Chapter 656: Linglian Technology, Elder

Rongcheng High-tech Zone, Intime Centre.

In a prominent location on the ground floor facing the street is the first flagship store of 【Glimmer Coffee】 in the Southwest region.

Huge floor-to-ceiling windows bring warm sunlight into the interior, and the air is filled with the mixed aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans and buttery bread.

The store's design continues the brand's consistent, minimalist, and textured style.

It has now become a popular check-in spot for white-collar workers in the entire CBD.

"Mr. Xie!"

"Mr. Xie, you're here!"

Xie Shu Yu smiled and nodded slightly to the staff, then stepped into the coffee shop.

Her gaze shifted, and she saw the man waiting in a booth by the window.

He was around forty years old, wearing a well-fitted casual suit and rimless glasses, with a scholarly and steady temperament.

He wasn't playing with his phone; he was just quietly holding a cup of Americano.

His gaze was focused on observing the busy baristas and the customers coming and going, his eyes carrying a hint of professional scrutiny and thought.

Based on these details alone, Xie Shu Yu's first impression of him gained quite a few points.

As she approached.

The middle-aged man stood up immediately, a sincere and enthusiastic smile appearing on his face. "Mr. Xie, hello, I am Wang Fang Zhiyuan Zhiyuan from Linglian Technology. You are even more beautiful and have more temperament than in your photos. Please forgive the intrusion, and thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule."

Xie Shu Yu said gracefully, "Mr. Fang, you are too polite. It is I who should apologize for keeping you waiting so long."

As they spoke, the two sat opposite each other and exchanged polite pleasantries.

Xie Shu Yu looked directly at him, her gaze calm and sharp.

When the news that she wanted to optimize cold chain transportation in the Southwest region was released, 【Linglian Technology】 was among the first batch of companies to request a meeting via email.

It was only because her schedule was too full that it had been dragged out until today.

This up-and-coming cold chain logistics company headquartered in Jiangcheng was also one of her key targets for investigation.

The founding team mostly came from Alibaba Cainiao Cold Chain and JD Logistics, possessing both technological and operational backgrounds.

By combining a SaaS dispatch platform with a new energy cold chain fleet, they solved the problem of insufficient digitalization in traditional cold chain, and their advantages were prominent.

However, their scale was still small, and their coverage area was limited; this was a fatal flaw.

But in Xie Shu Yu's view, dealing with this kind of "growth-oriented" company was actually more flexible.

It was possible to both obtain technological dividends and facilitate price pressure.

After the pleasantries.

Wang Fang Zhiyuan Zhiyuan did not engage in excessive commercial flattery but went straight to the point.

"Mr. Xie, to be honest, before coming here, our team had already conducted on-site visits and research on all 【Glimmer Coffee】 stores in North China and the Southwest."

He turned his tablet toward Xie Shu Yu; on the screen was a logically clear PPT with pictures and text.

"We found that 【Glimmer Coffee】's greatest advantage lies in the 'high quality' and 'freshness' of its products. Especially for your baked goods and specialty dairy drinks, the requirements for supply chain temperature control and delivery timeliness are extremely high."

"And this is precisely what we at 【Linglian Technology】 are best at."

As he spoke, he swiped the screen, showing their sizable self-operated fleet consisting of 800 new energy cold chain vehicles, as well as their extremely professional AISaaS dispatch platform.

And finally, he provided a comprehensive set of cold chain logistics solutions customized specifically for 【Glimmer Coffee】. The AISaaS dispatch system can match the optimal route in real-time, reducing energy consumption by 20%;

For Glimmer's customized solutions, delivery time can be shortened by 30%, and costs can be lowered by 15%.

Hearing this, a glimmer of genuine excitement ignited in Xie Shu Yu's eyes, which always carried a hint of scrutiny.

She never expected that the other party's preparation would be so thorough!

This level of importance was practically treating 【Glimmer Coffee】 as a "model client."

However, her face still maintained that calm, slightly critical expression.

After pondering for a moment.

Xie Shu Yu said unhurriedly, "Mr. Fang, the plan is indeed very well-crafted, and the professionalism is beyond doubt. However, cost is always one of the core considerations for our chain brand."

Upon hearing this, Wang Fang Zhiyuan Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Mr. Xie, please rest assured. If Glimmer is willing to sign a long-term exclusive strategic cooperation agreement with us, we are willing to lower the current quote by another 3%! And we promise to set up a dedicated service team for you, responding 24 hours a day."

Hearing this, Xie Shu Yu's heart jumped violently.

This price had already broken through her psychological bottom line and was full of irresistible temptation.

She picked up her coffee, took a light sip, and then continued, "I have felt Mr. Fang's sincerity, but changing a core supplier is not a small matter after all. I still need to discuss it with the company's other investors before I can give you a final answer."

Hearing the three words "investor," Wang Fang Zhiyuan Zhiyuan's eyes flickered.

He took the opportunity to ask, "By the way, Mr. Xie, as far as I know, 【Glimmer Coffee】's Series A financing scale was very large and very successful. I wonder if it's convenient to disclose which institution has such a good eye?"

Xie Shu Yu pondered for a moment, then finally shook her head, a slightly apologetic smile on her face: "The investor is an independent investor. Because a non-disclosure agreement was signed, it is not convenient to disclose the specific amount and valuation to the public for the time being."

As her voice fell, her eyes remained calm, and she did not explain further. In fact, this 40 million Series A financing, along with Tang Song behind it, had always been her most hidden trump card.

To date, there has been no public promotion.

This was entirely her strategic consideration.

She did not want competitors to know her capital reserves and expansion rhythm too early.

Moreover, the cash flow brought by this 40 million was far more than the number itself.

Relying on strong capital and Glimmer Coffee's own excellent cash flow, she had successfully leveraged several times that amount in low-interest credit loans from banks.

This was her true confidence in daring to expand rapidly and open stores densely.

Of course, the foundation of all this came from Tang Song's unconditional trust.

He did not interfere with any of her decisions, nor did he require an immediate change in industrial and commercial information.

If it were any other investment institution, facing her such aggressive, high-leverage expansion plan, they would have likely triggered valuation adjustment mechanisms and regulatory clauses long ago.

And all of this was her most important commercial secret.

She hoped even more that once she had firmly established a foothold in the Southwest region and fully optimized the successful store model, she could then trigger a surge in brand awareness through a concentrated media marketing campaign.

This would lay the perfect groundwork for the upcoming Series B financing.

Hearing Xie Shu Yu's watertight answer, Wang Fang Zhiyuan Zhiyuan pursed his lips.

He looked up, looked into her eyes, and said earnestly, "Mr. Xie, to be honest, we at 【Linglian Technology】 are also currently preparing for a new round of financing.

We are very optimistic about 【Glimmer Coffee】's future development potential, and we extremely hope to have a deeper binding with an excellent brand like yours.

So if there is a suitable opportunity in the future, I wonder if Mr. Xie could help introduce this investor of your company?

Being able to introduce a top-tier individual investor with strength and vision like him would not only inject powerful momentum into 【Linglian Technology】's development but also make our cooperation with 【Glimmer Coffee】 become even more intimate.

By then, everyone will be one of our own. Naturally, Linglian will also exhaust all resources to go all out and escort 【Glimmer Coffee】's cold chain logistics system nationwide."

Hearing these words, Xie Shu Yu's eyes moved instantly.

She finally understood the other party's true intention for coming this time.

No wonder they would give such huge discounts and support; it turned out they were aiming for the capital behind her.

It was also reasonable to think that 【Glimmer Coffee】's recent series of cost-insensitive expansion moves had already attracted widespread attention in the industry, which would naturally tempt companies like 【Linglian Technology】 that were seeking capital investment.

Immediately, she realized the tempting possibility behind this proposal.

If Tang Song really invested in 【Linglian Technology】, then 【Glimmer Coffee】 would be equivalent to possessing a semi-self-operated cold chain logistics system.

This would completely solve the biggest shortcoming in her heart.

However, this huge temptation was quickly replaced by the calmness of reality.

Regarding this, she actually didn't have much confidence.

Because unlike Glimmer Coffee, the capital volume required by 【Linglian Technology】 was much larger, often in the hundreds of millions.

The reason Tang Song invested in her in the first place was largely out of the "personal friendship" between the two, not because he was truly interested in the highly competitive chain coffee industry.

He had already invested a full 40 million for her.

If she were to be ignorant and let him invest in a heavy-asset company with a scale of hundreds of millions for the sake of her supply chain—they weren't even husband and wife, and even if they were, such frequent demands would eventually wear down that precious affection.

At the time of parting, Wang Fang Zhiyuan Zhiyuan opened his briefcase.

He took out a thick business plan from inside and handed it to her.

"Mr. Xie, this is 【Linglian Technology】's latest BP. If there is an opportunity, I really hope to let your investor take a look. I firmly believe that our company has all the potential to become an industry unicorn; currently, we just lack some key capital support."

Xie Shu Yu was silent for a moment, then finally took it and nodded, "Okay, Mr. Fang, if there is an opportunity, I will help you convey it."

Watching Wang Fang Zhiyuan Zhiyuan's expectant back disappear at the door.

Xie Shu Yu took out her phone, found the number of the cooperation contact at 【Shu Shu Xian Supply Chain】, and dialed it directly.

She concisely arranged the visit and meeting for the afternoon.

In any case, the cooperation with 【Shu Shu Xian】 must be terminated immediately.

Compared to it, this 【Linglian Technology】 was far, far better in both professionalism and sincerity.

And they both belonged to the Southwest region.

Biting her lip, Xie Shu Yu took out her phone, clicked on Tang Song's WeChat, and left a message: "Have you decided when you are coming to Rongcheng?"

After a while.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"

【Tang Song: "I'm busy right now, I'll call you later to talk."】

Xie Shu Yu simply replied "Okay," then put down her phone and let out a long breath.

Let's leave it at that for now; having him come to Rongcheng this time is mainly to cultivate their relationship.

As for the investment matter, she could only find an opportunity to probe it later.

She and Tang Song didn't have much time to interact as it was, and asking for money for someone else the moment they met felt strange.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Lanfeng International High-end Apartment, Room 2002.

In the bedroom, the heavy curtains were drawn tightly.

Completely isolating the bright afternoon sunlight.

The air was hot.

On the large bed in the master bedroom.

Lin Empress Mu Xue slowly opened her eyes.

She glanced at Sorry Xiao Jing, who was still clinging to her, and pushed her to the side with annoyance.

But she couldn't exert much strength.

"Unh..."

Sorry Xiao Jing lazily opened her misty, large eyes and subconsciously murmured: "World map..."

Her tone carried a strange implication.

Startled, Lin Empress Mu Xue let out a cry and shuddered violently.

She pushed Sorry Xiao Jing away with force.

Immediately following, a "thud" sound.

She rolled off the bed and landed heavily on the soft, long-pile carpet.

Her face was red and hot, and she wished she could find a hole to crawl into immediately.

(DAC)

Damn it!

The secret she had hidden for so long had actually been found out by Sorry Xiao Jing just like that.

The main reason was that this yandere was simply too perverted!

Completely different from the simple and kind beautician, Sorry Xiao Jing had too many tricks.

Don't dare to think! Don't dare to think!

Lin Empress Mu Xue covered her burning face, crawled up using her hands and feet, and ran toward the bathroom.

The warm water submerged her.

She took a serious shower.

She dried herself off and put on a clean silk nightgown.

Just as she walked out of the walk-in closet.

"Ah!" Lin Empress Mu Xue let out a low cry and almost sat on the floor.

Sorry Xiao Jing, who was hiding behind the door, immediately giggled and pounced on her.

"Seeing Xiao Xue, finished showering? From now on, we—"

"You!" Lin Empress Mu Xue hurriedly pushed her away, "Go take a shower quickly! You're so dirty!"

After saying that, Lin Empress Mu Xue rushed back to the bedroom quickly.

Accompanied by Sorry Xiao Jing's crisp laughter behind her.

Back on the bed in the bedroom.

Lin Empress Mu Xue sat there, still unable to stop herself from recalling the scenes from before.

In her heart, there wasn't actually much disgust; instead, there was some faint anticipation.

She shook her head vigorously, forcibly withdrawing those increasingly dangerous wandering thoughts.

Just at this moment.

A steady sound of footsteps arose.

Lin Empress Mu Xue looked up and saw the man walking toward this side.

She subconsciously shuddered, feeling some fear.

Tang Song came to her side, gently wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her on the cheek.

"How are you feeling?"

"Good—much better." Lin Empress Mu Xue licked her somewhat dry lips.

Her gaze uncontrollably fell on the belt around his waist.

She couldn't help but curse inwardly: Damn perverted Sorry Xiao Jing! I've been ruined by you!

Noticing her gaze, Tang Song chuckled and pulled her onto his lap.

"What? Still want to continue playing games?"

This basketball game finally allowed him to verify the special effect of 【Tang Song's Belt】.

This prop obtained in the 【Control Annie】 mission was indeed not just for decoration.

It could also urge fake socialites to draw maps.

"No!"

Lin Empress Mu Xue hurriedly shook her head, a thick blush appearing on her face.

Tang Song reached his hand inside, leaned close to her ear, and whispered: "Seeing Xiao Xue, I have a mission to hand over to you next."

Lin Empress Mu Xue bit her lip, her body trembling slightly, "Tell me..."

"Next, after I return from Rongcheng, I'm going to France to accept the Tang Jin Manor. You will be in full charge of coordinating this cross-border business trip and a series of matters involved."

Lin Empress Mu Xue's cultivation mission 【2 Assistant Practice】 was just one last step away.

As long as it was completed, the third mission could be unlocked.

Now that she had returned from London and had experienced a cross-border business trip, she possessed the ability to complete the mission.

Moreover, the mission rewards included a 【Prop Gift Pack】 and 【Stamina +2】, which he was very much looking forward to.

"Okay, okay, I will complete it seriously."

"Also." Tang Song adjusted his posture and continued: "Help me contact the Handing Group to buy a residence in 【Yunding Mansion】. The owner's name is Gao Mengting; you can contact her later."

"Gao Mengting, Yunding Mansion—" Lin Empress Mu Xue murmured, feeling sour in her heart.

Yunding Mansion was the hottest real estate project in Yancheng recently, all of which were fourth-generation residential types, and the first phase consisted of large open-plan apartments, with the target customers being high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs in the province.

And she naturally knew Gao Mengting as well.

To be precise, the first woman of Tang Song's that she knew was this Vice President of Songmei Apparel.

At that time, they both worked at Yunxi Building and met each other quite often.

Tang Song giving away a luxury mansion so generously inevitably made her feel a bit envious and jealous.

"What?" Tang Song's voice came, "Not happy?"

"No, no." Lin Empress Mu Xue hurriedly shook her head, "I will handle it immediately and get it done as soon as possible—ah!"

Tang Song withdrew his mischievous hand, looked at her panicked eyes, and suddenly said: "You can also pick a property, and I'll give it to you."

"Ah?" Lin Empress Mu Xue looked up violently, looking at him in disbelief, "I can too?"

Tang Song breathed in the rich fragrance on her body and nodded, "Of course, and there's no limit to the city; you can pick whatever you want."

He knew Seeing Xiao Xue's thoughts.

The reason he didn't give her valuable assets directly before was that he was afraid this fake socialite would get too carried away, her desires would expand, and she would do something wrong.

But now, Seeing Xiao Xue's performance could be said to be...

Not only did she rarely show off her wealth online, but she also worked seriously and studied very hard.

It could be said that a fundamental change had occurred. "!!!"

Hearing Tang Song's words, Lin Empress Mu Xue felt that the blood all over her body had been ignited.

Her emotions were high, and her eyes became moist.

No limit to the city meant that even if she chose Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, or even London, it was all possible.

For her, money was always the most direct aphrodisiac.

She let out a cry, pounced over like an octopus, and hugged Tang Song.

Just at this moment.

The sound of "tap, tap, tap" footsteps came from behind.

Sorry Xiao Jing, wrapped in a pure white bath towel, walked out.

"Brother Tang Song, Sister Seeing Xiao Xue, what fun games are you playing? Include me, okay?"

(OO)

The scene instantly became chaotic.

Tang Song's breathing became rapid and heavy. I don't know when.

A crisp system prompt sounded suddenly in his ear:

"Ding! Character interaction mission 【Visit and Comfort】 has taken effect."

"Ding! Unlocked partial communication permissions for 【Precision Queen - Ouyang Xianyue】."

"!" The system light screen automatically unfolded before his eyes.

In the center of the 【Character Center】 interface, an SSR card emitting an orange halo was shining brightly.

Looking at that familiar yet slightly strange standing illustration, Tang Song's heart surged instantly.

Finally unlocked.

It makes sense; today is already the 28th, and there are less than two days left until his Rongcheng appointment with her at the end of the month.

It's impossible to wait until the day of to unlock it; after all, there are many things that need to be communicated in advance.

For Ouyang Xianyue, his impression was extremely deep.

Not only because of the other party's noble background and graceful temperament, but also because of her special role in the "Male God Growth Plan" game.

Recruiting Ouyang Xianyue was originally for the purpose of obtaining protection.

Her name meant family, power, capital, and political networks.

It meant a true "backer."

The resources she brought and the vast industrial empire of 【Tang Yi Precision】 were the foundation for his foothold in the country.

It could be said that 【Smile Holdings】, 【Tang Zong Entertainment】, and 【Deju Renhe】—these enterprises were able to go so smoothly because her influence was behind them.

Even excluding these.

He also had extremely deep feelings for this character he had poured countless efforts into in the game.

Of course, deep down, he couldn't help but feel a bit hesitant.

Mainly because...

Ouyang Xianyue was ten years older than him, and coupled with her unique noblewoman status, she could already be considered "elder" level.

How to get along with her in reality was the first difficulty he had to face. ===== CHAPTER 657 =====