novelraw Chapter 361: A Dimensional Blow from Secretary Jin
Chapter 361: A Dimensional Blow from Secretary Jin
Yan City.
Yuhua Business Tower.
A spotless silver-gray scooter came to a halt in the parking area.
Its sleek body curves, low seat, and sharp, diamond-shaped headlights gave it a lively and energetic look.
"Smack~" A crisp slap sounded.
"Stop staring at your beloved ride! If you keep looking, we're gonna be late—hurry up!"
Yao Lingling got a knock on the head and widened her eyes. "Can you stop smacking my butt all the time?!"
Li Shumin covered her mouth and giggled. "Hehe, Lingling, I swear your butt has gotten perkier. Feels amazing to smack. Guess working out really does pay off."
"Pervert Min!"
"Oh, by the way, your birthday's coming up. Any plans? Going home or celebrating with us?"Yao Lingling hesitated. "Uh… I’m not sure yet. I’ll decide later."
"I bet you’re just waiting to see if Senior Tang Song is free, but you’re too scared to ask!" Li Shumin teased with a sly grin. "Want me to ask for you? I could casually mention that Lingling has been training her butt—it's rounder, firmer, and super satisfying to smack. Maybe Senior Tang Song wants to give it a try too?"
"Screw you! Are you nuts?!" Yao Lingling’s face turned red as she swatted her.
Locking up her scooter, the two girls playfully bickered as they headed toward the building entrance.
Yao Lingling couldn't help but glance back at her cute little scooter.
After more than half a month of careful searching, she had finally found the perfect ride—a 2021 Suzuki UY125. Less than 20,000 kilometers, stock condition, barely any scratches, and just 7,000 yuan. She had snagged it from her school's second-hand trade group.
She got the bike on Saturday and immediately rode home. With her dad’s help, she made some adjustments to the custom suit she had ordered for Tang Song.
Her home was in a rural area on the outskirts of Yan City, so remote that it took two bus transfers to get there.
With this scooter, she could cut the journey down to just over 30 minutes, making it much easier to visit home frequently.
And of course, she could also go on rides with Tang Song and talk about motorcycles together.
Ever since his transformation, Tang Song had barely updated his Little Red Book account and had stopped asking her for help with his outfits. Their interactions had dwindled to almost nothing.
Sometimes, she wanted to message him, but she had no idea what to say.
Because… they had so little in common now.
Entering the office building, a wave of cool air washed over them.
Yao Lingling squinted in comfort.
After scanning her work badge, she reached the elevator lobby, where people were packed in tight.
Yuhua Business Tower had been around for over a decade, and its elevators weren’t divided into high- and low-rise sections. During rush hour, the wait was painfully long.
Luckily, they still had five minutes—plenty of time.
While waiting, Yao Lingling took out her phone, opened Little Red Book, and checked out her favorite fitness influencers to learn more about body sculpting.
Ever since she had bumped into Wen Ruan in real life and witnessed her E-cup confidence and stunning beauty, she had felt incredibly self-conscious.
After much internal struggle, she decided to face the challenge head-on and make a solid fitness plan.
Now, she ran, worked out, jumped rope, and even practiced yoga daily.
According to her secret research, aside from a big chest, waist-to-hip ratio was another major factor that attracted guys.
And luckily, she had a classic pear-shaped body—a small waist, thick thighs, and a curvy butt. If she worked hard on sculpting her figure, her body lines could be stunning.
Apparently, many guys loved this body type.
She had no idea if Tang Song did.
But she still wanted to give it a shot.
As she was deep in thought, Li Shumin nudged her. "Hey, hey, hey! Lingling, look! It’s Senior Xu Qing again!"
She pointed toward a figure walking toward them.
Yao Lingling turned her head and saw Xu Qing, dressed in a crisp white shirt and a short skirt, looking absolutely stunning.
They were both familiar with this well-known campus cosplayer, especially since the outgoing Li Shumin had even joined the cosplay club.
A while back, they had unexpectedly discovered that Xu Qing worked in the same building.
After bumping into her a few times at the downstairs café, Li Shumin had dragged Yao Lingling over to strike up a conversation.
Now, they were acquaintances.
Meeting eyes, they smiled and greeted her. "Morning, Senior!"
"Morning." Xu Qing nodded gracefully, holding a 7.9 yuan Cotti Coffee.
"Ding—" The elevator arrived.
The three of them stepped inside, casually chatting about the weather and traffic.
Xu Qing's large, dark eyes sneaked a glance at Yao Lingling. She straightened her back, subtly puffing out her chest, and smirked to herself.
She loved making friends with girls smaller than her.
These two junior girls were just perfect—Li Shumin was about the same size as her, but Yao Lingling was even smaller.
Around them, she could still maintain her ‘big senior’ presence. So satisfying!
She had even written them into her novel as Xu Yanqing’s little sidekicks—her personal wardrobe assistants, picking out and styling her outfits.
Yao Lingling had a major role, though she had renamed her Zhang Lingling in the novel.
"Heh, plain old Zhang Lingling—just there to highlight Xu Yanqing's big chest."
"Bye-bye!"
"Bye, Senior!" (x2)
Xu Qing stepped out of the elevator, humming a tune as she clocked in and took her seat. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel-fire.net
She sipped her coffee happily while booting up her computer.
Ever since book fan ‘April’ gifted her a Golden Alliance membership, her novel’s popularity had skyrocketed, and her reader group had grown.
Seeing the flood of update requests, Xu Qing blinked and uploaded a freshly written ‘uncut’ side story before dropping a message in the chat:
"@April, the second uncut chapter is up. Still owe you eight more~"
She still had 100 chapters in debt, plus a full-time job and cosplay on the side. These bonus chapters were the only way she could survive.
This particular commission from April?
A steamy office scene where Xu Yanqing gets dragged into a private meeting room by Tang Song.
Of course, her "uncut" content wasn’t pure smut—it just had a slightly looser tone than a public post, still within legal limits.
As a licensed legal professional, she was strict about boundaries.
Gradually, her coworkers trickled in and settled at their desks.
Xu Qing happily snacked on treats and sipped her coffee, feeling utterly relaxed.
"Ding-dong—" A message popped up.
【Tang Song: "Qingqing, you're at work, right? Send me a picture."】
The corners of Xu Qing’s lips twitched instantly.
What the heck?! You order me around, and I’m just supposed to obey?!
Do I, Xu Qing, have no dignity?!
No way! Absolutely not!
"Buzz buzz buzz—"
【Tang Song: "?"】
Damn you, Little Song! Are you trying to scare me?!
Xu Qing’s large, dark eyes trembled. She hurriedly grabbed her phone.
"Click!" She quickly snapped a picture and sent it over.
【Tang Song: "Why do you look like you've gained weight? Be careful—I still need to take your boudoir photos."】
"Hah! Hah! Hah!"
Xu Qing’s eyes widened in fury, her face turning red.
She checked her picture.
Fat?! Where am I fat?!
Are you saying I’m fat?!
Are you backing out on the boudoir shoot?!
Outrageous!
Your girlfriend Wen Ruan isn’t skinny either! She’s 66kg, okay?! I’m only 55kg!
Even factoring in height, she’s still heavier than me!
…Though, her chest is bigger.
Thinking about Wen Ruan’s massive assets, Xu Qing’s confidence wavered.
She glanced at the pile of snacks on her desk, then at her cheese latte.
Damn it! Fine! I’ll stop eating!
Jiang Yiran had spent 15 million yuan two years ago on a three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment in this upscale neighborhood.
Whenever their dorm sisters came to Shanghai for business trips or vacations, they would stay at her place.
After admiring the luxurious interior, Wen Ruan and Jiang Yiran lounged on the sofa, casually chatting while snacking on fresh fruit.
The main topic of their conversation? Tang Song.
Jiang Yiran was clearly very curious about Wen Ruan’s mysterious boyfriend.
The conversation stretched on for quite a while.
Jiang Yiran sighed. “Seeing you so happy now really makes me happy too. Once I wrap things up here, I’ll definitely visit Yan City and meet your Tang Song in person.”
“Mhm, you’re welcome anytime.” Wen Ruan nodded, then suddenly asked, “Yiran, is something on your mind? You seem… off today.”
The six of them had been close dormmates for years. They knew each other inside and out.
Jiang Yiran, a classic wealthy second-gen, had always been the most cheerful and carefree of them all.
But today, she seemed preoccupied and exhausted.
“I…” Jiang Yiran let out a long sigh. “Actually, some major issues happened at my company back in June, and I’ve been busy dealing with them ever since. That’s why I couldn’t make it to Shumin’s wedding.”
“I knew it!” Wen Ruan hugged her affectionately. “I asked you before, but you wouldn’t tell me. So, what happened?”
Jiang Yiran bit her lip and shook her head. “It’s a company matter… involves international trade. It’s really complicated. I don’t want to burden you with it.”
She knew that Wen Ruan, as a board member of Xingyun International Group, was someone with real influence.
But the company she founded in Shanghai, Zeran Electronics, primarily dealt with import-export trade.
Their problems were foreign issues—nothing Wen Ruan could really help with. Talking about it wouldn’t change anything and would only add to her worries.
Just then—
"Click!"
The smart lock beeped, and the front door swung open.
Jiang Yiran’s husband, Kang Zherui, walked in.
“Zherui, long time no see.” Wen Ruan stood up and greeted him warmly.
Kang Zherui and Jiang Yiran’s families had been close for generations—they had known each other since childhood.
Back in university, Kang Zherui would often visit Imperial Normal University, so he and Wen Ruan were acquaintances as well.
“Wen Ruan, long time no see. Welcome.” Kang Zherui forced a smile.
He didn’t even bother changing his shoes, walking straight in and slumping onto the sofa with a long sigh.
Seeing his expression, Jiang Yiran’s heart clenched.
She lowered her voice and asked, “Did we get any definite news?”
Kang Zherui remained silent, his face dark and grim.
“…So, the money really isn’t coming back?”
“…Yeah.” Kang Zherui nodded stiffly. “That African bank has serious credibility issues. We’re definitely not getting our money back. The lawyer said we could pursue international litigation, but that country’s judicial sovereignty and local protectionism make it almost impossible. Plus, the buyer has already hidden their assets, so recovering the payment is basically a lost cause.”
Jiang Yiran’s face turned pale.
She clenched her fists tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.
“This is my fault…” She choked out. “I was too eager. I fell for their trap. I’m so sorry, Zherui…”
Kang Zherui pressed his lips together, silent.
The room filled with soft sobbing as Jiang Yiran’s shoulders trembled slightly.
Wen Ruan quickly hugged her and comforted her, “Babe, what happened exactly? Don’t cry, don’t cry—talk to me. Maybe I can help.”
Kang Zherui took a deep breath and said seriously, “Crying won’t change anything. What we need to do now is figure out how to survive this crisis.”
Jiang Yiran lifted her tear-streaked face and looked at him, as if wanting to say something.
Wen Ruan gently wiped her tears, then turned to Kang Zherui. “Zherui, tell me everything in detail. What exactly happened?”
From the way these two were acting, it was obvious this had been causing major fights between them.
Kang Zherui leaned back on the sofa, sighing deeply. “Our company got scammed. We shipped $8 million worth of goods, and we won’t get a single cent back…”
Then, he explained what had happened over the past two months.
A Costly Scam
With shifting international trade policies, fluctuating exchange rates, and a slowing export market, Zeran Electronics had already been facing declining revenue.
Then, in May, they suddenly received a large order from an African company for $8 million worth of electronic products.
For them, this was a huge opportunity—a chance to break into a brand-new market.
The buyer provided a Letter of Credit (L/C) issued by an African bank as the payment method.
At first, Jiang Yiran noticed some vague clauses in the L/C.
But eager to secure the deal, she didn’t thoroughly verify the bank’s credibility or the authenticity of the credit document.
Once the goods were shipped and they submitted the documents for payment, the bank delayed and rejected the request under various pretexts—obviously stonewalling them on purpose.
Then, last month, the buyer flat-out refused to pay.
Through other sources, they learned that the buyer and the bank were likely colluding.
In short, it was an organized scam.
For Zeran Electronics, the lost goods and shipping costs amounted to a massive financial hit—one that could lead to bankruptcy.
Hearing the full story, Wen Ruan’s gaze flickered.
This situation was way beyond anything she had ever encountered.
It involved foreign companies, banks, international politics, and diplomatic factors.
Even if she thickened her skin and asked Su Yu or Mo Xiangwan for help, it was unlikely to make a difference.
Besides, asking for such a massive favor from new acquaintances was inappropriate—it would make her seem clueless and desperate, and Su Yu would probably look down on her for it.
“Ruanyuan…” Jiang Yiran wiped her tears and said softly, “I’m sorry. You came to Shanghai, and I wanted to treat you to a good time, but now… it doesn’t seem possible.”
She had still been clinging to hope, but now it was clear—this money was gone.
International lawsuits required enormous financial and mental effort, and the chances of winning were extremely slim.
The government wasn’t going to intervene over a mere $8 million.
Right now, the priority was keeping the company alive.
Wen Ruan hesitated for a long moment before patting her head. “Hold on—I know a top lawyer at Quanjing Law Firm. Let me ask if there’s any way to solve this.”
“It’s no use.” Kang Zherui shook his head with a bitter smile. “I already consulted a partner from an internationally renowned law firm.”
Wen Ruan didn’t argue.
She simply pulled out her phone, found Luo Bin’s contact, and dialed.
Among her connections, the most powerful people were: Tang Song, Mo Xiangwan, and Luo Bin.
She would consult Luo Bin first to see if there was even a chance of recovering the funds.
If there was, she would then go to Tang Song.
After all—when it came to her boyfriend, she had unwavering confidence.
"Beep… beep…"
After a few rings, the call finally connected.
“Hold on.” A steady male voice spoke, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
A moment later, Luo Bin resumed, “Sorry, I was in a meeting. What’s the matter, Miss Wen?”
“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Luo. My friend, who runs an import-export business, got scammed internationally. I’d like to consult you about it.”
“Go ahead.”
Wen Ruan took a deep breath, clenched her fist slightly, and clearly explained the entire situation.
“Mr. Luo, is there any way to recover the payment?”
Luo Bin’s voice remained calm.
“Send me all relevant case documents. I’ll review them and give you a precise answer.”
“Got it. Thank you so much.”
“No problem. Don’t worry.”
After hanging up, Wen Ruan immediately turned to Kang Zherui. “Zherui, do you have electronic copies of all the documents? My lawyer friend needs to review them first.”
"Yes." Kang Zherui nodded firmly. "I’ll send them to you right now."
After emailing the documents to Luo Bin’s work address, Wen Ruan sat beside Jiang Yiran, gently holding her hand and comforting her in a soft voice.
Meanwhile, Kang Zherui kept making calls, occasionally stepping out into the hallway for a smoke.
As noon approached, there was still no response from Luo Bin.
Jiang Yiran had calmed down a bit by now and sighed. "Forget it, Ruanyuan, let’s go eat first."
She smiled faintly and added, "Thank you. Honestly, if you weren’t here today, I might have completely broken down. I’m really glad you came."
Both she and Kang Zherui came from wealthy families and had made a lot of money over the years.
Even if their company went bankrupt, they wouldn’t be left with nothing.
Wen Ruan pursed her lips and stood up. "Alright, after all that crying, you must be starving."
Kang Zherui forced a weak smile. "You two go ahead. I really can’t eat. Sorry for dragging you into this mess, Wen Ruan."
"It’s fine—"
"Ring, ring, ring—"
A sharp ringing suddenly interrupted their conversation.
Wen Ruan’s heart skipped a beat.
She quickly checked her phone—Luo Bin.
She immediately answered.
"Hello, Lawyer Luo! How’s it looking?"
A steady voice came through the line.
"No problem. We’ve already taken care of it. Our Shanghai division at Quanjing Law Firm will be in touch with them shortly."
Wen Ruan’s face lit up with joy.
She waved excitedly at Jiang Yiran and Kang Zherui before putting the call on speaker.
"Lawyer Luo, my friend is right here with me. Can you explain the process to them?"
Jiang Yiran and Kang Zherui exchanged looks, their eyes instantly filled with hope. Their bodies trembled with excitement.
People are like that—
The moment there’s even a sliver of hope, they can’t help but reach for it.
Jiang Yiran raised her voice, eager and desperate.
"Lawyer Luo! Please tell us what we need to do! We’ll fully cooperate!"
Luo Bin’s voice remained calm and composed.
"Don’t worry. This case isn’t difficult to handle."
His tone was so steady and confident that it had an undeniable weight to it.
"We’ve leveraged our international financial networks to investigate the issuing bank’s credibility and background. We discovered that they do, in fact, have a history of misconduct and regulatory violations.
We have already contacted the International Chamber of Commerce’s Arbitration Court and obtained their full support.
Next, we will file a complaint with international banking regulators and apply pressure from multiple angles.
Additionally, we’ve assembled a legal team specializing in international trade law and African regional laws to provide full support.
Furthermore, the government’s commerce department has been informed and will intervene where necessary.
You can rest assured—within two weeks, you will get your money back."
An Unbelievable Turn of Events
Hearing Luo Bin lay out everything so clearly, Jiang Yiran and Kang Zherui were completely stunned.
They stammered, unable to form coherent sentences.
This…
They had only expected some basic legal guidance—maybe a vague process or a flicker of hope.
But this?
It felt like everything was already handled!
And if what Luo Bin said was true, then their money would definitely be recovered.
Though… they knew the cost of making this happen far exceeded the value of the shipment itself.
Jiang Yiran squeezed Wen Ruan’s hand tightly and gave her a meaningful look.
Wen Ruan immediately understood.
She directly asked, "Lawyer Luo, how much will this cost them?"
Luo Bin’s voice remained light.
"Just the standard legal fees. Our Shanghai division will contact them shortly to discuss the details."
Jiang Yiran and Kang Zherui locked eyes, their faces flushed with excitement.
"Thank you, Lawyer Luo! Thank you so much!"
Luo Bin then spoke in a lower voice,
"Miss Wen, may I speak with you privately?"
"Of course."
Wen Ruan quickly took the phone off speaker and sincerely said, "Thank you. I really appreciate this."
She knew exactly whose face had gotten Luo Bin to pull these strings.
That only made her feel more guilty.
Luo Bin chuckled softly. "You don’t need to thank me."
"Actually, I wasn’t the one who really made this happen. If it were just our law firm, we wouldn’t have been able to push things this far.
There are simply too many complicated factors at play here."
Wen Ruan’s brows furrowed slightly.
"Lawyer Luo, are you saying… someone else helped?"
Luo Bin paused for a moment, then let out a small laugh.
"Yes. It was Director Jin of Smile Holdings.
You should know who that is."
"Jin… Director Jin?!"
Wen Ruan gasped aloud, completely stunned in place.
What the hell?!
Was he joking?!
Because of one phone call from her, Luo Bin had actually brought out Jin Meixiao?!
That was ridiculous!