In the mirror, Ouyang Xianyue's smile froze slightly.

Last time, before Su Yu went to Paris, they had already discussed this topic.

Back then, she could still deftly sidestep it.

After all, at that time, nothing had happened between her and Tang Song.

She could still maintain her composure, could still wrap herself tightly in the rhetoric of "considering the bigger picture."

But now it was different.

She had already torn off all pretense with Jin Meixiao, and with Tang Song, they had pierced through that final layer of window paper.

Facing Su Yu's topic of "having children" again.

It felt like someone was pressing a finger on a wound she had hidden for many years.

"Why ask this so suddenly?" She shook her head with a smile, the laughter tinged with a hint of helpless indulgence. "How many? Haha, how could I have the mind to think about that?"

"Sister Xianyue, we've known each other for so many years." Su Yu's gaze was fixed directly on her, but her tone was like a coquettish whine. "I just want to care about you."

"Today is a special day, let's not talk about this for now." Ouyang Xianyue turned around, casually smoothing the stray hairs at her temples. "Besides, I'm already at this age..."

"Age?" Su Yu tilted her head, amber eyes holding a sincere smile. "You're only thirty-six, the prime age for a woman. You have experience, charm, capital, and also... desires, right?"

Ouyang Xianyue's eyelashes fluttered.

She didn't respond, just turned and walked towards the sofa area.

Her posture remained elegant and dignified, but she deliberately avoided Su Yu's gaze.

"Xiao Yu, why are you talking so strangely today?" She settled onto the sofa, casually straightening her skirt, her tone composed. "Did Smile say something to you?"

Su Yu didn't answer immediately.

She walked over and sat down on the single sofa opposite Ouyang Xianyue, hands clasped under her chin, like a lazy yet focused cat.

Just watching.

Watching until Ouyang Xianyue picked up her teacup.

Only then did Su Yu speak: "Sister Xianyue, you should already know, right? At noon, I met with Jin Meixiao."

This was Ouyang Xianyue's territory; Jin Meixiao's arrival couldn't possibly escape her notice.

But this noble lady was too reserved, so reserved that even though her heart was itching unbearably, she stubbornly held back from asking.

Ouyang Xianyue took a sip of tea, nodding gently. "Mm. Seeing you didn't quarrel, I didn't ask further."

"Then do you want to know what we talked about?"

A slight flicker passed through Ouyang Xianyue's eyes, a proper smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Oh, matters between you two, it's not really my place to inquire..."

"Actually, it's very simple." Su Yu interrupted her. "She agreed to let me enter the Tangjin Family Office."

Ouyang Xianyue's hand paused slightly.

The teacup made a crisp sound against the saucer.

"Oh?" She looked up in surprise. "I didn't expect... she actually agreed? What was her reason?"

"Her purpose..." Su Yu's gaze remained fixed on that beautiful, mature face, her tone unhurried. "She probably thinks you pose a threat to Tang Jin and Tang Song. So she hopes I'll go in as a wedge, stir the waters as much as possible, to guard against you."

As the words fell.

Ouyang Xianyue's expression changed slightly, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. "I pose a threat to Tang Song? Haha, the way she says it makes it sound like she's the only reliable person in this world."

"I also think that's going too far." Su Yu nodded. "Sister Xianyue, actually, I can sense that your feelings for Tang Song are genuine."

Ouyang Xianyue's hand holding the teacup tightened slightly.

She lowered her eyes, gaze falling on the tea leaves floating in the liquid, silent for a few seconds.

"Matters of feelings... at this age, sometimes even I can't explain them clearly."

Su Yu stood up and walked over to sit beside her.

Her posture was natural, yet carried an intangible probing.

"Sister Xianyue, I know Jin Meixiao too well. What she told me today, the meaning is very clear. What she's worried about isn't what you are now, but what you might do in the future."

Ouyang Xianyue's brows furrowed slightly.

"I'm not trying to sow discord." Su Yu quickly added, her voice softening further. "I truly believe in you. You and Tang Song have been through so many years, helped him so much, I've seen it all."

She paused, weighing her words:

"But... her concerns aren't completely without logic either."

Ouyang Xianyue raised her eyes to look at her.

Su Yu met her gaze without flinching:

"You are different from us. Jin Meixiao and I, behind us, it's just ourselves. But behind you, stands a family, stands an entire system. You have a family, industries, so many eyes watching you."

"You can't exist solely as an individual forever. You must have your own... child, to inherit and stabilize all of this."

The air fell silent once more.

Sunlight from outside the window fell on the two of them, casting a soft glow.

Ouyang Xianyue remained silent for a long time.

With her sophistication, she naturally understood Su Yu's subtext.

In the future, the domestic political-business system, family networks, industrial funds...

These intertwined networks of interest were never something that could be maintained permanently by personal charisma alone.

A real bond was needed to sustain and inherit them.

If she didn't have a child, all of this would eventually fall to others.

This issue, she had thought about it before.

Even privately made some long-term considerations.

Having a child was indeed the simplest method.

Once this thought took root, it grew like wild grass.

Unable to suppress it, and she didn't want to suppress it anymore.

Actually, when she went to Jing County to meet Tang Song's parents before, this consideration wasn't absent from her heart, just always suppressed.

After all, she was someone who valued face greatly.

But Su Yu's words, Jin Meixiao's suspicions and checks, also gave her a legitimate stepping stone.

Moreover, the situation was already different.

With the emergence of Crown Bank, Anne Kate holding significant leverage, potentially inheriting the entire Kate consortium in the future.

That was a powerful overseas force, and Jin Meixiao was essentially also a representative of international capital.

Jin Meixiao didn't trust her, and how could she fully trust Jin Meixiao either?

Then, helping Tang Song stabilize the domestic foundation, balancing the various forces, became a responsibility she had to shoulder.

This was no longer personal desire; it was the bigger picture.

Ouyang Xianyue lifted her head, her gaze gentle and composed. "Xiao Yu, you've framed the issue too pragmatically. Children and feelings shouldn't become tools within power structures."

"Smile being wary of me, I can understand. After all, our positions differ, so our perspectives naturally differ."

"Everything I do is essentially just hoping that Tang Song can maintain stability and autonomy amidst the complex international capital games."

"However, I will seriously consider what you said. When necessary, I will only stand on his side."

Su Yu stared at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Sister Xianyue, your rhetoric is too textbook. Talking like that, I almost thought I was listening to a board meeting speech."

Ouyang Xianyue's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, then she chuckled lightly. "Perhaps it's habit."

Su Yu, however, didn't continue on that topic, changing direction instead. "Then, regarding my entry into the family office, what's your view?"

Ouyang Xianyue set down her teacup, her slender fingers interlaced on her knees. "Naturally, full support. Your entry is a good thing for Tang Jin."

"Jin Meixiao's intention is for me to take over the control rights of the AI industry-related funds currently in your hands." Su Yu met her gaze without flinching or showing smugness. "Sister Xianyue, I don't want to hide this from you. This is the condition she set. It's also what I'll do after entering."

"You're quite frank."

"In this matter, there's no need to hide things. Besides, it couldn't be hidden from you anyway."

Ouyang Xianyue looked at her, a complex light flashing in her eyes. "No problem. As long as the direction is aligned, who the specific executor is makes no fundamental difference to me."

Their gazes briefly intersected in the air. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Su Yu stood up, elegantly smoothing her skirt.

"The timing is about right, Tang Song should have arrived. Should we head over as well?"

Ouyang Xianyue rose as well, adjusting her cuffs, speaking softly. "Let's go. This afternoon is indeed a very important moment for him."

What she didn't say out loud was—

For her, it was also an important moment.

This was the first time Tang Song was formally appearing in the sight of all capital, media, and industry leaders.

And Xuanji Optical World happened to be the most core industry under the Tang Yi Precision system.

In a sense.

His debut today was inherently tightly linked to her industrial territory.

It also meant—

In the perception of the outside world, he and she would inevitably be seen as part of the same camp.

This thought gently rippled in her heart.

Not flaunted, but truly existing.

This secret sense of delight was like a feather, constantly tickling the tip of her heart.

Tickling until her heart itched.

The two walked out of the chairman's office one after the other.

In the elevator lobby.

Secretary Chen was already waiting to one side, having pressed the down button in advance.

The elevator doors opened.

The three entered.

The numbers slowly changed from the 42nd floor, finally stopping at the 4th floor.

This floor was the guest rest area before the headquarters inauguration ceremony.

It was also the buffer space before all core guests made their formal entrance.

The entire floor adopted a semi-open circulation design, the floor covered with deep gray sound-absorbing carpet, the walls featuring low-key yet high-end brushed metal finishes. At the far end hung the Möbius strip logo of Xuanji Optical World.

Staff moved about in an orderly manner, voices deliberately hushed.

Seeing the two, they bowed slightly in greeting, stepping aside to make way, not daring to disturb.

Just as the two approached the door of the guest lounge.

From the other side of the corridor, several figures happened to be walking towards them.

At the lead was a tall, straight figure.

The lines of the navy blue bespoke suit were sharp, the shoulder line straight, appearing both noble and composed.

That face appeared particularly deep-set under the soft lighting.

High nose, thin lips, distinct brow bones, eyes as calm as water.

By his side was Liu Qingning, with her pure and composed demeanor.

Half a step behind was the tall, sexy Lin Muxue.

The air quieted for an instant.

A smile curved on Su Yu's stunningly beautiful face.

Bright and natural, like a wisp of spring breeze, instantly dissolving any potential awkwardness.

"President Tang, Qing Ning, you're here."

A smile spread in Tang Song's eyes. "Ms. Ouyang, Su Yu, Secretary Chen."

"Qing Ning, President Tang."

Liu Qingning's gaze slid over Su Yu's face, then returned to Ouyang Xianyue, saying softly, "Hello, Ms. Ouyang. Hello, Miss Su Yu."

Her voice was steady, her demeanor poised and natural.

No nervousness, no stage fright.

And no sense of exclusion.

Like an orchid freshly transplanted into a greenhouse, still carrying a hint of youthful naivety, but already firmly rooted.

Seeing this scene, the smile in Ouyang Xianyue's eyes deepened a little more.

She extended her hand, palm up, making an elegant "please" gesture.

"Please, President Tang."

Tang Song looked at her, offering no extra courtesy or polite refusal.

He gave a slight nod and stepped forward.

At the end of the corridor, the door to the lounge slowly opened.

At the end of the corridor.

The door to the guest lounge slowly opened.

Warm yellow light poured out like water, carrying hushed voices and soft background music, flowing out together.

The moment they stepped inside, the view opened up.

This was an exceptionally spacious circular lounge.

The center was an open social area, with circular sofas and coffee tables arranged in a staggered layout.

To the left was the media and public relations communication area, where PR personnel were speaking in low tones with several well-known media figures.

To the right was the semi-private conversation area for core guests, with several sofa groupings in a semi-enclosed arrangement.

Tang Song's steps didn't hesitate in the slightest.

His gaze slowly swept across the entire room.

Most of the guests invited to this headquarters ceremony were from external circles.

Asia-Pacific representatives from major global tech companies, top technical experts, leading tech and finance media, partners from core investment institutions...

Not many faces from the political-business world, nor an overly strong "Tang Jin faction" flavor.

This was a formal declaration to the outside world.

Xuanji Optical World was operating independently from Tang Yi Precision, about to launch a truly consumer-market-oriented core product.

It was no longer an internally incubated testing ground; it was stepping into the spotlight, ready to face the scrutiny of the entire industry.

There were still nearly 50 minutes until the start, but the lounge was already gathering quite a few key figures.

Some faces Tang Song had repeatedly seen in international forum reports and on finance magazine covers.

True industry giants.

Of course, there were also members from the Tangjin Family Office, and they were the most core ones at that.

But the most conspicuous was undoubtedly the figure sitting on a single sofa.

Secretary Jin.

Silk blouse, bodycon skirt, stockings, high heels.

Every detail was just right, elegant yet sharp.

Her beautiful face wore her signature smile.

Under the cover of that smile, her clear, spirited eyes took in everything at the entrance without a trace of movement.

Wen Ruan, sitting across from her, also slowly rose at this moment.

Her gaze passed over the crowd, looking towards the entrance.

Complex gazes intersected in the air.

Complicated and hard to describe.

The air gradually grew quiet.

Lin Muxue quickly lowered her head, shrinking herself into the most qualified background.

Liu Qingning took a light breath, her fingers curling slightly, then forcing herself to relax.

Right at that moment.

Ouyang Xianyue took half a step forward, naturally standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Tang Song.

She didn't try to take the lead, nor did she try to steal the spotlight.

She just raised her hand, gently placing it on Tang Song's back.

"Everyone."

Ouyang Xianyue's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a leader's natural composure, extremely penetrating.

The previously scattered conversations in the lounge naturally died down.

"Let me formally introduce to everyone. The Global CEO of Xuanji Optical World, Mr. Tang Song. Also the youngest executive committee partner of our Tangjin Family Office."

Tang Song faced the various gazes, giving a slight nod, his voice steady and clear. "Thank you all for taking the time to come and witness the inauguration of our headquarters together. This is just the beginning. I look forward to deeper exchanges with everyone in the future."

As his words fell, a wave of warm applause rose in the lounge.

Mixed with low murmurs and subtle exchanges of glances.

"This is Tang Song?"

"More impressive than in the materials..."

"Family office executive committee partner? Then he's not just a project CEO."

They had long heard about this excessively young and handsome new CEO through internal channels.

But when they actually saw him in person, they couldn't help but feel a sense of dislocation.

When did such a figure emerge in the domestic tech circle?

Especially the identity of Tangjin Family Office partner—this meant he wasn't just a "frontman tool" for Xuanji Optical World's marketing, but a true core member.

In the corner, several senior tech and finance media figures quickly raised their cameras.

The shutter sounds were muted, but formed a continuous, dense series of clicks.

The flash wasn't deliberately turned on.

But the lenses had clearly locked onto today's true central figure.

As Tang Song and Ouyang Xianyue walked together deeper into the lounge.

The conversations in the room gradually resumed, becoming even more dense than before.

People from different circles began consciously moving closer to the core social area.

As today's host, Tang Song didn't stay put to be observed.

Instead, together with Ouyang Xianyue, he moved naturally among several groups of guests.

Neither letting the atmosphere go cold, nor being overly conspicuous.

On the other side.

Liu Qingning took a deep breath, straightened her slightly flustered emotions, and proactively walked towards the area where the Tangjin Family Office members were gathered.

"Director Jin, Wen Ruan." She gave a slight bow, then turned to the others. "And everyone else, I'm Liu Qingning from Qingning Technology. It's an honor to meet you all."

"Hello, Qing Ning. I'm Zheng Qiudong from Dejurenhe. Pleased to meet you."

"Hello, President Liu. I'm Luo Bin from Quan Jing Law Firm."

"Hello, President Liu. I'm Wu Kezhi from Jingwu Capital."

...

A series of brief self-introductions suddenly elevated the sense of formality in the air by a level.

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar faces, Liu Qingning forced a frank, sincere smile onto her face.

She straightened her back and step by step integrated into their midst.

The atmosphere in the entire lounge was quiet and orderly.

No exaggerated pleasantries, no deliberate social performances.

Low conversations, lightly clinking glasses, faint sounds of flipping through materials, and the barely-there rhythm of background music...

Interwoven into the aura of a high-level industry occasion.

In the crowd, Wen Ruan, watching Liu Qingning actively socializing, finally let go of the worry that had been hanging in her heart.

It seemed.

This once most-worrying Bai Yueguang had truly figured things out.

Not only had she accepted Tang Song's multifaceted affections, she was even starting to actively integrate into this complex circle.

Her gaze secretly swept over the other figures.

Director Jin sat composedly in the core seat, expression calm, a smile on her face.

Ouyang Xianyue stood slightly to Tang Song's side, subtly controlling the rhythm of the entire room.

Su Yu leaned against the edge of a sofa, her demeanor bright and natural, as if just attending a relaxed business event.

One had to admit, this playboy really had something!

To actually manage such a complex scene so harmoniously.

As long as these few didn't start fighting, even if there were conflicts in the future, she could peacefully watch the drama and enjoy the show from the sidelines.

But speaking of which...

Tomorrow was Tang Song's birthday.

Liu Qingning obviously genuinely intended to prepare a joint surprise celebration for him.

This was the first birthday after formally establishing their relationship.

Naturally, Wen Ruan felt particularly expectant.

There was just one more problem: Zhang Yan.

That girl was insecure, timid, and especially shy.

She needed to first "coax" her over.

Then, using a confidante big sister approach, gradually pave the way, letting her and Liu Qingning truly interact.

Thinking of this.

Wen Ruan sighed softly in her heart.

Then inexplicably felt a sense of relief.

Once Zhang Yan's matter was also smoothly resolved.

Her role as the "golden scapegoat" could probably finally be retired.

For some reason, a feeling akin to a mother finally raising her child arose in her heart—a sense of gratifying accomplishment.