novelraw Chapter 285: Feathers of Memory and Role Center
Chapter 285: Feathers of Memory and Role Center
It was around 3 PM.
The thick coffee-colored curtains blocked out the bustling world outside, wrapping the room in a serene stillness. The only sound was the faint hum of the central air conditioning.
The bed was in complete disarray—snow-white sheets twisted and crumpled, with the blanket having slipped onto the floor at some point.
Wen Ruan’s skin, not particularly fair due to her active lifestyle and frequent travels, glowed with a healthy and vibrant tone. Smooth and supple to the touch, her consistent schedule had given her a balanced endocrine system, contributing to the [Metabolic Optimization] buff she carried.
Her well-proportioned muscles and fat distribution lent her body a taut, resilient elasticity. Tang Song, as he lightly traced the defined lines of her abs and her toned legs, experienced a tactile sensation unlike anything before.
Leaning against the headboard, he glanced at the system interface displaying Wen Ruan’s portrait card. Closing his eyes briefly, he focused on the buff [Metabolic Optimization] bestowed by his companion.
Like the [Smooth Skin] buff he’d received from Yaqian, this new enhancement worked rapidly under the system’s augmentation, with immediate effects.
The most noticeable change was how his fatigue from earlier exertion had already begun to fade, and his body felt subtly rebalanced and stabilized.
A well-maintained metabolism was a cornerstone of physical health. It supported weight management, enhanced bodily functions, slowed aging, improved digestion, and stabilized appetite. Furthermore, a robust endocrine system contributed to sustained energy and emotional well-being.
For someone like Tang Song, committed to fitness and crafting the perfect heartthrob physique, this buff was invaluable.A soft, alluring murmur broke the silence.
Wen Ruan slowly opened her dewy eyes, biting her full, moist lips. Sitting up on the bed, she locked eyes with Tang Song.
After everything that had transpired today, she felt transformed—awash in a mix of unparalleled excitement and satisfaction, as though she’d just taken a leisurely stroll through paradise.
“What’s the matter, Ruan Ruan?”
Noticing Tang Song’s subtle movements, Wen Ruan gasped softly, her body trembling slightly. “Hey! What are you doing?”
“Sister, what do you think I’m doing?”
“I think…” Wen Ruan trailed off, biting her lip harder as she rested her hands against Tang Song’s toned abs, her gaze fixed on him intently.
Her bewitching expression and magnetic presence were almost overwhelming for Tang Song.
So far, he had played “ball games” with Yaqian, Lin Muxue, and now Wen Ruan. Among them, the most irresistible had to be the elegant older woman before him. She was like a perfectly ripened peach—enticing, rich, and utterly captivating.
Even though it was her first time, she showed no signs of inexperience. Her intuitive understanding of subtle gestures, expressions, and body language created an unparalleled connection, offering Tang Song an experience unlike any other.
Compared to Yaqian, whose youthful exuberance was undeniable, her skill still needed refinement despite her “legendary assets.”
As July descended upon Beijing, the city approached its peak summer heat. By early afternoon, temperatures were nearing 40°C (104°F).
Occasionally, streaks of intense sunlight peeked through the narrow gaps in the curtains. Thankfully, the powerful air conditioning kept the room comfortably cool.
Tang Song’s hand traced Wen Ruan’s delicate, trembling silhouette as he returned his focus to the system interface.
Navigating to the [Personal Center], Tang Song’s gaze fell on the resplendent progress bar at the top of the interface.
[24° (Starting Charisma)…30°…40°…50°…60°…70°…80°…90°…100°]
The treasure chest above the 60-point marker emitted a radiant crimson glow, indicating it was ready to be claimed.
At 60 charisma points, Tang Song had officially stepped into the realm of a “heartthrob” within the game Heartthrob Growth Plan. His appearance, demeanor, physique, poise, conversational skills, and emotional intelligence had all undergone a qualitative transformation.
At this stage, Tang Song could effortlessly leave a positive impression on others—whether men or women—provided no conflicting interests were involved.
This newfound state was likely to grant him access to even greater system permissions.
“Ah!” Wen Ruan gasped suddenly, brought back to reality by Tang Song’s heated touch.
Tang Song smirked, allowing himself a playful indulgence as he leaned into her allure.
With one deliberate motion, he lathered his hands with a metaphorical “cleanser,” ready to embrace the next chapter in their unfolding connection.
Tang Song took a deep breath to calm his nerves, tinged with both excitement and anticipation, as he focused his mind to open the treasure chest.
For a moment, his vision blurred, followed by the crisp chime of the system's notification. A cascade of reward messages appeared on the interface:
“Ding! You have received 【$50 million in dedicated trust funds】.”
“Ding! You have received 【80% equity in Lan Feng International Hotel Co., Ltd.】.”
“Ding! You have received 【15% equity in Xingyun International Group Co., Ltd.】.”
“Ding! You have received 【3% equity in LimeTech Co., Ltd.】.”
“Ding! You have received 【4% equity in Tang Zong Entertainment Group Co., Ltd.】.”
“Ding! You have unlocked a new system module: 【Role Center】.”
“Ding! You have unlocked partial permissions for the game characters 【Agent - Mo Xiangwan】 and 【Top Lawyer - Luo Bin】.”
“Ding! You have obtained a special item: 【Feather of Memory ×1】.”
The screen was packed with dense rows of rewards, each one more overwhelming than the last.
Tang Song’s body tensed, and his face flushed with exhilaration.
With charisma hitting 60, qualifying him as a "certified heartthrob," he finally gained access to enterprises built within the game and unlocked the pivotal [Role Center] module. This also gave him the ability to interact with two key characters.
“Little brother, what’s wrong? That fast? Too weak!”
Although Wen Ruan teased him, her eyes sparkled with a trace of smug delight.
25 years old and fit, but still no match for me, a seasoned elder sister. Gotcha!
Hearing Wen Ruan’s taunt and thinking of the incredible rewards he just unlocked, Tang Song’s excitement surged even higher.
Sitting upright, he faced her directly, their faces only inches apart.
Seated on his lap, Wen Ruan’s soft breaths landed lightly on his face—sweet, warm, and tinged with an irresistible allure.
The air between them grew thick with tension.
Locked in his gaze, Wen Ruan suddenly felt like prey in the eyes of a ravenous beast.
“Zhuang Zhuang, you’ve got some nerve! I held back for your sake, especially since it’s your first time. If I really went all out, you’d have no chance against me.”
Tang Song inhaled deeply, ignoring her teasing. He opened the system inventory and selected a [Stamina Recovery Potion], activating it immediately.
A sweet liquid appeared in his mouth, which he swallowed.
A cool sensation spread through his entire body as though an icy wave had washed over him.
Tang Song shivered, feeling his fatigue vanish in an instant. The soreness and exhaustion in his muscles melted away, and his stamina returned to its peak.
It was like waking up refreshed after a perfect night's sleep—his condition couldn’t have been better.
A fierce determination blazed in his eyes.
Today, I will ensure this big sister surrenders completely!
“What are you—oh my gosh!” Wen Ruan exclaimed as she suddenly realized what was happening.
For the first time, she truly understood the meaning of losing control.
Before her was Tang Song, embodying the unstoppable momentum of a hero in King of Glory, fully charged with passive stacks and delivering his ultimate move.
Time ticked away, second by second.
After what felt like an eternity, Wen Ruan, flushed and thoroughly subdued, buried her face in the blanket and sprawled motionless on the bed, pretending to play dead.
Gone was her earlier smug confidence.
Meanwhile, Tang Song, fully relaxed, lay back on the bed and began reviewing the details of his newly acquired rewards.
Tang Song carefully examined the details of each reward, his excitement mounting as he read through them:
【$50 million in dedicated trust funds】:
Slover Trust’s family trust has been injected with $50 million. This fund is designated as a specialized fund within the trust, aimed at upgrading its medical, educational, and other security functions while helping family members establish stronger and more stable social and familial connections.
[Note: The trust’s terms of service will be updated. Please contact the Slover Trust representative for review.]
Tang Song surmised this was likely triggered by recruiting his second companion. The additional injection of $50 million—equivalent to approximately 350 million RMB—was no small sum.
With this, the total assets under Slover Trust’s management rose to $160 million, a significant scale for a family trust.
He speculated that as the number of his companions increased, these injections would continue.
【80% equity in Lan Feng International Hotel Co., Ltd.】:
The company owns Lan Feng International Hotel, located in the heart of Qiaoxi District, Yan City. It is a five-star multifunctional modern luxury business hotel featuring accommodations, dining, conference facilities, entertainment, and leisure, aiming to become a unique ultra-luxury hotel in Yan Province.
[Note: The equity transaction is in progress and is being handled by Lawyer Luo Bin. For equity delegation, transfer, or other business needs, please consult this character.]
Tang Song was very familiar with the Lan Feng International Hotel, having lived in Yan City for over four years.
This iconic five-star hotel was well-known, and he had dined at its Lan Yue Chinese restaurant before, even accompanying Xu Qing. Later, during a concert, Mo Xiangwan and her team had stayed on its executive floors.
The hotel’s location was unbeatable: just 100 meters from a metro station on Line 1, adjacent to a major city thoroughfare, and surrounded by top-tier commercial facilities.
Its 60,000 square meter floor area, 33 stories (30 above ground, 3 below), and towering height of over 120 meters made it a landmark.
Owning 80% equity in such a mature luxury hotel meant immense influence, from its extensive network of employees and suppliers to its deep social and professional ties.
Unlike Huashang Fushi, where he held only 35% equity and had to work through the board for major decisions, his controlling stake in Lan Feng Hotel gave him direct authority. His influence in Yan City was set to grow substantially.
【15% equity in Xingyun International Group Co., Ltd.】:
A leading domestic cultural and media conglomerate, Xingyun International is dedicated to providing innovative, high-performance, and customized brand marketing solutions. It specializes in advertising and media sales agency services, with operations spanning nationwide and expanding into international markets.
[Note 1: The equity transaction is in progress and is being handled by Lawyer Luo Bin. For equity delegation, transfer, or other business needs, please consult this character.]
[Note 2: This reward includes a board seat. Please contact Lawyer Luo Bin to designate a representative.]
Tang Song had deep ties to Xingyun International, especially given Wen Ruan’s years of service there.
The mention of “equity delegation” and “board seat” caught his attention. As he gently stroked Wen Ruan’s silky hair, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of indebtedness toward her.
Knowing her five years at Xingyun International hadn’t been smooth, and considering her departure from Light and Shadow Media had left her distraught, Tang Song felt a responsibility to support her.
Delegating this asset and securing her a board position seemed fitting.
He had done this before in the game with characters like Mo Xiangwan, Su Yu, and Zheng Qiudong, who had held assets on his behalf. Wen Ruan, with her prestigious academic background and over eight years of experience in the media industry, was more than qualified.
Coupled with the system’s [Companion Growth Plan], he was confident she would excel in this role.
After planting a light kiss on Wen Ruan’s back, Tang Song moved on to the reward that intrigued him most.
【3% equity in LimeTech Co., Ltd.】:
An AI unicorn specializing in large AIGC (AI-generated content) models, LimeTech focuses on developing AI applications, dual-innovation platforms, and AI theory and algorithm software. It boasts over 300 world-class researchers dedicated to advancing AI technology.
[Note: The equity transaction is in progress and is being handled by Lawyer Luo Bin. Due to special circumstances, this equity cannot be delegated or transferred.]
Reading this, Tang Song’s gaze sharpened.
Owning a stake in a cutting-edge AI company like LimeTech gave him a foothold in one of the most promising industries of the future. Although the shares were non-transferable, this limitation only underscored their strategic value.
This was just the beginning, and Tang Song was determined to leverage these rewards to reshape his future.
Tang Song was particularly familiar with LimeTech.
Back in 2018, his "White Moonlight," Liu Qingning, had joined a startup team focused on AI development and applications. At the time, Tang Song was deeply engrossed in a fervent period of learning.
His conversations with Liu Qingning revealed the vast disparities in opportunity created by attending different schools, sparking a determination within him to prepare for graduate school at Imperial Capital University.
Later, the AI project Liu Qingning was part of won a prestigious competition, earning the gold prize. She and her team of classmates and senior peers dove wholeheartedly into their startup and professional pursuits.
Even as Tang Song moved to the capital for work, their shared interests and time together dwindled, leaving him with a bitter sense of distance and helplessness.
This emotional undercurrent found its way into the Heartthrob Growth Plan game. In the 2018 in-game timeline, Tang Song’s character aggressively invested his controlled capital and businesses into the AI field. By 2020, he had completed his vision by merging several domestic and international tech companies to form "LimeTech."
He had relived these events vividly through the special item “Mirror of Self” in Chapter 214 of the game.
Tang Song harbored no doubts about LimeTech’s potential. The age of artificial intelligence seemed inevitable, and AI was poised to become the battleground of the next industrial revolution.
With his in-game company Tangyi Precision also venturing into the chip business, the rapid expansion of AI would eventually interconnect his game-created enterprises into a massive industrial cluster.
Calming his inner excitement, Tang Song continued reviewing the rewards.
【4% equity in Tang Zong Entertainment Group Co., Ltd.】:
Headquartered in the “Magic City” of Shanghai, Tang Zong Entertainment is a renowned domestic and international entertainment company with a market valuation nearing 80 billion RMB. In addition to its ventures in film, music, and literature, it has invested in the metaverse, VR/AR, AI, gaming, education, multimedia, and new consumer industries.
[Note: The equity transaction is in progress and is being handled by Lawyer Luo Bin. Due to special circumstances, this equity cannot be delegated or transferred.]
Tang Song viewed Tang Zong Entertainment as one of his early assets, one he paid little attention to after shifting his investment focus.
However, Su Yu, a key figure in the company, had never abandoned it. Through her leadership, Tang Song often saw her proposing operational strategies within the game, which he usually delegated to Secretary Jin to execute.
Tang Zong Entertainment had consistently followed the investment directions of Tang Song’s controlled companies, establishing itself as more than just an entertainment firm—it had evolved into a capital and internet technology enterprise. Its current valuation of nearly 80 billion RMB was a testament to that growth.
Su Yu’s adept networking skills also played a significant role in the company’s success. Key characters such as Wu Kezhi, Ouyang Xianyue, and Luo Bin maintained close ties with her, many of them fans of her music or films. This insider network often gave her early access to industry trends and investment opportunities.
With a sense of nostalgia, Tang Song opened the system’s main interface. Next to the [Companion] tab, a new, glowing module labeled [Role Center] had appeared.
He clicked into it.
The interface was identical to the one from Heartthrob Growth Plan, with its vibrant and colorful background.
Two role cards floated in the center, each glowing with distinct hues. The lifelike illustrations were strikingly familiar, sparking a wave of memories for Tang Song.
So nostalgic! he thought, scenes from the game flashing vividly in his mind.
Shaking his head with a smile, he began examining the two characters’ details:
【Agent - Mo Xiangwan (SR)】
【Role: President, Tang Zong Entertainment】
【Status: Unknown】
【Current Location: Unknown】
【Height: 165 cm, Weight: 49 kg, Age: 35】
【Base Attributes: Unknown】 Get full chapters from n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
【Skills: Unknown, Growth Level: 89/89】
【Role Evaluation: Composed and calm, rational thinker, resilient and determined, outstanding leadership, strong strategic vision…】
【Permissions: The player has gained access to communicate with this character via WeChat or phone. Communication is unrestricted, but actions must not negatively impact the character’s charm rating.】
Tang Song’s gaze lingered on the beautifully detailed artwork of Mo Xiangwan, her elegance practically radiating from the screen.
He scrolled down to the next card:
【Top Lawyer - Luo Bin (SR)】
【Top Lawyer - Luo Bin (SR)】
【Role: Partner, Quanjing Law Firm】
【Status: Unknown】
【Current Location: Unknown】
【Height: 183 cm, Weight: 74 kg, Age: 40】
【Base Attributes: Unknown】
【Skills: Unknown, Growth Level: 90/90】
【Role Evaluation: Possesses exceptional professionalism and expertise, combining eloquence and intelligence. Skilled at listening and understanding others, highly disciplined and efficient, with a strong sense of justice. However, also overly self-confident and domineering, tending to be self-centered…】
【Permissions: The player has gained access to communicate with this character via WeChat or phone. Communication is unrestricted, but actions must not negatively impact the character’s charm rating.】
Exiting the [Role Center], Tang Song navigated to the [Inventory] to examine the last reward:
【Feather of Memory ×1】:
A dazzling feather imbued with a peculiar dream-like memory. When the player finds themselves in a familiar setting and experiences a shift in mindset, the feather will automatically activate, unveiling hidden fragments of a memory buried in a dream.
【Note 1: Exploring the past is a pathway to self-improvement. What happened to “me” in 2016?】
【Note 2: As the Feather of Memory gently descends, it stirs ripples in the lake of time. The soft interplay of light and shadow echoes verses from deep within the annals of time, quietly narrating stories of what once was.】
Tang Song pondered the significance of the feather.
2016… What did I go through back then?
The poetic description suggested this item held deep, perhaps transformative, insights. It wasn’t just about revisiting the past but about connecting the dots to understand his present and improve himself.
With this thought, Tang Song’s anticipation for future developments in the game surged once more.