novelraw Chapter 699: Complete the Task
Chapter 699: Complete the Task
Chapter 699: Complete the TaskHearing Director Jin’s offhanded “comment,”
Jiang Yourong froze for a beat, then her cheeks flamed as if someone had lit a fire, and she wished she could crawl into a crack in the ground.
Never before had she wanted to lose weight this badly.
She instinctively sucked her belly in hard and subtly tucked her chin.
Trying to make her chubby figure look at least a little less bulky.
“Indeed... the school cafeteria is delicious... I... hehe...”
She forced a stiff smile, unsure how to respond.
Secretary Jin seemed to see through her embarrassment;
she offered a faint smile, turned, and said, “Come, sit down and let’s talk.”
“All right...” Jiang Yourong hurried to follow.
The two of them sat facing each other on a soft sofa.Shortly after, an assistant tiptoed in.
They set down a steaming pot of tea and two delicate teacups, poured each a cup, then quietly bowed and withdrew.
In the vast office, only the two of them remained.
Jiang Yourong’s ambitions and nerves had all collapsed into mortification.
In truth, her plumpness was evenly distributed—soft all over.
With an already full chest and naturally fair, tender skin, even slightly chubby, she was still quite beautiful.
She possessed that mature, full-bodied feminine beauty.
At university, she was one of the most popular female teachers.
Not only did many young male teachers openly or secretly pursue her, but quite a few bold male students had sent her veiled confessions after graduation. Ŗà𝐍Ο𝐛ÊS̈
She used to take pride in thinking she was blessed by nature and never seriously dieted.
But now, she truly regretted it.
She swore she would give up milk tea and desserts starting today!
Secretary Jin leaned elegantly against the sofa back;
her impeccably long legs, wrapped in black stockings, crossed neatly.
She looked at Jiang Yourong with a calm, slightly nostalgic tone: “It’s been... about six years since we last met, right?”
“Yes.” Jiang Yourong pursed her rosy lips. “I officially completed my resignation on July 2, 2017, and left Smile Investment. Back then the company was still at the Trade Center.”
“So it’s already been six and a half years.” Secretary Jin sounded a bit moved. “When you left, I thought you might join another company. I didn’t expect you to go into academia. Associate professor at the university—very respectable.”
Jiang Yourong sat up straight and gave an awkward smile.
In reality, she had chosen academia mainly because Director Jin had treated her badly and she didn’t want to keep being a workhorse.
It was also because, during that less-than-a-year at Smile Investment, she had earned nearly six hundred thousand yuan from bonuses and project dividends, giving her the audacity to be picky.
Still, on the surface she spoke respectfully: “Thank you, Director Jin, for remembering me. My time at Smile Investment was among the most precious memories of my life. And thank you again for your trust and reliance. Being given the chance to participate in the Xuanji Optical World project is an honor. I won’t let you down.”
Secretary Jin only murmured an “hm,” then said, “Tell me about what you’ve done these past years.”
“All right.”
So Jiang Yourong concisely and objectively described her academic struggles and the modest achievements she’d made in recent years.
In front of this once goddess-like boss, she felt like the assistant fresh out of school again.
She desperately wanted to earn that approval one more time.
...
After finishing two cups of fragrant tea, Jiang Yourong relaxed a little.
Secretary Jin’s gaze rested on her face, a smile at the corner of her lips: “Although Yancheng Normal’s platform is ordinary, it’s clear you haven’t lost your sensitivity to cutting-edge technology. That original ambition is rare. It seems the quiet life in academia didn’t dull your sharpness.”
Hearing the praise, Jiang Yourong felt both pleased and ashamed. “Thank you, Director Jin. I have indeed been following interdisciplinary research between AI and cognitive science. I hope to contribute in that area.”
Secretary Jin set the teacup back on the tray with composed posture.
Her legs were naturally together;
she turned slightly and sat up straight with elegant poise.
“You should already know about the Xuanji Optical World project, right?”
“Yes.” Jiang Yourong answered immediately, a trace of nervousness in her tone. “It’s led by Tang Yi Precision, aiming to build the next-generation human-computer interaction ecosystem. I read their public materials—they’re very cutting-edge and strategically significant. Many in China’s high-tech sector are watching.”
“Would you... like to be deeply involved?”
Jiang Yourong hesitated, then blood rushed to her head. “Of course!”
Secretary Jin’s lips twitched in a half-smile.
She lowered her head, opened a drawer beneath the desk, and took out a document, placing it in front of Jiang Yourong.
“Take a look at this.”
Jiang Yourong hurriedly took it with both hands and flipped open the first page in puzzlement.
The next second, her heart jolted and her fingertips trembled.
It was a draft Memorandum of Intent for deep industry-university-research cooperation jointly issued in the names of Tang Yi Precision and Smile Holdings.
The intent plainly proposed a five-year deep joint R&
D program with Professor Jiang Yourong’s team at Yancheng Normal University’s Computer Science Department, focused on “human-computer interaction and cognitive science.”
It clearly listed the dream-level support the companies would provide the school:
huge directed research funding;
top-tier equipment and data support;
joint talent cultivation plans with openings for graduate and doctoral internships;
shared intellectual property and revenue distribution for commercialization.
The more she read, the more shocked Jiang Yourong became;
her hands could barely hold the paper.
Yancheng Normal? When did they earn the qualification to partner with companies at this level?!
She could even imagine the stunned look on the president’s face if this intent were presented to him,
and the extraordinary treatment she would receive at the university.
She lifted her head;
her eyes were already slightly moist, her voice choking with emotion: “Director Jin... this... this is...”
What had she done to deserve such an unbelievable opportunity?!
Secretary Jin asked calmly, “Do you find this memorandum acceptable?”
“Yes! Of course!” Jiang Yourong nodded vigorously.
“Good.” Secretary Jin nodded, stood, and gracefully walked around the desk to stand in front of her. “But this is not a gift free of conditions.”
Jiang Yourong took a deep breath and also rose, looking at her with firm eyes: “Director Jin, what do you need me to do?”
Having worked with Jin Meixiao for so long, she knew the other woman’s character and ways.
She knew that Jin wouldn’t have her fly to the capital just for a simple trip down memory lane.
Any favor already carried a price tag.
Secretary Jin’s tone was gentle yet unambiguous: “After you return, immediately submit a request to the college to be relieved of teaching duties. Take two years full-time off to focus entirely on R&
D for the Xuanji Optical World project. Do you accept, Professor Jiang?”
Her throat moved as she swallowed, then she nodded firmly: “I accept.”
She couldn’t refuse.
For her, keeping the associate professor position meant retaining the title and institutional benefits, continuing to build reputation and credentials, and at the same time legitimately earning project revenue far beyond a teacher’s salary.
For the college, the cooperation’s value far exceeded her teaching a few undergraduate courses.
The college would not only approve her leave quickly;
her administrative rank might even rise.
Jin Meixiao smiled faintly, her mouth curving with elegant charm. “Excellent. I knew I judged you right.”
Jiang Yourong’s whole body shivered;
she nearly straightened her back reflexively.
That mix of joyful affirmation and being watched made her breath grow warm.
Secretary Jin continued: “Your position is simple—Director of the University Collaboration and Technology Transfer Office, reporting directly to the President’s Office.”
She paused, raising her eyes with some meaning: “You can regard the actual work as acting as the president’s technical assistant. You’ve had assistant experience and possess sufficient professional background. I believe you can handle it. This project is very important to me and to President Tang.”
“President Tang...?”
“That’s right. For the next two years, your direct superior will be Tang Song. I don’t need to introduce him to you in detail;
you should have guessed some things already.”
At that moment, Jiang Yourong’s heart nearly missed a beat.
Her ample chest heaved dramatically.
Tang Song... President Tang... the chairman of Xuanji Optical World?
Her brain felt struck by electricity as logic rapidly connected.
She could confirm that Tang Song was not the current CEO of Xuanji Optical World.
Which meant—
Secretary Jin actually wanted her there for Tang Song!
A surge of miscellaneous thoughts and secret delight followed.
She naturally had some special feelings toward Tang Song.
Those flashes and near-miss moments at Smile Investment had indeed dazzled the tail end of her youth and left a stirring.
Now she was actually going to work with him.
At that instant, a warning voice sounded in her ear: “This matter has not been made public. You must keep strict confidentiality, understand?”
Jiang Yourong snapped back to attention, voice dry but resolute: “Understood.”
Secretary Jin patted her soft shoulder. “Welcome back, Assistant Jiang.”
That sentence felt like a seal being opened again.
Jiang Yourong inhaled deeply. “Yes! Director Jin!”
Jin Meixiao motioned for her to sit;
she seated herself on the adjacent sofa.
Her legs crossed with graceful composure, she lifted her teacup and sipped.
“Sit,” she said lightly. “There is one more thing—I want your opinion.”
Jiang Yourong sat quickly and instinctively shifted aside.
“It’s about Xie Shuyu. I want to hear your take on her.”
...
Jiang Yourong’s chest skipped a beat.
Sure enough, what was coming had inevitably arrived.
...
Rongcheng.
“Achoo—achoo—”
Inside the moving business car, Xie Shuyu sneezed several times in a row.
Her assistant Xiaomin quickly handed over tissues and asked with concern, “President Xie, are you catching a cold?”
“I’m fine.” Xie Shuyu waved her hand, indicating she was fine. “Continue.”
“All right.” Xiaomin immediately resumed reporting: “With Zhongshu Group’s full cooperation, our exclusive supply contracts with New Hope and Jule have been officially signed. Also, regarding the acquisition of those 21 Coffee Talk Time stores, the legal department has initiated the first round of due diligence...”
Xie Shuyu listened quietly and offered some tweaks to specifics now and then.
After a while, the car gently stopped at an office building outside the outer ring road.
“President Xie, we’re here.”
Xie Shuyu stepped out and strode toward the entrance.
Her hair was swept up, makeup fresh—she looked every bit the decisive female CEO.
Now the entire southwest region rollout was progressing better than expected.
Once those twenty-odd Coffee Talk Time stores were fully integrated, Weiguang Coffee would become an undeniable new force in China’s coffee chain market.
Her purpose today was to clear the final, most critical hurdle—
cold-chain transportation.
Tang Song had decided to independently invest in Ling Chain Technology’s Series B.
And today, the investment representatives he sent had already arrived.
As a key strategic partner, Tang Song’s girlfriend, and the intermediary for both sides, she had to follow the whole process to ensure smooth cooperation.
Ling Chain Technology, Rongcheng branch, 15th floor.
Fang Zhiyuan had been waiting at the elevator with several core executives.
Seeing Xie Shuyu, he greeted her warmly and personally led her toward the main conference room.
As they walked he said, “The investment team sent by President Tang is inside waiting. We can start at any time.”
Xie Shuyu nodded and pushed open the heavy glass door.
They entered the warm, solemn meeting room.
A somewhat familiar figure immediately came into her view.
Seated near the head of the table was a striking woman in a ladies’ suit and white shirt, radiating an elite aura.
Several suited men and women sat beside her, chatting and laughing.
Xie Shuyu’s brow twitched slightly.
This must be the investment team Tang Song sent,
but she felt like she’d seen that woman somewhere before.
As she entered, everyone in the room stood up.
The woman’s face lit into a brilliant smile as she stepped forward to greet her.
“President Xie, hello. It’s a pleasure to see you again. I’m Tang’s special assistant, Shen Yuyan.”
Hearing the name and getting a closer look at the face,
Xie Shuyu’s brow relaxed instantly and she said with some surprise, “So it’s you.”
“I didn’t expect President Xie to remember me. It’s my honor.” Shen Yuyan smiled;
her eyes held a subtle, complex gleam.
She had long known of President Xie of Weiguang Coffee and suspected this day might come—so she was not surprised at all.
“Of course I remember, Assistant Shen.” Xie Shuyu shook her hand gently. “Your performance at the roadshow left a deep impression on me.”
“You’re too kind, President Xie.” Shen Yuyan joked: “I’m not Shen anymore;
I’m Shirley the assistant now—haha.”
Xie Shuyu smiled and glanced over Shen Yuyan’s well-proportioned figure and the fresh campus-beauty face.
Thinking of Lin Muxue, who was also an assistant to him,
she seemed to piece something together and couldn’t help a faint sigh.
As expected, a lecher!
Recalling his series of lewd moves toward her, Xie Shuyu felt a sour itch in her chest.
She immediately composed herself and refocused on the crucial meeting.
To her surprise, this “Assistant Shen” was far more professional than the Lin who had been assistant back then.
Not only was she thoroughly familiar with the investment terms, logically sharp, and verbally incisive, she also showed an extremely strong ability to control the negotiation.
The meeting proceeded unusually smoothly.
...
Around midday, Shen Yuyan’s phone vibrated.
She glanced at it, then rose with elegant composure and a somewhat apologetic smile.
“Everyone, sorry—President Tang will be downstairs soon. I’ll go meet him.”
With that, she walked out gracefully amid the group’s respect.
She had arrived in Rongcheng yesterday.
She assumed she would see Tang Song as soon as she arrived;
she had even changed into her most sensual lace underwear beforehand.
But the elusive big boss had gone to some remote county in western Sichuan she had never heard of,
saying he would return before noon.
Now he had finally arrived.
She waited in the lobby by the drop-off area for a short while.
A black Bentley Mulsanne glided to a stop in front of her.
The door opened.
Tang Song’s tall, composed figure stepped out.
Shen Yuyan quickened her pace and flooded with sincere joy: “President Tang! You’re here.”
“Shirley, thank you for your hard work.” Tang Song smiled and nodded.
“Serving the boss is the greatest honor of this special assistant’s life.”
Shen Yuyan covered her mouth in a laugh, batted her bright eyes, and stepped almost into Tang Song’s space.
A fresh citrus scent came to his nose.
She naturally reached out and smoothed his collar: “President Tang, your collar’s a bit crooked. Let me fix it.”
She then methodically tidied him.
Her long, rouge-painted fingertips deliberately brushed over his prominent Adam’s apple and, from an angle others couldn’t see, she pressed it lightly with a soft pad of her finger.
Then her hand slid down along his shirt edge to his solid chest.
The whole movement was full of seduction and suggestion.
Tang Song only let out a light chuckle and didn’t respond to her flirting.
“Let’s go. We’ll head in and sign the contract first.”
He strode into the building with calm, effortless composure.
Shen Yuyan bit her lip in displeasure but had no choice but to follow.
By all logic, after such obvious hints, Tang should have been a little more proactive.
After all, last time at Lan Feng International Apartment, he nearly went too far.
But this irritating Sigma man always played hot and cold and never gave a straight answer.
Bah!
...
“Bu—”
The elevator stopped on the 15th floor.
When Tang Song stepped out, the first person he saw was the elegant, dignified female CEO.
Beside her stood the executives and shareholders of Ling Chain Technology.
Their gazes met;
the female CEO reflexively lowered her eyes and pursed her lips.
Clearly, she still bore some grudge about being pressed down by Tang Song before.
“President Tang, welcome to Ling Chain Technology.”
“Hello, President Fang.”
After warm greetings, the group returned to the main conference room and resumed the meeting.
Because Ling Chain Technology had already completed several previous funding rounds, their documentation system was quite comprehensive.
From product patents and code audits to financial statements and founding team resumes, Rongliu Capital’s due diligence team had practically completed the review of all background materials before arriving in Rongcheng.
In other words, today’s so-called “due diligence meeting” was essentially a formal confirmation and sign-off.
Prompted by Shen Yuyan, the legal, financial, and advisory teams quickly completed cross-checks.
Tang Song picked up the latest TS (term sheet) and scanned it calmly and quickly.
Pre-investment valuation: ¥1.38 billion;
this round financing: ¥320 million;
post-money valuation: ¥1.7 billion.
Tang Song’s personal stake would reach 18.8%.
After all core points were confirmed, Tang Song uncapped the Montblanc pen he had prepared and opened the investment agreement.
The conference room went instantly quiet.
Everyone held their breath, eyes on his hand.
Even prepared as she was, Xie Shuyu grew nervous.
This massive investment mattered not only to Ling Chain Technology’s future but to Weiguang Coffee as well.
Without hesitation,
Tang Song’s wrist moved slightly;
the pen tip glided over the paper and he decisively signed his name.
The stroke was vigorous, flowing like clouds and water—almost artistic.
“Clap—clap—clap—” Shen Yuyan began the applause.
Thunderous applause then erupted through the room.
Everyone stood and felt heated with excitement.
At the same time—
A system display automatically unfolded before Tang Song’s eyes.
[December 5, 2023. Over the past period, you have strategized masterfully, accurately seizing every market pulse. From empowering Songmei Apparel, investing in Yimai Technology and Smart Chain Future;
to spotting and reinvesting in Ling Chain Technology amid difficulty...]
[You are no longer merely a passive investor;
you’ve begun to act as a true “capital hunter,” proactively discovering value, integrating value, and ultimately creating new value. You orchestrate different industries and talents on the chessboard you build, achieving efficient and elegant linkage.]
[You feel an unprecedented sense of control and satisfaction, like a chessmaster. This drives you to challenge grander patterns and hunt higher-tier prey.]
[You have completed Plan Task ③: Capital Hunter]
[You unlocked the achievement “Industry Web Weaver”]
[You received a special item reward: Charm +1]
[Third Stage Growth Plan mission completed]
[You received: Growth Gift Pack *1]
Tang Song inhaled deeply.
His slender fingers twirled and snapped the black-and-gold Montblanc cap closed with a delicate “click.”
The movement was extremely elegant, like the end of a performance.
He didn’t linger on the display, keeping his excitement controlled.
He immediately selected the Growth Gift Pack and opened it.
“Ding! You obtained [Xuanji Optical World Actual Control].”
“Ding! You obtained special item [Tang Song’s Sticky Note *1].”
[Tang Song’s Sticky Note]: In-game: Tang Song’s sticky note records a fleeting “temporary idea” he once had but, due to busy affairs, “forgot to stick,” causing the idea to be completely lost. When the player encounters a real-world “opportunity” related to it, this sticky note will trigger automatically and start a storyline dungeon.
[Note: A genius’s flash of inspiration can illuminate an entirely new path.]