novelraw Chapter 220: Shanghai, The Magic City
Chapter 220: Shanghai, The Magic City
Mo Xiangwan… Mo Xiangwan!
For Lin Muxue, this name had only come up once.
If it weren’t related to the Slover Trust family trust, she probably would have forgotten it entirely.
“Ms. Zhao, I am the witness for today’s signing, Mo Xiangwan.”
That day, standing alongside Zhao Yaqian and witnessing what she had long dreamed of, was a scene that often replayed in Lin Muxue’s mind—even in her dreams.
Mo Xiangwan had been the representative from the trust company, while Lin Muxue had been there as Zhao Yaqian’s invited witness.
Compared to Qin Yingsnow, Mo Xiangwan hadn’t left as vivid an impression, perhaps because Qin knew the chairman of her company personally.
She only vaguely remembered Mo’s confident presence and her piercingly bright eyes.
At the time, she had assumed Mo Xiangwan was just another senior employee invited by the company and hadn’t thought much of it.
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined Mo Xiangwan was the CEO of Tangzong Entertainment—a true social elite, standing at the very pinnacle of society.Mo’s every word and action held the power to shape public opinion, influence industry trends, or even steer societal movements.
No wonder the treatment from the trust company had been so impeccable!
A Maybach, business-class flights, ultra-luxury hotels, exclusive Hermès events, and the Shanghai International Film Festival…
Even the assistant who picked them up, Su Zhuyun, turned out to be a highly influential figure.
All of this was tailored for the elite of society. Lin Muxue and Yaqian had, in effect, experienced the lifestyle of A-list celebrities.
If Tangzong Entertainment had been behind it, everything made sense.
And then there was the presence of Luo Bin and Qin Yingsnow that day.
A shiver ran through Lin Muxue. It seemed like they weren’t ordinary figures either!
She, just a lowly receptionist at a small finance company in Yan City, never imagined she would unknowingly cross paths with such influential individuals.
And what about Tang Song?
Her long, slender fingers gripped her thigh tightly, her face alternating between red and pale.
She had originally assumed he was just a second-generation heir dabbling in entrepreneurship for the experience. Now it was clear that wasn’t the case at all.
For a mistress to have her contract included in a family trust deal involving such powerful players…
His status and connections far exceeded anything she had imagined.
If that was true, winning him over was going to be exponentially more difficult.
Heavens above, pity me! All I wanted was to be a glamorous kept woman!
Tang Song, with a net worth of over a billion dollars, had always seemed just out of reach—a fantasy she couldn’t quite grasp.
Now that his status had been elevated even further, the value of the trust fund had skyrocketed along with it.
This was like fighting across dimensions!
Smack! Lin Muxue gritted her teeth and slapped her thigh in frustration.
D**n it! Why couldn’t I have taken a chance at that investment exchange?
She clenched her fists, her thoughts in disarray.
I knew I liked his type from the very start!
Su Zhuyun didn’t say much at first, observing Lin Muxue’s every move with her wine glass in hand.
After a while, she raised her glass with a faint smile. “Ms. Lin, I’d like to propose a toast to you.”
Snapping back to reality, Lin Muxue felt her mouth go dry. She licked her lips nervously and clinked glasses with Su before downing her cocktail in one gulp.
Her voice wavered with uncertainty. “S-Su… Ms. Su, of course, I remember Ms. Mo. Someone as exceptional as her is hard to forget.”
Though she had no idea why Mo Xiangwan’s name was brought up, one thing was clear: compliments never hurt. At the very least, they left a good impression.
Su Zhuyun’s smile widened, radiant but deliberate. “During the trust company’s qualification review, it was initially not recommended for Ms. Zhao to bring you along. However, because Ms. Mo spoke up, everything proceeded smoothly.”
For someone like Zhao Yaqian, they naturally wouldn’t dare interfere or impose—she was a beneficiary of Slover Trust, and their service was tailored to her needs.
But Lin Muxue?
She was just a minor player whose background they had thoroughly vetted. Her social circle included plenty of so-called “peripherals,” “fake socialites,” and “internet influencers.” Many of her connections were not exactly respectable.
“This…” Lin Muxue’s face turned pale, her lips tightening as she murmured, “Thank you, Ms. Mo.”
Her heart sank, a wave of disappointment and despair washing over her.
So even during the trust review, I wasn’t even deemed qualified to be Yaqian’s friend?
Does that mean I have no chance of ever becoming a beneficiary myself?
Thud!
Su Zhuyun placed her glass on the table with a soft but firm sound, her tone slightly more serious. “Ms. Lin, the three girls you came to the bar with tonight aren’t exactly clean. I suggest you keep Ms. Zhao away from them. If any issues arise, Ms. Mo will be deeply disappointed, and you won’t get another chance like this.”
Lin Muxue’s hands trembled, and she hastily explained, “Understood, understood. I’m not actually close to them. They’re more like online acquaintances. I’ve never been involved in anything messy.”
She did know a fair bit about Chenchen, Zichu, and Weiwei. Their personal lives were indeed chaotic, which was why they often ridiculed her in their group chat for not being “one of them.”
She had only come tonight to flaunt and humiliate them, not to build any genuine connection.
Noticing Lin Muxue’s reaction, Su Zhuyun smiled and said warmly, “Of course. Ms. Mo still thinks highly of you. I suggest you save her contact information. If you ever have any questions, you can reach out directly. She might even invite you to attend some high-end events in the future—to expand your horizons and build connections.”
Hiss~ Lin Muxue took a deep breath, barely containing her excitement. “Thank you, Ms. Mo, for her recognition.”
In this brief conversation, Lin Muxue felt like her emotions had been on a rollercoaster, plunging from despair to a soaring high.
She knew deep down that Ms. Mo was admonishing her while offering a sweet reward.
But the gap in their status was so vast that even a scolding felt like a privilege she couldn’t refuse.
After a few more drinks, the topic shifted. Su Zhuyun introduced Lin Muxue to Zhang Xiaoli and shared some insights about Shanghai’s unique culture and customs.
As the evening wore on, Lin Muxue gradually relaxed.
Her confidence returned, especially under the awed gazes of Chenchen, Xu An, and the others. No matter how deferential she had to be to people like Mo Xiangwan or Tang Song, here she had ample capital to flaunt.
Sitting with her legs elegantly crossed, she gently brushed her long hair back. With a Hennessy in hand, she carefully savored the drink, occasionally snapping photos on her phone.
She couldn’t help but admire how wealthy Su Zhuyun was—the drinks she ordered were all extraordinarily expensive.
The turbulence of the night, combined with the alcohol, led Lin Muxue to drink more than usual.
As the clock approached midnight, Lin Muxue gracefully stepped into the Maybach, waving lightly through the window as Chenchen, Xu An, and the others watched her depart.
The car disappeared into the shimmering streets of the Bund.
In the opulent Bulgari suite, the sound of Lin Muxue’s heels echoed rhythmically—click, click, click—as she swayed her slim waist and walked into the room.
She kicked off her high heels, carefully placed her beloved bag down, and collapsed onto the sofa in the living room.
Having drunk quite a bit, her face was flushed, her skin warm to the touch.
Phew… She exhaled deeply, trying to steady herself.
The room was dimly lit, with only the soft glow of ambient lighting.
Leaning back against the sofa, she gazed out at the breathtaking view beyond the window, her eyes dreamy and unfocused.
“...Tang Song… Tang Song…”
She murmured his name repeatedly, her thoughts drifting uncontrollably.
Unconsciously, she opened her phone and navigated to her photo gallery.
There, among her favorites, was a photo of Tang Song driving his Bentley.
It had been taken on the day he took her to Xingyue City for a luxury shopping spree—a day that felt like a dream, surreal and intoxicating.
Just like the vibrant, mysterious nights of Shanghai.
She stared at the photo in a daze, a silly smile spreading across her face. Follow current novels on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
As the alcohol took deeper hold, her head became foggy, her body tingling with warmth.
Looking at Tang Song’s tall and handsome figure in the photo, she imagined him standing before her.
Her hands started moving instinctively over herself, her mind spinning as her heartbeat quickened.
Reclining against the sofa, her eyes closed, she let the chaotic, thrilling sensations consume her.
Outside the window, the Bund appeared enigmatic and profound under the cloudy night sky.
The river’s surface flowed quietly under the dim light, its depths seemingly calm but accompanied by a faint, rumbling undertone.
June 9, 2023, Friday, Clear to Cloudy, 21℃~37℃
Running, jump rope, fat-burning exercises…
After finishing a full aerobic session, Tang Song’s Vigorous Energy activewear was completely drenched. Fortunately, the special effects bonus of the outfit ensured excellent breathability, keeping his body feeling fresh at all times.
Recently, with his improving physical condition, he had come to deeply appreciate the power of this gear. Every moment, he could feel the explosive energy coursing through his body, especially at the gym, where the effects were phenomenal.
The sound of water echoed as he stood under the shower, taking a quick rinse.
Tang Song stepped out and stood in front of the mirror, completely bare.
His physique was balanced and brimming with strength.
His upper body was broad and muscular, with smooth but not overly exaggerated muscle contours. His six-pack abs were becoming more defined, and his chest muscles had started to take shape.
His thighs were full and elastic, his calves long and powerful. Broad shoulders framed his form, and his well-defined shoulder blades rose and fell slightly with his breathing, exuding an air of calm confidence.
A wave of achievement washed over him as he clenched his fists excitedly.
The sight of his steadily improving self brought an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.
Though he credited the system’s tools, his persistence and discipline had played a significant role.
Thinking back to the days of his bloated figure, he realized just how far he had come.
His enhanced physique, stamina, and agility had built a strong and resilient body, even better than during his peak in high school.
Now, he eagerly anticipated the reaction of his “White Moonlight” when she saw him like this.
Though he had posted his weight loss progress in his social circle before, he knew there was a world of difference between being merely slim and having a great physique.
At breakfast:
Ding-dong!
A WeChat notification popped up on his phone.
Xu Qing: “So sorry! Yanyan has to go to Beijing today with some partners to visit an alumni’s company. She won’t be back until Sunday night, so we’ll have to reschedule dinner!”
Xu Qing: Kneeling in apology.jpg
Tang Song raised an eyebrow, surprised.
From what he knew, Shen Yuyan was very concerned about securing financing for Youjie Housekeeping.
He had been busy the past few days and finally reached out to Xu Qing to suggest a dinner gathering. He hadn’t expected Shen Yuyan to suddenly head off to Beijing.
Could she be meeting with a potential investor?
Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it.
Although he was eager to hone his investment skills through this small project, there was no rush.
With two hundred million in investment funds at his disposal, he was in no hurry to find opportunities.
He opened a ticketing app and booked a business-class high-speed rail ticket from Yan City to Shanghai at 3 p.m., with an expected arrival time at Hongqiao Station around 10 p.m.
He couldn’t wait to check out his Mystery Box of Physical Goods. Originally, he had planned to meet Shen Yuyan before heading out, but this change in plans simplified things.
Just as he finished booking, his phone buzzed again.
Xu Qing: “Are you mad? Why aren’t you replying?”
Tang Song smirked and deliberately ignored her.
Instead, he opened a chat with his junior, Yao Lingling, and sent her the sketches he had drawn last night for the Vigorous Energy Outfit.
He added:
“Lingling, here’s the sportswear I mentioned earlier. Thanks for the hard work!”
Now a professional fashion designer with her own assistant, Yao Lingling could finish the project quickly.
Ding-dong!
Xu Qing: “Don’t be mad! I didn’t mean to flake on you! It’s all Yanyan’s fault! I’ve already pinned her down and given her a good thrashing. Don’t be mad, okay?”
Tang Song thought for a moment before typing back:
“Not acceptable. Unless Xu Qing wears a maid outfit to apologize.”
A while later, as Tang Song finished dressing and was preparing to head downstairs:
Ding-dong!
Xu Qing: “You better keep your word!”
Xu Qing: Apology video.video
Tang Song’s eyes lit up as he eagerly opened the video.
The screen showed Xu Qing in a black-and-white lace maid outfit, half-kneeling on a bed. Her expression was pitiful as she softly said, “I’m sorry!”
Tang Song replayed the video several times, mentally giving his former university classmate a thumbs up.
She truly lived up to her reputation as a professional cosplayer—her expressions and movements were spot-on.
He replied:
“You’re forgiven. Oh, and Qingqing, next time you take photos, remember to include this outfit. It’s beautiful.”
As Xu Qing’s chat fell silent, Tang Song chuckled.
This Qingqing was truly amusing. Teasing her now and then felt incredibly refreshing.
30th Floor, Yunxi Tower
General Manager’s Office
A two-person high-level meeting was quietly underway, one that would determine the transformative changes ahead for Songmei Fashion.
“Dreamting, you can put the live-streaming plans on hold for now. Your main task moving forward is to implement this proposal and hire the necessary staff. In the early stages of a company’s development, a strong organizational structure significantly improves efficiency and responsiveness…”
Gao Mengting sat on the sofa, holding the Company Organizational Restructuring Plan that Tang Song had prepared. She listened intently but hesitated to speak several times.
When Tang Song finished, she bit her lip and said softly, “If that’s the case, we’ll need to recruit at least 60 more employees. Factoring in the warehouse and logistics, the company’s workforce might approach 100.”
“Exactly,” Tang Song affirmed. “This process will undoubtedly be complex because of the numbers involved. I’ve already reached out to Huo Wanjun from Bocai Yingrui Management Consulting Co., Ltd. They’ll assist us with recruitment, training, and setting up a solid HR framework.”
This Plan wasn’t conjured out of thin air. It was derived from the Feasibility Report Tool he had acquired, which outlined the complete structure of a mid-sized live-streaming e-commerce company.
With the support of Bocai Yingrui’s expertise, it was now just a matter of time.
Gao Mengting’s slender fingers rubbed the A4 sheets, her expression flickering between hesitation and resolve.
After a long pause, she bit her lip and said in a somewhat downcast tone, “Tang, are you planning to inject more capital into Songmei Fashion?”
Tang Song was momentarily stunned but nodded confidently. “Of course!”
In e-commerce, inventory was the most capital-intensive aspect, compounded by Douyin’s lengthy return on investment cycle.
Previously, the company had relied on a lean inventory model and Gao Mengting’s batch of products to achieve quick profitability.
However, to scale the company to the level described in the plan, at least three million yuan in bridge funding would be needed.
Hearing his answer, Gao Mengting took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, speaking with sincerity, “Let’s readjust the equity structure. I currently own 25% of the company shares. I’m willing to reduce my stake proportionally based on your additional capital injection. You can determine the company’s valuation.”
She had prepared herself mentally for this long ago.
In her original plan, the company would develop steadily for about a year before reinvesting accumulated profits to expand.
However, when Tang Song proposed simultaneously launching three live-streaming studios, she knew the company was on the brink of explosive growth.
She also believed in Songmei Fashion’s bright future.
Live-streaming e-commerce was one of the hottest business models of the moment.
With talented personnel, a robust supply chain, and a well-matched partner like Tang Song, she had confidence in taking the company to new heights—as long as the funding was sufficient.
But her greatest shortcoming as a shareholder was her lack of money. She couldn’t keep up with the company’s pace of development.
Seeing Gao Mengting’s resolute yet slightly dejected expression, Tang Song gently shook his head. “There’s no need for that. This money will be a personal loan to the company, recorded as such for a term of one year.”
He patted her shoulder with a smile. “I believe that a year from now, this sum won’t even be significant for the company.”
The 1,810-square-meter office space was nearly renovated, and the three live-streaming studios were about to go live.
With two hundred million yuan in investment capital at his disposal, Tang Song was confident he could propel the company forward without wasting time accumulating capital at a slower pace.
And with the Growth Plan Task, as well as Secretary Jin and Smile Holdings waiting to be unlocked, he felt an urgent sense of timing.
After a moment of silence, Gao Mengting bit her lip and said, “In that case, I voluntarily offer 10% of my shares as an employee incentive pool.”
“We don’t need to consider that just yet—it’s too early.” Tang Song suddenly reached out and pinched her soft cheek, his face full of smiles. “Keep it up, partner! Just do what you need to do, and I’ve got your back!”
Looking at Tang Song’s upright posture and reassuring words, Gao Mengting’s heart skipped a beat.
This genuine trust made the distance between them feel so much smaller.
When it was time to leave, she clenched her fists and, feigning a casual air, hugged him gently. Her voice was soft but firm. “I won’t let you down.”
Wearing high heels, her head only reached the bridge of his nose.
The warmth of her touch and the faint fragrance she carried made Tang Song’s heart itch.
Raising an eyebrow, he mimicked her tone, “President Gao, are you trying to flirt with me?”
With that, he wrapped an arm around her waist and gazed at her with a teasing smile.
“You…” Gao Mengting’s fair face instantly turned crimson. She swatted his shoulder lightly but couldn’t help breathing in his scent, her heartbeat quickening.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said in The Little Prince:
"Love is not gazing at each other, but looking together in the same direction."
A well-matched partner…
Will we look in the same direction together?
Will you… be my love?
3:10 PM
The high-speed train from Yan City to Shanghai was about to depart.
“Ms. Zheng, this way!”
“Excuse us, please make way!”
Led by the station staff through the exclusive business-class lane, Zheng Siwen finally stepped through the car door, her emotions a mix of relief and sorrow.
Leaning against the hallway of the car, tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.
“Ma’am, are you alright?” A train attendant politely asked, concern evident in her voice.
Zheng Siwen waved her off, her voice hoarse. “I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”
She accepted a tissue from the attendant, blew her nose, and bit her lip hard to suppress her emotions.
She had once believed she had a boyfriend who deeply loved her.
To support their future, she had moved to Shanghai to work at an internet company, living in a cramped apartment on the outskirts of the city. She worked overtime, saved every penny, and even sent him money occasionally, dreaming of the day they would have a home together.
Her friends and classmates often teased her for being a “love fool,” but she had taken it all in stride, content with her choices.
Recently, her boyfriend had grown distant. She thought it was because her job kept her too busy, leaving her little time to be with him.
So, she took leave to surprise him, traveling to his graduate school in Yan City. But what awaited her wasn’t joy—it was heartbreak.
She saw him holding hands with another girl on campus.
Now faced with the cruel truth, she didn’t know how to process it.
Being the reserved and timid person she was, she hadn’t confronted him, nor caused a scene. Instead, she quietly booked a train ticket to flee the city as quickly as possible, back to her little apartment in Shanghai.
In her rush, the only available seats were in business class.
A 1,700-yuan ticket for the high-speed train’s business class—something she’d never dared imagine splurging on before. But today, she had booked it without hesitation.
The train began to move.
Wiping her face vigorously, Zheng Siwen hoisted her bag, her red eyes scanning her ticket information as she walked to her seat in the luxurious business-class cabin.
The space was exquisite and elegant, with three seats per row arranged in a "2+1" layout. The seats were spaced far apart, and the aisle was generously wide.
The dark red leather seats resembled massage chairs, offering both comfort and sophistication.
Finding her aisle seat—not by the window—her mood soured further.
Placing her bag in the overhead compartment, she took out her phone and opened WeChat, pulling up her boyfriend’s chat window.
She typed, then deleted, over and over, tears dripping onto her lap as her mind wandered to their five-year relationship.
She could still recall the boy who strummed his guitar on the military training field, singing for the crowd.
And all the memories they had shared since.
What should I do?
Was it my fault for being too busy, for not caring for him enough?
Lost in thought, tears rolled down her cheeks, hitting her legs with soft pat pat sounds.
“Are you okay? Here, take this.”
A gentle, warm male voice sounded beside her, like a cool breeze sweeping through.
A soft tissue appeared in front of her.
“Thank you, I’m fine,” Zheng Siwen muttered, taking the tissue. She glanced up briefly, her expression stunned.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the window, illuminating the young man beside her.
He wore a fitted white shirt and light blue jeans, with rectangular glasses perched on his tall nose. A white Bluetooth earbud rested in his ear.
His tousled hair looked fresh and neat, his features sharp and refined.
In front of him on the small table was an open, thick book, its slightly yellowed pages exuding a faint scent of ink.
He glanced back down at the book, his side profile calm and focused, as if he existed in a world of his own.
In the noisy, bustling journey of summer, he resembled a serene and beautiful painting—a cool mountain spring that soothed the soul and cleared away the gloom.
For a moment, Zheng Siwen felt a flicker of clarity.
The bitterness, frustration, and heartache of the afternoon faded.
Her gaze grew blurry as she remembered a boy who once made her heart flutter, soft and radiant like moonlight.
The boy she loved wasn’t this person who had betrayed her. It was someone else—the one she had thought he was, long ago.
With that thought, a bright smile spread across her face.
Taking a deep breath, she asked the attendant for a meal and began eating heartily at her seat, sneaking glances at the calm, poised young man beside her.
After finishing, she picked up her phone, sent her boyfriend one final message, and then blocked and deleted him.
She looked up at the passing scenery through the window.
The cityscape gradually gave way to plains and farmland, then mountains and rivers.
As night fell, the cabin lights glowed softly, creating a warm atmosphere.
Some time later, the attendant gently reminded passengers that the train was nearing its destination.
The stars outside sparkled faintly, blending with the city lights flashing by. This was the city of her ambitions, carrying her dreams and hopes for the future.
Gathering her courage, Zheng Siwen turned to the young man beside her. “Excuse me, could I add you on WeChat?”
It wasn’t about romance; she knew her limits. She simply wanted to connect, to share a moment of intersection in their lives.
She didn’t know why she felt the need to ask, but the thought made her happy.
Snap.
The young man closed his book, a bright, kind smile spreading across his face. “Sure.”
His smile was warm, gentle, and healing—the kind of smile that brought to mind a boy from a neighboring class you’d go out of your way to see.
Zheng Siwen quickly opened her QR code.
Her request was accepted without hesitation.
She sent her name and followed up with a simple message: “Thank you.”
Tang Song nodded politely, tucking the book, The Intelligent Investor, into his backpack.
Leaning slightly against the window, he gazed at the dazzling neon lights of Shanghai.
The city’s brilliance lit up the night, its songs and lights weaving together in an endless melody.