novelraw Chapter 508: The Mysterious and Unpredictable Cousin
Chapter 508: The Mysterious and Unpredictable Cousin
“Hss—” A sharp sting spread across her tongue.
Lin Muxue gently bit her lower lip with her teeth, repeatedly confirming the reality of this moment.
This wasn't a dream!
She really owned a legendary “Visa Infinite” series custom-made black card.
Actually, in China, this kind of credit card wasn’t that rare. Many banks collaborated with Visa, and as long as one met certain asset thresholds or credit ratings, ordinary people could also apply for similar high-end cards.
Like her current income level and job—after she had some fixed assets in the future, she could totally apply for one.
However, this Obsidian Card was completely different.
It was on par with the top-tier black cards issued by banks like Julius Baer and J.P. Morgan Private Bank.
She had only ever heard it mentioned in passing at socialite gatherings—this was her first time seeing one in person.
And now, it was actually in her hands.Her slender fingers carefully pinched the card. It felt cool and smooth to the touch. The black surface gleamed with a subdued yet captivating luster, like stars in a deep night sky.
Lin Muxue took a deep breath, feeling her blood boil, her heartbeat pounding so hard it was about to burst out of her chest.
She was entirely consumed by an uncontrollable wave of excitement.
Right now, she couldn’t care less about the pride on Liu Jiayi’s face across from her, nor did she have the mind to pay attention.
This card represented unimaginable wealth—it could instantly set her free financially.
All she had to do was swipe, and Tang Song’s family office would handle the payments.
Haute couture gowns, limited-edition Hermès handbags, top-tier hotel suites, private jet rentals...
Everything she once dreamed of, everything she only got to experience through her beautician friends—now she could have it all at will.
She could fly to the Maldives during a holiday just to watch the sea, or head to Paris for Fashion Week.
She could take those white-rich-beauty friends to ultra-first-tier cities like the Imperial Capital or Shanghai, walk into the most luxurious malls, and casually whip out her custom black card to flaunt her wealth and taste.
These beautiful fantasies surged through her mind like waves of ecstasy, crashing over her again and again.
Lin Muxue secretly shifted her body, trying to hide the intense urge to pee caused by overwhelming excitement.
Xu Ning, standing behind her, wore a blank expression, staring fixedly at the card in Xiaoxue’s hand.
She didn’t know much, but even she had heard of the black card.
And she understood what Liu Jiayi’s words meant.
In other words, the gift from Xiaoxue’s boyfriend was a credit card she didn’t even have to repay.
Even as her close girlfriend, Xu Ning couldn’t suppress the jealousy bubbling up inside her. It was hard to breathe.
She had never imagined such good men actually existed in this world.
No one online would even believe it!
In terms of looks, ability, wealth, personality—he was flawless.
But with the envy came a burst of elation and excitement. After all, she could ride the coattails too.
“Dong dong—” The sound of fingers tapping the glass coffee table echoed.
“Assistant Lin, there’s one more thing I need to inform you of.” Liu Jiayi leaned forward slightly, her tone still calm and professional.
Lin Muxue squirmed in her seat and forced out a smile, “Please go ahead, Jiayi.”
“As President Tang’s personal assistant, you also have the rights and obligations to safeguard his security.” Liu Jiayi pulled out an elegant business card from her pocket and handed it over. “For ease of communication, this is my private contact info, as well as an emergency line. If you encounter any issues, please contact me or call the line immediately. We’ll respond as quickly as possible—24/7 service.”
“Oh, I understand. Thank you!” Lin Muxue reined in her emotions and took the card seriously.
Anything involving Tang Song’s safety, she naturally wouldn’t take lightly.
“In addition, considering you may frequently attend high-level events in the future or accompany President Tang at important functions, I’ll arrange someone to give you basic security training,” Liu Jiayi added. “Including how to identify potential threats, how to handle emergencies, etc. I’ll send the specific schedule to your email later.”
Lin Muxue quickly sat up straight, replying earnestly, “Okay, I’ll fully cooperate with the relevant work.”
Only now did she truly feel that she had become Tang Song’s personal assistant.
Alongside the privileges and glory came a host of responsibilities and challenges.
Once everything was explained, Liu Jiayi stood up swiftly, “Then I won’t disturb you further.”
“Thank you, Jiayi.” Lin Muxue stood up too. She wanted to hug her to express her gratitude and excitement, but looking at her cold expression, she ended up just bowing politely with a nod.
Footsteps echoed in the living room.
“Aiya—” The apartment door opened gently.
Liu Jiayi had just stepped one foot out the door when she suddenly turned back, the corner of her mouth curling into a rare smile. “Of course, if you or anyone in President Tang’s circle encounters a security issue, you can call this number too.”
On Shengtang Security’s most prioritized protection list, aside from Tang Song’s parents, there were also Wen Ruan, Zhao Yaqian, Su Yu, and others.
But as Tang Song’s driver, she knew full well—this President Tang had plenty of beloved confidantes around him.
“Okay, thank you.”
“Please stay, goodbye.”
Bang— The door closed gently.
After Liu Jiayi completely left, Lin Muxue’s legs, which had been stiffly bracing her, suddenly turned to jelly.
She hurriedly grabbed Xu Ning’s arm, gasping for breath.
“Xiaoxue…” Xu Ning’s throat bobbed as tears welled up in her eyes. “Th-this really is a black card! A Visa black card! You’re amazing!”
“Mm.” Lin Muxue responded with a trembling voice.
And then she started screaming, “Ah ah ah!”
She kicked off her slippers, threw herself into Xu Ning’s arms, bouncing and jumping around with a flushed face.
After a while, she seemed to realize something and hurriedly rushed into the bathroom.
The door closed behind her, followed by the sound of a rushing stream.
The pressure on her bladder was instantly relieved.
A few minutes later, Lin Muxue came back into the living room, her cheeks still flushed with excitement.
She flopped onto the sofa with a thud, took out the black card’s instruction manual, and began studying it carefully.
With her current English proficiency, reading the manual was a breeze.
Very quickly, she had a clear understanding of all the card’s perks—and was utterly stunned.
The very first benefit made her heart race: “Unlimited Spending Power.”
As long as the banking system confirmed the transaction was reasonable, she could pretty much swipe at will.
Of course, it also noted: “Credit limits will be dynamically reviewed in real time.”
Which meant—there were still likely some restrictions behind it.
Beyond that, what tempted her most was the “Personalized Concierge Service.”
Equivalent to part of the family trust benefits that Zhao Yaqian and Wen Ruan enjoyed.
Priority reservations at top-tier restaurants, early access to limited-edition luxury items, invitations to world-renowned art exhibitions, and more.
This card was accepted worldwide—whether it was a high-fashion boutique in Paris, a Michelin-star restaurant in New York, or a luxury hotel in Dubai. It could even be linked to her Alipay account for daily purchases. Follow current novᴇls on NoveI(F)ire.net
Of course, all of this came with one condition—her identity as Tang Song’s assistant.
At that thought, Lin Muxue’s eyes sparkled fiercely.
She grabbed her phone and dialed Tang Song’s number.
“Doo doo doo——” The phone rang for quite a while before it was finally answered.
“Hello, Xiaoxue.” Tang Song’s warm and pleasant voice came through the receiver.
Lin Muxue gently rubbed her long legs together, her voice soft and sweet: “President Tang, I received your gift, thank you. I really like it, really really like it.”
“Hehe, that’s good.”
Lin Muxue bit her lip, “This card… it really is for me, right? I can use it, right?”
“Of course. Your name should be on it. It was custom-made for you. You can use it anytime.”
“Whew—” Lin Muxue exhaled, overwhelmed with emotion. Right in front of Xu Ning, she blurted a few lines of trash talk in English.
After hanging up, Lin Muxue’s face instantly lit up with joy.
Given how generous Tang Song was, even if she spent money on herself, he’d probably allow it, right?
For example, she could totally use the excuse of “cheering up Tang Song” to buy ten pairs of Balenciaga stockings just so he could rip them for fun. That’s fine, right?
Or, as his personal assistant, it would be reasonable to help him order some high-end red wine, cigars, or buy a few sets of haute couture gowns and suits for attending important meetings with him. That’s not too much, is it?
Going even bolder, she could even use this card to buy a luxury mansion, a luxury car!
Buy buy buy! Buy buy buy!
(口)
However, just as those thoughts surfaced, she quickly suppressed them.
She might be vain and money-driven, but she wasn’t stupid—she knew there were lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
After all, she was Tang Song’s personal assistant. This card was meant to help her do her job.
If she truly splurged recklessly, it wouldn’t just expose her shallowness—it might make Tang Song start to feel disgusted with her.
At that thought, Lin Muxue’s feverish heart finally began to cool down.
She took a deep breath and temporarily pushed aside the wild thoughts in her mind.
“Ding dong——” The WeChat notification sound chimed.
[Zhenzhen: “Xiaoxue-Sister Xiaoxue, are you still coming? I broke my phone screen and plan to go to the mall with a classmate to get a new one. If you’re not coming soon, I’ll go first.”]
Seeing this message, Lin Muxue’s once-calm mood was instantly reignited.
A knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she quickly typed a reply: “I’ll come find you now. I happen to want to buy a couple of outfits too, I’ll join you at the mall. Just bring the stuff and give it to me when we meet.”
It took a while before Lin Yuzhen lazily replied.
[Zhenzhen: “Alright then, we’re at Huanle Mingdu. Text me when you get here.”]
Setting her phone down, Lin Muxue’s eyes sparkled—her entire being radiating a new sense of confidence and charm.
...
Yuhua District, Huajing Oasis Residential Complex.
The evening sun streamed into the bedroom through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting golden light onto the high-end wooden flooring.
Lin Yuzhen sat on the edge of the soft bed, staring at the message from her cousin with a complicated expression.
After a moment, she gently bit her lip, put away her phone, then opened the suitcase in the corner and took out a slightly worn pink backpack.
Although it had been cleaned as best as possible, the heavily scuffed edges and outdated style still made it obvious that the backpack was quite old.
In fact, it was the one her cousin Lin Muxue used during her school days.
This time, her uncle had asked her to bring it over—stuffed with jujube buns, walnuts, and Qiong Guo candies.
She really hadn’t wanted to bring it. It felt especially embarrassing.
But the seriousness in her uncle’s expression and tone made it impossible to refuse.
“Hey, Zhenzhen, what did your cousin say? Did she reply yet?” Li Xiaotong, who was flipping through a magazine, looked up and raised her eyebrows with a laugh. “Whoa, where’d you get that shabby backpack from? I don’t think I’ve seen it before.”
Lin Yuzhen’s face turned bright red. She quickly explained, “This is from my cousin’s family, I’m just delivering it to her. It’s not mine.”
“Ohh, got it.” Li Xiaotong shrugged, a teasing tone in her voice. “Still, I don’t get why her family would do that. That stuff’s so heavy. They couldn’t just send it by courier? Had to make you bring it all the way here.”
Lin Yuzhen forced a small smile, didn’t argue, and quietly placed the bag on the chair.
Just then, a steady set of footsteps echoed.
A cool-looking guy walked over carrying a fruit platter and greeted them warmly: “Hey hey hey, ladies, have some fruit.”
“Alright, thanks, Hao-ge!” Li Xiaotong grinned and popped a slice of apple into her mouth. “So sweet.”
Zhou Hao waved at Lin Yuzhen, who was still standing there. “Zhenzhen, come on over.”
“Thanks, Zhou Hao-ge.” Lin Yuzhen took a slice of watermelon and nibbled on it shyly.
She had lied to her family this time.
The “classmate” she claimed to be meeting in Yan City—was actually a guy. Zhou Hao.
And she and Li Xiaotong were both from Shaanxi Province and shared a dorm. Their visit to Yan City had been at Zhou Hao’s invitation.
But the visit had been pretty eye-opening for her.
Zhou Hao’s family lived in a 150-square-meter luxury apartment in the city center—with a housekeeper.
Back at school, he already seemed like a big spender, but she never imagined he was actually this rich.
“Hao-ge, you promised, remember? You have to let us experience Yan City’s wild nightlife. I’m super excited,” Li Xiaotong said, clinging to his arm playfully.
Zhou Hao chuckled and patted her on the head, “Of course. Tonight I’ll take you to the coolest bar in Yan City! I’ve got some local friends joining us—we’ll have a blast!”
“Yesss!” Li Xiaotong turned and gave Lin Yuzhen’s back a pat. “Zhenzhen, you’ve never been to a bar before, right? Dare to go?”
Lin Yuzhen pressed her lips together and replied with forced bravado, “What’s there to be afraid of?”
“Haha. Oh right, aside from getting a new phone today, you should buy something a little nicer to wear,” Li Xiaotong tugged at her sweatshirt and giggled. “You dress so plainly, you’ll be a total head-turner in a bar—haha.”
That line made Lin Yuzhen feel a bit uncomfortable.
Li Xiaotong wasn’t a bad person, but she could be kind of a snob.
Because of their big difference in family background, she always treated Lin Yuzhen with a mix of closeness and condescension, constantly making little jabs about her “vibes” in the form of teasing.
Thinking of that, Lin Yuzhen glanced at Li Xiaotong’s outfit with envy.
A Prada jacket, cropped base layer, slim-fit jeans, limited-edition sneakers—
Stylish and sexy.
Her own family was very average. Her college allowance was barely over 1,000 yuan a month—completely ordinary among classmates.
Compared to someone like Li Xiaotong from a well-off family, the gap was obvious.
“What’s wrong with plain? I think Zhenzhen’s outfit is just fine. Of course, Xiaotong looks great too.”
Zhou Hao naturally played the peacemaker, easing the tension.
The three of them sat or stood around, eating fruit and chatting.
“Riiing—” A phone rang.
Lin Yuzhen glanced at the caller and picked up, “Hello? Xiaoxue-Sister Xiaoxue, where are you?”
“Oh, just come to the north gate. It’s closer.”
“Mm, okay. Bye-bye.”
She hung up and gave an apologetic smile to her two classmates. “Sorry, forgot to mention—aside from delivering the stuff, my cousin wants to join us at the mall too.”
Zhou Hao shrugged and said cheerfully, “Sure, no problem! Oh right, Zhenzhen, your phone broke on the way to my place, right? How about this—I'll just give you one later.”
“No, no, that’s okay.” Lin Yuzhen quickly shook her head, cheeks slightly flushed.
Li Xiaotong’s eyes sparkled as she covered her mouth with a smile, “Zhenzhen, I remember you said your cousin is doing pretty well now, right? Why not ask her to gift you a phone? Didn’t you always want that newly released iPhone 15 Pro?”
Lin Yuzhen hesitated, looking awkward. “That... wouldn’t be appropriate.”
She’d heard from her uncle that after graduating, Xiaoxue-Sister Xiaoxue didn’t go into aviation, but started doing work like photo modeling and media stuff.
Girls her age all had a little vanity, wanting to impress classmates.
On the way to Yan City, when Li Xiaotong and Zhou Hao asked about her cousin, she’d instinctively polished the truth a bit.
Said she was “a manager at a company.”
As for the real situation, she actually didn’t know.
After all, her uncle’s family hadn’t contacted Lin Muxue in nearly two years.
Li Xiaotong kept egging her on, “What’s so inappropriate? As an older sister, taking care of her younger cousin is totally normal.”
Zhou Hao clapped his hands and smiled, “Alright, let’s head down now.”
Chatting and laughing, the three of them walked out of Zhou Hao’s home and took the elevator straight to the B2 parking level.
“Come on, get in!” Zhou Hao had one hand in his pocket and used the other to open the door of a BMW.
Li Xiaotong exaggerated her expression, “BMW X5, not bad Hao-ge, looking fancy!”
“Hehe, it’s my dad’s.” Zhou Hao smirked and pointed to the Tesla Model Y next to it. “That one’s my mom’s. They’re on vacation abroad for the holidays, so I can drive whichever.”
“Electric cars are all the rage now. My family’s planning to get one too. Let me test drive it sometime, yeah?”
“Sure, I’ll take you out tomorrow in the Tesla, and you can drive.”
“Thanks, Hao-ge, then I won’t be shy about it.”
Listening to their conversation, Lin Yuzhen felt a complex mix of emotions—
a bit of bitterness, a bit of envy, and a bit of inferiority.
Just then, Zhou Hao leaned closer and nudged her shoulder playfully, “Let’s go, Zhenzhen, what are you spacing out for?”
“Oh, oh.” Lin Yuzhen nodded with a red face and climbed into the back seat.
The black BMW X5 drove smoothly out of the underground garage and came to a steady stop by the roadside at the north gate.
The three got out one by one and waited by the curb.
Lin Yuzhen held her worn-out pink backpack, head lowered, unconsciously kicking at the ground with her toe.
Zhou Hao lit a cigarette, leaned casually against the BMW, his stance relaxed and lazy.
He blew out a puff of smoke, glanced at the backpack in Lin Yuzhen’s hand, and casually asked, “By the way, Zhenzhen, how’s your cousin getting here?”
Lin Yuzhen hesitated for a moment and replied softly, “I’m not sure. Probably by car.”
Li Xiaotong grinned, “I’m starting to notice, Zhenzhen, you don’t seem to know your cousin that well. Everything you say is kinda vague.”
“Uh… it’s mainly ‘cause we haven’t really kept in touch the past two years.” Lin Yuzhen bit her lip, sounding a little awkward.
Truth be told, deep down, she’d always held a sense of superiority over her cousin Lin Muxue—even a touch of disdain.
She’d always been the “academic star” in the family, praised by her parents and relatives as the typical “model child.”
Lin Muxue had only gotten into a vocational school, and majored in aviation services, while she herself was attending a 211 university.
She’d always assumed that after graduation, she’d be living a better and more respectable life than her cousin.
That’s why she never made the effort to contact her, always keeping things a bit distant.
Li Xiaotong teased again, “Haha, just hope you recognize her when she shows up. Would be awkward if you didn’t.”
Lin Yuzhen quickly shook her head, “No way!”
Zhou Hao exhaled a smoke ring, raised his brows, and said jokingly, “Haha, what I wanna know is—
is your cousin as pretty as you?”
Before he finished speaking, a low, richly-textured engine sound came from behind.
A matte gray Porsche 911 slowly entered their view.
Its sleek, streamlined body shimmered with a cold metallic sheen under the sunlight.
All three of them immediately turned to look.
The Porsche 911 came to a halt in front of the BMW X5.
Click— The door opened, and a tall, seductive figure stepped out.
She wore oversized Gucci sunglasses, a soft, delicate Chanel knit cardigan over a white silk blouse, and high-waisted wide-leg pants with a luxurious drape.
Blinging accessories dotted her outfit, and a diamond-studded watch sparkled dazzlingly under the sun.
She radiated an effortless, noble aura—
a blend of polished urban elite and unmistakable feminine allure.
Instantly, she became the center of attention.
Her slender, fair fingers lightly held the metal frame of her sunglasses. She took them off in one smooth motion, tilting her head slightly.
Honey-brown, glossy hair cascaded naturally as she moved.
A beautiful, sculpted face was revealed.
The low-heeled Chanel Mary Janes clicked crisply against the pavement.
“Zhenzhen, long time no see. You’ve lost weight.”
Lin Muxue walked up to her cousin, a faint smile on her lips, her gaze calm and confident.
Her powerful presence left the three of them momentarily stunned.
Zhou Hao’s cigarette froze mid-air as he stared straight at the woman in front of him, as if locked in place by some invisible force.
His once-casual posture suddenly looked stiff, even his breathing became cautious.
Li Xiaotong’s mouth dropped open, her throat bobbing as she instinctively adjusted her clothes.
“Xiaoxue-Sister Xiaoxue…” Lin Yuzhen called out, her mind buzzing.
Lin Muxue’s eyes swept over the two people beside her, finally settling on the pink backpack in her cousin’s hand. A trace of subtle emotion flickered in her eyes.
She quickly returned to composure, her voice gentle yet polite: “Hello, I’m Zhenzhen’s cousin, Lin Muxue.”
“Hi, I’m Li Xiaotong.” Li Xiaotong quickly introduced herself, her voice slightly tense.
Zhou Hao tossed away his cigarette, extended his right hand, his smile so bright it was almost fawning, “Hello Xiaoxue-Sister Xiaoxue, I’m Zhenzhen’s college classmate, Zhou Hao.”
Lin Muxue raised an eyebrow, ignored him, casually took the backpack from Lin Yuzhen and walked toward the trunk.
Her movements were graceful and crisp, without a trace of hesitation.
Zhou Hao froze, awkwardly retracting his hand, eyes still glued to her back, clearly still dazed from the encounter.
Thunk— The trunk closing snapped all three out of their thoughts.
“Which mall are you going to?”
Zhou Hao quickly responded, “Huanle Mingdu, not far from here.”
Lin Muxue nodded slightly, patted Lin Yuzhen on the shoulder, her voice calm yet firm: “Get in, Zhenzhen. I’ll take you.”
“Oh, oh… okay.” Lin Yuzhen nodded stiffly and carefully opened the passenger-side door.
She glanced at the luxurious, refined interior, then at her elegant and noble cousin, feeling as if she were dreaming.
Lin Muxue picked up her sunglasses, flicked them open with a crisp click, and smoothly slid them back onto her nose.
Her bright, sharp eyes were once again hidden, leaving only a mysterious and unreadable smile.
Zhenzhen, oh Zhenzhen!
You’re just lucky enough to bump into me, Empress Muxue, right after I acquired my divine artifact!
It’s time for you to finally recognize who your cousin really is!