novelraw Chapter 653: Hot Springs It Is!
Chapter 653: Hot Springs It Is!
Chapter 653: Hot Springs It Is!Yansheng Provincial Government Guesthouse, Xiyuan Hotel.
In the private lounge.
The air was filled with the faint aroma of tea and the distinctive scent of document paper.
Listening to the rapid "beep beep" sound from the abruptly hung-up receiver.
A barely suppressed smile appeared on Tang Song's face.
"Playing boyfriend?"
This energetic junior was truly interesting.
Actually, ever since Lingling started calling herself his "cyber girlfriend" on Xiaohongshu, their chats had frequently included similar "boyfriend-girlfriend" banter.
At first, Tang Song regarded her as an online friend, a digital strategist.
But as they spent more time together in reality—moving, dining, karaoke, cycling, hotpot...A subtle, ambiguous tension had developed between them.
Tang Song felt genuine affection for her, not just physical attraction but also personality compatibility.
He was perfectly aware of Lingling's little schemes, though he never pointed them out.
After all, he couldn't exactly claim to be a good man.
However, since she had proactively invited him to "play the part," he naturally wouldn't refuse.
Besides, Lingling was indeed the major contributor to his Growth Plan mission.
Fulfilling her wish was only appropriate.
With this thought, Tang Song lifted his phone screen, his gaze settling on that Weibo post.
Looking at Su Yu's cool, stunning figure in the photo, a broad smile spread across his face.
Truly the versatile diva—every appearance brought fresh astonishment.
After admiring Su Yu's beautiful photos for a while.
Tang Song casually clicked the like button.
Returning to the main interface.
The hashtag #SuYuShellJacketStyle# had surged up the trending charts, sitting prominently at the top with massive popularity.
It was predictable that Songmei Apparel would experience another growth peak.
After discussing with Gao Mengting and others in the work group for a while.
"Knock knock knock—"
A knocking sound interrupted his thoughts.
Immediately after, Shen Yuyan walked in wearing professional attire, holding several documents.
Her delicate light makeup, clear focused eyes, and efficient intellect presented the perfect image of an urban professional woman.
"President Tang." Shen Yuyan approached Tang Song, opened the folder and placed it beside him, reporting quietly: "I just confirmed with Director Li's secretary—the morning agenda remains unchanged, focusing primarily on preliminary discussions about the framework agreement for the [Industrial Ecological Fund]. Representatives from the Provincial State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission and Yansheng Bank will both attend..." ȓàNȏꞖÈ𝒮
Tang Song leaned back on the sofa, but his gaze involuntarily drifted across her face.
His mind uncontrollably recalled that "drunkenly languid" campus belle from Lan Feng International apartment.
A peculiar feeling stirred within him.
Shen Yuyan was indeed an exceptionally capable woman.
She understood romance, possessed professional competence, and could seamlessly switch between different roles.
Always managing to perfectly ignite his desires.
"...The above are the core topics for this morning's meeting and the key points we need to focus on."
"Well done."
Tang Song nodded slightly and closed the folder.
Shen Yuyan didn't leave immediately.
As if suddenly remembering something, she said in a seemingly casual tone:
"By the way, President Tang, at noon today, the Municipal Finance Office is hosting a 'Bank-Enterprise Matching Luncheon' here at *Xiyuan Hotel*. It's not particularly important—mainly an opportunity for local financial institutions and quality enterprises in Yancheng to connect and promote exchange. Director Li's secretary just asked if you'd like to make an appearance? Or if it's inconvenient, I could represent you?"
As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, the snow-white cleavage beneath her base layer subtly visible.
An alluring perfume scent followed suit.
Meeting her gaze, Tang Song shook his head: "Since it's not an important occasion, I won't attend. You don't need to go either."
Shen Yuyan's smile instantly stiffened.
Actually, she had proactively mentioned this "Bank-Enterprise Matching Luncheon" to the other party.
The reason was she had seen the guest list in advance.
She remembered vividly those people she had humbly visited back then, only to be met with sarcastic remarks.
She longed to stand before them with her current status, savoring their fear and apprehension.
To experience the pleasure of revenge, achieving mental clarity.
She just never expected Tang Song to refuse so outright, thwarting all her little schemes.
"What? You seem quite unhappy?" A deep, magnetic voice suddenly sounded.
"Not at all, President Tang!" She quickly adjusted her expression, "I was just thinking about the upcoming meeting..."
Just then.
A slender hand suddenly reached over, irresistibly pinching her chin and lifting her face.
Shen Yuyan let out a soft "hmph," forced to meet his gaze.
Tang Song's eyes were profound and sharp, as if they could see through all her thoughts.
An intangible pressure washed over her.
Shen Yuyan trembled slightly, clear panic appearing in her eyes, "Pre... President Tang, you..."
The corners of Tang Song's mouth slowly curved upward, "Shirley, you're a smart woman. But I really don't like people with too many little schemes."
Shen Yuyan's face turned pale, hurriedly saying: "I'm sorry... President Tang, I'll be more careful in the future."
Tang Song didn't speak, looking into her eyes as the hand pinching her chin slowly moved downward.
Slender fingers glided over her elegant neck, continuing downward, disappearing into her tight base layer.
Shen Yuyan's body instantly tensed, her breathing became erratic, and a blush quickly spread across her fair cheeks.
Just as she was becoming emotionally stirred, Tang Song suddenly withdrew his hand.
Stood up, looking down at her from above.
"Since you want to go, then go. While you're there, see if there are any suitable early-stage projects for investment."
"Let's go, to the conference room."
Shen Yuyan bit her lip, picked up the folder, and followed behind Tang Song with lowered head.
Around 11 AM.
The meeting officially concluded.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Li Xindong and others, Tang Song boarded the Rolls-Royce Phantom surrounded by the crowd.
Shen Yuyan stood at the entrance of Xiyuan Hotel, watching the car disappear into traffic, and let out a long sigh.
She began reflecting on her behavior.
Emotional push-pull, romantic scheming—these could be interesting. Tang Song didn't reject them;
he might even enjoy them.
But using such cleverness in work, attempting to manipulate and guide him...
She had indeed... been too foolish.
Actually, if she had directly expressed her thoughts honestly, given his perspective, she might have gained more support.
It was her own subconscious that treated him as someone to look up to, speculate about, and exhaust means to please.
Fortunately, although Tang Song had warned her, he still permitted her "willfulness."
This also meant she held some weight in Tang Song's heart.
Having figured this out, the confusion and anxiety in Shen Yuyan's eyes gradually faded.
Replaced by unprecedented clarity and determination.
What followed would be her moment to shine.
Now that Rongliu Capital had gained worldwide fame and established strategic cooperation with the Yansheng provincial government.
As Tang Song's assistant, she had also secured her position at Rongliu Capital.
Smoothing her wind-tousled hair, Shen Yuyan turned and walked back into Xiyuan Hotel with confident, elegant steps.
Municipal Finance Office staff immediately enthusiastically approached her.
"Okay, thank you."
Shen Yuyan nodded slightly and followed the staff, taking the exclusive elevator directly to the fourth floor.
Entering that solemn, dignified lounge.
Many people had already gathered inside.
With introductions from the Finance Office leadership, Shen Yuyan's arrival and her identity instantly sparked intense reactions.
"President Shen, I'm Wang Weiying, Vice President of Xusheng Industrial..."
"President Shen, I've long admired Rongliu Capital. Our company handles agency..."
Shen Yuyan wore a confident smile, navigating through the crowd with ease.
The atmosphere was very harmonious.
Over ten minutes later.
Movement sounded at the entrance again as Finance Office staff quietly reminded: "The representatives from Tengfu Investment Holdings have arrived."
Shen Yuyan paused, slowly turning to look toward the entrance.
Several middle-aged men and women in business suits entered.
Her gaze turned cold when it swept over one middle-aged man in silver-gray suit.
He had previously used his advantage as an investor to verbally harass her when she sought financing, proposing "exchange conditions."
After being rejected, he publicly displayed her photos at a drinking gathering, using labels like "resource-type beautiful founder" to humiliate her.
No one could understand how she felt when she heard these accounts mixed with sympathy and schadenfreude from others.
It was precisely because she saw Cai Zihe's name on today's guest list that she proactively attended this luncheon.
Now that she had gained power, it was time to make her enemies tremble.
She was no saint who returned good for evil.
As if sensing her gaze, Cai Zihe also looked over.
Recognizing her figure.
Cai Zihe slightly started, then revealed a meaningful smile, even giving her a frivolous nod.
Shen Yuyan didn't avoid his gaze, her eyes bright and sharp.
She proactively walked toward him.
A flash of aggression appeared in Cai Zihe's eyes.
Shen Yuyan stopped but didn't look at his outstretched hand, instead turning to the others beside him.
Finance Office staff immediately understood.
Enthusiastically stepping forward to introduce: "President Shen, let me introduce you. This is Zhao Ming, Director of [Tengfu Investment Holdings]. Director Zhao, this is Shen Yuyan, Special Assistant to the Chairman of [Rongliu Capital]. Today, she's representing Rongliu Capital at our luncheon."
Zhao Ming quickly stepped forward, his face filled with solemn yet eager smile: "So it's President Shen! I've long admired your reputation!"
What a joke!
Who in Yansheng's financial circle didn't know about Rongliu Capital nowadays?!
That behemoth handling billions of US dollars, backed by the Tang and Kate Trust families.
Most crucially, this top private equity firm's only WFOE (Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise) in mainland China was established in Yancheng.
As local financial practitioners, they naturally wanted to participate and share part of the benefits.
And this "Special Assistant to the Chairman" was undoubtedly someone who could influence these decisions.
During the pleasantries, Shen Yuyan maintained a proper smile, but her gaze kept inadvertently glancing toward Cai Zihe, who had been pushed to the outskirts of the crowd, his face alternating between green and pale.
Noticing Shen Yuyan's gaze and recalling Cai Zihe's earlier proactive greeting, Zhao Ming smilingly asked: "Zihe, you know President Shen?"
A cold sensation shot from his feet to the crown of his head, leaving him numb throughout.
He couldn't understand how the founder of that small domestic service company he had casually manipulated back then.
Although [Tengfu Investment Holdings] was considered a large investment enterprise locally, its several-billion RMB scale was insignificant compared to Rongliu Capital's "capital giant" status.
And he himself was merely a mid-to-high-level manager at Tengfu.
Their positions had completely reversed.
Her status and position now far surpassed his.
If she was willing to use a bit of connections, it would be enough to completely ruin him in this circle.
Just from his expression, they could roughly guess a few things.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the VIP lounge became subtle.
Shen Yuyan still wore a fresh, sweet smile: "We do know each other. When I was still starting my own business, I had the fortune to deal with Director Cai several times. Actually, Director Cai taught me many things."
She paused, turning her gaze to the sweat-drenched Cai Zihe, saying sincerely: "At that time, Director Cai told me that grassroots entrepreneurs like us without background needed to offer some 'special sincerity' to secure investment from top institutions like [Tengfu Investment]. Honestly, I didn't fully understand the deeper meaning back then—it took me time to gradually comprehend."
Her words left the atmosphere somewhat frozen.
Everyone present was sharp—they all detected the tension in her words.
Normally, in such settings, even with grudges, people wouldn't openly break relations.
But just then, Shen Yuyan currently represented [Rongliu Capital]—she indeed had the qualifications and confidence.
"Well, I was just expressing my feelings upon seeing Director Cai. Director Zhao, don't mind me—I meant no offense. After all, investment circle pressure is high—Director Cai has his unique 'screening criteria'? I can understand.
However... Rongliu Capital's style might focus more on the project's intrinsic value. Perhaps this represents our corporate culture difference with Tengfu Investment.
Having said this, Shen Yuyan turned elegantly and walked toward the banquet hall surrounded by starlike attention.
Before exiting the VIP lounge, she let out a long sigh.
All her grievances and humiliations transformed into the exhilarating pleasure of revenge.
This was the taste of power.
And this was only the beginning.
3 PM.
Yunxi Building, Songmei Apparel.
The entire floor buzzed with unprecedented energy.
Conversations, phone calls, and keyboard clicks rose and fell—everyone seemed pumped up.
"Xiaohongshu has exploded! Several fashion influencers with millions of followers are analyzing our shell jacket!"
"President Gao! On Douyin, I've urgently contacted several top fashion evaluation accounts—they're all willing to create content for us for free!"
"Customer service phones are ringing off the hook! Our backend messages are flooded with questions about when pre-sale links will be available!"
At noon, Su Yu's personal Weibo account had personally reposted those street-style photos.
[Heyi-HEYISTUDIO], this newborn brand barely a month old, had burst into mainstream fashion media's view with an almost aggressive approach.
Becoming the red-hot "darling."
The entire company was engaged in a high-speed marketing war surrounding this "heaven-sent immense fortune."
Returning to her workstation, Yao Lingling still felt like she was walking on clouds, somewhat light-headed.
As the independent designer of this shell jacket.
She had naturally shared the creation process on her social media like Moments.
And Su Yu's stunning appearance had propelled this previously unknown "little transparent" designer into the spotlight.
After quickly replying to messages and calming her excitement.
Yao Lingling propped her chin with her hand, began thinking about another matter more important to her.
Just thinking about it made her cheeks feel warm.
Since childhood, due to her straightforward personality.
Every boy who initially showed interest in her inevitably became "good brothers."
She had never been in any relationship nor developed special feelings for other boys.
So about this date, she felt both excited and anxious.
She took out her notebook and began seriously planning like working on a design draft.
Dining and movies were definite musts, plus shopping, sharing bubble tea, playing claw machines, taking photos together...
Just then.
"Buzz buzz—" Her phone screen lit up.
It was her high school classmate and good friend, Chen Wan. (Chapter 404)
Yao Lingling immediately answered, lowering her voice: "Hey? Wanwan."
"Hehe, just so-so, nationally third-best. Keep praising me and I'll get proud."
"By the way, Wanwan, didn't I say I wanted to book the hot spring resort for next week? Can you... change it to this Saturday instead? Are there still rooms with private pools available?"
"Okay, great. Please reserve one for me first, not necessarily... not necessarily whether I'll need it... thanks... bye."
After hanging up.
Yao Lingling's ample hips began uncontrollably wriggling in her chair.
The blush on her face deepened.
[Yunxi Valley Hot Spring Resort] had opened last winter, just a few kilometers from her home.
Chen Wan worked at this resort, often posting photos and videos on Moments.
Not only featuring dozens of highly private open-air hot spring pools scattered among bamboo forests, but also offering premium buffets, private theaters, arcades, KTV, and all entertainment facilities.
And this season was perfect for hot springs.
That's why she initially wanted to experience it with Qiuqiu while visiting home.
But she suddenly thought—perhaps she could experience it with her senior. That would be absolutely perfect.
Then, two people soaking in the same pool.
Surrounded by serene bamboo forests, under a brilliant starry sky, with the sound of murmuring water, and before her eyes... her senior enveloped in mist...
Yao Lingling's heartbeat accelerated.
She licked her slightly dry lips but felt some hesitation.
After all... it was supposed to be an innocent? couple experience. Directly inviting him to stay at a hotel and share a private hot spring...
While she was internally conflicted.
"Buzz—" Her phone suddenly vibrated.
A WeChat message popped up.
[Su Yu's April: "Lingling dear, good afternoon~ I've already shared the wearing effect of our [Heyi] shell jacket on my social media as agreed."]
Quickly typing reply: "Great! Please send me the link. I'll have our operations team review the content. If everything's fine, we can immediately arrange traffic promotion for you."
Yao Lingling casually clicked it, and the next second, she couldn't help but twitch her eye.
The link directed to Su Yu's official Weibo account's latest repost of those street-style photos.
Before she could complain, another message arrived.
Yao Lingling: "......"
Wow! You're really going all out with this act, aren't you!
Suppressing her urge to complain, she still cooperatively replied: "Super beautiful! Absolutely the perfect 'buyer show.' Of course April loved it—he couldn't stop praising after seeing the photos. He specially told me you're the best-looking person he's ever seen wearing this jacket."
These words both satisfied the other's vanity while subtly emphasizing her close relationship with "April."
[Su Yu's April: "That's wonderful! I'm glad he likes it. When there's a chance, I must wear it for him in person. Also tell him I love him."]
Yao Lingling: =_=
How shameless!
If I had even one-third of your audacity and initiative, I might have already pushed my senior down by now!
Seeing how capable this never-met "digital love rival" was.
What was there to fear?! Hot springs it is!
With her senior's excellent physique, just imagining seeing it with her own eyes made her nose bleed.
It's just soaking in a spring! Who hasn't worn a bikini before?