novelraw Chapter 648: Luna and Tina
Chapter 648: Luna and Tina
Chapter 648: Luna and TinaLondon time, 6:00 a.m.
Outside the window, night still clung thick and impenetrable.
Fine rain pattered against the glass, adding a hush to the old city.
In the Ritz Hotel, inside a luxury suite.
The air still carried the sandalwood scent from last night’s sleep-aiding diffuser.
Luna slowly opened her eyes and sat up in bed.
After three days of adjustment, that annoying jet lag sensation had finally been completely conquered.
She picked up her phone, checked for unread messages, then called Tang Song to briefly report her schedule for the day.
Luna moved to the bedside and lazily stretched.
Her sexy, sizzling figure unfolded into a breathtaking curve under the dim light.This was already her fourth day in London.
Recalling the past few days, the corner of her mouth couldn’t help but lift into a wild grin.
It had truly been... a dreamlike, status-boosting “show-off trip.”
From the moment she left Yancheng, Annie Kate and that Gulfstream G650ER had already left her little rich-kid friends speechless.
And upon arrival in London, the private dinner personally hosted by Lady Camilla Astor of the Astor family had pushed her prestige to its peak.
She still remembered how flustered Zhou Hang, Zhang Xi, and the others had been when they learned who their host was—tongue-tied and utterly at a loss for words.
Of course, what gave her the greatest pleasure was the unabashed shopping spree.
This time she was officially on a business trip under Tang Song’s orders—out and proud as the assistant to the chairman of Rongliu Capital.
Every swipe of that co-branded black card in her hand had a legitimate origin.
So on New Bond Street and at Harrods, she casually claimed several long-wanted luxury items.
She didn’t go overboard;
every purchase had been reported to Tang Song via WeChat.
After all, she was attending Imperial College’s alumni reception tonight, hosted at a duke’s private estate.
She had to dress to impress—no face-losing in front of Tang Song.
She got up and changed.
Luna grabbed the action camera on the bedside and began filming today’s vlog.
“Good morning~” she said to the lens, offering a slightly relaxed yet still radiant smile. “It’s 6 a.m. in London, and it’s still raining outside. I’ve got a busy day and an alumni reception tonight at Imperial College, so I’m getting up early to prepare.” ŘάΝO͍ꞖĚš
Brushing her teeth, skincare, styling her hair...
Each step was recorded with the most elegant, effortless poise.
Around seven in the morning, as the sky lightened, she pressed the call button beside the bed.
The private butler rolled in a trolley, serving piping hot English breakfast and the day’s Financial Times.
“Good morning, Ms. Lin.”
“Morning, Edith.”
Luna leaned on the velvet chair by the window, sipping top-tier tea while scanning the paper.
From time to time she lifted her gaze and, through the huge floor-to-ceiling panes, saw Regent’s Park slowly waking, shrouded in morning mist, and the faint silhouette of Westminster Palace in the distance.
She half-closed her eyes and shivered with pleasure.
At this moment, she had realized a dream she once had.
Standing in the heart of the world’s financial capital, holding dual identities as a top university MBA student and a senior private equity executive, she enjoyed impeccable, top-tier service.
Too bad Tang Song wasn’t here—otherwise she felt she could perform twice as well.
She could even show off some water magic to make him sit up and take notice.
After breakfast, Luna turned off the camera, put on makeup, and packed.
By nine a.m., the rain outside had eased.
After saying goodbye to Zhang Xi, she climbed into the Bentley waiting at the hotel entrance, bound for Imperial College.
The car glided smoothly through London’s streets.
Outside the window passed the luxury of Piccadilly Circus, the regal grandeur of Hyde Park, and the scholarly atmosphere of South Kensington.
In fact, she had visited Imperial College on her second day in London.
At that meeting, she received her “new student package.”
A student ID card with her name and photo granting top privileges, a welcome letter personally signed by the dean, and a guest list that included the core VIPs for tonight’s alumni reception.
Today, however, she needed to have a formal meeting with her tutor before the reception began.
Soon, the Bentley pulled up smoothly in front of Imperial College’s South Kensington campus.
Through the window, Luna spotted the white man smiling on the stone steps—that was Henderson, senior manager of the development office.
She took a deep breath, pushed down any lingering unease, put on a confident smile, and stepped out.
“Good morning, Ms. Lin, you look fantastic.”
“Good morning, Mr. Henderson.”
Accompanied by Henderson, she strolled into the campus.
Ancient Gothic buildings intermingled with modern teaching blocks;
students robed in academic gowns hurried past with books;
the air carried a unique mingling of scholarship and history.
Luna felt like she had wandered into Hogwarts from a Harry Potter novel.
After passing several buildings, they arrived at an upscale faculty club on the banks of the Thames.
In a private room with a river view, she met her “tutor,” Professor Philip Drummond.
He was a silver-haired British gentleman with refined bearing.
Not only a lifetime professor at Imperial Business School and a knight honored by the Queen, he had also been a former economic adviser to the British Treasury.
The meeting was not as solemn as she had imagined.
Professor Drummond, like a kindly elder, personally poured her a cup of Ceylon tea.
They chatted about London’s capricious weather, the Tate’s latest exhibition, and amusing tidbits from the luxury industry.
Clearly, the college had already provided the professor with her background and personal tastes in detail.
They had also tailored a “personalized” study plan for her.
Her courses would be flexible and practice- and case-study-focused—no academic pressure to worry about.
This was the school’s polite way of saying: you’re here mainly for networking and status;
we won’t make your academic life difficult.
This pleasant meeting allowed Luna to cast off the last thread of worry about her reputation as a “poor student.”
It meant she had truly stepped through the gates of this world-class institution.
...
Approaching noon, the pleasant meeting with Professor Drummond finally concluded.
Luna had just walked out of the club’s heavy oak door when her phone rang.
[Cici (Wang Si)]
Wang Si was the companion assigned to her by the development office when she first arrived in London.
Also from Huaxia and also admitted through a “special channel.”
Unlike Luna, Wang Si had arrived a month earlier and knew the campus well—she could help Luna quickly get up to speed.
Luna answered the call promptly, smiling, “Hello, Cici.”
“Luna, didn’t you say you were coming to campus today?”
“Yes. I just met my tutor.”
Wang Si’s tone warmed with enthusiasm. “Perfect! Want to grab lunch together? I’ll take you to the faculty canteen— their Wellington is authentic! We can also go over tonight’s alumni itinerary.”
Luna raised an eyebrow, hesitated a beat, and said, “Sure, I’ll be right over.”
Having a sociable guide like Cici would help her break into the scene quickly.
The faculty canteen felt more like an upscale private club.
White-draped tables, polite waiters, and professors and scholars speaking in hushed tones gave the place a particularly stately air.
Luna stepped in and instantly spotted Wang Si waving at her.
Wang Si wore a pink Chanel suit and precise makeup—a standard influencer look, but with clear signs of cosmetic sculpting.
After ordering, Wang Si led the conversation.
She shared her campus experiences and gossiped about professors.
Both women, socially adept and keen to make connections, enjoyed a pleasant chat.
After lunch, Wang Si’s eyes glittered.
She opened her Hermès Kelly and produced a gold-embossed business card.
“Luna, since this is our second meeting, consider us friends. Here’s my card—call me anytime.”
“Thanks, Cici.” Luna accepted it with a nod and a casual glance that registered the details.
[Huaqi Holdings Group, Assistant to the Chairman, Wang Si (Cici Wang)...]
Having spent years in finance, she had heard of Huaqi Holdings: a listed real estate company with tens of billions in valuation—one of the major players.
Wang Si was only twenty-five and already an assistant to the chairman.
Given her looks and style, Luna quickly formed some guesses.
Wang Si tilted her head, testing, “Last time when we met, I heard you tell the school staff you also hold an assistant role at a company?”
“Yes.” Luna nodded. “I’m a senior assistant at a private equity firm.”
“So your Global MBA at Imperial was arranged by your company?”
Understanding the implication, Luna shook her head and replied lightly, “My boyfriend arranged it.”
Wang Si’s expression first registered understanding, then she asked, “Is your boyfriend the owner of your company?”
Luna’s eye twitched;
she was momentarily at a loss for words.
Wang Si immediately flashed a suggestive, knowing smile and became even more enthusiastic.
A young, pretty financial assistant who was brought to a prestigious school by her “boyfriend” or sugar daddy—this situation matched her own to a tee.
They were the same type of person!
The difference was that Luna’s boyfriend probably spent more and granted more freedom.
She need only make a token appearance once or twice a year for alumni events.
Unlike Wang Si, who had to study diligently in London for three months each year, earn credits, and produce a proper thesis.
Even so, Luna’s opportunity had been hard-won by Wang Si—who admitted she, too, had to pull out all the stops to get this chance.
Frankly, Wang Si was a little nervous about tonight’s alumni reception as well.
Imperial College’s Global MBA was highly prestigious.
Attendees tended to be senior execs from consulting, investment banks, and tech giants—people who handled multinational operations and tangible deals.
There were also academically brilliant students who had earned full scholarships through research and achievements.
And prominent young heirs—second-generation leaders of listed groups, founders’ offspring, and even political scions—drew much attention.
To add weight, the school often invited members of old European families, even descendants with noble titles.
In such a setting, a special entrant like her—without real academic credentials or sufficient background—could feel awkward.
Meeting Luna put her slightly at ease;
at least they could accompany each other.
If things went badly, they’d find a corner at the reception and minimize their presence.
Listening to Wang Si’s tactful, frank tone, Luna—who had played the “queen” role since leaving home—felt her composure tighten.
Good grief! Every word is a jab at me, Empress Muxue!
“Us the same”? Are we the same?!
I’m the assistant to the chairman of Rongliu Capital—a real core executive at a private equity firm worth billions!
Do you know who my friends are?
Let me tell you and scare you: Jin Meixiao! Annie Kate! Su Yu!
Which one isn’t a household name?!
Though the commentary in her head was screaming, Luna kept her Empress composure on her face.
She didn’t refute or explain—just smiled noncommittally.
Not in a rush—wait until tonight. I’ll make sure you see real clout.
Originally, Empress Muxue hadn’t intended to show off at the alumni event.
But since someone had slighted her, she intended to reclaim the stage.
Surely, with Rongliu Capital’s current global reputation, there would be people at tonight’s reception who recognized value.
Still... she admitted a tiny thread of anxiety remained.
After all, this was London and Imperial College’s alumni reception was impressive.
Her Luna-level credentials might be slightly lacking.
If she couldn’t handle this properly, it would be embarrassing.
If she could bring a bit of backing through Annie’s channels, it would be different.
But she knew bothering someone of Annie Kate’s caliber for a small show-off was thoughtless.
She quickly banished such thoughts and restored her confident composure.
“All right, lunch is about done. We need to prepare for tonight. How about you come to the Ritz at 4 p.m. and we’ll go to the estate together?”
“Sure, see you tonight—bye.”
“Byebye.”
...
After four in the afternoon, the sky dimmed.
Wang Si stepped out of a taxi and entered the Ritz’s gilded lobby.
She dialed Luna’s number.
After a moment, a tall, glamorous figure emerged from the elevator.
Luna wore a stunning black floor-length gown with an oversized plush black blazer casually draped over it.
Her long hair was fastidiously styled into an elegant chignon, secured with a delicate metal hairpin, revealing a smooth forehead and a long, graceful swan neck.
Bulgari necklace, Vacheron Constantin wristwatch, a gilded Sahara bag...
Her makeup was precise and sharp—fiery red lips and a cool, composed gaze.
As Wang Si stood stunned, Luna walked up beside her, chin slightly raised. “Let’s go, Cici. The car’s ready.”
“Uh... okay!” Wang Si snapped out of it and hurried to catch up.
A solemn black Rolls-Royce waited at the hotel porte-cochère.
The driver had already opened the carriage-style doors.
Sitting in the luxurious, quiet interior, Wang Si looked at Luna resting her eyes, her profile catching the light and seeming almost unreal, and felt a surge of awe.
She seemed like a different person from the one who’d joked with her at lunch.
By five, dusk had settled.
The Rolls-Royce left the bustle of central London and headed into picturesque countryside.
In the distance, a manor glittering with lights appeared between lawns and woods.
The estate stood quietly on sprawling grounds.
The entrance was tightly secured;
beside the giant wrought-iron gate engraved with a family crest hung the blue-and-white Imperial College emblem.
After strict identity checks, the Rolls-Royce followed a torch-lit long drive up to the main house.
The place was no longer the lonely private residence it once might have been—it hummed with the lively energy of a high-end academic gathering.
Well-dressed men and women sipped champagne and clustered in small groups on the forecourt terraces, conversing in various languages.
On the lawn, elegant white tents held group discussions that could be glimpsed inside.
The air smelled of old estate foliage mingled with the scent of intellect, money, and elite convergence.
Luna remained composed with a serene smile, though the slight tension in her hands resting on her lap betrayed her excitement.
It was her first time stepping into a place that perfectly fused aristocratic heritage with top-tier academic atmosphere.
Nervous, and yet thrilling.
The black, dignified Rolls-Royce inevitably drew attention.
When the doors opened, Wang Si alighted with some awkwardness.
Luna removed her blazer and stepped out in the couture black gown.
Her sultry figure, sculpted features, and cool, upright demeanor instantly attracted more gazes.
“Good evening, welcome to...” A middle-aged man in a collegiate-patterned suit wearing a liaison badge greeted them with a smile.
Luna replied politely in fluent English while Wang Si followed behind, visibly nervous.
As the three moved inside, a young white man approached and stopped directly before Luna, wearing the standard social smile of high society. “A stunning lady in black—I don’t believe I’ve seen you at previous alumni events. I’m Henry Devonshire. Pleasure to meet you.”
Wang Si watched with a flash of envy. She had glanced at the guest list and had a vague impression Henry Devonshire might be the son of a famous European hedge fund founder.
Luna merely nodded politely without showing the faintest trace of flattery.
Just as she was about to offer a few courteous words to end the exchange, a slight stir rippled through the crowd ahead.
A succession of respectful yet intimate greetings rose:
“Evening, Lady Tina.”
“Tina.”
Luna’s heart skipped—someone important had arrived.
She turned toward the sound.
A blonde woman in a silver, starry evening gown, holding a glass of champagne, walked toward them with composed elegance.
Hearing the name “Lady Tina” repeated, Luna and Wang Si instantly recognized her identity.
The estate’s real hostess—the Duke of Charleston’s daughter, Tina Spencer.
Her name had been at the top of the weighty special guest list they had seen earlier and she, too, was an Imperial College alumna.
Henry Devonshire’s relaxed smile vanished.
He straightened and stepped forward with a respectful nod. “Lady Tina.”
Tina gave a polite nod in return, her gaze falling directly on Luna.
Her eyes were clear and keen, glittering dangerously in the lights.
Luna instinctively looked away, feeling a wave of pressure.
After all, this was Tina’s turf— even Empress Muxue had to give way.
The click, click, click of heels drew closer.
Tina stopped right in front of them.
Her voice was lazy and magnetic, with a genuine London accent. “Hello, Luna. Welcome to Charleston. I’m Tina Spencer.”
Luna’s heart thudded.
What? You... you know about my story?
Curious gazes turned their way.
Wang Si’s mouth fell open in surprise, her brain momentarily frozen.
As Luna’s emotions stirred, Tina’s face broke into a meaningful smile. “Perhaps I should introduce another of my identities: I’m a member of the Tangjin Family Office executive committee, responsible for managing their global property assets.”