novelraw Chapter 379: Secretary Jin: Let Her See This Photo
Chapter 379: Secretary Jin: Let Her See This Photo
Inside the LV boutique.
Tang Song sat calmly on the sofa in the lounge area.
Two sales associates stood beside him.
One carefully examined each bag inside and out to ensure there were no defects or damages before delicately packaging them. The other held a POS machine, ready to scan for payment.
With a soft beep, the receipt was printed.
Standing nearby, Zi Yue and Xin Yu exchanged glances before shifting their gaze to the portion of items that belonged to them.
They had just casually mentioned that they were Lin Muxue’s friends and had seen his photos in the group chat before. Then, they briefly introduced him to some bag-related knowledge, and as a result, they were showered with his generosity.
Each of them received an LV cashmere scarf and two accessories.
Total value: over 10,000 yuan.
Watching the sales associate process a Super VIP card for this Mr. Tang, their eyes gleamed with admiration.They had seen plenty of handsome men and knew quite a few wealthy ones.
But a billionaire this young and outstanding? That was beyond their wildest dreams.
A luxury residence in Shenzhen Bay No.1, a Bentley Continental GT, and a Vacheron Constantin Overseas 4300V worth 700,000 yuan—he spent lavishly at the LV boutique as if money were mere numbers.
Just sitting there, he was the absolute center of attention.
In their WeChat group, messages kept flooding in.
Although they came from different backgrounds, they all shared one thing in common—vanity and materialism.
And Xiao Xue’s boyfriend? His impact on them was nuclear-level devastation.
It was hard to imagine how Xiao Xue managed to latch onto such a man.
From the way he shopped, it was obvious his girlfriend wasn’t just one person.
But who cared?
If given the chance, they would rush in and replace her without hesitation.
“Alright, Mr. Tang! Your electronic VIP card is ready. The physical card will be mailed to you—just send me the address via WeChat whenever you have time.” The sales associate flashed a warm, professional smile. “Your purchases will be delivered to your residence later. Thank you for choosing Louis Vuitton.”
“Got it.” Tang Song gave a slight nod and stood up, glancing at the pile of gift boxes on the table.
In total, he had spent 1.34 million yuan—90 million of that just on handbags. The rest were accessories, perfumes, and other items.
With the store’s promotional gifts added in, there were a lot of things.
He turned to the two girls beside him and smiled.
“Don’t forget your stuff.”
“Thank you, Mr. Tang!” Zi Yue and Xin Yu exchanged another glance before quickly stepping forward to scoop up their gift boxes.
The LV exclusive packaging + signature shopping bags looked incredibly high-end.
They had originally come just to take photos for their social media, never expecting such an unexpected windfall.
Outside the LV boutique
Standing in the grand and luxurious shopping mall corridor, Zi Yue’s eyes flickered as she looked at the handsome and elegant man beside her.
Stepping forward, she lightly kissed his cheek and giggled.
“Autumn is almost here—I’ve wanted this scarf for so long. Thank you, Mr. Tang!”
Seeing this, Xin Yu followed suit, planting a soft kiss on his face.
“Thank you~” she said sweetly, deliberately brushing her ample chest against his arm.
Then, they both straightened up and batted their eyes at him with eager anticipation.
Tang Song smiled but remained calm.
“No need to thank me. You’re Xiao Xue’s friends, after all. I have things to do—I’ll be heading out. Bye.”
These two were classic fake heiresses, giving him an almost déjà vu feeling.
They were a weaker version of what Xiao Xue used to be.
The difference? Their faces and chests were obviously surgically enhanced.
Strappy dresses, stilettos, influencer-style faces, and constant talk of luxury brands—just seeing them reminded him of Lin Muxue at Shengwei Pavilion.
Back then, his first impression of her had been simple—she was beautiful, like a second lead straight out of a K-drama.
Unknowingly, Xiao Xue had now completely transformed into his style.
“Bye-bye~”
“Bye-bye~”
As they watched him walk away, disappointment and longing flickered across their faces.
But they were self-aware enough not to force themselves onto him.
WeChat group chat—still buzzing nonstop
【"Damn, @Xiao Xue, with a boyfriend this powerful, you’re definitely set for life. When are you going to introduce your sisters to some connections?!"】
【"@Xiao Xue, we haven’t seen each other in six months! Next time I’ll visit you in Yan City."】
【"@Xiao Xue, it’s been forever since we went out for pictures together. What are you working as now?"】
【"I think I remember Xiao Xue saying she’s in finance, right? Super impressive."】
Thinking about Tang Song, Zi Yue and Xin Yu secretly pouted, feeling intensely jealous.
Still, they added some compliments in the chat and posted a photo of their newly acquired LV bags, flexing their good fortune.
"Chomp—"
【Xiao Xue: "I’m currently working at a foreign financial firm. I guess you could say I’m in senior management. Work is busy—lots of meetings every day, so I don’t chat much anymore."】
【Xiao Xue: Office photo.jpg】
Zi Yue and Xin Yu clicked on the image—and their eyes widened in shock.
A high-end, well-lit private office, with towering skyscrapers visible through the windows.
Xiao Xue sat in a custom executive chair, elegantly dressed in a Chanel suit, accessorized with a Bulgari double-row diamond-studded necklace.
Her legs were crossed, a MacBook in her hands.
Stacks of English documents and finance books were neatly arranged on her desk.
She exuded the perfect aura of a high-level financial executive—confident, sophisticated, and powerful.
Was this really Xiao Xue? What kind of joke was this!?
The group chat fell into a momentary silence.
“…Damn.” Zi Yue swallowed hard. “Why does Xiao Xue feel so different?”
Xin Yu’s cheeks flushed. “No wonder Mr. Tang noticed her. She really leveled up.”
“But one thing hasn’t changed—she still loves to show off.” Zi Yue scoffed, full of envy. “Except now, she actually has the credentials to do it. She looks just like those big corporate female execs.”
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
【Xiao Xue: "Alright, I need to get back to work. Bye-bye~"】
Chanel Boutique
“Sir, what do you think of this CF Classic Flap Bag? Black never goes out of style—it’s timeless and pairs effortlessly with any outfit or occasion…”
Just then—
"Ding-ling-ling—"
Tang Song’s phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID and smirked.
He gestured slightly to the sales associate before answering.
“Hey, Xiao Xue.”
“Hey, Chairman Tang. Did two of my friends run into you at MixC Mall just now? Sorry about that—I accidentally took a picture of you while shopping at Xingyue City and posted it in our group chat. I hope it didn’t cause any trouble.”
“No worries. I read the research report you sent this morning. Well done.”
“Thank you for your approval! I’ll keep working hard!”
Tang Song chuckled. “What are you up to now?”
“I…” Lin Muxue hesitate before answering, “I’m studying English.”
“Keep going. I’ll check on your progress later.”
“…Ah, okay.” Her voice quivered slightly, as if overwhelmed with emotion.
Hanging up, Tang Song smirked.
With his [High Spirits] buff, her learning speed had skyrocketed.
Just the other day, during their three-on-three basketball match, she had even started trash-talking in English, gleefully taking advantage of Yaqian’s lack of comprehension.
To maintain her image, Xiao Xue really was going all out.
270° Floor-to-Ceiling Window View—A Panoramic Sight of Shenzhen Bay and "Spring Bamboo"
As Tang Song stepped into the reserved private dining room, he finally met the person he had arranged to meet—Liang Mingzhe, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHO) of Qingning Technology.
A middle-aged man in his early forties, Liang Mingzhe had a composed demeanor and well-defined features.
But what stood out the most to Tang Song was his full head of graying hair.
“Chairman Tang, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Liang Mingzhe greeted him warmly, his eyes bright and sincere. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Lawyer Luo Bin, and meeting you in person certainly exceeds expectations!”
“You flatter me, Mr. Liang,” Tang Song smiled as they shook hands before taking their seats.
As a 3% shareholder, with Luo Bin’s endorsement and Secretary Jin’s arrangements, Liang Mingzhe was particularly courteous and welcoming.
He took the initiative to discuss Qingning Technology’s organizational structure, including its senior management team, R&D department, and product division.
His speech was logical, insightful, and well-articulated, demonstrating an impressive ability to read people and navigate conversations.
“With the rise in A-search popularity, we began strategic planning in advance. Last year, our B2B product was launched, and this year, our B2C product has officially gone live…”
Tang Song listened quietly, his gaze flickering thoughtfully.
Since November last year, Qingning Technology had incubated Qingmi AI, an A-search application powered by their in-house large-scale AI model.
Under the proposal of Smile Holdings’ Board Representative, the company established it as an independent subsidiary.
Coincidentally, that was around the same time Liu Qingning had arrived in Shenzhen.
Moreover, the new subsidiary's product perfectly aligned with her expertise, making it a natural stepping stone for her to transition into Qingning Technology.
The deeper Tang Song delved into these "game industry-like" dynamics, the more he noticed intentional manipulations at play.
There was a real possibility that all of this had been pre arranged by his dream-state self.
3:00 PM – Kexing Science Park, Century Zhixue, Conference Room
“Sigh, I never thought Qingfeng would be the first to leave,” Zhang Xiaoni lamented, her face filled with nostalgia. “I still remember when we started this project five years ago—never imagined we’d make it this far.”
A team that had fought side by side for five years—there was no way there wouldn’t be strong emotional ties.
Now, only Zhang Xiaoni, who oversaw educational content, and Wei Ping, the technical director, remained.
Meanwhile, Cheng Qingfeng (algorithm director), Liu Qingning (software director), and Li Ziying (data director) were all set to resign soon.
But it wasn’t exactly unexpected.
Their team was entirely tech-focused, with no involvement in business or sales. Yet, they held 35% of the company’s equity.
For the company to expand into new hardware terminals, including smart learning devices and educational robots, it needed more resources and partners.
Shenzhen, with its natural advantages in the tech industry, was the ideal location for equity-based collaborations to attract top-tier resources.
Now that the software and AI models had been successfully developed, with Wei Ping and technical consultant Professor Zhu Chang overseeing operations, the company could continue running smoothly.
As the company grew, it could recruit even higher-level talent to take on more advanced projects.
That meant Cheng Qingfeng and the others had become expendable.
Reality was harsh.
Li Ziying clapped her hands, breaking the somber mood.
“Alright, no need to get sentimental. At least we’re leaving with a payout—honestly, I’m pretty satisfied. Since Qingfeng is resigning, how about we gather for dinner tonight?”
Wei Ping agreed, “Sounds good. I have to go on a business trip to Yang City in a few days, so let’s do it tonight.”
Liu Qingning opened her mouth as if to say something but remained silent.
She had promised Tang Song that she’d come home early tonight, but with Cheng Qingfeng officially leaving, she couldn’t skip the farewell gathering.
Just then—
"Bzzzz—"
Her phone vibrated.
She glanced at the screen before standing up.
“I’ll take this call.”
As she walked out, she answered, “Hello, Tang Song?”
Inside the conference room, the four remaining colleagues exchanged knowing glances.
Their eyes landed on Cheng Qingfeng.
Sitting beside him, Li Ziying nudged his shoulder and whispered,
“Tang Song is in Shenzhen now, and Qingning is about to leave the company. If nothing unexpected happens, she’ll probably move back north with him.
You don’t have much time left. If you don’t want to regret this forever, now is the time to tell her how you feel.”
Zhang Xiaoni nodded in agreement.
“No matter what, you should at least try. Women are emotional creatures—you might just move her heart.”
“Yeah, after five years of working together, aren’t you just giving up too easily?”
As close friends and former classmates, they had all witnessed Cheng Qingfeng’s silent devotion to Liu Qingning.
Throughout their years working together, he had always looked after her, taking on a protective, caring role.
They had even tried to matchmake them, but somehow, nothing ever came of it.
“…I…” Cheng Qingfeng took a deep breath, exhaling heavily. His voice was low and hesitant.
“Qingning probably likes Tang Song.”
Li Ziying shook her head.
“They’ve known each other for years, yet they never got together. Honestly? My impression of Tang Song is pretty average. I don’t think he’s the right person for her.” ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel-fire.net
Wei Ping patted Cheng Qingfeng’s shoulder.
“Tonight’s gathering is your chance. Qingfeng, don’t leave yourself with regrets.”
Cheng Qingfeng adjusted his glasses and pressed his lips together tightly.
Images of Liu Qingning’s every smile, every word, and every glance flashed through his mind.
Her crescent-shaped eyes, slightly upturned lips, and elegantly curved nose…
Five years of shared memories—each one vivid and unforgettable.
A ‘white moonlight’ isn’t so easily forgotten.
If he let her go, it would be a regret that would last a lifetime.
Later—Liu Qingning’s Call with Tang Song
“I really can’t help it. Qingfeng is leaving, and the five of us from the founding team are having dinner together.”
“We’re eating at Shenzhen Bay Street, so we should finish before 9 PM. You can meet me afterward, and we can walk around the pedestrian street together. There’s lots of good food and fun places.”
“…Alright, alright, I get it.”
“Mhm, bye-bye.”
After hanging up, Liu Qingning stood in place for a moment, lost in thought.
She let out a soft sigh.
Her mind drifted back to the other night at Shenzhen Talent Park—when he murmured a quiet "sorry" in his sleep.
She hadn’t been completely asleep then.
With her intelligence and deep understanding of Tang Song, she had a vague sense of what he wasn’t saying.
She remembered vividly the state he was in when she left Beijing.
Now, he had suddenly transformed into a ‘heartthrob,’ emotionally sharp, no longer the naive fool she once knew.
He shared a bed with her, stole kisses, and constantly surprised her with small gestures.
This was too different.
This wasn’t the Tang Song she used to know.
Even if she didn’t want to believe it, she had already mentally prepared for the possibility—
During their 10-month separation, another woman had entered his life.
But she wasn’t going to confront him about it.
She had her own way of pulling him back, of making him her Tang Song again.
Her Feelings for Tang Song—Pure Yet Complicated
Liu Qingning’s emotions toward Tang Song weren’t just simple affection.
They had known each other since childhood, growing up together through youthful innocence, close teenage camaraderie, and the occasional emotional distance of adolescence.
Their friendship was laced with subtle romantic tension, filled with mutual encouragement, complaints, and growth.
After graduating high school, just like her, Tang Song had worked hard, striving to do his best within his abilities.
Even without romantic love, they were each other’s closest friends, the kind that could last a lifetime.
And it was because of this complex bond that she had remained so steadfast in her silent devotion.
A Call from Xiang Kai
"Bzzzz—"
Her phone suddenly vibrated again.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Liu Qingning glanced at the caller ID and quickly collected herself.
She answered with a smile, “Hello, Xiang Kai? What made you think of calling me all of a sudden?”
“What else? I missed you.”
“Alright, get to the point. I’m still in a meeting.” Liu Qingning wasn’t interested in entertaining his flirtation.
“Fine, fine.” Xiang Kai chuckled before continuing, “This Friday night, our company is hosting a themed gala at the Raffles Hotel in Shenzhen Bay No.1. The event is centered around a new private equity fund launch, primarily focusing on AI and new energy investments.”
“Oh?” Liu Qingning’s eyes brightened as she quickly moved to a quieter area. Lowering her voice, she asked, “What’s the minimum investment?”
“For regular clients, the threshold is three million yuan, and our target investors are high-net-worth individuals in the entertainment industry—after all, Juxing Huicui itself originated from the entertainment sector. But… since we’re friends, I can pull some strings. You could probably get in with two million.”
“Two million…” Liu Qingning pondered for a moment. “That’s a bit much. I’ll have to think about it.”
After cashing out from Century Zhixue, she would have 3.6 million yuan in liquid funds.
Aside from buying property in Yan City, the best use for the remainder would naturally be investment.
However, the stock market and funds were full of pitfalls, and bond yields were too low.
A reliable private equity fund was undoubtedly the best option.
Juxing Huicui Investment Management was a private equity partnership, with Su Yu being its most well-known LP (Limited Partner). The firm also had many celebrity investors.
Since its inception, Juxing Huicui had demonstrated outstanding performance, with stable long-term returns.
Its team was highly professional, and it had a close collaboration with the renowned Jingwu Capital.
Becoming an LP in Juxing Huicui would be an excellent investment opportunity.
That was why she had previously sought out Xiang Kai for information.
But two million was still half her savings, making her uneasy.
For now, handling her situation with Tang Song was the priority.
Hearing her hesitation, Xiang Kai tried to persuade her.
“Think carefully—this is a rare opportunity. If I weren’t part of this investment team, I wouldn’t even have the privilege to lower the entry threshold for you.
Also, I heard from Liu Shuang that you’re planning to buy a house first, right? But look—housing prices in second-tier cities are dropping. There’s no rush. You can afford to wait.”
“I know,” Liu Qingning replied. “But this is a major decision. I need time to consider it.”
“Fair enough,” Xiang Kai laughed. “But I strongly recommend you attend the gala—besides learning about our fund, you’ll also get to enjoy live performances. There will be many celebrity guests, including singers performing.”
“Oh?” Liu Qingning’s eyes lit up. “Who’s performing?”
She had always loved music, so this immediately piqued her interest.
That was also why she had a natural fondness for Juxing Huicui.
Xiang Kai casually listed a few well-known celebrities, then added—
“…And Pei Yanke from the Echo girl group and Bei Yuwei, who’s been rising in popularity recently. They’re both performing.”
“Pei Yanke?!” Liu Qingning gasped in excitement. “Alright, then! I’ll leave it to you to arrange it.”
“Oh, by the way,” Xiang Kai continued, “I heard from Shuangshuang that Tang Song is in Shenzhen. Is he staying with you?”
“Mm-hmm, he is.”
“Then bring him along,” Xiang Kai suggested casually. “It’ll be a good learning experience for him—he might even find it beneficial.”
Liu Qingning hesitated briefly before responding, “I’ll ask him about it later.”
“Sounds good. Alright, I’ll leave you to your work.”
“Bye.”
Hanging up, Liu Qingning took a deep breath, her eyes flickering with contemplation.
She knew housing prices were dropping.
She knew how valuable a Juxing Huicui LP spot was.
She could wait, invest first, and then buy a house once the second round of her equity sale was completed.
But buying a house in Yan City was her first personal goal after leaving Beijing.
She wasn’t going to give it up so easily.
For now, she’d attend the gala, meet some celebrities, and learn more about Juxing Huicui’s investment strategies.
Beijing—Smile Holdings Headquarters
The rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed through the top-floor office corridors.
A group of ten executives exited the conference room, dispersing in different directions.
Inside the Executive Director’s Office, the door swung open.
Two figures stepped inside.
“Speak. What’s the matter?” Secretary Jin sat down, gazing at the assistant across from her.
Shangguan Qiuyue lowered her voice.
“President Mo from Tang Zong Entertainment has arrived in Shenzhen and met with Qin Yingxue. She’s here to see Tang Song.”
“Oh?” Secretary Jin leaned back slightly, narrowing her eyes. “Got it. What about Su Yu?”
“Chairman Su has been staying at Tang Zong Entertainment, working on her music and spending a lot of time with Wen Ruan.”
Secretary Jin nodded slightly.
She reached into her drawer, pulled out a photograph, and placed it on the desk.
Shangguan Qiuyue quickly but carefully picked it up.
It was a photo of a man and a woman.
Tang Song and Su Yu stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling window, with a stunning sunset painting the sky behind them.
Both wore black-framed glasses, and from their youthful faces, it was clear this picture was taken five years ago.
It was 2018—the year Qingning Technology was founded.
The same year Tang Song was obsessed with Heartthrob Simulator.
In the photo, Su Yu leaned slightly against him, her face carrying a shy yet blissful smile—an undeniably beautiful sight.
Secretary Jin elegantly crossed her long, slender legs, a smile curving on her lips.
“When Liu Qingning joins Qingning Technology, make sure she sees this photo—at the right moment.”
“…And also, arrange my schedule. I’ll be going to Shenzhen on Qixi Festival.
Might as well pay Qingning Technology a visit while I’m there.”