novelraw Chapter 742: Advancement, Promise
Chapter 742: Advancement, Promise
Inside the quiet, luxurious villa, morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows and scattered across the carpet.
Lin Muxue shivered slightly.
She felt an inexplicable warm current flow through her whole body.
The fatigue accumulated from jet lag and intense work over the past days instantly eased, and even her mind cleared a few degrees.
Immediately, she keenly sensed Tang Song’s momentary lapse, and she obediently stopped kissing, gazing at him with a dreamy look.
“What’s wrong, President Tang?”
“Nothing.”
Tang Song pulled his gaze away from the display screen and refocused on Lin Muxue in front of him.
“Congratulations, Luna. For those two staged tasks I set for you earlier, you did very well. Your progress has far exceeded my expectations.”
After Luna successfully got into Imperial College,the system training plan’s task [②Assistant Practice] had two branch goals:
First, truly break into top social circles or organizations of industry elites to obtain useful information;
Second, fulfill the duties of a personal assistant, fully embody the role, and independently complete one high-standard international business trip preparation.
From the looks of it, she did extremely well and improved a great deal.
Not only did she cram finance and management knowledge, learn tedious business etiquette and itinerary coordination, but she also combined her existing specialty in “luxury enjoyment studies” with administrative services.
Now, even when facing an old European money aristocrat like Tina Spencer, she could remain poised and composed, responding with ease.
From an overall competence standpoint, she was worlds apart from the fake socialite who only knew how to buy bags and freeload afternoon teas.
Hearing the praise, Lin Muxue blushed faintly.
Then a radiant smile bloomed across her face, genuine light shining in her eyes. “Thank you for the compliment. It’s all thanks to your guidance. Meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life.”
She genuinely meant it.
It was Tang Song who had given her the key to another world, who had shown her vistas above the clouds and helped her discover her own worth.
Thinking that, her spirits rose, and she leaned in again on her own initiative.
Tang Song chuckled softly, scooped her up, and sat down on the soft white leather sofa in the living room.
He looked down at that exquisite face and kissed her.
From her smooth forehead, down the elegant bridge of her nose, to her moist red lips...
His hand gently stroked her delicate, toned thigh, his fingertips wandering along the silky skin.
Lin Muxue’s breathing sped up instantly, a flush appearing on her cheeks.
Her eyes flickered with surrender and longing.
With the feeling under his palm, the system interface expanded again.
He clicked into the [Partner] module.
On Lin Muxue’s character card, a dazzling white-glowing gift pack floated quietly.
He selected [Exclusive Item Pack] and opened it immediately.
A crisp system notification chimed successively:
“Ding! [Partner - Lin Muxue] received reward [Black Card Limit Increase].”
“Ding! [Partner - Lin Muxue] received skill reward [Emotional Surge (Enhanced)].”
“Ding! [Partner - Lin Muxue] received item reward [Luna’s Watch].”
[Black Card Limit Increase]: The co-branded black card’s fixed limit increases from $150,000/month to $500,000/month. Among this, $100,000 of the limit will be allocated as her “private discretionary funds,” withdrawable or usable for any non-official expenses without reporting.
[Note 1: This information has been synced to the card manager, Secretary Jin.]
[Note 2: Money is the best nourishment for her ambition and loyalty.]
[Emotional Surge (Enhanced)]: Greatly amplifies the partner’s innate effects. When she experiences intense emotions such as excitement, nervousness, fear, or high pressure, her language-learning talent, memory, and on-the-spot reaction ability will receive huge bonuses.
[Note 1: Whether it’s a complicated Michelin tasting menu or obscure business clauses, as long as she’s sufficiently “excited” or “nervous,” she can remember them.]
[Note 2: Side effect — high nervous arousal and adrenaline surges may cause extremely active sympathetic responses, significantly increasing restroom frequency.]
[Luna’s Moonlight Watch]: A custom Patek Philippe Ref.7130R world-time watch. Rose-gold case, guilloché dial center designed as an exquisite golden full moon.
[Attached Special Effect: Locking (When wearing this watch, wearer’s neural motor control is greatly enhanced, substantially reducing the physiological loss-of-control risk caused by Emotional Surge. Ensures dignity and dryness in important occasions.)]
[Note: The moment this watch is removed, the suppressed physiological reactions may erupt even more violently.]
Reading the lines on the system interface, Tang Song’s movements halted slightly, a strange expression flashing through his eyes.
He had already guessed the [Black Card Limit Increase] reward. After all, in the system’s plan to cultivate Lin Muxue, money was the most direct and effective motivator.
But the other two rewards were a bit strange.
[Emotional Surge (Enhanced)] would make her almost supernaturally effective at work, but also more likely to “lose control.”
And [Luna’s Moonlight Watch] could help “lock” her state, preserving decorum.
The combination was interesting.
Imagine: once Luna accumulates enough side effects while in an Emotional Surge, then when she takes the watch off...
Holy crap...
Tang Song couldn’t bear to imagine it.
System, you’ve got a sense of contrast.
He shook his head to dispel the indescribable image,
then clicked on the character card to view details.
[Partner: Lin Muxue (23 years old)]
[Role: Rongliu Capital — Chief Assistant]
[Height: 173 cm, Weight: 52 kg]
[Physique: 68, Stamina: 67, Agility: 70, Comprehension: 73] (Note: male/female rating standards differ)
[Growth Progress: 50%]
[③Assistant Advancement]
[Task Content: As a qualified personal assistant, she already possesses excellent execution and social skills, but still falls short of true top-level standards. She needs deeper knowledge systems and more precise integration into your core circles.
After the New York shareholders’ meeting, have Lin Muxue follow Secretary Jin for a short training. Study family office structures, management and operation of private leisure assets, and how to perfectly serve you.
After training, Lin Muxue will be in full charge of a private reception at Tangjin Estate. She needs to invite at least three prospective residents, coordinate their travel, accommodation allocation, and personalized services...]
[Task Rewards: Growth Progress +15%, Agility +2, Physique +2]
[Task Progress: Incomplete]
[Note: Amid complex study and work, she will also need emotional comfort from her partner. Player should pay attention to emotional care.]
Tang Song looked at this new task, the peculiar expression on his face deepening.
He had a premonition that the fake socialite was going to suffer.
But the system’s arrangement made sense.
Once, Secretary Jin could be considered his “personal secretary/assistant,” handling this area for him:
planning his grand blueprint, managing complex assets, even arranging the most private itineraries.
Although her authority and capability had long exceeded that scope—she was his partner in the truest sense—in some respects she was indeed Lin Muxue’s predecessor.
.......
After a while, the two slowly separated.
“Luna.” Tang Song whispered.
Lin Muxue opened her misty big eyes and looked at him, desire still lingering in her gaze.
“I prepared another gift for you. You should like it. Wait here.”
Saying that, Tang Song stood and walked to a private study in the villa.
In the storage, he selected [Luna’s Moonlight Watch] and clicked to retrieve it.
Instantly, a high-quality deep-brown wooden box appeared in his hand.
Then he selected [Emotional Surge (Enhanced)] and used it immediately.
A stream of light only he could see silently seeped toward the living room.
He could hardly wait to see the fierce result of this combo.
As for how to make Luna emotionally surged?
For him, it was far too simple.
With anticipation, Tang Song returned to the living room carrying the box.
Lin Muxue’s curious eyes immediately glued to his right hand.
Tang Song sat back on the sofa and handed the box to her. “Open it.”
Lin Muxue took it carefully, her fingertips touching the fine wood grain as she slowly lifted the lid.
On the velvet cushion lay an exquisitely crafted wristwatch.
The warm rose-gold case shimmered alluringly under the lights, the bezel set with a ring of dazzling diamonds.
As a luxury-studies student, she recognized it at a glance.
A Patek Philippe Complications world-time watch (Ref.7130R), retail price 550,000 yuan.
However, unlike the official pictures she had seen,
the dial’s guilloché pattern had been cleverly designed into a golden full-moon shape.
Surrounding it were the city names representing the world — a miniaturized work of art.
She of course wouldn’t think this was a fake purchased by Tang Song.
This could only be a legendary — official haute customization (Piece Unique).
In Patek Philippe’s strict hierarchy, only the most elite, core VVIPs with unfathomable power and connections could commission a unique dial mold from the Swiss watch emperor.
Given Tang Song’s status, he of course had the qualification.
This watch’s value could no longer be measured by money.
“This... is for me?” Lin Muxue’s breath caught, disbelief and astonishment flooding her eyes.
“Do you like it?” Tang Song looked at her gently, “Its name is Luna’s Moonlight.”
Lin Muxue looked at the shining “moon” on her wrist, her heart pounding so fast it felt like it would jump out of her throat.
This wasn’t just a top-tier luxury watch she loved, it was named after her!
That showed the depth of thought and Tang Song’s affection.
Lin Muxue bit her lip, tears brimming in her eyes, her fingers rubbing the watch’s cool metal: “Thank you... Tang Song... I love you...”
Tang Song stroked her hair and continued, “By the way, how long have you had that co-branded black card?”
Lin Muxue flushed and quickly pulled herself together from the emotional high, standing a bit straighter with nervousness: “For... over two months now. I’ve really been restrained. I absolutely won’t be as reckless as in the beginning...”
“Don’t be nervous, I didn’t mean that.” Tang Song cut off her self-criticism, smiling. “I said before, as long as you perform well, the limit will keep increasing. Considering your recent excellent performance, from now on your black card limit is officially raised to $500,000/month.”
“F... five hundred thousand?!” Lin Muxue’s eyes widened, her breathing quickened.
From $150,000 straight to $500,000?
That jump was enormous!
That’s equivalent to over three million yuan per month in available credit!
Although restricted for assistant-service use for him, controlling such a sum was staggering.
For a girl who once craved money and material things, the impact was nuclear-level.
Before she could find words, Tang Song’s voice sounded again: “Among it, $100,000 is your private discretionary funds. Whether you withdraw it in cash or buy bags and clothes, you decide. No reporting required to anyone.”
“This...” Lin Muxue felt a little dizzy, her body warming with excitement, her bladder tightening sharply. “Is this... real?”
“Of course.”
Lin Muxue bit her lip and suddenly stood up, her voice trembling: “I... I need to go to the restroom!”
She didn’t want to spoil the mood — after all, Tang Song had just given her a present.
But this urgency felt special;
she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to control herself and would completely break her persona.
“Don’t rush.” Tang Song grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
“I...” she was urgently flushed, tears threatening to fall.
“Let me put it on you first.”
He said it and took the watch, personally fastening it around her slender, fair wrist.
With a soft “click.”
Lin Muxue went stiff, and that desperate urge to pee, which had almost driven her insane, unexpectedly eased.
In its place came an indescribable emotional high.
Tang Song watched her reaction and smiled with satisfaction.
Then he pressed her down onto the wide, soft leather sofa.
In the warm living room, the vast floor-to-ceiling window faced the tranquil, deep lake outside.
Amid this quiet, chaotic sounds began to rise.
Her eyes brightened, burning more intensely;
she seemed set aflame.
Yancheng, North City Garden residential complex.
The hot steam from the hot pot gradually dissipated, leaving a faint spicy scent in the living room.
Lingling and Qiuqiu busily tidied the aftermath while Su Yu held a glass of water and stood by the window to settle her stomach.
Sunlight after the snow streamed through the glass, gilding her in a warm halo.
Watching Lingling bend down to sort the garbage bag,
Su Yu casually asked, “By the way, you said on WeChat you were designing Heyi’s winter sweater? Are the sketches ready?”
Lingling paused and stuck her tongue out awkwardly. “Um... the sample is actually done. But it always feels like something’s missing, so I haven’t finalized it.”
“Oh?” Su Yu set down her water with a light laugh, “Then mind if I try it on?”
“Of course not!” Lingling beamed, unsure where to put her hands, “It’s... it’s still a half-finished piece. It might look crude.”
“Design isn’t about stitches, it’s about the soul.”
Su Yu smiled and signaled for her to show the way.
They walked into the cozy small spare bedroom.
Lingling carefully retrieved the troublesome sample sweater from deep in the wardrobe.
A lazily styled chunky-needle sweater.
Unlike a down jacket, a fashionable sweater can be worn in north or south and is a necessity.
It was intended to be her next signature piece.
The design idea was beautiful, but the finished product somehow lacked spirit.
It had been stuck for a while, always feeling slightly off.
Su Yu took the sweater.
Lingling was about to say, “I’ll step into the living room to give you space,” but stopped mid-sentence.
Su Yu had already turned her back and, with fluid movements, removed her cashmere sweater.
That body — capable of driving anyone insane — was revealed to Lingling without reserve.
Beneath it she wore only a minimalist black silk camisole.
Large swathes of milky, delicate skin glittered like mist in the afternoon sun;
sculpted shoulder blades, the deep trench running down her spine, and that cinched, ample waist...
Especially when seen from the side, the proud fullness and near-defiance of gravity in her perfect curve was... a godlike display of skill!
Lingling’s face went instantly crimson.
Her breath turned rapid, her eyes flitting, not knowing where to look.
My god... this skin, this figure... no wonder she’s the entertainment industry succubus, Asia-Pacific’s most beautiful face.
If I were a man right now, I’d be bleeding from the nose!
As Lingling, ashamed yet unable to look away, stared,
Su Yu leisurely pulled the sweater on.
She didn’t bother adjusting the hem;
she tilted her chin slightly and casually turned, taking two steps in the small ten-square-meter room.
No professional lighting, no runway, no stirring show music.
Yet every angle the hem lifted, every pause that showcased her waistline, even the fingertip brushing the collar — all displayed that nonchalant command only a top supermodel possesses.
That once bland silhouette was elevated by her superior proportions and cold aura, instantly feeling high-end, languid, and full of untold stories.
As if injected with a soul, the garment came alive.
“Slash—”
A flash of light seemed to go off in Lingling’s head.
Her eyes widened, breath held.
The thing that had always felt like “something missing” was found!
It wasn’t the fabric, nor the cut, but a sense of movement.
If she lowered the neckline another two centimeters... if she added an irregular side tie at the waist...
Yes! That’s the feeling — the wandering vibe that lets one wrap up against Parisian winds and stroll freely down the boulevard!
Inspiration poured in like a dam break;
Lingling’s hands trembled with excitement.
She forgot manners, forgot to speak, grabbed the pencil and sketchbook on the table and started furiously drawing, the pencil scratching the page.
After who knew how long, Lingling finally put down the pen, sweat on her brow, but her eyes astonishingly bright.
She looked up and met Su Yu’s eyes, which seemed to see right through everything.
The other woman had changed back into her clothes without Lingling noticing and now leaned calmly against the doorframe, composed.
“Ah, sorry... Yu-jie... I suddenly got an idea, so...” Lingling stood flustered and felt guilty for her rudeness.
“It’s fine, this is a good thing.” Su Yu walked over, took the sketchbook, and studied it attentively, a sincere look of appreciation crossing her eyes.
“Not bad. I wasn’t wrong about you;
you really have flair.”
Then she drew a black, gold-foiled business card from her pants pocket and handed it over.
“This is my private styling team’s director and my chief consultant at the Big Four fashion weeks. Add her on WeChat. If you ever have uncertain patterns or want backstage access at fashion week, contact her directly.”
“This... this...” Lingling widened her eyes and dared not accept.
This wasn’t a simple card;
it was basically a golden ticket into the top-tier fashion circle!
“Keep it.” Su Yu placed the card into her hand. “I genuinely want to help you.”
She patted Lingling’s still-stiff shoulders and said earnestly:
“Lingling, you’re smart. You should know Tang Song’s world is huge. In the future... more and better women will appear around him.
In this ruthless circle, being cute and obedient alone won’t hold your place.”
Lingling’s heart jolted, her face went pale, and she lowered her head, “I... I know.”
Not counting an older sister figure like Wen Ruan, even Qiuqiu made her feel inferior.
After all, Qiuqiu looked more refined and had a much larger chest.
“However.” Su Yu changed tone, “I like you, and I want to help. As long as you grow strong enough and your talent becomes irreplaceable, then everything is possible.”
“Work hard, chief designer.”
Lingling suddenly looked up at the dazzling superstar before her, who was also endlessly kind to her.
Tears of gratitude swam in her eyes.
She nodded vigorously, eyes burning with ambition. “Yes! Thank you, Yu-jie! I’ll work hard! I won’t embarrass you!”
She nodded hard again, “Yes! Thank you, Yu-jie! I’ll strive!”
....
Back in the living room, Su Yu checked the time and bid the two goodbye.
Qiuqiu stood at the door watching Su Yu prepare to leave, fingers twisting together, hesitant to speak.
Su Yu saw through her thoughts and took out her phone, tossing it to her: “Add me on WeChat, keep in touch.”
“O-okay!” Qiuqiu almost jumped with excitement, fumbling to get her phone out.
“Ding—” Friend request accepted.
Looking at the real avatar in her contacts, Qiuqiu cradled the phone to her chest and felt like she was dreaming.
Lingling also came over and added the contact.
“She’s off.”
Su Yu put on sunglasses and a baseball cap, resuming that chill, mysterious diva persona.
Escorted by bodyguards, she entered the elevator.
The doors slowly closed.
In the cramped cabin, the air turned razor-cold.
Cheng Xiaoxi glanced at her phone and whispered a report: “Yu-jie, Miss Kate is meeting Tian Jing and also Xin Qing. They’re at the Western restaurant downstairs of Lan Feng International.”
As she spoke, Cheng Xiaoxi opened her phone and displayed a candid photo to Su Yu.
In the photo, Xu Qing sat in the corner like a frightened quail, hunched and small, looking pitiful and helpless.
Across from her, Anne Kate elegantly sliced a steak, her blonde hair dazzling;
her aura was so strong she seemed to be interrogating a criminal.
Tian Jing beside her wore an excited face, as if watching a spectacle.
Su Yu glanced at the photo and snorted softly: “Anne... she’s still so annoying.”
She casually asked, “Where’s Shen Yuyan?”
“She’s already departed for New York, traveling with Tang Song’s head of security, Liu Jiayi.”
“Huh.” Su Yu put away her phone, smoothed her collar, eyes flashing with a sharp light. “Let’s go. We’ll head over.”
Cheng Xiaoxi paused and hesitated: “Yu-jie... Ms. Ouyang specifically asked not to have a direct confrontation with Miss Kate if possible. After all, her identity is special.”
“Don’t worry.” Su Yu looked at her reflection on the elevator wall;
her breathtaking face curved into a cool smile. “I’m not going there to argue. I’m going to reminisce with her, and also to see Tian Jing.”
Late night, Manhattan, New York.
Outside the window, the sleepless city’s lights glittered.
Secretary Jin sat quietly at the desk, trying to adjust her jet lag. Her face bore no fatigue, only the cold, sharp clarity unique to late-night solitude.
Footsteps sounded softly;
Shangguan Qiuyas entered quickly.
“Director Jin, the latest itinerary confirmation from the estate has arrived. President Tang will depart Nice at 4:00 PM local time on December 16 and is expected to arrive at JFK around 7:00 PM New York time on December 16.”
“Also.” Shangguan Qiuyas paused, her expression turning subtle, “President Tang did not book the Ritz-Carlton as planned;
instead he will stay in the top-floor suite of The Plaza.”
Secretary Jin’s hand stopped flipping pages.
She slowly raised her head;
her clear eyes rippled with countless memories.
“The Plaza... [The T.J. Suite].”
Shangguan Qiuyas held her breath and dared not make a sound.
She of course knew what that property meant to Director Jin.
It was the first property Director Jin had bought in New York.
She and President Tang had stayed there several times before;
officially for work, never truly sharing a room, but in Director Jin’s heart, the place was surely special.
Only this time, President Tang was coming to New York as a shareholder representative in public.
The difference in status meant she could not openly stay there anymore.
“By the way, where is Shen Yuyan?” Jin Meixiao suddenly changed the subject.
“She’s already on the plane, expected to arrive tomorrow morning in New York, traveling with Jiayi.”
“Mm.” Secretary Jin lowered her gaze. “You go pick her up. After bringing her in and settling her at the hotel, bring Liu Jiayi straight here to meet me.”
“Yes.”
“Also.” Secretary Jin tapped the table lightly. “What about Sloan?”
“Ms. Sloan has arrived in New York from Washington. Sarah has arranged everything. The invitation is being initiated by Miss Kate Bank as a cocktail event. Sloan-Huntington Group is among the invitees;
President Tang will appear there for a very appropriate reason.”
Secretary Jin nodded slightly, silent for a moment.
Then she looked up and calmly instructed, “Book the Royal Suite at The Plaza for me. During the shareholders’ meeting, I’ll stay there.”
Shangguan Qiuyas’s heart leaped.
What is Director Jin going to do? Surely she’s not planning to just come in and take it by force?!
That would be exhilarating!
But she dared not ask and bowed: “Understood.”
After seeing Shangguan Qiuyas out, the door closed softly.
A bright smile lifted the corner of Secretary Jin’s eyes.
She opened a drawer and took out a minimalist photo frame.
Her fingertip gently stroked the cool glass surface.
She looked at the familiar face within.
Her breath grew rapid and disordered.
“It’s been so long... we’re finally going to meet again.”
“You said that when we met again, you would bring me a world-changing change.”
“No matter what you become, no matter what secrets you have...”
She closed her eyes, her lashes trembling in the lamplight.
“I will fulfill my promise to you.”