novelraw Chapter 738: Smile
Chapter 738: Smile
The villa’s first-floor living room.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows the winter night was deep and solemn, but inside it was warm as spring, as if another world existed within.
Xu Qing stood frozen by the sofa, her mind flooded with a cascade of exclamation marks and emoticons.
The idol she had loved since college, now a superstar famous across Asia, was actually Little Song’s long-term girlfriend?!
The absurdity and surreal quality of this fact far exceeded anything in the wildest CEO romance novels she had ever written.
It even topped that ridiculous dream from a few days ago!
She swallowed hard and, as if possessed, blurted out, “So... you... you’re Tang Song’s... official girlfriend... no, I mean... his legitimate girlfriend?!”
Xiao Jing had mentioned before that Tang Song had a “witch BOSS” behind him who liked to control everything.
She even invented such a character in a book, never expecting the real thing might exist.
The moment those words left her mouth, the air in the living room shifted subtly.Wen Ruan’s eyes flickered, and her expression became astonishingly expressive.
Shen Yuyan’s eyes widened as she fixed her gaze on the peerlessly glamorous movie star.
Soft light fell across Su Yu’s face, the interplay of light and shadow tracing her perfect bone structure.
Faced with Xu Qing’s abrupt—almost rude—question, Su Yu gave a slight nod, then watched a smile bloom across her face at a pace visible to the naked eye.
Her smile was radiant, dazzling, almost too bright to behold.
“That’s right. I’m surprised you guessed it. Worthy of a top screenwriter—you’re really smart.”
Hearing praise from her idol, Xu Qing immediately forgot her earlier worries and broke into an adorably silly grin.
But Shen Yuyan felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
Official girlfriend... his official girlfriend...
In looks, status, and talent, Su Yu was the kind of woman who stood at the very top of the pyramid.
She was even more fitting than Liu Qingning.
A sour, stinging sense of defeat spread through her chest.
Very quickly, though, she forced that useless emotion down and began rapidly analyzing Su Yu’s true purpose for this visit.
After all, Xu Qing and Su Yu could now be considered “rivals in love,” at least on paper—and Xu Qing somewhat begrudgingly accepted that.
A woman like Su Yu wouldn’t be here just to...
A warning? Pressure? Or a show of dominance?
She bit her lip, took a few steps forward, and stood beside her friend.
“Miss Su Yu, to be honest, both Qingqing and I are your fans. We just didn’t expect you to have this kind of relationship with Tang Song—we were really shocked.”
“Yes, yes!” Xu Qing snapped back to reality and nodded rapidly, “We really didn’t expect it!”
Su Yu smiled charmingly. “You know, my position is a bit special, so it isn’t convenient to make it public.”
“We understand completely! We totally understand!” Xu Qing nodded like an excited chick.
Shen Yuyan took a soft breath and probed, “President Tang only left for France yesterday. Is there any urgent matter bringing you to Yancheng? I’m Tang’s assistant—if you need anything, please let me know.”
Su Yu’s gaze landed on Shen Yuyan, a playful glint flickering in her eyes.
“I don’t have business matters on this trip.” Her voice was gentle as she turned to Xu Qing. “Mostly... I wanted to see you.”
Then she reached out with slender fingers and teasingly brushed the slightly messy bangs at Xu Qing’s forehead.
Xu Qing’s face flamed crimson and her eyes glittered like a kitten having its fur stroked by its owner.
She clearly relished the close contact with her idol.
Wen Ruan, the hostess, stepped forward and took Shen Yuyan’s arm. “Okay, everyone, stop standing. The food will be ready in a few minutes—let’s sit down and chat.”
The four of them settled on the wide leather sofa.
Wen Ruan poured tea personally while Shen Yuyan helped, behaving with an instinctive courtesy.
Xu Qing happily sat right next to her idol.
She could smell the faint, crisp fragrance on Su Yu, like snow resting on pine branches—absolutely intoxicating.
She kept stealing glances, thinking the real-life Su Yu was explosively beautiful.
Her face was small, her proportions unreal, even one strand of hair was exquisite!
And her chest... how could it be so big and so perky?
She was like a life-sized collectible figure!
Just as she was losing herself in this beauty overload, she noticed the strong hinting look her friend shot from across the room.
They exchanged a silent glance.
Years of tacit understanding sent a jolt through Xu Qing’s heart.
Right! Why did I come here?!
Su Yu is Little Song’s wing... she specifically called me over. Why?!
Instantly, countless classic scenes from rich-family melodramas filled her mind.
The official wife bullying the innocent concubine, slapping down a huge check and telling her to leave, or even splashing water in her face...
Could it be that she wanted to make me leave Little Song?!
The thought buzzed through her head like an alarm.
Noooo!
Even though Little Song was perverse, flirtatious, and liked hitting people’s butts... if I really had to leave him...
The Miss Xu Qing persona promptly slipped into tragic heroine mode.
She’d be expelled by the wife, accept the check through tears, flee overseas, and give birth to Tang Song’s child.
Years later she’d return with a genius adorable baby, bump into Tang Song at the airport.
Her child would look at the man’s back and ask, “Mom, who is that uncle?”
Just picturing that pitiful scene made Xu Qing visibly sag.
At that moment—
Plop.
A thick envelope was placed on the coffee table in front of Xu Qing by Su Yu.
Xu Qing’s twin tails jumped and she nearly shrank into a ball.
No way! This is serious!!
Could it be... a contract to sever ties?!
Shen Yuyan sat bolt upright, her fingers gripping the sofa edge tightly, her face full of tension and concern.
Only Wen Ruan watched with mild interest, sipping tea with amusement.
God knows how many times Wen Ruan had had to swallow blame in secret.
She had gone through scenes like this on her own.
Let them be a little shocked, heh heh heh.
Su Yu arched her immaculate brows and smiled at the two of them, amused at their defensive reactions. “You all seem really afraid of me. Am I that scary?”
“N-no.” Xu Qing shrank her neck.
Shen Yuyan replied, “You must be joking. It’s just that you’re so famous—naturally we’re a bit nervous.”
“Heh.” Su Yu’s amber eyes curved gently;
she didn’t mind. “Don’t be nervous. I’m really here just to formally meet you and let you get to know me. So we can get along better in the future.”
Her words dissolved the room’s tension like spring rain.
Both women visibly relaxed.
Su Yu reached into the seemingly ordinary kraft envelope in a leisurely manner.
Inside was a stack of script drafts covered in annotations, the faint scent of ink rising from the pages.
On the cover: Voice of the Deep (working title).
“This is an S-level blockbuster that Tang Entertainment is preparing. The female lead is already confirmed—Bei Yuwei.” Su Yu looked at Xu Qing with a warm, focused gaze, like one examining a raw gem. “The script is still being polished. I’ve read some of the short dramas you wrote—the dialogue has spirit and your pacing is unusually good. How about it, are you interested in joining the writing team?”
“Me?!” Xu Qing’s eyes widened and her finger trembled as she pointed to her own nose. “Joining Tang Entertainment… writing for Bei Yuwei?!”
That leap was enormous.
Miss Xu Qing had confidence, but she wasn’t naive.
Su Yu reclined elegantly on the sofa, smiling. “Want to give it a try? Or, if you’re interested, you could even cameo in it. I remember you like cosplay—there are a few looks in this drama I think would suit you well.”
At those words Xu Qing’s face flushed scarlet and her heart pounded as if it would burst from her throat.
Oh my God! Isn’t this the dream I had a couple days ago?!
Being admired by Su Yu, invited to act, writing scripts, being paired with her and trending...
This was dream turned reality!
She nervously twisted her fingers, excited and unsure, and said timidly, “Su Yu jie—this might not be appropriate? I’m afraid I’m not skilled enough and I’d embarrass you...”
Hearing that shy “jie” (sister), Shen Yuyan’s eye twitched.
Of course—Da Sha Qing would be so easily PUA’d after just a few sentences!
Aren’t you afraid they’re setting a trap?
Maybe that “jie” will just annoy her.
As Shen thought this, Su Yu suddenly leaned forward and affectionately kissed Xu Qing’s forehead.
“Since you called me sister, there’s nothing inappropriate.”
Shen Yuyan: 9(%)
Xu Qing: o(/////)q
Su Yu didn’t immediately pull away;
instead she moved closer, her voice laden with seduction.
“Besides this, if you want to work on other film or animation scripts, or want to cameo in a crew... whatever I want, I can make happen for you. How’s that, Qingqing?”
Seeing Su Yu’s cooperation, Xu Qing’s face lit up like spring blossoms.
She felt like she’d found a backer.
She fancied her imminent debut, becoming a star, gracing magazine covers, pairing with Su Yu and hitting the trending charts...
Xiao Jing, Xiao Xue, Xiao Ruan—all would bow out of the way!
O(n_n)o haha~
“Then... thank you, Su Yu jie. I’ll work hard.”
“No need to work hard.” Su Yu chuckled. “Just play around. Treat it as a hobby. Given your position, you don’t need to force yourself—follow your heart.”
“...Okay.”
Watching the two become as close as sisters in an instant, Shen Yuyan’s head buzzed.
She seemed to understand Su Yu’s intent.
Su Yu hadn’t come to intimidate or assert ownership—she’d come as the official wife to recruit.
...
The room’s atmosphere quietly became warm and natural.
Wen Ruan sat calmly to the side like a competent audience, enjoying the show.
The conversation centered on Xu Qing’s interests in the entertainment industry and scriptwriting.
Xu Qing peppered questions one after another like an excited, curious child.
When they spoke about scripts, Su Yu sipped her tea and casually mentioned, “If you ever struggle with getting a character’s psychology right, or hit writer’s block, you can consult Tang Song. He’s the best screenwriter I’ve met.”
“Top screenwriter? Tang Song?!” Xu Qing blinked in disbelief.
Little Song? The rich, slightly perverse-looking capitalist who seemed ordinary? He writes scripts?
Su Yu smiled softly, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. “He never told you? Some of my biggest hits since debut—he personally wrote them for me, like Monologue and Painted Prison.”
“What?!” Xu Qing and Shen Yuyan blurted in unison.
Even Wen Ruan, who had been watching, trembled slightly with surprise.
They had never imagined those nationwide hits were penned by Tang Song!
Su Yu lowered her head a little, fiddling with the edge of her teacup. Her voice became dreamy, as if lost in memory.
“He was incredibly busy back then, juggling work and school, but he always made time to tailor scripts for me.”
“Beyond that, he was the core planner behind the variety shows I appeared on. He always knew exactly what audiences liked and what suited me.”
“Oh, by the way.” She seemed to recall a most cherished thing;
her eyes brightened. “What I love most are the songs he wrote for me.”
Xu Qing: =)
Su Yu rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.
She hummed a melodic tune;
her voice was ethereal and lingering.
Watching her silhouette, Shen Yuyan’s breath quickened and her thoughts grew heated.
She too enjoyed music, movies, and variety shows.
She hadn’t expected that the things she loved had Tang Song’s fingerprints all over them.
Even Su Yu had been elevated by Tang Song.
How many more secrets did he have?
The man who had once seemed godlike to her became yet more mysterious.
Wen Ruan released a soft sigh, feeling both bitter and envious.
Now she understood why Su Yu loved Tang Song with such obsession.
She also understood why Director Jin had such aversion to Su Yu.
Which woman could resist that kind of romance?
That scoundrel—when I get back, I’ll make him write me a song!
Leaning by the window, Su Yu watched their reactions.
A faintly unhealthy obsession gleamed in her amber eyes.
See...
You all see now...
Those songs, those scripts… they’re all proof of his love for me.
In this world, only I have once possessed his unreserved talent.
Jin Meixiao—he should love me the most.
She raised her chin slightly, her gaze seeming to pierce Yancheng’s wind and snow and travel to a distant blue coast.
The snowy glow outside painted half of her exquisite profile bright and left the other half in shadow.
Dusk fell like gauze over the rolling valleys of Provence.
Tangjin Estate drew its daytime grandeur inward.
Warm yellow ground lights and landscape LEDs lit up along the private road, the vineyards’ ridges, and the contours of the buildings like a flowing river of stars.
By the artificial lake sat the Health Management Center.
Huge panoramic windows separated the deep blue water and distant lights from the interior.
A faint fragrance permeated the air.
In the therapy room.
Tang Song lay face down on a massage table.
A royal-level therapist from Thailand knelt beside him, hands coated in warm oil, rhythmically working his stiff back muscles.
The warmth of palms moved along meridians, mixing ache and relief.
Tang Song closed his eyes in comfort, hovering on the edge of sleep.
His nerves had been buzzing all day.
Even across 230 hectares, it was hard to see everything even by golf cart.
It felt like opening blind boxes one after another.
An underground temperature-controlled wine cellar, a shooting range built into the mountain, a library housing rare volumes, an F1-standard track...
Tang Song’s breath slowed and lengthened, and he finally succumbed to sleep.
When he woke, the therapy team had already left.
Night outside the window was ink-dark.
The room lights had been turned to the gentlest warm orange.
Sitting up, Tang Song felt his limbs light and clear.
He donned a robe and stepped out.
A valet immediately approached softly, “Mr. Tang, you’re awake. Would you like something to eat or drink?”
Tang Song waved his hand and casually asked, “Where’s Luna?”
“Assistant Lin completed a full SPA package and is resting in the lounge. She went to the pool about ten minutes ago.”
He nodded and headed toward the pool.
Passing through a glass corridor filled with tropical plants, he pushed open the heavy glass door at the end.
Warm, humid air hit him.
A vast heated infinity pool lay before him like a deep, translucent sapphire.
Lin Muxue sat at the pool’s edge in a simple but figure-flattering white bikini, focused on taking selfies.
Side poses, chin up, hair toss—the angles were precise, the lighting refined.
No wonder she came from a “fake socialite” background;
even her check-in posts had a professional camera feel.
Tang Song didn’t interrupt;
he leaned against the doorway, watching with interest.
Muxue had always loved photography and was excellent at it.
He’d ask her to share skills with Xiao Jing—rich white-blood beauties loved being photographed.
After a while, Lin finally put down her phone and immediately spotted him.
She gave a slight nod and a bewitching smile bloomed on her face.
She grabbed her clutch from the lounge chair and walked briskly along the wet pool edge.
Water droplets slid down her long legs.
Her straight, slender legs strode;
her full C-cup breasts trembled slightly—sensual and seductive.
She reached Tang Song, took his phone from her clutch, and handed it over. “You’re awake. Your phone was here.”
“Mm.” Tang Song took it, and his other hand naturally wrapped around her slender waist. His palm pressed against warm skin as he gently kneaded.
He unlocked the screen.
Besides messages from girlfriends and some work groups, there was one special message.
From Shangguan Qiuyas: “President Tang, Director Jin would like to know exactly how long you’ll be in New York this trip so she can plan and accompany you throughout.”
After a moment’s thought, Tang Song replied: “As long as it’s during the shareholders’ meeting, I’ll be with her.”
In the interaction task with Secretary Jin, he was required to strictly play the representative of Silent Crown.
Meaning: as long as something a shareholder could do, he could do.
Once the meeting began, he unlocked normal contact permissions with Secretary Jin until it ended.
His main mission: make Secretary Jin smile ten times.
Finishing that within the limited timeframe would test his skill.
He felt a bit nervous and hoped Secretary Jin wouldn’t be too reserved—smile more.
Buzz—
Shangguan Qiuyas: “Got it!”
It was already early morning in Yancheng. Tang Song didn’t reply further;
he casually opened other chats and scrolled.
When he opened Wen Ruan’s chat, a risqué photo popped up.
It was the big sister and the movie star’s “bed photo”!
In the photo Su Yu clearly seemed drunk, her hair spread messy across the pillow, her clothes partly open to show a large swath of snowy skin—ethereal yet decadently fatal in beauty.
Next to her, Wen Ruan wore only a small camisole and hot pants, her curves exaggeratedly on display.
She hugged Su Yu from behind with one long, athletic leg suggestively draped over the star, smiling mischievously and proudly.
They lay in white sheets, light intimate and full of suffocating sexual tension.
Tang Song felt his blood heat up.
When he got back, he would punish the big sister severely for daring to flirt with his star.
His fingers tightened and he roughly pinched Muxue’s slim waist.
Muxue gave a low hum, bit her lower lip, immediately understanding.
She didn’t speak, only slowly turned and pushed aside his loose robe.
Warm, moist lips pressed along his broad, strong shoulder, kissing down slowly and densely.
Somewhen, the infinity pool began churning with waves.
“Quick... let me go to the restroom...”
“No need, right here’s fine.”
“This whole pool is too precious...”
The water rippled, lights flickered.
Distantly, the estate’s lights twinkled like stars.
Under the starry sky the pool’s surface formed ripples.
...
Meanwhile.
Over the Atlantic, ten thousand meters up.
In the Gulfstream G800 private jet cabin, it was quiet and steady.
Secretary Jin wore off-white casuals and a pair of delicate rimless glasses on her nose, quietly reading the latest issue of The Economist.
Across from her, Sarah, the assistant in charge of international affairs, sat with perfect posture.
“...Regarding the acquisition of 49% of the North Sea wind farm, the German Federal Antitrust Office has given preliminary clearance. The legal team is finalizing terms and we expect signing next week. Also, the offshore trust structure we established in London is set up, and the first $2 billion liquidity injection will be completed by the end of this month...”
Secretary Jin nodded slightly without looking away from her magazine, her long fingers turning a page to indicate she should continue.
Sarah paused, her expression growing serious. “Next month’s Davos Global Leadership Summit will be attended by Senate Majority Leader McConnally and former Speaker Nancy. Ms. Sloan sent a confidential note requesting we arrange a high-level private dinner beforehand. She specifically asked that three or more members of the Tangjin Family Office executive committee attend, especially Mr. Fister, who handles global macro strategy.”
Secretary Jin tapped a finger on the glossy magazine and the corner of her mouth faintly quirked. “Tell her: if she completes the task successfully, I will personally attend.”
“Understood.” Sarah’s eyes showed surprise, then she bowed respectfully. “Ms. Sloan also requested a meeting with Mr. Tang in New York.”
Secretary Jin thought for a moment, removed her glasses, and said indifferently, “Tang will attend New York as a Silent Crown shareholder representative and should not be overly exposed. Sloan can meet him, but not a deliberately arranged formal meeting—only an incidental encounter.”
“Got it. I’ll arrange it.” Sarah closed her laptop, bowed, and quietly left.
Secretary Jin lifted her gaze from the magazine to the cabin window.
Clouds churned beneath, painted golden by the sun.
Her eyes flickered as if calculating or perhaps simply daydreaming.
After a moment, footsteps approached again.
“Director Jin.” Shangguan Qiuyas entered, her expression carrying a subtle emotion. “President Tang has preliminarily completed the estate inspection and is very satisfied.”
“Also...” Shangguan hesitated, watching her boss’s face. “Regarding the schedule you asked about for his time in New York, I just received President Tang’s reply.”
Secretary Jin turned. “What did he say?”
“His exact words were—‘As long as it’s during the shareholders’ meeting, I’ll be with her.’”
Hearing that, Secretary Jin’s crossed legs slowly relaxed.
A momentary daze passed across her eyes.
She inhaled deeply, her chest rising slightly as if calming turbulent feelings.
“As long as it’s during the shareholders’ meeting?”
After a pause she closed her eyes and murmured.
The cabin sank into prolonged silence.
Shangguan stood quietly by, even holding her breath deliberately low.
Two minutes later Secretary Jin rose from the luxurious seat.
Her voice recovered its usual cold precision, though she spoke faster than normal.
“Shangguan, draft an urgent notice and send it to all shareholder representatives and regional executives immediately.”
“Say... given that this meeting will review and vote on several major strategic decisions for the next five years and requires deep alignment with regional heads, the originally planned one-day shareholders’ meeting is too tight to allow thorough discussion.”
She turned, a light in her eyes that made one dare not meet it. “Extend the meeting to three days.”
Shangguan froze, then understood Secretary Jin’s little scheme.
This caprice came from a woman known for efficiency and precision—astonishing.
Tangjin Family Office’s style was always swift and decisive;
even global shareholder meetings usually had core agendas taking only half a day, never dragging on.
Shangguan pressed her lips together, ready to say “yes.”
Secretary Jin raised a hand to interrupt and changed it.
“No—extend it to four days.”
“And on the final day, arrange a full-attendance business cocktail so everyone can have in-depth communication.”
Shangguan’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
Three days wasn’t enough? And a cocktail party too?
This was no longer a mere extension. It was clearly about romance—keeping the group’s executives and shareholders as a backdrop!
Still she kept a blank expression and bowed low. “Yes, I’ll arrange it now!”
Watching Shangguan disappear through the cabin door, Secretary Jin leaned back in the large seat.
The wing sliced through the rolling clouds.
Light flashed across her clear, spirited eyes and straight nose, sliding along her graceful jawline.
Finally it met at her lips.
It formed an exquisitely beautiful smile.