novelraw Chapter 342: The Innate Pretentious Sacred Body, Taking His Place
Chapter 342: The Innate Pretentious Sacred Body, Taking His Place
Youjie Domestic Services, General Manager's Office.
“I can’t do it, Yuyan. I really can’t,” Li Meixia plopped onto a chair, her face filled with frustration.
Shen Yuyan handed her a wet tissue. “What did they say? Did you meet with the property manager?”
Li Meixia wiped the sweat from her face and nodded. “I said a couple of sentences, handed them a business card, and then got completely stonewalled! They didn’t give me the time of day! Yunxi Property is way too aloof—they don’t even see us as worth their notice. Maybe we should just let it go.”
“Thanks for your hard work, Meixia.” Shen Yuyan sat beside her, holding her arm seriously. “Even though it’s tough, we still have to find a way to secure Yunxi Property. After all, we have that betting agreement.”
According to the original investment agreement, Gongying Technology’s 6 million RMB investment would be transferred in two batches. The first 3 million had already arrived, allowing them to expand storefronts, promote their platform, and push video traffic. However, their company needed to meet the agreed-upon performance growth by August. Otherwise, the remaining 3 million would be withheld.
Initially, Shen Yuyan was confident, as the targets weren’t particularly demanding. Youjie Domestic Services was already on an upward trajectory, with both in-house and outsourced services. With adequate funds and resources, they should have been able to achieve the goals through normal operations.
However, after the collaboration dispute involving the Gongying Smart Home app, she couldn’t shake a sense of foreboding—like there might still be pitfalls ahead. To play it safe, she decided to expand into more business areas.
Yunxi Property, owned by the publicly listed Yunxi Real Estate, operated in Yan Province and surrounding regions. It specialized in high-end residential complexes and office buildings, making it a perfect overlap with Youjie’s target audience. If they could establish a partnership, their business volume would skyrocket.
“I understand your point, Yuyan,” Li Meixia said as she shook her damp hair. “But I can feel that they don’t take us seriously. The chances of them agreeing to collaborate are zero.”Shen Yuyan’s eyes flickered. “What about the other property companies we’ve reached out to? Have any responded?”
“Nope! They’re all sly old foxes. I’ve already offered the highest commission rate possible, but their leaders just keep saying it’s still under consideration, without giving me any concrete feedback.”
“I see...” Shen Yuyan hesitated for a moment and then said, “In that case, let’s prioritize acquiring clients through online channels.”
Li Meixia lowered her voice. “How about we let Tianqi step in? Maybe his uncle could help us out.”
The company’s initial business operations had been made possible thanks to Tianqi Zhang’s uncle, who worked at Chengxu Property. Given Chengxu Property’s intricate connections with Yunxi Real Estate, they had set their sights on Yunxi Property, hoping to use the success of their collaboration with Chengxu as leverage. However, the current situation indicated that Yunxi Property wasn’t even willing to sit down for a discussion.
This wasn’t surprising, considering Yunxi’s current collaborators were all national chains. To carve out a piece of the pie, they needed something compelling, like connections, resources, or a strong reputation—things Youjie currently lacked. Their only card to play seemed to be Tianqi Zhang’s family ties. As the deputy general manager of Chengxu Property, his uncle did have the qualifications to act as a bridge between them and Yunxi.
“It’s worth a shot,” Shen Yuyan sighed. “If all else fails, we’ll have to try that route.”
This was the downside of starting from scratch. Yuyan’s alma mater, Yan City University of Technology, was an average first-tier school, and the network she built as the campus belle wasn’t high-end enough. The thought brought up a wave of regret as the image of Tang Song surfaced in her mind.
Regret churned within her.
24 million RMB in cash investment, his commanding presence, the due diligence team from Slover Trust...
He must have high-level connections and resources.
If only she had been proactive when Xu Qing suggested it—immediately accepting Tang Song’s investment and throwing her support behind him—Youjie Domestic Services would have had a strong backer by now. And she would have had more opportunities to interact with him.
6:00 PM.
Rain started falling again from the sky.
A white Audi A7 slowly pulled out onto the main city road.
Shen Yuyan sat quietly in the front passenger seat, casually chatting with her best friend, Xu Qing. Just yesterday, Xu Qing had officially signed the equity incentive agreement. Soon, she would be able to exercise her options. Once her 2% stake was exercised, she would become a shareholder with the right to dividends.
However, exercising the options required Xu Qing to purchase the shares. With a valuation of 30 million RMB, this would cost her 600,000 RMB. At the moment, Xu Qing only had 80,000 RMB on hand. Her family would likely be able to help cover part of it, while the rest would be funded by Shen Yuyan herself.
Yuyan’s salary had always been high. Her current monthly income was 25,000 RMB, and she had received a small bonus at the end of last year. Since she didn’t spend on cars, housing, or travel, she had saved up over 500,000 RMB—more than enough.
As childhood friends since middle school, their bond was closer than that of siblings. Faced with such a rare opportunity for Xu Qing, Yuyan naturally wanted to offer unconditional support.
“Yuyan,” Hou Shaoyuan, the driver, turned his head slightly and smiled. “You look stunning today. At the Create·Merge Networking Event, you’ll definitely be the most eye-catching one.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“By the way, Lu Ziming will be at tonight’s event, right?”
“Yes. Tiancheng Capital is bringing a lot of people; as co-organizers, their VC Investment Director, Zhao Chengjun, will also be attending.”
“Oh, Director Zhao...” Hou Shaoyuan quickly recalled their team’s interaction with him at a previous investment roadshow banquet. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
The two then began discussing their approaches for engaging with property management companies.
6:20 PM.
The car pulled into the Yan City Entrepreneurship and Employment Incubation Base.
After parking, they headed into the event center, showing their electronic invitations to check in.
The brightly lit main venue exuded warmth and elegance. Flowers, greenery, carpets, and paintings filled the space. Square dining tables were surrounded by soft upholstered sofas.
At the front of the room stood a modestly sized stage with a high-definition electronic screen displaying the event’s theme.
The networking event officially started at 7:00 PM, and many attendees were already present.
As her eyes swept across the venue, Shen Yuyan instantly recognized several familiar faces. Representatives from Tiancheng Capital, Tengfu Investment, Chengrui Group, and Dingyun Investment, along with local startup CEOs, were mingling in self-formed groups. Men and women dressed impeccably were engaged in lively discussions.
These were all companies she had interacted with before, though none had taken her seriously. Among them were some individuals whose attitudes had once humiliated her.
Yuyan was someone who held grudges. While she lacked the power to retaliate now, she vowed to repay the insults in the future.
Clenching her fist, she composed herself with a sweet and refreshing smile before striding confidently toward one of the groups to start networking.
Her tone was polite and respectful, her demeanor warm and gentle. Thanks to her high emotional intelligence, she quickly blended in. Even when she came face-to-face with an investor who had previously made indecent proposals to her, she remained calm and cordial.
Chengyuan Building, Slover Trust.
Lin Muxue leisurely finished her low-fat dinner and returned to her small office.
She sent the day’s compiled materials to Tang Song’s email, brushed her teeth, touched up her makeup, and checked the time—it was already 6:30 PM.
After informing Kylie and Katia, she grabbed her bag and headed out.
With elegance in her step, Lin Muxue walked as gracefully as a model. After meeting Zhang Lili and Katia at the lounge near the company reception desk, the three walked downstairs together.
In the elevator, Lin Muxue smiled and said, “I’m sorry, Katia, but I don’t know Tiancheng Capital’s Zhao Chengjun. I’ll need you to make the introduction.”
“Haha, don’t mention it! I’m your wingwoman for this event. Ready to rock this exchange?” Katia replied, her usual aloof demeanor as the Risk Control Director giving way to a humorous and lively tone.
Katia wasn’t joking. As an employee of Kate Trust stationed in Hong Kong, and in a significant position at that, she had no real reason to attend such a low-level exchange event. The participants were mostly local institutional executives or small startup CEOs, far beneath her networking tier.
The three chatted and laughed as the elevator reached B1. Lin Muxue stepped into her beloved Porsche 911, while Zhang Lili and Katia left in a Tesla. Soon, both cars exited the parking lot, one following the other.
Inside her quiet car, Lin Muxue tapped her fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel, excitement burning in her eyes. She had timed her departure perfectly and brought Katia along to enhance her presence.
She had to suppress Shen Yuyan, that scheming drama queen who flaunted a cute, naive best friend like a decorative accessory. She couldn’t allow Shen Yuyan to get any closer to Tang Song. If that woman really managed to secure him, it would be a disaster for her own plans.
But now, with her "Sacred Body" fully mastered, Lin Muxue felt unstoppable.
She imagined Shen Yuyan’s envy, jealousy, and resentment during her grand entrance, and her emotions surged with anticipation. Her eyes glazed over with satisfaction, her body trembling slightly as if she were reaching a climax.
Lin Muxue’s passions were simple: Tang Song, luxury goods, and showing off. She had worked hard to learn English, integrate herself into Kate Trust, and connect with high-level circles—all to perfect her ability to flaunt. Haha! What better way to bask in glory than this?
Entrepreneurship and Employment Incubation Base.
Shen Yuyan’s elegant and sensual figure wove gracefully through the crowd. The room buzzed with lively conversations and the clinking of glasses.
Attendees discussed topics such as “the government’s impact on the industry,” “diversifying investment portfolios across sectors,” and even The Midas List (Forbes’ list of top global investors).
Others focused on trends like “autonomous driving,” “artificial intelligence,” “new energy,” Tangyi Precision, and Qingning Technology.
Shen Yuyan, particularly interested in topics related to Jin Meixiao and Ouyang Xianyue, found herself talking at length. Her fresh, pretty face, poised posture, and pleasant voice soon made her the center of attention in several conversations.
Her presence became increasingly radiant, her smile growing brighter. She craved being the center of attention and even more so standing at the pinnacle. The more eyes on her, the more exhilarated she felt.
However, her high-profile manner didn’t sit well with everyone.
After a detailed explanation of breakthroughs in deep learning algorithms and their impact on industries like autonomous driving and medical imaging diagnostics, a female director from Chengrui Group who had met her a few times gave her a playful pat on the shoulder. “Wow, I didn’t expect someone in the domestic services business to know so much about cutting-edge tech. Not bad! Maybe you should switch to the AI industry—we’d all be scrambling to invest in you.”
Her tone was laced with sarcasm, prompting some in the group to chuckle meaningfully.
The event’s relatively low-tier nature had drawn a mixed crowd, including some who weren’t fond of Shen Yuyan—most of them women. The finance industry was notorious for its chaos, and the women who climbed to prominence through social connections and flashy performances were anything but innocent.
Shen Yuyan’s face stiffened briefly before she forced an awkward smile. Her hands hung loosely by her sides as she replied gently, “Director Wang, you flatter me. High-tech industries are beyond my capabilities. But if there’s ever an opportunity in the future, I’ll certainly try my best.”
An investment manager from Dingyun Investment raised his glass with a smirk. “Haha, well, here’s to your domestic services company going public soon.”
Another round of laughter followed, faint but piercing.
Shen Yuyan took a deep breath, her eyes flashing briefly with suppressed anger and humiliation.
“Director Zhao from Tiancheng Capital is here! Let’s go greet him,” someone said, and soon, a crowd began moving toward one corner of the venue.
As the VC Investment Director and a core member of Tiancheng Capital’s investment committee, Zhao Chengjun’s presence at such a grassroots event was quite rare. It was clear he had been invited as a keynote speaker by the organizers.
Walking beside him was the base manager, Li Shutong, who had previously acted as a liaison for Ren Mingyuan of Gongying Technology.
Watching the dispersing crowd, Shen Yuyan gripped her wine glass tightly, her downcast eyes flickering with thought.
“Yuyan!” A familiar male voice called from nearby.
She quickly masked her emotions, lifting her head with a smile. “Ziming, Mengli, you’re finally here.”
Mengli warmly grabbed her arm. “I got stuck writing a press release backstage, or I’d have been waiting at the check-in desk for you.”
“How’s work been lately?”
“Busy, but it’ll ease up after this event,” Mengli grumbled. “We just wrapped up the university entrepreneurship support forum, and now there’s this exchange.”
“Haha, that means your leadership values you.”
Meanwhile, Lu Ziming chatted casually, his eyes lingering on Shen Yuyan.
He couldn’t help but feel a stir of emotion for his former college crush. Her soft, flowing hair was pinned neatly behind her head, revealing a pristine, refreshing face that had once been the talk of campus.
Her slender figure, professional outfit, and confident posture remained as captivating as ever.
Back in college, Shen Yuyan had been dazzling. Her name was everywhere—in dorms, on forums, in discussions. Every guy had thought about her at least once, even their usually reserved dormmate Tang Song, who would light up when she came up in conversation.
But her ambitions were always too grand. Even with his family’s considerable wealth, Lu Ziming had never been able to catch her eye, resigning himself to being a mere friend.
At least she was still single, preserving the faintest glimmer of hope in his heart.
“Hello, Mengli, Ziming! Long time no see.” Hou Shaoyuan strolled over from a corner of the room, casually patting Lu Ziming on the shoulder.
Unlike Shen Yuyan, Hou Shaoyuan disliked these social events, finding them filled with middle-aged men discussing topics he didn’t care about. His only reason for coming was to accompany Shen Yuyan and keep Lu Ziming from getting too close to her.
The four of them chatted briefly. With only five minutes left before the event began, Shen Yuyan adjusted her hair and said softly, “Ziming, let’s go greet your Director Zhao.”
Lu Ziming nodded enthusiastically. “Sure, I’ll take you over.”
Hou Shaoyuan shrugged. “Guess I’ll tag along for the fun.”
At that moment, a sudden commotion broke out in the venue.
Shen Yuyan raised an eyebrow and turned toward the source of the noise, where she saw Manager Li Shutong animatedly speaking with Zhao Chengjun before striding toward the entrance.
The disruption quickly drew everyone’s attention.
Shen Yuyan leaned in and whispered to Mengli, “What’s going on? Did someone important just arrive?”
Mengli blinked in confusion before laughing. “The organizers sent invitations to lots of companies. If someone confirmed last-minute, it might be a senior executive from a big firm who decided to drop by.”
“Hmm.” Shen Yuyan exhaled softly, her emotions complicated.
This world could be so brutally real—everyone judged worth based on status and power.
As she pondered, the room fell silent, all eyes turning toward the grand golden doors.
Shen Yuyan instinctively straightened her posture, adjusted her outfit, and put on a dazzling smile.
But that smile froze the instant her eyes landed on the figure walking in.
Under the gilded archway, a woman entered, surrounded by an entourage.
She wore a deep-blue pinstriped skirt suit, flawlessly tailored, over a pure white silk blouse that outlined her elegant figure.
Black stiletto heels accentuated her long, snow-white legs, while her chestnut waves cascaded over her shoulders, exuding a blend of sophistication and nonchalance.
Her refined features and sharp gaze carried an air of dominance, her red lips curving slightly upward.
Beside her stood a tall, slim foreign woman with ash-blond short hair, exuding a quiet intensity that added to the pair’s overwhelming presence.
Their arrival immediately captured the room’s attention.
Zhao Chengjun stood up, eagerly greeting them, while Li Shutong’s enthusiasm was palpable.
The atmosphere shifted, becoming lively as more people gathered around them.
Lin Muxue?!
Shen Yuyan’s hand clenched tightly, her teeth biting down hard. Her sharp gaze followed Lin Muxue’s every move.
Sensing the intensity, Lin Muxue turned, catching her eye with a confident and mocking smile. Sparks seemed to fly in the air.
Lin Muxue nodded slightly before turning away, casually engaging Zhao Chengjun and Li Shutong in conversation, as if she hadn’t even registered Shen Yuyan’s presence.
From Lin Muxue’s gaze, Shen Yuyan clearly read the unspoken message: “Look up to me, envy me, Little Shen!”
Thump—Thump—
The sound of her own heartbeat echoed in Shen Yuyan’s ears. Her pearly white teeth bit down hard on her lip, the sharp sting bringing her spiraling thoughts back to reality.
Next to her, Mengli whispered, “I just asked a colleague—it’s an executive from a foreign financial firm! And apparently, they’re a big deal, someone tied to the famous Kate Trust Fund.”
Lu Ziming pressed his lips together and added softly, “I don’t know the other two, but the one in the purple blouse is Zhang Lili. I met her at a networking event once. I heard she was previously an analyst at an investment bank and now works at a Hong Kong-based trust firm.”
As a newcomer to the financial industry fresh out of college, Lu Ziming didn’t know many people.
Watching Lin Muxue’s dazzling entrance, Hou Shaoyuan’s eyes sparkled with admiration, a fiery excitement igniting in his chest.
This woman is stunning! More importantly, her presence exudes a commanding allure, even more captivating than Shen Yuyan’s campus belle charm. She has that untouchable air that makes a man want to conquer her.
Of course, these thoughts remained just that. In a setting like this, with someone of her status, he knew he didn’t even qualify to strike up a conversation.
Just then, Lin Muxue began walking toward their group.
Her hair swayed lightly as she moved with an effortless grace, her slim waist twisting gently.
Stopping in front of Shen Yuyan, Lin Muxue straightened her posture, her arms naturally hanging by her sides.
With the added height of her high heels—changed specifically in her car for this effect—she now stood close to 180 cm tall. Her commanding aura, which had only grown since her entrance, bore down on Shen Yuyan with undeniable intensity.
Mengli and Lu Ziming froze, confused by the sudden development, while Hou Shaoyuan unconsciously shifted to the side, feeling the weight of the attention around them.
Shen Yuyan pressed her lips together before speaking. “Hello, Xiaoxue. Long time no see.”
“Heh,” Lin Muxue let out a light chuckle, her tone cool. “Yuyan, I didn’t expect to see you here. Seems like we’re really fated to meet.”
The exaggerated pretense in Lin Muxue’s demeanor made Shen Yuyan’s eye twitch uncontrollably.
Why does she act so high and mighty? She wasn’t like this in front of Tang Song!
What kind of nonsense is this “Innate Pretentious Sacred Body” anyway?!
“Haha, yeah, it seems we’re quite fated,” Shen Yuyan replied, her voice dry and strained.
Lin Muxue nodded slightly, her smile remaining calm. “I have some things to take care of right now. Let’s catch up later when I’m free.”
Without waiting for a response, Lin Muxue elegantly turned and walked away, as though Shen Yuyan were nothing more than an afterthought.
Every move Lin Muxue made seemed perfectly timed, her confidence growing with the atmosphere she had created. For a moment, she even exuded the aura of Qin Yingxue, a woman she once considered the most formidable she had ever met.
Back then, Lin Muxue had been utterly crushed by Qin Yingxue’s overwhelming presence, leaving her feeling inferior and humiliated—a psychological shadow that lingered to this day.
But now, Lin Muxue was deliberately mimicking that same aura. She wanted to instill the same psychological burden in Shen Yuyan.
That way, even if she somehow ends up in bed with Tang Song, she’ll still feel inferior to me. I’ll have the upper hand.
Next to her, Mengli tugged on Shen Yuyan’s arm, her voice filled with awe. “Yuyan, is she a friend of yours?! Wow, she looks so badass! This is how women should be!”
Shen Yuyan raised her head, watching Lin Muxue’s retreating figure.
Back in the crowd, Lin Muxue was quickly surrounded by people eager to make her acquaintance.
Li Shutong and Zhao Chengjun treated her with utmost respect, while the very women who had mocked Shen Yuyan earlier now plastered fake smiles on their faces as they flattered Lin Muxue.
Wherever she stood became the focal point of the room.
Mengli wasn’t wrong—Lin Muxue was indeed a quintessential “green tea b*tch.”
Shen Yuyan clenched her hands tightly, her fingernails digging into her palms as she etched this moment of humiliation into her memory.
Her heart burned with silent determination.
She can be replaced!