novelraw Chapter 356: Our Paths About to Cross
Chapter 356: Our Paths About to Cross
The roar of the engine echoed through the mountains.
The tires crushed the yellow-brown dirt road, kicking up a long trail of dust behind the vehicle, forming a lingering "golden dragon" in the air.
A pristine white Jeep Wrangler weaved through the undulating mountain ridges.
Outside the car window, distant scenery flickered in and out of view beneath the shroud of thick clouds, resembling a softly smudged ink painting.
"Whoa! This is so cool!" Jiang Yourong, seated in the passenger seat, shouted excitedly at the view outside.
As a swirl of dust drifted toward the car, she quickly rolled up the window.
The seatbelt stretched across her mature, voluptuous figure, accentuating the curves of her chest, which subtly rose and fell with the bumpy ride.
Her cheeks were flushed with excitement as she turned her gaze toward the driver’s seat. "Shuyu, I have to admit, off-roading is pretty fun. It’s a shame it's summer, though—most campsites and scenic spots are too hot. How about we come back during National Day?"
"You know that October 1st is my busiest time of the year. But I can lend you the car if you want."
"No way. I'm broke! If I wreck it, I wouldn’t be able to pay you back." Jiang Yourong shrugged helplessly.Her annual salary was just over 200,000 yuan, and she had bought a house a few years ago. She still had to occasionally top up her "cross-disciplinary research funds," so her disposable income was quite limited.
This Jeep Wrangler cost 520,000 yuan new and still went for over 300,000 secondhand.
"Heh, no need to pay me back. I hardly get a chance to go off-roading in Yan City anyway. I only take it out when I visit my hometown. You're on summer break now, so if you like it, take it for a spin."
"Forget it. I don't trust my driving skills."
"Hold on tight—we’re almost at the peak."
Switching the gear to low-range four-wheel drive, Xie Shuyu locked her eyes on the steep incline ahead, her gaze brimming with excitement.
"Rumble—" She steadily pressed on the gas.
The tires bit firmly into the rugged ground, gripping onto coarse rocks and loose soil. The wheels spun rapidly, kicking up small fragments of debris.
After another stretch of driving, the vehicle finally reached the peak, coming to a stop beside Yunxiao Pavilion.
Jiang Yourong unfastened her seatbelt and hopped out.
Standing atop the 1,488-meter-high mountain, she was surrounded by an endless sea of clouds and the breathtaking beauty of the Taihang Mountains.
"Shuyu, come here! Take a picture for me!"
She turned toward the Jeep and called out.
Moments later, the dusty car door swung open. Out stepped Xie Shuyu, clad in a rose-red sports tank top and loose cargo pants, her eyes hidden behind a pair of brown-tinted sunglasses.
Her long, silky black hair was tousled by the mountain breeze. Beneath her high-bridged nose, the corners of her lips curved slightly into a faint, enigmatic smile.
Her tall, toned physique, paired with the imposing Jeep behind her, exuded an air of confidence and dominance—a true leading lady’s aura.
Jiang Yourong couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. "Do not take a picture with me. I might just throw my phone away. How do you never gain weight? This is so unfair!"
She was already a bit on the curvier side, and cameras tended to exaggerate that. If she stood next to Xie Shuyu—who was 175 cm tall and weighed only 51 kg—she’d really look like "Jiang Chubby."
"I told you to work out, but you have zero perseverance."
"Click—click—" The camera shutter clicked continuously.
Both of them were stunning in their own way—one was tall, lean, and strikingly gorgeous with a sharp wit, while the other was voluptuous and maturely alluring.
Their presence at the scenic mountain peak naturally drew plenty of admiring glances.
However, few dared to approach them.
Xie Shuyu's aura was simply too intense—an air of icy beauty and authority that discouraged unwanted attention.
After enjoying the mountain breeze for a while, the white Jeep roared back to life.
Slowly, it descended the winding mountain road, blending into the surrounding greenery and rocky landscape.
Xie Shuyu eased up on the gas and casually rolled down the window, letting the wind dance through her pitch-black hair.
Her mood gradually lightened.
She had always been independent, confident, and unyielding.
Her approach to life and career mirrored her approach to off-roading—no matter how rough the road ahead, she would push forward without hesitation.
What she truly relished was the thrill of conquering the mountain.
—
More than half an hour later.
The vehicle arrived at a campsite at the base of the mountain.
Xie Shuyu scanned the area and parked beside a black Hummer H2.
It was an old 2008 model, its rugged lines exuding a bold, off-road charm. Amidst the lush mountains and crystal-clear waters, it stood out with a unique allure.
The two of them walked about ten meters ahead and spotted a couple enjoying some barbecue under the shade of a tree.
"Qingchuan, Shanshan," Xie Shuyu greeted them with a smile.
"Shuyu, Professor Jiang! We just grilled up some meat skewers—come try Qingchuan's cooking!" Su Shan, wearing a pair of Martin boots, stood up and waved the skewers in her hand.
"Thanks, and sorry for the trouble," Xie Shuyu replied as she and Jiang Yourong accepted the skewers and took a seat across from them.
"Clink, clink—" The sound of glass bottles colliding rang out.
The four of them enjoyed their barbecue and sipped on Beibingyang sodas, the atmosphere lively and cheerful.
"I made plans with some of my girls for a spa night. Want to join us, Professor Jiang?" Su Shan offered. "My treat! The buffet there is amazing, and the fruit selection is incredible."
Xie Shuyu shook her head. "I can't tonight. My family’s having a small gathering. My cousin just got back from abroad, and she brought her foreign boyfriend. My parents want me there to ‘set the tone.’"
Jiang Yourong hesitated for a moment but ultimately couldn’t resist the lure of a spa + gourmet feast. "I've been traveling non-stop lately. I definitely need some pampering."
"Great! I’ll pick you up later tonight."
Tang Qingchuan put down his drink and said, "Shuyu, about your funding—I've mentioned it to a few friends. I’ll update you if there's any news."
"Thanks, but I’m not stressing over it anymore. If the funding doesn't come through, so be it. One way or another, I'll figure it out." Xie Shuyu smiled and shook her head.
Tang Qingchuan was the husband of her high school friend, Su Shan, and also one of her closest friends. They had known each other for nearly ten years.
He was a textbook rich second-generation heir—passionate about off-roading and the owner of a trail-riding club in Quancheng.
His family’s main business was earthworks and infrastructure projects, primarily handling government contracts and real estate development.
He was a well-connected figure in Quancheng.
For example, the garden-level apartment she had bought for her parents had been secured through Tang Qingchuan’s connections.
He had also helped arrange jobs for some of her relatives through Su Shan.
That said, his network was mostly in construction, which had little overlap with Shimmer Coffee and other consumer-focused ventures.
Besides, Tang Qingchuan was currently focused on taking over his family business.
Xie Shuyu wouldn’t shamelessly ask a friend to invest in her company.
"Fair enough. You do you," Tang Qingchuan chuckled. "A powerhouse like you doesn’t need our advice."
Su Shan nodded emphatically. "Yeah! Shuyu was always super driven, even back in high school. No matter what she did, she had to be the best. And now, starting from scratch and building a multimillion-yuan business—she's the most impressive independent woman I know."
Xie Shuyu smirked and nudged Jiang Yourong with her elbow. "Oh, please. I'm barely getting started. If you really want to see a maxed-out queen, let Professor Jiang tell you all about Director Jin."
Tang Qingchuan and Su Shan’s eyes widened. "Wait—you know Jin Meixiao?"
—
5:00 PM
"Ring, ring—"
Tang Song, who had been chatting with his parents, glanced at his phone and picked up the call.
"Hey, Zhang Lei, you done for the day?"
"Mm, I just left the client’s office. Where are you now? Got time?"
"I'm at home. Yeah, I’m free. Want to grab some drinks tonight?"
"Of course! You’ve been drinking too, right? I already called a buddy to be our designated driver. We’ll head over to pick you up at the bus stop by the town entrance in about ten minutes."
"OK, see you soon."
After hanging up, Tang Song informed his parents before heading out.
It had been over six years since he last saw Zhang Lei. Back then, he had been caught up in studying and work, neglecting many friendships. Meeting an old classmate again filled him with nostalgia.
He walked along the smooth concrete road to the intersection and barely had to wait before—
"Beep beep—" A car horn honked.
A dusty Haval H6 pulled up beside him.
The passenger-side window rolled down, revealing a sweaty face glistening with oil.
Zhang Lei patted the car door and grinned, "Hop in, Tang Song!"
Tang Song nodded, pulled open the rear door, and climbed in. Immediately, the smell of alcohol, cigarette smoke, and sweat hit his nose.
"This is my buddy, Wang Chaofei. Chaofei, this is my old middle school friend, Tang Song." Zhang Lei made a quick introduction.
The two exchanged casual greetings.
As the car started moving, Tang Song asked, "So, where are we drinking?"
"How about Quancheng?" Zhang Lei glanced over. "Didn’t you want to ask about Zhang Yan? Liu Shasha works in the city now. She’s super busy, only gets one day off a week, and today happens to be her free day."
"Sounds good to me." Tang Song nodded, then smirked. "You seem to know a lot about her. You two got something going on?"
His memories of Liu Shasha were vague at best. He probably wouldn't even recognize her if they met. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novｅlfire.net
But from Zhang Lei’s attitude, it was clear they were close.
"Nothing like that!" Zhang Lei quickly denied. "We just live in the same neighborhood, so we keep in touch more often."
The conversation shifted to reminiscing about middle school.
After a while, Zhang Lei checked his phone and said, "Let me call Liu Shasha and confirm the location."
"Alright."
Flipping through his contacts, Zhang Lei dialed.
"Hey, Shasha, want to grab some drinks tonight?"
"Oh, please, don’t flatter yourself. I’m not trying to date you."
"Quit messing around. An old classmate of ours is back in town, and we thought it’d be nice to catch up."
"I'm not telling you who—just show up and you’ll find out."
"...Fine, fine. We’ll be at Snail Bar around six."
Hanging up, Zhang Lei sighed. "Shasha’s with Zhang Yunpeng. They’re both coming."
Tang Song chuckled. "Doesn’t matter to me."
At this stage in life, he couldn’t care less about their old class’ so-called "bad boy."
Especially after a decade of no contact—by now, they were basically strangers.
"Zhang Yunpeng’s a social media influencer now. Claims to know a lot of big shots. I think Shasha’s hoping he can hook her up with a better job. She’s been hanging around his studio whenever she’s free, trying to network."
"Can’t blame her. Jobs are tough to find these days, especially for someone without skills or connections."
Leaning back in his seat, Zhang Lei chatted with Tang Song, letting the conversation flow casually.
Before they knew it, they had entered the city and parked along a bustling commercial street.
They got out of the car.
Zhang Lei pointed at a street-side bar named Snail Bar. "Here we are. They’ve got drinks, food, and even movies. Let’s head in."
"Let’s go." Tang Song clapped him on the shoulder and strode inside.
A soft melody drifted through the air.
The walls were lined with classic movie posters, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Behind the solid wood bar, bottles of liquor glowed under the warm lights, displaying a spectrum of colors.
Since it wasn’t peak hours yet, there were only a few customers scattered around.
They picked a booth in the back and casually ordered some beer, snacks, and a fruit platter.
"Clink—" The sound of bottles touching rang out.
Cold beer slid down their throats. Tang Song leaned back against the couch and asked, "So, Zhang Lei, what do you do now?"
Zhang Lei let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "Man, I don’t even want to say it. I’ve completely fallen off. Right now, I’m doing food and beverage distribution, mostly selling to supermarkets, stores, and convenience shops around Quancheng..."
Once he started talking, it was like a floodgate had opened. As they drank, Zhang Lei shared his story.
After high school, he attended a local vocational college.
His college years were carefree—he had plenty of money and even had a passionate relationship.
But right after graduation, disaster struck.
His father’s business collapsed due to unpaid contracts. The client bailed, leaving them drowning in debt.
The family lost everything and owed the bank a huge sum.
His father fell ill from the stress, his health declining rapidly.
Forced to step up, Zhang Lei worked tirelessly to pay off their debts. Unsurprisingly, his girlfriend left him.
Listening to his story, Tang Song couldn’t help but feel emotional.
When Zhang Lei finally paused, Tang Song asked, "Have you ever thought about moving to Yan City?"
Zhang Lei hesitated, then smiled. "Of course. Actually, that’s another reason I wanted to catch up tonight. In a little while, I’ll be heading to Yan City for work. We’ll definitely be drinking and eating together often."
"Oh?" Tang Song raised an eyebrow. "You already found a job there?"
"Not exactly. I performed well at work and have some connections, so I’m being transferred to the company’s headquarters." Zhang Lei pulled out his wallet, took out a business card, and handed it over. "This job was arranged through a family connection. It’s tough, but it pays well, and it's a legit big corporation with solid career growth."
Tang Song glanced at the business card and paused. Zhongcheng Group?
Zhang Lei smirked proudly. "Yeah, it’s a pretty well-known industrial group in Yan Province. I’ll still be doing sales, but I’ll be dealing with big clients instead of running around every day like I do now."
For a vocational college graduate, getting a job at Zhongcheng Group’s headquarters was a huge break.
These past years, he had been grinding hard because of his family’s debts. His performance consistently ranked among the top in the branch office, and with his uncle being a company executive, he finally got this golden opportunity.
"That’s great. Zhongcheng Group’s food and beverage division is a major pillar of the company. Your work has real potential." Tang Song clinked glasses with him. "Once you get to Yan City, hit me up. If you ever need help, just ask."
He was very familiar with Zhongcheng Group—after all, his unexpectedly rich girlfriend, Little Jing, had a father who was a senior director there.
He had originally planned to find a way to help Zhang Lei. But since he was already in the industry and had a foot in the door, it’d be easier to let him stay in Zhongcheng.
Once Zhang Lei got to headquarters, Tang Song could just ask Little Jing to lend him a hand.
Zhang Lei took a deep breath and said sincerely, "Thank you, Tang Song."
He could tell that when Tang Song asked if he wanted to move to Yan City, it was a genuine offer to help.
Over the past few years, he had weathered countless storms and seen too much of life’s harsh realities.
Many so-called "good friends" had vanished the moment his family hit hard times.
Just then—
"Ring ring—"
Tang Song pulled out his phone and glanced at the caller ID. Raising an eyebrow, he said to Zhang Lei, "I need to take this."
With that, he stood up and answered the call. "Hello?"
A crisp and professional voice came through the receiver.
"Hello, Mr. Tang. I’m Liu Jiayi from Jindun Security. I will be your designated security officer and personal driver from now on. I’ve just arrived in Quancheng. May I ask where you are?"
The moment he saw the phone number, it felt oddly familiar.
And sure enough—it was his driver, and the Rolls-Royce Phantom had arrived.
Liu Jiayi?
Tang Song’s mind flashed back to a familiar figure—a striking and sharp-tongued young woman.
Back when his Mercedes-Benz S450L had its car cover damaged, she had been the one to deliver the replacement. Her business card was still in his car.
He hadn’t expected that the system-assigned driver would turn out to be her.
Or rather, this was most likely arranged by Secretary Jin.
After all, while the system provided the overarching arrangements, the execution was handled by her.
Secretary Jin never let him down.
"I'm at Snail Bar in Quancheng, having drinks with friends. I don’t need the car right now—just find a place to rest for now."
"Understood, Mr. Tang! I won’t disturb you then. Have a great evening!"
"Thanks, see you."
—
Yuxiu Garden Residential Complex
Xie Shuyu put down her phone and turned to Jiang Yourong. "Suzanne just arrived at the south gate."
"OK, OK! I’m off to my spa now. Uncle, Auntie, have a lovely dinner!"
After bidding farewell, Jiang Yourong grabbed her bag and headed out.
Walking through the tree-lined paths of the residential complex, she stepped out the main entrance and spotted Suzanne waving at her from the roadside.
"Thanks for coming to pick me up, Shanshan."
"Come on, Professor Jiang, no need to be so formal with me!"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they both got into the car.
The Porsche Cayenne signaled a left turn and smoothly merged into the main road.
Being two women in their early thirties, they had no shortage of topics to talk about.
After chatting about skincare and beauty treatments for a while, Suzanne pointed at an upcoming commercial street.
"We're almost there. This spa was just opened by a friend of my husband. The ambiance is amazing! Too bad Shuyu’s always too busy to join us."
"She’s a workaholic," Jiang Yourong chuckled, her gaze drifting toward the street outside the window.
The sky was darkening, neon lights flickered on, and the streets were bustling with life.
Then—
Her eyes suddenly widened, and her heartbeat quickened.
"Shanshan, stop the car!"
"Huh? What’s wrong?"
Suzanne hit the brakes and slowly pulled over.
Jiang Yourong's chest rose and fell with excitement.
"Sorry! I just spotted someone I haven’t seen in ages. You go ahead to the spa—I’ll meet you there later."
"...Alright," Suzanne said hesitantly.
Although she found it a bit strange, she didn’t press for details.
After all, they weren’t that close yet, and it was obvious Jiang Yourong didn’t want to elaborate.
"No worries, see you later!" Jiang Yourong apologized again, quickly stepping out of the car.
Taking a deep breath, she fixed her gaze in one direction.
In a paid parking lot by the street, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom sat quietly.
The iconic Pantheon grille and the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament exuded a powerful yet understated luxury.
It was drawing many intrigued glances from passersby.
But what truly caught her attention was the figure standing beside the car.
A tailored dress shirt and slacks, a straight-backed stance, sun-kissed skin, and a sleek low ponytail revealing a smooth forehead and sharply defined features.
Jiang Yourong's body trembled with excitement.
Oh my god! Liu Jiayi! Liu Jiayi the driver is here in Quancheng!
Then… what about Director Jin?!