Chapter 563: Between Me and Su Yu, Who Would You Choose?

Xiangjiang, Four Seasons Hotel lobby.

"Click, click, click—"

"Ms. Shen, shall I arrange a vehicle for you?"

"No need, thank you."

Shen Yu Yan maintained a calm expression, gracefully and composedly passing through the revolving glass doors.

Immediately, a sea breeze carrying a salty dampness met her, mixed with a strong urban atmosphere.

New Era Plaza was not far from the Four Seasons Hotel, only about ten minutes' walk away.

So she had not called a car, preferring instead to take in the night view of Central.

At this moment in Central, the lights were just coming on.

Under the reflection of neon signs and car headlights, the glass curtain walls shimmered brilliantly, with light flowing like water waves between the buildings on both sides of the street.

Carrying her best friend Xu Qing's Chanel bag, Shen Yu Yan moved through the crowd with light, confident steps, as if she were naturally in harmony with this city.

Beneath her feet lay polished stone pathways, flanked on both sides by world-class office towers.

Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, BlackRock, Bank of China, HSBC—every name was thunderous, and every building was a symbol of power and capital.

On the streets, pedestrians hurried along.

Most wore well-tailored suits or professional skirts, with neat makeup and exquisite accessories.

Cantonese, Mandarin, and English rose and fell in turn.

This was neither a warm alleyway nor a romantic display of lights.

It was calm, precise, and fast-paced.

Yet this was exactly the appearance Shen Yu Yan liked most.

This was the only world-class CBD in the country.

Compared to the grandeur of Lujiazui in Modou, Central in Xiangjiang offered her a different kind of quiet yet irresistible shock.

Walking here, every breath felt like swallowing the taste of money.

Her original plan had been to wait until Youjie Domestic Services completed its Series B financing, exited successfully after its valuation peaked, and then, with capital and resources in hand, seek new tracks to begin her true journey in capital.

She had countless times imagined that one day in the future, she would be able to ascend the world stage in a better form.

Now, although the method was different, she had ultimately arrived nonetheless.

Her footsteps involuntarily paused; standing at a street corner, she lifted her head, looked through the gaps between the buildings, and gazed at the most prominent skyscraper in the night.

International Finance Centre Phase II (IFC Two), a 415-meter urban giant tower and the landmark building of Central.

Rongliu Capital was located on the 38th floor there.

Her gaze fell upon that building; tracing the location of the 38th floor, her eyes were as clear and bright as cold stars, while her heart gave a violent throb for an instant.

Tomorrow, she would walk into that place, into the core of Rongliu, and face those financial elites she had long gazed upon from afar.

Immediately, the figure of Tang Song appeared before her eyes, and her gaze grew even more intense.

She had never thought that someone of this caliber would actually be in her circle.

As the actual controller of a $2 billion private equity fund, his network included Anne Kate, Zheng Zheng Zheng Qiudong, and Sister Sister Shangguan Sister Sister Shangguan Sister Shangguan Shangguan Qiuya.

In this society, high or low status was never determined by one's education, morality, or ability, but by one's distance from those truly powerful figures.

Nowadays, her goal was very simple and clear.

Stick close to Tang Song, perform her work to perfection, and display her value and charm without reservation.

Unfortunately, her old best friend was a bit too innocent; she never actively strove for anything, and being with Tang Song was simply about enjoying the romantic relationship.

Otherwise, if the two of them joined forces, they would certainly make a huge splash.

However...

Shen Yu Yan lowered her eyelashes.

For her, Xu Qing always occupied an unshakable position; even Tang Song could not compare to her.

In order not to hurt her or damage their friendship, she was not yet willing to cross that line too quickly; she would give Sister Sister Sister Qingqing a little more time.

"Ring-ring—"

The phone in her bag vibrated violently, interrupting her thoughts.

Shen Yu Yan took it out, glanced at it, and quickly answered, "Hello? Bai Bai Menglin."

"Where are you, Yu Yan?"

She looked around and said in a light tone, "Right on Queen's Road, less than a hundred meters from your company."

"Great, I've already come downstairs; walk to the right along the road, and I'll see you very soon."

"Mm, okay, see you in a bit."

Hanging up the phone, Shen Yu Yan let out a long breath, put away her mobile, and continued forward.

She had not walked many steps when a figure both familiar and slightly unfamiliar appeared in her field of vision.

Wearing a gray-blue suit dress and stepping in stiletto heels, she looked capable and mature, possessing quite the style of an international urban white-collar worker.

"Bai Bai Menglin," Shen Yu Yan called out.

"Yu Yan!" Bai Bai Bai Menglin raised her arm and waved enthusiastically at her.

Then she quickened her pace and, without hesitation, gave Shen Yu Yan a big hug.

"Long time no see; as expected of Xiangjiang's financial elite, you're becoming more and more imposing."

"Haha, our school beauty Shen is still so good with words."

"So, have you decided where to take me to eat?" Shen Yu Yan asked with a smile.

"There's a cha chaan teng near where I live; the taste is very authentic, and it quite fits your standard of 'having characteristics'."

"I traveled thousands of miles to come to Xiangjiang, and you plan to take me to a roadside shop? Isn't that treating me a bit too shabbily?"

"Just say whether you're going or not?"

"Going, of course I'm going!"

A warm hug and a few short teasing remarks dissolved the estrangement and distance of more than three years of separation.

At this moment, in Xiangjiang, 1,300 kilometers away from their hometown of Luocheng, the two stood on a bustling street, as if they had found some of the intimacy and friendship from their high school days.

While talking, Bai Bai Bai Menglin skillfully opened her phone to hail a taxi.

Before long, a red taxi slowly stopped in front of them.

The two got into the car together.

Outside the car window was a brilliant night scene interwoven with neon lights, while inside was a relaxed and comfortable silence.

Shen Yu Yan looked at Bai Bai Bai Menglin beside her, a smile rising on the corners of her mouth.

The previous feelings of "returning home in glory" and "showing off" gradually faded away.

Actually, there was no grudge between the two of them.

◆C〇

On the contrary, their relationship was quite good; they had even been desk mates for a year in their second year of high school, and their families lived very close to each other back home.

It was just because both were excellent that there was inevitably some hidden competition and friction between them.

Now, time had settled the past, and the workplace had polished away their sharp edges.

Meeting again, those contradictions and grievances from their youth had long since vanished like smoke.

All that remained were the smiles and sighs within their memories.

Bai Bai Bai Menglin lived around the Sai Ying Pun MTR station, only a little over two kilometers from New Era Plaza.

However, because it was peak commute hours, the taxi started and stopped frequently; outside the window were streets teeming with crowds, small shops with lit signs, and congested traffic.

With great difficulty, after more than ten minutes, the car slowly stopped in front of a cha chaan teng on a street corner.

"We're here."

Bai Bai Bai Menglin got out of the car first, leading Shen Yu Yan into an old-brand cha chaan teng.

The shop was not large, decorated in a retro style; yellowed menus and old Hong Kong movie posters were pasted on the walls, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of milk tea, eggs, and stewed soup.

The place was bustling with noise, mixed with Cantonese and Mandarin; waiters shuttled between tables, carrying plates and calling out orders with lightning-fast movements.

The two found a small two-person table in a corner.

Chatting and laughing while holding the menus for quite a while, Bai Bai Bai Menglin ordered the food in reasonably fluent Cantonese.

In less than ten minutes, steaming hot dishes were served one after another.

The Sorrowful Rice featured char siu that was glossy and slightly charred, paired with a special sauce, emitting a fragrant aroma.

The special French toast had a crispy fried exterior, drizzled with condensed milk and butter on the surface, its sweet scent tempting.

Amidst the rising steam and noise of the cha chaan teng.

The two ate heartily while chatting about their experiences over these years.

Perhaps because she had been drifting alone in Xiangjiang for too long, Bai Bai Bai Menglin talked exceptionally much.

The topics shifted from life to the workplace, from rent to the property bubble in Xiangjiang, becoming more and more lively as they spoke.

Shen Yu Yan listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a few words, but more often just smiling and nodding.

Gradually, she pieced together the detailed information of this old classmate.

Bai Bai Bai Menglin had pursued her graduate studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, obtaining a one-year taught Master's degree in Finance, a program with a very tight pace.

She had already graduated for more than two years.

Due to her undergraduate degree from a 211 project university and her master's from CUHK, although she worked very hard, she still had no opportunity to enter those dream top-tier foreign firms or investment banks.

Instead, the Hong Kong branch of China-based securities firms like Guotai Junan International was friendlier to mainland backgrounds and had slightly lower competition.

She worked extremely hard, and the pressure was also immense.

Last month, she finally rose from Analyst to Associate.

Shen Yu lowered her head to take a sip of milk tea, complex emotions flashing in her eyes.

She had originally intended to recruit Bai Bai Bai Menglin into Rongliu, at least starting as an investment assistant; through connections, she could secure a decent starting point.

But hearing Bai Bai Bai Menglin speak like this, she suddenly felt a bit uncertain.

Bai Bai Bai Menglin was already an Associate at a leading domestic securities firm; going to a private equity firm for an entry-level position seemed somewhat inappropriate.

If it were her, she would most likely be unwilling to give up a familiar workplace environment and a hard-won promotion to gamble on a job-hopping opportunity at a small or medium-sized private equity firm.

After the meal, the two paid the bill and walked out of the cha chaan teng.

The night grew deeper, streetlights casting mottled reflections on the damp stone pavement.

They walked slowly up Second Street in Sai Ying Pun, passing by various distinctive small shops.

They turned into a grayish-white tong lau building with a slightly weathered exterior wall.

"This building is over 60 years old, with five floors in total; I live on the fourth—"

Bai Bai Bai Menglin spoke as she climbed the stairs, her steps brisk and her tone natural.

The key slid into the lock with a soft click, and the door was pushed open.

Bai Bai Bai Menglin's roommate was an auditor working at one of the Big Four accounting firms, working overtime until nearly dawn every day,

so they hardly ever saw each other.

It was a two-bedroom apartment of 625 square feet (58 square meters); though the space wasn't large, it was kept orderly, clean, and cozy.

All kinds of furniture and appliances were quite complete.

Shen Yu had seen her post about it on Opening Opening Xiaohongshu before, so she wasn't overly curious.

"The location is a bit small, just make do with it."

"It's quite cozy; in Xiangjiang, this is already considered a decent place, isn't it?"

"Far from it." Bai Bai Bai Menglin chuckled lightly. "It's only slightly better than a subdivided flat. The total rent for the whole unit is 17,000; I'm in the master bedroom, so I shoulder 9,300 HKD."

Leaning against the sofa, she spoke with some emotion about her living experiences over the years.

During her graduate studies, unable to apply for on-campus dormitories, she had shared a small bedroom with classmates on nearby streets, squeezing into a ten-square-meter space.

It wasn't until she graduated and stabilized her job that she moved here, truly gaining a bit of private space.

Listening, Shen Yu's eyes shifted slightly, and she suddenly asked, "Bai Bai Menglin, may I ask about your current salary?"

Bai Bai Bai Menglin paused, then smiled. "What's inconvenient about that? My base monthly salary is 40,000 HKD,

and the annual bonus is roughly three to six months' salary, depending on performance."

"So, an annual salary of around 600,000?" Shen Yu calculated quickly.

"About that." Bai Bai Bai Menglin nodded. "But it's normal for domestic enterprises; if I entered a top-tier investment bank, the same position would earn half again as much. Unfortunately, my educational background isn't enough, and my connections are far lacking."

Shen Yu looked at her and asked seriously, "Then what are your plans for the future?"

Bai Bai Bai Menglin fell silent for a moment, then said calmly, "First, I'll strive to obtain permanent residency in Xiangjiang. Then, I'll see if I can be promoted to VP; beyond that, I dare not think, as the ceiling is too obvious. If all else fails, returning to the mainland is also an option. Although the platform is inferior and the pay less, at least the cost of living is lower and the pace slower."

Then, she shook her head with a bitter smile. "The Xiangjiang financial circle isn't something you can climb just through hard work. It also depends on resources, projects, and even fate. For those of us from small inland cities, with parents who are just ordinary citizens, frankly, our starting point is too low."

A VP (Vice President) at Guotai Junan International is merely a middle-management position, not truly senior executive.

Even so, it was the limit of what she could envision.

The air grew quiet for a moment; Shen Yu's gaze lingered on her face for a while before she suddenly spoke in a low voice: "Bai Bai Menglin, have you ever thought about venturing into private equity?"

"Private equity?" Bai Bai Bai Menglin looked slightly surprised. "I tried applying to a few firms before, but honestly, the threshold for private equity is too high.

Even for firms with assets under management in the tens of billions of dollars, the teams are extremely lean, recruiting only a handful of people a year. Either top headhunters want you, or it's through internal referrals. I simply don't have those resources."

Shen Yu nodded.

Of course, she knew all this clearly.

In fact, Rongliu Capital was a rather "special" private equity institution.

Although its assets under management were only 2.1 billion USD, which by industry standards barely counted as medium-sized, it operated multiple strategy funds.

Its organizational structure was also exceptionally complex.

Almost every strategy was equipped with an independent research and investment team, strictly divided by industry.

Its management style was more like that of a large asset management platform.

Precisely because of this, the company's staffing was surprisingly "bloated."

Among them, just the WFOE team in Yancheng had over thirty people, while the headquarters here also had more than thirty permanent staff.

This labor cost was already comparable to many private equity firms with assets under management in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

It was precisely because she saw this clearly that Shen Yu concluded Tang Song obviously did not intend to merely "maintain the status quo" but was preparing to make a big move.

The reason she had the idea to "place Bai Bai Bai Menglin in advance" was also based on this judgment.

At the same time, this was the main reason she considered Lin Empress Mu Xue to be a "embroidered pillow" (all style, no substance).

Having been in the company for so long, yet knowing nothing; whenever asked, it was just about how awesome the company was and how awesome President Tang was.

In the quiet small living room, silence lasted for a full minute.

Perhaps the gloom brought by contemplating the future made Bai Bai Bai Menglin feel somewhat lost.

Shen Yu looked at her calmly. "Bai Bai Menglin, if there were an opportunity now, would you be willing to try?"

Bai Bai Bai Menglin stiffened, suddenly sitting upright and looking at Shen Yu with an excited expression. "Shen Shen Shen Yu Yan—do you have resources on your side?"

She was always smart, and having known Shen Yu for many years, she almost instantly understood the subtext of her words.

Under her probing gaze, Shen Yu nodded lightly, her tone serious: "Although I still hold the title of Executive Director at Youjie Housekeeping, I actually rarely manage affairs there anymore. Currently, I am serving as a Special Assistant to the Chairman at a private equity fund company in Xiangjiang, at the Director level. My business trip to Xiangjiang this time is to contact the headquarters and the team."

She paused, then added, "To be honest, the reason I could enter this company is that the Chairman is a friend of mine."

Bai Bai Bai Menglin's eyes widened, her breathing becoming slightly rapid, her gaze filled with disbelief.

She never expected this old classmate to give her such a huge surprise.

Previously, the title of "Youjie Housekeeping" held little weight in her eyes.

After all, that company was just a small enterprise valued at around ten million, with extremely limited development space.

But a special assistant to the Chairman of a private equity fund? And a private equity firm headquartered in Xiangjiang? That was completely different.

She took a deep breath and confirmed in a small voice, "Are you trying to find a position for me?"

Shen Yu nodded, looking straight into her eyes. "If you are interested, I can arrange a meeting with the core team for you.

With your Master's degree in Finance, over two years of practical experience, and a local practicing license in Xiangjiang, your overall qualifications are already very good."

She paused, then continued, "Regarding salary, the annual package would be at least 20% higher than your current one. Most importantly, our year-end bonus and performance bonus caps are extremely high."

"Twenty percent?" Bai Bai Bai Menglin's eyes flickered.

"Yes." Shen Yu nodded. "Overall, the benefits and treatment will certainly be much more generous than your current employer. So, are you interested in giving it a try?"

Bai Bai Bai Menglin lowered her head to think for a moment, then looked up at her. "Shen Shen Shen Yu Yan, let me ask, what is your company's name?

And what is the AUM?"

Shen Yu deliberated briefly, then said, "Rongliu Capital; the AUM is currently 2.1 billion USD. It doesn't sound particularly large, but it has the support of the Tang Jin Family Office and Kate Trust, and will continue to raise funds subsequently. The Chairman is very young but extremely ambitious. I believe that in the future, Rongliu will definitely become a global-level private equity firm."

"2.1 billion USD." Bai Bai Bai Menglin repeated softly, then looked up. "Then if I join, what level would the position roughly be?"

Shen Yu paused, her tone steady. "Initially, you would start at a regular position, but there will be opportunities for promotion soon,

and I will do my utmost to fight for them on your behalf."

Rongliu Capital had a strict salary structure system; even as the Chairman's Special Assistant, she could not break the rules.

She always revered systems and power, never making promises she couldn't fulfill lightly.

Of course, if Bai Bai Bai Menglin was willing to switch jobs, she could privately communicate with Tang Song to strive for better treatment and a higher rank.

But the premise was that Bai Bai Bai Menglin must be cooperative enough for her to have room to maneuver.

Hearing this, Bai Bai Bai Menglin fell silent for a few seconds, then picked up her phone, opened a browser on the sofa, and quickly searched for information related to "Rongliu Capital."

Messages popped up one after another.

As an industry practitioner, her vision was extremely sharp; within a short time, she grasped the general situation.

This scale of Rongliu Capital could indeed be considered large on the mainland.

But placed in Xiangjiang, this global financial center, an AUM of 2.1 billion USD barely qualified as medium-sized.

As for the Tang Jin Family Office and Kate Trust behind it, these two top-tier capital conglomerates had tentacles reaching everywhere in the world.

But she had also contacted many enterprises where these two institutions appeared on the shareholder list; it was not a decisive advantage.

Moreover, the private equity industry itself was full of volatility and uncertainty.

Once strategic adjustments were made or projects pulled back, the grassroots employees were often the first to be affected.

The reason she chose to stay at Guotai Junan International was that she valued most the state-owned background behind it and the stability within the system.

Now that she had finally climbed from Analyst to Associate and begun to truly stand firm,

jumping ship rashly at this moment would mean abandoning the path built through years of effort to take a risk.

Her expression became complex; her fingertips gently rubbed the phone case. After a long while, she looked up at Shen Yu.

Speaking sincerely, she said, "Shen Shen Shen Yu Yan, I really thank you for being willing to help me. But I do have some concerns; could you let me think about it a bit longer?"

Shen Yu nodded. "Sure, I understand you. But you should also know that private equity positions are extremely scarce; once missed, they might be gone."

"I understand." Bai Bai Bai Menglin replied softly.

The air suddenly grew quiet again.

Shen Yu glanced at her phone, stood up, and said, "It's getting late; you have work tomorrow, and I need to report to the headquarters, so I'll leave first."

"Let me see you off." Bai Bai Bai Menglin stood up.

The two went downstairs together, walked out of the old tong lau building, and stood at the street corner illuminated by the dim yellow streetlight.

A red Land Rover slowly drove over.

Bai Bai Bai Menglin seemed to recall something and asked, "By the way, Shen Shen Shen Yu Yan, what is your current salary?"

Shen Shen Shen Shen Yu Yan smiled. "My base salary is 1.2 million RMB. If performance is good, the year-end bonus can exceed eight months' pay." That meant a year-end bonus of 9.6 million RMB on top of her base. Bai Bai Bai Menglin's eye twitched involuntarily; clearly, she hadn't expected her salary to be so high.

This level was already comparable to the compensation packages of top-tier foreign investment banks or leading private equity firms.

Looking at Shen Shen Shen Shen Yu Yan's graceful figure and fresh, pretty face, one couldn't help but let the mind wander.

The taxi slowly came to a stop before the two of them.

Shen Shen Shen Shen Yu Yan turned slightly, reached out to gently pat her arm, and said with warm eyes, "Bye then. Get some rest early."

With that, she turned, got into the car, the door closed, and the red taillights glowed.

The car drove through the mottled, lamp-lit streets and gradually vanished into the night.

The street returned to silence.

Yanjing Yanjing Yanjing Yanjing Huating, a large flat-floor apartment.

"Deng deng deng—" The ringtone for a video call sounded in the night.

【Liu Liu Liu Qingning】

Tang Song, who was editing a video in the study, quickly picked up his phone and answered the call.

The next second, Liu Liu Liu Liu Qingning's familiar face appeared on the screen. Her large, watery eyes blinked, utterly adorable.

Tang Song's gaze instantly softened. "Good evening, my precious Liu Liu Liu Qingning."

"Good evening, you silly little Song." She tilted her head, her voice soft and intimate. "Are you still at the office?"

"Mm, almost done." Tang Song leaned back in his chair, brimming with a smile. "You miss me, don't you?"

"No."

"Sigh, alright. I thought you missed me. I was even planning to fly immediately to Shencheng to see you."

"Hmph. You only know how to say sweet things."

Tang Song smiled but didn't continue on that topic, instead turning his concern to her health.

In fact, he had already booked a flight to Shencheng for the next morning.

He planned to give this white moonlight a surprise.

The two exchanged words back and forth, being sickeningly sweet for quite a while.

Liu Liu Liu Liu Qingning stretched, then moved her phone slightly backward and smoothed her soft, long hair for the camera.

At the same time, her entire upper body entered the frame.

A white short-sleeved dress outlined her exquisite, curvy figure. The E-cup on her chest was particularly conspicuous, full yet retaining a soft grace.

Tang Song's gaze sharpened slightly. He instantly became much more alert, his body leaning forward unconsciously, his eyes burning with heat and anticipation.

"Beauty Liu Liu Liu Qingning, let's discuss something."

"What is it? Speak."

"I've noticed you've lost a lot of weight recently; your figure has improved again. Lift your shirt up and let me inspect it properly?"

"Pah! You lecher, learning nothing good!" Liu Liu Liu Liu Qingning pouted, waving her hand through the screen as if "educating" him.

"Please? We haven't seen each other for so long. I really miss you terribly. Just let me take a look."

Tang Song began to wheedle and pester.

After persisting with skincare, fitness, and conditioning during this period, the white moonlight's condition had indeed fully recovered, and her figure had returned to its peak.

Having not seen her for so long, Tang Song truly wanted to take a look.

Liu Liu Liu Liu Qingning stared at him, her expression unreadable. After pondering for a moment, she suddenly spoke: "I'm going to ask you a question. You must answer instantly, without hesitation, and without lying."

The corner of Tang Song's mouth twitched. He didn't know what his white moonlight was plotting this time.

He was about to speak.

Liu Liu Liu Liu Qingning suddenly leaned forward, her fingers gently pulling down her neckline. Large patches of fair skin became visible, making Tang Song's heart race.

The key point was that she was wearing nothing underneath.

Simultaneously, an innocent yet sweet expression appeared on the white moonlight's face. Her wispy bangs, paired with her sparkling large eyes and naturally youthful features, made her look as if she had transformed back into the white moonlight from their high school days.

The key point was that this was combined with an action brimming with eroticism.

It was a living example of turning a pure romance anime into an adult one.

Tang Song's Adam's apple bobbed. Unable to hold back, he spoke in a low voice: "Go ahead and ask."

Liu Liu Liu Liu Qingning's lips curved slightly. Staring into his eyes, she slowly counted down: "Three... two..."

Tang Song held his breath, his expression tense.

"One point five..."

"Eh—" Tang Song's eye twitched; he nearly choked.

"One!" Liu Liu Liu Liu Qingning raised her voice and suddenly asked: "If Su Yu and I both confessed to you at the same time, who would you choose? Answer quickly!"

Tang Song's expression changed slightly, but with almost no hesitation, embodying the self-cultivation of a qualified scumbag, he replied with extreme speed: "You!"

"Oh, I see." Liu Liu Liu Liu Qingning smiled sweetly. "It's getting late. I should go to sleep. Bye-bye. Goodnight."

"Wait! You haven't lifted your clothes yet!" Tang Song was so anxious he nearly jumped out of his chair.

"When did I ever say that if you answered the question, I would show you?" Liu Liu Liu Liu Qingning opened her wide, innocent eyes. "Why are you so bad? I don't want to play with you anymore."

With that, she hung up without the slightest hesitation.