novelraw Chapter 794: Shen Yuyan
Chapter 794: Shen Yuyan
The guest bathroom was filled with steaming mist, the air warm and humid.
"Whoosh—"
Warm water poured evenly from the showerhead, enveloping Shen Yuyan's graceful figure in a hazy veil of vapor, making her appear indistinct, now visible, now hidden.
She closed her eyes, tilting her head back slightly, letting the water droplets slide down her cheeks, neck, and collarbone.
Images flashed through her mind.
The smoky, bustling barbecue joint outside the west gate of Yanke University, the crisp clinking of glasses, walks on campus stepping on dry leaves, and those conversations about old photographs...
In the past, her interactions with Tang Song were more like a silent game of chess.
In her eyes, Tang Song was like a high-end "Sigma Man."
He always maintained a sense of control over her that was now close, now distant.
Every time she felt she had taken a step forward and wanted to reach out and grasp him, he would elegantly withdraw, leaving her grabbing at air.Making her anxious and uncertain.
With her extremely high emotional intelligence, she had actually vaguely sensed it long ago.
This was a form of high-level PUA.
But she didn't know how to turn the situation around.
But tonight.
There were no deliberately created ambiguous glances, no now-close-now-distant physical contact, no carefully designed flirtatious words.
She merely sat there as an old classmate, letting down all her defenses, listening and conversing naturally.
Yet, she had touched upon a gentleness and softness in Tang Song that she had never felt before.
The look in his eyes when he talked about the past, his sincerity towards Lu Ziming, even the completely unguarded smile he gave her.
That was real, warm emotional flow.
She gently bit her lip under the water stream. An uncontrollable fantasy and regret rose in her heart.
If back then, she could have been like Qingqing. A bit more foolish, a bit more pure.
Approaching him based on instinct and that silly, foolish kind of liking.
Not calculating gains and losses so much, not being so shrewd and scheming.
Perhaps she wouldn't have needed to go around in such a big circle, wouldn't have needed to experience these years of ups and downs, to get everything she dreamed of.
Even... love?
But...
Shen Yuyan opened her eyes, looking at the tiles blurred by the steam.
This was impossible.
Even if given another chance, another hundred chances, she would still make the same choice.
That was her nature, unchangeable.
This afternoon, she had officially completed the resignation handover procedures at Rongliu Capital.
When the identity label of "Special Assistant to the Chairman," which had once given her a new life, dignity, and power, was removed.
The "platform" and "identity" she relied on for survival switched once again.
An intense sense of emptiness, like duckweed without roots, struck her unprepared.
She began to think.
Stripped of these external labels, what was her true inner core?
An extremely precocious, clear-headed, and ambitious climber.
Beauty was a gift, but also a weapon; emotional intelligence was instinct, but also a meticulously honed tool.
She had a mental ledger for every step she took, what attitude to use with whom, how much to give and how much to expect in return.
Even her best friend Xu Qing had, at certain times, become a tool for her to create emotional value and get closer to Tang Song.
For example, when she received the appointment as "Chief Ecosystem Officer of Xuanji Optical World," her heart was filled with the excitement of a carp leaping over the dragon gate, ambitions for a bigger stage, and deep gratitude and submission for the opportunity he gave her.
She almost took it for granted that this was his reward for her ability and loyalty, another higher-level "transaction" or "investment."
And she immediately began planning how to maximize the use of this platform.
"I'm truly someone utilitarian to the bone."
Amidst the sound of rushing water, Shen Yuyan murmured to herself in the mist, her voice carrying a trace of weary self-mockery.
And yet, it was precisely someone like her who now began to crave Tang Song's affection.
Began to ponder how to win his true heart.
Deep inside.
The instinct to climb, to crave power, intertwined, clashed, and tore violently with the emotions of craving recognition and love.
She didn't even know how she should interact with Tang Song next.
Nor did she know how Tang Song truly viewed her in his heart, or what kind of feelings he had for her.
"Hoo—"
Shen Yuyan turned off the shower.
The whole world instantly quieted down, leaving only the soft sound of dripping water.
She reached out, wiped the water from her face, raised her head, and looked at her reflection in the half-length mirror before her.
Dense, impenetrable steam, layer upon layer, trapped her within.
In the master bedroom.
"Smack!"
A crisp sound was particularly clear in the night.
"Ah! Gently, gently! Master, spare me!"
(><)
Xu Qing lay face down on the bed, covering her little bottom, her eyes teary as she begged for mercy.
The carefully chosen ancient-style dress had long been crumpled and disheveled from all the commotion, half-hanging on her shoulder, adding to the messy beauty.
Tang Song had one hand firmly pressed against the smooth, delicate small of her back, the other pinching her soft, plump cheek.
"From sending those ancient costume photos early in the morning, something was off. You lured me over, and then you had your period, mouth ulcers, tenosynovitis, hemorrhoids... you've got it all?"
He narrowed his eyes, his tone dangerous:
"Da Sha Qing, you specifically called me over for a consultation, right?"
"Smack!"
"Ow! It hurts! Yanyan—save me—!" Xu Qing shouted at the top of her lungs towards the door.
"Don't bother shouting, she can't hear you." Tang Song directly pulled off the loose belt at her waist, fully opening the dress.
"Stop, stop, stop! Master! I have something to say!" Xu Qing jolted, covering her bottom as she flipped over, her eyes urgent.
"Speak." Tang Song stopped his actions, his gaze cold.
Xu Qing shrank her neck, her large, distinct black-and-white eyes darting around in a circle, her voice lowered as if she were a cunning concubine negotiating terms with the emperor:
"I... I'm really not available today, can't serve you, Master. But! There are plenty of other fish in the sea, why cling to this one diseased rose? You could totally... relocate elsewhere!"
As she spoke, she cautiously glanced towards the door.
(¬‿¬)
Seeing her desperately hinting like this, Tang Song seemed to understand something, the corner of his mouth curving into a meaningful arc: "Oh—? Is that so? I didn't know my girlfriend was so generous?"
"Mhmm, mhmm, mhmm! Truer than real gold!" Xu Qing nodded like pounding garlic.
"Fine then." Tang Song released his grip, getting up neatly and decisively. "I'm leaving. You stay here and 'rest' properly, remember to take your medicine on time."
After saying that, he turned without hesitation, his long legs striding towards the door.
"Hey, hey, hey! Wait!!" Xu Qing suddenly reached out, grabbing his wrist. "Where are you going?!"
Tang Song stopped, looking back at her with a half-smile: "Didn't you want me to go find other sisters? Let me think... who to go find, Qianqian, Lingling, Qiuqiu...
What? You want to come along?"
"No, no, no! Absolutely not! You go by yourself!"
Xu Qing shook her head like a rattle-drum, her eyes darting around rapidly.
"That... you really like my ancient costume cosplay, right. Yanyan, she took some super beautiful ancient costume COS photos before too, and her figure is even better than mine... ahem, I have photo evidence right here!"
She quickly grabbed her phone from the bedside table, unlocked it, scrolled through, then presented the screen to Tang Song as if offering a treasure.
"Ta-da! Look! Doesn't she have that... that kind of vibe?"
Tang Song lowered his gaze to look.
In the photo, Shen Yuyan wore a light cyan Hanfu, her hair tied in a low bun, her eyes shy and timid, gentle as water.
She had a very classical, well-bred young lady's demeanor.
(¬‿¬)
Tang Song narrowed his eyes slightly, reaching out to pinch her chin, his tone playful: "So, you're telling me to go find your best friend?"
"Ah! I didn't! I'm not! Don't talk nonsense!" Xu Qing immediately issued a triple denial, her eyes shifting guiltily. "I just... my body is just not cooperating, I know you're not happy, I just want to make you happy. Besides, Yanyan practiced classical dance before to look good on camera, her body is very flexible, she dances beautifully."
"Oh? Is that so?" Tang Song leaned down, his nose almost touching hers, looking into her large, pitch-black eyes: "Aren't you afraid something indescribable might happen between us?"
Xu Qing's face flushed even redder. "I don't know what you're talking about, ouch! Suddenly my stomach hurts so much!"
After saying that, she flusteredly broke free, clutching her stomach, and with exaggerated acting, went "ouch, ouch," hopping off the bed in a flash and running towards the master bedroom's ensuite bathroom.
The whole sequence was smooth as flowing water, shamelessly justified, yet carrying a hint of guilt from a failed scheme.
Looking at the tightly closed bathroom door, Tang Song took a deep breath, suppressing the restlessness surging in his heart.
Just then.
A crisp system notification suddenly sounded:
"Ding! You have triggered the branch mission [Mastering Desire]. Please proceed to the Mission Center to view."
[Mission Content: The former "dungeon test subject" Shen Yuyan, after experiencing a series of shocks, disciplinary actions, and self-reflection, has completed a drastic transformation in her understanding of social class and self-awareness. At this moment, she is in an extremely dangerous yet captivating critical state. Her own "utilitarian instincts" and "longing for genuine affection," her fiercely burning "ambitions" and the instinctive "fear" of higher power are colliding violently deep within her soul.
She yearns to climb upward, yet despises that calculating version of herself; she craves your complete acceptance, yet feels shame and pain due to her own "impurity." She urgently needs you to cut through the fog for her, point the way, and bestow upon her a new meaning for her existence.
Engage in a deep soul conversation with her. Answer all the doubts and fears in her heart, showcase the true "strong" side, reshape her cognition, thoroughly stir her desires. Mobilize her emotions, achieve absolute control over her body and mind.]
[Mission Reward: Desire Pack*1]
Looking at the mission description, a flicker of light passed through Tang Song's eyes.
It's finally here!
For this university campus belle full of little schemes, once seemingly unattainably high, he certainly had strong desires.
From the moment they reunited, that desire to conquer had always existed.
The reason he had been holding back, not taking the initiative.
Besides enjoying the fun and emotional value brought by the push-and-pull and the thrill of conquest, was also because of [Shen Yuyan's Whispers].
This precious item not only offered substantial dungeon rewards.
As a "test subject," Shen Yuyan's own every transformation and growth could trigger new missions for him, providing an excellent sample for observing complex human nature.
Just as described when triggering [Whispers of Humanity].
Shen Yuyan was a very typical composite: scheming, proud, resilient, contradictory, introspective, holds grudges, craves recognition from the strong...
Her level of cognitive understanding was far above that of the "fake socialite" Lin Muxue.
Her fascination with power, her ambitions for the heights, and that vitality to climb up even when in the mire were all more real and profound.
Observing her every struggle, weighing of options, and choice, and personally intervening in them, could greatly enhance Tang Song's own understanding and mastery of "human nature."
And completely mastering her was a process of mastering human nature.
Now, this carefully cultivated fruit had finally reached its most worthwhile moment of ripeness for picking.
Tang Song picked up his jacket and put it on.
He walked over to the master bedroom bathroom door and tried pushing it.
Sure enough, it was locked from the inside.
"Hey! I'm still using the toilet! Don't come in!" Immediately, Xu Qing's deliberately raised, somewhat exaggerated shout came from inside, accompanied by the masking sound of flushing.
Tang Song chuckled lightly, speaking to the door panel: "Since you're riddled with illnesses, you should rest and recuperate properly. We won't disturb your rest here. I'll take your best friend out for a chat, stay the night somewhere else."
"Ah? Song— okay, okay... alright."
Inside the bathroom, Xu Qing's voice clearly paused, as if she wanted to say something but forcefully swallowed it back.
"Get well soon."
Tang Song bent a finger, gently tapping twice on the frosted glass door, his tone teasing, then turned and left with light steps.
Passing through the living room, he glanced at the guest bathroom.
The door was slightly ajar, no sound from inside; she should have finished showering.
Tang Song went straight to the guest bedroom door, stopped, and raised his hand to knock.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
"Who is it? Qingqing?"
"It's me, Tang Song."
"Ah! It's... it's you... wait a moment! I'll be right there!"
From inside came the sound of slightly flustered footsteps and the rustling of clothes.
After about ten seconds.
"Click—"
A light sound of the lock.
The door was slowly pulled open a crack, then fully opened.
Shen Yuyan, her cheeks slightly flushed, stood inside the doorway.
She had changed out of her outdoor clothes. She wore a simple, form-fitting white base layer on top, outlining her lovely curves.
Below was a pair of dark-colored casual pants, making her legs appear straight and long.
Fresh from the shower, the ends of her hair were still damp, a few strands clinging to her fair neck.
Her face was clean, without makeup, her skin glowing with a healthy blush from the steam, giving her a more innocent and delicate appearance compared to her usual heavy makeup.
Noticing Tang Song's undisguised, intense gaze.
Shen Yuyan's eyelashes trembled slightly. She somewhat uncomfortably lowered her line of sight and asked softly, "You... you and Qingqing... how..."
According to the normal script, those two should be like dry wood meeting a blazing fire in the master bedroom right now.
Could it be... he was here to ask her to be part of the "atmosphere group"?
The scene from last time on Xu Qing's bed suddenly jumped into her mind, making her heartbeat instantly accelerate, her cheeks burning even hotter.
"Qingqing, ah." Tang Song said with a smile. "She suddenly got seriously ill. According to her, her period came, she also got tenosynovitis, mouth ulcers, sprained her ankle, and even... well, had a sudden hemorrhoid flare-up. In short, there's not a single comfortable spot on her body, she urgently needs quiet rest."
"Ah? This..." Shen Yuyan was momentarily at a loss for words.
Before she could think it through, Tang Song had already taken a step forward.
The distance between them instantly closed, so close that she could clearly feel the warmth emanating from him and the slight itch from his breath brushing over the top of her head.
Shen Yuyan felt her mouth go dry.
She didn't dare retreat, could only slightly raise her head, meeting his gaze with her misty eyes.
Tang Song lowered his head, his tone brooking no refusal: "Since she's so seriously ill, let's not disturb her rest. Pack some things, we'll change locations, have a good chat, and stay the night. How about that?"
Hearing his words.
Shen Yuyan's breath hitched.
He wanted to... be alone with her... overnight??
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, blood seemed to rush to her head.
She looked at the handsome face so close at hand.
His deep eyes reflected her image; besides the familiar gentleness, there was now a kind of straightforward, forceful possessiveness surging within them.
The longing that had been suppressed deep in her heart instantly surged forth.
"...Okay. Then I... I'll pack a few things, quickly!"
"No rush." Tang Song took half a step back, giving her some space, his tone returning to its usual gentleness. "Take your time."
Shen Yuyan lowered her head and slipped back into the room, gently closing the door.
Soon, the sound of packing, even more hurried than before, came from inside.
Tang Song smiled, turned, went back to the living room sofa, sat down, and waited patiently.
After about seven or eight minutes.
"Click—"
The guest bedroom door opened again.
Shen Yuyan walked out carrying a seemingly quite capacious, elegant handbag.
The blush on her face had faded, restored to her usual poised and graceful demeanor.
She had clearly tidied up her appearance a bit, applied a light layer of lip gloss to make her complexion look better.
Her originally slightly damp long hair had been carefully blow-dried and smoothed, falling softly over her shoulders.
She had put on a beige long coat over her clothes, the belt loosely tied, keeping her warm without compromising her elegance.
"I'm ready." She walked into the living room, giving Tang Song a gentle smile, her posture relaxed as if she were just going out for an ordinary date.
"Then let's go." Tang Song stood up.
As she approached, he very naturally reached out his arm and wrapped it around her slender waist.
Shen Yuyan's body stiffened slightly for a moment, then quickly relaxed, docilely leaning close to him, letting him lead her towards the door.
"Click—"
The front door opened and closed, the two figures disappearing into the hallway.
Almost the moment the door closed, the master bedroom door silently opened a crack.
Xu Qing poked half her head out from the crack, her large, pitch-black eyes filled with triumphant glee.
I, Miss Qingqing, am indeed far-sighted and infallible in my schemes!
Little Songzi is completely being led by the nose by me~ Heehee.
(◕‿◕)
I don't know anything, oh~
It was you two who decided to "sneak out" on your own, it has nothing to do with me!
....
Apartment 3001 upstairs.
"Beep-beep—"
The fingerprint lock emitted a pleasant recognition tone, and the heavy armored door opened in response.
"Come in, there are new slippers in the shoe cabinet." Tang Song stepped aside, gesturing for Shen Yuyan to enter first.
Shen Yuyan nodded, stepping into the entryway, her gaze instinctively sweeping around.
Lin Muxue lived in 2002, she and Xu Qing were in 2202.
She hadn't expected that on the 30th floor penthouse, Tang Song also possessed such a space all to himself.
"I rarely stay here." Seeming to sense the inquiry in her gaze, Tang Song explained casually as he took off his coat. "But when Su Yu comes to Yancheng, she stays here. Oh, and Annie too."
He mentioned these two names naturally, yet it made Shen Yuyan's heart skip a beat.
Her expression remained unchanged, she only gave a soft "Mhm," bent down to change into slippers, and followed him inside.
Her field of vision suddenly opened up.
This was an extremely open-view penthouse duplex.
A giant floor-to-ceiling window over six meters high was like a massive glass picture frame, framing Yancheng's dazzling nightscape without reservation.
The cold moon of winter hung at the edge of the sky, beneath it a flowing river of neon lights.
Abstract paintings, designer furniture, smart lighting systems, details exuding understated luxury.
The air carried a clean scent of fragrance, the emptiness of a space regularly maintained and lacking the aura of daily life.
Tang Song walked towards the built-in temperature-controlled wine cabinet, took out a bottle of red wine and two crystal-clear Burgundy glasses.
"Have a seat, Yuyan." He carried the glasses towards the window.
There were two large, comfortable single armchairs placed there.
The two sat facing each other.
On the small round table between them, the crystal glasses refracted the flowing neon lights from outside.
Seeing him about to pour the wine, Shen Yuyan instinctively reached out to take the bottle, but he gently blocked her hand.
"I'll do it." His voice wasn't loud, but carried an undeniable authority.
Shen Yuyan withdrew her hand, quietly watching him complete the pouring.
He picked up one of the glasses and handed it to her.
"Ding~~"
The rims of the glasses lightly touched, emitting a clear, crisp sound.
The wine entered her mouth; after the smooth tannins, complex layers of fruit and oak aromas unfolded, with a long finish.
The two drank, looking at the flowing nightscape outside the window, neither speaking for a moment.
A quiet yet subtle tension floated in the air, like a bowstring being slowly drawn taut.
One glass of wine was soon finished.
Tang Song put down the empty glass, leaned back slightly, his gaze directly falling on Shen Yuyan's face.
The interplay of warm indoor light and cold light from outside made his eyes appear especially dark and deep.
Shen Yuyan pursed her lips, also set down her glass, straightened her back a little more, and folded her hands on her knees.
She knew the main topic was about to come.
"Yuyan."
"Mhm."
"Actually, I've always wanted to find an opportunity to have a deep talk with you. Today seems like a good opportunity."
Shen Yuyan's folded fingers tightened slightly.
She lowered her gaze, then raised it again, trying to keep her voice steady. "I've felt that way too."
"You seem a bit nervous."
"...I am, a little."
"Tonight we can be a bit more open, no need to be so tense." Tang Song blinked, his tone softening a bit. "I'm not really going to eat you."
"I understand." Shen Yuyan took a deep breath.
She was smart and adept at reading people. From Tang Song's current demeanor and tone, she already understood his meaning.
"Good." Tang Song smiled with satisfaction. "You probably remember, back in New York, I once told you that if you had any questions, you could ask me directly."
"Mhm." Shen Yuyan bit her lip lightly.
Last time at the Miss Kate Bank cocktail party, she had wanted to know the relationship between Tang Song and Tang Jin, instinctively tried to probe him, and ended up being disciplined by Tang Song.
Immediately after came the overwhelming shock brought by Ms. Sloan, the Tangjin Family Office, Director Jin... a series of impacts that still left her mind unsettled.
"Now." Tang Song's gaze fixed on her, he said clearly, "I'm giving you that opportunity. All the questions in your heart, anything you want to know, about you, about me, about Tang Jin, about the future... any question, I can answer."
The corner of Shen Yuyan's eye twitched uncontrollably, her ample chest began to heave violently.
Tang Song's words were utterly devastating to her.
All along, due to the caution in her personality, the calculation in her way of doing things, and the deep-seated awe that dared not overstep boundaries.
She had only ever dared to observe from afar, guess, speculate, and cautiously probe him and the vast, mysterious business system he was part of.
Even now, she actually still had many, many questions.
For example, why would Director Jin tolerate the existence of other lovers by his side?
This completely contradicted her understanding of power and emotional relationships at that level.
Wasn't that absolute desire for control and exclusivity the instinct of those standing at the peak?
Also, where did his true trump cards and the source of his power actually lie?
Beneath the dazzling halo of "Tang Jin," what was the real Tang Song's position at the pinnacle of this pyramid?
Each of these questions touched upon his most core secrets, areas she hadn't even dared to think deeply about before, let alone ask directly.
And now, he was sitting within reach, telling her with a calm gaze—
The door is open, you can come in.
A complex feeling mixed with immense trepidation, feeling overwhelmingly honored, and being dizzy from the impact of being trusted, instantly swallowed her whole.
She instinctively lowered her head and picked up her wine glass again.
The cool liquid slid down her throat, seeming to slightly suppress the restlessness and unease in her heart.
Tang Song didn't rush her, just watched her calmly, his gaze tolerant and deep.
After a moment.
Shen Yuyan gently set down the empty glass in her hand and raised her head.
The effect of the alcohol, coupled with Tang Song's completely open attitude, finally dissipated the last trace of hesitation in her eyes, making them much softer and braver.
She shifted, finding a more comfortable position to lean back. "Back when you first started university, you were already starting your own business, striving, right?"
"Mhm, to be precise, it started from the summer vacation right after the college entrance exam."
"For someone like you, during that university period when everything was just starting, full of infinite possibilities yet exceptionally busy, would you really have had the kind of interest ordinary guys have in girls like me and Qingqing?"
"Of course I would. I was a very normal guy, eighteen or nineteen years old, hormones raging, naturally I'd like pretty girls."
"Then back then... why didn't you come pursue us?"
Tang Song didn't answer directly, but instead asked a counter-question: "Setting aside my hidden business background at the time, if it were the normal university student Tang Song pursuing you. Campus Belle Shen, how would you have reacted?"
Shen Yuyan pursed her full lips, shaking her head self-mockingly. "Indeed. If it were me back then, I probably wouldn't have given you a second glance, might even have laughed at your overestimation of yourself in private."
As she spoke, she very naturally reached out, picked up the wine bottle, and proactively refilled both their glasses.
In this quiet penthouse space, she began to slowly tear off her own mask, showing Tang Song the other, lesser-known side of her university days.
Not the glamorous legends on campus, but more practical, even somewhat unsavory things.
She said that many of the occasionally trending forum posts like 'Casual Shot of Campus Belle' or 'Ran into a Fairy Senior' were actually released by her herself.
The photo angles and captions were carefully selected.
Had to maintain popularity, but couldn't appear too deliberate.
Joining the student council wasn't just out of interest; it was also because back then, the channels for evaluations, scholarships, and accessing teacher resources went through there the fastest.
Hosting galas, participating in activities to stand out, was to keep her name remembered, to maintain the presence of the campus belle.
She would remember all the key teachers' preferences, give gifts that weren't expensive but seemed thoughtful.
She would also deliberately get close to some classmates from well-off families, or those who clearly had potential, trying to squeeze into those exclusive small circles.
Her tone remained very flat, even a bit too calm, as if doing a review.
She also unconsciously completely relaxed, kicked off her slippers, curled her legs up, and tucked herself into the armchair.
Tang Song listened quietly, not interrupting, only occasionally asking a detail or two when she paused, or raising his glass to gently clink with hers.
The night flowed, the red wine mellow.
"In your view..." Shen Yuyan suddenly stopped, looking at him, "...I must be a very shallow, even detestable woman, right? Utilitarian, admires the strong, vain, treating her own beauty and intelligence as scarce resources to be bargained for, every step shrewdly calculating how to climb higher, see further... utterly vulgar, right?"
"Mhm, that's a pretty accurate summary." Tang Song nodded, not with contempt, but with a hint of appreciation. "However, that's not shameful. Everyone is a complex being with many facets; deep down, more or less, we all have this instinct to seek advantage, avoid harm, admire the strong and strive upward. You're just more straightforward than most, and more effective in putting this logic into practice."
Shen Yuyan's heart trembled violently, her eyes reddening slightly.
She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at him anymore.
After a long silence.
She barely managed to calm her surging emotions.
She awkwardly shifted the topic to another direction.
One she was extremely curious about, yet had never dared to easily touch.
"I... I'm about to start working at [Xuanji Optical World]. There's something I've always wanted to know. What is the real relationship between [Tang Yi Precision]... and you?"
Tang Song rested his hands casually on his knees, meeting her nervous yet expectant gaze with a slight smile. "You guessed right. This 'Tang' refers to me. Tang Yi Precision was formed when I found Ouyang Xianyue in early 2017, invested in and restructured the then [Xin Kaihang]. After a few years of capital operations and technological layout, it became what it is today."
Shen Yuyan's breath hitched, she bit her lip hard.
After a long while, she continued to press. "Then... the so-called [Tangjin Family Office], initially, referred to... your and Director Jin's joint family office?"
She stared at him intently.
Tang Song smiled, candidly saying, "That's not entirely accurate. To be precise, the beginning of the [Tangjin Family Office] was my personal family office. It was the highest-level platform and central hub I established to integrate, manage, and pass on my global assets and layout. It was only later, as the snowball rolled bigger and bigger, absorbing more capital forces to build a more stable community of interests, that it evolved into the behemoth it is today."
Shen Yuyan abruptly stood up from the armchair, her pupils trembling, her mind blank.
The concept of a "family office" itself was the ultimate tool for passing on family wealth and power.
Its establishment meant the scale and complexity of wealth had reached a level requiring professional, institutionalized, cross-generational management.
It served a family, and its core was usually the founder and absolute master of that family.
And now, Tang Song personally told her that this behemoth entrenched atop countless top-tier enterprises, with tentacles reaching globally, served him alone.
He was that sole core.
"...Then... what is the relationship between you and [Smile Holdings]...?"
"The initial structure of [Smile Holdings] was set up by me. That was one of my earliest entrepreneurial ventures, the story from the beginning stage in 2016 that you asked about before."
"Mhm, you could say that." Tang Song stood up, walking to stand before her, looking down at her trembling body. "And Ouyang Xianyue, Wu Kezhi, Zheng Qiudong, Anne Kate... all the core figures you've seen and heard of, referred to as the 'Tang Jin faction,' are."
Shen Yuyan's legs went weak. A physiological tremor made goosebumps rise all over her skin.
Tang Song leaned close, looking at her flushed cheeks and dazed eyes from up close, the corner of his mouth slightly curving, his voice low and full of control: "Now, do you have any other questions, Yuyan?"
Shen Yuyan's teeth began to chatter uncontrollably, emitting a light "click-clack" sound.
Looking at Tang Song before her was like looking up at a deity.
"You... I... I... I..."
She could no longer form a complete sentence, her throat dry, her voice broken.
The corner of Tang Song's mouth still held a faint smile. His gaze swept over her beautiful face as he slowly spoke: "You want to ask how I view you, right?"
"In my eyes, you are an interesting contradiction. I like your clarity and drive, I admire your resilience and determination in desperate situations. I also don't dislike your calculations and utilitarianism; that desire itself is quite captivating."
He moved closer to her, an intangible pressure enveloping her like a tangible force.
"Moreover, I have the absolute ability and confidence to control all your ambitions, desires, and schemes. So, I don't mind."
As his words fell.
Shen Yuyan's legs gave way, and she gently leaned against his front.
Then, like melting snow, she slowly slid down along his body, bit by bit.
Finally, kneeling on the carpet at his feet.
She raised her head, looking up at him with a posture of completely abandoning resistance, of total surrender.
Her moist eyes were mixed with submission, desire, and trembling emanating from her very soul.
An inexplicable impulse drove her to reach out and pull at the buckle of his belt.
"Click—"
A light sound, exceptionally clear in the quiet space.
"I love you."
Shen Yuyan's red lips parted slightly; the words seemed to escape without thought.
He didn't speak immediately.
Nor did he make any move.
Just lowered his gaze, quietly watching her.
Time seemed to stretch and stagnate.
A few seconds, or longer.
Tang Song raised his hand, gently pinching her chin. "I know."