novelraw Chapter 275: The Storm Arrives
Chapter 275: The Storm Arrives
The damp streets shimmered faintly with water, reflecting hurried pedestrians and vehicles like a series of irregular mirrors.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"
Zhang Xintong’s phone vibrated incessantly in the taxi.
In the marketing planning department’s group chats, messages popped up one after another.
"@Wen Ruan, what’s going on? Why did you suddenly resign?"
"Director Liu from Beijing is saying some harsh things in the big group chat. @Wen Ruan, what really happened?"
"I heard Wen Ruan offended Director Liu."
"Director Liu is now the company’s top hero. No wonder her resignation got approved so quickly."
Zhang Xintong sighed, her expression tinged with helplessness.
Sister Wen Ruan had turned off her phone and was unreachable. Everyone was speculating about what had happened.
Just yesterday after work, Sister Wen Ruan submitted her resignation. By this morning, before the workday even began, it had already been approved.
From her immediate supervisor to HR, finance, and even the CEO, the process was unprecedentedly smooth.
In Light and Shadow Media, the internal processes were notoriously cumbersome.
Resignations, which involved verifying loans, reimbursements, travel expenses, and attendance records, typically took three or four days.
This time, the urgency was palpable—a clear indication of the gravity of the situation.
Some colleagues who usually didn’t get along with Wen Ruan were already sneering.
Notably, Li Meiling and Zhong Ying.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"
Director Ning:
"Xintong, I can’t reach Wen Ruan right now. Please help me pass along an apology.
I originally planned to hold up her resignation request and have a proper discussion once she returned.
But President Zhang called me early this morning, and there was nothing I could do.
If possible, ask her to return to Yan City soon to handle the handover."
Zhang Xintong:
"Got it, understood."
After replying to Director Ning’s message, even Zhang Xintong was taken aback by the situation.
President Zhang, the company’s chairman and CEO, Zhang Shun, had absolute authority.
This also underscored how crucial Liu Chuanzheng was to the company right now.
A valuable employee like Wen Ruan was directly dismissed after an argument with him—no matter who was right or wrong, it was over.
"Miss, we’ve arrived at Fengda International Hotel," the rideshare driver called from the front seat, pulling up under the hotel’s canopy. "Don’t forget your luggage."
"Alright, thank you."
Zhang Xintong quickly opened the car door, got out, and retrieved Wen Ruan’s suitcase from the trunk.
Entering the hotel lobby, her eyes immediately landed on Tang Song seated on a couch in the lounge area.
His tall and well-proportioned figure, paired with his sharp side profile, made him strikingly handsome.
Zhang Xintong clicked her tongue in admiration, feeling a twinge of envy for Sister Wen Ruan.
She must have kept this boyfriend busy last night.
Noticing her gaze, Tang Song, who had been looking down at his phone, raised his head and glanced over.
A charming smile instantly spread across his face as he stood up and waved at her.
"Good morning, Xintong. Thanks for going out of your way."
"It’s no trouble at all! Um, how’s Sister Wen Ruan doing now?" Zhang Xintong quickly handed over the suitcase.
After all, she had received a 10,000-yuan red envelope from her previously—delivering luggage was the least she could do!
"She’s doing fine now; everything’s settled," Tang Song said, pointing to the sofa in the lounge area with a smile. "Have a seat, I have something to ask you."
"Sure!"
Zhang Xintong sat down cautiously, her eyes darting nervously around the room.
Leaning forward, Tang Song’s expression turned serious. "I want to know what exactly Wen Ruan went through at the company."
Last night, he had asked Wen Ruan before they went to sleep, but she brushed it off, saying she was too tired.
Tang Song could see through her response.
This mature woman clearly had her own plans and didn’t want to trouble him.
But as her boyfriend, it was his responsibility to get to the bottom of it.
After a brief hesitation, Zhang Xintong began recounting what she knew.
Her understanding of the situation was limited, but piecing together various rumors, she managed to outline the events:
Liu Chuanzheng? Harassment? An argument? Resignation?
As Zhang Xintong spoke, Tang Song’s brows furrowed deeper, and a fierce anger began to rise within him.
Workplace bullying was something he had personally experienced, so he knew just how despicable it could be.
Wen Ruan wasn’t some inexperienced girl. She was independent and career-driven. Being forced out of her job like this would have been a significant blow to her.
As his gaze flickered, Tang Song made a decision.
He had to help his girlfriend reclaim her position—and do so comprehensively and decisively.
With the Slover Trust’s 200 million yuan investment at his disposal, he could easily arrange for Wen Ruan to return to the company in a new capacity—perhaps as a shareholder of Light and Shadow Media.
Moreover, his charm rating was about to reach 60, which would trigger another inheritance reward. The resources at his disposal would make achieving this goal even easier. Check latest chapters at novel·fıre·net
And then there was Liu Chuanzheng to deal with.
"That’s the gist of what happened," Zhang Xintong said in a low voice. "At 10 a.m. today, the project team is heading to Meigou Tech. Sister Wen Ruan was supposed to be a key player on the team, but Liu Chuanzheng deliberately used this incident to get under her skin."
Tang Song raised an eyebrow. "Meigou Tech is a major client for your company?"
"Yes," Zhang Xintong nodded. "It’s pretty incredible, isn’t it? A big company from Beijing choosing to work with our media company, which is headquartered in Yan City. They even used to collaborate with Xingyun International Group."
The two chatted briefly about Meigou Tech before Zhang Xintong got up to say goodbye and left Fengda International Hotel in a cab.
Tang Song picked up the suitcase and headed toward the elevator.
His thin lips pressed into a firm line as his thoughts raced.
Meigou Tech left a deep impression on him.
During his senior year of college, his family had suddenly faced a crisis. He had been preparing for graduate school but had to abandon those plans.
Focusing on high-paying positions, he had sent out numerous resumes to well-known internet companies in Beijing.
The first internship interview invitation he received was from Meigou Tech.
That night, he took a train to Beijing, slept in a youth hostel, and went to the interview the next day.
The process had gone exceptionally smoothly.
He passed all three rounds of interviews on the same day and received a coveted offer.
Even now, Tang Song couldn’t shake the feeling that something had been off about the experience.
At the time, Meigou Tech was already a unicorn in the domestic cross-border e-commerce sector, with an annual growth rate of 240% and a valuation exceeding 100 billion yuan.
Backed by top-tier capital, its business spanned the globe, making it a rising star in the internet industry.
Although Tang Song’s technical skills were impressive, his academic background was far from outstanding.
Among the interns in the company's Technical Engineering Business Group, his educational qualifications ranked near the bottom.
Now, reality and the game seemed intertwined—Smile Holdings had become the actual controlling entity of Meigou Tech.
While waiting for the elevator, Tang Song pulled out his phone and began searching for information about Meigou Tech.
Within moments, his pupils quivered slightly.
Between 2019 and 2022, the chairman of Meigou Tech was none other than Jin Meixiao, the executive director of Smile Holdings.
This period coincided precisely with his tenure at the company and the time he spent playing Heartthrob Growth Plan.
A low "buzz" echoed in his mind, akin to the hum of a tuning fork.
His vision flickered slightly as a wave of disorientation surged through him.
“Ding—” The elevator doors opened slowly.
Tang Song’s mind cleared instantly, and a fine layer of sweat formed on his forehead.
He stepped into the elevator, gazing at his reflection in the mirrored wall. His expression was somber as he licked his dry lips.
Secretary Jin? Did you play a role in the collaboration between Light and Shadow Media and Meigou Tech?
During my three years at Meigou Tech, what was I truly working on?
Has the game altered reality, or have I transformed myself?
I need to meet you as soon as possible!
Exhaling deeply, Tang Song dismissed his chaotic thoughts and stepped out of the elevator.
Entering his room, the sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.
Tang Song knocked on the frosted glass door and said, "Ruan Ruan, Xintong brought your clothes over."
"Thanks, little brother. Just leave them by the bed. I’ll change when I’m out!" came the sultry and captivating voice of the older woman from the bathroom.
Tang Song chuckled in response. He placed the suitcase on the floor and opened it, carefully sorting through the clothes.
His eyes eventually settled on a gray slip dress—tight-fitting, satin, with a body-hugging silhouette.
The type netizens often referred to as a “stepmother dress.”
With her commanding figure, Wen Ruan would undoubtedly look stunning in it.
Tang Song had never seen her wear such a dress before and was eager to witness it.
He placed the slip dress separately on the bed, left the bedroom, and settled into the small office area. Turning on his laptop, he began tackling his workload.
Being a Monday, his inbox was overflowing.
Meeting reports, business proposals, and audit plans from Huashang Fushi...
Executive meeting notes and project progress updates from Jinxiu Commerce’s Technical Support Division...
Budget plans, procurement lists, and recruitment requests from Songmei Fashion...
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, gray clouds loomed overhead.
The drizzling rain blurred the city, veiling it in a hazy, ethereal mist.
Meigou Tech Tower, Ground Floor Lobby
"Excuse me, is there a Ms. Wen Ruan here?" He Wenguang repeated the question once more.
Meigou Tech had been coordinating with Light and Shadow Media for five days now, and their project team did indeed include someone named Wen Ruan.
Although he didn’t know why Director Jin wanted to meet her, he was determined to fulfill the request.
"Gulp—" Liu Chuanzheng swallowed nervously, clutching his briefcase tightly. His voice trembled with apprehension.
"Director He, are you referring to Wen Ruan, our planner?"
Liu Chuanzheng was utterly baffled by Director He’s intentions and was left in a daze.
He Wenguang, however, looked serious and tense. "That’s right, I’m asking about Wen Ruan from your marketing planning department. Hasn’t she arrived yet?"
The eight members of Light and Shadow Media’s project team instantly felt a wave of pressure.
This situation was far beyond what they had anticipated.
Director He seemed to place extraordinary importance on Wen Ruan.
With his head buzzing, Liu Chuanzheng stiffened and replied hesitantly, "She temporarily withdrew from the project team, so she didn’t come along this time."
Hearing this, He Wenguang’s face darkened immediately.
Director Jin was still waiting in her office!
For someone like her, every minute was precious. The fact that she had postponed her plans and braved the rainy weather to come to Meigou Tech in person underscored how seriously she regarded this matter.
Now, such a major oversight? He couldn’t afford to bear the consequences!
The corner of Liu Chuanzheng’s eye twitched as he sidled up to He Wenguang and whispered, "Director He, our company holds this project in the highest regard. We’ve brought over five key planners, and the two here today are leading the charge on this advertising and marketing strategy for Meigou Tech. Frankly, Wen Ruan wasn’t that critical to the team."
Li Meiling couldn’t resist chiming in, curling her lips. "Director He, Wen Ruan’s work ethic is questionable, and her emotional state has been unstable. The company was worried she’d affect our collaboration, so we decided to remove her from the project."
Taking a deep breath, He Wenguang chose not to respond to their explanations.
Instead, he stepped into a corner, pulled out his phone, and made a call, speaking in a low tone to report the situation.
Moments later, he returned with a brisk stride and delivered his verdict solemnly.
"You have 60 minutes. If Ms. Wen Ruan does not arrive, you will bear the consequences. Furthermore, we will only discuss the advertising and marketing collaboration with her."
Liu Chuanzheng’s face turned deathly pale. A chilling sensation surged from the soles of his feet to his scalp, leaving him feeling as though he had plunged into an icy abyss.
The expression on He Wenguang’s face made it clear that nothing he said would change the outcome.
Behind him, Li Meiling shrank back, her eyes wide with shock.
What was going on? Wasn’t this a major client that Liu had secured? Why would they insist on talking only to Wen Ruan?
And “bear the consequences if she doesn’t arrive”?
Was she having a nightmare?
She pinched her arm hard, and the sharp jolt made her shiver. Quickly retreating further, her face turned ashen.
Something had gone terribly wrong!
The other project team members exchanged uneasy glances, their minds struggling to process the unfolding disaster.
One thing, however, was clear—this collaboration was doomed!
Before they set out that morning, Wen Ruan’s resignation process had already been completed.
Company chats were still buzzing with discussions about her abrupt departure.
A sense of foreboding gripped everyone.
This wasn’t just an ordinary deal. It was a minimum 50-million-yuan annual contract, bolstered by the prestige of the Meigou Tech name.
If they lost this critical client, it wouldn’t just be Liu Chuanzheng who faced repercussions—the entire project team would be implicated.
Liu Chuanzheng turned mechanically toward the employees from Yan City and croaked, "Call Wen Ruan. Immediately!"
His voice was dry, raspy, and trembling with fear.
Unlike regular employees, Liu Chuanzheng fully grasped the stakes of this collaboration.
His recent confidence and swagger were fueled by the fact that Light and Shadow Media was on the verge of being acquired by Smile Capital, with a controlling stake of over 67% in the works.
When the deal was finalized, his position as vice president would become far more prestigious.
Currently, the negotiations between capital investors, the board, and shareholders were nearly complete.
But this entire transaction hinged on one crucial premise: their successful partnership with Meigou Tech.
If this project failed, it would trigger a series of cascading repercussions.
Forget about his promotion to vice president—when the shareholders, who were losing their best opportunity to cash out, found out, they would probably want to kill him.
In the hotel’s private office area, Tang Song’s fingers flew across the keyboard.
Besides attending to matters involving Wen Ruan, he had another critical task during this trip to Beijing: recruiting scarce talent for Songmei Fashion.
This was tied to the [Building an IP] mission objective, so Tang Song was taking it seriously.
Just moments ago, Bocai Yingrui had sent over the detailed candidate profiles. He needed to familiarize himself with them and find time to interview a few candidates later in the week.
“Click—click—click—” Soft, measured footsteps approached.
Tang Song looked up with a smile. "Finished your shower?"
His expression froze for a moment.
Under the gentle glow of the light, Wen Ruan emerged, wearing the tight slip dress he had selected earlier.
Her strides were light and confident, exuding the unique charm of a mature woman with every step.
The high-quality fabric clung to her voluptuous, radiant curves, highlighting a figure that was simply breathtaking.
Round shoulders, a perfectly shaped derrière, a slender waist, and a full bust—each detail seemed sculpted to perfection.
“Click—” The footsteps stopped, and Wen Ruan stood quietly before him, like a masterfully painted oil portrait where every nuance was just right.
The most critical detail? She wasn’t wearing anything underneath!
Wen Ruan’s lips curled into a faint smile as she looked at Tang Song, who was immersed in work. "Little brother, is this the dress you wanted to see me in? How do I look?"
With that, she gently swayed her hips, the dramatic curve of her waist-to-hip ratio creating an irresistibly alluring arc.
Tang Song’s eyes lit up with amazement and heat. "Zhuangzhuang, you’re stunning! Come here!"
At the sound of that nickname, Wen Ruan shot him a mock-annoyed look, then walked over and plopped herself onto his lap.
Tang Song let out a low yelp and began his playful retaliation.
Wen Ruan softened slightly in response.
After a while, Tang Song exhaled a long breath.
He had to admit, this older sister wasn’t just fit—she was a fitness enthusiast through and through.
Her toned, curvaceous thighs were truly remarkable: round and firm, with a balance of muscular tightness and feminine softness.
Tang Song leaned close to Wen Ruan’s ear, his voice urgent. "Ruan Ruan, you haven’t had breakfast yet. There’s milk in the fridge—why don’t you drink some?"
From his vantage point, Wen Ruan’s allure was overwhelming. It was too much to handle.
A true masterpiece of fullness and beauty!
With their close proximity, he couldn’t help but be a bit indulgent.
Wen Ruan rolled her eyes dramatically but didn’t reject his suggestion.
Since she had gone to bed late the night before, she didn’t wake up until after 9 a.m. today. By the time she finished her shower, it was already nearly 10 a.m., and she hadn’t had time for breakfast yet.
Outside, the drizzle continued steadily.
Raindrops trickled down the glass window, leaving clear but fleeting trails.
“Ring, ring, ring—”
The sudden ringtone of his phone broke the moment.
Tang Song glanced at the screen and said in a low voice, "It’s Zhang Xintong. Why is she calling me?"
Answering the call, he said, "Hello, Xintong? What’s wrong?"
"Hey, Tang Song! Is Sister Wen Ruan there? Something’s happened!"
Tang Song furrowed his brows, gesturing toward Wen Ruan to signal he was putting the call on speaker.
“What’s going on, Xintong?” Wen Ruan’s voice remained calm and steady, betraying no emotion.
In moments like this, her poise, refined by years of experience, shone brightly.
“A bunch of people just called me—Li Wenzhe, Liu Chuanzheng, Director Ning, and even our boss, President Zhang! They all said the same thing: Meigou Tech’s collaboration is contingent on you. They specifically named you and insisted that they would only negotiate with you.
“They’ve given 60 minutes, and now there are only 40-something minutes left. If you don’t show up, the deal is off…” Zhang Xintong rattled off anxiously, her words tumbling over each other.
Finally, she gasped for breath and added, “The company’s leadership is losing their minds. Your phone’s off, so they’ve all been calling me instead. Sister Wen Ruan, what should we do now?”
Wen Ruan froze at the news, her actions coming to a standstill.
Tang Song’s heart skipped a beat.
So, it was just as he suspected!
And chances were high that Secretary Jin wanted to meet Wen Ruan in person today.
Great. His image as a "scumbag" had probably solidified in Secretary Jin’s eyes.
The trust agreement wasn’t even signed yet, and she was already giving him a warning by summoning Wen Ruan?
What if, once the entourage grew, she actually arranged for a truck to "teach him a lesson"?
At the thought, a chill ran down his spine.
After a brief pause, Wen Ruan said incredulously, “The advertising contract between Meigou Tech and Light and Shadow Media… they’ll only negotiate with me? Why?”
“Oh, my dear sister, how would I know why?” Zhang Xintong suddenly raised her voice. “President Zhang said that as long as you’re willing to come and negotiate, everything can be worked out. He admitted the company was wrong and promised ample compensation!”
“This…” Wen Ruan hesitated for a moment.
Tang Song, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up. “Ruan Ruan, you’ve already resigned. This has nothing to do with you anymore.”
Originally, he had planned to help Wen Ruan take her revenge personally. But now, it seemed unnecessary.
With Secretary Jin’s influence, even a minor displeasure could unleash chaos upon Light and Shadow Media—enough to shake the company to its core.
Tang Song could wait for the company to suffer setbacks and a sharp decline in valuation before stepping in to buy shares. Then Wen Ruan could return in a position of power.
More importantly, he didn’t want Wen Ruan to meet Secretary Jin right now.
Wen Ruan had only recently started opening her heart to him after overcoming her emotional struggles.
If Secretary Jin intimidated her, the process of binding her as his companion might be delayed again.
That, in turn, would delay the unlocking of his 60-charm reward.
Secretary Jin!
Tang Song glanced at Wen Ruan and thought to himself: Everything I’m doing to bond with her is for the sake of meeting you sooner!
After exchanging glances with Tang Song for a moment, Wen Ruan finally spoke, her voice firm. “Xintong, tell President Zhang that I’ll come to the company soon to complete the resignation formalities. That’s all I have to say. I have things to do here. Goodbye.”
“Alright… okay, Sister Wen Ruan. I’ll let the leadership know. Bye.”
After ending the call, Wen Ruan couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
Something about this situation felt off, but she truly had no intention of returning to the project team.
After the fallout with Liu Chuanzheng, her departure was effectively a dismissal.
Going back now, in such a dramatic fashion, would essentially slap the company’s top leadership in the face.
Even if she got a promotion and raise under pressure, once the dust settled and the contract was signed, there was a good chance she’d face retaliation.
“Why the sigh, sister? Finish your breakfast!”
“Get out of here!” Wen Ruan snapped, playfully swatting Tang Song.
Meigou Tech Tower, 33rd Floor, Director’s Office
“Knock, knock, knock—”
A soft knock came at the door.
Moments later, Assistant Lin entered briskly.
"Director Jin, we’ve confirmed the situation. Yesterday, Wen Ruan had a heated argument with Liu Chuanzheng, the director of Light and Shadow Media’s Beijing branch. She subsequently submitted her resignation, which is why she isn’t part of today’s project team."
"What was the reason?" Secretary Jin swiveled her chair around, her expression calm as she looked at Assistant Lin.
In a low voice, Assistant Lin replied, "According to rumors within the company, Liu Chuanzheng attempted to sexually harass Wen Ruan by exploiting workplace power dynamics."
"Oh?"
A sharp gleam burst forth from Secretary Jin’s eyes as she stood up.
She paced toward Assistant Lin, her demeanor suddenly cold and commanding.
"Cancel the collaboration between Meigou Tech and Light and Shadow Media.
Notify the representatives of Smile Capital to suspend the equity acquisition. Instruct them to investigate Liu Chuanzheng for negligence and illegal conduct in his role.
Reach out to several of Light and Shadow Media’s key clients and find ways to have them terminate their contracts.
Additionally, use Xingyun International’s channels to locate media partners and agencies authorized by Light and Shadow Media. Revoke those authorizations immediately.
Secure control of the company at the lowest possible cost."
"Understood, Director Jin. I’ll arrange it right away," Assistant Lin responded swiftly before leaving the office.
Secretary Jin’s red lips pressed together slightly as her expression gradually returned to composure.
Her plan to acquire this small company was originally to present it to Wen Ruan as a reward after giving her a proper wake-up call.
Thus, she had been carefully maintaining the company’s integrity and stability, even lining up major clients like Meigou Tech to boost its value.
Of course, her motivations weren’t entirely altruistic.
These clients were originally under Xingyun International Group, and assigning them to Light and Shadow Media would inevitably create irreconcilable conflicts of interest between Wen Ruan and Su Yu.
Now that the plan had been disrupted, Secretary Jin decided to first vent Wen Ruan’s frustration—this would make it easier to proceed with her arrangements moving forward.