Maxing Out Charisma, Inheriting Game Assets Chapter 791: Xu Qing's Shameless Maneuver

Yan Province Financial Center, Tower A, 50th Floor, Rongliu Investment.

Shen Yuyan sat in her semi-open office, quietly surveying her surroundings.

The documents that had once piled up on the desk were now completely cleared away, leaving it unusually tidy.

Several important due diligence reports, correspondence files with portfolio companies like [Yimai Technology], and minutes from various closed-door meetings she had attended on behalf of Tang Song.

All had been sorted, either archived into storage or sealed and packed away.

Detailed handover lists and contact information were attached nearby.

Her gaze swept across this office, finally landing on that small metal nameplate.

[Special Assistant to the Chairman - Shirley]

A nameless emotion gradually welled up inside her.

Now, that mission was complete.

Tomorrow, Friday, she would formally leave this place. All resignation procedures were already settled.

Immediately after, she would assume her new role as Chief Ecosystem Officer at [Xuanji Optical World], flying to Shen City next week to embrace that more challenging, more power-proximate new identity.

She should be feeling excited, elated, even smug and triumphant.

She had always been a woman with clear goals and ambition, possessing an almost instinctive desire and drive for upward mobility and broader stages.

But at this moment, that wasn't the case.

Shen Yuyan let out a soft sigh, her gaze drifting beyond the glass wall to the still-bustling open office area.

Once, to compete with Lin Muxue, she had even schemed to get her high school classmate Bai Menglin into Rongliu Capital, secretly pleased with the back-and-forth "harem struggle" tactics.

Looking back now, she had indeed been too shallow, her horizons too narrow back then.

Her thoughts couldn't help but drift further back, to that bone-chillingly cold night in Modu a few months ago.

The eve of the "Investors' Night."

Back then, her dignity had been crushed to dust by reality. Standing on the edge of a cliff, her heart was filled with icy confusion and hopeless struggle.

Until Tang Song appeared.

He gave her a choice, a lifeline, making her "Assistant Shen."

Not only did she gain the ability to avenge her humiliation, but she was also given the opportunity to reshape her life.

This "Special Assistant" identity was far more than just a job to her.

It was the life-saving straw in her desperate situation, the cornerstone for rebuilding her dignity, the turning point where her life's trajectory was forcibly corrected, pointing towards a brilliant starry sky.

The excitement, trembling, and all-or-nothing resolve from that time, even now when remembered, could still make her fingertips tingle slightly and her heart surge.

That peak experience, mixed with gratitude, awe, and extreme excitement, was probably something she would never experience again in this lifetime.

Even the moment she received the offer for [Xuanji Optical World]'s Chief Ecosystem Officer couldn't compare.

That feeling...

It was a bit like the fire burning in her heart when she first decided to start her own business.

Pure, scalding, heedless of consequences.

She gave a self-deprecating smile, unlocked her phone, opened a photo album folder, swiped her fingertip, and quickly found a photo.

It was summer 2021, the sun blazing.

She had resolutely left her HR position at P&G, joining Zhang Tianqi's team with high spirits to co-found "Youjie Household Services."

The photo background was the crowded public workspace of the Yancheng Entrepreneur Center. They had two narrow, connected workstations at the very back.

Back then, she was filled with aspirations and ambition for the future.

She also believed hard work could change everything, that a business model could disrupt an industry, that she could knock on the door of success.

Looking back now, it felt completely different.

Director Jin's words seemed to echo clearly in her ears again:

"Excessive utilitarianism," "poverty mindset," "cognitive limitations"...

Ever since leaving New York, these sharp terms had been circling in her mind.

She repeatedly introspected, dissecting her growth trajectory and every key decision.

Her real transformation probably began after starting her business.

When she truly witnessed the ruthlessness of capital, the disparities in society, and the despair-inducing chasm between social classes, that anxiety of urgently wanting to break through her current situation, craving recognition, desperately wanting to enter a certain social circle, became her constant shadow.

Especially when dealing with fundraising, navigating among various investors.

That suffocating feeling of constantly needing to weigh her own chips, calculate every bit of social capital, and weigh exchanges gradually made her tense and sharp.

Just as Director Jin had pointed out so incisively, this wasn't exactly wrong.

In the jungle where the strong prey on the weak, to survive, to climb upward, one must understand calculation, be adept at using rules, even exploiting human nature.

But this posture was indeed not very likable.

Perhaps someone with a simple mind like Da Sha Qing would actually be more likely to win Tang Song's affection.

Even the university version of herself would probably be more to Tang Song's liking.

But the reality was, she had already developed this way of thinking and behaving, ingrained to the bone.

Wanting to change was almost impossible.

That wasn't her personality either.

She quietly gazed at the bright-eyed version of herself in the photo, then looked up at her reflection in the glass curtain wall.

Time had left clear marks on her, not just on her appearance, but on her core.

Just then—

"Ring ring ring—"

The landline on the desk suddenly rang, interrupting her thoughts.

The screen showed the internal extension for the front desk.

Shen Yuyan took a deep breath, quickly adjusted her state, and when she picked up the phone, her voice had already regained its usual efficiency and elegance. "What is it, Emily?"

"Shirley, there's a gentleman named Lu Ziming here at the front desk looking for you. He doesn't have an appointment, but he says he's an old friend of yours."

Shen Yuyan was slightly taken aback. "Yes, he is indeed a friend. Let him come straight in."

"Okay, I'll bring Mr. Lu over right away."

Putting down the receiver, Shen Yuyan quickly stood up, straightened the slightly wrinkled hem of her professional skirt suit, and subconsciously glanced at the small mirror on the desk to confirm her makeup was flawless.

A moment later.

"Knock knock knock—" A rhythmic knocking sounded.

"Come in."

The office door was pushed open.

Emily stepped aside, making an inviting gesture, and then that familiar figure walked in.

Lu Ziming was wearing a crisp, dark blue casual suit, his hair neatly combed. He looked a bit travel-worn, but his spirits were clearly much better than they had been in New York.

The whole man exuded a sense of high-spirited confidence after having a burden lifted.

"Yuyan, oh no, I should call you President Shen now," he said with a smile, his tone familiar. "Surprised?"

Shen Yuyan couldn't help but smile too, walking around the desk to greet him. "When did you get back? Why didn't you say anything in advance?"

"Got in last night, slept all day to adjust to the time difference. Came to the company this afternoon to handle some work, and here I am, immediately coming to pay my respects to you," Lu Ziming joked.

"Have a seat." Shen Yuyan personally poured him a glass of water. "Are things all wrapped up in New York?"

"Consider myself completely free!"

Lu Ziming took the water glass, plopped down into the leather sofa, and let out a long, relieved sigh.

He began recounting recent developments.

With the strong intervention of the Sloan-Huntley company, the review passed quickly, and the project was smoothly handed over.

He could be considered to have accomplished his mission and retired honorably, not only ending his assignment early but also receiving a fairly substantial project bonus.

At this point, he reined in his smile, looking at Shen Yuyan with sincere eyes. "So the first thing I'm here for today is really to thank you, Yuyan. If you hadn't made the connection in the middle, I really would have been stuck in that mess in New York, unable to climb out."

Although it was due to Tang Song's help, Shen Yuyan's deliberate arrangement had also been a huge favor to him.

"Why thank me? If you want to thank someone, thank your good brother." Shen Yuyan leaned against the edge of her desk, arms crossed, her beautiful peach blossom eyes looking at him with a hint of amusement. "But... your real purpose in coming today is probably to check out your future work environment, isn't it?"

Lu Ziming's hand holding the water glass paused slightly. He chuckled awkwardly. "As expected, nothing escapes the sharp eyes of Campus Belle Shen."

"Made your decision?"

"Mm, thought it through." Lu Ziming put down the water glass, his expression becoming a bit more serious. "I know my own limits. Even though I have a master's degree and work experience, if I really went to a top-tier institution like Jingwu Capital or Smile Investment, places full of Wall Street sharks and Ivy League elites, that high-pressure environment is like raising gu. With my half-baked skills, I definitely wouldn't be able to keep up with that insane pace. I'd end up at the bottom of the performance rankings, embarrassing Old Song instead."

"But Rongliu Capital is different. The WOFE license is right here in Yancheng, and the office location is on the financial street I'm familiar with. A place like this, backed by a big tree, has a higher tolerance for mistakes, and the pace is more suitable for me right now. I'll establish a foothold first, accumulate some real skills. When I truly have the confidence, I can always shamelessly go ask Old Song for a more difficult challenge later."

"Heh, that's quite good too." Shen Yuyan nodded, not trying to persuade him to change his mind.

She understood Lu Ziming's personality well and had already guessed his choice.

For a second-generation rich kid from an upper-middle-class family like him, who never wants for food or clothing, his quality of life has already surpassed the vast majority of people, even without desperately competing in the rat race.

Choosing a platform like Rongliu Capital, which offers "moderate pressure and bright prospects," was indeed the safest decision at this stage.

Moreover, with Rongliu Capital backed by the Tangjin Family Office, even just being a mid-level manager here would give him access to resources and networks at a level unimaginable to the outside world.

The two chatted for a while longer about their respective recent situations.

Lu Ziming glanced at his wristwatch, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face. Finally, he spoke up. "Um... Yuyan, tomorrow is Friday. Are you and Tang Song free in the evening? I was thinking... of treating you and Tang Song to dinner. Firstly, to tell him about joining Rongliu in person, show my stance; secondly, to formally thank you both for saving me this time."

He rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Actually, I originally wanted to call Tang Song directly. But you know, after that meeting with him in New York, I was really intimidated. His level is just too high now. I was afraid it wouldn't be appropriate to call him out of the blue, or if he was really busy, he'd have to think of a polite excuse to turn me down, making it awkward for everyone. So, I wanted to trouble you to sound him out for me first."

This was the inevitable sense of distance brought by a disparity in status.

Even if they were once good friends who slept in bunk beds, when one party stands in the clouds, the other, no matter how much they don't want to create distance, will subconsciously become overly cautious.

Seeing Lu Ziming's cautious, somewhat uneasy demeanor, Shen Yuyan felt a subtle sense of resonance in her heart.

She wanted to explain that she actually didn't have that much say in front of Tang Song, and was far from being some special existence who could easily "blow a pillow breeze."

But the words died on her lips.

Some boundaries were still blurry even to her; how could she explain them clearly to others?

In the end, she just nodded. "Alright, leave it to me. I'll communicate with him later. But you don't need to be so formal. Tang Song's feelings for you, his old classmate, are still very deep. If you contacted him directly, he would definitely agree, and he'd be happy about it."

"That's good!" Lu Ziming let out a relieved sigh and immediately stood up. "Then I won't disturb your work any longer! I'll wait for your news! I'm off now!"

After seeing Lu Ziming out, Shen Yuyan returned to the suddenly quiet office.

She didn't sit down immediately, but stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at Yancheng's gradually lighting up, dazzling nightscape.

She was silent for a moment.

Picking up her phone, she opened that familiar chat dialog. Her finger hovered over the screen for a long time.

She weighed her words carefully, deleting and rewriting repeatedly, finally composing a message.

She clearly and concisely recounted Lu Ziming's return, his decision to join Rongliu Capital, and his wish to treat them to dinner.

The wording no longer carried the ambiguous push-and-pull of before.

Click, send.

The wait wasn't particularly long, but in this deliberately quiet atmosphere, every second felt stretched.

"Bzz bzz bzz—"

[Tang Song: "No problem, I happen to be free Friday night."]

Shen Yuyan felt a slight sense of relief in her heart and immediately replied, "Okay. Where would be suitable for the restaurant? Do you need me to book a private club with good privacy?"

Almost an instant reply.

[Tang Song: "No need for that much trouble. Let's just go to that old Zhang's barbecue place outside the west gate of Yanke University."]

[Tang Song: "We used to eat there a lot during university. Kind of miss that taste."]

Looking at that familiar, somewhat faded address on the screen, Shen Yuyan bit her lower lip.

Outside the west gate of Yanke University, that neighborhood filled with the atmosphere of everyday life and memories of student days, that dimly lit but always bustling barbecue joint... she naturally knew it.

During university, she would occasionally go there with classmates.

But what truly moved her at this moment was Tang Song's subtle thoughtfulness and gentleness.

With Tang Song's sharpness, he must have seen through Lu Ziming's carefulness in going through her to relay the message.

He must have guessed the awkwardness and unease stemming from that huge status gap.

So he specifically chose such a place, wanting to dissolve the barrier between them, wanting to preserve this camaraderie from their school days.

He really was... a contradictory and complex person.

Clearly already standing on a cloud unimaginable to ordinary people, looking down on the operating rules of this world, yet still willing to bend down, brush away the dust for those he cares about, carefully maintaining those seemingly insignificant old sentiments.

Clearly having stunning beauties like Su Yu and Director Jin by his side, yet still maintaining a kind of almost indulgent gentleness and patience towards Da Sha Qing.

After replying with a simple "Okay,"

Shen Yuyan put down her phone, closed her eyes, slowly leaned back, and sank completely into the soft, wide back of her chair.

The neon lights outside the window flowed silently, enveloping her in a mix of warm and cool light and shadow.

But her thoughts surged like a breached tide, uncontrollably churning and colliding.

It's a pity, life has no 'what ifs.'

...

8:30 PM.

Lan Feng International High-end Apartments, Unit 2202.

On the living room sofa, Shen Yuyan, wearing a simple white T-shirt and light blue yoga pants, sat in a lazy yet elegant pose.

She held a thick hardcover copy of "Das Kapital," her long, fair fingers gently turning the pages.

The electronic lock emitted a soft "beep," and the door was pushed open.

"Yanyan! I'm back! So tired!"

Before the person even entered, Xu Qing's energetic shout came through.

Shen Yuyan couldn't help but smile, looking up.

Immediately after, Xu Qing bustled in.

She casually tossed her jacket and bag aside, collapsed onto the sofa next to Shen Yuyan, and leaned against her.

"Back? Did everything go smoothly on set today?" Shen Yuyan closed the "Das Kapital" in her hands and ruffled Xu Qing's thick hair.

"Don't even mention it!" Xu Qing pouted in complaint. "I'm never guest-starring in a main role again, it's too tiring! Just standing there for scenes, blocking, it takes so much energy, especially since I haven't been resting well lately."

As she spoke, she nuzzled against her best friend like a koala, acting spoiled. "Yanyan~ I'm so thirsty, and I want some fruit too~"

Shen Yuyan gave her a light, exasperated tap on the head, but still turned and went to the kitchen, returning shortly with a plate of cut fruit and a drink.

Xu Qing immediately grabbed a few cherries and stuffed them into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster storing food.

She began vividly recounting funny stories from the set.

Shen Yuyan sat quietly beside her, listening. Unlike before, she didn't join in the giggles, and a hint of low spirits showed between her brows.

Xu Qing just assumed she was tired from work today and didn't think much of it.

She picked up the biggest, reddest cherry and held it to Shen Yuyan's lips, using a coaxing tone. "Ah— open up, be a good Yanyan."

Shen Yuyan obediently bit it, chewing slowly.

After swallowing, she suddenly spoke softly. "By the way, Qingqing. Tomorrow evening, Lu Ziming is treating me and Tang Song to dinner. It's set at that old Zhang's barbecue place outside the west gate of Yanke University."

"Old Zhang's barbecue!" Xu Qing's eyes instantly lit up, and she subconsciously smacked her lips. "Their charcoal-grilled lamb skewers, sizzling with oil! And the grilled bread slices, brushed w