Maxing Out Charisma, Inheriting Game Assets Chapter 277: The People We Once Were

Hearing the mature woman's words and observing her intimate interaction with Tang Song, Shen Yuyan's lips pressed together slightly as she immediately grasped their relationship. Her brows lowered faintly, and she maintained a calm expression as she said, "Tang Song, who is this sister?"

Looking at the sweet and pure school belle, Tang Song smiled warmly and replied, "This is my girlfriend, Wen Ruan."

With the older sister right beside him and his promise to start a sweet romance with her, there was no room for ambiguity. Besides, his current relationships with Shen Yuyan and Xu Qing were uncomplicated, so he felt no psychological burden.

Upon hearing his direct introduction, Wen Ruan's hand tightened slightly, her eyes brimming with uncontrollable joy. The sharpness in her gaze toward Shen Yuyan also softened.

Wen Ruan wore a smile as she extended her hand. "Hello."

"Hello, Sister Wen Ruan. I’m Shen Yuyan, Tang Song’s university classmate." Despite the complexity of her emotions, Shen Yuyan outwardly maintained an enthusiastic demeanor.

She was fully aware of Xu Qing's feelings for Tang Song and how he had agreed to invest in Youjie Domestic Services for her. Previously, she had thought the two might have a chance. However, it now seemed that even if they were together, Xu Qing wouldn’t be his only girlfriend.

Having interacted with many wealthy individuals over the years, Shen Yuyan had grown more pragmatic. Tang Song was no naive young man. A man like him, if inclined, could have countless women by his side. For instance, Lin Muxue before, and now Wen Ruan—both incredibly captivating women. Objectively speaking, her best friend Xu Qing simply couldn’t compare.

"Oh? A university classmate? Are you working in Beijing?" Wen Ruan's charming gaze flicked briefly to Tang Song.

Shen Yuyan shook her head lightly. "No, I’m working in Yan City as well, living in the Qiaoxi District."

Hearing this, Wen Ruan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The two exchanged a few more words.

Shen Yuyan shifted slightly to face Tang Song directly. "Our Youjie Domestic Services has already signed the term sheet with Gongying Technology. I’ll be leaving Beijing today."

"Congratulations," Tang Song replied.

Shen Yuyan bit her lip lightly and said in a low voice, "And congratulations to you on reaching an investment agreement with Fanfu Suzi Media. Once I’m back in Beijing, let’s have a meal to discuss financing matters. Also, regarding my earlier refusal of your investment, I want to apologize again. Our company’s equity structure is quite complex, and there are many things I can’t decide on my own, so…"

"It’s fine," Tang Song replied with a gentle smile, shaking his head. "It’s all in the past. I wish you smooth sailing with your future fundraising."

He glanced at his watch and added, "I have something to attend to shortly, so I’ll need to head out. We can talk more when we’re both back in Yan City."

Shen Yuyan felt a pang in her heart but outwardly maintained her smile, nodding. "Alright, I won’t disturb you then."

She had been eager to chat longer since they coincidentally met in Beijing. However, judging by Sister Wen Ruan’s demeanor, it was clear she wouldn’t get the chance.

A single wrong choice brought her immense and overwhelming regret.

This was a true titan of capital!

Had she resolutely chosen him back then, it would be the two of them collaborating now, giving rise to countless opportunities to connect and communicate.

“Bye-bye~” Wen Ruan waved cheerfully at Shen Yuyan, her arm wrapped around Tang Song’s as they walked away together.

“Bye-bye.”

Watching their figures disappear, Shen Yuyan’s gaze turned complicated. She made her way to the first-floor buffet, absentmindedly selecting some breakfast and sitting at a table, picking at her food without much appetite.

The Yizhuang Line subway swayed gently as it traveled above ground.

Passengers' gazes occasionally drifted to one corner of the car where a couple stood face to face.

The man was tall and upright, dressed in a shirt and trousers, exuding a striking handsomeness with his long legs and lean figure.

The woman was curvaceous and elegant, her features exuding maturity and charm.

Together, they were an exceptionally eye-catching pair, prompting both men and women to steal second glances.

“I used to board at this station,” Wen Ruan said, pointing nostalgically at the Jiugong Station sign outside the window. “Every morning at 7:20, I’d leave the house, queue at Entrance 11 to enter the station—it’s conveniently right by the escalator at the end of the line. Then, I’d transfer to Line 10 at Songjiazhuang, get off at Liangmaqiao, buy a jianbing guozi, and eat it on my way to the office. Clocking in just in time at 8:30…”

She chatted animatedly about her past life in Beijing.

With the subway swaying gently, her movements occasionally caused her to bump lightly into her boyfriend.

“I used to live near Tiantongyuan,” Tang Song chimed in, smiling. “Because I woke up late, it was always packed, and I had to squeeze into the subway every day…”

Breathing in her warm and heady fragrance, Tang Song felt a deep sense of contentment in the warmth of the older woman’s presence.

The two chatted happily for a while.

Suddenly, Wen Ruan leaned close, blowing softly into his ear. With a teasing smile, she asked, “Be honest with me—did you have a girlfriend back then? Were you living together?”

After she spoke, her eyes locked onto him, unwavering.

“Uh…” Tang Song froze for a moment before shaking his head. “No.”

The apartment had indeed been rented with Liu Qingning’s help, and she had even paid the deposit and rent upfront. But they hadn’t lived together, nor were they romantically involved.

Seeing his expression, Wen Ruan pursed her lips, leaned in, and kissed him.

With a magnetic voice, she whispered, “Alright, I won’t ask anymore.”

She was certain something significant had happened to Tang Song in the past—something that deeply affected him. Since he wasn’t willing to talk about it, she wouldn’t pry into his wounds.

The two got off at Tuanjiehu Station. Wen Ruan headed straight to Light and Shadow Media’s Beijing branch, while Tang Song hailed a cab to Bocai Yingrui Management Consulting Co., Ltd.

Earlier that morning, Ning Song, Director of Marketing and Planning, had called Wen Ruan, informing her of changes in the agency media for Light and Shadow Media. He asked her to immediately handle the handover.

Additionally, it was reported that Liu Chuanzheng had been summoned and detained by police for embezzlement.

Taking advantage of her presence in Beijing, Wen Ruan decided to go to the branch office and directly coordinate the transition with several colleagues still in the city.

Bocai Yingrui Management Consulting Co., Ltd., an international consulting firm certified by ICMCI, had its headquarters in a high-end office building in Chaoyang District.

The atmosphere inside the company was lively and celebratory.

“Welcome, Chairman Tang, to our company!”

The company’s president, Zhao Bo, greeted Tang Song with a broad smile, followed by several senior executives in suits and ties.

Among them was Li Zicheng, the HR Strategic Planning Department Director whom Tang Song had previously met in Yan City.

"Hello, President Zhao," Tang Song greeted with a smile, shaking hands with each person in turn.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Zhao Bo and the others led Tang Song on a brief tour of the company, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the enterprise in which he owned a 35% stake.

The company, with a registered capital of 30 million yuan, was a professional human resources service organization offering corporate talent strategy consulting, organizational structure design, personalized talent recruitment, and employee training. Its core consulting team boasted over 400 members, comprising experts with extensive industry experience and professional knowledge.

The headquarters occupied two entire floors of a premium building in Beijing, with branches or resident partners in cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Yan City. Leveraging Deju Renhe's extensive talent network, the company served clients nationwide, including several Fortune 500 companies.

In the Meeting Room

“How do you screen and finalize the selection of suppliers and products among so many options?”

“When evaluating suppliers and products, I follow a stringent process. First, I conduct a qualification review of the suppliers, assessing their production capacity, quality control systems, and historical collaboration records. Then...”

“How do you balance short-term sales with long-term brand development during the product selection process?”

“On one hand, I focus on current market trends and consumer demands, selecting products that can drive immediate sales growth through promotion…”

The special effect [Leader], associated with the character role of [President of Songmei Fashion], was triggered.

Tang Song’s sharp intuition and insight allowed him to quickly reach a conclusion. He set down the resume in his hand, his gaze sincere and decisive. “Ms. Li, your personal capabilities and expertise align perfectly with our company’s needs. I greatly admire your talent and sincerely invite you to return to Yan City and join Songmei Fashion.”

Li Yueran’s face flushed slightly as she stood and extended her hand. “Thank you for your trust, President Tang. I’m very happy to accept this offer.”

At 31 and still single, Li Yueran had remained in Beijing because she cherished her current job. If a suitable position were available in her hometown, she would be willing to give it a try.

Moreover, she had a deep appreciation for Songmei Fashion’s strength—not to mention the luxurious Yunxi Tower office and its top-tier livestreaming facilities.

And then there was President Tang himself—a shareholder of Bocai Yingrui! What more could she say? This young and handsome CEO had personally come to Beijing to recruit her, demonstrating unparalleled sincerity.

There was no reason to decline, especially given the generous package offered.

“Goodbye, President Tang.”

“I look forward to seeing you in Yan City!” Tang Song replied with a smile as he bade farewell to the women’s fashion product selection expert.

Currently employed by Yingmo Brand Management Co., Ltd., Li Yueran had exceptional skills, particularly in the high-end women’s fashion sector, with a keen sense of market trends and precise judgment.

She was a carefully selected recruit by Tang Song to support He Liting in shaping the "He Yiyi" IP for Songmei Fashion.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in,” Tang Song called.

The door opened, and Li Zicheng entered enthusiastically. “President Tang, there are two more candidates scheduled for interviews at 3 p.m.: Operations Manager Chen Jiangyuan and Product Picker Fei Zhanpeng. It’s almost noon now, and President Zhao would like to treat you to lunch. Would that work for you?”

Tang Song shook his head. “No need. I have some personal matters to handle at noon. Once all the interviews here in Beijing are concluded, I’ll host a meal for the management team.”

“Understood!” Li Zicheng pulled out a card from his pocket and handed it to Tang Song. “This is the contact information for the company’s dedicated driver for directors. During your trip to Beijing, feel free to assign him any tasks as needed.”

As the largest individual shareholder and de facto boss of the company, Tang Song wielded considerable influence. If he wished, he could join the board of directors at any time, entitling him to the highest standards of treatment.

Taking the business card, Tang Song replied, "Alright, thank you."

"It's my duty! I won't disturb you further. I'll go arrange the next interviews," Li Zicheng said with a slight bow before turning to leave the meeting room.

Tang Song stretched and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze landing on a glass-clad office building nearby.

At the top of the tower, bold 3D letters spelled out: "Meigou Tech Tower."

The Bocai Yingrui office building was just about 300 meters away.

Thinking back to his three years working at Meigou Tech, Tang Song felt a mixture of nostalgia and curiosity—he wanted to visit again.

After tidying up, Tang Song left the building, walking east along the pedestrian path.

The sky was dim, and the air carried the damp scent of earth, a prelude to an impending thunderstorm.

He wandered around the perimeter of Meigou Tech Tower, memories of the past gradually surfacing.

Though only eight months had passed since he left, it felt like a lifetime ago. The extraordinary experiences brought by the system had made these months especially transformative.

As Tang Song walked in thought, a voice called out, "Hey, are you... Tang Song?"

Looking up, Tang Song saw two familiar faces. After a brief pause, he broke into a smile. "Brother Bin, Old He, long time no see!"

These two were his former colleagues from Meigou Tech, both from the backend development team.

A thought struck Tang Song.

Perhaps chatting with these colleagues could help him understand how they perceived him during his time at Meigou, and how it contrasted with his own recollections.

Hearing his greeting and looking at his face, He Yiming and Xu Bin were visibly shocked.

"My goodness, it really is you! If I hadn’t seen you before, I wouldn’t have recognized you," He Yiming exclaimed.

"Whoa, Tang Song! Since you left, did you go to South Korea or something?" Xu Bin teased.

Both of them had joined the company over a year before Tang Song and remembered what he used to look like.

Before 2022, Tang Song had a lean physique and decent looks, earning him the title of "department eye candy" in the backend development team.

Now, Tang Song's physique and appearance were even better than when he first joined, though still recognizable.

However, when he left Meigou Tech in November 2022, he had been somewhat chubby, unkempt, and careless with his grooming. The contrast with his current self was striking.

Tang Song chuckled, shaking his head. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the atmosphere grew more relaxed.

"You guys are heading to dinner, right? Which place?" he asked.

"Wushan Grilled Fish!" Xu Bin exclaimed excitedly. "Come with us! Let’s catch up, and we can fill you in on what’s been happening in the department these past months."

"Sure, I haven’t had their grilled fish in ages. I’d love to join you," Tang Song replied with a smile.

"Let’s go, let’s go!" He Yiming threw an arm around Tang Song’s shoulder, exclaiming, "Hey, have you grown taller or something?"

"Haha, maybe my posture’s just improved. I’ve been working out, losing weight, and practicing better posture since I left."

"Damn, I’m so jealous!"

Light and Shadow Media (Beijing Branch)

After forwarding the organized documents to Li Wenzhe, Wen Ruan stared at the email on her screen, her expression somewhat peculiar.

Wen Ruan had just resigned, and Meigou Tech immediately cited her departure as the reason for canceling its partnership with Light and Shadow Media.

Soon after, several other major media firms announced audits of Light and Shadow Media, and even a few key clients directly stated they would not renew their contracts.

The company was now on the brink of survival.

Even if it avoided collapse, significant layoffs were inevitable, and future business would shrink considerably.

The timing of these events seemed excessively coincidental.

It was as if her resignation was the flap of a butterfly’s wings, setting off a storm that swept through the entirety of Light and Shadow Media.

“Wen Ruan, your delivery’s here!” Zhang Xintong approached with a smile, placing a delicately packaged paper bag on her desk.

“Thank you, Xintong.”

“No need for thanks!” Zhang Xintong winked playfully and whispered, “Wen Ruan, these past few days must’ve been… very , huh?”

Wen Ruan gave a soft “hmph” and lightly knocked her on the head, raising her eyebrows. “Satisfying beyond your imagination. So, hurry up with the handover—I still have more satisfaction to enjoy.”

The two bantered back and forth for a bit.

Suddenly, the phone on Wen Ruan’s desk rang.

She picked it up and glanced at the screen—it was an unfamiliar number from Beijing.

Rising from her seat, she moved to the lounge area and answered in a soft voice, “Hello?”

The line was silent—no sound at all.

Wen Ruan frowned. “Hello?”

Just as she was about to hang up, a steady and soothing male voice finally came through.

“Wen Ruan, it’s me.”

Her expression darkened slightly upon hearing the voice. “President Zhang, what can I do for you?”

“Are you free right now? I’d like to talk to you.”

“Go ahead.”

“About the past—I’ve always felt deeply sorry for causing you so much trouble.” The man paused before continuing, “I only heard today from a colleague that you’re returning to Xingyun International Group. I’m very happy and would like to make amends.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Wen Ruan interrupted bluntly. “President Zhang, my return to Xingyun International is part of my own plan. I don’t intend to rely on anyone’s favor.”

“I understand. I know you’d like to stay in your hometown, Yan City. I’ll talk to President Ji—your skills make you fully qualified for the position of Planning Director at the branch office.”

“There’s no need, but thank you,” Wen Ruan replied firmly.

“Alright,” the man sighed. Then suddenly, he added, “One more thing—I’d like to s