novelraw Chapter 802: The Triangular Relationship
Chapter 802: The Triangular Relationship
Yancheng, Huayun Center, Building A.
Weiguang Coffee Headquarters.
Inside the open-plan office area, the place was bustling with people, the atmosphere fiery.
"...Based on the breakthroughs we've achieved in our supply chain, 2024 will be the true year of expansion for Weiguang Coffee."
Xie Shuyu was wearing a deep black professional suit with a simple silk blouse underneath. She had her arms crossed, leaning casually against the whiteboard usually used for brainstorming.
Her composed, confident, and powerful aura, that of a mature, capable woman, was as conspicuous as a crane among chickens, impossible to ignore.
"Our goal is no longer limited to just Yan Province or the Southwest corner.
Instead, it is to complete a grid-based layout covering all core second-tier cities and above across the nation. Next, all departments need to collaborate closely, rapidly and precisely replicating the 'Supply Chain + Refined Operations' model we have successfully validated in the Southwest to every new battleground..."
After clearly outlining the strategy, she shifted her tone, a hint of a smile in her voice:
"As for the funding issue, there's absolutely no need to worry. I can responsibly tell everyone that our Series B Financing has officially commenced. This time, the lead investor will be a truly top-tier international capital. This not only means ample financial ammunition but also signifies that we will gain access to a vast ecosystem of resources!"As soon as her words fell, the office area instantly erupted into a wave of enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Today was the first headquarters-wide employee meeting of 2024.
Due to the sharp increase in staff numbers, the conference room could no longer accommodate everyone, so the meeting was simply held in the open office area.
Over a hundred employees either sat on their office chairs, carried folding stools to the front rows, or even stood in the back holding notebooks.
Although the environment was slightly cramped, each face was lit with unconcealable joy, spirits high and energetic.
This was not only because President Xie, who had always been extremely strict on cost control, had surprisingly issued a 2.5-month year-end bonus this year!
But also because of the company's upcoming Series B Financing—
According to internally circulating rumors, it was an international capital with a background and strength that were jaw-dropping, and the scale of the move was absolutely beyond imagination.
One could catch a glimpse of this from the barely suppressed excitement on the faces of some senior executives whenever they mentioned it.
However, the investment had not yet been finalized, and everything was still under strict confidentiality.
Sitting at a corner workstation, Qian Lele held a pen, watching the radiant President Xie at the center of the crowd, a surge of intense excitement and gratitude welling up in her heart.
She had been working part-time at [Weiguang Coffee] for eight months.
In these eight months, she had personally witnessed this company's astonishing leap from a local brand in Yancheng, to integrating the Sichuan market, and now poised to stride across the nation.
Her own life had also been tangibly improved because of this job and the caring President Xie.
She vaguely remembered when she first signed the part-time contract, the headquarters was still quite deserted, but now it was a scene of bustling prosperity.
"Finally, I'll announce an administrative adjustment."
Waiting for the applause to subside slightly, Xie Shuyu spoke again, her gaze sweeping across this office that bore the traces of countless struggles.
"Our new headquarters site has been finalized. Two kilometers from here, we will have an independent four-story building as our brand-new headquarters. There will be ample office space, dedicated professional meeting rooms, and even our own coffee R&D lab. The renovation is currently in full swing. After the Spring Festival, we will all move into our new home!"
"Whoa—!"
An even more enthusiastic and prolonged burst of cheers erupted.
Qian Lele also clapped vigorously along, her palms growing warm.
"Alright, that's all for today's meeting. Everyone, don't slack off. Focus on completing the final wrap-up and review of the Southwest market, laying a solid foundation for the upcoming national campaign. Meeting adjourned."
Xie Shuyu turned, picked up the documents placed on the table, her movements as decisive and efficient as ever.
Amidst the excited discussions, the employees dispersed, returning to their work.
Qian Lele was just about to turn and walk out.
"Lele."
A call cut through the crowd, stopping her.
Immediately after, the powerful female CEO stood before her.
Qian Lele quickly straightened up, somewhat nervously saying, "President Xie."
Xie Shuyu's deep, bright eyes swept over her for a moment, and she gave a slight nod:
"Come with me to my office."
Qian Lele carefully followed behind her, passing through the busy office area,
and pushed open the door to the general manager's office.
Compared to the bustling heat outside, it was exceptionally quiet here.
The room wasn't large, filled with items, everything from the bookshelves to the filing cabinets orderly and spotlessly clean.
The air carried a faint scent of coffee mixed with a cool-toned fragrance.
Xie Shuyu casually placed the documents on the desk, didn't sit back in the executive chair, but walked straight to the sofa opposite the guest area and sat down.
She gestured towards the exquisite glass coffee table in the middle:
"This afternoon tea just arrived, sit down and have some."
Qian Lele instinctively looked, pursing her lips.
On the coffee table was a visually striking French dessert gift box.
On the exquisite two-tiered bamboo pastry stand, the upper tier held several brightly colored, petite and cute macarons and cream tarts adorned with fresh fruit, while the lower tier had freshly baked scones with neat cross-sections.
Beside them were two cups of steaming coffee.
An afternoon tea of this caliber probably cost the equivalent of half a month of her living expenses.
"This..." Qian Lele was momentarily at a loss, standing in place, not daring to move.
Xie Shuyu leaned back on the sofa, elegantly crossing her long, beautiful legs, and looked up at her. "I knew you'd be here this afternoon, so I specifically had someone order it in advance. You're still growing, and your brain consumes a lot; you need to replenish some sugar."
Then, she added a reason most effective for Qian Lele: "If you don't eat it, it'll just go to waste. You know I don't like sweets, and this stuff can't last overnight."
Qian Lele took a deep breath, first giving Xie Shuyu a slight bow: "Thank you, President Xie, for going to such expense."
Then, she carefully sat down on the side sofa, her posture still somewhat reserved.
She certainly knew she was benefiting from her brother's influence again.
Xie Shuyu seemed to see through her thoughts, just smiling gently. She picked up her own cup of unsweetened Americano and took a small sip. "Try it. The strawberry tarts from that shop have a great reputation, moderately sweet."
Only then did Qian Lele follow her words, pick up a strawberry tart, and take a careful bite.
"Your performance at the company during this period, I've seen it all," Xie Shuyu put down her cup, her voice gentle. "Especially the front-end refactoring work for the Weiguang Coffee mini-program, it's been excellent, with a noticeable improvement in the interactive experience. The tech department has praised you to me several times, saying you're more dedicated than full-time employees."
"No, no..." Qian Lele quickly put down the pastry in her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed. "It's all what I should do. President Xie, you and the company have given me such a great opportunity. I'm really, really grateful."
This was indeed her heartfelt words.
President Xie had truly helped her a lot; even her acquaintance with Tang Song was because of this job.
Xie Shuyu looked at her appearance, her smile deepening a bit. She then chatted with her about some preliminary ideas for the next product and technology iterations, her tone as if discussing with a friend, easing the pressure on her.
After a while, seeing Qian Lele gradually relax and no longer so tense, Xie Shuyu then asked casually, as if by the way: "By the way, is your school about to start winter break soon?"
"Mm, classes end this week, then it starts. The academic calendar says it officially starts on January 15th. The winter break is about forty days long."
"Good." Xie Shuyu nodded, directly arranging: "Then for this winter break, you should still come to the company full-time. I've already spoken with HR. Your salary will be adjusted to the standard for a formal front-end position, 6k for you. However, since you're still a university student, we can't pay social security and housing fund for you. The company will convert that portion into cash and give it directly to you."
"Ah? No, no need! Thank you for your kindness! But... this winter break, I might not be able to come in full-time. I want to continue maintaining my current part-time status, working remotely is fine."
"Oh?"
Xie Shuyu raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
As far as she knew, Qian Lele's family burden was heavy, she herself was in great need of money, and had always been a "workaholic."
For such a good opportunity that both earned money and accumulated experience, logically, even if she had to go home for a few days during the New Year, she shouldn't refuse.
Qian Lele hesitated for a moment, then still confessed honestly: "Mainly... I plan to start preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam. I want to use the winter break time to systematically start reviewing. Also, I invested in a Clay Pot Skewer Shop with friends near the Normal University. During the winter break, I also want to spend more effort helping them get the online operations and initial promotion going."
"Oh? Investment? Skewer shop?" Xie Shuyu uncrossed her long legs, leaning forward slightly, genuine curiosity in her eyes.
Qian Lele pursed her lips, saying softly: "It's an investment together with President Tang. It's a shop opened by my friends. President Tang said to let me try it with him, to give me some hands-on practice."
Hearing this, Xie Shuyu instantly understood, smiling: "So that's how it is. It seems I was overthinking."
"No, thank you for your concern, President Xie, I..." Qian Lele hurriedly explained.
"No need to be so formal with me, right?" Xie Shuyu gently interrupted her, her words carrying an unspoken closeness. "You should know about my relationship with Tang Song. You're his sister, so naturally, you're one of us."
"Mm..."
Qian Lele lowered her gaze, her fingertips unconsciously curling, a complex, indescribable tide surging in her heart.
Since that direction-changing late-night conversation last weekend, plus these two days of solitary reflection.
She had clearly redrawn the path ahead for herself.
Furthering her studies for a postgraduate degree, an option she once dared not dream of under the heavy pressure of reality, had now been illuminated by her brother, becoming the most worthwhile peak to strive for in her vision.
Just as he said, when she no longer had to fight alone for her family's livelihood, this path was the true ladder that could let her go further and see a broader world.
However, as the future picture became clear, another, more troubling thought also surfaced.
The subtle, indefinable relationship between her and her brother.
She clearly knew her brother had many women around him, even to the point of being extremely flirtatious.
But this knowledge not only failed to make her soberly retreat; instead, it allowed certain deeply buried, unspoken fantasies to quietly grow like vines.
She had despised her own greed, yet couldn't completely extinguish that spark.
Once you've seen the ocean, it's hard to settle for rivers.
She vaguely felt that she probably wouldn't be able to feel such heart-fluttering excitement for anyone else in this lifetime.
But she was, after all, that down-to-earth Cinderella.
Thus, she drew a clear battle line for herself.
Utilize these precious forty days of winter break.
Go all out with her studies, while also putting her heart into managing that little shop that held her hopes.
If the shop could get off to a smooth start and bring stable income, the long-troubling family financial pressure could truly ease.
By then, when the heavy burden on her shoulders was lifted, when she stood in a more relaxed, more empowered position.
Perhaps, she would have the courage to face that inappropriate expectation in her heart.
...
After finishing the afternoon tea and seeing off the deeply grateful Qian Lele.
Xie Shuyu returned to her own office.
Just as she sat down at her desk, her phone rang.
[Meng Ran]
Answering the call, Meng Ran's excited voice came through the receiver:
"Xiaoyu! I've already met with the fund manager sent by the [Tang Jin Family Office]! Not only did they highly approve of our new single-store profit model, they even hinted that if needed, they could activate a green approval channel at any time! This efficiency is simply miraculous!"
"Mm, as expected." Xie Shuyu wasn't surprised, her tone calm.
After all, this was something Ouyang Xianyue personally nodded to, and with Tang Song's name among the shareholders, those below naturally wouldn't dare to slack off.
"However, there's a key issue now." Meng Ran's tone shifted, becoming hesitant: "Regarding the pre-money valuation and specific dilution ratio for the Series B Financing. Have you privately confirmed with Tang Song? He is, after all, a member of the [Tang Jin Family Office]... see if we can fight for more favorable terms..."
"Not yet, no rush." Xie Shuyu leaned back in her chair, looking at the scenery outside the window, her tone relaxed. "He just returned from abroad, his schedule is very packed recently, and he's heading to Shen City soon. At a time like this, I don't want to bother him with such self-interest-related matters."
"Aiyoyo! My President Xie!" Meng Ran lowered her voice, carrying the teasing and seriousness between close friends. "Your attitude is too laid-back! What about that set of long-distance 'magic tools' I gave you? Wasn't it to help you strengthen your bond? A man like Tang Song, what kind of women doesn't he have around? You need to constantly create a sense of novelty! Don't always hold onto that CEO posture of yours!"
"You!" Xie Shuyu's ears grew hot, a rare surge of shame and annoyance rising. "Shut up! Don't send me those messy things anymore! I threw that one away a long time ago!"
Speaking of this made her angry, and she felt utterly ashamed to the extreme.
Last time Tang Song was at her place, the two of them in the bedroom...
He even seriously discussed the user experience with her.
She had never experienced such a shameful moment in her life.
So much so that for several days afterward.
She deliberately gave him the cold shoulder to maintain her teetering dignity.
"Hah, threw it away? I don't believe it." Meng Ran chuckled mischievously on the other end of the line. "Xiaoyu, let me remind you. Be rational, but don't neglect the necessary tactics. For a man at Tang Song's level, who knows how many women are circling around him. Young and pretty ones, playful ones, shameless ones... men are creatures who seek novelty..."
"Enough!" Xie Shuyu didn't want to hear anymore, cutting her off directly. "I have another meeting to attend here. We'll chat about these trivial matters later."
"Beep—" The call ended.
The office instantly fell into dead silence.
Xie Shuyu frowned slightly, staring at the darkened phone screen, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the smooth edge of the desk.
A strange impulse drove her.
She picked up her phone, opened the chat window with Tang Song.
After some deliberation, she typed: "Busy? You're leaving Yancheng tomorrow, right? Come to my place for dinner tonight? I'll give you your birthday gift in advance."
Send.
Wait.
One minute, two minutes.
"Beep beep beep—"
[Tang Song: "What birthday gift?"]
Her fingers paused slightly, replying: "Just a watch and a tie. I didn't know what you needed. I saw them while shopping and thought they suited you, so I picked them out myself."
[Tang Song: "Oh, no rush. You can give me the gift personally when I return from Shen City."]
Seeing this message, Xie Shuyu's fingers gripping the phone tightened slightly. She continued: "Also, regarding the pre-money valuation and dilution ratio for [Weiguang Coffee]'s Series B Financing, we need to discuss and set a baseline."
[Tang Song: "This matter, you have full authority to decide. Regarding the valuation, Tang Jin won't have any issues. I trust your judgment."]
[Tang Song: "Shuyue Sister, I'm going to a meeting. Talk later. Bye."]
The chat window fell silent.
No new messages popped up again.
Xie Shuyu sat there, her red lips pressed tightly together.
If it were before, she would have thought this was the most efficient way to communicate, perfectly fitting their interaction pattern.
But now she felt a wave of confusion and panic.
Did he think her deliberate "invitation" and "reserve" were boring?
Did he think she was getting old, lacking charm?
Or had he already lost interest?
Countless negative thoughts grew like weeds.
There was a time when she truly only wanted to maintain an open, unconstrained adult relationship with Tang Song.
Everyone got what they needed, not letting emotions affect her painstakingly built career, and not worrying about the love-hate entanglements that come with aging.
But now she clearly realized she had indeed changed.
Just as Zhang Ailing once wrote—the path to a woman's heart passes through **.
She forcefully rubbed her temples, but her gaze couldn't help but turn to the makeup mirror on the corner of the desk.
The woman in the mirror had snow-white skin, exquisite makeup, perfectly styled hair—still that decisive, efficient, elegant, and dignified female CEO.
But... she was indeed no longer young.
And would only grow older.
This realization weighed heavily on her heart.
But soon, she inevitably thought of Ouyang Xianyue.
That noble lady who also had an ambiguous relationship with Tang Song.
She was more reserved, more dignified, more conservative than herself, and also older.
Thinking of this, the anxiety born from her age was strangely diluted somewhat.
After all, there was someone older than her above.
7 PM.
After finishing the last document, Xie Shuyu somewhat tiredly closed her laptop, picked up her commuter bag, and went downstairs.
Soon, the black BMW 7 Series drove into the night.
Stop and go, half an hour later, the car smoothly entered the underground garage of Shengyuan Fine Neighborhood.
Taking the elevator directly to the 4th floor.
"Click—"
The fingerprint lock disengaged, and the heavy security door opened accordingly.
Xie Shuyu pushed the door open, casually turning on the entrance hall's ceiling light.
The moment the light came on, her brows furrowed.
The shoes placed in the entrance hall were somewhat messy, and there were traces of mud on the light-colored tile floor.
For Xie Shuyu, who had a slight cleanliness obsession, the scene before her was particularly jarring.
Clearly, an outsider had been here.
"Sister Liu." She instinctively raised her voice.
However, there was no response from inside.
She called out again, didn't change her shoes, and walked a few steps inward.
Just then.
"Click—"
The lights in the entire room suddenly went out.
Darkness surged like a tide, leaving only the sporadic distant lights outside the window.
Xie Shuyu's heart constricted violently, her pupils dilating rapidly in the momentary blindness.
"Whoosh—"
A gust of hot air, carrying force, swept towards her from the shadows to the side without warning.
The next second, a large, distinct hand completely covered her mouth and nose.
"Mmph mmph—!"
A muffled cry of shock was blocked in her throat. Xie Shuyu's whole body shook violently, instinctively beginning to struggle.
The commuter bag in her hand flew out, hitting the entrance hall tiles with a "thud."
At the same time, another hand locked around her waist, rendering her immobile.
Immediately after, a heavy figure pressed down on her from behind.
"Shh— Don't move!" A deep, familiar voice sounded by her ear.
Warm breath sprayed against the skin of her neck, raising a fine layer of goosebumps.
Tang Song!
Confirming the visitor's identity, Xie Shuyu's nerves, stretched to the extreme, relaxed slightly, but were immediately overwhelmed by an even more surging tide of shame and annoyance.
"Mmm... mmph!"
She twisted her body, trying to pry off the hand covering her mouth, her high-heeled feet kicking backward.
However, in the face of absolute strength disparity, it was utterly useless.
"Not obedient?" A low, hoarse chuckle came from beside her ear.
The arm wrapped around her suddenly tightened, with such force it almost lifted her feet off the ground.
In a dizzying whirl, she was half-carried, half-dragged by him into the darker center of the living room.
"Mmph...!"
Her coat was casually tossed to the ground.
Her long hair disheveled.
In the darkness, vision deprived, other senses were infinitely amplified.
She could clearly hear his rapid breathing, smell the scent of outdoor dust mixed on him.
He hadn't showered.
For her, with her slight cleanliness obsession, it brought a strange sensation.
An unprecedented sense of chaos and loss of control swept over her like a tsunami.
In the dim light outlining the blurred contours, looking at her disheveled appearance at this moment.
For some reason, another, more mature figure surfaced in Tang Song's mind.
That lady who always buried her emotions beneath a magnificent, dignified facade, with a mind as deep as the sea and profound methods—Ms. Ouyang.
An extremely intense, challenging impulse and curiosity quietly grew in the depths of his heart.
If she were pulled into darkness and chaos, what kind of soul-stirring expression would she reveal?
Shen City, Shekou Hillside Villa.
The study was lit by a reading lamp, a warm yellow glow enveloping the wide redwood desk.
Ouyang Xianyue, dressed in dark silk pajamas, sat upright behind the desk, her back straight, her aura calm.
On the desk before her were several in-depth investigation reports that had just arrived through "special channels," emitting a faint scent of ink.
Secretary Chen pushed the door open, placed a cup of warm calming tea on the corner of the desk.
She said in a low voice: "Ms. Ouyang, the final verification reports from the other channels have all come back. The information has been cross-checked, the sources are reliable, and the conclusions are consistent."
"Mm." Ouyang Xianyue didn't look up, her gaze still fixed on the red-marked document in her hand.
It was a penetration analysis summary of Crown & Co. Private Bankers (Crown Bank) obtained through special channels, along with a map of Anne Kate's recent activities in Zurich.
Secretary Chen quietly retreated to the side, standing with her hands at her sides.
She knew the boss needed absolute quiet to digest this information.
In fact, the tremors were not confined to this study.
Within the higher echelons of the entire Tangjin System, undercurrents were already stirring.
Many advisory committee members' calls had come one after another just moments ago, their words full of shock and inquiry.
After all, the matter concerned Anne Kate, a core committee member.
Ouyang Xianyue's fingertips traced line after line of text.
Crown Bank completed its privatization and delisting in June 2021. Its controlling stake was wholly acquired by an offshore trust/holding structure named [The Origin].
[The Origin]'s registration structure was complex, involving at least three jurisdictions.
This acquisition was not a traditional capital merger but closer to a "financial asset concealment project."
The bank's publicly visible balance sheet was rapidly cleansed, with core business and fund flows transferred into a special ledger system not subject to audit.
According to multiple estimates, the size of its concealed capital pool could reach the hundred-billion-dollar level, holding multi-currency cash reserves, mostly highly liquid cash assets.
The report also revealed more complex veins beneath the iceberg of this bank.
Its client structure and cooperation network covered: the asset isolation systems of ancient European families, the bulk settlement chains of South American resource oligarchs, and the funding supply end of highly secretive private armed/mercenary networks.
Over the past few years, it had completely become a black box detached from conventional financial regulatory oversight, operating in the grayest zones.
[We cannot directly penetrate to the ultimate beneficiary, but "The Origin" exhibits typical "sovereign-level family capital" characteristics: not pursuing investment return rates, prioritizing control, concealment, and sanction resistance capabilities.]
"Tap—" A light sound.
Ouyang Xianyue closed the hard cover of the file.
Her fingers lightly tapped the cover twice, her gaze drifting into the void.
Her mind rapidly connected all the clues.
June 2021.
That point in time.
Tang Song, under the pretext of private leave, quietly stayed in Zurich for three days.
Apart from bodyguards, the only person accompanying him was Anne Kate.
With the sophistication and wisdom cultivated over years of immersion in business and politics, Ouyang Xianyue instantly grasped the entire logic.
That was the groundwork he laid back then.
He was creating a balance.
Using Anne Kate as a white glove to control an energy source completely independent of the system.
Both as a retreat for himself and as a subtle, hidden piece placed between her and Jin Meixiao.
A complex emotion flickered across her face.
There was understanding, there was severity, but more was a kind of settled clarity, even carrying a trace of relief.
The fog dispersed, the picture emerged.
Upon deep thought, his actions were indeed the most logical choice.
Because for him at that time, neither she nor Jin Meixiao could be trusted one hundred percent.
Keeping a backup plan was a very wise choice.
And now, the biggest issue was Anne Kate.
This American financial heiress, once she truly grasped the authority of this private bank, would gain not only vast funds but also a vast network of resources.
And this network had almost no connection to the Huaxia system.
This would be enough for her to rapidly secure victory and lock in the first-in-line position in the brutal competition for the Kate family inheritance.
Her power and influence would be incomparable to before.
Ouyang Xianyue understood people like Anne Kate very well.
They were born at the pinnacle of the pyramid, received the most elite education, and were accustomed to the most cold-blooded power transitions.
So-called loyalty was always built upon absolute interest and strength games.
For Tang Song to control [Crown Bank] through her was undoubtedly a brilliant move to connect domestic and overseas funding channels.
But it also meant he had handed over a portion of crucial authority to an uncontrollable variable.
And this was precisely the most ingenious part of Tang Song's layout.
It was precisely this danger latent within Anne, and the third-party force she represented, that invisibly provided an effective buffer zone for the opposing relationship between herself and Jin Meixiao.
It also gave them room for reconciliation.
He was not only paving a way out for himself but also, with a higher perspective, constructing a more flexible triangular relationship.
Tang Song, your thoughts run deep.
But this is right.