novelraw Chapter 715: Su Yu vs. Ouyang Xianyue
Chapter 715: Su Yu vs. Ouyang Xianyue
In the bright, spacious living room.
Qian Lele sat on the sofa, bored out of her mind, nibbling at an apple in small bites.
She kept glancing toward the study from time to time, her eyes full of curiosity and a faint worry.
What are Brother and Professor Jiang talking about in there?
Why are they staying so long?
She knew in her heart that her brother had used that joking “kidnapping” pretext to call Professor Jiang over;
it wasn’t a real ransom—there was a serious matter to discuss.
But obviously, those matters weren’t appropriate to discuss in front of one of his students.
Just then, with a soft creak, the study door opened.
Qian Lele immediately stood up.
Footsteps approached.Two figures entered the living room, one following the other.
Her brother looked refreshed, a faint, unreadable smile at the corner of his mouth.
Professor Jiang following behind him looked a little strange.
Her gaze flickered, her steps uncertain.
She seemed like a student who’d just been scolded by the dean.
“Professor Jiang, brother.” Qian Lele greeted them with concern, her eyes mainly fixed on her teacher.
Jiang Yourong quickly adjusted her expression and forced a gentle smile. “Ah, Lele.”
Tang Song paused, smiling as he spoke: “Lele, remember when we talked this morning while working out about the problems obesity can bring and the harms of not exercising regularly?”
At the word “obesity,” a muscle twitched at the corner of Jiang Yourong’s eye;
she instinctively wanted to protest that she was only “a bit chubby!”
But the words stopped at her lips.
Under someone else’s roof, she had to bow.
More importantly, this “little secret” of hers was a lever in his hand...
Qian Lele didn’t sense the inner turmoil of her teacher and nodded earnestly. “I remember! Brother said obesity can increase the body’s burden and affect cardiovascular health. Not exercising often lowers basal metabolism and causes bodily functions to decline.”
Tang Song approved with a smile. “Very good, you remembered. So do you think your Professor Jiang’s health could use some improvement?”
Lele hesitated, stealing a look at Professor Jiang, unsure whether to tell the truth.
She had the most contact with Professor Jiang, so she knew the professor’s daily habits well.
Although diligent in teaching and research, her daily life was extremely lazy—
She would take an electric scooter instead of walking, sit rather than stand, lie down rather than sit. She loved sweets and would get drowsy after eating carbs.
That was clearly suboptimal health.
“Don’t hesitate, say it.” Tang Song encouraged. “Your Professor Jiang isn’t someone who won’t listen to advice, right?”
As he spoke, he reached out and affectionately patted Jiang Yourong on the back.
Her chest jumped and her face flushed, but she still forced herself to answer, “...Yes.”
With the teacher’s verbal permission, Lele finally summoned courage and carefully said, “Professor Jiang, I think as people get older their metabolism slows a bit, and sometimes they don’t have as much vigor in their blood. So... proper exercise and healthy eating would definitely help your health.”
At the words “getting older,” a spasm crossed Jiang Yourong’s face again.
No way, Lele! I always treated you like my little close one!
And you stab me so precisely!
Tang Song fought back a smile and nodded with satisfaction. “Well said. Now that your Professor Jiang is about to take time off to join the company, wouldn’t a good body be important?”
“Yes!”
“Do you want your Professor Jiang to become healthier and more energetic?”
“Yes!” Qian Lele answered without hesitation—this was sincere.
“All right, I’ll give you a new task.” Tang Song handed over an A4 sheet. “For the week after you return home, your task is to act as Professor Jiang’s ‘self-discipline supervisor.’ This is her one-week training plan.”
Lele froze and took the plan.
The first part was normal.
But when her eyes fell on the punitive measures at the end, they instantly widened.
Having her write reflections, stand in punishment, get a light spanking?
Lele looked up in shock, her cheeks flushing deep red as she waved her hands. “Brother! This—this won’t do! I don’t think I’m suitable...”
Professor Jiang is her mentor! An elder!
How could she punish her like a schoolteacher punishes a child?!
It’s embarrassing—she absolutely could not bring herself to do it!
“Lele, this is also to help your Professor Jiang.” Tang Song explained patiently. “These punishments are just formalities to create restraint. Like at school, if a student doesn’t finish homework, won’t the teacher give a small penalty?”
Lele frowned, distressed, and looked helplessly at Professor Jiang.
Professor Jiang instinctively looked at Tang Song.
Their gazes met in the air, forming an awkward triangle.
At last, under Tang Song’s expectant look, Jiang Yourong stepped forward and, doing her best to preserve her dignity as a teacher, lowered her voice: “Lele, you also know my basic disposition. I do need a supervisor as conscientious as you. I trust you. If you supervise me, I’ll be more motivated to complete this assessment. All right? Think of it as helping your teacher with an important work task.”
Hearing her teacher elevate it to a “work task” eased some of Lele’s ethical pressure.
She studied the plan carefully, glanced at the hopeful look in her teacher’s eyes, and finally, as if accepting a major mission, nodded firmly: “Okay! Professor Jiang, I will supervise you properly!”
“Good girl. Be strict and follow it.” Tang Song ruffled her hair with a smile, settling it.
“Ahem...” Jiang Yourong cleared her throat, afraid Tang Song might recall some mischievous scheme. “Well, now that the ‘hostage’ has been ransomed and the task is handed over, I still have some work to prepare for tonight, so I must leave.”
Qian Lele bit her lip and quickly offered, “Professor Jiang, wait—I’ll go pack my things.”
She then hurried out with head bowed.
In the guest room.
Looking at the room she’d only stayed in for a single day, emotions welled up inside her.
The soft, large bed, high-end fragrances, warm, clean air, the clothes and shoes prepared for her in the walk-in closet...
Every detail was so real.
She felt reluctant to leave.
After a sigh, she quickly adjusted herself and cheered herself on.
She took out her phone and took a photo of the guest room as a keepsake.
Then she tidily packed her small canvas bag, changed back into her original clothes, slipped on her jacket, and returned to the living room.
“Brother, Professor Jiang, I’m ready.”
“Mm.” Jiang Yourong had regained her composed, scholarly air and rose to stand beside her cherished student.
Yet her gaze couldn’t help drifting to the assortment of exquisite snacks, fruits, and desserts on the coffee table.
Her stomach gave a little tug.
Noticing her glance, Tang Song thoughtfully handed a bag over, packing some for them to eat on the road.
Jiang Yourong pretended to demur a little, then gratefully accepted. She was truly starving.
The two of them walked to the entryway and put on their shoes.
With a click, the heavy double-armored door opened.
Jiang Yourong went out first, almost running toward the elevator.
Qian Lele followed but paused at the doorway.
She glanced back at the expansive, bright, lavish flat once more.
She looked at Tang Song standing before her.
In that short day-plus she’d experienced so much—fine food, warm company, exciting VR games, and most of all the feeling of being valued by Tang Song, of being treated like family.
A surge of impulse rose up in her.
She suddenly stepped forward, opened her arms, and threw herself into Tang Song’s embrace.
“Brother, goodbye.” Her voice trembled with affection and reluctance.
The hug was tender yet earnest, carrying her unique clean scent of sunlight and laundry soap.
Tang Song stiffened slightly, then wrapped his arms around her.
After a moment, Qian Lele let go, rose on tiptoe, and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
With her heartbeat thunderous and her face flushed, she turned and hurried into the elevator, following Jiang Yourong.
This time.
The Cinderella hadn’t changed into gowns or ridden a pumpkin carriage.
But she still had her own little moment of magic,
participating in a private “ball” that belonged only to her and Tang Song in the most genuine way,
and leaving behind a kiss truer than any glass slipper before the clock chimed.
Long after, Tang Song touched his cheek, sighed, and a gentle smile flickered across his features.
...
Seven p.m.
Shen City, Tang Yi Precision Innovation Center, summit gala dinner.
Crystal chandeliers lit the ballroom like daylight—warm and opulent.
A string quartet’s elegant strains floated through the air, creating an atmosphere suited for dignified networking.
Well-dressed servers carried silver trays of champagne and delicate hors d’oeuvres, threading through the crowd.
Entrepreneurs, investors, and tech experts from around the world clustered in small groups, wine glasses in hand, speaking quietly.
“President Shen, about the ‘content creator incentive program’ you mentioned this afternoon at the subforum, our Tencent Interactive Entertainment is very interested. We hope to have a deeper, more focused discussion with you later.”
“President Shen, I’m Zhang Yuan in charge of hard-tech investments at Gao Capital. Here’s my card. We’d love to explore ecosystem investment with Xuanji Optical World...”
Holding a glass of champagne, Shen Yuyan navigated the probing, flattering, and collaboration-seeking approaches of various big players with ease.
After a full day of intense summit engagements, she had fully adopted her new identity as Chief Ecosystem Officer and reveled in the authority and respect the role brought.
Her only regret was that she hadn’t had a private audience with Ms. Ouyang.
At the opening ceremony earlier, they’d only exchanged a brief, polite look and a few words across the crowd.
When the forum ended, that elegant woman left quietly—clearly she wouldn’t attend an open networking dinner like this.
It matched her usual mystique and low-key approach.
Perhaps right now she was meeting founders of similar standing in a more private setting and shaping truly consequential deals.
Shen Yuyan’s gaze swept the ballroom and soon landed on two figures nearby—
Zheng Qiudong was surrounded by well-known venture figures, chatting and laughing.
Qin Yingxue, representing Qingning Technology, was naturally one of the most sought-after people in the room.
Shen Yuyan held her glass, contemplating the right moment to approach.
She knew Zheng Qiudong and Qin Yingxue were core figures close to Tang Song with exceptional standing.
Her swift acclimation to the new role and her early understanding of Xuanji Optical World’s internal complexity were thanks to Zheng Qiudong’s team’s full support.
She desperately wanted to genuinely connect with such people, not merely maintain a work relationship.
That impulse was both the ambition in her bones and a sincere yearning fueled by Tang Song.
She wanted to know his world more deeply and enter his inner circle.
Just then, Qin Yingxue seemed to finish a round of greetings and looked over, slightly nodding toward her.
Holding her cup, Qin Yingxue walked over with composed steps.
Shen Yuyan moved forward quickly. “Director Qin, long time no see.”
“Long time. Congratulations, Shirley, on becoming Chief Ecosystem Officer of Xuanji Optical World.” Qin Yingxue’s voice was calm and warm.
“Thank you, Director Qin. I still have much to learn from you and the seniors.” Shen Yuyan kept a humble posture.
“This place is noisy.” Qin Yingxue scanned the bustling crowd and suggested softly, “If you don’t mind, shall we go to a meeting room upstairs to talk?”
“Of course! Please lead the way!” Shen Yuyan accepted, honored.
They went upstairs to a quiet VIP meeting room on the second floor and sat facing each other.
After hot tea was served, the attendant quietly stepped away and closed the door, sealing them off from the hall’s glitter and clamor.
Qin Yingxue lifted her cup and appraised Shen Yuyan with a subtle scrutiny.
She had to admit: this former campus belle from Yanke University—her looks, figure, and performance at the summit—were all outstanding.
Compared with the indulgent, emotionally transparent Lin Muxue, Shen Yuyan seemed far more like an assistant who could actually get things done.
Shen Yuyan took a breath and broke the silence. “Director Qin, did you call me here for anything in particular?”
Qin Yingxue set down her cup and smiled. “Don’t be nervous, just a casual chat. Shirley, how does it feel to have officially joined Xuanji Optical World?”
“The challenges are great, but I’ve gained a lot.” Shen Yuyan chose her words carefully. “The Tang Yi Precision-assembled team is very professional, and Director Zheng’s team has given me tremendous support. I’m honored to join.”
“That’s good.” Qin Yingxue nodded, then shifted tack and casually asked, “By the way, what’s your impression of Chairwoman Ouyang?”
Shen Yuyan’s expression stiffened.
The question came suddenly and felt off.
She thought for a moment and answered cautiously, “Chairwoman Ouyang arranged for Secretary Chen to receive me. I haven’t met her privately yet. But she’s a businesswoman I greatly respect—far-sighted and exemplary.”
Qin Yingxue watched her, smiled slightly, and didn’t respond further.
The air between them fell briefly quiet.
Shen Yuyan felt under scrutiny and a slight tension spread across her back.
After a moment, Qin Yingxue said flatly, “By the way, Shirley, have you learned about the upcoming Smile Holdings global shareholders’ meeting?”
Shen Yuyan sat up straighter, her voice suddenly earnest and excited. “Of course. I’ve long admired Director Jin. Smile Holdings is one of the world’s most mysterious and massive holding groups—every shareholders’ meeting it holds...”
She launched into an impassioned, organized tribute to Smile Holdings and Director Jin’s strategic influence, global reach, and personal charm.
After all, Qin Yingxue was not only a board member of Qingning Technology but also one of Director Jin Meixiao’s closest aides.
Qin Yingxue only looked at her with a small upward curve of the lips.
“You seem quite enthusiastic. When you’re in New York, perhaps you’ll speak to Director Jin in person.”
Shen Yuyan blinked, stunned. “Me? Go to New York? Talk to Director Jin? That...”
Seeing her bewilderment, Qin Yingxue smiled. “It seems President Tang and Assistant Lin haven’t told you. President Tang will personally attend Smile Holdings’ annual shareholders’ meeting.”
What?! Tang Song is going to the shareholders’ meeting?!
Shen Yuyan’s heart suddenly pounded.
Her thoughts scrambled.
Suspicion, hidden ties, and vague guesses started forming a startling picture in her head.
She took a deep breath and asked carefully, “So... the relationship between President Tang and Smile Holdings is...?”
She watched Qin Yingxue’s reaction intently.
Qin Yingxue smiled faintly and took over her unfinished thread. “You should know Smile Holdings’ major shareholder structure, Assistant Shen?”
Shen Yuyan immediately searched her mind and replied, “Director Jin herself, Tang Jin Capital, the Kate Trust, three overseas asset managers, and two mysterious SPVs.”
“Exactly.” Qin Yingxue nodded, calmly adding, “Those two SPVs ultimately channel into an offshore company named Silent Crown SPV Limited. The real controller of that company is President Tang.”
Boom—
Shen Yuyan felt as if her head had been struck by lightning;
her mind went blank.
The earth-shaking shock was far stronger than when she learned of her appointment as Chief Ecosystem Officer.
She knew a lot about Smile Holdings and that analysts had long discussed those two mysterious SPVs, which together hold five percent of Smile Holdings.
Given Smile Holdings’ gargantuan, trillion-level scale, that percentage represented a suffocating amount of power.
It meant that—
Tang Song was an invisible individual shareholder second only to Jin Meixiao.
All her prior confusion and puzzled questions suddenly snapped into place.
No wonder he could coordinate between Rongliu, Tang Yi, Qingning, and Tang Zong so freely;
No wonder Director Jin’s two core assistants—Shangguan Qiuyas and Qin Yingxue—held him in such respect;
No wonder Zheng Qiudong, Wu Kezhi, Anne Kate, and even Ms. Ouyang appeared in his orchestration.
He was not merely a pawn or agent of capital—he was the mastermind of capital.
A chill of dread mixed with dizzying vertigo washed over her.
Shen Yuyan’s teeth trembled uncontrollably;
her soul felt as if it might be wrenched out.
“Director Qin...” She suppressed the tremor in her voice. “This is the first time I’m hearing of this.”
“You’ll soon see it confirmed.” Qin Yingxue said without emotion. “Director Jin asked Smile Holdings’ board to send a formal letter to President Tang, explicitly inviting Assistant Shen to attend.”
“Director Jin personally named me to attend?” Shen Yuyan’s eyes twitched.
“Yes.” Qin Yingxue rose, her tone encouraging. “Director Jin has a good impression of you. Cherish this chance and perform well—don’t disappoint her.”
Shen Yuyan sat frozen;
her brain had stopped functioning.
Tang Song was the hidden shareholder of Smile Holdings second only to Jin Meixiao;
Director Jin had personally named her to attend the global shareholders’ meeting.
One explosive revelation after another had collapsed her mental framework.
She couldn’t come to terms with it.
From beginning to end, she had been interacting with a true “god.”
Young and clear-eyed, yet controlling the most profound capital power in the world.
Shen Yuyan’s chest heaved—not in fear, but with a rapturous joy at being favored by fate.
At that moment she felt enormous gratitude.
Thankfully her friend Yanqing had seized the chance that allowed her to connect with Tang Song and open this door to the top tier.
Thankfully she hadn’t let pride stop her and had stepped forward into his system, choosing the arduous yet radiant path.
And thankfully he never abandoned her, always giving her opportunities to prove herself.
She closed her eyes briefly, fingers trembling, a bitter smile on her lips.
Tang Song, forgive my past shallowness and ignorance.
...
Night over Shen City.
Traffic flowed like molten gold;
neon rolled like waves.
A subdued black Toyota Alphard glided silently along the main roads.
In the roomy rear aviation-seat, Ouyang Xianyue wore a precisely tailored deep-gray haute couture skirt suit that fit her mature curves perfectly.
Her legs encased in flesh-toned stockings crossed elegantly, fingers interlaced and resting quietly on her knee.
Light and shadow from outside played across her stately profile, skimming over delicate earrings, a defined jawline, and a hint of collarbone.
She didn’t look at her phone or deal with documents—her gaze was fixed on the city lights rushing past, deep and unruffled.
The car eased into the JW Marriott’s underground parking and stopped at the VIP lift.
Secretary Chen Jing in the front whispered, “Ms. Ouyang, we’ve arrived.”
“Mm.”
Ouyang Xianyue acknowledged and the security detail got out ahead to open her door.
They entered the private elevator lobby and took a dedicated lift to the 25th floor.
“Ding—” The elevator chimed softly as its doors parted.
“Ms. Ouyang!”
Cheng Xiaoxi, already waiting at the elevator exit, bowed respectfully, her tone full of barely concealed reverence.
Ouyang Xianyue led the way without much comment and entered the corridor to the presidential suite.
The heavy door opened and then closed lightly behind them.
Warm, tasteful lighting filled the room.
The rest of the party paused in the outer hall while Ouyang Xianyue walked alone into the large suite.
A subtle fragrance and a cool night breeze from the terrace filled the air.
She lifted her gaze and saw the figure standing by the floor-to-ceiling window.
The person faced away, gazing at Shen City’s glittering night, tall and sharply composed.
Tonight she wore something extremely formal.
A sleek, black satin-like backless gown traced an astonishing waist-to-hip ratio. Elegant shoulder blades and the pale sweep of her back shimmered under the soft interior light.
Her long black hair fell like a waterfall, the tips subtly dyed silver-gray, fluttering in the breeze.
The city’s thousand lights framed her waist and shoulders like a backdrop.
Graceful, solitary—unreal in its beauty.
Ouyang Xianyue walked forward quietly, her steps so light they barely made a sound.
Facing Su Yu—an ally she had long admired and supported—she felt an odd flutter of nervousness.
Although busy, she shouldn’t have kept Su Yu waiting all day.
At root, it was still her own hesitation and calculation.
She knew that once she laid her cards on the table, the game around Tang Song would irreversibly change.
There were Su Yu and Jin Meixiao, Wu Kezhi, Zheng Qiudong, and others—their opinions and stakes.
But she couldn’t wait any longer.
When Tang Song returned from New York he would formally take over Xuanji Optical World.
This was the ideal moment;
she had to seize it and take the critical next step with him.
But how to begin?
Some words were too heavy.
Some statuses too difficult to break through.
Gulp—
“Sister Xianyue.” Su Yu slowly turned, her flawless face showing a faint smile that revealed little warmth. “You came.”
“Little Yu, did I keep you waiting?” Ouyang Xianyue’s tone was gentle, carrying her usual poise and intimacy. “The summit has been hectic;
I just made it free.”
“Mm, I understand.” Su Yu extended a hand in a polite “please” gesture.
They sat at a huge dining table laden with carefully prepared dishes still steaming faintly.
Ouyang Xianyue offered Su Yu a bite of a dish she liked and asked after her health in a concerned, elder-sounding way.
They discussed the summit’s highlights and Shen City’s recent art exhibitions.
The atmosphere was as harmonious as countless private dinners they’d once shared—impeccable.
When the meal wound down, Su Yu rose gracefully and went to the bar.
She opened a bottle of red wine that had been decanted and poured two glasses.
The wine shone a deep gem-like red in crystal.
Su Yu carried the two glasses back, her black skirt swaying like a night butterfly.
Instead of returning to her seat, she sat down beside Ouyang Xianyue, placing the glasses between them.
They were close.
One dazzling and ethereal, the other stately and elegant.
Their powerful presences rubbed against and collided with each other.
A subtle atmosphere began to stir.
After a moment, Su Yu raised her glass first, her smile growing more refined. “It’s been so long since I relaxed and had a meal with Sister Xianyue like this.”
“Yes, nearly a year.”
“Clink—” The crystal glasses met.
Ouyang Xianyue’s fingers tightened a little as she sipped the cool wine.
“Congratulations, Sister Xianyue. After Tang Song’s return, he will take over Xuanji Optical World right on your turf.”
A flicker crossed Ouyang Xianyue’s heart, but her face remained composed. “That’s part of the group’s strategy. After all, it concerns the next-generation human-computer interaction entrance, a field Tang Song is very interested in.”
Su Yu didn’t respond, only taking a long swallow of wine.
Ouyang Xianyue shifted topics and asked in a caring, older-sister tone, “By the way, when will your new film Parallel Dawn finish shooting? I’m looking forward to it.”
“It’s finished shooting.” Su Yu’s tone lightened slightly. “Next is post-production. Because it’s sci-fi, it needs a lot of effects.”
“I’ll book out the theater when it releases;
I’m your loyal fan.” Ouyang Xianyue smiled warmly.
“Thank you for your support, Sister Xianyue.” Su Yu looked at her;
a gleam flashed in her amber eyes and she laughed softly. “By the way, Tang Song did cameo in three shots. They were filmed very well—I like them a lot.”
Ouyang Xianyue’s brow rose and her expression grew more serious. “Little Yu, I told Xiang Wan earlier. You can keep those shots for yourself, but his face mustn’t appear on the big screen, nor his name in the credits.”
This time Su Yu didn’t obediently nod. Instead, she revealed a seductively provocative smile.
“Why not?”
Her lips glinted dangerously in the red wine’s light, making Ouyang Xianyue slightly anxious.
“I’ve waited so many years for him to agree to this cameo. I won’t just put his name in the credits—I will...” She leaned in close to Ouyang Xianyue and spoke each word slowly, “I will use the scene where he proposes to me as the film’s first promotional trailer and release it next week!”
“Su Yu!” Ouyang Xianyue’s face darkened instantly. She shot up, her dignified composure shattered, her tone severe. “Have you thought through the consequences of doing that?!”
“Consequences?” Su Yu drained her glass and set it down heavily. “I’ve spent years thinking about consequences, but have I gotten what I wanted?!”
Ouyang Xianyue forced herself to calm down and lowered her voice to soothe her. “I’ll handle Jin Meixiao’s side for you. I promise it won’t go that far!”
“How will you help me?”
Su Yu’s expression softened slightly;
tear tracks still stained her face. Her devastating beauty carried a touch of sharpened clarity.
She leaned forward, closing the distance to a few centimeters—intimate as a lover yet overtly aggressive, almost letting the other feel her breath. “Would you go out in person to compete with Jin Meixiao on my behalf? How could you—your status is far too lofty.”
“We are friends and allies, but I know my limits...” Ouyang Xianyue replied.
“I’m not important enough for you to sacrifice your body and reputation for me.”
There was a wild fire burning in Su Yu’s eyes.
Ouyang Xianyue lifted a hand and gripped her cool wrist. “Calm down. Actually... it’s not impossible.”