novelraw Chapter 266: A Night in Beijing, Her Heart
Chapter 266: A Night in Beijing, Her Heart
Yuhua Business Tower, Fanfu Suzi Media Co., Ltd.
“Alright, thank you, Sister Yunyun. I’ll head back to my desk now. Bye~”
“Bye!”
Walking out of the HR office, Xu Qing let out a relieved sigh and practically skipped down the hallway. Turning the corner, she arrived at the legal department’s section of the office.
Except for a few departments and senior leaders, most of the company’s offices were open-plan. Employees were grouped by department in defined zones.
Smiling politely at colleagues whose names she had yet to learn, Xu Qing sat at her desk.
The office itself was unremarkable in design, but the desks and chairs were comfortable enough.
“Hello! I’m Li Shubin, a legal specialist,” said the man sitting next to her, flashing a bright smile.
Xu Qing quickly responded, “Hello! I’m Xu Qing, the new legal specialist. Please take care of me!”
“No problem! The manager mentioned you. Feel free to ask me if you need help with anything.” Li Shubin, clearly delighted to meet such a cute and pretty colleague, was incredibly warm and welcoming.“Thank you, Brother Bin!”
Xu Qing then turned to greet her colleague behind her.
“Hello, I’m Guo Li from the New Media Operations Department.”
They exchanged a few pleasantries before Xu Qing adjusted herself in her chair, wiggled a bit to get comfortable, and opened her laptop.
Today was her first day at Fanfu Suzi Media.
Although she had planned to arrive early, the drama from the night before had been far too riveting, keeping her up until 3 a.m. She’d struggled to get out of bed that morning.
Luckily, the general manager was her schoolmate—and a friend of her close pal, Yanyan. Xu Qing had enough clout to make a quick phone call and go back to sleep until noon. After a shower and a meal, she finally showed up at the office.
The best part? Tomorrow was the Dragon Boat Festival, which meant three more days to lounge at home!
Xu Qing’s bright eyes sparkled as she glanced at her colleagues, all diligently working.
She discreetly pulled out the folder she had just received and took out her employment contract.
Scanning the salary section, her face lit up with a grin.
7,500 yuan!
A 50% increase over her previous job, plus a higher base for her social insurance and provident fund.
Combined with her steadily increasing writing royalties, her savings would soon hit six figures.
Xu Qing’s eyes practically glowed.
I can’t even spend it all! There’s no way I can spend it all!
Tucking the documents into her backpack, she opened her browser and resumed catching up on the day’s juicy gossip.
The legal department at Fanfu Suzi only had three staff members, with no director, and was directly managed by the general manager, Guo Liyuan.
Being her first day, Xu Qing had no tasks on hand yet.
[Su Yu in Love]
[Wang Liyu & Chen Si Announce Relationship]
[Zhao Zhenyun & Ma Zizi Divorce Announcement]
Since early morning, the internet had been abuzz with gossip—a veritable Spring Festival Gala for the entertainment world.
But because Su Yu’s statement was relatively vague, no one knew who she was referring to. Most online discussions focused on the other celebrity pairs, filled with accusations, speculation, and scandalous revelations.
The sheer drama satisfied everyone’s appetite for gossip.
Suddenly, Xu Qing froze, sensing a hush fall over the office.
She swiftly used a shortcut to switch her screen to a Word document featuring the company’s profile.
Feigning nonchalance, she looked up to see the general manager, Guo Liyuan, walking toward her.
“Qingqing,” Guo Liyuan called out with a smile, nodding toward her. “Come to my office.”
“Okay, sure!” Xu Qing quickly stood and followed her briskly.
Though they were friends outside of work, Xu Qing made sure to maintain a respectful demeanor in the office.
Click— The door to the manager’s office closed softly.
Gesturing for her to sit on the couch, Guo Liyuan even poured her a cup of water.
Xu Qing took the paper cup, a little nervous. “Manager Guo… is there something you need from me?”
“Hehe, don’t be so formal. Just call me Yunyun in private.”
Leaning against her desk, Guo Liyuan’s face lit up with excitement. “Tang Song just called. He’s coming to our company this Sunday to draft and negotiate the investment term sheet. We’ve already discussed the basic agreement over the phone, and this is a huge boost for the company. I wanted to thank you in person for helping secure this investment.”
The company had been in touch with nearly ten investment institutions and investors. While they had received two term sheets, the terms were unacceptable—harsh performance guarantees, liquidation preferences, and deliberately low valuations.
These were common tactics among institutions.
Tang Song, however, had shown a genuinely positive and cooperative attitude, deeply impressing both her and the major shareholder. They had no intention of continuing their “ride a donkey while looking for a horse” strategy and decided to seal the deal.
“Congratulations!” Xu Qing beamed. “Tang Song is such a great guy, and since he’s one of our alumni, I’m sure he’ll fully support you after becoming a shareholder.”
This was exactly what Shen Yuyan had instructed her to say at such a moment.
Guo Liyuan’s smile grew even brighter. “Tang Song praised you several times during our call. Keep it up, Qingqing!
“Once the financing round is complete, I’ll draft an employee stock option plan. You’ll be the first to receive incentives.
“You’ll get 2% equity—offered by Director Liu at the lowest price as a token of appreciation.”
Hearing this, Xu Qing’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you, Yunyun! Thank you, Director Liu!”
Director Liu—Liu Fangbo—was the company’s major shareholder, holding 85%.
Originally a sole proprietorship, he had sold 15% equity to Guo Liyuan at a low price to bring her onboard and lead the short drama team.
As a legal specialist, Xu Qing understood stock options well.
She had even drafted similar incentive agreements for Youjie Domestic Services in the past.
She resolved to buy that 2% stake, even if it meant borrowing money.
The thought of becoming a company shareholder made her heart race with excitement.
Haha! I, Xu Qing, must be the chosen one!
Tang Song! You’re absolutely the male lead of my story!
Muah! Muah-muah-muah!
After chatting a bit more, Xu Qing returned to her desk, brimming with excitement and chatting cheerfully with her colleagues.
She opened WeChat and sent Tang Song a message:
[Xu Qing: “Tang Song, I just heard from Yunyun that you’ll be coming to our company on Sunday to finalize the investment term sheet. Let me treat you to a meal then! And thank you for trusting me!”]
Next, she messaged her best friend:
[Xu Qing: “Yanyan, I’ve made it big! Tang Song’s investment in our company is basically finalized, and the major shareholder is offering me a 2% stock option incentive!”]
After sending the messages, Xu Qing couldn’t contain her excitement, her legs bouncing under her desk.
Opening the “Second Dimension’s Best Moments” group chat, she began spinning new story ideas.
Elite Lawyer Xu Qing: With her unbeatable charm and professional ethics, she won the favor of a publicly listed media company, becoming a shareholder and unlocking new chapters in her life...
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"
Her phone vibrated, and a chat notification popped up. Read full story at novel⸺fire.net
[Tang Song: “Qingqing, just saying thanks isn’t sincere enough.”]
“Ugh, that annoying Songzi! Always teasing me!”
Wait till I write him into my next novel and make him the butt of every joke!
Muttering inwardly, Xu Qing blinked her dark eyes and, with her cheeks slightly flushed, snapped a selfie.
Looking at the photo, she frowned. My hair’s a mess.
She adjusted her hair, tilted her phone for a better angle, and took a few more shots. Finally, she picked the best one, sent it, and replied:
[Xu Qing: “How’s that for sincerity?”]
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"
[Tang Song: subway-old-man-staring-at-phone.jpg]
[Tang Song: “Why resort to selfies out of the blue? Qingqing, how narcissistic are you? Fine, once I’m free, let’s find a cozy little motel. I’ll help you take a whole album.”]
“Ha! Ha! Ha!” Xu Qing’s mouth fell open in shock as her eyes widened.
I… I…
(ΩДΩ)
“Xu Qing, are you okay?” her colleague Li Shubin asked with concern. “Need any help?”
“N-no, nothing. Just saw some shocking gossip,” Xu Qing replied awkwardly with a forced smile.
Immediately, other colleagues gathered around, eager to discuss the day’s juicy gossip. After all, today’s news had been a feast for gossip lovers everywhere.
…
Youjie Domestic Services.
“It’s no trouble at all. Your company is outstanding, which is why everything went so smoothly.”
“Alright, once both our financings are settled, let’s have a proper gathering. There are plenty of our classmates in Yan City too.”
“Mm-hmm, bye, Yunyun.”
Hanging up, Shen Yuyan sighed deeply, her emotions a mixture of envy and resignation.
The negotiations between Fanfu Suzi Media and Tang Song had been almost too smooth. Both sides came in with full sincerity, resulting in an agreement that seemed almost destined.
Tang Song’s terms were not only fair but even waived the performance-guarantee clause.
In stark contrast, Youjie Domestic Services was having a far less pleasant experience.
Despite multiple discussions about the content of the investment term sheet, there was still no consensus.
The promises made by her senior Ren Mingyuan now seemed like mere lip service, as he deflected with excuses about differing opinions among the management team.
At this point, Youjie had no other options.
This Saturday, they would head to Beijing together and meet at Gongying Technology’s headquarters for final negotiations on Sunday.
It was likely both sides would need to make concessions, aiming to expedite the due diligence process and secure the funding as quickly as possible.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
The door to the office opened, and Li Meixia stepped in.
“Yuyan, all the regional agency representatives have arrived in Yan City. I’ve booked the banquet hall for 7 p.m. tonight.”
“Got it, thanks.”
“Here’s the attendee list. I’ll go prepare for the evening.” Li Meixia placed a folder on the desk and left.
Picking up the list, Shen Yuyan pursed her lips firmly.
Youjie’s self-operated stores were primarily located in Yan City and two nearby cities.
In other regions, they relied on agency operations, where external agents handled business allocated by Youjie’s platform.
Most of their clients came from her self-managed media accounts, which only covered areas around Yan Province. While the number of agents and business wasn’t substantial, it was the result of her two years of hard work.
It was this network that Gongying Technology valued, seeking a win-win collaboration.
Clenching her fists, Shen Yuyan gazed out at the horizon through the floor-to-ceiling windows, her heart full of hope and uncertainty.
I hope everything goes smoothly.
…
Lavande Hotel, Gongti Sanlitun Branch, Beijing.
Inside a spacious, brightly lit twin room, soft lighting created a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
Zhang Xintong rolled off the bed, quickly heading to the door.
Peering through the peephole, she opened the door with a cheerful, “Sister Zhong Yi, you’re here!”
Wen Ruan, adjusting her clothes, greeted with a smile, “Good afternoon, Zhong Yi.”
Zhong Yi nodded, handing over two bags. “These are business trip goodies from Director Liu—snacks, fruit tea, and desserts.”
“Thank you, Sister Zhong Yi! And thank Director Liu for us,” Zhang Xintong said, taking the bags gratefully.
Zhong Yi, an HR and administrative manager from the Beijing branch, and Director Liu, the general manager, were familiar faces from the company’s annual meetings.
Compared to Yan City, Beijing was a more competitive market with more business opportunities.
Light and Shadow Media, now a 15-year-old company, was a leading player in Yan City’s media industry.
Besides its headquarters in Yan City, it had branches in major first-tier cities, with the Beijing branch being the largest.
Zhong Yi smiled. “Director Liu will come by after his meeting. You can thank him in person then. Alright, I still have to deliver these to Meiling and the others. Bye!”
“Bye~”“Bye~”
Click! The door shut softly.
Zhang Xintong placed the snacks on the coffee table and said with a grin, “Sister Wen Ruan, our company is being so generous this time—business car pickups, high-end accommodations, and such fantastic afternoon tea!”
“It’s only fitting. This client is incredibly important. They spend at least 50 million yuan annually on advertising, with a significant portion of that being overseas campaigns. They’re crucial for Light and Shadow Media.”
“This Director Liu must be really capable to land a major client like Meigou Tech. I heard from colleagues that if this contract is successfully signed, Director Liu will be promoted to vice president at headquarters, overseeing advertising sales.”
“Yes, he’s quite capable,” Wen Ruan agreed, closing her suitcase and picking up clothes to change.
Meigou Tech, a fast-fashion cross-border e-commerce company backed by Smile Holdings, served over 150 countries and regions worldwide.
Through innovative business models and strategies, it had achieved remarkable success in the international market.
Last year, its net profit was $3 billion, ranking fourth on the global unicorn list.
That Liu Chuanzheng secured such a significant client meant his promotion to vice president was all but guaranteed.
But what impressed Wen Ruan more was the fact that Tang Song had worked at this company for three years.
According to Wen Ruan’s information, Tang Song’s technical skills were exceptional, and he had a stable job at Meigou Tech. Why he suddenly returned to Yan City was a mystery.
Hu Mingli once remarked that when Tang Song first came back from Beijing, he seemed utterly dejected—his energy and spirit completely different from his current confident self. He even looked like someone nursing a heartbreak.
Wen Ruan had tried to broach the subject indirectly, but Tang Song never gave her a straight answer.
This only deepened her suspicions.
She had come to Beijing this time partly to probe further.
Even though she knew marrying Tang Song was a long shot, her female instincts and competitiveness drove her to figure out just what kind of woman could reject the man she wouldn’t dream of letting go.
Who dares dump someone like him?!
“Wow, Sister Wen Ruan, your figure is insane—a perfect Korean drama body!” Zhang Xintong exclaimed as she watched Wen Ruan change clothes, her eyes filled with awe and admiration.
This was Zhang’s first time seeing Wen Ruan in just her undergarments.
Her exaggerated hourglass curves, ample bust, slender waist, and round hips formed an astonishing “S” shape.
Her voluptuous yet harmonious proportions were downright intimidating.
Zhang silently offered a moment of sympathy for her idol Tang Song.
At home, Sister Wen Ruan will probably dominate him completely. Poor guy might not even dare lift his head!
“You should join me in the gym,” Wen Ruan said casually.
“No way! I’m just not built for it,” Zhang said, glancing at her chest and hips before sighing in resignation.
Once Wen Ruan had slipped into a sleek black dress, Zhang Xintong eagerly suggested, “Sister Wen Ruan, let’s go to Sanlitun Taikoo Li tonight! You’ve lived here for nine years—you’re practically a local legend. Show me around!”
Wen Ruan chuckled, shaking her head. “Sorry, I’ve already made plans to meet a college classmate tonight. We haven’t seen each other in three years.”
“Oh? Is it a guy or a girl?” Zhang Xintong perked up, her curiosity obvious.
Wen Ruan raised an eyebrow. “Why do you care?”
“I’m just curious! It’s gotta be a girl. After all, Sister Wen Ruan, you have such an amazing boyfriend already. You wouldn’t be interested in other guys.”
“Not necessarily,” Wen Ruan replied with a cryptic smile, sitting down to touch up her makeup.
Zhang Xintong blinked and discreetly opened WeChat, messaging Zhang Ziqi:
[Zhang Xintong: “Reporting in, Sister Ziqi. Sister Wen Ruan has a dinner date with a college classmate tonight—it might be a guy!”]
She even snapped a sneaky photo and sent it along.
Moments later:
[Zhang Ziqi: “Keep me updated!”]
[Zhang Ziqi: ‘¥100 Red Packet’]
Zhang Xintong’s face lit up. She immediately replied, “Understood!”
She had been devastated when she missed out on a Su Yu concert ticket last time. Sister Ziqi had comforted her, adding her as a friend and promising that helping keep tabs on Wen Ruan might earn her future perks.
The chance to secure a concert ticket in the future was irresistible.
Staring at the shiny 100-yuan red packet, Zhang Xintong was overjoyed.
Tang Song truly is generous! A simple tidbit of intel, and he sends 100 yuan. Rich men are built differently!
The two women sipped fruit tea while discussing Meigou Tech’s marketing campaign for a while. Then Wen Ruan glanced at her phone, grabbed her purse, and stood.
“I’m heading out, Xintong.”
“Alright, bye, Sister Wen Ruan!” Zhang Xintong put down her cake, considering whether to secretly tail Wen Ruan and snap a few more photos.
Just then, another knock came at the door.
Zhang Xintong checked the peephole and quickly opened the door. “Director Liu, welcome!”
This was none other than Liu Chuanzheng, who was about to be promoted to Vice President at the company’s headquarters—a significant figure in their industry.
Wen Ruan smiled politely. “Good evening, Director Liu.”
Following him in was a flamboyantly dressed woman, Li Meiling.
Liu Chuanzheng, in his forties, radiated confidence in a shirt and trousers, his presence exuding leadership. His gaze swept over the room before lingering on Wen Ruan, his eyes fixated.
“Good evening, Wen Ruan. It’s been a while since we last met—the company’s annual meeting in January, wasn’t it?”
Compared to six months ago, Wen Ruan looked even more mature and alluring, her charm flawless. Liu felt that his long-standing interest hadn’t been in vain.
Now, riding the high of his imminent promotion, he acted with far less restraint.
“Well, I’m glad to see you again,” Wen Ruan replied curtly, noticing the intensity in his stare.
At the annual meeting, Liu’s intentions had been obvious but subtle. Now they were blatantly clear.
Still, she was about to leave Light and Shadow Media, so she didn’t bother engaging further—soon, they wouldn’t be working together anymore.
Liu grinned. “Perfect timing—it’s dinner time. Since our colleagues traveled far to get here, let’s all gather for a meal and catch up.”
“Sorry, Director Liu,” Wen Ruan said apologetically. “I’ve made plans with a college friend for dinner. I appreciate the invitation, but I’ll have to pass.”
Li Meiling leaned in, swaying her hips as she pouted. “Wen Ruan, you’re being a buzzkill. Director Liu personally invited you. Can’t your friend wait until tomorrow?”
“Oh, don’t make it sound so serious, Meiling,” Liu waved magnanimously. “How about this, Wen Ruan? Why not invite your friend to join us? We’re dining at Dadong Roast Duck near Jinbao Plaza.”
“No, thank you, Director Liu,” Wen Ruan replied with a polite smile. “I must be going. Goodbye.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned and left.
Her heels clicked down the hallway as the sound echoed.
Liu’s face darkened immediately.
Li Meiling smirked at his reaction, gloating inwardly.
Hmph! Keep acting like that, Wen Ruan. You’ve just made an enemy of Director Liu. Let’s see how you survive when he cuts you off!
Hooking her arm around Liu’s, she said sweetly, “Director Liu, don’t take it to heart. Wen Ruan’s always been independent. Let’s focus on enjoying our meal instead.”
Liu glanced at Li Meiling. While her looks and figure were average, her boldness was appealing.
Still, the thought of Wen Ruan overshadowed everything else, dampening his appetite.
…
"Honk, honk!"
A car horn sounded outside.
“Ruan Ruan! Over here!”
Hearing the voice, Wen Ruan turned to see a familiar face leaning out of a black Tesla.
“Jiao Jiao!”
The car door opened, and Wang Jiao stepped out in casual attire, arms wide open. She greeted Wen Ruan with a warm hug.
“Long time no see, Ruan Ruan!” Wang Jiao patted Wen Ruan’s hip playfully. “Geez! I thought you were exaggerating in your social media posts, but wow—you really bulked up! That gym time paid off!”
“Cut it out!” Wen Ruan smacked her back. “I’m toned, not bulky!”
“Fine, fine, my mistake,” Wang Jiao laughed. “You just got here this afternoon, right? You must be tired. Let’s hop in and find a spot in Taikoo Li to eat and catch up.”
“Sounds good.” Wen Ruan climbed into the passenger seat.
The two parked at a nearby lot and walked to a Western restaurant with a terrace in Taikoo Li South District.
As the stunning sunset faded and night fell, they sat on the beautifully lit terrace, enjoying a few favorite dishes.
The breeze gently stirred Wen Ruan’s hair as she absentmindedly touched the greenery on the table. Her gaze drifted to the vibrant scene outside.
The dazzling lights of Taikoo Li intertwined with bustling crowds, neon signs, and rhythmic music, creating a lively urban tapestry.
The night in Beijing was still so vibrant and dazzling.
I hope it doesn’t disturb my heart again.