Chapter 525: Investor Night 4 (Transformation)

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Twilight dyed the sky like ink.

The sky gradually darkened.

The buildings on the Bund gradually lit up with warm yellow lights, complementing the cold neon of Lujiazui, outlining a picture of a bustling metropolis.

In the VIP Hall, the crystal chandelier cast soft light, and the atmosphere was warm and elegant.

Annie Kate of Jingwu Capital stood in the center of the crowd like a dazzling star,

yet at this very moment, she was perfectly willing to play a supporting role.

She simply held Tang Song's left arm, standing by his side with a smile, watching him socialize with others.

Their steps were moving toward the center of the VIP lounge; every step seemed to tread upon the tip of Shen Yu Yan's heart, stirring up ripples.

Shen Yu Yan knew Jingwu Capital very well and was full of longing for it.

This was partly due to her idol Jin Meixiao, and partly because Ren Mingyuan and Wang Yu Bo had been "painting big pictures" for her these past few days, specifically introducing a lot of detailed information.

In the 2022 global comprehensive ranking of private equity firms, Jingwu Capital ranked tenth.

Its predecessor was Singapore's Anda Capital, which was renamed Insight Capital (Jingwu Capital) after being acquired in 2016.

Although this company was registered in the Cayman Islands and its global headquarters were in Singapore, everyone knew.

This was actually a thoroughly Chinese enterprise.

"Sin" represented the East, China; "sight" symbolized insight, vision, and perspective.

SSC (Jingwu Capital) was not only involved in private equity but also in hedge funds, real estate, special opportunities, and other business areas.

It was rumored that its managed fund scale had exceeded 200 billion USD.

It had formal branches in 18 core cities globally, with over 5,200 full-time employees, and the core team was highly elite.

In fact, this largest private equity firm in the global technology field had intricate connections with Smile Holdings and Tang Yi Precision.

Even Director Jin himself was a member of Jingwu Capital's global executive committee.

The members of this committee were mysterious and powerful, rumored to include Nobel Prize winners in economics, former political officials, and other top figures.

In order to befriend the executives of Jingwu Capital's Greater China region through Wang Yu Bo, Shen Yu Yan had done plenty of homework.

She not only memorized all of Jingwu Capital's domestic investment cases over the past three years but also conducted in-depth research on the background, industry trends, and logic behind each project.

She clearly knew that these details were the key to winning the other party's recognition.

Besides that, she also kept in mind the information of the major institutions and tech companies participating in "Investor Night" tonight—from the founding team to the financing history, to the core business model, nothing was missed.

This was the confidence she had to perform in front of Tang Song and accompany him in socializing.

And at this moment, looking at Annie Carter accompanying Tang Song.

All her preparations, efforts, confidence, and pride had become a complete joke.

"That is Ms. Carter; she's even more beautiful than in the magazines."

"Vivian, you joined later. Ms. Carter once came to our headquarters representing Carter Trust."

"Arthur, you jumped ship from Carter Fund; you should know Ms. Carter, right?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure if Ms. Carter still remembers me."

The discussion of Rongliu Capital's three colleagues reached her ears.

【Carter Trust? Carter Fund?】

"Vivian." Shen Yu Yan turned around stiffly, looking at Zhang Weiran, whom she was slightly more familiar with, her voice so low it was almost inaudible. "Is this Ms. Carter related to the Carter Consortium?"

Although she tried hard to remain steady, her voice was still trembling.

"Yes, Ms. Carter is indeed from the Carter family."

This sentence was like a sharp blade piercing Shen Yu Yan's heart, and her throat rolled.

Annie Carter, co-founder of Jingwu Capital, Carter Fund, Carter Consortium? Tang Song?

A series of terms flashed across her consciousness like lightning, making her mouth dry and her face pale as paper.

Scarlet barrage drifted past:

【Ahhh! Carter Consortium! Annie Carter!】

【How is this possible? How could this be?】

【Why is it like this? I'm going to die!】

Immediately after, in her mind, some almost forgotten fragments surfaced.

Once, when she first met Lin Empress Mu Xue at Fanfu Shuzi Culture Media.

On the business card she gave for her self-introduction, it said Assistant to the Juqing Juqing Hui Jin Committee, and besides Tang Song, the committee also included Luo Bin and a foreigner.

That foreigner—seemed to be called Ms. Carter?

And Lin Empress Mu Xue said that many employees of Juqing Juqing Hui Jin came from Carter Trust and Jingwu Capital.

At that time, all her attention was on Luo Bin, after all, the other party was the legal advisor of the Smile Group, frequently appearing in news reports, and had a close relationship with her idol Jin Meixiao.

Plus, the surname Carter wasn't uncommon; some well-known Hollywood stars also had the surname Carter.

She hadn't thought much about it.

But she hadn't expected that this foreshadowing had been buried from the very beginning.

Annie Carter and Tang Song, the two of them were actually so close.

At this moment, these memories surged out again, every detail like a heavy hammer striking her heart.

【So all the clues were already right in front of me, but I chose to ignore them...】

【I am still too shallow! My knowledge is too little, my cognition is not enough!】

【Why didn't I pay more attention back then? If I had known earlier, would everything be different?】

Annie Carter was not only from a top American financial conglomerate but also a co-founder of Jingwu Capital.

How special was this identity?

It was probably equivalent to standing at the pinnacle of the global capital market, holding the fate of countless people in her hands.

Truly the pinnacle of power.

Just then, Tang Song looked over and made eye contact with her.

His gaze lingered on her for a long time.

Shen Yu Yan's parched mouth parted slightly, seemingly hoping for something.

However, Tang Song didn't reveal any abnormality, continuing to converse calmly with the people around him, as if her existence was indeed insignificant.

Shen Yu Yan bit her lower lip, trying to use pain to calm herself down.

But her eyes couldn't hide the inferiority and pain in her heart.

【I am just his "Special Consultant," not even qualified to get close to him...】

【Lin Empress Mu Xue, Guo Liyuan, they are all better at seizing opportunities than me, but I am always hesitant, and in the end, I got nothing!】

【Perhaps, I am not qualified to stand here at all.】

"Special Consultant—Special Consultant, heh. I chose wrong again—"

Shen Yu Yan muttered to herself, her voice so low it was almost inaudible, but her heart was shattered like a collapsing high-rise.

The consultant status of Rongliu Capital was indeed glamorous, and the status was high enough, but at best, it was just a role representing the company at the event.

There was no essential difference between her and Vivian and the others.

But what if she had chosen the "Special Assistant" status back then? That would mean she was Tang Song's direct extension, representing him personally to some extent.

The degree of closeness and social resources attached to this identity were far beyond what a "Special Consultant" could compare to.

For example, right now, she could have boldly stepped forward, standing by Tang Song's side as an assistant, receiving business cards for him, noting down the appearances and identities of important figures, and making reminders at critical moments.

Once, she had fantasized about standing by his side with a relatively equal posture through her careful preparation, ability, and emotional intelligence, winning his affirmation and appreciation.

Like Gao Mengting, becoming his startup partner, or even more.

However, now that Tang Song's true identity was revealed, coupled with the appearance of Annie Carter, all of this had become an ironic joke.

The color of the barrage above her head turned pitch black suddenly:

【Heh, Shen Yu Yan, you are a clown! You are a joke!】

【You didn't even figure out the most basic information, yet you dared to talk about ambition and dreams!】

【Shen Yu Yan! What right do you have to want to become another Jin Meixiao?】

Shen Yu Yan's eyes were red, her eye sockets slightly moist.

Just as she was falling into self-denial, Tang Song's gaze swept over again, lingering on her.

Shen Yu Yan was stunned.

【He is still looking at me...】

Since they met Annie Carter, this was already the third time.

Tang Song would always look at her from time to time.

Although Tang Song never showed any emotion, his gaze itself explained one thing—he was still paying attention to her.

Even with a top-tier white socialite, a world-class socialite, and a figure at the pinnacle of power by his side, he still gave her some of his attention.

【Perhaps he is giving me a chance?】

"Thump, thump—" Her heart beat violently, as if it were about to break free from her chest.

【What's the use of regret? It's useless to blame myself now; I've missed too many opportunities!】

【I am not qualified to compare with Annie Carter, but why should I compare myself with her?】

【What I should do is seize every opportunity!】

【If I want to touch the future that is out of reach, Tang Song is my only chance! And the biggest chance of my life! If I miss it, I'm really finished!】

【Shen Yu Yan! How much longer are you going to wallow in self-pity?!】

【You crawled from a breakfast stall in Luocheng to here, not to be a coward!】

Shen Yu Yan closed her eyes gently and took a deep breath.

When she opened her eyes again, the tears had disappeared, replaced by a firm and bright smile.

She lifted her head, moved her feet, and walked toward Tang Song.

In her mind, her past couldn't help but flash by.

She was born in Luocheng, Henan Province, a third-tier city as ordinary as could be.

Her parents started from a breakfast stall, relying on their hands to turn the small stall into a breakfast shop step by step.

Her childhood was almost spent beside her parents' breakfast stall, watching them get up early and work late, exposed to wind and sun, busy and rushing for a living.

However, the hardships of life did not bring the respect they deserved.

She witnessed with her own eyes her parents being bullied, begging people for help with low voices, and their dignity being trampled upon at will.

These scenes were deeply imprinted in her young heart, like a seed of worshipping the strong quietly buried, and gradually influencing her worldview.

As she grew older, she gradually showed a talent for observation and socializing.

In the process of dealing with all kinds of people, she saw more of society's rules and unspoken rules, and became increasingly aware of the importance of power.

Such experiences made her psychology of worshipping the strong increasingly clear, even evolving into a near-crazy obsession.

She longed to stand at the pinnacle of power, longed to get rid of the fate of being looked down upon and trampled, and this longing burned in her heart like a flame, driving her to constantly chase higher goals.

As "Investor Night" officially approached, melodious music sounded, flowing slowly in the venue.

Tang Song's figure was bathed in the light, reflected in her pupils.

【I haven't completely lost yet!】

【Seize the present! Seize him! Seize him!】

A familiar perfume scent drifted over.

A soft and sweet voice rang in her ear: "Mr. Tang."

Tang Song stopped conversing with others and turned slowly, his gaze landing on Shen Yu Yan.

Following his movement, the surrounding crowd consciously shifted their attention, and low conversations rose one after another, leaving this space for the two.

Only Annie remained standing beside Tang Song, her gaze coldly scrutinizing this "Consultant—Shirley."

She originally wouldn't have taken such a little girl seriously, even if there seemed to be some ambiguous interactions between the other party and Tang Song.

But who told her that her title was also "Consultant."

When they first met, that cold Song had used the title "Consultant" to introduce her.

For Annie, that was a special memory, a beautiful time that made her feel different.

As arrogant as she was, she naturally couldn't tolerate another "Consultant" appearing in her territory, especially when this identity was closely related to Tang Song.

Shen Yu Yan's heart trembled violently, feeling that invisible pressure, and couldn't help but lower her head again. Her fingers tightened slightly, trying to hide the unease in her heart.

Tang Song raised his eyebrows, let go of Annie's arm, and said in an unquestionable tone: "Annie, I have a few words to chat with Shirley alone."

Annie's light-colored eyes looked at Tang Song, feeling that familiar sense of oppression.

At this moment, she finally saw some shadows of the former "Song" from him.

This discovery made her even more excited.

Licking her full, moist lips, Annie leaned into Tang Song's ear, whispering in a lazy voice: "Alright, my temporary master, but you must remember, I won't go far."

After saying that, she chuckled and left with elegant steps.

"Speak, what is it, Shirley?"

Shen Yu Yan pursed her lips, leaned forward, and whispered: "I—I want to change a choice."

Her voice was very light, but exceptionally clear. "Oh? Why?"

Tang Song's gaze landed on her face, without surprise, without mockery, only a calm that was close to scrutiny.

Her heart beat wildly, and blood roared in her eardrums.

Shen Yu Yan's fingers tightened slightly on the chain of her clutch. "I regret it. I realized I underestimated the importance of certain things. I apologize to you, I'm sorry!"

Tang Song didn't respond immediately.

Shen Yu Yan looked up slightly, looking straight at Tang Song, her eyes revealing a stubbornness and desire.

Scarlet barrage burned:

【As long as you give me this chance! I can do anything for you!】

【As long as you need it, I can do it!】

"Swish!" The system light screen automatically unfolded before her eyes.

【Act 3】

【October 8, 17:22, after experiencing a series of emotions such as shock, blow, entanglement, regret, and inferiority, Shen Yu Yan's pride is completely shattered, her psychological defense line has completely collapsed, and she has taken the initiative to propose changing her choice to you, her desire for you is stronger than ever.】

【You understand that the essence of her ambition is "attachment-type"—needing an absolute strong person as an object to cling to.】

【She brainwashed herself through "reconstructing the narrative," proving that she possesses the psychological quality of a top speculator, and is a very excellent observation subject.】

【In order to control the test subject (Shen Yu Yan) more precisely and further deepen the influence on her, you decide to grant her the status of "Special Assistant" in the upcoming banquet, placing her by your side, letting her feel the true operation of power at close range.】

【Accompanied by Annie Carter, the banquet scene will become your stage, and you will become the absolute core with the posture of an absolute strong person.】

【During the Q&A session after Gongying Technology's financing presentation, you will allow Shen Yu Yan to question Gongying Technology in the capacity of your assistant, interrupting Gongying Technology's Series C financing plan. Please observe her psychological fluctuations carefully.】

"Mr. Tang," Shen Yu Yan's voice carried a tremor, "I hope to assist you in completing social and contact work in the capacity of your 'Special Assistant' in the time to come, is that okay?"

The system light screen dissipated slowly.

"Are you sure you won't regret it again this time?"

"Absolutely not!"

Tang Song reached out calmly and took a nameplate from his suit's inner pocket.

The silver metal surface shone with a cold luster under the light.

Shen Yu Yan's eyes widened suddenly, her breathing becoming rapid.

【Give it to me! Give it to me! I want it!】

Her hand reached out subconsciously, but stopped suddenly when her fingertips almost touched the nameplate.

Shen Yu Yan opened her mouth, her gaze panicked. "I'm sorry—just now—I."

【Shen Yu Yan! What's wrong with you! You're actually being stupid at such a critical moment!】

【You piece of trash!】

Just then.

Tang Song's hand suddenly reached to her chest, and in Shen Yu Yan's dull gaze.

He removed the "Special Consultant" nameplate.

Immediately after, his movement didn't pause at all, and another brand-new nameplate was firmly pinned on.

Shen Yu Yan looked down slowly, her gaze landing on the silver nameplate on her chest—the concise and powerful handwriting came into view:

SPECIAL ASSISTANT (To Tang Song).

【Tang Song's Special Assistant...】

A few short words were like an electric current hitting the bottom of her heart, and complex emotions surged into her heart instantly.

There was relief, expectation, and an indescribable sense of satisfaction, as if some regret had finally been made up for.

【Did I win the bet?】 ===== CHAPTER 526 =====