Chapter 668: Partner and Fake Socialite

Yintai Center, Weiguang Coffee Flagship Store, back-office area, Xie Shu Yu held her slightly warm phone, listening to Tang Song’s serious question.

A delicate flush instantly rose on her fair, elegant cheeks.

“Hello? Xie Shu Yu-jie, are you listening?” Tang Song’s voice came again beside her ear.

“Uh—well.” Xie Shu Yu cleared her throat, forcing her voice to sound as calm as usual, “I’m still busy with work. Where are you now? I’ll have Xiao Min drive over to pick you up.”

She instinctively used work to mask her fluster.

“No need, you focus on your work. I’ll just pack up here; when you finish work tonight, I’ll come straight to you.” “Alright, then—see you tonight, bye.”

She hung up the call.

Xie Shu Yu exhaled slowly, unconsciously brushing her cool hand against her burning cheek.

In her mind, Tang Song’s figure involuntarily surfaced.

She thought again about sleeping in the same room tonight.

She was a true workaholic; every breakthrough in her career brought her immense satisfaction.

Thus, she habitually ignored emotional needs.

And her friend Meng Ran’s reminder had indeed jolted her awake, making her realize that her relationship with Tang Song was unnaturally “Platonic.”

That’s why she had taken the initiative to step forward, inviting Tang Song to live with her like a normal girlfriend.

But she hadn’t expected this guy to be so direct.

Hearing his teasing, playful words, she still couldn’t handle it.

Probably because, over all these years, no one had ever spoken to her like this.

She sat there lost in thought for a long while.

“Ding ding ding—” Her phone rang.

【Meng Ran】

Xie Shu Yu answered immediately, “Hello, Li Ranran, finished your meeting?”

“Just wrapped up the weekly meeting.” Meng Ran’s voice, efficient yet concerned, came through the line, “How about you? Any progress with the supplier?”

Mentioning work, Xie Shu Yu’s gaze darkened again.

“Just finished a meeting with New Hope Dairy; their stance was vague. It seems 【Zhongshu Group】 moved fast—and their reach is longer than we imagined.”

“Expected.” Meng Ran sighed, then comforted her, “But don’t worry—I’ve confirmed with my contacts: the day after tomorrow, at the Caijing Private Salon, the deputy general manager of 【Jule Group】, the local dairy giant, will attend in person. He’s a vice president overseeing major clients and strategic partnerships. I’ll arrange an introduction for you; you can talk to him directly.”

“Thanks, Li Ranran.” Xie Shu Yu’s mood lifted slightly.

New Hope was a nationwide dairy company.

With her capabilities and Weiguang Coffee’s current scale, she could at best liaise with regional sales managers.

Beyond that, she had no connections.

And those sales teams were inevitably influenced by 【Zhongshu Group】’s powerful local network, always dragging their feet on key issues.

For example, they refused her requests on pricing and on opening part of their pre-warehouse space for Weiguang Coffee to use as temporary turnover storage.

But Jule Group was also a major local enterprise in Rongcheng, backed by its own powerful allies.

If she could reach this deputy general manager, she might bypass Chen Hao and 【Zhongshu Group】’s influence.

But there was another problem: potential harassment from certain government departments.

Could the Market Supervision Administration suddenly launch an unannounced inspection of all your stores under the pretext of “consumer complaints”?

Could the Fire Department come every few days for “safety hazard inspections,” forcing you to shut down for rectification?

Could the Health and Epidemic Prevention Station show up during peak hours for random sampling?

These compliant harassment tactics were the deadliest.

They could exhaust any chain brand, making normal operations impossible.

“Why be so formal with me? By the way, what did your boyfriend say? The private salon is the day after tomorrow.”

Xie Shu Yu paused, her tone slightly unnatural: “He’s already in Rongcheng. He’ll be staying at my place tonight.”

“Whoa!” Meng Ran burst into an unfiltered burst of excitement, “I told you! Xiao Yu, you finally got it! No more talking—I’ll finish my work now and come over to see you! I’m dying to know who this mysterious guy is!”

She had just hung up.

“Dong dong dong—” A knock came at the door.

Immediately, her assistant Xiao Min rushed in.

“Xie Zong, Fang Zong from 【Linglian Technology】 has arrived.”

Xie Shu Yu instantly shed all personal emotion, her face regaining calm professionalism.

“Alright, show him in.”

She glanced at the time—he had arrived twenty minutes early.

Clearly, he came with great sincerity.

She would never let 【Zhongshu Group】 lay a finger on her hard-won Weiguang Coffee.

So she had to bypass it at all costs.

Replacing the cold-chain logistics and warehouse system they indirectly controlled was the first step.

No matter how many obstacles lay ahead, she had to do it.

【Linglian Technology】 was the best breakthrough point she could find.

Their pricing and technical support were unmatched.

And over the past two days, she’d inquired through every contact—【Linglian Technology】 truly had immense potential and a massive technological edge.

Jinli Biyuan.

Tang Song finished the final stroke and carefully laid aside the newly copied painting, 【Chang Feng Po Lang】.

“Zong zong zong—”

His phone, resting on a nearby stone table, suddenly vibrated.

【Xiao Xue】

Tang Song picked up the phone, his voice gentle and calm: “Hello, Xiao Xue.”

Lin Mu Xue’s melodious voice came instantly: “Good afternoon, Tang Zong. Did I disturb your rest?”

“No, what’s up?”

“It’s like this,” Lin Mu Xue spoke quickly, “I’ve fully arranged the property matters for 【Yunding Fudi】 as you requested. The purchase contract is ready; you can sign anytime.”

“Thank you. Just go directly to Meng Ting—I’ve already informed her.”

“Understood.” Lin Mu Xue replied crisply, then her voice suddenly lowered, becoming syrupy: “Tang Zong—”

“Hmm?”

“I miss you.”

Tang Song smiled. “Oh? How much?”

A sound of tongue brushing lips came through the receiver, followed by a deliberately hushed tone.

Tang Song raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly: “Next time, you could send a video.”

Lin Mu Xue obediently murmured, “Mm.”

Just as they were about to hang up,

Tang Song couldn’t resist adding mischievously: “By the way, you could also ask Xiao Jing for help.”

Yan Cheng, Rongliu Investment, Executive Assistant’s Office.

“Ah!”

Lin Mu Xue gasped, as if hearing something filthy, her cheeks instantly flushing red.

“No need for Tang Zong to worry—I’ve got my own way! Uh, I’ll contact Gao Gao Mengting right away!”

After speaking, she hung up the phone directly.

She leaned back in her large Herman Miller office chair.

Xiao Jing’s expression surfaced uncontrollably in her mind.

She shifted her long, beautiful legs, a strange sensation rising within her.

Lin Mu Xue pressed her burning cheeks, forcibly gathering her thoughts, her gaze landing on the freshly printed purchase contract on her desk.

She picked up her phone again and dialed Gao Gao Mengting.

“Hello?”

“Hello, may I speak with Ms. Gao Gao Mengting?” Lin Mu Xue’s voice was warm, professional, radiating urban elite poise.

“This is she. Who’s calling?”

“I’m Lin Mu Xue, Tang Zong’s assistant.”

“Oh, hi, Assistant Lin. Tang Song mentioned you before—about renting, right?”

Lin Mu Xue’s eyes darted. “Hmm… sort of. Are you free now? Maybe I can come over and we can discuss it in person?”

It was a purchase, so why did it become a rental?

Was Tang Song playing some romantic surprise again?

But regardless, as his personal assistant, she had to make sure her boss’s bluff looked perfect!

“I’m free—I’m at Yunxi Tower now. Just come over.”

“Alright, see you soon.”

After hanging up, Lin Mu Xue stood, exhaled softly, carefully reapplied her makeup in the mirror, then sprayed a fresh scent on her wrists and neck.

Only then did she pick up her custom briefcase and document folder and stepped out.

Soon, the silver Porsche pulled out of the underground parking lot beneath the Yan Province Financial Center.

On a workday afternoon, the traffic in Yan Cheng was not heavy.

Just a few minutes later, the car came to a steady stop at a parking spot outside Yunxi Tower.

Lin Mu Xue calmly swapped her shoes for the prepared Christian Louboutin red-soled heels.

She opened the car door and stepped out with elegance.

Looking at the familiar building before her, Lin Mu Xue’s lips curled slightly as she walked forward.

Her sexy, tall figure, refined features, and the expensive accessories and bag she wore.

Along the way, she attracted countless astonished glances.

Lin Mu Xue’s face retained a distant, cold expression—like a highland orchid from a modern urban drama, beautiful yet only to be admired from afar.

Many men who had intended to approach automatically halted their steps.

She registered at the front desk and took the elevator directly to the 30th floor.

“Ding—” The elevator doors slowly opened.

Lin Mu Xue glanced at the mirror-like surface of the elevator, giving her makeup one final check, then smiled with confident sharpness.

She and Gao Gao Mengting were, in a way, “old acquaintances.”

When she had still worked at [Rongxin Venture Capital], she had encountered Gao Gao Mengting multiple times in the elevator of Yunxi Tower—though back then, she hadn’t known who she was.

Pretty women always have some unconscious comparisons and competition with each other.

But in terms of appearance, Lin Mu Xue was not afraid of anyone.

Even face-to-face with Su Yu, she would only temporarily avoid the spotlight.

After months of evolution, the Empress Mu Xue was ready to give her opponent a little shock.

She turned and walked into the main entrance of Songmei Apparel.

The beautiful front desk girl immediately stood up. “Hello, how may I help you?”

“I’m here to see your CEO,” Lin Mu Xue said calmly. “I’m Lin Mu Xue. I made an appointment in advance.”

“Hello, Ms. Lin!” The front desk girl’s eyes lit up instantly. “CEO Gao has already instructed us. I’ll take you right over.”

The crisp clack of high heels echoed as the two walked down the wide, bright corridor.

Along the way, they drew curious glances and hushed whispers from many employees.

Outside the Vice President’s office.

“Dong dong dong—”

“Come in.”

The front desk girl opened the door and gestured with a “please.”

Lin Mu Xue nodded in thanks and stepped into the office with graceful confidence.

Immediately, she saw the figure slowly emerging from behind the large desk.

She wore a simple white silk blouse and a black high-waisted pencil skirt that hugged her firm curves.

Her brown hair was neatly tied into a high ponytail, hanging down her back.

She wore no extra accessories, and her makeup was light and elegant—yet she radiated a gentle beauty.

Her outfit today was the standard “Director Jin” style.

Combined with the same neat hairstyle, refined makeup, and a face with a certain resemblance to soft beauty—

Standing in the luxurious office overlooking the city skyline.

For a moment, she bore a striking resemblance to Jin Meixiao.

Lin Mu Xue’s eyelid twitched, and she instinctively stepped back half a pace.

Damn it! I went through all this trouble to bring you a house, and you— you’re playing cosplay with Little Snow?!

And you chose the one person I’m most afraid of?!

If asked who she feared most now, once it might have been Tang Song.

But now, it was unquestionably Director Jin.

At this sudden scare, all her hidden plans vanished instantly.

Seeing Lin Mu Xue’s face clearly,

Gao Gao Mengting’s expression also showed surprise.

Of course she remembered this “flirtatious” financial woman.

The woman had once “mistakenly” come up to the 30th floor of Songmei Apparel.

But she never imagined this woman had become Tang Song’s assistant.

Recalling how Tang Song had looked at her in the elevator before,

Gao Gao Mengting felt a complex mix of emotions.

She had a good guess about the true nature of their relationship.

Lin Mu Xue straightened her posture, took two steps forward, and forced a slightly unnatural smile. “Hello, CEO Gao. Let me formally introduce myself—I’m Lin Mu Xue.”

“Hello, Gao Gao Mengting,” Gao Gao Mengting murmured, lightly shaking hands with her, her expression unreadable.

The two exchanged a few brief pleasantries.

Gao Gao Mengting gestured toward the sofa beside her. “Please sit, Ms. Lin. Would you like something to drink?”

“Just plain water, thank you.”

Gao Gao Mengting poured her a cup of warm water, and the two sat facing each other on the sofa.

Each could detect a subtle scrutiny and curiosity in the other’s gaze.

Yet both silently chose to leave the thin veil unbroken, falling quiet for a moment.

Gao Gao Mengting spoke gently. “Ms. Lin, you’ve gone through so much trouble for such a small matter.”

“CEO Gao is too kind—it’s not a small matter at all. Our CEO Tang specifically instructed me to handle this perfectly, with no room for error.”

Hearing this, Gao Gao Mengting couldn’t help smiling. “Then please thank your CEO Tang for me. By the way, which neighborhood?”

Finding a house was actually very troublesome.

Location, environment, renovation, price—

To find one that truly suited one’s taste required immense effort.

Tang Song taking the initiative to solve this problem for her was already saving her a great deal of energy.

“Yunding Fudi,” Lin Mu Xue placed the file bag on the coffee table.

“Yunding Fudi?” Gao Gao Mengting blinked, then suddenly realized. “I’ve heard of this name—it’s one of Yan Cheng’s first true ‘fourth-generation residences.’”

As the hottest luxury housing project in the city recently, [Yunding Fudi]’s promotional ads had covered nearly the entire CBD.

Earlier, she had even seen promotional displays in the lobby of the building.

Its location was indeed excellent—right beside Metro Line 1, only five or six kilometers from here, an absolute golden downtown location.

“Yes,” Lin Mu Xue’s professional, calm smile had returned. “The entire community’s design philosophy is highly advanced. Each unit comes with a sky garden for planting trees and flowers, with extremely high green coverage. The property management also meets the standards of top-tier luxury residences.”

Gao Gao Mengting nodded. “Renting here? I thought this building was only just delivered last month?”

“Are there already units available for rent so soon?”

Lin Mu Xue’s lips couldn’t help curling upward as she pushed the file bag toward Gao Gao Mengting.

“It was indeed delivered last month. This is a small gift specially prepared for you by our CEO Tang. I hope you’ll like it.”

“Huh?” A flicker of confusion passed through Gao Gao Mengting’s eyes.

She opened the file bag and pulled out the documents inside.

Immediately, she saw the words “Commodity Purchase and Sale Contract.”

She froze completely.

“This—this is—”

Lin Mu Xue’s tone was casual.

“CEO Gao might misunderstand. With our CEO Tang’s character, how could he possibly help you rent an apartment? That wouldn’t suit his status.”

“He directly contacted the senior management of Handing Group and reserved a unit under your name from their internal allocation.”

“Floor 21, a 200-square-meter duplex, four bedrooms, two living rooms, three bathrooms, fully renovated, north-south ventilation, with a 30-square-meter sky garden.”

“The payment has already been made in full by our CEO Tang. You only need to sign this contract.”

With that, Lin Mu Xue elegantly lifted her water cup and took a small sip.

Watching Gao Gao Mengting’s stunned expression, she felt immense satisfaction.

How’s that? Scared, weren’t you?

You dared to cosplay Director Jin to scare me!

The Empress Mu Xue isn’t someone to be trifled with!

Gao Gao Mengting stared blankly at the glaring lines on the contract, her modest chest rising and falling rapidly.

Yunding Fudi, 200-square-meter duplex, in her name, fully paid by Tang Song—such a property was worth at least six million on the market.

Although, based on Songmei Apparel’s current valuation, her 20% stake theoretically made her a “billionaire.”

But this was merely paper wealth; the company’s rapid early expansion meant no dividends were possible.

Her money came almost entirely from her high salary.

In the past two or three months, she had only just paid off all her previous startup debts and now had only around one hundred thousand in savings.

She had never truly thought of herself as rich.

Of course, she had fantasized about what kind of house she’d buy someday.

How to decorate it, where to place her favorite bookshelf, where to grow a few elegant flowers, where to put a lazy sofa to bask in the sun—

But now, with Tang Song suddenly dropping this lavish mansion of real gold and silver on her, her head spun dizzily.

More than anything, she was utterly at a loss.

“This Lin assistant—this isn’t a joke, is it?”

“Of course not,” Lin Mu Xue said, wearing the professional smile of a top-tier assistant. “The seal from Han Ding Group has already been stamped. All Senior Gao needs to do is sign this contract, and the entire property will be fully yours. All subsequent procedures—payment invoices, property title processing, property handover—will be handled by me. You don’t need to worry about a thing.”

Gao Gao Mengting bit her lip hard, remaining silent for a long while.

Finally, she stood up and said, “Just a moment—I need to call Tang Song.”

“Of course, please do.”

Gao Gao Mengting took her phone and turned, walking swiftly toward the inner lounge.

Watching her silhouette vanish through the doorway, Lin Mu Xue’s face lit up with radiant delight.

For once, there wasn’t a trace of jealousy in her heart.

Because she herself held a “property check” that was about to be cashed in.

Tang Song had personally promised—no city restrictions, she could choose anywhere, no limits on size or price.

In other words, even if she picked a mega-penthouse in a top-tier city—or even a villa—it was theoretically within reach.

Two months ago, she might have truly made such an outrageous demand.

But after being reined in by Director Jin, she was no longer the little snowflake she once was.

If she became insatiable, not only would her greed be vulgar to behold, but she might also give other “rivals” (especially Shen Yu Yan) ammunition to attack her.

After careful consideration,

she decided to cap the total property value at under ten million.

It would satisfy her vanity without appearing overly greedy.

As for the city? Obviously, Mo Du!

The Lan Feng International Luxury Apartments in Yan Cheng? She could live there for life if she wanted—after all, it was already Tang Song’s property.

But Mo Du, that glittering, materialistic paradise of shopping and excess, was the true stage for her.

She longed for the place, had many old friends there, and could occasionally drop by to show off.

Even just two nights ago, she had already been unable to resist, casually posting a status update in her small circles of “noblewomen groups” and “rich second-generation friend circles”:

【Recently considering buying a property in Mo Du, full payment, budget under eight digits. Any sisters have good developments or private listings to recommend? (#~.#)】

The reaction? It made her so thrilled she nearly drew maps on her own bed.

She lay awake late into the night, obsessively scrolling and fidgeting before finally falling asleep.

Thinking of the top-tier property she would soon own, Lin Mu Xue couldn’t help squeezing her thighs.

A flush of excitement spread across her face.

Once she had this property, she’d immediately return to her hometown for a grand, thorough homecoming in glory.

o（n_n)o Ha ha—just as her spirits soared,

her phone suddenly rang inside her handbag.

Lin Mu Xue quickly cleared her throat, suppressing her untimely excitement.

She opened her LV bag, pulled out her phone, and glanced at the caller ID.

It was Chen Jing, Secretary to Lady Lady Ouyang.

She had personally coordinated Tang Song’s recent trip to Rongcheng with her, and their communication had been frequent.

She swiftly answered, her voice warm and polished: “Hello? Secretary Chen.”

“Hello, Lin assistant,” came a rich, mature female voice from the receiver, full of depth and resonance.

Lin Mu Xue’s heart leapt; she instinctively stood up from her chair, back straight, tense: “Lady Lady Ouyang! Hello!”

“Hehe, don’t be nervous,” Lady Ouyang Lady Ouyang Xianyue’s voice was far warmer than last time. “How have you been? Is work busy?”

“Fine, not too busy.”

They chatted briefly about Tang Song’s recent work schedule, then Lady Ouyang Lady Ouyang Xianyue seemed to suddenly remember something, speaking in a casual, friendly tone:

“By the way, Lin assistant—I heard you’re thinking of buying a property in Mo Du?”

Bing—Lin Mu Xue’s heart pounded violently.

She’d only boasted in her tiny circle of “noblewomen groups” and private friend circles, and had even blocked most people who might cross paths with her.

How had this reached Lady Lady Ouyang’s ears?!

Who? Who leaked this?!

Having been repeatedly schemed against by Xiao Jing, Shen Yu Yan, and Mo Mo Xiangwan, Mu Xue the Great had developed a stress response.

“Y-yes, there is something like that,” she forced down the storm in her chest, her voice dry as she explained. “But it’s not confirmed yet—just a passing thought. And my budget is limited—just a few million for an ordinary property.”

“I see,” Lady Ouyang Lady Ouyang Xianyue’s voice betrayed no emotion. “Coincidentally, I have a vacant little apartment in Mo Du. It’s small—under 100 square meters—in Lujiazui’s IFC, with a decent view. When I bought it, the market price was just a few million. It’s registered under my private investment company, no purchase restrictions, and equity transfer is straightforward. If you find it suitable, I’ll sell it to you at original price—it’ll help me offload an idle asset.”

Hearing this,

Lin Mu Xue blinked in disbelief, her mind momentarily frozen.

What?

Lady Lady Ouyang is offering to sell me her apartment in Lujiazui?

And for someone of this stature to offer personally, the price must be extraordinarily favorable.

After all, we’re all officially part of “Tang Jin Family Office”—so to speak, we’re practically family.

Lin Mu Xue’s heart began pounding uncontrollably—thump-thump-thump.

Lujiazui!

Even a small serviced apartment there would send her social circle into a frenzy.

Most importantly, this was Lady Ouyang Lady Ouyang Xianyue’s property.

The prestige was off the charts.

Just mentioning it would become her ultimate bragging soundtrack.

Far more valuable than the apartment itself.

If Su Yu or Mo Mo Xiangwan were offering her a property, she’d never dare accept.

That would offend Director Jin.

But Lady Lady Ouyang was different.

This 36-year-old aristocrat was Chairwoman of Tang Yi Precision.

Surely she wouldn’t get involved in some petty court intrigue?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

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