d be devastated.
Soon, the three women’s eyes reddened with envy, their faces full of jealousy and longing.
The authenticity of these two most expensive items left little doubt about the rest.
This was a brand-new Hermès Birkin 30! With additional purchase requirements, it would have cost at least 300,000 yuan to get one.
And that Overseas watch? It was worth 230,000 yuan!
The combined value of their own outfits didn’t even match the cost of Lin Muxue’s watch alone.
Lin Muxue pulled out her phone and waved at the group. “The weather’s great today, and the view is amazing. Let’s take a group photo!”
Chenchen and the others reluctantly crowded around. Lin Muxue opened her camera app and pressed the shutter. Click!
The backdrop of the sparkling Bund and the glittering skyscrapers of Lujiazui framed her as she stood at the center, smiling radiantly.
She uploaded the photo to the “Socialite Group” chat, adding:
“Had a lovely time checking in at Bund 18’s bar with @Chenchen, @Zichu, and @Weiwei. Such a beautiful view!”
She then slipped her phone back into her bag, ignoring the lively discussion erupting in the chat.
Picking up her bright orange-red cocktail, she took a deep sip, feeling utterly content.
Li Shengyu quickly raised his glass and said enthusiastically, “Come on, Little Xue! Drinking alone is boring—let’s toast!”
His eyes were fixed on her, filled with undisguised desire.
But Lin Muxue ignored him entirely, as though she hadn’t heard him.
Li Shengyu’s expression stiffened with embarrassment.
Noticing this, Xu An patted his shoulder and smiled, holding up his own glass. “Let’s all drink together, the six of us. Tonight’s on me, ladies—drink as much as you want!”
“Thanks, Xu Ge.” “Thank you!”
Clink, clink, clink! The sound of glasses toasting rang out.
Lin Muxue gave Xu An face and joined the toast, which made Li Shengyu curse inwardly even as he kept his expression neutral.
The group chatted about the bar’s performances and the surroundings, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.
After some internal debate, Chenchen, Zichu, and Weiwei shamelessly borrowed Lin Muxue’s Hermès bag to take pictures.
They also snapped several close-up selfies with Xu An.
Soon, these photos were shared on their WeChat Moments and Douyin profiles.
It wasn’t often they got to mingle with celebrities, even a relatively unknown one like Xu An was enough material to boast about for a while.
“Little Xue, how about we take a picture together?” Xu An leaned casually against the railing and winked at her.
Lin Muxue nodded, handing her phone to Chenchen before joining him at the railing. She leaned back slightly, resting her arms behind her.
The river breeze swept through her hair, making her look especially enchanting.
When Xu An moved closer to her, she raised an eyebrow and subtly used her Birkin 30 to place a barrier between them.
Xu An’s lips twitched, a flash of awkwardness and irritation crossing his face.
Since his college days, no girl had ever treated him like this. Still, the challenge only fueled his desire to conquer her.
After the photos were taken, Lin Muxue cheerfully reviewed them.
Earlier, she’d quickly looked up Xu An online and discovered he did have some fame. With over a million Douyin followers, he wasn’t a bad tool for gaining some exposure.
Of course, as someone with a “heart already taken,” she had no intention of getting closer to him. Even in the photos, she had deliberately maintained her distance. It was just an ordinary “fan meets celebrity” check-in shot.
As the night deepened, the dazzling red lights on the terrace intertwined with the neon brilliance of Lujiazui across the river.
The bar’s atmosphere reached its peak.
The focus of their booth gradually shifted to Xu An.
He began recounting his filming experiences, occasionally spilling bits of gossip about other celebrities.
The women at the table, especially Chenchen, Zichu, and Weiwei, were utterly captivated, chattering excitedly.
Even Lin Muxue found herself intrigued.
After all, she was just an ordinary person with limited exposure to such insider stories.
Seeing her interested expression, Xu An’s smile grew wider.
He felt confident that, with his charm, he could win over this cold and aloof Little Xue after a few more interactions.
At that moment, Li Shengyu suddenly nudged Xu An and leaned closer, speaking in a low, nervous voice. “Xu An, I think I just saw our Director Zhang.”
Xu An’s grip on his wine glass tightened. “Where?”
“Forty-five degrees to the left, not far from us. She must’ve just arrived.”
Xu An lifted his head and spotted a woman nearby dressed in stylish, casual clothing. She appeared to be in her thirties, well-maintained, with chic, medium-length hair.
Across from her sat another woman, whose back was to them. Her long hair was elegantly pinned up, and she wore a semi-professional outfit that gave off a graceful air.
“It really is Director Zhang!” Xu An’s heart skipped a beat.
Both he and Li Shengyu were signed artists under Qianmo Media.
Xu An was relatively fortunate, having landed the role of the second male lead in Pear Blossoms Before Snow right before graduation, which had garnered him moderate fame.
With his strong singing abilities, he was now being positioned as one of Qianmo Media’s key talents.
Zhang Xiaoli, the director of the artist management department, was his direct superior. His contracts and resources were almost entirely under her control.
Chenchen, perceptive as ever, noticed the two men’s unease and asked curiously, “What’s wrong, Xu Ge, Yu Ge? Is something going on?”
Li Shengyu forced a smile and replied, “We’ve run into someone important from our company.”
Weiwei asked in astonishment, “Huh? What bigshot? Are they a celebrity too?”
She and the others had just heard Xu An and Li Shengyu mention Qianmo Media. While it wasn’t a major company, two of its contracted artists were B-list stars.
“Heh, not a celebrity,” Li Shengyu said with a touch of smugness, unable to resist showing off. “But she’s the one who discovered Guo Ruoheng.”
“Guo Ruoheng!?”
“Seriously?”
The four women gasped in excitement.
Guo Ruoheng was currently a red-hot A-list celebrity. His latest film had just topped the box office, and he was a regular guest on a hugely popular national variety show.
His name frequently trended on Weibo and Douyin. He was undeniably one of the most sought-after stars of the moment.
Even Lin Muxue, who didn’t follow celebrities, often came across his videos online.
“Of course, it’s true!” Li Shengyu chuckled and went on to name a few other celebrities. “Our Director Zhang is a well-known agent in the industry. She used to work at Tangzong Entertainment before switching to Qianmo Media last year as the Head of Artist Management.”
“Tangzong Entertainment? Su Yu’s company?”
“No wonder it sounded so familiar! Guo Ruoheng is also under that company!”
Li Shengyu took a sip of his drink and continued, “That’s the one—Tangzong Entertainment, the top entertainment company in the country. Director Zhang even worked on Su Yu’s management team. But since you’re all outsiders, you don’t understand how impressive that is.”
“One of Su Yu’s managers?”
“Holy sh**! That’s incredible!”
The girls’ eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
Who was Su Yu? She was undoubtedly the biggest name in the country—an actress, singer, and beauty queen, known as the most stunning face in Asia-Pacific. She was also a co-owner of Tangzong Entertainment.
Often referred to as “a masterpiece of Nuwa,” Su Yu was every girl’s unreachable dream.
Even Lin Muxue licked her lips, her heart racing for the first time at the thought of being so close to someone of such importance.
Xu An patted Li Shengyu’s shoulder and said in a low voice, “Shengyu, let’s go say hello.”
He wasn’t sure if Director Zhang had noticed him earlier, but to be safe, it was best to go over and offer a toast.
“Let’s do it!” Li Shengyu nodded, grabbing a Mojito and standing up.
Glancing at Lin Muxue’s expression, his lips curled into a sly grin.
Still playing it cold, huh? Heh.
Maybe one day, when I make it big, let’s see if you dare ignore me then.
The two men stepped out of the booth and headed toward the direction of Director Zhang.
The four women eagerly turned their gazes to follow.
They watched as Xu An approached a short-haired woman with a big, respectful smile, speaking deferentially. Beside him, Li Shengyu bent forward with a fawning grin.
When Lin Muxue saw the figure sitting across from Director Zhang, she frowned, feeling a sense of familiarity.
Then she shook her head.
She was realistic about her social circle. In Shanghai, she mostly interacted with “fake socialites,” and back in Yan City, it was just office colleagues.
There was no way she knew someone of this caliber.
“Do you think Xu An can get tickets to Su Yu’s concert?” Chenchen asked excitedly. “I mean, he knows someone who used to manage her!”
“I doubt it. The tickets sold out ages ago, and there haven’t been any resales or insider passes mentioned.”
“Well, we could ask him later. You never know.”
Lin Muxue’s heart stirred.
She was based in Yan City. If she managed to score a Su Yu concert ticket, it wouldn’t just give her bragging rights. She could also create a video about it, which might even go viral.
And as a bonus, it would give her a chance to show off to her high school classmates back in Yan City.
At that moment, Xu An returned briskly, his face flushed and his hands trembling nervously.
He didn’t say a word, simply put down his empty glass, grabbed another drink, and headed back toward Director Zhang’s table.
The four women exchanged puzzled glances.
This time, they watched as Xu An stood beside the woman sitting across from Director Zhang, bowed slightly, and offered her a toast.
The woman turned her head slightly, lifting her glass to take a small sip.
When Lin Muxue saw her profile, her mind went blank with a loud “buzz.”
No wonder the back looked so familiar—she actually knew this middle-aged woman!
She racked her brain to recall and was instantly struck by a memory.
“Ms. Zhao, Ms. Lin, I’m your assistant for this trip, Su Zhuyun.” (Chapter 216)
This was the assistant from the trust company who had picked her up at the airport and delivered three Hermès bags on behalf of “Ms. Su.”
Lin Muxue had always assumed Su Zhuyun was just a low-level staff member, someone who didn’t warrant much attention.
But… how could she be so well-acquainted with Qianmo Media’s Artist Director, even commanding enough respect to make Xu An bow to her?
Had she remembered wrong? Was it just someone who looked like her?
But the build, the facial features, the demeanor—they matched perfectly!
The more Lin Muxue thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed, her head spinning with confusion.
Not far away, Xu An and Li Shengyu said their goodbyes, bowed slightly, and began walking back toward the booth.
The middle-aged woman who had been facing away from them turned around just in time to meet Lin Muxue’s gaze.
She smiled gently and gave a small nod.
Hiss~! Lin Muxue bit down hard on her lower lip, frozen in place.
It’s her! It really is her!
But how…?
Back at the booth, Li Shengyu, his face still flushed with excitement, slammed his glass down onto the table. “Not only was our Director Zhang there, but also one of the senior executives from Tangzong Entertainment’s Artist Management Department!”
“That’s the woman with her hair up?”
“Yep, she’s a true big shot—even Director Zhang was incredibly respectful toward her.”
Lin Muxue slumped into the booth, her lips tightly pressed together, her mind buzzing incessantly. She couldn’t form a coherent thought.
Tangzong Entertainment! The entertainment company with the highest commercial success in China!
During her time at Rongxin Venture Capital, she had often heard the investment team discussing it.
If she had been reborn back in 2017, one of the best ways to make a fortune would have been to invest in Tangzong Entertainment.
In just six years, it had grown from a struggling Series A startup to an industry behemoth.
Its shareholders included top domestic and international investment groups like Jingwu Capital, Smile Capital, and KAIT Trust.
How could a manager from such a colossal company possibly be working as a “trust company assistant”?
It didn’t make sense!
At that moment, Xu An and Li Shengyu suddenly shot to their feet.
“Director Zhang! Ms. Su!”
The four women turned their heads to see two middle-aged women walking toward them. Startled, they quickly stood as well.
The only one who remained seated, head still lowered in a daze, was Lin Muxue.
Su Zhuyun stood with her hands at her sides, her voice calm yet strong. “Good evening, Ms. Lin. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
In an instant, all eyes were on Lin Muxue.
Xu An, Chenchen, and the others froze in shock, their expressions stiff.
Lin Muxue bit her lip hard, slowly coming to her senses as a flush crept across her face. Fortunately, the red lighting on the terrace helped conceal it.
Whatever sudden revelation this was about Su Zhuyun’s identity didn’t matter—there was nothing more important right now than maintaining appearances.
She steadied her emotions and stood up, feigning composure. “Oh, so it’s Assistant Su! No wonder you looked so familiar earlier. Good evening.”
Su Zhuyun’s gaze lingered on Lin Muxue for a moment, her eyes sweeping over the Hermès bag in her hand. She smiled. “I was just out relaxing with some friends tonight and happened to see you. Care to join us for a drink?”
Her demeanor was warm, courteous, and genuine.
Lin Muxue felt like she was floating, her vanity soaring to new heights. She unconsciously lifted her chin, reveling in an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.
Everyone around her was dumbstruck, frozen in place.
The bar’s DJ switched to an intense BGM, the rhythm building to a crescendo.
Seeing the slack-jawed, disbelieving faces of her “old friends,” Lin Muxue couldn’t help but mentally add her own dramatic narration:
“Behold, the terrifying Emperor Muxue!”
Her confidence burned like a flame.
She smoothed back her wind-blown hair, her expression gradually turning cold and commanding.
Bring it on! This season, Lin Muxue is unstoppable!
She chuckled softly and said, “Alright, let’s have a drink together.”
Her high heels clicked against the floor as she swayed her slim waist, leaving the booth to join Su Zhuyun.
Xu An and Li Shengyu exchanged glances, both seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes.
They didn’t recognize this Ms. Su, but from Director Zhang’s introduction, she was clearly a major figure in Tangzong Entertainment’s Artist Management Department.
And Tangzong Entertainment wasn’t some small operation like Qianmo Media. It was the “golden daddy” of the entire industry, the pinnacle every artist dreamed of reaching.
This Little Xue has a terrifying background!
Xu An’s eyes gleamed, his heartbeat quickening.
If he could establish a connection here, his path to stardom would be secure!
Su Zhuyun poured Lin Muxue a glass of wine. “Ms. Lin, do you still remember our General Manager Mo?”
“General Manager Mo? Which General Manager Mo?” Lin Muxue’s face showed genuine confusion.
Su Zhuyun smiled faintly and pulled a business card from her pocket, handing it over. “It seems Ms. Lin has a selective memory.”
Lin Muxue took the card with surprise, her expression freezing as her body went cold.
Tangzong Entertainment Co., Ltd.
CEO, Mo Xiangwan