Maxing Out Charisma, Inheriting Game Assets Chapter 283: The Quiet Wedding Morning

Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Auspicious for weddings. Clear skies. Temperature: 25–38°C.

At 5:00 a.m., the city began to awaken from its nighttime stillness.

"Ring-ring-ring—"

The soft chime of the alarm clock sounded.

Tang Song’s eyes snapped open. He reached for the phone on the bedside table and silenced the alarm.

As he turned back, he was greeted by a pair of alluring, drowsy eyes.

A bright smile spread across his face. "Good morning, Zhuangzhuang."

"Ding-dong—"

"[China Merchants Bank] Your account ending in 6800 has received a deposit of RMB 6,400 on July 1st at 05:00."

Tang Song’s mood lifted instantly.

Starting the day with some "little money" flowing in always felt reassuring, even though he hardly needed it anymore. It gave him a sense of stability, security, and comfort.

"Good morning," Wen Ruan murmured through a yawn, her voice carrying the soft, sticky sweetness unique to early mornings.

Her dense, chestnut-colored hair cascaded over her bare skin, adding a striking vibrancy to her appearance.

Tang Song licked his dry lips and gently cupped Wen Ruan’s peach-shaped curves. "Zhuangzhuang, can you call me that again?"

The deftness of his fingers brought a blush to her cheeks.

Biting her lower lip lightly, Wen Ruan rolled her eyes dramatically and gave his chest a playful shove. "Get lost! And don’t call me Zhuangzhuang! I’m curvy and fit, not ‘stocky.’"

Her gaze flickered as she grabbed his chin, her demeanor instantly shifting to one of icy coolness. "Come on, little brother, how about calling me ‘big sister’ instead?"

The memory of being completely overpowered by him last night still stung. She’d lost all dignity and could barely lift her head in front of him.

Now that she had recovered, she was determined to reclaim her position!

Besides, seeing Tang Song stark naked first thing in the morning was hard to handle. She couldn’t resist teasing her "little brother" a bit.

It had to be said—Tang Song’s physique was impressive.

Defined six-pack abs, a core packed with explosive strength…

As someone who was a bit of a looks enthusiast and loved fitness, Wen Ruan found herself utterly smitten. His chiseled face that aligned perfectly with her tastes, paired with his taut, muscular frame, had her head over heels.

Tang Song arched an eyebrow, moving his left hand slightly.

The result? A low gasp from the older sister.

"Zhuangzhuang, you’re so shameless."

"Damn you!" Wen Ruan exclaimed, her embarrassment morphing into anger as she threw her 130-pound body onto him.

In the dimly lit morning room, their laughter and playful scuffling filled the air, mingled with Wen Ruan’s half-hearted threats and Tang Song’s teasing remarks.

…

After washing up, changing clothes, and putting on makeup, Wen Ruan finished packing and returned to the bedroom.

There, she happened to see Tang Song emerging from the walk-in closet, a tie in his hand.

Her lips curved into a gentle smile. "Let me do it."

She stepped forward and took the gray tie from his hand.

The soft silk glided smoothly between her fingers. Draping the tie around his neck, Wen Ruan’s hands moved deftly, adjusting its length and position with care. She tied each knot with the utmost precision, her movements gentle and meticulous.

The tie was quickly finished.

Wen Ruan stepped back, her face glowing with sweet happiness as she admired Tang Song standing before her.

At 184 cm tall, with excellent proportions, his sharply tailored suit accentuated his elegance and poise, complemented by the composed confidence unique to someone from the elite class.

She stepped forward again and kissed him, savoring the freshness of his breath and the familiar, comforting scent of him.

After a long moment, Wen Ruan pulled away, her voice sweet as honey. "Let’s go, my handsome boyfriend. I’ll be waiting for you in the bridal suite to pick me up."

"Let’s go, my beautiful girlfriend."

—

A few minutes later.

The door of the Maybach S680 waiting downstairs opened, and the two got in. The car gently eased onto the main road.

It was still before 6 a.m.

The streets were relatively quiet, with few vehicles and pedestrians about. Only a handful of roadside breakfast stalls had their signs lit up, giving the city a tranquil vibe.

Sanitation workers were already busy cleaning the streets.

Occasionally, they passed some early risers out for morning exercise—young and old alike.

Seated in the back, Tang Song and Wen Ruan silently took in the serene beauty of Beijing’s morning.

The car first stopped in front of a high-end hotel. Wen Ruan stepped out, quickly walking toward the main entrance.

Since Zhou Bo and Sun Simin were both from Shandong Province and only owned a recently purchased apartment in the area, the location for the wedding pick-up had been arranged at this nearby hotel.

The wedding banquet at noon would also take place there.

The full package cost ¥60,000, which was a great deal considering it was in Beijing.

As the maid of honor, Wen Ruan had significant duties today.

In addition to putting on her bridesmaid dress, she needed to assist the bride with makeup, take morning robe photos, play games with the bridesmaids, and record videos of the festivities.

After watching Wen Ruan’s graceful figure disappear through the doors, Tang Song signaled the driver to head toward the Fuyuanli Residential Area.

—

Outside Building 13, Unit 2, the entrance had been decorated with a red archway and carpet. Festive stickers and fresh flowers adorned the area, along with signs pointing to the event.

Climbing up the somewhat worn stairs to the fourth floor, Tang Song finally reached the apartment.

"Ding-dong, ding-dong—"

He pressed the electronic doorbell.

The brown security door soon swung open.

Inside, the apartment was filled with a festive and heartwarming atmosphere.

Zhou Bo, already dressed in his suit, greeted Tang Song with an enthusiastic smile. "President Tang, you’re here! Come in and have a seat."

Standing behind him was an elderly couple, looking slightly nervous.

Tang Song patted Zhou Bo on the shoulder warmly. "Looking sharp, as expected of the groom!"

"Hehe, thanks. Oh, let me introduce you—these are my parents." Zhou Bo quickly added, "Dad, Mom, this is Tang Song, my boss, and Simin’s classmate’s boyfriend."

"Hello, Uncle and Auntie, it’s a pleasure to meet you both."

"Hello, hello! Come in and sit down! Old Zhou, go pour some tea for President Tang!"

"Auntie, there’s no need to be so formal. Today is Brother Bo’s big day—just call me by my name. Besides, I’m the groomsman here to work, not to be served!"

After a round of cheerful exchanges, Tang Song got busy helping with preparations.

He counted the red envelopes for the wedding games, set up props, worked with the photographer to record videos, and even had breakfast with the family.

This was his first time serving as a groomsman, and the experience felt fresh and exciting.

—

7:30 a.m.

The wedding party boarded the bridal car and headed to the hotel to begin the traditional pick-up ceremony.

…

Chaoyang District, Dongba Jiayuan Residential Area.

"Old Zhao, get up and eat! You need to take Sweetie to her dance class later!" A woman’s voice called out as she pushed open the bedroom door.

She walked to the window and pulled the curtains open.

Bright sunlight instantly poured into the room, filling it with warmth.

Zhao Mingying raised his hand to shield his eyes from the glare as he sat up on the bed, his expression blank.

"I’m talking to you! Did you hear me?" his wife said, moving to the bedside to start folding the quilt.

"Yes, I heard you," Zhao replied with a nod, glancing at his phone before getting up and walking into the living room.

"Good morning, Daddy!" his daughter Sweetie chirped, holding a crayon and engrossed in her drawing.

"Morning, Sweetie," Zhao replied, sitting at the dining table.

On the table were dishes his wife had prepared earlier: steaming pumpkin porridge, freshly steamed meat buns, and a small plate of pickled vegetables.

As he ate the piping hot breakfast, a wave of frustration gnawed at him.

Just yesterday, an HR manager had approached him.

His department—the Public Relations and Events Division—was about to undergo an organizational restructure. The aim was to improve operational efficiency and reduce management costs.

His role in media relations was slated to be absorbed by the Media Operations Department of another division.

As the Public Relations and Media Relations Supervisor in the Public Relations and Events Department, Zhao Mingying was the first to be targeted as part of the "cost-reduction" strategy.

Though still under discussion, he had been warned to prepare mentally for what lay ahead.

Zhao had seen this coming. That’s why he worked overtime until 9 p.m., volunteered for business trips, and handled everything with extreme caution.

At Xingyun International, a media conglomerate, internal factions and conflicts were commonplace.

For instance, with the PR department facing slowed business growth, leadership was constantly searching for ways to cut costs.

Despite offering to take a pay cut, HR still expressed regret.

At 36 years old, Zhao had been with the company for 10 years. He had joined early, back when educational qualifications weren’t as strictly enforced. With just a junior college diploma, he had climbed the ladder to a modest managerial role.

However, his annual raises over the years had made him a high-cost employee—a glaring target.

He was practically a walking debuff.

Naturally, the younger leader above him, someone several years his junior, had chosen him as the first to go.

Running a hand over his smooth forehead, Zhao felt a deep wave of discomfort as he considered his current predicament.

"Clack, clack, clack—"

His wife emerged from the bedroom after tidying up and sat down next to their daughter. Suddenly, she said, "Old Zhao, our daughter’s really into drawing lately. I want to sign her up for a class."

"How much does it cost?" Zhao asked, looking up.

"6,800 yuan. Quite a few of her classmates are enrolled, so this would give her something to talk about with them."

"Alright, sign her up."

"And about my mom—her leg surgery is scheduled for next month. Although it’ll be partially covered by the residential health insurance, we’ll still need to cover a good portion of the cost ourselves. They don’t have pensions. How much do you think we should contribute?"

"Whatever you think is appropriate," Zhao replied, lowering his head as he mentally calculated their savings.

Fortunately, he had purchased their apartment early, when the price per square meter was only 25,000 yuan. He had also paid off several chunks of the mortgage in advance, leaving them with a manageable monthly payment of less than 7,000 yuan.

Still, his wife worked a low-paying job in finance, and now, as a middle-aged man facing the prospect of unemployment, his stable life was teetering on the edge.

The pressures of children, elderly parents, a mortgage, and daily expenses loomed large.

He needed to find a new job quickly.

Picking up his phone, Zhao opened WeChat and scrolled through his contacts, thinking about whom he could reach out to for help.

Over the years, he had built a considerable network, with some friends now holding senior positions in various companies.

Though it would take swallowing his pride, he figured that slowly reaching out to them might land him a job to keep food on the table.

But he knew the pay and benefits wouldn’t compare to Xingyun International, and the stability would be questionable.

Sighing, Zhao opened his Moments feed and scrolled while finishing his breakfast.

Soon, a series of vibrant, celebratory photos caught his eye.

[Wen Ruan: "The most beautiful moment, the best version of us. Happy wedding, my girl!"]

Beneath the post was a set of nine photos taken in the bridal suite.

At the center of the group stood the bride, Sun Simin, surrounded by several other women.

But the most eye-catching of all was Wen Ruan.

Zhao Mingying slapped his forehead as the realization hit him—he had completely forgotten he was supposed to attend Sun Simin’s wedding at noon.

Yesterday’s sudden notice about his department’s restructuring had caused the invitation to slip his mind entirely.

he thought.

Looking at Wen Ruan’s photos, Zhao smiled wryly and shook his head.

As for seeking a backdoor opportunity through Vice President Ji Qiuyu, Zhao dismissed the idea immediately.

They had only worked in the same department briefly during his early days at the company, exchanged contact information, and barely spoke.

The reason he was able to help Wen Ruan with a referral to Ji was that Ji herself had posted a recruitment announcement in her Moments, asking for internal recommendations.

But given his current predicament, approaching her now felt absurdly out of reach.

Shaking his head again, Zhao left a comment under Wen Ruan’s post:

"Congratulations to Simin on her wedding! The bride looks beautiful, and so do the bridesmaids!"

—

Inside the celebratory hotel suite.

Wen Ruan held up a question card, raising her voice to ask, "Name the bride’s lunar birthday!"

"June 9th!"

"Name ten of the bride’s best qualities!"

"Kind, smart, beautiful, a great cook… uh… let me think…"

Amid a chorus of playful jeers, Zhou Bo’s face turned bright red as he struggled to answer.

—

"Where are the shoes?"

"They’re not in the cabinet!"

"Not in the nightstand either! Check under the bed!"

"They’re on top of the air conditioner! Brother Bo, go get them! We’ll lift you up!"

Finally retrieving the shoes, Zhou Bo straightened his slightly disheveled suit and knelt on one knee to help Sun Simin put them on.

Taking the bouquet that Tang Song handed to him, Zhou Bo shouted with excitement, "Sun Simin, I love you! I have only one thing to say: please marry me!"

Accepting the bouquet, Sun Simin threw her arms around Zhou Bo as the two kissed.

Cheers and applause erupted throughout the room, filling it with joyous celebration.

Tang Song stood amidst the crowd, his gaze fixed on Wen Ruan. She was watching the newlyweds embrace, her eyes brimming with tears.

—

After the pick-up ceremony concluded, the group returned to Zhou Bo and Sun Simin’s new home in Fuyuanli.

There, they completed the traditional rituals—serving tea, taking photos, and hosting guests—before heading to the hotel banquet hall.

—

11:00 a.m.

The wedding was about to begin, and guests were arriving one after another.

In the underground parking lot of the hotel, a black Buick Regal came to a stop.

Zhao Mingying locked his car, patted the pocket holding his wallet, and walked toward the elevator.

He had once worked in the same department as Sun Simin and Wen Ruan, and they’d had a good relationship.

At the start, he had even been their supervisor.

However, after Tang Zong Entertainment acquired a controlling stake, the company underwent organizational restructuring and formed several new divisions. As a result, the team was split across different departments.

Now, years later, Zhao remained stuck in the same place, while Sun Simin had risen to Planning Supervisor, holding the same rank as him.

In Xingyun International’s increasingly formalized corporate environment, he was part of the first wave of older employees being phased out.

—

Outside the banquet hall on the first floor.

The sign-in area was a lively sea of red, with a framed wedding photo of the couple displayed nearby.

Zhao Mingying’s face lit up with a big smile as he walked over briskly. "Simin, congratulations! Wishing you a happy marriage!"

"Thank you, Old Zhao!" Sun Simin, dressed in a beautiful greeter’s outfit, beamed as she extended her hand. "Hand over the red envelope!"

"Haha, here it is!" Zhao said, pulling a red envelope from his pocket and placing it on the long table. Embossed on the envelope in golden script were the words "Everlasting Harmony, A Century of Happiness."

Because of their good relationship, his envelope was on the thicker side, containing a lucky amount of ¥888.

After exchanging a few words with the bride and groom, Zhao turned to the bridesmaids and waved. "The bridesmaids look stunning today! Almost stealing the bride’s thunder!"

Su Keke chimed in sweetly, "Hello, Brother Zhao!"

Wen Ruan, holding Wang Jiao’s hand, smiled warmly. "Old Zhao, you finally made it."

The three former colleagues stood together and chatted briefly.

Before long, the sound of approaching footsteps and a chorus of cheerful greetings interrupted them.

"Congratulations on your wedding!"

"Best wishes! Here’s our red envelope!"

Zhao turned to see a group of a dozen employees from the Creative Planning Department—both men and women, all colleagues from Sun Simin’s team.

After some lively chatter, the group’s attention gradually shifted to Wen Ruan.

"Wen Ruan, long time no see."

"Wen Ruan, it’s been ages!"

"Welcome, everyone, to Simin's wedding!" Wen Ruan addressed her former colleagues calmly. "Come on, everyone, let me take you to your seats."

With that, the group followed her into the spacious and brightly lit banquet hall.

The venue was exquisitely decorated with white drapes, balloons, confetti, and elegant lighting. Gentle music floated through the air. Since most attendees were classmates and colleagues of the couple, the seating was limi