Maxing Out Charisma, Inheriting Game Assets

Chapter 449: A Panicked Night

The atmosphere in the lobby became even more delicate.

Seeing what Tang Song was wearing, Yao Lingling’s gaze gradually softened.

Coming to pick her up from work and even changing into this outfit—this must be the kind of romance that only Senior Tang Song could bring.

But when she saw Lin Muxue standing beside him, also dressed in professional attire, with fair skin, beautiful features, and long legs, the light in her eyes dimmed again.

Even if she pretended to be "Fake Ling," she still felt inferior when facing a woman like Lin Muxue.

Xiao Mingxuan took a deep breath, yanked Wen Qiuyue’s arm, and gritted his teeth. "Enough, Wen Qiuyue! Come with me!"

"Get lost!" Wen Qiuyue flung his hand away, then looked at Yao Lingling with a mocking tone. "Hah, I really underestimated you. You're quite the scheming b*tch—keeping Xiao Mingxuan hooked while getting tangled up with other men."

Then, her gaze shifted to Tang Song’s handsome face. Raising an eyebrow, she sneered, "A piece of advice—be careful who you trust."

If she had met Tang Song under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t have minded having a polite conversation with him.

But in today’s situation, she just couldn't swallow her anger.Even though she knew she wasn’t entirely in the right, she still had to let out this pent-up frustration.

Besides, Yao Lingling had indeed done plenty to provoke her—

Going to KTV with Xiao Mingxuan, having private meals together, receiving his special care and promotions, sharing an unusually close relationship…

Just these things were more than enough!

After speaking, Wen Qiuyue was about to turn and leave when someone suddenly grabbed her arm forcefully.

Yao Lingling, eyes red with anger, glared at her. "How dare you use his delusions to slander me?"

Tang Song yanked her hand away and said coldly, "Yes, yes, he got carried away on his own—don't assume you understand his little schemes."

Watching the scene unfold before her, Wen Qiuyue’s brow twitched. She grabbed Tang Song’s wrist again, pulled him forward slightly, and said, "I'm sorry, Lingling."

Just as the words left her mouth, Shang Ya’s figure suddenly appeared behind Lin Muxue, separating them.

Now that they were closer, Qin Ruo naturally got a good look at Qin Ruoyue’s face, and the memories that followed surfaced in her mind.

She had seen this man before—after helping Zhang Jiahong move, outside Shenghao KTV.

She had personally witnessed Wen Qiuyue and that man pulling at each other and arguing in the hallway.

With her level of emotional intelligence and reasoning ability, she could easily piece together the messy situation between them.

That night outside the KTV, that man probably wasn’t there to "catch a cheater."

Looking at Tang Song and Wen Qiuyue, Shang Ya spoke. "Lingling is your friend—you know her better than they do. As for whatever is going on between her and Qin Ruoshun, I have no interest in it."

Her voice was firm, her presence naturally exuding a subtle but undeniable aura.

Momentarily suppressed by Shang Ya’s aura, Qin Ruoyue clenched her fists, then suddenly raised her voice. "He—"

"I have no interest in what he was about to say next." Shang Ya cut her off with a raised hand, then looked at Wen Qiuyue. "If he wants to mess up his own private affairs, he can do it on his own time—there’s no need to drag others down with him. Lingling is just his colleague. She has no obligation to bear any baseless accusations for him."

Qin Ruoshun hesitated, then lowered his gaze. "I understand."

Tonight, he had indeed acted like a coward.

If not for the complicated relationship between him and Wen Qiuyue, he would have dragged her away long ago.

Wen Qiuyue’s face shifted dramatically, her fists clenched tightly, momentarily speechless.

She might be arrogant and unreasonable, but she wasn’t stupid.

As a wealthy second-generation businesswoman, she had her own way of handling things.

No matter how reckless she was in private, she still had to maintain a certain level of decorum.

She dared to target Yao Lingling because she had the power to do so—her father was a shareholder in Shang Ya Fashion Design.

Even when dealing with Xiao Mingxuan, she hadn’t barged into his company but had instead waited for him downstairs at a time when there were few people around.

In fact, if Lin Muxue hadn’t cursed at her first, she wouldn’t have started a full-blown argument.

But now, facing a man wearing a Patek Philippe watch worth over a million yuan, someone with an extraordinary presence and an intimidating aura—

Unless she had completely lost her mind, she wouldn’t dare to mock him openly.

Looking at Tang Song standing before her and hearing his words, Yao Lingling’s eyes became blurry.

Today had been perfect.

Cycling together in the morning, her senior coming to pick her up from work in the evening—her happiness was at an all-time high.

Then, Wen Qiuyue had suddenly appeared, spouting insults and slandering her in front of Tang Song.

She felt so wronged, so miserable.

But Tang Song’s presence and his defense of her were like an invisible wall, shielding her inside, making her heart feel warm and deeply moved.

Li Shumin swallowed her saliva, her eyes sparkling.

All of a sudden, Tang Song seemed to be glowing with a dazzling seven-colored light, making it impossible to look away.

So impressive!

And even Lin Muxue, who had an equally powerful background, was being so respectful toward him, even addressing him as "President Tang."

It completely shattered her worldview.

Summoning her courage, Yao Lingling tugged at Tang Song’s arm and whispered, "I’m sorry, Senior. I caused you trouble today. I really apologize."

"It’s fine. This isn’t your fault." Tang Song gently shook his head. "Let’s go. No need to waste time here."

"Mm-hmm." Yao Lingling nodded vigorously and signaled to Li Shumin with her eyes.

Li Shumin quickly said, "President Xiao, we’ll be heading out first. Bye-bye."

Xiao Mingxuan opened his mouth, then struggled to say, "Bye-bye."

Tang Song turned around, his tone gentle. "Goodbye, Xiaoxue."

Their eyes met. Lin Muxue softly pressed her legs together. "Goodbye, President Tang. Have a safe trip."

"Mm." Tang Song nodded, then walked forward with Yao Lingling and Li Shumin.

They had barely taken a few steps when—

Wen Qiuyue’s cold and arrogant voice rang out again. "Lin Muxue, I won’t forget a single word you said today. Just wait—you won’t have to wait long. I’ll have a conversation with the people in charge at Lanfeng International. I’ll be expecting your apology, but don’t think for a second that I’ll forgive you."

Her voice was filled with threat and hatred, as if she could already picture Lin Muxue bowing her head in front of her.

No one had ever dared to talk to her like this before.

No matter how troublesome it was, she would use everything at her disposal to make her enemy pay a painful price.

Jiaxin Group wasn’t just a simple fashion design company like Shang Ya—it was a comprehensive apparel conglomerate with exports across the country and internationally. Its scale surpassed even Huashang Fushi.

Counting its predecessor as a state-owned enterprise, it had a history of over fifty years, with an extensive network of connections and partnerships. It absolutely had the power to influence Lanfeng International Hotel.

She was going to make Lin Muxue regret ever crossing her!

As her words spread through the lobby, Yao Lingling’s face showed a panicked expression.

Lin Muxue had only gotten into this mess because she stood up for her.

If it really affected her career, she would feel unbearably guilty.

She had to take responsibility for her own actions. Maybe if she apologized to Wen Qiuyue, she could salvage the situation a little.

She bit her lip, suddenly stopping in her tracks, and called out in a low voice, "Senior…"

Just as the words left her mouth, Tang Song suddenly turned around.

His eyes locked onto Wen Qiuyue, his gaze calm and indifferent. "If you have something to say, you can say it to me right now."

Yao Lingling and Li Shumin were stunned, unable to process why Senior had suddenly said that.

Meanwhile, Lin Muxue, who had been watching Tang Song closely, flushed with excitement, her bladder tightening.

He turned around! He turned around for me!

Tang Song really loves me!

After a moment, Wen Qiuyue curled her lips, her face dark. "What do you mean by this?! Now you’re standing up for Lin Muxue? This is between us—what right do you have to interfere?"

Li Shumin and Yao Lingling’s hearts instantly tensed up.

Lin Muxue’s gaze softened as she stared at Tang Song, unmoving.

She loved flexing and face-slapping moments, but she loved even more the sight of Tang Song standing up for her. Just one look and—wet.

Tang Song’s brow arched slightly, his gaze pressing down. "Didn’t you say you wanted to talk to me face-to-face?"

"You..." Wen Qiuyue’s eye twitched. She froze for a moment before looking stunned. "You mean… you’re the person in charge of Lanfeng International Hotel?"

Lin Muxue licked her lips, lifted her chin, and said in a cool yet mocking tone, "President Tang is the major shareholder and executive director of Lanfeng International Hotel. Whatever you have to say, you can say it now. His words carry far more weight than any so-called ‘person in charge.’"

As soon as she finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent.

Lanfeng International Hotel was a well-known, high-end, five-star luxury hotel—a landmark in the city.

Hearing that its owner was standing right in front of them—and that it was Tang Song—everyone felt their minds buzz, ringing with a deafening "hum."

The first to react was Xiao Mingxuan. His pupils dilated, his face filled with disbelief.

Yao Lingling’s body trembled as she dumbly turned to look at the senior beside her. Her mind went blank, as if all her thoughts had been sucked away.

Li Shumin was completely stunned, her breathing growing increasingly rapid, like she was about to pass out.

Wen Qiuyue’s face instantly turned pale. Her fingers clutched tightly onto her bag strap, knuckles white.

At this moment, she had never felt more embarrassed or humiliated.

Her earlier threats toward Lin Muxue now seemed laughable.

Even her accusations and mockery of Yao Lingling felt utterly powerless.

Looking at Tang Song’s tall, handsome figure, and thinking about his identity, Wen Qiuyue gritted her silver teeth, her emotions tangled and chaotic.

Xiao Mingxuan might be outstanding, but he was just a rich second-generation heir waiting to inherit his family business. Shangya was just a locally known fashion design company.

Compared to Tang Song, the owner of Lanfeng International Hotel, they weren’t even in the same league.

Someone like Tang Song could sit at the same table as their fathers and talk as equals.

"If you have nothing else to say, then I’m leaving." Tang Song’s voice remained calm, without a ripple of emotion.

Wen Qiuyue opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Tang Song glanced at Lin Muxue, gave a small nod, then patted Yao Lingling’s back lightly. "Let’s go, Lingling."

Yao Lingling turned blankly and followed him out.

Li Shumin, her face flushed, took a deep breath and quickly followed.

Watching their backs disappear, Xiao Mingxuan’s throat went dry.

A sentence Lin Muxue had once said suddenly echoed in his mind: "Honestly, I don’t believe for a second that Lingling would ever fall for him."

Lin Muxue smirked, her gaze carrying an unhidden sharpness as she coldly said, "Wen Qiuyue, I won’t forget a single word you said today. Just wait—it won’t be long!"

She spoke with genuine emotion, exuding confidence and flair.

She hadn’t come here today with any real intentions of stirring things up. Yao Lingling was just a convenient coincidence.

Her real showdown was scheduled for next Wednesday.

She could hardly wait to see Wen Qiuyue’s face when she appeared under a completely different identity.

The sound of high heels clicking echoed through the empty office lobby.

Lin Muxue casually turned and waved at Xu Ning, who was hiding in the corner.

Wen Qiuyue’s chest heaved violently, her eyes flashing with hatred and malice as she gritted her teeth. "Stupid b*tch!"

Xiao Mingxuan muttered under his breath, "Wen Qiuyue! Don’t you think you’ve gone too far? Do you even realize what you did today? You were acting like a lunatic!"

"Get lost!" Wen Qiuyue shoved him. "Xiao Mingxuan, don’t think I don’t know what’s on your mind. I ignored all the garbage you pulled while we were abroad, but now that we’re engaged, if you dare betray me, I swear I won’t let you off!"

Xiao Mingxuan clenched his fists, pressing his lips together tightly.

…

The cool autumn night breeze brushed against them.

As Yao Lingling slowly came back to her senses, she turned to look at the "familiar yet unfamiliar" Tang Song and couldn’t help but pat her chest. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novｅlfire.net

Lowering her eyes, she mumbled, "Senior… you’re really the owner of Lanfeng International Hotel? I… I’m not dreaming, right?"

That was just how she was—aside from her secret crush, she had always been cheerful, straightforward, and direct.

"Smack—"

She suddenly felt a slap on her butt.

"Dead Minmin! What are you doing?!" Yao Lingling clutched her rear and glared at Li Shumin.

"That hurt, right? Then it’s definitely not a dream!" Li Shumin gulped heavily and weakly asked, "Senior, what’s going on? Are you playing some kind of Super Saiyan transformation with us?"

Seeing his two junior girls looking so flustered, Tang Song couldn’t help but smile.

Standing in front of them, he cleared his throat and, with exaggerated sincerity, sighed. "Sigh… I originally wanted to get along with you all as a normal person. But no more pretending—I’m a billionaire. Time to reveal the truth."

As he spoke, Tang Song mimicked the iconic pose from Hello Mr. Billionaire, spreading his hands and winking at Yao Lingling.

"Pfft—" Yao Lingling bent over, laughing. "Should I perform a ‘Three Bites, One Pig’ routine for President Tang?"

"Oh? Didn’t expect you had such talents, Little Yao. Looks like you’re eager for improvement."

"Then I’ll have to rely on President Tang’s guidance."

"That depends on how well you behave." Tang Song chuckled, glancing at her.

Yao Lingling’s face flushed red, and she lightly patted his shoulder. "Senior, you’re so bad!"

Despite her words, the tension and shock in her expression had completely faded, and she seemed much more at ease.

She was a native of Yan City. Even though she had grown up in a small suburban town, she was still familiar with Lanfeng International Hotel.

Suddenly learning that Tang Song was not only a shareholder but also the executive director of the hotel—it was impossible not to feel a massive sense of distance and disbelief.

But thanks to his teasing and humor, that distance had gradually melted away.

Li Shumin watched the two interact, her eyes full of envy.

Tonight felt like a dream.

She had never imagined that the "Senior Tang Song" she had always joked about was actually the owner of Lanfeng International Hotel!

No wonder… No wonder even someone as high-status as Lin Muxue treated him with such respect.

But… he only graduated a little over three years ago! How the hell was he this impressive?!

Could he, like Xiao Mingxuan, actually be some hidden super-rich second-generation heir?

Had he somehow gotten "reformed" by internet advice, only to be accidentally captured by Yao Lingling as her "digital pet"?

Xiao Mingxuan in real life.

Tang Rong online.

And Tang Rong was even the Pro Edition of Xiao Mingxuan—coming with a billion-dollar fortune.

My god!

Lingling… Lingling is practically the chosen one!

"We’re here." Tang Song stopped beside a car, his hand on the door handle.

"Click."

The car lights flashed, unlocking with a soft chime.

"Gulp." Li Shumin swallowed hard, her eyes widening. "Is this… a Bentley Continental? It’s so gorgeous!"

Under the night’s gentle caress, the glacier-white paint shimmered like a thin layer of frost. The iconic four round headlights, the soaring wings emblem, the five-spoke alloy wheels…

The elegant and luxurious Bentley Continental was like a masterpiece of mechanical art, exuding a cold yet irresistible allure.

Yao Lingling’s heartbeat skyrocketed, pounding wildly in her chest.

Only now did she suddenly recall her previous agreement with Tang Song.

At the time, she had thought he was just joking, so she had played along…

But now… was this really happening?

Then again, Senior Tang Song was a straight-laced and reserved person.

He was probably just joking.

Tang Song pulled the car key out of his pocket, shook it lightly, and smiled. "Lingling, want to take it for a spin?"

Yao Lingling frantically shook her head. "No way! No way! This is way too expensive—if I scratch it, I can’t afford to pay for it!"

"You don’t have to pay. Catch!" Tang Song tossed the key directly to her.

Yao Lingling raised both hands and caught it precisely, a hint of anticipation in her voice. "Then… then I’ll drive slowly."

She had gotten her driver’s license right after graduating high school. Her family had an old Fit, and whenever she went home, she’d take it out for a ride. Her driving skills were actually quite decent.

Beside her, Li Shumin let out a breath and whispered, "Uh, you two were planning to go for a drive, right? I won’t be the third wheel then. I’ve got stuff to do at home. There’s a bus stop right over there—I can take the 42. Bye-bye."

With that, Li Shumin waved at Tang Song and jogged away.

Tang Song chuckled and opened the passenger door. "Get in, Lingling."

"Oh, oh." Yao Lingling nodded excitedly, pulling open the door and sliding into the driver’s seat.

Under Tang Song’s guidance, she familiarized herself with the car’s controls.

She carefully adjusted the seat and mirrors. Her hands trembled slightly as she gripped the steering wheel.

Tang Song couldn’t help but laugh. "Relax. Just imagine you’re driving your little Suzuki scooter."

"How can that even compare..." Yao Lingling took a deep breath.

"Vroom—"

The engine roared to life, the dashboard lighting up with dazzling animations, illuminating Yao Lingling’s delicate face.

The car slowly pulled out onto the main road, heading south.

Though a little nervous at first, Yao Lingling’s driving was smooth and steady.

The night was deep, the streetlights casting a soft glow on the glacier-white car, reflecting scattered specks of light—like stars spilling over.

After a while, the Bentley Continental smoothly exited Yan City’s Second Ring Road.

Outside the car window, the city lights and towering buildings gradually thinned out.

The road widened, and traffic became sparser.

Yao Lingling’s heartbeat settled, replaced by an indescribable excitement.

"Hold on tight, I’m going to speed up a little!" she called out, pressing lightly on the accelerator.

The engine’s low growl filtered through the soundproof cabin, carrying a thrilling sense of power.

"Senior, this car is so stable! The power, the handling—absolute perfection! It drives like a dream!"

Tang Song looked at his lively, straightforward junior and replied casually, "If you like it, you can drive it anytime."

Yao Lingling giggled. "Heh heh! You said it! No take-backs!"

"Don’t worry, I always keep my word."

"Whoa! That acceleration!" Yao Lingling couldn’t help but exclaim. "Senior, this is too awesome! So smooth! So exhilarating!"

The Bentley Continental GT picked up speed, and Yao Lingling fully immersed herself in the joy of driving.

Her open and cheerful personality shone through at this moment—faced with her dream car, she had no intention of hiding her excitement.

The two joked and chatted for a while.

Tang Song lowered the window slightly, letting the crisp autumn breeze rush in, squinting slightly as he gazed southeast.

"Lingling, take a left at the next intersection."

"Got it!" Yao Lingling called out enthusiastically, smoothly guiding the car into a curve.

A few minutes later, the car slowly approached a massive building complex.

Tang Song glanced at Yao Lingling and smiled. "Let’s stop here for a bit and enjoy the night view."

"Oh, okay!" Yao Lingling gently stepped on the brake, pulling over smoothly. She looked around and said, "This is the Yan’nan Short Drama Film Base, right? I heard the ownership recently changed hands. Phase one is already finished, but no one knows when it’ll officially open. This place is definitely going to be bustling in the future."

Tang Song raised a brow. "How do you know so much about it?"

"Hehe, I’ve got a relative working here. This place only started construction early last year..." Yao Lingling pointed outside and began chatting with Tang Song about the film base.

Her crisp, pleasant voice added a touch of vibrancy to the quiet night.

Tang Song leaned back against the soft leather seat, watching his bright-eyed junior with a smile.

As the conversation died down, Yao Lingling turned her head—right as Tang Song’s gaze met hers.

The atmosphere suddenly grew ambiguous.

She reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding his eyes. "Senior, what did you eat tonight?"

Tang Song blinked, then pointed at her chest, his tone teasing. "Lingling, you’ve already taken a Bentley Continental for a ride. Isn’t it time to fulfill our agreement?"

"Ah! This… Senior, you…" Yao Lingling sat up straight, her face burning.

Tang Song raised a brow. "What’s wrong? Is someone trying to go back on their word?"

"I’m not." Yao Lingling lowered her head, her voice soft as a breeze, almost blending into the night. "It’s just… talking, right… okay…"

She had no idea what she was mumbling anymore.

"Then I’ll start." Tang Song unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning in slightly.

Yao Lingling shrank back, her cheeks flushed like a ripe apple.

She bit her lip, then suddenly straightened her back and puffed out her chest, pretending to be indifferent. "Come on, then! It’s just a cushion—it’s nothing."

Tang Song chuckled, reaching out his right hand. His slender fingers lightly pressed against her chest.

The moment his fingertips made contact, time seemed to freeze.

The world fell silent.

All Yao Lingling could hear was the violent pounding of her heart.

Her fingers clutched the seat’s edge tightly, her breathing cautious and shallow.

Even with a 4CM cushion between them, she felt as if she was being touched directly.

Warm.

And intense.

As if the sensation could pierce through every layer and reach straight into her heart.