novelraw Chapter 246: Barbecue, Beer, and Shared Slumber
Chapter 246: Barbecue, Beer, and Shared Slumber
The brightly lit commercial street shimmered with colorful neon signs.
Outside an upscale Western restaurant.
Lin Muxue rested her left hand on her right arm, wearing a carefree smile.
"I was only interested in finance before, self-studied some knowledge, but limited by my education, couldn't find related work. At first..."
Chen Siyue held up a sports camera stand, smiling brightly. "So besides your personal efforts, your boyfriend also gave you significant career support, right?"
"Mhm, I'd say without his encouragement and support, I wouldn't be who I am today."
"Clearly, Muxue, you've become truly outstanding now—I mean in personal qualities and abilities. Then...let me ask one slightly inappropriate final question." Chen Siyue paused, speaking softly, "My audience and I are curious—as a financial executive, what's your monthly salary?"
Hearing this topic, Li Da, Mao Wenqiong, and He Xiaohui nearby all pricked up their ears.
Aside from Lin Muxue's boyfriend, what interested them most was her salary.
This was the most directly comparable metric."If it's inconvenient, just forget I asked." Seeing Lin Muxue hesitate, Chen Siyue quickly added.
"Heh." Lin Muxue pursed her rosy lips, composed. "The salary structure is complex, but generally speaking, it's reached the million-annual threshold. I won't specify the exact number."
"Gasp—" The surroundings instantly filled with shocked inhales.
He Xiaohui's eyebrows twitched violently. Through family connections, she worked at a major local state-owned enterprise.
Leisurely job, 7,000 yuan monthly.
Her boyfriend was a factory owner's son—car, house, good looks.
Yet all these proud advantages paled before "million annual salary" and "financial executive."
Li Da stood stiffly, eyes flickering.
Chen Siyue took a deep breath. "Truly a foreign financial firm. Earning this in Yancheng basically means financial freedom."
"It's alright. Lets me choose my lifestyle without compromise."
Speaking of salary, Lin Muxue also felt emotional.
Once working night and day, swallowing pride for money.
Now just one word from Tang Song elevated her beyond ordinary life.
Fate worked in wondrous ways.
Chen Siyue turned the camera toward herself, walking the brightly lit street while delivering emotional narration.
"Over six years ago on a summer night, we sat in the study hall, ceiling fan creaking overhead, gazing out the window dreaming of futures."
"Over six years later, seeing Lin Muxue again, time has sculpted her beyond imagination..."
...
Ending recording, Chen Siyue gave a thumbs-up. "Done! Got enough footage for this part. Thanks for your precious time, Xue."
"No problem." Lin Muxue checked her watch. "I should head back. See you Saturday?"
Chen Siyue smiled. "Tomorrow's Friday—free tonight? After filming the serene parts, I'd like to capture city nightlife. Someone like you must have vibrant nights—better showcases your style."
"Oh? Meaning?"
Excited, Chen Siyue proposed, "We could find a scenic bar, drink while chatting about your current life. Then Saturday just needs lifestyle shots, less intrusion on you and your boyfriend. I'll edit it together—fantastic effect."
This tempted Lin Muxue.
She disliked exposing the Yanjing Tiancheng penthouse online, planning only partial shots of closet, bedroom, living room for impact.
After thought, she casually said, "Not sure about tomorrow night—we'll see."
"Great! Your schedule rules." Chen Siyue nodded eagerly.
"Then goodbye." Smiling, Lin Muxue swayed to the parking spot's Bentley Continental GT.
"Bye~"
"Thanks for treating us, Xue!"
Li Da waved vigorously. "Drive safe, Muxue! I'll take everyone home."
"Beep beep—" The horn sounded twice.
Dazzling LED lights flashed.
With engine roar, the car slowly departed into the night.
Li Da licked lips, excited.
Did those two honks mean something?
"Heh." He Xiaohui gritted teeth. "That Bentley has Modu plates—maybe rented?"
Li Da shook head. "Doubt it. That's a premium plate—owners wouldn't bother renting. Plus with her salary, why?"
His company's HQ was near Modu suburbs.
He Xiaohui scoffed at their fawning. "Who knows if she really earns that much? Maybe just a regular employee."
"Even as staff at such a firm is impressive." Mao Wenqiong interjected, eyes full of envy.
She graduated from a no-name college, now a cram school teacher.
Exhausting work, 5,000 yuan monthly.
Desperately seeking better options.
Such a foreign firm hiring her—even as clerk—would thrill her sleepless.
"Speaking of, we haven't checked her company." He Xiaohui clenched fists, pulling out her phone.
Searching: "Slover (HK) Trust Company Limited."
Dinner conversation burned the name into memory.
"Found it. Official site—all English."
"Let me see." Li Da leaned in.
Top student from prestigious university, his English excelled.
Scanning the majestic site, he murmured, "Investment team from Kate Fund and Sinsight Capital. Portfolio full of tech—some unicorns we know."
"What are those?" He Xiaohui frowned.
"No idea." Li Da smiled awkwardly, searching [Kate Fund]—this time with Chinese results.
All could understand.
Soon, their expressions froze.
[Founded 1918, HQ in Chicago...global top-tier asset management...$15 trillion AUM...]
"Uh...seems legit." Li Da smacked lips, unsure what to say to silent classmates.
...
On sparse outer-ring roads.
Streetlights formed winding ribbons vanishing into darkness.
"Vroom—" Engine roars continued.
Warm night winds through open windows tousled Lin Muxue's hair.
Twenty Nami speakers played rich music.
♪BGM: Want to hear songs you've heard, read books you've read, collect every moment...
Her face glowed excitedly, eyes sparkling.
Today's calm facade hid inner storms.
Joining Gathering Capital, million salary, showing up classmates, Bentley Continental...
Scenes flashed by, flooding her with dopamine.
To calm her racing heart, she'd driven the near-4-million-yuan Bentley aggressively for twenty minutes.
Checking time.
She exited toward a destination.
Entering a shabby old district, rich barbecue aromas greeted her.
At a stall, a sweaty middle-aged woman grilled skewers amidst billowing smoke, bellows wheezing.
Beside her, a 10-year-old girl helped pass ingredients.
Squinting, Lin Muxue drove over.
Seeing the approaching Bentley, the woman called through open windows, "Boss! This car's too fancy! Smoke'll ruin it—don't park here!"
Windows rose as the car stopped gently. "Click—" The door opened gracefully.
Lin Muxue stood elegantly, smiling. "No matter. I'll take away. Thirty lamb, twenty beef skewers, and..."
Her thick Shaanxi accent warmed the woman's heart.
Then the woman gaped. "You're...Xue?"
"Mhm." Lin Muxue beamed, nodding at the stunned girl. "Vivi's grown so big."
"Two years since we saw you!"
"Xue-jie." Vivi whispered shyly, unfamiliar and timid.
After brief greetings.
The woman grilled while chatting, eyeing Lin Muxue's clothes and Bentley.
Lin Muxue chatted while surveying surroundings.
Near "Yancheng Vocational Technical College"—her alma mater.
She'd frequented this stall before.
Both Shaanxi natives, the owner often gave extra skewers.
A rare sweet memory.
But after graduation, she'd stopped coming, obsessed with upscale venues.
Today, something drew her back—for skewers and familiar faces.
Accepting the aromatic bundle, Lin Muxue scanned payment.
Waving, "See you! Bye Vivi~"
"Thunk!" Door closed.
Watching the departing Bentley, Vivi whispered, "Ma, Xue-jie paid 1,000 yuan."
...
The car stopped by Yanjing Huating's 24-hour convenience store.
Lin Muxue bought assorted beers, cocktails, spritzers.
Minutes later, she rang Zhao Yaqian's doorbell.
The door opened quickly. He Liting gasped, "Xue?"
Lin Muxue lifted two bags, eyes crinkling. "Midnight snacks and beer. Join me?"
He Liting paused, then nodded. "Sure! Thanks!"
"No problem—we're friends." Lin Muxue smiled breezily, entering.
"Tap tap tap—" Footsteps approached as Zhao Yaqian appeared.
"Xue! You're here! Come in—Ting just cut fruit!"
"Wow! Amazing spread! Mwah~ love you Xue~"
Seeing enthusiastic Zhao Yaqian and He Liting, Lin Muxue smiled genuinely.
Few true friends—Zhao Yaqian ranked highest.
He Liting worked nearby, counting as friend too.
Such joy deserved celebration with friends.
...
June 16, 2023, Friday, cloudy, 23-37°C.
Dawn brightened outside.
On the luxurious master bed.
Zhao Yaqian turned over, hand brushing bare skin.
Then felt a hand on her thigh. This update is available on NoveI[F]ire.net
Half-asleep, she assumed Tang Song's surprise attack.
"Song-ge..." She moaned, warming up.
Summer morning carried slight heat.
Breezes fluttered white curtains.
Frowning drowsily, something felt off.
Then—
"Ah!" A shriek startled her awake.
First sight: a familiar face.
"Qianqian!"
"Tingzi!?"
Zhao Yaqian yelped, recoiling.
He Liting trembled, voice shaking. "Qianqian! You...this..."
Just dreaming of her K3 livestream—record sales, viewers.
Then President Tang barged in.
Pinning her on sofa before colleagues.
Helpless, she complied.
Now waking to see cousin Qianqian?
Horrifying implications!
No! Could her cousin be...?
Seeing He Liting's look, Zhao Yaqian blushed crimson, stammering, "Tingzi...I..."
"Ha~" Lin Muxue yawned awake on the right. "What's up?"
They'd drunk till near midnight.
Lightweights, all half-drunk.
Eventually collapsing on the king bed, chatting to sleep.
Seeing Lin Muxue, He Liting shook head. "Nothing! Just nightmare screams."
Lin Muxue now worked at Gathering Capital—if she knew, would Qianqian violate trust terms?
"Sexual orientation abnormalities" were prohibited.
Wait—I'm straight! I love President Tang!
Lin Muxue ruffled messy hair, checking time—instant alertness.
"Almost 8! Need to clean up. Qianqian, last night's investment plan suits you best—consider it."
Dressing while speaking.
Zhao Yaqian nodded. "Mhm, I'll contact old friends for...market research."
"OK, message anytime! Bye Qianqian, bye Tingzi."
"Bye." "Bye~"
Watching Lin Muxue leave, He Liting gave Zhao Yaqian a complex look.
Thinking miserably: "Qianqian, if you really have...those tastes, I'll sacrifice myself. If you act out with others—like Lin Muxue—we'll regress!"