Maxing Out Charisma, Inheriting Game Assets

Chapter 727: Xiaoxue: Help Me!

At 4 PM.

Chang'an, International Convention Center.

The closed-door seminar for the "Western Photovoltaic New Energy Industry Cluster" was nearing its end.

Inside the massive circular assembly hall, the atmosphere was solemn yet enthusiastic.

Leaders from provincial and municipal governments, representatives from State Grid, experts from Tang Yi Precision, and delegates from several leading domestic investment institutions sat upright with serious expressions.

Under the gaze of the entire audience, Lin Muxue stood at the podium holding a microphone, delivering her concluding remarks.

"...Thank you for the detailed introduction from the provincial and municipal governments. Rongliu Capital believes that the Western Photovoltaic New Energy Industry Cluster represents not just a transformation of the energy structure, but also the foundation for future data computing power centers..."

After finishing her speech, she gave a slight nod.

"Clap clap clap—" Thunderous applause erupted throughout the assembly hall.

Subsequently, several other representatives took turns speaking.The meeting concluded successfully, and everyone stood up to leave.

Deputy Mayor Li didn't rush to leave but instead proactively approached Lin Muxue, wearing a warm, paternal smile.

"President Lin, you've worked hard these past two days. Your speech was brilliant, very insightful."

"You flatter me, Mayor Li."

They exchanged pleasantries for a moment.

Deputy Mayor Li then said meaningfully, "President Lin is from Zhou County here in Chang'an. If... your family encounters any difficulties in the future, you can contact me directly anytime."

"Thank you for your concern, Mayor Li. Everything is fine for now."

Lin Muxue understood perfectly well that this goodwill was naturally extended out of respect for Ms. Ouyang.

But even so, a personal promise from a local official in her hometown was enough to make her heart surge with emotion.

Escorted enthusiastically by leaders from both provincial and municipal levels and a group of senior executives, Lin Muxue once again boarded that familiar Bentley. The door closed, shutting out all the external pleasantries and flattery.

She leaned back exhaustedly against the soft leather seat and let out a long sigh.

To be honest, while she was an expert at putting on impressive displays, when it came to actual substantive work, she still found it somewhat challenging.

Taking her phone from her bag, she glanced at it and her eyebrows imperceptibly twitched.

The screen showed several missed calls from her parents.

Ever since two days ago, in that luxury apartment at "Swan Bay."

That perfect face-slapping moment, while allowing her to vent thoroughly and dissipate much of the resentment accumulated over many years, hadn't completely led to reconciliation.

During these two workdays, she had thrown herself entirely into this billion-level inspection and indeed hadn't contacted her parents again.

Hesitating for a moment, she softly exhaled and dialed her father Lin Baoshan's number.

"Beep beep—"

After just two brief rings, the call was answered almost immediately.

"Hello? Luna?"

Her father's voice came through the receiver, filled with ingratiation and caution.

"Dad, it's me. I just finished the meeting."

"Oh! Oh! All done? That's great!"

"Mmm. Is something up?"

"N-no, nothing major..." Her father paused on the other end, then asked, "When are you leaving?"

Lin Muxue said calmly, "Tomorrow afternoon's flight. I have important work back in Yancheng."

This was true.

The global shareholders' meeting of [Smile Holdings] would be held next Monday in New York.

As Tang Song's chief assistant, she definitely needed to accompany him.

And before that, she would first accompany Tang Song to France to inspect that long-awaited [Tangjin Estate].

Just thinking about [Tangjin Estate] made her heart surge with excitement, filled with endless anticipation.

That was a world-class private estate, Tang Song's true core sanctuary.

She had already mentally calculated a hundred times how she could also secure a small building of her own within that private territory belonging to Tang Song.

That would truly symbolize status and position.

On the phone, after a moment of silence, her father asked in a tone bordering on pleading, "Luna, you... are you free tonight? Your mom and I would like to see you."

Lin Muxue pursed her lips, didn't answer immediately, but instead asked, "You didn't go to the construction site today?"

"No." Her father's voice grew even quieter, "Well, it's because you're in Chang'an, I was thinking..."

Lin Muxue's chest rose and fell slightly, her feelings complex.

Her father Lin Baoshan was actually only in his early 50s this year;

in rural areas, far from retirement age.

He had always worked odd jobs on construction sites here in Chang'an, plus farming their few acres of land, without social security, laboriously supporting the family, never taking breaks even during holidays.

Since childhood, she hadn't spent much time with her father.

Far less than with her mother.

"Luna..." Her father's cautious voice came through the receiver again, afraid she would hang up impatiently.

Lin Muxue closed her eyes, then said, "I'll go to my brother's place later, have dinner at his house tonight."

"Ah?! Great! Great!" Her father's voice instantly filled with joy, "I'll tell your mom to prepare more dishes right away!"

"Mmm."

Hanging up.

Lin Muxue let out a long sigh, told the driver, and changed the destination.

Her gaze turned to the window.

The Bentley was driving past the moat;

the majestic ancient city walls appeared desolate yet magnificent under the setting sun.

....

Meanwhile.

Southern suburbs, Ruixiang Jiayuan residential complex.

Lin Muchuan's small living room instantly erupted into chaos.

Wang Suxia was so excited she spun in place, thrusting the grandson in her arms into her daughter-in-law Peng Xiaomeng's hands, "Xiaomeng, watch the baby for now, I'm going downstairs to buy some things. Luna loves stone bread and Qiongguo sugar the most."

As she spoke, she swiftly pulled on her padded coat.

Then she shouted at the still-dazed Lin Baoshan, "Aiya! What are you still standing there for? Quick, quick, quick! Go pick through the walnuts we brought from home, crack them open, Luna loves these! And steam those date buns we made a couple days ago, heat them up for us!"

Peng Xiaomeng watched her mother-in-law's "regained treasure" excited state without the slightest displeasure.

On the contrary, she immediately offered, "Mom, don't rush. Should I call Muchuan now, ask him to take leave and come back early?"

Wang Suxia hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly.

She usually feared disturbing her son's work the most, but the situation was special now;

her daughter was finally home for a visit.

About twenty minutes later.

Lin Muchuan drove that semi-old Nissan Sylphy home in a frantic hurry.

As soon as he entered, he first helped his mother in the kitchen for a while, then carefully cleaned the living room.

Only then did he nervously rub his hands, finally having a moment free.

"Muchuan, come with me for a moment."

Peng Xiaomeng tugged his sleeve, leading him into the master bedroom.

"What's up?" Lin Muchuan asked.

Peng Xiaomeng lowered her voice, "What's the actual situation at your company now? Can it still hold on?"

"Ah." Lin Muchuan sighed, "Still the same, probably can last until year-end when we get our salaries, but that's about it. Don't even think about the year-end bonus."

"Muchuan, Luna is leaving tomorrow." Peng Xiaomeng's eyes flickered, "About your job situation... shouldn't you mention it to her?"

Lin Muchuan immediately frowned, "No! We've just barely improved relations with Luna, how can I have the nerve to bring that up? Wouldn't that be like asking her for things?"

"But our family's current situation..." Peng Xiaomeng hesitated, leaving her sentence unfinished.

"Anyway, it's not appropriate, we'll talk about it later." Lin Muchuan stubbornly shook his head.

Peng Xiaomeng sighed, not daring to push him further on this topic.

She could also see that the resentment in Lin Muxue's heart hadn't completely dissipated;

bringing up money or work now really wasn't appropriate.

She gritted her teeth, switching to a gentle tone, "Alright then, if you say don't mention it, we won't. Later, spend more time chatting with your sister. Don't worry too much about work either. That 80,000 yuan bride price money from back then, I still have it in a fixed deposit. I'll withdraw it later, it'll be enough for us to manage for a while."

Hearing this, Lin Muchuan was stunned, a strange sense of warmth rising in his heart.

This wife of his, since getting pregnant, this was the first time she had been so gentle with him.

And she actually proactively suggested using that bride price money she valued more than life itself.

Just then.

"Ding dong— ding dong—" The doorbell rang.

"Aiya! It must be Luna!" Peng Xiaomeng's eyes lit up, quickly pushing her husband, "Come on, come on! Go open the door!"

The two quickly went to the living room.

Lin Baoshan had already nervously run over and opened the door, and Wang Suxia, who had just come out of the kitchen wiping her hands, also stopped in her tracks.

Immediately after, a tall, cold, and stunning figure stepped into this small living room.

"Luna." "Luna, you're here..."

The four quickly greeted her, their voices filled with barely suppressed nervousness and ingratiation.

Lin Muxue walked in.

In her right hand, she carried that black and gold Hermès Birkin bag, wearing an exquisitely textured black cashmere coat over a simple black business shirt.

Her entire person appeared even more refined, capable, but also even more coldly stunning.

She simply stood there quietly, yet the powerful aura cultivated in top-tier social circles made even this small space by the door feel cramped.

"Dad, Mom, Brother, Sister-in-law." She greeted them, the terms correct but her tone flat.

Her gaze then fell upon the small infant in Peng Xiaomeng's arms who was curiously staring with wide eyes, her expression softening slightly, "Dudu."

"Oh, oh! Dudu, call Auntie... Auntie..." Peng Xiaomeng laughed cheerfully, waving her son's little hand, "This is your Auntie Luna..."

As the baby made "babbling" sounds, the suffocating tension in the living room seemed to dissipate slightly.

Wang Suxia looked at this daughter who was both familiar and strange, gritted her teeth, finally mustering the courage to step forward and grab her arm.

"Luna, come, come sit down. Take off your coat, don't get it dirty."

She pulled her daughter to sit on the sofa, then quickly turned to call out, "Muchuan, what are you still standing there for! Hurry and get your sister some water!"

"Alright!" Lin Muchuan quickly responded.

For a moment, the family busily began enthusiastically attending to her—some getting water, others bringing fruit.

Lin Muxue looked at the coffee table filled with walnut kernels, Qiongguo sugar, and steaming hot date buns... all her favorite childhood snacks.

She then glanced around, surveying this new home of her brother's that she had only seen in social media posts.

Excluding the shared areas, the actual usable space was probably only around 70 square meters, the decoration very ordinary, the furniture all the cheapest styles.

It was for this very apartment that they had sold off that homestead plot promised to her.

Noticing her gaze, Lin Baoshan and Wang Suxia's hearts simultaneously tightened, their faces showing embarrassment and worry.

Lin Muxue withdrew her gaze, picked up a piece of Qiongguo sugar and put it in her mouth, slowly chewing.

That intensely sweet, childhood flavor spread across her taste buds, evoking a complex warmth in her heart.

Lin Muchuan pursed his lips, finally mustering the courage to stand up and say, "Luna, about that incident with me buying the apartment for marriage, when Mom and Dad sold your homestead, ultimately it was all for me. This matter is my fault, I apologize to you."

Wang Suxia's eyes also reddened, grabbing her daughter's hand, her voice choked, "Luna, it was Mom's fault, I shouldn't have hidden it from you back then... Mom admits her mistake to you."

Seeing the family like this, the resentment that had built up in Lin Muxue's heart over the past two years mostly dissipated.

She took a deep breath and shook her head, "It's all in the past. I know you had difficulties back then too."

She didn't say she forgave them, but the phrase "it's all in the past" was enough to make Lin Muchuan and Wang Suxia feel as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Wang Suxia's tears instantly streamed down.

Peng Xiaomeng quickly handed her tissues.

The tense atmosphere in the living room finally became harmonious.

Lin Muxue looked at Lin Muchuan and asked casually, "Brother, are you still working at that same machinery factory?"

"Yeah, been there over four years now."

Lin Muxue took a sip of hot water, looked up and said, "I heard from Sister Jiajia that your company is about to go under?"

Peng Xiaomeng's heart jumped violently, instantly realizing something, holding her breath.

Lin Muchuan's face turned bright red, shamefully lowering his head, "Mmm... the industry isn't doing well now, the company is also... struggling."

In his view, having sucked so much from the family, even causing his sister to suffer immense injustice, yet ending up achieving nothing, was truly humiliating.

He had studied automation in university, and after graduation joined this traditional machining factory. The technical level wasn't high, and the business heavily relied on foreign trade orders.

In the current situation, the company's future was uncertain.

As for himself, he hadn't acquired top-notch skills, but instead developed the inertia common in traditional manufacturing. Wanting to switch to high-tech industries, his knowledge structure and work pace couldn't keep up.

Stuck in the middle, extremely awkward.

Just then, Lin Muxue opened that black and gold Birkin bag.

She took out an exquisitely made business card from inside and gently placed it on the coffee table, pushing it toward him.

"This is the contact information for Wang Mingwei, general manager of [Tang Yi Precision]'s Chang'an branch."

Her voice was very calm, as if discussing a trivial matter.

"I've already mentioned your situation to him. Tomorrow morning, go see him directly. Regarding your new job, he will help arrange everything for you. You have Dudu now, the pressure is greater. Dad is getting older too, try not to work on construction sites anymore in the future."

"Boom—"

These words exploded like thunder in the room.

Lin Muchuan stared dumbfounded at that thin business card, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

Peng Xiaomeng bit her lower lip hard to stop herself from screaming, her eyes bursting with unbelievable ecstasy.

She had dreamed of her husband joining a stable large enterprise, but to go directly to [Tang Yi Precision]?!

That was [Tang Yi Precision]! The pinnacle of domestic manufacturing!

For Lin Muchuan, who studied automation and worked in machinery, that was practically holy ground.

Salary, benefits, stability... things she didn't even dare to imagine!

Just arranged like that?! And directly contacting the general manager?!

Wang Suxia and Lin Baoshan exchanged glances, their expressions complex—both joyful surprise for their son, and guilt and unease toward their daughter.

"Aiya! Thank you, Luna! For Muchuan to have a sister like you is really... really... such tremendous good fortune!"

Peng Xiaomeng was the first to react, so excited she was incoherent, quickly nudging her still-stunned husband.

"Luna." Lin Muchuan's voice trembled, "Thank you, this, this wouldn't make you owe too big a favor, would it?"

"Heh, not that serious." Lin Muxue picked up her water cup with an air of nonchalance, "My visit this time also represents the company's cooperation with [Tang Yi Precision]. Besides, I have a good relationship with Ms. Ouyang. This is just a small matter."

And as the words "Ms. Ouyang" lightly slipped from her lips.

Even Lin Baoshan's eyes widened.

Lin Muchuan and Peng Xiaomeng were even more stunned, their eyes full of disbelief.

"Ms... Ms. Ouyang? That chairman of [Tang Yi Precision]?!" Lin Muchuan stammered.

Lin Muxue chuckled lightly, "Mmm. The apartment I bought in Modu was transferred to me by her as a friendly gesture."

The small living room instantly fell silent.

Just then.

"Ring ring ring—" Her phone rang from inside her bag.

[Tang Yi Precision - Secretary Chen]

Lin Muxue's heart jumped slightly. She shook her phone and said, "It's a call from Ms. Ouyang's secretary. I need to take this."

After speaking, under the family's utterly shocked and awestruck gazes, she stood up and walked toward the balcony.

"Hello? Secretary Chen."

"Assistant Lin, good afternoon. I hope I'm not disturbing your rest?" Chen Jing's steady, capable voice came from the other end.

"No, no, Secretary Chen. What can I do for you?"

"Hehe, nothing major." Chen Jing laughed, "I heard from General Manager Wang of the Chang'an branch that you plan to have your brother join as an equipment engineer?"

Lin Muxue's heart tightened, quickly explaining, "Yes. He studied automation in university and has been working in a machinery factory, so his specialty is relatively matched."

She had thought this would be a simple matter, just a word from her. After all, given her current status, arranging a basic position for a family member was perfectly normal. She never expected it would reach the chief secretary of Ms. Ouyang.

She suddenly felt nervous, unsure what the other party meant.

"Assistant Lin, don't misunderstand, I don't mean anything else." Chen Jing, as if guessing her thoughts, still spoke gently, "The reason for my call is that General Manager Wang's arrangement isn't quite appropriate."

"Ah?"

"Since he's your own brother and has a relevant educational background, placing him as just an ordinary equipment engineer is wasting his talent. My suggestion is to have General Manager Wang arrange a reserve cadre position instead, initially placed in the automation technology R&

D department for six months of training. If he can keep up, we'll cultivate him toward a high-tech specialist role in the future. The salary and benefits would naturally follow the reserve cadre standards."

Lin Muxue instantly felt relieved, "Okay, thank you so much, Secretary Chen!"

"You're welcome." Chen Jing inquired about her schedule in Chang'an with concern, then casually changed the subject, as if making small talk, "By the way, Assistant Lin, you're accompanying President Tang to New York next week for the global shareholders' meeting of [Smile Holdings], correct?"

"Yes, before that we'll first go to the estate in France. The itinerary is already arranged."

"Hehe, then you'll get to meet Director Jin in person then." Chen Jing's tone carried a hint of inexplicable amusement, "Coincidentally, you might not know this, but these private itineraries and life details you're currently managing for President Tang—in the past, they were all personally handled by Director Jin. From this perspective, you've somewhat perfectly taken over some of Director Jin's functions around President Tang. I believe you two should have plenty to talk about when you meet."

Lin Muxue froze completely, even doubting her own hearing.

(o_o)?!

What?!

The private secretarial work I'm doing now... was what Director Jin used to do?!

From the receiver, Chen Jing's voice remained steady, "Also, just received news that Director Jin specifically sent an invitation in the name of the [Smile Holdings] board, inviting President Tang's work assistant—Shen Yuyan—to also attend this global shareholders' meeting. I believe President Tang will notify you soon. You two assistants can communicate in advance about the itinerary details."

"I won't disturb you further then. Enjoy your time with family. Goodbye."

"Go-goodbye." Lin Muxue responded woodenly.

The dial tone came through the receiver.

Holding her phone, standing on the balcony, her mind was a complete "buzzing" mess.

An absurd yet heart-pounding thought uncontrollably surfaced.

In her worldview, Director Jin was President Tang's primary partner, the lofty behind-the-scenes controller.

But according to Chen Jing's words, Director Jin had actually done this kind of private secretarial work before?

If that were really the case.

She seemed to suddenly understand why Director Jin's attitude toward her always carried a subtle sense of scrutiny and warning.

Director Jin personally invited Shen Yuyan to New York?

As a warning? A reprimand? Or to promote Shen Yuyan to replace her?

I'm doomed! Doomed!

Help! How am I supposed to handle this?!