novelraw Chapter 736: The Seed of Fear
Chapter 736: The Seed of Fear
The glass doors slid silently open to both sides.
Tang Song stepped inside, his gaze sweeping across the interior of the main residence.
This was a massive central hall with a ceiling height of over ten meters, where light poured down from the dome, illuminating the suspended, highly artistic staircase at the very center.
The walls bore no trace of garishness, instead hanging genuine art pieces rarely seen even at auctions.
Monet's water lilies capturing the interplay of light and shadow, Kandinsky's cool, sharp abstract geometries.
A blue-and-white moon-embracing vase stood on a jet-black base, with bronze sculptures beside it emitting a subtle glow.
East and West, classical and modern.
Here, they coexisted perfectly in an extremely harmonious manner.
A faint glimmer flashed in Tang Song's eyes.
He spotted many art collections he had casually purchased in the game, which had actually been placed here.Tina introduced softly, "All the collections in the main residence are regularly maintained by a team of experts from Sotheby's. The security system here is world-class."
Just then, several people dressed in extremely refined and formal attire walked in from a side hall.
Tina stopped and turned slightly, "Mr. Tang, this is Mr. Dubois. He was formerly one of the chief stewards of Buckingham Palace, with over thirty years of royal service experience. From today onward, he will be fully responsible for all your living affairs within the estate."
Dubois, with graying hair and beard, stepped forward, placed his right hand over his chest, and performed an impeccable bow to Tang Song.
"Welcome to your manor, sir." His voice was mellow and filled with respect, "It is my honor to serve you."
Tang Song gave a slight nod, his tone composed, "Hello, Mr. Dubois. I believe everything will be properly managed."
Dubois then turned his gaze to Lin Muxue, "Hello, Assistant Lin. We have communicated multiple times online before. Regarding the subsequent schedules for you and the gentleman within the estate, I have arranged everything according to your instructions. It is a pleasure to formally meet and work with you."
"Hello, Mr. Dubois." Lin Muxue suppressed her violently pounding heart, striving to maintain the demeanor of a professional assistant as she responded politely.
So, the head of the steward team who had been so reverent and meticulous in arranging work for her during video conferences...
Was actually a former chief steward from Buckingham Palace who served the Queen of England?!
Only at this moment did she truly understand, through her senses rather than imagination, the ultimate form of the word "wealth."
Tang Song continued walking.
He passed through the art gallery, casually strolling around the first floor.
Tina maintained a position half a step behind him, softly introducing the details of each area.
The small conference hall equipped with a simultaneous interpretation system, the private elevator directly connected to the underground wine cellar, the indoor constant-temperature swimming pool and health management center...
Tina maintained a position half a step behind him, softly introducing the details of each area.
The small conference hall equipped with a simultaneous interpretation system, the private elevator directly connected to the underground wine cellar, the indoor constant-temperature swimming pool and health management center...
The three eventually arrived at the central study on the third floor of the main residence.
This room faced the central axis of the estate. Through a giant floor-to-ceiling glass wall, one could perfectly overlook the mirror-like artificial lake below, the chessboard-patterned vineyard, the iconic lavender fields, and the Mediterranean skyline in the distance.
"Mr. Tang, this way please." Tina gestured toward an area by the floor-to-ceiling window.
There was no traditional desk there, but rather a black mirror surface that almost blended into the wall.
"The estate's acceptance report, asset inventory, personnel structure, and operational plans for the next three months are all here."
As Tang Song approached, the biometric system silently activated. The black mirror surface before him instantly lit up, transforming into a massive multi-touch display screen.
As someone with a professional development system background, Tang Song was very familiar with this logic.
He didn't even need Tina's guidance and began operating it skillfully.
His fingertips lightly swiped.
A massive central control system that could be manipulated in real-time unfolded before his eyes:
[Building Status]:
Main Palace (Activated/Energy Consumption... Air Quality: Excellent]...)
A massive central control system that could be manipulated in real-time unfolded before his eyes:
Equestrian Field (Horses: 12 [Click to View Health Data] Status...)
International Conference Center (Status: Security System Standby/Available for Booking)
Helicopter Landing Pad (H160 Helicopter: [Hangar on Standby]....)
......
[Economic System]:
Vineyard (Land Area: 45 Hectares/Status: Dormant Period/Winemaker Team...)
Olive Grove (Land Area: 20 Hectares/Status: Normal/This Quarter's Olive Oil: [3000L Pressed and Stored])
Wellness Center (Status: Standby/Therapist Team: [On Standby])
......
[Personnel Management]:
Estate Service Team (On Duty: 85 People [View Schedule])
Security Team (On Duty: 40 People [View Real-time Deployment Map &
Drone Patrol Footage])
.......
This wasn't a PowerPoint briefing;
this was a genuine real-time estate operating system (ManorOS).
Every sub-item could be expanded infinitely—real-time monitoring, asset flow, personnel records, environmental parameters...
Through this, he could intuitively see and manage every corner of the entire estate.
Tina continued reporting, "The estate's property and artworks have been transferred. I have preliminarily integrated the winery's operations and the equestrian team. Once you review it, you can decide..."
Tang Song listened quietly, but his fingertips swiped across the screen again.
Through this, he could intuitively see and manage every corner of the entire estate.
His heart began to pound "thump thump thump".
These real-time pulsing data, these 230 hectares of land, this entire operating system.
At this moment, they were opening up to him in an absolutely submissive manner.
Not symbolic ownership.
Not registration on paper.
These real-time fluctuating data, these 230 hectares of land, this entire operating system.
Wherever you want to change, you can change.
Whatever you want to build, you can build.
All resources are awaiting your decisions.
A feeling of calm and vast control slowly rose from the deepest part of his chest.
So real.
So immense.
So silent.
Land, production, living;
Security, meetings, administration;
Culture, art, healing;
Luxury, socializing, legacy....
All systems revolved around him.
All order centered on him.
......
Just then.
Lin Muxue beside him stepped closer, "President Tang, I... I need to use the restroom first."
Tang Song turned his head, his gaze instinctively glancing at her lower abdomen.
Lin Muxue instantly pressed her legs together, a hint of unnatural embarrassment appearing on her flushed cheeks.
"Go ahead."
Lin Muxue felt as if granted amnesty. Struggling to maintain her last bit of elegance, she turned and walked towards the restroom in her high heels.
Walking faster and faster.
Clearly, Cartographer Luna was about to lose control.
Tang Song slowly withdrew his hand.
Returning to the floor-to-ceiling window, he looked down at the vast private territory beneath his feet.
It was impossible to complete a physical inspection of such a massive estate within a single day.
But a more practical issue had already presented itself before him.
This place was located in the heart of Europe, just an hour's drive from bustling Nice, the film sanctuary Cannes, and the money-burning pit Monaco.
In the future, when he and his wings needed a place for vacation, this would undoubtedly be the first choice—
Safe enough, absolutely private, and having everything one could need.
He could almost imagine how lively this quiet estate would become when they all moved in.
The main residence had undoubtedly been preemptively occupied by Secretary Jin.
This was probably a place she personally participated in designing, plus there were many photos of her, and her clothes hung in the walk-in closet.
As for the other dozen or so independent villas, how should they be allocated?
This wasn't a simple matter.
He had to consider everyone's preferences, personalities, and the relationships between them.
Luna and Qianqian, that pair of close friends, could be grouped together. The luxurious classical-style villa near the vineyard was most suitable, and it was close to the beauty and anti-aging center.
Tang Song's gaze fell on the gentle slope to the east.
The Tuscan rustic-style villa, backed by the olive grove, facing the lake.
The backyard gate led directly to the forest riding trail.
There was a separate gym and tennis court downstairs.
Big Sister would probably love it there.
And that Chinese Jiangnan-style courtyard house with upturned eaves and bracket sets.
Designed with interconnected courtyards, waterside pavilions, long corridors, and small bridges.
Filled with soft light and ink-like colors.
Zhang Yan would probably particularly like it.
And Bai Yueguang, she liked quiet and research. That minimalist glass house near the lake,
With excellent views and extremely pure lighting.
Was most suitable for her.
Tang Song's thoughts finally settled on the figure he was about to reunite with in Paris.
Zhang Yan would probably particularly like it.
This was probably the biggest challenge in the future.
Tang Song rubbed the space between his eyebrows.
Speaking of which, the female celebrity should have arrived in Yancheng by now.
He wondered if she had met Big Sister yet.
4:30 PM.
Yancheng.
The black Bentley drove smoothly along the ring road, the lingering sunset after the snow casting a cool-toned halo on the car window.
Su Yu leaned quietly in the back seat, her gaze unfocused as she looked out the window.
Her stunningly beautiful face, carrying an air of cool aloofness, was reflected in the window glass.
The city's neon lights hadn't fully lit up yet, the sky was slightly dim, and the entire Yancheng seemed submerged in a thin mist, quiet and somewhat desolate.
This place wasn't unfamiliar to her;
she had been here many times before.
During those two busiest, most fiery years, she would try every possible means to squeeze out a day or two of free time from her packed schedule.
Then, wearing a mask and hat, like an ordinary girl rushing for love, she would come alone to this unfamiliar northern city, just to see him once.
Back then, he was also very busy.
But no matter how busy, whenever she came, he would always make time.
Playing the guitar, chatting about music, writing songs for her.
Those intensive schedules, the media's sharpness, the company's exploitation...
All became bearable the moment she saw him.
Until later.
He started not replying to her messages, using a gradual estrangement to push her bit by bit out of his world.
She then began sending him various postcards, invitations, tickets to movie premieres...
And after that, came those years of waiting, feeling like drowning, and self-doubt sufficient to swallow everything.
Precisely because she had experienced that bone-chilling cold of being abandoned by the world, she was especially fearful.
Those intensive schedules, the media's sharpness, the company's exploitation...
He went to Tangjin Estate, took over that territory named after him and Jin Meixiao.
Next, Jin Meixiao would also see him in New York.
December 25th, her birthday was coming soon.
This time, she really didn't want to gamble anymore.
And after that, came those years of waiting, feeling like drowning, and self-doubt sufficient to swallow everything.
Precisely because she had experienced that bone-chilling cold of being abandoned by the world, she was especially fearful.
So, she came.
The vehicle smoothly left the main road and entered the underground garage of Shengyuan Fine Neighborhood.
"Sister Yu." Assistant Cheng Xiaoxi in the front seat reminded softly, "We've arrived. Wen Ruan is waiting for you."
"Mm." Su Yu responded, quickly pulling back her thoughts.
Through the car window, her eyes saw that curvaceous figure waiting by the elevator lobby entrance.
Seeing the Bentley approach, Wen Ruan waved vigorously towards them and came forward.
Once the car stopped, Su Yu, wearing a hat, stepped out.
"Wen Ruan."
"Su Yu!" A brilliant smile bloomed on Wen Ruan's charming face, "It's been snowing heavily these past two days, I was worried you wouldn't come."
"No amount of snow could stop me from coming to see you." Su Yu also showed a faint smile, proactively stepping forward to hug her.
As their bodies made intimate contact, Wen Ruan's heart skipped a beat.
Truly worthy of being Nuwa's graduation project.
A slender yet soft figure, skin like ice and jade, and that unique, cool natural fragrance...
Even Wen Ruan, as a woman, found it somewhat unbearable, couldn't help but nuzzle a bit more before satisfyingly letting go.
After exchanging a few pleasantries.
Wen Ruan took Su Yu's hand and walked into the entryway.
Assistant Cheng Xiaoxi followed quickly behind, carrying the suitcase.
The three took the elevator directly to the master bedroom area on the second floor.
Pushing open the master bedroom door.
Truly worthy of being Goddess Nuwa's graduation project.
"Mm, okay." Cheng Xiaoxi immediately nodded, understandingly carrying the suitcase into the walk-in closet.
"Snowball, come here quickly, see who's here!"
Wen Ruan picked up the fluffy ragdoll cat from the cat tree and handed it to Su Yu.
This cat was originally given to her by Su Yu.
"It's grown so big."
Su Yu took the cat, gently stroking its smooth fur, her cool temperament instantly softening.
Wen Ruan picked up the pre-brewed hot tea and poured a cup for each of them.
Then, she sat down on the sofa.
The two petted the cat, chatting about their recent work and interesting things around them.
Wen Ruan proactively mentioned the entire process of her recent trip to the Imperial Capital.
The biggest gain was formally making contact with the other directors of the group,
Laying sufficient groundwork for taking over more shares and being elected as the new chairman.
Outside the window, the night deepened, and the atmosphere grew more harmonious.
Wen Ruan tentatively asked, "By the way, there's something I haven't asked you... It was all over the internet before, saying you 'temporarily stopped all commercial activities.' What was that really about?"
Actually, she vaguely guessed it was related to Director Jin.
Something major must have happened.
She originally didn't want to get involved in this kind of top-level harem struggle.
But after all, Su Yu was also her friend, and now she was staying at her house for a few days.
It wouldn't be appropriate not to ask at all.
Su Yu's hand stroking the cat's fur paused slightly.
She lifted her head, her beautiful amber eyes showing no particular emotion.
"The news was just a smokescreen, to cover for a certain hypocritical person."
Wen Ruan was confused, "Hypocritical person?"
Wen Ruan tentatively asked, "By the way, there's something I haven't asked you... It was all over the internet before, saying you 'temporarily stopped all commercial activities.' What was that really about?"
"Emmm..." Wen Ruan's eyelids twitched, momentarily unsure how to respond.
She certainly knew Su Yu and Ouyang were close.
But now, Su Yu used the word "hypocritical" to describe her.
Just as her mind raced, guessing what grudges had happened between them.
Su Yu suddenly chuckled lightly, using her crystal-clear foot to nudge Wen Ruan's calf, "Stop guessing wildly. Do you want to know? I'll tell you."
Wen Ruan instinctively leaned her ear closer.
Seeing her gossipy expression, Su Yu's eyes flashed as she naturally sat down next to her.
Lowering her voice, using that tone for sharing secrets, she said, "You might not know, but Ms. Ouyang, she..."
As Su Yu narrated, Wen Ruan's eyes grew wider and wider.
She almost choked on her own saliva.
"This... this can't be?! Ms. Ouyang... she... she and Tang Song?! How is that possible?!"
"I'm not lying to you." Su Yu's expression was both innocent and assured.
As their eyes met.
Wen Ruan's mind went "buzz".
Just as her mind raced, guessing what grudges had happened between them.
Su Yu suddenly chuckled lightly, using her crystal-clear foot to nudge Wen Ruan's calf, "Stop guessing wildly. Do you want to know? I'll tell you."
When was this plot updated?!
Seeing her gossipy expression, Su Yu's eyes flashed, smoothly sitting down next to her.
A "lady" she had always respected greatly, noble and dignified! And she had been married before!
This is just too improper of Tang Song!
And... she's already 36 this year, right?
Then, Wen Ruan's train of thought veered onto a strange track.
Holy crap! Thinking about it this way, I just turned 30 this year.
Compared to Ms. Ouyang, I'm actually considered young?!
Oh my god! My Zhuang Zhuang actually has an age advantage?!
Su Yu didn't continue speaking, instead quietly drinking her tea and petting the cat.
A long time later, Wen Ruan finally regained her composure.
"What's going on? I remember when President Mo chatted with me before, he said Ms. Ouyang and Tang Song had a relationship of close friends..."
Su Yu shook her head with a smile, "Anyone can claim to be close friends."
Wen Ruan: "..."
Su Yu moved closer, putting an arm around her shoulder, her voice dropping extremely low, "Heh, actually, her doing this isn't entirely because of personal feelings."
"Ah?" Wen Ruan's gossip radar perked up again.
Su Yu held her shoulder, leaning close to her ear, "There's something Ms. Ouyang has always been very worried about."
"What is it?"
"That would be Jin Meixiao."
Su Yu's gaze became profound, "Wen Ruan, you should know that Tang Song isn't a man devoted to one woman. And Jin Meixiao is the type of woman accustomed to controlling everything.
Now, put yourself in her shoes. If you were Jin Meixiao, possessing abilities sufficient to match him, even capable of completely replacing him in certain areas...
You control all his core assets and financial lifelines. And he, emotionally, betrays you, hurts you...
Wouldn't you start having other thoughts?"
With Wen Ruan's intelligence, she instantly understood the unspoken implications in Su Yu's words and couldn't help but shudder.
She really hadn't considered this angle before.
For a woman as proud to the bone as Director Jin to be able to accept her man having other lovers was already unbelievable in Wen Ruan's view.
Yet Tang Song wasn't just playing around;
he was genuinely involved everywhere, even investing deep emotions.
"Ah?" Wen Ruan's gossip radar perked up again.
With Su Yu pointing this out, she really started to feel somewhat afraid.
Her ample chest heaved violently, her breathing becoming rapid.
Seeing the change in Wen Ruan's expression.
Su Yu knew that the seed of fear had been successfully planted.
Now, put yourself in her shoes. If you were Jin Meixiao, possessing abilities sufficient to match him, even capable of completely replacing him in certain areas...
Anyone who could potentially threaten Tang Song was, to her, equally an enemy.
Just as Jin Meixiao never truly trusted her and Ouyang Xianyue, she similarly couldn't trust that woman who controlled everything about Tang Song.
Su Yu gently held Wen Ruan's hand, her tone sincere:
"So, Wen Ruan. Shouldn't we stand together even more, vigilant against potential dangers?"
For a woman as proud to the bone as Director Jin to be able to accept her man having other lovers was already unbelievable in Wen Ruan's view.
Her mind was a tangled mess now, completely unsure how to respond to Su Yu.
Too much information, too many speculations, too many possibilities she had never thought of and dared not ponder deeply.
Just then.
Her ample chest heaved violently, her breathing becoming rapid.
[Xu Qing]
Wen Ruan quickly picked up the phone and answered, "Hello, Yanqing."
"Mm, mm... You can come directly over, we're already here."
"Okay, got it. Bye."
After hanging up.
Wen Ruan let out a soft sigh, seizing the opportunity to steer away from the previous critical topic, "It was Xu Qing. She and Shen Yuyan are about to come over."
Su Yu gave a slight nod, a highly amused smile flashing in her eyes.
With her nearly obsessive love for Tang Song, she naturally wasn't unaware of the people and matters around him.
Including these names that frequently appeared from university, as well as Tang Song's roommates and classmates, she basically knew them all.
Xu Qing... Shen Yuyan... Yanke University...
Too much information, too many speculations, too many possibilities she had never thought of and dared not ponder deeply.
And this time, for her, was probably also a kind of "official announcement" in a certain sense.