novelraw Chapter 296: Regret Unspoken
Chapter 296: Regret Unspoken
Youjie Domestic Services.
"Wei Manager, we need to carefully consider this matter. Please allow us some time," Shen Yuyan said, trying to remain composed.
Wei Pingjun countered, "Youjie Domestic Services wants to expand its scale, and advertising is essential. Our Gongying Smart Home app has millions of users nationwide. This collaboration is a win-win for both sides."
Shen Yuyan, maintaining a calm tone, replied, "Senior Ren has repeatedly assured me that after the financing is completed, we’ll become strategic allies. Gongying Smart Home App will provide us with free traffic, which is the most valued aspect of your company for us."
The middle-aged woman next to them, Lü Fengxia, shook her head with a slight smile. "President Shen, we are a large, legitimate technology company with a complete internal operational system. President Ren oversees strategic investments but is not responsible for the specific operations of the app."
Wei Pingjun added, "The price we’ve offered is already very favorable. After all, the traffic we bring is top-notch, with conversion rates far exceeding what you’d achieve through other channels. Our investment process has been completed, and normally, the first payment would be made to Youjie Domestic Services’ account within seven days."
Taking a deep breath, Shen Yuyan pressed her lips together, her gaze flickering as she remained silent.
The due diligence had concluded two days ago, and the investment agreement had been officially signed yesterday. The other party had dispatched a five-person team, including a project manager, financial specialist, legal advisor, and coordination officer.
Wei Pingjun was the project manager, while Lü Fengxia was the specially assigned coordination officer.
Initially, Gongying Technology had presented itself as a friendly partner, and the process had been smooth. But early this morning, Lü Fengxia threw a collaboration agreement on her desk, delivering a harsh wake-up call.It was a reminder that promises, especially from capitalists, should never be blindly trusted. Even investments led by her university senior, Ren Mingyuan, had come with hidden pitfalls.
“Whew—” Shen Yuyan exhaled deeply and spoke in a low tone. “President Wei, Director Lü, this price is too high for us to bear.”
Lü Fengxia, her expression indifferent, replied, “President Shen, partnerships are about mutual benefit. If a company wants to grow and thrive, sacrifices must be made.”
"Let’s leave it at that for now. You can reconsider, and we’ll also discuss the price with our company leaders."
Wei Pingjun rose from the sofa, his gaze briefly sweeping over Shen Yuyan’s elegant figure. Smiling, he said, "Goodbye, President Shen. Since we’re now investors, the next step will be establishing the board of directors. I will likely serve as Gongying Technology’s representative. Here’s to a successful partnership in the future."
"Thank you both for your support these past few days. Goodbye."
After seeing them out, Shen Yuyan returned to her general manager’s office, her face taut.
Leaning back in her chair, she closed her eyes and reflected.
When she first received the olive branch from Ren Mingyuan, she couldn't deny the surge of pride she had felt. Now, it was clear she had been overly confident.
In the face of raw interests, titles like "school belle" or "alumni" meant nothing.
Gongying Technology aimed to create its own ecosystem, using smart home systems as a foundation to expand into domestic services, renovations, maternity care, and more. This was part of their strategic planning for future development, and they wouldn’t hesitate to use every means to achieve it.
It was foreseeable that they would continue to influence Youjie Domestic Services’ operations to eventually integrate it fully with the Gongying Smart Home App.
This was a harsh lesson for her.
Since starting the business, things had gone relatively smoothly for her.
Her co-founder, Zhang Tianqi, was a friend from the student council.
The person in charge of domestic services, Li Meixia, was her senior.
The angel investment was from Hou Shaoyuan, a fellow alumnus who admired her and didn’t interfere with company decisions.
Now, facing external capital head-on, she realized how weak she truly was.
The company lacked senior partners with vision and capability.
But all of this was unavoidable.
Coming from an ordinary working-class family, she had no money, connections, or resources. To make a name for herself, the road was bound to be challenging.
Clenching her teeth, Shen Yuyan pulled a makeup mirror from her bag, touched up her lipstick, and stepped out.
"President Shen." "President Shen."
Colleagues greeted her enthusiastically along the way.
The successful angel investment had left everyone beaming with joy.
Looking at the vibrant office space, Shen Yuyan clenched her fists tightly.
Now that Zhang Tianqi had effectively left the company, only holding a nominal title as vice president, she had officially become the general manager.
With full responsibility for operations and management, the burden was heavier than ever.
"Yuyan," Wang Ning walked over from his workstation with a smile. "You’re heading to Fanfu Suzi Media to discuss the ad collaboration, right? I’ll come with you."
Shen Yuyan shook her head. "No need. I can handle it myself. Don’t you need to calculate the costs for the server upgrade? Focus on that first."
She knew Wang Ning and Tang Song didn’t get along well, so she didn’t want to put him in an awkward situation.
"No problem. I’ve already sorted that out," Wang Ning replied confidently, raising an eyebrow. "Promoting the platform requires ad performance monitoring, and I have experience in this. I’ll definitely be helpful in discussions with the media company."
After a brief pause, Shen Yuyan nodded. "Alright, let’s go together then."
"Great!" Wang Ning cheerfully grabbed his bag and followed her out.
Exiting the office building, Wang Ning eagerly pulled out a car key and pressed it.
The lights of a brand-new Volkswagen Sagitar flashed nearby.
Wang Ning quickly walked over, opened the door, and said with a grin, "President Shen, please get in!"
“Oh? You bought a car?”
Trying to suppress his excitement, Wang Ning feigned calmness. “Yeah, bought it last week. I practiced driving around my neighborhood for a few days to get familiar. Now that my skills are solid, I’m using it for commuting.”
"Nice. For safety, let’s drive slowly on the road," Shen Yuyan said as she bent down to get into the passenger seat.
"Don’t worry. I’m super reliable!"
The hum of the engine filled the air as Wang Ning quickly turned up the air conditioning. Although it was still morning, the car interior had grown warm under the sun's rays.
The white Volkswagen Sagitar slowly merged into the city’s traffic, a faint, mesmerizing fragrance permeating the cabin.
At a red light, Wang Ning’s gaze lingered on the university belle seated beside him in the passenger seat. Sunlight poured through the window, casting a golden veil over her.
Her pure, beautiful face glowed faintly in the light. Her slender fingers rested casually on her lap, occasionally lifting to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. The scene was picture-perfect, almost dreamlike.
Wang Ning found himself momentarily entranced, his heart inexplicably stirred.
He had once worked at a major software outsourcing company but jumped ship the moment he heard Shen Yuyan, the campus belle, was starting her own business and recruiting frontend and backend developers. He had volunteered himself, even taking a pay cut, to join Youjie Domestic Services and work diligently.
Of course, Shen Yuyan had reciprocated with generosity. After the company’s website and mini-program went live, she transferred 2% of the company’s equity to him as part of a technical contribution. In hindsight, he had gotten a great deal.
Compared to the workload and limited prospects at his previous job, this was much better.
Though his decision wasn’t purely out of admiration for the campus belle, he had his calculations. He had learned through friends about Zhang Tianqi’s connections and Hou Shaoyuan’s investment. The odds of Youjie Domestic Services succeeding were high—joining was a no-brainer.
Everything had turned out as he’d hoped.
Gripping the steering wheel of his new car, Wang Ning gazed at the blue skies and white clouds ahead. With the successful angel investment secured and the radiant goddess sitting beside him, he brimmed with youthful ambition.
The future held boundless possibilities. Who was to say he, Wang Ning, wouldn’t win the goddess’s heart someday?
"Behold, a young man must soar like a phoenix, to catch the stars and the moon!" he thought smugly.
“Honk! Honk! Honk!”
The blaring horn from the car behind snapped him out of his daydream.
Looking up from her phone, where she was typing a message to Xu Qing, Shen Yuyan kindly reminded him, “The light’s green. Stay focused.”
“Oh, oh! Sorry!” Wang Ning stammered, his face flushing as he stepped on the gas.
Yuhua Business Tower.
Wang Ning curiously surveyed the building’s interior. “Yuyan, shouldn’t we consider moving to a proper office building like this? It’d boost the company’s image. Also, as the general manager, you could totally have the company provide you with a car. After all, we’re now a 20-million-yuan business…”
Shen Yuyan frowned slightly. “Let’s think about that later. The priority right now is promoting the platform and increasing our revenue.”
Her mind was preoccupied with the collaboration agreement from Gongying Technology. She had no energy to entertain Wang Ning’s frivolous suggestions.
She could tell that Wang Ning was becoming complacent. As a member of the founding team, he hadn’t fully grasped the risks that came with post-investment operations.
Despite her repeated warnings, he hadn’t paid much attention.
Sighing inwardly, Shen Yuyan felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on her.
It was exhausting to shoulder everything alone.
Noticing her mood, Wang Ning scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. “Ah, I was just saying. Don’t take it seriously. I’ll follow your lead.”
“Ding—” The elevator doors opened.
Without responding, Shen Yuyan straightened her back and strode out.
Her eyes quickly scanned the area and landed on the sign reading “Fanfu Suzi Media Co., Ltd.”
After taking a short walk around the corridor, they found the company’s entrance.
“Yanyan!” Xu Qing, who had been waiting in the lounge, immediately jumped up and grabbed her best friend’s arm. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Shen Yuyan replied calmly. “Where’s your Director Guo?”
“In the office, waiting for you.”
“Let’s go.”
As the two women walked into the company, Wang Ning instinctively adjusted his collar as he trailed behind them.
One was the elegant campus belle; the other, an adorable and charming cosplayer. Both had been popular figures at university, often the topic of conversations in the boys’ dormitories. It was a nostalgic sight.
Now, walking alongside them, he felt like he was living a long-forgotten dream.
“Hello, Wang Ning,” Xu Qing suddenly turned and greeted him warmly.
Caught off guard, Wang Ning froze before awkwardly grinning. “Hi, Xu Qing.”
Her dark eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned in and whispered, “By the way, Wang Ning, let’s exchange WeChat contacts later. I have something I’d like to ask you.”
Xu Qing, as Tang Song’s classmate, was keen to learn more about her “novel male protagonist.” She was deeply curious about his past and wanted to flesh out her ideas for his character.
Surprised by her request, Wang Ning’s mouth fell open slightly before he eagerly nodded. “Sure! No problem.”
He hadn’t expected Xu Qing to take the initiative to ask for his WeChat.
Could it be that my luck has recently turned around and my charm has skyrocketed?
Looking at the vibrant and energetic Xu Qing in front of him, Wang Ning couldn’t help letting his imagination run wild.
If Xu Qing really had feelings for him, he might even consider giving up on pursuing the campus belle, Shen Yuyan.
“We’re here.”
“Knock, knock, knock—” Xu Qing rapped on the general manager’s office door.
Moments later, the glass door swung open from the inside.
Dressed in a women’s business suit, Guo Liyuan appeared before the trio, beaming warmly. “Yanyan, welcome to our company! Please, come in!”
Inside the spacious, brightly lit office, they settled down on a sofa.
Guo Liyuan personally poured tea for all three of them, her face brimming with confidence. Her upright posture and glowing complexion left Shen Yuyan momentarily dazed.
At this moment, Guo Liyuan’s demeanor reminded her of Gao Mengting in the past.
After some light conversation, Guo Liyuan said earnestly, “Qingqing has already sent me the agreement, and I’ve forwarded it to our director of advertising operations. The evaluation team is currently reviewing it, and you’ll have a quote before noon. It might not be precise, but you can treat it as a reference. We’ll compare it against rates for ads on apps of similar scale and positions.”
“Thank you, Yuan Yuan.”
“Don’t mention it. Really, I should be thanking you.”
Hearing this, Shen Yuyan pressed her lips tightly together. Fanfu Suzi truly had good fortune—a 24-million-yuan investment!
By contrast, her team had struggled through countless obstacles just to secure a 7-million-yuan angel investment, and there were still many pitfalls ahead.
She wondered if Fanfu Suzi’s due diligence and investment agreement signing would go as smoothly.
Today happened to coincide with their due diligence process, providing a perfect opportunity to gauge the investors’ attitude.
As for Tang Song, there always seemed to be a thick veil of mystery surrounding him—unfathomable and elusive, yet irresistibly intriguing.
That was one of the reasons she had come here today, using the guise of business negotiations to observe him closely.
What kind of person was he in the workplace?
As the group chatted, a knock came at the office door.
Guo Liyuan’s assistant stepped in. “President Guo, the due diligence team for Director Tang has arrived downstairs!”
“Notify President Zhang, President Li, and the other senior executives to come with me to greet them!”
“Understood.”
As the assistant departed, Shen Yuyan stood up and said, “Yuan Yuan, mind if I tag along?”
“Of course not,” Guo Liyuan replied with a smile. “I’d be thrilled to have a campus belle like you help entertain them.”
After all, Tang Song was a connection Shen Yuyan had introduced to her. Having her there might make things go even smoother.
“Let’s go, let’s go!” Xu Qing grabbed her best friend’s arm, practically dragging her out in excitement.
The last time she met Lin Muxue, that woman’s attitude had been unbearably arrogant.
But today, she had brought along her clever and charming C-cup bestie—let’s see if that didn’t put her in her place!
Meanwhile, Wang Ning trailed behind, utterly confused by their conversation but still eager to join the fun.
When the four stepped out the door, they found the bustling elevator lobby crowded with people.
Everyone exchanged greetings and waited silently outside the elevator.
Noticing the senior company executives present, Xu Qing quickly let go of her best friend’s arm and stood quietly to the side.
Her dark eyes darted around mischievously, shining with anticipation and excitement.
This is fantastic material for my novel. My male protagonist, don’t mess this up! If you perform well, I’ll reward you with a jaw-dropping bonus chapter tonight!
Looking at the grand scene before him, Wang Ning couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “Yuyan, who are we meeting this time? Fanfu Suzi’s investors?”
Having overheard the term “due diligence team” earlier, he already had some suspicions.
Only then did Shen Yuyan remember Wang Ning was still with her. Just as she was about to respond, Xu Qing chimed in with a teasing smile. “The person coming is someone you know.”
“Oh?” Wang Ning raised an eyebrow. “I know them?”
“Yes, a university classmate of yours. You’re definitely familiar with them,” Xu Qing said with a playful glint in her eye.
“A university classmate? An investor?” Wang Ning thought for a moment before his face lit up. “Lu Ziming? From Tiancheng Capital?”
He was from their 2016 Software Engineering cohort. Among their peers, Lu Ziming was the only one involved in financial investment.
Xu Qing shook her head and gave a sly smile. “Not him. You’ll find out soon enough.”
She couldn’t wait to see Wang Ning’s reaction when he saw Tang Song now.
After all, Tang Song had changed so much since their university days.
Just as Wang Ning opened his mouth to press further, the elevator arrived.
"Ding—" The elevator indicator lit up.
The metallic doors slid open slowly to reveal a sea of crisp suits and sophisticated business attire.
Polished black leather shoes reflected the soft lights, their gleam accentuating the formal air.
The once lively elevator lobby fell silent, replaced by a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
As the doors fully opened, the scene within the elevator was laid bare: a spacious interior densely packed with over ten individuals standing in neat formation.
Suits, ties, watches, skirts, glasses, documents, and briefcases—each detail spoke of professionalism.
In this interplay of light and shadow, everyone exuded a distinct aura: poised, confident, and sharp.
It was unmistakable that this was an elite team.
The rhythmic “click-clack” of leather shoes against the marble floor echoed through the corridor, their sound blending into a single, resounding note. Updates are released by novelꞁire.net
Expressions of astonishment filled the faces of everyone outside the elevator.
Xu Qing’s eyes sparkled instantly as she whipped out her phone to snap a photo.
Perfect, perfect! Little Song, you’ve nailed it! I’ll reward you with a bonus tonight!
Shen Yuyan’s lips parted slightly as she stared, her gaze frozen in shock.
Her eyes eventually settled on Tang Song, standing at the center of the group.
His features were finely chiseled, his build tall and balanced.
A light brown slim-fit shirt paired with black slacks and brown leather shoes emphasized his broad shoulders and narrow waist, showcasing his impeccable proportions.
It was the same outfit he had worn during the roadshow, but today it radiated an entirely different energy.
Then, he had seemed like a promising young business executive. Now, he carried the commanding presence of a true leader.
He was like a deep winter pool—utterly calm, yet unfathomably profound. 【Attire Effect】
Every movement exuded an intoxicating allure.
Shen Yuyan had never encountered someone like this before. Her heart pounded at an unprecedented pace.
“Tang Song?!”
The startled cry broke through the tense silence, drawing every eye to its source.
Wang Ning, unable to contain his shock, stared at Tang Song, who now stepped out of the elevator.
Realizing how conspicuous he was, Wang Ning clamped his mouth shut and lowered his head.
But his gaze betrayed his disbelief as he observed Tang Song, the focal point of the group.
Tang Song stood confidently, his commanding presence unmistakable.
Hearing the familiar voice and his name, Tang Song paused briefly, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd.
Wang Ning’s forehead and back instantly grew damp with sweat.
He instinctively took a half-step back, his face pale.
Tang Song, that guy—surrounded by such a formidable entourage and dressed to the nines—was utterly intimidating today.
Even Wang Ning couldn’t help but shrink away from his imposing presence.
As Tang Song’s gaze swept past, Shen Yuyan met it with a radiant smile, nodding slightly in greeting.
But her smile stiffened quickly.
Tang Song didn’t seem to take much notice of her and strode directly to Guo Liyuan and her team.
After exchanging pleasantries, he smiled and said, “To avoid delaying Fanfu Suzi’s development and to complete the DD process as soon as possible, I’ve brought my entire due diligence team with me. They’re all highly experienced, and the process will be finished quickly.”
“Ah…” Guo Liyuan glanced at the elite professionals around her, gripping Tang Song’s hand firmly but at a loss for words.
Director Tang, isn’t this a bit much?
Are you conducting a due diligence review, or preparing us for an IPO audit?
Watching the interactions unfold, Shen Yuyan’s chest tightened, an inexplicable sense of disappointment welling up inside her.
Xu Qing, oblivious to her friend’s mood, jabbed her arm enthusiastically and gestured wildly with her eyebrows.
Her unspoken message was clear: “Look over there! That’s her!”
Following her gaze, Shen Yuyan spotted a striking figure trailing closely behind Tang Song.
The woman wore an ice-silk high-neck top and a gray pencil skirt, her tall and elegant frame exuding sophistication.
With her high nose bridge, large eyes, straight brows, and sharp chin, her face was stunningly beautiful yet carried an aggressive edge.
Shen Yuyan recognized her immediately.
It was the same woman she had seen at the concert—the one Xu Qing had griped about endlessly: Lin Muxue.
As if sensing her gaze, Lin Muxue looked back at her, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes before morphing into a look of challenge.
Shen Yuyan frowned slightly, perplexed by the sudden hostility.
“Ugh!” Xu Qing muttered under her breath. “Look at her, all sweet and demure in front of Tang Song, but privately, she’s always trying to mess with my mood. Yanyan, you have to help me teach her a lesson!”
Wang Ning, who had been standing with his head down, also noticed the woman beside Tang Song. She was tall and curvy, exuding a strikingly refined aura.
His teeth clenched, and his eyes turned red with frustration.
First, there was the elegant CEO of Shimmer Coffee. Then came a top-tier rich beauty. And now, this seductive financial elite.
Damn it! What’s up with Tang Song? How the hell did he transform into this overnight?
Shen Yuyan pressed her lips together without commenting.
Unlike Xu Qing’s surface-level judgments, Shen Yuyan could discern that Lin Muxue’s team and her role were clearly not ordinary.
Talking about “teaching her a lesson” was pure nonsense—at best, a few snide remarks could be made.
After the pleasantries, the group filed into Fanfu Suzi’s doors and headed toward the prepared conference room.
Shen Yuyan and her companions stayed behind in the activity area, waiting for Guo Liyuan to return.
Xu Qing glanced at the dazed Wang Ning and whispered, “Wang Ning, aren’t you Tang Song’s classmate? Why don’t you go chat with him?”
“Uh…” Wang Ning’s mouth twitched as he struggled to compose himself. “We were classmates, but we haven’t stayed in touch for a long time, so…”
“Fine,” Xu Qing pouted. “Then let’s exchange WeChat later. You can tell me all about Tang Song back in university—and send me as many photos as you have!”
“Ah?” Wang Ning’s jaw dropped, and he immediately looked uncomfortable.
At that moment, the rhythmic “click-clack” of heels rang out.
A clear, melodic voice sounded beside them. “Hello, Qingqing. Good morning.”
The trio turned to see the graceful Lin Muxue approaching, her slender waist swaying elegantly, her ample curves drawing attention. She exuded both elegance and allure.
Xu Qing’s eyelid twitched as she quickly stepped forward with her best friend, pulling Shen Yuyan half a step ahead. “Hello, Xiaoxue.”
Lin Muxue noticed Xu Qing’s timid stance and barely managed to suppress a laugh.
Did you really think dragging your pure little bestie out would help?
I, Emperor Muxue, crush with a single move!
Standing closer, Wang Ning swallowed nervously, overwhelmed by Lin Muxue’s palpable charm.
Lin Muxue gave him a quick glance before her gaze settled on Shen Yuyan.
She noted the latter’s outfit: a new pencil skirt and blouse from Celine, priced at 14,300 yuan, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ white mother-of-pearl butterfly earrings, worth 19,600 yuan.
She hadn’t initially remembered meeting Shen Yuyan before, but the outfit jogged her memory.
Wasn’t this the woman from the investment roadshow?
Interestingly, Shen Yuyan was wearing the same ensemble and jewelry as that day. Coincidentally, Tang Song was also dressed in his roadshow attire.
The sight stirred up a flood of memories.
“Hello, I’m Lin Muxue from Slover Trust and the coordinator for this DD team. You can call me Luna or Xiaoxue.” Lin Muxue extended a perfectly manicured hand.
Collecting herself, Shen Yuyan returned the gesture with a warm smile. “Hello, I’m Shen Yuyan, a university classmate of Tang Song’s.”
Lin Muxue’s eyes flickered briefly before she responded with a smile. “Qingqing already mentioned that. You’re all alumni from Yan City University of Technology and such close friends. It’s fate that we’ve met before—remember the concert?”
“Of course, Xiaoxue. Someone as remarkable as you is hard to forget,” Shen Yuyan replied enthusiastically. “I didn’t expect you to be a financial elite in the DD team. That’s truly impressive.”
“Hehe, you flatter me,” Lin Muxue chuckled lightly, covering her mouth before turning to Xu Qing.
“Qingqing, we’re ordering a business set lunch for everyone at noon. Director Tang specifically asked me to check if you have any preferences. I’ll send you the menu on WeChat later—just let me know what you’d like.”
“Huh? Really?” Xu Qing beamed. “Thanks, Xiaoxue.”
Not bad, Little Song. You even thought of arranging my lunch. Nice! I’ll add a bonus arc to the book for you!
Lin Muxue nodded subtly before turning back to Shen Yuyan with a smile. “By the way, Yuyan, will you be joining us for lunch?”
Her smile widened slightly, a subtle challenge gleaming in her eyes. Let’s stir the pot a bit between you and your bestie.