novelraw Chapter 232: The Magical Umbrella of Surprises
Chapter 232: The Magical Umbrella of Surprises
The live-streaming room was impeccably soundproof.
He Liting’s piercing scream resonated distinctly in the space, pulling her colleagues out of their stupor.
Her closest friend, Li Qingya, rushed over. “Lili, what is it…”
Before she could finish, her eyes landed on the most striking line of text on the piece of paper in He Liting’s hands:
[‘With Yu’ Concert Invitation]
“Ah—!” Li Qingya let out a trembling cry, hurriedly grabbing one of the red envelopes and clumsily tearing it open.
Inside were two identical invitations.
Date: June 20, 2023, 7:30 PMVenue: Yan Provincial Olympic Center StadiumSeat: Inner section, ticket price: 2,688 yuanAt the bottom was a clearly printed QR code, with instructions indicating that the tickets could be redeemed directly through WeChat for Su Yu’s concert.
Noticing how extraordinary these envelopes seemed, the other colleagues rushed over to the wooden table to claim their own.Moments later, disbelief painted every face in the room.
It was common knowledge that there were no scalper tickets for Su Yu’s concert. Even ticketing agencies, organizers, and venue staff couldn’t secure any.
Yes, invitations existed—but they were reserved exclusively for celebrities, partners, or collaborators.
Their impression of President Tang was of a mild-mannered, charismatic company leader, a wealthy and handsome gentleman. Yet, they didn’t truly understand his capabilities, nor did they blindly idolize him like He Liting did.
So when they saw the invitations inside the red envelopes, their first reaction was pure disbelief.
Su Yu concert tickets, inner-section seats worth 2,688 yuan, and two per person? How could this be possible?
Zhang Ying stared at the invitation in her hand, then looked at her boss, struggling to find the words.
“President Tang… This… Is this real? It’s not a prank, right? It can’t be, right? No way, it has to be real, doesn’t it?”
A die-hard fan of Su Yu, Zhang Ying felt like she was dreaming as she gazed at the invitation she had longed for but never thought she could hold.
Tang Song observed his employees’ expressions with a smile and said warmly, “Of course, it’s real. Consider it a reward for everyone’s hard work recently. Take this chance to enjoy the live atmosphere with friends or family. Have fun!”
Because Songmei Fashion was a small team, the employees had strong camaraderie. Even Tang Song, their boss, often chatted casually in the company group chats.
He was well aware that many of them were fans of Su Yu and deeply wanted to attend her concert in Yan City.
To motivate the team and show his appreciation, he simply gifted each employee two tickets.
For a moment, the room was silent. Then, a wave of ecstatic screams and cheers erupted, reverberating through the 76-square-meter live-streaming room.
“Ahhh! It’s real!”
“I love you, boss!”
“Holy sh*t! My wife better apologize to me on her knees tonight!”
“With these tickets, my girlfriend’s going to do my laundry for a whole month—socks included!”
“President Tang, you’re the best! This time, my goddess will definitely say yes to a date!”
…
Everyone’s faces were flushed as they spoke loudly to one another, venting their excitement and disbelief.
Listening to his colleagues’ chatter, Sun Youguang carefully held the red envelope in his hands.
He suppressed the urge to redeem the tickets immediately, planning to share this joy with his girlfriend later at home.
When she saw these two concert tickets, she would undoubtedly be so thrilled that she wouldn’t sleep a wink all night.
They could go together to experience the star power of Su Yu in person, seated in the premium front-row inner section.
Knowing that Songmei Fashion would remain in Yunxi Tower, with such a spacious and independent office, gave him confidence in the company’s rapid growth.
Being so tightly connected to the company’s success, he felt his own future would also flourish.
Maybe—just maybe—they might even afford a house in Yan City someday.
The thought stirred up a torrent of emotions within him.
Though not typically expressive, a flood of thoughts overwhelmed his mind.
He felt immensely grateful for his decision to join the company early on and a deep sense of pride for having contributed.
He had been the first employee after the boss—joining when the startup was in its infancy and witnessing its rise step by step.
After hesitating for a moment, Sun Youguang walked up to Tang Song. His eyes reddened slightly as he said, “Thank you, boss, for the gift! I’ll work even harder from now on!”
“Keep it up.” Tang Song smiled, giving the financial accountant a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
After the initial excitement, the employees eagerly pulled out their phones to scan the QR codes and redeem their concert tickets, making this incredible dream feel even more real.
“My tickets are for the 7th row in the VIP inner section! I’ll be so close to Su Yu!”
“Mine are in the 6th row, and pretty close to the center!”
“Hey, Chao, can we switch seats when we get there? I’ll even pay you extra to be in the 6th row!”
He Liting, practically skipping with excitement, approached Tang Song. Her eyes sparkled as she asked, “President Tang, how many live-streaming studios do we have in the new office?”
She had been fixated on the idea of “independent live-streaming studios” ever since Tang Song mentioned it. Looking around at the luxurious setup, her heart was filled with anticipation.
“Three studios,” Tang Song replied with a nod. “The sizes are slightly different, but they’re all equipped to the same standards. The one assigned to you is K3, located in the northeast corner. You can check it out later.”
Hearing the confirmation, He Liting took another look around the studio’s refined environment.
Ring lights, softboxes, and background lights worked seamlessly together to provide uniform, bright, and layered illumination.
Each studio had an independent makeup room, changing room, interactive large screens, high-spec computers, professional multi-channel production consoles, HD monitors, and wardrobe racks with mannequin displays.
Her very own studio, outfitted to this level of professionalism—it was a dream come true.
Overcome with emotion, she let out a cry of joy and, in a bold move, hugged Tang Song. “Thank you, President Tang! Thank you so much!”
Feeling the solid, upright physique of her boss, her excitement soared to an all-time high.
Seeing this, the other female colleagues couldn’t hold back either. They swarmed over, eager to take advantage of the chance to get close to their handsome boss.
“I want to thank President Tang too!”
“President Tang, I, Hou Yan, openly declare my admiration for you!”
…
He Liting’s heart skipped a beat as she started playfully scuffling with a few other female colleagues to “protect” Tang Song from their teasing, preventing them from “harassing” him.
Looking at his overly excited coworkers, Tang Song’s face lit up with a genuine smile.
The time he had spent building this business alongside them was, for him, a treasure trove of fond memories.
Just then, a crisp system notification sounded in his ears.
“Ding! Congratulations, Player. You have completed the challenge mission: [Shocked Employees].”
A faint, glowing interface appeared before his eyes.
[Reward Settlement in Progress...]
[Over the past 23 days, you’ve actively communicated with employees, coordinated with renovation companies, and meticulously designed technical equipment, settings, color schemes, and interactive displays to create live-streaming studios that perfectly meet the company’s needs. This effort has greatly enhanced employee belonging and loyalty.]
[The employees were deeply impressed.]
[Shock Level: 99/100]
*[You have received: ‘Shock Gift Pack 1’.]
Tang Song’s smile grew even brighter.
A nearly perfect challenge score reflected how impactful the new office and surprises had been for his employees.
He didn’t immediately open the gift pack but instead closed the system interface and turned his gaze to Gao Mengting, who was still standing in stunned silence.
“Come on, Partner. Let me show you your independent office,” Tang Song said.
“Phew—” Gao Mengting let out a long breath, pressing her lips together as she cast a complicated look at Tang Song.
With a soft nod, she followed him out of the K1 live-streaming studio.
They walked down a long corridor and turned a corner.
Tang Song stopped in front of an office door.
The black-brown wooden base bore gilded lettering that was both luxurious and eye-catching:
[Executive Vice President’s Office].
Once the company’s restructuring was finalized, and the employee count grew to nearly a hundred, Gao Mengting’s title would officially change to Executive Vice President.
“After you, Vice President Gao!” Tang Song stepped back half a step, signaling for her to open the door herself.
He had worked closely with Huiguang Decor on this office’s design, ensuring it would be a pleasant surprise for his partner.
They exchanged a brief glance. Gao Mengting licked her dry lips before gripping the heavy door handle. Her heartbeat accelerated in anticipation.
The surreal feeling she’d had since stepping into the new office was slowly beginning to fade.
“Click—”
The door opened gently.
It was spacious—about 40 square meters in size. The color scheme was a soft gray and white, minimalist yet stylish.
A sleek design without a central ceiling light featured dual floor-to-ceiling windows.
The hardwood flooring gleamed under natural light, harmonizing with the high-end office furniture to create a refined atmosphere.
In one corner, beside a lush green plant, was a white beanbag chair. In front of it sat a small coffee table, with a compact bookshelf positioned nearby.
Gao Mengting covered her mouth with both hands.
The decor and layout were strikingly similar to her own home.
Warm, tranquil, understated, and comfortable.
Her high heels clicked slowly across the wooden floor as her fingers brushed over each piece of furniture she passed.
She walked through the work area, the small reception space, and even an independent tea room.
Finally, she stopped in the center of the office and turned to look at Tang Song.
In a hoarse voice, she said, “This… I feel like… you’ve invested too much in this. By comparison, the share of equity I hold is too high. It’s not fair, and it’s not reasonable.”
Tang Song didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he took a step to the side, guiding her toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
Below, roads, bridges, streams of people, and vehicles all seemed so small yet orderly.
This view wasn’t unfamiliar to Gao Mengting, but at this moment, it felt especially impactful.
Tang Song gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his gaze confident and radiant.
“I’ve told you before—the company’s future will far exceed your imagination, and you won’t regret your decision. Keep going, Partner. This is just the beginning.”
His voice was clear and full of emotion.
Gao Mengting’s hands alternated between clenching and loosening before she turned and embraced him tightly.
“Thank you for your trust and decision back then. I won’t let you down.”
At this moment, Gao Mengting finally realized what Tang Song’s decision to partner with her had truly meant. She also understood just how fortunate she had been to seize such an opportunity.
The rapid expansion Tang Song had spoken of wasn’t mere empty words.
A 2,010-square-meter office space, three luxurious live-streaming studios, and nearly a hundred employees—Songmei Fashion had far more potential than she had ever imagined.
She was not inherently an ambitious person.
To her, the purpose of working hard and earning money wasn’t just to provide a better life for her family. It was also about giving herself the confidence to reject a life she didn’t want and the freedom to explore a bigger world.
It was the same idea Virginia Woolf discussed in A Room of One’s Own.
But at this moment, an unrelenting sense of determination swelled within her.
Perhaps it was because she didn’t want to betray this trust that had been placed in her.
Breathing in the familiar scent of Tang Song’s cologne mixed with shampoo, and feeling the steadiness of his resolve and the softness of her partner’s embrace, Tang Song’s face lit up with a wide smile.
After a long while, Gao Mengting slowly released him. Without saying another word, she began to wander around her new office.
As she walked, she talked to Tang Song about ongoing recruitment efforts and plans for the future.
“Bocai Yingrui Management Consulting has already shortlisted several candidates for us, mostly for mid-level management positions. We’ll have a lot of interviews to conduct in the coming days.”
“I’ve also reached out to a few outstanding alumni from related industries back at the Incubator Park. Some of them are interested in coming to discuss opportunities, including a market analyst…”
Tang Song sat quietly on the beanbag chair, attentively listening to her report while occasionally chiming in with his thoughts.
At noon, the team went to a nearby high-end Chinese restaurant for a celebratory feast.
Returning to the office, the atmosphere was still abuzz with excitement.
Many employees were frantically replying to messages.
With inner-section VIP tickets to Su Yu’s concert, and seats right in the front rows, they had instantly become the stars of their WeChat Moments, Douyin, and various forums.
Tang Song joked and chatted with the employees in the office area for a bit before heading back to his general manager’s office.
Shutting the door behind him, he leaned back into his executive chair, opened the system, and accessed the warehouse.
A red-glowing gift pack had appeared.
This was the Shock Gift Pack, earned with a near-perfect mission score. The rewards inside were bound to be incredible.
Selecting the Shock Gift Pack, he clicked to open it.
*“Ding! You have received: [Heart Strengthening Potion 1].”
*“Ding! You have received: [Magical Little Umbrella 1].”
[Heart Strengthening Potion]:
Effectively improves heart health, increases blood circulation speed, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, boosts energy levels, accelerates recovery, and stabilizes emotions.+4 Constitution, +2 Endurance, +2 Agility.Note: "What’s the secret to longevity? Keep your heart beating."What a find! A potion to enhance heart health, much like the Lung Strengthening Potion he had acquired earlier.
The heart’s importance to the human body was self-evident. As one of the core organs sustaining life, it was critical to overall health and physical performance.
With a strong heart, it was like having a high-performance engine for the body.
Given his past irregular lifestyle and long hours of overtime, Tang Song’s heart health wasn’t in great shape. He had even experienced occasional chest tightness.
Without hesitation, he used the potion immediately.
As before, the potion was suddenly “fed” to him. This time, it was incredibly thick, almost solid. The taste was peculiar, reminiscent of bitter and astringent herbal medicine.
Tang Song tilted his head back and swallowed it in one gulp. Thɪs chapter is updated by NoveI-Fire.ɴet
The liquid slowly rolled down his throat and into his esophagus.
A faint warmth spread through his body, followed by a sensation of lightness. His breathing became deeper and more even, while his heart rate slowed down steadily.
A slight heat began to radiate from his chest, and his entire body relaxed, enveloped in a wave of comfort.
As the potion took effect, Tang Song shifted his attention back to the system interface and clicked to view the second reward.
[Magical Little Umbrella]:
Permanent special item. Protects the player and their partner’s safety.Durability: 30/30.Notes:
This umbrella is a special item and does not have a physical form. Activate it by clicking “equip” before use.Each time you engage in deep interactions with your partner, 1 durability point will be consumed. When durability reaches zero, a special mission will be triggered. Completing the mission will restore some durability.(⊙o⊙)…
Tang Song’s eyes widened as he stared dumbfounded at the details of the item.
At first, he thought it was like [Tang Song’s Glasses]—a simple in-game accessory. Who would’ve guessed it was actually protective gear?
With the [Magical Little Umbrella], he could play as recklessly as he wanted.
Amazing! What a godly item!
Eyes gleaming with excitement, Tang Song selected the item and equipped it immediately.
The screen automatically shifted back to the main interface, and beneath his 3D player model, a green glow appeared, swirling gently.
More than half an hour later, Tang Song stood up from his seat, placing a hand over his chest to carefully sense the changes in his body.
Each contraction and relaxation of his heart was more powerful. His breathing had become steadier and deeper.
His whole body felt light and brimming with energy, with no trace of the fatigue he’d felt earlier.
It was as if he’d been rejuvenated by a year. His mind was sharp, his spirits high, and his vitality boundless. His heart and lung functions were performing exceptionally, almost unnaturally well.
Feeling invincible, Tang Song opened WeChat and sent a message to Zhao Yaqian with a confident grin.
Recently, as her experience with the beauty industry and recreational activities like tennis had grown, the 19-year-old had been flaunting her talents and ambitions, even going so far as to declare that she’d surpass him soon.
With his current peak condition, it was the perfect time to teach her a lesson.
“Dingdong—”
A notification popped up on his phone.
It was from Xu Qing:
[Xu Qing]: "Tang Song, are you free tomorrow evening? Come pick up your computer parts!"[Xu Qing]: "Also, why don’t you have dinner here? Let’s chat about investments. Yanyan just got back from Beijing. The two of us studied up today, so tomorrow we’ll cook you a feast as a thank-you.”Tang Song raised his eyebrows in interest and typed back, “Sure, what time?”
After all, the [Growth Plan Phase Two Task] still included an investment objective. He had been reading extensively on the subject lately, and now seemed like a good opportunity to give it a shot.
Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to spend time deepening his connections with two outstanding alumni.
Not to mention, he had bought a high-quality camera some time ago but hadn’t properly used it yet. It might be the perfect chance to discuss private photography sessions with Xu Qing, as well as explore her collection of stunning cosplay outfits.
He smirked at the thought. It’d be interesting to visit her room and see what she had.
“Buzz, buzz, buzz—”
Another reply came in:
[Xu Qing]: "We should be done cooking around 7. Feel free to adjust your schedule."Tang Song chuckled and replied, “See you tomorrow, Qingqing.”
On the 19th floor of Yunxi Tower, inside Rongxin Venture Capital, Lin Muxue stood by the door, watching the delivery courier leave.
Her emotions were a swirling mix of relief and reluctance.
She had just sold off her most prized possessions: two luxury handbags, a watch, and three necklaces. These items had once been her symbols of status, carefully preserved and only brought out for special occasions. She had cherished them deeply.
Now that they had new owners, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.
Muxue, you really are a sentimental person, aren’t you?
Still, the thought of the 60,000 yuan she’d recovered lifted her spirits.
Combined with the $20,000 Tang Song had given her, her savings would, for the first time, exceed 200,000 yuan.
This—this was true security!
Determined not to repeat past mistakes, Lin Muxue vowed to steer clear of stocks and mutual funds. Instead, she’d safely stash the money in Yu’e Bao, happily watching it grow by a few yuan daily. Slow and steady, but at least secure.
Her computer screen pinged with a new message notification.
Chen Siyue: “@Lin Muxue, Little Xue, Huihui and I are arriving in Yan City this Thursday afternoon. Let’s meet up with @Li Da and @Mao Wenqiong. I’ve got five free days before Su Yu’s concert, so let’s shoot a ton of content and show our old classmates how much you’ve changed.”Lin Muxue’s hands clenched tightly, her expression becoming serious.
The moment she had been dreading had finally arrived.
Although she had posted plenty of curated videos of her glamorous life in Shanghai on Douyin, old classmates like Chen Siyue were skeptical.
Thanks to her “High School Classmate Mystery Box” video series, their alumni group chat had grown to 38 members—all reconnected through her content.
Recently, all the chatter in the group had revolved around “Yan City,” “Su Yu’s concert,” and “how much Little Xue has changed.”
If she were just an ordinary office worker, she could simply ghost them—ignore their calls, decline interviews, and carry on.
But her primary income came from being a social media influencer, and her impulsive decision to share her Douyin handle had invited scrutiny from her classmates.
Now, many of them followed her and frequently left comments on her posts.
If her carefully crafted image crumbled, her side business would collapse entirely.
Knowing Chen Siyue’s growing influence, this matter would undoubtedly spiral into a trending joke or meme.
The thought of the two humiliations she had suffered during university life made Lin Muxue bite her lip hard, her eyes reddening.
No matter what, she had to save face this time.
Not just that—she had to shock them. To leave them utterly speechless.
And for that, the key would be convincing Qianqian. Convincing Tang Song.
Determined, Lin Muxue opened her chat with Li Da, one of her high school classmates.
The screen was filled with his persistent messages.
Last week, she had deliberately met up with him for coffee at a Starbucks during her lunch break.
Seeing her current polished appearance, Li Da—who had harbored a crush on her since high school—immediately turned into a lovesick puppy.
His fawning was relentless, filled with over-the-top declarations of affection.
Her calculated silence only made him bolder, and his WeChat messages grew more excessive by the day.
Recalling how Tang Song had casually wrapped an arm around her at the WJ Marriott Hotel, Lin Muxue murmured to herself,
“Tang Song, you’re the only one I like.”
Her voice grew softer, almost inaudible, as she continued, “My high school classmates keep harassing me. Li Da, in particular, is working in Yan City now. I lied and told him I have a boyfriend, but he doesn’t believe me. Now, he’s dragging other classmates into this and planning to confront me.
“Could I trouble you to pretend to be my boyfriend just for a little while? You’re so incredible—if they see you, I’m sure they’ll give up.”
Repeating the plea several times in her head, Lin Muxue finally steeled herself.
She really didn’t want to deceive him.
But when they first met, she had been in full “fake socialite” mode—a lifestyle that she maintained to this day.
In truth, she was vain, materialistic, and a gold digger.
The thought of Tang Song seeing her true self and possibly growing to despise her was a blow she couldn’t bear.
Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the time.
Lin Muxue packed up her things, clocked out of work, and headed toward Yanjing Huating.
Her first step was convincing Qianqian, and then together, they’d persuade Tang Song.
As for work? She could always offer to moonlight at Slover Trust as his assistant—pro bono. Consider it a way to repay the favor.
After all, she was technically a finance professional, so it aligned perfectly with her skill set.
Sigh. Would he even want a sexy, eloquent, and resourceful assistant like her?