novelraw Chapter 340: A Small Fulfillment is Better than Perfection
Chapter 340: A Small Fulfillment is Better than Perfection
Yunxi Tower, Songmei Fashion.
In the spacious and bright conference room, department heads and executives of Songmei Fashion were gathered. Some sat upright, others bowed their heads in contemplation. The room was filled with an atmosphere of excitement and focus.
Tang Song stood confidently before the large screen, his deep, powerful voice commanding attention. His sharp eyes exuded unwavering confidence as he spoke passionately.
Just then, a crisp system notification chimed in his mind:
“Ding! Congratulations, player. [Companion - Wen Ruan] Cultivation Plan Task ①: [Entering a New Social Circle] has been completed.”
“[Companion - Wen Ruan] Growth Progress +10%.”
“[Companion - Wen Ruan] Acquired: [Assistant Team (5 members)].”
Tang Song paused briefly, his eyes flashing with undisguised delight. Wen Ruan had finally completed her first task! However, now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
He quickly composed himself and continued:
“We have a 64% return rate, which is actually considered decent for the women’s clothing category. But there’s still significant room for optimization. Beyond strengthening quality control, we need to focus on operational improvements.First, the product selection department must enhance market research to better understand the needs, preferences, and fashion trends of our target customers…”
High return rates were a common and critical issue in the women’s fashion industry. After a major promotion, return rates could often reach 70%–80%.
Aside from quality and style concerns, the ease of returns nowadays and the inclusion of shipping insurance were major contributing factors. Many women, for instance, would purchase multiple sizes or colors of the same item and only keep the one they wanted.
Moreover, consumer behavior among women often leaned toward emotional purchases. Influencers and livestream hosts frequently employed pressure tactics and psychological cues to drive impulsive buying.
Songmei Fashion’s chosen strategy, however, worked quite well in mitigating this issue. He Yiyi’s gentle narrative style, which introduced products in the tone of a casual conversation with friends, attracted high-quality followers. This reduced the return rate to below 50%.
The sudden appearance of Bei Yuwei, however, had brought a massive surge of traffic, leading to the unusually high return rate this time.
Thanks to the "Scholar" state, Tang Song had already devised a comprehensive optimization plan. Strategies like “establishing trial sales mechanisms,” “implementing an inventory management system,” and “gathering customer feedback promptly” were all part of it.
This was the advantage of having a team. Nearly 90 employees at Songmei Fashion would execute his vision as planned.
By 5 PM, the meeting concluded. Tang Song packed up his laptop and walked out of the conference room, chatting and laughing with Gao Mengting and others.
On the way, many colleagues turned to look at him. Both of the company’s young CEOs were 25 years old, attractive, and exuded exceptional charisma.
Especially President Tang—his demeanor was vibrant, spirited, and full of vitality.
Though he didn’t spend much time at the company, every employee who interacted with him—male or female—could feel his unique charm: excellent communication skills, a clear vision, decisive decision-making, and a sense of empathy and approachability.
Many employees deeply admired this charismatic boss.
“Just get me a meal with pork ribs and rice. The drink is up to you,” Tang Song waved casually at Zhang Ying from HR before stepping into his office.
“Creak—” He flopped onto the boss chair, reclining comfortably.
He opened the system interface to check the reward details.
[Assistant Team (5 members)]: Trained and provided by Tang Zong Entertainment, including professionals in daily affairs, HR, strategic planning, and operations. The team is now ready. Please have [Companion - Wen Ruan] contact [Mo Xiangwan] to collect them.
Tang Song knew that Wen Ruan already had a small assistant, Zhang Xintong, whom he had met several times.
However, the five-member assistant team provided by the system was undoubtedly a highly capable team, designed to free Wen Ruan from overwhelming workloads.
After all, she was his companion. Even if she had to work, she shouldn’t be overburdened. She deserved to enjoy life to the fullest.
Switching to the [Companion] module, he clicked on the portrait card of the "Big Sister" figure.
[Companion: Wen Ruan (29 years old)]
[Role: Director of Xingyun International Group]
[Height: 171 cm, Weight: 66 kg]
[Attributes: Physique 75, Endurance 76, Agility 71, Comprehension 81]
[Growth Progress: 55%]
[② Establishing a Team]
[Mission Objective: As a member of Xingyun International Group’s board and CEO of Guangying Media, your “Companion - Wen Ruan” feels triumphant. However, to face the upcoming challenges, she needs her own team. Please have “Companion - Wen Ruan” visit Tang Zong Entertainment’s headquarters to collect the assistant team, undergo short-term management training, and successfully build her own team.]
[Mission Rewards: Growth Progress +10%, Physique +2, Agility +2, Skill Pack ×1]
[Mission Status: Incomplete]
[Note: Amidst the busy workload, don’t forget to provide emotional comfort to your companion.]
After reading the new task, Tang Song raised an eyebrow.
He suddenly realized a key issue: Wen Ruan would be interacting with Su Yu!
Although his relationship with Su Yu in reality was limited to a kiss, Su Yu believed she was his lover.
If Big Sister came back complaining about Su Yu bullying her, he’d have no idea how to handle it.
Thinking about their potential encounter, Tang Song blinked nervously. Perhaps he should have a proper conversation with Big Sister after she wrapped up her work in Beijing.
Fortunately, his performance had been stellar lately. Yesterday’s “1V2” left both the beautician and the fake heiress completely floored.
At 30, Big Sister Wen Ruan was in her prime and needed reassurance and attention.
If Wen Ruan ever felt hurt, he figured he could always comfort her with a friendly game of basketball to make her feel satisfied.
As he was lost in thought, a knock came at the door.
“President Tang,” came He Yiyi’s voice from outside.
“Come in,” Tang Song quickly shut the system interface and straightened up.
The office door opened gently. He Yiyi stepped inside, her outfit catching the eye immediately.
She wore a white short-sleeved top, soft and snug, accentuating her figure. Her light blue denim shorts had a slightly frayed edge, giving off a casual, effortless vibe. On her feet were a pair of black-and-white sneakers.
Since becoming a prominent livestream host, the company had arranged for a stylist to refine her image. From makeup to attire, she had been given a full makeover. Coupled with the surge of confidence that came with fame, He Yiyi now radiated both energy and sophistication.
“Have a seat, Yiyi,” Tang Song stood up and led her to the seating area in his office.
After giving her a once-over, he sincerely complimented her, “You’ve become prettier. I’ve also watched your livestreams—you’ve developed your own style. Now that you’ve become a major influencer, that’s no small feat!”
He Yiyi’s face flushed slightly, and she responded modestly, “I’ve just been following your plans. It’s just luck that I happened to run into Bei Yuwei.”
She was well aware of Tang Song’s capabilities. She might be a celebrity with a million followers, but she wouldn’t dare get cocky.
However, with her recent success, she had become increasingly vital to the company, which indirectly raised her importance in Tang Song’s eyes—a fact that delighted her.
Tang Song leaned back in his chair, pondering briefly before saying, “I’ve discussed it with President Gao, and we’ve decided to grant you a 5% equity incentive. The company’s total shares amount to one million, and they’ll be priced at 10 yuan per share.”
For a livestream e-commerce company like Songmei Fashion, a valuation of 10 million yuan was extremely conservative. This move was primarily to motivate He Yiyi.
Douyin’s traffic mechanism favored individuals, making it easier for livestreams with unique personal styles to attract followers.
Moreover, Tang Song’s [Growth Plan Task] was deeply tied to Songmei Fashion. He needed a key influencer who would never betray him.
In addition to her familial connection to Zhao Yaqian, providing her with appropriate rewards was essential.
He Yiyi’s eyes widened with excitement, and she stood up quickly, bowing deeply. “Thank you, President Tang! Thank you, President Gao! Thank you for the company’s recognition!”
Her long-cherished goal was finally within reach.
From a graduate of an ordinary college, starting as a receptionist, struggling to transition into livestreaming as an assistant, she had now become a shareholder of the company and a popular influencer with nearly two million followers.
Her emotions were indescribable.
“You don’t need to be so formal; you’ve earned this,” Tang Song said with a light chuckle, shaking his head. Encouragingly, he added, “This 5% equity will come from President Gao’s shares, and the required 500,000 yuan will be covered by me. Yiyi, keep up the good work! I told you from the start—I truly appreciate and trust you.”
Hearing Tang Song’s words, He Yiyi’s eyes instantly filled with tears.
She was just recently famous, still essentially a struggling worker with less than 50,000 yuan in savings. The 500,000 yuan investment from Tang Song was an enormous sum for her.
Looking at the handsome young president before her, a surge of immense gratitude and admiration welled up in her heart.
Father figure, please accept my humble bow!
He Yiyi licked her lips nervously before boldly stepping forward and hugging Tang Song. Her body trembled slightly with excitement. “Thank you, President Tang! You’re so good to me! I’ll never let you down!”
Feeling Tang Song’s strong physique and the fresh, pleasant scent emanating from him, He Yiyi was over the moon. Had she not become a major internet influencer, she wouldn’t have dared to be so forward.
Sitting on the couch, Tang Song felt a flicker of unease as He Yiyi threw herself at him.
After a brief pause, he lightly patted her thigh and said with a smile, “Alright, go take care of your tasks. The equity incentive agreement is already being prepared by the legal team; you just need to sign it later. For the equity transfer registration, coordinate with President Gao.”
“Ah!” Startled by Tang Song’s pat, He Yiyi let out a small cry before quickly stepping back. “Alright, got it!”
Turning away, her mind replayed the feeling of Tang Song’s pat. Her cheeks flushed crimson, her face burning, and even her steps felt unnatural as she walked out.
She quietly closed the door and scurried off toward the restroom.
Watching her leave, Tang Song returned to his desk.
“Buzz, buzz—” His phone vibrated on the desk.
[Lanfeng International - Yu Qiuna]: “President Tang, the sales department team profiles have been organized and sent to your email.”
Tang Song opened his laptop and logged into his Foxmail account. After a quick look, he replied, “Got it, thanks for your effort. Let’s sit down and talk about this in detail when I visit Lanfeng International in a couple of days.”
After sending the message, he opened the email attachment and began reading carefully.
The side task, [Qualified Leader], was crucial to him, especially since it came with a [Charm +1] reward.
Although he now had a detailed understanding of Lanfeng International’s hotel operations, he was still unfamiliar with the internal management team.
Yu Qiuna, an employee in the sales department, happened to be a good entry point. A former BMW saleswoman, she was sharp and had been particularly proactive recently, clearly eager for growth.
Apart from this, Tang Song also needed to monitor financial operations to identify internal issues. For now, though, he hadn’t found a suitable candidate and decided to keep an eye out in the future.
At 6 PM, another knock came at the door.
“President Tang, your dinner order has arrived. I’ll bring it in.”
“Thanks,” he replied.
Zhang Ying from HR walked in briskly, placing a neatly packaged meal on the coffee table in the lounge area.
“Enjoy your meal, President Tang. Bye-bye!” Zhang Ying said playfully with a smile, bending slightly before leaving the office.
Tang Song opened the insulated bag and began unpacking the contents. Alongside the ribs-and-rice dish was a 300ml bottle of lime juice.
His eyes lingered on the bottle for a moment before he picked up his phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to his “White Moonlight.”
Twisting the cap off, he took a few gulps.
The strong sourness stimulated his taste buds, followed by a refreshing sweetness and a faint bitterness. It was reminiscent of his innocent, youthful days.
“Ding-dong—” Her reply came swiftly, as always.
[Qingning]: “What’s this? Did seeing lime juice remind you of me?”
Tang Song thought for a moment before replying directly:
“Yes, I miss you.”
This message clearly caught her off guard. It took a while before she responded:
[Qingning]: “Hmph, of course you miss me. I’m so adorable—it’s only natural. I’ll allow you to think of me more often from now on.”
[Qingning]: Good boy (attached meme).
Tang Song chuckled as he recognized the familiar meme.
During college, he had made a set of memes using photos of Liu Qingning, which he often used to tease her during chats. Because the memes turned out so well, they eventually became her exclusive set.
Looking at the photo of Liu Qingning as a freshman, Tang Song replied:
“You’re indeed very cute. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a photo of you—I’ve almost forgotten what you look like now. Send me one?”
[Qingning]: [Photo.jpg]
Tang Song: “This again? This is clearly your photo from freshman year!” ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel·fiɾe·net
[Qingning]: “I’m forever 18! Just remember that I look like this!”
The reason Liu Qingning’s company, Century Wisdom, had moved to Shenzhen wasn’t just the city’s more comprehensive industry environment but also a substantial software development contract.
As a technical partner, Liu Qingning was responsible for software development, often working late nights and under heavy stress. Because of this, she avoided video calls and refused to share current photos with him.
Tang Song had grown accustomed to this.
As he ate, he continued chatting with Liu Qingning, bantering back and forth.
Toward the end of their conversation, she sent a voice message. Tang Song tapped play, and her fresh, cheerful voice rang out:
“Take care of yourself in Yan City. I’ve got some important things to handle these days, but I’ll come visit you in Yan City once I’m done. Also, you said you’ve successfully lost weight and become even more handsome—I’m looking forward to it! Don’t slack off! Get back to your college weight! And if you manage to get abs, I’ll give you a big reward when we meet.”
Tang Song chuckled softly after hearing this.
His current physique was better than even his high school days, with nearly eight-pack abs. Liu Qingning would be utterly stunned when she saw him now.
Setting down his chopsticks, he took another sip of lime juice before opening Liu Qingning’s photo again. For a moment, he felt lost in thought.
Eighteen-year-old Liu Qingning had been vibrant and full of life, her bright, clear eyes resembling stars.
For a teenager like Tang Song, she was a warm ray of light, something he yearned for.
In his youth, under the glow of his White Moonlight, he experienced the thrill of a racing heart, innocent infatuation, and unforgettable longing…
It was this special bond that left him unsure how to face her now.
By 8 PM, after spending some time checking on the three major livestream rooms and understanding their operations, Tang Song grabbed his car keys and headed downstairs.
Soon, the white Bentley Continental GT rolled out of the underground parking lot.
The city streets glimmered with colorful lights. The roads bustled with traffic, and pedestrians hurried along.
Feeling pensive, Tang Song drove directly to the city’s outer ring road.
Listening to folk songs and enjoying the night breeze, he let his thoughts drift as he maneuvered the car.
By the time he snapped out of it, he was already on the South Third Ring Road. Recognizing the familiar surroundings, he turned the steering wheel, exited the ring road, and drove along the city’s main avenues toward the university district.
After being away for a day, he wondered how Qian Lele was faring now.
Parking in the South Gate lot of the university, Tang Song stepped out, one hand in his pocket, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He strolled along familiar streets toward the bustling night market on the pedestrian walkway.
The cool evening weather and post-work hours brought crowds to the area. The air was filled with tantalizing aromas, and every stall was surrounded by groups of people.
The lively noise created a dynamic, vibrant scene, like a moving painting full of energy.
“Excuse me… um…” A hesitant voice called out beside him.
Tang Song turned to see two young girls, about twenty years old, looking shyly at him.
The short-haired girl nudged her friend forward. “Um, mister… she wants to add you on WeChat!”
The long-haired girl glanced up, and upon seeing Tang Song’s handsome face and feeling his distinctively elegant presence, she blushed and her heart raced.
Muttering a soft “sorry,” she quickly grabbed her friend and ran off, head bowed.
Some people are simply so extraordinary that they leave others too awestruck to even muster the courage to strike up a conversation.
Tang Song chuckled lightly and continued walking along the street.
Despite wearing a tailored business suit that contrasted sharply with the casual surroundings, he blended seamlessly into the environment.
Before long, a familiar figure came into view.
As usual, Qian Lele sat quietly on a small stool, dressed simply, listening to her companion, Sister Wen, ramble on about gossip and workplace woes.
“…Let me tell you, Lele, our lousy director is the absolute worst. She asked me to bring her lunch today and didn’t pay me a single cent!”
“Seriously, a manager making over ten grand a month taking advantage of my 4,000-yuan salary—it’s outrageous!”
Qian Lele thought for a moment and replied softly, “Sister Wen, I’ve encountered situations like this before. Actually, the solution is simple. Just bring your own lunch.”
“Sigh, but it’s such a hassle,” Sister Wen shrugged helplessly. “By the way, Lele, the weather’s so nice today. Why didn’t Tang Song come by to hang out here?”
When the evening weather was nice, Tang Song often came here with a small folding stool to hang out for a bit and chat with them.
Although their conversations were always about technical topics, Sister Wen, who loved lively settings, found it enjoyable.
Having such a tall, imposing guy around also gave her a sense of security.
With a calm tone, Qian Lele replied, “Brother Song has his own work to focus on. He’s no longer living near the university, so I don’t think he’ll be coming by anymore.”
“Oh… I see,” Sister Wen sighed, a little disappointed.
She lifted her head, scanning the passing crowd, but her expression suddenly froze. Her jaw dropped open in shock.
“Is that… Tang Song?”
Amidst the crowd, one figure stood out.
His jet-black, tousled hair danced lightly in the night breeze, framing his deep and striking eyes. A well-fitted, lightweight dress shirt paired with crisp black trousers accentuated his excellent proportions.
Straight nose, thin lips, broad shoulders, narrow waist—his posture exuded elegance and poise.
He radiated a refined and confident aura, drawing the gazes of those around him as naturally as if he were the leading man from a romance drama.
“Lele… Lele…” Sister Wen patted Qian Lele’s back with trembling hands, her voice shaky. “I think I see Tang Song! But… he looks so different now—I almost didn’t recognize him!”
Hearing the name “Tang Song,” Qian Lele’s eyes lit up instantly. Following Sister Wen’s gaze, she turned to look.
Her crouched body sprang upright, and a bright, radiant smile spread across her face.
The sound of polished leather shoes clicking against the stone-paved street grew closer. Tang Song stopped right in front of her.
“Good evening, Lele.”
“Good evening, Brother Song. What… what brings you here?” Qian Lele lowered her head slightly, too shy to meet his eyes directly.
“I came to check on you.” Tang Song glanced at the foam cooler box beside her. “Looks like business is good—you don’t have much left.”
Qian Lele clasped her hands tightly and responded softly, “Yes, today was lucky. Someone bought eight cups all at once.”
Tang Song’s lips curved into a subtle smile. Taking out his phone, he scanned the QR code and paid six yuan. Then, he picked up a cup of lemon tea.
“Sister Wen, give me two grilled sausages—cumin and sesame flavor. They’re five yuan each, right?”
Hearing Tang Song’s voice, Sister Wen snapped out of her daze and quickly nodded. “Yes, yes, that’s right.”
She grabbed two grilled starch sausages, sprinkled them with cumin and sesame, and handed them over.
Seeing Tang Song up close in his current appearance, Sister Wen’s cheeks turned red. It felt like meeting a celebrity crush in real life.
With his looks and aura, wasn’t Tang Song the perfect male lead straight out of a novel? He was even more captivating than those actors on TV!
Excitedly, Sister Wen blurted, “Tang Song… your outfit today is absolutely stunning. You look amazing!”
“Thank you for the compliment, Sister Wen,” Tang Song replied with a smile. Taking the sausages, he casually stepped behind the stall and handed one to Qian Lele.
Then, he sat down on the steps behind her, effortlessly striking up a conversation.
As she munched on the fragrant, grilled sausage and listened to Tang Song’s words, Qian Lele’s eyes sparkled with delight.
Even though Tang Song had moved out of the faculty apartments and become notably wealthier, he was still willing to spend time chatting with her about mundane little things.
The faint sense of loss she’d felt earlier instantly disappeared.
Just then, a crisp system notification echoed in Tang Song’s ears.
“Ding! Aura charge has reached 100%. Aura Baptism has been triggered.”
A thin layer of radiant light cascaded from above his head, dreamy and enchanting.
“Ding! You have acquired a special peace-related item: 【Peaceful Wheat Ear】.”
【Peaceful Wheat Ear】: When worn, this item can reduce the likelihood of physical harm and maintain emotional stability and tranquility. (This tangible item can be gifted.)
Note: A small fulfillment in life is better than pursuing perfection—why fret over gains and losses?
Tang Song gazed at the golden wheat ear icon in his system interface, his thoughts momentarily drifting. The peaceful glow surrounding him gradually faded, leaving a faint warmth in his heart.