novelraw Chapter 347: Little Jing, Your Persona Is Falling Apart!
Chapter 347: Little Jing, Your Persona Is Falling Apart!
Around 6 p.m.
Jinxiu Commerce.
The dimming twilight made the lights indoors feel softer, illuminating rows of desks and filing cabinets. Inside the Compensation and Benefits Department office, a calm atmosphere lingered.
Tian Jing sat upright at her L-shaped desk, fingers tapping occasionally on the keyboard, her eyes clear and focused, portraying the perfect image of someone hard at work.
Outside the window, rain had started again at some point, pattering softly against the glass, making a faint "drip-drop" sound.
A notification popped up on her computer screen:
[Qingqing: “Wait, what? You talked with your boyfriend last night while undressed?”]
Tian Jing couldn’t help but smile and quickly typed back:
“Yup, it was super fun. Qingqing, have you ever tried it with your boyfriend?”
[Qingqing: “Not me! I’m a lawyer after all. Even though I enjoy 2D culture, I’m more reserved.”]Tian Jing smirked mischievously and typed:
“My boyfriend’s body is amazing—his abs are incredible, like something out of a comic. I couldn’t help but screenshot a bunch during our video call. Wanna see?”
[Qingqing: “Little Jing! You can’t just share stuff like that online! Send them to me first so I can check how risky they are.”]
Tian Jing chuckled aloud and replied:
“Maybe not.”
After a while...
[Qingqing: “Hmm.”]
Seeing this, Tian Jing stomped her foot lightly under the table, her eyes twinkling as she bit her lip in excitement. One of her daily joys was teasing Qingqing online and watching her vent about her in the “Second Dimension’s Best Moments” group chat at night. It was thrilling!
Through their chats, Tian Jing had pieced together that Qingqing and Tang Song’s relationship was ambiguous at best, with no real intimacy yet. But one thing was clear—Qingqing liked Tang Song. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be fantasizing online about him being a warm and secretly devoted alumni sweetheart, creating all sorts of convoluted love stories about them.
So today, Tian Jing deliberately used Tang Song’s photo to stir her up. She was sure Qingqing was now gritting her teeth in frustration.
(>^<)*
Speaking of Tang Song, his physique was amazing! Too bad she hadn’t recorded their video call—if only...
Tian Jing squeezed her knees together as a blush crept over her pale cheeks.
A knock on the office door broke her train of thought.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Tian Jing immediately sat up straight and switched the screen.
A fashionably dressed woman, Qi Wen, stepped into the room.
“Manager Qi!” Several payroll clerks greeted her eagerly.
Qi Wen nodded and walked over to Tian Jing’s desk. “Supervisor Tian, good evening!”
“Evening, Sister Wen,” Tian Jing glanced at the time and smiled. “Oh, it’s the end of the workday. Let me pack up.”
She shut down her computer, grabbed her phone and bag, and followed Qi Wen out.
As they exited the main entrance of the building, a man in his 30s, dressed in a formal suit, approached quickly.
He had a gentle and composed smile. “Wenwen, Miss Tian, good evening.”
“Secretary Li.”
“Good evening, Brother Li.”
“The restaurant is all set. Please, this way.”
He opened the door of a black GL8 parked in the drop-off area.
Once the two women were seated in the back, Secretary Li shut the door and took the driver’s seat.
The GL8’s headlights lit up as it slowly drove out of Linjin Tower.
While driving, Secretary Li spoke softly, “A trendy internet-famous restaurant just opened near the group’s headquarters. It’s been quite the buzz in the office lately. The decor is very unique, and the food is excellent. I reserved a spot on the terrace for you—perfect for young professionals like yourselves to enjoy the night view while chatting.”
“Thank you, Brother Li. Sorry for the trouble!”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Leaning back in her seat, Tian Jing crossed her left leg over her right, her interest piqued as she and Qi Wen looked up the restaurant, “Gourm.”
Since joining the cross-border e-commerce department, Qi Wen had turned into something of a workaholic and had no time for leisure. Plus, good restaurants were packed on Friday nights, so they left the planning to her father’s personal secretary.
Since both planned to drink that night, Secretary Li was their designated driver.
“Let’s go! The rain just stopped,” Yang Zihang checked the time. “Tang Song should be here in about ten minutes.”
“Alright, let’s go!” Hu Jingjing stood up excitedly. “I have to show him this book I’m recommending. I can’t wait to see his reaction!”
As a heavy reader, Hu Jingjing’s taste was diverse, and it took something truly unique to catch her attention.
One such gem was Wrong Room, Found a Bossy CEO
. It was the “chaotic masterpiece” of web novels—a two-hundred-chapter rollercoaster where the original cold and domineering male lead, Gu Peisi, devolved into a secondary villain, while the gentle second lead, Tang Song, rose to male lead status and stole the heroine, Xu Yanqing, away.The novel’s iconic scene was during this period—a stormy night on a highway overpass. The new male lead, Tang Song, drove an S-Class Mercedes to whisk the heroine away from the mansion, while the sobbing CEO chased them in his Ferrari.
It was this jaw-dropping twist that made Hu Jingjing fall in love with the book—and with Tang Song.
Young, accomplished, strikingly handsome, and composed yet deeply passionate... he was the ideal man.
Yet when facing the heroine, his years of unrequited love rendered him pathetically meek, often bullied and coaxed to tears. The contrast was intoxicating!
As a law graduate now working in legal audit, Hu Jingjing especially connected with Xu Yanqing’s sharp-witted lawyer persona.
The car dropped them at a parking lot 200 meters away due to rush hour.
Walking along the pedestrian path, the three headed towards their destination: Gourm Restaurant, centrally located in Qiaoxi District, surrounded by thriving businesses and lively crowds of stylish young people.
Amidst the bright city lights, the restaurant’s illuminated sign came into view. Passing through the glass doors, they entered the spacious elevator lobby.
“I’ll call Tang Song to check his ETA,” Yang Zihang said, pulling out his phone.
After a quick call, he reported back, “He’s stuck in traffic but will be here soon. Let’s go in and order first.”
“Sounds good!” Hu Jingjing hooked her arm through Zhao Yuzhu’s and said excitedly, “I’ve got a list of must-try dishes from coworkers. Let’s pick now so the food will arrive faster!”
Zhao Yuzhu took the phone and was about to say something when a familiar figure caught her attention from the corner of her eye. Her expression froze, and her body tensed up. Quickly lifting her head, she looked toward the entrance.
Noticing her unusual behavior, Yang Zihang asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Director Li!” Zhao Yuzhu whispered in a startled tone. “Quick, go introduce yourself and make a good impression!”
Hearing this, Hu Jingjing and Yang Zihang immediately turned to look, their postures straightening, and their expressions becoming more composed.
At the glass door, a man in a sharp suit and polished demeanor walked in. It was Li Zhe, the personal secretary and deputy office director for Qi Guowen, the chairman of Yan Provincial Cultural and Tourism Investment Group.
In front of him were two fashionable and strikingly beautiful women. One stood out in particular—dressed in a fitted white top and a short black skirt. Her figure was both toned and curvy, with a healthy porcelain complexion and sweet, delicate features.
The entire elevator lobby seemed to brighten with her presence.
Zhao Yuzhu took a deep breath and, with a radiant smile, stepped forward. “Good evening, Director Li. What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to see you here.”
The secretaries in the group’s administration department technically worked in the same division as her. However, given the department’s size and scope—handling everything from administration to logistics—they rarely interacted. Besides, as the chairman’s secretary, Li Zhe held a uniquely privileged position, making him someone Zhao Yuzhu seldom had a chance to converse with.
“Oh? Yuzhu, good evening. Are you out for dinner with colleagues?” Li Zhe’s polite and approachable smile carried a professional air.
“Yes, yes,” Zhao Yuzhu nodded quickly.
Li Zhe glanced at the two people beside her. They looked familiar, though he couldn’t quite recall their names.
“Good evening, Secretary Li. I’m Hu Jingjing from the Legal Audit Department.”
“Ah, Jingjing. Now I remember—we met during a meeting.”
Hu Jingjing beamed with excitement. “Yes, it was during last month’s work briefing. I was presenting with my manager.”
“How’s work going lately?”
“Very smoothly, thank you for asking!” Hu Jingjing nodded earnestly.
Zhao Yuzhu subtly tugged on her boyfriend’s arm.
Yang Zihang pressed his lips together, nerves evident as he spoke. “Good evening, Secretary Li. I’m Yang Zihang from the New Media Operations Department.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Just then, a soft ding announced the elevator’s arrival.
Li Zhe smiled at them and said, “The elevator’s here. Let’s chat later.”
Turning around, he bowed slightly and addressed the two women, “Wenwen, Miss You, the restaurant is on the sixth floor. Allow me to lead you there.”
The three watched him escort the women into the elevator, exchanging astonished glances.
After a brief hesitation, Zhao Yuzhu grabbed her boyfriend’s arm and followed them into the elevator. Encounters like this—running into the chairman’s secretary—were rare and valuable opportunities to make an impression, especially in such a shared setting.
For Yang Zihang, who worked in a peripheral department and had little interaction with senior leadership, moments like these could be career-changing.
The elevator ascended slowly, stopping at the sixth floor.
They stepped out to a large oil painting wall, surrounded by furniture exuding artistic elegance.
Zhao Yuzhu and Hu Jingjing had lost interest in snapping photos. Instead, their attention was firmly fixed on Li Zhe and the two women he accompanied.
A uniformed server greeted Li Zhe, who spoke to him in a low voice before turning to Qi Wen. “Enjoy your meal. If you need anything, feel free to contact me.”
“Got it, thank you, Brother Li. Bye-bye!”
“Bye-bye,” Li Zhe replied with a smile, nodding briefly toward the trio before striding back to the elevator.
Qi Wen and Tian Jing followed the server toward the terrace dining area.
Watching their retreating figures, Zhao Yuzhu, Hu Jingjing, and Yang Zihang stood frozen, their gazes shifting back and forth.
They had assumed Li Zhe was here for dinner himself, but it turned out he was merely escorting the two women.
What kind of status could they possibly hold to warrant such treatment from the chairman’s secretary?
“Let’s go inside and talk,” Zhao Yuzhu suggested.
After confirming their table reservation with a server, the three were led further inside.
The restaurant, currently a viral hotspot, boasted a unique artistic flair in its design. The layout resembled a tranquil campsite with abundant greenery, creating a serene and pleasant atmosphere. The spacious interior featured distinct dining zones separated by glass, plants, screens, and bookshelves.
Seated in a cozy booth, Zhao Yuzhu quickly scanned the menu and ordered the dishes her colleagues had recommended.
As they settled down, Yang Zihang asked with a curious look, “Yuzhu, do you know those two women?”
Zhao Yuzhu shook her head. “They’re definitely not from our company, and I’ve never seen them before.”
Her role in administrative reception meant she was familiar with most company leaders, and the strikingly fair-skinned woman would have left a lasting impression if she’d been to the office.
“Could they be daughters of high-ranking executives? Or maybe someone important’s family member joining the company?” Hu Jingjing speculated excitedly. “It would make sense for Li Zhe to treat them so carefully.”
Zhao Yuzhu’s eyes flickered with thought. Suddenly, she stood up and aimed her phone at the terrace area. After adjusting the focus, she snapped a few photos.
“Let me ask my manager and see if she recognizes them.”
Opening her chat with her direct supervisor, she selected one of the better photos and sent it with a message:
“Sister Yuying, I just ran into Secretary Li with two women at Gourm Restaurant. He seemed incredibly respectful. Do you know who they are?”
Zhao Yuzhu was tactful in her wording, framing it as casual gossip to gauge her supervisor’s insight without overstepping.
The phone rang suddenly, and Zhao Yuzhu glanced down.
“It’s my manager!”
Answering the call with a bright tone, she said, “Hi, Sister Yuying.”
Her cheerful expression froze as her breathing quickened. “You mean... Director Qi’s...?”
“Yes, yes, I’ll be careful! Don’t worry, I won’t disturb them!”
“Okay, thank you, Sister Yuying. Bye-bye!”
Ending the call, Zhao Yuzhu slumped back in her seat, visibly shaken.
“What’s wrong?” Hu Jingjing pressed. “What did your manager say?”
Zhao Yuzhu patted her chest to calm herself before whispering, “The woman in the blue shirt is the chairman’s daughter, Qi Wen.”
Both Yang Zihang and Hu Jingjing inhaled sharply.
“Damn! No wonder Li Zhe was so accommodating!” Yang Zihang exclaimed.
Hu Jingjing gulped. “This... this is intense. I heard from colleagues before that the chairman has a daughter who studied in America. Looks like she’s back now.”
The trio exchanged a few hushed words, still reeling from the revelation.
Zhao Yuzhu whispered, “Alright, let’s stop speculating and just enjoy the meal.”
Initially, they had thought about striking up a conversation with the two women, perhaps exchanging polite comments about the dining environment. But after learning their true identity, that idea was instantly squashed.
The disparity in status was too glaring—they weren’t even qualified to approach them. Worse, if the women were temperamental, it could spell disaster.
Hu Jingjing tapped the table lightly and chuckled, “Hey, Zihang, check on your cousin. Where is he now?”
Yang Zihang nodded, pulling out his phone.
“Hey, Tang Song, where are you?”
“Got it. We’re at booth B34. Just ask a server to guide you when you get here—it’s pretty big in here.”
After hanging up, Yang Zihang pointed toward the entrance with a smile. “He just got on the elevator, so he’ll be here soon.”
Hu Jingjing and Zhao Yuzhu instantly perked up, their eyes sparkling as they stared in anticipation.
“Hey, hey, hey! Is that really necessary?” Yang Zihang said with exasperation.
“Hmph! When you ogle curvy beauties, I don’t say anything!” Zhao Yuzhu teased. “Besides, didn’t you say your cousin looks a lot like you? I’m curious to see who’s more handsome.”
Yang Zihang grinned awkwardly. “Ahem. In terms of looks, we’re about the same, I guess. But his vibe is better.”
Hu Jingjing laughed. “To be fair, Zihang is quite handsome.”
At nearly 1.8 meters tall, with a well-groomed and striking appearance, Yang Zihang certainly stood out. Zhao Yuzhu’s fondness for him wasn’t without reason.
For instance, they had recently purchased a 75-square-meter apartment together. Zhao Yuzhu’s family had contributed half of the 700,000-yuan down payment, yet the property was co-registered in both their names.
As they chatted, Hu Jingjing suddenly froze, her eyes widening.
“Zihang, don’t tell me—that guy coming this way is your cousin! No way, no way!”
Both Zhao Yuzhu and Yang Zihang turned to look.
A tall, refined figure was making his way toward them. The restaurant's dazzling lights seemed to converge on him, highlighting every detail.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored casual shirt and slacks that accentuated his impeccable physique, his sharp features—high nose bridge, slightly pursed lips, and clean, handsome face—exuded sophistication. His calm and warm demeanor added to his elegant aura.
Damn, he’s stunning!
Hu Jingjing clutched her chest, her eyes shimmering as she stared ahead, her expression dreamy.
He was the living embodiment of a web novel male lead. From his appearance to his presence, he perfectly matched the fictional Tang Song from Wrong Room, Found a Bossy CEO.
As a devoted reader, Hu Jingjing felt like she was in a trance.
The crisp sound of leather shoes tapping against the wooden floor grew louder.
Snapping out of his daze, Yang Zihang quickly stood up and pulled out a chair. “Tang Song, over here.”
Despite his cheerful tone, there was a hint of awkwardness on his face. It had been a while since they last met, and his cousin seemed even more handsome and poised than before—contradicting his earlier comparison.
Zhao Yuzhu also stood up, biting her lip in admiration.
“Good evening, Cousin,” Tang Song greeted with a friendly wave.
Zhao Yuzhu beamed warmly. “Good evening, Cousin. I’m your future sister-in-law, Zhao Yuzhu.”
“Good evening, Sister-in-law,” Tang Song replied politely.
“Please, sit down!”
Nodding, Tang Song took a seat, his long, slender hands resting naturally on the table with a composed air.
Across from him, Hu Jingjing’s heart skipped a beat as her face flushed.
Why didn’t I dress up today? she thought, regretting her casual outfit. Sitting before this radiant heartthrob, she felt utterly self-conscious.
After a few pleasantries, Zhao Yuzhu’s impression of Tang Song improved significantly. His calm demeanor, articulate speech, and graceful manners exuded charisma—regardless of his good looks.
Her eyes twinkled as she nudged her best friend. “Hey, Jingjing, what are you spacing out for? Aren’t you waiting for me to introduce you?”
Hu Jingjing took a deep breath, sitting up straight. “H-hello, I’m Jingjing, a colleague of Zihang and Yuzhu.”
“Nice to meet you, Sister Jingjing. I’m Tang Song,” he replied with a bright smile.
Hu Jingjing clasped her hands tightly, her heart pounding. That smile—those lips and teeth! He’s the spitting image of the Tang Song in the novel!
What’s worse, the novel’s author, "Qingqing Eats Too Much," had also written some risqué spinoffs involving the male and female leads. Thinking of those explicit scenes...
Oh my god, someone kill me now! How does anyone handle this?
The dishes were soon served.
Zhao Yuzhu enthusiastically engaged Tang Song, asking about his work and life.
From what she had heard, Tang Song had started a livestream e-commerce business, proving to be ambitious and hardworking. Combining this with her positive first impression, she treated him warmly and familiarly.
Meanwhile, the usually outgoing Hu Jingjing had turned unusually reserved. She nibbled on her food while stealing glances at Tang Song, the resemblance to the novel’s protagonist becoming increasingly uncanny.
Midway through the meal, Zhao Yuzhu leaned closer to her embarrassed friend and whispered, “Jingjing, could you at least be a bit more reserved? Stop staring and just talk to him—or add him on WeChat.” This update is available on novel·fıre·net
Hu Jingjing hesitated, then cleared her throat. “Um... Tang Song, the novel I’ve been reading lately has a male lead with a name similar to yours, and his character is so much like you. It’s incredible!”
Tang Song swallowed a piece of crispy fried squid and asked curiously, “Oh? What’s the novel called?”
Blushing, Hu Jingjing replied, “It’s got a long and hard-to-remember title. How about I add you on WeChat and send you the link? It’s really entertaining—you should check it out when you have time!”
She wasn’t harboring any romantic intentions—she simply couldn’t resist the chance to connect with this real-life novel lead.
“Sure.” Tang Song smiled, pulling out his phone and opening his QR code. “Go ahead and scan me.”
“Okay, just a sec.” Hu Jingjing quickly scanned his code, adding him with swift efficiency.
Grinning at the newly opened chat window, she immediately shared the link to Wrong Room, Found a Bossy CEO.
“I’m not kidding! After 100 chapters, the male lead becomes Tang Song, a warm and handsome young financial executive who was the heroine’s college classmate. His looks and demeanor are exactly like yours!”
Tang Song’s expression froze for a moment as he opened the novel’s details page to take a closer look.
Xu Yanqing? Tang Song?
Classmates? Lawyer? Investor?
Tang Song’s eye twitched as an inexplicable sense of déjà vu washed over him.
He made a mental note to thoroughly check out this novel later to confirm his suspicions. He could only hope that the character Xu Yanqing wasn’t as recklessly written as his gut feared.
“It’s started raining again outside. The view is gorgeous. We should go to the terrace later and take some photos,” Zhao Yuzhu suggested, pointing toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Shaking off his thoughts, Tang Song stood up and walked toward the glass walls, which were framed by plants and screens, offering a clear view outside.
The cityscape had taken on a dreamy quality, veiled by the soft rain. In the distance, neon lights blurred into vibrant halos through the mist, resembling an enchanting painting.
It was, indeed, beautiful.
However, his gaze soon shifted and fixed on a corner of the terrace where a familiar figure caught his eye.
Two women were sitting there, laughing and chatting.
One of them, Xiao Jing, lounged lazily in her chair, bathed in the dim amber glow of the terrace lighting, which cast a soft veil over her delicate features.
Her fair fingers held a slender lady’s cigarette, and her pink lips gently pressed against it. Wisps of smoke spiraled upward, mingling with her long, dark hair and adding a faint, enigmatic allure to her appearance.
Tang Song’s brows lifted slightly as he drew in a deep breath.
Xiao Jing, you’re secretly smoking?
His eyes narrowed.
Let’s see how I’m going to deal with you today!