Maxing Out Charisma, Inheriting Game Assets Chapter 309: Badge, Growth, Salary, and Opportunities

After washing his hands carefully, Tang Song sat back on the sofa, taking a deep breath. He selected the final combination in his inventory and tapped "use."

“Whoosh—”

The Enhancement Crystal dissolved into four dazzling beams of light, enveloping the selected items.

A vibrant progress bar appeared on the system interface:

【0%...10%...90%...100%】

“Ding! You have obtained the special item: 【Badge - Scholar (Aura)】.”

As the light dissipated, the inventory displayed a gleaming golden streak.

A badge of purple and gold emerged, surrounded by specks of starlight, its brilliance captivating.

Tang Song quickly sat upright, his eyes flashing with excitement.

And not just any badge—it came with aura effects!

In the game, Badges were exceptionally rare items, each imbued with powerful special abilities.

Previously, he had received the Badge - Lucky Me after completing Growth Plan Task ②: Company Start-Up. That badge had granted him a 24-hour luck buff, ensuring the company’s first livestream went smoothly and even skyrocketing his relationship with Wen Ruan.

Clenching his fist with excitement, Tang Song focused his thoughts to check the new badge’s details.

Badge - Scholar (Aura)

Effect: Upon equipping, the player will trigger a guided task and gain the passive skill Special Vision. Completing the task unlocks a realistic school scenario instance.

• Under the influence of Tang Song's Mask, your true identity will remain concealed as you assume the persona of a "Scholar."
• Role switching: From President of Songmei Fashion to Scholar.
• Gain multiple aura buffs.

Duration: Badge effect lasts for 15 days.

Hidden Attributes:

• Luck +2

1. Learning Aura:

• Deepen your passion and focus for learning.
• Intelligence +30, Agility +10.
• Enhance focus, memory, comprehension, and creativity.
• Master knowledge swiftly and integrate it seamlessly.
• Buffs include photographic memory, creative inspiration, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

• Maintain a regular schedule, a healthy diet, abstinence, and consistent exercise.
• Physical endurance and constitution will improve over time.

1. Ensure sufficient free time before equipping the badge.
2. The scenario instance contains special NPCs, hidden shops, and unique tasks.
3. ...

Tang Song exhaled deeply as he finished reading the extensive description.

This was, without a doubt, the most detailed item introduction he’d ever seen.

The badge perfectly encapsulated the attributes of all four combined items, enhancing them significantly while adding the Luck +2 bonus.

According to the notes, equipping the badge would plunge him into a 15-day immersive scenario instance. He’d need to maintain the "Scholar" persona, including a disciplined lifestyle—and abstinence.

Of course, the potential gains were astonishing.

Buffs like photographic memory, creative inspiration, and rapid knowledge absorption were already worth the effort. He could finally master English fluently, acquire in-depth knowledge of finance and economics, and broaden his skillset.

After three months of rapid transformation from an average individual to a billionaire heartthrob, he realized he needed time to consolidate and deepen his foundations.

The badge promised to elevate his overall abilities, increasing not only his charm rating but also catalyzing a personal transformation.

However, now wasn’t the right time to activate it.

After a quick shower, Tang Song sat at his desk and meticulously organized his upcoming schedule.

• The ownership transfer of Lanfeng International Hotel was nearing completion. As the controlling shareholder, he would need to step in as executive director and liaise with the hotel’s senior management.
• Due diligence for Fanfu Suzi Media was finalized, and the formal investment agreement required his participation.
• Growth Plan Task ②: Structural Optimization was also nearing completion, and there were plenty of tasks to handle at Songmei Fashion.

As his business empire grew, so did his responsibilities.

Tang Song realized he desperately needed a full-time secretary or assistant to manage his schedule.

If Secretary Jin were around, she would’ve had everything arranged, with reminders sent at just the right time.

As for Little Xue?

Tang Song couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head. She was still too green and lacked real competence. While she was great for appearances or social situations, handling a mountain of work was clearly beyond her.

Better to let her keep growing quietly.

The next morning, after completing his daily self-discipline routine, Tang Song immersed himself in his study.

The 20-million-yuan item in the mall filled him with renewed energy.

He began by importing the footage from yesterday’s GoPro recordings onto his computer, diving into video editing.

Cheng Qiuqiu’s aesthetic sense and composition skills were apparent; her shots were excellent, saving him considerable effort.

Setting the theme and pacing, adjusting colors, selecting filters and background music...

The final cut was a polished 30-second clip, with an impressive finish.

Uploading it to Douyin, he added an eye-catching caption, popular hashtags, and hit publish.

Against the soft hues of dusk, the BMW Double-R exuded a cool and mysterious charm.

The interplay of light and shadows along the bike’s contours created an elusive visual effect, radiating allure.

Wearing the Summer Whispers outfit, Tang Song, although helmeted, exuded confidence and charisma. His tall, lean figure paired perfectly with the sleek bike.

The upbeat background music enhanced the video’s vibrant rhythm, making it seamless and captivating.

Tang Song rewatched the clip several times, smiling as he gave it a well-deserved like.

After a barbecue lunch with a beautician, Tang Song returned to his study.

He organized a comprehensive post detailing his personal transformation journey, including comparison photos of himself before and after his lifestyle changes.

Opening Little Red Book, he created a new post with the eye-catching headline:

“100 Days of Transformation: Mission Accomplished!”

The cover image juxtaposed two contrasting photos:

1. Before: A body softened by inactivity, with high body fat and a lackluster appearance.
2. After: Defined muscle lines, six-pack abs, a balanced and confident posture, and clean, healthy skin.

The stark contrast between the two images was striking, emphasizing the dramatic transformation.

With everything uploaded and ready, Tang Song felt accomplished as he clicked "publish."

After finishing his Little Red Book post, Tang Song leaned back, exhaling deeply. His gaze grew slightly unfocused.

When he first started documenting his transformation, it was to leverage the power of online feedback to improve his appearance and charm from all angles.

Now, the purpose had been fulfilled.

The post wasn’t just a conclusion to his transformation series; it was also a summary of the progress he had made over the past 100 days. Each entry in the series was a testament to his growth, the changes significant yet still within a believable range.

Standing up, Tang Song stretched with satisfaction.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city skyline glimmered like a living painting. Skyscrapers stood tall against the blue sky and white clouds, their sharp silhouettes etching the urban horizon.

Moved by the moment, Tang Song picked up his guitar, letting music flow as an expression of his emotions.

Later that evening, as he lay in bed, he opened Little Red Book again.

Unsurprisingly, he saw 99+ unread notifications.

Opening his latest post, the stats were astonishing:

• Likes: 3,699
• Saves: 584
• Comments: 644

Scrolling to the most liked comment, Tang Song’s lips curved into a faint smile.

momo:

Further down, a familiar ID caught his attention:

Yao Yao Ling:

Tang Song chuckled, replying, “My dear girlfriend, time to sleep. You’ve got work tomorrow.”

Soon, the lights in his bedroom went dark.

With steady breathing, Tang Song drifted into a deep sleep.

  July 10, 2023: A New Day

The day dawned clear, with temperatures ranging from 28°C to 40°C.

At 7:30 a.m., a hearty breakfast was laid out on the table: millet pumpkin porridge, vegetarian buns, fried eggs, and a small plate of homemade pickles.

Sun Youguang pulled out a chair and called to his girlfriend, who was still studying.

“Juan’er, breakfast’s ready!”

“Thanks, dear.” Li Juan walked over, giving him a hug and planting a kiss on his cheek.

Despite the humid weather—with over 70% relative humidity—the atmosphere at the breakfast table was light and happy.

Today was the 10th, payday for both of them.

Their small savings had already reached 140,000 yuan. With this month’s salary, they’d hit their 2023 goal of 150,000 yuan—a milestone they had set at the beginning of the year.

With that, they’d have enough for a down payment on a house in their hometown.

To achieve this, they’d lived frugally. Sun Youguang even took on weekend delivery jobs until recently, when he decided to focus on preparing for the September intermediate accounting exam.

Now, with stable jobs and their goal met, they could relax a little.

After a commute involving buses and the subway, Sun Youguang arrived at the 30th floor of Yunxi Tower, where Songmei Fashion was headquartered.

At 8:30 a.m., the company doors were already open.

“Morning, Brother Sun!” A cheerful female voice called out as he walked in.

“Morning, Momo,” Sun replied with a smile.

It was Zhang Mo, from the live-stream operations department. She was part of the K3 team, which managed the live-streaming room of their colleague He Liting.

Their cohort of new hires had grown considerably since they started. Among them, He Liting had advanced the furthest.

Now, she had her own dedicated operations team handling not only live-streams but also short videos and personal branding.

The company planned to turn her into a fresh IP, making her one of its rising stars.

As Sun made his way through the office, many colleagues greeted him warmly:

“Morning, Brother Sun!”

“Morning!”

“Good morning!”

The office buzzed with activity. Staff from administration, live-stream operations, marketing, and product selection departments were already busy at their desks.

Sun couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and nostalgia.

When the company was smaller, he’d often been the first to arrive. Now, with a growing team of nearly 80 employees—including those in logistics and warehousing—the monthly payroll alone was a hefty sum.

But the company’s revenue was impressive too.

The main live-stream room, managed by Li Qingya and her team, consistently maintained high engagement thanks to its cost-effective products and loyal audience.

Meanwhile, Zhao Weiwei, a newly recruited host specializing in bags and shoes, drew an average of 300 viewers per session.

And then there was He Liting, whose single-product live-streaming sessions, supported by a professional team, Dou+ promotions, and Qianchuan ads, had already surpassed the main live-stream room in popularity.

Standing in the clean, spacious, and warmly lit office, Sun Youguang surveyed his surroundings with pride.

As the first employee ever hired by the company, he felt a deep sense of hope for the future.

Entering the finance office, Sun tidied up his workspace, replaced the trash bag, and began his routine accounting tasks.

By 9 a.m., his supervisor Zhang Chunling and cashier Wang Xin had arrived, and the office bustled with quiet efficiency.

The newly adjusted organizational structure had streamlined roles and responsibilities, improving the company’s overall efficiency.

In the finance department, for instance, the three members—supervisor, cost accountant, and cashier—each had clearly defined tasks, enabling smooth operations.

Sun couldn’t help but admire the two company founders. The new structure had played a pivotal role in the company’s success.

At 10 a.m., a notification popped up on his computer screen:

[HR Director - Yu Qiuguo]: “Youguang, please come to the HR office.”

Heart racing, Sun quickly replied, “Got it,” and stood up.

As he walked toward the HR office, unease gnawed at him. Why would the HR director call for someone like him?

“Knock, knock, knock—”

“Come in.”

“Director Yu.” Sun entered, a hint of nervousness in his voice as he faced Yu Qiuguo.

At 35 or 36 years old, Yu Qiuguo carried herself with a refined air. Her thin frame and faint wrinkles did not detract from her sharp, bright eyes and brisk demeanor. She exuded confidence and authority, a well-known expert reportedly poached by Bocai Yingrui from Yan City’s largest e-commerce firm.

“Take a seat,” she said, pulling out a chair for Sun Youguang. Sliding two contracts across the desk, she smiled. “Your performance has been excellent. General Manager Gao specifically mentioned you during last week’s meeting. This is your official employment contract—sign it, effective from July.”

For a moment, Sun was stunned, and then his face lit up with joy. “Thank you, Director Yu. Thank you, GM Gao!”

Having joined the company just over two months ago, Sun was well aware of the standard three-month probation policy. This early confirmation of his position reflected the company’s recognition of his abilities and offered the security of a stable job.

Opening the contract, he saw the details:

• Position: Accountant
• Contract Length: 3 years
• Base Salary: 5,500 yuan/month
• Performance Bonus: 1,500 yuan/month

Surprised, Sun looked up and blurted, “Director Yu, why do I have a performance bonus?”

Yu Qiuguo chuckled. “In our company, functional departments undergo performance evaluations after probation. Since there’s an evaluation, naturally, there’s a bonus. Yours was specifically arranged by GM Gao.”

“Oh, oh! Thank you, leadership! Thank you, company!” Sun’s cheeks flushed with excitement as he signed the contract and stamped his fingerprint.

Holding his employment contract, Sun floated back to his desk, his heart pounding and his hands trembling slightly.

The compensation at Songmei Fashion was already excellent, with full benefits and allowances for meals and phone bills.

With the addition of his bonus, Sun’s real monthly income now amounted to approximately 7,400 yuan—on par with the salary of a department supervisor in many smaller firms in Yan City’s highly competitive job market.

Mustering his courage, Sun sent a message to the Vice President:

• Sun Youguang: “Thank you, GM Gao, for your recognition!”

The reply came swiftly:

• GM Gao Mengting: “Keep it up! Work hard to become a certified intermediate accountant soon. Our finance department is expanding, and you might be promoted to supervisor in the future. 😊”

Tears of gratitude welled in Sun’s eyes.

He recalled how, in the company’s early days, everyone worked in the same open-plan office, chatting freely with President Tang and GM Gao. Those moments now felt like a privilege.

He had once casually mentioned his September plans to take the intermediate accounting exam. To his amazement, GM Gao had remembered.

“Bzzz, bzzz—”

His phone vibrated with a message notification:

• [China Merchants Bank]:

His paycheck had arrived!

Looking at the screen, Sun was silent for a long time before opening WeChat. He messaged his girlfriend, Li Juan, to share the news about his promotion and raise.

He added: “Juan’er, let’s discuss whether we might be able to buy a home in Yan City.”

At 26, Li Juan was already of marriageable age. They had long planned to wed within the next year or two.

Time and again, Sun had seen the longing and admiration in her eyes whenever Yan City’s real estate market came up.

With housing prices now falling and their exams approaching in September, Sun believed they had a shot. Songmei Fashion was flourishing, and his leadership clearly valued him. Perhaps they could truly settle in Yan City, leaving behind their small hometown.

Choosing to join Songmei had been the best decision of his life.

Beaming, Sun headed to the break room, his water cup in hand. Just as he was about to make some instant coffee, a familiar voice interrupted him.

“Brother Sun, making coffee? Let me make you a real one—instant coffee isn’t great.”

Turning, Sun saw He Liting walking in. Scratching his head sheepishly, he replied, “Thanks, Lili—uh, I mean, thanks, Yiyi.”

He still wasn’t used to addressing He Liting by her nickname.

Covering her mouth to laugh, He Liting teased, “Brother Sun, no need to be so formal!”