novelraw Chapter 534: “I’ll Hand You the Knife — Will You Stab Back?”
Chapter 534: “I’ll Hand You the Knife — Will You Stab Back?”
Inside the main venue.
The spotlight remained fixed on them.
Applause surged like waves, the very air trembling under an invisible pressure.
Shen Yuyan wore a beautiful, composed smile—every nuance of her expression meticulously crafted, striving to show her most perfect self.
Yet, the hand at her side trembled ever so slightly.
This was one of the most important moments of her life—her first true step into the circle of her dreams.
Her gaze briefly swept past Tang Song and Annie Kate, then quickly darted away. She didn’t dare linger.
【They’re just too dazzling, like the sun.】
【Maybe... one day I can become a leading role like that too.】
The applause drowned out her heartbeat and the sound of footsteps.Shen Yuyan scanned the crowd.
Memories of her past kept flashing in her mind.
No one could understand how she felt at this moment—
A cocktail of intoxication, excitement, nerves, inferiority, and longing all stirred violently inside her.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this way please,” a senior executive from the organizers gestured.
At the center of the VIP section, a round table had been specially reserved for them.
This table sat at the very heart of the venue, right next to the stage and directly facing the large curved LED screen.
Seated around it were heavyweights from tonight’s event—representatives from top-tier firms like Sequoia, IDG, Temasek, and some famed entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Many of them Shen Yuyan had only ever seen in news articles or magazines.
Those names were once far-off stars, and now, she stood only a few steps away.
As they arrived at the round table, several representatives from elite firms stood up and initiated greetings.
“Mr. Mingjian, such a pleasure to see you again. That project we discussed at your last summit in Silicon Valley has been making great progress—I hope we get the chance to work together.”
“Good evening, Ms. Bian Di, I’ve long admired your name. You’re Zhao Wen...”
Annie nodded slightly, a graceful smile on her face.
With a naturally elegant demeanor, she raised her hand and promptly turned to introduce the man beside her—
Her tone was no longer lazy or casual, but solemn and dignified: “Everyone, allow me to introduce someone important.
This is Mr. Bian Di, the newly appointed Chairman and CEO of TangSong Capital. The Tangjin Family Office is a shareholder of both his firm and your Mingjian Trust.”
Just one sentence—but it dropped into the crowd like a stone into water, stirring countless ripples.
The group that had gathered around Annie instantly turned their attention toward Tang Song.
All eyes locked onto him.
TangSong Capital, registered in Hong Kong, wasn’t yet a household name domestically, but it was already making waves internationally—especially thanks to its formidable background.
As a private equity firm managing over $2 billion in assets, its leader naturally drew attention wherever he went.
But what truly shocked people wasn’t just Tang Song’s identity or youth—
It was Annie Kate’s attitude toward him.
A woman born into the illustrious Kate family, known for her pride and aloofness—
Now, she was personally accompanying him, introducing him, publicly elevating his status, and unabashedly expressing her admiration for his capabilities.
This made one thing abundantly clear: this man was no ordinary player.
After the initial shock wore off, the guests quickly adjusted their expressions. Smiles bloomed across their faces as they eagerly stepped forward to introduce themselves to Tang Song.
Some handed over business cards; others extended invitations for further collaboration. The atmosphere turned vibrant and orderly.
Shen Yuyan quickly stepped up, standing firmly at Tang Song’s side. Her hands were neatly folded in front of her, her posture poised and elegant.
She listened intently to every exchange, sharply noting each face, name, and distinguishing detail.
This was the kind of opportunity she’d dreamed of but never dared believe she’d have.
【I, Shen Yuyan, am really standing here...】
【What is this position worth?】
【Stay calm! You have to look composed and capable!】
【These are industry giants—every word counts!】
【Tang Song is watching me. I have to handle this effortlessly.】
Tang Song wore a calm smile, his expression composed—neither distant nor ingratiating.
His gaze occasionally swept past Shen Yuyan’s profile, eyes filled with thought.
Standing inside this “instance,” as the Observer, he seemed to possess a transcendent quality—a sharp insight, a lofty vantage point, an unhurried gaze over everything.
It mirrored how he appeared in the dream world.
Every word he said, every move he made, exuded the presence of someone in command.
Even Annie, once a lioness, now seemed more like a tame cat by his side.
This vibe had started to take shape back in the previous instance, “Lin Muxue’s Whisper.”
Otherwise, with someone like Lin Muxue, who’d mentally labeled him things like “my god” and “mine,” he would’ve long since cracked up or acted out.
But now, in “Shen Yuyan’s Whisper,” his aura was even stronger—clearly thanks to his boosted charm stats and refined overall presence.
“This is my special assistant, Shirley—Shen Yuyan,” Tang Song said casually, passing over a business card.
“Nice to meet you, Assistant Shen,” said Zhao Wen, Director of Investments for Temasek Asia-Pacific, nodding politely.
The others also smiled in greeting.
【He’s introducing me! He’s personally introducing me!】
【I’m no longer that overlooked nobody!】
【‘Special assistant’—this title is a double-edged sword. It’s invisible support—but also a launchpad within reach.】
【Don’t flinch! I must leave a strong impression!】
A faint blush rose on Shen Yuyan’s cheeks as she received the card with steady hands.
Her voice was soft and clear: “Hello, Director Zhao. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve long admired Temasek’s forward-looking investment strategy in the Asia-Pacific, especially in tech innovation. Truly admirable.”
Zhao Wen looked pleasantly surprised and replied with a smile, “Haha, Assistant Shen, you flatter me.”
Shen Yuyan smiled graciously, carefully stored the card, and stepped back behind Tang Song.
【He looked at me just now... was he pleased with me?】
【This moment—it really feels like a dream come true!】
【So... this is what it feels like.】
Suppressing the rush of emotions, Shen Yuyan slightly tilted her head, her gaze sweeping across the VIP section.
It soon landed on a particular area—
Mingjian Capital. Gongying Technology.
She recognized nearly all of them.
Just days ago, she’d stood in a conference room, pleading humbly with them for a second round of funding.
Back then, they’d sat in judgment, coldly criticizing her efforts and dismissing her work.
As someone who never forgets a grudge, she remembered every detail—
Especially the CEO and President of Gongying Tech, Zhao Hongkai.
His condescending remark still echoed in her ears:
“Remember—this is a problem with Youjie Home Services! You need to recognize your own shortcomings first!”
That line had stabbed deep into her pride.
But more than anything—Wang Yubo and Ren Mingyuan.
Their eyes met.
From their gaze, she could see avoidance, retreat, and even... a trace of fear.
【Hahaha! Wang Yubo, Ren Mingyuan—you’re finally getting a taste of it!】
【Just wait! It won’t be long! I’ll be the one to push you off the cliff!】
【Gongying Tech, Yuanjian Holdings—you’ll all pay for what you did!】
【I’ll see you on your knees!】
【Tang Song, thank you for this chance. I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life.】
Shen Yuyan’s fists clenched with excitement, yet her posture grew even straighter.
The ones who had once humiliated her could now only sit in the shadows and watch—
While she stood at the center of the spotlight.
......
“President Wang,” one Mingjian Capital executive lowered his voice in confusion. “Isn’t that the GM from Youjie Home Services you introduced to us earlier? How did she end up over there?”
“Oh?” Another board member’s eyes lit up, leaning closer. “Yubo, you know her? Let’s go say hi! That Ms. Kate seems like a big deal—anyone standing with her can’t be just anyone.”
The Mingjian execs clearly didn’t know the full story and were genuinely curious.
Meanwhile, Gongying Tech’s President Zhao Hongkai and VP Ren Mingyuan sat stone-faced, eyes shifty and grim.
Youjie Home Services was strapped for cash—on the brink of life or death.
They had tried to use that to wrest control of the company.
But Gongying Tech itself wasn’t in great shape either.
That’s why they’d been scheming to drain traffic from Youjie, relying on it to keep their business afloat.
For them, fundraising and going public was their only way out—
A path to cash out, escape their current mess, and expand their future.
In short, this financing and IPO plan could make or break them.
And now, Shen Yuyan had entered the inner circle of both Sinsight and Confluent Capital—
That cast a dark shadow over all their plans.
Wang Yubo struggled to suppress his fury.
After a pause, he forced a smile. “Director Fei, that woman’s name is Shen Yuyan. She runs the home services company Gongying invested in. But due to their internal issues, we failed our performance clause. We’re currently in a standoff—not as friendly as it might seem.”
Fei Cheng frowned, his tone serious: “Yubo, you should know how sensitive things are right now. Don’t make unnecessary enemies.”
“I... I understand, Director Fei.” Wang Yubo replied, his tone filled with unwilling frustration.
But Fei Cheng was a Mingjian board director backed by state-owned capital. Even Wang Yubo’s father had to tread carefully around him.
......
Buzz— the lights in the main venue lit up again.
The large curved LED screen at the center flared brightly.
The host stepped back onto the stage.
The VIP section settled as the guests took their seats.
“Distinguished investors, entrepreneurs, and friends, good evening! Welcome to the 2023 ‘Investors’ Night: Leading the Future’...”
After a brief introduction, the large screen shifted to a dynamic infographic titled “Global Tech Investment Trends,” showing changes in funding across different sectors over the past year.
The event organizers took the stage for opening remarks.
Guest speakers followed one after another.
At the end of each speech, polite applause echoed through the hall, occasionally mixed with murmured discussions.
Shen Yuyan sat upright beside Tang Song, her fingers flying across her phone screen as she rapidly typed notes.
The moment she became his assistant, she had fully assumed the role, determined to do everything within her power to support him.
Her gaze kept darting toward Tang Song, studying his expressions. When he showed interest, she would highlight that part of the speech in her notes.
What especially caught her attention was the pitch from a company called Yimai Tech.
Tang Song seemed very focused during their segment—his posture straightened the moment their founder stepped onto the stage.
Shen Yuyan took note, quickly grasping the reason.
This was an AI tech company specializing in smart upgrades for the fashion industry.
Its core focus was AI-driven fashion design and supply chain optimization, and it had developed its own dedicated large model.
It was at the peak of a hot trend, clearly not short on funding. Their presence at the summit was more about brand exposure, securing strategic partnerships, and attracting investors with high-value resources.
Undoubtedly, this company could directly benefit Songmei Fashion’s growth.
A bitter feeling of jealousy crept into Shen Yuyan’s heart.
Gao Mengting really hit the jackpot.
If she had partnered with Tang Song back when she started her business... she might have been flying high by now.
Compared to Tang Song, people like Zhang Tianqi and Hou Shaoyuan weren’t even in the same league.
Onstage, the curved LED screen now slowly displayed the Gongying Tech logo.
At the sight of that familiar emblem, Shen Yuyan’s expression stiffened. She straightened in her seat, a flash of barely concealed loathing and resentment in her eyes.
It was no exaggeration to say that if not for Gongying Tech’s meddling, Youjie Home Services might still be a healthy, promising startup.
She might have already secured Tang Song’s investment and reached a completely different level.
But thanks to Gongying Tech’s disgusting tactics, she was now trapped in the mud, out of options and capital.
Yet now, seated in a place of honor, viewing them from a higher vantage, she felt a sliver of vindication.
Amidst the applause, the host smiled and announced,
“As a leader in smart home innovation, Gongying Tech has grown rapidly in recent years and attracted significant attention...”
“Let’s welcome Mr. Ren Mingyuan, Vice President of Gongying Tech!”
As the words fell, Ren Mingyuan rose calmly and walked to the stage.
Standing under the spotlight, he accepted the mic. His voice was low but powerful:
“Good evening, everyone. It’s an honor to be here to share Gongying Tech’s journey and our future vision.”
He gave a concise overview of the company’s history, from its early founding team to its upcoming Series C funding round, detailing product lines and user metrics.
He then shifted to the technical front, elaborating on the company’s progress in IoT infrastructure and AI algorithm optimization.
Ren had been one of the original founding team members and formerly served as the head of technology.
But as the company scaled, his abilities lagged behind the complexity of its growing needs.
Like many founders, he had faced the risk of being sidelined by capital.
Luckily, thanks to his strong communication skills and adaptability, he won the favor of minority shareholder Bian Di Cai and transitioned into his current role overseeing strategic investments and financial management.
His gaze flicked toward Wang Yubo seated behind him, then quickly turned away.
Despite a faint sense of unease, he knew that the key was delivering this pitch perfectly and ensuring a smooth round of funding.
In fact, several investors in this round had already expressed preliminary interest.
The real reason for presenting at this summit was to leverage the event’s spotlight, bolster Gongying Tech’s industry influence, and pave the way for its IPO.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Ren confidently delivered his closing line:
“We’ve built a comprehensive ecosystem that covers everything from tech development to commercial rollout!”
Polite applause followed, and the host announced the start of the Q&A session.
Hands began to rise across the hall. Most of the questions came from institutions participating in the Series C round.
The organizers had clearly planned this, as staff quickly and efficiently passed wireless mics to the questioners.
All of this was part of the event’s marketing choreography—designed to generate buzz for Gongying Tech’s funding round and impending IPO.
Shen Yuyan sat silently, watching Ren Mingyuan confidently speaking onstage.
Her fists slowly clenched, eyes glinting with cold fire.
She wanted to stand up and disrupt everything—
To give them a taste of their own medicine.
To make them feel the pressure they once crushed her with.
But she knew she couldn’t.
She was only Tang Song’s special assistant—
And even that was a temporary title for the event.
In this kind of setting, she had no right to stand, let alone shift the course of events.
Unless...
Her eyes slid to the man beside her—
Tang Song, looking as calm and indifferent as ever.
【Unless he’s willing to speak up for me... but how could that be possible?】
【He doesn’t know what I’ve been through. To him, I’m just some failed founder who couldn’t even survive the angel round.】
【If it weren’t for my connections as Qingqing’s bestie and a former campus beauty, he probably wouldn’t have given me any chances at all.】
A wave of bitterness surged in her chest.
She forced herself to bow her head and settle her thoughts.
【Shen Yuyan, you need to know your place. Know your role. Play it right.】
“Gongying Tech...”
A soft voice rang out beside her.
Shen Yuyan looked up—only to meet Tang Song’s eyes.
Those eyes were deep and unreadable, as if they could see straight through her.
Her breath caught, heart racing.
【He’s looking at me! I have to meet that gaze!】
“President Tang? Is there something you’d like to know? I’ve done some research on that company.”
Her voice was gentle, but carried quiet confidence.
Some research?
She had practically turned Gongying Tech inside out.
During the due diligence phase, when they’d audited Youjie Home Services as a potential investor, she’d been gathering her own intelligence—
Everything from corporate background and finances to internal dynamics rarely known outside the company.
Later, when Gongying forcibly required Youjie to connect to their SaaS system, she had taken the opportunity to uncover even more internal information.
Tang Song studied her familiar, beautiful face, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.
“Assistant Shen, if I’m not mistaken, Gongying Tech led Youjie’s angel round, didn’t they? And this Mr. Ren... I think he’s our senior from school.
But it seems like your partnership didn’t go so well. Did they screw you over?”
He remembered her briefly mentioning Gongying Tech after she turned down his offer before—
Now, with her thoughts exposed in her whispering bullet-screen messages, he could piece together the full picture.
Whoosh—
It felt like a knife stabbed into Shen Yuyan’s chest.
She struggled to speak: “Yes. I... I failed the performance clause.
This Mr. Ren taught me a lot.”
“Do you hate them?”
Facing his piercing gaze, Shen Yuyan bit her lower lip and said quietly,
“Maybe... a little. After all, Youjie was my life’s work. But it’s okay—it’s all just part of the game.”
She paused, then added,
“Every tuition fee I’ve paid will become leverage in the future.”
The bullet-screen flared red:
【Ren Mingyuan, Wang Yubo, y’all are f****d.】
Tang Song’s tone was casual.
“And do you want revenge?”
Shen Yuyan’s gaze drifted for a moment, then she smiled and said, “To be honest with you, yes—sometimes I really do feel that urge.”
【Yes! I do! I want it so badly!】
【I want them on their knees, begging at my heels!】
Tang Song turned slightly to look at her, his eyes sharp and filled with subtle amusement. “Then what if I hand you the knife right now—would you dare to stab back?”
Shen Yuyan froze. Her pupils contracted sharply. “You mean...?”
“Do you dare, Assistant Shen?” Tang Song’s voice was low and firm, each word landing like a strike on her heartstrings.
Shen Yuyan swallowed, eyes turning slightly red. After a long breath, she squeezed out a single word from between her teeth: “Dare.”
“Then let’s see what you’ve got.” Tang Song chuckled lightly.
He lifted a hand toward the event staff.
As the center of attention, seated at the core of the summit, any movement he made drew immediate focus.
The once-buzzing room began to quiet.
Annie raised an eyebrow, her expression tinged with intrigue. Her gaze toward Shen Yuyan subtly shifted.
At that moment, a staff member about to hand the mic to another investor suddenly received a sharp command through his earpiece:
“Quick! Give the microphone to Mr. Tang! Now!”
Onstage, Ren Mingyuan’s eyelid twitched violently. A bad feeling crept in.
He instinctively looked toward Wang Yubo and Zhao Hongkai, only to find both their faces had turned grim.
Footsteps approached. A sharply dressed staff member walked over behind Tang Song and bowed respectfully, holding out a microphone:
“Mr. Tang, do you have a question you’d like to ask?”
But it wasn’t Tang Song who took the mic.
It was Annie who reached out, then turned to hand it directly to Shen Yuyan.
Her tone was elegant, but brooked no refusal:
“Assistant Shen will be asking the question on my behalf. Whatever she wishes to say—she may.”
She emphasized the words “on my behalf,” clearly backing Shen Yuyan publicly.
Shen Yuyan’s heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst from her chest. Even her fingertips could feel the pulse of her blood.
But her face bloomed with the sweetest, most radiant smile.
“Thank you, President Tang, for your trust.” She accepted the mic steadily.
As a grassroots entrepreneur, she had been belittled, doubted, and endured countless setbacks.
Never had she felt such confidence.
This was what it meant to be trusted by capital. This was the taste of power.
Bullet-screen comments exploded:
【Tang Song, I f***ing love you! You’re a born god!】
【No wonder you’ve got so many girlfriends!】
【When I get back to Yancheng, I’m dragging Qingqing to cosplay with you!】
Seeing the comments above her, even Tang Song, despite being in [Observer] mode, felt a little flushed and restless.
Shen Yuyan & Xu Qing...
D*mn—who could resist that?
Shen Yuyan took a deep breath and rose gracefully to her feet, spine straight as a rod.
All eyes in the hall turned to her.
She lifted her head and looked directly at Ren Mingyuan on the stage.
They were old acquaintances—had crossed swords many times. She knew him far too well.
From his eyes, she saw pleading, panic.
Shen Yuyan’s lips curled. A euphoric rush surged inside her.
【Yes—this is it! This feeling is heaven!】
“Good evening, esteemed guests. I’m Shen Yuyan, special assistant to the Chairman of Confluent Capital. Thank you to Gongying Tech for your wonderful presentation.
However, I do have some concerns and would like to raise a few questions for Mr. Ren.”
She stood tall in a sleek professional suit, flanked by Tang Song and Annie Kate.
With her fresh beauty, alluring figure, and confident bearing, she drew admiring and respectful glances from all sides.
But this attention didn’t fluster Shen Yuyan—on the contrary, it made her even more composed. Every move, every word was delivered with calculated poise.
“Please go ahead,” Ren Mingyuan replied, his voice slightly dry.
“According to your company’s financials, revenue growth in the first half of 2023 dropped by 14% year-over-year.
That’s after your Series B funding.
Moreover, over 78% of revenue still comes from your smart lighting product line.
While I see you’ve tried to expand through home services platforms, there’s still no stable profit structure.
In the current macroeconomic climate, how does your company plan to sustain growth in its core business?”
Her voice was clear and forceful, her logic airtight—instantly drawing attention.
Ren Mingyuan gripped the mic tighter. Content originally comes from novel⟡fire.net
“Assistant Shen raises a sharp point. However, the high proportion in smart lighting reflects that we’ve already reached scalable profitability in that sector...”
He tried to deflect, mentioning ecosystem integration and R&D.
But Shen Yuyan struck again:
“I noticed that although your company has deployed service centers across several cities, most users came from short-term coupons and low-price trials.
If subsidies stop, do you have any data to show user retention?
How many are loyal users with high frequency, high value, and high satisfaction?
And how many are just ‘one-off’ customers brought in by promotions?”
“You also mentioned ‘tech breakthroughs,’ yet your patent database shows that core algorithms still rely on third-party licenses...
Will your company consider implementing an independent auditing mechanism to ensure all related-party transactions are reviewed and disclosed by third parties?”
The main hall was silent—only her crisp voice rang out, and Ren Mingyuan’s increasingly stiff responses.
In just a few minutes,
Ren’s back was drenched in sweat, and his face had turned pale.
Every question from Shen Yuyan was a blade—
Clean, precise, and merciless.
Several institutions interested in Gongying Tech’s Series C funding began flipping through their dossiers, their eyes flickering as they reassessed the company’s real potential.
Shen Yuyan herself wasn’t scary.
Her words alone couldn’t create a storm.
But her identity made all the difference.
She was the special assistant to the Chairman of Confluent Capital.
Beside her stood Tang Song and Annie Kate.
And the shadow of Sinsight Capital loomed nearby.
These weren’t just her doubts.
They were the stance of the capital backing her.
In the world of investing, the opinions of top institutions were often treated as gospel.
What Shen Yuyan said today wouldn’t just shake Gongying Tech’s financing and reputation.
Once media picked it up, it might even reshape industry sentiment.
At the center of attention,
Shen Yuyan exuded confidence and grace.
She turned slightly, gazing at the reflection of her upright posture in the big screen.
Drunk with awe.
Bullet-screen reactions bloomed like fireworks:
【This is what power tastes like... better than champagne.】
【They’re not afraid of me—
They fear the beasts of capital behind me!】
【But so what?】
【Right now, I... am touching the stars.】