novelraw Chapter 800: Annie's Provocation
Chapter 800: Annie's Provocation
January 8, 2024, Monday.
Shenzhen Bay No. 1, Tower 5.
The morning sunlight streamed through the wide floor-to-ceiling windows, spreading a golden glow across the floor.
Liu Qingning was wearing a loose, comfortable pure cotton nightgown, her long hair casually tied up at the back of her head, lazily taking small bites of her breakfast.
The freshly baked butter croissant was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the perfectly fried heart-shaped egg sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper, accompanied by a glass of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and a few plump cherries.
Simple yet exquisite.
"Miss Qingning is really clever. The timing for this heart-shaped egg, many chefs might not get it right on the first try. You've only been learning for a few days, and you're already better than me!"
The housekeeper Auntie Mei, who was tidying up the kitchenware nearby, couldn't help but give a thumbs-up and praise, her eyes full of affection.
"Auntie Mei, please stop praising me. It was just good luck."
Liu Qingning smiled, forked a piece of croissant soaked in egg yolk, and sent it into her mouth, squinting her eyes contentedly.Compared to those mind-numbing code architectures, obscure mathematical models, and AI algorithms requiring billions of iterations, cooking was really too simple and too therapeutic.
As long as you mastered the temperature control logic and time parameters, the results were controllable and beautiful.
Before, it was just because she was too busy, pushing herself too hard, plus being too lazy to move.
Now that she truly wanted to learn, with her brain, she naturally picked it up quickly.
She was currently in an unprecedented state of extreme relaxation.
Originally, Liu Qingning was actually a very controlling person, even somewhat obsessive-compulsive.
She wanted to be that shining, undefeated perfect score in Tang Song's heart forever.
If not for the heavy workload and studies filling her mind, she would have clung to Tang Song, whether through chatting, video check-ins, desperately wanting to confirm he was in her sight every second.
Just like in high school, wanting to be his only "optimal solution."
But now...
After experiencing those mental collapses and reconstructions, stripping away the obsession with a perfect persona, and stepping back slightly from the tedious work, she was shocked to discover that life could actually be so rich and colorful.
Life didn't necessarily have to be filled with the games of work or romance; it could also be these trivial yet warm moments.
Making delicious food was now one of her ways of pleasing herself.
Recently, she had also bought a new semi-automatic Italian espresso machine and was researching the curves of extraction pressure and grind size, planning to treat this as an interesting subject to study.
After finishing breakfast and returning to the bedroom, Liu Qingning hesitated for a moment, then still stood barefoot on the body fat scale.
The numbers jumped and settled.
[52.5kg]
Her weight had increased a bit again.
Indeed, indulgence could make one happy, but it also made one expand.
"Haha..."
She laughed self-deprecatingly, subconsciously reaching up to support the heavy weight on her chest.
Had this gotten bigger too?
Well, fat. Weight gain would naturally have an impact.
When her weight had dropped below 100 pounds before, she could clearly feel her bras being loose. Now they fit snugly again, even feeling a bit tight.
Ugh, so annoying.
Since her development in junior high, this had become her biggest annoyance.
Running was tiring, shirt buttons would pop, wearing anything slightly form-fitting looked suggestive.
She sometimes even fantasized whimsically, if only she could shrink to a B-cup, at least it would be much more comfortable.
But that guy Tang Song, back in school days, would always pretend to be casual while actually stealing glances.
Thinking of his clueless self back then, Liu Qingning couldn't help but let out a light laugh.
After resting in the bedroom for a while, she changed into a professional yet elegant business suit, picked up the LV Capucines Mini that Tang Song had given her before, and headed to work.
Qingning Tech Tower was right across the street. In just about ten minutes, she appeared in the general manager's office on the 42nd floor.
Turning on the computer, she habitually browsed the morning tech news.
[...OpenAI, Google, and other tech giants are competing to enter the multimodal AI track. Multiple Silicon Valley startups have received huge funding...]
[...With the imminent US release of Apple Vision Pro, the concept of spatial computing continues to heat up. The well-known domestic tech company 'Xuanji Optical World' will officially inaugurate its new global headquarters building located in the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base this Friday, January 12. A series of major strategic announcements will be made, attracting strong industry attention...]
Seeing the words "Xuanji Optical World," Liu Qingning's chewing action paused slightly, her eyelashes trembling.
Four more days.
And five days until Tang Song's birthday (January 13th).
"Speaking of which, what gift should I give him this year?"
Liu Qingning bit her lower lip, scratching her hair worriedly.
Since they officially became close friends who could talk about anything in 2013, this would soon be the tenth birthday she spent with him.
In the past nine times, she had given him hand-knitted scarves, sneakers, keyboards, glasses...
Plus other things given on various holidays, scattered together, she had pretty much given him every gift she could think of that he liked.
Now, facing the current Tang Song who lacked nothing, she was truly running out of inspiration.
"When in doubt, ask the algorithm."
As a developer, this had become her instinctive reaction.
Her fingertips lightly tapped, opening a core functional module currently in gray testing within Qingmi — SoulMate (AI Agent).
The interface was clean. Currently, her list only had one avatar, a photo of Tang Song.
This was Qingmi's emotional companion function trained on the latest large model.
Users could input data about the target person's personality, experiences, preferences, relationship background, etc., to generate a highly realistic AI agent for conversation.
As the project lead, she naturally got the version with the highest permissions and fewest restrictions.
These past few days, she had been feeding all the details about Tang Song from her memory into this AI, also a kind of alternative recording and pastime.
After pondering for a moment, she typed into the dialog box: "Based on your (the simulated subject's) personality and preferences, speculate on the birthday gift you might want most."
A few seconds later, the cursor flashed on the screen, lines of text jumping out:
["For the current me, purely material gifts are already hard to bring surprise. In comparison, I yearn more for a gift that is uniquely yours, with extreme visual impact and privacy. For example, you appearing before me wearing sexy battle attire (black stockings, high heels, bodycon skirt), fulfilling all my demands of you."]
"Pah pah pah! Shameless!" Liu Qingning's face instantly turned red.
She knew this was actually the AI's analysis based on big data and the emotional history she had input.
After all, she had input the details of their ambiguous push-and-pull and development stages.
Originally, she wanted to use the testing function to sort out her own tangled thoughts...
Who knew the AI would be so blunt!
Biting her lip, she typed back somewhat defiantly: "I've already worn that kind of clothes before! And... my figure isn't suitable for that style. My legs aren't long enough to pull off that mature, sexy vibe. Give me another suggestion!"
During the previous Qixi Festival, she had been in a somewhat extreme state of mind, wanting to provoke him, and directly wore black stockings and a bodycon skirt.
Although the effect was outstanding at the time, looking back afterward, she always felt it was a bit... like an ugly woman trying to imitate a beauty's frown.
After all, her height and proportions were what they were.
And by his side, there were monsters like Su Yu and Jin Meixiao.
There was simply no comparison. The loss was too crushing.
Soon, the AI gave a new suggestion.
["Then we can change the angle. Since your legs aren't your absolute advantage, amplify your absolute advantage. For example, wear the conservative, fresh clothes you used to wear, but wear a delicate metal chest chain underneath. This extreme contrast would absolutely blow my mind. In my eyes, you are the pure, unattainable white moonlight from my youth, while also possessing the E-cup I love most. When holiness and sensuality combine, when cold metal sinks into soft, warm flesh. I believe that would be the world's most perfect work of art."]
"......"
Liu Qingning stared at the screen, her entire body instantly freezing, heat rushing from her neck to the top of her head, almost throwing the mouse away.
Wh-what is all this?!
This damn AI!
Tang Song really is a pervert! He's even corrupted the AI!
She frantically exited the application interface.
It took a good while for her wildly beating heart to calm down slightly.
As if possessed.
She picked up her phone and searched for "chest chain" on a shopping app.
Looking at the promotional images popping up on the screen.
Golden, silver thin chains, winding around snow-white skin, pressing out breathtaking curves...
Because she had always focused on technology and work, she really wasn't familiar with these fancy tricks.
Looking at these photos now, her throat felt somewhat dry.
She couldn't help but reach out a finger, gently hooking the collar of her clothes, pulling it open a bit.
Her gaze fell, looking at that deep cleavage.
"C-chest chain?"
Her eyes were first blank, then immediately flooded with a wave of scalding shame and confusion.
Just at that moment.
"Knock knock knock—" A rhythmic knocking suddenly sounded at the door.
Liu Qingning was so startled her whole body jolted. She quickly locked her phone screen and slapped it face down on the desk.
Taking a deep breath, she quickly adjusted her collar and expression.
"Come in!"
The office door was pushed open.
Qin Yingxue, wearing a well-tailored light gray professional suit and skirt, with an elegant and composed demeanor, walked in, her face wearing its usual smile.
"Good morning, Qingning."
"Director Qin." Liu Qingning's eyelids twitched, immediately standing up.
This was the first time Qin Yingxue had actively appeared before her since that day in the conference room when the truth about the Moonlight Trust was laid bare.
She had even thought for a while that the other party had given up on those roundabout "guidance" attempts.
"Not busy now? Want to chat with you." Qin Yingxue stood in the center of the office, her gaze gentle as she looked Liu Qingning up and down.
Liu Qingning lightly inhaled, her expression returning to the seriousness of work: "Not busy. Please, have a seat."
After saying this, she led the way to the guest area nearby.
The two sat facing each other on the sofa.
Liu Qingning personally poured her a glass of warm water. Without small talk, she got straight to the point:
"Director Qin coming in person today, is there something?"
Qin Yingxue picked up the water glass and took a sip, her tone gentle: "Mainly wanted to check in on you. How have you been lately? You look like you're in good spirits."
"Mm, pretty good." Liu Qingning replied briefly. "Qingmi AI is already on track. With the comprehensive resource support from the parent company, whether it's technology or management, my workload has lightened a lot. I have to thank Director Qin for the previous arrangements."
"That's good." Qin Yingxue put down the cup, paused, her gaze becoming deep, looking directly into her eyes: "Qingning, to be honest, you must be quite disappointed in me, right?"
Liu Qingning's movements slightly stalled, then she gently shook her head. "Director Qin is joking. You are a director of Qingning Technology, giving me unreserved support in work. How could I be disappointed?"
"You know I'm not talking about work, but personal feelings." Qin Yingxue's voice lowered a bit. "As your senior, and also considered a friend, I kept many things from you, even intentionally guided you. That's not good."
Liu Qingning pursed her lips, didn't respond. The silence itself was an answer.
Qin Yingxue looked at her and continued: "But there's one point I hope you can believe. I have never had any malice towards you. From the moment I came to Qingning Technology as a director in 2021, everything I did, including Professor Wang Chang, was to pave the way for you, hoping you could walk more steadily and go further. If you're willing, I can tell you everything you want to know, exactly as it is, right now."
"I'm not willing." Liu Qingning responded softly.
Qin Yingxue's expression froze, her chest rising and falling slightly. "Alright, then let's not talk about this."
"So, senior, what is the real reason you came to see me today? Let me guess—" Liu Qingning took a deep breath, raised her head, her gaze burning as she looked at her: "Is it that Director Jin wants to see me?"
Qin Yingxue's eyes flashed sharply, then she nodded: "Yes."
"I understand." Liu Qingning let out a self-mocking light laugh. "Director Jin really thinks too highly of me. If she wants to see me, a phone call notification would suffice. No need to trouble you to make a trip in person."
"Qingning, don't underestimate yourself." Qin Yingxue said seriously. "That's because you yourself don't know just how important you are."
Liu Qingning didn't respond, just calmly asked: "I understand, senior. What time? Location?"
"Wednesday evening. I'll take you to Director Jin's private residence. It's in Tower 8 of Shenzhen Bay No. 1."
"Alright, I know."
Qin Yingxue seemed to want to say something more, but under Liu Qingning's gaze, she ultimately just sighed lightly and got up to leave the office.
"Click—"
The door was gently closed. The heavy mahogany door blocked out the outside sounds.
The office returned to silence.
Liu Qingning still sat alone on the sofa, her expression extremely complex, various emotions churning in her mind.
"Paving the way... for my own good..."
She murmured these words softly, a bitter smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
Actually, after the Moonlight Trust appeared out of nowhere, the main reason the blow hit her so hard, even bringing her to the edge of a mental breakdown, was that she had suddenly and cruelly seen a certain truth clearly.
She understood that the "independent struggle" she had always been proud of had actually been pushed along from start to finish by an invisible hand.
Including being "chosen" by Professor Wang Chang to join the team in university, delving deeply into AI, winning the gold prize in the entrepreneurship competition, and even the successful startup, entering the AI algorithm and hardware industry...
Everything, everything, was a meticulously paved track.
Over these years, although she worked hard, the growth of her abilities, technical stack, even management skills and social skills perfectly matched the requirements for future leadership of Qingning Technology.
Her seamless entry into Qingmi AI was proof of this "tailor-made" preparation.
In other words, all her efforts, struggles, even that bit of secret ambition, had been seen clearly by those eyes suspended high above, and were guided to prepare her for the role she should play in the future.
For Liu Qingning, who had always been proud and believed in logic and self-struggle, this blow was simply too great.
It directly destroyed all her pride.
That's why she resisted the Moonlight Trust so much, becoming passive and lazy.
Even Ouyang Xianyue's seemingly well-intentioned advice later on, in her view, was likely another link in a different layer of calculation.
Wednesday evening, Tower 8, Jin Meixiao.
Liu Qingning turned her head to look out the floor-to-ceiling window.
Her heart uncontrollably began to beat faster.
Not from fear, but a throbbing mixed with immense tension and a strange sense of anticipation.
Yes, anticipation.
That Ms. Smile who had always been watching her from behind the scenes.
That legendary Director Jin who had accompanied Tang Song step by step from humble beginnings, not only assisting him in business but even arranging everything for him emotionally, single-handedly building the vast empire today.
Liu Qingning really wanted to talk to her face to face.
To see what that "standard answer," standing in another dimension, by another Tang Song's side, acknowledged by everyone, was really like.
...
London, Kensington villa, the faint light of dawn.
Master bedroom.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
The heavy bedroom door was gently knocked, breaking the morning quiet.
"Enter." A cool voice came from inside the door.
Shangguan Qiuyas, wearing a sharp pantsuit, walked in, holding a phone and a thin folder.
Secretary Jin had just gotten up, still wearing a set of loose, soft light-colored silk pajamas.
Her thick, voluminous deep brown hair cascaded casually over her shoulders like a waterfall, the roots with a natural airy texture, reducing some of her usual sharpness, but making her exquisitely beautiful face appear particularly soft and radiant in the morning light.
The soft silk fabric of the pajamas clung to her body, with her movements, vaguely outlining a perfect S-curve, exuding a kind of high-end, at-home sensuality.
Shangguan Qiuyas quickly approached, respectfully handing over the phone: "Director Jin, Yingxue's call."
Secretary Jin reached out to take the phone, pressed it to her ear, her tone indifferent: "Speak."
Immediately, Qin Yingxue's reporting voice came through the receiver.
Secretary Jin's face showed no emotional fluctuation.
"Alright, I know. Take good care of her. Wait until I return on Wednesday to speak with her face to face."
Hanging up the phone.
A faint, ambiguous smile curved on Secretary Jin's exquisitely beautiful face.
"Tell me about the situation on Ms. Ouyang's side."
As she said this, she turned and walked towards the walk-in closet.
Shangguan Qiuyas closely followed behind her, speaking in a low voice: "Ms. Ouyang's movements in the supply chain and overseas M&A departments at Tang Yi Precision are very frequent. The people you arranged have already been removed by one-third..."
Secretary Jin listened, casually untying the sash of her pajamas inside the walk-in closet.
The silk pajamas slipped off, revealing her snow-white, graceful body.
Her skin was as delicate as fine jade, glowing with a faint luster under the indoor light.
Her shoulder and neck lines were elegant, her back smooth, her waist slender yet strong, her hips full and firm, her legs long and straight, forming a visually stunning, perfect picture.
Immediately after, she calmly picked up a sports bra and athletic wear, changing into them unhurriedly.
Shangguan Qiuyas's voice gradually stopped.
Secretary Jin, now changed, turned around, casually gathering her thick brown hair into a neat high ponytail.
"Has Ms. Ouyang confirmed what time she's going to Dongguan?"
"Wednesday. Under the pretext of a branch inspection activity, scheduled at the Mission Hills Golf Club. She has also invited the main cast and crew of 'Fingertip Starlight.'"
"Hah, still the same as ever." The corner of Secretary Jin's lips curved into a knowing arc. "But the timing is quite coincidental. Just when I'm meeting Qingning, I can casually chat about this noble lady's dirty little thoughts."
Shangguan Qiuyas lowered her head, not daring to respond to the trace of icy malicious amusement in Director Jin's words.
A moment later, the two walked out of the walk-in closet.
Secretary Jin casually instructed: "Also, investigate whether Tang Yi Precision has any new, undisclosed actions in strategic investments, technological layouts, especially in areas that might synergize with Xuanji Optical World. I want details."
Shangguan Qiuyas understood immediately and responded at once: "Understood. Our people have been following up. The detailed report will be submitted to you by tomorrow at the latest."
Just then, the bedroom door was gently knocked again.
"Enter."
The heavy solid wood double doors were pushed open. Sarah, the assistant in charge of international affairs, walked in with a solemn expression.
She quickly exchanged a glance with Shangguan Qiuyas, giving a slight nod.
Then, she walked quickly to Secretary Jin and reported in a low, clear voice:
"Director Jin, Ms. Anne Kate's movements in Europe are somewhat abnormal. She has gone to Zurich, Switzerland again. The difference is, this time her itinerary and actions weren't deliberately concealed as usual. They were very large-scale and high-profile, already attracting attention from many quarters within the Zurich financial circle and even within the family."
"Oh?" Secretary Jin looked up, her originally calm gaze instantly becoming focused and sharp.
Sarah continued: "Ms. Kate arrived in Zurich, Switzerland the night before last. Yesterday, she didn't go to our office there. Instead, she went directly to Bahnhofstrasse, very ostentatiously entering a private bank. Accompanied by the bank's entire senior management, she held a closed-door meeting lasting four hours. This also indicates she holds actual control over this bank."
"Which one?" Secretary Jin's voice was soft, yet carried a sense of pressure.
"Crown & Co. Private Bankers."
"Crown..." Secretary Jin murmured, her eyes flickering slightly, falling into brief contemplation.
The capital networks and potential intentions connected to this name quickly intertwined and analyzed in her mind.
Sarah timely handed over the tablet in her hand:
"We immediately conducted an in-depth investigation into this institution, but its confidentiality level is extremely high. Core data is completely a black box. Current public information only shows it is a nearly two-hundred-year-old Swiss private bank, holding a full license issued by FINMA. But it almost never serves ordinary wealthy individuals."
She paused, opening a shareholding structure chart.
"Notably, in 2021, this bank underwent a capital reshuffle. It was wholly acquired by an offshore holding company with an extremely complex background and completed privatization and delisting. Since then, it has become even more secretive, as if disappearing from the financial market."
Secretary Jin took the tablet, her slender fingers sliding over the concise intelligence summaries on the screen.
On the surface, it was just a low-profile private bank.
But its capital pool was unfathomably deep, having faint, shadowy fund transaction records with ancient European noble families, even certain Middle Eastern oil capitals, and active warlord groups.
This bank and Kate Bank indeed had surface-level transaction records in past cross-border settlement business, but only of the "well water doesn't interfere with river water" type.
Most crucially.
In the past few years, Anne Kate herself had never shown any signs of deep contact with Crown Bank, let alone such a high-profile personal visit.
Unusual events portend something amiss.
And the reason she paid attention to Anne and the Swiss line was because in 2021, Tang Song had secretly gone to Switzerland once.
And the person accompanying him throughout that trip was precisely Anne Kate.
Recalling it now, that probably wasn't a simple trip.
Secretary Jin took a deep breath and closed the tablet.
She knew Anne too well.
She keenly sensed from the other's high-profile declaration of sovereignty this time a deliberate display, even one could say a blatant provocation.
That little Annie, who would stop at nothing to climb up, treading on thin ice for years, where did she get such great confidence?
Unless she found a more powerful backer.
Or, perhaps she had always been holding a certain trump card, just waiting for this day to arrive?
"Ah..."
Secretary Jin suddenly let out a light laugh.
She raised her head, her gaze passing over London's gloomy sky, looking far towards the eastern horizon.
Tang Song.
Crown Bank is his.