novelraw Chapter 564: Tang Song’s Twisted Taste
Chapter 564: Tang Song’s Twisted Taste
The tennis court’s resting area was quiet.
The “beep beep” of the ended call still lingered in the air.
Wen Ruan held her phone, her fingers trembling slightly.
The sound of her heartbeat thudded in her ears.
Mo Xiangwan’s invitation, Ouyang Xianyue’s praise, the seat at the Tangjin Family Office…
These pieces of information tangled in her mind like a chaotic ball of string, colliding and crashing.
Deep inside, unease and ambition intertwined—mixed with a thrill she couldn’t quite suppress.
She realized she was standing at a crucial crossroads.
Ouyang Xianyue wouldn’t have called her on a whim. Her goal was obvious—that “special advisory seat.”
As a legend in the business world, every word Ouyang said carried meaning; every move was a step in a much larger game.Wen Ruan was no fool. She was smart and emotionally intelligent, with years of experience in the workplace.
Even if she appeared laid-back and carefree, she was sharply aware of what was happening underneath.
Tang Song—and the vast, secret empire of wealth behind him—was far from what it seemed.
It was a complex network of interests. And wherever there were interests, there would be conflict.
Wanting a place for herself in this system? Her current identity wasn’t enough.
Nebula International Group, no matter how big, was still just an advertising and marketing company valued under 10 billion.
Even with Qingmi AI giving it a boost, riding the wave of AI enablement, its future was still limited.
And if Director Jin’s “international expansion strategy” was truly enacted, it was bound to clash head-on with Su Yu and Mo Xiangwan.
Facing someone as forceful as Director Jin, she didn’t even have the courage to refuse.
She’d been wrestling with this decision for days.
Now, the sudden emergence of the Tangjin Family Office felt like a brand new door swinging open.
Only by understanding Director Jin and those people deeply could she make the right choice.
And Tangjin was the perfect platform for that.
“Wen Ruan-jie? Are you okay?” Yao Lingling’s crisp voice snapped her out of her daze.
Wen Ruan blinked back to awareness, looked up with a smile, and waved her hand. “I’m fine—just got a call and spaced out for a sec. Come on, let’s play another round!”
“Hehe, okay!” Yao Lingling beamed, brimming with energy as she raised her racket. “This time I’m going all out!”
Smack! Smack! Smack!
The rhythmic sound of rackets hitting balls echoed across the court.
Sweat dampened their sportswear, and Wen Ruan’s tangled emotions were gradually washed away.
Looking at the youthful, vibrant Lingling across the court, she felt a little sentimental.
At first, all she wanted was a normal, sweet relationship.
Who would’ve thought things would come to this?
By the time it was nearing 5 p.m., dusk had draped the Yunhui Sports Club in a veil of misty gray.
The two gathered their rackets and belongings and walked off the court.
They took a quick hot shower and changed into casual clothes in the locker room. Chatting and laughing, they headed toward the parking lot.
Yao Lingling, in a hoodie, skipped along playfully beside her, still immersed in the excitement of their recent match.
The crisp autumn breeze carried the scent of fallen sycamore leaves.
Beep. The headlights flashed. A matte black Audi RS6 awakened like a beast.
Wen Ruan stopped in front of it.
She raised her lips in a lazy yet casual smile and waved at Yao Lingling. “Hop in—big sis is taking you to a feast!”
Yao Lingling paused briefly, her eyes unconsciously drawn to Wen Ruan.
She wore a sleek black tactical jacket over a white turtleneck sweater, paired with deep blue skinny jeans and rugged boots.
A single-strap bag hung from her shoulder.
Her wavy brown-black hair was loosely tied back, a few wisps framing her face. Her post-workout blush still lingered.
She looked both relaxed and powerful.
Effortless, but never careless. Tough, but imbued with a feminine softness.
Add to that the RS6 behind her, exuding raw power…
It was a picture-perfect embodiment of the design keywords that had long been floating in her mind:
Urban adventure, feminine strength, minimalist freedom, tactical jacket.
It was like fate. The moment struck her like lightning.
“Wen Ruan-jie! Wait!” Yao Lingling called out, her voice trembling with excitement.
She fumbled to pull out her phone. Click!—she quickly snapped a photo.
Wen Ruan noticed and teased, “Lingling, don’t tell me you’ve got a crush on me now?”
“No! No!” Yao Lingling shook her head like a rattle drum. “It’s just—your look right now perfectly fits a clothing line I’m designing! You’re exactly what I wanted to express! It’s... incredible!”
She had been working on the first flagship outfit for HEYISTUDIO—an urban tactical jacket series.
The design drafts had been revised countless times, but always felt like they lacked soul.
And just now, she’d finally grasped that missing spark—that essence.
“My three versions all felt a little off,” Yao Lingling explained, her eyes sparkling. “It wasn’t the cut—it was the vibe! The feeling! And now I’ve found it!”
She got so worked up that she threw herself forward, wrapped her arms tightly around Wen Ruan, and planted a big kiss on her cheek.
“Thank you, Wen Ruan-jie! Love you! Mua~”
Feeling her excitement, Wen Ruan chuckled and ruffled her hair. “Then you better give it your all. And don’t forget to send me a finished piece.”
“I’ll make you a whole set! Every color combo!”
Wen Ruan’s eyes glinted mischievously. She suddenly raised her phone. “Wait, we haven’t taken a selfie together yet, have we? Let’s do one.”
“Yes, yes!”
They leaned in close. Wen Ruan playfully turned toward her and kissed her on the cheek, her smile flirtatious and bright.
“Mua~” Click!
Just like that, a picture full of intimacy and visual impact was born.
Once in the car, Yao Lingling sat in the passenger seat, frantically jotting down her sudden burst of inspiration—grinning from ear to ear, her eyes curling like crescent moons.
Wen Ruan reclined against the driver’s seat, opened her chat with Tang Song, and sent the photo over.
Her message read:
“Just wrapped up a match with your little underclassman. Gotta say—solid base, powerful strikes, but her rhythm kept getting pulled by me. Total defeat, mind and body. Pity her coach wasn’t here—otherwise you could’ve joined in. With your freakishly precise hands and insane stamina, maybe even the two of us together couldn’t beat you.”
She added a blushing emoji—vague but lingering.
Tang Song replied:
“Sure! Let’s schedule a ‘three-player match’ next time. You two pick the rules—I’ll handle the baseline.”
Wen Ruan: “So… how about a match tonight? We can iron out the rules and boundaries too?”
Tang Song:
(。’-’) Zhuangzhuang Player! Make sure to change into your match outfit ahead of time—I don’t do practice rounds.”
Wen Ruan sent back a cheeky sticker, snapped her fingers, and shouted to the passenger seat: “Buckle up—big sis is hitting the road!”
Vroom—
The black RS6 roared into the twilight.
The cool evening wind blew through the half-open windows, tousling her hair and lifting the lazy, sultry curve of her smile.
Wen Ruan knew Tang Song had plenty of women—Liu Qingning, Lin Muxue, Tian Jing, Xu Qing…
But if she secured that seat, it would mean surpassing all of them in a certain sense.
She was a normal person too. She had her selfishness and competitive streak.
And honestly, when faced with the overwhelming wealth and power of the Tangjin Family Office, who could really stay indifferent?
8:00 PM. Nightfall cloaked the world in darkness.
The rowhouses of Shengyuan Grand Estate glowed quietly under the streetlamps.
Tang Song slowly approached Villa No. 6, Luo Bin’s earlier analysis still echoing in his mind.
There was no question about the weight of the Tangjin Family Office—that “special advisory seat” was vital to him.
But suitable candidates were few and far between.
It was either someone like Shangguan Qiuyas, Qin Yingxue, or Mo Xiangwan, who already knew the inside story and had interacted with the office—
Or someone who understood his current situation and had enough competence.
But choosing Shangguan or Mo Xiangwan would clearly tip the balance to one side and worsen the conflict.
Honestly, there weren’t many truly fitting options at his side.
If judged by capability alone, Wen Ruan, Liu Qingning, and Xie Shuyu were all viable.
Among them, Wen Ruan was probably the best match.
The other two still didn’t understand him deeply enough.
But big sis had covered for him so many times, he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.
She’d just invited him to play tennis today. Maybe later—while she was in high spirits—he could casually bring it up and test the waters.
If it didn’t work out, he’d find someone else.
He pushed open the villa door.
After changing his shoes, he went upstairs and headed toward the master bedroom—only to find it empty.
The bed was neatly made, the curtains gently swaying… but no sign of Wen Ruan.
“Zhuangzhuang!” he called out—no response.
He frowned slightly and pulled out his phone to call her. “Hello? Zhuang Ruanruan, where’d you run off to?”
That familiar, seductive voice came through the receiver—slightly husky, with a nasal lilt and a lazy drawl:
“Didn’t you say we were gonna play ball? I’m at the court. You’ll have to find me yourself…”
Just a few words, yet her tone was sultry and teasing to the extreme.
Tang Song’s fatigue vanished instantly. He was wide awake now.
Big sis was clearly setting up another roleplay session.
“Hmph—just you wait!”
He hung up and began searching the villa.
Basement, guest room, laundry room, bathroom, closets, home theater…
Finally, when he opened the third-floor multipurpose room, a familiar fragrance filled the air.
Tang Song’s eyes lit up. He strode inside.
The room had been remodeled into Wen Ruan’s studio, fully equipped.
In the far corner, on a custom cushioned mat, Wen Ruan was kneeling lazily.
Her long hair spilled over her shoulders, wild and untamed.
She wore a white NBA-branded sleeveless jersey—form-fitting but not too tight, the logo rising and falling with her breath. Below, navy blue athletic shorts hugged her full curves.
She looked like an NBA player waiting for the game to begin—sexy, yet rebellious.
Tang Song’s breath quickened. His eyes turned red.
Damn! Zhuangzhuang really got the concept of playing ball.
Sensing his heated gaze, Wen Ruan slowly rose, bare feet sinking into the carpet—her steps light, seductive.
She tilted her head slightly. Her hair slid over her shoulder, revealing her long neck. Her eyes smoldered with mature allure and confidence.
Tang Song’s throat bobbed. He pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair, inhaling her soft scent.
Wen Ruan whispered teasingly, “Speaking of tennis, the most important thing is reading the ball’s drop point. Think you can handle two different spots at once? Don’t end up focusing on one and missing the other—might end up on your knees, conceding defeat~”
Boom—
Her words completely lit a fire in him. His blood boiled.
The room’s temperature soared.
Big sis’s trash talk was on another level.
Night surged outside. The wind was sealed out.
And amid the haze, a sultry voice murmured by his ear:
“Hubby, I heard President Mo talk about the Tangjin Family Office today…”
“I’d heard about it before—how mysterious and powerful it is. But I never guessed… you were behind it all.”
“Hubby, you’re just too…”
Her voice trailed on—lazy, seductive, laced with admiration and pride.
Emotional value: MAXED OUT.
Tang Song looked up at her, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes.
Big sis was... volunteering to take the blame again?!
Too sweet.
Finally, after Wen Ruan agreed to a series of outrageous demands,
Tang Song relented—he’d let big sis go for it.
Monday, October 23, 2023 – Clear Skies
8:40 AM
Tower A, Yan Province Financial Center – Rongliu Capital
“Good morning, Shirley.”
“Morning, Emily.”
The click of elegant stilettos echoed crisply across the marble floor.
Shen Yuyan stepped in with her bag slung over her shoulder, soft curls cascading around her confident smile. Her whole presence exuded a graceful yet sharp aura.
Very quickly, the familiar work environment she hadn’t seen for over a week came into view.
Glass partitions, open workstations, metallic assistant nameplates…
She curved her lips in a faint smile and walked inside.
Despite her week-long absence, everything remained spotless—documents neatly filed, desks pristine, not a speck of dust on her computer screen.
After tidying up, she headed to the coffee bar.
Exchanging greetings with colleagues along the way, she effortlessly made herself a cup of coffee.
Following a bit of casual chatter, she returned to her workstation.
Sipping her coffee, she admired the bustling urban rhythm outside the window, her energy gradually surging.
She turned on her computer and got down to work.
Reading emails, organizing her schedule, flagging critical items, following up on due diligence materials…
This rich, productive workflow made every cell in her body come alive with joy.
Some time passed.
Click—the lock on the nearby CEO office door turned, followed by footsteps.
Just as Shen Yuyan was reviewing the Series B+ funding meeting notes for Yimai Tech, she immediately looked up, her face bright with anticipation.
He’s here!
She stood up at once, quickly smoothing her hair and straightening her clothes—making sure every detail was flawless.
After a brief wait—
She grabbed the prepared materials and walked briskly toward the office.
Knock knock knock—
“Come in.” A deep and gentle voice came from inside.
Shen Yuyan pushed open the door. Tang Song was standing behind his desk—tall, composed, and clear-eyed.
Their eyes met, and her heartbeat skipped a bit—but her expression remained composed.
“Good morning, President Tang.”
“Morning, Shirley.” Tang Song’s eyes swept over the files in her arms, a warm smile gracing his lips. “I saw your email. You did a great job on this due diligence.”
When it came to work, he was truly satisfied.
Miss Shen had shown exceptional efficiency—closely following the entire due diligence process with intensity, providing timely updates at every phase, with clear logic and solid data. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the NoveI[F]ire.net
Even though Tang Song wasn’t in Hangcheng at the time, her reports kept him in complete control.
“Thank you for the compliment, President Tang.” Shen Yuyan’s voice was gentle, her tone graceful. She set the file folder down neatly and precisely.
“Let’s sit and talk.” Tang Song gestured toward the sofa area.
Shen Yuyan flashed a sweet smile and replied with warm determination, “It’s alright—I’d rather stand beside you to report. That way, I can explain things more clearly.”
With that—
She walked directly over to him, placing the file on the large solid wood desk in front of him with elegant efficiency.
Then she took half a step behind him, leaning slightly closer.
A faint floral fragrance began to spread in the air.
Jo Malone – English Pear & Freesia. She’d chosen it especially for today: soft, subtle, distinctive.
As she lowered her head, a few curls fell, brushing lightly across Tang Song’s hand—an almost imperceptible tease.
His fingers stilled for a second. He glanced at her—smiling knowingly.
This was one of the reasons he’d recruited her as an assistant.
This crafty campus queen really knew how to play the game.
Shen Yuyan opened the file and began explaining, her fingertips gliding over key sections.
From “Financial Health Evaluation” to “Future Financial Projections,” “Compliance Risk List” to “Industry Competitiveness Analysis”...
Her voice was soft and measured, more like telling a compelling story than reading a dry due diligence report.
Because she was reporting from the side, she leaned in from time to time—
The gentle curve of her chest occasionally brushed his arm. It felt accidental, yet subtly intimate.
Her breath carried an elusive warmth, creeping in without a sound.
Tang Song listened intently, but his gaze kept drifting to her delicate profile.
Noticing this, Shen Yuyan stayed calm—growing even more composed.
She knew exactly what she was doing—when to advance, when to retreat.
A man like Tang Song would never lack pretty, capable women around him.
If she wanted a place in his world, she had to become irreplaceable.
If all she did was come on strong, she’d just be dismissed as another flashy distraction.
Her strategy was clear: attack with elegance, seduce with softness, draw closer without making it obvious.
Create a tension that wavered between closeness and distance.
Like the steam rising from a warm porcelain teacup—intoxicating even before you take a sip.
Time slipped by quietly amid the report.
No one knew how long had passed.
Knock knock knock—
The door was gently knocked.
Shen Yuyan instinctively straightened a bit—subtly widening the distance between her and Tang Song.
The door opened.
Lin Muxue entered, holding a steaming cup of coffee.
She wore a perfectly tailored beige suit skirt, her movements graceful. Her gaze paused briefly upon seeing Shen Yuyan.
“President Tang, your coffee.”
“Thank you.”
Lin Muxue placed the cup on the desk with impeccable poise.
Then she turned to Shen Yuyan with a warm tone, “Shirley, want me to bring you a chair? You’ve been standing in those heels for a while—you must be tired.”
Shen Yuyan smiled and shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, Luna, but I was just hoping to stretch a bit. Standing helps me focus and stay sharp. After all, we’re President Tang’s assistants—we can’t slack off on the job.”
Lin Muxue’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Staying focused is good—but don’t overdo it. Your feet are your own. If you end up with plantar fasciitis or varicose veins, it’s hardly worth it. If that affects your work, it’ll be more trouble than it’s worth.”
“It’s not that serious. Our company’s benefits are great—we’ve got extra medical coverage and even reimbursements for rehab.”
“Shirley, you really think of everything.” Lin Muxue shot her a frosty glance. “President Tang, I won’t interrupt your work. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Alright.” Tang Song nodded, watching her saunter out with model-like steps. Then he turned to give Shen Yuyan a subtle glance—this was getting interesting.
He’d seen plenty of professional rivalries before.
But now, two elegant, alluring career women—both his assistants—this was shaping up to be quite the battlefield.
Moments later, another strand of hair fell.
Shen Yuyan softly said, “President Tang, there’s one more thing I’d like to report.”
“Oh?” Tang Song turned toward her with curiosity.
Her gaze was clear and resolute. “I’d like to request a short business trip—to Hong Kong Headquarters.
As your newly appointed assistant, while I’ve studied the organizational structure, it’s all been on paper.
I haven’t met the executive team face to face.
Now that you’re based in Yancheng, and coordinating many things personally, I need to match your pace.
As your special assistant at Rongliu, I should quickly familiarize myself with the full company structure and resources.
That way, I can support you more effectively.”
Tang Song paused.
Well, that was… conveniently timed.
He’d just decided to head to Hong Kong himself—and here she was, volunteering.
But then again, it wasn’t that surprising.
This wasn’t Luna. Shen Yuyan, after seeing Rongliu Capital’s full scope, was never going to settle for just basic office duties.
And don’t forget—she was carrying past debts and grudges. Her execution was nearly off the charts.
That wasn’t a bad thing.
Luna was his personally trained assistant—focused more on private matters. In the future, she’d handle the Tangjin Estate, the private jet, and other logistical tasks.
Recruiting Shen Yuyan was about having someone who could charge into the fray on the business front.
So far, she’d proven herself impressively.
This upcoming Hong Kong trip involved more than receiving the jet. It also included initiating Rongliu’s $10 billion capital injection process.
Bringing her along would lighten his load—and give her firsthand exposure to headquarters.
He nodded slightly. “When are you thinking of going?”
Shen Yuyan’s face lit up. Her voice was soft but firm: “At your discretion. If there are no urgent assignments, I plan to leave this Wednesday.”
Technically, applying for a Mainland–Hong Kong–Macau Permit and visa endorsement would take time,
but as a managerial-level assistant at Rongliu Capital, she’d submitted the paperwork for an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) upon hiring.
She’d already checked with HR. The card would be ready today.
Business-class tickets reimbursed in full. Visa-free entry to Hong Kong. Up to 60 days stay per visit.
Everything was set—just missing Tang Song’s approval.
After brief thought, he replied steadily, “Alright. Head over first—get familiar with how HQ operates. I’ll probably fly to Hong Kong Friday or Saturday.”
“You’re going too, President Tang? That’s perfect! I’ll arrange the reception ahead of time to make sure everything runs smoothly for you.”
Shen Yuyan’s lips curled slightly. A smile bloomed in her eyes as her mind raced.
Going solo would’ve been a great debut.
But going with the Chairman? That wasn’t just debuting—it was a grand entrance.
With Tang Song’s endorsement, her progress at HQ would skyrocket.
She could even use the opportunity to recommend her high school classmate Bai Menglin to Tang Song—bringing her into Rongliu Capital as her eyes and ears in Hong Kong.
She’d been fretting over how to segue into the topic—now it was all falling into place.
Heaven-sent. Everything was lining up.
Just as she was about to strike while the iron was hot—
Tang Song added, “Oh right, Shirley—go with Luna this time. As the company’s Chief Assistant, she hasn’t been to HQ either. This will be a good chance.”
“Uh...” Shen Yuyan’s smile twitched. Her expression nearly cracked.
She’d hoped this trip would be her way of stepping out from Luna’s shadow and establishing herself at HQ.
And now… she was coming too?
This… is sabotage!
“…Understood.” She used every ounce of composure to keep her voice steady and smooth.
Seeing this, Tang Song chuckled to himself. He found it wildly amusing.
Truthfully, sending Luna to Hong Kong had always been in the plans.
For one, there was the matter of finalizing the private jet transfer.
The Bombardier Global 7500 was fully registered and prepped. Now it was time to set up usage rights, pilot schedules, and flight routes.
Only someone like Luna could handle those details.
Secondly, the billion-dollar investment injection meant a wave of upcoming acquisitions—
Rongliu Capital was preparing to expand its investment ecosystem, strengthening its presence in international markets.
As his chief assistant, Lin Muxue had to be involved.
Interestingly, both Lin Muxue and Shen Yuyan had triggered the “Whispers of Humanity” instance—and both ended up as his assistants.
Their personalities and styles differed—but somehow, they shared a subtle similarity.
Put them together, and sparks always flew.
Then, as if remembering something—
Tang Song looked up, eyes gleaming. “Oh, right—Shirley, the company offers housing subsidies for management. You can apply for a unit at Lan Feng International Apartments. The place you and Qingqing are living now—Beicheng Garden—doesn’t really cut it. And it’s far from the office. Why not move?”