novelraw Chapter 255: Xiao Xue: Accidentally Ended Up in a High-Level Match
Chapter 255: Xiao Xue: Accidentally Ended Up in a High-Level Match
Songmei Fashion, President’s Office.
Tang Song examined the department structure and candidate profiles in his hands before giving a thumbs-up to Gao Mengting. "No objections. Let’s proceed with this setup."
"There are quite a few new hires this time, so we’re bound to encounter various issues down the line," Gao Mengting said seriously. "Once the HR supervisor comes on board, I’ll work with her to draft a performance evaluation system."
"Understood," Tang Song replied, adjusting his black-framed glasses.
The first round of large-scale interviews at the company was nearing its end.
They were hiring 43 employees, and Tang Song had personally participated in at least one interview for most key department positions.
Thanks to his [Leader] role effect, he was confident that there were no major issues with the selected candidates. However, their actual performance would ultimately determine whether they stayed. If anyone wasn’t a good fit, they would be replaced promptly.
The heaviest burden moving forward would fall on HR management.
Previously, when they recruited He Liting and her team, it was a pre-formed group of just over a dozen people. The onboarding process had been relatively smooth.
This, however, would be a bigger test for them.The two discussed recent live-streaming data briefly before Gao Mengting glanced at her watch. She smiled and said, "One more thing—I’d like to request some time off, Tang."
"Oh? A leave request?" Tang Song looked up, surprised.
Gao Mengting was a famously hardworking partner. Since they started the company, she had barely taken a break, often working on weekends and outpacing even He Liting’s level of diligence.
Hearing "time off" from her sounded almost unbelievable.
With a gentle smile, her voice melodic, Gao Mengting explained, "Today is June 19th—the graduation ceremony for the 2023 undergraduates of Yan City University. My housemate is officially graduating today. This afternoon, I’ll take my Wuling to help her pack up the last of her dorm stuff. Now that our current round of interviews is over, I thought it would be a good chance to visit my alma mater."
"Oh, I see. Need any help?"
"No, no, thank you. Over the past two months, she’s already moved most of her things bit by bit. What’s left are just odds and ends, nothing troublesome."
"Alright, then. By the way, it’s been ages since I last visited your place for a meal. Once things settle down, I’ll come by to enjoy your cooking again."
"Ha!" Gao Mengting covered her mouth, laughing softly with a warm glimmer in her eyes. "Sure. It’s been so busy lately, I haven’t cooked for nearly a month myself."
"Knock, knock, knock—"
The sound of a knock interrupted their conversation.
From outside came He Liting’s voice: "Tang, I’m here."
"Come in!"
The door opened gently, and He Liting, dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans, walked in.
Noticing Gao Mengting sitting on the sofa, she immediately greeted her. "Ms. Gao!"
Gao Mengting smiled and nodded before turning to Tang Song. "I’ll leave you and Liting to your discussion. I’m off now. Bye!"
"Bye."
Watching Gao Mengting leave, He Liting exhaled deeply, looking slightly uneasy.
"Tang, this is the IP account management plan that Liu and I drafted based on your suggestions." She handed over a freshly printed document.
Tang Song took the file and gestured toward the sofa across from him. "Have a seat, Liting. Let me take a look."
"Thank you, Tang," she said quickly, shuffling over to the seating area and sitting down carefully, her back straight.
Her gaze kept flitting toward Tang Song, and her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.
The sharp, handsome features of his face, his upright, well-proportioned figure, and the commanding presence of the president’s office—all combined to create the perfect image of a dominant CEO.
With his glasses on, Tang Song appeared even more polished and charming today—a perfect combination of intellectual and refined.
As He Liting thought back to the wild energy and passion he displayed during his games with Qianqian, her mind couldn’t help straying to less-than-innocent territory.
Since the office relocation, everything else had been great, except for one downside: fewer chances to see Tang Song.
This was a sentiment unanimously shared by the female staff.
In the quiet office, the faint sound of paper turning occasionally broke the silence.
With the [Tang Song’s Glasses] accessory equipped and his high 81 Perception enhancing his sharp thinking, Tang Song’s reading efficiency was exceptional.
He quickly extracted key points from the proposal.
The concept was to craft a persona of a relaxed, tasteful woman with a distinctive sense of aesthetics and a passion for life’s finer aspects.
The target audience consisted of women with the financial means to pursue quality living and personal fulfillment.
The plan proposed launching the account using a content-commerce model, where videos showcasing stylish outfits would attract followers.
Based on data from these videos, the team could analyze user preferences and refine product selections.
The proposal covered everything in detail, from content themes to product selection, shooting styles, filter aesthetics, and promotional strategies.
After about ten minutes, Tang Song set the document down and began a focused discussion with He Liting.
The teams responsible for He Liting’s video content and live streaming would begin onboarding this week. Next up was developing the IP, a critical component of Tang Song’s Growth Plan Tasks.
He engaged fully, pouring his efforts into ensuring the plan’s success.
The two of them discussed ideas for nearly an hour.
By the end, He Liting’s cheeks were flushed, and her heart was racing. Tang Song seemed like the man who understood her better than anyone else in the world.
The vision he described matched her dream future perfectly.
"Tang, I’ve noted down everything you said! Do you have any other suggestions?"
Tang Song sipped his coffee thoughtfully, his gaze sharp. "I think the account name needs to be changed. A simple, memorable, and representative ID can be very beneficial for IP promotion."
"Change the name? Hmm, I’ve thought about it before but never decided. Tang, why don’t you pick one for me?"
Her current account was just under her real name, He Liting, and she hadn’t had time to update it.
She looked at Tang Song with sparkling eyes.
As her "godfather," it only made sense for him to name her online persona, didn’t it?
Tang Song pondered briefly before snapping his fingers. "How about He Yiyi? Using the number ‘one’ (一) sounds simple and impactful. What do you think?"
"Perfect! Absolutely perfect!" He Liting said excitedly. "For some reason, when you said that name, I felt a strange sense of destiny—as if it’s truly mine. It feels like I’ll soar to great heights with this name, charging forward fearlessly, and… and staying devoted to you forever... ah, um…"
Realizing she’d accidentally voiced her thoughts, He Liting blushed and lowered her head in embarrassment.
Tang Song chuckled, reaching out to pat her lightly on the head. "Good luck, Yiyi."
"Got it! I won’t let you down," she said with determination.
"Alright, that’s all from my side. Go ahead and get to work," Tang Song said, withdrawing his hand and taking another sip from his mug.
Feeling the warmth of his hand fade, He Liting bit her lip before quietly saying, "Tang, I’ll make you a fresh cup of coffee."
"Thank you."
She stood up, picking up Tang Song’s mug from the coffee table before heading out of the office with light steps.
Walking along the quiet corridor, He Liting entered the spacious break room.
The office was still mostly empty since new colleagues hadn't officially started yet. The space felt vast and silent.
He Liting glanced around, her cheeks slightly flushed, before grabbing Tang Song's mug and pressing it to her lips.
Her lips touched the exact spot where he'd just drunk water. She squinted her eyes and felt a rush of excitement, as if she'd just tasted an elixir of immortality.
"So refreshing! Does this count as kissing him?!"
She couldn’t help herself—President Tang was just too irresistible!
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—" Her phone vibrated in her pocket, snapping her out of her reverie.
It was a message from the WeChat group chat called “The Women Behind Tang Song”. The group’s name had been decided drunkenly during one of their late-night drinking sessions.
[Qianqian: “Tingzi, Little Xue, I’ve spoken with Zhang Mengchu. We’ve arranged to meet her in a few days when she’s less busy. If you’re free, come along and help me decide!”]
He Liting’s hands trembled slightly, feeling a twinge of guilt.
She muttered inwardly, “He Yiyi, you’re such a creep! Such a pervert! Fantasizing about your cousin’s boyfriend?! Disgusting!”
After berating herself a few times, she felt slightly better.
Zhang Mengchu was Qianqian’s teacher at a beauty training institution.
Though only 27 or 28 years old, Zhang Mengchu already had ten years of industry experience and was now working as a trainer at a professional institution.
She had extensive knowledge of the beauty industry and frequently discussed market trends and future career paths with students like Qianqian during class.
To Qianqian, she was a respected expert in the field.
So, once Qianqian had confirmed the business direction she wanted to pursue, the first person she contacted was her former instructor.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"
[Little Xue: “@Qianqian, no problem.”]
[Little Xue: “By the way, I need to tell you something. The lease on my apartment is expiring, and the landlord has decided not to rent it out anymore. I plan to move out of Yanjing Huating by the end of the month.”]
He Liting felt a wave of mixed emotions upon seeing this message—both relief and reluctance.
After spending some time with Little Xue, she’d realized that Little Xue was genuinely a good person. Despite her cool exterior, she was quite approachable and seemed like someone she could really get along with.
But Little Xue’s beauty and elegance were undeniable, and having her constantly around Yanjing Huating always left He Liting feeling on edge, worried that President Tang might lose his self-control.
If that happened, the two of them would end up being literal “Women Behind Tang Song,” and she couldn’t even imagine the awkwardness of sharing that title.
He Liting clenched her legs tightly and blinked back the moisture pooling in her eyes.
“Qianqian, when are you going to throw me a lifeline? I don’t mind your little quirks and can even help you hold the line in battle!”
Chengyuan Building, Slover Trust.
"Click, click, click—" Lin Muxue’s fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard.
Lin Muxue: “No need, Qianqian. I can always crash at your place; drinking and chatting with you is so much fun.”
Lin Muxue: “Don’t worry, I’ve already found a suitable place at Lanfeng International Apartments. It’s close to Yanjing Huating, so we can still meet often.”
After a while, she leaned back in her chair and let out a sigh.
Although she adored the environment of Yanjing Huating and Yanjing Tiancheng, she had no choice but to move out.
The first reason was the expiring lease. The landlord had called earlier that afternoon to give her a final ultimatum.
The second reason? Well, she’d already slept with Tang Song.
What if he got in the mood sometime? Staying there just wouldn’t be convenient. Moving out would make things easier for her, too.
Lin Muxue glanced at the time, shut down her computer, tidied up her things, and walked out.
After exchanging goodbyes with her colleagues, she headed downstairs and caught a cab to Lanfeng International Apartments in the Huaxin District.
Situated in a prime downtown location, the apartments were close to both Chengyuan Building and Yanjing Tiancheng. Right next door was the renowned five-star Lanfeng International Hotel.
Both the hotel and the apartments were developed by the same company, shared top-tier property management, and boasted 24-hour concierge services.
This was undoubtedly one of the most premium apartment complexes in Yan City.
Many foreign employees from Slover Trust lived here, creating a steady and strong demand for rentals. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novｅlfire.net
The company had a robust housing subsidy program and maintained a partnership with Lanfeng International Apartments. At her level of seniority, she could lease a fully furnished two-bedroom unit for just 2,000 yuan a month.
After calling the real estate agent, Lin Muxue stood in the luxurious and elegant lobby, taking in her surroundings with satisfaction.
Soon, the sound of heels clicking on the floor drew her attention. A woman in her early 30s jogged over, smiling warmly.
“Hello, Ms. Lin. I’m Zhao Yinglan, responsible for rental services at the property management company. Let me take you upstairs now.”
“Alright, thank you.”
They entered a cozy, well-lit elevator lobby as Zhao Yinglan began to introduce the apartment in a soft voice.
Nestled in the city center, the apartments were surrounded by an extensive transportation network, with intersecting subway lines and numerous bus routes.
The ground floor featured 8,000 square meters of high-end retail shops, offering convenient access to the bustling city.
The property provided 24-hour security patrols, regular cleaning and maintenance, and prompt emergency repairs.
A dedicated customer service hotline was also available to address any needs of the residents.
On-site amenities included a gym, heated swimming pool, yoga room, children’s play area, multifunctional meeting rooms, and a book bar.
“Ding—”
The elevator stopped on the 20th floor.
“This way, please. Let me show you the unit.”
After stepping out of the elevator, they turned a corner in the bright and spacious corridor, arriving at a dark brown door with a golden plaque that read “2002.”
Zhao Yinglan entered a passcode to unlock the door.
Inside was a stunning space: solid wood composite flooring, an intricately layered ceiling with embedded crystal chandeliers, leather sofas, wool carpets, a marble TV feature wall, an open-plan kitchen with imported high-end appliances, and a walk-in closet.
After touring the unit, Lin Muxue stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the city view below. A bright smile spread across her face.
The Lanfeng International Apartments, designed to the standards of a five-star hotel, perfectly matched her tastes and preferences.
It was even better than her current place at Yanjing Huating.
In truth, this kind of high-end apartment was ideal for a single woman like her—safer and in a livelier area.
Additionally, many foreign colleagues lived here. With their lighter workloads, they often gathered in the book bar, gym, or coffee shop downstairs, offering her great opportunities to socialize and integrate better into the company.
The best part? After the company subsidy, her monthly rent was just 2,000 yuan! It was practically perfect.
“Ms. Lin, are you satisfied with this unit?”
Suppressing her excitement, Lin Muxue nodded lightly and replied with a calm demeanor, “It’s not bad. Let’s sign the contract.”
Out in public, she had to maintain her composure—no room for showing her excitement.
“Of course.” Zhao Yinglan opened the blue folder in her hand and handed over the rental and property service contracts.
With Slover Trust as a backing, Lin Muxue didn’t bother scrutinizing the contracts.
Swipe, swipe, swipe— she signed her name, pressed her fingerprints, and paid three months' rent.
Everything settled, she looked around at her luxurious new apartment, her face glowing with excitement.
With her current income, even without the trust fund Tang Song promised her, she believed that one day she’d be able to buy a place like this on her own.
“Boom!” The door closed softly.
As they walked along the corridor toward the elevator, Lin Muxue suddenly asked, “Manager Zhao, how much is it to rent a parking spot here?”
Zhao Yinglan responded immediately, “For someone like you, Ms. Lin, it’s just 300 yuan a month. You can contact me at any time to arrange it. If you’d like, I can take you down to the garage now to select a spot.”
Lin Muxue pondered for a moment. “Let’s take a look.”
Though she didn’t own a car yet, Tang Song did!
She’d register his license plate ahead of time. If he ever decided to visit, he could drive right in—no hassle.
Just like her, ready to open her heart and her legs for him anytime.
Chatting along the way, they took the elevator directly to B2.
Exiting the brightly lit and elegant lobby, Zhao Yinglan led her a short distance to the right.
Pointing at a parking space, she said enthusiastically, “Ms. Lin, how about this spot? It’s reserved for important clients by our property management. It has a charging station and is conveniently located just ten meters from the elevator lobby.”
Lin Muxue inspected the spot carefully, then nodded. “This will do.”
“Perfect. One moment, I’ll contact my colleague to prepare the contract. We’ll head to the first floor to finalize the paperwork.”
“Thank you.” Lin Muxue brushed a hand through her softly curled hair.
As she walked back toward the elevator, her eyes swept over the parked cars nearby, automatically appraising their prices in her mind.
As expected of Yan City’s most upscale apartments—million-yuan luxury cars were everywhere.
Suddenly, a beam of bright light swept across the garage, illuminating the entire space.
The light was accompanied by the sound of tires grinding against the floor and engines roaring.
Lin Muxue looked up, her expression frozen, and instinctively took a few steps back.
One after another, cars descended from the B2 entrance.
Leading the convoy were several Mercedes G-Class SUVs and Range Rover Land Rovers, followed by two Mercedes-Benz vans.
A total of seven or eight vehicles formed a black torrent, rushing forward with an overwhelming presence.
In the dimly lit underground garage, the scene exuded an indescribable pressure and impact.
“Screech, screech, screech—”
The brakes echoed through the garage as the cars came to a stop.
Lin Muxue swallowed hard and unconsciously froze in place, staring at the black wave ahead.
“Click, click—”
The doors of the SUVs swung open, and one by one, burly men in suits stepped out.
With stern expressions, they wore sunglasses and earpieces, their movements swift and precise.
They quickly spread out, exchanging low words among themselves as their sharp eyes swept the surroundings with vigilance.
Beside her, Zhao Yinglan whispered, “Ms. Lin, I just received notice that the elevator is temporarily out of service due to emergency maintenance. There’s a property office here on B2. Let me take you there to rest for a while. My colleague will bring the parking lease contract down shortly.”
“Oh... okay,” Lin Muxue replied, nodding nervously, her expression tense.
This kind of scene—it could only mean someone incredibly important was here.
Someone she couldn’t afford to offend.
They had only taken a few steps back when another wave of bright lights swept across the garage.
At the entrance, the imposing Parthenon-style grille of a massive vehicle came into view.
Shortly after, a Rolls-Royce Phantom glided smoothly into view, followed by a Maybach S680.
Goodness! Who could command such an entourage? What an entrance!
The car wheels turned steadily, the crystal Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament standing proudly at the forefront, exquisite and dazzling.
Under Lin Muxue’s dazed gaze, the black Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped right in front of her.
Her heart skipped a beat as she instinctively stepped further aside.
Even Lin Muxue knew her limits. Some people weren’t just out of her league—they were untouchable even for someone like Tang Song.
As she stood there, anxious and uncertain, the rear window of the Rolls-Royce slowly rolled down.
A sophisticated and beautiful face appeared before her.
“President Mo!” Lin Muxue blurted out, her expression instantly growing slightly flustered as she bowed her head slightly.
Through the warm light of the garage, Lin Muxue could faintly make out another woman seated beside Mo Xiangwan.
“Good afternoon, Muxue,” Mo Xiangwan said with a slight nod, her gaze sweeping over Lin Muxue. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Do you have time to come upstairs for a chat?”
Lin Muxue bit her lip, her face flushed with excitement.
This was none other than Mo Xiangwan, president of Tang Zong Entertainment, an entity deeply intertwined with Slover Trust.
After the last incident where she delivered a glasses case and some documents, Lin Muxue had suspected that Tang Song and Mo Xiangwan might be involved.
That would make Mo Xiangwan and Qianqian rivals in a sense—and by extension, hers too.
The last time she had met Mo Xiangwan at a restaurant in Shanghai, she’d been too nervous to leave a good impression. Now that another chance had come her way, she couldn’t afford to mess it up.
Her mind raced as she worked to maintain her composure. “I have time. Thank you for the invitation, President Mo.”
“I’ll wait for you at the elevator lobby,” Mo Xiangwan said with a faint smile before the Rolls-Royce began moving again.
Beside her, Zhao Yinglan quickly added, “Ms. Lin, please take care of your business first. You can call me anytime when you’re ready to finalize the contract.”
“Thank you,” Lin Muxue replied, taking a deep breath and walking gracefully toward the elevator lobby.
“Click, click—” The rear doors of the Rolls-Royce opened.
Two women stepped out, and Lin Muxue finally got a good look at the other woman’s outfit.
Dressed in a white T-shirt and white skinny pants, she wore a baseball cap, glasses, and a mask.
Her height was similar to Lin Muxue’s, her figure stunning, and her posture exuded elegance.
Lin Muxue’s heart skipped a beat. This woman looked so familiar, but her jumbled thoughts couldn’t place her.
As they entered the brightly lit elevator lobby, Lin Muxue stole a closer look.
The woman’s presence became even more striking up close. Her skin was as smooth as jade, radiating a mesmerizing glow, and her long, indigo-colored hair cascaded down her back.
Her legs were perfectly straight, her waist slender, and her hips full and shapely.
Her proportions were almost otherworldly, and every movement she made was captivating.
Then it hit her.
She… she’s Su Yu!?
Lin Muxue’s lips parted slightly in shock, her eyes wide.
In a daze, she felt as if the woman before her was bathed in divine light, so bright it made her squint.
“Ding—” The elevator doors slid open.
Lin Muxue numbly stepped in, her mind reeling like an exploded torpedo.
Mo Xiangwan, as impressive as she was as Tang Zong Entertainment’s president, was still worlds apart from the influence, fame, and presence that Su Yu commanded.
As the elevator doors began to close, a voice as crisp and ethereal as a mountain spring called from behind her:
“Lin Muxue?”
Startled, Lin Muxue turned around, her face flushed and her voice stumbling. “Su… Su Yu, Ms. Su, h-hello.”
Su Yu knows my name?
Could it be that I, Little Xue, have become that prominent?
“Don’t be nervous,” Mo Xiangwan said with a gentle smile. “We just want to have a little chat with you. Oh, and Anne Kate, a committee member from Slover Trust, is also upstairs. It’d be a good opportunity for you to meet her—it might help with your future development.”
“Anne… Kate?” Lin Muxue felt her breath hitch, her chest tightening.
It felt like she had been matched with a diamond-tier opponent in a high-stakes battle.