novelraw Chapter 649: Tangjin Estate—All In
Chapter 649: Tangjin Estate—All In
Chapter 649: Tangjin Estate—All InBefore the grand main house of the Charleston estate, lights gleamed brilliantly.
Because Tina Spencer made a personal appearance, the scattered guests who had been mingling in small clusters couldn’t help but focus their attention.
Immediately after, they saw the black-haired beauty standing in intimate conversation with the Baroness Spencer.
A ripple of curious, probing whispers quietly rose through the crowd.
After a brief moment of shock, Lin Muxue took a deep breath and looked at the pair of kindly smiling eyes across from her;
the tension and pressure in her chest gradually ebbed away.
In their place came an enormous delight.
She was one of their own!
Of course she knew Tang Song’s connection to the Tangjin family, but she had never expected this.
Among the executive committee members of the family office there could be direct descendants of an old European aristocratic house.
She immediately extended her hand and smiled brightly: “Hello, Baroness Tina. It’s an honor to meet you.”Tina returned the handshake gently. “I’ve heard a lot about you, but here there’s no need for formality. You can call me Tina.”
“All right, Tina.”
The two of them conversed as if no one else existed.
Lin Muxue could clearly feel the gazes directed at her change—from the initial “scrutiny” and “curiosity” to “awe” and “envy.”
Henry Devonshire, who had earlier tried to approach, now stood stiffly a little ahead, his face full of embarrassment.
The prestige of “Empress Muxue” was visibly rising by the second.
The Spencer surname carries enormous weight in Britain. While most people associate its main branch with the late Princess Diana’s countly family, Lin Muxue had read in her luxury-studies that this ancient house, through centuries of marriages and capital operations, had branched like vines throughout European nobility and power networks.
The Charleston branch in front of her had likely inherited its prominent title through marriage into some even older ducal house.
And for a noblewoman of such blood—whose position mattered deeply in European high society—to be responsible within a family office for global real estate asset management...
The title might sound like a mere “estate steward,” but Lin Muxue understood the symbolism behind it.
These old European moneyed families are the originators of the “family office” concept itself. Their wealth and prestige are built on centuries of inheritance of land, estates, castles, and art—real estate that passes through generations.
Now, a direct heir of such noble lineage was willing to manage the property assets of Tang Song, a newly risen Eastern tycoon.
This wasn’t simple employment. This was the highest form of recognition.
It signified that the Tangjin Family Office had amassed enough power and status that even Europe’s oldest money would serve it.
Charleston directly felt, for the first time, the terrifying strength of the Lin family office.
Besides, Xu Qing had once said she would hand some of her non-core asset operations to me.
That was a major reason Charleston had worked so hard.
Right now it was just the private jet and the Hong Kong residence, but in the future global holdings would inevitably be involved.
Then she and the Tina Spencer before her would have many opportunities to interact.
From Tina’s attitude tonight, she shouldn’t be hard to get along with.
She never imagined that Xiaoxue had unknowingly arrived at this level.
If she could really join Tangjin in the future…?
The usually showy Xiaoxue, in this moment, found herself with a single, razor-sharp goal that made her tremble with excitement.
Wang Si, who walked right behind Lin Muxue, slowly came back to herself, her face full of disbelief.
She had thought they were kindred spirits—both admitted to Imperial’s Global MBA through special channels, both passionate about luxury and fashion, both resonating in unspoken ways. ℝΆƝ𝙤𝔟Ęs
Wang Si had genuinely considered Lin Muxue “one of her kind.”
She never expected Lin Muxue to receive such treatment.
Tina Spencer approaching proactively and acting warm and intimate in this setting was inconceivable.
What on earth was going on?
She watched Lin Muxue’s figure, suddenly elevated, with a complicated expression.
At 5:30 p.m., guests had gathered and the alumni reception moved into its main segment.
Tina naturally looped her arm through Lin Muxue’s and smiled, “Let’s go, Luna. I’ll introduce you to some friends.”
“Thank you, Tina.” Lin Muxue nodded at once, keeping her voice steady as she stepped forward.
Wang Si hesitated, then cautiously followed them.
They passed the terrace and entered a lounge warmed by a fireplace’s glow.
Gathered here were mostly silver-haired, erudite scholars and elders—the estate’s core “academic circle.”
“Robert.” Tina greeted an elderly gentleman in a fine tweed suit with a smile. “Let me introduce a new friend, Luna Lin. She’s just joined our business school. Luna, this is Robert Hamilton, our business school dean.”
The dean stood energetically. “Welcome, Luna. I’ve heard your name—the core executive of Rongliu Capital. We welcome capital with a global vision like yours into our community.”
Lin Muxue felt her heart race. “Dean, you flatter me. Imperial College’s academic achievements in fintech are long admired by me.”
“This is Professor Philip—last year’s Nobel laureate in Economics;
his research focuses on behavioral finance, very intriguing...”
“That is the deputy minister of finance, Sir Allen...”
After leaving the academic circle, Tina led her to a livelier area dominated by younger faces.
This was where London’s new financial elites gathered—hedge fund managers, fintech founders, venture capitalists...
Under Tina’s guidance, Lin Muxue received unprecedented, high-level hospitality.
Her title as assistant at Rongliu Capital carried enough weight here to earn genuine respect.
Adrenaline surged through her veins;
she felt euphoric.
Everything seemed dreamlike and unreal.
Wang Si, who had been trailing behind and mostly ignored, had by some point stopped.
She stared, dumbfounded, at the radiant Luna moving effortlessly through the crowd and laughing with figures she used to only look up to.
She painfully realized that even though both of them were assistants to wealthy benefactors, even though both had walked through “special channels”...
They were not from the same world.
The alumni reception proceeded on schedule.
From the dean’s rousing speech and the school’s annual report, to heavyweight guests’ insightful keynote shares, and finally the intertwined honors banquet.
When the banquet officially ended and most guests left satisfied, Lin Muxue, along with a few core circle members, was courteously invited to a private library on the estate’s third floor.
They were to attend a more intimate private reception.
After some small talk, Tina personally poured a glass of top Bordeaux from Château Pétrus for Lin Muxue.
“Cheers.”
The crystal glasses chimed softly in the warm light.
Lin Muxue took a small sip;
the wine’s rich, complex fruit and silky tannins bloomed instantly on her palate.
Tina swirled her glass and smiled slightly. “Actually, I handled your admission paperwork personally. So I may know you better than you realize.”
Lin Muxue felt a sharp thrill and was flattered. “It is a tremendous honor. Thank you, Baroness Tina.”
“Don’t be nervous. No thanks needed. I was well compensated for it. You’re an interesting girl, Luna. I think we’ll have more interactions in the future.”
“I think so too.”
They sat side by side on a soft silk sofa, the fireplace sending out warm light and heat.
Outside, the estate’s night lights under the dark sky made a gorgeous scene.
After a long silence, Tina suddenly asked, relaxed yet meaningful, “Luna, what do you think of this estate?”
Lin Muxue thought for a moment, then said, “It’s breathtaking. It’s not just an estate;
it feels like a legacy of history and honor—something people yearn for.”
Tina smiled faintly. “Soon you’ll be seeing an estate even bigger and more beautiful than this.”
“Uh?” Lin Muxue didn’t understand.
Tina set down her glass and turned slightly, her expression becoming solemn. “I came to London not only for the alumni reception. I have another primary purpose.”
“Please, go on.” Lin Muxue straightened immediately—she sensed they were finally getting to the point.
She was far too astute to believe this was merely about making friends.
She even felt tonight’s choice of a duke’s estate for the reception might have been partly arranged for her.
“Do you know Tangjin Estate?”
Lin Muxue’s heart thudded and she shook her head. “No.”
Tina raised a hand and smiled.
Not far away, a man who had been standing quietly walked over briskly and respectfully handed her an iPad.
Tina took it and placed it in front of Lin Muxue.
“Have a look—get acquainted beforehand.”
Feeling both nervous and curious, Lin Muxue took the cool tablet and swiped the screen. An encrypted electronic document unfolded.
Her eyes widened and her face flushed.
The screen first showed a series of grand aerial photos: lavender fields, olive groves, private vineyards, a massive man-made lake...
On that vast land stood a truly magnificent main manor.
A palace-like building more luxurious than the Ritz, with its own health center, a temperature-controlled swimming pool, an art corridor, and multi-level underground wine cellars.
More than a dozen independent villas dotted the grounds in varying architectural styles: from French classical to modern minimalism to Tuscan country homes—each a work of art.
Her fingers trembled as she continued to scroll, revealing lines of textual description:
Tangjin Estate
Location: France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Land area: 230 hectares, full private ownership
Core facilities: international conference center, art museum, equestrian arena, winery, helicopter pad...
Lin Muxue held her breath;
her heart pounded like a drum.
This...was the kind of top-tier private estate that only appears in the finest documentaries.
As a seasoned “luxury studies” student, she had heard of these places.
They transcend mere “mansions”—they are the ultimate physical carriers wealthy families use to showcase lineage, conduct private socializing, and preserve generational wealth.
For example, the Charleston estate she was currently at had history stretching centuries. But even such longstanding estates typically opened much of their grounds to the public to offset exorbitant maintenance costs and gain tax breaks.
Fully privatized estates of this caliber that never open to the public are exceedingly rare across Europe.
The power they represent goes beyond mere money.
From the name Tangjin and combined with Tina’s identity, could it be that this was a private estate under the Tangjin Family Office?
As her mind reeled, Tina’s voice returned, calm and clear:
“The Tangjin Estate’s renovation and security upgrades are complete;
final acceptance was passed only last week. It’s ready for operation.
You are Mr. Tang’s personal assistant and also help manage some of his assets.
The estate’s initial handover and daily operation coordination are complex and require someone he absolutely trusts to follow up long-term.
I will arrange the estate’s steward team to carry out a formal handover with you.”
Lin Muxue felt her brain buzz loudly. Her cheeks flushed, and sweat gathered in her palms.
She stared at Tina and then down at the tablet’s magnificent estate photos.
Her throat tightened, and she opened her mouth but couldn’t form a single word.
This is Tang Song’s estate...Tangjin Estate...
And I...am to be responsible for receiving it and assisting with management?!
Her body began to tremble uncontrollably;
having consumed quite a bit of wine, her bladder spasmed painfully.
She almost painted a world-famous mishap in the duke’s library right then.
“Well?” Tina’s eyes shifted, half-smiling as she looked at her. “Feeling pressured? Actually, choosing you was partly Mira’s idea. She has a good impression of you and hopes you don’t disappoint her.”
At that, Lin Muxue shivered.
Ever since Qin Yingxue had scolded her in Hong Kong, she had been fearful of Director Jin.
Lately she had been extremely cautious, trying not to leave a bad impression.
Now that such an important task was entrusted to her—
What did that mean?
It meant Director Jin had recognized her.
Lin Muxue’s eyes grew moist. “Thank you...thank you, Director Jin, for your trust. I will do my utmost and won’t let you down.”
Tina watched her excitement and gave a meaningful smile.
She slowly raised her champagne glass. “Don’t be nervous, Luna. You don’t need to think about how to do your best.”
“You only need to remember one thing—always stand beside the right person.”
“Everything else will fall into place.”
She extended the glass toward Lin Muxue.
The golden liquid swirled slowly in the sparkling crystal.
Lin Muxue steadied herself and then nodded firmly. “I understand!”
...
Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
Yancheng, Lan Feng International Luxury Apartments.
In a spacious, bright bedroom, Xu Qing slowly opened her eyes and sat up on a bed so large one could roll around on it.
Without her roommate’s usual pounding from the next room when she worked out, the apartment was very quiet.
She slid her bare feet onto the soft long-pile carpet and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.
She yanked the curtains open with a swipe.
Morning light flooded in, coating the room in gentle gold.
“Wow—”
She couldn’t help a small exclamation.
From the 22nd floor, the normally crowded streets below now looked like calm streams, and the CBD skyline traced majestic silhouettes in the morning mist.
This feeling was simply...amazing!
Before, at North City Garden, she had lived in an eleven-square-meter secondary room. Now, this master suite with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet had over thirty square meters!
She excitedly ran around the 140-square-meter apartment.
She touched the pricey-looking leather sofa, then opened the walk-in closet that could fit her whole body.
Finally, she lay in the oversized bathtub and imagined soaking while watching the night view.
Once her excitement calmed, she remembered she had to go to work.
After a quick shower and getting dressed, she drove down in her beloved crimson DB11, listening to Su Yu’s new song, headed for Yuhua Commercial Building.
At nine in the morning she arrived at Ordinary Folks Media.
Entering her private office, she opened her computer, planning to slack off and write a bit of her novel.
“Ding-ding—” her phone rang.
[Scheming Yuyan]
Xu Qing answered and chirped, “Morning~ Yanyan beauty~ Did you see the photos I sent of my new place? Surprised by my taste?”
But Shen Yuyan didn’t joke back as usual;
her tone was serious. “Qingqing, can you talk now?”
“What’s up? I can.”
“Prepare yourself. I have big news.”
“Huh? What? Don’t scare me!” Xu Qing instantaneously tensed.
Shen Yuyan took a deep breath and said slowly, “Do you know Xingyun International Group?”
“Of course. Wen Ruan is a big executive there. Xiao Jing told me so much about her before.”
“Right. I just confirmed with Tang Song—Xingyun is planning a full acquisition of a batch of leading domestic short-drama production and distribution companies. Ordinary Folks is on the first list. Because Tang Song is also a shareholder in Ordinary Folks, he wants to facilitate this acquisition. I’ll be handling it personally.”
“Ah?!” Xu Qing froze, mouth agape. “What the heck? Does that mean I’ll be Wen Ruan’s subordinate?!”
At the thought of that sultry, imposing diva becoming her boss, Xu Qing felt overwhelmed.
She’s been the little tyrant at Ordinary Folks—no clocking in, doing as she pleases.
If they get acquired, the good life would be over. Would she be crushed by Big E’s pressure?
“Da Sha Qing! Stop daydreaming!”
“I’m not! I’m just—” Xu Qing weakly protested.
Shen Yuyan interrupted, “Don’t you know this is a tremendous opportunity for you?”
“What opportunity?”
“You idiot!” Shen Yuyan’s voice grew urgent. “Ordinary Folks is dispensable to Tang Song. He invested largely because of you—your face. He even told you before that if you wanted, he could transfer the shares to you, right?”
“That’s true—but…how could I accept?” Xu Qing shook her head repeatedly.
What a joke!
If she accepted, she’d feel like kneeling in front of Tang Song every time she saw him.
He could make her into a pet who wouldn’t dare resist.
If she got lumped together with Xiao Jing and Lin Muxue…that’d be the end.
Seeing her cowardly demeanor, Shen Yuyan almost scolded her. “Don’t you know Xingyun is about to list on Nasdaq? If you hold enough Ordinary Folks shares, during this acquisition they could be swapped for Xingyun’s initial shares. After the IPO, the stock could multiply in value—billions. Then you’d be a true billionaire woman! Understand?”
Those words were lightning that struck the money-hungry corners of Xu Qing’s mind.
A billionaire?! A listed company shareholder?
Wasn’t that the persona she’d always fantasized about in her novels?
She pictured herself in haute couture stepping out of a pink Rolls-Royce, flanked by eight black-suited bodyguards.
She pictured herself in a luxury store on the Champs-Élysées, pointing to a row of bags and telling the sales clerk: “Put this one and that one aside. Wrap up the rest for me!”
She even pictured herself on a private island in the Maldives, sipping coconut water while shouting at an editor on the phone: “Hurry? No one’s tipping a million buck this month, and I’m not writing a single word!”
Wiping the drool at the corner of her mouth, Xu Qing suddenly panicked and muttered, “But...how can I ask for that...”
Shen Yuyan lowered her voice. “We’ll return to Yancheng tonight. You’ll invite Tang Song to our new place and perform properly.”
“Aiya! How do I perform…” Xu Qing’s face flushed like an apple.
“When you write novels, don’t you have a bunch of seductive routines?” Shen Yuyan’s voice glittered with resolve. “If all else fails, drag this good friend of mine out with you.”