novelraw Chapter 312: Cherishing Every Unexpected Encounter
Chapter 312: Cherishing Every Unexpected Encounter
“Muxue, come sit here.”
Zhang Yurong warmly pulled Lin Muxue over to the sofa.
A brown single-seat sofa, a wooden coffee table, faintly scented aromatherapy, and soft music in the background...
On the table before them was a multi-layered assortment of exquisite afternoon tea.
The refined and tasteful atmosphere was exactly the kind Lin Muxue loved.
However, she couldn’t summon the mood to enjoy it today. Her eyes kept drifting toward the person seated diagonally ahead.
“Let me introduce you all. This is a new friend of mine, Lin Muxue. Muxue is a Senior Assistant to the Trust Committee at a Hong Kong-based trust company and is currently working at their Yan City branch.”
“Hello, everyone.” Lin Muxue flashed a polite smile.
Zhang Yurong then introduced the other five attendees one by one.
Today’s business gathering was an all-women affair. Zhang Yurong, leveraging her network through Isha Beauty Salon, had assembled a group of remarkable women.Although they were all a bit older than her, their credentials were impressive. Among them were a company vice president, a tech company co-founder, and a bank client manager.
“And this is Xie Shuyu, the owner of Shimmer Coffee. The brand has eight locations in Yan City, mostly in the CBD. She’s a formidable entrepreneur.”
Hearing this introduction, Lin Muxue straightened up slightly and met Xie Shuyu’s gaze. “Hello, Ms. Xie.”
“Hello, Muxue,” Xie Shuyu replied gracefully, her radiant smile brightening her features.
Her hair was neatly tied back, and the slight arch of her brows exuded confidence and determination.
A high nose bridge, bold red lipstick, and a meticulously tailored blouse accentuated her slender waist and ample chest.
Her legs were stunning—classic supermodel legs.
With smooth lines, faint muscle tone, and a balance of slenderness and strength, they were perfectly proportioned.
Lin Muxue couldn’t help but subconsciously compare herself to Xie Shuyu.
When it came to looks and figure, she still had confidence in herself. She wasn’t far behind.
But in terms of aura and demeanor? She felt herself falter.
That combination of elegance and resilience was extraordinarily captivating.
She couldn’t forget the sight of Xie Shuyu and Tang Song standing together on stage at the investment roadshow.
At the gala afterward, the two had appeared very close.
Tang Song’s attention to Xie Shuyu was evident—there was clearly more than a business relationship between them.
As Tang Song’s assistant and occasional fling, Lin Muxue couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Zhang Yurong didn’t rush to discuss financing. Instead, she entertained Lin Muxue with afternoon tea and shared skincare tips, creating a warm and pleasant atmosphere.
Unbeknownst to them, a low rumble of thunder echoed from the heavy clouds outside.
Raindrops pattered against the hotel’s glass facade.
22nd Floor, Administrative Office Area, Sales Department
“Thud!”
A stack of A4 papers was thrown carelessly onto a desk, scattering across its surface.
“Nana, the content, formatting, and layout of this client document are all wrong. I’ll send you a sample later—redo it and rebind it before handing it back to me!” said Zhang Zili, the banquet sales department supervisor, in a slightly stern tone.
“Got it, boss! I’m sorry!” Yu Qiuna quickly stood up, bowing as she scrambled to collect the scattered report.
Although she wasn’t sure what exactly was wrong, she didn’t dare talk back to her direct supervisor.
Zhang Zili gave a curt nod before adding, “Also, the discount request you submitted for the Chenghua Commerce client needs to account for the hotel’s costs. I’ve already rejected your OA application. Here’s the deal—since you’re still new, let Qiu Wenze continue handling this client.”
Yu Qiuna’s face fell as she hastily protested, “Boss, I’ve been handling this client from the start. We’re only negotiating some minor dining discounts, and the contract is about to be signed!”
Having joined the company less than two months ago, the Chenghua Commerce deal was her biggest opportunity so far, with a contract value exceeding 500,000 yuan.
Based on the tiered commission system, she would earn 3%—a solid 15,000 yuan.
More importantly, this was a long-term client. Securing this order would make her probation-to-permanent transition much smoother.
Around her, colleagues from the department glanced over with curiosity.
Zhang Zili’s gaze turned icy as he replied in an indifferent tone, “Fine. You two can work on it together. Qiu Wenze has six months more experience here than you. Let him guide you.”
Without another word, he strode off to his office.
The banquet sales department’s area instantly buzzed with murmured conversations.
Feeling the weight of the stares around her, Yu Qiuna’s heart sank with a mix of bitterness and frustration.
Her colleague Wang Linqing nudged her with an elbow, giving her a meaningful look.
Yu Qiuna quickly composed herself, stood up, and headed out.
In the hallway, Wang Linqing pulled out a bottle of gum, tipping it open. “Don’t let it get to you.”
Yu Qiuna sighed and took a piece, chewing hard.
“You need to be more cautious. Some things are better left unsaid face-to-face. Now, I bet Old Zhang’s going to give you even more grief.”
“It’s just... so unfair! The clients they assign me are always tough cases. I finally land one, and now I have to split it with Qiu Wenze?”
“Well, that’s because his uncle is Zhao, the department manager!”
Yu Qiuna pursed her lips, her gaze lowering.
Thanks to his uncle’s position in procurement, Qiu Wenze was constantly favored. Despite slacking off, missing work, and barely contributing, he still won “Employee of the Month,” earned high commissions, and was rumored to be in line for a promotion at year’s end.
Of course, this was just one of Lanfeng International’s many minor issues.
As a luxury five-star hotel with over eight years of history, internal conflicts of interest and favoritism weren’t uncommon.
On a broader scale, employees often discussed more severe problems—kickbacks in procurement, inflated supplier prices, and sales rebates.
Even when management was aware, they rarely intervened. After all, they were part of the system, and disrupting the “harmonious balance” wasn’t in their interest.
Wang Linqing shrugged. “You’ll just have to accept it. Anyway, your performance is solid enough for a permanent position. And hey, every workplace has its politics. Lanfeng International is still a major enterprise backed by Yunxi Real Estate. Compared to most places, the growth opportunities here aren’t bad.”
Sitting on the staircase, Yu Qiuna nodded reluctantly. “I’ll send Supervisor Zhang an apology on WeChat later.”
Conforming often felt like the only choice. For someone like Yu Qiuna, who was still in her probation period, blending in was essential.
After leaving her job at the BMW 4S dealership, it was through Wang Linqing’s referral that she managed to land a role at Lanfeng International
. She cherished this hard-won opportunity.As one of Yan City’s iconic landmarks, Lanfeng International Hotel boasted unrivaled prominence.
Combining accommodations, dining, conferencing, entertainment, and leisure, the five-star hotel occupied a prime location beside Metro Line 1, adjacent to a main city artery with top-tier commercial facilities.
A good working environment, comprehensive benefits, broad career prospects, and valuable networking opportunities...
These were all irresistible advantages for someone like Yu Qiuna in sales.
However, enjoying these benefits naturally came with drawbacks, such as the intricacies of office politics and internal competition.
“Ding-dong—” “Ding-dong—”
Both Yu Qiuna’s and Wang Linqing’s phones chimed at the same time, pulling Yu Qiuna from her thoughts. She glanced at her screen, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Our new boss is coming this afternoon! Even Director Yu is tagging along!” Yu Qiuna exclaimed, quickly standing up.
With a touch of optimism, she mused aloud, “Linqing, do you think our new boss can bring some vitality to the company? Maybe even make things a bit fairer for us?”
Wang Linqing shrugged, offering a wry smile. “Don’t get your hopes up. Big bosses like that are way up in the clouds—they don’t care whether we little grunts are doing well or not. Even if the leadership changes, it’s not like our situation will magically improve.”
“True...” Yu Qiuna sighed, deflating slightly as she followed Wang Linqing back to their workstations.
The atmosphere in the office had completely shifted.
Everyone was suddenly on their best behavior, working with laser focus.
Even the usually lax employees with connections were tidying up their desks and typing furiously at their computers.
Yu Qiuna could sense that everyone, even the high-ranking “managers” and “directors,” seemed nervous about the new boss’s arrival.
Rumor had it that even expense reimbursement applications in the OA system had dropped by a third.
The reason? The 80% ownership of Lanfeng International Hotel, sold by Yunxi Real Estate, had been acquired by an individual—not a company. Updates are released by N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
This individual, as the largest shareholder, actual controller, ultimate beneficiary, and executive director, now held everyone’s future in his hands. Their careers rested entirely on his whims.
Composing herself, Yu Qiuna began revising the client documents in the format Supervisor Zhang had sent her.
The changes were mostly superficial—just some reordering of sections, font size adjustments, and reformatting.
She knew Zhang was simply trying to put her in her place. Even if she resubmitted the original version, he would have likely approved it.
Suddenly, a message popped up in their small WeChat group.
[Sun Tingting]: “I’m on lobby duty. The new boss just arrived! He’s driving a Bentley Continental! The car is gorgeous!”
[Sun Tingting]: “Wow, he’s driving it himself. He must be pretty young. The car door just opened! I’ll try to get a look at him!”
The group chat erupted in excitement.
Yu Qiuna chimed in with a few speculative messages as well.
This was the first time the mysterious new boss was visiting Lanfeng International Hotel. The entire equity transaction had been conducted through Yunxi Real Estate, and only a few senior leaders knew the details.
Naturally, everyone was extremely curious.
However, when Sun Tingting stopped replying, the group grew increasingly impatient.
After a while, the buzz of conversation spread through the office.
Yu Qiuna noticed her colleagues’ expressions shift dramatically, their faces lighting up with excitement.
Finally, Sun Tingting updated the group:
[Sun Tingting]: “Ahhhhh!”
[Sun Tingting]: “I can’t handle it. Our new boss is a total heartthrob!”
Outside the hotel, heavy raindrops splattered against the ground, creating tiny fountains on the stone-paved path.
The rain added a solemn and majestic air to Lanfeng International Hotel.
A white Bentley Continental GT glided gracefully through the rain, its wheels kicking up a fine mist.
The car’s sleek lines exuded elegance and prestige, even in the dim light.
Under the rain canopy by the entrance, a group of formally dressed men and women gathered, their eyes fixed on the slowly approaching Bentley.
Their faces lit up with eager smiles.
Click—
The driver’s door opened, and Tang Song stepped out, dressed in a black shirt, black slacks, and polished black leather shoes.
His calm gaze swept over the crowd as he stood tall and confident, exuding composure and charisma that immediately drew everyone’s attention.
“Chairman Tang!”
Zhao Xingzhi, a lawyer from Quanjing Law Firm, was the first to greet him.
Yu Baohua, the former executive director and a senior executive at Yunxi Real Estate, quickly stepped forward, introducing himself and enthusiastically welcoming Tang Song.
“Chairman Tang, your arrival truly brightens our day. I’m confident that under your leadership, the hotel will reach new heights of glory.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hotel General Manager Qiao Anji hurried forward.
“Chairman Tang, welcome! I’m Qiao Anji, the hotel manager. On behalf of all our staff, I extend a warm welcome to you.”
The senior executives behind him immediately bowed slightly, smiling and nodding in greeting.
Their gazes swept over their new boss.
Although they had already been informed that the new owner was just 25 years old, they hadn’t expected him to be so exceptional in both looks and demeanor.
Still, as seasoned professionals in the hospitality industry, they kept their emotions in check. Their faces betrayed no surprise, only a calculated mix of respect and attentiveness.
Tang Song’s lips curved into a faint smile as he exchanged a few words with them before being ushered into the hotel’s grand lobby.
The interior was lavish and sophisticated, with a level of refinement befitting its reputation.
As they made their way inside, nearby greeters, servers, and reception staff all cast respectful and astonished glances his way, bowing slightly as he passed.
Tang Song acknowledged them with calm nods, striding elegantly through the brightly lit hall.
Guests lounging in the rest areas or checking in at the front desk caught sight of the scene.
Their eyes widened in awe and curiosity.
When they learned this striking young man was the hotel’s owner, their gazes shifted further.
A few young women couldn’t help but blush, their hearts racing as though a scene from a TV drama had come to life.
The elevator stopped on the 22nd floor, and the group walked through the corridor into the hotel’s administrative office area.
The space was decorated with a clean and sophisticated style.
The walls were a cream white, accented with deep wood baseboards that added a sense of stability and elegance.
High-quality carpeting muffled the sound of their steps, lending the area an air of quiet refinement.
The office was spacious, bright, and meticulously organized.
Potted plants, office equipment, and sleek furniture were arranged between the desks and chairs, creating a comfortable and inviting workspace. It perfectly matched the style of a luxurious five-star hotel.
As footsteps echoed through the hallway, the staff couldn’t help but steal glances in their direction.
The group accompanying Tang Song represented the entirety of the hotel’s senior management. Such a gathering had only been seen during annual meetings.
Sitting by the hallway, Yu Qiuna instinctively looked up. Her eyes widened with shock and disbelief as she saw the man leading the group.
The freshly printed client documents in her hands slipped to the floor with a “whoosh”.
Flustered, she quickly bent down to pick them up, drawing curious glances from her colleagues.
Her heart raced as she straightened up, and her gaze unconsciously drifted back toward the man.
At that moment, her eyes met Tang Song’s calm, confident gaze.
Yu Qiuna froze, her lips twitching as her mind struggled to process what she was seeing.
Is this real? His features are unmistakable, but his presence feels entirely different...
Dressed in a high-end suit and exuding an air of authority, the man’s aura was dazzling and commanding.
He must be our new “male god” boss.
“Nana?” A slightly surprised but pleasant voice called out.
In an instant, the dozen or so people surrounding Tang Song stopped and turned to look at her.
Their gazes were curious and assessing, making the sales department staff freeze in stunned silence.
Yu Qiuna shot to her feet, her cheeks flushing with excitement as she stammered nervously, “Ch-Chairman Tang! I didn’t expect you to remember me!”
Tang Song smiled warmly as he regarded the young employee. “Of course I remember you. You’re working at Lanfeng International Hotel now? When did you leave the BMW 4S dealership?”
His words carried a note of familiarity as he looked her over.
She was in her early twenties, with neat, short hair, delicate features, and a professional yet vibrant air in her business suit.
Though only three months had passed, seeing her here felt like a distant memory brought to life.
Back then, Yu Qiuna had been the sales consultant who assisted him with the purchase of his BMW 330i as part of the 【My First Car】mission.
They had stayed connected on WeChat, and she occasionally checked in on how the car was performing or offered assistance.
She had even sent him holiday greetings during the Dragon Boat Festival.
However, her frequent advertising posts in her WeChat Moments had prompted Tang Song to mute her updates. He hadn’t even realized she had changed jobs.
Seeing Tang Song’s approachable demeanor, Yu Qiuna was so overwhelmed with excitement that she trembled slightly, struggling to maintain her composure as she lowered her gaze. “I left in May. I’ve been at Lanfeng International Hotel for over a month now.”
She briefly recalled how poorly the BMW dealership was doing due to the booming popularity of new energy vehicles.
Desperate to earn a better living, she had decided to leave. She initially considered applying to a domestic EV startup but was eventually referred to the hotel by her former colleague Wang Linqing. It was a stroke of luck.
“Keep up the good work. Let’s catch up when there’s time. Bye-bye.” Tang Song nodded with a smile and resumed walking with the group.
As the group disappeared into the office, a brief silence fell over the sales department. Then, a flurry of hushed yet uncontrollable chatter erupted.
“Was that our new boss just now?”
“That has to be him! Lin-jie in the lobby described him perfectly!”
“Even Director Yu and General Manager Qiao were so respectful—it’s definitely him!”
“Wait, Nana, you know the boss?”
“When did that happen, Nana?”
“Yeah, Qiuna, do you know anything about his background?”
Standing by her desk, Yu Qiuna glanced at her colleagues, their faces a mix of awe and trepidation.
Her emotions surged, and her expression became a blend of excitement and disbelief.
She wasn’t naive—she understood the implications of knowing the boss.
Even if she had only exchanged a few words with Chairman Tang, it would set imaginations running wild.
Any unfair treatment she had previously endured would vanish in an instant. Supervisor Zhang might even start handing her prime assignments.
What shocked her most was that her former client had transformed into such an extraordinary figure—and was now the owner of this five-star hotel.
The impact of this realization was indescribable.
Perhaps Lanfeng International was indeed about to be revitalized under his leadership.
5th Floor, Gu Yi Business Lounge
Zhang Yurong sipped the fragrant tea in her hand and casually remarked, “Shuyu, how’s the financing for Shimmer Coffee coming along? Any new progress?”
Lin Muxue immediately perked up her ears, listening intently.
Xie Shuyu was silent for a moment. Her resolute eyes showed a hint of weariness as she replied, “It’s still at an impasse. The main issue is with the other two shareholders—they’re causing trouble.
“Because of the risks, Tiancheng Capital has put their investment on hold, and the bank has begun supervising and reviewing the company’s finances.
“I’m here today to discuss the company’s loan situation with President Kong.”
As Xie Shuyu spoke, her gaze shifted to the senior banking executive, Kong Lixin.
Kong Lixin smiled lightly and said in a soft voice, “Ms. Xie, we’ve been acquainted for a while now. Don’t worry, I’ll have a word with the risk control department. As long as Shimmer Coffee doesn’t have significant operational issues, the process will wrap up soon, and we won’t interfere with your business operations.”
“Thank you,” Xie Shuyu replied, gratitude evident on her face.
Yet deep down, she understood Kong Lixin’s words were mostly perfunctory. The executive clearly had no intention of getting involved.
Lin Muxue remained silent, attentively listening to their conversation as her eyes flickered with thought.
She already knew about Shimmer Coffee’s situation—not just from the investment roadshow, but also from conversations with her former colleague, Gu Cheng. She’d heard that Tiancheng Capital had shown interest in investing.
What puzzled her most was why someone as prominent as Tang Song would accompany Xie Shuyu to an investment roadshow rather than directly invest in her company.
Could it be that he was using this as an excuse to romantically pursue the CEO, experiencing a relationship on more “equal” terms?
Reflecting on Tang Song’s behavior at the banquet, Lin Muxue’s gaze lowered. A strong premonition gripped her: Tang Song would eventually invest in Shimmer Coffee.
And if that happened, she’d likely have to participate in the due diligence process herself.
The thought brought a pang of frustration and bitterness to her chest.
Outside, the thunderstorm began to dissipate, and the rain softened to a faint drizzle.
As the afternoon tea gathering came to an end, the attendees started to disperse.
Zhang Yurong led Lin Muxue into a private tea room further inside the lounge. From her handbag, Zhang Yurong pulled out a few cards and placed them on the table with a sincere expression.
“Muxue, these are diamond membership cards for Isha Beauty Salon, usable across all six locations, with a 200,000 yuan balance preloaded. Feel free to visit anytime.
“And these are shopping cards for Fenghui Mall. A friend gave me several, but I don’t really use them. Since you live in the Lanfeng International Apartments nearby, you might find them handy.”
Lin Muxue’s heart skipped a beat as she stared at the cards on the table. She pressed her knees tightly together under the small table.
The Isha Beauty Salon diamond membership card required a one-time deposit of 100,000 yuan to activate, granting numerous privileges and discounts. She had long coveted one, but her financial situation had only allowed her to be a basic member, frantically snatching discounted packages through their mini-program.
As for Fenghui Mall, situated between the Lanfeng International Hotel and her apartment, it spanned 5,000 square meters and housed many luxury brand stores.
Each shopping card was worth 10,000 yuan and could be spent like cash.
Clenching her thighs tightly, Lin Muxue asked softly, “Sister Yurong, what do you mean by this?”
Having navigated the complexities of society for so long, she understood a simple truth: nothing comes without strings attached.
Zhang Yurong smiled and replied lightly, “To be honest, the beauty industry is evolving rapidly. Isha Beauty Salon can’t afford to wait much longer—we need to incorporate medical aesthetics soon.
“Most institutional investors overlook salons like ours. While I’ve met many individual investors with varying degrees of interest, I think the most reliable and ideal partner is Zhao Yaqian. I’m eager to reach a deal with her.”
Lin Muxue’s gaze sharpened as she suddenly asked, “Sister Yurong, do you think Yaqian is easy to manipulate?”
Zhang Yurong’s smile paused briefly before she responded naturally, “I admit, that’s part of the reason. But I mean no harm.”
With her experience and keen observation, Zhang Yurong had quickly assessed Zhao Yaqian’s personality. That’s why she chose to meet privately with Lin Muxue instead of directly approaching Zhao Yaqian.
Lin Muxue exhaled slowly, her eyes piercing as she replied, “Yaqian isn’t as simple as you think. And the people behind her are even less so. Securing her investment won’t be easy.”
“I know,” Zhang Yurong said, nodding. After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “If this deal goes through, your membership card will be upgraded to a shareholder card. Besides exclusive privileges and co-branding opportunities, you’d also earn profit dividends from the salon.”
Lin Muxue froze, her heart pounding erratically.
It was clear that Zhang Yurong recognized Zhao Yaqian’s trust in her and sought to leverage that connection to influence Zhao Yaqian’s decision, expediting the investment.
Moreover, she was remarkably direct, targeting Lin Muxue’s weaknesses with precision.
If Zhao Yaqian decided to invest—especially with Slover Trust behind her—Isha Beauty Salon would almost certainly take off.
A shareholder card! Annual dividends!
It was an undeniable temptation.
After a long pause, Lin Muxue reluctantly pushed the cards back toward Zhang Yurong. Her voice was dry but firm: “I’m sorry, Sister Yurong. I’m not that kind of person.”
Saying this brought a wave of relief.
To her, her work with Slover Trust remained her top priority.
If she gave in to temptation and betrayed her professionalism, how would Tang Song view her if he ever found out?
Zhang Yurong raised her eyebrows in mild surprise but didn’t press further. She retrieved the membership card but left the shopping cards behind.
“These shopping cards are for you. I really have no use for them.”
Checking her watch, Zhang Yurong smiled and said, “Think over what I said. You can always reach out to me if you change your mind. I have some other matters to attend to, so I’ll be heading out.
“Oh, and the SPA here is excellent. I’ve already paid for it, so feel free to stay and enjoy yourself.”
With that, she stood and gracefully walked out.
Lin Muxue bit her lip as she stared at the four shopping cards on the table. After a moment of hesitation, she took them, tucking them into her bag.
Still deep in thought, she left the tea room and found a quiet corner in the lounge. Settling into a comfortable single-seater sofa, she gazed out at the overcast sky, lost in contemplation.
Compared to a true female CEO like Xie Shuyu, she felt she still had a long way to go.
Sometimes, she even despised herself.
A few shopping cards worth mere tens of thousands of yuan, yet she couldn’t resist. A free SPA session? She couldn’t help but think, Why not take advantage of it?
No wonder Tang Song didn’t take her seriously.
As Lin Muxue’s thoughts spiraled, her head drooped lower and lower, and her nose tingled with an ache of suppressed emotion.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the entrance of the business lounge, accompanied by a voice introducing the space.
“Chairman Tang, this is the Gu Yi Business Lounge, located at the heart of the hotel. It features multiple meeting rooms, tea rooms, and leisure areas of varying specifications. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art sound systems, projectors, video conferencing equipment… In addition to that, our catering services are a particular highlight…”
Lin Muxue turned her head and saw a group of six or seven people approaching.
Trailing behind them were several hotel staff members.
Her eyes widened in surprise, staring blankly at the sudden appearance of Tang Song among the group.
As their gazes met, her heart skipped several beats, and she hurriedly stuffed the shopping cards into her bag.
Both hands clenched tightly on her lap as if seeking something to anchor herself.