Chapter 557: Tang Song

The quiet tennis court rest area.

The "beep-beep" sound of the ended call had not yet faded.

Wen Wen Ruan held her phone, her fingers trembling slightly.

The sound of her heartbeat echoed in her ears.

Information—Mo Mo Sister Xiang Wan's invitation, Lady Lady Ouyang Lady Lady Ouyang Lady Ouyang Xianyue's admiration, the seat at Tang Jin's family office—wove and collided like a tangled knot in her mind.

Deep inside, unease and ambition intertwined, yet mingled with an uncontrollable thrill.

She realized she stood at a pivotal crossroads.

Lady Lady Ouyang Lady Lady Ouyang Lady Ouyang Xianyue would never call her casually; her intent was obvious—the "special advisory seat."

As a legend of the business world, every word she spoke carried weight, every gesture laid groundwork for a larger scheme. Wen Wen Ruan was sharp, high in both IQ and EQ, and had battled in the workplace for years.

Though she appeared carefree and indifferent, she was inwardly crystal clear.

Tang Song and the vast, hidden financial empire behind him were far from simple on the surface.

It was also a complex web of interests, where interests bred conflict.

To carve out her own place within it, her current status was utterly insufficient.

Star Cloud International Group, no matter how large, was merely a GG marketing firm valued under ten billion.

Even with the tailwind of Liu Liu Qingning Tech and the AI-powered fast track, its future growth potential remained limited.

And Jin's proposed "international expansion strategy," if implemented, would inevitably trigger irreconcilable clashes with Su Yu and Mo Mo Sister Xiang Wan.

Faced with Jin's dominance, she lacked even the courage to refuse.

For days, she had been agonizing over what to do.

Now, the sudden news of the Tang Jin family office seemed to open a brand-new door for her.

Only by thoroughly understanding Jin and those people could she make the right choice.

And Tang Jin was precisely such a platform.

"Wen Wen Ruan? You okay?" Yao Yao Yao Lingling's crisp voice broke through her thoughts.

Wen Wen Ruan snapped back, looked up, smiled, and waved her hand. "I'm fine—just got a call and got distracted. Come on, let's play another set!"

"Hehe, okay!" Yao Yao Yao Lingling beamed, swinging her racket with boundless energy. "This time I'll give it my all!"

"Smack!" "Smack!" "Smack!"

Rhythmic racket strikes echoed across the court.

Sweat dampened her sportswear slightly, diluting Wen Wen Ruan's complex emotions.

Watching the vibrant, youthful Yao Yao Lingling, she felt a pang of reflection.

At first, she had truly just wanted a simple, sweet romance.

Who could have imagined she'd end up here?

Near five p. m., twilight draped like gauze over the entire Yunhui Sports Club.

They packed up their rackets and belongings, stepped out of the court.

After a quick hot shower and changing back into casual wear, they chatted as they walked toward the parking lot.

Yao Yao Yao Lingling, in a hoodie, chattered and laughed, skipping beside her.

Still immersed in their thrilling rally.

A cool autumn breeze brushed past, carrying the fragrance of plane tree leaves.

A soft "beep"—headlights flashed as a black Samurai-painted Audi RS6 awoke like a beast.

Wen Wen Ruan halted her steps before the car.

A bold, effortless smile curved her lips as she waved to Yao Yao Yao Lingling. "Get in, sis is taking you out for a feast!"

Yao Yao Yao Lingling's steps paused slightly, her gaze unconsciously drawn to Wen Wen Ruan.

She wore a sleek black hardshell jacket, a white turtleneck underneath, fitted dark blue jeans, and combat boots.

A single-strap bag hung from her shoulder.

Her wavy brown-black hair was loosely tied up, a few strands falling beside her ears, the flush of exercise still lingering.

She looked relaxed yet full of power.

Casual but not careless, rugged yet softened by feminine grace.

Add to that the Audi RS6 beside her, radiating a battle-ready aura.

This scene perfectly embodied the key inspiration she'd long envisioned:

"Urban Adventure," "Female Power," "Minimalist Freedom," "Hardshell Jacket."

Like a fated symbol, struck in an instant.

"Wen Wen Ruan! Wait!" Yao Yao Yao Lingling suddenly called out, her voice trembling with excitement.

She fumbled for her phone, "Click—" and snapped the image in a flash.

Wen Wen Ruan saw her actions and teased, "Hey Yao Yao Lingling, you're not crushing on me, are you?"

"No! No!" Yao Yao Yao Lingling shook her head like a rattle drum. "I just realized your look right now is the perfect match for the outfit I'm designing—it's exactly what I've been trying to express! So cool!"

She'd been designing the flagship line for "HEYISTUDIO"—the Urban Hardshell Collection.

She'd revised the sketches again and again, always feeling something missing—the soul.

That moment just now gave her the crucial spark, filling every gap.

"My three versions always felt incomplete," Yao Yao Yao Lingling said, gesturing excitedly, her eyes gleaming. "Not a cut issue—it's the vibe, the feeling! Today, it finally clicked!"

As she spoke, she lunged forward, wrapped her arms tightly around Wen Wen Ruan, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you, Wen Wen Ruan! I love you! Mua!"

Feeling her fervent emotion, Wen Wen Ruan laughed and ruffled her hair. "Then you'd better work hard—make me a finished piece."

"I'll make you a whole set! In every color!"

Wen Wen Ruan's eyes twinkled. She suddenly raised her phone. "We've never taken a selfie together, right? Let's take one."

"Yes! Yes!"

They pressed close; Wen Wen Ruan pulled her in, leaned down, and kissed her cheek lightly, her smile alluring and grand.

"Mua~" "Click!"

Thus, a photo—intimate and visually striking—was born.

In the passenger seat, Yao Yao Yao Lingling frantically jotted down her design inspiration, grinning ear to ear, eyes crinkled into crescents.

Wen Wen Ruan leaned back in the driver's seat, opened Tang Song's chat, and sent the photo.

Message: "Just finished a match with your junior. Honestly, her footwork is solid, her power is strong—but I kept controlling the rhythm. She lost the whole match, body and soul. Too bad you, my 'coach,' weren't here. Otherwise, we could've teamed up. After all, your hands—steady control, pinpointing gaps—are seriously impressive, and your insane endurance? Maybe together, we couldn't beat you."

Finally, she added a blushing emoji—ambiguous, yet lingering.

"Vibrating—"

Tang Song: "Great! Next time, let's do a three-player match. You set the rules—I'll set the bottom line."

Wen Wen Ruan: "How about tonight? We can finalize the rules and the bottom line?"

【Tang Song: "(。·-）Strong Player! Remember to change into proper gear—I don't play practice matches."】

Wen Wen Ruan replied with a mischievous emoji, snapped her fingers, and called to the passenger seat: "Hold on tight, sis is driving!"

"Roar—"

The black Audi RS6 surged into the twilight streets.

The crisp evening wind poured through the half-open window, tousling her hair and lifting the lazy, alluring smile on her lips.

Tang Song had more than a few women—Liu Liu Liu Qingning, Lin Empress Mu Xue, Supervisor Tian Jing, Xu Qing. If she secured this seat, it would mean, in some way, surpassing them.

She was human, naturally possessing selfishness and competitiveness.

And faced with the overwhelming wealth and power of the Tang Jin family office—who could truly remain unmoved?

At 8 p. m., night fell like ink.

The row houses of Sheng Zhao Yuan Jia Jing were bathed in quiet, glowing lights.

Tang Song walked slowly toward Villa #6, his mind still echoing Luo Bin's analysis.

The weight of the Tang Jin family office was undeniable; that special advisory seat was crucial to him.

Yet suitable candidates were few.

Either figures like Sister Sister Shangguan Sister Shangguan Shangguan Qiuya, Qin Qin Qin Yingxue, Mo Mo Sister Xiang Wan—who already understood the inner workings and had prior ties to the family office;

Or someone who understood his situation and possessed sufficient ability.

But choosing Sister Sister Shangguan or Mo Mo Sister Xiang Wan would inevitably tilt toward one side, intensifying conflict.

Among those close to Tang Song, truly suitable candidates were scarce.

If considering personal capability, Wen Wen Ruan, Liu Liu Liu Qingning, and Xie Shu Yu were all viable.

Among them, Wen Wen Ruan was likely the best fit.

The other two still didn't know him well enough.

But Big Sister had shouldered too much blame—he felt a pang of guilt.

Luckily, Wen Wen Ruan had proactively invited him to play tennis this afternoon. He planned to subtly probe her while she was in high spirits.

If that failed, he'd find another candidate.

He pushed open the villa's front door.

Tang Song changed shoes and walked upstairs to the master bedroom—only to find it empty.

The bed was neatly made, the curtains stirred slightly, but Wen Wen Ruan was nowhere to be seen.

"Zhuang Zhuang!" Tang Song called out. No response.

He slightly furrowed his brow, pulled out his phone and dialed Wen Wen Ruan's number. "Hello? Zhuang Ruannuan, where have you run off to?"

From the receiver came that familiar, alluring voice—slightly hoarse, with a hint of nasal congestion and a deliberately lowered languor.

"Didn't we say we'd 'play ball'? I'm at the court—figure out the exact spot yourself."

Just a few short sentences, her tone seductive, her delivery playfully irresistible.

Tang Song's fatigue vanished instantly; he was suddenly brimming with energy.

"Enter." A low, gentle voice came from inside.

Shen Yu pushed open the door. Tang Song stood behind his desk, posture tall and straight, eyes clear and bright.

In the instant their gazes met, her heartbeat quickened slightly, yet her expression remained composed.

"Good morning, Mr. Tang."

"Morning, Shirley." Tang Song's gaze swept over the files in her arms, and a warm smile spread across his face. "I saw your email—this due diligence was excellent."

In terms of work, he was truly satisfied.

Miss Chen, the campus beauty, was incredibly efficient. Her supporting due diligence involved relentless follow-up and driving progress at every stage, with regular reports to him—logical, detailed, and precise.

Even though Tang Song wasn't physically present in Hangcheng, he could grasp the full picture through her reports.

"Thank you for your praise, Mr. Tang." Shen Yu's voice was soft and gentle; the file folder in her arms was held perfectly upright.

"Have a seat," Tang Song indicated the sofa area.

Shen Yu smiled sweetly, her tone firm yet intimate: "It's fine—I'll report standing beside you. It'll be clearer that way."

Her words faded.

She walked straight to Tang Song's side, placed the documents on the solid wood desk before him, her movements swift and elegant.

Then, naturally, she stepped half a pace behind him, leaning slightly forward, so close—

A faint, fresh, refined fragrance began to drift through the air.

She had specifically chosen 【Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia】 for today—soft, elegant, unobtrusive yet unmistakable.

A few curls of her hair fell as she bent her head, lightly brushing Tang Song's handback, sending a subtle, teasing tremor.

Tang Song's fingertips paused slightly; he lifted his eyes to her, and a smile curved his lips.

This was one reason he'd hired her as his assistant.

This cunning campus beauty truly knew how to behave.

Shen Yu opened the file, explaining while gently tracing her fingertip over key sections.

From "Financial Health Assessment" to "Future Financial Projections," from "Compliance Risk Checklist" to "Industry Competitiveness Analysis"—

Her voice was gentle, pace measured, as if narrating a vivid story rather than delivering a dry due diligence report.

Since she reported from the side, she occasionally leaned in slightly.

The soft contours of her chest occasionally grazed his arm—accidentally, perhaps, but never forced.

Her breath, carrying a faint warmth, slipped quietly into his space.

Tang Song listened intently, yet his gaze kept being drawn, unintentionally, to her profile.

Noticing his reaction, Shen Yu didn't fluster; instead, she grew even more composed.

She knew exactly what she was doing—and precisely when to pause, when to press forward.

For a man like Tang Song, beautiful, accomplished women were never in short supply.

She had to find her own "irreplaceability."

If she only pushed forward crudely, she'd become just another impatient, insignificant presence in his eyes.

What she needed was elegant offense, gentle invasion, drawing closer without a word.

Creating a subtle tension of closeness and distance.

Like the scent rising from a warm porcelain cup—before you even taste it, it's already intoxicating.

Time slipped away quietly during the quiet report.

She didn't know how long it had been.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

The office door was gently tapped.

Shen Yu instinctively straightened slightly—a tiny motion, yet one that subtly increased the distance between her and Tang Song.

Then the door opened.

Lin Empress Mu Xue walked in, carrying a steaming cup of coffee.

She wore a well-tailored beige suit skirt, her steps graceful; her gaze paused slightly as it met Shen Yu's.

"Mr. Tang, your coffee."

"Thank you."

Lin Empress Mu Xue placed the coffee on the desk with utmost elegance.

Then she turned to Shen Yu, her tone gentle: "Shirley, would you like me to get you a chair? You've been standing in heels for so long—you must be tired."

Shen Yu smiled and shook her head. "Thank you, Luna, but I'm just feeling like stretching my limbs. Standing while reporting helps me stay focused and maintain peak readiness. After all, we're Mr. Tang's assistants—we can't afford to slack off."

Lin Empress Mu Xue's gaze sharpened. "Being focused is certainly good—but don't overdo it. Your feet are your own. If you end up with plantar fasciitis or varicose veins, it won't be worth it. Delaying work would be counterproductive."

"It's not that bad. Our company offers great benefits, including extra health insurance and reimbursement for rehabilitation programs."

"Shirley, you've thought of everything," Lin Empress Mu Xue gave Shen Yu a cool glance. "Mr. Tang, I won't disturb you further. Let me know if you need anything."

"Mm, alright." Tang Song nodded, watching Xiao Xue leave with a model's stride, then cast a silent, amused glance at Shen Yu beside him—finding the whole scene particularly intriguing.

He'd experienced this kind of workplace tension before.

But two elegant, sexy urban beauties—both his assistants? It had a touch of "Shura Field" about it.

Then, her hair fell again.

Shen Yu spoke softly: "Mr. Tang, there's one more thing I'd like to report."

"Hmm?" Tang Song turned his head, watching her with interest.

Her eyes were clear and resolute: "I'd like to request a short business trip to the Hong Kong headquarters."

As a newly appointed assistant, I've familiarized myself with the headquarters' organizational structure through documents and reports, but it's all theoretical.

I've never had face-to-face contact with the senior leadership team.

More importantly, you're now based in Yan City, personally coordinating many matters.

As your special assistant in Rongliu, I must not only keep pace with you but also quickly adapt, mastering the company's full resources and internal networks.

So I can better support you in future tasks."

Hearing her request, Tang Song paused slightly.

How coincidental.

He'd just decided to go to the Hong Kong headquarters to handle affairs—and Shen Yu volunteered.

But upon reflection, it was predictable.

What kind of person was Miss Chen? She wasn't Xiao Xue. After seeing Rongliu Capital's scope, her ambition and drive could never be satisfied with mere administrative tasks.

Besides, she carried old grudges and hatred—and her execution was nearly flawless.

But that was a good thing.

Xiao Xue was his personally cultivated assistant, more oriented toward private affairs—eventually she'd manage Tang Jin Estate and his private jet.

He hired Shen Yu to find someone who could charge into the battlefield of work.

So far, her performance had been outstanding.

This trip to Hong Kong, he needed to receive his private jet and handle Rongliu's upcoming $10 billion investment process.

Bringing Shen Yu along would not only lighten his load but also let her familiarize herself with the structure there, paving the way for future work.

He nodded lightly. "When do you plan to depart?"

Shen Yu's face lit up; her voice, clear and soft yet firm: "As you arrange. If you have no new tasks these few days, I plan to depart this Wednesday."

Normally, applying for a Mainland Travel Permit to Hong Kong and Macao and its endorsement takes time—but as an assistant-level executive of Rongliu Capital, she'd already submitted her ABTC (APEC Business Travel Card), permit, and business visa (S) application materials upon joining.

She'd checked with HR earlier—she could complete everything today.

Business-class tickets fully reimbursed, visa-free entry to Hong Kong, with stays of up to 60 days per visit.

Everything was ready—only Tang Song's approval remained.

After a moment's consideration, Tang Song spoke calmly: "Alright. Go ahead first, get familiar with headquarters' operations.

I'll likely go to Hong Kong myself on Friday or Saturday."

"You're going too? That's wonderful—I'll arrange the reception process in advance to ensure everything runs smoothly for you."

Shen Yu's lips curved slightly, a smile spreading from her eyes as her thoughts raced.

Traveling alone to headquarters would be a good opportunity to make an impression.

But if she could travel alongside the chairman, it wouldn't just be an impression—it would be a true debut.

With Tang Song's backing, her progress at the Hong Kong headquarters would skyrocket.

She could even casually recommend her high school classmate Bai Bai Bai Menglin to Tang Song, recruiting her into Rongliu Capital as her eyes and ears in Hong Kong.

She'd been pondering how to delicately introduce the idea—but now, everything fell perfectly into place.

It was as if heaven, earth, and people were all aligned in her favor.

Ha! Fortune truly favors me!

Just as she was about to press further—

Tang Song spoke again: "By the way, Shirley, take Luna with you on this trip. As the company's chief assistant, she's never been to headquarters—this is a perfect opportunity."

Tang Song suddenly spoke again: "By the way, Shirley, you'll be going on this business trip with Luna. As the company's executive assistant, she's never been to headquarters—this is a perfect opportunity."

"Eh," Shen Yu Yan's lips twitched, her expression nearly slipping.

She had originally planned to use this trip to Xiangjiang to shake off Lin Empress Mu Xue's shadow and establish her own influence at headquarters—yet now, the other woman had been assigned to come along too?

This—what a disaster!

"Alright," she said, barely managing to utter those two words with calm composure, exhausting every ounce of her restraint.

Watching this, Tang Song smiled inwardly, finding it exceptionally amusing.

Sending Xiao Xue to Xiangjiang had been his original plan.

On one hand, it involved the handover of the private jet.

The Bombardier Global 7500 had already completed registration and repositioning; the next steps—usage rights, pilot assignments, and flight route planning—required someone trustworthy to oversee, and no one but Xiao Xue would do.

On the other hand, it concerned capital operations following the billion-level investment.

Rong Liu Capital is about to launch a series of acquisitions to further expand its investment ecosystem and strengthen its influence in the international market.

As his chief assistant, Lin Empress Mu Xue naturally had to be involved.

Both Lin Empress Mu Xue and Shen Yu Yan were trigger points for the 【Whispers of Human Nature】 dungeon, and both had successively become his assistants.

They differed in personality and style, yet shared a certain subtle similarity.

Putting them together always sparked unexpected fireworks.

Then, Tang Song seemed to remember something else.

He lifted his head, eyes gleaming: "Shirley, our company provides housing subsidies for management staff—you can apply for a suite at Lan Feng International Apartments. The Beicheng Xingchen Huayuan where you and Qing Qing live now is a bit lacking, and it's also far from the office. Why not move there?"