Maxing Out Charisma, Inheriting Game Assets Chapter 292: Wen Ruan’s Return to Light and Shadow Media

Yanjing Huating.

The text on the system screen slowly faded away.

Tang Song instinctively straightened up, a smile of mixed surprise and delight spreading across his face.

With his Charm Score surpassing 60, every improvement was becoming increasingly difficult. This unexpected gain was a pleasant surprise.

In fact, ever since the Cognitive Awakening task had been triggered, reading had become a good habit that he’d maintained. Coupled with the boosts from the Ginkgo Bookmark and Tang Song’s Glasses, his personal qualities and understanding had been steadily improving.

This latest +1 to Charm was likely a subtle upgrade tied to these changes.

Yet, it was precisely these transformations that stirred fear within him.

In truth, fear itself wasn’t a bad thing.

A person should maintain a sense of awe toward the unknown. This type of fear wasn’t negative or immobilizing—it stemmed from respect for the world and an awareness of one’s limitations.

“Mm—” Zhao Yaqian let out a low hum, followed by a labored swallow.

After a moment, she looked up, her smile as radiant as a flower. “Brother, don’t you think I’ve improved a lot?”

“You’re amazing, sweetheart,” Tang Song praised sincerely.

Zhao Yaqian licked her lips. “I’ll go freshen up; I’ll be right back.”

With that, she swayed her shapely hips and long legs as she walked toward the bathroom.

Tang Song opened his Inventory to check the details of his newly acquired item:

[Tang Song’s Mask]

Description: A tool for concealing your true self in the game. When used, it allows you to assume a role of your choosing, helping you explore the complexities and multifaceted nature of your identity. (+1 Insight)

Note: “Life is like a painting. The base color sets the tone, while the mask acts as a filter, determining how the canvas appears.”

After reading the description, Tang Song pursed his lips, his eyes flickering with thought.

The +1 Insight highlighted the rarity of this item, but what truly caught his attention was the phrase “concealing your true self.”

With his rising Charm Score, it seemed he was gaining access to more advanced features—like the Feather of Memories and now Tang Song’s Mask.

He was getting closer to uncovering the truth.

Ding-dong— A WeChat notification interrupted his thoughts.

[Wen Ruan]: “Are you free this Friday for lunch? My cousin is moving, and if you’re available, I’d like you to join me for a meal.”

[Wen Ruan]: “Don’t feel pressured. Come if you want to, but it’s okay if you don’t.”

Tang Song couldn’t help but smile at the message and replied promptly: “Sure, no problem.”

This “big sister” had clearly opened her heart to him. Introducing him to her relatives and friends felt like a significant step forward.

[Wen Ruan]: “Great! Then drop by Oasis View Garden first and hang out at my place before we head over together.”

Tang Song, experiencing this for the first time, felt a touch of nervousness.

After a few more exchanges with Wen Ruan, he exited the chat and skimmed through his other unread messages on WeChat.

Most were from work groups: Jinxiu Commerce, Songmei Fashion, and Slover Trust.

Incidentally, the due diligence for Fanfu Suzi Media was set to begin in two days.

The company had already prepared materials covering its finances, operations, assets, and human resources.

Tang Song had assembled a top-tier team for the job, including elite personnel from Slover Trust and close collaboration with Quanjing Law Firm.

For a small media company, this level of scrutiny—comparable to handling a corporate giant—felt like overkill.

But as it was his first external investment, a smooth and perfect start would boost his confidence.

He opened a chat with Zhang Chengyuan, Slover Trust’s Yan City representative, forwarding Wen Ruan’s message and arranging the upcoming trust agreement signing.

Following his recent inheritance of assets, Slover Trust had received an additional $50 million in funding.

This meant the beneficiaries would enjoy more comprehensive and enriched benefits, such as additional disbursements for major life milestones like marriage, childbirth, home purchases, and education. The trust even included service clauses for beneficiaries’ parents.

After sending the message, Tang Song was about to put down his phone when a new notification popped up.

[Jinxiu Commerce - Li Junyi]: “President Tang, the weather this weekend looks great. Free to join us? A friend and I opened a motorcycle club near the old town, and we’re planning a short ride with a gathering afterward. There will be lots of pretty ladies this time!”

[Jinxiu Commerce - Li Junyi]: Windrush Motorcycle Club.map

[Jinxiu Commerce - Li Junyi]: Club_Photos.jpg

Tang Song clicked on the photos.

The club had a great vibe, with a spacious and comfortable lounge offering coffee, desserts, and entertainment facilities. There was also a modern, industrial-style workshop—clearly a professional motorcycle club.

After a moment of thought, Tang Song replied: “Sounds good. Count me in.”

This tied into a new hobby he had been cultivating.

It had been a month since he’d acquired the Motorcycle Riding Experience Book, but he hadn’t had much time to ride.

Now seemed like a good opportunity to unwind. With a camera and a motorcycle, he could escape for a bit and release some of the tension that had built up recently.

Bzzz-bzzz-bzzz—

Wen Ruan’s Return to Light and Shadow Media

[Jinxiu Commerce - Li Junyi]: "Alright, I'll handle the arrangements!"

The sound of quick footsteps echoed.

Freshly washed up, Zhao Yaqian darted over and threw herself onto the bed, pinning Tang Song beneath her.

Her perfectly proportioned legs pressed against his sides as she swayed teasingly. Licking her lips with her nimble tongue, she grinned. "Brother, I brushed my teeth three times—super clean! But my body’s burning up. Help me cool down, won’t you?"

Tang Song casually tossed his phone aside, grabbed her long legs, and stood up from the bed while holding her. Patting her firm backside, he smiled and said, "The weather’s nice and cool today. Let’s go to the balcony for some fresh air."

Excited, Zhao Yaqian kissed his neck and chirped, "Okay, Brother!"

Qiaoxi District, Zhuxi Residential Complex.

“Senior, stop here for a second. I need to grab something from the store.”

The Wuling Hongguang pulled over by the south gate.

"Qiuqiu, take the umbrella with you!"

"No need, it’s just a few steps away," Cheng Qiuqiu replied, waving her hand as she walked away.

Through the misty rain, her T-shirt and jeans clung to her figure as she stepped confidently into the puddles, seeming to enjoy the drizzle.

Leaning back in her seat, Gao Mengting watched her junior’s retreating figure thoughtfully.

On their route from Yunxi Tower to Zhuxi Residential Complex, they happened to pass Cheng Qiuqiu’s workplace, Cityscape Business Tower. Gao Mengting had suggested that, if convenient, she could pick Qiuqiu up after work.

But her junior had politely declined.

During their time as roommates, Cheng Qiuqiu had been considerate, maintaining boundaries and always doing more than she said. She carefully avoided overlapping bathroom or kitchen schedules, and if she ate any of Gao Mengting’s snacks or fruit, she would replace them by the next day.

Their relationship had remained politely distant, just as it had been in school—until Su Yu’s concert shattered those boundaries.

After that event, Qiuqiu began sharing her struggles at work, her frustrations in social situations, and even her doubts about her emotions.

In the past week, she had even joined Gao Mengting in her daily reading routine.

Their bond was growing closer.

One recurring topic in their conversations was Li Jingzhong.

As the 35-year-old Deputy GM of Yan City Linggan Brand Design Co., Li Jingzhong was undoubtedly an accomplished man. He had shown great care toward Qiuqiu since her internship.

Initially, Qiuqiu, who was emotionally reserved, hadn’t thought much of it. But after she graduated and became a full-time employee, Li Jingzhong started inviting her out for meals and shopping, even asking her to become his assistant.

Bound by the sense of obligation from his past kindness, Qiuqiu couldn’t reject him outright and resorted to various excuses.

On rainy days like today, she went as far as arranging for someone else to pick her up to avoid his offers.

This openness about her dilemmas was a sign that her relationship with Gao Mengting had deepened.

The car door clicked open, and a rain-drenched Cheng Qiuqiu climbed in, clutching a shopping bag.

The Wuling Hongguang slowly drove into the complex, weaving through the narrow pathways before finding a spot in the crowded lot.

Old residential complexes like this one had ground-level public parking, with spaces available to anyone who had registered. On rainy days, competition for spots was fierce.

After locking the car, they took the elevator up to the 12th floor. Gao Mengting retrieved her key from her bag and was about to unlock the door to 1202 when the neighboring door swung open.

A woman in a camisole, Molly, stepped out, patting Cheng Qiuqiu on the shoulder with a grin. "Qiuqiu, you’re finally back."

"Good evening, Molly," Qiuqiu replied.

Molly gestured toward the door of 1203. "Want to come hang out? Wenning and Dongbing are working on a new song in there. The melody’s amazing!"

"Not tonight. Have fun," Qiuqiu said, shaking her head politely.

Noticing her subdued mood, Molly didn’t press further. Instead, she brightened and said, "Oh, by the way, we’ve got a group ride planned for Saturday! We’re heading to the motorcycle club near the old town with the White Knight Band. The club’s vibe is fantastic, and the owner invited us to perform live—there’s an appearance fee, and it’s double the usual!"

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke.

After a moment of hesitation, Qiuqiu nodded. "Alright, let’s do it."

"Great, it’s settled then!" Molly snapped her fingers, bid the two farewell, and headed back into her apartment.

The door to 1202 opened, revealing a dark living room.

Turning on the lights, the two women swapped their shoes at the entryway.

Cheng Qiuqiu suddenly lifted the red shopping bag in her hand and smiled. "Senior, join me for a drink?"

"Sure," Gao Mengting replied, nudging her. "But change out of those wet clothes first—you don’t want to catch a cold."

"Okay," Qiuqiu agreed, heading to her small bedroom.

A few minutes later, the coffee table in the living room was piled with snacks: pickled chicken feet, chips, spicy strips, peanuts, and dried fruits.

On both sides of the table were bottles of cocktails in various flavors.

Opening the window, they let in a cool breeze laced with the scent of rain. The two women moved the coffee table to the balcony, pulled over small stools, and sat beside it.

The sound of glass bottles lightly tapping filled the air.

Under the soft lighting, the space took on a warm, dreamy atmosphere.

Neither spoke much. They simply sat there, sipping cocktails, eating an assortment of snacks, and enjoying the fresh air.

Time seemed to slip by unnoticed.

With a faint flush from the alcohol, Cheng Qiuqiu eventually stood up, retrieved a wooden guitar from her room, and settled into a corner of the balcony. Leaning sideways against the wall, she began strumming the strings and singing softly.

"♪ If you can hold tight, don’t let go. If you can embrace, don’t pull away. Time rushes on in a hurry…"

Listening to her junior sing and watching her shadow shift amidst the interplay of light, Gao Mengting felt a wave of emotions.

As a deeply empathetic person, Gao Mengting often found herself moved by others' feelings. For some reason, Cheng Qiuqiu’s presence carried a subtle sadness and solitude that struck a chord in her.

It was as though there were things Qiuqiu kept buried, reluctant to share with anyone.

"♪ Time… it catches you off guard. Sunny with wind, cloudy with rain…"

Cheng Qiuqiu’s delicate voice was enchanting, her singing so heartfelt it was impossible not to be drawn in.

Sitting quietly on her stool, Gao Mengting listened to three songs in a row, entranced.

By 10 p.m., they tidied up the living room, washed up, and prepared for bed.

As Gao Mengting was slipping off her pants, a knock came at the door.

“Senior, can I come in? I want to talk,” Cheng Qiuqiu’s voice called from the hallway.

“Come in,” Gao Mengting replied softly, opening the door.

Cheng Qiuqiu stepped in, hugging a pillow. “Thanks, Senior.”

Turning off the lights, the two slightly tipsy women lay down on the bed.

Staring at the ceiling in the dark, Cheng Qiuqiu spoke in a complex tone, “My mom said she wants to come to Yan City to see me.”

“Hmm?” Gao Mengting blinked. “That’s good, isn’t it? Why not let her stay for a few days? You could take some time off to show her around and relax a bit yourself.”

Cheng Qiuqiu sighed. “I hate her. I don’t want to see her. That’s why I chose Yan City for college and stayed here after graduating.”

“Why?” Gao Mengting turned toward her, sensing that she was uncovering the core of her junior’s troubles.

Now that she thought about it, Qiuqiu had been living here for quite some time, but she had never seen her call or video chat with her parents. Her days revolved entirely around work, painting, playing guitar, and reading.

Turning onto her side, Cheng Qiuqiu closed her eyes, her tone dim. “I grew up in the countryside with my grandmother. I even attended the village elementary school…”

As she shared her story in halting fragments, Gao Mengting pieced together the picture.

When Qiuqiu was three, her father died after falling from a construction site 30 stories high. Her mother left her in the village with her grandmother while staying in the city to work and live, visiting only occasionally.

Without her parents' presence, Qiuqiu, as a left-behind child, developed an unbreakable bond with her grandmother.

But everything changed after she graduated from elementary school. Her mother brought her to Chengdu to continue her studies.

It was there that she discovered Su Yu, who was then part of the Echo Band.

In her third year of middle school, her grandmother fell seriously ill and needed a large sum of money for surgery. However, the procedure was risky due to her age, and there was no guarantee of success.

Her uncle refused to contribute financially, and her grandmother had no savings.

Qiuqiu knew her father’s death had brought a significant compensation payout and believed her mother must have saved up over the years. She begged her mother to cover the costs, promising to repay her once she started working.

But no one listened to her. Her grandmother passed away in pain.

From that moment, Qiuqiu spiraled into depression and anguish, becoming increasingly withdrawn.

During that difficult time, Su Yu became embroiled in the Black Sea scandal. Watching her idol overcome adversity and rise to new heights helped Qiuqiu slowly recover.

But her relationship with her mother remained irreparably fractured.

Her mother wanted her to attend a prestigious university, make a name for herself, and earn a lot of money.

Qiuqiu, in defiance, chose an artistic path instead.

Her mother wanted her to stay in Sichuan, in Chengdu.

Cheng Qiuqiu had deliberately chosen the faraway Yan City for college.

Throughout her university years, she didn’t take a single cent from her family. All her tuition and living expenses were self-earned.

Now that she’d graduated, she had no intention of returning to Chengdu. Her biggest goal was to earn enough money to travel—pack a bag, attend a Su Yu concert, and visit the places her grandmother used to tell her stories about.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe the fatigue, but Cheng Qiuqiu murmured softly in her Sichuan dialect, “Grandma, I miss you so much.”

Gao Mengting exhaled deeply and couldn’t help but gently hug her junior, offering quiet words of comfort.

July 4, 2023, Tuesday, Sunny, 23~32°C.

After a night of rain, the air in Yan City was fresh and cool.

“Itchy…” Gao Mengting frowned and opened her sleepy eyes.

The first thing she saw was a head of orange-brown hair.

As her mind cleared, the events of the previous night replayed in her head. Glancing down, her expression grew peculiar.

She had always slept in the nude, and last night, after feeling uncomfortable mid-sleep (likely due to the alcohol), she had stripped completely. Seeing her junior’s well-endowed figure under the sheets, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy—there was quite the size difference.

Sensing movement, Cheng Qiuqiu stirred awake. Yawning, she opened her eyes, only to be greeted by the sight of Gao Mengting’s B-cup right in front of her.

“Uh…” Qiuqiu quickly released her hold, her face flushing as she stammered, “Good morning, Senior.”

Just last night, her senior had been fully clothed in a T-shirt. How had she ended up completely bare?

“Good morning, Qiuqiu,” Gao Mengting replied, chuckling as she patted her junior’s head. “I have a habit of sleeping naked—don’t mind it.”

“No worries, no worries! I’ll go make breakfast. Senior, you freshen up first,” Cheng Qiuqiu said hurriedly, clutching her pillow as she darted out, firmly closing the door behind her.

She had few close friends growing up, especially after the incident with her grandmother. Never had she been this physically close to someone else. Her heart felt an odd mix of joy and resistance.

Gao Mengting shook her head with a smile, grabbing the clothes from her nightstand and getting dressed.

After washing up, putting on makeup, and eating break