novelraw Chapter 231: 2,010-Square-Meter Office Space, Shocked Employees
Chapter 231: 2,010-Square-Meter Office Space, Shocked Employees
Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Light rain turning overcast, 17–33°C.
7:00 AM
A hearty breakfast of red date millet porridge, pork buns, tea eggs, and homemade cold appetizers was laid out on the dining table.
Sun Youguang pulled out a chair and patted his hands in satisfaction before heading to the small bedroom.
“Juan’er, breakfast is ready. Come eat,” he called gently.
Li Juan quickly set her book aside. “Thank you, darling.”
The two sat down in the dining area, chatting as they ate, their conversation focused mainly on the upcoming exams in September.
By this June, they would have been undergraduate graduates for exactly four years, meeting the eligibility requirements to take the intermediate accounting certification exam. Both of them dedicated time every morning and evening to studying and practicing questions.
The accounting industry was fiercely competitive. Without continuous self-improvement, they knew they would eventually fall behind.
Halfway through the meal, Li Juan asked hesitantly, “Darling, you mentioned last time that your company was planning to expand. Are you moving offices?”She couldn’t help worrying about this.
Their current rental apartment was located in a remote area outside the Second Ring Road's western boundary. A move to the city center would be manageable, but relocating eastward would drastically increase commute times.
Moving closer to a new office would mean another significant expense and the hassle of house hunting.
“We probably are moving,” Sun Youguang nodded. “But we don’t know the location yet. The warehouse has been finalized, though—it’ll be in the logistics industrial park on the East Second Ring Road. It’s convenient, close to the highway, and near several courier companies.”
“So, it really might be moving east,” Li Juan sighed before quickly cheering up. “But your company offers great benefits, has a solid track record, and is profitable. A job like this is worth moving for.”
“Let’s wait and see. Nothing’s confirmed yet.”
Lately, Songmei Fashion employees had been buzzing about the office move, waiting for an official announcement.
The company was actively recruiting and assembling a new livestream team. According to Zhang Ying from HR, there would be three teams totaling dozens of people.
The current 200-square-meter office space was obviously insufficient.
At the same time, the rent for a 1,000-square-meter office in Yunxi Tower would be prohibitively expensive, and there were additional costs for outfitting livestream studios and purchasing equipment.
As a result, most employees speculated the company would relocate to a more affordable office building farther out.
After breakfast, the couple tidied up the kitchen.
Li Juan led Sun Youguang into the small bedroom, locking the door behind her.
She grinned excitedly. “Come on, darling. I got my paycheck yesterday—let’s tally up our little savings pot!”
Sun Youguang’s face lit up as well. Last Friday, he had received his own paycheck, and while it wasn’t a full month’s salary, it amounted to over 4,000 yuan with bonuses and subsidies.
“Alipay: 47,120 yuan. WeChat: 2,318.21 yuan. CMB…”
“Okay, my turn. You calculate while I read it out. CMB: 35,671.98 yuan. ICBC: 15,750.32 yuan…”
One read, the other calculated. At the end of their tally, they combined their total savings.
“Wow! We’ve saved up 140,000 yuan without even realizing it! It’s mostly thanks to your severance payout from your last job. At this rate, we’ll hit 150,000 soon!” Li Juan hugged her boyfriend, her face glowing with excitement. “Let’s go back to our hometown during the National Day holiday. We can look at houses in the county and buy one if we find a good deal.”
“Yeah, it’s time to start planning,” Sun Youguang nodded firmly, gently ruffling her hair.
...
Raindrops pattered rhythmically against the umbrella.
The sky was shrouded in mist.
Sun Youguang and Li Juan boarded the bus, instinctively heading to the spacious standing area at the back of the vehicle.
As the bus slowly started moving, Sun Youguang put his arm around his girlfriend's shoulder, leaning against the window.
Through the glass, he watched residential buildings flash by. In Li Juan’s eyes, he could see hope and longing.
Clenching his teeth, he sighed inwardly with a tinge of helplessness.
Li Juan was already 26 this year, and they’d likely marry within a year or two. The only regret was that they couldn’t afford to buy a house in Yan City. Even in their hometown’s small county, they could only manage the down payment on a second-hand property, with renovations dependent on family contributions.
As the bus entered the city, Li Juan tapped Sun Youguang’s chest excitedly, her eyes sparkling as she pointed out the window.
“Look! It’s Su Yu! Su Yu!”
Sun Youguang glanced up and saw a 3D naked-eye billboard on the exterior of a commercial complex playing a concert promo video.
The luxurious stage, exquisite lighting, and cheering crowd filled the screen.
In the video’s finale, Su Yu, dressed in a pristine white outfit, strode forward. Propping her arm on the screen’s edge, she reached out, waving warmly at the audience. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novｅlfire.net
Thanks to the 3D effects, the scene appeared vividly realistic and mesmerizing.
Other passengers also turned their attention to the screen.
Before long, the bus was abuzz with chatter and the sound of snapping photos, with many excitedly posting to social media and Douyin.
But this was just a glimpse of what lay ahead.
With only a week left until Su Yu’s concert, fans from across the country were pouring into Yan City. Every day, the trending topics featured [Su Yu 2023 Concert], and the city was seeing noticeable boosts in its tourism, hotel, and dining industries.
Local cultural tourism bureaus were relentlessly promoting short videos, and promotional posters and slogans could be seen everywhere on the streets.
Due to limited tickets, the organizers had even arranged for several outdoor viewing zones for fans unable to attend the live event.
The entire city was immersed in a festive atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.
As the bus gradually moved on, the dazzling 3D screen disappeared from view.
Li Juan sighed with both admiration and envy. “One of my colleagues managed to snag tickets to Su Yu’s concert. The seats are way off in the corner, but still—how lucky is that?”
Though not a hardcore fan herself, the electric atmosphere in the city made it hard not to feel the urge to join the fun and experience the excitement of a superstar’s live concert in Yan City.
But for her, it remained just a fleeting thought.
Even if she were willing to splurge, the chance of getting tickets was next to none.
Sun Youguang pursed his lips, watching his girlfriend. He suddenly suggested, “Juan’er, why don’t we go to a bar on the 20th to watch the concert livestream?”
Li Juan froze momentarily at his words.
Thinking about their 140,000-yuan savings, her eyes curved with a smile. “That sounds great, darling! I even bought new clothes recently.”
Sun Youguang smiled back, pulling out his phone to open a WeChat chat with Zhang Ying, beginning to draft a message.
Several colleagues at his company were diehard fans of Su Yu. Since they couldn’t get tickets, they had already planned to gather at a bar close to the venue to soak in the concert atmosphere.
Zhang Ying had invited him to join before, but not being particularly interested, he had declined outright.
Since graduating, Li Juan had followed him tirelessly, working hard to make ends meet.
She had neither the time nor the spare money to attend concerts, let alone visit entertainment venues. Even watching movies was reserved for special occasions like birthdays or Valentine’s Day.
Reflecting on it now, Sun Youguang felt a pang of guilt.
After all, just like his female colleagues, Li Juan was a woman in her twenties. She deserved some romance and excitement too.
8:30 AM
After a bus transfer to the subway, Sun Youguang entered Yunxi Tower.
Once in the elevator, a soft female voice sounded beside him. “Good morning, Brother Sun!”
Turning his head, he quickly greeted back, “Good morning.”
At this hour, unless there was a scheduled livestream, it was typically just him and He Liting arriving at the company, with others coming in later.
The two exchanged a few casual remarks.
“Ding—” The elevator came to a smooth stop on the 30th floor.
As they stepped out, He Liting glanced to her right and curiously remarked, “Looks like the renovations across the hall are finally done. It’s been over two weeks. I wonder which company it is—there’s still no nameplate.”
Sun Youguang shook his head. “Liu asked the renovation workers about it before, but even they didn’t know which company it was.”
“No reception desk, no logo wall—it’s really strange,” He Liting said, withdrawing her gaze as they approached their office door.
After unlocking the glass door with fingerprints, the two went inside and began their usual routines.
Sun Youguang grabbed a kettle to water the office plants and checked the water dispensers to see if any needed refilling.
Meanwhile, He Liting tidied up the break room and then headed straight into the General Manager’s office.
She began cleaning up, organizing the desk, and replacing the trash bin.
These tasks could have easily been left to the property staff, but since this was Tang Song’s office, He Liting felt it was her responsibility.
As an ambitious livestream host aiming for advancement, she wouldn’t shy away from such duties!
Plus, Tang Song was her cousin’s boyfriend, and as a future sister-in-law, she naturally had to look out for him at work.
With this thought, her smile grew even brighter.
All her prior doubts had been cleared—Tang Song planned to personally mentor her. She was set to have her own private livestream studio.
As long as she performed well, the company promised to pour resources into building her personal brand and establishing her as a core member of their team.
Every time she thought about these prospects, she felt both grateful and nervous.
Could Tang Song be so kind to me because he has other feelings?
If that’s true, wouldn’t that be amazing?!
“Ehehe,” He Liting chuckled to herself while wiping the desk.
With a man like Tang Song, it was impossible not to be moved.
She wasn’t alone in these thoughts—nearly every woman in the company had some level of admiration for him.
Her gaze fell on the suit jacket draped over the coat rack. Unable to resist, she moved closer and took a light sniff.
A faint fragrance wafted into her nose, making her close her eyes briefly.
Her mind wandered to the scenes Qianqian had described and the suggestive words she had overheard that one night. Her cheeks flushed, and her heart raced.
Lost in daydreams for a while, He Liting finally left the office and returned to her desk.
Opening her laptop, she began drafting her livestream strategy.
While some colleagues might still question Tang Song’s capabilities, she had never doubted him.
When he promised a private studio and personal branding, his word was as good as gold.
As the clock approached 9:00 AM, colleagues started trickling in and clocking into work.
After exchanging greetings, small groups formed, chatting about recent news and interesting anecdotes.
“Word is, Su Yu’s concert will feature ten guest performers, all of whom are top-tier domestic and international singers.”
“Well, that’s to be expected—she’s backed by Tang Zong Entertainment. My goddess Su Yu’s concerts always have the best lineup.”
“I bought binoculars. I plan to watch from one of the high-rise buildings around the Olympic Center.”
“Forget it. All the restaurants and hotels with views near the Olympic Center were booked out last month. I was too slow, and my girlfriend’s been arguing with me about it ever since.”
Morning Excitement at Yunxi Tower
8:30 AM
HR Manager Zhang Ying walked over quickly, her face glowing with enthusiasm. “Brother Sun, you’ve finally seen the light! Su Yu’s concert is the biggest event in Yan City—it’s the perfect excuse to take your girlfriend out and join the fun! I’ve already booked us a table; just show up!”
As a die-hard Su Yu fan, she radiated excitement.
Sun Youguang scratched his head with a smile. “Thanks.”
“Oh, come on, no need to be polite!” Zhang Ying clapped her hands, turning to the group and proposing, “Comrades, let’s all hit the same bar on the 20th and have a great time watching the concert livestream together!”
Wang Qingya laughed, “Ying, if you can convince Tang to join us, we’ll all be there!”
“Exactly! If Tang comes, we’ll come!” echoed the others, fueling the atmosphere.
Right then, the chatter died down as everyone turned toward the door to greet the new arrival.
High Mengting stepped into the office, dressed in business-casual attire, her gentle smile lighting up the room. “I could hear you all calling for Tang as soon as I stepped out of the elevator,” she teased.
Zhang Ying grabbed her arm, raising her voice. “Director Gao, our company’s been running for over a month now. As the HR manager, I think it’s high time we had a team-building event to boost morale and camaraderie!”
“Hmm… makes sense,” Gao Mengting agreed, playfully patting her head. “What’s your suggestion, Miss HR?”
Zhang Ying winked mischievously. “How about watching Su Yu’s concert livestream at a bar on the 20th? Everyone can bring their partners and have a proper celebration!”
The suggestion piqued the crowd’s interest. If it were a company-organized team-building event, all expenses would be reimbursed, saving them from spending out of pocket.
Gao Mengting pondered for a moment before saying, “Let’s wait for Tang to arrive and discuss this in a meeting.”
“Sure! We’ll follow the boss’s lead!”
With a few more jokes exchanged, everyone shifted into work mode, and the office buzzed with activity.
10:00 AM
After sorting through the resumes Zhang Ying had filtered from the applicant pool, Gao Mengting took a moment to glance around her small office.
The cozy eight-square-meter space had originally been designated as part of the finance department. However, with only one accountant, Sun Youguang, it was repurposed as her personal office.
Over time, she had adorned the room with plants, pillows, blankets, decorative ornaments, and a wall full of sticky notes. The space had become warm and inviting.
With the company scaling up, she knew she would likely leave this office within a week or two.
When she had asked Tang Song about the move, his vague response was to not worry and focus on her work—he would handle everything. As his partner, she trusted him completely.
Thinking of Tang Song, Gao Mengting took a deep breath and looked at the photo frame beside her computer.
It was the first picture they had taken together, on the day Songmei Fashion was officially established.
Tang Song had changed so much since then, but some things had remained constant.
She gazed at the photo, her thoughts drifting back to that day.
In the picture, her left arm looped around Tang Song’s right arm, her head tilted slightly toward him. Both wore wide, happy smiles. Standing in high heels, her head barely reached his nose.
Back then, Tang Song had been shy and stiff, nothing like the relaxed and confident man he was now.
She still remembered her bold declaration from that day.
“Tang Song, years from now, when Songmei Fashion goes public, and we ring the bell at the exchange, we’ll look back at this photo. This is where our dream began…”
“Where the dream began…” she whispered, repeating the phrase softly as she took a deep breath.
This office truly was the starting point of her dream.
Ever sentimental, she felt reluctant to leave.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
“Come in!” Gao Mengting quickly straightened herself, setting aside her thoughts.
The glass door creaked open, and Zhang Ying peeked in, her face brimming with excitement. “Director Gao! Tang just called us to meet in the open office—he has a major announcement!”
Hearing this, Gao Mengting stood immediately. “Let’s go.”
She had a good idea of what the announcement might be. What was meant to happen had finally arrived.
In the open office area, all 16 current employees had gathered, murmuring softly about what the big announcement could be.
Their faces were filled with excitement and anticipation.
“Thump, thump, thump—”
The sound of leather shoes striking the carpeted floor cut through the chatter.
“Tang!” “Tang Song!”
The room instantly fell silent as all eyes turned toward him.
Dressed sharply in a shirt and trousers, Tang Song strode in, his confident yet faintly smiling demeanor radiating charisma.
Several female employees instantly felt their spirits lift. With a boss like Tang Song, work itself became a source of motivation.
He Liting blushed, recalling her earlier inappropriate behavior in his office, too nervous to meet his gaze.
Tang Song scanned the room before nodding toward Liu Mingchang.
Standing before the group, he paused for a moment, then spoke in a clear and steady voice:
“I promised everyone that if our GMV exceeded one million yuan in May, I’d give you all a big surprise. Now, it’s time to fulfill that promise.”
The room was silent for a split second before erupting into cheers.
“Woohoo!” “Tang, you’re the best!” “Tang, I love you!”
When someone as generous as Tang Song referred to a “big surprise,” it was bound to be extraordinary.
Tang Song chuckled lightly. “Alright, let’s head out to witness the miracle I’ve prepared for you.”
Tang Song’s gaze shifted to Gao Mengting, and he gestured for her to come over.
Caught off guard, Gao Mengting froze for a moment, then broke into a radiant smile and confidently stepped forward to stand beside him.
“Tap-tap-tap—” “Click-click-click—”
Amid the shuffling footsteps, the group followed Tang Song out of Songmei Fashion’s office and into the hallway.
Puzzled expressions spread across the employees' faces.
Hou Yan, known for her candid nature, couldn’t hold back. “Tang, is the surprise out here?”
“Just follow me,” Tang Song replied with a mysterious smile, continuing forward.
In no time, they reached the office across the hall.
Its transparent glass doors remained locked, and the dark interior gave off an air of secrecy.
The employees exchanged even more confused glances.
They all knew about the renovations happening here for weeks. As neighbors, curiosity had been high about which company had leased such a massive space in one go.
At one point, even Liu Renjie led a group to ask the construction workers, but no useful information had come out.
Standing beside Tang Song and observing his confident profile, Gao Mengting felt a sudden jolt in her chest.
Could this be… the “new office space” he had mentioned?
Impossible.
As the group murmured in speculation, Tang Song raised his hand and pressed against the fingerprint scanner by the door.
“Click—”
The door unlocked with a crisp sound, and the hallway fell into pin-drop silence.
The employees were left utterly speechless, their minds blank.
With a deliberate motion, Tang Song pushed the door open and said calmly, “Come in.”
Gao Mengting clenched her fists tightly and stepped forward.
The rest of the employees, after exchanging bewildered looks, hurried to follow.
“Click-click-click—”
Tang Song flipped on a series of switches, and the office lit up in an instant. The raised blinds revealed an expansive, brightly illuminated space.
The interior was designed with an open layout, dominated by clean white tones accented with soft grays and deep browns. The aesthetic was both elegant and welcoming.
The floor was covered in soft, noise-absorbing carpeting, while the ceiling featured minimalist yet stylish fixtures with integrated lighting.
It shared similarities with their current 200-square-meter office, but the most striking difference was the sheer spaciousness.
Row after row of custom office desks paired with ergonomic chairs stretched out, creating a breathtaking view.
“Gulp—gulp—”
The sound of swallowing echoed in the room as realization dawned on the employees: this was very likely their new workspace.
“Could this be… our company’s new office space?” Li Qingya’s voice trembled. “No way, right? I feel dizzy—am I dreaming?”
Tang Song smiled and nodded. “You guessed right!”
At that confirmation, the room erupted in excitement.
Yunxi Tower, 30th floor. Total area: 2,010 square meters.
Occupying an entire floor here was something only renowned local enterprises or branches of national giants could afford.
Having such an expansive office space meant only one thing: their boss wasn’t just wealthy—he was serious about taking the company to the next level.
Gao Mengting’s face was a blend of shock and awe, her throat dry as her heart pounded in her chest.
As a partner, she was the only one who knew their current 200-square-meter office was Tang Song’s property.
She also knew the 30th floor of Yunxi Tower was never available for rent.
Did that mean the entire floor belonged to Tang Song?
Drawing the group’s attention with a clap, Tang Song said, “Let’s move along. There’s more to the surprise than this.”
“What? This isn’t the surprise?”
“Of course not,” Tang Song said, shrugging casually. “This is just our company’s space. Why would I call that a surprise?”
Grabbing Gao Mengting’s arm as she stared blankly, Tang Song led the group deeper into the office.
Turning a corner, the employees were greeted by more awe-inspiring sights:
The Data Analysis Zone, featuring a wall of electronic displays filled with dynamic visuals.The Lounge Area, complete with plush leather sofas surrounding a sleek glass coffee table, flanked by vibrant greenery.Finally, Tang Song stopped in front of a large, metallic door.
A dark brown nameplate with gleaming gold lettering read:
"Songmei K1 Livestream Room."
The nameplate exuded a sense of class and quality.
Pushing open the soundproof door with deliberate force, Tang Song revealed the space inside.
The livestream room was breathtaking.
Its primary color palette consisted of soft ivory tones and regal gold accents. The walls were lined with high-end silk wallpaper, smooth to the touch and with a gentle sheen.
The dark hardwood floors added a refined yet cozy vibe, creating a tranquil and luxurious atmosphere.
Everything about the room—from its adjustable lighting and oversized fill lights to its high-end leather seating and custom wardrobes—oozed elegance.
The setup resembled a dressing room in a high-end mansion, blending warmth with sophistication.
The employees stood frozen in place, mouths agape, unable to utter a word.
Gao Mengting was especially stunned, her face flushed and her heart pounding wildly.
The livestream room was an exact match for the design she had once given to Tang Song, based on her dream layout. It was even better than she had envisioned.
Tang Song stepped toward a wooden table by the door, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Beyond the livestream room, I’ve prepared a little something for everyone. Please come forward and take one—there’s one for each of you.”
On the table was a neat row of elegant red envelopes, adding a festive touch to the occasion.
It was a long moment before anyone moved.
Finally, He Liting, who had already anticipated something extraordinary, approached first, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
Opening the envelope carefully, she pulled out two small paper slips.
Her eyes widened, and her sharp scream pierced the silence.